What's happening....

I'm on my lunch break eating gummi bears (already had lunch). I know, not exactly healthy but I'll make sure to eat only 1 serving, which is 15 little gummies. Oh, how I do love the gummies.

Anyhow, there's been a reoccurring theme in my life as of late. All the pieces haven't come together but I'm starting to get some clarity.

Here are the bits and pieces:
I'm currently truckin' through 2 Corinthians and chapter 4 caught my attention for several hours on Sunday mid morning. This is what got me "⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." When we first accepted to follow Christ we would've never known or understood that the journey ahead was going to be one of the most difficult. It's no joke - dying to oneself, and it's no joke waiting on God to move while our hearts bleed and minds grows faint. However, difficult the journey it's amazing that He's still around and calling us to himself despite the grossness of our sins and the faithlessness that we display with our incessant whining.

Sunday night Matt covered an interesting, heart stabbing, spirit stirring message on Membership. Look for it on the podcast here for the week of 2/15.

Monday night in small group we reviewed our Village covenant and again the same message that Matt taught upon Sunday was addressed Monday night. Pursuing holiness is no small deal. Pushing each other toward the maintenance of purity has been an evident struggle that I believe most single young women do well with but it's the pushing each other toward holiness that has been lacking in my life and I'm sure in others as well. I'm talking about exercising the discipline of regular reading, praying and confession. People that are close to me can tell when I'm not reading well because I make bad decisions, I'm grumpy, I'm short, overly sarcastic and insensitive. And, in the last 3 weeks...i've not been well. I've made choices. I've made a mockery of the gospel and jumped the gun over and over again!

Tuesday *today* I found myself on the podcast looking for something to hear and came across Sincere Love by Paul Mathis. Again. And again God is pounding my heart.

On top of it all a 18 year old sweeting recommended and purchased a book for me. It's Lady In Waiting by Jackie Kendall & Debbie Jones. The first chapter has been....well.... painfully soothing.

Ok, i'm outtie. Oh, and I lost gummie bear count....someone please take this bag away from me!

Valentine - Single Style

We had a great time last night.
Hope y'all did too.

We also spent most of our time soaking in this song. Yet, again my sister found a good one. This song strums my heart strings.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Just a little collage I've made for myself. I hope you enjoy.

Howdy! Howdy!

Another week goes by and I find myself so incredibly content and smilin'.

Before I forget here are the results of this week's weigh in:
Lost: 1.4 lbs
Current Weight: 325.8
To Goal: 20.8 lbs.

SHE FOUND IT !!!!

My genius sister found my song for me!!!!!
I don't know how she did it but here is the real song I fell in love with while watching The Secret Life of Bees. NOW I feel like dancin'.

Thanks Mama!!

Here's Breakaway by Irma Thomas



Lyrics | Irma Thomas - Breakaway lyrics

I'm Alright ?

While watching the Secret Life of Bees last night I fell in love with this song.

I forgot to mention in my last post that I love oldies. Doo wop reminds me of my daddy-o

Enjoy my new favorite song of the day. I just got it off of itunes but thankfully the itunes version is much slower. I swear watching this video was making my heart race. The anxiety! The madness of a such a fast beat! I couldn't even imagine trying to dance along with this video.

Margarita - you'll see what I mean when you watch this video post.

I love....

I love dancing the Cha Cha slide with my girls.....I love sisterly non verbal communication....
One Sunday morning while greeting I spot this delicious young man for my sister. There was just something about him that made me think of her. As he approaches I simply smile and say "mornin' welcome to the village", he passes me, passes my sister and continues walking into the sanctuary. She and I didn't say word one. We just exchanged a "look". Right behind us was standing one of our close friends, Shayne, as soon as "delicious boy" was out of ear shot Shayne points at us through the glass and said "I SAW THAT!! There was A LOT of sisterly non verbal communication going on there!!!!"

I love Fog. Mmmmmm, foggy mornings.

