Diet or Lifestyle Change?

You are always hearing about someone that you know doing this diet or that. Trying this cleanse or this  crash diet. I am guilty of trying both of these things. I did a cleanse at the beginning of the year. I was so hungry that I was miserable. I have also tried South Beach Diet twice but I could never get out of the first phase because I didn't have the self discipline that it takes to basically eat nothing for 2 or 3 weeks.

I am trying something a little different now. I started doing Weight Watchers last year and saw immediate response and then life got busy and I stopped watching what I ate and I put the weight back on. I am getting serious again. My best friend and I are working our way through Bob Harper's book "The Skinny Rules" and I am also trying to include this in my weight watchers. There are 20 rules to add to your life and we are taking 1 rule at a time and working it into our lifestyle for 1 full week before we go on to the next rule. We are also encouraging each other and it really helps to have a partner in this journey. This week, our rule was drinking a full glass of water before every meal - No excuse. I will be totally honest with you, this is not exactly easy for me. Because if I find time to eat, I eat quickly and I really don't think about drinking water before hand... I really need to master this!!!

I finally came to the realization after reading one of Bob's books that because I do not have time to eat breakfast (thanks to 3 kids under 5) and I am eating a very little lunch, I binge eat all afternoon and late into the night. This is my major concern. That and I depend on fast food way too much. So last night, I bought everything that I need to make a meal replacement shake. I used a powder made by GNC, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 4-5 whole walnuts and half of a banana. Threw all of it into my Bullet this morning and made myself a healthy and really yummy breakfast shake. I had energy and it actually kept me very full for about 3 hours. I had a piece of fruit after that and I was good until my next meal. 

It's about 8:45pm and I'm getting a little hungry, for dinner we had steamed shrimp for an appetizer, grilled steak, grilled zucchini and squash and corn on the cob. An amazing meal but here I sit, hungry. Seriously?! I was going to make a bowl of popcorn but then I got on myself about trying to be healthier so I grabbed a bottle of water. When I get done this, I'm going to make my popcorn. Why? Because this is a lifestyle change. Not a quick fix. And if I deny myself and I sit here hungry, I will talk myself into thinking that this isn't worth it and that I am fine and can eat whatever I want and I would rather not be hungry all the time. So I am not going to start all in one day and deny myself. Small steps. One day at a time. One healthy decision at a time. Today, I did not snack and I had healthy, well balanced meals. So if I want to have popcorn, I am not going to bad talk myself, I am going to enjoy my popcorn n

and see if I can do a little better tomorrow.

{{Hugs, Denise}}

Be Still

We as Christians know that first part of Psalm 46:10 very well. Most of us can quote it from memory.

"Be Still"

The word 'still' means "remaining in place, or at rest; motionless, stationary"

Many times, life takes us in a million directions and we forget to be still. This week, I have found myself being pulled in so many directions that I started to feel overwhelmed. I started to feel like a failure because I wasn't able to accomplish any one task. I have 2 suitcases full of clothes sitting in the middle of my bedroom floor waiting to be emptied and the clothes washes. I thought I would take care of that Monday, but little did I know, a sickness that had held on for an entire week would knock me off my feet and leave me flat on my back all day Monday. Tuesday came, and my future in-laws invited me out to dinner that night and I didn't want to say no and miss out on time visiting with them. Wednesday evening I had church and tonight, Thursday, I had to work on my insurance calls.

Which leads me to my next hurdle. I wasn't finding much time to make my phone calls. I would make a couple here or there, but I wasn't sitting down for 1-2 hours making phone calls like I normally do. I had just had the last 2 weeks off and I come back and I am not able to give 100% because I was being pulled too thin in my time. Of course this is my own fault but you know how it goes. You make a decision and then feel guilty for it later.

I had also planned to start calling all of my past hostess' and tell them about the amazing new hostess benefits but yet again, I didn't have time for that.

You may or may not know this, but my mom deals with major health problems so I try and take as much off of her as I can. And when I can't do that, I feel so much guilt that I didn't do enough.

