Thinner Thursday Update

Without telling people, I took a week off from blogging. I've been really tired, busy, and obsessed with a book. I'd rather use my free time to read, so I am! Good news- I'm almost finished with the book and will return to our regularly scheduled blogging next week. With all that said, I couldn't skip today because it's an accountability issue for me.

Today I weigh 207.2 pounds. Not bad considering I haven't counted calories in a week, went to the river house for the weekend with friends ( = bad food), and did no exercise in any way shape or form. Last week I weighed 208.8, so that's a 1.6 pound weight loss for the week and a 16.2 total loss. I haven't been doing much snacking, so that's helped, plus I've cooked almost all of our meals for the last week. They weren't super duper healthy, but less calories than eating out.

Tomorrow morning I have the first part of my "assessment" with my soon-to-be personal trainer. She'll be taking my measurements & such. In her e-mail she said to wear spandex or tight fitting clothes to get accurate measurements which made me laugh out loud. I own no spandex and typically stick to baggier clothes. Check out Faith's Facebook page for Flair for Fitness if you are interested in pursuing a personal trainer! As soon as school is out, I'll be adding my measurements and new weekly schedule for work-outs and eating. So ready to do this!

Friend Friday: Alicia Medford Edition

I met Alicia maybe 8 years ago? We were both going to Waters Edge, and Rob and I immediately liked her. Her maiden name is Bessey, so from the beginning until present day, that's what we call her. For short, I call her Bess. I actually have a couple of friends that I still call by their maiden names despite them being married- aka Keener & Bittner!! Meet Bessey.

One of our first adventures together was a camping trip years ago with Rob, Jamey, and Rose. It was awesome!

Bessey radiates joy. She is always smiling a huge smile and has a fantastic laugh. She loves Jesus and it shows in all she does. Everyone seems to know Bessey, too. She never meets a stranger! She's the best at investing in relationships. I would say we've always known each other and were friends, but once we hit mommy-hood we truly became friends. Much like dating, she pursued me! :) Ha! Alicia was so incredible at texting and calling and coming over to hang out! She understood (well, understands) that it was easier for her to come to me since she just had one baby and I had two. She understands that I don't have a car to take Reese, Hayden, and Connor anywhere on the days I'm home, so she comes to me! I appreciate how much she cares in all she does. (She's also a consignment shopping queen!)

A little blurry- but four kids under 2 at the time! Her son, Abram, is standing in the middle!

We get to share one of life's biggest privileges together- mommies! We are real and honest with one another about our joys and struggles with being a mom and life in general. Alicia is so authentic! We also talk wife together. My Rob was honored to marry Alicia and her Rob! She's obviously brilliant- she married a Rob. When we talk, we always say "my Rob" as if there would be confusion. Ha!

So beautiful! Alicia, my Rob, and her Rob!

Me, Court, and Linds watching the wedding!

She looked gorgeous! It was the hottest day of the year for sure!

Alicia is step-mom to Elijah and loves him well. They have Abram who is 1 1/2 years old. Alicia and Rob are welcoming their third son into the world this June! From what I understand, they plan to have more and I'm crossing my fingers it's a girl so Reesie has a buddy!! She honors her husband in all she says and does. In fact, she blogged about some of her rules for marriage on my blog here. When Rob and Alicia found out Rob was starting a church, they asked lots of great questions and then asked us if they could join us during this adventure. We have been blessed by them and I am so excited to do life with them! Thanks for being so great Alicia! You are amazing!

Definitely our first photo together- 6 years ago, maybe?

Thinner Thursday Update

Today I weigh:

208.8

That, my friends, is another gain. Sigh. Granted it's only a 0.6 gain, but it's another week in a row of a gain. Rob and I love eating crappy food. We didn't need the cheese fries as an appetizer on our date last night, but we got them. I need someone to go with us, order for us, and slap us if we try to order junk. It's still a 14.6 pound total loss, but I have apparently jumped ship. Huge motivating factor last night when I went through our mail! I got my letter from Faith from Flair for Fitness! It's all the stuff I need to fill out to start working with her as soon as school is out! I can't wait. It's just what I need to take it to the next level. I'm also working on a mix for my i-pod I'm pretty excited about. Bring it on Memorial Day weekend trip to the river house! Hopefully it won't be too bad in the eating department!

Wife Wednesday

Rob is so much classier than me. It got back to us that not only was someone talking about him negatively to someone else, but they shared things that weren't even true. I asked if he was going to call or e-mail the person who said it (we would probably call this person a friend to Rob), and he just kind of smiled and said no. It just rolled right off of him for two reasons. He exudes grace. He also knows what is true. Rob has a sensitive heart and I know it bothers him when people are unhappy with him, but he appeared to just let this roll right off. Again, he's gracious and holds on to truth. We don't allow others to define us, only God. As his wife, I learned so much from him this week. I pray I can be as gracious as Rob. I've been praying this verse for us this week:

Philippians 4:8~ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

Sometimes it is so easy to go negative. I'm holding on to this verse!

