Funny kid

I posted this on Facebook but then realized that I've got some friends and family who won't get to see it...and this really should not be missed.  You can tell Miles is picking up on the Southern Italian way of speaking...loud and with gestures. 

WARNING: if you have to pee...go now.  

Excuses

A couple of conversations I've had the last few days have really got me thinking.  I have wanted to be back at a healthy, skinny weight for a long time.  But I always had excuses.  It was too hard, I have PCOS, I don't have a gym membership, I have a baby, I work too much, it's too hot, it's too cold, my knees hurt, blah, blah, blah...

The painful, honest truth?  

I didn't want it bad enough.  

I wanted immediate gratification things NOW instead of a bigger, lasting things LATER.  I wanted that can of Coke or bowl of pasta or extra hour sleeping in or that second piece of cake...I wanted it all more than being healthy and fit and strong.  And for a long time that was ok with me.  I had resigned myself to the fact that I'd be that weight forever.  That there was "nothing I could do about it".  

Then something happened. 

A few months ago I was sitting with Miles as he was playing in his room.  For no reason at all he turned, giggled, and ran to me arms outstretched...it was the first time he spontaneously gave me a hug.  My heart melted.  And in one clear, crystallized moment I realized that my selfish, excuse filled choices were now not only going to affect my future, but his as well.  I was making the conscious choice to shorten my life.  I was consciously CHOOSING to make my son have to bury his mother early.  And I knew I had to change.  

 

I was going to give no more excuses.  I signed up with Isagenix; threw out all the Coke, candy, chips, cake mixes, ice cream in our house; I made a vision board; and I got my butt in gear.  

It's been 34 days and I'm down 19.5bs.  It hasn't been easy.  It has meant some MAJOR sacrificing.  It has meant sitting at a baby shower with my bottle of water, watching everyone else eat cupcakes.   It has meant declining dinner invitations.  It has meant dragging my sorry butt out of bed and getting some exercise...even when I'm tired and even when my knee hurts (I've got bursitis...ouch!).  It has meant putting lots of time and energy into meal planning.  It has meant sitting at the dinner table feeding Miles his yummy pasta dinner while I sip my (also yummy...but not the same) dinner shake.  

But you know what?  I don't care.  I am getting healthy.  My body fat percentage is going down, I'm losing weight, I have LOTS more energy, I feel less stressed, I am happier...and I have no more excuses.  

I challenge you to free yourself from your excuses.  It. is. liberating.

Edinburgh Tattoo

As if living in Italy for work isn't rough enough...Nathan was sent to Edinburgh, Scotland for the month of August.  The US Naval Forces Europe Band was invited to participate in the Edinburgh Tattoo...it's like a huge marching band show...only with fireworks and other things mixed in.  It's supposedly the largest in Europe. 

Miles and I were initially planning on going up to see the show, but plane tickets into the UK were SO expensive (because of the Olympics) and Edinburgh is NOT cheap for hotels/food/etc...so we saved our € and stayed home in Italy.  

But in an attempt to quench my thirst for everything marching band, (that and I miss the hubbs) I've been scouring the web of videos, pics, etc from the show...here's some of what I've found.  

A news article HERE.

A video of their portion of the show: 

A time elapsed video of the entire tattoo:

And a few pictures: 

The massed bands all together...with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band director Lt. David Latour, left, leads the band as its conductor, as they play "Anchors Aweigh" for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers

from around the world coming to perform in the month long show. This year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed. U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band is a multi-service/multi-national musical organization responsible for performing throughout the continents of Europe and Africa. Public Domain

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians march out onto Edinburgh castle’s esplanade while playing “Anchors Aweigh” during the second official show night for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Tonight marked the first official opening show for the month long tattoo. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show. Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Patrick Grieco (Released) Public Domain

All the bands in the big finale

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians perform "Anchors Aweigh" as technicians project Navy imagery onto Edinburgh castle during a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dress rehearsal for charities and local Edinburgh citizens. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show. Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Patrick Grieco (Released)

I have to admit...Nathan has a pretty cool job!

Lemonade!

A photographer friend of mine (the same one who took the bunny pics for Easter and Miles' one year pics) did a Lemonade Stand photo session last week.  Here are some of my favorites: 

This is his newest face...he gets the biggest kick out of doing this.

The photographer was hoping to get a pucker face from the lemons...but Miles loves them.  He was SO HAPPY to have a snack...he ate that lemon wedge all the way gone...rind and all!

Two Women

(saw this on FB and had to share...it is beautiful) 

Two women held hands in a hospital room tonight as a precious baby came into the world. 

One was filled with joy to see the child for whom she had prayed for so many years. 

The other was touched by sadness at the prospect of letting go. 

Two women held hands in a hospital room tonight, each giving that child everything she had. 

For one woman it was the commitment of her lifetime. 

For the other, it was the amazing sacrifice of herself. 

Two women held hands in a hospital room tonight.  

The first will walk out to cheers and congratulations.  

The second may face pity -- but she is not a victim.  She may face anger -- but she is not a villain.  

Two women held hands in a hospital room tonight. 

Formerly strangers, they are now forever connected by their love for this precious child. 

Two women held hands in the hospital room tonight -- each of them heroes in the story of this miracle child's life -- each of them always and forever -- Mothers. 

Merinda K. Condra

Catch-up!

I've been away.  I'm sorry.  

We've been busy: 

Miles got a new haircut!

And then a style

We went on a staycation

and started a diet

and got a new little someone

Hope you're all well...more soon.

New arrival!

Meet Mario,

He's new here.  

The baby loves him.  

Winston isn't so sure...

Say good bye!

Nathan and I are saying good bye to the fat versions of ourselves.  I have tried so many diets and have NEVER had long term success with any of them...and many I never had any short term success with either!

About a year ago a girl I knew from back growing up in Pleasant View, posted some before and after pics on Facebook.  She looked AMAZING!  She had lost something like 130lbs in a year.  I asked her how she did it, she told me Isagenix.  I asked her about PCOS (something I knew she and I had in common)...she said the Isagenix helped with it.  I looked into it a bit but I was honestly so overwhelmed with the upcoming move to Italy that I forgot about it.  Then a few months ago another friend from growing up posted some of her before and after pics on Facebook.  I, again, inquired and she also had used Isagenix.  So I spent a LOT of time looking into it and decided to give it a try.  We ordered all our stuff, prepped our food, took before shots and all our measurements, and started yesterday!  It is a bit spendy, but if it works it will be worth every penny.  

I am detailing our Isagenix Journey HERE if you want to follow.  Please be warned our before shots are on there...and my tummy is WHITE, WHITE, WHITE!  (My swimsuit is a tankini)

I'm really hoping it works for us, I want to be healthier and thinner so I can be around a long time...I don't want Miles to have to worry about caring for us at a young age because we didn't take care of ourselves. 

If you want more information on Isagenix, go HERE. 

Wish us luck!!