Wordless Wednesday

I've got sunshine...

...on a cloudy day!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday! ((HUGS))

Hurricane Update......

Just wanted y'all to know that we are okay following Hurricane Irene. Still no power at home, but we are very fortunate. The storm was pretty scary at times, but we came away unscathed. Some large limbs fell, one hitting our roof, but we don't think there is any damage. One of our windows is leaking too, but when we drive around our little town and see what other's have suffered... WOW!!
Although she was only a Catagory 1 storm, Irene was FIESTY!!! She packed a punch and wasn't giving up without a fight. I cannot begin to imagine what would have happened if she had come ashore as a Cat 2 or 3, as originally projected...
Now, we have another storm a-brewin' in the Atlantic --- "KATIA". Uggggggh! I mean, seriously??!
Thankful regardless... and can't imagine living in any other state than beautiful North Carolina!
((HUGS)) to all my bloggy friends.

FORTY REFLECTIONS!

I know this isn't Thankful Thursday --- but I have so much to be thankful for on my 40th birthday, & I HAD to share! HUMOR ME - PLEASE!

BIG birthday hug from my sweet girl!

I am thankful for my Lord and Savior – for it is He who gives me all the reasons in my life to be thankful. He has provided for every need I have… and for that, I am truly thankful!
I am thankful for a loving husband, who loves me unconditionally. I used to think I would never meet Mr. Right, but then came Danny!! (Thanks God!!! – You were right on time!)
I am thankful for my beautiful, smart, silly Lilli! When we were told that we would never be able to have children, I was devastated…. But I pulled myself up by my boot straps, with realization that regardless of me not being able to physically carry a child, it would NOT prevent me and Danny from becoming a parents. Going to China was the BEST DECISION we ever made! Lilli is the light of my life… my greatest accomplishment! God knew what he was doing and hand selected her for us! (Again, WOW! Thank you, God!)
I am thankful for my parents, family and friends… They are pretty dog-gone awesome, supportive and “love me – just as I am!” (Sorry… Quoting from my favorite movie Bridget Jones)
I am thankful for a wonderful church family – both old and new. When Danny and I began searching for a new church, we never realized how much ‘more’ we needed to be spiritually fed. Faith Fellowship has been the perfect fit!! I am also very thankful for our former family at First Presbyterian, who understood our reasons for leaving and allowed us to soar.
I am thankful that my little family has a roof over our heads and food to eat. With unemployment on the rise and today's terrible economy, we are blessed indeed. We have wonderful neighbors and a terrific, child-friendly neighborhood. We make enough money to get by… we live simply, but we are very happy!
I am thankful for good health… I am down to 168 pounds. I haven’t weighed this ‘little’ since Jr. High (not kidding!) I know I’m looking good, but it’s more important how I feel… & I feel GREAT!!
I am thankful for those that fight for my freedoms while I sleep comfortably in my bed… To be able to live in a country where I am able to worship God and express myself they way I want to. When I look at other countries and their lack of ‘freedoms’ - it makes me truly appreciate that living in the United States, in itself, is a blessing!
I am so thankful for everyday the Lord lets me wake up and view the beauty He has created. Each and every day is a precious gift from God above and is to be celebrated! Every day has its own share of sorrows, happiness, and yes --- sometimes even sadness.
I am even truly thankful that there have been many difficult times come into my life. For it is during these times that I get closer to God… putting my trust and faith in His master plan for me.
Blessings to all of you... I am thankful for you too! ((HUGS))

Photo Friday - Sleeping Beauty!

Lilli made this crown in Sunday School a few weeks back and LOVES sleeping in it! She's so sweet, I could eat those cheeks up... my little Sleeping Beauty!
Wishing everyone a FANTASTIC weekend! ((HUGS))

Thankful Thursday!

WoOOOOoooooooOOoooOOoOO-HOooOOOOoooOOOooOOOO!!
I have met a 70 lb. '40th birthday weight loss goal'.... I AM SOOOOOOOO THANKFUL! I only have 20 more pounds to lose before I reach my final goal. I FEEL GREAT!!

I set out on this journey, wanting to become more physically fit... wanting to be a good role model for my daughter... wanting to grow old with my husband, the love of my life... wanting to watch Lilli grow up into the Christ-following, witty, intelligent, beautiful young lady that I know she'll become!!

I told myself that I had to stop making excuses. Enough was enough. Every diet in the past, I failed miserably... I'd hit a long plateau and simply give up. DONE. GONE ARE THOSE DAYS!! I am VERY determined! I am a "Jesus Girl" and as His follower, I know that I can do anything with His help... I will not stop until I reach my goal of 150 pounds. I AM ON FIRE!!!
A goal of 150 pounds may not sound 'thin' by lots of folks standards, but I never set out on this journey wanting to 'be thin'.  Based on the BMI charts, 150 pounds is exactly where I need to be. I want to be categorized as having a "normal weight". Actually 154 is the cut off from 'overweight to normal', but I want to have that cushion of comfort. Ya' know?
Sooooo today, I am thankful for meeting goals! I am proud of my accomplishments. I've run two 5K's to date & met my '40th birthday weight loss goal' a week ahead of schedule. I'm not setting another weight loss goal for my birthday next week.  I know, in my heart, that my original goal has already been met... any additional weight loss will be my cherry on top!! I hope to hit my overall goal of 150 pounds by November! I KNOW I CAN DO IT!!!!
Today's thankful Thursday.... What are you thankful for today?
Blessings and ((HUGS))!!

