Happy New Year 2013

Hi everyone--boy do I MISS my SparkFriends and SparkPeople! One of my goals is to be MUCH more involved with the community in 2013--2 1/2 years have passed since joining and I was so much more involved in the beginning of my journey, but BOY can I tell a difference in my life [and body! ] without the continuing involvement!

First off, CONFESSION time--I've gained 16#'s from my 'weight maintenance' number, but 20#'s from my lowest weight on SparkPeople. NOT a happy thought!

Here is me hitting my goal weight:


me with my mother

Just took this as a BEFORE picture for my NEW weight loss effort



But check out this CLOSE up of my face--I swear I gained all 16 pounds IN MY FACE! Ugh!!!!!



But AT LEAST I don't look like this!

[my before picture on the left]

Okay, I'm SET again with my SparkPeople buddies and tools, and I WILL lose this weight in 2013! Just PRAISING GOD that it's only 16#'s and not 63#'s! RIGHT!

I wrote this on one of my teams today and wanted to share it here:
I just wanted to say how much I LOVE the spirit of the Spark Community! SO ACCEPTING and there is SO MUCH FREEDOM to become the person *each* is meant to be. There is no one-size-fits-all mentality! And I just LOVE it!!!!! Thank you!

Recently, I've been aware of a metabolic issue that I have, and I've tried to go a lower carb route, and this seems to be the route my journey is taking me, and I LOVE the fact that there is so much freedom on Spark! You can do Weight Watchers and be a Sparker. You can do Low Carbs and be a Sparker. You can go 'Clean Eating' and eat absolutely no sugar and be a Sparker. But SPARKPEOPLE itself doesn't try to control or take away your freedom to find exactly what works for your particular body! Love, love, love that!!!!!

Right now, I'm on an 8 week step of being very limited in my carbs, but once this 'resting mode' is done, I'll be back to just being moderate with my carbs, and hopefully my metabolism will once again kick in.
====================end of my note to team members-=================

Okay, so now you also know my plan for the next 8 weeks--low carb plus Strength training daily, and my ultimate goal [with my doctor's RECOMMENDATION [if you can believe that! ] is to get my walking back up to 6 miles daily. I know that sounds intense, but it's what works to kick my sluggish metabolism in the butt! ha!
And there are SO many more advantages than just my size 4 jeans! ha! I can memorize and meditate on Scripture, and pray--very good for my life all the way around!

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas celebration. I don't know if I told you, but we were hit ALL MONTH with 3 different viruses! It was a nightmare, but thankfully, we are all on the mend! NOT a good celebrating month, though! We literally had NO ONE over for cookies, dinners, OR ANYTHING!



My poor Sammy still VERY sick! He finally feels better now!



Mary playing with her Barbies. She lost 6 WHOLE POUNDS during the sickness! We almost had to put her in the hospital!



Jonathan got new goggles from his grandparents:


Stephen was given Jonathan's bird [Jonathan leaves the 22nd for bootcamp, and he wanted Stephen to have his bird. Stephen started crying he was SO happy!]



Nate got a compass watch from his grandparents! VERY happy!



Here's me feeling fat! ha!


Our Butterscotch Crescent rolls

Don't you love the boys wrapping job! ha! Nicholas opening Andrew's gift to him.


LOVE this picture of Nicholas w/Mary. She got this hoodie from him.


Sammy's new tractor:

UPDATE on job--THis is our 8th week of no employment. Pretty stressful, but God is FAITHFULLY meeting us EVERY step of the way!!!! Thank you for your continued prayers.

Oh, I love you guys SO MUCH!!! I'm SO glad to be back 'home'. {{{{HUGE HUGS}}}

Susan