Pictures are worth more than words...

February 23, 2012 - only 1  week into WL journey

Oldest daughter with me

April 3, 2012 - 25.6 pounds gone!

April 14, 2012 - 29.8 pounds gone - over 10% of initial weight!

In Easter dress - hadn't worn in 5 years!

May 29, 2012 - 53.4 pounds gone!

Oldest twin with me

June 27, 2012 - 64.6 pounds gone!

July 9, 2012 - 66.6 pounds gone!

2nd and youngest daughter with me.

July 20, 2012 - 71 pounds gone!

I think I need some smaller shirts....all the ones I have are so baggy!

This picture was taken on Friday.  I will blog more about our garden and include better pics of some of the children.  The youngest twin has been camera shy lately!  :-) 

Keep your eyes open for a gardening blog...

By God's grace, this weight will never return.....Thanks to the lifestyle change I am making!

Laundry Distractions

Non Scale Victories....NSVs. They are encouraging and so uplifting...But, honestly, I hadn't really had many during the last 13 weeks. I have been concentrating on losing weight - eating right, exercising, and
working on the emotional habits I had formed. It hasn't always been easy, but thankfully, the weight has been coming off.

I am not a huge measurer. I have been measuring every 4 weeks and have seen on paper the inches coming off as well, but have not experienced it but 1x with clothing. I did wear a dress the week after Easter, but I had fit into that dress in the past.

So, I was doing laundry on Thursday. Actually, doing laundry from beginning to completion, washing, drying, folding, AND putting away! I usually stop somewhere in the middle, but was determined to get everything put away. While I was hanging my skirts in the closet I noticed a dress that was given to me a little over a year ago. I liked it and put it in my closet. Some friends came over and were helping me clean stuff out that had piled up after twins, and commented on that dress. I tried it on that night after everyone had left, and there was no way the dress was zipping. I could barely get it on, but squeezed into it. I remember feeling so depressed. But, I liked it enough I put it back in the closet with the thought of "someday I will wear that dress."  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that someday would be this week!

So, I pulled out the dress, and tried it on, and it FIT! It fits beautifully. So beautifully, that I think I have figured out something to put over it so I can wear it to church tomorrow. It is sleeveless and we are trying to teach our girls modesty so I must model modesty. Anyway, that one dress led into the trying on of many many other clothes. And, I fit into many of them that I couldn't even get over my hips or around my waist a year ago. Some of the things are too tight to wear in public, but I have the determination and motivation to fit into them before the end of summer.

When my FIL had repeat open heart surgery last July, I had to buy shorts - size 24/26. I was embarrased and depressed when I walked out of the store. I am happy to report that I wore them today, only because I wanted to be comfortable, but am so annoyed with them because I can't walk 2 steps without them falling off my hips! So, I am thinking these pants are going to have to go! And not go because they are too small, but go because they are TOO BIG! I have a huge smile just typing it because of how it makes me feel.

I called my husband at 1:30 am (because he works 2nd shift and was to be home at 1:15 am) to ask him if he was almost home, and he wasn't. But, he wondered why....so I told him I had a size 18P jeans on from CJ Banks. 18P! His response was, "Are you sure honey?" And, my response was "would I sound like this if it wasn't true?" 18P! I still can't get over that. It has been years since I have fit into 18P – ok, not tons, but at least 3. I would even wear them in public, which is how good they fit.

So, laundry is distracting. I have a new wardrobe and am ready to weed out my "fat" clothes. AND, I AM NOT KEEPING THEM! Because, I am making this lifestyle change permanent! No need for them anymore! And, the next time I can get to a store, the 1 thing I am going to buy is new underware....because, just like the shorts, are having to be hiked up every 2 steps - and that is not flattering!

I have had a beakthrough and have realized the impact of my loss....not only in how I feel, but in the sizes I can wear and how I look. All glory goes to Christ, who has formed me as this person and who is walking with me through this journey! Thank you Jesus for NSV's and for your strength to continue on
each day!

May each of you be blessed with your own NSV, whatever that may be! God is so faithful, lean on him!

Stats to date
Weight lost - 45 lbs
Waist inches - 6.75
Hip inches - 3.75
Bust inches - 5.5
Arm inches - 1.5
Thigh inches - 1.5
Current size - 18 or 20

2011 Christmas letter

I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showes in season; there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26

Blessings...gifts...thankfulness...any way you look at it, they all mean the same...God's love towards us, His children. Early this year, I was given a book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, which challenged me and our family to look for gifts, blessings in all situations. Sometimes this was easy and other times it was hard. It is a lifestyle...a way to keep perspective, so enjoy some of our blessings from 2011.

