A congratulations are in order for my brother Bryce and his lovely wife Karina! They are expecting their first child together. To be honest I am a little jealous (seriously, it's like everyone I know is pregnant or just popped a kid out) because I want kids, but I am still very excited for them! I love you both!
In other news, I felt that God was impressing upon my heart to sponsor a child through World Vision. They're a great Christian based organization that helps millions of people and children a year. My child's name is Clara. She's eight years old and lives in Ecuador. I can't wait to write letters to her and get to know her better. I also can't wait to get her some gifts for Christmas!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Bedtime Reading
My favorite way to wind down for the night is to curl up in bed with a good book. I finished book #17 in my Anita Blake series and #18 is waiting for me at the library. But because I work during the hours they are open, I have had to wait until tomorrow to get it. Which means no reading material for the last few nights. But then I opened up the drawer to my bedside table and there was my Bible. It's been untouched for a while. So what did I do? I opened it up and started reading Esther. It's amazing how much you forget from Sunday School. I'm so encouraged by the story so far. I'll keep you posted. :)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Foilage, inches, and raises!
Okay so I know the title is super abstract, lol but here's what's been going on in my neck of the woods!!
First of all, I am proud to announce that my boss (DDS and the office manager) approached me on Thursday and told me that they're proud of the work that I've been doing, and I've been doing such a great job, they want to offer me a pay increase in the form of being paid HOURLY! Wahoo!!!! I've been being paid by commission the past like...oh...7 months. It kind of sucks, especially if patients don't show up and I'm stuck still doing work stuff.
This is the answer to TWO prayers!! One, that God would help heal our financial issues, and TWO, that things at work would turn around and get better. I "made a deal" with God (even though that's not entirely possible...) that if I worked extra hard and did my very best at work, then I would hope to see some changes at work. PRAISE GOD!
So as far as the "inches" goes, I went to have my first month evaluation with my personal trainer today. I haven't lost very much weight, because I've been building muscle. And everyone knows (or should know) that muscle weighs more than fat. So guess what? I've lost EIGHTEEN (18) inches so far!!! WAHOO! My trainer was so surprised that I've lost 4 inches around my waist already! WOW! I'm going to take some "1 month" photos, so we'll see at the end of my journey how I look as time passes!
Last but not least, yesterday Brian and I went to go look at the "fall foilage" in William O'Brien state park by the Saint Croix. The leaves haven't fully peaked yet, it's only about 50% or so. But still, it was beautiful! We had a great day enjoying each others company and nature, and went to dinner in Stillwater afterward. Here are some pictures highlighting the day:
First of all, I am proud to announce that my boss (DDS and the office manager) approached me on Thursday and told me that they're proud of the work that I've been doing, and I've been doing such a great job, they want to offer me a pay increase in the form of being paid HOURLY! Wahoo!!!! I've been being paid by commission the past like...oh...7 months. It kind of sucks, especially if patients don't show up and I'm stuck still doing work stuff.
This is the answer to TWO prayers!! One, that God would help heal our financial issues, and TWO, that things at work would turn around and get better. I "made a deal" with God (even though that's not entirely possible...) that if I worked extra hard and did my very best at work, then I would hope to see some changes at work. PRAISE GOD!
So as far as the "inches" goes, I went to have my first month evaluation with my personal trainer today. I haven't lost very much weight, because I've been building muscle. And everyone knows (or should know) that muscle weighs more than fat. So guess what? I've lost EIGHTEEN (18) inches so far!!! WAHOO! My trainer was so surprised that I've lost 4 inches around my waist already! WOW! I'm going to take some "1 month" photos, so we'll see at the end of my journey how I look as time passes!
Last but not least, yesterday Brian and I went to go look at the "fall foilage" in William O'Brien state park by the Saint Croix. The leaves haven't fully peaked yet, it's only about 50% or so. But still, it was beautiful! We had a great day enjoying each others company and nature, and went to dinner in Stillwater afterward. Here are some pictures highlighting the day:
Monday, September 26, 2011
This is hard!
