Prayers

While I have always been one to share most of what is going on in my life.  This past week/month has been a little more than I can handle to say the least.  First many of you know my daddy was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes after getting very ill so that in itself was an adjustment and I know its treatable still very scary to us.  We started adjusting to this news and then we got the call from Chris's mom that his brother was sick and could Chris come right away.  They ended up taking him to the hospital and after 4 days we were told the he had Cancer.  Now that word in itself is terrifying your mind goes to many different places and you try to adjust.  They told us it was prostate cancer...well okay we can deal with that because it is very treatable...well then they told us it was in his bones on his spine and lower back. Well this is bad once it gets in your bones there is a less chance of treating it.  I have to say this was a lot to deal with.  I said we were going to have a better year and deal with everything the best we can.  This news set me back and I felt like I was walking around in a dream for the last week.  Michael goes to the Urologist on Thursday to get a biopsy done and then the next week we meet with the Urologist for the test results, stage, treatment options (if any), and where we go next.  While I tell you this, please do not feel sorry for us we are a strong family and we love each other and we will make it through this (or at least I keep telling myself that)  I have to stay positive and tackle each bit of news head on and just help our family the best way I know how.  While this will be a battle we fight for a while and something we will always deal with I do know several things:
1) My husband is my rock and now its my turn to be his
2) I have an amazing support system from my parents helping with my kids and helping Chris and I deal with this.
3) I have some AMAZING friends who have checked on us this week and have offered to help in any way possible
4.) My bestie who brought me one of my favorite lunches this week just becasue she knew I was exhausted and needed it.  I am so blessed to have such a great person in my life who I know will help me through this.  I love ya Kelsy :)
5) God and Prayer....with him all is possible and with prayer many things can happen so please as you read this just say a little prayer for us.

Here is a picture of my brother in law Michael with his 13 year old son Austin at Christmas this past year.



Refocusing

I started working out at the end of last March and needless to say I thought it would be easy...work out and eat the same and I should loose weight....Yea Right...I went to the doctor for my thryoid checkup and consulted him about all of this he said eat 1000 calories a day and burn 500-600 at the gym.  That worked for about one week and then I was starving all the time.  It seemed that I always found a way to justify my over eating and only loosing 10 pounds since then.  The holidays came up and it was just easier to say I will start after the New Year with not really having the mind set to even do it.  At the expense of my father and what he went through before New Years I think is scared all of us that it really made me rethink my eating, my working out, and my getting healthy.  So I am now following his dietician guidelines and I have hyped up my workout because I keep being told by my wonderful doctor that I will have to work even harder with my thyroid problem.  So I want all of you to hold me accountable for this.    I started keeping a food diary today and writting down everything I eat and everything I do at the gym.  The first two weeks are going to be rough but I can do it!  I have always struggled with my weight and it has always been very difficult for me after I started having kids.  I am burning between 700-1000 calories a day at the gym depending on how many times I go and I am watching my calorie intake as well as my carb intake.  I am only allowing myself 30 carbs for each three meals then two snacks at 15 carbs.  I hope to start seeing some changes in the next few weeks.  So I am not afraid to say it because you all can see it.  I weight 165 pounds as of 1/13/11 and I am going to weigh myself once a week to keep track. I am DETERMINED to loose these 40 pounds by May 26th which is Chris and I's 10 year anniversary.  I want to be the weight I was when we got married and a little toner. Please say a little prayer for me as I REALLY begin this journey that I have been neglecting for a very long time. I know this seems like a little to much information but it helps me to put it out there so my "FRIENDS" can cheer me on.

Hugs to you all,
Anna :)

Catching up time

So if the truth be told I do not blog much because
1.) I do not think many people read it
2.) I just get so busy that I never seem to have the time
3.) I just don't
So I am trying to be better and blog some more for the few of you that keep up with my crazy family life.  Halloween was the last time I blogged so needless to say we have been super busy lately.  So I will touch on some of my favorite things that have been going on.  Family Time, Family Time, Family Time....that is what we have been doing lately and I love it.  I think that comes with the teritory during the holidays because you are always with family.  I love it!  I am blessed to have such and amazing family that I could spend every day with each of them.

Gunner and his cousin Ashley

Gunner and Kallie with great uncle Steve who they just love because he is such a big kid himself.

Austin, Anna, and Allison

My dad, Granny, Papa, and dad's brother Steve

My favorite family picture taken this holiday season.

I also took my first ever girls weekend the first of December to go shopping and hang out with my closest friends.  We had such an amazing time and it was much needed.  Here is a picture of us relaxing in the hotel before our BIG day of shopping... Nicole, Anna, and Kelsy

Then right before Christmas my bestie hosted an amazing Christmas dinner with our good friends.  We enjoyed great food, wine, gift exchange, and games.  It is such a great feeling to have such good friends that we enjoy spending the holidays with .  Thanks Kelsy for hosting it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Nicole, Anna, Kelsy, Tiphanie, and Jamie

Me and Chris

Me and my Bestie...love her so much!

For new years this year we took the kids to Chuck E Cheese with our good friends the Perry's and then came home and enjoyed a quite night in.   It was nice to have a small new years this year for the first time with just my little family. 

Last Thursday I had a lunch date with two of my favorite gals Kelsy and Ashely at Green Bean in Rogers.  It was nice to have an girls lunch to chit chat and catch up. 

Last weekend we spent Friday night with our Bestie's the Vannaman's and had pizza, wine, and game night.  I am so blessed that my kids get along so well with their kids and they can play for hours together and get so excited to see each other.  We had a great time with them as always. 

On a side note my dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during this holiday season.  He is fine and after a big scare he finally has it under control for now but still a long road ahead.  Please keep him in your prayers that he can maintain this lifestyle so we have him around for a long time.  We spent last Saturday with him for his 54th birthday eating "GOOD" food and playing WII and cards.  I am so blessed to have a great father and I am glad he is finally taking care of himself.  Love you daddy!

Well that is a little of what has been going on.  I will try to do better in staying on top of this. 

Hugs to you all

Anna