Good morning, Siestas! How has your week been? Ours has been good. We had our last night of Bible study on Tuesday and it was a strong finish. In fact, I think it may have been my favorite lesson I’ve ever heard my mom teach. At the end there was a very special display of affection for Beth from our attendees and I teared up at least three times thinking about it. Lots of our buddies from LifeWay were visiting from Nashville and we loved having them there.
Afterward we had a little ice cream party for everyone who worked so hard to make Bible study possible this semester. It was catered by Tasti D-lite, which I knew nothing about until this week. I only let myself have two bites because I’ve been on a diet since March. Come to find out, the ice cream was really low in fat and calories and now I’m kicking myself for not eating the whole thing! I’m just going to have to pay their store a visit soon.
All this diet business came about because of some very stubborn baby weight that would not come off – even when I was running several mornings a week! I was determined not to have to change my eating habits, but I finally got desperate. Making these changes has been difficult, but it’s actually been a lot easier than feeling bad about the extra weight. As of yesterday I had lost ten pounds. I really can’t believe I did it, y’all! If anyone else out there is working on something similar, know that you are not alone and that you and the Lord can do it. (I’ve been doing Weight Watchers and have been very pleased with it. For my WW friends, that ice cream was only 2 points!)
We’ve been planning a picture-filled post to recap our trip to the Dallas, but your blog administrator (that’s me) hasn’t yet gotten the hang of posting pictures and text simultaneously. WordPress is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. Thankfully, I have a helper and she is going to give me a tutorial soon.
When I was in school – from about fourth grade until college graduation – I hated math. Most other subjects came pretty easily to me if I studied, but when I looked at fractions or graphs or equations, it was like my eyes bugged out. I would constantly say to my friends, “I’m failing math!” Actually, I usually had a B, but it felt like failure. This is a very unfortunate character trait (flaw) that I have, but I just hate doing anything that I’m not reasonably good at. Since we moved the blog to WordPress, I feel like I’m constantly walking around saying, “I’m failing math! I’m failing math!” It all boils down to pride, pride, pride. When this is all said and done, I pray the fruit will be a more professional blog and a more humble me.
Well, I started this post with the intention of doing a giveaway, but we’ll just wait until next week. My sweet baby is under the weather, so I’m going to go minister the Tylenol and take advantage of her snuggliness. Have a great weekend, Siestas!
Aww…. I’m jealous of the Tuesday Bible Study group. Not jealous of others for getting to be there, but jealous that I am not close enough to come! Boy, I bet it was good! Sitting at the feet of our Savior and hearing what He has to teach always is!
So sorry that your sweet baby is under the weather. Hope she sleeps soundly in her snuggles… and wakes up feeling much better.
As for the failing math part… no one can see it. From our look, you’re really doing an incredible job!
I understand the unhappiness with math. I taught high school math for a while, and it didn’t go well. There are lots of people that don’t like math. I personally love it, but can’t stand writing. Everyone, has different likes and dislikes. It takes all kinds.
Happy Friday! Praying that sweet girl is feeling better and that you all have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
stephanie
Amanda,
You are not alone in giving something up!! I am 5 days “sober” from Diet Coke. It is such a hard habit to break. I love pop(as we call it in Michigan). I will give you an example of what went through my mind the other day.
There was a gal walking out of Dollar General and she was unknowingly walking right by a recovering pop addict. I wanted to mug her for the fresh Diet Coke that she just pulled from the aisle refrigerator!! Good thing I just kept walking!! I rather not have a police record at this point in my life!! Can you tell I have an issue? Anyway, by God’s Grace and the Holy Spirit’s Conviction, I will overcome!!!
Stacie
I got tickled on your mis-type of “ministering” the Tylenol!! I hope it takes all of your encouragement and advice and gets that baby well soon. Have a great weekend.
🙂 That’s how we say it in our family. If we’re serving something, we say we’re ministering it. Like when I’m at my mom’s house, she ministers tea to me.
You have so many great “Mooreisms”, you should publish them!
Haha…I love that she ministers tea to you. How awesome. Y’all have the best words!
