Well, I am down another 2 pounds, which means I FINALLY broke the 140 mark! YAY!! 139 today!! HOORAY!
I take pictures every 2 weeks, so I can SEE my progress. I strongly recommend this! It is hard to see results just looking in the mirror, but you can DEFINITELY see it if you take the time to do pictures. The coolest part, my 'mommy tummy' (Stretchmarks, and a c-section scar, which, if you don't know totally reshapes your belly) is lookin pretty dang good. I am even seeing evidence of something that is beginning to look like maybe, possibly definition there, and that is super cool, I don't think I have EVER had definition there.....
I have managed to make it to the gym every weekday. I do 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, then when I get home, I do some ab work on my ab ball (15 minutes, while the kids are still snoozin'!) Then at night, I do 30-45 minutes of strength. (strength is my favorite part since Woody has started doing it with me!) It is working well, and while it seems like a lot, (2 hours!) It really isn't! I am also still on Weight Watchers. It is so great. If you don't know, they do your food by a 'points' system. Well, they have recently revamped their program, and I L.O.V.E it!! I also love that it is breastfeeding friendly!
EDITED TO ADD: I don't know what happened, I forgot to post this, I guess...So, here it is!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sheltering my children? Yep! And proud of it!
I have prayed about this post. A lot. Well, not exactly this post, but this subject. Funny thing happens when you up and remove your TV, start homeschooling, and become less "mainstream" than the rest of your family: suddenly, you are subject to more criticism than you could ever imagine!
The biggest thing that I have had to overcome is being offended when someone 'accuses' me of sheltering my kids. It started out irking me oh so bad. To the point when I heard a friend of mine being 'accused' of the same thing, I wanted her to tear the other woman apart. (NOT nice, I know!)
I came to the realization though, that they are NOT insulting me. That I should take it as a compliment. Yes, I am sheltering them. I am protecting them. I am doing everything in my power to ensure that when they are old enough to go out into this sometimes awful world they are armed! Armed with their testimony of the Lord. Armed with self confidence. Armed with a true knowledge of what is right and wrong.
We push so hard for our children to be so independent of us at such a young age, sending them to kindergarten at 5 or 6. Really this is when we should hold them close to us. Keep them from the negative of the outside world. Teach them the Gospel. Let them know there is bad and evil, but not thrust them into it.
Elder Larry R. Lawrence: "What the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand!" So here I am, speaking up. Taking a stand. And saying, ok. I am sheltering my children. I am protecting them from the outside world. I feel as though it is my job. My duty to protect these precious spirits that the Lord has entrusted to me!
Now, all of this said, I know, without a doubt in my mind I will not forever be able to shelter them. When the time comes for discussions on sex, drugs, alcohol etc, I will pray, and I know that the Lord will help me know how to handle these topics in a way that is open, honest and frank. I will encourage my children to pray, so that they will know I am speaking the truth. Then it comes to a matter of faith that they will do what they know is right, and a matter of courage when they don't to help them realize the consequences of their actions!!
The next time someone with different views than I on things says that I am sheltering my children, I hope that I have the courage to thank them. If I am sheltering them, at least now, I know I am doing my job. I hope that I can remember this: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid." (Joshua 1:9)
The biggest thing that I have had to overcome is being offended when someone 'accuses' me of sheltering my kids. It started out irking me oh so bad. To the point when I heard a friend of mine being 'accused' of the same thing, I wanted her to tear the other woman apart. (NOT nice, I know!)
I came to the realization though, that they are NOT insulting me. That I should take it as a compliment. Yes, I am sheltering them. I am protecting them. I am doing everything in my power to ensure that when they are old enough to go out into this sometimes awful world they are armed! Armed with their testimony of the Lord. Armed with self confidence. Armed with a true knowledge of what is right and wrong.
We push so hard for our children to be so independent of us at such a young age, sending them to kindergarten at 5 or 6. Really this is when we should hold them close to us. Keep them from the negative of the outside world. Teach them the Gospel. Let them know there is bad and evil, but not thrust them into it.
Elder Larry R. Lawrence: "What the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand!" So here I am, speaking up. Taking a stand. And saying, ok. I am sheltering my children. I am protecting them from the outside world. I feel as though it is my job. My duty to protect these precious spirits that the Lord has entrusted to me!
