Unedited, Random Conversations from the Trenches...

I love doing Aqua Aerobics with the lil'ol ladies at the Y.  Really, I do.  So much.

Some of the women talk and visit THE ENTIRE CLASS.

Heart rate up?  No.

Breathing heavy?  No.

Muscles burning?  No.

There to workout?  No.

I, however, am actually trying to workout.  Soooooo, when Miss Violet begins to engage me in conversation, I am forced to give her the shortest answers possible.

Such as...

Miss Violet, "Shanna, I love your son.  Is your husband Chinese as well?"

Me, "Yes, Billy is Chinese."

???

Random conversation with one of my children...

Child, "Mom, I need new under ware."

Me, "I JUST bought you 20 new pairs 2 months ago.  Where are they?"

Child, "I threw them away."

Mom looks confused.

Child explains, "You know, when I didn't feel like washing them."

Speechless.

???

Random text with husband who works late, late, late on Wednesday nights...

Me, "I am in a cuddly mood.  But, it probably won't last."

Husband, "Me too.  I'm an hour away.  Crap."

????

Text to a friend at 10:15 pm the night before school starts...

Me, "What time does school even start tomorrow?"

I warned you I hated back to school.

Speaking of back to school...

Just for fun...here's the supply list for 5 children going back to school:

1 package construction paper
1 pack of copy paper
7 packages of dry erase markers
3 pkg graph paper
3 rolls of scotch tape
4 glue sticks
1 bottle of Elmers glue
1 protractor
Student Planner
4 blue pens
5 Ticonderoga dozen pencils
3 USB memory sticks
1 in 3 ring binder
3 composition notebooks
TI-30 solar calculator
Consumable Math workbook
Consumable Careers workbook
16 crayold markers
5 dozen colored pencils
5 pair of scissors
6 boxes facial tissure
1 ruler
2 rolls paper towels
3 container sanitizing wipes
2 box zipper quart bags
1 box zipper gallon bags
1 box sandwhich bags
(11) 1 1/2 in 3 ring binder with a clear view cover
26 tab dividers
1 blue folder without fasteners
1 green folder without fasteners
1 yellow folder without fasteners
1 tow pocket plastic folder - purple
1 box crayons
2 large glue sticks
1 scissors blunt tip
1 plastic school box
2 large white rubber erasers
400 count baby wipes
1 old sock
Art shirt
1 box Dixie cups
2 boxes of 24 spoons
1 roll paper towels
5 pack 2x2 post it notes
sheet protectors
ruler
college ruled notebook paper (15 packs)
Scientific calculator
protractor
6 highlighters
red pens
Fine tip markers
P.E. Uniform
hole punch
basket for locker
locker shelf
Head phones with boom microphone
Keyboard cover
New Uniforms

Just the bare minimum.

NOT to INCLUDE:  hair cuts, new shoes, new socks, new under ware for child who throws theirs away, new software, sports fees and sports physicals.

Also NOT to INCLUDE:  College girl's sheets, towels, lamp, fan, food, books, supplies, dishes, healthy snacks, bath mat, care products, head bands, pony tail holders, new shorts because it's like "100 degrees in Fort Collins", white and colored note cards, snow boots, bike, bike light, lock and basket, bike registration, parking pass, tuition and repairs to car.  And, oh yea, mom can I have some gas money.

Also NOT to INCLUDE:  $330 worth of fees to be paid to www.payforit.net for parking passes, technology fees, workbooks, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.

And don't even think I didn't notice that $10 charge for Victoria's Spanish workbook...and she isn't even taking Spanish.

If I'm not stressed yet, by all of THAT...

There's the 1,589 emails I get from 5 different schools each containing 3,493,978,290,932 new orders and details for me to adhere too.

There should be a rule.

Each school is allowed to send out 1 email.  Containing 1 list.  The end.

And all the while I'm getting my own business ready to re-open for Fall as well (I have lists of my lists at this point and I am DARING my husband to say, 'I think you forgot something') -- and they slap "Back to School Night" on me?!?!?!?!?!

