Sweet Lil' Guys and Hard Determination!

This past week has been so sweet!

My sweet Noah has learned how to write his name.

He also prayed the sweetest prayer!

Dear Lord God --  Thank you for my mommy, daddy, baby brother, Nana, papa, grandma, and g-daddy.  Thank you for our food and make it good for our bodies.  Thank you for our money to buy groceries at Wal-Mart. AMEN!

That was the bedtime prayer my little guy prayed this week. Isn't that just sweet?  I didn't realize how much a pre-schooler takes in and actually understand.

Keola Riley has been a cuddle bug this week!

Daddy started back to school and hasnt been home as much as he has been lately, and I think Riley has noticed!  He is beginning to talk more everyday, although sometimes its not very clear. However, I know he said, "I Love You!" this week and that was AWESOME!

As for an update on my healthy eating kick -- Still going strong!  Carl and I have both done extremely well! The scale doesn't say much different, but I know that we have to keep going because we are determined!
We have cut our portions back so much. We are drinking water constantly, we might have a glass of juice a day, added tons of fruit and vegetables to our diets, and exercise every day! We skipped last nights exercise routine because we were sore and figured we should give our "muscles" time to adjust. (hah!) However, we are most definitely picking up where we left off tonight!  I have ppersonally traded all my sweet cravings for almonds or a teaspoon of peanut butter, or some type of fruit. I cant lie, it has been extremely difficult and have gave in to some of my temptations. I have cheated at least once a day a couple times this past week.  That's still HUGE for me.  Like I said, I'm not looking for big changes fast, I'm taking it day by day. Carl is a little more interested in working hard and not cheating. He is doing so well and I'm beyond proud of him. 



  Carl started back to school this week and my online classes start on Monday. We are both very excited about this semester.  Carl found out today that after this semester he will only have 9 hours left to complete. He will be done with college by December this year! What an accomplishment for our family! :)

Please continue to keep us in prayer. We can always feel it. The Lord has blessed us so much and given us so many great friends. We love and thank each of you for all that you do.



More Choices

As you read in my previous post, I have set two goals:

1) Read through the Bible this year and keep track of it.
2) Lose 35lbs.

I am happy to report that I am on the road to accomplishing my goals.  I have lost 2 lbs this week, and began my Bible readings.

On top of these two goals, I have also made a very big choice.  I decided to go back to school. Wait for it....Full-time! Not only will I be reading through my Bible, losing 35lbs, and attending online-classes full-time; Carl will also be attending school full-time. Let's not forget that I stay home with my kids and being a housewife is a very big job. You'd have to put your feet in our shoes to understand! (Am I right Heather and Melissa Bennett?)

I am very anxious about this new step, but so very excited.  This is going to be a difficult change for my family, but I'm up for the challenge.  God has granted me patience and showed me so much over the last few years.  I'm ready to apply all that I've learned.  After this semester I will be lacking 2 courses in order to be considered a College Sophomore!! WOOT WOOT! :)  Summer classes in my future? Perhaps. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Please keep me and my family in your prayers.  We would greatly appreciate any and all! This is going to be tough, but we will manage. Again encouragement is always welcome!

What "Choices" are you making in 2011?

I've never been one to make New Year's Resolutions.  This year however, I have decided to lose a few pounds and read the Bible in a year.  I have come up with this statement to keep me motivated, "If I don't succeed then the only person that I'm letting down is myself." Who wants to let himself down?

I believe that I have got through the bible before, but never in a particular order. So this year, I want to keep track of it. I want to know that I've studied the word through. This will be a great "personal" testimony to myself.  I want to do this and I want to know that I've done my daily bible study each day this year.  God is so good to me, and I know that I'm undeserving. I am not perfect, and don't claim it. I know that I can always be better, and the best way to do that is to put the Lord in my life daily. This is a choice that I am making for myself.  I want to do it for me. Perhaps I can encourage you to do the same?

Secondly, I want to tell the world and tell my friends that I have a goal of losing 35 lbs.  I can do this, and I know that I will.  I am starting small and not looking for big results right off the bat.  The first thing that I'm doing is changing my eating habits.  I have no set diet plan so I'm really not sure how this is going to work. I'm simply trying to eat healthy and only eat what I need and not what I want.  The second thing I'm going to do is develop an exercise schedule.  That is still in the works, but I'm reminding myself to take small steps.  Drastic changes will likely result me into giving up because its "too hard".  But I wont do that because I can do this!