"Be Still"

Early this morning, the baby was asleep, Logan was playing at my feet and Kati wasn't here yet when I finally had my moment to be still.

God will never give me more then I can deal with. The family that I am trying to comfort, my jobs, my daily responsibilities. All of it. I can press on, because God has it all planned. 

"Be still, and know that I am God"

God's got this! So why am I stressing? Deep breaths!!

Four years ago, almost to the day, I was laid off from my full time job and God opened all the doors for me to stay home with Kati (4 months old) and Logan (2 months old), and start selling Premier Designs Jewelry. About 6 months after that, my moms health began to decline and again, because God had opened those doors, I was able to step in and help when I was needed the most.

About 3 months ago, I was sitting on my best friends couch, pouring my heart to her about my financial problems and worries. Seconds later, my cell phone rings and I am offered a work from home job. God had that planned out all along. 

I am so thankful that God reminds me to be still so I can remember just how good He is to me. 

By the way, the picture above is a necklace that my sweet future mother-in-law gave to me JUST last night. Do you think God was trying to tell me something?

{{Hugs, Denise}}

Rhode Island

I love a good road trip. I always have. One of my earliest memories as a child is taking a road trip to Disney World with my parents and my sisters. A couple of weeks ago, I took a road trip up to Warwick, Rhode Island with my future in-laws to visit family. This was the first family vacation that I have ever taken with them and I am so glad that I went. As with any family, there were fights and drama but there were also many laughs, inside jokes and tons of memories made. The special thing about this trip was my future brother and sister-in-law (John & Michelle) and their 3 amazing kids flew in from Colorado to take this vacation with us. Michelle is actually one of my oldest and dearest friends. Her and I were friends long before Rob and I got together so this trip was a special time to catch up. Anyway, the guys stayed at Uncle Bobs and the girls stayed at a hotel a couple miles down the road with they kids. I was lucky enough to be able to share a room with Michelle and her youngest, Malachi, so every morning, I had coffee and girl talk with my sweet friend. I hadn't spent that much time with her since high school so that time is very special to me. 

We spent 4 fun days together doing a bunch of different activities. From going to see fireworks, to grilling out, shopping, setting off fireworks at Uncle Bobs, going to the beach, sightseeing and just spending time together. Needless to say, when I got home, I took a 4 hour nap and that night, I slept 12 hours straight. But my life didn't slow down there. Two days after I got home, I flew out to Ft. Worth , TX for my annual Premier Designs, National Rally. But that is a whole different story for a totally different post. But until then, enjoy the pictures from my trip.

My love and I

6am and we FINALLY made it to Rhode Island

Uncle Rob and Malachi

Amber aka BatGirl

I don't even know...

Love this kid

Sparklers on the beach

We stole laundry... Not really but it looks that way...

Happy 4th of July

...Fireworks...

Psycho??

Two of my favorite people in the whole world

Homemade pancakes and fresh strawberries. Yum!

Josiah

Amber

Beautiful scenery

My little buddy

He hurted his finger...

Keeping it above his heart lol

Uncle Bob, Aunt Rosie and the 'Colorado' family

Dad v with the 'Colorado' family

I miss these kids already. They have a very special place in my heart.

{{Hugs, Denise}}

When you have no words

"The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained"

Sometimes the ones we love the most are also the ones who can hurt us the most. There is a family who Is very near and dear or my heart and they are going through a trial. It's hard to know what to say sometimes but I know that I can pray. Growing up in a God fearing, Christian home, I was always taught to pray in the good times and in the bad times. And as an adult, I still follow these teachings. There is a song by Point of Grace that expressed how I feel sometimes when I pray and the lyrics go something like this, 

"If a picture's worth a thousand words, what are they?

And since You're spirit intercedes for meWhat do you hear when I pray?