No.  I just say no.  I hate to be "that parent" who doesn't go to the Back to School Night.  My sons sweet, hand written "letter" sitting on the desk all lonely -- other parents shaking their heads at our neglect and the teacher sending me an email that she'll "catch up with me when she can".  Sigh.

But, on paper at least, I am THAT parent -- for sheer survival I must be.  And, me and teacher should just shoot straight with each other from the start.  I rock in a lot of areas!  Back to school night ain't gonna be one of them.  Homework is another.

Homework with Eli...

Me, "Eli, you are suppose to write the number that comes after 29."

Eli, "20?"

Me, "No.  30.  Do you know how to write 30?"

Eli, "Yes."  Writes 2-0.

Me, "Eli, no.  Does 30 start with a 2 or a 3?"

Eli, "Starts with a 4".

Me, "A 4?  Eli, what number are you writing?"

Eli, "I forgot."

Me, "Eli, you are writing 30.  3 - 0.  Just write 3 - 0."

???

Parents who make it through back to school without hurting anyone should get nominated for Nobel Peace Prizes.  It's why the car line is so crazy the first couple of weeks.  After taking the ENTIRE MONTH to get ready for Aug 22nd, it's parents way of saying, "We just want out of here!  Let us out!  Let us out!"

And, teachers should run the government.  God bless'em all!

???

Praying the Word

In college, my dorm proctor, Miss Patti, was a friend.  She was a mentor in joy, in loving Jesus, in loving others.  She invited me to a bible study entitled "Lord Change Me" by Evelyn Christenson.

This led me to read "What Happens When Women Pray" by Christenson...and a plethora of other books on prayer.

I learned to take the words of scripture and pray them -- literally as well as pray the ideas I found there.

These are a few I am currently praying for my family...

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - THIS IS A GIFT OF GOD.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."  Ecc 5:19-20

(I LOVE this!!!  I don't want to look back frequently with regret.  I want to ENJOY.  I want to be "occupied with gladness of heart."  So good...such a gift!)

"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Oh Lord.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy."  Hab 3:2

"Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.  For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery."  Ecc 8:5-6

When we have wisdom to know the "what" and the "how" of our lives, this is a great blessing, yes?

When you stand at a place in life where you have no words, you can trust The Word that brings life, healing and peace.

We ALL have stories of prayers gone unanswered, of times we ASKED and nothing happened.  It's not just you.  It's me too -- and a thousand other people.  Still, I will continue to come and ask.

"To be mighty in prayer, you don't have to be trendy, cool, educated, smart, or anything else.  Refuse to be denied."  - David Perkins.

I would love for you to tell me what you are praying...

{Parenting in Real Time} - The Words I Would Say

To tell you the truth, I don't even know who finds this stuff interesting.

Me, "Who are these people who read my blog anyways"?

Hosanna, "All my friends."

Well, okkkkaaaayyyy then...

This past week, I've been recovering from an infection.  The effects of the antibiotics are worse to me than the infection, and as a result I've done a lot of sitting in this chair...thinking, typing, and listening to Summer Hits of the 80's.  Currently playing, "Never Surrender" by Cory Hart (who, for the record, had AT LEAST 2 hits in the 80's OBVIOUSLY disqualifying him for the 'one hit wonder' status hovering above his name.  Duh).

Anyhow, while I've been complaining about being sick recovering, our oldest daughter has been packing up her room to move to college.

I so clearly remember this chatty little thing...

Proudly sporting a Biblegirl shirt...

For years I referred to her as the "Gray T-shirt Girl" because she owned more gray shirts than any human should -- and she enjoyed wearing each. and. every. one.  of. them.

She was born talking.  I swear she could say Bye Bye at 3 months old.

From this...

To this...

First day of Kindergarten...(with sister, Hosanna, rocking the Power Puff Girls pajamas)...

To highschool graduation...

Truth be told, we were in love with her from day 1...

She's the perfect mix of sweet and strong...

Southern Charm...

Not afraid to kill it on a dirt bike...

Athletic...

Daddy's girl...

What's not to love?

