Phat Chance

Okay, here it is, an update on the weight loss shtuff. I have been avoiding this update for a week, okay 2 weeks. I have been failing miserably. I have gained back 3 of the 4 pounds initially lost. What?!?!? Yeah, I know, that's what I said. This goes to show me that I perhaps should not have been so prideful about my weight loss Halloween weekend. But no use crying about spilled milk. I have already exercised twice this week so I'm beginning to feel a little bit better, gotta get those endorphins going ya know. And being the procrastinator that  I am that's saying a lot. I think having to admit my shame here to you now, helps me to feel a bit of accountability that perhaps I wasn't feeling before. Having to keep a weekly log of this, I would think, might help... Oh I dunno, Here's to hoping so...


Photo Source:  http://globalpatriot.com/2009/10/25/in-defense-of-food-by-michael-pollan/    

Giving Thanks

There is more to giving thanks than just giving thanks. In my heart I have come to realize giving thanks for what I have has to come from realizing what life might be like without something or someone or understanding that life and what have you could be a lot worse than it is or has been. So for this holiday season I am most thankful that I have a family that loves me and accepts me for who I am while encouraging me to strive for better. I am thankful for our new home and the chance to model responsible adulthood for my children. I am thankful that my children are not just healthy but also that Tristan is seemingly out growing his asthma and has not been hospitalized at all this year. I am thankful for the renewed intimacy and closeness in my marriage. I am thankful for my imperfect life, and the opportunity to grow and be stretched by my not so super life. I am most thankful for renewed blessings every morning, because My God is A God of second and third chances.




http://www.kandle.ie/2008/09/17/the-cross-a-sign-of-hope/

Where am I?

What in the world? It's cold outside! Who woulda thunk it? How did this happen? I know most people would say that THAT is NOT cold. and maybe they'd be right, but for my Southern Cali blood it IS cold out there. It is a nearly freezing 57*F right now, not bad for mid to end of November but golly, it snuck up on me. I suppose i ought to be thankful it's now snowing or some such nonsense, but you gotta remember I've got sunshine in my veins. There are some that would say we should live elsewhere for more cost effective living but I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Like my father, Rob, he thinks we should move to Seattle. SEATTLE!! As If! I couldn't imagine not being able to swim in the pacific, he says it's too cold for that. Then there is the constant drizzle and rain, clouds, what? Oh I'm sure it's a nice place to visit but I don't know that I could live there. As cold as I may complain it gets at least I still got that So Cal sun. And the bright side? (no pun intended) It won't be cold but for a couple of months, and then I will happily complain about the heat. Ignoring the fact that this cooler weather is a sweet reprieve.



Photo Source: http://lodging4vacations.com/laguna-beach-house-rental/

Thanks Giving

Tomorrow will be our first Thanksgiving in our home. Very exciting if not daunting. There won't be too many people here, just us and the in laws. However, having the in laws means cleaning the house. Luckily I already did the bathrooms but not so luckily all 12 4 kids are home all day. How does one clean the house and possibly keep it clean with 4 kids underfoot and following behind? I'm out of duct tape and I don't have a closet big enough. I suppose I shall delegate delegate delegate. The ear mark of a true leader hee hee. Things that must be done today... Clean kids rooms, clean living room, clean kitchen, sweep, vacuum, mop, wash walls, wash sofa covers, dust, clean the coffee machine, finish grocery list, go to the grocery store and the bank, wait... that's it? Sounds like a regular day, but I think I'll have the kids wash the walls, should keep 'em busy for a while.  To add to the stress, I'm still working out the kinks for my menu plan. Thankfully, We got the pies done yesterday. Yup, 6 pies, 6 kids, no we didn't make the pies out of the kids (although it was mighty tempting.) 4 pumpkin and 2 apple. Zeke made the pumpkin and Krystallynne made the apple. I'm kickin myself because I didn't think to bring my camera. We went to my girlfriends Grandma's house, with her 2 four year old boys and my 12 4 kids. Her Grandma is the absolute greatest. Now if only my Mother in law would answer her phone, I need some menu advice...
My giving thanks list to come...



