Kauai

Doug and I were fortunate enough thanks to family to go to Kauai a couple of weeks ago and it was WONDERFUL!! We had great weather, great hotel, great car, great food, great beaches. We couldn't have asked for a better trip. Here are some pics from our vacation. Thanks to Jodi and mom and dad for all the help with the kids. Love you all!!!

Our first sunrise in Kauai!

Ok I think I better stop there. I have so many pictures I could add but I will stop now. It was a perfect trip and I am grateful we were able to take it.

Baseball and the Zoo!

All the first graders got to go on a field trip to the Point Defiance Zoo on Thursday and I went to be with Shaylyn. We had a great time it was the perfect day. The weather was great. We came pack with the same amount of kids we left with which is a plus.Shaylyn had fun with all her friends.

Mrs. Niehaus' whole class with her in the middle.

This is Shaylyn's first year playing baseball. She has played soccer before but this is her first try at playing baseball. She is doing well and seems to love it. She is the only girl on her team. Now if you know my shy little Shay Shay like I do I totally thought she would freak out and not want to play. But we talked about it and decided it would be cool to be the only girl because then she could show the boys how it's done. She seemed to like that so she hasn't had a problem with it. Good Job Shaylyn!

New Background

My inspiration for my new background? Count down to our Hawaii trip. 5 -1/2 weeks!! Yeah!! Can't wait! Doug and I in paradise for a week. Yipee!

Funny for the day!

My sister found this on a friends blog and stole it from her because she thought it was funny and I agreed so I stole it from her. Enjoy!

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and preceeded to the checkout counter.
The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"
"Eight," the boy replied.
The man continued," do you know what these are used for?"
The boy replied, "not exactly, but they aren't for me."
They're for him. He is my brother. He's four.
We saw on tv that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now he can't do either.

Hee Hee too funny although you might have to be a girl to really appreciate it:)
Thanks Jodi and Marci for the laugh!

Girls Ocean Shores Trip

I had the oppurtunity to go to the Ocean Shores with my mom and sister for 3 days and it was wonderful. We stayed in this nice little cabin close to the beach. We had fun just relaxing and talking and enjoying one anothers company. It was great. The weather was beautiful. I am so grateful for my mom and sister. I am so blessed to have these two women in my life. They are always there for me. They both support and love me and inspire me to be better. Thank you for a wonderful relaxing trip. I love you both and I am grateful for you in my life.

Weight Loss Journey

So my sister suggested that I blog about my weight loss journey so I decided that it was a good idea. Many of you who read my blog know that on February 17, 2009 I had the lap band surgery. So today is one year post surgery. I am not one that likes to talk about my weight and surgery but I wanted to document my last year for myself and anyone else who might be interested. It took me a long time to decide to do this, I did alot of research, I attended the required seminar, and thought and prayed about it for probably more than a year. When I made my decision I felt peace and knew it was right for me. So this wasn't decided on a whim, I needed to make sure I was ready. In my research I found that the lap band was life changing for a lot of people but really life changing for diabetics. The research showed that diabetics were putting their diabetes into remission and that was what I wanted more then anything. That was goal number one was to put my diabetes in remission. I couldn't even imagine that it was possible. So I had surgery with no complications or regrets. I was taken off my high blood pressure medication within hours of my surgery and my blood pressure has been perfect ever since. I had to be on a liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery and 4 weeks post surgery. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be I think because I knew this would work for me and I was committed to it. So over the last year I stepped up my exercise and the weight came off quickly the first 5 months but it has slowed down a bit but I am still losing and I feel wonderful. I went in to my diabetes check last month and found out that my diabetes is almost in remission. YEAH!!! My hemaglobin A1C test came back at 6.2 and under 6 is considered in remission. YEAH AGAIN!! That was my biggest goal. I have been so much healthier this last year it is amazing. Even if I never lost another pound (which I do intend on doing) I would be so happy that my diabetes is in remission. I know that is a huge accomplishment and I am grateful for that. As of today one year later I have lost 85 pound!!! I use this visual that is more than my 7 year old daughter. Kind of crazy! I feel so great and I am truely greatful for my renewed health and fitness. I feel healthy and strong and I will finish this journey. I owe it to myself and my family to. I am also so grateful for a wonderful loving husband who has supported me through this whole process and to the rest of my family for supporting me and being there for me. I am grateful for my family and my health. I have some before and after pics!

BEFORE

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This was the morning of my surgery February 17,2009

Looking back at these pictures it really hit me today. I knew I was overweight but it wasn't until I compared the pics that I realized how unhappy I was not only with my looks but with my health.

AFTER

These are pictures of my two 5k's the first one was in September and the second was in December!

Getting ready to parasail in Hawaii with my sister.

Life is good and I am so grateful for my health and happiness! Here is to another year of happiness and progress!!

Hunt Elementary Presents "Snow White"

This past weekend Austin and Shaylyn were in a play at their school. The Missoula Children's Theatre comes every year to Hunt and on Monday the kids all audition for the play, they find out Monday night if they made it and then they have a week of intense play practice. It is really amazing what the kids can accomplish in one week. They did such a great job. Austin chose to be one of the Assistant Directors which is all the behind the scences stuff but I was told he was a huge help and did a great job making sure everyone got onto stage when they were supposed to. And Shaylyn, my sweet little girl was a little evil bat in the Black Forest. She did a great job. The play was so fun to watch. I am proud of them both for trying out and making the play because there was enough kids that tried out to cast the play twice. Which is really sad because we have been on the other end when they didn't make it but it was a good experience for them. Good Job Austin and Shaylyn!!!!