It all started with the simple idea of seeing the sights. Getting on a boat and taking a tour of the North Carolina Islands seemed harmless enough. The entire family... six of us in total... donned the proper attire and climbed on board. The boat kicked into high gear and sped off in a direction unknown to me. The waves kicked up... in my face most of the time... and the kids laughed.

Suddenly, without warning, the weather turned dark and the water became rough. People were getting a little... sick.
The boat turned over and we were washed ashore onto one of the islands that we had luckily come close to before the storm. Luckily this island was covered in delicious, sweet watermelon that we lived on for days.

As soon as the weather cleared we were saved!!! Just in time to save us from the natives too!!!
While on the island, a beautiful romance blossomed..... we lived happily ever after!
Ok, so none of what I typed happened... but the pictures did! We took a great boat ride out on one of the lakes here. We found a nice sandy beach to open up a watermelon we had brought while the kids got their feet wet! The weather was beautiful the whole time.... oh! and no one got sick, she was leaning over the boat trying to wash the watermelon off her face and hands!!

I am, however, deeply in love and looking forward to that happily ever after part!!

PS... Holding steady at 173 lbs. With all the activity we are doing, who has time for eating??

A Path Within a Path.

Being in a new town, in a new house with a new schedule and new living arrangements can be, well, new. Its not stressful, as some would imagine, but just the opposite. I'm surrounded with family and the comforts of home. My girls are in a happy place... loving their new environment, family and animals!

Since being here I have yet to have an episode of heartburn... tummy pains... or anxiety. If I feel the beginnings of any of it I step out the front door and take in the beauty that lays just beyond the first step. The different birds that swoop in off the towering trees. The playful squirrels that hang upside down from the hammock and chase their tails up a tree. The peace of just being here.

This move, as scary as it was to make, was for the best. I keep praying everyday that God will continue to show us the path He wants us to take.

As for this weight loss blog... well, its still going to be here. At least for a little while longer. I am at 173.2 as of this morning. I will try to be better about posting on here... xoxox

Back In The Saddle Again....

Its time to get moving again. I'm not sure how traveling across the country, eating junk, car sickness or dehydration have affected my weight. I have my trusty scale in the back of my car, but have yet to take it out and step on it. I think I am holding steady at 173/175... we shall see tomorrow.

The best part of it all right now is that my sister wants me to help her lose some weight. This means a little more motivation for me to stay on track with my eating and working out too! Maybe I can get her to start a weightloss blog of her own!! wink, wink!!

So, tomorrow morning I will be posting my weight (and maybe Sis too) .... posting our workout schedule and our goals for the week.

Across the country in three days....

What a trip!!

We started out in Northern Arizona where the winds were blowing so hard it actually knocked over two 18 wheelers! They ended up closing the Interstate, but not until we were already well on our way to New Mexico!

N.M. was just more wind. We spent the whole time clenching our jaws and trying to keep the vehicles on the road. I did see some beautiful red rock mountains though... I think!

Then it was into Texas, where we would spend our first night. Texas was flat as a pancake... with lots of green grass everywhere. I really enjoyed it. We spent the night in a small town east of Amarillo.

At 3 a.m. the next morning I woke up to my oldest daughter throwing up. We think it was just a case of junk food and car sickness. Anyway, we figured we were all up, might as well start driving.... this put us in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma was covered with storm clouds. Every time I looked around I had flashbacks of the movie 'Twister". Just when I was starting to feel like we were gonna be safe... traffic slows to a crawl and I see debris all over the road. On the right my daughter is pointing at all the trees that are knocked over and broken in half... on the left I see, what used to be, a gas station. It was blown to pieces. That gave me the second wind to keep driving and get the heck out of there.

We drove for 14 hours that day.... Thru OK and Arkansas and stopping for our second night in Jackson, TN. I have to say that the most beautiful city we saw this whole trip is Memphis. The city on the water is amazing to see. Breath taking.

We got up and out of the hotel at 7 there time. 5 our time. After 8 more hours of beautiful country, we finally arrived at my sisters house in North Carolina! I have to say it is wonderful to be here.

