Annual Spring Pictures

Last week between thunderstorms, I had the girls quickly put something on that looked okay together and ran them out to a friend's field for our annual flower pictures. I hadn't worried about it much as we were set to get family pictures done, but the weather ruined our plans and we rescheduled for June.. and all of the flowers will be dead by then.

So I took matters into my own hands and got some pictures so that I will have this spring documented in the scrapbook!

I'm pleased with the pictures given the circumstances and the photographer!

 

This is my compromise photo for Maddie. She was sick and willing to pose for the group shot, but really didn't want a picture of just her. So we did a back shot with her new flag.

And Lexi took some pictures too. I LOVE this picture I got of the two of them!

 Here is one of the pictures that Lexi took. She did a great job!

And that's that. Another year of spring pictures with a sick kid. 

But just for grins, let's reminisce about how big they are getting!

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

wow.

A Successful Lifestyle for Busy People

I've come a long way. We've established that. 

While I wish I had tried Isagenix a couple of years ago when I first started considering it and I first started losing weight, I don't begrudge my journey. I have learned so much about health and wellness.

And it's a journey that I will continue tomorrow and into the future.

Why? Because I feel better. And specifically, I feel better using Isagenix products than when I don't. I have more energy, stamina and less aches and pains.

I haven't made a big deal about Isagenix to my friends because I feel like I haven't been committed enough to be a good role model.

But I realized today while talking to one of my friends, that it is my real crazy busy life story that allows others to consider the possibility that they could have a successful weight loss journey.

Cause here is the deal. Since January, I have changed my eating habits a little, but I still have fast food and donuts a couple of times a week. I haven't changed my workout schedule and I haven't given up my nightly glass of wine.

But here is what I have done.

I have a glass of Ionix Supreme first thing in the morning. (It's kind of like green tea..) I take my Natural Accelerator pill. (I don't know what this pill does, but it doesn't make me shaky or feel like I'm on caffeine.)

Those things I do every morning.

Then about 4 mornings a weeks a week I have a shake. I make my shake with a scoop of IsaGreens, a banana and sometimes a teaspoon of peanut butter. I drink this on the way to school and during my first period class. I also take my vitamins during this time.

Then I eat a healthy lunch (well 3 out of 5 days and a couple of times a week I remember to take my 2nd Natural Accelerator pill).  

I eat a pretty healthy dinner as Doug is a great cook and we eat at home most of the time due to his and Maddie's food restrictions. Then I have my evening glass of wine and a 100 calorie dessert.  I top it all off with my nightly dose of IsaFlush and a glass of water.

And that is why I haven't made a big deal about what I am doing, cause I don't feel like I am working hard enough at it to brag.

But here are my results so far.

Since I started Isagenix on January 11th I have lost 11.5 pounds and 28 inches with 3-4 inches off each thigh, my abdomen and my hips! I have even lost .5 off my neck. Crazy huh.

Did you read that? 11.5 pounds lost and -28 inches off my 5'3" frame. Wow.

So yes, I love Isagenix and would love to share my journey with you.  

You can go to my website and check it out for yourself. They have a money back guarantee. Credit Cards work great. :)

It was hard to "bite the bullet" and sign up as an "associate with auto-ship." Really hard. But looking back just these few weeks, I am so thankful that I did it. I think you would be to. 

And just in case you need a reminder.. both of these are me.

Edited to add that I do rock the Cleanse. I haven't done one every week, but I have done one most weeks and one two day. I feel like this is my strong point!

Our 7th Kidney Walk

The 2016 Fort Worth Kidney Walk has come and gone. This was our 7th year to participate in a kidney walk and it really is such a special day for families whose lives are touched by kidney disease.

This year we had Maddie's Colorguard instructor and some of her colorguard friends join us along with some other good friends. It was really nice to have friends as our family was scattered and couldn't attend.

The best part of the Kidney Walk is remembering that we are not alone in this journey. So much of our life is defined by urinalysis and blood work. Here, every family and every team understands our walk.

  

There were so many people! I didn't even want to start my pace tracker as we had to walk so slowly getting started!

 I really loved seeing this. Maddie with her tribe. Makes a mom smile.

They messed up the course and the volunteers didn't seem to know how to get us going in the correct direction, so instead of being a 3 mile walk, we ended up with only a 1.3mile walk.. But you know, for us, that was okay.

Maddie had never completed the walk. She had never been able to walk under the finish sign. 

Well, because they didn't have us turn around and walk back the correct distance, she was able to finish!

That was a big deal! And since it was such a big deal, we sent her back through with our different friends.

 We finished the day with Kylie getting her face painted.

All in all, it was a really nice day.

Next year, maybe Maddie can walk the entire 3 mile course.

Another Isagenix Milestone

I hit another Isagenix milestone this week.

I'm rather pumped about it.

I completed my first 2 day cleanse and with it am feeling stronger and leaner than I have since longer than I can remember.

In fact, to be honest.. when I was starving myself at age 16 and wearing a GIRLS size 12/14, I might have weighed less, but I wasn't confident and I wasn't strong. I was weak and broken and hiding.

Today, I am proud of who I am and where I am going!

This was me on Wednesday of this week. I had just taken 2 minutes off my 1/2 mile swim time!

That night I was a vendor at Tarleton's Kinesiology expo for a thousand students. I didn't go prepared. I really wasn't sure what to take or what to do. But what I found out about myself through this is that I am really proud of my progress and who I have become. I didn't sell anything at the fair. ( I didn't have product to sell! I only had the product Doug and I use everyday!) But I was able to inspire a few others and give hope to others. 

Lifelong fitness is a journey for EVERYONE! 

Thursday morning I got up and ran 4 miles with friends. After a 2 day nutritional cleanse.  I realize it's hard to even fathom. I can't explain how it works either... I just follow the guidelines and I don't feel crazy or even all that hungry for that matter.  

Then I took measurements... and smiled. 

Over the 2 days I lost 4.5 pounds and 13.75 inches! While I LOVE the pounds lost.. I am more excited about the inches. With the scale victory I am now pretty much the same size as when I got pregnant with Maddie.. and she turns 16 in a few weeks!

With the inches lost, my BMI goes down and my lean muscle mass goes up. How exciting.

And so here I am.

Dreaming of the future.

Family Time

In the midst of lots of deadlines and busy stuff, I have been enjoying some plain ole fun family time. No agenda, just outside togetherness. Maddie works on her leadership routine for Colorguard tryouts, Lexi shoots baskets and Kylie rides her bike, roller skates, or scooters!

I sit and watch, take pictures, "help" with the routine, get in Lexi's way, and chalk with Kylie. Kylie even learned how to fly a kite by herself this week!

Last weekend, Kylie and I went down to the trail and she rode her bike while I ran with/behind her. She made it the entire 3 miles! I was so impressed! And she didn't even have to stop and rest for awhile at the halfway point.

Doug was out riding his bike and met us on the trail for a photo op. :)

Kylie rode faster with her daddy. I ran faster trying to keep up! 

By the time we made it back to the starting point, we were hot and tired! It was an 80+ degree day.

We have also started playing in our backyard again! Three cheers for our new gardener (retired neighbor) who has made our yard incredible! It is so nice having a place to play. 

And yes, that is a hay bale on the ground in the middle of the yard. That is our "chia pet." It is Lexi's roping dummy, but the hay bale got left in one spot too long and is now part of the yard!

And that is what I have been doing in my free time. Nothing! This is the perfect time of year in Texas. We have to enjoy these high 70's/low 80's afternoons while we have them!