Fall of Change

I haven't blogged in forever.  This fall has been full and wonderful and beautiful.  Here's a quick update on our lives. 

We went to the pumpkin patch and had a great time with family. Zeke is determined to wear shorts as long as he possibly can. 

They had a replica of Jesus' tomb and here Zeke is raising to life.

Halloween was fun this year.  Gwen was an Indian girl.  I thought she looked really cute in her school's costume parade.

Here's Zeke as an old man.  He was sort of upset that he lost an eye, but we glued it back on after that.

Romy was a cupcake princess... whatever that is.  She loved it and that's all that mattered to me.

Gwen was mad about something. :)

We celebrated a friend's birthday at Chuck E Cheese.  I do not like going there, but Romy had a good time.

My health journey is continuing.  So far I've lost 49 lbs. I'm feeling good and trying to honor God each day in this area.  I never have appreciated celery, but I do now.  It is the perfect cup shape for things and I like that it's crunchy and I even love the smell of it now.  My tastes have changed considerably over the last four months.  I feel tempted sometimes and this time of year is hard because food is everywhere... but the Holy Spirit is helping me.

We've been making toilet roll ornaments for all the kids at the family Thanksgiving.  It's been really fun.  It's a reminder to me that the Lord takes stuff that we normally throw away and transforms it into something new and shiny and beautiful and admirable.

Ben and I had our 14th anniversary last week. What a joy to be married to him. I'm not just saying that.  He is a gift to me.

We saw Tim Hawkins in concert (singer/comedian) and it was a great experience!!!

Where I'm At

What I've been up to... I've been working on my health.  I really want lasting change in this area very badly.  As of today I've lost 33 lbs.  I still have a ways to go before I am at what a doctor would consider a healthy weight for my height, but I'm not afraid anymore that I can't do it.  I ran into this picture of me a year ago for my choir and was just kind of stared at it.  I'm grateful for how far I've come and I'm starting to dream again about what my future self could do.  The thing I'd like to do is next November take the entire family to see the Redwood Forests and hike and play and see some sights together and me not hide in photos.  That's really the next adventure I'd like to do. (janamariephotography is credited with the headshot)

We had our master bathroom renovated.  Before it had carpet in there and that was just insane.  I love the update and how modern everything looks!

We took out the fireplace in there.  It never has been used in 10 years.

We thought it was funny how Max covered Gwen's eye.

 We have such sweet neighborhood kids that play so nicely together.

Romy turned 4 on September 6th.  These last four years are some of my happiest.

Her cake, and no, I didn't have any. :)

We got her this bike second hand.

I think you can tell how dear Romy is to me by how many photos I have of her on here.  She is just the sweetest little gift and I'm so thankful for her every day.

Summer Days Coming To An End

I haven't written on here for a while, so I thought I'd update.  This summer is like many others in that it has gone fast and we have really enjoyed it.  This next week school starts, our bathroom remodel begins, and my working at a preschool starts up again.  (i.e. back in the crazy)  I hope I can maintain some balance in these coming weeks.  

I've been working these past few weeks on lasting change when it comes to my issues with food.  I love to eat and for many different reasons.  This devotional has helped me a lot and the program that I am on (Optavia) has been great for me.  I've lost 19lbs so far.  I still have a ways to go, but I'm hopeful for the first time about this issue basically because I feel God empowering me and I realize I can't do it on my own. 

I've been meaning to post this and I keep forgetting.  Back in the spring we spruced up the kid's bedrooms and I bought some stuff at the thrift store and this is in Zeke's room.  The theme in his room is nature and animals- which he loves.  I love how it turned out.

One of the things on our summer bucket list was shaved ice.  Here we are doing that one.

The kids have had fun this summer making forts.

I've had fun making cauliflower pizza crusts and trying that out.  I highly recommend them.  These two pizzas feed my entire family.  For some reason, cauliflower crusts are more filling than regular to me.

Zeke has begun to mow, and he learned to swim this summer. So proud of him.

My nephew, Noah Jacob, was born a couple of weeks ago.  He's just precious and easy going.  Beki and Jeff are so thankful.

Ben and I on a date.

I've been trying spaghetti squash too.  It is very good and I'm not sure why I didn't give it more of a chance before.

The kids had a great time playing in the creek.  I like the sound of the water.

Max is such a mess and he's very curious.  It almost got this cat.

Dental check ups

I've heard "I'm bored" a lot lately, so I brought up some dress up clothes from the basement.  Here is Gwen and Zeke playing "wizards".

I think Romy may be a cat for Halloween.  I asked her to pose and she insisted on doing a peace sign.

Lots of coloring this summer with neighbors.

and then exercise.  Healthy living takes effort, but I want to be around a while if I can.

This one is a total mama's girl and she is with me most everywhere I go... I secretly like it... most of the time.