The Greatest Gift of All

I woke up with a huge smile today. Laying next to the very most beautiful soul ever, my loving boyfriend. We had the best night ever,  EVER! This is the absolutely hands down the best Christmas I have ever had in my life.  He made prime rib and potatoes and corn and good drinks and laughs and most amazing-thoughtful presents. I just could smile forever. Today....  I drive home. I wrap a few last minute gifts.  When girls finally arrive home, which feels like forever..haven't seen them since Thursday night.  Hearing their shrieks and smiles and laughing can make me smile for the next year easily. I got so many hugs and mom your the best that I still can't stop smiling. I thought a lot today, about the greatest gift. It's hard to put a finger on that. I love absolutely the song by Whitney Houston...The Greatest Love of All.... The greatest love of all is loving yourself. When you do that. Your entire world changes. When you love yourself, you can love everyone else around you. 

I had a great day and night at my dad's and step mothers and then at my moms where all my siblings and significant others were and my nephews and nieces. Lots of laughs. Lots of good food. That is what I love most, making memories with the people you love. 

I read something recently that said, "The kinds of gifts I love at Christmas cannot be bought" That about sums up me. 

I thought about the  song below a lot today as I watched my girls and their beautiful long eyelashes look towards their gifts, towards me or others.  They are always so thoughtful and loving in so many things they do.  I am very proud of who I have become. I strive to be  the best role model and mom ever!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbp6W4N1N9s is the link to the Utube Video with Lyrics.


Here is the lyrics:

"Greatest Love Of All"

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me

[Chorus:]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

[Chorus]

And if, by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

I without a doubt believe in living each day fully. You should always say what you want to say and be like Nike and JUST DO IT! I can honestly say I have loved with all my heart. I put myself out there. I want the people I care about to know it and feel it! 

My best gift ever is LOVE. It's just recognizing the many people in my life that are absolutely amazing and I thank God for each and every one of you that are so special to me.  I want no stone unturned and I want to live as though I was dying every day. Every day is a miracle. Every day amazing things happen. Every day you choose to be happy or sad. I choose happy. I choose to love and I choose to make God happy. Love someone like you want loved back. It's always best to take the high road. Always.

This song is amazing! It totally ties in with my live each day as though it's your last!

Utube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EbmIeck9uc

Lyrics:

He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?

An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

He said "I was finally the husband,
"That most the time I wasn’t.
"An' I became a friend a friend would like to have.
"And all of a sudden goin' fishin’,
"Wasn’t such an imposition,
"And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.
"Well, I finally read the Good Book,
"And I took a good long hard look,
"At what I'd do if I could do it all again,
"And then:

"I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."

Like tomorrow was a gift,

And you got eternity, To think about what you’d do with it. An' what did you do with it? An' what can I do with it? An' what would I do with it? "Sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing, "I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu. "And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter, "And I watched Blue Eagle as it was flyin'." An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance, "To live like you were dyin'." "To live like you were dyin'." "To live like you were dyin'." "To live like you were dyin'." "To live like you were dyin'." I am blessed. God is good and never give up. That is my biggest piece of advise. You go forward. you smile. You be happy, you do the right thing. You will sleep better. You will love more.  BLESSED

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take!

 One thing I really feel adamant about is trying, achieving and succeeding anything you put your mind too. 100% of the shots you don't take, you miss. I feel like this holds to every single aspect of a person's life. Career and Relationships. If done smartly, what you reap you sow.

I would describe myself as a work hard, play hard type of person. I am honest and loyal and dedicated to the last ounce of my being. I love in my career- beating my goals and striving to help the single people in the world.  In my part time jobs- I love making people smile and laugh and have a good time at the bar, I love helping busy people when they need their houses clean. When it all comes down to it, I love helping others and being there for them, because I care. I have a huge heart. In return I get many notes and words of thanks and told that I have impacted their life for the better and made a difference. I love that. You reap what you sow.