That’s darling! I was contemplating correcting you, when I read this sweet sister’s comment giving you the benefit of the doubt. And well she should. I’d hate to get your mom upset with me for correcting her well-meaning, hard-working, tenderhearted daughter. God bless you and your sick little one.
Many moons ago I was a nurse and was often tickled by patient’s mispronounciations of their afflictions. “I’ve got ammonia”, “I’m having my prostrate removed”, and possibly the funniest, a gentleman in a pre-op area told me he was having a hysterectomy. Don’t worry, I hid behind a desk before I laughed my ever-lovin’ head off 🙂
My apologies for any sensitivities I may have offended.
Oh, I love it! As a mom of 3 (all boys – 6, 3, 5mos)….I was imagining you having to rush to get your post completed. I should have known that it was intentional wording. Hope she’s feeling better.
Oh, Amanda…I HATE math too! Somehow I always managed to do well in school, but I constantly worried about the math – especially the geometry!
I’m back in school and am avoiding taking a final math and a statistics class like I’d be avoiding the plague. I have to have them both to graduate so I have no choice.
Luckily at Liberty, many of our classes are in sub-terms. I’ve decided I can handle anything for 8 weeks!
Have a great weekend and I hope your baby gets better soon 🙂
Amanda, Weight Watchers is an awesome program. Remember that this is a life change and a renewing of your mind and how you look at food, not a diet. On a diet you regain your weight. I lost 65 pounds on weight watchers and have kept if off for 19 months and will continue to keep it off. Keep going, you can do it.
Praying that sweet baby girl gets well soon! Minister to her all you can!
Congratulations on the 10 lbs.–that’s awesome! I struggle with my weight constantly and feel that if I could just lose 10 lbs, I would feel better AND it would be the kick-start I need to lose the rest. It sounds like WW is a good program! I don’t know how you did it eating at Pappasitos and all the other good places you go, you have got some DETERMINATION!
Sorry little Ms Annabeth is under the weather–hope it doesn’t last long! Even with the good snuggling that’s going on I know you would rather she be her old self…! Enjoy your weekend-it’s Parent’s Weekend, Maroon & White game, Baseball and bazaars–Fun stuff!
Have a great one!!!
Will be praying for Sweet Annabeth to feel better soon! Congratulations on the weight loss, it is NOT easy. I have lost 62 pounds over the last year and I am still trying to get that last 15 pounds off. It is torture!!! Have a blessed weekend.
Way to go on your 62! That’s awesome!
CONGRATS on your 10 pounds lost!!! That is no easy feat, I fully understand. I started counting WW points 5 weeks ago and for the last week I’ve been stuck at a loss of 9.5!!! I’m so anxious to hit the big 1-0 milestone I could bust!
I’m so sorry about the new blog frustrations. I will be praying! Please know how much we appreciate ALL the work you do to keep this blog running. This blog changes lives…mine included! THANK YOU!!!
Blessings to all!
Kelli
Way to go, Kelli! Woo hoo!
Sorry Annabeth is not feeling well. Hope you have a good weekend!!! Can’t wait for next Saturday!!!
I JUST started WW yesterday! How funny that today I read your post. It encourages me so! Thanks Amanda!
I always enjoy reading this blog. On most occasions I walk away having had a laugh or 2. You are all a blessing :).
If you have a moment I post a wellness blog at http://www.bwela.blogspot.com, come by for a visit. It’s so much better to LIVE life together.
Thanks for your honesty concerning weight – I have a hard time cutting back what I eat- its all about power and control which is hysterical because apparently I ave no control since I’m overweight (I don’t have baby weight to be a reason – just control and laziness) I want to be healthy and no longer tied to emotional eating, but its hard. I guess I am waiting for GOD to just “handle it” and then the weight will fly off. Apparently not – thanks for the encouragement!
I pray little AB feels better real soon (but still wants to cuddle)
Siesta OC <
Amanda,
I was there for the Bible study sesson Tues night-it was WONDERFUL! Congrats on your weightloss. 🙂 Hope Anabeth feels better soon!
Why have I not heard about this ice cream? I love you Noogs!
i love the snugliness when they are sick. my oldest, mikayla, will be 5 in june and she is snuggly even if she’s mad at me. my youngest however, miss independent-i mean morgan, is rarely snuggly so i take full advantage when offered!! hope that sweet baby gets much much better soon! i just love you and your fam. some cool folks that i think i would have a blast with should i ever live in houston.
