The Many Faces of Luke

While my mom was visiting last week, the weather was nice enough to go outside and blow some bubbled. It was hilarious watching Bowby and Luke try and pop bubbles. Kylee came right at the end, but it was still hilarious. See for your self.

For My Family: Updates In March

My kids are really enjoying Justin Bieber. The other day Kylee was telling me "Serenity at school says Justin is a boy, but its really a girl." I corrected her and told her that its actually a young boy singing. She then replied "then why does he sound like a girl?" I just laughed.

Luke is 100% obsessed with the Bubble Guppies! He knows all the songs and dance moves and all the answers to all the questions. It is a cute show, so I don't mind. The kids are enjoying Charlie & Lola so much, I am surprised they don't have an English accent by now! They act out the skits when they play together. Its really cute and so much fun to watch.

Kylee is LOVING all day school. She is really progressing quickly. Her reading is so good and she's always surprising us. Although at times she gets lazy and tried to tell the story by looking at the pictures.

Kylee is turn 6 in just a couple weeks. I look at her beautiful face and all I see is my baby girl. It breaks my heart to see her getting big, but I am so proud of the young girl she is becoming. She's so head strong and independent. She definitely doesn't let anyone push her around.

Luke is now registered for preschool next Fall! I cant wait!!! He knows all his colors, and can count to 10, but that's about it. Before he starts school I have to potty-train him. I an a little worried since last time it didn't go so well. I feel like he's totally ready, but I don't know how to start.

Rhett and I will be celebrating 8 years together this month! I can't believe it!!! That's close to 10 years, and I for sure don't feel like I am that much older than the day I got married. I love him more today than the day we got married. I am truly blessed!

One Month!

Okay you guys, I just weighed myself and I'm 126!!!! I look at these pictures and this is not what I look like anymore. I love it! I'm confident and happy, truly happy. I still feel super healthy and great. Although I have to confess last night I had one (okay, maybe two) gluten free chocolate chip cookies. But up until then I had been sugar and wheat free for a whole month! I just cat believe how much time has gone by. And I really don't crave pizza, hamburger or fries anymore (those were my favorite things to eat).

So last week I was at WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). This was my second year going and it was truly amazing. In fact, amazing doesn't even begin to describe how freaking awesome it was! Not only did I learn so much, but I made some amazing friend, met some amazing photographers and got a little self confidence. I learned so much about my work and art, but more importantly I learned so much about myself. I left here last Thursday with a low self-esteem, bad body image and an unhappy way of viewing life and my family. I came home an entirely different person. I couldnt be happier. And I really owe it to a few people who I want to thank personally. First a big THANK YOU to Melissa Salinas, Lindsey Rudnick, Dustin Bess and Candice Cunningham.

Okay, so enough with that. I have something pretty cute to tell you. Last night when we were sitting at the dinner table eating, Rhett asked Luke what he wanted to be when he got bigger (or older) and he said:

"I want to run and take a shower like Daddy."

I thought that was pretty darn cute! He's talking so well now and it really amazes me to hear him speak so well and clearly. Its sad to see my babies grow up but I cant wait to see the amazing people they turn into... that's if I don't screw them up royaly. LOL

The 2nd Week

My second week on my new eating journey has been so much easier than the first week. I am really starting to notice changes. The biggest change for me is waking up. I'm not dragging my feet like I used to when I would try and get up in the morning. I figure its because I wasn't sleeping very well at night. I used to toss and turn and couldnt get comfy. I am actually sleeping so well at night. I dont even know if I toss or turn. I havent slept this well since I took NyQuil months ago for a cold.

The next big thing I have noticed is my energy. I never have to nap, but if I want I can. I have enough energy all day long and I dont get sleepy or tired through the day like I used to. I would rely on caffeine to give me energy and it never would. I would have to nap to get some kind of rest and even then I would still wake up drowsy. This is a problem no more. I love it. I feel great!

My cravings are really gone. I would pass a McDonalds and want some fries or a drink, but I can pass it and really not even notice its existence. I have to say the only thing I really miss is my Starbucks drinks... and maybe sandwiches. Okay, and maybe I miss homemade chocolate chip cookies. But really that's it. I enjoy eating simply and I know exactly where my food comes from.

I haven't lost any more weight, but I feel thinner and lighter. Its a strange feeling.

"It's a MIRACLE!"

If you've seen Temple Grandin you know the quote. It makes me laugh every time.

Anyhow, I just got a call late last night from Kylee's school. She will now be going to school every single day, full day!!!!! She was only going to school mostly twice a week full day and maybe twice on Mondays through the month. This has not only been an issue with me, but with all the other parents as well. Students arent learning and retaining what they have learned the week before because its been 4 or 5 days since they last went to school. Its been such a mess. My whole frustration with this system was that Kylee is so smart and ready for full day school, but wasnt getting enough time learning at home. We do homework and make her read and write her letters, but I am not a teacher, nor did i go to school to be a teacher.

I truly believe and love the public school system, but the government here doesnt think schools need money, so they make the budget super small and we are forced to make cuts like this. Thank goodness for all the moms raising a fuss about this. Now they are starting full day school!!!! Hurray!!!!

A New Journey...

I've been procrastinating writing this post. Mostly because I am so busy, but I always find other things to do instead. Its a beautiful day (even those its freezing cold), and I am in a great mood. Not just because of the sun, but I lost 5 pounds in one week... and I didn't diet! So here is my story.

