In God's Hands

I keep reminding myself that God's plans are ALWAYS better than my plans.  

Here was my plan: Finally make forward progress on losing weight.  I was really planning on losing close to 10 lbs per month until I got to 240 or 250.  Then we could finally start trying for another baby around August or September. 

God's plan:  Pregnant now!  We found out yesterday we are pregnant.  From my own research my due date is September 23rd.

We have known from the start, our family was not complete yet and we have both been longing to grow our family.  However, I had such problems with my pregnancy with Emily.  Being so overweight made me more susceptible to having difficulty.  I was really hoping by losing some of the weight before getting pregnant again, knowing it would diminish the likelihood of the same issues. 

Also, I have had a couple of miscarriages in the past.  Therefore, I do know there is a chance this could be the fate of this pregnancy as well.   I do not have any pregnancy symptoms - because it is soooo early in this pregnancy - but I feel like this pregnancy is different.  I feel like this baby is going to be part of our family.

So for the second time this week, I am putting everything in God's hands.  I am trusting that His plans are always better than my plans.  


Much Love,
Heather

Moving Again!

So.....we are moving again!  

The Initial Plan - We are struggling a bit with our finances, so we have decided to sell our house.  We moved into my dad's house in November, while we fix up and sell our house.  My dad is getting married (no date set) and plans to be moving in with his fiancée soon.  Sometime between now and the wedding my dad was going to sign the house over to me and we would take over the remainder of the mortgage (but pay rent to him until he signs the house over).  David and I thought we would take some of the money we made from selling our house, fix up dad's house and sell that one too.  When we sell dad's house, our plan was to split the proceeds with my two brothers (who still live at my dad's house and will obviously be on their own when the house is sold).

So we moved in very quickly to dad's house so that David could hurry and get our house ready to put on the market.  The house is still not ready and we still have a lot of work to do at dad's to get it semi organized.  Everywhere I look, there is just so much to do and I am constantly overwhelmed....but still determined to plug along thinking we have time to really go through all our stuff and start really purging.  Unfortunately - plans have changed.

Change of Plan - I don't want to go into the details - but a couple of days ago, my dad drastically changed the deal of signing over the house.  David and I have spent a lot of time discussing our options and we have talked about it with my brothers as well (since our decision directly effects them as well).  We all agreed that it isn't worth it for us to take over the house anymore.  I am relieved that they feel the same way I do because I don't want to damage our relationships in the process.

I still don't know how everything is going to play out but I do know we are moving again!  I am so grateful to have God on my side! In moments where I feel completely overwhelmed and stressed, I am learning to turn to Him more.  I very much struggle with letting my best be enough and leaving the rest to God.  "Lucky" for me, God gives us numerous challenges and opportunities that can grow us in our faith.  

Much Love,

Heather

Ice Cream Cones!

Who doesn't love ice cream?  The other day, David, Emily, and I went to Jason's Deli for lunch. I could eat Jason's Deli everyday.  One of the best parts, is that when you are done you can help yourself to the soft serve frozen yogurt.  Ever since Emily's first ice cream cone, she has eaten them the same way......from the bottom first.  It is so amusing that she still has yet to consider it another way.  We used to try to get her to eat it from the top but she just cried.  Here are a few pictures I had taken with my phone (sorry for the poor quality).

(May 2012)

This is Pop Pop (my dad) trying to help Emily eat the ice cream cone from the top.

(May 2012)

Two seconds later, she figured out the "proper way" to eat her ice cream cone!

(June 2012)

(July 2012)

(January 2014)

We did have more ice cream in 2013 - guess I just didn't take any pictures....however, the point is, some things never change.... and that's a good thing.  I love this little quirk about her.  

Much Love,
Heather

Zumba

Don't laugh but I signed up for a Zumba class at school.  It is twice a week, right after work.  I am so nervous to start this class next week.  I know I am going to be not only the biggest person there but also the most uncoordinated.  I also know it will be really difficult for me to keep up.  However, once I get past the feeling like everyone is judging me, I think the class will be very good for me.  I have been doing great at walking but am ready to add a high cardio workout.  I have the Zumba discs at home, but have only pulled them out to do them once.  It was just Emily and I at that moment and was really fighting for my attention, I had to stop because I was worried I was going to bump into her or step on her (remember my lack of coordination skills).  I am rarely at home without Emily being there....the moment passed....there the discs sat.

