I started cutting sugar out of my diet about 6 weeks ago. I have "cheated" from time to time, particularly when I was away from home. However, I am still eating far less sugar than I did before!
Sugar has always been an addiction of mine I think. I love sugar. Way too much! But its got to go. Its not good for me and it doesn't love me back.
When I say "sugar" I am referring to added sugar, refined sugar, processed sugar. I am not avoiding all carbs, though by avoiding added sugar, that cuts out a lot of carb consumption. I read the labels, I have learned the "other" names for sugar, and I avoid eating anything that has it. I do eat fruits and veggies that have natural sugar in them, I do eat some honey as well. I am also avoiding "fake" sugars as well. I don't mind the natural sweeteners like Stevia (my favorite).
I have struggled with my weight all of my adult life. I have pretty much always been about 20-30 lbs over weight, but when Silas got sick and we were eating out or having meals brought to us all of the time, well, that 30 lbs over weight turned into 80 lbs over weight. I think that continuing to cut sugar out of my diet will be an important part of moving towards my goal of being a healthy weight.
Of course there are other things that I need to do to reach a healthy weight. Drink plenty of water, exercise moderation in what I eat (even if its a healthy food, you can still eat too much of it), make sure that the foods I eat are healthy and not just empty calories, and of course, get plenty of exercise!
Exercise has been hard lately, I don't do well with heat! I suppose that is an excuse. The evenings have been quite nice lately though, I told Archie yesterday we should walk every evening at about 8 PM. It has cooled off some by then and is quite pleasant. In the past, I have always lost the most weight in the Spring and Fall.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Getting organized
We are still trying to get the house "organized". It will take a while. It has not been a priority for a long time but now we really want it to be organized in such a way as to make "living" easier. I don't want to have to dig through piles of books to find an AWANA hand book. I don't want to lose math books or pencils. I want everything to have a place and for everything to be in its place!
I have never been a super organized person. However, I am one of those people who can have a desk piled with papers and know exactly where everything is. To others my desk would look like chaos, but to me, its organized, sort of. My biggest problem is when people move things. Because it looks like a mess, they think its OK to shuffle things around, but then I don't know where things are! LOL.
At any rate, we need to get more organized. We have been organized periodically, but not lately. In the 14 years Archie and I have been married we have gone through stages of being very organized, and being completely unorganized. When Michael was little the whole apartment was clean and organized, except one room. When we had 3 kids and one on the way the apartment was utterly chaotic! It was so bad I panicked every time there was a knock at the door. Then when we had 4 kids and lived in a house it was more organized, but one room was usually a mess. Since we have lived in Georgia it has been a constant struggle to find a sense of organization.
Living here, in my mother-in-law's mobile home, it has been a challenge to organize her things and our things in such a way as to live peacefully and comfortably together. When Silas got sick, organization was not on my list. I just wanted things to be clean, to keep him from getting any kind of infection. Clutter accumulated with all of the cards, letters, and gifts he received during his treatment, (not to mention all of the medications and medical supplies!) and well, it was quite overwhelming! (It was wonderful to have the support and I don't want to complain! I am glad so many people made such an effort to make his life better). Now though, its time to get the house functional again. To figure out where everything is and where it needs to belong.
I am not expecting to be organized overnight, it will be a long process. Still though, we are pressing forward!
I have never been a super organized person. However, I am one of those people who can have a desk piled with papers and know exactly where everything is. To others my desk would look like chaos, but to me, its organized, sort of. My biggest problem is when people move things. Because it looks like a mess, they think its OK to shuffle things around, but then I don't know where things are! LOL.
At any rate, we need to get more organized. We have been organized periodically, but not lately. In the 14 years Archie and I have been married we have gone through stages of being very organized, and being completely unorganized. When Michael was little the whole apartment was clean and organized, except one room. When we had 3 kids and one on the way the apartment was utterly chaotic! It was so bad I panicked every time there was a knock at the door. Then when we had 4 kids and lived in a house it was more organized, but one room was usually a mess. Since we have lived in Georgia it has been a constant struggle to find a sense of organization.
Living here, in my mother-in-law's mobile home, it has been a challenge to organize her things and our things in such a way as to live peacefully and comfortably together. When Silas got sick, organization was not on my list. I just wanted things to be clean, to keep him from getting any kind of infection. Clutter accumulated with all of the cards, letters, and gifts he received during his treatment, (not to mention all of the medications and medical supplies!) and well, it was quite overwhelming! (It was wonderful to have the support and I don't want to complain! I am glad so many people made such an effort to make his life better). Now though, its time to get the house functional again. To figure out where everything is and where it needs to belong.