I love living (for the most part) with my sister. She begged me to go get ice cream last night. She said "my body neeeeeds it!" I continued to ignore her as I rolled over on my bed and kept reading. She came back into my room not 5 minutes later.
Baby M: Please!
Me: No. I'm busy. Why don't you go?
Baby M: Nooooooo, you go.
Me: Let's walk there together.
Baby M: Ummmm, no. You still haven't worked out you should go.
Me: ignored her.
Baby M: she's rolling around on my bed from side to side in a pathetic manner saying "Poor, Mita."
Me: ugh! Just go!!
Mita: But you still have your bra on....
Me: *exhausted sigh* Point Taken. She won that battle.

I love with every ounce of my being that I'm a Texan. It's so funny that we're not taught Texas pride but rather just born with it.


I love that my brother passionately hates the Yankees. So, I wear this beautiful pink ball cap in his honor. He'll say "Uhhhh, why do you wear that stupid ball cap? I'm gonna steal it from you". I'll say (while wearing a HUGE smile on my face) "don't be a hater. I wear it cause it's PINK!" Then he'll say "if I bought you another cap in the same color will you throw that one away?" My response "I dunno, maybe."
The jerkface has hidden this particular cap from me on a number of occasions but I always find it because I'm cool like that.
I love where I work.

I love the people I do life with.

Have fun with this last one. I'm about to start my day. Thanks for stopping by.

I love Bon Qui Qui. So crazy funny.

IT'S A BOY!!!!

My brother and gave me the news this morning. Actually, he called yesterday and said they were finding out the sex of the baby and warned that if I didn't answer my phone he was going to call my younger sister and I would miss my turn. Thankfully, I didn't totally miss it. He was merciful and called twice. :)

Woohoo!!! IT'S A BOY!!
I love that little monster and I've never even met him. I can't hardly wait to kiss his face, hands, chubby little legs and baby bottom! I love chubby babies. I love him!

His name will be Daevin Fischer Infante. Pronounced (Day-vin)

There's a good story behind his name and as I thought about it, God brought to mind just far back in my life He began the trail of details to name his son,Daevin.

This is going to be fun. Hold tight and follow the pattern.
In 7th grade I met my best friend, Nancy V. We weren't best friends then but I thought she was the most beautiful girl, with the most beautiful skin in the entire world. Fast forward to 9th grade. Nance and I are besties. She's a basketball player on the freshman JV team. She and I as well as a 6 other people do life so tightly all our 4 years of High School at King.

12th grade. We're all out college shopping. I'm thinking about becoming a nurse. Texas Woman's University is known to have one of the best nursing programs in the nation and I wanted to get far, far away from a high school infatuation. I mentioned my choices to Nance and she says "HeyLyana B is going there too." I'm like "Lyana who?" After Nance gives me some information on her I respond with "oh, isn't she that really unamused-athletic chic I had algebra II with a few years ago?"

Freshman Orientation: Lyana and I get reintroduced and make the 7-8 hour ride together to Denton for our Freshman Orientation after having been accepted at TWU.

Our first semester: She and I become roomies. Living in Stark Hall - 12B 2 (don't even ask me how i remember that!) Our room is pink. =) And, shortly after living together we realize that we have much more in common that initially expected. She's like my sister now.

Our on campus jobs: Lee goes to work for the athletic center - go figure! and I'm working with the Registrar's office.

Our sophomore year: Lee comes in one afternoon and asks if I'd at all be interested in babysitting for one of the mom's in her office. I always loved kids and needed the extra cash to quickly agreed.

I meet the boys: I head over to the Jordening House and meet both Colton and Parker. We had a great time hanging out, wrestling, telling stories, changing diapers, napping, feeding the neighboring horses...

Junior year: Getting into my upper level classes. Still babysitting for Jordening family. My brother graduates high school and I convince him to come move in with me. He agreed. That summer David was so bored. He was totally new in town, didn't have any friends and I'd guess he was semi homesick. On one particular day I asked him if he'd be interested in going with me tobabysit. I was surprised that he said yes.

