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!!!!

It's been awhile! Let me catch you up!

BEWARE IT'S A BIG ONE!

In October the kids had two days off of school so we decided to pack up and spend the night at the Great Wolf Lodge. We had a great time. It is really a wonderful place for families. Good memories!

In October we have three birthdays. Me, Austin and Dad so we had one big party for all of us. As always we had a great time. We love to get together with family.

Oh and then there was Halloween! Shaylyn was a sweet little angel and Austin was a member of the Cowboys team for about the 3rd year in a row. Oh well he has all the gear!

Chance chose to go hunting with Doug so I don't have any pictures of him trick or treating this year. (he is a little old for it anyway) The kids saved him some candy. They had fun!

Shaylyn's birthday was November 15th and she decided to invite her 3 best friends Alli, Kaylie and her cousin Cierra over for cake and presents and then I took them all to Disney on Ice. They had so much fun! It was a little scarey for me to take 4 little girls by myself but they were all very good and listened to me and we had a great time. Here are a few pictures from the show.

They saw Mickey and Minnie

Goofy

Cars

Tinker Bell (which I think was there favorite)

Lion King


The Little Mermaid



A couple of weeks ago Shaylyn finally decided she was ready to get her ears pierced that is until I signed the paper work and they had the earrings in the guns. Then she had a meltdown and wanted to change her mind but we went ahead and got them done, and now she loves them and is happy she did it. She is growing up so much.