The Blog Award

We had a good Father's Day honoring Travis and my grandpa. Both of these men are heros in my eyes. Such a good example of what a father should be; loving, giving, compassionate, supportive, fun and caring. I have posted several times about what an amazing father and husband Travis is so today I am going to focus on my grandpa. This month I am giving my grandpa the blog award. He doesn't even know the address to my blog but he knows about my struggle with weight and has been supportive recently. In honor of father's day..he wins! I couldn't find a picture of us that was digital. I had a ton of him with my kids but none of just the two of us. I guess I better work on that.

My grandpa is really special to me. We are a lot a like and his perseverance and accomplishments amaze me. People that don't know my family very well sometimes think that my grandparents have always been the way they are...they see the big house, the boat, the nice cars, they hear about the vacations they are going on and I think some think that they have a lavish lifestyle. While this may seem to be the case my grandpa worked very hard to get them to this place in life and they deserve every bit of it.

My grandfather's dad was killed when he was very young, he moved around a lot and even lived in the projects of Brooklyn as a young boy. His parents didn't have much and they were very strict. He was not allowed to dance or even to go to movies. He knew that he wanted a life that was different and he was determined to change it. It can be so hard to break away but he did. He got his first job when he was very young and practiced being independent, responsible and saved his money wisely. He is very strong willed and never wanted to take anything from anyone. If he couldn't do it on his own, he wouldn't do it. He married my grandma when he was 19; she had recently been given a car for her 16th birthday, my grandpa made her return the car to her parents since he hadn't provided it for her. He went on to farm and garden to put food on the table for his kids, he attended night school for about a year of business college, he took side jobs pouring concrete whenever he could and got a job at the local irrigation district digging ditches.

They had 3 kids before by the time was grandpa was 22 and they were poor as church mice. They lost a daughter, Cheryl Lynn, in a car accident when she was six. I was named after her. They have had trials and tribulations but they stuck together and persevered. My grandparents taught me the importance of marriage and making your spouse #2 (God is #1). I think many put the relationship with their children as #2 but your kids leave the house and your spouse you have your whole life. I agree and think that it is so important for parents to have a loving relationship. Your kids see this and having a mommy and daddy that love each other makes a big difference in the whole family dynamic. I feel so lucky to have Travis and to be committed to him no matter what comes our way. Our kids will never wonder if we love each other...they know it!

He worked for that irrigation district for almost 40 years and took the route of the tortoise. Slowly but surely he climbed his way up the ladder and in the end I think he won the race. My grandpa doesn't believe in debt and never buys things unless he has the cash to pay for it, he saves and on the day to day they live a normal life. My grandmother still clips coupons, cans fruits/jams and they still raise some vegetables. They don't eat out very often they live a pretty simple life at home. However they do know how to play. I just hope that someday I can retire and have all the freedom that they have. They enjoy amazing vacations building memories and experiences and enjoy spending afternoons on their boat. My grandpa worked hard and took the slow but steady way to top. It is admirable.

Spending time with family was always important to my grandpa. He took every vacation day that he had and took the family on trips close to home and far away. Even while he was working a high pressure job he spent the time with me to teach me things and help me with my homework. He never missed a band concert, dance recital, cheer competition, etc. Both of my grandparents were always my biggest fans. The encouraged me to push myself and taught me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I think I am especially grateful for them and my grandpa because they took me in as their own when they didn't have to. They could of been early empty nesters and had much more freedom and money but they chose to sacrifice their time and give me a better life. He is very giving and has been an excellent example.

I love him more than he will ever know and while we don't always see eye to eye he will be always be a hero in my eyes. He gave me a good foundation and taught me to think for myself. He taught me how to be responsible and best of all he taught me how to be a parent. I can only hope that I can support and love my kids the way that he loved me.

Father's day is always a little bit hard for me. While my grandpa truly was the best daddy a girl could of wanted, he isn't my dad. It sometimes is hard not knowing who your dad is. Is he even alive? Most of the time I don't ever let it get to me. I know that he is the one that really missed out. Yet there is always a small little part of me that wonders. Wonders why he left in the first place and why he has never attempted to find me in almost 32 years. How many siblings do I have that I have never met? What diseases run in the family? What traits do I have that are his..if any?? I have only seen about four pictures of him and even though he and my mom were married; he hasn't been seen since I was 3 months old. Everything I do know about him reinforces that I don't ever want to be in contact with him but I can't lie that I still wonder.

