Good times with friends!

Dinner and bowling for Carla's birthday...

Carla and M-L

Amy H-K and M-L

Amy W. and M-L

Cari, Amy W., M-L, Amy H-K, Carla at Theo's Chocolate

A Great Valentine's Day!

There was chocolate.....

.....and flowers......

.....and jewelry.......

.....a heart-shaped steak!

The chef and his amazing work!

Crab legs......(and shrimp too)..

A delicious dinner!

Followed by cookies for dessert!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Arlie's birthday party

Arlie invited friends from school...

Including Rylie, her BFF!

We had a tower of cupcakes!

And homemade pizza (daddy makes it BEST!)

Girls are so funny!

Everyone had a great time playing the "unwrap the present" game.....

Presents were opened........

The boys went home at 10.......

The girls played a funny game!

Put on a hat, scarf and gloves and try to open a present!

Then it was time for spa treatments......

Arlie and McKenzie.....best friends!

Competition!

Arlie getting psyched for her latest meet......

Beam routine..

Handstand!

Bars......

Our champion!

Arlie's 12th Birthday!

Arlie woke to the traditional "birthday fairy" - a table decorated, a "cake", and presents.....

Arlie wanted homemade soft pretzels for her birthday morning treat - and Jeff obliged!

Grandma Mary Anne sent this adorable hat!

.....and this cool shirt!

What's in this bag?

Yes! My top wish - a personal DVD player!

One happy girl with cookies and a milkshake made by daddy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARLIE!

Another gymnastics meet!

Arlie's third competition......

Hannah is always there to support her!

Bar routine.......

Getting ready for the dismount......

Handstand on the beam!

Leap like you mean it!

Floor routine in action!

Winner!

Arlie achieved the highest score in the meet! We're so proud of her!

Before.........

This is me.......
I need to lose weight.......

My belly is my worst feature!

But this is who I am.........

So this is what I look like right now. I don't love my weight, in fact, it's not a healthy weight at all and I really need to do something to lose it. I've been keeping a food journal, and it's very apparent I do not eat as healthfully as I should, and I eat too much sugar! Sweets are my downfall and I eat something sweet at least a few times a day. I've been trying to consciously avoid the biggest saboteurs like pastries at Starbucks. I start most days on a really healthy kick - healthy cereal, fruit, etc. but it does downhill from there and I end most nights having something sweet and a glass of milk before bed. I have cholesteral that has recently (in the past five years) creeped over to the higher side, my blood pressure is fine (actually low), but my blood sugar is JUST under being diabetic, and I REALLY do not want to go there. I exercise most days, at least three times a week if not every day, but I obviously need to kick things up a notch. I'm meeting with a nutritionist next week so hopefully I will get some guidance and be on the right track. But it's really simple - eat less, exercise more! Something I've been struggling with for years. I'm not hung up on a size or a specific weight. I just want my "numbers" to be good and to feel comfortable in my clothes. So, here I go.........