God is Still Blessing

Sometimes we take for granted the little things God does for us like waking us up, activities of our limbs, ability to speak, being in our right mind. Because we are so busy we sometimes forget just how blessed we are. Material possessions are not a sign that you are blessed. I used to think that if people drove a nice car then they were blessed, but I realized that this is the way the world looks at a person being blessed. The way a child of God looks at blessings is different. Don't get me wrong material possessions are nice but no material possession replaces the peace we have in God. No material possession replaces the joy of the Lord. No material possession replaces knowing who holds my tomorrow. No material possession replaces knowing the Lord as my personal Lord and Savior. So many people seek out material possessions, wealth, status, etc..... What we must realize is that all those things will fade away with time. The Word of God will stand forever. Our hope must be placed in the Lord. If you don't know the Lord, you still have a chance. Don't wait for something catastrophic to happen in your life to seek the Lord. He is not a genie in a bottle that grants wishes when you are in trouble. He is Lord of Lords and King of kings. He desires to have a relationship with you. Choose ye this day whom you will serve.

December to Remember

I get two weeks off and I hurt myself. My knee is immobilized and I am on crutches. Good thing is I celebrated my 8th wedding anniversary yesterday. My wife is indeed the woman of my dreams. She has taken great care of me while I have been hobbling around. God shows us just how lucky we are. I'm grateful that I'm able to realize who God is in my life. Love is a marvelous thing. We don't know when we will find it, but when we do we should cherish it.

Christmas 2010

Had a good time last night at the company Christmas party. The music was horrid, but I had a nice time chatting with the ladies.

Love this time of year! Can't wait to get decorations up in the house :-)

Thankfully we're back up and working on the blog so.... much more to come soon.

Back on the Blog

We were having some trouble with our login information. We finally got it worked out today and we are back on the blog. We do believe the Best is Yet to Come because that is what God tells us in His Word. Our later will be greater. Take a chance and believe God for what seems to be impossible.

Virginia 2010

I had the opportunity to travel to Hampton, Virginia to visit my wife's sister Shayla. It was a great trip. We got stuck in Newport News, VA because our flight got cancelled without our knowledge. The plan had mechanical issues and there were not enough people for the flight to happen into Newport News. Delta put us up in a hotel and we flew out Tuesday morning back to Texas. We were able to fly first class for half of the trip back. I believe that all things work together for my good. We had an exciting time. We are planning to return to Virginia someday.

Thursday -but IT'S FRIDAY

Well it is for me at least!! Last day and then a nice long weekend! Well, I think I am starting to see some progress in my body. My obliques are looking slimmer I think and I'm officially down 4.5 pounds! YAY.

My knees still hurt and I don't know what that's about or how to fix it. I'm modifying my exercises, but still pushing through and digging deeper as much as I can. We bought a bunch of fresh produce yesterday so I'm ready to get back into the swing of healthy eating/living.

I am determined to loose weight and be healthy. God willing! Give me strength!

On another note.....

Long weekend ahead... and we're heading down the road (or is it up the road? Hmmm whatever) anyhoo. We are heading up to Odessa, TX to visit my grandmother and to attend my cousin Amber's high school graduation. So proud of her and happy for her (happy face)

Got lots of working to do to get ready for the road trip!

MY KNEES HURT!

It's more like... well for lack of a better explanation, the "balls" of my knees. I've been doing Insanity for two weeks now and towards the end of last week my knees started hurting. I'm not certain WHY, but my theory is one of these

1. I started "digging deeper" and trying harder during my workouts
2. I needed new workout shoes
3. Not doing the exercises using the correct form

We went out and got me some new workout kicks. They are uber comfy and I think that helps. I also did some research and tried to correct my form while exercising last night. I'm going to continue digging deeper... I have no other choice. I've either got to give it my all or give up and I refuse to give up!

On a side note I was talking to Anthony this morning about how discouraged I feel. I feel like I'm giving it my all, but I am not seeing results the way he seems to. He reminded me of two things; It's about getting physically fit and becoming healthy....and it's only been TWO weeks. I know this...but I plead microwave generation ha ha!

I'll keep ya posted on my progress!