Blog Award

This month's Blog award goes to my girl Deanna Hall. Just 6 months ago we were complete strangers but now we are good buddies. She has been a great inspiration and motivator in the past month.

Tammye, Cheryl, Deanna

She works out with me at least one night a week with Tammye and I definitely would not push myself as much if it was not for her. She has ran many 5K & half marathon races and has had some good times. Last month I ran into her before the Spring Sprint. I was really nervous about coming in last as it was not a big community race but a race mostly for avid runners. Luckily I didn't! However I might have if it wasn't for her. She stayed back with me and kept me company always reiterating that I could do it. It was like that day she didn't care about her time; all she cared about was my success. She would say "lets run to that stop sign and then we can walk for a minute", she cheered me on and talked to me about all sorts of stuff keeping my mind engaged and off the fact that I was running. Today at the triple challenge training she did it again. I am the weakest runner, it is not my forte. I hate it but I try! She stayed back with me and kept me motivated and it is nice not being last.

I am amazed by people and their willingness to help others; to put someone else in front of themselves. I feel bad sometimes because I know that I am holding her back, however she swears that she wants to be there. I have had a lot of fun with Deanna. We've been to Wii dance parties togethers, evening workouts, weekend warrior, the spring sprint and hopfully this week we are going out to lunch.

Thank you Deanna for caring about me and believing in me. I love working out with you and appreciate you more than words can say.

Blog Award

April's blog award goes to my trainer Tammye Wright aka The Tamminator. Not only is she my trainer but she is my friend and I love her. I started training with her over 8 months ago and she has really helped me tons. She reads my blog and definitely kicks my butt in my workouts. I never leave the gym not feeling sore the next day. She has me doing things that I have never done before. Travis makes fun of me saying that he could never do my workouts because they are all something weird like standing on one foot....but thats just it....I have better balance and way more core strength because of her efforts.

It is really strange. Tammye abuses me in the gym but I actually go thru withdrawals and miss her if I don't see her within a few days. I love her zufu class and have had lots of fun singing and dancing with her. I have agreed to be in a performance next year at the Clayton center which holds over 1000 people. She asked me to dance in it this year but my confidence was just not quite there. I know I could do the dance but not sure about the outfits. :) It felt good though that she believed enough in me to even ask.

She is not an official follower on my blog (not sure why...hint hint if you're reading this) but I know she reads it. Thank you Tammye for encouraging me and believing in me. You have been great and I love our workouts together. I still have a ways to go though...so keep killing me!

Are you local and interested in training with Tammye and me? Let me know! I'd love to take you to a class, a small group personal training session or weekend warrior! Warning...be prepared to be sore, and I wouldn't start with weekend warrior unless you want to feel like puking. Its great though and WE LOVE IT!

Blog Award

This month's blog award goes to one of my besties, Amanda Rayburn! I have been wanting to give it to her for sometime just because I love her so much but she wasn't following the blog as well as others so I had to put her off. However, as of recently she has became a good reader and she is also joining me on my diet for lent. It has been fun to talk to her about her workouts, eating ideas, etc. We are getting to our goals together.

Last time Amanda saw me, I weighed 231 pounds. I can't wait till I can see her again (hopefully in June) and show her the new me! I don't even know where to start in telling you about Mandy. Out of all of my friends and family she has came to Tennessee to visit more than anyone and she loves me so much that she even attempted to move to TN to be closer. She was here for about 4 months and got home sick. :(

When I think of Amanda here are some of the words that come to mind (you may not understand them all...but I do):

Cupcake, Smart, Music, Hoodies, Sex in the City, Pigtails, Camel's Back Park, Vault, Macbook, Pharmacy, Beautiful, Poetic, "I thought I got 100", New York City, Quiznos, muffcakes, Alto, St. Luke's, Radiohead, Creative, Old Chicago, Williams-Sonoma, Devoted, Sunglasses, Vue, Funny, Boise State Bronco, Friend, wisdom teeth, Talented, Happy Camper, Sucrose, I-Pod, Weeds, Eclectic, Knitting, Epidemiology, Tatoos, "Who Cares", Oranges in Tube Socks and Moonshine.