I also believe this helps in relationships. I can honestly say there is a huge difference in me now that is way so different than before with me. I gave too much of myself before without making sure it was the right person  or people to waste my time on. I was a fixer, I always believed the best in them even when I should have just left them alone. I had a friend who told me some good advice. To not lose yourself you have a few type of people in your life. You have the inner circle, your best friends the ones you would do anything for. You never have to worry about them being in your corner. Everyone else, they are acquaintances. Just know when you do something for them nice, don't expect anything back. Don't think bad about yourself if nothing is reciprocated out of you being nice. Ultimately that is why you do it in the first place is because you want to show you care. Just like  friends and relationships. You should never have to fix anyone. They should be complete and ready to be in a relationship with you on any level, wither it be friend or more than that.

I have learned in the process of being alone and really truly opening my eyes, there are people just like me out there. The people that are caring, huge hearts, hopeless romantics, thoughtful, positive and fun loving and just amazing. I have a inner circle of close friends that I feel this way about. I go as far as to call them gems, gems are those amazing people that are a rare find. I also think in this process I have stood back and really watched how people act towards me and others. I believe everyone should take that time to be alone, re-evaluate. What is it they want out of life? How do they want their day to be? Who do they want in it to share it with?

I will tell you what I'm all about and what I want out of this earthly life.  I'm about being happy til my last breathe. I want to be always so happy my glass is not just half full, it is overflowing. I want every person that knows me to know I care so much about others that no-one would have anything bad to say. I want God to be proud of the person that I am. I want my kids to look up to me. I want them proud and to know their mom does everything humanly possible to show I love and care for them. Their my most amazing blessing I have. I want my inner circle of friends to know no matter what, I'm there for them. They don't need to talk to me for a day or a week and just know they are loved. It doesn't matter if they live here or somewhere else. Nothing should ever make them doubt your love and dedication to them.  I want everyone to know, I'm here. I'm open to talk, I will make you smile if you have a bad day. I can't even count on both hands and feet people that have contacted me because they wanted to get more at peace with their life and want to know how I am so happy. Simple. It's a choice. I want that special someone to say to me your amazing, you make me want to be a better person, you are my better half. I want to walk hand in hand with you forever no matter what because I can't picture one single day without you in my life somehow. Those things will continue and will be my reality. You reap what you sow.

A huge recent reality of mine, is I have this person in my life right now that absolutely is amazing. They are beautiful inside and out. They smile all the time, they are happy, they are genuine. People kept saying to me, look at this person, he is a great guy. I have watched from a distance and just admire a lot of things about him I got to hang out with this person one day and just could have this 6th sense about them, that is so very different.  I have kept several of the texts I received in this little vault and I just reread them and smile while I'm alone. Tonight this person sends me a YouTube video song to listen to. I think I sit there and was at the point, do you cry or smile so much your face hurts. It's funny because I did the same thing to him, I sent this song I keep hearing that makes me think of him.  I won't reveal this name. I can say though, sometimes unless you just put yourself in certain situations like grabbing them for a kiss, you could have missed that shot. I'm glad I didn't. I'm pretty excited to see where this goes.

I decided to just put myself out there today. I think my own trials and triumphs have really helped others.

Signing off in smiles,
Love Always,
Bambi

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

Michael Jordan

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/michaeljor127660.html#q1LJR67ZFmjD7zl1.99

Life is a beautiful thing

Thanksgiving 2013. I never thought I would be where I am now at this curent time in life. I am finding myself more and more and just thinking about the things in life that matter. The things you may take for granted when your wrapped up in work or relationships or other nonsense, the little things do matter.

Tonight has been such a great night. My girls got along so good, like perfectly. I love watching them express themselves in how they talk and make pictures. We all made turkeys out of our hands and laughed. We made air pop popcorn, listened to funny music, cuddled til we literally almost feel asleep on the couch in one big pile. That feeling you cannot buy anywhere. The feeling of unconditional love with your children. I secretly audiotaped the girls just asking them questions like, if I was 90 and you were 60, what would we do. One says drink coffee and sit in a rocking chair....watch tv. Grace says I will come and see you every day. It amazes me how smart children are really. I remember being small and thinking some people were born without feelings and I felt bad for them and would pray for them.

