17 months to 17 years

I find it just incredible that you are 17 years old.

I swear that not too long ago, your foot was as long as my thumb. 

Your tiny round head fit in the palm of my hand. 

We swayed to the music of Sting so you could fall asleep.

Our first home was a second story apartment.  It was cozy and warm.

You were tiny enough to sleep on our chest.  You slept that way alot with your Daddy.

You were sick alot until I finally took you out of daycare.

Daddy and I worked opposite of eachother from almost day 1.

We bought our house so you could have grass and a sandbox to play in.

You were so happy and small - you "sat" on the real estate SOLD sign under a big maple tree.  Benny was there too, but we didn't know that yet.

You fit inside the laundry basket -- with laundry still in it!

We were all yours for 17 months... and then we added baby brother to keep you company.

17 months to 17 years.

Time flies when having fun - and we certainly do have loads of fun!

Youth For Christ

I have prayed my way into being a Mentor Mom for the Teen Pregnancy program for Youth For Christ.

It means that I would help a young mom - ages 13-21 (give or take) get to the meetings. I also help support her in stressful new mommy situations. I can also encourage her spiritually.  Mostly, I am just her friend and someone to talk to.

These young ladies typically do not have good relationships at home, that's where YFC comes into play.

Prayerfully, I will meet up with "my girl" tonight and we can start working on a friendship.  I'm anxious-excited. Kind of like being the new kid on the block again!

Regardless, I have prayed for the young ladies that I could possibly be matched up with. So, even if I am not a good match for them, the good Lord already has a match for them.

*** UPDATE:  I am back from the meeting. I have to admit that it isn't what I thought it would be. It was not what I expected.  It seems that all of the girls have a support system already in place; some are married; some have more than one child and they planned for that; only a tiny handful of them needed a ride.

My girls - one probably won't come back. Her child is at an age where it didn't work out for him. Poor little sweetie.  The other girl liked it and may want to go back, but she has a really good support system - she really only needs me for the ride. Which is alright, I can still do that for her and be her friend.

Final Weigh-in

I have before and after pics....



Before
14 weeks ago



Before
14 weeks ago

I lost 11 pounds and 9 inches on my overall body.  I am proud of myself, but I lost second place by only .2 of a pound!!! I am very, extremely sad about that. I truly am disappointed.

  


After
14 weeks today

After pic
14 weeks today

Today, Matt was so nice to me. He knew I was disappointed yet he encouraged me to still go to Good-Will to look for something 'new'.  Before we left, we went through every piece of clothing in my closet - no small feat, let me tell you!!  We went through every piece and ended up with a yard-sized garbage bag of clothing that is too big for me now.  That was exciting and made me a little happier. 

I had tops that were size 24 women all the way to my 16's.  Most of the size 14 clothing fit loosely. I'm wearing a size 12 right now!  I had to toss several tops that were XXLG. Going through all of my clothes made me realize that I still have plenty of slacks for work. I didn't really need anything new.  Matt persisted in encouraging me and we went anyway.  I found a long-sleeved T-shirt, a brown sweater and a purple jacket-type top. Oh! and a pair of shoes. My closet is now nice and tidy.

Also, since today was the last day I had to weigh in, I decided that the first thing I wanted to eat was a frosted molasses cookie from Festival Foods. It was so yummy. Now, I know that I can't eat gluten without being in severe pain, but there is something about the ginger, dark molasses and other spices.  For some reason, eating those types of cookie do not hurt going through!  So, I ate one and enjoyed it tremendously! I'm a tiny bit gassy from it, but that's all.  For lunch.... I wasn't hungry!! Then for my break at work.... I wasn't hungry!! It figures. When I got home, still not hungry, but I'm determined... I made myself a gluten-free pizza with lots of onion and mushrooms and extra cheese!  The crust is a 9" corn tortilla.  I could only eat half of it though, so I'm saving the other half for breakfast.

I'm pleased with my progress. Since last year I've gone from 196# to 171#  I'd like to keep going.  Just a little at a time.  It's hard to keep the weight off because I'm essentially a lazy person, I don't like to sweat and I like to cook.

Tomorrow I'm making chicken veggie soup!

The next school year.

We have started our next hs'ing year.

You are a Sophomore and a Junior - 10th grade.... 11th grade.... I could hardly believe what my hand wrote. I really had to think.

It feels like just a few months ago that I took those precious Kindergarten First Day of School photos.

My heart is rejoicing and breaking all at the same time.  I am happy for you and for me. I am proud of you and me and your Dad.  I am breaking apart inside because this is a stage of my life also.  A stage that is ending.

I am also afraid of the future because I don't remember what I did before we hs'ed you. I don't remember life without reseaching and organizing fun school things!  I am afraid of the completion - of the done-ness. Afraid of the feeling of empty. I am afraid of not being useful!

What will I do with myself?