UPDATE: Nutritious Eating is the PITS

I must confess! I have sinned.....well, not really sinned, but I cheated...on my diet. LOL. Today and yesterday.... and this past weekend I ate pretty much what I wanted. Ate a waffle, sandwich, Chinese, Mongolian grill, doughnut, slushy, and too many coffees! So good, but I need to stop undermining my own success.

Going to help Ant with the yard today, singing rehearsal, then workout tonight.

I MUST get back on the wagon starting.... NOW! I promise. I'll be good from here on out.

FRUSTRATION!?

OK, so it's officially been one week down. I am SO part of the "microwave generation." I want to see my results now.....and because I do not I'm a bit frustrated. I think I'm down maybe a pound or two....NOW, I DO realize that this is due in part to my cheating this weekend.

I went out of town for a funeral and.... well did not do as good as I should have. I had a waffle shaped like Texas, a flat bread sandwich, a piece of fried chicken, mac and cheese, two rolls, coffee. It was so delish, but not at all worth it :-( Back to reality today. As far as eating goes, I think I'm going to have to change my eating plan though. I think I was eating too much last week...too many carbs; only because I don't normally eat a lot of them. I think I'll go back to my healthy eating plan that I used before and just include some of the "elite nutrition" items.

I am convinced that this WILL work. I am going to do what I need to do to be as healthy as is possible and live a long healthy life!

Sunday is an off day for us so it was nice not to have to do anything. Today it's back to the grind!
We will be working out tonight and Lord knows, I hope it all goes well. I'm tired of these gargantuan thighs. Y'all please pray for me!

Day 4 Down...on to Day 5

Still on the INSANE TRAIN. It's a crazy train, but it's good. I missed posting yesterday, but it was so very late when we finished the workout and went to bed. Yesterday my body was still super duper sore all over, but today; after completing 4 days of working out, it's not so bad. Well, either it's not so bad or I'm just getting used to the pain lol.

Yesterday, 5/13/10 Was out cool down / recovery workout. It was mostly a lower body workout combined with some yoga and stretching. Still plenty of sweating though!

I am so looking forward to completing the first week of Insanity to see if there are changes in my body at all. I'm just going to take measurements of my body tonight....should have done this on day 1, but hey! I THINK I'm down maybe 2 pounds this week...I think, but not sure since I didn't REALLY weigh in on day 1. UGH!!

Eating: Well that's a question mark for me. First off, I do not think I need over 2000 calories as the nutrition book says. I don't know that I should have lots of carbs. I might just have to modify the eating portion to meet my needs. We will do the skim milk thing and continue eating fruit and raw nuts. Not eating popcorn or white bread or sweets of any sort. This will be difficult, but hey....made it through week 1 with no sweets. I think those LARBAR nutrition bars are a big help. They are all natural, sweet, and some of the flavors are super good. I think I love them. Delish!!

So, almost done with the first week. Can't wait to start to SEE real progress.

Insanity: Day 3

Still crazy insane, but I think my body will eventually start to cooperate with me. My ENTIRE body is still pretty sore. I am trying to "push" myself to complete the exercises put forth. Do I scream? YES! Do I want to give in? YES! Do I want to strangle Shaun T by the end of the workout? OMGoodness YES!!!

It is so intense, but I feel it will pay off after while! Pray for me y'all

Day 1: The After Effects

They are a-coming! I woke up this morning thinking, "..hey, my body doesn't feel too bad. Matter of fact, I feel pretty good. WOW!"

I kept walking throughout the day.. and the more I walked, the more my body, MY ENTIRE BODY starts to get sore.

It's a good sore though. I'm so excited to see that this thing CAN work, and WILL work if I commit to doing the work.

I know full well that this is not going to be in the least bit easy. It will be quite a lot of work, but I'm willing to do it to get the results that I want.

Here's to my 60 day journey!

INSANITY

SO... I started the INSANITY workout tonight. COMPLETELY understand the name now!

dAY 1: Was it difficult? Absostinkinloutely!! The most difficult workout that i have done to date. As I watched the lady doing the exercise I thought to myself, oh it doesn't look to hard....that is, until i started. This program works your entire body in a short amount of time. I kept hearing, "even the warm-up is difficult" Well I didn't believe it until TODAY.

Definitely difficult, but oh so worth it I think. I plan to stick with it and eat as the nutrition plan suggests. I was able to share some information with the siblings too.