In March of 1995 (3 months before Elizabeth was born...), Billy and I began writing to her in a journal.  Over the years it was filled with little remembrances that parents often forget...like the way she used to mispronounce her own name, the way I panicked and checked her breathing the first night she slept though the night...poems Billy wrote to her.  

When she was 6 months old, he writes, "I enjoy your company."  Yea, she was always that kind of kid.

Now, she's packing up her room.

I am truly, truly excited for her...

I am truly, truly excited for us.  After all, it does feel as if Billy and I have arrived some place significant in this parenting thing.

But, truth be known, the sight of all the boxes makes me feel sad too.

I will miss seeing her every.  single.  day.

The night before her graduation, we sat down to write our final entries into her journal.  

For what it's worth, these were the words that came from my fingers.  Final entry type words.  My serious side...

Dear Elizabeth,

1.  Fear is a natural part of life.  No doubt it will come for you at times.  But try your best not to live your life controlled by it.  Be conscious and intentional about this.  

The good, the bad, the crazy times come.  Things will rarely go the way you expect.  But all is in God's hands.  He already has a path marked out for you.  He already has good works planned in advance for you to do.  Be brave.  Got for it.  Try.  Surrender.  Give.  You will be glad you did.

2.  Don't let the fact that you have many choices available to you prevent you from making a choice.  There is a big difference between having a choice and making a choice.  Hindsight is perfect for everyone.  It's true, when you choose one school, one career, one church, one spouse, etc -- that you then don't get to choose many other things.  BUT, your CHOICE brings with it value.  Value to the thing you did choose.  So choose.  And move forward in your life with confidence.

3.  Enjoy your relationships.  Love always carries with it the element of risk.  Risk to love deeply.  In the end and in the now -- people matter more than anything else.

4.  Protect your thoughts and protect your joy.  The enemy seeks to destroy this above all else.  Be thankful for the good and the hard.  They are both first filtered through God's hand.

"Joy is a function of gratitude and gratitude is a function of perspective." Ann Voskamp

  Seek God's eternal perspective in hard times, be thankful and your eyes will always be opened to God's blessing.  Then, there is joy.

I pray this book serves as a testimony to you of a legacy of God's blessing past down, spoken over you, sung over you, taught to you, and prayed for you the past 17 years.

More is yet to come.  We are always here for you, always thinking of you, always praying.

Mom

I do not fear for Elizabeth Joy's next steps -- she's lived the past 18 years -- WELL.  Her name means "consecrated" and "set apart to the Lord".  I've always known that would have to mean something.   And, we release her with joy...

"God is within her.  She will not fall."  Psalms 46:5

I would love to know what YOUR final entry would include!

{Parenting in Real Time} - Dating Rules Part 2, Dad's Perspective

Well folks, here ya go...

B's serious side, if you doubted he had one...

Dating advice good for all ages.  Tried and True...

Sunday, July 14, 2013

DATING - according to dad....

“Dating” Introduction

Being asked by my wife to comment on dating was a funny task. The subject is not funny, but her asking me to comment on it within the constraints of a blog entry, now that is funny. Why….

First: I’m naturally long winded, especially about issues I feel passionate about and dating is ….. well….up there on the passion chart…

Second: Dating, in my strong opinion, having been practiced badly over many generations of American history now, has possibly spoiled the “coming of age and growing up” process for tens millions of young people.

Thirdly: Dating, in just about every explainable circumstance is a waste of time, heart, soul and resources. Shanna knows that I feel this way, so it is funny when she asked me to seriously comment....but, she asked.....

“Dating” Disclaimers

Good: Dating is actually fine with me, if we define it differently than most of us came to know it. Some form of dating is actually necessary for a couple to get to know each other and build a relationship worthy of the next step.

Bad: It’s not the dating I have a problem with, it’s the version of dating we have allowed ourselves to practice. My history with dating, girlfriends, going steady and falling in love provided the same types of stupid memories most people have. It failed to provide the proper path for true love, lifelong friendship or trusted companionship. It did, however, provide cycles of “false starts”, that went too far, too fast then flamed out. I don’t miss any of those people, some of them I don’t even remember.