The most heartfelt thing that has happened to me today is I asked the girls what they were thankful for and it literally made all my tears come out of my eyes afterwards. They were NOT even in the same room and said almost the identical answer. They both said, "My family, my friends, my teacher and God and Jesus".  The innocent and sweetness of them just makes me overwelmed at times. There is so many small things they do to be nice like organizing shoes or clearing the table or rubbing my feet with lotion. They get it. The small things DO matter.  To make others smile and be happy makes yourself feel the same way inside.                                                                                                        

What am I thankful for? Oh so much...first and foremost, my children. God and his unconditional love, my family, my close friends, my aquaintances. My dog, my kitty. The co-workers, the management in the places I work. The girls dad and his wife, the strangers that you meet. The smiles and laughs from people you see. Life is good. It really is. You can always choose...to see if your glass is half full or empty. Most days mine is overflowing. I love helping and caring when I am able to. I love seeing people smile and laugh and thankful for the people that have confided in me after reading some facebook status or blogs saying I helped them with situations or the people I have spent some time with talking with.  That makes me feel good. I love making a difference in a positive way.

Life is a journey. Be the best version you possibly can. God is always watching and loving all the little things you do to make someone else --just a bit more thankful.

Blessed beyond words!

Love Always,
Bambi                                                                

Bambi: Honest & Just Me!

I don't know what prompted me to start writing just now. I just have the urge to say a lot of things that I have in my mind at the moment that are way to much for a Facebook status.

Life is crazy and full of crazy people. That should about sum it up. I have lots of thoughts and observations, so much sometimes it's overwhelming. I read about today a man who was in a teaching position that put his own semen on cookies and blindfolded kids and made them eat them, I watched a youtube video and news report on kids now that go around playing this knock out game which affects innocent bystanders. It's sickening how the world is now. It really is. There is a lot of good things too. Just wow, today is so much different than before.

I love when people ask me how did I get to where I am now. People are always growing on a consistent basis. How am I always so happy? I'm not, always. I'm most sad when my pretty daughters are away from me. They say and do the most amazing things that make me feel like I'm way younger than I am. Which is 24 in case your wondering, wink. I think first and foremost I have learned from my past, which I have learned, accepted and moved on. I have before.... let it completely consume me to become a person I am not. I a few years ago became a sad person. So sad I almost didn't think I could even deal with life. I had a very bad time. I awoke one day with a brand new lease on life and looked through the windshield and not the rear view mirror any more. There becomes a time in your life when you realize it is all the little things. It sounds like a quote or a saying on a rock, but it's very true. The little things are the things that people think about most often. A action like a single flower or a love note on a sticky note to someone. A out of the blue kind gesture far is remembered more than a holiday gift. People matter. More than work, more than social media, more than texts.  It's truly back to basics. Love others like you want loved back.

A person once asked me a thoughtful question, this person I most recently talked too. A outgoing, attractive person I don't know well, but what I have gathered is unique and thoughtful. What kind of life would you choose to live if you had a choice and why. This did make me think quite a bit. I have a twisted view of that. I guess I would say I would choose the life I have now. Why??? I could have chosen the easy path of happiness and wealth. Would I have valued that as much as the one I have lived. NO way. I have always worked very hard in my jobs. I started working when I was 14 years old. All my life I have always had two and three jobs. Not always because it was because of the money. I helped a elderly lady for a few years, laundry, housework...I helped her so much. Her picture still remains on my bedroom dresser. She made a huge impact in my life.  She had the best stories. Like her kids including sons jumping up and down on her chenille bedspread all with bright red lipstick of hers. Their laughter was most important to her, I retained and carried that with me in my heart.

I was the oldest of four kids, because my older half sister lived elsewhere. I learned you should be the leader and not the follower. I was not popular in school, but not hated. I just was me. Same as I am now. I did what I thought was right. That is one thing I am happy I have always been. True to myself. Although when it came to relationships with men, so not the case. I let them change me into who they wanted, because I then thought about them more than myself. Even typing that makes me frown, like WHY would I do that? There is an easy answer. I cared more about others than I do myself, also I didn't value me as a equal. I'm a caring person and I love to help others.