I’m trying to lose just 5 pounds with no success! I guess I must try WW.
Thanks for the encouragement Amanda!!
Amanda, I was sooo sooo blessed from the Tuesday night Bible Study. I Praise the LORD your mom was able to finish and finish well. I moved to College Station in the fall from Illinois. I have done all the Bible Studies in IL through my church and the study of David was the first one we did a lot of years ago. I decided to drive to Houston and do the Bible Study there, I have visited before. It was really awesome to be apart of the home ladies and the drive is beautiful with all the Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrush blooming.
Hope your mom is getting all the rest she needs as she is an awesome teacher and has raised such wonderful girls. Love Ya all a lot!!!!
Sharon
Oh girl, I understand, and can relate to EVERYTHING you just talked about!
First off, WordPress is hard to get used to. I do much better using ” Photobucket” for my pictures and posting from there to Embedded image on HTML part of WordPress post.
It just works better for me, and then I can write over or under the picture.
Anyway, I too am trying to get the weight off. Since like 2006, and finally it is coming off! I did day 3 of the gym and treadmill in a row today:) and also that little machine that makes you do sit ups while sitting down. LOVE IT! I have read SLI, prayed intercessory prayers, and listened to all kinds of music while on doing the treadmill:)
It’s made it so much easier, but clearly I have a short attention span and have to multi task! So you can tell your momma I burn 100 calories a day while reading SLI HA HA!
Yes, math and me are not friends. Thankfully until I take the knowledge test, I won’t have to worry about any crazy math. Don’t ask me about percentage…I’ll just answer half of whatever you say…not going there sister!
Anyway, clearly I am rambling! Hope dear Annabeth feels better soon!
xoxo
ang
Amanda,
I can definitely understand the weight loss struggle and victory. Your ten pounds is my encouragement to keep trying, Congratulations! Thanks for all of your hard work on the new blog. I wasn’t sure if I liked it at first (I’m not a fan of change-who is?) However, I really like it now. It’s a lot easier to read the comments of others (something I love) and to be able to give them a direct reply is pretty cool as well. Hope Annabeth feels better soon.
Amanda,
Thank you and your mother, what a wonderful experience I had going to bible study on Tuesday nights. I looked forward to my Tuesdays to hear your mother speak and explain the word of God in a way that I could understand and apply the word to my life. I am going to miss you guys in the summer and hope the fall will bring another wonderful group of ladies together to hear from the Lord.
I wish you and your family a blessed summer!
A faithful Siesta
P.S. Congrats on the 10 lbs.
Hi Amanda,
The last night of study was awesome and your Moms application of the 23rd Psalm for our scripture inclusion regarding the end of David’s life. Endings of a study is sad and joyful all at once because the sadness of wanting more and the joy of what we received. I am glad your Mom will have a tad more time to recharge. Can’t wait for fall study but know that many of us Siestas will continue to do other studies in the interim until we meet face to face again.
Now that math thing. Lets talk…I was a D-F math student. On a good day a C-. Explaining math to a blank wall would stick better than to the gray matter in my brain. I can also relate to your statement of what you aren’t reasonably good at it is an “I’m failing math” statement. I just had this math conversation with a co-worker this very morning so I chuckled when I saw the title of this post. This definitely was God today because your statement later of it boiling down to pride, pride, pride struck a chord and really hit home to look at it with a new point of view which I am my own sticking point on this. Amanda, we shall overcome with a more teachable spirit.
Thank you for this little lesson in life that spoke to me today. Take care of that sweet baby of yours. We love you all in that big Godly glorious family of your.
Amen! “We shall overcome with a more teachable spirit.” I like that!
Hope your baby feels better soon! I completely understand – my little boy (almost 2) has had strep throat this week. It’s nice to have them snuggle with you, but you would do anything for them to be up and playing again, too!
Have a great weekend!
