Well there they are! Feel free again to ask questions about any of it or go to the website to look at the ones that we haven't gotten to try yet. Enjoy!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Our Advocare Favorites
We posted some in our last blog post about our Advocare adventures. As promised, here is a post about all of some of our favorite products. We have not gotten to use all of them yet, but we're working on it! If you have any questions or anything feel free to call, text, message, email, or whatever!! We're happy to answer any of your questions. So here goes!
We love the 24 Day Challenges! We love the products in the challenge. The cleanse phase (the first ten days) help clean out all the junk that accumulates in your system and it really makes you feel a lot better!
The challenge also includes the other products that we love, so I'll put the details for those with those products. One thing that I really like about the 24 Day challenge is that it is totally able to be customized! If there is a part or parts that don't work for you, it can be tweaked for your goals!!
This is one of our go to, must have products. It comes in a bunch of really yummy flavors and it is great as a no-crash source of energy. Unlike soda or coffee you don't need a nap after it wears off! I drink some in the morning and I am good all day. I like that it doesn't make me jittery and runs all day! I could go on about this all day, but I won't. This too is part of the 24 Day Challenge.
Chocolate-chocolate snack bars are a tasty and healthy snack to have on hand. I am a huge chocolate addict so they are a healthy way to satisfy my chocolate hankering.
Rehydrate is awesome for before, during, or after the workout. My favorite is actually the Red Raspberry. I drink it before every gym session and sometimes mix it with grape or fruit punch spark and it is sooooo yummy!
This is one of Glen's favorites. I don't mind it, but I like Spark best. This is like Spark bumped up a notch. It tastes really good and it's his go to work his 6 am truck shifts.
These are great for a quick on the go meal. The vanilla are my favorite and the chocolate and chocolate peanut butter are glen's favorite. I am not a breakfast person, so I use these mostly in the morning which works great because usually I am running late and I usually drink it in the car on the way to school. This is a part of the 24 Day Challenge.
This helps with post workout recovery; it keeps you from getting sore after a work out and helps with energy and focus as well. This is an optional part of the challenge but we always include it because it makes a huge difference.
These are vitamin chews. I got to try them when I was putting together an individualized challenge for someone and they taste like starbursts! I am using the CorePlex as my vitamin but these appeal to the inner child who always wanted the Flinstone vitamins. :) A perfect example of how the 24 day challenges can be personalized.
This is a really awesome source of the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. The biggest effect that I have seen it have is on my hair and nails. My hail feels healthier and my nails aren't as brittle. This is part of the 24 Day Challenge.
This is the multivitamin that I mentioned. It has all the nutrients you need! Not as fun as the V100 chews but hey...they're grown up vitamins and work well! This is also part of the 24 Day Challenge.
Well there they are! Feel free again to ask questions about any of it or go to the website to look at the ones that we haven't gotten to try yet. Enjoy!!
Well there they are! Feel free again to ask questions about any of it or go to the website to look at the ones that we haven't gotten to try yet. Enjoy!!
Monday, December 21, 2015
Wrapping Up 2015
Hello everyone! It has been quite some time since we posted any kind of update about what's been going on in our little bubble. Granted, if you're on Facebook you have probably seen bits and pieces. But this year has been a busy and productive one. We won't go into the super huge details but just include some highlights and some thoughts going into the new year.
Aimee
This year has been a whirlwind! I have been working hard in school and keeping my eye focused on graduation. I just finished my last semester of all classes and in the beginning of January will start my full time student teaching. Before this last semester started I was assigned to a brand new school in the Arlington school district for my student teaching and I am so glad I was! I absolutely love the school, the teachers and administration I work with, as well as the students. I have fantastic cooperating teachers and I am learning so much! I cannot wait to be there all day, every day next semester. I was also honored to be initiated this semester into the education honor society Kappa Delta Pi. This was something that I have been working toward since I started and it was awesome to finally see it happen. I took and passed my first certification test this last summer, and will take my next in a little over a week. I am well on my way to graduation and I can taste it! I was released from my nursery calling and have enjoyed just being able to go to classes with Glen.
Of course nothing that I am doing in school could be done without the support and patience of my family, especially Glen. I am a perfectionist to say the least, especially when it comes to my schooling. So being married to me requires putting up with a lot of late nights, obsessing over grades and lesson plans, and so much more. I truly did marry someone who balances me in all of the best ways. He helps me relax and have fun right when I need to the most, and that is exactly what I need.
Glen
Glen has been working hard at Leslie's Pool Supply and enjoys his job. Customer service and working with people in general is his specialty and he is so good at it! Leslie's really seems to like him and he enjoys learning from his work and from his coworkers. He is also growing his t-shirt business and it is going well. His website looks awesome and he is working on growing it however he can to make it successful. He has been working on a lot of new designs and has done very well. This summer he actually supplied the employee shirts for a local animal clinic and they really liked them!
Glen is also the first counselor in the ward's young men's presidency. He works a lot, including Sundays so he doesn't get to do as much with his calling as he wants but he has enjoyed getting to know the young men and work with the other leaders.
We are looking forward to so much this coming year. After I graduate we are hoping to pick the right school district for me to teach in and find a place to live that we like better with more space. Not to mention we are hoping to go on an actual vacation! Not sure where or when yet but we are hoping it will happen. We are looking forward to big strides in Glen's business as well.