Amanda is a great friend. We have laughed many laughs. She is the kind that you can call for no reason or the type that would come over just to help you clean the house and hang out. She knows all my flaws but still loves me. We have been on tons of adventures together and I can't wait for even more. Love you friend. You mean the world to me. Miss you tons and wish you were still here. Good luck with Pharmacy school....I'll know you'll be great!

Isn't this picture of me disgusting? It was the last time she was here, right after Reese was born and we headed to Dollywood with my 3 week old baby. hee hee. Look at my shirt curling up over my belly. Gross!!

Blog Award

Ok, so this picture is really old but it has a lot of significance. It was the last time that I weighed 185 about six years ago; so I still had to post it. This month's blog award is a dual award. It goes to my two nieces Shae and Ashley. I love these girls so much and have had so much fun watching them grow up. It is hard to believe that Shae will be having a baby soon and that little Ashley will be getting married next month. Seriously unbelievable to me. Here are some more recent pictures of them. I don't want Ashley to give me hell so I thought I better do an update. :) Aren't they beautiful?

Shae

Ashley

They both have been great followers of my blog and send lots of encouraging words. Ashley makes sure to chat with me on facebook and send me texts while Shae gives me a phone call fairly often or texts too. I know that they both want me to succeed. When I met them they were both so young. Ashley was only about 4 and Shae was around 7 I think. I too was different. About 117 pounds and in great shape. As I had said in previous posts I had done cheerleading and dance in my past and the two girls thought this was incredibly cool. We instantly bonded, they were both flower girls in my wedding and they have been my little leaches ever since. Shae turned into a very successful cheerleader herself and Ashley an amazing dancer. Now I look at them and it reminds me of what I once was and how badly I want it back. They both are beautiful and in great shape.

I've done a lot with these two and have lots and lots of great memories. And I've had even more laughs and lots of secrets. When ever I used to come to town poor Travis always got booted from bed because me and the girls would have slumber parties. Now when I come to town it isn't quite the same since they are all grown up but they still always make it a priority for us to all spend some time together.

I love you guys! Good luck with all your exciting things that are soon to be happening in your future. Ashley, I know you will make the most beautiful bride & Shae I know you will be an amazing mom. Thanks for all the love and acceptance you both have given me. I appreciate all of your support! Love you more than you know and am so proud of you both. XOXO.

Blog Award

This month's blog award goes to my friend Kim Norton! She is one of the reasons for my success. When I very first started my journey I told her about my blog and she immediately responded with support and told me about her own journey. She had joined weight watchers and began exercising and was losing regularly. It was such an inspiration to talk to her and I decided that if she could do it...I could!

Kim and I actually met taking a dance class in Knoxville. For those of you that have known me a long time, most of you know that I took dance for over 10 years. I took dance in college and have always enjoyed it. I always feel silly telling someone that has only known me for a few years that I used to be a dancer. They always give me a puzzled look. It is because I definitely don't look like a dancer anymore. However, at one time I was dancing 5 days a week. I have danced at Disneyland, for Royal Caribbean Cruise line, and in several competitive arenas. At one time, my team held the national champion title for one of the largest competitions in the nation. So while I may not look like a dancer anymore...I have the heart of a dancer still. It kind of breaks my heart. While I am sure I was never going to have a career in dance, it always makes me sad that I quit dancing and let my body become what it was.

When I first moved to TN, I was trying to think of the ways I used to exercise...since I love dance I looked for an adult dance class. Kim also had dance experience and was a color guard coach at one of the local schools. We were by far the best dancers in the class. :) Most of the other people had no experience at all. We immediately became friends. We have had fun getting together for dinners and game nights and Travis and I have both enjoyed her and her husband's company. Sadly, they moved to the Atlanta, GA area a few years ago but at least there is still Facebook and blogs to keep us in touch.

Kim has been very supportive and I look forward to us supporting each other this year. I appreciate all of her blog comments and her phone calls. It has been nice having a team mate during this journey. Good luck Kim! I know you can do it too. I actually just saw an ad for a class called "tap and burn". It is a tap dancing aerobics class. Sounds like fun, I may have to try it.

