Shake it like a polaroid picture.....

For those music buffs, such as myself, I assume you KNOW where I got the title of today's posting......right?!?!? If you are not so "dope" as me (that means cool BTW), you should google it and feel enlightened. LOL

Update on weight loss and workout regiment:

Still losing (not enough) and loving my workouts. I am running every other day and doing cardio and strength training in between. So weird---I HATE to sweat normally, but LOVE to sweat when I work out--- go figure.

Oh well.
fondly,
fit

Friday, June 25th

196

It has officially begun!

I'm {officially} back to running.

The word "officially" is in brackets due to my enormously out-of-shape self.

I started with the 1/1 scenario (one minute run; one minute walk) and did 3 miles last night. Wow--believe it or not, it was a bit easier than I had expected! The treadmill is usually more difficult for me as opposed to running outside due to the "boredem" I experience while running in place for 45 minutes. However, given the 100+ degrees outside, I can deal with my mundane surroundings. [smile]

Speaking of 100+ degrees....summer is here in full force! And with the heat comes our annual mohawk hairstyles. Jake's mohawk is about 6 inches high and black and gold; and Nick's is about 3 inches with a touch of green. I have become the family hairstylist...and have become well-versed in liberty spikes and french braids (ha!).

Our family just returned from a WONDERFUL vacation with 19 of my family members, including my parents, my siblings and their families. A great time was had by all. In fact, it's amazing how well we all get along. All the cousins are very close and they take good care of each other. We played lots of games, played golf, swam, etc.

Here are a few pictures.

I am definitely blessed to have the family that I have.....

fondly,

fit

Vacation is over...

197.6

I'm back up a couple of pounds---but this is post-vacation....so I'm not too upset. Started running again, so it should start declining.

Signed up for a 10K in September....Yikes!!

June 3rd

195

June 1st

198

May 27th

201

...and so it begins...

Living Proof......

I have decided that I am living proof to the theory:

"Stress can cause weight gain."

Yes -- it's true. Whereas I have a very large frame for a woman (confirmed by the Dr.), my target goal weight should be around 155 lbs to 160 lbs. I know what you "little" people are thinking...."big deal--that should be EASY!" Well, my sweet little friends--it's not. You see, I have so much stress in my life right now that, based on the above theory, I'm surprised I don't weight 350 lbs. I'm going through a terrible battle with my ex-husband over my three oldest children. I won't even burden you with the details, but suffice it to say, the situation is ridiculously awful and has shook me and my kids to the very core.

Okay ~ back to my weight. I am going to go out on a limb and reveal my deep, dark secret that I don't tell ANYONE (not even my husband)....I weigh almost 200 lbs. Whew...just typing it makes me want to cry. Seriously. Now--I have been even heavier in my life at 226 lbs. I lost over 70 lbs once, too. I was 29 when I lost all that weight and I must admit, I didn't really do it the healthiest way either. I used massive amounts of ephedrine (which is now linked to heart issues and is banned--who knew?). It's 11 years and one more kid later----and my metabolism is at a snail's pace. Yep - for sure. All my kids eat much more than me, believe it or not, but I am still gaining weight! So frustrating.......

Due to all the stress and fatigue, I have found myself NOT exercising. Exercise is the key to (my) weight loss. I know that...but tell that to my body who would prefer to lay in bed. Plus, with four children and all their activities, it's hard to get a minute for myself anyway. About a year-and-a-half ago, I was on a steady regiment of running in the mornings at 5:30am. And I enjoyed it. Somewhere along the way I got sidetracked---about the time I was in a car wreck and couldn't exercise for several months. That wreck totally busted up my desire for any type of pain--even the good kind that makes you healthier.

So--here I am, pushing the scales again. And I MUST make a change. PERIOD. So, in following another blogger's idea, I will be posting my weight until it gets down to where it needs to be. I'm not so concerned with the "number" per se, but I want to feel well and in shape. God has blessed me with a tall frame that is able to camoflauge most of this weight, but I feel awful.

No more!!!


So, my blogger friends, prepare to watch my shrinking number, okay? Oh, yeah, and encouragement is certainly appreciated.

fondly,
fit

Blah Blah Blah

Yep - the title just about sums it up. I can't believe how fast life is going right now! Let's see....

March

• My little girl turned 13. For her birthday, she and I went to see The Phantom of the Opera. She loves musicals and The Phantom is her favorite; so I surprised her. Had a blast. Here is her beautiful picture--

• Here are some pictures from her birthday party. She had six friends stay over at a hotel. We had so much fun! We surprised her with a Hummer limo (I got a REAL good deal!)

April

• My Tyler turned 16! We took he and some of his friends paintballing. [I had coupons!] We had an incredible time...killing each other was f-u-n! LOL I don't have any pictures because I had to leave my phone in the car. We had some bruising and bleeding --- but not too much.


• Nick started T-ball. Wow...let me just say that T-ball parents can be extremely competitive! In all my years of kids' sports -- I have NEVER seen parents get so worked up over a little game of baseball! For goodness sake, they are FIVE and SIX years old! Here are a couple of pictures of my little man. Isn't he adorable?!?

May

This month has already taken off...

• Tyler starts baseball this week. His first game is Wednesday and they've only had two (2) practices! He hasn't played since he was 8 years old, so I'm proud of him playing despite his intimidation of the other kids that have been playing for so long! And--let me say, I know that he is tall, but seeing him in those baseball pants REALLY makes him look tall and slender! Good grief!

• My nephew, Lucas, graduates this month (tear!). He is the first of the grandkids to graduate and I'm not real sure how his mom will hold up. LOL He is the valedictorian (of course) and probably has the highest grade point average of any GCA student for the last 13 years. Literally, he has received the academic achievement award every year since Kindergarten! I am so proud of him. He received the Dean's Award and full-scholarship to John Brown University. I can't believe he's already graduating....he was just born the other day!