Best: After all the “false starts”, I separated myself from the dating game and spent time learning what God had in mind for these relationships. I then began to think and act differently. This led to the best discovery of my lifetime on earth, my college sweetheart, my best friend, Shanna Touchton-Ramsdell, who said “I DO”, at just the right time.

Real Life: I believe all the things I am saying. But, this does not mean that I teach them well or that my kids believe them. One thing I have done intentionally is to let my kids watch, listen and learn, but to develop their own standards. I pray and hope they believe what I have modeled and taught them, but they have to own their personal revelation of truth, practice it and learn to trust it in their own time. 

“Dating” According to Dad

1. Wait Till You Are Ready - Pray, listen and pay attention to the level of distraction the issue of dating has become, in regards to your pursuit of God and His will for your life. Trust your parents, mentors, youth pastors and teachers. Don’t be in a hurry and wait until dating is a process of going deeper with the right person and not a distracting social habit. “A time to love and a time to hate…” Ecc 3:8, “…Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” SoS 2:7b

2. Date People with Alignment - in purpose, passion, priorities, and agreement in the process of getting to know each other. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. 2 Cor. 6:14 AMP

3. Protect your body. – This is simple, in my mind, no touching. We talk so much about how far is too far, when I think we should be talking about how to enjoy the best physical relationship possible. All touching is not wrong, but all touching does lead to more touching. So, my advise is to limit touching and don’t kiss until you find “the one”.  I know this sounds ridiculous  but what I really hope to communicate is that the physical intimacy enjoyed between two people can be better than most people ever dare talk about. Sexual activity of all kinds, outside of marriage, is less than best, and I desire the best sex, plain and simple.   “let there not be a hint of sexual immorality” Eph 5:3, “Flee from sexual immorality….” 1 Cor. 6:18,

4. Protect your heart. – This is simple for me to know, but hard to describe in a way that teens will accept. It seems too black and white. It really has to do with the emotional relationship, the loyalty and devotion that grows between people through intimacy. One scripture talks about “loving the Lord our God will all our heart,  and with all your soul, and with all your mind….” Matt 22:37….this is our first priority. Then we must reflect back to Genesis, to the original design of the marriage relationship. In it we see that a man and woman will leave their mother and father to become one flesh. Of course, there is a physical aspect to this idea, but deeper into the intent of this scripture is the joining of souls, or the hearts. People long to give their heart to someone, but I have found that few wait for the right person. We rush things and give little parts of our hearts to people who are just casual dating relationships, and give up our innocence, purity of heart and true love. When we keep things in the right order, God first, then our spouse, we experience a deeper love than words can describe.  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

5. Protect your words. – With our words we make vows, we convey blessing and cursing, we share emotions and we let the intentions of our heart out. Two people in a dating relationship will naturally begin to feel things for each other. I believe they should exercise restraint, physically, emotionally and yes, with their words. What if we only told one person that we loved them. Wouldn't that bring more value when we say it? I believe our words are meant to be saved, then shared. I remember the first time I tried to bring up love between Shanna and I. We were in her car, sitting in front of her dorm. I said that we should talk about what was going on between us.....Baam...She got out of the car and went inside without saying a word. In that case, actions spoke louder than words. She knew, I knew, we just did not want to spoil things by saying it….we were in love.  “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Prov. 10:19  “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts…..no human being can tame the tongue…..with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” James 3:5-9

6. Check your drivers. - Do not be “needs driven” or “flattery driven”. If your personal needs or the feeling of obligations to those who flatter or pursue you cause you to date, dating will send you in the wrong direction. Just be friends, test your heart and your motivation to see what is driving you before dating.

7. Date someone you would marry. - Because I see dating as a committed relationship between two people who already know each other and who could be marriage material, I love the idea of dating a person you know “could” be someone you spend the rest of your life with. If the person is just someone you like to hang out with, just be good friends, stay in group situations and protect your heart, words and body.

