Don't Blink

I did.  Blink, that is.  Not on purpose, really.  I mean, "THEY" told me not to, too.  But I did.  And the girls grew up.  So fast.  My Twister babies are now twelve year old young ladies with opinions, and dreams, and drama.  And they have been 12 year olds for 2 ENIRE WEEKS! I guess I was blinking again...

I really have been in a bit of denial about this birthday.  As usual, since late April through the end of May is traditionally super busy, it snuck up on us a bit.  You known, someone said to me during the week of their birthday something about how "next year" when they turn 13 is the BIG ONE.  While I didn't say it out loud, my first thought, screaming in my head, was, "Holy Cow, if I am this emotional this year, I am going in to hiding next year!  And to me, this one is HUGE!  I don't even WANT to think about next year.  NEXT YEAR!?!?!  Let me get through this one first!". I cannot believe they are twelve.

They had a hard time deciding what to do for a "party." The last 2 years we have had a sleepover for them.  2 years ago was not a great experience, and last year was plain awful, so we had vetoed that idea.  The girls decided they wanted to take a few friends to see a movie. Disney's "Million Dollar Arm" was coming out the weekend after their birthday, so we decided to get a group together to go see that on Saturday afternoon.  They seemed pretty excited about it.  But, they have the coolest bonus dad EVER!  You know what he did Friday night as a surprise (to us all)? He drove around town to their friends' homes and let them "ambush" them - ring the bell, get parental permission, pack a bag, and get in the car as quickly as possible - for a sleepover!  The "Ambush Sleepover" was born.  Emma and Lara loved it, and so did their friends.  Such a fun way to celebrate!  And the movie on Saturday? SUCH a great story!  They all really enjoyed it - and so did Britt, Jake and I!  (We sat away from the girls and their friends - just watching them from a far...). After the movie, we took all the kids home, and the girls went with their Other Dad for the rest of the weekend.  So, without much planning and the usual fanfare, we had a GREAT birthday weekend with them!

And then, life with 12 year olds was under way.  It is dance recital season around here so we have all that going on with Lara.  She has had studio rehearsal, picture day, junior company clinic and tryouts, and dress rehearsal is today.  Emma ended volleyball season and has found a way to spend as much time as she can with her friends away from this house.  LOL!  School ended.  They both received certificates for being on the Straight A Honor Roll first semester and Lara received an outstanding music student award.  Emma scored highly on her math placement test and was recommended for Pre-AP math next year by her teacher, and she has accepted the challenge.  7th grade, here we come - ready or not! I simply could not be more proud of these two amazing orange haired, spunky girls!

But I blinked.  It all happened so fast.  There was a very real time in my life when I thought they would be the only babies I ever had.  It was not what I had dreamed, but I knew I was so lucky, and so very blessed.  Not long after that there was a time in my life where it was JUST US GIRLS!  The three of us, surviving on our own, trying to conquer the world; they were my world.  Then we ended up here - this large, loud family with an amazing man leading us in Christ and working his tail off to provide for us (tween girls are expensive), two little brothers in Jake and Finn to pester and love, guide and teach.  (Emma and Lara have changed HUNDREDS of diapers and gotten invaluable baby sitting experience - things I had no idea about at 12!). They are smart, happy, God-loving servants of Christ.  They are sweet and compassionate, and they both love to cook.  They each have very distinct differences, but it's in the similarities that my heart smiles.  They are 2 peas in a pod, even when life takes them in different directions.  I am so proud to be their momma.  So lucky to guide them as they grow.  So blessed by their love.

Don't blink. Don't wish away the hard stages of childhood.  Cherish them.  Embrace them. Then love the outcome...

** *** ********* - and then some!

Just a quick update on our ******** weight loss journey!  After we completed the ** *** *********, we both felt so good, and had made such great progress, there was literally no turning back!  We got more *****, more **** *********** ******, and more *** and just kept going.  We are shopping and cooking in a completely different way.  We are ordering at restaurants by choosing things that fit our new lifestyle.  AND IT IS TOTALLY PAYING OFF!  We feel fantastic!  Lots of people have commented on how skinny Britt is looking these days.  The results are speaking for themselves.

So, you want to know the newest numbers, right?  Although we haven't had an "official" weigh in and measurement session, we both took a peek at the scale today just for grins.  And we liked what we saw!  I am going to be brave and share... Britt is down an amazing 28 (TWENTY EIGHT) pounds.  He will pass my weight soon.  I'm taking that as a challenge to work harder!  And me?  I've lost 19 lbs. NINETEEN! 

With the support of our team, and each other, we are doing this!  And, it's not that "hard.". Every day is a new day.  Every day we make choices.  And the first choice for me each day is to make good choices all day.  I remind myself how far I've come, and where I want to be.  I think the "funniest" part for me is that I feel like I felt 10 years ago, but then I look in the mirror and remember how much work I still have to do.  It just renews me and gets me going again!

It works.  It really works.  I love the support we get from the products.  I have tried to loose weight before, and I can't stick with it.  The products are helping me stay on track, and have GREAT results.  I would love to share details with you - and I know Britt would, too.

We would also love to share with you about the business side of the program, too.  We have had some great growth on our team the past couple of weeks, and would love to have you join us on this awesome adventure as well.  ASK me - I can tell you our story, and you can start yours!  A ** *** ********* is ready and waiting for you!

Edited to add this Instagram from earlier today.  This is SUCCESS to me!

I am super glad to see this day coming to an end. Started off very stressed for several reasons. Then, it was compounded by a puking seven year old. I decided to stay home with said sick child. Somehow, I ended up with the worst migraine I've had in over three years. So, Britt ended up staying with both of us. Here we are at the end of the day, and the best thing that happened? I am felling better, took a shower, AND! I got these wedding rings off my fat fingers for the first time in also three years! #Victory! These #dirty #diamonds are now soaking. I hope to take them to the jewelry store soon for tuneup!  #journey #brave