I am not expecting to be organized overnight, it will be a long process. Still though, we are pressing forward!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Date night!
Archie and I have not had many date nights since the boys have been born. At least, not out. Most of our date nights have consisted of putting the boys to bed and watching Doctor Who together. Which is fine, the important thing is that we are spending time together.
Last night my sister-in-law showed up and very kindly offered to take the boys for the rest of the day! Archie and I jumped on the opportunity and went out on a real date! (We love you Amber!).
I recently had a conversation with the boys about dating. I told them its what married people do to stay connected and build their relationship. Of course a lot of the world has a different idea about dating. I am teaching my boys something different though.
Archie and I didn't date per se. We served together in missions, took walks together, participated in ministry together, had meals together, and spent a lot of time together with friends. We have told the boys that when they are old enough to consider marrying a girl, they should spend time getting to know her with her family and friends. They shouldn't pursue a relationship with a girl unless they have already seen something in her that makes them interested in considering her as a wife.
I pray for my boys future wives, though not as often as I should. Should they choose to marry. I pray for them too, that they will be good husbands and fathers. I pray that I will be a good mother-in-law. Every now and then I hear of one of those special relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law where the daughter-in-law says "I love my mother-in-law so much, she is like a second mother to me!". I would love to have that kind of relationship with a daughter in law or daughters in law someday!
Last night my sister-in-law showed up and very kindly offered to take the boys for the rest of the day! Archie and I jumped on the opportunity and went out on a real date! (We love you Amber!).
I recently had a conversation with the boys about dating. I told them its what married people do to stay connected and build their relationship. Of course a lot of the world has a different idea about dating. I am teaching my boys something different though.
Archie and I didn't date per se. We served together in missions, took walks together, participated in ministry together, had meals together, and spent a lot of time together with friends. We have told the boys that when they are old enough to consider marrying a girl, they should spend time getting to know her with her family and friends. They shouldn't pursue a relationship with a girl unless they have already seen something in her that makes them interested in considering her as a wife.
I pray for my boys future wives, though not as often as I should. Should they choose to marry. I pray for them too, that they will be good husbands and fathers. I pray that I will be a good mother-in-law. Every now and then I hear of one of those special relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law where the daughter-in-law says "I love my mother-in-law so much, she is like a second mother to me!". I would love to have that kind of relationship with a daughter in law or daughters in law someday!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Busy week
We have done a lot this week! We finished swimming lessons yesterday. Each of the boys received an achievement patch. I am not sure what to sew it on. They received them two years ago as well and they just float around the house. Maybe sewing them onto their beach towels would be a good idea?
Tuesday we went to Savannah, Michael and Jason had dentist appointments there. Michael needed a filling and Jason got sealants on his molars. While they were at their appointment Gideon and I visited "Michael's" and got some craft supplies. Gideon wants art to be his "extra curricular" this year so we got him some art supplies. The easels were so expensive, but I found one on ebay that I ordered for him. (he has to share with me though).
Gideon and I also stopped by the Pediatric Oncology clinic to drop off some of Silas' DVD's. The other boys are too "old" for them and don't want them. They can always use DVD's at the clinic! Some kids stay in the clinic all day long for treatment and it gets boring! Silas spent several very long days in the clinic himself. It was so nice to see Dr J and some of the nurses.
After the dentist appointment we went to get a table I found on craigslist. I am so excited about it! I have been looking for a dining table since we moved to Georgia 4 years ago! Its like this one http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40184945/ but used and not that expensive. I love it! I even like that it already has dings in it, now I won't feel so bad when one of the boys does something to it :)
By that time the boys were starving so Archie dropped me off at the hospital to go visit a local girl fighting cancer while he took the boys to get some lunch. Again, I was so happy to see some of our nurses. I miss them!
We missed swimming lessons Tuesday, we just didn't make it home in time. Tuesday evening though we went over to Tabernacle Baptist to help some with the organizing for the yard sale for the little girl fighting cancer. I think it will be huge! There was so much stuff there and a lot of it was nice! Michael wants us to drop him off there again tonight so that he can help out. The yard sale is tomorrow.
Wednesday we went to the BBQ dinner at First Baptist Vidalia where the boys have attended AWANA in the past. They had a "wall of Silas" up in one of the hall ways. It was a bulletin board with photos of Silas and print outs of some of my caring bridge journal entries pinned up on it. :)
I had planned on doing one portion of Michael's testing every day this week, but it didn't work out that way. We did one portion on Monday and then none Tues-Thurs. So today we are trying to get it all done at once. Archie took Gideon and Jason out to put up some signs for the yard sale and run some errands, while Michael and I stay home to complete his test. He has 4 sections completed and 2 to go. I am letting him have a lunch break now though.
