Simple life

What does that really mean? To live a simple life? How about just getting back to the basics of life. What is the basics of life? For several months now I have been in this purging stage. Just when I think I have gotten rid of enough of my "junk" I realize I still have too much stuff and want to get rid of more. This has been going on for so long now that I think I just want to get rid of everything. I am tired of cleaning around it and having no place to put anything. I realize some of this comes from having 5 people in our house and having a small house, but really, this is because I like things. I want my life to be simple, to get back to the basics. I love the old time movies, where their houses are small and they really don't have anything. Kind of like the Amish today. Eat simple, live simple, enjoy each other and have fun! That is where I want to be. I am on a mission to get rid of more stuff, enjoy my kids way more, and just have more fun! I want to teach my kids that it is not important to have "stuff" but that it is important to be with the people you love and enjoy them and have fun with them. I don't want them to miss out, and I don't want to miss out on them either. So, here is to living a simple life, getting back to the basics, having less stuff, and playing more with my kids!!!!

Week 3

I have done pretty good these past three weeks. We have had some tough things come at us, and through it all I have managed to watch what I eat and not go off my eating plan. I am so proud of myself. This morning when I weighed myself I am down to 222.5 and am super excited. I have lost 10 pounds and am beginning to feel better. I have not been able to walk due to my knees acting up, but am getting that taken care of and hope to be walking by the end of the week. I am excited to see how this is changing my life for the better. So, for now, I am trying to figure out what my desires are and trying to get my life back to the basics. It just has to be easier than this!

Where will you be?

Death. It is a word that really makes you think and evaluate your life. Have you ever watched someone take their last breath? Have you prayed for someone while they were laying in that hospital bed not really sure what to pray but knowing that it may be the last time you get to pray for them or with them? How do you comfort the family who is there and not really walking with the Lord while they watch their loved one die? I am a thinker and I was faced with all of these this past week. Thursday morning we received a called informing us that my husbands step dad went in for emergency surgery for his colon and was okay for the moment, but they were trying to get him stable from the surgery. Thursday evening we got a call telling us that they were not sure if he was going to make it through the night. Friday morning we drove out there to support his mom and brother. We found out that they were waiting on us to take the respirator off and wait and see what happens. He lived for about 20 minutes after that and died at 12:10 on Friday. That is the second time in my life that I have watched someone take their last breath here on earth. The first was my Grandma who had fought for 7 days in hospice before giving in and running into Jesus arms to wait for the rest of us. Friday, seemed completely different to me. Maybe it is because I am in a different place in my walk with the Lord, but it was a tough day for me. Death seems so final. There is no more praying for the person. They have made their choices and are now in eternity somewhere. There is no more encouraging them, loving them, guiding them, praying for them. Now, the only thing left is to love the family that is left behind and pray that somehow through this experience they turn to Christ and change their lives. You never know when you will take your last breath and spend the rest of eternity either in the pits of hell or sitting next to Jesus in heaven. I know that I am living my life to the best of my ability to follow the example of Jesus so that when my body finally goes here on this earth I will have a new one in heaven and spend my days gazing into my Daddy's face! Where will you be for all of eternity?

One week later

Here is a picture of me at 232 pounds. It is the heaviest I have ever been. This was taken last week. I wanted to take a picture of me now so that I remember where I have come from. I have kept to my diet and have been having great success. Today I weighed in at 226. It is more than I expected. Basically, I have watched what I have eaten, high protein and low carbs. I need to drink less diet Pepsi, so that is one goal I have for the future. I drink about four to six glasses of water each day, which is a huge improvement for me! Also, I have worked out each day. Nothing really intense, but got my heart rate up and sweat a lot. I am proud of what I have done! I will continue to post my progress and hope my journey encourages someone to start their weight loss journey too!

Here I go...

Well, my weight loss journey is finally becoming serious to me. This week (Monday) I began a high protein, low carb diet. I have had the help of a dear friend. She took me shopping and hooked me up. She has been giving me support each day as to what I can eat, and what to do if I am hungry. She has been a huge blessing. So, since Monday, I have stuck to the eating plan, I have drank more water, and I have walked each day. I will walk tonight as that is the best time for me right now. I am so excited. I have weighed myself each morning and am looking forward to seeing the pounds start to come off. My goal weight is 150. I am thinking about taking a picture this week so I can see how far I have come. It is hard for me to post things about me personally, but I am trying to be more transparent, so this is a first step for me. When I get my picture up I will post my weight too. I want to document my journey mostly because I want to be able to see with my own eyes where I have come from so I wont go back again. Looking forward to sharing my journey with you!