Cake GIVEAWAY at Kelly's Cakes and More!

Kelly's Cakes and More is having a GIVEAWAY! Be sure to visit my page on facebook, become a fan by "liking" my page and if you're local, you'll be entered into a drawing for a free character cake once I reach 130 fans! Check it out! You CAN have your cake...and eat it too! ;)

Dr. Phil, my new BFF!

     I wish I had been blogging when I went through my weight loss journey, but I still want to share my story in hopes of helping someone else. I was so fed up with my weight and how I looked that I decided it was time to get serious about it. On January 1, 2009 I started following Dr. Phil's nutrition plan. I bought his book, his nutrition guide and his cookbook...all for under $20 on eBay. I drank tons of water (80-110 oz/day), and I began walking 5 days a week. The walking turned into running and on May 9th, 2009 I ran my first 5K race. I was instantly addicted and ran a 5K, 8K, or 10K at least once a month after that! The plan isn't hard to follow, the water filled me up so I wasn't hungry, and the best thing of all is that it isn't a diet. Sure, you lose weight, but you are taught to eat correctly. Most people who follow fad diets gain all their weight back as soon as they stop. You have to make a lifestyle change! If the diet is something you do temporarily, then the weight will only come off temporarily. Also, many diets leave out a certain food group. It's not healthy to eat only protein, or only vegetables! You need all of your food groups! Anyway, you don't even need to buy anything to lose weight and get healthy. I didn't read his entire book. I used the cookbook only a few times but everything I tried, with the exception of just one, was great! The nutrition guide helped me the most. The plan is listed and the nutritional values and portion sizes are all included. There are even sample menus. My normal day went like this:

Breakfast: 1 protein, 1 dairy, 1 fruit, 1 grain

Snack: 1 fruit

Lunch: 1 protein, 2 veg

Snack: 1 dairy

Dinner: 1 protein, 2 veg    

Water, water, water and nothing to eat after dinner.

Exercise 5+ times/week

It took me 5 and 1/2 months to reach my goal weight! I went from a size 14 at 162 lbs to a size 4-6 at 120 lbs. I lost 42 lbs and several inches. I had never felt better! I especially love when I tell someone I have 5 kids and their jaw hits the floor! SO...if I can do it, you can too!

     I ate at the same time every day and it was easy to stick to because I was working full time, 12-9pm, M-F. I ate breakfast in the morning, my first snack on the way to work and then ate lunch and dinner on my two 15 minute breaks  (2 and 7pm) and ran on my lunch hour (4-5pm). 

     I kept all of the weight off for over a year. When our company closed its doors in April 2010, I went from being a full-time worker, to being a stay-at-home mom again. That really disrupted my routine and unfortunately since then I have gained some of that weight back....about 18 lbs actually. :( I got in the habit of eating whenever the kids ate and not drinking all of my water, etc. I started school again in June, 10 years after graduating from college the first time, and last semester I got sick. Multiple colds, terrible allergies, conjunctivitis in both eyes, and then mono! BUT... I am back in the game! Dr. Phil and I are reconnecting and now that most of my sickness (3 months worth!) is gone I am getting that weight right back off! I have the cutest size 4 dress that Harley bought me and I want to wear it again as soon as Spring is here. I also want to wear my little black dress that I bought for myself and really feel confident in it again! I'm still wearing my size 6s, but they are not so comfy. So, this is it! If you're trying to lose a lot or even just a little join me and let's take our bodies back! :)   

Before and after photos...  

                                           Above: BEFORE sz 14, 162 lbs 

                                           Below: AFTER! sz 4-6, 120 lbs

          "Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels!"

We're Back!

We're back! Woohoo! 2 years and 2 months later, I have finally decided to update our blog. It only took me several days and countless attempts to recover my password, but here I am!

In April of 2010, Semperian closed its doors and I decided to go back to school. In fact, prior to the announcement I had already made up my mind about school and already had everything in the works. God's timing is perfect! Everything worked out beautifully! 10 years after graduating from Gonzaga with my bachelor's degree I went back to school. I took an online computer class and a 4-week A&P class in June. WOW! That was an incredibly difficult month but I made it through and we took off for a FL vacation as soon as I was finished! In the Fall I took A&P II and Microbiology together. Another difficult feat! That was all I needed to complete my pre-reqs for nursing school and I wanted in! Unfortunately my body didn't take the stress too well...I developed multiple colds, had conjunctivitis in both eyes for 6+ weeks, and then came down with mono! It was a horrible semester, but I pulled through. In October I had received my acceptance letter into LMU's Caylor School of Nursing!

So, here I am. Wife, mother of 5, and now nursing student. Will I make it? Follow along and see! Say a prayer, or two, or a thousand...I'll need them! It's tough, but the Lord allowed me to get this far and everything has fallen right into place. Surely this is His will! If so, I will make it through with faith and much prayer.

