I FINALLY hit my 5% Goal!!

It's been a challenging couple of weeks for me but I FINALLY hit my 5% goal!  It's taken seven full weeks to get to the half way mark but I believe I'm learning and building the skills I need to reach my life time membership goal. 

My clothes are feeling a little looser and my energy level is much better. After having gestational diabetes with Bailey and Colson, my doctor told me I was more likely to develop type two diabetes. This has been a constant thought that stalks me and I'm feeling much more at ease and in control.

Now that I’ve been at weight loss for a while, my habits – both good and bad- are coming into focus.  I’m feeling comfortable with the food plan and I’m ready to take on a few more challenges. One of my biggest challenges as a mom and wife, is how easy it is for me to get wrapped up in everyone else’s needs and forget about myself.  But I’m noticing when I respect my own needs; I’m showing my girls the importance of respecting them, too. 

Managing my inner voice has also made a HUGE difference.  Charla our leader, says "the key to success is managing the fat between the ears".  This is so true, my mind can make a big difference.  I’m trading my negative thoughts for positive ones and it feels wonderful. Most importantly, my friend Tina is also on this journey with me.  Having this accountability buddy has kept me encouraged and on track.

I know different things keep different people motivated.  The thing that has worked best for me is going to the meetings.  The people who are going are real with their struggles, and willing to celebrate the little changes they make in their daily habits.  There is definitely strength in numbers and meetings are what has made this different the second time around.  I still have a way to go, but for today, I'm celebrating this milestone.     

Home On The Range

First Day Jitters

 

While Kinley handled this morning like a pro that is... until she hit the classroom and everything fell apart.  I think the nerves and build up just got to be too much for her to handle and all of her emotions started falling out all over the place.  I felt so sad for her.

 

I still remember the night before my first day of first grade.  I stared up at my bedroom ceiling the whole night, terrified of what the new school year would bring.  I never was good at the transition from the long, lazy summer days back to the rigors of the classroom. I remember them being definitely bumpy roads even in my college years.

 

Although many might not know this about me, I was a shyer-more sensitive-type kid growing up.  I had two older brothers who coddled me and did everything for me so leaving that comfort and security I had as the baby sister was a pretty difficult transition.  I guess not much has changed since those days except now I’m an adult and I just learn to wade through those anxieties and I’ve managed to learn they just go away after a few days. 

 

I think as a parent we love our kiddos so much and we are so aware of these amazing transitions that watching them move on is bittersweet.  In the end, I’m trying to keep this in perspective.  Just as it did last year, the jitters will eventually melt away and my baby girl will fall right into her new routine.  Until then I pray.

Pumpkin Bread

This post is dedicated to my children.  You guys LOVE these.  I make two batches just so I can freeze some for later.  Don't forget the baking soda! 

Ingredients

3 cups sugar

1 cup cooking oil

4 eggs

3 1/3 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2/3 cup water

1 15oz. can pumkin

Directions

Grease 2 loaf pans or 2 muffin pans.  In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil.  Add eggs and beat well.

 Set aside.

In a different bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well.

Add sugar mixture and water to the flour mixture.

Beat in pumkin.

Mix well.  Pour into pans.  Bake at 350 for 55-65 minutes.  You can also add raisins or walnuts if you want.

Ta-da!  Girls, hold on to this recipe I know it will come in handy someday. 

Cream Cheese Sausage Rolls

I have to tell you about these Sausage Rolls.  I've made these for several different occasions and also freeze them for quick snacks they are deeeelicious!!  I originally got the recipe from a friend in MOPS.  Sara made these for one of our meetings and I begged her for the recipe.  The kiddos adore them, and they're super easy to make.  Here is what you need.

Ingredients

1lb. Jimmy Dean Sausage.

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese

2 cans Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1 Table spoon poppy seeds

Directions

Brown sausage like hamburger meat (drain). While preparing sausage, soften cream cheese in microwave for 15 seconds.  In a large bowl, combine cooked sausage with softened cream cheese.  Note:  The hot sausage helps the cheese melt a bit, and lets you mix it until it's all nice and creamy.

unroll 1 can of dough and place on baking sheet. Spoon cooked sausage & cream cheese in the middle of the larger section of the crescent roll. 

