Saturday Breakfast while doing Laundry
Saturday, March 17
The Weekly Wrap {3.10.12}
Friday, March 16
Unscripted: No Safe Place
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. Psalms 10:14-18I've been angry, heart-broken and sickened lately by the injustices committed against children in our world. Yes, I'm angry at the LRA/Kony crimes that have recently headlined social media and the news. But there are so many more examples of children being used and abused, some a little too close to my heart.
I'm burdened. Thinking about the mistreatment of children not only angers me, with what I can only describe as a righteous fury, it brings me to a place in my past that I don't want to talk about or remember. But here I am, faced with the ache in my heart for the lives and well being of the millions of children suffering at the hands of others in our world. Here I am remembering what it feels like to have no where to turn, no safe place.
Let me be clear that: in no way do I pretend to know what it is like to be abducted from my family and forced into submission as a child soldier. And in no way do I pretend to be able to fathom what being forced into sex-trafficking is like. That, thank God, is not my story. I do know what neglect feels like, I know what abuse feels like, and I know what being used as a weapon of retaliation looks like too.
I've touched on the brokenness of my family before on this blog, and feeling unwanted as a child. I have yet to talk about the custody battles and family court, and being a "ward" of the state as a result of my biological parents selfishness and bitter hatred for one another. I have yet to talk about the seeds of poison planted in my heart by the continuous barrage of manipulative messages bent on warping my heart towards one parent or another.
The last week has been especially trying on my heart, as I've been praying for two little girls who are experiencing this same kind of trauma and fear. They fear not being taken care of, they fear threatened physical violence, and they fear total abandonment. They feel they have no safe place.
Through becoming a mother, God has put a deep longing in my heart to be a safe place for these children. I don't know exactly what this looks like, and I don't have all of the answers, but I trust God to reveal his plan day by day. I want to protect these little girls, I want to rescue others like them. I want them to know how much they matter to God, how much they are loved, even those I have yet to know, I have loved.
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Thursday, March 15
Muffintop Meltdown {v.11} Ouch!
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 0!! Finally hit that plateau!
Total Weight Lost: 18 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 3.5!!
Total Inches Lost: 28 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 60
Points Balance: 137
I am so sore. And tired. I always know that I've had a great workout when it hurts to sit on the toilet seat. Oh the pain of daily workouts with Jillian Michaels. This lady knows what she is doing! It isn't helping that Zion has been waking up in the middle of the night lately and I'm getting fragmented sleep which cannot be great for muscle recovery. Today is day five of the 30 day program and tomorrow I'll be adding a little more intensity by using weights. (I started by just using body weight to get the hang of things).
Today I thought I'd share with you a couple of the things I want when I get to my ideal weight, and feel confident enough:
The first thing I want and will need is an updated wardrobe. Yesterday I bought a new pair of jeans a size smaller than I've been wearing. I realize it will soon be time to get smaller shirts too. Most of all though, I really want to buy clothes that I love, that really represent my style. I think when I've reached my goal, I'm going to be honest about my closet…you will see that I've been stuck in wearing things that have either been given to me or are just simple and plain because I didn't want to buy anything until I reached my goal. I can't wait for my big shopping date…I'm believing it will be right before my 4 year wedding anniversary! :)
I've been wanting to do a few crazy and fun things to my hair, but have always worked in a corporate environment…that is until becoming a stay-at-home mom. I am by all means a wild colored hair, nose piercing type of girl, but because of forced conservatism I've not had the opportunity to break out of the doldrums. This is going to change. I feel like I can only pull off the look I want at my ideal weight. So, unless I get there, the extreme makeover - mama gone wild edition will have to wait!
What rewards are motivating you to stay on track with your goals?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I've been getting up every morning and doing the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels (and my hubby!)
Not really by choice, but I've been drinking way less coffee since I started working out.
I'd like to work more on:
I NEED SLEEP, I REPEAT I NEED SLEEP!