Blog Award

Well, I accidentally skipped the November blog award and now it is already almost the end of 2010 and I haven't given one out for December either. This month's blog award goes to my sister-in-law Kimberly. She has posted several encouraging words on my blog and was encouraging when we just visited Idaho. I get tons of ideas from her. She is so talented and such a great cook/baker. Everyone knows that she makes the best treats (not all healthy) but her coconut cream pie and home made rolls are seriously to die for. I follow her blog "pink cookies with sprinkles" religiously. It has loads of great recipes and ideas. She cooks most everything from scratch and this automatically lends itself to more healthy eating. Her family eats very little processed food. She makes her own granola bars and even her own healthy fruit leather. Just this week I made her chicken and wild rice soup..it was so yummy.

Kimmie seems to have it all figured out. She knows what is important to her. Her husband and her family. I once had a pastor tell me that you can tell what things are important to people. Just look at their day timer and their checkbook. Where people spend their time and money...that is what is important to them. I really respect Kimmie and her hubby for making their marriage and children the most important. It isn't huge houses or expensive cars but making time to spend quality time, making memories as a family. This is a great concept. Once I was talking to my grandfather about buying a new car and I asked him why he didn't buy something nicer like a Lexus or Mercedes, instead of a Chrysler. He responded with cars aren't important to him. He wants one that is nice, comfortable, gets good gas mileage, has a big trunk and meets their needs but he would much rather go on 10 more vacations with my grandma and spend their money making memories than to drive a BMW. I think they all have it right....I want to live like that. Don't get me wrong...I want nice things but it doesn't have to be the nicest. Houses and cars don't last, but memories do.

She also is physically fit and makes staying in shape an important task in her life. Her husband, Tracy, and family love to hike. They have hiked the Teton Crest trail several times and have endurance and stamina that I dream of. I hope to one day hike the trail with them. I believe it is 30 miles done in 3 days (approx 10 per day). I am definitely not ready for it now but maybe Summer 2012. Maybe I should set that as a goal. The regularly walk and set a good example of how to spend time getting your body moving. They go on several fun adventures through out the summer and on the weekends. I think they really try to squeeze as much out of life as they can. Travis and I have been trying harder to do that too.

Anyway...Thank you Kimmie for being an inspiration and for keeping me motivated. Keep the comments coming. Love ya!

Blog Award

This month's Blog Award goes to my friend Rachel Holloway. I told her about my blog a while ago and ever since I told her she has been a great follower. She posts lots in my comments, talks to me on Facebook and it is nice to have her as a reader. She is also trying to lose some post baby weight so it is fun to have someone else that is having the same goals.

The funny thing about Rachel is that while we went to high school together she graduated a year after me and we never were really close friends. She asked to be my friend on Facebook a long time ago and I accepted. She also posted links to her blog, http://excellenteats.blogspot.com/, on Facebook and a lot of her posts were recipes. I think I have tried at least 75% of them and they are all awesome! I enjoyed reading her blogs and we became friends pretty much 100% through the internet. Out of all of my facebook friends she posts the most on my pictures and my wall.

She is an amazing lady! She has four kids but she is always doing activities, cooking, blogging, etc. I don't know where she get her energy! She is doing weight watchers too and is doing awesome. She has been my motivation in recent weeks. Keep up the good work Rachel! Thanks for all your support. You amaze me!

Blog Award

The blog award for September goes to my beautiful friend Maggie! She has been so encouraging. She checks out the blog regularly and comments frequently. I talk to her pretty frequently on the phone and she helps to keep me motivated. Yesterday, I had the chance to spend a special day with her...her wedding day! She was such a beautiful bride. She was so radiant that it made me want to keep going! I remember how it felt to feel skinny and happy. I want that feeling back so badly.

Here are some pics from the wedding. This is what "under 200" looks like! I was very brave and wore a strapless dress! It has been a while since I could just go to the store and quickly grab a dress, try it on and it FIT. I still have a long way to go. Last night there were a lot of beautiful young women at the wedding. I was envious. I felt good in my dress but could only dream of how I would feel if I was another 50 pounds lighter.

