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!
Hi Amanda,
Oh the weight thing. I am right there with you. At my age (menopause) it sure is alot harder losing the weight. I remember my mom saying that when I got her age it would be harder losing weight and I told her, well that won’t be me. I will be able to eat what I want and not lose weight. Smary pants that I was! I was so wrong!…….
Math was my worst subject. Too many things to remember.
Get well Annabeth!
Love you guys and thanks for sharing with us.
Menopause was what did me in and I should have taken charge of my weight then. It is tougher. I am coming to grips that I won’t weigh wha I did at 25 and if I can stay active and healthy, thats OK.
I have struggled with weight most of my life. A few years ago, I lost over 55 lbs. I gained some back, but am now within 8 lbs. of my goal. I am determined to make a lifestyle change. I started on Weightwatchers about 8 months ago. I like the support and try to keep focused on tracking what I put in my mouth. Recently I started seeing a registered dietcian. She is really helping to make a difference, what I eat and WHEN I eat it. Tracking is not easy, but I know God has a plan for me, and I need to be physically and spiritually fit to do it.
Today, I walked about 4 miles. Keep at it Amanda. You can do it girlfriend! P.S. It’s okay to have a treat now and then. Or do as I do… I treat myself to a new outfit. Need to since I am down a size or two.
Blessings all,
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
Amanda, Way to go!!! I know how hard it is to try and lose some weight. Been a struggle since I’ve been married. So happy for you!!! :0)
Hang in there, siesta! WordPress is complicated for me,too, but we’re all learning. Way to go on the 10 pounds!!!
You have a great weekend yourself Amanda and may your sweet one feel better soon.
Been praying for your Mom conference this weekend. One thing I ask can you all pray for me I have been out of work since last Oct.09 have been unable to find a job but to make a long story short I took a test for the Federal Government to be a TSA screener at the airport here in Albuquerque and there is alot of steps to try to get in past the test faxed over some forms and they keep emailing telling me they could not read some of my forms refaxed them and the same thing they are at a stand still until I can fax and they can read them. Also there is background checks and othe things so please pray for me that everything can go thru if its God will that the door be open there.
Thanks Carol
Praying right now!
Congratulations on the 10 pounds, Amanda! That’s great…keep up the good work! I’m learning that for the weight loss to stick, it’s got to be a lifestyle change. I’ve lost 42 pounds in the last year and am excited about the things God has taught me through this process. Can’t wait to see what else there is to learn as I continue to work on getting healthy!
Congrats in the 10 lbs.!Last year, about the time of the IL LPL conference, I realized that I hadn’t had sugared pop for about a month. People kept saying, “Wow, you’re really losing weight!” I would say,”Thanks, but I don’t think so.” Well, I decided to get on a scale and to my amazement I HAD lost about 20 lbs. I started working out at home to help it along a little, but for the past month I have had to not exercise because I had 2 moles removed, and I couldn’t do a bunch of the exercises. I am getting the last of the stitches(24 between the 2) out on Thursday(woo hoo!), and I plan on getting back to it again.
We have our last Bible study in 2 weeks and we also end with an ice cream social.
Sorry, to hear Annabeth isn’t feeling well, but glad you’re getting some extra snuggling time. Have a wonderful weekend! Love y’all! Joan
Have a great weekend too Amanda and I hope Annabeth is feeling better soon.
Please don’t feel like you are ‘failing math’ with this website…it is so wonderful no matter what blogger format you use…I’d read it anywhere and any place. 🙂
And I am curious if the Tuesday Bible study will be available on DVD? I hope so!!!
Blessings,
Michelle in VT
Math has never been my thing and I would guess at 58 yrs young it isn’t going to be..hehehe.
I have prayed for Annabeth, sending wellness hugs her way.
I too struggle with the last ten pounds, but I don’t exercise, I do golf and am toning up so I am happy with that.
I just went gluten free about ten days ago, had been having a serious illness twice in three months, after doing my own research I thought I would give it a try, and it really seems to be working. A BIG surprise for me since I am a whole grain- wheat-white-flour-aholic, I thought it would be tough but it hasn’t been bad.(You wouldn’t believe the stuff that can have gluten, chips, pudding, dips, etc.)
Amanda –
I have been doing WW since October and have lost 28 lbs. I give all glory to God for allowing me to manage it and keeping my mind in the right place. I applaud you for your loss because I know the discipline it has taken. WW is a relatively straightforward plan, but it still takes some work. Know that you are not alone and good luck reaching your goal!!! Hope your baby feels better soon.