This evening Gideon and Jason will go to "Flippin' Friday" at the gym, Michael will go to help with the yard sale, and I can't decide whether to go to the "Mom's night out" or on a date with Archie. I was planning to go with the mom's club but the more I think about it, the more a date night sounds better. Archie is going back to work on the 12th and it seems like a date night might be a good thing. We haven't gotten many of them since we started having kids, and even fewer whilst fighting cancer with Silas.
Tuesday we went to Savannah, Michael and Jason had dentist appointments there. Michael needed a filling and Jason got sealants on his molars. While they were at their appointment Gideon and I visited "Michael's" and got some craft supplies. Gideon wants art to be his "extra curricular" this year so we got him some art supplies. The easels were so expensive, but I found one on ebay that I ordered for him. (he has to share with me though).
Gideon and I also stopped by the Pediatric Oncology clinic to drop off some of Silas' DVD's. The other boys are too "old" for them and don't want them. They can always use DVD's at the clinic! Some kids stay in the clinic all day long for treatment and it gets boring! Silas spent several very long days in the clinic himself. It was so nice to see Dr J and some of the nurses.
After the dentist appointment we went to get a table I found on craigslist. I am so excited about it! I have been looking for a dining table since we moved to Georgia 4 years ago! Its like this one http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40184945/ but used and not that expensive. I love it! I even like that it already has dings in it, now I won't feel so bad when one of the boys does something to it :)
By that time the boys were starving so Archie dropped me off at the hospital to go visit a local girl fighting cancer while he took the boys to get some lunch. Again, I was so happy to see some of our nurses. I miss them!
We missed swimming lessons Tuesday, we just didn't make it home in time. Tuesday evening though we went over to Tabernacle Baptist to help some with the organizing for the yard sale for the little girl fighting cancer. I think it will be huge! There was so much stuff there and a lot of it was nice! Michael wants us to drop him off there again tonight so that he can help out. The yard sale is tomorrow.
Wednesday we went to the BBQ dinner at First Baptist Vidalia where the boys have attended AWANA in the past. They had a "wall of Silas" up in one of the hall ways. It was a bulletin board with photos of Silas and print outs of some of my caring bridge journal entries pinned up on it. :)
I had planned on doing one portion of Michael's testing every day this week, but it didn't work out that way. We did one portion on Monday and then none Tues-Thurs. So today we are trying to get it all done at once. Archie took Gideon and Jason out to put up some signs for the yard sale and run some errands, while Michael and I stay home to complete his test. He has 4 sections completed and 2 to go. I am letting him have a lunch break now though.
This evening Gideon and Jason will go to "Flippin' Friday" at the gym, Michael will go to help with the yard sale, and I can't decide whether to go to the "Mom's night out" or on a date with Archie. I was planning to go with the mom's club but the more I think about it, the more a date night sounds better. Archie is going back to work on the 12th and it seems like a date night might be a good thing. We haven't gotten many of them since we started having kids, and even fewer whilst fighting cancer with Silas.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
OCD
I do not mean to offend anyone diagnosed with OCD.
I have been a little "OCD" the past week. I have been making bead bracelets like crazy! I think I have made over 100! Most of them are for a yard sale for a little girl with cancer. They have gold and turquoise beads with little butterflies and "HOPE" awareness ribbons on them. Of course I made some Sea Turtle bracelets as well, Silas loved Sea Turtles. I hope people like them and buy them at the yard sale. I really want to help support other families fighting childhood cancer!
Making these bracelets keeps me busy and I really enjoy it! Of course there are many other things I could be busy with, but this also is an artistic outlet for me. I used to paint a lot before I got married but I haven't much since. I have some canvas now, and a paint set. I just need to make a spot to start painting.
I am about out of string now, so I'll have to stop making bracelets for a little while :) Maybe that's a good thing though ;)
I have been a little "OCD" the past week. I have been making bead bracelets like crazy! I think I have made over 100! Most of them are for a yard sale for a little girl with cancer. They have gold and turquoise beads with little butterflies and "HOPE" awareness ribbons on them. Of course I made some Sea Turtle bracelets as well, Silas loved Sea Turtles. I hope people like them and buy them at the yard sale. I really want to help support other families fighting childhood cancer!
