Dad

I sit here now as Father's Day has ended. It's quiet in the house. I just read my daughters FB post thanking both her fathers and my dad and I start to bawl like a baby. Even as I write this.... Tears are streaming down my face. This is one of those days it really hurts that he's gone!

My dad was the best! He and Mom were tough but we had a lot of fun too! Some of my favorite memories are my alone time with my dad. Being the youngest I got the benefit of that a little more as my brother and sister got older! I remember some hilarious fishing trips in Nebraska...one time Dads pole took off into the lake and I watched as he jumped off the bank into the water after it. Of course he caught it!

Then there were times , after Mom was gone that we would just sit and listen to Gospel music together and sing along. He had such a deep bass voice that I can still hear in my head. Sometimes we would sit outside and talk for hours. It was always in the garage and he always had a beer!

Dad loved his family. Even when we disappointed him. When I had to tell him I was pregnant my senior year in high school, I cried for hours because I didn't want to see the disappointed look on his face. But even though he was disappointed, he stood by me. And he loved his first granddaughter and the next nine grand kids like no other.

Is miss him so much. I know the years after Mom dies were very painful for him. I have never seen two people more in love than my parents. I talked to him almost every day after that day. We became closer. It still hurts terribly that he is not here...to see his great-grand kids. To see that I finally lost the weight he begged me to lose and to stop smoking. I know he and mom are proud. I just hope they know their family here misses them and loves them each and very day!!!

Remembering

Remembering - that's why I made this picture yesterday! Although I continue to lose and I see differences in my endurance - I felt in a funk when I hear about some people's miraculous weight-loss. so I dug up this old picture of me and made this as a reminder of just how far I have come! I need to remember that it is a process! I can do this! Anyone can do it!!!

Today i tried something new and fell in love with it! It was the Power Hour at Title boxing Club! i know I am going to be sore - but it felt good. I am still training for my Pikes Peak climb - it is less than 6 weeks away! I have been walking stairs and walking long distances! 

I have a new job! i will be teaching 6th grade LA next year. Was a little bummed I didn't get an administration job - but I know this is where God wants me! I will be in a much more positive environment - which will help with stress which helps with weight-loss!!!

So remember - if you are struggling - take a look back and remember how far you've come!

On the other side

 I Have had a lot of health issues since Tim and I have been married. 8 of those resulted in surgeries. He has always been there. Always supportive. Always waiting. Yesterday it was his turn. And although the surgery wasn't serious, I got a glimpse of what he has gone through. The feeling of leaving him in someone else's hands. The feeling of ...will he be alright. I prayed, I had friends who prayed. I knew things were going to be okay, but still did not like the feeling of what if.

We talk about living our lives like there is no tomorrow. I have tons of students who live by the motto YOLO ... You only live once.... But do we really treasure our time here on earth? Do we live to make people around us smile? Sod we share the love of God? Do we enjoy the beauty He created?

I have been thinking a lot about life like a garden....am I weeding out the negative stuff to let the flowers bloom? Am I surrounding days elf with positive good soil to help me grow stronger, more vibrant and alive?  Or do I let thorns, rocks and weeds invade my thoughts and contaminate my soil?

To live life to the fullest with the blessings God has bestowed on me....not to want more, but be content with what He has blessed me with. To show Anneshia the beauty of life, to love my husband with all my heart, to treat my friends well...these are the flowers I want o bloom in my garden...what's blooming in yours?

Happy

Our pastor has been preaching a series on happiness! It's entitled Run Forrest Run. Thinking back on the movie... I realize just how happy Forrest was! I also realized just how happy I am! A lot has changed in the last year. Is my life perfect...no...but God has helped me overcome so much that I can truly say I am happy. I am happy with the person He is helping me to become. I am happy with the way life is...the good, the bad and the ugly.

Why am I happy...because I know I am no longer in control...I let God take the reins. You see I have always been a fixer...a control freak. And I realized with God's help...that was the reason for my lack of contentment. If I just let go...I would find the happiness He wanted for me. I had a job interview for my dream job...what I went and did my masters for...know what..it's in Gods hands. Pone of my daughters is facing a big difficulty...guess what....He's in control of that too.

I love this! Does this mean I am always worry free...do I not stumble and want to fix things...sure.... But I have a few friends I know I can call and talk to...and they help me get back on track!!!

So here's to happiness!!!!

Deb

Setback???

So Sunday really through a wrench in my plans! I was having an awesome day running errands... Getting stuff for Tim to start his challenge! Around 1, I started having severe abdominal pain... At first I thought I needed to eat!! I ate a chicken Cesar salad!! The pain became worse... So I thought... Trapped gas?? Tried a heating pad, warm bath and massage!! The pain continued to get worse! Off to the ER.... Appendicitis and a hernia!!! What???? You have got to be kidding me!! I have had so many abdominal surgeries... How can something else be wrong??? I am the healthiest I have ever been... Why now???

I could sit and wallow in self-pity as my activity level is destroyed! I can't do what I want to do to promote. I am frustrated about a planned trip to LA... Feeling down... I could sit and let the depression over take me!!!

However.... I choose to breakthrough!! I have a God who is stronger than all my problems!! I have friends who love me!! I have a very supportive husband!!

This will not be a setback!! Instead of breaking down...I choose to breakthrough!!!!

Running and promoting

I have set new goals for my 90 day challenge.... See my last blog. So I have been concentrating on running more and more! This is difficult as my mileage is increasing for my training for my Pikes Peak climb!!! But I am improving! Most of my workouts are 70% running!!!

I am really working hard at promoting the 90 day challenge. It has been such a blessing to me and obesity is such an epidemic. I get very sad when I think of all the time I wasted being morbidly obese! If you are reading this blog and need help losing weight or have other health problems....please contact me about the 90 day challenge!!

I am super excited that my hubby is getting ready to really commit to a 90 day challenge! He has been on the shakes for a while now...but had trouble working out! We decided to invest in some home exercise weights and other stuff to help him. We have even contacted my personal trainer... Toby Clayton @ Clayton Conditioning and she is going to design a plan for him! I will post his 90 day challenge goal when he is ready to go public!

Until next time...keep working towards your goals!!!

God bless you all!!!

Debi

New 90 day challenge.

I started a new 90 day challenge on Tuesday. I am wanting to drop an additional 30 pounds. But this time I am including a new fitness goal as well. I want to run 3 5 K races during this 90 day challenge. I have been increasing my running and have been feeling pretty good. I still cannot run without walking breaks -but it is getting better.

I have been focusing more on healthy eating - more fruits and veggies and making smarter choices with drinking more water, go,pro and vi-defy. I was pretty proud of my first running blister and hope there will be many many more.

I am still in training for my Pikes Peak hike - although it looks like I might be going it alone!

Tim is finally going to try and get his butt in shape. I know that with his injuries and the arthritis he has - this is a big deal.

Will update soon!!