I am still struggling with car sickness... I think it may take another day or two for my stomach to feel hungry again. But we are here and all is well. Hubby is already up and out the door for breakfast with the brother in law. I'm still laying in bed with two sleeping kids. Looking out the window I see tall green trees and hear nothing but nature. Life is good.

Its Moving Day!!!

This is it. Our adventure is starting today!

This is it....

Packing my house has been quite the battle, but a cleansing one. I've been able to let go of a lot of things that I held on to..... old letters, little trinkets, things I might need one day, clothes I will never wear again (no matter what size I am), toys that my girls have out grown, etc.

I am down to just a few boxes left to pack. Mainly the kitchen boxes (we still need to eat!). We get the truck on Monday and start driving across country on Tuesday! I am so excited for the adventure... and I think the excitement has finally overcome the fear. I'm at the point where I just want to go, go, go! I've been waking up at 5 a.m. to start cleaning stuff up and get more done.... and not going to bed until 10 p.m.... and then sleeping like a rock! I've woken up the past two mornings in the same position I fell asleep in!

The girls are just as excited. They were a huge help in packing up their room. When we were done they thought it was time to go, go, go! and were very disappointed that we had to wait 3 more days. I know they don't 100% understand what we are doing, but they are very adventurous girls and I know they are just as ready as I am to get out of this town and to see something new.

As for my diet. I'm doing ok. I'm holding steady at 175 lbs. As long as I keep to eating foods that don't bother my stomach, I'm fine. The funny thing is that I am really looking forward to taking my first run at sea level!! Hmmmm... hope I didn't already pack my running shoes!!

I pack my computer up tomorrow.... so my next post will be coming from the east coast!! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of the move and our drive across the country!! <3

The World is a Sadder Place...

I found out yesterday that the man I referred to as my 'Godfather' passed away. Dirty Ed was a retired DEA agent. He was my Dad's partner in Mexico City, Mex back in the day and they were lucky enough to retire only blocks away from each other. They played golf on a daily basis and were the best of friends. They were quite the pair, The Redneck and The Coon Ass.

When my Dad passed away years ago, Dirty Ed stepped up and took care of us. He was always there when I needed a shoulder and some good advice. My Dad left him strict orders to take care of me when he died and I wish I could have told Dirty Ed that he did one hell of a job.

I'd like to think that Dirty Ed and my Dad are up on that golf course in the sky.. getting ready to tee off for another 18.

Gluten Free

For the last couple of weeks I have been sick after every meal. Nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, cramping... etc. Not a happy girl. I have heard a number of possibilities ranging from ulcer to Celiac (unable to digest gluten)

So, as of yesterday I am on a gluten free diet.

Do you know how many things contain gluten???? Pretty much anything that comes out of a box, bag, can or wrapper! This means in order to eat gluten free you have to eat SUPER clean. Yesterday I ate mostly salads... with a yummy steak I grilled on the BBQ for dinner! Today my tummy feels better. So, I went to the natural food store and bought some GF staples. Some hot cereal for breakfast (covered in blue and blackberries!!) and some GF bread.

I'm also drinking 2 oz of Aloe Vera Juice every day to sooth my tummy. It is the worst tasting stuff I've ever had, but it seems to be working.

As for the move.. we have 10 days left!! I am slowly getting things done now. One or two boxes a day. Today's goal is to get the girls closet packed and organized... this has been my goal for the last week. Hopefully I get the nerve up to do it today!

Still Sexy After All These Years!!!!

Me and Preggo!

I know, its been a week since I posted... its been hectic. I did, however, take a day off to drive 2 hours south and meet my bestest friend (I'll call her 'Preggo'. At least for the next 6 months!) in the world for lunch before we move 1889 miles away. It was a fun time. I took my Mom with me on the drive, it was good mom/daughter time that we rarely get to have, and met Preggo at a town exactly half way between us!

I've known Preggo since my Junior year in high school. We were roommates after graduation and shared some hilarious times together. After losing touch for a couple of years we found each other again... only to learn that we had both found Jesus and had become Christians. Sixteen years later we are still laughing at/with each other. We are both wives and now we will both be mothers! I am sad to leave her so far behind... but I'm glad she will always be in my life. I plan on coming back for a visit when the baby is born!!

Funny little side note: I will be living less then 2 hours away from Preggo's sister in our new home!!!