Diane
I wondered if it was WW you were doing. I started almost 2 weeks ago, myself. It is really the only diet that has ever worked for me. And, chica, it sounds like you have been very faithful and consistent–no wonder you are succeeding. In this, you are not “failing math.” 🙂
I am a 5:00 make-up person on Tuesdays – can’t wait to go next week. Have 2 boys in high school baseball here in Houston that play on Tuesdays so I run out of there @ 6.
Math – the worse thing about me being so bad is the genes carry, so I am constantly telling my senior that I am so sorry – I don’t know if he will be able to major in business like he wants to because he has my math gene! Or lack thereof. Is terrible. It is genetic, I think.
Weight – I just lost 13 pounds – got down to “wedding weight” – quit all bread, cut out caffeine, instead of taking 3 pieces of pizza, just took two – ate all I wanted – just less of it (besides the bread!).
Praying for your baby girl to be “all better” tomorrow and sleep through the night!
I love that you failed to add (ad…minister) in your blog post titled “Failing Math”. That was so funny, even if it was on purpose.
I’m sorry to hear the baby is sick. I hope she is better soon. As far as your weight loss. At least you are young. Those pounds are much more willful after 40.
I was already excited to do the new David study; now I can’t wait.
Amanda, I still have nightmares about math, and I went to high school in the early 80s! Usually my dreams are some slight variation on having a huge math test the next day after having done little or none of the homework all semester. How do you catch up that fast on math?! Total nightmare. I’m always so relieved to wake up and realize I actually did graduate and never have to take math again.
And thank you for sharing your success with weight loss. It’s really encouraging. Just this morning I took a deep breath when I faced the scale and the pounds that have slipped on – with summer just weeks way. I decided that I’d like to lose 10 pounds. Then I thought that perhaps it would help if I actually read the Weight Watchers point information a friend gave me to read. So now I’m all inspired by you and tomorrow is a new day. (But I am pretty happy I took the boys to Dairy Queen before reading your post. That yummy strawberry sundae will hold me for a long while.)
Give those darling little ones a snuggle and kiss for us Siestas. 🙂
Poor precious thing. I hope she feels better.
I’ve never done WW myself, but when I was a teenager my friend’s mom was on Weight Watchers and we used to eat all of her faux ice cream sandwiches out of the freezer 🙂 You know how teenagers are about raiding tasty food.
Low fat chocolate graham crackers with lite whipped cream in between, frozen. So tasty. I think they were worth 1 point. If you haven’t, you should try it.
You and I get along with math in the same way… oh the shame of our hard B’s. It reminds me of a Cosby Show quote from good ol’ Dr. Huxtable, “I’ll take a hard C over an easy A any day.”
That humility thing… that’s the theme God is working with me on the most right now. You know those “I am second” videos? So good. All so meaningful in their own way. Anyway, I was watching the one on Bailee Madison. http://www.iamsecond.com/#/seconds/Bailee_Madison/
Ever since then I hear in my head on a daily basis “Becca, humble. Becca, humble.”
It’s like everywhere I go and everything I do lately that theme of humility is there. Maybe I should take a hint 🙂
Oh poor little one. I understand exactly what you are saying. I just spent almost a whole battery charge trying to figure out why my wireless connection was not working. So frustrating.
Hope your sweet little one is feeling better soon.
Praying for Beth and those at Living Proof Live in Florda this weekend. Can’t wait for next Saturday.
Going to enjoy a great weekend!
Jan
Hey Amanda,
It was great to meet you again Tuesday night. I can hardly believe I got to attend THREE Tuesday Bible Study sessions! I loved them and your mom SO much. I didn’t get to tell you that my 88 year old dad drove me each week, because the first week I tried to come, I got so confused trying to negotiate the freeway system in Houston, that I called him about two miles from his home, where I’m staying, and said, “I have no idea how to get on this freeway using your instructions.” And I was terrified at having to find my way home after dark. So, bless his heart, he drove and waited there for me each week. He lives Northwest of Houston, near Champion Forest. After three trips to First Baptist, I was able to drive over to that area of town all by myself today! Yea!
I also got lost on the last night trying to find the door I came in, at the church. I’m not normally so directionally challenged. I think I traipsed through the worship center three times trying to retrace the exact way I wound my way through the campus TO the worship center in the first place. The blessing was that I got to meet Lisa Pierre and have a nice conversation with her on my last time through. LOL Just loved watching her lead us in worship. She is a JOY!
