My update..

Since the last time I had blogged I have changed my lifestyle even more. I started seeing a weight loss doctor last May and she really changed how I look at food and life. It's funny because alot of what she said I have heard from others over the years but it was how she explained it that it finally clicked. I lost 29 lbs since May. I still have about another 45lbs to go to reach my goal. One thing I realized is that for me to be successful I would need to change the way our entire family eats. It truly is a lifestyle change. I eat alot less carbs and alot of smaller meals several times a day. After doing it a few weeks it just started becoming natural and alot easier than I had thought it would be. I still have weeks where I stall and don't lose anything. I went on vacation and had gained a couple pounds back but she said thats normal. If I want to have a piece of cake then I will have a really small piece and not one every day. You can eat what you want in moderation. I am really excited to be getting closer and closer to my goal.

It's been awhile..

I just realized it's been about a year since I last blogged. I really want to try to use this blog as a journal and need to update it more often. I am going to continue to use it in my weight loss journey and think it can be a helpful tool .

Life is what you make it...

I believe you choose the life you have. If you want to be happy then that's a choice you make. Sometimes I have moments when I feel sad, am being selfish or ungrateful but they are few and far between. I usually snap out of them pretty quickly. I found myself the last couple weeks looking at the things that bothered me instead of looking at how blessed I am. I let others who were upset and being negative effect me. I am now choosing to look at all that I have and be thankful. I have a fabulous life and am very blessed to have an adoring husband of almost 16 years and 3 wonderful and healthy boys. Life isn't perfect but it's pretty darn good.

I chose to make the most of my life, to be happy and to live everyday without regrets. To cherish the memories and look forward to the future.

A bit bad today...

I went to bed way too late last night and woke up way too early. Went to work and just knew today wasn't going to be the best day. I didn't go work out during lunch even though I knew I should and came straight home after work even though I should have went to the gym. I'm not going to beat myself up too much. I know I just feel so much better and feel like I accomplished something when I do get a good workout in.

but hey.... looking forward to tomorrow and a great workout!

I feel great..

So it's been about 4 weeks now that I started trying to eat healthier and work out. I am still doing Zumba twice a week and last week I joined Anytime Fitness. I'm working out during my lunches and either before or after work. I am couting my calories and trying to eat foods that are good for me. I am feeling really good, alot more energy. I have lost 14 lbs so far. I haven't been able to tell much of a differance yet but I know if I keep it up I will soon be able to tell.

I have been buying alot of organic foods and trying to stay away from anything processed. It use to not be a big deal to me but I finally decided I wanted both myself and my family to live healthier and I know this is better for all of us.

The kids are enjoying their summer. Ralph just stayed at my parents for a week. I sure did miss him. None of the boys have been away from me for that long. He had a really great time and is ready to go back.

Ralph leaves to go on his yearly fishing trip after work this Friday. He will be gone until Wednesday. We don't get to talk to him at all while he is away and we all miss him like crazy. I know he'll have a great time though. I am planning on taking the boys school shopping while he is gone and will plan a few fun things to do with them.

So, that's all for now.

Losing weight

I'm going to start trying to write on my blog more. My main focus is improving myself. To me that means being a better wife, mom, losing weight and being healthy so thats what I'll use this blog for. I started Zumba on Saturday and although my calves are extremly sore today it was fun. It will take me a few times to get use to it and get the routine down but I plan on going Saturdays & Tuesdays. I also got up this mroning and walked for 2 miles and it isn't an easy walk, we have a couple big hills but it feels so good to have did it. I know what I have to do to lose weigth and be healthy, just now have to do it and it takes time. I like to see immediatte results and usually let myself get disappointed and quit. I have now been eating right and adding water and exercise for a week now. I just have to keep it up and remember even if I have a bad day that it's okay. My main focus is burning more calories than I am consuming.

I am also using Discovery Health's national weight loss challenge to trach my weight and progress. They have some great tools and recipes on the site.

It's been awhile...

I didn't realize how long it had been since I had written in this blog. It's been about a year and a half and alot has changed but at the same time it feels the same. I feel like I am at a turning point in my life right now and want to make some changes.

For one I have belonged and managed a mothers group since 2003 and I think I am about to close that chapter and move on. I am really contemplating but I think it will mean moving on without keeping in touch with almost all of those freinds. I believe that when I found the group and for many years I needed them and was very fortunate to have had a wonderful group of friends during that time in my life but now I just think I think that it's time to close that door and move on in a new direction. I also have another moms group which I can never imagine leaving or moving on, it's just such a differant enviroment and I feel like I can be myself.

I also have realized I am fat. I hate being fat and need to lose the weight. One person told me that you have to hate being fat more than you hate exercising, so I am trying to remember that. Another good one I heard was to eat to live not live to eat.