Speaking of the business we happen to have two! Many of you have seen Glen and I post about our Advocare adventures. We have done two 24 day challenges and we felt great on both! The second one was interrupted for me by some unrelated medical junk, which was frustrating as heck! But we love the products and what they do. They just released the new All-In 24 Day Challenge and it is amazing! It's all the great products of the 24 Day Challenge as well as a challenge bracelet, blender bottle, and three meal prep containers. It's a huge group challenge starting January 11th. You can pre order now through January 4th and won't be charged until after Christmas. As well as free shipping. We would love to share our favorite products with you and if you have questions, you can contact either one of us. Find the All-In challenge information here.
Glen has even thrown in the incentive that if you order $100 or more in product (which means one challenge) you will get a free "Don't Quit" shirt from his site. It of course does not just come in a ladie's tank top but here is the design: http://shirtsjustforyou.com/product/dontquitladieswidestraptanktop/
Glen and I will be using these products to push towards our health goals as well. I will be creating a post with some of our favorite products and why we love them!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the people we know and love!!
Aimee
This year has been a whirlwind! I have been working hard in school and keeping my eye focused on graduation. I just finished my last semester of all classes and in the beginning of January will start my full time student teaching. Before this last semester started I was assigned to a brand new school in the Arlington school district for my student teaching and I am so glad I was! I absolutely love the school, the teachers and administration I work with, as well as the students. I have fantastic cooperating teachers and I am learning so much! I cannot wait to be there all day, every day next semester. I was also honored to be initiated this semester into the education honor society Kappa Delta Pi. This was something that I have been working toward since I started and it was awesome to finally see it happen. I took and passed my first certification test this last summer, and will take my next in a little over a week. I am well on my way to graduation and I can taste it! I was released from my nursery calling and have enjoyed just being able to go to classes with Glen.
Of course nothing that I am doing in school could be done without the support and patience of my family, especially Glen. I am a perfectionist to say the least, especially when it comes to my schooling. So being married to me requires putting up with a lot of late nights, obsessing over grades and lesson plans, and so much more. I truly did marry someone who balances me in all of the best ways. He helps me relax and have fun right when I need to the most, and that is exactly what I need.
Glen
Glen has been working hard at Leslie's Pool Supply and enjoys his job. Customer service and working with people in general is his specialty and he is so good at it! Leslie's really seems to like him and he enjoys learning from his work and from his coworkers. He is also growing his t-shirt business and it is going well. His website looks awesome and he is working on growing it however he can to make it successful. He has been working on a lot of new designs and has done very well. This summer he actually supplied the employee shirts for a local animal clinic and they really liked them!
Glen is also the first counselor in the ward's young men's presidency. He works a lot, including Sundays so he doesn't get to do as much with his calling as he wants but he has enjoyed getting to know the young men and work with the other leaders.
 |
| My daddy and I at the Kappa Delta Pi initiation |
 | |||
| Glen and I at the Kappa Delta Pi Initiation |
We are looking forward to so much this coming year. After I graduate we are hoping to pick the right school district for me to teach in and find a place to live that we like better with more space. Not to mention we are hoping to go on an actual vacation! Not sure where or when yet but we are hoping it will happen. We are looking forward to big strides in Glen's business as well.
Speaking of the business we happen to have two! Many of you have seen Glen and I post about our Advocare adventures. We have done two 24 day challenges and we felt great on both! The second one was interrupted for me by some unrelated medical junk, which was frustrating as heck! But we love the products and what they do. They just released the new All-In 24 Day Challenge and it is amazing! It's all the great products of the 24 Day Challenge as well as a challenge bracelet, blender bottle, and three meal prep containers. It's a huge group challenge starting January 11th. You can pre order now through January 4th and won't be charged until after Christmas. As well as free shipping. We would love to share our favorite products with you and if you have questions, you can contact either one of us. Find the All-In challenge information here.
Glen has even thrown in the incentive that if you order $100 or more in product (which means one challenge) you will get a free "Don't Quit" shirt from his site. It of course does not just come in a ladie's tank top but here is the design: http://shirtsjustforyou.com/product/dontquitladieswidestraptanktop/
Glen and I will be using these products to push towards our health goals as well. I will be creating a post with some of our favorite products and why we love them!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the people we know and love!!
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Our Challenge Results
Aimee:
I am having some serious trouble putting into words what my thoughts are after the challenge. I guess my final thoughts are that the leap of faith and those first few days of struggling were totally worth it. It wasn't super easy at first but it became second nature and we love the products. Just for kicks and giggles, on the first day after our challenge was over I decided to see how much of an effect spark had by not having any all day. Let me tell ya.....ZZZzzzzzz. I love my spark. We have tried Slam recently too and that was awesome as well without the caffeine, if that makes a difference to you.
I have never felt healthier. Not only has my size changed but my mindset has too. I see a candy bar and think "that would taste really good...but I have worked hard to feel the way I do and I don't want to go back." I am sure we'll have treats every once and a while but not at all like before. I feel so much more confident. I don't mind trying on clothes and I like the way I feel in my own. I like that the pair of jeans I used to wear all the time don't stay up! Not for a TMI moment but I can take them off without unbuttoning them. Wow! I have lost weight and inches and gained muscle and I love it! I have smaller numbers than Glen but the confidence and the kick start it gave me is like none other. I needed that. We needed that. I have seen myself have more energy. Overall, I stay awake all day every day and I sleep well at night. We got into an awesome routine and we have been just happier.
