2011 Commitment

SO... I'm 1 1/2 weeks early-- however, since I started my job in September (which I love and am so grateful for!!) I've definately seen a "change" in my appearance. I'm working on avoidance and staying away from the scale is part of that! So, it's already on my mind to figure out how I'm going to lose and then maintain my weight in 2011 and heading into the next decade where I approach 40.... figuring my metabolism will continue to slow down, I HAVE to work on this now!

Friday night was a fun night of celebrating a successful year with colleagues. I'm so thrilled to be part of NCM now and look forward to many more successful years! Part of the holiday fun was a compimentary photo spot. Kelly & I were able to get a very nice picture- one of the BEST I've ever had of him I must say! However, I'm not so thrilled with my own reflection. I like my make up, hair-- not the worst picture ever. But my chin... face... just needs a little chiseling :)

So...how do I work full time, volunteer, enjoy my friends, my husband, my daughter? Run to soccer practice....? I sit ALL DAY LONG.... How do I adjust to this and still work to lose weight and lean out?

I need to ponder this-- and am definately open to suggestions. I don't want to be consumed completely with counting calories etc-- there's no way I'll stick to it.

• Liquid Diet?
• Start with a post-New Year's cleanse?
• Once a month cleanse?
• Taebo classes?
• Working out on my own?
• Find a work out partner?
• Salad/soup only lunches?

Will these work?? Can I commit?? We'll see what 2011 holds!

Christmas Mail

Tonight I came in to 6 new cards/letters from friends and loved ones. Friday- it was 15!! How exciting :) I dread the junk mail, credit card offers and bills the rest of the year (very very rarely do I get a LETTER other than December!) but this time of year, I can't wait to hop out of the car and head to the mailbox :)

I think this next year I'm going to work hard to put letters in the mail to my friends...which means I need to update people's addresses!!!

Thank you to all of those who think to include us in your picture/letter writing. It's so fun to see how everyone is growing and read all of the creative letters about your trips and changes throughout the year.

It is interesting how many we're able to keep up with throughout the year with E-mail, texts, Facebook and blogs...but nothing replaces the fun of the letters in the mail!

I wish we could mail to everyone, but for those who we weren't able to send one too, please enjoy our holiday letter here!

Funny Pups

We Love our dogs!!

Willie

(We ended up taking this costume back-- funny though huh?!)



Honey

(We also decided to take the banana split back...)
My Three Kiddos--
(this is what they ended up wearing this year!)

My dogs add so much to our home-- lots of love, snuggles and kisses (and they're great at helping keep me warm under a blanket on the couch!)

Merry Christmas!!

My daughter is the light of my life and wants to BE a dog...

Just thinking of how sweet she is snuggling with these pups-- and her desire to be around animals ALL the time-- made me want to write a post. I'm so behind on my scrapbooks, posting...these pictures just keep adding up and I want to share them :)

(Honey lays like this ALL the time! Cracks us up!!)

Hope you're warm and snuggly where you are today!

Why it's good to be a "Frequent Fondler"

In October I had the wonderful experience of participating in Denver's Race for the Cure (I walked :)...running is NOT my thing!) I was touched not only by the THOUSANDS of women who turned out, but by the women in the hot pink survivor shirts. One gal stands out not only in my mind but my friend Stephanie's as well. She had a sign that said in a few days she'd be 1 year cancer free and she could NOT have been over 30!

In November, I was doing my own self check that I wouldn't say I do as a routine, but I do it regularly (and after that walk it's something I started making a conscious effort to remember). I know the landscape of my tissues, and in this self exam I realized something out of the ordinary was there. After about a week of it not going away, I decided I should get my doctor's opinion. He agreed, there was something different and we should have a deeper precautionary look. After my first mammogram and ultrasound revealed that I was right- something new had formed there, I was then scheduled for a biopsy (that I had today). Not so bad....the mammogram didn't really bother me, the ultrasound of course was fine and even the biopsy today wasn't so bad (although there will be more uncomfortable moments to come). Managing my fears and nerves has been the biggest challenge. And without my friends and family would be even more difficult.

Now we sit and wait....by Thursday evening, I'll know what this is inside my body and regardless of the result I'll be able to start planning how to move forward. Yes, it could be nothing and of course that's what everyone is praying for. But what if it is something else? How thankful I am that I do know what feels "right" and what doesn't under my skin. The key is to catch it early and I want to remember nomatter today's outcome, it's important to remember to keep doing these self checks and to encourage other women to do the same.

I don't know today what to expect, but I know the planner in me has thought out the "what if this...then this..." planning. I'm thinking about what's important- where do I want to spend my time and with whom. I'm SO thankful for the valuable friendships I have in my life- friends that know when to be there and to say what when... so special. Besides Kaileigh, God's greatest gift through out my life has been the perfect friendships at the perfect times. Some have grown apart with distance and life paths, but their special spirits touched me at a time with memories I would never trade.

Before I get all sappy...my biggest point is this-- don't forget to do your own exams. Know what you feel like so you can recognize if something is there that doesn't belong! And don't be scared to talk about it. Unfortunately we're seeing more and more young and not-so-young women diagnosed with this disease that is hard to understand. And it's been eye-opening to me that although I found SOMETHING...there are quite a few things it could be.... and as I said, we'll know on Thursday...

Until then.....

*** Just recieved the news early (and boy was I working hard NOT to worry so I'm so glad it came early!!) that although I do have a tumor (a fibro atenoma) it's benign so we can leave it alone for now! This will mean more frequent Dr visits and keeping an eye on it, but Praise God it's not cancer and I won't lose my hair! I have many more thoughts on this, but I'm at work and need to log off my blog-- so... DO YOUR SELF CHECKS! I'm a proud "Frequent Fondler" as I happily shared with my Dr at my initial visit to check this think out.... :)

I Love my Ladies and I Love their Girls! :)

Henry Reunion 2010 ~ Grand Lake, CO

Five days in a cabin with 18 people is a fun experience! At least that is my personal opinion. Especially when that cabin is full of people loved by the parents hosting!

We enjoyed our time with Wilbur (Kelly's dad) and Brenda (Kelly's step-mom) along with his sister Lynne and her family, and his step-sisters Michelle & April and their families. All 9 grandchildren were together and that lead to a great "old western" picture to commemorate the trip and thank the grandparents.

Our cabin was beautiful and cozy. On a private lake, we enjoyed canoeing (don't get in with April unless you want to get wet!), fishing from the lake edge and the boat, delish family night dinners, fun desserts, lots of games and laughing!! We went on a trail ride, played putt putt and some of the girls took a watercolor paint glass. There was MUCH (and I mean MUCH) beer to be drank, poker to be played and teasing to be had.

I am so blessed to be part of this great family who knows how to be themselves no matter what and have fun! Thank you Brenda & Wilbur for the memories!!