Way to go Amanda on the 10 pounds! I’m struggling in this area- being in America sure ain’t helping! I did forego the Great American Cookie this morning at the mall while my sweet girls chowed down on one. It was so hard. I even wanted to tell myself I could have one since I ran this morning, but I did not cave! I’m so encouraged by your 10 pound loss! Hope Annabeth feels better, but snuggles are so fun!
For me it was statistics!!! ARRRGH! From this side of the screen it looks like you are doing a fine job on the blog. Don’t tell us how it “could” be….we’ll never notice.
Hoping and praying the little munchkin is better soon. Poor sweet little thing.
And way to go on the weight loss. Next week it will be my 10 month trek into this new lifestyle….total lbs lost so far….113!!! It’s a God-thing for me, totally!!!!
Melana
You are amazing, Melana! Does Fuzzytop make your head explode when she talks about statistics? She’s another amazing lady.
Yes!! Don’t you think it’s funny that one of my bestest friends in the world is a statistician…It’s hilarious. Where was she when I was in college! And you know what’s really amazing? She is so gifted artistically too. Numbers and art…go figure! Or not…that would involve math! HA!!
It just hit me that sometimes the very thing we’ve gotten used to saying we’ve failed at is the very thing our soul and Spirit craves to joyfully overcome! I never did well at math – but honestly I love the pattern and “headiness” of it. Go figure! GOD wants us to overcome the very hurdles we hate but have allowed to become part of our speech…don’t let this blog become your down-talk to yourself. If you didn’t do it or forge thru the waters, many of us would not have the benefit of connecting with sisters like we do here. You have blessed me more than you know! Never will the overwelmed be overtaken! He’s got you!
Amanda,
Just like your mother…you’re just so sweet.
I’m on a diet, too, so congratulations on those ten pounds! And don’t worry about the blog stuff….I was getting riled up ’cause I couldn’t get my picture to work (see older post. Yep, that was me, trying to get my dog’s picture up there…GENIUS.)
Hope your baby girl feels better soon.
This really has me curious as we would say the same thing “minister (ing)”. What word do others use in place of it?
Hope Annabeth feels better.
Congrats on the weightloss and maintaining.
Administer?
I can totally relate about math. In fact, I was so bad at math that it kept me from graduating in the Honors Society. My 11th grade year my Algrebra teacher, Mrs. Denton, called my mother and asked her to come to a parent teacher conference. When she arrived, my teacher looked into my very frustrated mother’s face and simply told her that I had a blockage in my brain when it comes to math and she was passing me. I just wasnt going to get it. I had gone to every study hall, every tutor class, every extra help before school, after school, IN school and I was still failing!!!! Thank you Lord for Mrs. Denton, and I still have the blockage. I feel sorry for my kids..
That is my math story and Im stickin to it.
Amanda, you are doing a fine job on WordPress. It will get easier. I am thankful that you all went to WordPress. I think that it is wonderful to be able to comment to one another.
About the weight issue. I feel like this is something God has been dealing with me about for several months. I finally said ok, ok I hear you. I was looking for a way to get started. I also go to Proverbs 31 and read. Wednesday over a week ago Karen Ehman wrote the daily devotional. She has lost 100 pounds! She real resonated with me. Every Wednesday on her blog (karenehman.com) she has Weight Loss Wednesdays. The ladies go on and comment about their week, tell if they have any struggles or if they have lost weight. It is really encouraging.
Well anywho, I started Monday. I get up and walk at 5:20am!! I have quit sweets. I do believe that I was an addict. I have decided this time to depend on God to get me through it. I can’t tell you what peace that I have had. I have not threaten to kill and family member over my sugar depravity!! I have a very long way to go. I need to loose about 100 pounds. Pray that I would continue to depend on the Lord through all this process.
Praying for you right now!
Hi Church Lady,
I started my journey to healthier living just about 10 months ago. I KNEW God was telling me I needed to get my head off of food and ON HIM!! I started, needing to lose 200 lbs. Today, I have lost 113. It is a daily, hourly submission to His will for me. It is hard. It is worth it. You can do this….YES YOU CAN! You are not alone. Praying for you siesta friend!