Fold over the long sides of the pastry to cover the sausage.  Sprinkle with poppy seeds and bake at 350 or 20 minutes until golden brown.  I've also seen them rolled and cut up and served too.

  You can convince your kiddos to go anywhere with the promise of this yummy treat.  Enjoy!

What I needed to hear today

Thinking Positive

I weighed in this morning and I've lost 4lbs since I joined Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago. Today's meeting inspired me to think positive and reflect on my long term goal.  When I feel the need to eat just one more cookie or one more scoop of ice-cream, I'm going to make the healthy choice to just say no.  I'm ready to lose this extra weight and donate my old clothes to a woman in need:)

Weight Watchers Taco Soup

I made this yummy recipe my friend Tina gave me.  I’m thinking it will be a great cold weather dish and it was super easy to make!  
 

Ingredients

1lb ground turkey
1 Large onion, chopped
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can each: pinto beans, chili hot beans, corn, stewed tomatoes, and one can stewed tomatoes, one can rotel mild tomatoes.

Directions

Brown the meat onions, drain.  Add in dressing and taco mixes.  Then, without draining, add all of the other ingredients.  Simmer 1 hour.  Makes 12 - one cup servings

There are three points for 1 cup of sup.  If you add backed chips, add two extra points for nine chips.  I added a tbsp low fat sour cream wich added to extra points.  Enjoy!

Hot Fun in the Summertime!

My cousin Christy and her beautiful family of five drove from Houston and spent the last couple of days with us. We had some good laughs, talked about books we’ve read and just enjoyed being our silly selves. We came to the conclusion we are both perfectionists when it comes to being imperfect and all we really want is to be understood. That’s why we yell so much.  HA!!

It’s been said, that family is always the link that ties our threads in life and I’m happy that no matter how much time passes, when we get together our hearts always pull us back toward home and our childhood memories. Like branches on a tree, we grew in different directions but our roots will always stay the same. I don't exactly know why, but I find so much comfort in this?  She is such an amazing woman and I’m so blessed that we make an effort to be apart of each others lives.

Planning to win

I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting this morning.  I truely believe there is something to be said about being held accounatable and gaining insight to others success by attending these meetings.  Today I was inspired to hear others talk about their success and I'm finally excited to start working on my own personal weight plan. One thing the coach mentioned that really stood out today was planning and being more intentional in everything I eat.  It's amazing how those little snacks I eat can stack up in points throughout my day.  Without a clear plan in place, my chances of losing weight arent' going to happen.

So, I've got my first weight goal in place and my mission now is to stick with it and follow through.  It's not going to be easy but I know it will be worth it. 

Cousin Bryan

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

You will be missed sweet cousin Bryan.  We Love you.

New Adventures

I've found this to be true with just about every new adventure I start in my life...

Faith

I LOVE this!!!

Sunday Funday

I'm a firm believer, people with a good sense of humor have a better sense of life. 

That's why I read the funnies every Sunday. 

This is what happens to the rest of the paper.

Stroller Addiction

Hi, my name is Diane, and I’m a recovering stroller addict. I am a former stroller-fanatic; I struggle with the constant compulsion to acquire the perfect stroller. It really hasn’t even been the temptation behind having the most beautiful stroller or even feeling the need to push the newest one on the market. I do admit, when I see one of those fancy sharp-turning swivel wheel strollers or the one-handed folding one a friend of mine owns, I can’t help but secretly drool, just a little…

However, I have come to acknowledge my weakness thanks to Russell constantly making fun of our garage because it started looking like a “stroller graveyard”. It got to a point where we were having trouble storing all of my castoff strollers. Somehow with each new stroller I purchased I convinced Russell “This time it will be different…” This stroller is the ONE.” Yet in a month’s time, I fell back into the same destructive pattern of disillusionment which threw me into the need to by yet another stroller.

Before Colson’s arrival, suddenly I found myself once again in the market for every parent’s worse nightmare – a double stroller. Just in case you’re wondering, raising children close in age sounds good in theory, but once the realization sets in that you somehow have to get around town, it's a different story. I think I’m slowly realizing the more kids I have the funnier life becomes.  

