Loser... as in the biggest

Last March a fellow co-worker started a "Biggest Loser" competition at my office. There were 26 participants all who contributed a monetary amount and the 3 with the highest % of weight loss at the end of 90 days declared the biggest losers "winners". I had found myself in a predicament prior to this competition with having to go up aanother size in clothes and thought, "Yep, that's for me!"

So I signed up.

I exercised.

I dieted.

And I exercised some more.

I. Would. Win.

It sucked!

Then after the first couple of weeks, I started to see results. The ounces pounds started coming off. We weighed in each week and posted the % results, and I stayed up near the top. It was exciting and motivating.

But I was still determined I. Would. Win.

So I exercised some more, and sweat like a pig a LOT.

When the final days came, I pushed myself and worked my butt off (literally) until I could see my name in the #1 slot!!

It was hard. But I WON!!!!

I lost a total of 25 pounds!!!

It was a life changing time.

I have dropped 3 sizes and am still eating right (most of the time), and still trying to exercise as often as I can....

Unless my toes vote against me. :)

Wedding Bells

Ahhh, I've missed you fellow internets... sorry for being MIA, but it's been quite a whirl wind here. As you know, CG started school (still not diggin' that, but I am better) and most recently we have been traveling for the most exciting event!!

Over Labor Day Weekend, the family and I traveled here:

Destin, Florida

Where we got to spend time with her:

But most importantly, we got to witness this!!!!

After 11 years together, my brother finally married the love of his life. Although she has been a part of the family for a long time, it was so awesome to see them finally "tie the knot." The wedding was beautiful, as was the bride. It was a super quick weekend, but what a great one it was.

Congrats Matt and Kate!

Love you !

And she's off.....

It's official.....

Cheerleader Girl is all settled into her college dorm.

It was an adventure to say the least.

And it was hard.

Before

During...

And After.....

Gah! I'm sure gonna miss her!

Playing With The Moon

Photo source: unknown

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
- Irish Blessing

Shhhhh

This picture was taken on our trip to Clearwater, FL last Spring. This is the view of the sunrise outside our hotel room overlooking Tampa Bay.

I love a quiet mornings.

When the world is still sleeping just before the chaotic day begins.

There is nothing better than a good cup of coffee with The Salesman and.....

silence.

This-n-That Thursday

Courtesy of MPM

And so it begins..

• One week from today I will be moving my baby girl into her college dorm.


• Do you have any idea how many hundreds of dollars much money it costs to PREPARE a kid for dorm life? LOTS!


• I am still not sure how we are going to transport the thousands of pounds piles of stuff. A tractor trailer perhaps?


• CG has been GREAT about keeping up with everything regarding the start of school. Thank Goodness!


• It's going to be really strange knowing she won't be sleeping down the hall. It makes me feel a little sad.


• Parents weekend is Sept 25-26... I wonder if I will make it that long?


• I am thankful for Skype and Google video chat. At least right now.


• I can not believe this day has gotten her so fast.


• Gah!

A Mother's Realization

This is Cheerleader Girl. Many of you may already know her, or maybe you have heard me talk about her. She is the oldest of my two children, and is leaving for college in less than 2 weeks. I told a good friend of mine just recently that the ability to deny that fact is quickly becoming a thing of the past. We have packed up almost all of her stuff- and believe me, it’s enough to fill an 18 wheeler a lot, and she is ready to make the journey.

This process is bittersweet. I am so very excited to see her set out on her own and make her way in this world, but I am sad to know that my little girl is growing up. She has turned into a remarkable young woman and I know that she will make good decisions, along with a few bad ones. She will make mistakes, but I can only hope she will learn from them. Someone once told me, this was a natural progression, and as much as I believe that, it’s going to be hard. I am proud of her and look forward to watching her continue to grow as she pursues her dreams.

But, damn, I’m going to miss her.

To Cheerleader girl… in the words of Rascal Flatts:
My wish for you,
Is that life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
And you never need to carry more than you can hold.

I love you Cheerleader Girl!