Melana
Thank you so much. Your prayers and encouragements mean so much to me. God Bless
Moosemama: Your post was a great encouragement to me. I need to loose about 25 # and it isn’t budging! I like your phrase: “daily, hourly submission to His will” because I daily, hourly, think about food when I’m trying to lose weight. Blessings to you for your diligence and hard work.
Sharon
This was my first opportunity to attend a Tuesday evening Bible Study. I’ve previously gone to Bible Studies with friends, or at my home church. This time it was just me…all by myself – scary. Out of my comfort zone and without any distractions or socializing – God moved me, changed me and spoke to me week after week.
Saved at 9 years old, expert pit-dweller by my 30s, now FREE at 40! I noticed that my shampoo has tea tree oil in it – so every morning in the shower He “anoints my head with oil” and my cup runneth over!
I just love you LP girls to pieces. Sabrina is a peach! I thank God for each and every one of you.
The math thing… ugh. We are preparing for the upcoming Simulcast at our church and we decided to do it ourselves instead of hiring a caterer–mostly to save money. The what to eat is not a problem at all. But how much? That’s a tough one! Here’s a fun story problem for you: If each lady requires 2 oz. of spinach leaves for their strawberry/spinach/poppy seed dressing salad, how many 2.5 lb. bags of spinach leaves will it take to feed 200 women? That’s IF we have 200 women… could be more could be less. At the very least it will be interesting!
HI Tracy, If each woman needs 2oz and there are 200 women that means there will be 400oz of spinach leaves. Take the 400oz and divide that by the 2.5oz that come in each bag, you will need 160 bags. 🙂
Except that you have to convert the bags that are 2.5 pounds into 40 oz bags. That means each bag feeds 20 women so we’d need 10. Trouble is they come 4 bags to a case… Guess we’ll order 3 cases and my family can eat spinach for a couple weeks if we have less than we expect.
I hate to say it, but welcome to the 30s Amanda. Most of us have to change our eating habits a little at that point. (I write this after just eating chips and salsa for lunch…) It’s a struggle because food has gotten so dagum good these days. Don’t you agree?
Have a great weekend!
WW is how I lost my last 10 pounds of baby weight. Keep up the great counting! I was so excited to lose a few pounds until it made my activities count for less points. Bummer!! Find a good sale, get some cute pants and then post us a pic of the results of all the hard work!
This has nothing to do with your post, Amanda. But I just want to say… One week ago today I received a call that I am cancer-free. I have enlarged lymph nodes, and of course, lymphoma was a real concern. Today my father received the news that he, indeed, has cancer. Hmm. God works in wonderous ways. He prepares us, strengthens us, sustains us, and draws us to Him. I am in Chapter 17 of Beth’s insecurity book. I’m just commenting to say thanks, Beth. I’ve learned so much from you along the way and over the years. It’s what we learn and practice in the every day of our lives that makes us who we are in the flat out scared times. And I’m okay because of a God who loves us and has our days numbered. Glory to Him. –Amanda
Oh my goodness. I’m so glad for your results and sorry to hear about your dad’s.
Your post is so full of faith – I needed that. Thanks, sister!
Hey Amanda,
You really are doing great this year. I still have not had any french fries this year, but I am trying to kick the Mountain Dews habit (and I’m not talking about diet MD)so I am claiming 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV – I say this over and over to myself.
Hope your baby feels better soon.
Hey Amanda,hope your little princess gets well soon.
I remember struggling with math too. I was so glad when I finished my last math paper in high school. I ended up with a B which I hugged happily.
Congratulations on the 10 pounds!! Woohoo! After Easter and my birthday, the diet went downhill and will be resumed starting Monday. You’re right: it’s so hard but so worth it! I’m sorry AB is sick…Brennan is sick too. I’m “ministering” lovies and Motrin, too. 🙂
You’re doing great with WordPress, Amanda and you’ll get the knack of it. Your work as the blog administrator is very much appreciated! Hope Annabeth feels better soon and enjoy your weekend. Love to you all!
Oh I hear you on the “I hate math” sentiment. This morning my 4th grader asked me to check her math homework. I made it to problem #7 out of 30 problems. Talk about feeling dumber than dirt. I kept having to go back and look up definitions – b/c are we really supposed to remember what a rhombus looks like? Oh, right, cause I use that tidbit of knowledge every other day. (And what do you know — spell check was telling me “rhombus” was misspelled. – don’t worry, I’ve corrected it here, for your reading pleasure).
