30 by 30: 1 down, 5 to go

Today marks 5 months to my 30th birthday. This first month of my 30 by 30 has been a lot about figuring out how to get back into a good exercise routine and adjusting my caloric intake to allow slow and healthy weight loss and at the same time not effecting my milk supply. I think I'm just about there. I'm still working on the food thing. I'm mostly snacking on fruit during the day, getting in enough veggie servings and watching my portions. I've just sucked it up and bought some skim milk powder. I've really been resisting that because powdered milk is just gross to me but the only fresh milk we can get is super high in fat. Plus I haven't been getting enough calcium for sure. So now I'm left with my final two vices...chocolate and peanut butter. This is where I have to be extremely disciplined and practice moderation. I started buying my own jar of peanut butter so I can monitor exactly how much I'm eating. I know that sounds weird but by doing that I can in no way blame the empty jar on the boys. I also have a small stash of dark chocolate. If I feel that urge come over me I allow myself one little square. It's been working to keep me from bingeing. I know eventually even those things will have to be cut out way more but I'm working my way down. :)

I also finally have a good morning routine to make sure I get in a workout at least 5 days a week. Judah's schedule now has him getting up at 8 so I can get in a workout, quiet time and shower all before he is up. Sometimes Kirby and Bennett are up but I have gotten over my embarrassment of working out in front of people and just let them watch if they are up. Kirby has even done some Ab Assault right along with me. Watch out for my ripped 4 year old son! Currently I'm doing Ab Assault (from Core Secrets with Gunner Peterson) MWF and then some sort of cardio workout TThS and getting Sundays off. I'm starting out focusing on my abs mostly to help take the strain off my back which has been giving me trouble for years. After three c-sections that is a big problem area for me. I'm hoping to work up to do the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels and then my big push for the last 3 months will be P90X...oh my!

So all in all I'm happy with month one. My plan is to work up slowly so as not to burn out too early. This is going to be a long process since even after I get that first 30 off there is more I want to work on. More on a healthier me to come!!!

satisfaction

I'm doing a short little study and today I got this good word as a part of it.

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Psalms 145: 16-21

This was just part of todays lesson but when I got to this particular scripture it just really made me think. So many times I have come to a point of realizing that I am focusing WAY too much on material and worldly things to find satisfaction. The new furniture set. A new outfit or purse or pair of shoes. Being out of debt. Getting to that next life stage. The list could go on and on. Today I really realized that although I know in my mind that I will only feel truly satisfied through Christ my heart is still a bit tardy on the subject. The same is true for many aspects of my life but I think this is something that all people wrestle with. Everybody wants to be satisfied in life. Isn't that one of the main human goals?

There is no satisfaction apart from the Lord. When I read this great passage in Psalms it started to burn into my heart a little bit more what the Lord does to give me satisfaction. Sometimes he does satisfy through the provision of material things...there is nothing wrong with a new anything or whatever. But what I must do is call upon Him, fear Him, love Him, and praise Him. Each of those things could be a blog all on their own but I will be meditating on each of these, how they lead to satisfaction through the Lord and praying for my heart to catch up with my mind.

9 years

Nine years ago today Stan and I made the decision to take a new step in our relationship. We had known each other for a year and in that time went from not getting along so much (more on my part) to being good friends. We were both having that feeling of more than friendship for a while, but you know how it goes, we were both afraid to admit it. I wouldn't even admit it to my best friends who would tease and I would deny. Finally Stan took the step and told me he didn't want to just 'date' me but pursue me as his wife. This was either the complete true or a VERY clever way to get me to start dating him. :) Whichever it was, it worked. I am so thankful in the Godly way that Stan pursued me and has continued to pursue me to this day.

Nine years ago I don't think either of us could imagine what was in store. I was 20, yes T-W-E-N-T-Y! What on earth or heaven did I know?!?! I'm glad I knew enough to take Stan up on his offer, that's for sure. Stan I love you and I look forward to many more years of our adventure. I love you!

date night

So tonight, for the first time in a long time, Stan and I are getting to go on a date. Three very brave singles have agreed to babysit for us so we can go without even having to take Judah. M, one of my friends here, is in charge of Judah by default because she is female and the two guys, G and J, will be here for Kirby and Bennett crowd control. We don't have a plan as far as where we will go or what we will do but it doesn't really matter. I'm planning to let the boys, and sitters, enjoy some KFC (still our only fast food, and I'm making them eat left over green beans with their chicken burger and fries) and watch movies with popcorn or whatever else their little hearts desire. I don't even care if they get in bed on time (well I do care if Judah gets in bed, but he's easy at bedtime, I just hope M makes it through his fussy time before hand). I'm kinda hoping that a little bit later bed time could possibly get the boys to sleep in tomorrow morning. I doubt it but there is always positive thinking.

Now, Stan needs to get home, get rested up and we are on our way....hurry up date night!

loaves and fishes

I heard a good word last week and I just had to share. Someone had read through the story of the loaves and fishes, I think most people are at least somewhat familiar with the story, even if they have only been to church a handful of times in their life. Anyway, he said that for the first time reading that story he got something more than just the story of an incredible miracle. We know that even though there were only five loaves of bread and two fish, Christ and His disciples where able to feed thousands, probably more than 10 including women and children, with no problem. So even if I have only a little to offer, God can do something miraculous. You may be thinking, ok, so? Most of us get that.

The revelation comes to see that God does not expect me to do the miraculous. He doesn't need me to try to get out there and write some amazing book about some aspect of Christian life, or be able to speak in a way that makes the Gospel clear to the masses and bring them to Him, or any other 'big' thing, all I have to do is be faithful in the small tasks he calls me to do. Even changing diapers and wiping noses. Even just sharing with one neighbor about the love that He has given me and how it has changed my life. Even just having a servant's heart towards my husband. That's all I have to do. God will do the rest. My name may never be known outside of my family and circle of friends but it doesn't matter. The most important person knows it and I will be faithful in the small things He asks of me.

I'm ready to fry up my fish (cause how else do you serve it when you are from the South) and butter the bread and wait on Him to do with it what He wills.