He meets the boys and it was love at first sight because they had a "real" boy to play with. Parker, who had just started talking, must have misunderstood David's introduction because from then on out I'd hear Parker saying "Hey, Davin, w-w-wanna playwiffff me?"

My brother has now been affectionately called Davin by both of his sisters for some years now. And, all thanks for God we have a new little baby Daevin.

Awwwww, I love him sooooooo

The Perks of Working From Home!

No need to wear shoes. 

It's kinda nice working in my undies! =) sad but true!

Listen to music without the use of headphones.

My pup doesn't have to stay in his crate all day. 

It's so nice and quiet.

I can focus!

and the best part.......NO Interruptions!!!!! 

 

Today is a New Day

Despite the mess that I, at times deliberately, cause I'm thankful that my author and finisher is still working.

I had to learn a hard lesson yesterday. Sometimes the end results isn't getting what you want but learning to wait on the Lord for his perfect timing. Learning to trust him and understand that He really does know best.

I feel lighthearted this morning. Renewed. Refreshed. Hopeful.

Weight loss is happening again. My body is once again changing. Clothing is much more comfortable - jeans don't lie, don't they ladies?

Chadwick and I might be sorta getting back together. Not to the same degree. He and I are discussing the possibly of "training" via paper! :) Over the year that we trained he grilled me on form. Always "watch your form, Marcy", "turn your foot in", "drop your seat", "sit up straight", "hold your position", "look up", "look down", and he was always screaming "loooooower!!!" So, now that I know how to do it he's going to take all the knowledge in that body mechanics brain of his and pen it for me. It's exciting. I'm ready to sweat it out.

On another page in my life God is developing and stripping relationships. To do life and run deeply with people is not small task. Vulnerability sucks and it's scary. Asking for forgiveness is humbling and necessary for our spiritual growth as is necessary for the building of genuine relationships. I pray that my potter doesn't grow tired of working with stubborn and unyielding clay. As I also pray that God will go before me strengthening those relationships that are currently working and active and building those that are yet to be known.

Keep praying for fortitude. Pray that I will learn to wait and be patient without jumping the gun without exercising manipulation to get my desired results.

P.S. Romans 7 & 8 busted our chops last night in small group! Check them out when you get a chance.

See that Baby Bump?

My baby niece or nephew is in there! I can hardly stand it.
Still getting over the fact that my brother is going to be a daddy.
As all can imagine the Infante Family (as well as the Thomas Family) are all more than excited to welcome our new addition.

My heart hurts with joy when I remember this passage:

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast....

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

25 Things

I was tagged with 25 things on Facebook a number of times and decided to share the wealth on my Sweetness blog. So, here goes my 25 Random Things.

1. I love puppy breath! One either loves it or hates it and I loooove it!

2. This picture makes me smile.

3. Some of my favorite movies are: 300, Keeping the Faith, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days, Tristan and Isolde, Count of Monte Cristo, 13th Warrior, The Color Purple, Dirty Dancing, Shag (and not it's NOT porn!!), North Shore, and a few others that I can't recall at this time.

4. I gave my mom the 1st book of the Twilight series for Christmas. A few days later I get a phone call from my Dad that went as follows:
Me: Hey Fat Man!
Dad: Hey Punk, Thank you. Thank you VERY MUCH! I've lost 15 lbs!
Me: Oh, yeah? That's great!
Dad: Yeah! Since you gave your mom that dang book she's forgotten to feed me so now I'm staaarving!!
Me: I just laughed at him and told him to be prepared because 3 more books were on the way.

5. My sister makes me laugh like no other! She brings out the best in me. We often find humor in just about anything. A few weeks ago we were talking about all the poodle mixes that are sprouting such GoldenDoodles, Labradoodles, GreatDoodles and my very own RoddeyDoodle. During that same week a guy I was talking to really made me mad and she asked me about him. In response to my reply she says "Forget about him. He's an Assdoodle!!

6. I love blackberries but refuse to eat raspberries because they're hairy. I don't like hairy foods like peaches or raspberries or uncut kiwi.