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Blog Award

This month's Blog Award goes to my life long friend, Tracy Sise, in California. I have known her since I was born and she lived just down the street from me growing up. Her parents and my grandparents are best of friends and we have spent lots of time together. We have lots in common, including our birthday and enjoy talking to each other and sharing our life's blessings, challenges and experiences with each other. Tracy and me are 11 years a part. Growing up, she baby sat me and I always looked up to her as an older sister. I wish I had a recent picture to share but last summer when we went to visit my camera got lost in Yosemite National Park, (so, I had to steal this one from her hubby's facebook page). As we have grown older we have became even closer and I love her tons. She really is the closest thing I have to a sister. She knows my family dynamic very well, being around my mom, grandparents and friends; she knows my past and present as well as anyone. Her parents are also like second parents to me and I love them too.

Tracy has done Weight Watchers before so she has been great to talk to. She also sticks to a strict diet herself and exercises often. She has sent me emails, calls and gives me recipes to try..all which have been very helpful. I posted one of the recipes (salsa pork chops) on the blog. They were great! However, while Tracy supports my diet her real support comes from knowing my story. Like I said, I have known her for so long that I don't really have any secrets from her. She knows me. I call her to vent or to get my emotional support. There aren't very many people that you can get that from so I am so thankful to have her. She also is very honest and we both have told each other things that we probably don't like to hear. But...that's okay, it is what I need.

Last week, Tracy challenged me to workout in the mornings. I let her down. I wasn't able to do it. She has forgotten what it is like to work and have two kids under the age of 3. :) I just cannot get myself to wake up at 5:30am. I am still going to give it a shot but it might have to be next week. I need to prep myself to go to bed at 9 if I am going to do it and not at midnight.

Thanks for all your support Tracy. I Love you! Wish we were closer but excited to see you in the spring!

Blog Award

This picture was taken on our 10 year anniversary. I'll be posting a new one soon!

So it is that time again...time for July's blog award! This month the blog award goes to the man that I have spent the last 12 years being married to. In celebration of our anniversary and in appreciation of all his support the blog award goes to my wonderful husband Travis.

I really don't even know where to begin. Seems like we have been together forever. We have been through a lot. Our life has been a fun adventure. He has never failed me and never will. He is smart, determined, funny, kind, hard working and hard headed. My husband has never let me fall, and when I have tried he has carried me and held me up. I have watched him grow from a boy to a man, from an amazing husband to a wonderful father.

Travis loves our little growing family with all he has. The strength he brings to this family, his biggest success is his presence as a father and husband. The love my children have for their father, the joy and wonderment in their eyes- that is success. It is such a wonderful sound to listen to the laughter in our home. He has never been too busy to feed a baby, to run through the sprinklers, to put a bandaid on a boo boo. We are his priority. He always makes time to play hide and seek, to get up and dance, to read a book, to jump on the bed or to change a diaper. Yes he changes diapers! He is very helpful and this only reinforces how much he loves me.

Travis respects me as a women, as mother and as a wife. He has always been my biggest fan and shown me much admiration. Even through all my weight struggles; he never once acted like it mattered. His love was unconditional whether I weighed 117 (the amount I weighed when we met) or 252 (the amount I weighed when I delivered Reese). He has always made me feel beautiful no matter what size I was. I don't think a day has gone by that he hasn't given me some compliment.

I love him so much! He has my heart and I can't wait to grow old with him.

Blog Award

So it is time for this month's Blog award! I am going to give it out at the first of every month to the person that I feel supported me the most that month. This month it goes to my niece Candace.

She has been so supportive! She calls me almost daily (which by the way, has to stop because my phone bill looked more like a car payment this month..haha), she posts comments on the blog and reads it regularly. She is encouraging, she believes in me and most of all, I know how much she loves me no matter how I look. She is a great neice and I wish that we lived closer. Thanks for everything Candace...love and miss you!

Blog Award

So I decided to give out a blog award to my best follower. This person reads my blog daily and is the first to know about what I am up to. She sends me encouraging texts during my workouts, calls me frequently to check on me, gives advice, gives recipe ideas, workout ideas, she has been my biggest supporter so far. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all my followers and you have all been great. But..one person has been exceptionally supportive and deserves to be recognized.

Drum Roll please!! And the BLOG award goes to.....JORDAN!


Thanks for all your love and support! I appreciate all your encouraging words! You truly are a great friend.