Now, all of this said, I know, without a doubt in my mind I will not forever be able to shelter them. When the time comes for discussions on sex, drugs, alcohol etc, I will pray, and I know that the Lord will help me know how to handle these topics in a way that is open, honest and frank. I will encourage my children to pray, so that they will know I am speaking the truth. Then it comes to a matter of faith that they will do what they know is right, and a matter of courage when they don't to help them realize the consequences of their actions!!
The next time someone with different views than I on things says that I am sheltering my children, I hope that I have the courage to thank them. If I am sheltering them, at least now, I know I am doing my job. I hope that I can remember this: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid." (Joshua 1:9)
Week 3
Well, week 3 didn't show any change on the scale for me. It's all good though!! (I confess, I let it get me down at first, but decided HECK NO!) I feel GREAT! I am feeling stronger every day, and far more energetic. I rocked the elliptical at the gym this morning, and am going to continue to rock it every weekday! I am considering signing up for a fit challenge at the gym. It isn't a WEIGHT LOSS challenge. It is based on how much time you spend at the gym. It sounds fun!
I found a quote yesterday that I LOVE!!
"You have only failed when you quit trying.Until then, you are STILL in the act of progression. So, never quit trying, and you will never be a failure!"
That quote is what made me ok with the fact that I didn't lose any weight this last week. I am still trying. And I do NOT want the scale to dictate how I feel about me. I am WORTH making the changes I am making. And not just on the fitness level.
And, as my good friend Ember says, "Every effort will be blessed!"
I found a quote yesterday that I LOVE!!
"You have only failed when you quit trying.Until then, you are STILL in the act of progression. So, never quit trying, and you will never be a failure!"
That quote is what made me ok with the fact that I didn't lose any weight this last week. I am still trying. And I do NOT want the scale to dictate how I feel about me. I am WORTH making the changes I am making. And not just on the fitness level.
And, as my good friend Ember says, "Every effort will be blessed!"
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The world is right again!
So, lately I have been feeling...off...there is no other way to describe it...Just...off.
Well, I figured out today what I was missing. What was 'off' about last week.
See, I didn't start my week out the RIGHT way.
We ended up staying home from Church last week with sick boys.
As soon as I walked into the Church this morning, the world started returning to normal.
And as we went through Sacrament, it just got better.
(The best part was when the Bishop stood in front of the congregation, told us he was going to invite a couple of people to bear their testimonies, and said, "Sister Merrell," "Where is your husband?" HA! Woody had the opportunity to bear his instead! No warning whatsoever it was coming. BTW, it was great. And I needed to hear it.)
I am so glad that I got to be spiritually nourished this week.
I missed Sunday School, because we were meeting with the Bishop.
Sounds like we a+re on track for the Temple in May!
(We thought April, but the Bishop thinks it will take until May.)
Relief Society was fantastic. I love going and getting taught, learning and feeling the Spirit.
Our ward, btw, seemed to double since 2 weeks ago. Can't miss a week otherwise we miss SO much here!!
We have many goals this year. Physical, mental and spiritual. And, headed into February, so far so good! (BABY STEPS!)
I love the Church. I love my ward. I love my family and friends. And I REALLY love feeling 'right' again!
(I also wanted to share my testimony. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know that The Book of Mormon is true, and I love it! I know that Heavenly Father lives, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and also lives, I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. I know that by following the commandments of the Lord we will be infinitely blessed. I know that my life has been abundantly blessed when I am making the right choices. I am soo greatful for the knowledge that our Father and Savior know us and love us. And, especially right now, I am thankful for the Atonement and for repentance and what it means for my family and I!)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Television
One weekend last summer, I realized that Woody and I had spent an ENTIRE Saturday watching NCIS. We had not spent one moment with our children, except Konnor, who was an infant, and we didn't really have a choice. That Sunday, we made a choice: in July we got rid of TV. I mean, we still HAVE a television, but it is solely used for watching movies and our LIVING room is no longer CENTERED around it..And neither is our life.
It is funny, what you become desensitized to when you hear it all day every day.