7. Blackberries remind me Marcus.
One time during church, in Seattle, he was bouncing up and down during worship. His Aunt and my dear friend Annette reaches over and puts her hand on his shoulder and says "Marcus,you need to settle down." He calms down for a second, the music stops and then he shouts "My daddy says that if you eat moose it makes your ding ding grow really big!!" Annette and I almost died right then and there!

8. While in Austin a friend pointed out a most delicious of delicious candles. It's made by Voluspa and its called Saijo Persimmon. Come over to my house and I'll give ya a whiff!

9. I love colors like soft pink and deep red.

10. It's sick, but true I love funny poopie stories.

11. I have naturally curly hair and for the majority of my life I've had comments thrown at me like "wow, your hair is so beautiful! Where did you get it permed?"

12. My best friend, Nancy, is getting married this fall on my birthday. She'll be the first of all my close gf's to get married. All my close best guy friends have all long been married.

13. People often think I'm Polynesian. Even the locals in Hawaii thought I was well...local. :)

14. I have my very own built in binkie! It drives my family crazy that I'm constantly sucking on my bottom lip. I can't explain it and I can't break the habit mostly because I don't care to... it just feels so good!!

15. I can't stand frogs or clowns.

16. When I returned to Texas from Seattle in hopes of starting my own Swim School I got an email from one of my parents. She said that during her son's 2ND birthday party he requested that I be one of his gifts. He cried and cried when his mother told him I was gone. This is the birthday wisher, Kevin.
17. I have always wanted to visit Scotland, France, Italy and Spain.

18. While visiting my mom in the hospital my brother asks "Mom, so when do you think you're going to get out of here?" She says "Ohhhh, ju know, I tink they said at the end of ju-life." David mockingly says "wow, I didn't know I was about to die!"
For some reason her July always sounds like "julife" and instead of saying entrance she says "entrancy". I don't know... can't explain her crazy little self.

19. The first time I ever cried during a movie was when i was 13 or 14 and it was while watching My Girl.

20. After surrendering my life to Jesus, my hometown Pastor decided he would "call me by a new name" so he called to me by my middle name, Naomi. To this day he's the only one who calls me Naomi.

21. My favorite cousin was about 20+ years older than me and suffered from muscular dystrophy. His name was Juan but I nick named him Jauncho. Don't know where that name came from it just came to me. He taught me how to tie my shoes, add and subtract, and instructed me in the art of sarcasm. We also fought like cats and dogs. He passed away while I was living in Seattle. I miss him dearly.

22. I remember so very clearly the very first time I was introduced to my baby sister. While awaiting the arrival of my baby sister David (brother) and I were sitting on the front porch steps when my parents pulled up the drive way. My mom was wearing a white drawstring blouse and she was holding my sister in a tight little bundle. When she bent over to show us our new sister the sun behind her shown so brightly on my sister's little pink face. It was love at first sight. I was 4 years old.

23. I love mint chocolate ANYTHING!!

24. My dad turned 50 this year. He'll also be a grandfather this year too. We decided that instead of calling him granpa or grandaddy he'll be called "Puppy"
25. To this very day I still call my dad when I need prayer for anything from a simple cold to the common heart ache. I love to hear him pray. I hope that God will bless me with a husband who prays as humbly as my father.

Weigh In Update

Here are the latest stats:
I'm down another: 3.2lbs
Current Weight: 327.2
Goal: 22.2 lbs

Yesterday I got a text from Uyen that said "TRACK YOUR POINTS!!!!!!"
I didn't respond. I was busy! :)
She calls at 5pm.
I answer with: "I KNOW! I KNOW! I HAVEN'T TRACKED MY POINTS! I'M GONNA DO IT!"
She just laughed and laughed. Then admitted that she's wasn't even calling about me not tracking my food but was glad that I remembered.

I also realized that February 2nd marked the one and half year mark. I can't believe that I'm still fighting for this. Weight loss hasn't moved as quickly as I would've hoped but overall I'm pleased that God is still bending my heart to learn and lean on Him and Him alone. It's been more of a spiritual journey than anything else.