Looking forward to listening to the “Insecurity” CD’s on my drive home to Colorado in a couple of days.
I pray your sweet little Annabeth is back to her bouncy self very quickly. And that Beth gets her much needed rest. And, honey, you don’t look like you need to lose an ounce, but if you feel you must, give a few pounds to your Mom! And that’s all I’m going to say about that…
Looking forward to a recap of your trip to Dallas. Hope the bluebonnets are still going strong on my drive back to Colorado. Can’t wait to post about this trip on my blog when I get back home!
DeniseClaire
Denise, we were so blessed to get to have you. I enjoyed getting to visit those two times!
The Moore precious ladies are so transparent, loving, and awesome! Amanda, I looovvvvee the way you come in between comments and write your comment. It’s incredible! Your real beauty comes out and definitely touches my life. The training, discipline, and love manifested by you, your Mom and Melissa, give all of us an atmosphere of love by God in our homes. HOME: a world of care within, a world of strife shut out, a world of love shut in! I’s been said: Men make a camp; a warm of bees a comb; birds make a nest; A WOMAN MAKES A HOME! Thank you, Amanda, for the sweet fellowship via blog!
I was laughing so hard about the failing math thing! It reminded me of when we went to Disney 2 years ago. We had been saving and planning for THREE YEARS to go at just the right time and as time got closer I did incredible “day planning” to give us a guide of how our days would go. I wasn’t a strict army general with assigned times for the potty, but we had a fairly good guide that would allow us to do what all we wanted to do. Well, it didn’t take too long before the plan slowly started to unravel. I just kept feeling like this was the final exam that I had studied and prepared for, only to find out I hadn’t studied hard enough, or had studied the wrong thing…..I was really making fun of myself because I am such a “stick to the plan” type person, but the absurdity of the situation was quite funny. Hang in there, you’ll figure it out. BTW, we had an absolutely awesome time every day we were at Disney and I have no regrets at all about anything related to that trip!
O:)
Melissa
My husband and I have been doing weight watcher’s since the end of December and love it….I’ve lost 21 pounds and he’s lost over 50! woo-hoo! congratulations on your loss…doesn’t it make you feel good?
Bravo to you Amanda on your 10 pound loss! WW is an exellent program. I lost 25 pounds about a year ago and I still remain within 2 pounds of my goal so I am a free Lifetime member. When I set out to lose weight I asked God to join me in my journey. I prayed for self-control at social gatherings and at times courage, because I was afraid sometimes to go places for fear that I would blow it. Anyway, God is good and faithful. He has changed my mind in regards to my health and my body image and in return my weight.
Keep up the fabulous work!!
Amanda,
Wish you lots of success in the weight loss. My husband and I recently started a new eating program (not a diet) and in three months we’ve lost about 50# combined, myself, 22# in 11 weeks….no special foods, no measuring, change of lifestyle for us now and it’s working, I just came back from a one week vacation and didn’t gail an ounce, maybe lost a few. I’m 58 and he’s 62, most of this was without exercising. We are now walking daily and loving life again. The book – Let’s Do Lunch, Roger Troy Wilson.
I too blog on WordPress. I know that it can do SO much more than I know how to accomplish. My 16 year old son is MUCH better at it than me. About 2 months ago, I decided it wasn’t that big of a deal for me, I just use it as an outlet for my journey anyway. :)But, I can see it would be a bigger deal for you. Jesus said the Holy Sprirt would teach us in all things… ALL things, so as I pray this while teaching my 4th, 7th, and 11th graders at home, I will also pray this for you! 🙂 Have a great day, You are a blessing to me.
Deanna
Congratulations on your weight loss! Its tough work. I am down 14 also with WW. Its great because I feel like it just helps me to eat the right portion sizes! Now if you could just toss some of that motivation my way to go running 🙂 Hope your little one feels better soon!
Wanted to see if my picture worked 🙂
Did it work now? I made one a gravatar but now I don’t know how to make it work…
Amanda,
You reminded me of how I struggled with just learning how to blog! When I first started my blog and was trying to figure it all out, I accidentally set myself up as a follower of my own blog and I was frantically trying to undo my mistake. We don’t give ourselves much of a learning curve sometimes, do we? I get tired of having to ask for help from family members who know this stuff much better than I do, but sometimes we need help, I know I do! We aren’t perfect, we don’t have to be.