I recently have gone back to school and seem to be crazy dedicated to not get less than an A if I can help it (which I have had all A's since I have gone back).  So I figure if a grade is depending on it, I will go.  I will put in the effort.  I will get an A.  But more importantly, I will have gone beyond my comfort zone and will feel a huge sense of accomplishment.  Who knows, I may even get the hang of it by the last class!  Plus just think what an incredible boost this will give my weight loss goals and also strengthen my knee!

Much Love,

Heather

Welcome 2014!

I am so glad that 2013 did not end terrible for me, but there is nothing like a fresh start.  I am definitely looking forward to getting 2014 started!  I am far from where I would like to be in my eating, exercising, as well as my finances and home organization.  I am not making big year goals/resolutions but rather this year I am going to stick with what I feel will be realistic monthly goals/priorities. 

Here were my goals for December 2013:

■ Don't quit! - Success!  Still here, still motivated!

■ Walk 25 miles - Blew away this goal...ended up walking 40.6 miles!

■ Don't go crazy on holiday treats - Ummm don't want to say I went crazy but glad they are out of here... not calling this goal a success though.

■ Lose 10 lbs - Success! I lost 10 lbs.  I definitely wished it had been more but honestly the fact that I lost weight through the Christmas holiday and did not gain is a pretty big deal!

■ Enjoy Christmas! - Yep...Christmas was definitely enjoyed!

I definitely surprised myself by walking 40 miles in one month!  I really enjoy walking too.  I started walking a little over a mile at a time....and now I aim for the miles each time!  I haven't walked for speed (don't laugh but my average speed is 2.7mph).  A couple of times, I tried to pick up the pace and walk faster for at least a mile - but by the end of the mile, my knee was killing me.  Since dislocating my kneecap a little over a year ago - I am in no mood to push my knee more than it can go.  I know as the weight comes off, the better it will be.  In truth, I would rather be able to walk farther than faster.  

Now onto January 2014 goals!  I cannot tell you how happy I am that I have already started being more active and I did not wait until after Christmas.  However, I don't think I am going to make a goal of losing X number of pounds again...because I feel if I stick to my fitness and eating goals, the weight loss will come.  These goals I have for January are not just fitness goals - they are goals to try to get my entire life under control not just my weight.  

Here are my January 2014 goals: 

■ Don't quit!

■ Walk 50 miles

■ Start school (this includes three classes and a Zumba class)

■ Start budget system

■ Start planning and sticking to a menu
■ Have a family date (beyond the normal stuff we do together)
■ Have a date night with David

■ Donate or pack up the toys Emily has outgrown

■ Pack up all the Christmas Decor

■ Update pictures in frames

I am going into this month's goals pretty confident.  Wow!  Did I just say that I feel confident about a goal of walking 50 miles in one month?  This is not something I really ever thought I would say.  Here's to a crazy new year - full of firsts!

Much Love,
Heather

Progress Report

I can not tell you how many times I got all hyped up to get something going....and fizzled out in the first couple of days.  Well, not this time.  I made it through the first week - not a perfect week but I didn't give up and I kept my focus!  

Let's start with the pros:
■ Got out and walked 5 times this week!  No less than three laps per outing
■ Consciously made some wise eating choices
■ Barely had any soda (only when I was getting a headache and felt I may need a caffiene boost) - but drank almost ALL water
■ Didn't quit!!

Now the cons:
■ Still need to work on my meal planning!
■ Two people brought in donuts for the entire accounting department ---- by the end of the day I had eaten THREE donuts....I felt really guilty about it for a while - then made myself snap out of it
■ Missed my walking goal of 18 laps by two laps.  I was planning on walking five laps on Sunday night....but after 2.5 laps it hit me that I was not immune to the nasty stomach bug Emily and David had.  I barely was able to finish that lap....NOT FUN!

End result of my first week: -7 lbs!  WOOOHOO!!  I have a long way to go but I am at least 7 lbs closer than I was when I started!

I have not gotten the pictures back from our photographer for my official "Before" picture...but I did take a quick picture of David and I this weekend after Emily's Christmas performance.  

Much Love,
Heather

Santa Time!!

I love almost everything about Santa pictures.  I love to watch how the kids change through the years.  It is hard to believe Emily has racked up THREE Santa pictures already.  

2011 

Emily and Santa "had a moment" - and I also think this might be the best Santa picture of all time.  I am completely not biased or anything!

2012

Emily was not so fond of Santa....not that I blame her - he does look a little uncomfortable in this photo.  

2013

Fear of Santa is gone but out comes the "fake smile".  She started doing this a few weeks ago.  Still a keeper.  

Does everyone love Santa pictures as much as me?

Much Love,
Heather