Gratitude- A Brief Update

I have to say that this year has been one of the best years for my personal growth. I am so grateful for the work God has done in my life and in the life of my family.

My husband finished his contract with the U.S. Army and has since started his own business. This has changed the way our family interacts, and we have been able to see him everyday.

Mike and I have been blessed to lead a Connect Group in our Sunday School Class. Our group consists of like minded people who come together and fellowship with their families. Each family in our group has been such a blessing to us.

Recently, I was blessed to be in a Ladies' Bible Study on Gideon, and it transformed the way I see "weakness." I have struggled over the past five years with feelings of inadequacy, fear, and self-doubt, but through that study of Gideon, I have learned that God uses our weakness for His glory. Our weakness is His strength. Wow! How freeing is that? I can be used by God even in my weak state.

Today, our daughter, Emma, will finish her last day of public school. We have prayerfully ventured into the homeschool world and we are ecstatic about the endless possibilities that we have in being involved in Emma's education.

Mike and I will be celebrating a decade of marriage on December 5!

Finally, the holidays are upon us, and we will be traveling to see family and friends. I am so grateful to The Lord for what He has allowed us to do so far this year.

More on our lives....later!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Not so Bummed after all!

Well. today was a learning curve kind of day for me. I weighed myself this morning as I do every Monday morning, and I hadn't lost a single pound! Needless to say, I was pretty devastated. I had worked my butt off (literally) five days last week, and I have been very consistent with my eating plan. So, for a few hours today (including when I once again did my Zumba), I was feeling really down.

My husband reminded me that muscle weighs more than fat, and that helped a little - considering I had added strength training to my exercise routine last week. I wrote to my brother (who is in incredible shape) and told him about how my weigh-in went.

He brought up two great points. One, go for body fat percentage (BMI) loss over pounds lost (because muscle weighs more than fat). Two, it is better to lose weight gradually for your skin to keep it's elasticity.

Awesome! I only wish I would have read his message earlier in the day...it would have saved a lot of "boo hoo ing" in my mind today.

BUT I was faithful to my eating plan and exercise routine.

Yes, even in despair, I kicked my own booty...

This is my year. I will see results.

Welcome 2013!

This new year promises to be one of yet more changes and challenges in our lives. Mike will be "getting out" of the active duty life, and he will be working for himself while still being in the reserves. This almost seems impossible to me. Three years ago, I was preparing to say goodbye to my husband as he entered basic training. Now, a baby, three moves, and a dog later, we will be saying goodbye to the Army lifestyle. I often wonder what the future will hold. I know that I'm not alone in that. We plan for as much as we can then hold our breath as things morph into what we know as life. Thankfully, with all this change comes some consistencies. Family and faith can be loaded up and taken anywhere! I have to laugh to myself at this...well, of course, it does! BUT sometimes, when the unknown looks daunting, I can have difficulty in realizing how much of my life will remain the same. So... Welcome 2013. I hope I can grow more as a person during the next twelve months. New Year's Resolutions... 1. Focus on Fitness 2. Read more 3. Finish another semester of college (accredited, this time)(some of you will understand the feeling)