8. Build a great track record. - Enjoy the opposite Sex, Build Positive and Fun History with them, develop positive relationships with many people of the opposite sex without dating them. Which means, just be friends….really, I wonder if young people even know how to be friends anymore. The art of friendship without physical obligation or casual sex, sexting or sexual activity has been lost. If friends can share ideas, experiences and fun together without saying too much, doing too much or even feeling too much, friends can go in either direction without baggage, hard feelings, awkwardness or obligation. The couple is free to move forward in joy or to just remain friends. I draw the line, most of the time, between “friendship” and “dating” with the amount and type of “alone time” the couple spends together. If the couple is just friends, then they won’t repeatedly go to the movies alone together. If they ride in the car with friends or visit each others home, while being around others, this is not dating. If either friend demands things from the other, or expects them, just because they spent time together, this is a red flag…run. Otherwise, enjoy friendships with many people of the opposite sex.

9. Going on Dates….is better than just “dating”.  When moving from friendship to a dating relationship, “go on dates”.  Let the alone time you spend together have beginnings and endings. I will explain more in the next point. But, an example is a birthday party at a friends. The boy picks up my daughter, with a plan, with clear communication and with commitment to be where they say they are. They go to the party, stay for the agreed upon time, returning home at a reasonable hour. The Dating Relationship allows the two short periods of time alone or with friends and family to get to know each other more, to enjoy each other and to responsibly share short spurts of life together. The two can spend time at each other’s home, but I draw the line when it begins to look like the couple is “playing house”.

10. Don’t Play House – I believe God has created men and women to want to spend their lived together. To share their homes, ideas, experiences and passions with each other. The problem comes when  young couple moves past the friendship and dating phase, into any version of the “playing house” phase. This provides too much opportunity to spoil the relationship with physical, emotional, verbal and mental exchanges that are premature, in my opinion. Playing House allows a dating couple the freedom to enjoy the benefits a married couple might enjoy without the commitment. For instance. A teen couple might date a few times then get to know the parents. They may spend the day together then watch a movie back at his house. They share a meal, snacks, hanging out then a snuggle on the couch as mom and dad go to bed. They watch movies and text friends together until midnight, spending three or four hours on the couch together with no accountability. I think this is a problem and an example of an activity married couples get to enjoy, not dating couples. I mean, what hormonal teen boy can lay around on the couch with a girl he obviously finds attractive and not move closer and closer to a sexual encounter. If we are “not letting a hint of sexual immorality” enter into our relationship then, extended and late times alone in the car, in the house or at a friends house are not very smart. Another example is bedroom time. Boys don’t come into the bedroom of my daughters, period. When they get married or maybe engaged to a guy, the bedroom can become part of the picture, but until then, there is no reason for any boy to be on my daughters bed or hanging out, outside of my sight, inside my daughters room.

11. Strive for Best, not just good for now – Love, Fun, Intimacy, Sex and Private Experiences of every kind are better after two people have counted the cost and chosen the one person they will love forever. Even the experiences of struggle, stress, loss and loneliness are dealt with better when you are in a covenant relationship with one person. Why can’t young people restrain themselves until the “best” guy or girl shows up? Somehow culture has trained us to fear the process of waiting or denying ourselves any pleasure. We think we must have everything we want, NOW. But....,what if sex is better when you wait. 

What if love is deeper when you wait. What if life together is better when you wait to share every life experience together. Don’t settle, don’t be cheap, don’t be easy, don’t feel obligated, don’t give yourself away. Maybe it’s because I have 3 daughters to protect, but these are some ideas I have tried to instill into them from the time they were young. I prayed they would see themselves as special and that every day they would know they are loved, without giving themselves to some young dude, in any way. I encourage them to strive for the best, not just for “good for now” and to operate out of trust that God is preparing that special person for their future so they don’t have to fear and settle…