As a wife, you always want to see your husband happy and confident. Glen has been notable happier and just in a better mood. I see him excited about his loss and he is excited to say "baby...my pants won't stay up and my belt is cinched as tight as it can go!" That makes me so happy! But here are my results. These are my results compared to before we started.
Right Calf:13 1/2 in. (+1/2 in.)
Glen:
The last 24 days have really opened up my eyes in regards to how out of control my eating had been. At the start of the challenge I was concerned that I was not going to be able to keep up with everything that the challenge required but as I began the challenge with my wife and the days went by faster and faster, the better I started to feel and the more energy I began to have. Work started to get easier and from what I could tell I believe I got the best sleep that I have in years.
Now I am going to extend a challenge to each of you and Aimee may do this again at the end but for those that are still reading this I strongly suggest that you at least take the time to learn more about the 24 day challenge. We are here to help you reach your goals. As Aimee has mentioned before I own an Online Graphic Apparel shop and for each you that do the 24 day challenge I will send you a free t-shirt up to a $20 value as well. You will never be alone in the challenge Aimee and I will encourage you and be there the entire time. If you have questions or concerns, need some advice you will be able to message us and talk to us. I promise you if you take the time and commit your life will be changed in a multitude of ways. The physical results are below, compared to when we started:
I am having some serious trouble putting into words what my thoughts are after the challenge. I guess my final thoughts are that the leap of faith and those first few days of struggling were totally worth it. It wasn't super easy at first but it became second nature and we love the products. Just for kicks and giggles, on the first day after our challenge was over I decided to see how much of an effect spark had by not having any all day. Let me tell ya.....ZZZzzzzzz. I love my spark. We have tried Slam recently too and that was awesome as well without the caffeine, if that makes a difference to you.
I have never felt healthier. Not only has my size changed but my mindset has too. I see a candy bar and think "that would taste really good...but I have worked hard to feel the way I do and I don't want to go back." I am sure we'll have treats every once and a while but not at all like before. I feel so much more confident. I don't mind trying on clothes and I like the way I feel in my own. I like that the pair of jeans I used to wear all the time don't stay up! Not for a TMI moment but I can take them off without unbuttoning them. Wow! I have lost weight and inches and gained muscle and I love it! I have smaller numbers than Glen but the confidence and the kick start it gave me is like none other. I needed that. We needed that. I have seen myself have more energy. Overall, I stay awake all day every day and I sleep well at night. We got into an awesome routine and we have been just happier.As a wife, you always want to see your husband happy and confident. Glen has been notable happier and just in a better mood. I see him excited about his loss and he is excited to say "baby...my pants won't stay up and my belt is cinched as tight as it can go!" That makes me so happy! But here are my results. These are my results compared to before we started.
End of Challenge Weigh In:
Weight: 141.5 lbs (-7.5 lbs)
Right Arm: 9 3/4 in. (-1 1/4 in.)
Shoulders: 41 1/2 in.(-1 1/2 in.)
Chest: 38 in. (-1 in.)
Waist: 31 in.
Hips: 39 3/4 in. (-1/4 in.)
Right Thigh: 20 in. (-1 in.)
Right Calf:13 1/2 in. (+1/2 in.)
Total loss: 7.5 lbs and approx. 4 in.
Glen:
The last 24 days have really opened up my eyes in regards to how out of control my eating had been. At the start of the challenge I was concerned that I was not going to be able to keep up with everything that the challenge required but as I began the challenge with my wife and the days went by faster and faster, the better I started to feel and the more energy I began to have. Work started to get easier and from what I could tell I believe I got the best sleep that I have in years.
After high school when I started working for a job that kept me sedentary I was eating the same that I was even during high school but I was not as active as I had been and that is pretty much how it went up until 24 days ago. Besides the healthy factor for me this became more than just the weight loss and losing inches on my waist. For me this turned into a huge bonding experience with my wife. We worked together to accomplish a goal and it was time we got to spend together each morning and night and we of course would encourage each other to be the very best we can be.
In my own perspective I feel like our marriage has been strengthened. I love seeing Aimee be so confident in herself and I love hearing her talk to her friends and family about how the products have helped change her. Seeing her be so excited about shopping again for new clothes makes me smile. Seeing her smile makes me smile.
Now I am going to extend a challenge to each of you and Aimee may do this again at the end but for those that are still reading this I strongly suggest that you at least take the time to learn more about the 24 day challenge. We are here to help you reach your goals. As Aimee has mentioned before I own an Online Graphic Apparel shop and for each you that do the 24 day challenge I will send you a free t-shirt up to a $20 value as well. You will never be alone in the challenge Aimee and I will encourage you and be there the entire time. If you have questions or concerns, need some advice you will be able to message us and talk to us. I promise you if you take the time and commit your life will be changed in a multitude of ways. The physical results are below, compared to when we started:
End of Challenge Weigh In
Weight: 219.8 lbs. (-11 lbs.)
Right Arm: 15 3/4 in. (+1/4 in.)
Shoulders: 52 3/4 in. (-3 3/4 in.)
Chest: 46 in.
Waist: 44 1/2 in. (-2 1/2 in.)
Hips: 42 1/2 in. (-2 1/2 in.)