I never knew exactly how inappropriate TV is. I mean, I knew how bad some of it is, but I didn't realize the stuff I had become unaware of. We also usually only listen to Church music. Not always. Sometimes we will turn on a country station, but the kids LOVE the primary song CD's I bought them, so I would rather they listen to that.
Well, recently I have been going to the gym..With going to the gym, part of my little 'bubble' has been popped. The television is on there, and I busted out an MP3 player to work out with. WOW! How I have changed. I find myself skipping songs I used to love because their message or language really bothers me. I find myself bugged by certain commercials. Commercials I would not want my children to see! I am to the point I want to change all of the songs on my MP3 player because they don't make me feel good. And I am going to the gym so that I feel good.
This is all so very bizarre to me. I don't remember ever really having limits on what I could watch. I am pretty sure I was watching rated R movies by 12. Cursing and crude language has never bothered me, and at points in my life have been very big parts of my vocabulary. I never thought most of what I watched or listened to was 'that bad'. (I know, Grey's is an exception. I knew it was bad, and I still loved it. However, I haven't even watched my old episodes on DVD since I got rid of the TV.) Then, I got rid of it all. Now, when I hear it or see it, I realize how blessed I am to have been given the guidance to get rid of the the negative influence of television.
It is funny, what you become desensitized to when you hear it all day every day.
I never knew exactly how inappropriate TV is. I mean, I knew how bad some of it is, but I didn't realize the stuff I had become unaware of. We also usually only listen to Church music. Not always. Sometimes we will turn on a country station, but the kids LOVE the primary song CD's I bought them, so I would rather they listen to that.
Well, recently I have been going to the gym..With going to the gym, part of my little 'bubble' has been popped. The television is on there, and I busted out an MP3 player to work out with. WOW! How I have changed. I find myself skipping songs I used to love because their message or language really bothers me. I find myself bugged by certain commercials. Commercials I would not want my children to see! I am to the point I want to change all of the songs on my MP3 player because they don't make me feel good. And I am going to the gym so that I feel good.
This is all so very bizarre to me. I don't remember ever really having limits on what I could watch. I am pretty sure I was watching rated R movies by 12. Cursing and crude language has never bothered me, and at points in my life have been very big parts of my vocabulary. I never thought most of what I watched or listened to was 'that bad'. (I know, Grey's is an exception. I knew it was bad, and I still loved it. However, I haven't even watched my old episodes on DVD since I got rid of the TV.) Then, I got rid of it all. Now, when I hear it or see it, I realize how blessed I am to have been given the guidance to get rid of the the negative influence of television.
Monday, January 17, 2011
To My Little Sister!
Yavette, You are about to embark on a journey unlike any you have ever encountered! Motherhood!
There is so much that I want to tell you about motherhood. I will share some with you , but the rest, you get to learn along the way!
You are about to learn what it is like to have your heart walking around outside of your body. You are about to learn what all encompassing love and all encompassing fear are..And how you can feel both at the same time...All of the time. How blessed you are!
I could give you advice on how to breastfeed, (I will when the time comes), diapering, teething, fevers, babysitters and so much more, but I will wait til you call me to share my insight!
I will tell you this. I know you are going to be a great mom. I know, because you are already so determined to be. Being a great mom, however, doesn't mean that you are perfect, or that your kids are perfect. It means that you will fall down..BUT you will get back up. It means that you will make mistakes..But, you will learn from them. It means that you will be scared..but you will continue doing being a courageous parent..
The advice I will give you is to cherish your baby. Hold her, smell her, kiss her. Savor every moment. Read to her, sing to her, teach her. Take lots of pictures. It sounds so cliche, but these moments pass so quickly. Before you know it, that swaddled newborn will be crawling, and getting teeth. That cooing baby will become a toddling terror. That toddling terror will become a sassy kid..And so forth. All in what will seem like the blink of an eye. You will look at Brayly when she starts kindergarten, and wonder how she got big so fast.
Never miss the chance to kiss your baby..Even when she is no longer itty bitty! Don't be afraid to hug her and tell you that you love her.
Be silly with her. Bake with her. Color with her.