So far I have went without soda and have only drank water. It really hasn't been that bad. I'm training myself to not want it because my body doesn't need it. I have honestly not had a craving in 48 hours. It's still early, so I'll have to test my self control! The best part is, I haven't had headaches!! Which I am so very thankful for!

I have also cut back in a lot of my eating habits.  It seems like sitting home with kiddos all day long has given me the urge to eat when I'm just sitting around.  Though I stay busy at home, I still find time to munch on whats probably considered junk food. I am happy to say that I have eliminated it. So far I have completely eliminated all types of junk food. Not even a bite!! Again, it's a test in self-control.  What I am doing is a choice, I must remember that. What will my overall choices result in?

I plan to continue to make changes in my diet and develop healthier living this year.  Not only for myself but because my family needs to do the same. Living a busy life sometimes makes it difficult to remember nutrition verses just needing to eat. I am depending on my viewers and my blog to keep me accountable. I'll look back at the blog and use it as my tool for encouragement. Of course, encouraging notes and comments from you all are nice too. :)

Here's to a healthier year both physically and spiritually!

Here's to You 2010

Carl, the love of my life. I will always remember this year. You have done so well in school and made me so proud of all your work. We have fought, cried, and loved. This year has been tough, but it has been so rewarding. God has blessed us in so many areas of our life that it sometimes seems unreal. This year we have had each other. Together we have learned how to face our fears. Together we prayed. I will always remember 2010 because of what we have on this first day of 2011. I love you so much. Thank you for being my husband. Thank you for tolerating me. Thank you for loving me. I dont want to face a day without you.

My sweet boys, the darlings of my life. I will never forget this year. Mommy has spent each day loving and caring for you and I will forever consider these days a blessing.

I couldnt be more proud of you Noah. You have been the smile on my face each day this year. The things you have taught your baby brother amaze me. You are so well mannered and I thank God for you each day. You have surprised me on countless occasions at how quickly you are learning and too quickly you are growing. Daddy and I are so very proud of the lessons you are learning in Sunday school. We could never forget this year and all the prayers you have prayed at 3 years old and all the bible stories you have told us. We are so proud of you Noah! I am forever thankful to the Lord for allowing me to stay home with you sweet boy. I love you so much.

Riley, my baby boy. You are my joy. Mommy is also so very proud of you. You have showed me my anger, my patience, my love and pretty much everything else. I see so much of myself in you. Sometimes you make that hard for me, but mommy knows that is her own fault! I love that you adore your brother and Im so happy that you try to be just like him! I cant believe how much you know at your little age of 18 months. You are catching up to bubba entirely too fast! Your sweet little prayers at dinner time make my heartbeat. I thank God for you each day! This has been a big year for you Keola Riley! You have learned to eat table food, walk, talk, climb, run and so much more. I love you baby boy, and you have made your mommy so proud of you.

Although this may seem different because you are not my own...Jett, my 3rd child (in a matter of speaking). I could never forget spending this past year with you. I have kept you so many days in 2010. Some days were obviously better than others, but Im sure your momma has kept plenty of notes to share with you about your babyhood! I love you Jett Ryan and Im so thankful that I have been able to be your babysitter this year. You have certainly showed me patience and love. My boys love you like a brother! And although you are not my baby, I do love you just like my own two boys and Im sure that keeping you everyday has had a lot to do with that! Thank you Karen and Jeffrey for allowing me to keep him, and thank you Lord for providing me the opportunity!

Finally, the obvious things that will always remain in my memory of 2010. The struggles our family has faced. We all have them and sometimes more than others. Another tough year has past us by, but today a New Year has begun. If I had to give a testimony of the year 201o.. I would use three simple words: "THE LORD PROVIDES". He has been my Rock and my Encouragement. Without Him I surely would be nothing. The Lord has blessed our family on countless occasions and even when He gave small, we saw His presence greatly. I have to Thank Him above all else for everything that He has done for my family and for everything that He is and will do.

To you and your family, God Bless You this year, and may you seek Him in all that you do. That is my hope and prayer for all.