I know most of you are thinking "Courtney, you don't need to lose weight!" Here is a picture of my taken in October probably at my heaviest. I was 139. How embarrassing, right?! TOTALLY! But at the same time, I feel its important to share my story because... wait, I'm jumping the gun. But this picture makes me sick. I am 5'5 and shouldn't look like this. I used to eat fast food (even though it was small portions) at least 3 times a week... if not more. I bought "healthy" foods (I put them in parenthesis because what we're told is healthy is not really healthy... but I will get there) and ate good portions.

In December, I joined Weight Watchers and started hitting the gym 5-6 days a week. I would walk for 10 minutes and then would run for 10, and so on and so on. In January I felt good enough to start doing cycling. I would ride the bike at different levels for 30-40 minutes, then head on the treadmill and would run for another 30-40 minutes. I felt good. I even stopped eating out so much. I would only go out once a week with my husband, and it was usually to the same place: Mi Mexico (they have the best refried beans and chips and salsa).

By the end of January I was only 134. But I looked the same (see above)! I know my body pretty well and felt like I should be losing more than that for how hard I was working out and everything else. I was frustrated that nothing was happening! I had a feeling something wasn't right, so I went to see a nutritionist here in town. I was expecting to hear a few things that I was maybe allergic to, but what I found out I was not prepared for at all.

I was allergic to wheat! WHEAT! That's in everything I eat, not to mention that I buy "whole wheat" products. I thought whole wheat was healthier for me, but I was very wrong. Our bodies are not meant to process wheat, along with margarine and soy.

I found out that my body was storing water and wasn't flushing out toxins the way they should. My body wasn't digesting proteins properly either. I also found out that I have Candida. You can look it up, but there are different types and the words ca be very confusing if you aren't a nurse or doctor, so I'll break it down for you using very easy words. Both men and women have yeast in their bodies. The yeast multiplies by eating a lot of sugars and wheat/carbohydrates. It can cause weight gain, depression, ADD, gas, sleeping problems, sluggishness/tired, acne, and several other things. Those were just a few of my symptoms that I didn't KNOW were symptoms. I just thought I was born with depression and ADD and that it was worse because I am so busy and have kids and am stressed and going going going all the time. I was shocked, surprised and a bit relieved that it was much associated with the way I was eating and the fact that I had Candida.

Candida can be treated, but it isn't easy. At least not for me. I had to give up wheat, sugar, any processed foods, cheese (specifically cheddar), eggs and dairy. Basically I am on the "raw foods" diet. I was told I could have goat cheese (which I had never had but ended up really liking it) and rice. So how was I supposed to get protein?! I have been eating almonds and will occasionally have a chicken breast in my spinach salad. But after a recent episode on Oprah about how they kill cows, I will not be eating cow or pig products from this point on. Chickens are another story. LOL

Anyway, this was on the 2nd of February (last Wednesday). The next day was probably the worst day for me. I woke up in a very somber state, cried all morning, grieving the loss of my delicious foods that I eat everyday. I seriously love food... and love bread... and Mexican food... and anything and everything that's sweet. I didn't know how I was going to survive. I had eaten some unsweetened steel cut oats with blueberries for breakfast, half of an avocado for lunch (oh, and with some fruit), spinach salad with some chicken and lemon juice for dinner, and almonds that I snacked on throughout the day. I was surprised that I wasn't hungry one single bid that entire day! I was drinking plenty of water which was filling me up, and before all this, I hated water so I would only really drink it at the gym.

By Friday I was hopeful. I was embracing my new journey ahead and planned accordingly. Luckily I live in an area that is filled with hippies that love organic, healthy foods. I was a virgin when it came to shopping at the local Food Co-op though. I didn't know what was good and what was bad. I had to really, and I mean REALLY read the labels. Thankfully I have friends that live gluten free and have amazing foods that they passed onto me. Sadly, most of them had sugar in them.

It amazes me how many everyday products have sugar in them. Ketchup, crackers, "healthy" cereal, drinks (even "sugar free" drinks have some type of sugar in them), seasonings for food (taco mixes, are you serious?!), teas, beans, soups, "maple" syrup, eve frozen fruit! I seriously, and I mean SERIOUSLY challenge every single one of you to look at the contents of your food before you eat it. You may think you know whats in it, but you will be shocked to find out that's its probably loaded with sugar and other processed foods. Its expensive to live healthy, but this is your BODY that you will be living in for the REST. OF. YOUR. LIFE.

This last week was a serious roller coaster. I cried one day, was happy the next, had a melt down the next day, etc, etc. Not to mention how I craved choclate and sweet things, was tired a lot and craving caffeine (I took lots of naps with Luke and Kylee). But its been a week. I survived a week. And I lost 6 pounds in just one week! I am now 128 (and that's without going to the gym for a week)!!! 128 OMG!!!! I haven't been 128 since 2006 when I was on a mission to lose weight a year after Kylee was born. I haven't taken any photos, but I will, and I will be sure to post them, too! I don't feel like I look much different (probably because I have a bad body image in my head) but I have gotten complements telling me I look thinner. And I was able to wear a shirt today that I haven't worn in two years because of my muffin-top. And I wore it today muffin-top free (well, there is still a little bit there, but not as much as before).

So I think I got it all out. I for sure miss sugar, and chocolate, and ice cream, but I found some great alternatives. I now look forward to my delicious smoothie that I make with fruit and almond milk and a bit of unsweetened yogurt with a little bit of stevia in it and flavored flax seed oil. Its my treat to myself everyday. And if I feel I need a bit of sweetness, I grab some almonds and maybe some cantaloupe and that satisfies me.

I encourage all of you to really start looking at what you are eating... and to see a nutritionist. Its amazing what you find out about your body that you may not know!

(this post took me over an hour to write. I hope you enjoy it! Ha!)