After the purchase of the double stroller, I vowed it was finally the ONE and that those days of stroller shopping were behind me. I promised Russell to no longer sample, flip through catalogs, or test spin anymore strollers (that included checking out or talking about any friend’s strollers).

But the reality and disappointment of pushing this monstrosity stroller through a door became complete torture. That moment in my life where I wanted to go back in time and punch myself in the face was the day I had to push the double stroller through the doors of JC Penny. I’m sure I gave a few onlookers a good laugh with my stupidity. 

Again, I found myself fantasizing about other strollers I encountered. In my quest to find the unattainable, I started my search once more. I got a great deal on my latest stroller at our local children’s consignment shop. It’s nothing fancy but practical and simple. (At least I thought so) It has turned out to be pretty reliable despite a few minor problems. But I’ve come to realized over the last few years, finding a perfect stroller is about as futile as finding the perfect mate. (No such thing exists) No single stroller is going to be perfect and be all things at all times.

Kinley had her first day of VBS camp Monday. My friend Sara offered to push Colson while Bailey clung to my hip as we approached the church. A few seconds later, Sara asked me why my stroller wasn’t turning. That was when she reached down and pulled up the breaks. What?!?! I didn’t know this stroller had front breaks. Needless to say I’ve been smiling like an idiot ever since.

If anyone out there is struggling with, or watching helplessly as a loved one suffers from stroller issues, please help them. Sometimes you never fully realize how terrible things are until you have a friend who teaches you how to use it correctly.

Father's day

On behalf of father's day weekend, the kiddos wanted to make it special by showing Russell their appreciation for being such a great dad.   

they made him a yummy cake.

they gathered  a few of his favorite things.

 framed a picture for keepsake.

I just thought this summed it up nicely:)

Thank you Russell for putting in the time and effort it takes to be a great father.  We are so blessed. 

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time when I was your age, we read books - real ones with paper, and you had to turn pages and everything!

Contentment

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ~ Philippians 4:12

I’m always amazed at how scripture speaks right to my heart.   Being dissatisfied can become nothing more than a bad habit. This attitude can rob and steal every good pleasure in life.

In a nutshell

This pretty much sums it up!  - Lord Byron quote

Road Trip

We've become quite the explorers since our  move to Dallas.  last weekend we decided to head east and check out Lake Tawakoni.  This time, we came across some memorable towns along the way.  On our  way through Terrell, we found a family owned fruit orchard. 

Ham Orchards started by selling peaches out of a pickin' trailer and since have added home-made ice cream, fudge, homemade cobblers, plus hamburgers and hot dogs under a pavilion.  We LOVED the peach and strawberry swirl ice cream the best.

 Colson napping... This boy can sleep!

He couldn't help himself...

we had a pit stop for lunch in Greenville. The chopped beef sandwich was amazing and the banana pudding was delicious.  They had a brisket stuffed fully loaded baked potato on the menu that looked great. Maybe next time?

We finally made it to  Lake Tawokoni State Park. 

Kinley of course found all the baby frogs in the area.  My out to conquer the world first born wanted to take them all home. It took a lot of negotiating but she finally settled to taking just one home.

Yep,  I’m young enough to know I can, old enough to know I shouldn’t, stupid enough to do it anyway... on our way back home, we stopped to pet some free kittens and ended up bringing one home with us.  What was I thinking?!?

Hammies

A long time friend from MOPS gave me this recipe and it's become a staple in my house .  I call her Sara Stewart because she is a wonderful cook and is extremely crafty. She always puts her heart into everything she does.  I needed something easy to make for dinner for our priest at church a few months ago and they loved them!   

Recipe:

Potato Rolls ( I use Kings Hawaiian Rolls in the deli section)

Sliced Ham

Provolone Cheese

Sauce:

2. T Mustard

4 T. Brown Sugar

2 T. Poppy Seeds

2 Sticks of butter

1 T. Worcestershire

Cook sauce - put ham & cheese in rolls and drizzle sauce on top.  Cook at 350 covered for 20 minutes and 10 minutes uncovered.