Thanks for reading.

Training Update

I finally got with Shayla (new trainer) last night. It was a group exercise which was different but interesting. Overall, the session went well. We worked on all legs, core and glutes. I feel a bit guilty because I could've worked harder. I mean I did all the exercises as I was asked but I know my body had more to give. I guess that's a perk of working out one on one with Chadwick. He knew my body and he knew how far to push me and because it was a solo training session all his attention was on me. Which in actuality was torture at times!!!

I can still remember being in a push up hold and he'd say "Ok, Marce you're doing good. Just 15 more seconds." THEN he'd say "you're still doing good, give me 5 more seconds" Ugh! Then do you remember the blog when I mentioned being totally maxed out in a push up hold and about to fall into the position when he squatted over me and had the audacity to push down on my back and shoulders while STILL in a push up hold!!! I swear I could've reached out and bit his leg had it been closer. Oddly, enough the irritation of having his hands pushing me only fueled my fire which in turn became 10 more seconds of prideful torture.

So, back to last night. After a few hundred lunges, leg extensions, hamstring whatever...we ended with a delicious little circuit that included these little gems...

try doing 1 set of 25 from bottom to top then directly followed with 25 shallow "pumps". Let me know how your buns are feeling after after!

BOOTY CHALLENGE!!!! are you ready for this. Shayla told me that I had to perform 100 bun clenches every hour on the hour until I reached 1,000!!

Anyone, else in for the challenge with me? Come On! I know at the very least Robin will do it! Won't you girl??!! :)

Hooligan's

I love this woman!! God's gifted her with such a quiet and gentle spirit! If only.... here's to you Ren!

Ann....Ann...Ann... Her laugh is contagious. Her heart runs deep. I'm so, so, so stinkin' glad God orchestrated our friendship. Did I mention that she's funny because she's crazy funny and cool!

Austin Chicas

Uyen & Peggy's (My Seattle Replacement!) haha

Uyen, Pegs & myself

(not my favorite picture but the only one i took this weekend)

Pegs & Amy

(Amy and her husband Josh were our hosts. I love her and I hardly know her... She's (they) are expecting their first baby. It's a girl!!)

I love this picture!!
Special Thanks to Pottery Barn for lending us their lovely displays.

Another Smile Moment

I was just about to post some pictures when I came across these.
Awwwwww, he's seriously so delicious!
I don't remember what he was doing here but I must've just finished baking because I was wearin' the apron my daddy-o got me a few months ago.

Forgot to post

I didn't weigh in this last week but the week before I was down 4lbs! woohoo!! I'll get stats later as well as some photos of my weekend in Austin with my chicas!

Earn my Carbs?!!?

Didn't really think I had an "issue" with carbs until recently. My new trainer, Shayla, advised me that it's important to have carbs, our bodies need carbs to survive and it isn't wise to go on a no carb diet BUT in order to have carbs we must earn then. (Imagine me nodding in total agreement until this part followed by a sudden stop of the nod when she says i have to earn my carbs *in my head I'm thinking "wha'd you say Willis? Earn my carbs?!!" I'm also thinking of that famous line from my Big Fat Greek Wedding when the Aunt approaches Tula's new husband says "WHAT?!?! HE DONT EAT MEAT?!? What do you mean He. don't. eat. meat? .....It's ok, I make lamb" Anyhow, those were my internal reactions that didn't quite make it past the plesant smile on my face.

So, back to my issue with carbs. Yes. I love carbs and I didn't realize how much I do until I almost had a fit this morning because I couldn't eat any of my beloved carbs and I can't consume my carbs until AFTER I WORK OUT!!! Oh, dear, sweet Jesus...help us all because I'm not working out until after work.

Saturday Check In

I lost 1.8 lbs this week!