Photo Source http://blogs.wyomingnews.com/blogs/everyonegives/2008/11/

Hair Today.... Still Hair Today

Krystallynne 11 yrs

Ezekiel 9 yrs

Tristan 4 yrs

Gianna 2 1/2 yrs

Four kids mean 4 heads of hair. Very different types of hair. Being that they are multiracial children they all have very distinct hair types.  Krystallynne, age 11, has thick wavy hair just past her shoulders, (it used to be waist length until lice hit the school, thank goodness for tea tree oil!!) which she insists on straightening each morning before school, only to return home in the evening with it pulled back. Her hair is so thick I insist she was it twice every other night and condition well. Ezekiel, age 9, has thick hair with big fat curls of which I can never get him to do anything with (guess i should be thankful it's clean... usually) It was cut into a fade but now that it is all grown out it's mostly just fat unruly curls. Tristan, age 4, has tight kinky curls but very fine hair. His hair was also cut into a fade, which, come to find out does NOT work for his hair type and has also grown out. It's all I can do to keep it clean when He lets me wash it. Finally, Gianna, age 2 1/2, has tight curls (smaller than Zeke's but not as tight as Tristan's) her hair has never been cut and I really do LOVE playing with her hair (much like I did when Krystallynne was this small) It is not easy trying to figure out my own hair much less these hoodlum's hair! What a variety! So if you should happen upon us when we are all out and about, don't be surprised if we look semi unloved! It's all I can do to make sure everyone is wearing clean draws!!

I AM A DORK

I have been informed on more than one occasion that I really am not as funny as I think I am. Most recently by Miss Stephanie. I have to say, I am quite witty. Yes, quite. I think I am the funniest thing since America's Funniest Home Videos, although it just occurred to me that some of the videos aren't really that funny. I have learned though that some of my self professed funniness comes from my quick wit and even worse sarcasm. There are things one can hear and have a funny reply for but at what cost? Can it be hurtful to another in the room or will it give those that hear you reply a tainted view of who you really are? What about any children present? What do your idle words teach them about appropriateness and yes, thoughtfulness? These are all serious thing to consider, all of which I am trying to become more aware of. I have come to realize that I do in fact have a sharp tongue at times, all under the clever rouse of humor. Although, admittedly, a lot of what I can say can be funny, I have to temper it with gentleness. I have a tendency to pop off at the mouth and regret it later. Then, on the flip side, not only do I feel kinda lame if my "jokes" are a little too harsh, but what if they fall flat? You know, like when you make a funny and your the ONLY one who thinks it's funny. Yeah, that's me too. Guess I think I'm too smart for my own good sometimes. And if I manage to make a funny, I laugh, out loud. According to Miss Stephanie (and others, sorry for picking on you) my laughing at my own jokes is what makes others laugh too. Of course there is always the most unintentional part of my humor, my very great and vast, clumsiness. I posses the fine art of hitting my head on the top of the refrigerator while retrieving a gallon of milk, or perhaps the time I hit my head on the frame of the car while trying to get in, and the time I got my hand stuck in the handle of the refrigerator while sticking a dish towel there and walking past at the same time. How about how I can never seem to make it through a meal without dropping something down the front of me. I wish I could say I was embarrassed but alas I am not. I find it all to be the utmost entertainment. A dork? Yes. Me? FOREVER! And here I thought I was just exceptionally cute. (side note: I don't say I'm cute, I've been told I'm cute) And popular belief leads me to appreciate it really is just part of my charm. I do have to do a small amount of finger pointing here, I come by my sarcastic humor honest, my Dad is a brilliant quick wit as well as my brother and several others in my family. Just as the corny side of my humor comes from my mother. The cutest woman to ever live and make herself crack up. In conclusion, my new favorite phrase that sometimes keeps me out of trouble: This is me, keeping my clever comments to myself.... 

Phoolishness

It has recently occurred to me that I pay Weight Watchers to weigh me every week. With the money I've spent to be a member I could have just bought a scale by now. I'm supposed to be tracking what I eat, every little bit I put in my mouth including what I drink. I haven't. I should but well, I've gotten lazy. Very lazy. While I did manage to lose 8 oz last week, I know that I've been cheating, cheating myself. The good news, however, is that all the Halloween candy is long gone. My kids took it to school, my oldest called me from the nurses office last week with a tummy ache, ha ha on her! (no I did not pick her up early). Then there is the whole move more business. Much easier said than done. My commitment is to engage in some sort of physical activity 3 times this week. Walking or a dvd or even the gym, just something that will total 3 full hours of exercise before I go weigh in next Saturday. So to date I have lost 4 pounds in 4 weeks. Time to step it up, Tiffanie, time to step it up.  