Right Thigh: 20 1/4 in. (-3 3/4 in.)
Right Calf:16 in.
Total loss: 11 lbs and 12 1/4 in.
I am adding the photo below of Glen as well because the pants he is wearing (this picture was taken on day 18) were ones that before we started he said were too tight to even try to really wear all day. He wore these on a date and they were loose!
We have been so blessed by this challenge and we would love for the ones we love and who love us to feel the way we do! If you have questions, ask! If we don't know the answers, we'll find them. If you wanna try some of the amazing spark, we can send you some! Take a risk, you will not regret it! We certainly don't!! Thanks for coming along on our journey! We will keep going and keep you informed because we both have goals to continue and here they are:
In the next 3 months:
- Glen wants to be under 200 lbs.
- Aimee wants to be back to her pre-wedding weight
- Both of us want to tone up and build some more muscle
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Second to Last Weigh and Measure
Aimee
Alright everyone! Most of my thoughts are on my last post. I am just very focused on how to continue with progress after the actual challenge is over. But here are my measurements for day 18. Disclaimer: we were wearing somewhat different clothes than we normally wear when measuring. Our next weigh and measure will be after the challenge is all over! But here are my results compared to my last weight in:
Alright everyone! Most of my thoughts are on my last post. I am just very focused on how to continue with progress after the actual challenge is over. But here are my measurements for day 18. Disclaimer: we were wearing somewhat different clothes than we normally wear when measuring. Our next weigh and measure will be after the challenge is all over! But here are my results compared to my last weight in:
Day 18 Weigh In
Weight: 141.8 lbs. (-1.3 lbs)
Right Arm: 10 3/4 in. (+ 3/4 in.)
Shoulders: 42 1/2 in.
Chest: 39 in. (+1/4 in)
Waist: 31 in.
Hips: 39 3/4 in.
Right Thigh: 20 1/4 in. (-3/4 in.)
Right Calf: 13 1/4 in. (+1/4 in.)
Some may see the gain in inches and think it's not working. But I know for sure that those are gains in muscle because those are parts of my body where I have seen a difference and that I have made gains in. For example I went up 10 lbs in what I can lift at the gym and I have seen a change in the definition of my arms. I am also able to do more weight with my legs for more reps. Still a super successful week!
Glen
Another successful week in regards to the challenge. You will see below that I am losing a lot of inches in every area of my body and I have lost more pounds this week. I attribute that to the fact of doing a more intense work out. With it being only one more week until we are done with this challenge I hope that those who are continuing to follow our progress are seeing that this is a challenge that requires your full focus and attention and that if you stick to it, results will soon follow.
Day 18 Weigh In
Weight: 222.5 lbs. (-4.6 lbs)
Right Arm: 16 in.
Shoulders: 52 3/4 in. (+2 3/4)
Chest: 46 in. (-1 in.)
Waist: 44 3/4 in. (-1 3/4 in.)
Hips: 43 in. (-1 in.)
Right Thigh: 22 3/4 in. (+1 1/4 in.)
Right Calf: 16 1/2 in. (+1/2 in.)
Thursday, June 11, 2015
But What Happens When the Challenge is Over?
Just a heads up, this is going to be mostly Aimee writing. I am sure Glen echos a lot of the thoughts in it, but it's mostly me. Glen and I were talking last night about how when this challenge started we were not necessarily one hundred percent excited; we were excited about the possibility but we were sure that these 24 days would last forever. Now we're sitting here thinking "holy smokes! our challenge is done on Thursday. This Thursday!" I cannot even believe how fast it's gone and how much my results have surpassed not only my expectations, but even what I heard everyone else saying.
When we've posted the last few times about our results it has been pretty number focused, which is fine but numbers aren't the only measure of success. Plus, if there is a huge emphasis on numbers others may only judge their success based on the numbers and I don't want that! I know what it is like to work your butt off and be so careful about what you eat then to get on the scale and see I've lost .3 pounds or even sometimes gained pounds. It makes you heart sick. It makes you feel like all your efforts aren't even worth it so why bother trying? I get it. But this challenge has been different than anything I have ever tried.
The numbers are cool to see and they definitely make me excited but even more than that I am very aware of the difference in how I feel. I am not tired all the time; I have more energy than I have in a long time. When I am tired it is because it is the end of the day and I have worked hard; it's not because I have sat still for 20 minutes or longer and just passed out. I used to hate looking in the mirror because I felt just so entirely unattractive. I stuck to: "Is my hair crazy? Is there something in my teeth? Do my clothes match?" Now I don't mind because I can actually see a difference in my body. You have no idea how big of a deal that is for me. I want to go to the gym. I have more endurance and I am stronger than before and I can see that in my performance at the gym. I can go longer and I can lift more. I only had one pair of shorts so I went to get another pair on my lunch break and for the first time in about four years I did not have to get a size up-I had to get a size down! For the first time in forever I got to say to Glen "they didn't fit...I need to get a smaller size." It was cool to see the smile on his face because he knew how much that meant to me too.
I feel comfortable in my own skin; I don't just feel "gross" anymore. I know that sounds vague but I think you probably get what I am saying. Before even when I was doing things right there would be that time where I saw a Dairy Queen advertisement and was like "I'm getting me some ice cream!" Sure there are times that I am like "a brownie would taste good right now" or something like that but then I think about how I feel and I don't want to mess that up. Am I saying that I will never have another treat again or anything else? No, because that isn't realistic but I can say that it won't be like before. Before it wasn't an occasional treat, it was a daily treat. A large daily treat.