Current Weight: 334.4lbs
Total Weight Loss: 37.6 lbs
Weight to Goal: 29.4 lbs (which would put be back at 305lbs)

Met my new trainer last night, Shayla Ryder. Check her out here. She was recommended to me by my friend, Paula G. I'm excited about working out on a schedule again. She seems knowledgeable, patient and stern.

On the flip side - I'm nervous. I hadn't realized how much I trusted Sir Chadwick until I signed up with her last night. I trusted him with everything that was my body. I trusted that if we hit a wall he was going to offer us up in prayer. No better trust than that... I can't say I always knew where I stood with him but I did know that he knew exactly what he was doing and where we were headed. And, more so he knew the limitations of my body much better than I knew them for myself. I miss it but know I can't hang on to what once was.

As of last night, today marks the beginning of a new chapter. I cling to the knowledge that God absolutely has to be at the center of this or it isn't going to work. I don't know where my new trainer stands spiritually so it'll be interesting to see what God has planned for the both us as well as for the team that I'll be working out with.

Here's a toast to starting over!!

Rebecca P thanks for recommending your trainer! I was so happy to read your comment! I miss your laughter and spunk! When are we going to hang out?

Asian Love !!!!

I can't even begin to tell you....

This chica is golden to the core!!.... OK, most of the time! :)

It's amazing how God continually brings our paths together despite the many post college moves in and out of this beautiful country we call TEXAS!

She's been gifted with a quiet and wild soul, of which I've envied many a time.

She's as faithful as they come.

For your constant support, faithfulness, friendship and friendly "track your points!!!" texts I wouldn't have made it through this week.

Thank you my dear, Uyen.

I heart you!

The New Year's Eve Party

You'll need to read the previous post. 

Thankfully, we brought in the new year with a Masquerade Ball. AND, I'm even more grateful that before the scary hair incident I chose a different sort of mask. 

Top Photo: L to R (Rikki Tai, Kristen, Britt, Christi, Kelsey, Myself)

Bottom Photo: Kristin & Myself

 

isn't she so crazy beautiful? 

Am I glad my mask covers the top of my head??? Y.E.S!!!! 

I don't want it to look like crazy Mexican Hair...

12pm on New Years Eve I decide to get my hair cut. My stylist has been forever begging me to try highlights. I give in on the condition that it would be subtle and flattering. What i really wanted to say was "Please, don't give me crazy Mexican hair!" but I could hardly say that as she is Mexican and she does have crazy Mexican hair... I should've known better! 

I did say SUBTLE right?!?! Anyhow, I knew I was in big trouble after she washed my hair and with a full head of soaking wet hair I could so clearly and easily see a HUGE ORANGE streak right across the top of my head. 

I didnt' know what to do. She could tell that I wasn't diggin' it because she continued to say things like "wow, that looks so great!" "oh, you just wait and see how many compliments you get" "wow! isn't this so pretty?" she'd say to anyone within earshot.... I wasn't buying it. I left there and went straight to an unbiased opinion. My sister. 

My first impression of her first impression = not impressed! 

She laughed at me. Then she got mad at me for being so dumb! Even more so she was mad because we were going to a NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY!!! She made me swear that I'd never EVER try any of my hair shenanigans on her wedding day. 

Here are the results...... 

 

 

 

Shortly after taking this picture (documentation of my stupidity) I went back to the salon. A bit awkward walking back in there but I had to get it taken care of. She ended up adding a toner that got most of the crazy out but I'm still "off". AHHHH why did I do this to myself?!?!

I don't want to post this

As of this very morning at 10:44am I weigh 336.2lbs

Starting Weight: 372lbs
Biggest Loss: 66 lbs
What I've gained since I ended the Master Cleanse and left it at 305 lbs: 31.2lbs
Just in case you're wondering I'm a pound short of gaining half of what was lost....

Goal for this week:
TRACK ALL MY FOOD on weightwatchers.com
Meet with a new trainer

Drag Blogger

What can I say? It's been a total drag being a blogger. I haven't wanted to blog for many reason. First, I've felt that my journey hasn't been worth blogging about because everything seems to be flying in the crap hole. Secondly, because of shame. Thirdly, because of ....more shame.