'Cause I'm finding it hard to find the wordTo let you know how my heart can hurtSo I'll sing the tune and let you fill in the words"
Sometimes, I start to pray and my heart is so overwhelmed in pain and hurt, that I don't even know how to pray. I am so glad that The Lord knows my heart and knows how I am feeling without me ever saying a word. 
My heart is hurting for this family. There is a member of their family, and they are turning their back on everything they have been taught and they are walking away from the family. What do you say to the brokenhearted parents? What abut the angry and confused siblings? I say what I know and what I believe. "I love you. I'm praying for you. And God can fix any situation."
Jeremiah 29:11; KJV     "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith The Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
{{Hugs, Denise}}

Who Am I?!

What defines a person? Is it their profession? Is it religion? Is it their marital status? What defines you? Who are you?

My name is Denise. I still live at home with my parents, and yes, I am over the age of 18. I am 24 to be exact. My parents have been married for 30+ years and they are just as crazy about each other as the day that they got married. My parents have a black lab named Shadow and I have a Pomeranian who is a year old and her name is Bella. I also have a grumpy old cat named Nala but she holds a very special place in my heart... And my bed. I have 2 older sisters and 2 brothers-in-law. My sisters are my best friends. I do not know what I would do without them. I am a Christian but I do not have a religion, I have a personal relationship with my Lord Jesus. Without Him, I would be nothing. I am engaged to the love of my life, my best friend, my better half and my high school sweetheart, Rob. We have been together nearly 7 years now and I hope that this time next year we will be putting the final preparations on our wedding. We do not have a specific date set yet but I know we will very soon. Don't worry, when we finally set the date, I will be shouting it from the rooftops. 

I am a busy girl who works 3 jobs and also dabbles in a lot of craft projects. I am a stay at home Aunt for my niece, Kati and my nephews, Logan and Jackson and come September 4th, Abigail Renee will be joining our family. I am also a Premier Designs Jewelry, Independent Distributor. I am a jewelry lady who goes into the homes of ladies and adds a little sparkle to their lives. I have been with Premier for almost 4 years now and I absolutely love it. I love that it gives me the freedom to work from home and support myself while I stay home and help raise my nieces and nephews. This company is such a blessing to me and even better, it is a biblically based company that supports missionaries in 60+ countries. So it isn't just about me. There is a bigger picture. My third job is that I am a scheduler for a local mortgage protection insurance agent. This is my most recently acquired job. I have been doing this for abut 3 months now so I am still learning but I am enjoying the process of learning something new. What I do is I call people and ask some basic health questions before I set up an appointment for them to meet with my agent. Sometimes I talk to really sweet and kind people, other times, I talk to grumpy people who curse me out. I never know what type of person I am going to speak with which makes my job so much fun. 

 

If I am not working, you can usually find me at home or at Rob's families apartment. I usually have a crochet hook in one hand and a ball of yarn in the other. I discovered my love of crochet only 6 months ago but I am 'hooked' (forgive my horrible joke). I have already made Christmas gifts, baby blankets, scarves and many other things. I find that it helps me to relax after a stressful day and helps me to go to bed and fall asleep faster. I also enjoy doing plastic canvas, I have made many many many tissue boxes and assorted gifts. I also loom knit, basically it's the lazy girls way to make a quick hat and scarf.

You might also find me snuggled up in bed with my cat, a fluffy blanket and a good book. My recent reading list has included The Hunger Games and anything by Bob Harper. I am one of those pathetic self-help book readers. I am constantly looking for ways to better myself, wether that be emotionally, physically of spiritually. I am also one of those girls who is constantly trying a new diet or cleanse. I am always trying to fix my self image and I constantly struggle with my self esteem. In high school, I was one of those tall skinny girls and then about 5 seconds after I graduated, I blew up like a balloon.  

I have started a couple other blogs over the years but they have always been focused on one subject and I got bored so I stopped writing and ignored the blog. This blog, however, is going to be my free for all. Family, love, work, health, crochet and anything else I can think of. Be warned! I will be random and silly and then I will also be serious at times. Here we go!!

{{Hugs, Denise}}