BTW, Harley and the kids are doing great! I'll post pics and such once I figure this all out again! The dogs both have tapeworm and I am absolutely disgusted. Like I needed one more thing to deal with. Ugh. They got meds yesterday and it's supposed to take care of the issue quickly. I hope so! Oh yeah...since I've posted we've added to our family! Bellah, our Airedale Terrier, joined us in March. She just had her first birthday in January! She's a mess, but we love her!

And if you're wondering where I disappeared to for the past 2 years and 2 months...I discovered facebook! ;) Talk to you soon!

Christmas Program, Earrings, & Helene's Birthday!

December has been a busy month! Havana and Haddon had their Academy Christmas Program on the 9th. Each class represented a different country. Havana's 2nd grade class represented Australia. Hadon's 1st grade class represented England. It was a very good program!

Havana with her friend Carley (above)

Havana holding the "I" (below)

Haddon's class (below)He's keeping his eyes on his teacher! (above)

I get a smile! (below)

Just before Helene's birthday we took the girls to get their ears pierced. Helene was so brave and went first! Hayley eagerly sat down for hers, but was a bit surprised once they actually did it. She ended up shedding a few tears. =( Havana was hesitant, so we decided to come back at another time for hers. On the way home she decided she really wanted them so we stopped at a second store and had them done. She was so happy!

Helene's birthday was on a Monday this year. On Sunday we went to Mr. Gatti's for pizza with some friends after the church service. The Collin's and the Tyler's joined us and we had a great time.

I scheduled Monday off to spend with my birthday girl. We went to Build-A-Bear so she could pick out her gift from Grammy. She picked out a pink bear, and dressed it in a pink dress with pink bows. Then she named her bear..."PINK!" We had our traditional birthday dinner Monday night...Tacos followed by cake and ice cream!

I can't believe my little Helene is 5 years old, and that it was five years ago that she was born in our van on Old Callahan Road in Powell, TN! I remember every detail of the night before and the morning of her birth! How could I forget? She still asks, "Is this the road I was born on?" when we drive on Old Callahan Road! What a birth story! What a precious child! I love her so much!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Missions Conference and Hayley's 3rd Birthday!

Our annual Missions Conference was in mid-October beginning with the Missions Banquet. We had chili, stew, cornbread, and desserts. I was able to work half days on Monday and Tuesday and take the full day off on Wednesday to be able to attend all of the evening services. It was a blessing and the World Village was unbelievable as always. The older 4 kids dressed up in Chinese outfits for the banquet and Havana and Haddon got to wear them to school one day as well! Look closely to see Hayley's Chinese Dragon shoes!

Hayley turned 3 on November 8th! She wanted a pink and white horse cake. We had our traditional taco dinner followed by presents and cake and ice cream. We had a nice nap and then headed to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and tons of games. The kids had a ton of fun. Happy Birthday sweet Hayley!

Getting up to date...

On a Saturday when Mommy had to work, Daddy decided to take al 5 kids to Cades Cove to hike up to the waterfall and play in the water. He was a trooper, until he realized he locked the keys in the van and Mommy had to come rescue everyone after work. It took me over 2 hours to get to them because it was dusk and the scenic trail in Cades Cove was packed! What an adventure! They had a great time though!



We got zoo passes this year and went for the first time with our friends, the Conlan's. We can't wait to go again!




We were given free tickets to the fair this year. We saw a brand new calf just hours old, sharks, a mini circus, a petting zoo, and got balloons and candy apples!


The Cub Scouts went on a hiking trip. Daddy and Havana went with Haddon! It was a long hike, but everyone did great and the scenery was beautiful!

My birthday was yesterday (12th.) Everyone made it really special this year. While Haddon was at a birthday party, Daddy and the girls baked me a chocolate cake in the shape of a heart. The next evening, while I was at work, they decorated it. Daddy used my cake accessories and did a GREAT job! I think I'll recruit him to help with my cake orders! =) On Saturday afternoon we had our traditional taco birthday dinner with cake and ice cream to follow. They put trick candles on my cake and they kept re-lighting. It was hysterical because there were so many and the flame was so high! We finally got them out and off the cake. Harley had snuck off to the mall and he and the kids had picked out a complete outfit including shoes and earrings for me. Saturday evening Harley took me out shopping and to dinner. It was a nice evening! Thank you everyone!

Sunday before church...
I wore my new suit and the kids and I all matched! We were in a hurry so I wasn't in the picture. Hudson wasn't a happy camper so he missed the photo too. Sunday was my actual birthday so Havana took a birthday note adn offering for the camp up to Pastor. Pastor's birthday was the 10th, so the kids gave him a card, sardines, and chocolate! =)

Well, I'm up to date! It feels good and hopefully I won't get so behind again! Thanks for keeping up with us!