Ok, real number time.....
I've gained weight. A lot of weight. I can feel it on my body. I feel heavy again. Not that being my size doesn't feel heavy all the time but I can feel the added weight and how it affects my quality of life. My belly sits lower (who am I kidding?...it hangs lower over my body) my arms are becoming "un"toned and larger, my double chin seems to have a cousin now and they're living on my face!!! It's harder to cross my legs. And, all my jeans are completely uncomfortable. Last I checked I had gained about 23lbs of the 66lbs that were originally lost. I didn't weigh in last week so the number might be higher. And, as you know.... I haven't wanted to admit and least of all have I wanted to blog this and I can't believe I just did it.

I can't seem to make myself track my food on weight watchers. It's almost as if I have this inner rebellion deep within myself that refuses to do what I know will help. I also haven't been working out as I know I can. There are so many things floating in my heart at the moment I find myself having a hard time grasping any idea long enough to solidify it into this blog.

Over thanksgiving I gained 9 lbs. It must have been the oreo cheesecake I found myself unable to pull away from or maybe it was the pecan pie? Actually, it was everything coupled with no exercise. Seriously, I know it's an easy concept. Formula = Eat well + working out = weight loss (calories in - calories out). However, as believers our formula isn't so easy. God never guarantees such a formula...

I had dinner with some friends this week and one the young ladies said something that has been on my heart and mind all week. She was talking about how people often think that they need to have a "WOW" relationship with God to know that He's working and moving in their lives. She admitted that she hardly ever has those "WOW" moment but what she does know is that in her lifetime Obedience does equal blessing. *I've had to pause for a moment to continue thinking about what she said.* Obedience does equal blessing. Blessings do not always encompass more money in your bank account, health, a great looking body and a Fiiiine man at your side. His blessings are so much deeper and often much more subtle, aren't they?

So, I leave this blog feeling better. I laid it out there. The accolades have pretty much ceased and I've learned that I found more pleasure in hearing them than worshiping the one who gave me the strength to complete the task at hand. He's had to remove my idols and I've fallen and cried without them. He's still pulling and stretching and poking and I have to admit that I'm mad at Him at times. I wish He would make this walk easier. I know He can snap his fingers and this battle would be over, but I also know He's lovingly doing something powerful. Please, keep praying.

Merry Christmas!! Yes, I said CHRISTMAS!

This is your Christmas card.

Merry Christmas!
I'm specifically NOT saying Happy Holiday or Season's Greeting because this is my blog. :)
Love Y'all!

Snoop Taters

I don't even know how I came across this on YouTube but it made me laugh.

FYI I don't like white pepper either. You'll see...

Savannah Jingle Bell Run

Two weeks ago we participated in the Savannah Jingle Bell Run. It was a 3k run or a 1 mile dog walk. Fuuunnn!!

Here's Me with my pup, Roddey & my sister with her, Parker Poo Poo.

Here's a picture of our event shirt. Nice, huh?

It was a small group event and what's a small group event without photos!!! Here's one of my favorite people with the sweetest heart, Kristi!

Forgot to mention that I got forth place but should've come in third but that's another story!! We also got a participation ribbon too! My very first ribbon! Exciting!

Wow Video

On occasion I get emails from The Weight We Were and today I send one of the most inspirational stories.

Please, watch the video below and you'll quickly see why.

Great Find!

I did a little shopping during lunch and before I realized it, it was time for me to head back to the office. While in a total pinch for "fast food", I didn't want to eat fast food. So, I drove around a bit thinking I could head over to Chick-Fil-A then noticed that the line was crazy long. I sat at a stop sign until I remembered that Target had semi good food in the deli section.

Off to Target I go. To my utter surprise I found something so totally delicious and completely healthy!! Archer Farms Veggies and Hummus for only ....wait for it.... wait for it.... $1.49!!!!

*Sigh*

I needed to be reminded of this song today because I feel blah....