Don’t know what one is – don’t even know how to spell it. I guess I’m just having myself a Rhombus Day any which way I turn it (it is a parallelogram you know…)(I only know b/c I had to look it up this morning).
Warm and Rhombussy in Alaska.
In case anyone is wondering a rhombus is a parallelogram with four congruent (equal) sides. That does not make it a square because a square has four congruent sides and four right angles. Some people call it a diamond but that is not a proper geometric term. Can you tell I’m a high school math teacher? My students make fun of me but sometimes in the summer when I’m bored I get on Yahoo answers and help people with their math homework. I feel bad for the people who are going back to school and taking online classes with no one there to explain it. So if any of you ever need some math help let me know. I would hate to see the fear of math get in the way of anyone achieving their dreams.
You are a math minister!
I can so relate to walking around saying “I’m failing, I’m failing” when I actually have a B or higher. I am in my second semester of my masters program and had one class that was particularly tough this go around. I have a strong B…maybe even an A (Lord willing), and have had to combat those feelings of failure. The most important this is that I am doing my best.
And the blog looks amazing!
I think you are doing great on WP. I give you an “A!” Praying for baby Annabeth and for all the Moores, Joneses and Fitz’es.
Love,
Holly
I had to giggle. The reason I teach second and third grade is I can do the math. I wish I could lose 10 pounds…that has been a trying thing for me of late. I pray your little one feels better tomorow.
blessings
I gave up cokes 2 and half years ago, cold turkey. I do have one a couple of times a year but I have to really really want one or I take a few sips and pour it out. A waste of money. Now carbs are a different story, I love potatoes!!!!
Praying for our sweet baby girl, my nephew will be one tomorrow, Happy Birthday Keygen!
My 3rd grader is learning fractions. Easy, right? Then we get to the one in the homework that’s 2/2 of 14. Completely stumped me – and I thought I was good at math. So humbling… See what you get to look forward to?
Congrats on the 10 pounds. Wish I had the will…
Hi Amanda!
I am horrible at math. Horrible. Actually got taken out of class in the fifth grade after I freaked out while doing one of those tortureous timed multiplication tests. Not only got taken out of the class, but my teacher smacked me on the knuckles with a ruler. That was back in the 70’s; not that it was okay then either.
Okay, the real reason I blathered on is I wanted to share one of my favorite math books with you…”Math Curse” by Jon Scieska. It is a kids picture book, but perfectly explains how my mind deals with math. Hope you get a chance to take a peek at it and enjoy it too. Happy Weekend!
Amanda and Siestas,
I have been doing a diet since August. It is called Thrive and was developed by a man in our community. IT WORKS> The diet craze has even spread to our surrounding communities. Basically you have a 7 week weight loss periods, then you go into maintain phase. I have been doing this cycle since August and have lost and kept off 25 lbs. (Remember I had a new baby last June-ugh, it was baby #4 and talk about trouble coming off!) Right now I am back in a weight loss cycle and am not doing so great. I have a lot of “cheat” moments. (I think the warmer weather has made me crave ice cream too!) Hang in there Amanda. . diets just stink, but what success we feel when it works.
I can’t wait until next weekend! Hope to see lots of Siestas in Hot-lanta!
Wendy
WHOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! i AM a fellow WW!!! congrats on the 10 lbs. i am a lifetime now – but joined about a year ago for the very same reason – stubborn baby weight. when i hit 10 pounds lost, i bought myself the hungry monster from the commericals as a reward (they were selling a little stuffed animal of the monster at the time). then, about 2 months later, WW recalled the monster b/c they were made in China and some people found pins in their monsters. i checked my monster for pins and couldn’t find any so i kept him! i just couldn’t part with him since he was my 10 pound reward 🙂 congrats to you. make sure you reward yourself somehow!!! i’d say you should buy a monster but unfortunately that is no longer an option 🙁 hahaha
I used wordpress for about…..3 hours one day. I couldn’t trade for the ease of Blogger. I am struggling with weight too…it’s a lifelong thing for me though.