Image Change

I'm going through my clothes and pulling out warm weather clothes (cause it's been 70-80's for weeks now) and I'm happy to report that my clothes are fitting well or loosely. My clothing budget has been extremely limited for the past couple of years and so I made do with uncomfortable clothes because I couldn't really afford new ones.

I attempted to try to lose weight, but just wasn't successful. Finally, after attending a wedding weekend in September, where I was bothered that I hadn't been disciplined enough to get fit, I made the decision to make changes. No quick fixes. I made consistent changes with food portions and health choices. I exercised consistently. I allowed myself to be hungry sometimes.. try it, it's good for you. I began to juice and skip meat for a couple of days. After about a month, I finally saw a difference. My husband and family started seeing them, too.

I've still got a ways to go and don't always make good food choices, but it's become a way of life and that's what I like the most. The change isn't about self image, it's about self preservation.

Ohh.. and my clothes are thankful for it, too. I'm pretty sure that I heard them sigh.

Gone For Now

I try not to ask "why" too often...I strive to be thankful, look for the joy, the blessings, and to just trust God when I don't understand.

It's a hard day for us though.. We put our sweet boys back on a plane to Colorado. The holidays are over and it's back to school and back to work. The boys will be back for the summer, but until then, we won't see them unless we make a trip there.

When they are here.. It's go-go-go! Three full loads of laundry a day. Mud and dirt and grass constantly tracked into the house. Rubberband gun wars, Nerf gun wars, wrestling matches, and football games. Countless PB&J's, bowls of cereal, dozens of eggs, bacon, and loaves and loaves of bread. We adults fall asleep standing up while the boys have more energy than a herd of wild bulls!

We wouldn't trade it for anything.. The weeks are never long enough and too far and few between.

If you got up early to make lunches and get them to school.. Count your blessings.

If you have to chauffeur them to soccer, football, or any other activity... Count your blessings.

If you have to help with hours of homework or projects... Count your blessings.

If they leave their clothes everywhere, toothpaste in the sink, and track muddy shoes through the house... Count your blessings.

We would do just about anything to have the day to day, monotonous, exhausting, daily routine with our boys.

When you know how much you're missing, you hold on much more tightly to the time that you have.

O Holy Night

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices

Oh, night divine
Oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh night, oh night divine
[| From: http://www.elyrics.net |]

This song has been in my heart for the entire Christmas season. I think it's the line that says, "the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn" because let's face it, the holiday season can wear you out. And so can life. We all await moments that will inspire us.

Can you imagine that night.. The angels singing, Mary giving birth, knowing that the child she was delivering was sent to deliver us. Oh, what a night divine, indeed. Let us not forget to take time and "fall on our knees".... This is what brings us hope, peace, and strength.

Merry Christmas.. Happy Birthday Jesus. May we always remember that You are the reason that we celebrate!

Christmas Card 2012

Blessed Tidings Religious Christmas Card

Add one photo or multiple to your Christmas cards this season.

View the entire collection of cards.

Thanksgiving Week Photobook

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books are the new way to preserve your memories. Create your own today.

To Be or Not To Be.. A Runner

I ran six miles for the first time yesterday.. Well, to be honest, I think I probably walked one of them. I've been following a training program for a half marathon that I was hoping to compete in this coming November. The bad news is.. Due to budget constraints, I'm going to have to push my half marathon hopes into 2013. Still, I wanted to follow through on the training.

ANYWAY... I wasn't feeling 100% yesterday, but I knew that I might not get a long run in on Saturday since we have buckets and buckets o' rain in the forecast. I took off on my run and was struggling the first mile..and the second and third. I kept pushing through thinking it would get easier.. It NEVER did. It was so bad at one point that I was praying (out loud, while running), and asking God to help me make it.

When I finally got home, I was sore and my muscles were so tight. My husband asked me if I thought that maybe I should reconsider my dreams of being a seasoned runner. I quickly told him to zip his lips and rub me down with Blue-Emu.

Seriously though... Does anyone have any running advice for me. My five miles last week weren't a breeze, but they were so much easier than this week's six. Help!!!!

A Day To Pray

I was inspired by a Facebook post last night... A friend posted a status:

To all my friends (including me) who are going through some issues right now--Let's start an blessing avalanche. We all need to bless and lift our friends and family to the Father right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy, paste, and share this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. I know some will!! I did it for a friend and you can too. You have to copy & paste this one, no share button.

I know how important the power of prayer has been for me and my family. It has carried us through trials and storms.. It still carries us, daily. There's nothing that comforts more than knowing that there's someone out there praying for you when you need it most.

So I wanted to extend this challenge to all of my friends... Let's commit to pray for one another on a regular basis. Please leave your prayer request in the comments below or email me privately at amyelain@gmail.com

I'll be post a reminder every Tuesday and hopefully this will be an encouragement to all. I know it is to me!