12. Let It Linger – I really don’t know how to say this well, other than to be cheesy. I believe there is a mystery, a secret passion, a loveliness and joy found in true love. When a boy really likes a girl, or a girl really likes a boy, “true love” may be on the other side of that attraction. The attraction is normal and great, even if it is physical. And if we are committed to the kind of friendship, dating and marriage relationship process I have talked about, you can understand the value of this point. “Let It Linger” means that the couple may be aware of a growing attraction, the X factor that energizes the time they spend together and that thing you really love about the other. The couple that “Lets it Linger” will go home each time they visit without acting upon the attraction they feel. For example: The couple may be physically attracted to each other, but they will let that attraction linger, let it marinade and just enjoy the mystery of the attraction with hopes that one day in the future that mystery will become reality, in a powerful way. I wish young people would value the idea that they are not required to share everything, right away. They can allow someone to be attracted to them and can decide to hold back, even if the other one pursues them or pushes the issue. Shanna and I waited till were married to have sex. I kissed her for the first time after we asked her parents if we could get married and decided we were moving forward as an engaged couple. I can honestly say that our first kiss was the best kiss I have ever experienced. The next few months could have been the beginning of our sexual relationship. Instead, we “let it linger”, the desire, the wonder and the attraction, we just waited. Later when we were finally married, we said “I DO” without going to the honeymoon feeling like, “well, we already did”. Rather, there was a holiness, an expectation, an intimacy that was more than physical. We enjoyed deep levels of trust, intimacy, conversation, planning, dreaming and physical pleasure, because in the end, our honeymoon was about more than sex, it was a fulfillment of the scripture that talks about her leaving her family, me leaving mine and us becoming one flesh. Everything about our honeymoon was better than we had imagined!!!!      I want my kids to wait before they give out their cell phone numbers, to wait before they get alone with a guy, wait before saying I love you, wait before holding hands, kissing or treating that guy like he is Mr. Awesome. Let them wonder and let them grow in desire and be tested by time, circumstance and character. Let it linger and stop being in a hurry.

13. It’s not about rules, It’s about our heart – I want my kids to follow God with all their heart, not just some of it, some of the time, but all of it, all of the time. I’m not raising my kids to be good or acceptable. I’m not raising them to be perfect either. It is not about the perfection of their actions, but the heart with which they live, including Dating. I don’t give them too many rules for fear that they will use the rules to please me and keep me off their backs. Rather, I want them to have a heart after God, and a heart yielded to the plan God has for them in regards to dating relationships. If they do, while they learn and grow, they will remain teachable and will allow me to protect and coach them. They will protect their heart, mind, body and words and will be free to experience the ups and downs of growing without regret. Life will be challenging, so keeping their heart right will allow grace to flow. So, stay away from too many rules and stay away from no boundaries at all. Find boundaries and focus the eyes of your heart on the love and person of God and like I have promised my kids, that it will be worth it, beyond what they can now imagine.

Gastric Bypass Surgery - 3 month update

My recovery from Gastric Bypass Surgery was so difficult the first 2 weeks, I journaled daily in order to see any improvement - no matter how minuscule - and convince myself that I wasn't going to die!

Here are a few notable days...

Day Before Surgery:  Billy and I decided to stay in a hotel room in Fort Collins.  Thankful for the quiet my nerves so desperately needed, the laughter we share (thankful we are still good friends), thankful to finally be at this point and VERY happy Billy's keeping me distracted.

Ate last supper at Famous Dave's.  Decided not to pig out.  It was just too weird.

Woke up in the night scared and grossed out by thoughts of the procedure.  None-the-less, feel RESOLVED.

Day of Surgery:  Walked in so scared my entire body was trembling.  Singing "Glorious God" to myself all morning.  Was told to shower with what amounted to a small bottle of bleach and that I could eat ice chips in moderation.  In moderation?  Ice chips?

Day after Surgery:  Walked 5,700 steps.  Doctor reminded me not to compare the next 6 weeks with the next 6 years.  All righty then.

Day 2 post opt:  Billy forgot to pick up Cottage Cheese.  I want to kill him.

Day 3 post opt:  Sleep is the great equalizer.  Therefore, I will sleep.

Day 5 post opt:  Spent the day allowing songs about God, My Healer, to wash over my mind.  Maybe I should think about washing my hair too.

Day 6 post opt:  Finally got my hair washed.  Did I really just say that?  Dressed to run some errands with Billy.  My jeans still fit.  Damn it!

Apparently, energy for getting dressed is all I can muster.  Too tired to actually run errands.  Is this normal?  Maybe I should have taken more than 1 week off work???