When you feel yourself getting frustrated because you haven't slept in days, remember, "this too shall pass". When she hits those terrible twos, and is unrolling a whole roll of toilet paper into the toilet, remember, it will NOT be like this forever. Before we know it we will long for their childhood. You get 18 short years, (Of course, you will be her mommy forever, but for just18 years, she is all yours) make them count, so that while you are longing for their childhood, you will not regret how you spent it!
Yavette, Motherhood is the greatest blessing we, as women, have. It is trying, hard and scary. But oh so very worth it. Savor it baby sister! There is nothing that compares!! I love you, and I cannot WAIT to meet Baby Brayly!
There is so much that I want to tell you about motherhood. I will share some with you , but the rest, you get to learn along the way!
You are about to learn what it is like to have your heart walking around outside of your body. You are about to learn what all encompassing love and all encompassing fear are..And how you can feel both at the same time...All of the time. How blessed you are!
I could give you advice on how to breastfeed, (I will when the time comes), diapering, teething, fevers, babysitters and so much more, but I will wait til you call me to share my insight!
I will tell you this. I know you are going to be a great mom. I know, because you are already so determined to be. Being a great mom, however, doesn't mean that you are perfect, or that your kids are perfect. It means that you will fall down..BUT you will get back up. It means that you will make mistakes..But, you will learn from them. It means that you will be scared..but you will continue doing being a courageous parent..
The advice I will give you is to cherish your baby. Hold her, smell her, kiss her. Savor every moment. Read to her, sing to her, teach her. Take lots of pictures. It sounds so cliche, but these moments pass so quickly. Before you know it, that swaddled newborn will be crawling, and getting teeth. That cooing baby will become a toddling terror. That toddling terror will become a sassy kid..And so forth. All in what will seem like the blink of an eye. You will look at Brayly when she starts kindergarten, and wonder how she got big so fast.
Never miss the chance to kiss your baby..Even when she is no longer itty bitty! Don't be afraid to hug her and tell you that you love her.
Be silly with her. Bake with her. Color with her.
When you feel yourself getting frustrated because you haven't slept in days, remember, "this too shall pass". When she hits those terrible twos, and is unrolling a whole roll of toilet paper into the toilet, remember, it will NOT be like this forever. Before we know it we will long for their childhood. You get 18 short years, (Of course, you will be her mommy forever, but for just18 years, she is all yours) make them count, so that while you are longing for their childhood, you will not regret how you spent it!
Yavette, Motherhood is the greatest blessing we, as women, have. It is trying, hard and scary. But oh so very worth it. Savor it baby sister! There is nothing that compares!! I love you, and I cannot WAIT to meet Baby Brayly!
Week 2
Well, week 2, still on track! WAHOO! The scale says I am down 9 pounds. But what is better than THAT?! I can SEE and FEEL the difference. I have more energy (FINALLY) and the jeans are gettin' pretty loose!! I love going to the gym, seriously. It is so nice. I hadn't done ANYTHING without at least one of the kids for over a year. I even co-sleep with Konnor, so I am LITERALLY with him 24 hours a day...I must say, the break is fantastic!! Weight Watchers is so nice. I never feel overly hungry (unless, of course, I skip a meal or snack **DUH**!). It is also breastfeeding compatible.
I started out just changing my diet. Last week I added cardio, and this week, I add a light resistance. Woody has put me together a workout that he thinks will be fairly quick and effective, so that is good! We are going to do it together at night. I hope he does it with me, because I like working out with him!
Oh, and can I just tell you how wonderful he is?? He gets up at 5 a.m. every single morning and starts the pick up while I feed the baby so that I don't have to! What a sweetheart! He is so supportive of this, and constantly compliments the changes that are taking place. I love that man!
I started out just changing my diet. Last week I added cardio, and this week, I add a light resistance. Woody has put me together a workout that he thinks will be fairly quick and effective, so that is good! We are going to do it together at night. I hope he does it with me, because I like working out with him!
Oh, and can I just tell you how wonderful he is?? He gets up at 5 a.m. every single morning and starts the pick up while I feed the baby so that I don't have to! What a sweetheart! He is so supportive of this, and constantly compliments the changes that are taking place. I love that man!
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