Update time!!!  It has been almost four months since my last post and as you can tell by my tracker I have been good!!!  There have been some ups and downs along the way but even in the down's God has given me the strength to get back on track. It may sound crazy to some but although I am thankful for the weight loss I am even more proud that I can run on the treadmill. I have worked my way up to 3 miles!!!  I hope to run a 5 K next month.  My nerves and stamina still don't let me go very fast on there but I am going. It has felt so good to pull out those  clothes I had shoved into the back of my closet. If any one is reading I hope this is an encouragement to you to just go for it.

Where do Saturdays go?

When I got up this morning I was excited that it was Saturday.  I had big plans!!  I was going to work out, do the grocery shopping, and scrapbook!  Well, I over slept, took forever to get out the door and even longer than forever to do the shopping!  Note to self:  don't go for groceries at Wally World on the first Saturday  of the month!  Even though I know I got a lot accomplished today I still did not scrapbook.  I did work out and am feelin the burn.  I am feeling very sore.  When I was on the treadmill it felt so good.  I felt totally energized.  I almost felt like running.  I did not because I am scared to death to run on the treadmill!  So far doing good with the sodas.  I had only a half a glass last night and tonight.  I am not craving it like I usually do.  I know that the weight I have lost is mostly water weight.  I don't feel bloated like before.  I actually feel skinny.  Imagine that, I feel skinny at 190 pounds.

I am thinking about watching biggest loser tomorrow.  In the past I have watched every season, except the last one.  I had a hard time getting into it.  My husband is not into it so we will see.  

My Pink Loser Challenge

I know that much time has past and no posts.  All I can say is the best intentions and expectations are only the start of something great.  I have always had the best intentions when starting anything new, like this blog, although they don't always come to fruition.  With that said I take with me my best intentions and begin a new journey.  I am excited to join My Pink Stamper's Pink Loser Challenge.  Over the last six years I have gained to and maintained my highest weight.  Now that I am getting older I fear the side affects that being over weight often has.  My family history of heart disease and diabetes has my full attention.  This is not a brand new thing for me.  About five years ago I lost about 25 lbs,  but like most I gained back plus a little more.  I have struggled, even to the point of being angry and bitter with myself for allowing this weight to be a problem.  I have decided this time it is not about the weight or being a size 8, its about health and being there for my kids.  I know that my kids need me as long as God sees fit and unhealthy habits can stand in the way of that.  So here I am committing myself to God, my family, and you that I will begin to make the changes that will make me who I want to be.  This is more than the scale for me.  I want God to do a work in my life through this process.  I hope I can be an encouragement to anyone who is wanting to lose not just for bikini body (allow though that is an added blessing) but for health, home, and the hope of bringing glory to the God who will be helping me through the fight.

Here goes nothing!!  I am starting at 190.6 as of this morning.  My goal weight is 140 then I will reevaluate.  I will be using myfitnesspal.com and a gym membership to track my food and exercise.  According to myfitnesspal.com I should lose 1.8 pounds a week.  I hope to lose at least ten pounds a month for the next five months.  I am not looking at the finish line just at today.  I am doing everything in moderation along with making better food choices.  I am not a big sweets eater but am trying to cut out sodas, they are my down fall.  My reward will be a clothes shopping spree when I have maintained my goal weight for two months.

Here we go!!!

I'm back!!  I finally finished with school and I am a few steps away from being a licesened teacher.  I can't believe it.  These last months have been a whirl wind.  My absence began in November when things got crazy.  In November my dad went home to Heaven unexpectedly due to complications with surgery.  I miss him so much. You never expect to lose a parent, but when you do it can effect your whole persective on things.  I know I will see him again in Heaven, but sometimes I miss him so much I just can't stand it.  Needless to say finishing up school was a little harder than it should have been.  But it is done and I am so thankful.  I feel as though I have been stretched beyond my comfort zone and God has shown me strengths I did not know I had.  Now I just pray and look forward to the possibilities of having my own classroom.

I just redid my scrap space as my mothers day present.  I will try to post some pics soon. I am looking forward to doing some crafting this summer and making more things for posting.

Looking Forward,
Beth

It's November!!!

Okay, I know I promised myself I would update more on this new blog.  Honesty I have been trying to cut back on all things scrappy.  My addiction to buy was at the limit.  I felt like God was sending me signs that it was time to evaluate my priorities.  First my Hobby Lobby was closed for a while due to damage from a storm, then our TV blew up while I was watching scrapbooking on HSN, and then my gypsy dropped on the floor and had to be replaced.  So I am trying to realize that scrappin is just a  hobby not a lifestyle.  It is so funny that I even scrap cause I am so bad at taking pictures.  I have missed so many photo moments.  I am thankful that my husband has a good camera on his phone, he should be the scrapper.

Another reason I have not kept up like I hoped is school.  I am finishing up the classes that I need to get my teaching license.  I will student teach in the spring semester.  It has went by so fast.  If you would have told me a year ago that I would be doing this NOW I would have just laughed at you.   But I am so thankful for second chances.  During the holidays when school is done I plan on scrappin more.  I look forward to being able to relax.  Well it's that time homework calls!!!

New Imaginations!!

So excited to get something in the mail yesterday.  I finally made the leap and got the imagine.  I have not really played with it yet however tomorrow will be my first day at home with out the kiddos.  I miss them while they are at school but I am looking forward to having some uninterrupted craft time.  My goal is to finish the baby book for my friend and do some cuts for my aunt in law.  If those two things get done tomorrow then I will be very excited. 

The other night my hubby made me go play in my scrap room!!!  I really spend a lot of time looking and watching all the great stuff the other bloggers put out there.  He told me if I am going to have all that stuff I need to use it.  I am thankful for  a man who supports my addiction and makes me scrap.  He really is understanding and self sacrificing for me.  He does a lot that I don't thank him enough for. 

God has been really good to me.  He is teaching me new stuff and reminding me of past lessons.  I get a lot of spiritual encouragement from www.reviveourhearts.com Nancy Leigh DeMoss is a wonderful ladies Bible teacher.  Today she had guest one with her that talked about self doubt.  It was a real blessing that opened my eyes about somethings.  So just passing this along if you want to check it out.

Wish me good product scrapping tomorrow.

Whats up with that?!

I caved and gave in to the deep and denied desire for the imagine.  I was a little mad at the orginial price when it premired on HSN.  So I was going to "boycott" it.  But as I suspected the price went down and I caved.  Actually I purchased it from ebay for less than I paid for my expression on black friday.  WHATS UP WITH THAT?  I guess it was meant to be.  I have been watching videos of projects and I am getting excited to get it.  I am still eyeing the silhouette.  I wish cricut would come out with a cartridge that would do the cursive hand writing like i see on some of nichole magourik's layouts.  I love her stuff she is very talented.   I saw that SCAL v.2 was like 500.00 on ebay kinda makes wish I would have bought it when I first heard about it.  I understand provo crafts rights and all but I wish they would come up with a way you could cut true fonts and svgs.  In my opinion having that would help them corner the market, because they would be offering the best of both worlds.  Maybe we will see that with the new cricut craftroom program. 

Well the kids go back to school next Wednesday.  I am kind of looking forward to some real crafting time before I start school at the end of the month.  So I hope to be posting some projects soon.  Enjoy your day.

Beth