I have had a lot of time to think about what do I want out of life. That part is simple and will remain a priority because I love myself and I need to make myself a priority too to a certain extent. I want to be happy genuinely. I want to smile and laugh and always think of my glass full or overfilling. I want to live as thought each day as it's last. I want to continue to compliment strangers. Be nice to the people that others are mean to because they are different. I want to know God watches my every move. I want to live as though I'm on tv and my every move is recorded and there is nothing secret. I more than ever know that I'm pretty damn amazing and I'm fabulous and I am a wonderful mother and friend and I will continue to live my each breathe as though it's my last. Life is too short for drama and sadness and what ifs.  Throw away your rear view mirror and look out your windshield. Life is too beautiful.

Love Always,
Bambi

Happiness is an option! Choose it!

“Single is no longer a lack of options – but a choice. A choice to refuse to let your life be defined by your relationship status but to live every day Happily and let your Ever After work itself out.”
― Mandy Hale

I decided to write this blog today because I'm me and I put myself out there in my thoughts, words and actions. I have been single for awhile. Something honestly that I never thought would happen or be possible.

This is why I needed and decided to remain this way. I need to value myself and love myself fully. I don't ever want any past to haunt me or come out of my lips. I want to be fully healed from anything and everything so I give 110% of myself to someone in the future.  I'm done with those chapters. I learned and grew and will continue to grow knowing that I have more strength in myself than I ever knew.

 I am an amazing gal with much to offer others in my life. I do have a close group of friends and my beautiful daughters. I have tons of acquaintances, that I also talk to often. I feel loved. I have been asked several times how do you stay so happy. It's an option. I like options. You get to pick 1) View life as sad and horrible and poor me about everything or 2) View life as beautiful, you go to bed and wake up with a smile and see life's miracles around you. Have I always been super happy and peppy? NO! There was a few times in my life I didn't think the sun would come up tomorrow. When it comes down to it. It was NEVER about other people that made me wear a face of sadness. It was my own choice. Once you realize you stand in your own way, your life will change, when you choose to be happy no matter what.

So where am I at now with life? Pretty good. I work a lot to keep myself busy, so I don't have a lot of down time to think about anything negative. I absolutely without a doubt steer away from drama, games and anything that does not need to be in my future. I have wrestled with many emotions going thru this journey. I am only going forward. I will never accept being treated badly or feel inferior to any person in my life.

People that want to be apart of your life will find a way to be there. They will cherish you to pieces and love you unconditionally. You will feel that in your heart. You will never have to wonder or question this. My best friend Megan  and my daughters and I are like this. I never question their love for me. I know and can feel our love just thru eye contact, words said and it will never end. Ever. Everyone deserves that.

My biggest goals for life is being an amazing mother to my girls. I want them to look up at me saying my mom has always had my back, she was there for me. She loves me unconditionally. She went thru some bad times and she conquered the evil part and looked towards the sun and had the biggest heart of anyone they knew and they would in turn show others love back. After all that is what God wants people to do. Treat others as you want treated.

 I will keep on with my fabulous self. THAT is what FABULOUS people do!

Love,
Bambi

THIRTY LBS GONE!

I finallllllllllllly am 30 lbs down! I started my journey on May 7th and It's October 10th. Not so shabby. I have another 25 I want to lose although people tell me oh you don't need to. That is my healthy weight losing that much more. I'm only 5'4.

I'm still doing the same thing like before just eating healthy. Not eating after 7 if I can help it. Lots of lean meats like chicken, fish, turkey, shrimp, seafood. Lots of fruits and vegetables. I stay away from pre-packaged foods and I rarely eat out. I try to get in at least 64oz of water. I have this fancy little pink glass that I fill up all day! I guess the newest question I have been asked if you get hungry at night or in the middle of the day what  do you eat? I bought an air popper and you can have a few cups of that. Sugar Free Jello, a handful of almonds. A spoon full of peanut butter. Half a cucumber sliced up. Then drink a bunch of water. Often your body feels like your hungry, most times if you have water, your okay.

Thanks for all the texts, posts, private messages and encouragement. I really can't believe the other day my photo got over 215 likes, it's amazing all the support you get that makes you strive even more!