Manic Monday

man·ic adjective pertaining to or affected by mania

mania noun excessive excitement or enthusiasm

Much like robshep.com’s Mind Dumps, Manic Monday is just a snapshot of the random excitement that is inside my head.

• I have had a twitch in my right eye for circa 5 days. With the exception of one bad night for the twins, I've been getting plenty of sleep and I am not stressed out. 
• I took Tylenol PM Saturday night and slept for over 9 hours, but it still didn't help. The twitch was still there Sunday morning! Summer needs to hurry and get here! I think the beach will cure it.
• We had a crazy weekend. Friday evening we had a rehearsal dinner for our friends Geoff and Kara. Courtney and Danielle watched the kids for us. It was at a bed and breakfast in Williamsburg followed by dinner at an Italian place on Richmond Road. It was delicious! The weather was beautiful too. Courtney hung out after we got home and we watched the Lakers win!
• We lounged around Saturday morning, got ready for the wedding, and took the kids to the Froyens. Hayden and Reese love it there, and they had a blast. We spent the day outdoors at the bed and breakfast, chatting with friends, and snacking on food.
• We considered eating out in Williamsburg (kid free and aren't up there much), but we were too full from appetizers. We ran into the outlets real quick, got the kids, and headed home. I was asleep before ten. Rob was snoring before that!
• He was trying to take a nap (yes, at 9:30 pm) so he could watch the Laker game which started at 10:30. I think he got up for the end of it, but LA lost by three. Sad, sad, sad.
• They are down 3-1 in this series, so it's not looking great. Courtney blamed me for this loss because I didn't sleep in my jersey as I had for the last game which we won. I was too tired to think!
• It's hard not to be part of the problem & instead be part of the solution. It's super easy to go negative with others. Hoping to learn to be a better leader through these types of situations.
• We just hit our two month mark living with Rob's parents. I think it is still going great! We are working hard to save, save, save. Our first goal is to buy a newer, used van in cash, and we are getting close. 
• I am not sure that I am van material. I test drove a friend's last week, and while there was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't me. I've driven a Mustang, a Honda, and a Jetta my whole driving life- vans are just a wee bit bigger!
• We need to just spend some time looking at other options before we commit. Suggestions are welcomed! The double stroller takes up a ton of space, and we'd like to have room for one or two more people (and one day their friends). We'll start doing more road trips with them soon, so it needs to be gas friendly. 
• Would it be wrong to pray for a free Lexus SUV? Because that is what I really want. In my dreams. :) 
• Instead, these are a few of the things I really am praying for. That I'll finish this school year strong and well. That Rob would continue to seek God and earnestly pursue what God wants for him, our family, and our church. That Hayden and Reese would one day find their identity in Christ & not in anything else. That the people at our new church would love Jesus, love people, and make a difference.

How can I pray for you?

Thinner Thursday Update

Busy week! Today, I weigh 208.2. I forgot my camera because I had no clue what day it was. Twins will do that to you.

That is a total of 15.2 pounds gone. It's a gain for this week. I've gotten lazy and lost focus. I have got to stop making excuses. I must start tracking, measuring, and counting again. Something has to change. Short & sweet today- got things to do! Like go for a walk, eat a carrot stick, and clean out the fridge.

Wife Wednesday

This is one of our very first photos together, if not our very first. This was summer of 2000 if I remember correctly. We weren't dating at the time, but I liked him. Who can resist those blond tips??

We dated for a hot second about eight months before this photo. You should know that Rob dumped me my junior year of college. He dumped me good. In his defense, he didn't want to string me along because he wasn't sure I was the one for him. He didn't want to waste my time and was trying to protect me in the long run. I still cried. We didn't even date that long. Still cried.

Don't fear. We started dating less than two months after this picture, got engaged five months after this picture, and married almost exactly one year to the date of this photo being taken. A lot can change in a year. I'm very thankful for that simple fact.

One year ago today, we were comfortable. We were in a nice house, had two month old twins, and had good jobs. Today, we live with Rob's parents, have fourteen month old twins, I'm about to become a stay at home mom, and Rob has followed God's call to start a church. While we were comfortable last year, we are at peace and full of joy and excitement today! We've lost friendships in the last year, and we've begun new relationships this year. A lot can change in a year!

I can't imagine experiencing life year to year without Rob. He is our family's strength. He loves Jesus, seeks God's will for us, and is the heart of our family. I don't worry about next year, let alone next week because of our faith and trust in God. I hope you have that same freedom. Life isn't great because Rob is amazing; life is great because God is faithful.

Where have you seen God's faithfulness in your life?