Whew....

Okay, since it has been a month since my last post,  I guess I should update because there is kind of a lot going on.

Since my last post.....

- I have finished my first year of teaching. It was definitely a learning experience full of ups and downs. At the beginning of the year I remember being nervous of how the year would turn out. I was not only nervous on how I would do as a first year teacher, but how I would help the students I had to succeed and be ready for 1st grade. I learned things not to do, but I also learned that I think I am cut out for this job. With that being said, I now am in limbo as to whether or not I have a job next year. I do know that if I get my job back I will be on temporary contract again. That means I will have the job for the year, but it is uncertain about the following year. People may think I am crazy, but I am not really freaking out about whether or not I have a job. I have this peace about it all that I don't really know how to explain. Things will work out the way God has them planned so why should I stress out, right?


- Dudley and I are trying to close on a house. Remember how I have that peace about not having a job? Well, I need to keep reminding myself about that when it comes to us getting this house. The house we are wanting to buy is a perfect starter home for Dudley and I. There are limited things that need to be fixed besides painting. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. The problem with this house is that we were to close on  June 15th. That may have happened, but Dudley and I are applying for a specific loan and they are behind in their work. Now, sometimes this wouldn't be a problem, but when you live in an apartment where your lease was up in May, and you are now paying month-to-month, you begin to freak out a little bit .We now have to be out of the apartment by June 30, so things are going to be cut close. My mom and dad have said that if we need to we can stay at their house, but then we would have to figure out what to do with all of our stuff. So, needless to say we are in a time crunch. We are praying for the best!

Well, I should probably get back to getting this house ready to move, wherever that may be :)

Frustration...

Here we are a month later and I am not very happy with myself or the lack of progress I have made. It seems like I just can't figure this weight loss thing out. We have switched our diet considerably but seems like my results are going nowhere! I make a small loss, only to put it back on the next day. I can't seem to get that jump start on losing weight.

Yes, I know that you usually plateau when you lose weight, but doesn't that come after you have had a significant loss?? Things are really getting frustrating and I think mentally I am worse off than when I started this whole process.

Patience....

Here is a quote a friend of mine had on her Facebook status tonight:

"Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting."

These words hit me right in the heart. Dudley and I are in a state of having to be patient in several areas of our lives....

• having to be patient until Dudley can land a full time job
• having to be patient as we wait to hear back about a house
• having to be patient on this weight loss journey I am on
• having to be patient to know 100% sure I still have a full-time job next year

We have placed all of these things in God's hands but often the human side of us gets in the way and we begin to doubt His timing and His path for us to follow. We just keep reminding ourselves to be patient and let him lead.

Update...

This weekend was our Annual Women's Retreat at church. It was so nice to take a couple days and be spiritually feed. Getting to spend time in fellowship and community is something that I often take for granted because it is something that we all, for the most part have, but something that we don't use like we should. The worship and speaking was uh-mazing! I love when it is as if God has those speaking or leading talking to me and me alone. I know there were others that needed to hear what was said too but I love when He hits me right in the heart with His message.

With all of this being said, with fellowship usually comes eating....not so good when you are on a diet. I tried to be good, but I am not perfect and I messed up some. I was a little frustrated when I weighed myself this morning, but I just had to remind myself that everyday is a new journey and I will make!

One day down....

One day down and I have lost....(insert drum roll here) 3 lbs. Woot! I just ate better, six small meals/snacks, and did Zumba for about an hour!

Today got a little tougher when it came to eating because we had small group and they have a meal before we start the discussion. Dudley and I had dinner before we went but we used one of our snacks at group. It was so hard to just eat a little bit. I am hoping I didn't go over my calorie intake too much.

Here's to go results tomorrow!

Here we go....

Today is a day of beginning new things.

I have for quite some time struggled with my self-image. It is not something I have talked about with people, and it has been more of an issue than I am sure anyone realizes. That is how I often am with things. I keep them to myself because somewhere out there, there are bigger issues so why waste time on the small things like how I look.

It is often hard when shopping with others because, as I like to joke about, I always get the "big girl" clothes. It is hard when shopping to hear others always say things like, "Oh, wouldn't this look cute on so and so" but hardly ever hear, "Oh, this would look cute on you." My size usually doesn't look so cute on the hanger. This is why my style has never really been totally where I wish it was. I have always been the girl who wears t-shirts and tennis shoes. Even though I love both of those things, I have always wanted to branch out with my style.

This leads us to today. I have decided to really stick with and put in my full commitment to eating better and working out. The best part of all of this is that not only will I feel better inside and out, but I have the best accountability partner, my hubby! He has been so awesome in all of this and is stepping up to the plate to help me out anyway he can! I love him so much and glad we get to do life together!

I am going to try my best to update everyday how I am doing on this journey, but bare with me as I may not always want to post what is going on.

Changes....

Changes, changes everywhere!

There are changes in the season right now.

There are changes at school.

There are changes going on for Dudley and I right now.

There are changes going on in my family.

Most of the changes are things for the better, but with the good there usually comes some bad, and I must say there is some bad changes here right now.

I honestly believe the only thing getting me through all these changes, good or bad, is my faith in God and knowing there is nothing He would throw my way that He doesn't think I can handle. I know that in Him all things are possible! He is in every change there is and will ever be and because of that I have joy in all things going on in life!