School Begins

Its August. My baby divas have started their  first year of kindergarten and come home shrieking in delight about their day.  Makes my heart happy. Anything my girls are super happy about, makes my heart 1000000000000 times bigger in happiness too. I hope this year they are learning more about what they like. Laura loves art and music and Grace loves music and wants to find herself and be more personable. All the time people ask me how my daughters interact. They are each others best friend. They have their issues, of course. All in all they are amazing and beautiful and really I don't know how I would ever live without either of them. At their young age they taught me so much about life and love. I just am humble at God's Love for us all.

Don't let anyone or anything dull your sparkle!

Happy Monday! I am so super glad I sat down and had a really  long walk  :( I really needed the fresh air and to walk around my town where I got to see all the lovely landscaping. I'm infatuated with flowers and landscaping. I think I walked up and down almost every block.

I have had a very productive past few weeks. Got my 2nd highest check since I have started my job.  I am now down 22 lbs! I fit into two beautiful dresses for the last two weekends of weddings. I successfully paid my bills past several months and got several old bills paid off completely. Girls and I had a diva night and went to Monsters University movie and they had popcorn, they were so past excited. I got rid of some old belongs on the garage sale and earned money for girls to get new swim suits and a double slip and slide and fireworks money.

Some goals of mine for the Month of July:

Get landscaping border installed with other flower beds

Lose 5lbs

Take girls to the Omaha zoo

Participate in Relay for Life-Lincoln
Get old items in house left from garage sale sold or given away
Go to 15 year class reunion

I am so very happy today. I am blessed in so many ways. I have made it a goal of mine to go to bed content and think about all the good things in life. I always tell others that people can treat you anyway they want, but how you react is on you. I am done wasting any energy being sad, every minute I do that is 60 seconds I could have been happy. NOONE or NOTHING is dulling my sparkle, because I am FABULOUS!!!!

ONE MONTH PLUS TWO WEEKS= 20 LBS DOWN!!

So June 21st marks a great day for me. Finally made the 20.4 mark of my weight loss journey! I'm so proud of myself. I didn't do it for anyone else but me. I started this May 7th, 2013. I can't wait til I get to the end. My plan is to buy a foxy dress and get my pictures taken of myself and post my before and after pictures. I am so proud of myself!

I continue to get a ton of messages in my facebook inbox as to if I been strict, do I drink, what do I do to workout.....so I will answer those questions and I will be very honest.

I am pretty good M-F, as far as foods and drinking water. I got an insulated gel lined water cup you put in the freezer and I fill it with ice and lemon wedges and the cup has a straw. I fill that up at least 8 times per day! I once in a while crave a soda. So occasionally I might have a diet cherry pepsi or diet mt. dew, I have one and I'm good to go for a long time. I never did get a headache because I weaned myself off slowly. Caffeine headaches are the worst. I read online that smart tidbit, glad I did. With foods, same I'm pretty good really 6 days a week. I honestly thought I would crave more things than I do. I guess my weakness's would be hamburgers above anything else. I'm fine with turning away candy. I bought grapes and huge containers of strawberries and my daughters and I eat those all the time. I still mostly have fish and chicken and pork sometimes. I still eat tons of vegetables. I been looking up a ton of healthy recipes on Pinterest. I bought a box of conscious, I want to invent a new stuffed pepper with that. Its kind of a healthy rice. I tried it in with rice mixture once. Very very good. I try not to have any drinks during the week what so ever except the weekend.  My weakness is wine. As far as working out, I honestly don't do a ton of things. I try to walk a lot and I do arm weights. I think that is good to keep doing something though because muscle burns more calories than fat and I was so worried that my skin might be saggy and as long as I keep doing arm weights and sit ups and walking so far. I still have my Jillian Michaels DVDs and another Turbo Fire DVD that I should start doing now I think. I don't want things too simple. I take a chewy women's multivitamin. I had went to the doctor and my blood results were very low with Folic Acid and so I had to return for another blood check up. Researched foods to eat and taking a multivitamin must corrected what ever was wrong because the next time I went for the next blood test a month later,  I was good and down 12 lbs down on their scale and the doctor gave me a high five and said I was a star patient. I was really happy with myself. I also take a CLA supplement that I used to also take when I managed a branch of LA Weight Loss. A lot of people have asked me about this also, so here is what it does:

Conjugated Linoleic acids:

1. Decreases abdominal fat – adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this product can be quite helpful.
2. Increases metabolic rate – it increases the metabolic rate in some people which helps to burn calories faster.
3. Enhances muscle growth – muscle burns fat by utilizing more calories which is useful in weight loss.
4. Lowers insulin resistance – insulin resistance leads to Diabetes. Lowering insulin resistance can help preventing adult-onset diabetes. Low insulin resistance means that muscles can use up calories faster so it makes it easier to lose weight.
5. Reduces food-induced allergic reactions – CLA can be very helpful in this aspect
6. Enhances the immune system – enhancing the immune system’s ability to function properly is a positive benefit which can be obtained by using CLA.