Which is why I have found myself anxious about what happens come day 25. The inner organization freak in me has loved having everything laid out for me with that lovely guide book and that same organization freak is worried about what happens when the book is over. I know of course to keep eating healthy with the portion sizes and everything but what else? I kind of feel like I am reaching the end of a rehab program because I am leaving the security of planned and regimented which I work really well with.
Those who know me well know that I am a lot like my Grandpa Friday in that I am not an easy sell. I am that obnoxious person who will ask 15,000 questions about why I should get something that you're selling me and usually even if you answer them I still won't do anything until I have done my own research and weighed my options. That being said, these products have made such a difference to me and my husband that I want to share that with others. If you have questions about AdvoCare or you're curious but have budgetary concerns please contact me! You can message me on Facebook, email me, or text me. If you want to try something, let me know and we will figure it out. It's worth taking the risk, I promise! I will be nothing but honest with you, and if I can't answer your questions I will get us in touch with someone who can.
This has gotten long enough, so I will end it here. Tomorrow or Saturday we will post some more results. But I really wanted to show that these products have made a difference for me. A difference that I haven't felt from anything else. Until then...later!
When we've posted the last few times about our results it has been pretty number focused, which is fine but numbers aren't the only measure of success. Plus, if there is a huge emphasis on numbers others may only judge their success based on the numbers and I don't want that! I know what it is like to work your butt off and be so careful about what you eat then to get on the scale and see I've lost .3 pounds or even sometimes gained pounds. It makes you heart sick. It makes you feel like all your efforts aren't even worth it so why bother trying? I get it. But this challenge has been different than anything I have ever tried.
The numbers are cool to see and they definitely make me excited but even more than that I am very aware of the difference in how I feel. I am not tired all the time; I have more energy than I have in a long time. When I am tired it is because it is the end of the day and I have worked hard; it's not because I have sat still for 20 minutes or longer and just passed out. I used to hate looking in the mirror because I felt just so entirely unattractive. I stuck to: "Is my hair crazy? Is there something in my teeth? Do my clothes match?" Now I don't mind because I can actually see a difference in my body. You have no idea how big of a deal that is for me. I want to go to the gym. I have more endurance and I am stronger than before and I can see that in my performance at the gym. I can go longer and I can lift more. I only had one pair of shorts so I went to get another pair on my lunch break and for the first time in about four years I did not have to get a size up-I had to get a size down! For the first time in forever I got to say to Glen "they didn't fit...I need to get a smaller size." It was cool to see the smile on his face because he knew how much that meant to me too.
I feel comfortable in my own skin; I don't just feel "gross" anymore. I know that sounds vague but I think you probably get what I am saying. Before even when I was doing things right there would be that time where I saw a Dairy Queen advertisement and was like "I'm getting me some ice cream!" Sure there are times that I am like "a brownie would taste good right now" or something like that but then I think about how I feel and I don't want to mess that up. Am I saying that I will never have another treat again or anything else? No, because that isn't realistic but I can say that it won't be like before. Before it wasn't an occasional treat, it was a daily treat. A large daily treat.
Which is why I have found myself anxious about what happens come day 25. The inner organization freak in me has loved having everything laid out for me with that lovely guide book and that same organization freak is worried about what happens when the book is over. I know of course to keep eating healthy with the portion sizes and everything but what else? I kind of feel like I am reaching the end of a rehab program because I am leaving the security of planned and regimented which I work really well with.
Those who know me well know that I am a lot like my Grandpa Friday in that I am not an easy sell. I am that obnoxious person who will ask 15,000 questions about why I should get something that you're selling me and usually even if you answer them I still won't do anything until I have done my own research and weighed my options. That being said, these products have made such a difference to me and my husband that I want to share that with others. If you have questions about AdvoCare or you're curious but have budgetary concerns please contact me! You can message me on Facebook, email me, or text me. If you want to try something, let me know and we will figure it out. It's worth taking the risk, I promise! I will be nothing but honest with you, and if I can't answer your questions I will get us in touch with someone who can.
This has gotten long enough, so I will end it here. Tomorrow or Saturday we will post some more results. But I really wanted to show that these products have made a difference for me. A difference that I haven't felt from anything else. Until then...later!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Half Way Through the Challenge
Aimee
So I swore this challenge was going to last forever. I thought it would feel like a century; like the Joan Jett concert I went to (which was like a hostage situation...I hear she's gotten better though). But it has actually gone by pretty quick, we're already on day twelve! Holy crap! The cleanse phase was the first ten days so we're done with that which I am not bumming over at all. Now I can have milk! Only a little but a little is better than none, right? Right. I certainly have no amorous feelings toward that fiber drink so I am not mourning no longer having to chug it while holding my nose like a four year old taking cough medicine. As if that wasn't attractive enough, the crazy rambling "it's just orange juice...don't think about it...just orange juice" over and over again added extra spirit to it. It's really not that bad, the sensitive gag reflex made it worse. It also helped that after I drank the fiber drink I brushed my teeth...and my tongue..and the roof of my mouth. I would have brushed my uvula if I could have reached that far; I wanted no remaining fiber drink essence. I know I am not really "selling" it well, but I hear the peaches and cream flavor is better and I don't generally like citrus stuff anyways. But for the two minutes of fiber unpleasantness the cleanse was awesome! My skepticism is gone, and that's not easy for me to say. To give you an idea, Glen always says if someone can sell something to me they can sell it to anybody. I am a practical and fact based person and I cannot deny the facts, which are:
2. I have more energy; I don't fall asleep at the drop of a hat when I sit down. I am able to focus better. It's not cause I'm guzzling Spark either, I only have one a day and usually it's at about 6:30 or so in the morning. Glen isn't falling asleep every time he sits down and both of us work in retail so we move around constantly.