As you can see -- life has been BUSY! God is good.

fondly,

fit

.....Post Edit....

I must post edit my last entry...

April 21st -- not a good day. I was already struggling with my "anniversary" of my car wreck. On the way home, I received a phone call from my husband..."honey--I'm okay, but I've been in a wreck."

UGH. Not really the way I wanted to end my day. I'm sure he didn't either.

It gets worse...

"honey--I've called the police. The guy hit me and ran."

"and--I think the car is totaled."

"Oh--and it's at the same intersection where you had your wreck last year."

YEP--same day; same intersection.

Could we possibly be more unlucky? LOL

So--here we are...less one vehicle, and we have to pay the deductible; and the money we will get back won't pay for another car.

Let's just suffice it to say that life has been frustrating.

I must, though, end this posting on a positive note===Robert was only slightly injured. Praise God that he is okay. He's sore and shook up (and a LOT mad), but he's okay.

fondly,
fit

One year ago TODAY...

...I was in a serious car accident. Don't get me wrong--it could have been MUCH MUCH worse; but still serious. I was heading to work, minding my own business--when the guy behind me thought it would be worth his time to text while he was driving. I was at a complete stop and was hit full force at about 40-45 mph. He hit me and I ended up in the back seat of a smaller car. All in all, five cars were in the wreck. There is NO doubt in my mind that if I had not been there and the guy had hit the lady in front of me, she would be dead. So--does that make me a hero?? LOL

Regardless, I still suffer from the wreck. I find myself having occasional panic attacks when someone gets too close to me in traffic. I'm sure that's normal. My back and neck will never be the same --and that really frustrates me.

Probably the most frustrating is the guy's insurance company is fighting my claim. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? We have a court date in AUGUST. I've had to fill out an affidavit stating I was alert, not medicated, not on the phone, etc. Huh??? I don't believe I had anything to do with the fact that the 19-year-old punk behind me had no regard for anyone around him. In fact, he wouldn't speak to anyone at the scene.

Seriously. He didn't even care enough to make sure I was okay. Yep --- punk.

Here is the verse I am claiming today (as I find myself very emotional):

I Thess. 5:23-24
"May God Himself, the God of Peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it."

fondly,
fit

"What do you mean...you don't think my kid is the cutest thing in the world?"

Well ~ I have gone and done it. Yep...I have entered my youngest son in a photo contest. I've never done that--with any of my kids. Naturally, he will win. Because he is the cutest kid in the world...bar none. *smile* Okay~ for all my many many readers (ha!), I know you have children, but I don't think I'm being biased here at all, right?

For those that are interested in following suit...here is the link to add your child's info (must be age six and under). [OK, Krister--I know you're about to follow my lead...and I agree that little angel of yours is precious...but don't cry too much when Nick wins, ok?] Just so you will know the stiff competition you're up against, here are just a couple of his photos:

Pretty cute, huh? Like I said---he will win. Just keepin' it real, peeps...

All kidding aside, I don't really care if he wins or not, I just thought it would be cool. Who knows, right?

hugs,

fit

JV Panther Basketball

#41 is my son, Jake.....He's my pride and joy. God has given him extreme athletic talent!

Love you, baby!

mom

Still no answers...but I remain hopeful!

My previous post was heavy....I know....but regardless, it was necessary to put into words what I have been feeling in my heart and head. I long for the kind of eagerness and dedication in my walk with Christ (as demonstrated here). I came across this blog through several other blogs and I saved it as a favorite. I don't know the author personally, but her words speak to me and cause me to think about where I am in my relationship with Christ. Her authentic desire to study God's Word and her immovable stance on what God requires of her is amazing. Several times I have typed up an email asking her "how" she got to the point where she is....but I never send it. I guess it's based mostly on fear of hearing the answer and not being able to follow through. I know that God is not the "author of fear" but sometimes (nope--most-times) it's easier to stick-my-head-in-the-sand rather than possibly fail at something.



My blogger acquaintance posted not too long ago that she was starting a new Beth Moore study, Breaking Free. I think I'm going to start it, too. Maybe it will help me work through these issues-----



fit

Raw Honesty

It's been so long, I'm not even sure where to start. I've had some great things going on---and some not-so-great. I must admit that I often wonder where my walk with Christ is going.

Please understand that this blog entry today will be raw and honest.
[I may not have any readers anyway--due to my long absence *smile*]

Why is it that people (me) base their relationship with Christ on "feelings"? Are we pre-programmed that way or is it by-product of our need for visual stimilus or something "tangible" we can touch and feel? It's no secret that I have always struggled with the concept of God. Believe me, I have done studies, attended classes and asked questions--- but regardless, I fall back into the mindset of, "where is God?" I don't like that mindset. So why can't I stop?

You know, it would be very nice--and extremely helpful-- if God had a videocam or something like that. Heck, I'd settle with a red bat-phone--just some way of hearing Him, seeing Him, or something tangible. I've heard others proclaim their instances of actually hearing God speak to them. So, exactly how do I place an order for that?

Lately, I have felt that my prayers (albeit simple, short, and occassional unfortunately) have "been bouncing off the ceiling" so-to-speak.

Do you think that God still hears them? Does he sit on His throne laughing at my half-hearted attempts? Is He in his "judging-mode" or His "mercy-mode"? Is it wrong to beg for a "sign" from Him?

The sad thing about this situation and all the questions I have posed is that I KNOW all the answers---IN MY HEAD.

But not in my heart--and therein lies the problem.

I have gained much head-knowledge of God over the years having come from a "bonefied Christian home." Where I struggle is the *heart* part of everything. So....how do I fix it?

fit