New Day....

I can't believe I'm about to do this but I feel like I need to so here goes.....

I am overweight. (I can already hear some of you saying, "You are not." "You just had a baby.") But the truth is I am. I feel it when I put on my clothes. I see it when I look in the mirror. I confirm it when I eat. (lack of self control: eating portions that are at least double what my body needs and having NO CONTROL over my consumption of sweets). I don't think I am honoring God with my eating habits. So therefore, I finally realized it's time for a "new day".

I currently weigh 165 pounds. Isn't that crazy?!?! I remember reaching 150 in college and thought that was INSANELY high. My goal weight is between 135-140. I am not focused on that number as much as how I look and feel. I want to be fit and feel good in my skin again. I've definitely slacked off WAY TOO LONG!! So there it is....the big ugly number and I am owning it today and working to lower it by the choices I make each day.

So here is my plan. (I am sharing it on this blog so that I will actually follow through. I can't count the number of Mondays I've started over. It's definitely time to just do it!)

1) keep a daily journal of the food I've consumed each day and set a goal to consume no more than 1400 calories/day.
2) complete at least one 30 minute workout 5-6 days a week.
3) allow myself a "free day" with an extra 500 calories allowed that day.
4) give a weekly update on this blog with my successes and setbacks.

I am typing this after just hopping off of our newly purchased treadmill (Thanks, Wax family!). I just jogged for 2.5 miles, burning 368 calories. I feel GREAT!!

So here I go! I am off with the Biggest Loser theme song ringing in my head..."What have you done today to make you feel proud????"

Anyone care to join me??? You can post your successes and setbacks with me each week if you want! I'd love some company!

Good book...

First of all, thank you so much for Murray's birthday wishes! They meant a lot to me as well as to him!

Secondly, I am on the hunt for a GREAT book to read. I am burnt out on reading magazines and parenting "how to" books. I am looking for a GREAT novel that's easy to pick-up AND put-down (I've got two little ones that demand a lot of attention). Great story, good characters, clean, etc. My favorite author is Francine Rivers but I've read all her books (I think).

We are taking Faith to the library tomorrow so I know this is late notice but if you have any suggestions please leave them fast!!

Thanks!

Happy 40th, Murray!!

My sweet, sweet and incredibly handsome hubbie is 40 years old today!!

My life is so much richer because of you, Murray! I thank God for you daily...hourly...even by the minute! Looking forward to celebrating you today!!

Faithy and Eli are THRILLED beyond words to have you for a Daddy! They love you SO SO SO SO SO MUCH!!

We love you!!!!

Eat your dinner!

Any suggestions on how to get a strong-willed, carb loving 2 year old to eat a well balanced dinner??

We are all ears!

Favorite Things...

Unlike Oprah, I won't be able to give these things away but here are a few of my favorite things from this past year!! (In no particular order...just the order blogger posted the pics)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show!! It is SO INSPIRING! I didn't catch onto it until season 3 (to be honest, I was quit turned off by the "previews" not really understanding what the show was about, besides overweight people with their shirts off). I happened upon a Biggest Loser marathon one Saturday and watched the ENTIRE THING!! I was sort of embarrassed but it really changed me. I know that sounds cheesy and weird but it did! So check it out some Tuesday night on NBC! (I got the Cardio and Sculpting workout DVDs for Christmas...can't wait to try them out!! I've been sick for 7 days but I've watched them and can't wait to join the "team" and trainers!)

One of my favorite features of our new home are these bad boys!! We had to purchase our own since the W/D didn't convey. These guys make doing laundry almost enjoyable. If only someone would invent an automatic clothes folder and put awayer!

Of course, OUR FAVORITE NEW "thing" from this year is this little guy! Eli Burkhalter, born June 12th. We LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this little guy!

This smile!!!! We've never seen a child smile so much and he has captured our hearts!!

This other little guy in red is the direct result of countless prayers (four years worth). His name is Cade and we loved him WAY before we ever met him. He is the first tangible answer to years of prayer that I've experienced and I will NEVER forget the phone call from his parents announcing his arrival and the day I walked into the hospital looking at him for the first time!

Blogging! I really like catching up with friends and learning about their lives, interests, etc. My favorite new blog is this one.... http://www.namefreak.blogspot.com/ Check it out. It's super fun! My friend, Kelli has an obsession with baby names and this blog is one of her outlets! It's super fun....did I say that already???

The Go Fish Guys! Anyone with kids MUST check them out. I HIGHLY recommend their DVD, "Showtime" AND their cd "Superstar" Their C'mas album was great and we've heard great things about their cd, "Splash". You really will like them, I promise! http://www.gofishguys.com/

Meal planning! This surprised me as I used to view this as a burden of sorts but I think God's helped change me and now I really enjoy it. Each week I select a cookbook from my cabinet (or checkout one from the library) and I choose about 5 dinners I want to make (I allow 2 days for leftovers since most recipes make 6 servings and we only have 2 "real" eaters.) It makes me feel like I am providing for my family and it gives my grocery store runs a specific purpose (not to mention the money I save buying things I KNOW I'll use instead of things I THINK I might use. I plan to dedicate one day a week on this blog sharing a trusted recipe (and allowing readers to post a recipe for our family to try).

Having a 2 year old! Yes, I really mean that. Discipline has been a challenge but we are finding that if we are consistent and fair to Faith (i.e...playing with her, giving her a loose structure to her day, making nap time at the same time each day, letting her be active, etc.) her behavior changes DRAMATICALLY! It's funny how so much of how she acts is based on how we act/treat her (if we let things slide too much, let household tasks become too important, etc.). I've been really convicted to give her more structure and FOCUSED time. It's made a world of difference.

My favorite part of having a two year old is watching her language skills EXPLODE! I know it's the speech pathologist in me but I just can't help wanting to do a toe touch every time she says a new word or learns a new concept. It is SO MUCH FUN!!

There are tons of other favorite things but that's all I can think of right now (it's after midnight).
So what are some of your favorite things from this past year????