Resting Day

I am so glad today is Sunday and so thankful for the commandment to keep it holy and to rest on this day. I so need rest!!

This week was especially challenging. I was really busy, but on top of it, I got a little sick and Jack was teething and had a ear infection. He didn't sleep well this week during the night, and was really fussy and demanding. I thought it was because of his new tooth coming in (there was no fever, just a little cough and a runny nose). But when I took him to his pediatrician for his 9-month well check on Thursday, he wasn't well at all. Poor guy!! So after a week of no sleep, from Friday to Saturday he slept from 11pm until 10am the next morning, but of course I was up before 7am to go camping with Julianna. But yesterday he slept from 9pm until I woke him up at 8am to go to Church. Ah.... I hope he'll sleep like this the whole week.

Update on my Weight Watchers thingy. Last week I lost almost 1 pound. Not much, but as long as the scale is going in the right direction, I'm happy.

My New Testament class is going really well too. It's pretty cool that I have so many questions when I read the Bible, but our Church General Authorities have done a great job in addressing them to the point. It's so neat to learn from them and to study the Savior's life. He brings me so much peace.

I've been kind of down lately with everything going on around me. I see so much unkindness everywhere. People judging other people, others not being friendly to each other, and it hurts to know that my kids have to deal with this every day. I also have seen many people I know and love get divorces, or fall away from the Church, and it saddens my heart. Yesterday I was eavesdropping a conversation (don't judge me!!), and this lady was telling the other that her husband left her last year for no reason other than he just wanted to be alone. She was telling of her struggles as a single mom and how she has to downsize. I heard a similar story on Thursday night when I went to buy groceries at Wal-Mart and 11pm. The cashier looked so friendly and happy, and talking to her, I asked her if she found it hard to work nights (her shift was just beginning). She cheerfully told me that she loved it and that she was so grateful for that job. Then she went on to say that her husband left her and that she didn't want to be away from her kids, but needed to work to pay the bills. She said that this way she could be there for them in everything and that they would not need her during the night so she could work. Hearing the story I was really controlling the tears from falling, and seeing that in me, she got emotional too. There are so many amazing people in this world that I need to learn from!! And there are so many struggles too...

I am so grateful for Marco, for his love for me and loyalty. I am no better than these other ladies, the only difference is that I have a husband who fears God, who keeps the commandments, who honors his Priesthood and loves his family. I am really, really lucky to have that.

WW Starting Week 2

Today was weigh in day. I lost 2.4 lb this past week. I am really happy, especially because this last week was very challenging. I got my previously bought 10 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies, I fed the missionaries yesterday (and you all know I always cook too much :-)) and the week was particularly busy, making me want to eat junk and not count points. I feel so much better to be in control now. To my surprise, I also lost over 5 inches in my body measurements. Yay!!!

Now, weight aside, I am considering wearing high-heels from now on... so you might find me at HEB in shorts and high heels. :-) Ok, I assume I'm a little weird.

My New Testament Class and Stake Conference

This past week I started my New Testament class. I actually had started it last Fall, but with Jack, my other kids, Christmas, and Jack again, I didn't do much and forgot most of what I studied. So I'm taking this challenge again. When I started the class in the Fall, I felt completely overwhelmed with the material. The lesson was about the major events in history leading to Christ's life. I have never been good in history. It's the one thing I have always dreaded in school. However, after spending lots of time studying this lesson, I understand why it's so important in studying the New Testament. I am confident I'll learn the New Testament better than I have ever learned in my life and I'm excited.

Today was Stake Conference with a Regional Broadcast from SLC. I played the organ for prelude, first hymn and postlude. The other hymns were sung with the broadcast. It's so strange that I have not been getting nervous anymore. I used to be so nervous that I would not sleep all week, have a stomachache, and would be shaking really bad when playing, almost to the point of people hearing it. It feels so good not to have that anymore and to play with joy. I really love playing the piano and the organ in Church, but I have to admit I grew to love it. It is a huge blessing in my life, and I have learned so much from my music callings.

Everybody is taking a nap now, but me and Jack (I wish I was though!) Jack is crawling all around my bedroom as I type. He's such a cute baby and so happy. I'll have to go take care of him now. My nose tells me he needs a diaper change. :-)

Starting Weight Watchers Again

I've been a member of Weight Watchers since 2003, and a lifetime member since 2004. I really believe in the program and think it is the healthiest way to lose weight and the easiest too. It's not as fast as some other diets, but I don't feel hungry and I learn how to make smart food choices. In addition, I think I eat much better doing WW. I normally don't eat all my fruits and vegetables, and usually forget my daily multivitamin. I also don't make sure I eat my 2 servings of healthy oils... so WW helps me eat better and also motivates me to exercise. I also love going to meetings. They are inspirational, full of ideas and fun.
I am 40 lbs above my lifetime goal achieved in 2004. My goal for now is to lose 30 lbs. I don't like to think about the scale much. What I want is to fit into my size 6 pants again, whatever weight that might be. I am lucky to have saved my measurements from 2004 so that I can compare my achievements now to those at that time.

So I am posting a picture of me that was taken today. I am now a size 14. I think that posting this humiliating picture and declaring my size in public will help me not give up. :-) I hope to find support in my friends and family. Marco has been really supportive. He asks me all the time about how the program works, likes what I cook and doesn't mind that I am going to the gym many evenings now.

I chose this work out outfit because it's snug and sleeveless to show my problem areas. And it will also fit me when I am skinnier. I plan on using this outfit on all my pictures for better comparison.

Raphael Is Playing Soccer

This little guy waited very patiently for this day. He's been wanting to play soccer since he was two. It was a very happy day for him.

And of course he had to be a little silly. Soon after this all other kids copied him. The coach probably loved it. :-)