Have a great weekend!
I use to get physically ill in my Algebra class. I was in the nurses office atleast once a week due to mental anguish!
Congratulations, Amanda!! I am also losing weight – about 13 lbs so far! I am also losing baby weight, but my baby is 4 1/2! So good for you for starting so soon!
Amanda–I to hate math. When I took the GRE to go to grad school I excitedly opened my results I was in the 5th percentile.. that’s becuz only 5 % of america did worse then me.. hahha.. it was the math that killed me! 🙂 I also tried wordpress when I was a missionary in nepal and my whole team was using it.. just could not figure it out.. you are doing awesome!
Thanks for your realness and transparency.. I may not be good @ math or wordpress.. but I am GOD’s! Glory
Amanda,
You never looked like you needed to lose weight, but congrats anyway!
Amanda,
Congratulations on the ten pounds! I have been trying to lose five pounds and it seems impossible! I have been working my tail off for the past six months, even exercising up to 60 minutes a day, to no avail. I guess I’ll have to eat right:(
By the way the blog looks great!
Congratulations on reaching your goal, Amanda. If you don’t like math, you’re probably great at relationships or something like that. I like math/science, but stink at social/relational stuff. You’re doing a great job with the blog, don’t worry about it.
I hope AB is already feeling much better.
Thankful that MamaBeth got a big dose of love from the folks at the study. Praying for her and crew at FL and for safe travel home.
Michele,
I bet your sweet dog doesn’t think you stink, but thinks you are the most wonderful person on the face of the earth. By God’s grace, I pray that I can become the person my little dog thinks I am.
Thanks Lisa. Your dog is cute. My Cindy will turn 16 years old this Tuesday. 🙂
“Making these changes has been difficult, but it’s actually been a lot easier than feeling bad about __(insert own problem)___”
i’m still stuck in the “making changes has been difficult” part of this sentence, but this is speaking much truth to me right now in the midst of a 13 year problem that i’m attempting to really deal with the root of for the first time. thank you…
Hi there,
Amanda, I can understand your difficulties with math, that’s for sure! However, my difficulties lie with having had serious problems passing college level algebra. I had to take that course twice, even though I had a tutor through both semesters.
I have been praying for Miss Beth’s Tuesday night Bible study this semester, and am very glad to hear that it ended so well. Praise God !
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer O.
Southern Wisconsin
P.s. Spring is finally beginning to come to my area ! Hallelujah ! We have all been praying that the winter’s freezing temperatures would go away soon. We had some 70 degree temperatures last week, but it is “back to normal” in the 50’s here today.
Amanda-
I hope Anabeth is feeling better today! Congrats on the weight loss 🙂 A couple things to keep in mind about weight loss: not all carbs/starches are equal, portion size, and fruits/veggies every day. Oh and the making what you eat, if anything, after 7pm count for healthy calories. Yes I’ve been there done that and was so glad to be able to give all my large pants, and pull my size 8’s out of the bottom drawer!!!
I have a question: what would it take for your mom to be able to do a teaching here in Ogden, Utah? It sure would be a blessing to have her come and do a teaching here.
Thanks,
Diane K.
I usually wait around for a little while after the Bible studies to give time for a few hundred cars to clear out of the parking lot. This week I was sitting in the balcony and got to watch your mom hugging her heart out with that long line of ladies. It was so sweet to watch.
In school, I was an under the desk finger counter, but today I can add, subtract, multiply and divide lying down, all with the help of my cell phone and built in calculator. (-;
Just think, one day soon we will have our glorified bodies freeing us from all diets. We will be able to measure the distance between the stars too!
I think Annabeth needs for you to minister her some ice-cream.
I hope that Annabeth has recovered and is back at full force! Congratulation on losing 10 lbs…having tried numerous times…no easy task…so way to go! Unfortunately, I cannot blame mine on extra baby weight!I’m addicted to sweets! About 10 of us meet in our school’s gym several days a week and do the “30 Day Shred” with Jillian Michaels(Biggest Loser). It only last about 20 minutes… but it’s a killer! It gives me a great workout… I guess I need to give up my chocolate and coke(huge weakness) to make it work! Weight Watchers in an awesome program…they have some great recipes too!That may be a good blog post one day…sharing WW/healthy recipies!You have gotten me fired up now! Thanks Amanda!
Amanda, you are SO appreciated as the administrator – or should I say “MINISTER” of this blog!! You do a really great job, oh yeah.