Lots of work, but just as much fun.

OF COURSE I'm not posting my before pics...just yet. Let's see how I look at the end of 60 days :-)

It's been a LONG week!

It's been a VERY long week... and it's only Thursday! I've been absolutely busy every day of this week and it just doesn't get any better lol. I have a busy Friday and a CRAZY Saturday. I'm walking for the March of Dimes this Saturday Morning at 8:00, have a Garden Party at 11:00, and I'm going to Sea World around 7:00 with my sisters to see the Cumbia All Stars lol. Should be super duper fun right! I really hope next week is smoother lol.

Will start posting pictures again soon. I'll definitely have pictures of me and the ladies at the Garden Party. It'll be so fun!

HAPPY TUESDAY....yes HAPPY

Well I'm quite happy to be at this point in time/history. Our annual ministers and workers conference begins tonight. I always love these meetings. They always give me the jolt of energy I need to make it through the next few months. I really need a "push" right now. I can feel myself trying to get discouraged, but to God be the glory for all of the marvelous things he has done for me in my life. I may not be where I want to be, but I do thank the Lord for the knowledge that I CAN be so much more than I am right now. I don't have all I want but I truly do have all I need.

I absolutely love my husband more than anyone can know. I love that man with all that is within me because he is my encourager, helper, nursemaid, my smile... my heart. He keeps me up when I would be so very down.

Thank God for LOVE!

EASTER

Easter weekend was a blast. Can you believe that we took no, zero, zilch, 0 pictures on Easter Sunday! It was such a busy day though...and we didn't really wear our Easter garb anyhoo. Since it was first Sunday and I am in the church choir I had to wear what the choir wore (Pastel)

So you may be asking, why didn't you just wear your Easter dress? Surely IT was pastel...right?!? Well, NO actually...my Easter dress is BLACK! It's absolutely beautiful and I love, love, love it. I think we will "do EASTER" next Sunday. Since the choir has to wear black anyway :) Smart huh!

There was an Egg hunt at the church on Saturday. It was nice for the kiddos. Friday night was the Easter program and OMGoodness it was absolutely beautiful. So poignant and real! Big shout out to KEON FIGURES who did an awesome portrayal of Jesus....awesome.

Last weekend was nice....looking forward to this weekend. I have a Pampered Chef party this Friday at mi casa...... Nash and I are going to Sea World on Saturday... yippee! Can't Wait

YUM-O

So anyone who really knows me knows that I absolutely love to cook. I really mean that. I absolutely love experimenting in the kitchen. Well I've recently found a blog that I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

The Pioneer Woman shares a new recipe each day. Every single thing she makes looks absolutely delish and I want to try them all... my current list of definites are...

1. brisket recipe (OMGoodness looks yum-o)
2. lemon bars
3. carrot cake
4. hot cross buns

I've tried her cinnamon roll recipe, but did my dough a little differently. Came out alright, but I'm trying them again this weekend for my Nash :)

I absolutely can't wait to try them again!

HAPPY MONDAY

The weekend flew by so fast. I was off early on Friday and was able to get SO much accomplished in my bedroom YAY! I've been looking forward to a clutter free room for months and months and months. Got rid of a LOT of garbage. Next on the list...

1. Clean/De Clutter the Office
2. Clear out Pantry
3. Clean out ALL Closets
4. Garage..nuff said
5. Finish bathroom
6. Wash our MoUnTaIn of clothes

In no specific order ha!


Still looking for my fancy Easter rags :) Hoping to find something inexpensive and white... Bought a black dress last week and it's beautiful, but don't want it for Easter. Shucks, I'll have to go out shopping again :-\ Woe is me ha ha!

Last, but not least... I will bless the Lord at all times and His praises shall continually be in my mouth. I had an awesome experience praising God on the way to work this. I truly thank the Lord for his manifold blessings in my life. I thank Him that I can truly see what's important now.

Life IS grand!

Dislike...

Death just STINKS! Went to a funeral yesterday for a second cousin's two (2) year old daughter who was killed in a car accident. She was riding with her Father and paternal Grandmother on the way to Mexico when the car had a blowout. Head injury is what is thought to have taken her out of here. So so very sad.

Since I truly understand what the family is feeling at this moment my heart aches for them. Death is so easy for the deceased. It's those who are left behind that truly suffer. Please pray for the Lawrence and Salas families.