Losing weight is so hard to do! I've been going to the gym as much as I can the past month...and 2 lbs. That's all I've lost so far!! I even signed up for personal trainers. I'll meet with them 3x a month to keep me motivated and on track.
I know what's holding me back from losing more weight...and it's one of those things that my brain is saying, "You can't POSSIBLY live without that!" And what is it? Sweets. Oh my gosh. I told Brian we're not allowed to have any sweets in the house anymore. No cookies, no pies, no brownies, no ice cream, no chocolate, no nothing. I have kettle corn -- that's my one thing I am not able to give up (and it's so much better than a huge bowl of ice cream!!).
I think once I give up sweets more (the last of it was eaten this weekend) I'll be able to lose more weight.
I've also been taking care of my poor husband who has been sick for the past week and a half!! He's had a fever every night...and when he went to the MD on Wednesday last week, they told him his WBC count was normal. I made him go back to the MD today and he said they took like 6 vials of blood to run more tests. I'm worried about him...I have nightmares that I wake up and he doesn't =(
Well...I have my "before" pictures for my weight loss journey...but I'm not ready to post them up yet. It's embarrassing, really. Once I get down about 20 lbs, then I'll take some "mid-journey" weight loss pictures and post them up. My goal is to lose 35 lbs or so. I started out at 168 and my goal is 130-135. A normal, healthy weight for a girl in her 20's that is my height.
I know what's holding me back from losing more weight...and it's one of those things that my brain is saying, "You can't POSSIBLY live without that!" And what is it? Sweets. Oh my gosh. I told Brian we're not allowed to have any sweets in the house anymore. No cookies, no pies, no brownies, no ice cream, no chocolate, no nothing. I have kettle corn -- that's my one thing I am not able to give up (and it's so much better than a huge bowl of ice cream!!).
I think once I give up sweets more (the last of it was eaten this weekend) I'll be able to lose more weight.
I've also been taking care of my poor husband who has been sick for the past week and a half!! He's had a fever every night...and when he went to the MD on Wednesday last week, they told him his WBC count was normal. I made him go back to the MD today and he said they took like 6 vials of blood to run more tests. I'm worried about him...I have nightmares that I wake up and he doesn't =(
Well...I have my "before" pictures for my weight loss journey...but I'm not ready to post them up yet. It's embarrassing, really. Once I get down about 20 lbs, then I'll take some "mid-journey" weight loss pictures and post them up. My goal is to lose 35 lbs or so. I started out at 168 and my goal is 130-135. A normal, healthy weight for a girl in her 20's that is my height.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
So tired...
I have had chronic lumbar back pain for ten plus years now. It's been nearly impossible for me to sit for more than 20 minutes doing most of the things I enjoy most, which includes sewing, crafting, and reading. I went and saw a medical doctor in early august, and he recommended physical therapy. My consultation was this past week and it went well. My first appointment is next Friday.
Other things that I have been doing to try to help is going to work out. I joined a gym and have been going at least 4x a week.
The most fervent thing I have been doing is praying. And now I'm asking others to pray also. I know it's a lot to ask for...but please pray for me every day. This is what I posted on my church's prayer website:
"My brothers and sisters in Christ, please pray for me. I am having another severe bout of lumbar back/spine pain. I am praying every day and I am getting angry that nothing I do physically or spiritually is helping. I know that the Lord is giving me this trial to further His glory, but I am tired of not being able to move to the best of my ability. I am tired of the pain. I am desperate for some healing. Please, please pray that God will heal my back. "
The bible says in Matthew 18:19-20, "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
Other things that I have been doing to try to help is going to work out. I joined a gym and have been going at least 4x a week.