3. The products aren't gross! Well...fiber drink aside (but that's because of my taste). The Spark seriously tastes like kool-aid and it's not the kind of energy drink that makes you feel all jittery and spazzy. It really just kind of wakes you up a little and sharpens your ability to focus. Which I have truly tested because anyone who knows me knows that before now the focus thing didn't really happen before 8 am (and that's being generous). The meal replacement shakes taste like cake and an actual milkshake. Which speaks to the inner junk food junkie.
So my first thoughts on the Max phase which is what the next fourteen days are that there is a lot that you take but all of it is multivitamins, omega 3's, etc. (more info here). But I am so excited to see what the next twelve days bring! Yesterday we measured and weighed; this week my loss was in pounds rather than inches; no complaints here! Here are my results (as compared to my last weigh in):
Glen
With this challenge being half way over and only 2 more weeks to go I can honestly say that I am feeling the best I have in a quite a while. The cleanse phase thank goodness was only ten days however after the 5th day it started to get easier.
The last few days have been rather difficult due to the fact that where I work has picked up quite a bit so being able to follow the program to a T is not so easy to do and it has been extremely frustrating because I have worked so hard to even get to this point and I do not want to do anything to mess it up. I have learned though that it is important to keep pressing forward and do it to the best of your ability. In my own opinion this challenge is meant to get you back into good habits even when your situation is forcing you to do otherwise and that is of course where most people run into their problems but as you will see from my results doing the best I could with what I got still produced some pretty great results. Hard work does pay off. Lost some pounds and inches and gained some muscle!
So I swore this challenge was going to last forever. I thought it would feel like a century; like the Joan Jett concert I went to (which was like a hostage situation...I hear she's gotten better though). But it has actually gone by pretty quick, we're already on day twelve! Holy crap! The cleanse phase was the first ten days so we're done with that which I am not bumming over at all. Now I can have milk! Only a little but a little is better than none, right? Right. I certainly have no amorous feelings toward that fiber drink so I am not mourning no longer having to chug it while holding my nose like a four year old taking cough medicine. As if that wasn't attractive enough, the crazy rambling "it's just orange juice...don't think about it...just orange juice" over and over again added extra spirit to it. It's really not that bad, the sensitive gag reflex made it worse. It also helped that after I drank the fiber drink I brushed my teeth...and my tongue..and the roof of my mouth. I would have brushed my uvula if I could have reached that far; I wanted no remaining fiber drink essence. I know I am not really "selling" it well, but I hear the peaches and cream flavor is better and I don't generally like citrus stuff anyways. But for the two minutes of fiber unpleasantness the cleanse was awesome! My skepticism is gone, and that's not easy for me to say. To give you an idea, Glen always says if someone can sell something to me they can sell it to anybody. I am a practical and fact based person and I cannot deny the facts, which are:
2. I have more energy; I don't fall asleep at the drop of a hat when I sit down. I am able to focus better. It's not cause I'm guzzling Spark either, I only have one a day and usually it's at about 6:30 or so in the morning. Glen isn't falling asleep every time he sits down and both of us work in retail so we move around constantly.
3. The products aren't gross! Well...fiber drink aside (but that's because of my taste). The Spark seriously tastes like kool-aid and it's not the kind of energy drink that makes you feel all jittery and spazzy. It really just kind of wakes you up a little and sharpens your ability to focus. Which I have truly tested because anyone who knows me knows that before now the focus thing didn't really happen before 8 am (and that's being generous). The meal replacement shakes taste like cake and an actual milkshake. Which speaks to the inner junk food junkie.
So my first thoughts on the Max phase which is what the next fourteen days are that there is a lot that you take but all of it is multivitamins, omega 3's, etc. (more info here). But I am so excited to see what the next twelve days bring! Yesterday we measured and weighed; this week my loss was in pounds rather than inches; no complaints here! Here are my results (as compared to my last weigh in):
Day 11 Weigh In
Weight: 143.1 lbs (-2.2 lbs)
Right Arm: 10 in.
Shoulders: 42 1/2 in.
Chest: 38 3/4 in.
Waist: 31 in.
Hips: 39 3/4 in.
Right Thigh: 21 in.
Right Calf: 13 in.
Total Loss: 2.2 lbs
Glen
With this challenge being half way over and only 2 more weeks to go I can honestly say that I am feeling the best I have in a quite a while. The cleanse phase thank goodness was only ten days however after the 5th day it started to get easier.
The last few days have been rather difficult due to the fact that where I work has picked up quite a bit so being able to follow the program to a T is not so easy to do and it has been extremely frustrating because I have worked so hard to even get to this point and I do not want to do anything to mess it up. I have learned though that it is important to keep pressing forward and do it to the best of your ability. In my own opinion this challenge is meant to get you back into good habits even when your situation is forcing you to do otherwise and that is of course where most people run into their problems but as you will see from my results doing the best I could with what I got still produced some pretty great results. Hard work does pay off. Lost some pounds and inches and gained some muscle!