Making these bracelets keeps me busy and I really enjoy it! Of course there are many other things I could be busy with, but this also is an artistic outlet for me. I used to paint a lot before I got married but I haven't much since. I have some canvas now, and a paint set. I just need to make a spot to start painting.
I am about out of string now, so I'll have to stop making bracelets for a little while :) Maybe that's a good thing though ;)
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Math on the go
Its a 40 minute round trip to swimming lessons. Yesterday I took full advantage of this time and we worked on math! We worked on skip counting and the boys did rather well!! Better than I expected. They knew more than I thought they did!
Jason is my real math kid. He really has a head for it. He so often blurts out things like "64 + 64 is 128 isn't it?". Then I say to myself "That's what you've been thinking about for the past few minutes while you've been so quiet???" He is constantly dividing things by 3 as well, so as to split things evenly between himself and Michael and Gideon.
When Michael and Gideon were very little we used to count trees, cars, flowers, etc. while we took walks in the mornings. It was a lot harder to take walks once Jason was born. Still, he picked up basic math concepts with very little help from me. Most of the math he has learned he figured out himself.
I have always tried to teach the boys "everyday math". Measuring for cooking/baking, measuring their height, measuring things around the house, dividing food servings, dividing toys, timing things, counting down, etc.
They don't have it all down, but we still have some time left, my hope for each of them is that by the time they leave our house, they will be prepared for whatever they do in life. May they each leave here with however much math they need! LOL.
Jason is my real math kid. He really has a head for it. He so often blurts out things like "64 + 64 is 128 isn't it?". Then I say to myself "That's what you've been thinking about for the past few minutes while you've been so quiet???" He is constantly dividing things by 3 as well, so as to split things evenly between himself and Michael and Gideon.
When Michael and Gideon were very little we used to count trees, cars, flowers, etc. while we took walks in the mornings. It was a lot harder to take walks once Jason was born. Still, he picked up basic math concepts with very little help from me. Most of the math he has learned he figured out himself.
I have always tried to teach the boys "everyday math". Measuring for cooking/baking, measuring their height, measuring things around the house, dividing food servings, dividing toys, timing things, counting down, etc.
They don't have it all down, but we still have some time left, my hope for each of them is that by the time they leave our house, they will be prepared for whatever they do in life. May they each leave here with however much math they need! LOL.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Adventures in Odyssey
I have listened to Adventures in Odyssey before it was Adventures in Odyssey! Since the very very beginning. I love that show! For those who are not familiar with it, its a Radio drama produced by Focus on the Family. Its about a small town called Odyssey, and the people who live there. I highly recommend it!
We have been catching up on the episodes we have missed over the past few months. You can listen on www.focusonthefamily.com or at www.whitsend.org.
All 3 of the boys are in the target age range the show is designed for, ages 8-12. Of course we've been listening with them since they were much younger. The show gives us opportunities to talk with the boys about a variety of moral issues from lying, cheating, stealing, and being disobedient, to standing up for what you believe in, having godly relationships, building character, and seeking God's will for your life. (and much much more!). I love that we can listen to an episode and relate it to things that are going on in our lives. Or vice versa we can find ourselves in a situation where we say "Do you remember when this happened to Connie in Odyssey? How did she deal with this situation?"
In Odyssey many of the characters seek to glorify God with their lives. They attend church regularly, serve in the church, study the Bible, pray over the situations they find themselves in, and seek God to direct their lives!
I am very thankful for Adventures in Odyssey and I hope and pray it continues to air for many more years! It has been a big influence in my life and a valuable tool in raising my children.
God bless!
We have been catching up on the episodes we have missed over the past few months. You can listen on www.focusonthefamily.com or at www.whitsend.org.
All 3 of the boys are in the target age range the show is designed for, ages 8-12. Of course we've been listening with them since they were much younger. The show gives us opportunities to talk with the boys about a variety of moral issues from lying, cheating, stealing, and being disobedient, to standing up for what you believe in, having godly relationships, building character, and seeking God's will for your life. (and much much more!). I love that we can listen to an episode and relate it to things that are going on in our lives. Or vice versa we can find ourselves in a situation where we say "Do you remember when this happened to Connie in Odyssey? How did she deal with this situation?"
In Odyssey many of the characters seek to glorify God with their lives. They attend church regularly, serve in the church, study the Bible, pray over the situations they find themselves in, and seek God to direct their lives!
I am very thankful for Adventures in Odyssey and I hope and pray it continues to air for many more years! It has been a big influence in my life and a valuable tool in raising my children.
God bless!
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