Life and Peace.

Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song. 

Do not let fear dissipate your energy. Instead invest your energy in trusting Me and singing My Song. The battle for control of your mind is fierce, and years of worry have made you vulnerable to the enemy. Therefore, you need to be vigilant in guarding your thoughts. Do not despise this weakness in yourself, since I am using it to draw you closer to Me. Your constant need for Me creates an intimacy that is well worth all the effort. You are not alone in this struggle for your mind. 

My Spirit living within you is ever ready to help in this striving. 

Ask Him to control your mind; He will bless you with Life and Peace.

{Jesus Calling - Sarah Young}

Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. 

But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Goodness.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You're rich in love and you're slow to anger
Your name is great and your heart is kind
For all your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord, oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name

{10,000 Reasons: Matt Redman}

A change: week 1

I'll be posting each Wednesday with my weight loss for the previous week, and any additional thoughts I had.  If you have a blog and are interested in joining in a link-up, all you have to do is write a post about your journey the previous week, and link your blog in the comments!  I'd love for us to keep each other accountable.  And if you don't have a blog but would like to join in, just tell me how you did this past week in the comments.

So here we go!  Week one.  Deep breath in....

Weight Gain/Loss:  Down 3 pounds!  I am super excited about that.  I want to lose at least 1 pound a week, so 3 was a happy surprise!

Exercise this week:  I ran 3 times (couch to 5k program), plus about 30 minutes of weights after each run.

Overall health:  Not noticing a big difference (yet!), other than just feeling happier and better about myself after I exercise.

Hardest thing this week: Being able to decipher between being "hungry" and just wanting to snack.  Also, PORTION control!  I heard once you're supposed to eat enough to not be hungry anymore, not to eat in order to feel full.  There's a big difference there, and I need to learn this.

Overall thoughts:  Turning down Chick-Fil-A fries and sauce last night was a HUGE thumbs up for me!  Trying to learn that food does not make me happy, no matter how much I think it does before I eat it.  I went over on my calories this past week 3 days, and each time it was less than 100 calories over.  4 days this week I was under my calorie goal!

This coming week: I am going to try and go to the gym 4 times, plus be more overall active during the day and at nights.

... and deep breath out.

Week one is over and I'm feeling good about it.  Thank you all for your encouragement yesterday!  It really meant the world to me and I cried reading through the comments.

Have a happy Wednesday!

Time for a change.

I'm about to upload one of the worst pictures of me to ever hit your poor poor eyes and computer screen.

But, it has to be done.  Reality hurts.

Sorry about that.

I'm so tired of feeling this way...
depressed
really unhappy with myself
tired ALL.THE.TIME
eating when i'm happy/sad/nervous/mad/and any time in-between
self-conscious
jealous of others who don't look like me

As much as I hate working out... and I mean HATE it... I have to do it.
For myself... for my general overall happiness.
For my kids!  They deserve a happy Mom.
For my husband... he loves me no matter what, but I want him to really like me too.
And most importantly, for God.  He has called us to take care of our bodies and I'm disobeying Him on a daily basis.

So here's what I'm doing... and holy buckets, I can't believe I'm posting this for the world wide web.
I'm working out.  3-4 times a week, running..weights..elliptical..classes..ZUMBA!
I'm watching what I eat.  1200 calories a day, no more, no less.  No fancy expensive diets or counting points... just simple math.  (myfitnesspal iPhone app is helping tremendously!)
I'm taking advantage of any opportunity I have to be active.  Going on more walks, running around the yard with the boys, going on frequent bike rides.

I did really good a couple months ago.  I lost 12 pounds and really started feeling good about myself.
Then my knees started crapping out on me...
Then I got sick...
And once I was better, I once again used my knees as a crutch.  While it wasn't a lie, they really KILLED me, it was still an excuse.  I was afraid of the pain.
Because my Dad, who has had knee surgery and horrible knee troubles his entire life, is now a runner!  He's running a MARATHON with my Sister this year... what!?
If he can do it, so can I.

I have exactly 25 pounds to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  That number hurts to type... but you know what?  In 2007-2008, I lost almost 80 pounds by doing the same exact formula as above.

I can do this.

I can do this.  So can you.  Is anyone interested in taking this journey with me?  Maybe we can make a link-up out of it.

Each Wednesday I'll be weighing in, and reporting my results.  You guys are going to keep me accountable.  I need the help, the words, the motivation, the encouragement.

So here we go!  I started running + counting calories last week, and so I'll weigh in for the first time tomorrow.

See you then.  :)

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Workin' at the car wash.

Jaxon's best friend spent the night here this weekend, so we thought we'd put the boys to work.

out of focus... but my proof that this boy does not like getting his hands dirty!

Cohen was done... can't say I blame him.

The boys ran and ran and ran until the sun went down... I love tired babies!  Oh, and PS... little boys in swim trunks are just the cutest thing.

We had a perfect weekend... it was a great mix of getting things done, plus relaxing, plus just enjoying time together.

Friday I also got to talk to one of my favorite e-friends Leah, through her thick Minnesotan accent I was so thankful for the words of encouragement and advice she passed my way.  I love blogging and the sweet friendships I've made.

The Lord is stirring up things in mine and Tylers hearts, and while I don't feel like I'm at the place yet to share, I can say I'm excited about the days ahead.  He continues to open doors of opportunity and I couldn't be more thankful.

Tonight I lead worship for our small group.  One of my favorite things we do together... there's nothing more special and intimate you can do with friends you love than entering into the throne room alongside them.  My prayer is to be used as a vessel to lead them there.

"Not for us, but to your name be the glory!"

Hope you all had a happy weekend as well.  Bring on another summer-fun-filled week!