Mr. Tall still works at a local hospital 32 miles away 4 days a week from 2 pm to 12:30 pm. He really enjoys this shift and the interaction with people. Austin has completed preceptor training and lead training. He is enjoying the challenges these two aspects bring. In March, we were able to travel to Columbus, Ohio for a week. During this week, we worked with Touch Bionics and Austin got a new hand, a myoelectric one. This was a great time to be together as husband and wife and to accomplish getting a new hand ~ all in 1 weeks time! In July, Mr. Tall's dad had open-heart surgery in Rochester, MN. We spent another week together supporting them and reflecting on the blessings of health, life, family, and support.

I am still a stay-at-home mom and truly love it. Many times, my motto is "The days are long but the years are short!" Watching my children grow and teaching them is an amazing experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world! Also, I have really started working as a music therapist for a local hospice. I am based out of my home which is wonderful. I have received so many gifts from my patients this year...the faith they have, the love married patients share, memories from 80 years ago...such gifts from God!

Blessing started piano lessons this summer and has started kindergarten this fall. She is doing very well with her math facts and is learning to read. She enjoys playing with her sister and brothers and is such a big help around the house with laundry, trash, dishes, vacuuming, etc. She is growing way too fast...It seems like yesterday she was born, but it has already been 5 years!

Joy has grown so much during this past year as well. The differences between her and her sister are amazing. Joy wants to do "school" every day and is learning about letters and numbers. She enjoys playing house with her sister. Joy is mommy's helper...she is always in the kitchen with me. Joy's cuddles are precious as well, especially when she falls asleep in my arms.

The twins are now 15 months old, almost 16! Where has the year gone. They are walking all over the place, well actually running, and usually in different directions. They are starting to talk saying cheese, please, more, thank-you, night-night, etc. It is such a blessing to have such healthy boys. They are active and love being outside!

So, our blessings...

~life, health, love, Jesus, family

~stored food, bountiful garden, canner, coupons, worms on roads

~church family, women and men of God in our lives

~accidents that save marriages, doctors, nurses, hospitals

~laughter, loss of life, animals, jobs, rain

The list can go on and on...my list is currently around 1250. How many blessings can you count in a year? Can you give all the credit to God's son, Jesus, who came to earth this time of year...Christmas!

It is our prayer that you will take time to reflect on your blessings from the past year and look at all you will experience in the year to come.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

More pictures

Boy 2 at 5 weeks with eyes open

Boy 2 at 5 weeks with eyes open

Boy 2 at 5 weeks

Boy 1 at 5 weeks

Boy 2 on left, Boy 1 on right at 5 weeks

Boy 1 on left, Boy 2 on right at 3 weeks

All 4 kiddos - Boy 1 on top, Boy 2 on bottom, Blessing on left, Joy on right

Boy 1 on left and Boy 2 on right (7 weeks)

Pictures

Baby Boy 1 (just home from hospital)

Baby Boy 2 (just home from hospital)

Baby Boy 1 on left, Baby boy 2 on right 

Me, less than 24 hours before delivery

My 2 girls and myself (less than 24 hours before delivery)

Almost 7 weeks...already!

Greetings all!

So sorry it has taken me so very long to get this information to you!  It has been a crazy 6 weeks with a huge life adjustment (every new addition has been an adjustment - this one more of a challenge)!  I have barely had 10 minutes to myself lately - but today, I finally do, so I thought I would update everybody!

Here is a journal entry I did the night before I headed to the hospital...

Only 30 minutes until nothing to eat or drink, which is fine as my tummy is very unstable due to nerves. However, I have been so thirsty tonight...

So, today has been a day full of blessings and just enjoyable memories. We went to church today and enjoyed worship. Our pastor talked about being salt and light and is challenging us to live out our faith. After church we went to McDonalds to treat our girls. We wanted to do something special for them on our last day as a family of 4. We wanted them to know that we love them tremendously! McDonalds was horrible, though. The girls didn't know the difference - but poor service, no ketchup or straws, and the food was not very good today...oh well...like I said, it is about the experience!

After McDonalds, we went to Reiman Gardens. We had only about an hour, but it was amazing. They have a butterfly atrium that houses butterflies from all over the world. It is a beautiful place with butterflies flying all over! My girls absolutely loved it. We then went out onto the main garden area (over 14 acres of flower gardens) and walked around and took pictures. We took pictures of my tummy, the girls alone, the girls and I, and the girls and daddy. It was a great experience on a perfect day - low 80's and low humidity! Beautiful! The girls didn't want to leave but we had to get my husband to work. We dropped him off at work around 2 and told the girls we would have to go back to the gardens sometime so they could enjoy it more - they understood.

