Again

Again

I find myself here again - watching my tiniest human reach her 'end of preschool' milestone.  Her head is held high, a bright smile on her face.  Seems like I was just here with my oldest - how did that 2 years go so quickly?

Today she whispered thoughtfully, "We can come back and visit my teachers once I'm in Kindergarten, right mom?" Of course, sweet girl.  She feels the weight and the excitement of this change.

This playground, these bleached cots, these kid-size chairs - this safe and colorful place has been her world for 5 years.  She learned her alphabet, her colors in English and Spanish; she learned how to write her name and how to be a kind friend and that Jesus loves everyone. 

Now the doors are opening to a whole new experience - a world where kids speak other languages, where families don't all look like hers, to a world that might not always be kind to her.

Yet, it is a world I am thrilled to both share with her and watch her unearth for herself. 

Momma bird sheds a tear as baby bird jumps out of the nest...
Fly little Abby, fly!

Happy New Year

It's started again.  The calls, texts, emails, & FB messages from you.  I'm invading your homes via your tv screen and Facebook feed. Only this time, I'm wearing a peacock dress, so you don't seem to mind.  :)

I cannot believe it has been nearly a month since Steve and I wrapped up Project Real with SSHE. What an amazing experience.  So many pounds gone...buh-bye.

• We will never look at a salad bar the same way again. Iceberg lettuce? Um NO. 

• I get headaches now when I consume even a small amount of sugar.  

• I have absolutely zero desire for soda of any kind. LaCroix = my new bestie.

• Greek yogurt, garbanzo beans, black beans, quinoa, green tea, salmon & so many other new foods = all regulars in my tummy 

• Many sizes down in clothing, many levels of confidence UP. 

Yes, Steve and I have strayed a bit from the formula during the holidays - i.e. we ate treats, had a beer or two, and enjoyed special meals with family and friends.  But what has not strayed is our new found resolve to be healthy and to enjoy with moderation and mindfulness.  I am no longer just doing a project, or trying to alter my behaviors for a short time, I believe I have BECOME someone different...someone who can be recognized as caring about my and my family's health in a big way.

Okay, please excuse the musical theater reference here, but it feels right so I'm going there:

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

Okay, you can cry LAME but I seriously feel like I have a different perspective now.  I see through the BS and the high-fructose corn syrup into the reality that "YOU MUST BE ABNORMAL in this world to be healthy." (quote: T. Eichers.)

And now this is NOT BS - Seattle Sutton is one of the best options out there to help you get on track.  You don't have to eat their food for 6+ months like we have (some of those meals, you will WANT to) - even a shorter amount of time can help you hit a RESET button.  This food reminds you what balanced meals look like & what healthy portion sizes look and feel like.  Please, ask me any question you'd like about SSHE...I am here for you my friends.

Again, thank you for all of your support on this amazing journey. 

I can't thank a few people enough - but I'm going to keep trying:

Stephanie Keegan, Brandi Borman, Abby & Jill in the office, Jim Keegan for the kitchen tours - THANK YOU SO MUCH for this opportunity to succeed! 
Troy Eichers & Leslie Fhima for your inspiration, perspiration & joy; 
Dana, Getzie, Jackie, Jer, Stacey, Betsy and so many more for pep talks along the way; my church coworkers & choir members & LTF members for the constant encouragement; my folks Ron & Char House, Andy & Abby and of course STEVE! 

Love to you all. 

last day

I cannot believe how the last 6 months has flown by in a heartbeat. Tomorrow is our final video shoot for SSHE- stay tuned for the final weigh-in, all the stats and pics!

#wedidit 

#Ididit

 

32 pbf = bfd

Well kids, we are in the last week of SSHE meals for Steve and I.

My second to last weigh-in yesterday showed that I am 1.3 % away from being in a healthy, happy, normal body fat range.  Do you hear that universe? I am 1.3% away from being NORMAL.   That's right. Now let's keep in mind that normal is that less than a third of me is made up of fat.  That's kind of depressing.  But hey, I've been nearly half fat for quite some time, so I'll take 1/3 any day.  Judge away haters, but for a breastfeeding mom, that's not bad.

We are celebrating the end of this adventure with the final video shoot happening next Tuesday.  We are being pampered with hair & makeup stylists and new clothing (THANKS SSHE!) and I personally am getting my nails done. Prepare yourselves for another slew of Angela & Steve in your facebook feed.

I am also so thrilled to report that I have talked with more than 10 people who are considering or already trying SSHE.  Please know that I am a resource to YOU - I am more than happy to answer questions, talk about my experiences, and encourage you on your own journey.

Carry On.  Be brave.

home stretch

Tomorrow begins our last week eating Seattle Sutton Healthy Eating meals!!! Can I believe 6 months has flown by!? No I cannot. Seriously - wow. 

So what have I learned? Here's just a few of the things. 

I have will power. 

I can make good choices. 

I am worthy of self-care. 

Emotional eating is deadly. I must really listen to myself instead of trying to numb with food. 

Loved ones have a strong influence - i.e. Steve and I can be a force for good or evil for each other. Let's choose the good, eh Gritton?

My love of sweets has deteriorated - proof that those tastebuds can in fact be taught!

Food is fuel not a numbing agent, punishment or reward. 

I am stronger than I think. 

Now to lose 1.5% body fat in 8 days...

😏

more love

My heart is sad in the wake of the election this week.  I am fearful and angry but frankly, still in denial.  I keep waiting for Ashton to jump out and say Hey, USA, YOU'VE BEEN PUNKED!
But alas, the further we get from last Tuesday the more it is sinking in that this reality show just took a turn for the worse.

I am continuing to swim in juxtapositions - city vs country, educated vs non-educated (and by this I mean college educated, not farm field educated), white heterosexual men vs...um, everyone else?!? I am trying not to make assumptions and trying to remember to error on the side of grace.  I am trying to be brave and kind.  I am trying to take this opportunity to experience just a tiny fraction of what so many of my fellow Americans have always felt - afraid, sad, angry, forgotten, mislead.

O Come O Come Emmanuel.


As the queen of the flying pigs, I am trying hard to respond in a healthy way.  I have to say that I resisted my desire to eat every single feeling that I have had this week.  My new eating and 'self-care without the need of food' habits have strengthened over these many months.  A stray cookie may have make it into my mouth, as did several transgressions at a 2 year old's birthday party, but overall my food stuff stayed in an okay spot.  My body fat continues to hold steady or drop.  I have a milestone in mind as the finish line on this 6 month race starts to come into focus...

Peace to you as we each strive to bring more love and light into this dark world.

Andy & his Thankfulness turkey

a helping hand

Here I am: a new month on the calendar and a new opportunity to try my absolute best.
 
As I look out my window this very minute, I am lucky enough to be able to see my daughter, playing with her best friend Alli.  Alli is hesitant to balance on the 'curb' that surrounds the playground, but Abby is right there by her side, extending her hand.  With the help of her friend, Alli made it all the way around! Both girls clapped, jumping and smiling: both victorious, both ready for the next challenge.

This is what we can do for each other my friends.  We don't have to know all the answers or know how to make it perfect.  But we can stand by someone's side and hold a hand.  We can encourage and uplift each other.  We can love each other even when we're scared.  We can jump and cheer together through good and bad.

Thanks Abs.  You rock. ;)