Monday Musings

Can you believe it?? 29 pounds and 33.25 inches in 12 weeks. I never would have believed it when I began this journey in early January. The first picture was taken the second Saturday (after the first 7 pounds went away), the second one was taken a week ago.

I have 12 more pounds to my goal, and if the pace continues these next 6 weeks as it has the past 12, I will reach my goal during Phase III. The program, as I have mentioned before, is called PRISM. It is usually done through a church, but you can do it by yourself with an accountability partner. We have a lesson to read each day, questions to answer about our personal journeys, and a very informative DVD at each meeting.

I have avoided meetings and fees for years, ever since I "backslid" from my Weight Watchers success. I tried to do it on my own, confident that I could. I have never believed in eliminating a food group from my diet. But it is amazing to me how I was able to eliminate sugar and white flower without batting an eye, because they are things that we not only don't need, but are really not good for us. It was also great to meet each week and share our successes and challenges with friends and my sister.

Of course, working out 5 days a week for at least 45 minutes has helped as well, not to mention the water consumption I have increased. Suffice it to say, I am very happy and excited. I look forward to actually maintaining this time! When your 5-year-old grandgirl makes a comment on your shrinking figure, you know it's good!

The spiritual aspect of this journey has been a huge plus. I have enjoyed the scriptures the writers of the program have found to encourage us as we go.

I Timothy 4:15-16 - "Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." (The Living Bible).

Proverbs 4:25-27 - "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left . . . " (NIV).

Habakkuk 2:3 - "But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (TLB

Easter was wonderful. The whole week. Our new pastor is a wonderful preacher, and he and his wife are a great musical team. Over 400 people came through our 8th annual Easter Marketplace, and the weather even halfway cooperated. The twins didn't enjoy the Marketplace - too many people and too much confusion. I ended up bringing them home with me so the big girls could have fun with Kristen. Thus, no pictures.

But earlier in the week we had a fun egg hunt in our back yard, just the girls and me. They had their annual egg coloring event with Great Aunt G and brought the eggs over to my house - it was spring break, so I had all 4 of them on Tuesday and Thursday. I was impressed with the egg-hiding abilities of both Feisty and Care Bear. (Note the residual snow piles?)




The flowers are finally showing their beautiful faces - I'm still waiting for the first daffodil.







I bought myself a bouquet of roses - just couldn't resist. I enjoyed them very much --






Saturday night, since I always have the girls, I got to be the Easter Bunny for the first time in awhile. The girls really got into it, leaving him (her?) notes and gifts. Care Bear has the amazing ability to write backwards - don't know what that will do for her along the way, but it is something I sure never thought of doing!







I had not experienced the early morning excitement of kids when they wake up to their baskets full of goodies in a very long time - I was half asleep, but getting a real kick out of their animated 6:00 a.m. conversation. We got to church for breakfast by 8:00 - nothing short of amazing! Here's the only picture I got - not good, but cute nevertheless.



As I mentioned in the previous post, Kristen got sick again during the night - it has been a very rough year for her (and all of us as a result). We treasure and count on your prayers.