Photo Source
http://www.clipartof.com/details/clipart/4634.html

Cali King

Why do I wake up in the middle of the night, to find that my bed has been invaded by my very own personal space invaders? (read: kids) After having nursed my youngest child for almost 2 years, I am dismayed that my sweet darling husband has the nerve to INVITE toddlers to sleep in our bed! Oh, what's the big deal? Only that I've spent the better part of 4 years with some little mongrel in my bed!(and I'm not talking about ny husband) Oh I know, they're so small they couldn't possibly take up that much space right? Logically, Right. But everyone should know, there is NO logic where there are 2 and 4 year olds involved. It's a California King sized bed, there should be plenty of room. Well, yeah, there SHOULD be. But there is not. Hence the term, personal space INVADERs. You try waking up with someones cute little shin across your neck at 3 o'clock in the morning, try to roll over and nearly fall off the bed. How these tiny lil creatures sleep so soundly whilst spinning like a top all over the bed is absolutely beyond me. But they're so warm and snuggley he says, yeah, right, if you like being elbowed in the kidney before you even knew they were in the bed.... And at the risk of repeating myself, they do have their own beds, Ya know? So much for intimacy... Whatever that means.
Oh The Joys , The joys...

because as I try to type this I am being climbed on, spit on, yelled at and pinched....
I still think I should have just got a puppy...



Photo Source
http://www.clipartguide.com/_pages/0511-0811-0418-5937.html

If I Had It To Do Over Again...

If I had it to do over again, would I even WANT to do it over again? Eh, maybe not. I'm finally getting to the point where I can look myself in the mirror and say I like you. I really and honestly like who I am becoming. There are a lot of people who say "If I knew then what I know now". Well, for one thing IF that were true, it wouldn't be a fair fight for the rest of us. I can say that my life growing up SUCKED, and I can also say that most of my adulthood did too. So, what's the point? The point is, that if it weren't for the crumby parts I would be who I am today. Then there's the whole regrets thing. Yeah, I said the r word. Everyone has regrets cause ya know, hind sight is ALWAYS 20/20. I guess I've begun to come to grips with the choices I've made and the things that have happened. In the grand scheme of things, after a while it doesn't matter so much "what happened" but rather what will you do about it now?  We can choose to wallow in the pity and be angry at life, others, or even ourselves, but what good does that do? What does that achieve? Don't get me wrong having regret can be good, in that it can keep us from doing or not doing as the case may be, over and over again with out remorse. God has forgiven me my sins, why shouldn't I forgive myself (and others) as well. To carry around anger or regret as it were, for someone, even oneself can be much heavier than the burden God requires us to carry. So rather than living in the darkness of regret, I choose to learn from my mistakes, forgive myself, and move forward accepting my past so that I can have a better future.   




Photo Source
http://robertodamico.it/gallery.html

Still Phat

Okay, so I've been doing weight watchers for a couple of weeks now and, (drum roll please) I have lost a whole 3.2 pounds. Yup, yay me! I still hate having to write everything down, and truth be told I haven't been doing it consistently, but I think I'm beginning to adjust to the daily point intake. I gotta admit I was a lil nervous what with Halloween candy and everything, but you know, the trick is to save the wrappers of all the candy you eat through out the day. I found out that the little mini's are worth 1 point and the snack sizes are 2. I also found out how quickly you can stack the mini's. So I began to collect the wrapper's daily (since I wasn't exactly writing it all down) and it was a great reminder that I had some chocolate earlier and yes it was very satisfying.
Exercise, my arch nemesis. That is a struggle for me, after all consistency is key. It helps that I have enlisted the "help" of a friend. We make an effort to walk or do something 3 times a week, again I'm still working on consistency. Turns out self discipline is not as easy as some make it look. My friend, Stephanie, and I did this work out on Saturday morning, and good golly, it kicked my butt! I'm still sore!  But all complaining aside I WILL walk or do something TODAY! 5 more pounds and I will have reached my first goal. I'll keep you updated, after all I need the accountability too.


Photo Source  http://www.polyvore.com/fat_stick_figure/thing?id=10811715