In Additional DISLIKE NEWS...

I was ATTACKED by one of these....

YES! A Nasty BAT attacked me as I was leaving the office for a lunch time shopping trip...

EEEWWWWW!

We have bats which live in the concrete walls of our parking garage. In the creature's defense, I think he was trapped in the glass walkway and didn't know how to get out. Either way... it was quite disgusting and I actually had to end up running towards the parking garage and to my car.

Thoughtful Tuesday

Had a pretty good sized migraine this morning. Called in to work, but I started feeling better so I threw myself into a bath. threw my hair up into a pony... and went in to work.

I feel like such an ADULT!!

I can recall times past when I would have taken advantage of my "time away" but since I had meetings and stuff I went in (turns out they rescheduled)

Anyhoo.. I'm feeling better and that's a GREAT thing.

On another note. My little cousin was killed in a car accident last week. The funeral is tomorrow and my sisters and I are supposed to sing. I so don't want to because it will be sad, but I would want folks there for me so. We will sing. Still can't believe it. Death is just so SAD.

Health Care reform was passed and signed into law today. Still a long way to go, but so far I think it's a good thing. I'm so frustrated that people who have no IDEA what is in the bill are against it. What exactly is it that you don't like? The fact that senior citizens will be able to afford their medication? Is it that BIG Insurance will be forced to care for even the very ill? Or is it the fact that everyone will have the BENEFIT of health care? No I think it's that "this" President did it.

Oh Well....Happy Tuesday All!

SPEEDING

I absolutely HATE getting tickets and DETEST having to go to Defensive Driving. I have to take an online course due to the fact that I waited till the LAST Minute to take the course. Ugh!

I got a ticket on Dec 24, 2010, yes Christmas Eve by an EVIL police office. Actually that's two tickets; one for speeding and another for not having a licence plate in the front of the vehicle. Common! Give me a break. So anyhoo I got the tickets in December, totally ruined my day, but

It was my goal to take DD in January. I never got around to it...and so here we are. I need to take the online test... pass the course....and get the certificate to me in the next week or so.

Frustration! It's my own fault, but still frustrated none the less.

Suppose I'll take off a half a day to get on it... (sad face)

IN A NUTSHELL...

So I think we're back in business! I had an issue with my blog for several weeks, but it's all good now. SO much has happened since the last real post in August 2009.

• We came into the new year! Praise God for 2010.



• Went to Memphis for the Holy Convocation for the first time ever!



• One of my friends found out she was preggers....and had the baby lol.



• We left our old church and moved Back to our home church... DOMINION COGIC! YAY!!



• I started selling Premiere Designs Jewelry..and then kinda let the whole thing fizzle. But I'm getting back on it :-)



• Thanksgiving....it was at Moms and it was great!



• Christmas.... it was a sweet time



• Anthony and I celebrated 7 years of wedded bliss lol. I still can't believe it's been this long. Seems like just yesterday I was giving my home, cell, upstairs, and pager number to this young bald Engineering major from Corpus. 10 years later and we're sssttttiiiiiillllll together. Still love him so very much.



• Still working on the Master bath renovation. UUGGGHHH. Partly finished. We can at least use it now, but still can't wait for it to be complete.



• Anthony volunteered to do a bathroom renovation for a friends Mother. It's coming to a close today. It was a long journey, but well worth it!



• My MIL (Mother In Law) started pharmacy tech school. Super proud of her.



• Anthony crossed over 30 and into 31!



• Anthony started school...again. He just can't stay away lol. He's in a ministry school this time. It runs a total of 2 years. I believe it will be quite beneficial.
  

It's been quite an interesting few months. We were going to add "start a new chapter in our lives" to the list, but I suppose it's not time yet. God said otherwise. Bummed a bit... but I am learning that Gods' plan is the best plan! His ways are not our ways and neither His thoughts our thoughts. I just want to do HIS will!

HELLO HELlo hello

Hello out there! Anyone out there? It's been quite a while, but I wanted to jump right back in to the saddle. So much has happened since we came home from Puerto Rico. Still working on losing weight....totally renovating ANOTHER bathroom, this time it is the Master bath. I will have to post pictures on the next post....which will be soon I PROMISE!