Day 11 Weigh In
Weight: 227.1 lbs (-2.9 lbs)
Right Arm: 16 in.
Shoulders: 50 in. (-4.5 in.)
Chest: 47 in.
Waist: 46 1/2 in. (-1/2 in.)
Hips: 44 in. (-1 in.)
Right Thigh: 21 1/2 in. (-1/4 in.)
Right Calf: 16 in.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
24 Day Challenge Progress
So today was the end of the fifth day of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge, so we'll just dive into how things have been for us!
Aimee
I have always have joked with Glen that I am addicted to junk food, but after these five days (only five...how sad) I swear that wasn't so joke-ish after all. There were days that I swear I was going through withdrawal; at my sister's house I was 90% sure the bag of cookies was looking at me...through the cupboard...in another room. Totally crazy, I know. There were two days in particular that I was like ravenous for anything delicious and not cleanse-ey. Give me thatbrownie ice cream pizza french fries cheesecake....alright fine banana. But I am SO glad I didn't cheat, especially after we weighed and measured today. I think this week was particularly hard because I wasn't able to completely prep like I wanted before we started the cleanse so I felt a little like a rabbit with what I was eating. But I was able to plan for the next week so I can eat person food now too! It sounds silly but even just being five days in I can tell that preparation is huge in being successful. If you prepare it makes it easier so it keeps you from giving up. It also really helps doing it with someone else. Glen may or may not have have to hold onto my hand particularly tight when we were walking passed a table of cupcakes. Yeah...that got a little dicey. But I am so glad he's in this for the long haul too! Otherwise it would have been a flop like everything else I've tried.
I had to admit that even though I was hopeful, I was also a pretty big skeptic. I promised myself that I would look at this experience objectively; that was the whole idea so that I could honestly either suggest or discourage it. I had heard people talk about the Spark drink before I started and how it made them more alert and able to focus. I was particularly skeptic about this but as I was thinking about it today (during my super ridiculously productive day), I realized something. When I watch Caelan during the week I usually get there about 6:30 or 7 am and fall asleep until he wakes up, then inevitably I wil fall asleep during one of his naps unless I force myself to stay busy. That didn't happen this week. I snoozed for about an hour on Wednesday morning but that was it. I was amazed! I can home and was tired at the end of the day like I should be but I was good during the day!
My thoughts on products so far are that there is a lot to keep track of at first, but once you're in the swing of things it's not as bad. The past two mornings without the fiber drinks were lovely. That's my least favorite part but the Spark in the morning is tasty! The grape one tastes like kool-aid and the fruit punch is yummy too! I am trying watermelon tomorrow. But the proof is in the pudding (mmm....pudding):
Aimee
I have always have joked with Glen that I am addicted to junk food, but after these five days (only five...how sad) I swear that wasn't so joke-ish after all. There were days that I swear I was going through withdrawal; at my sister's house I was 90% sure the bag of cookies was looking at me...through the cupboard...in another room. Totally crazy, I know. There were two days in particular that I was like ravenous for anything delicious and not cleanse-ey. Give me that
I had to admit that even though I was hopeful, I was also a pretty big skeptic. I promised myself that I would look at this experience objectively; that was the whole idea so that I could honestly either suggest or discourage it. I had heard people talk about the Spark drink before I started and how it made them more alert and able to focus. I was particularly skeptic about this but as I was thinking about it today (during my super ridiculously productive day), I realized something. When I watch Caelan during the week I usually get there about 6:30 or 7 am and fall asleep until he wakes up, then inevitably I wil fall asleep during one of his naps unless I force myself to stay busy. That didn't happen this week. I snoozed for about an hour on Wednesday morning but that was it. I was amazed! I can home and was tired at the end of the day like I should be but I was good during the day!
My thoughts on products so far are that there is a lot to keep track of at first, but once you're in the swing of things it's not as bad. The past two mornings without the fiber drinks were lovely. That's my least favorite part but the Spark in the morning is tasty! The grape one tastes like kool-aid and the fruit punch is yummy too! I am trying watermelon tomorrow. But the proof is in the pudding (mmm....pudding):
Day 5 Weigh In:
Weight: 145.3 lbs (-3.7 lbs)
Right Arm: 10 in. (-1 in.)
Shoulders: 42 1/2 in (-1/2 in.)
Chest: 38 3/4 in. (-1/4 in.)
Waist: 31 in.
Hip: 39 3/4 in. (-1/4 in)
Right Thigh: 21 in.
Right Calf: 13 in.
Total Loss: 3.7 lbs and 2 inches overall.
Glen
The past five days have been some of the toughest in regards to food. If you do not know me then you do not know how much I love eating. I eat whenever I get the chance and I eat all of my favorite foods. We are only on day 5 and I feel like I am about to go crazy and I probably will have gone crazy but I know that at the end of these 24 days I will have learned a whole new level of self control and discipline.
Up until this point I had not realized exactly how much I used food as a crutch. Whenever I am at home and watching a show or doing some business I would get something to eat and I would eat off and on through out the day until Aimee and I went to bed.