The family is doing wonderful. The boys are getting so big. I have found that teenagers can be a pain though. I feel lucky to have good kids but I don't always like the back talk that has came with it. I think they are learning that they don't like being grounded.

We have alot of plans to go fishing and camping this summer and we are playing a trip to California in October.

It's that time of the year...

We have all been sick. The weather has started to change and the cold season has begun. We are just taking it easy this weekend, trying to get well. We are just watching some football and really hoping the Seahawks win their game against Green Bay today. GOO HAWKS!!! I'm going to barbeque some chinese chicken tonight. It is sooo yummy :).

We have been catching some nice catfish the last few weeks. Fishing should be good through the end of the month and then it will slow down a bit. I caught a huge catfish last weekend, we are figuring it was 20 + lbs but Ralph's digital scale's batteries were dead.

Favorite Foto Friday

This weeks theme for favorite foto friday is "pick your own theme" I choose fishing pics. We sure do have alot of those and they are some of my favorite pictures.

http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/2008/09/favorite-foto-friday-55-oh-baby.html

Going to Kid Rock tonight....

This morning I have to take David & Kyle to the dentist and then tonight we are going to the Puyallup fair and will see Kid Rock. I know Ralph is also really excited to go. I bought tickets several months ago before they went on sale and we have awesome seats. We are on the floor, row 27 I believe.

You know whats really funny is when I tell people I am going to see Kid Rock or that I like his music I always get a funny look and then they say they didn't think I looked like I would like Kid Rock. So does someone have to look or act a certain way to like a music artist? I just find it very funny and somewhat judgemental. I love all kinds of music but some find it very surprising.

We had an awesome anniversary yesterday. I couldn't have asked for it to be any better. The kids even helped out & as we were cooking they set the table with only two chairs and made it candlelight. They even set out napkins and the silverware, it was so cute and they did this without Ralph or I even knowing.

Well I better run so we are not late to the dentist, I know how much the kids are looking forward to getting their teeth cleaned.

Today is our Anniversary....

It's been 14 amazing and wonderful years. I feel very blessed to have my husband. Ralph & I first met at our dads company picnics during high school, then one day about a year out of high school my dad brought Ralph home for Karate practice. My dad reintroduced us after the class. We hit it off right away, we started dating the end of April 1994, had moved in together by June and were married September 9th 1994. We have been through so much together, grew together and hope to grow old together. We have the most amazing 3 boys, I really couldn't ask for better kids. I am always getting compliments on how well behaved and what good kids they are. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Spring is finally here :)

It's been awhile since I've been here. Well spring has finally began. It has been gorgeous latley. We have been fishing and having fun in the sun. We have did really well fishing for trout latley and hopefully the catfish will be biting soon. Ralph & I are taking a 5 day weekend for memorial day & plan on barbequing & lots of fishing. I think we both needed a mini vacation. Life has been very good, I think we are both very happy living out here on the lake.

Christmas Eve

Today is Christmas eve, I am so excited but a little sad that the holidays are almost over. I really do enjoy this time of year so much. I am actually looking forward to having the boys home for two weeks. It's amazing how fast the years go by, I can't believe how big the boys have gotten. I cherish every moment and every holiday we have, I know far too soon they will grown up and out on the their own.

Ralph is just leaving to go fishing and I have a ton of housework to do this morning. My friend Cody called last night & she is planning on stopping by today. She just got a new house which I haven't been to yet so I may follow her to go see it, she sounded so excited & I am so happy for her. Then of course this evening we will go to my parents house.

It is such a gorgeous day today. You can see the snow on the bald hill mountains and the sun has actually came, and so far there is no rain and the lake is beautiful as always.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Happy Holidays!

Hello, Hope everyone is having a wonderful time with your family & friends. The holidays are always so busy for us. Today is Kyle's birthday, he said it was the best ever. He actually says that every year but I guess if they keep getting better that's a good thing. My mom & dad came over for his birthday and we had a nice visit. Kyle had wanted sweet & sour chicken and rice so that's what we made for dinner. We also made him a strawberry cake which all the boys loved. This evening we are just relaxing & watching planet earth which was one of his birthday presents.

Tommorow on Christmas eve, Ralph has a planned fishing trip with a couple of his buddies and then we will go to my mom & dads for our Christmas with them. Mom is making a brisket & prime rib, yum :). Then Christmas day we will spend at Ralph's dad, mom & Aaron's. At some point we will also see his mom & Joey but not quite sure when that will happen yet.

The next few days will be busy for us baking & seeing our friends family. It is a time of year I really look forward to though.


Happy Holidays!!!