How it works

1. CLA increases your metabolism, enhances muscle growth and lowers insulin resistance which leads to more utilization of calories by your muscles.
2. High calorie usage ultimately helps in weight loss.
3. Linoleic acid is also used in the biosynthesis of Arachidonic acid (AA) and Prostaglandins.
4. Prostaglandin 1 acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and inhibits cholesterol bio-synthesis.
5. Lower cholesterol levels are beneficial for your heart and overall health.

Therefore benefits of CLA for fat-loss are two-fold. It assists in the metabolism of stored body fat and prevents the metabolism from slowing down during diet, while keeping your body healthy at the same time.

Ongoing march! I have a goal of 35 more lbs. That will put me 5 lbs more than I was when I graduated. Nothing tastes as good as being slim feels.

Anyone can do this, it just needs to be important to you and it's a priority everyday. I know for a fact I would think about my weight or I should do this or that. You just GOT TO DO IT!!!! For yourself, your self-esteem, your health.  It is so worth it!

FOUR!

So I didn't want to obsess with the scale...but I knew after two days that I was the same today would be the day of a change. Down 16 lbs! Only 4 more lbs til TWENTY!!!! Which is my first goal!

I keep getting many many messages about OMG, what are you doing...or what are you eating? This is what I'm eating.... Always eating breakfast is key. Don't have to be anything huge. Like a yogurt, some grapes. A banana. I mostly eat chicken and white fish. The specific kinds of fish is Swai, Cod, Salmon, Talapia. Those kinds are less "fishy". I season them with lemon pepper, or last night I tried crusted Paramisian. Wow, Yummy! I try to make sure that half my foods are vegtables. I find them to be more filling. I do some raw fruits each day. I have some black olives or olive oil for good fats. I drink at least 64 oz of water. Yesturday I was reading up on caffeine and how that effects your diet and water intake and that depletes your water that you drank and water is what is flushing everything out. Not that I won't have coffee with some breakfast or kill my Captain and Coke. That is not something I would do, but limiting it to special occassions like strawberry cheesecake...yes. I do have steak or porkchops once a week. I also have my meatloaf sometimes, because that is one of my favorite things and there isn't a bunch of bad things in it. Hamburger, ketchup, egg, onion....I just try and make it an appropriate 4 oz. size. I don't eat sweets alot anyways. I just make sure I don't buy alot of things that would tempt me.

As far as activity wise: I try and go on a walk each day or do arm weights. My girls love playing outside on the sidewalk chalking. Now that they are masters on their bikes, they want to ride all over town. I need to invest in a new bike. I sold my old one. I have some Jillian Michaels DVD's and also some others. So I am going to start working on those and incorporating those more. I know my body will tone nicely. I gain and lose weight pretty evenly. When I was always working out and in high school. I was very toned. So I hope I can get that way again.

As far as my goal. I should hit it right before my run in Omaha!

Thanks for all the positive comments! I hope this helps with all the questions!

I will post this on my blog and Facebook link it

I think talking about my experience has helped others already, even from other states which is pretty awesome. I always loved my job being a weight loss counselor. It's not like I didn't know what I was doing, I was just not choosing the right lifestyle with foods and just being in a major slump.

A new me is on the way..........THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE!

MAY DAY!

Springtime is so crazy with how our weather has been lately. I want to get out there and do some lawn work and weed my flower beds and then today....tada icy rain. :) Such is life.

I LOVE FLOWERS! I had my daffadils already bloom and be done with for this year. I have my day lillies which are my most favorite flower in the world slowly greening and getting fuller by the day. This year I want to add several more to my collection. If I could engulf my entire yard in them I probally would. I can't wait til maybe some day I have a home in the county and my dreams can be a reality with my flowers and my ideas. 

