WLW - Week #28

Starting Weight:  155 lbs
Today’s Weight:  133 lbs
Total Loss:  22 lbs

I met my goal last week of doing 8500 steps every day.   So far this week I have done at least 9,000 steps every day.  I'm trying to just keep increasing it until 10,000 steps is a normal day for me. 

WLW - Week #27

Starting Weight:  155 lbs
Today’s Weight:  133.8 lbs
Total Loss:  21.2lbs

I didn't drink at all over the weekend and I gained even more weight than I normally do!!  Now explain that one!  But I've been working hard to get it back off. 

I've been doing excellent with my steps this week.  I'm getting in 8500 every day.  I'm going to try to bump it up next week.  The weather is finally on my side and I've been able to go for a walk every day at lunchtime, so that's been great!  I found a nice trail by my work, so I'm really excited about that!

Hendrick's Big Day

Today was a very special day, we had the honor of celebrating Hendrick's 1st birthday!  

Something strange happens when your oldest friend has a baby. You love that child like family because really they are. Erin & I have been friends since we were little kids & now we both have our own kids.  Funny how time changes things. 

My mom used to tell me that "Lyla really made me earn my mom badge" her first year. Things were what I considered a rough start for us. Lyla had a slew of different issues crop up that first year. Now I realize I had it so easy. If I earned my mom badge then Erin has earned the World Cup. 

None of us could have ever predicted what Hendrick's first year would consist of. The poor little guy has been in the hospital so many times. He's been diagnosed with epilepsy. Things have been anything but easy for them. But they are fighters!  Erin, Andy & Hendrick always put on a brave face & do what has to be done. 

Today was a celebration of Hendrick and how loved he is by everyone he has touched. His life may not be exactly how we all hoped it would be, but we love him just the way he is!  And his mama is one of the most important people to me in this world. 

WLW - Week #26

Starting Weight:  155 lbs
Today’s Weight:  133.4 lbs
Total Loss:  21.6lbs

Summertime is just killing me.  At least I am staying in my range.  As long as I am under 135 I am happy with that.  I think if I actually tried I could get down to 130, but I just haven't tried at all in the last two months! 

I feel like I have been drinking every weekend and that is just killing me.  I'm going to stop for a few weeks and see how that goes.  You have the calories from the drinks, plus the munchies, plus the food you eat because you are hungover, plus zero energy the next day to do anything productive.  Its fun in the moment, but overall not always worth it.

I really want to get back to doing the kettlebell weights.  I don't think I have done them since early April.  Once Lyla starts school I am changing my hours at work.  I think I'm still going to get up early and get a workout in before I get ready for the day.  I think that will be really good.  Because finding the time and motivation to do it after work is just not happening. 

I'm still wearing my Fitbit every day.  And Ashley has one now too, so that's fun!  We can challenge each other to see who takes the most steps in a day.  I gave myself the goal this week of just doing more steps each day than I did the day before.  Just to build myself back up because I totally fell off the wagon with it.

I'm just living my life and trying to be conscious of decisions I make regarding food and being as active as I can be. 

Heard Around the House #35

The three of us slept over at my parents house Saturday night.  Sunday morning Lyla goes in to wake up Pappy.  I'm in the kitchen pouring coffee....

Lyla:  Mommy!  Pappy says I am going to get to hold the chickens and he is going to cut their heads off!

Me:  Oh. My. God.

Lyla:  THEN we are going to pull out all of their feathers!  And Grandma is going to stick them right in the freezer!!!

Me:  Oh. My. God.  Dad....

Lyla runs back into my dad's bedroom and says to my Dad:

Lyla:  Mommy just said "Oh my God" (totally mocking me)

Dad/Pappy:  You survived it - she will be fine! 

Me:  And I also have issues eating chicken that isn't boneless.... I wonder if there is some kind of connection there.....?

***Post Note - Mom has informed me that it was discussed and Lyla will not in fact be a part of the chicken massacre.  Not this year at least.....   :)  ***

Surviving the first year

Its been one year since Lexi. 

July 12th, 2014 will be a day that my family will never forget.

To say that Lexi left her mark on the world is an understatement.  She never had the chance to open her eyes and see what all this world had to offer - but she had the power to change it. 

Lexi made everyone stop and decide what is important in this life.  Lexi made us all come to terms with the fact that we can't control everything, no matter how hard we try.  Lexi made us all hold each other a little tighter.  Lexi made each of us a better person. 

Emily and Gerald have survived the first year.  They survived the holidays that were supposed to be their first with Lexi.  They survived another pregnancy and got to bring little Carter home.  They are lots of things, wonderful parents, amazing Aunt & Uncle, hard workers, thoughtful and they are survivors. 

Lexi will never be forgotten, but we have all learned to live our new lives where she has her own special place. 

WLW - Week #25

Starting Weight:  155 lbs
Today’s Weight:  133 lbs
Total Loss:  22 lbs

The good news - I didn't gain tons of weight over the weekend. 

The bad news - I am still all out of whack as far as my calorie counting and meeting my step goals.  I will get back in the groove eventually.  I'm just overwhelmed with other things going on right now.  And I'm trying to get things done at the house.  SO sometimes an hour of cleaning versus an hour on the treadmill is just what has to happen.

Amish Adventures

When I told my mom my great idea to "Spend 4th of July with the Amish" she thought I was kidding - but I was serious!  And it turned out to be a really nice weekend!

 

We left Friday morning and met Erin, Andy and Hendrick for lunch.  Then the six of us spent the day together going though all the little shops in Berlin.  Lyla decided Andy is her boyfriend and wouldn't leave his side!  And Hendrick was just a happy little guy all day long.

Before they left to head back we decided to take some pictures.  Lyla is our official photo bomber!!

We stayed at the Berlin Resort which was really nice.  They even had a perfect room for us to keep Lyla in:

 

Just kidding..... This is just one of the little playhouses in their village.  They had the jail, dance studio, movie theater, grocery store, art studio... So cute!  Lyla and I played down there for a while Saturday morning.

They also had two little John Deere bikes the kids could ride.

And a little church where Lyla taught us right from wrong...

 

We started the day Saturday at a cute little coffee shop where Lyla got a smoothie.  Then we walked around the shops some more since there were a lot less crowded than they were on Friday.

We found a local winery that was really nice.

We went to Sugarcreek to see the cuckoo clock.

After lunch I took Gary and Lyla to my favorite grocery store.  Any grocery store that you can eat an ice cream cone while you shop is #1 in my book!  Then we went back and hung out at the hotel for a while before going to see the fireworks.

They had all of these bouncy houses, face painting and different activities that were free for the kids.  Including this human bowling ball:

 

And a mechanical bull!  I told Lyla - "mommy has done this before too".... lol

 

 

Overall we had a very nice little weekend getaway!  Now we are back to reality.