really good morning

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could wake up every morning to someone standing next to your bed with a cup of coffee prepared for you just the way you like it? That's what I was thinking this morning when I woke up. But when I opened my eyes no one was there, bummer. So I got up, made the bed, turned the air conditioner and fan off (yes, I did sleep with them both on, it gets hot in my room at night) and went downstairs and made a cup of coffee. I usually make my coffee after I'm all ready, but I knew it would be a 2 cup kind of morning. Then something so great happened, I weighed. Yes I know there are people out there that tell you that you should only weigh once a week, but I'm not one of those people. I need a daily check of where I'm at. And today's was a good check, down 2 lbs since yesterday!!! So, the protein filled day that I had yesterday worked. What a great way to start the day.

Have a good one.

Whey Protein.

So this morning as I was making my latte, I got the idea that I should add a scoop of protein. I'm thinking that adding 18 grams of protein would really jump start my day. Well, it jump started my day alright. Thinking that I should taste it before I leave the house (just in case it's taste bad), I take a drink and gross. I now have a mouth full of hot coffee and chunks! Yes, chunks. Not able to swallow the chunks I spit it out in the sink. Whey doesn't really dissolve in hot liquid. I then think, I'll just scoop the chunks out and it should be fine. Well, no, it's not fine. It's still gross just no chunks. I remade my latte before leaving the house and all was well. So, if you are ever tempted to add protein to your latte, you might want to rethink that.

It's been a long while....

Well, what can I say? You start something and sometimes you get distracted along the way. A lot has happened to me over the past two years. At this point I have lost 150 pounds. It hasn't been as easy as the staples button makes things seem. But it has been good, wait, I should say great!

Things have gotten a lot easier when it comes to eatting. When I first had the surgery I wasn't sure I was ever going to be able to eat normally. Well, that's the part that has gotten easier, maybe a little to easy. I'm able to eat almost everything, just smaller amounts, should I be eatting almost everything, NO! So I'm in the process right now of getting back on track. Going back to the habits I had right after surgery. LOTS OF PROTEIN! I have amazing support in my life and they are all so willing to help me do whatever needs to be done. I'm not where I would like to be right now with my weight and there is just no reason for that, I would love to give you a ton of excuses but that's all they would be excuses. Sometimes we need a reminder of what we are doing, and that's where I am right now. Just got reminded that I forgot what I was doing, it's like someone slapped me upside the head and said "WAKE UP!". Boy am I glad for the wake up.

I'm planning on posting a few new pictures (just need to get them taken) in the next few days. It's time we see if we can see a difference. So I'll have my Mom snap a couple tonight.

a year ago...

Well it's been a year since I had gastric bypass surgery. I think it's safe to say I'm not the same person, physically and mentally. As of today I've lost just under 130 pounds. Which if you think about it, that's a hollywood actress. It would of been nice to have gotten the kinda money she would earn for hauling her around all these years. But to be honest she was high maitenance and I'm happy she's gone. I've enjoyed telling people who I am when they don't recognize me, espically my Dad. 2 times now my Mom and I have had to tell him that it was me. It makes us laugh. This last year has given me such a new joy to life that I had no idea was missing. Everyday I find little things to add to my list of joys and the list is getting longer. The Lord is so faithful, and I am not just saying that to say it, I trully see His faithfulness everyday of my life. Over the last year a lot has changed in the world around us, and everyday we are faced with new challenges, some I couldn't have faced a year ago. But because of His faithfulness I press on. I encourage everyone to look around and be encouraged by how faithful the Lord has been to all of us. I pray that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, I know I will, I just have some much to be thankful for. Love to you all.

August Vacation

This is my Mom and I along the Missouri River in Montana.

Columbus Hospital Great Falls, Montana - Site of my birth.

This is me in front of the hospital - I was born on the 2nd or 3rd floor on the right side. This building is now used for business offices.

This is where I lived for the first few months in the basement. My parents told me we would have to go next door to my grandparents house (the green one) to use the phone. Boy things have changed.

This is the hospital my Dad tried to tell me I was born at, but my Mom just saying are you sure, I don't remember it being so close to the street. We went inside and talked to a very nice young gal who had know idea what she was talking about. So we got back in the car and drove until we found the right one.

I don't remember the last time I went to Great Falls, so this August my folks and I went to visit. The drive was long but with plenty to see. The Missouri river is so blue and in August made you wish you could float the river. On this same vacation we spent sometime with my brother and his wife in Spokane. It was there that my Dad was outside the house looking in the kitchen window and couldn't recognize me. So I guess there have been some changes.

As of today I have lost right around 125 pounds. And in a month it will be a year since I had surgery. Time has flown and I am just thrilled to be where the Lord has me. I have started serving at my church again after taking a little more then a year off. Serving the Lord is something I am so passionate about and am happy to be able to.

I need to get some pictures for October up, but to be honest the pants I'm wearing right now are to big. lol. Have a happy fall, enjoy the beautiful trees.

What? I know, I know!

So I have been reminded on more then one occasion that my blog has been abandoned. Here are a couple of pictures of me from July. For some reason we didn't take an up close one that month.

I'm half-way there!!!

So, I have lost a 100 pounds! I'm thrilled, I know that the Doctor said it would happen but I guess I never believe it would. This last month has brought a few challenges, great joy, and in the midst of everything at times have made life somewhat difficult. 1st, I got the flu, not the swine flu, but the flu. It lasted about a week and left me so wiped out. 2nd, after recovering from the flu my Mom and I went to Spokane for 4 days to help my Brother and his wife get their house ready to be sold. It was so fun to bless them with the help, although, I was still getting over the flu so I did a lot of sitting. Next time I promise I will be more help. 3rd, the following weekend I organized a spring carnival and chili cook-off at my church. It was a wonderful time, I can't believe how much help I had as well as how many people brought chili. We had 16 entries. So many families came out and it was just a great time. 4th, this last week I went to the Doctor for my 6th month check-up. The only thing that wasn't right was my B-12 levels, which are very low. He has me taking a B-12 vitiamin for now, and hopes that everything will be normal in 3 months. But this explains why I just couldn't get back to 100% after the flu, it has made me really tried and anemic. 5th, while I am still so blessed to have a job in these times, my office has cut a quite a few positions which means my work load has increased like 100%. I love my job and the people I work with so that's not a problem, it's just very busy and there is never enough time in the day. Right now I'm getting trained to be a part-time graphic designer. I'm very excited to learn something new, but what that means, is at night when I'm home I have to study a lot to learn new programs as well as how to use a computer that has always been so foreign to me, a mac.

I love this new season in my life, it is such a blessing to not have the burden of my healthier weighing on me. And I'm so thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with, I'm reminded everyday of His love for me. He is my strength and help.