The most fervent thing I have been doing is praying. And now I'm asking others to pray also. I know it's a lot to ask for...but please pray for me every day. This is what I posted on my church's prayer website:
"My brothers and sisters in Christ, please pray for me. I am having another severe bout of lumbar back/spine pain. I am praying every day and I am getting angry that nothing I do physically or spiritually is helping. I know that the Lord is giving me this trial to further His glory, but I am tired of not being able to move to the best of my ability. I am tired of the pain. I am desperate for some healing. Please, please pray that God will heal my back. "
The bible says in Matthew 18:19-20, "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Yuck
So I've been pretty good about going and working out since I joined 3 weeks ago. I've gone like 10 times in the last 3 weeks! I'm so proud of myself! And then I get sick this weekend. Yuck!! It's not like, --I'm going to throw up --sick, more like my body doesn't handle extreme temperature/season changes well. According to "On This Day in 2010..." on Facebook, I was sick too. Yay. Lucky me. I'm feeling better, but I lost my voice this morning temporarily, so that was interesting working with patients with barely any voice and coughing all over the place.
In other news -- my sewing machine is on the fritz. Of course, when I bring it in to the repair shop where they "tuned it up", it works perfectly fine, and what happens when I get home? It freaks out and doesn't work properly. Serves me right. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to just trade it in for a Janome. I had a mini-sewing machine that was a Janome before buying the POS that I have now, and it NEVER gave me any problems. We're talking about hemming stuff without any fuss whatsoever.
I'm also putting up some pretty cool decals in my "sewing/craft/computer" room. They're supposed to look like this after it's done:
In other news -- my sewing machine is on the fritz. Of course, when I bring it in to the repair shop where they "tuned it up", it works perfectly fine, and what happens when I get home? It freaks out and doesn't work properly. Serves me right. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to just trade it in for a Janome. I had a mini-sewing machine that was a Janome before buying the POS that I have now, and it NEVER gave me any problems. We're talking about hemming stuff without any fuss whatsoever.
I'm also putting up some pretty cool decals in my "sewing/craft/computer" room. They're supposed to look like this after it's done:
This is how it looks right now. It's a lot more work putting it up perfectly than it would seem! And since it's close to 11 PM, I can't finish it tonight. I have to go to work tomorrow, lol.
Yup, one trunk. Oh well, the rest will be up soon.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Confessions
So, I realized during the sermon on Sunday that I've been hiding things from those most dear to us. Well, Brian and I as a couple have been. Pastor Peter talked about how we need friends, family to hold us accountable. Also that we need to be honest not only to ourselves but to others also, and that sometimes the hardest way to be honest with ourselves is to be open and honest and communicate that honesty with others. So here goes.
Brian and I are struggling financially. It's not to say that we're not blessed -- we certainly are in every aspect of our life. But are we perfect? No. Are we comfortable? No, we're not, actually. It is humiliating and disgracing and incredibly embarrasing to say that we're living paycheck to paycheck right now with bills, car payments, and credit card bills lining up. I'd love to blame the credit card debt (which is not an extravagant amount, but it's still there) on the move...but I can't. It's 100% my fault. Brian's so much better at getting his paid off than I am...and I'm the one always griping about it.
It's hard for me to even click "publish post" for this. Part of me is screaming, "Don't! Don't let anyone know! Just keep on pretending everything is great!" And the other, holy-spirit filled part of me is saying, "Part of being one of God's children is understanding and experiencing humility on a regular basis." So here I am, Lord, humbling myself before you and all of my friends and family, all those that I hold close and dear to my heart. We need prayer, we need advice, we need counseling, anything that will help us out and bring us closer to God.
Brian and I are struggling financially. It's not to say that we're not blessed -- we certainly are in every aspect of our life. But are we perfect? No. Are we comfortable? No, we're not, actually. It is humiliating and disgracing and incredibly embarrasing to say that we're living paycheck to paycheck right now with bills, car payments, and credit card bills lining up. I'd love to blame the credit card debt (which is not an extravagant amount, but it's still there) on the move...but I can't. It's 100% my fault. Brian's so much better at getting his paid off than I am...and I'm the one always griping about it.
It's hard for me to even click "publish post" for this. Part of me is screaming, "Don't! Don't let anyone know! Just keep on pretending everything is great!" And the other, holy-spirit filled part of me is saying, "Part of being one of God's children is understanding and experiencing humility on a regular basis." So here I am, Lord, humbling myself before you and all of my friends and family, all those that I hold close and dear to my heart. We need prayer, we need advice, we need counseling, anything that will help us out and bring us closer to God.
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