Refreshed!

2 weeks ago we left for Michigan.  Our first visit since December 2010.  Gavin was only 18 months at that time.  It was a much needed visit.  We had such a wonderful time.  We left around lunch time, kids napped in the car, and we stopped for dinner.  Came across some nasty storms in OH/WV border so we stopped for dinner a little long than we normally would have.  We got home around 3am.  The kids did great.  Fiona had one break down around 11pm cause she was so tired and I think she just wanted out of that seat.  But after 20 minutes of crying she was out!

While home we went to the beach 3 times!  It was so nice!  I missed Lake Michigan!  Not many people can say they grew up in a town right on the beach.  We got together with friends and family.  Gavin had a second birthday party and he had a blast.  Went to my nephews baseball games.  It was much needed.

On the way home we decided to stay an extra day.  John had to work the next day so we left Monday morning at 7am instead of the afternoon.  The kids did AWESOME!  I couldn't believe it!  So from no on we will leave early like we used to!

While home I only gained back about 2 pounds and I was super happy with that!  In my September mom's group we are doing a 6 week weight loss competition and today is the first day!  To enter you have to pay $5.  If you lose that week you pay nothing.  If you maintain you pay $1, and if you gain you pay $2.   Winner gets 75% of pot, 2nd place gets 15% of pot, and 3rd place gets 10% of pot! Wish me luck, this is some extra motivation!  It ends right before school starts!

Week 2 on Weight Watchers

Week went very well.  I started incorporating exercise as well.  We bought a fold up stationary bike this spring with some of our income tax money.  I rode 4 times this week for a half hour.  With a good book or one of my DVRed shows, it goes by quickly!  So this week I lost -3.6lbs.  Bringing my total to -5.6lbs!  So, so far, so good!  We head to Michigan tomorrow and I plan to track the best I can.  If I don't lose I just want to maintain.  We wont be back till the following Sunday so I wont have a weigh in next week, I'll update on week 4!

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

Back on Track

I know, I know.  I kept saying I was starting Weight Watchers and for some reason I wasn't ready and never started.  Now that I'm on summer vacation, I knew that I had to start.  So here I am, I made it through week 1!   Yay!  I lost -2.0 pounds this week.  A little less than I normally lose the first week, but a loss is a loss and I'll take it!  But...onto week 2!

MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

Taking it one day at a time...

It's been 3 days since we found out officially that Manny had indeed passed away. It's been really hard on John and I. I've never lost a pet that I didnt know this was coming and I think that's what's been the most difficult for me.

On Saturday we buried Manny in our back yard. We buried him under the tree line in the shade. We buried him with a can of cat food we had bought for him the same night he got out and a picture of the family. We want to plant a cat nip plant there since he loved it so much.

Everyday is getting a little easier but God, I miss him so much. I hate that I couldn't be there with him. I hate that he laid there unnoticed for several days before we discovered him. It just sucks. One day they're there, then next they're not.

The day we buried him John went back to the neighbors yard to clean up any remains left behind. He noticed that there was some fur of Manny's under the neighbors swing right next to where he was laying. We're thinking he was laying under the swing all along and that's why we never saw him. Then some animal found him and pulled him out, exposing his body. We think he may have been hit by a car and darted there afterwards where he passed away. So we're nothing thinking that an animal attacked him any longer.

I'm taking this one day at a time, that's all I can. I want to close this with a quote I found that's SO true: Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.

-Vicki Harrison

RIP My Manny

Dear Manny,

I can't believe that you're gone. 8 years together wasn't nearly enough time together. I'm so saddened that you have gone to the Rainbow Bridge. I will never, ever forget you, Manny. You were such a loving spunky kitty. I'll never forget how anytime someone laid their head on you, you licked yourself clean right after. Or how you LOVED chocolate and wouldn't leave us alone while eating it. Ever since we've had you, you have always tried to get out.

At the duplex in Michigan you used to wait by the door and sneak out and sit under our cars where we couldnt get to you. We weren't even suppose to have cats there so keeping you a secret was tough. In the apartment in NC you used to love sitting out on the deck. You were so clever that you'd catch birds who flew up. I remember the night you were out on the deck sitting on the ledge and next thing I know I see you jump off. Even in the house on Woodland, you were destined to be outside. You'd sit there and dash out right as we opened the door. Or you'd hide under the table when we least expected it. You loved outdoors, even though we wanted you inside, you decided that wasnt the life for you.

I never imagined your life ending the way it did, I always thought you'd live at least 8 more years. Just know that we love you so much, and you were as much of apart of this family as anyone. RIP Manny Banny.<3

Monte is Missing

This morning when John woke up he noticed that our almost 9 year old cat, Monte was missing. He then realized that he didnt remember seeing him last night. Not sure exactly how he got out. Maybe Gavin let or put him out or maybe he climbed out of our screen that came open before John fixed it. Monte isnt the type that goes out ever. He's 6 pounds and honestly not the outdoor type. He's much more fragile than the normal cat. He's gotten out once before and hid under our neighbors shed.

We've had Monte since he was 4 weeks old. John found him while he was working for Medic One when dropping a patient off. He notcied Monte had something in his eye so he caught him and took him to the vet. It ended up being a grub growing under jis skin. We had it removed and brought him home. We couldnt get him to eat the whole weekend so we called the vet back. We took him in that Sunday as an emergency and he was very dehydrated. The vet kept him for a whole week and gave him fluids. After that week he came home and was as good as new. It was ironic that John found Monte at that time because only a few weeks before I put my cat Picasso down. Picasso was my baby and Monte came at a time when I really needed him. He looks a lot like Picasso, but half the size.

Monte is very loving and affectionate. He loves for you to let him lay on your shoulder or leg. He'll knead you to death to show how much he really loves you. I pray to God that he comes home. I'm very heartbroken over this. He just has to come home. I love you, Monte.

Why oh why....

I was doing SO good on Weight Watchers in January and then came February and I've been slacking. I have no clue what my deal is but I do know that I Can't give up. I have to do this. I'm not happy with myself and I want to be around for a long time to see my kiddos grow up. Tomorrow it's on, I'm starting Weight Watchers and not looking back. I want to go home this summer at my pre-pregnancy weight.