I’m a Lifetime member of WW and have been going to meetings again the past couple of months to get a stubborn 15 lbs off that I’ve regained.
I’m almost at 10 now, so hearing you made it to 10 has inspired me! And I so admire that you did something about it before it became a 50 lb problem like so many of us have done!!
Congratulations!
p.s. I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s comments to Amanda’s post!
You are not failing math!! I loved the post. I am doing Curves. I actually work at Curves and so I have to exercise 3 x a week for the job!! I asked God to help me loose weight and He gave me two jobs, one at Curves and one at Subway!! He has a great since of humor! Have a great day. Looking forward to the pictures!
i love wp since i figured out some of those things, if you need some help or have some questions just let me know. Hope you are all doing well now, and sweetie…you are not failing math 😆
It has been a very stress-filled week in my home. My husband is waiting to hear from his professor if his final dissertation submission will be ok’d by the Tuesday deadline so my husband can graduate this semester. This graduation has been delayed for a year due to health problems and two hospital stays for my sweet husband. We are claiming that this is the semester! On top of everything, my hubby’s health has been on a downward slope since last year and he’s battling something – the doctors don’t know what it is. On top of that, he has a concert with one of his ensembles this weekend, I had a picture day at my dance studio, and its recital season, so I’m working 40+ hour weeks. On top of everything else – my brother’s mother in law passed away this Thursday. My heart aches for my dear sister-in-law and my brother. I want to be there for them but am too far away. Yes, there is much going on in my life and we are hoping to see the goodness of the Lord, and his favor in the coming days.
Today, in my stress and frustration, I went to pray and was convicted – I have not thanked God for anything in days – just petition after petition after petition. I am determined to thank Him for something, be it the beautiful weather, the good attendance at my picture day, safe travels for those going to the funeral, a job for my husband and myself. I will YET praise you, my Savior my king.
Thanks for letting me share. God is good, even when its hard to see it; He is good. He is faithful and he will provide.
I’m asking God to pour His peace out on your family.
thanks, amanda! i am too! i know that God will not leave us in all this mess; he has a plan and a purpose and will never abandon the work of His hand. thanks for your prayers!
Wow. Let’s compare lives here Amanda. So…I have a sick daughter as well. And my belly has decided (in spite of running) to gather ruffles. Wasn’t that a cute way to say that? I despise doing anything that I’m not wonderful at. And yes, as you gracefully pointed out, it’s all PRIDE, PRIDE, PRIDE. Not only am I horrible (A B+ average – gasp!) at math but I just spent an entire morning at homeschool convention trying to choose a math curriculum for my children. Arghh! And being in the city (we live in the middle of nowhere) with my hubby he of course spoiled me rotten and took me out to eat repeatedly and for yummy snacks and fattening drinks and now my ruffles are going to get bigger. Sigh. I just couldn’t pass up the bread at the Italian restaurant. Yum. And the oil you dip it in. Yum yum. And the fried pickles at the barbecue place. Yum yumEE. Does Weight Watchers have a 911 line? (And on the way home I had a reese’s peannut butter cup blast from the ice cream drive in. Shhh.) I’ll start tomorrow, right?
You are such a great Mom, Amanda…I love the new blog and you will get the hang of it. You, your sister and Mom are such special people in so many of our lives. I personally treasure the great visits to your blog and appreciate all of your transparencies with us. We all love you!!!
Youre so not failing : ) I think you are doing wonderfully! Your posts always make me laugh and are always so sweet. Your love for your kids is so obvious and so amazing. Love hearing you talk about them…makes me (16) so excited to be a mom someday. Thanks for all your hard work on this blog….youre an incredible blog administrator and mom to your sweet kiddos!
Amanda, I’m about two years into WordPress and it’s much harder, you’re right. I use Windows Live Writer which makes it much easier to upload photos, etc. Try it out. It’s free. My favorite thing …. free.
I hate to admit: I love when my children are ill (as long as it’s not serious); I love the snuggles, the neediness, and the opportunity for me to put aside everything else and be a mommy. Aaaahhhh. . . and congrats to the weight loss. Those last 10 are hard.
Oooh, I’m so sorry that Annabeth is not feeling well. Give her a kiss from Aunt Shellie. I’m sure you’ll figure out the new blog. So will I. Sorry that I’ve been so negative in the past. I really do not like change, but as a friend at CR has pointed out to me, if there is one thing you can count on in life, it’s change! Ugh, exactly why life is so unpleasant in my opinion!