Recently one of my baby girls Grace fell off her grandmothers horse and she is now the proud owner of a hard hot pink cast. She broke her arm and her elbow. Two days later you would not have noticed because she was all bubbly again running around and barely needing help. She is such a strong beautiful girl. 

Laura was sad at first that Grace got so much attention, but I think she secretly loves helping her sissy Grace and loves helping me too. She likes being a helper and little mommy. 

Both girls have gotten extremely cute hair cuts and wow, so beautiful. Love both my children so very much. They make me look at the world so different. I know God always has a plan. 

I am doing good at my place of employment. Which I love every day. The thrill of a sale drives me wild! I love also the entire aspect of love and romance and so it's a perfect fit working for a matchmaking company.

I also recently pre-registered for the 5k which is Run or Dye. I'm excited to make new goals and achieve them. My most favorite thing about me is I love to be a driven person and never stop. 



Well time for diva time with my precious angels. I love this quote below. Ah...so true!

"Don't listen to those who say, "It's not done that way." Maybe it's not, but maybe you will. Don't listen to those who say, "You're taking too big a chance." Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don't listen when the little voice of fear inside of you rears its ugly head and says, "They're all smarter than you out there. They're more talented, they're taller, blonder, prettier, luckier and have connections…" I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you'll be a person worthy of your own respect".--Neil Simon

Its the little things that matter........

The longest days ever are days like today..... I sit here with a red and green and white blanket on me, that my daughter Grace put on me almost a week ago. I sit at my home office desk working and my little angel baby says my feet look cold and she took the blanket off her baby she plays with to make me warm.Little does this baby angel of 5 years know this is the EXACT blanket her mama and daddy brought her home in so fragile and so scared we were to take care of her. I told her this and she smiles with her eye dimple beaming bright. I love you mommy, can we have some popcorn and a movie with you when your done working? Yes of course, who can resist such beautiful angel twin daughters? Not this mom.

The little things matter. The older my daughters get the more I learn from THEM. When your daughters ask you every hour if your almost done and how much longer... you get kind of frustrated because you just need your work done. But when your daughter hugs you and says she hates your job because she just misses you hugging her and she will be willing to watch your lame Lifetime movies. Now that is true love. :-)

The little things I love so much is the smells of my girls. I love they love my lotion and perfume smells and it seems like the perfect obsession of each other, but unknown at times also. Nights like tonight I look around my house and think of 100 things me and my beautiful daughters can make and bake and cook and design of Pinterest. My little best friends. I don't feel whole when they are gone. I love their laughter. I love their smiles. I love their love. I love so much about them I can't even begin to say it all. It's all the little things.

I love the way my girls play with their babies and name them. They do so much as little mamas and they don't need advice. They know. Their mommy loves them now and forever and I love when I hear them talk to their babies, like I have talked to them. Baby, your mommy loves you so sleep now, okay and when you wake up we will play...... I hear Laura say to her baby with only one leg. (the other one fell off and she don't care as much as I do). She just cuddles her and holds her tight. I love that moment. Especially when I see her do what I so often do to my baby girls. I see her glace at her baby and back at our disney movie and kiss the top of her head. Warms my heart.

I love my daughters so much. God saved me by sending them to me. I often call them my angel babies...it's true. They are my everything and they are so pure and innnocent and fun. I love seeing the fun side of me thru them. So much. They helped me so much. I thank God for both of them. People think my life must be so hard because of twins. Ha. I think and say. I'm double blessed. I needed both of them. I have so much love in my heart and I'm blessed. Truely blessed.

Carrots, Eggs & Coffee

Carrots Eggs & Coffee A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft and mushy. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardened egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its deep flavour and inhaled its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin, outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong? But with pain and adversity, do I wilt and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a fluid spirit but, after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water - the very circumstance that brings the adversity, the pain, the hardship – into something quite wonderful. When the water gets hot, it releases it's fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better, and change the situation around you for the better. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity? ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN? (Somehow, wake up and smell the coffee takes on a whole new meaning) -Author Unknown