We got home and took a nap. My youngest slept in her bed after some extra cuddle time and my oldest napped in my bed with me. I enjoyed the extra cuddles and extra time spent reading to her! After our nap, we played, or rather the girls played, ants in the pants. They laughed and laughed and it was music to my ears. I got supper around for them (I didn't eat as my tummy was really upset - nerves). After supper, we loaded into the van and I took them to where they are staying while I am in the hospital. The drop-off went very smoothly and I haven't received a call yet, so am assuming they went to bed alright! It was difficult, but not as hard as I had anticipated - God has really given me a peace tonight!

I came home and have been enjoying peace and quiet and trying to avoid phone calls - just to enjoy time with the Lord and myself. I ate dinner, relaxed by playing the piano, finished laundry and dishes, and have finished packing. I am going to go get a bath and shave my legs (well, what I can reach of them - HA) and then head to bed. I probably won't sleep well, but at least will be in bed! I have to leave the house around 4:45 tomorrow morning. My husband is sleeping at the hospital (he works there) so he will meet me in the main lobby in the morning!

So, that was the night before.  Now, onto the rest of the story...

I arrived at the hospital on time and was greeted by my husband.  We unloaded and took everything up to our room on the maternity floor.  Once there, the menagerie of questions began and the pre-op drill began.  We were teasing the nurse, but she really had no sense of humor, so it became very boring quickly.  They were ready for me a few minutes early, so we headed to the c-section room.  Everything went well with the spinal block and the procedure began.  At 7:48 AM, our 1st baby boy was born. He was 7 pound 11 ounces and 19.5 inches long.  At 7:49 AM our 2nd baby boy was born.  He was 6 pounds 9 ounces and 19.5 inches long.  They were taken to the NICU for their initial exams. The procedure ended around 8:40 AM and I went to recovery.  Around 9:45 AM I was taken back to my room and met the boys for the first time.  It was very precious! We spent 4 days at the hospital and made it home around 6:30 pm on Thursday, August 19. Our girls returned to us on Friday afternoon, after we arrived back from taking the boys to a doctor appointment (a weight and jaundice check). 

So...7 weeks have passed (almost), and I am maybe starting to adjust a little bit.  I average about 4 hours of sleep a night (broken up into 1.5 to 2 hour chunks).  I am really hoping that they start sleeping longer chunks of time!  Nursing has been tough, but they are still getting mamma milk - via pumping and bottle.  They are growing like crazy - Boy 1 is now over 11 pounds and Boy 2 is right around 10 pounds!  So crazy how fast they grow. They both have their own personalities and are cute as buttons!  The girls have adjusted fairly well and love their brothers so very much!

Well, I am going to upload some pictures on a new post for everyone and then try to enjoy the rest of my alone time - all 4 children are sleeping!  What am I doing awake???  ;-)

Nothing is Impossible with God

Nothing is impossible with God...My new mantra and what keeps running through my mind!

This was the main theme of the movie my husband and I watched last night...Facing the Giants.  What an excellent reminder of God's power!  

Several people, including friends, family, and doctors, have second guessed my ability to carry the twins.  Many have made comments that have been negative in regards to my ability to carry the twins "full-term."  Many have suggested bribing my doctor to go early.  And, in all honesty, many are just negative!

I have fought these negative comments with positive ones for several months and found the movie theme to be a great reminder!  God is in control and He knows what I am capable of.  He has prepared me and my body for the task He has given me.

Now, with that said, the c-section has been scheduled for next week and we are going to be meeting these 2 beautiful babies soon!  Even though I am scared and fear sets in quite a bit, this new mantra reminds me that He is in control and knows what we can handle!  

As for my appointment today, everything looked great!  The babies are doing well, my blood pressure is good, and the c-section was scheduled!  I was given last minute details regarding the night before and sent on my way.  I finished up the hospital registration and took care of a few odds and ends in town.  So, now the waiting continues.

I plan to make a fresh peach pie this afternoon for my dear husband and make some cookies and freeze the dough in balls so he can still have something sweet, fresh, and homemade while I am down for the count.  He loves sweets so much (as do my girls), that I want to do something special for them.  

Nothing is impossible with God - that is what I am living by and encouraging me right now....Hey, maybe I should go make several notecards and place them around my house.....I will just put it on my list of to-do's!  :-)