Day 7 post opt:  Saw clients today.  Didn't throw up in front of them.  My life...

Day 8 post opt:  I feel really weary of having to figure everything NEW out EVERY MORNING, EVERY DAY.  I want to be on auto pilot.

I imagine my healthy friends don't live on auto pilot in regards to their UNHEALTHY eating habits.  I am bored.  Lonely.  I want to sleep 24/7.  I wish this were easier and I'm scared it won't work.

Day 10 post opt:  Went for a walk in the park.  Maybe I won't die after all.

Day 12 post opt:  It's a new day.  Regrouped.  Living new.  Moving Forward.  I can do hard things.  Walked the mall 1 1/2 hours.

Day 13 post opt:  Going back to work.  Down 15 pounds.

Today it's been 3 months and 3 days since surgery.

I am STILL healing, and learning to live with a new anatomy.  NONE OF IT HAS BEEN EASY FOR ME.

However, down 48 lbs, and doing an hour of aerobics several days a week -- I FEEL GREAT!

It's not like I have formed better "habits" so to speak.

It still feels too new.

I'm TRYING to be disciplined with what I know I have to do, and hoping that HABIT follows.  Good habits.  But I am coming a long.

I generally eat 6 small meals a day (sometimes less, sometimes more).  At first, I could get "full" on 2 Tbs water.  Now, I can eat 6 oz of yogurt at a time.  2 oz of meat and a few nibbles of veggies.  I can easily drink 48 oz of water a day.

Still frustrating at times, but clearly making progress.

I told a friend that I don't crave sugar anymore.

I really mean that too.

It's like a miracle.  I would have NEVER thought I could get off the sweets.  But, low and behold, I can.  I can do hard things.

Yes, on the fourth I did say, "I'd rip my finger nail off to be able to drink a chocolate shake." But in reality, I wouldn't.  I like my finger nail.  And, I really, REALLY like living the life that's been in my mind for quite some time.  The life where I feel great and have energy to keep up with my active family.  The life where I can say NO to a chocolate shake, and still be happy.

In September, we are running a 5K (The Color Run) together.  You can see it here...

Love and blessings!

THE COLOR RUN™ - Be a Color Runner™

Gonna run this September 15th in Colorado Springs with the entire family!  It just suits us, yes?

{13 Great Books in 2013} - Another blog about books

I have friends reading 30 books in 2013.  Some reading 52.

13.  That's me.

I like to set goals I know I can hit apparently.

13 books in 2013.  Yup.

To make matters worse, I actually got behind when I had my surgery in April.  At that time, I had read only 3 books.

I FINALLY did finish this...

It's a short book.  It really shouldn't have taken me FOREVER to get through it.  And, whereas Chan has quite a bit to say that I like...he says it in a way that bores me to tears.  The man is all seriousness, no sense of humor.

As for all the stuff that he had to say that I didn't like, a friend recently posed the question to me, "Is RADICAL the new legalism?". 

And...that's all I'll say about that.

By now, it's June or at least it was June, and I was behind.  So, to quickly cover the lost ground I decided to read something easy, easy, easy.  My smart friends will say  I cheated.

I read...

And then I read...

It goes without saying that both books were full (FULL) of profound things I tell you.

Light hearted, in your face honest, and BIG PRINT (go figure), they were fun to read.  Although, they do contain A LOT of the same stories.

If you haven't seen Duck Dynasty on A&E -- do yourself a favor and start with Season 1.  Today.

On the plane home from vacation, I read this...

This novel is based on actual census information.  Apparently, so few people in the United States (in the here and now) are choosing to have children (or only having 1 child) that there is a date on the actual calendar where it is expected that we will have more retired, elderly in the population than young, able body adults supporting the work force.  The story is based on what happens then...

The start to the book is so CRAZY riveting that the next 3 - 4 chapters of character introduction move slowly in comparison.  After that though, it's a very interesting read.  I enjoyed it quite a bit.

As for how it ends, let's just say, I have 5 children. I've done my part. don't blame it on me.  ;)

Now that I'm back on schedule, I'm gonna give this a go...

I would LOVE to know what you are reading and how you like it!