Wordless Wednesday - Sunshine Silliness

Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday!! ((HUGS))

Sprint Team Triathlon

There is a Chinese Proverb that reads, "To get through the hardest journey, we need take only one step at a time... but we must keep on stepping." Truer words could not be spoken!

Tony, Me and Tommy - Team FC

I am so incredibly proud of my triathlon team from Field Controls. We ROCKED the Walnut Creek YMCA Sprint Triathlon. I am truly flattered that my boss Tony and co-worker Tommy entrusted me to be their 'runner' during the 5K portion of the triathlon. I ran my best time at 36:41! We all did a great job!!
My boss started my running/weight loss journey in March when he 'challenged me' to complete a 5K before my 40th birthday... then he asked if I'd run on the team in August. WOW~ Uhhhh, how do you say no?? Apparently, I was up for the challenge... because 5 short months later, I'm almost 70 pounds lighter, healthier and happier for it!
I've completed two 5K's 3 weeks ahead of schedule...  & have a team 8K with my running partner Bridget, less than 2 weeks away.

A sea of a thousand bicycles...

Swimmers taking to the water...

Tony waiting for the start of the 1/2 mile swim

...and they're off!

Tommy getting geared up...

Handing off the relay chip

Lovely, right?! HAHAHAHA

Those crazy guys actually suggested that we each try to do the WHOLE TRIATHLON by ourselves next year. Imagine if you will, what exactly my response to them was.... Good luck with that fellas!! LOL

BEST PART OF MY DAY!!!!!!

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I'd become a runner. I have become very fond of the sport... and I believe it's in my blood. May the journey continue....
Hope everyone has a GREAT Tuesday!! ((HUGS))

AWAA National Reunion Weekend

The last weekend in July, we traveled up to the Washington DC area, to visit our friends Becky & Hannah... and also attend the AWAA National Reunion.
We left on a Thursday evening, arriving at their home at midnight. Hannah didn't know we were coming on Thursday night, so image the look on her face when she awoke to find us there Friday morning... BIG GRIN!!!!
After getting ourselves ready for the day, we headed out and had the girl's pictures taken together. Super cute shots!! We followed the photo session with a delicious lunch (very diet friendly for me) at Silver Dollar. Lilli had chocolate chip pancakes... Go figure!!??

After a quick nap back at the house, we headed to the mall... Becky had made reservations for our girls at the American Girl Bistro. I had been wanting to take Lilli for the longest time. Shu-Shu, her 1st bitty baby, got to eat lunch with us too!

Lilli got the bitty baby twins she has been wanting... & has name Ethan & Lilli. Ethan is her boyfriend at school! (Don't get me started!) I am so glad we had the opportunity to go!!!!
The next day, we headed to the AWAA National Reunion in Centerville, VA... not too far from Becky's house. What a wonderful day! The day was filled with face painting, bouncy houses, water balloons and Lilli's favorite - BUBBLES!!! Other than the HEAT and Lilli getting stung by a wasp, I'd say the day was a hit!! Both girl's had a blast, the food was terrific, we were able to meet lots of the AWAA staff and we even got to see an old travel friend - Kathy (Kathleen) McLaurin! To have an opportunity to see her daughter Ryleigh again... and meet the rest of her family... My heart is full!

Our trip was a success... and we miss Becky and Hannah terribly. Hope to meet them in October, on our turf this time!
Blessings for everyone to have a wonderful weekend!! ((HUGS))

Oh, and one more thing....

HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY

TO MY WONDERFUL PARENTS!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Breakfast with Daddy

She thinks her Daddy hung the moon... Can you tell?

Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday!! ((HUGS))

WOW! Where has the time gone......

We met the Casteen's at Mike's Farm a few weeks ago and had the girl's pictures taken. And boy, are the pictures terrific!! I will try to get up a few of the professional shots soon, but here are a few fun pictures from our evening! It's always nice visiting with Pat, Ronnie and sweet Isabella! The food was AWESOME, but the company was even better!!! We have such a strong bond with them!!

Two Peas in a Pod!

Friends Forever!

...lots of little girl secrets to share!!

I will make no promises about 'when' I'll post next. I will try to do so soon. I have LOTS of photos on my camera... including our visit with Becky & Hannah in northern VA, the AWAA National Reunion & the triathlon that I just participated.
Hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!! ((HUGS))