Eating at the scheduled times: I've been slacking on eating in the first hour upon waking, plus not consistently eating every 2-3 hours!
I totally cheated when:
I've been cheating a bit, but wait, it isn't what you think. I have had more calories than I would if I was just sticking to the plan, but they have been good calories: extra veggies, a bit more lean protein.
Okay, I confess I did have a few bites of coconut ice cream at lunch on Sunday…but I promise…it was less than 1/4 cup!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
21 - 22 Month Update
Every single day you do something new and wonderful.
Yesterday, you started jumping on the regular floor for the first time. Up until this point, the only actual jumping was limited to Mommy & Daddy's bed, but now…you can jump from a stationary position. You get so excited and giggly every time you do it.
I now understand why those who have older children always tell me to take videos as frequently as possible, tons of pictures, and write everything down. It is because each day with you now is filled with wonder and awe as you experience new things and gain new understanding.
Your joy is infectious. Your giggles and laughter are worth more to me than all the riches of this world. When you look at me and tell me you are happy, I can't help but smile and feel grateful for the lovely little girl you are quickly becoming.
And now, your daddy and I talk somewhat nostalgically each night as we retire those baby words that are no longer, and accept your revised proper pronunciations. A few biggies: Instead of "I wah tee" you now say "I Love You." Instead of "Tee tee" you now say "Thank-You". And there are several others but I must admit I get a little bit choked up as I think about it.
You are smart, observant and adventurous. Willful yes, but also well-behaved. You are learning to express yourself in healthy ways , and have fewer tantrums and meltdowns. Although when you do, oh wow…those fits you know how to throw are quite a dramatic sight to behold.
Luckily you and I have been working on communication, and when you feel heard and understood, you do very very well. I've learned a few things from improving our communication that have actually helped mommy and daddy communicate better too!
Foods you enjoy: chicken, salmon, fish sticks, turkey bacon, oatmeal, apple sauce, apple juice, plums, bananas, grapes, strawberries, Popsicles, roasted seaweed, beans, rice, macaroni & cheese, turkey burgers, bread (toasted…always toasted), chocolate milk, water (you drink a ton daily), goldfish crackers, string cheese, yogurt, animal crackers, anything that comes with a dipping sauce: including veggies…(thank you Lord!), and treats of any kind.
You still do the squirrelly face on command, please, do not ever give that up. :) You also started saying, "Oh goodness" whenever you fall down or do something clumsy. It is so adorable. You say "Hi People" to people on the subway, walking down the street and pretty much anywhere you go. You sometimes follow that with, "How Doin?" Another thing that is really cute that you say is, "So yummies!" about anything that tastes good to you.
You made Daddy's day last Friday when he got home before you were in bed, and you told him, "Daddy, So happy to see you." He may not admit it to you but it put tears in his eyes. You sure know how to make your mommy and daddy feel loved. Speaking of love…you are growing in your relationship with God, "Big Dada" as you call him, daily. You pray every night with me and always say your own prayers when I am done. Sometimes I hold back a little giggle when you pray that God would help you to use the stepping stool to get something that is just out of your reach. Such a sweet innocence.
We love you so much.
Mommy
Wednesday, March 14
Having Each Other's Backs...
I recently watched an episode of Up All Night, where Christina Applegate's character Reagan goes on a mean-spree through the airport in her stress of traveling with an infant, all the while her husband Chris, played by Will Arnett, follows behind her apologizing for her and trying to play it cool.
At one point, Reagan just looks at her husband Chris, and asks him, "Why can't you just have my back?"
What I didn't expect is that, a couple days after watching this show, I was confronted with a similar sentiment from my husband. Find out how it all went down over at Dominique's Desk, where I'm guest posting today!
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What I didn't expect is that, a couple days after watching this show, I was confronted with a similar sentiment from my husband. Find out how it all went down over at Dominique's Desk, where I'm guest posting today!
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