40 pounds lighter and feeling fine...

About 8 months ago I was standing on the toilet in our bathroom painting a wall, when I happened to catch a full length glimpse of myself in the mirror.. Needless to say, I was horrified at what I saw. I was under the false assumption that I looked good and only need to loose a few pounds.. Well, I was wrong, and for the first I decided that something had to be done. The next week I brought home my old treadmill from my moms house that I hadn't been on since high school, and that was the beginning of my journey. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and boy were they right. This has without a doubt been the hardest thing I have ever done. Loosing weight for me had to be a lifestyle change above anything else, and completely changing every habit I had formed. There were lots of crying and screaming along the way and the empty threats of giving up more times than I can count, but looking back now 15 pounds away from my goal weight I am so proud of myself.
A huge part of this was learning to except things that I can't change. I am always going to have a bug butt, no matter what my weight I have junk in my trunk.. And have been told that this is not necessary a bad thing. I am always going to have stretch marks and saggy belly skin, but that is my reminder that I have two beautiful little girls that I would do anything for. I am always going to have short legs, and be shorter than most of the worlds population.. But as my wonderful husband likes to remind me, I am the perfect size for him and that is all that matters.
In the long run what should matter above everything else is that I am happy and healthy and I am passing good habits on to my girls. I want them to know that it is okay not to look like the women on TV, and be happy with the imperfections we all have. So last but not least I would like to say.... WOO-HOOOOOO!!! I have lost 40 pounds and am feeling fine!!!
PS.. Please excuse the toilet in the background.. That was the only mirror I had to take a picture in..
Before....


After...

Easter 2011

We didn't get a whole lot of pictures this year, Kailyn wouldn't hold still, and all Kylar seemed to care about was the bag of stale pretzels that she found.. It was a fun Easter anyway :)

Just smile and be happy..

So as I am sure you all know, the last month has been a struggle for Joe and I. As if life had not been hectic enough just trying to survive the day to day, we had the misfortune of being in wrong place at the wrong time and being hit head on by a troubled young man. We were very lucky to have walked away uninjured and on our own will, and I will never again take car safety features for granted. About two weeks ago while skimming through the local obituaries I learned that the young man who hit us took his own life shortly after arriving in court for his first DUI, and needless to say I was very shocked and saddened by this. While I am grateful that my family is alive and well, it had troubled me greatly that he decided to take his own life. I didn't know him or his family but I wept for them all the same. I cannot imagine what it must be like to try to pick up the pieces of a life lost to soon. Although he made bad decisions and was obviously struggling with something that he saw no escape from, I am so sorry for his family. He was someones son, brother and best friend and I hope that where ever he is now he is happy. I needed to say this and get it out, I cannot wait for this whole thing to be a distant memory.. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive to our family who took care of us when we were crippled. We love you.

On a brighter note...

Well summer seems to FINALLY be here after what felt like a winter that would never end. It looks like it is going to be a summer full of family and fun. In just a few weeks Kassy and her boys are going to be here, and I cannot wait to see them. I think Kailyn and Elvin are going to have a blast this year.. and Camden and Kylar can sit there and stare at each other like babies their age are so good at :)
On June 18th I am heading to Kansas City for a week to see my favorite cousins ever (you know who you are). And for the first time since having kids I get to make a solo trip. Thanks to my awesome mom, I get an entire week kid free.. Thanks mom!
Then.. In July my sister in law Kenya and I are going to make a trip to Alamogordo NM to enjoy some fun in the sun. Daniel and Dallin seem to be Kailyn's new favorite people in the world, so that should be a very fun trip!
And finally we are going to family reunion!! I don't know about everyone else, but it felt like something was missing when we didn't have one last year. I am really looking forward to camping again.. it has been a while.
I am very glad that I have so many fun things to look forward to in the coming months, and I cannot wait to see everyone!