**PAST POST** 2/22/2013 Checking in and rambling on

It was before Valentines day that I last checked in other than my link ups and time really seems to be dragging in a way lately.

It's unexplainable how time can fly but drag at the same time. It's flying because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get done everything I need to do. Yet it's dragging because I'm still waiting on my passport to arrive and also James' tax refund. 

How was everyone's Valentines day??

I would have to say mine was the best I have had of all time. First and for most I'm not to big on Valentines day for the simple fact that I don't think one day out of the year should be used to show someone how much you love them. I believe that should be done year round. As I have said before James is not the lovey dovey smooshie type. He wasn't raised hearing "I love you" and he's not one to just throw that around and abuse the phrase like so many others. At first I didn't like the idea of not hearing those 3 little words but I've gotten used to it and actually not hearing it day in and day out makes it even more special when he does say it. O.k. I'm rambling..lol For our valentines we went out of town alone. He spoiled everywhere we went that afternoon. We started the evening at the mall where I got him a new fishing pole and a bunch of tackle(I chose to think outside the box this year and he really loved it). He got me a dozen beautiful chocolate covered strawberries. Even though I had told him no candy or sweets this year. But I couldn't be mad at him it was so sweet and the darn things were almost $6 each. Then to conclude out lovely day together he took me to one of my favorite restaurants called Razzoo's which is an AWESOME Cajun restaurant. Then it a hour drive back home to a quite house since the kids were already in bed.

The next day was one I will never forget. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted a boxer. Since being with James I figured I might as well hang that up being that he is a tried and true pitbull lover. Don't get me wrong I love them too, but I still secretly longed for the dog of my dreams. WELL, that dream came true Feb. 15th.

I am now the super excited proud owner of my very own 8 week old German Boxer "BRUTUS". He is a silly little buddy. Day one he basically slept all day but after that he has been nothing but a little bundle of energy that makes me laugh a lot!. I am now in the process of crate training for the first time and let me till you! At first it was very challenging until I sat down and googled how to do it properly and found out I was actually doing it all wrong. Now he is doing GREAT and no more whining when he has to go in it, HA and no accidents in the house either. I have to say he is a really smart little guy.

I have started a new way of working out that is really working for me. I don't know why I didn't see it before. I used to wait till everyone was in bed and I was totally exhausted before I did my workout. It was working but I was not enjoying it and you know if your not enjoying yourself your not going to stick with it. Well the idea came to me a little over a week ago while passing by and seeing my oldest son in his room lifting weights. I walked in and asked him how many reps he could do before getting tired. After watching him I repeated it. It was almost amusing seeing the look on his face after witnessing his out of shape mama doing the same as he had just done. So I decided that as a way of supporting each other we could weight train together. He liked the idea and honestly I loved it. Not only are we there for each other it's extra one on one time with my 14 year old son. Well that took care of my weights now what about cardo? There again right in front of my face. My daughter loves doing the Just Dance games on the Wii and PS3 and again a good way to have one on one time with her plus I'm more motivated to try to keep up with her while sharing lots of laughs and dancing our tushes off. So far I'm truly loving my new workout methods and am hoping to find something I can do with my middle child to get him off the couch and moving around more.

I told myself a while back that I wouldn't buy any new clothes till the old ones where falling off. I tried to stick with the thought but it didn't really work. I got so tired of my baggy pants and honestly felt ugly while wearing them. So one day while at a second hand store picking up a blanket for Brutus' crate I chose to get one pair of jeans so that I wasn't always walking around in super baggy clothes. To my surprise and excitement I discovered I had not only gone down a size but actually 2 whole sizes YAY ME!!!! I love my snugger newish jeans and am so happy I'm even closer to my goal weight of 125-30 Lbs. I haven really talked about my starting weight because I felt ashamed for allowing myself to get that big. I am going to post the two pictures that did it for me. Looking at them disgusted me to the point that I knew it was time for a change.

I was 275lbs and absolutely sick and tired of being sick and tired and of being big. I wasn't always a big girl. But I had been for the majority of my life so far. I suffered from depression as a teen and I'm not saying that's 100% to blame for my size but it didn't help and then I suffered a bout with PPD after my 3rd child was born and a I ballooned up again to almost 300lbs. Which to this day is the biggest I have been. Since then it has been an up and down roller coaster. NO MORE!! As I've said many times before and I will continue to repeat it. This girl is making major changes for a better life. I WILL FINALLY BE HAPPY!!!