When I first heard about this challenge I knew people were getting their results and I was stoked for them but as far as I was concerned I was pretty certain that I would not be able to last 24 days doing a very specific routine and making sure certain things were done in incremental times.
Aimee then recently of course began looking further into it and one thing that I have come to learn ever since I first met her was that I could accomplish anything as long as she was by my side so I agreed to do it with her shortly after our journey began.
There are a lot of great health products on the market and after only five days I can already see and feel a difference in myself. I have been able to have more energy and I already feel healthier. Although the first few days have been a bit hellish I see the results and as we all know results have incredible motivation to keep someone going. Plus having a great team mate and not wanting to let her down keeps me right on track. Next milestone will be to get to Day 11. So I am almost halfway there and before I know it the 24 days will be up.
There are a lot of great health products on the market and after only five days I can already see and feel a difference in myself. I have been able to have more energy and I already feel healthier. Although the first few days have been a bit hellish I see the results and as we all know results have incredible motivation to keep someone going. Plus having a great team mate and not wanting to let her down keeps me right on track. Next milestone will be to get to Day 11. So I am almost halfway there and before I know it the 24 days will be up.
Day 5 Weigh In:
Weight: 230 lbs. (-1 lb.)
Right Arm: 15 in. (-1/2 in.)
Shoulders: 54.5 in. (-2 in)
Chest: 46 in.
Waist: 47 in.
Hips: 45 in.
Right Thigh: 21 3/4 in. (-2 1/4) in
Right Calf: 16 in.
Total Loss: 1 lb and 4 3/4 inches overall.
We're definitely still motivated! Talk after our next weigh in!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
We're Accepting the Challenge
Oh my gosh! Two posts in a week?! Unheard of...but true. Normally my posts are about what events have happened with us recently and how we're doing; the next few aren't quite going to be like that. Glen and I have been worried about our health habits for quite some time now. Both of us have a sweet tooth that practically consume our whole heads, both of us lacked serious knowledge about where to start or even where to look for information. For the entire time we've known each other we've talked about how we have bad habits that we don't know how to shake. We knew people who had done Advocare challenges and those who not only did the challenges but were distributors and advisers for the products. We were kind of wishy-washy about it for a while until the desire for healthier lifestyles evolved into wanting to be healthy and needing to find a way for some extra income. Glen has been working already and I knew that it needed to be me who brought in that income(despite his best efforts to convince me otherwise). I looked into Advocare a little deeper and Glen and I both liked what we heard and what we were learning. But we both refused to sell anything we hadn't put to the test ourselves. Thanks to one of my family members we are able to do just that. Which brings me to....
THE ADVOCARE 24 DAY CHALLENGE:
The Advocare 24 Day Challenge is all about resetting your body essentially. The first ten days is all a part of the cleanse phase which cleans out your body of all the toxins and junk it has built up over time. The next 14 days are the max phase which helps reset your metabolism and really retrain your body on absorbing the necessary nutrients. That's the super reader's digest version, if you want more information you can email, Facebook message, text, call, or comment down below. To start the challenge we took our before pictures and our measurements. Over the next 24 days we will periodically make a post about how things are going and we are going to be super honest because we love our friends and family and believe in being nothing but honest with you all.
Day One: TODAY!
Aimee:
Okay, so sharing personal details about myself especially my insecurities is the hardest thing I've ever done so please be kind. I have never been the textbook definition of "fat"and I know that will lose a lot of you, but I think I represent another chunk of women that I kind of call the "in betweens." I like many others have a time where I felt at my best; for me that was toward the end of our engagement, our wedding and shortly after. This was a result of no one hiring me (because of only being in Texas a few months) and doing yoga for an hour or more every day, decreased appetite due to hot temperatures and some medical stuff that I wasn't aware of then. But I was 125 lbs which was still healthy for me but more than that I felt gorgeous.
My goal for the challenge was to get back to my wedding weight and learn more about nutrition and taking care of my body. Some may roll their eyes at me when I say this but it's significant for me; I am the heaviest I have ever been and even more than that I feel more unattractive than I ever have. So for me, the goal of this is my wedding weight, healthy habits, and feeling gorgeous again.
Before Details:
Weight: 149 lbs.
Right Arm: 11 in.
Shoulders: 43 in.
Chest: 39 in.
Waist: 31 in.
Hips: 40 in.
Right Thigh: 21 in.
Right Calf: 13 in.
My initial thoughts today have been these:
1. Fiber drink-unpleasant but survivable.
2. If I drink anymore water I may just float away.
3. I have never been so full while being on a "diet."
4. I miss milk.
So for some of the days during the cleanse there is a fiber drink that you have to drink and I had heard that this was the worst part so I was not looking forward to it. I am a picky person when it comes to my food and drink and to top it off I have a super sensitive gag reflex. I took the suggestion of my coach and mixed it with 4 oz of water and 4 oz of Trop50 orange, I had to mix a little extra water in though toward the end. It also helps if you brush your teeth right after.
The "rule" for water consumption is your weight divided by two is equal to the number of ounces you should consume. I hate water. Sounds strange yes, but it has no flavor so I don't like it. I fixed that problem by putting some lemon slices in the water. Made it more appetizing at least. But I am pretty sure I drank more water today than I did all last week. If I drink anymore you may find me floating somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
There are some diets or health programs that make you go through the day eating very little ("I'm stuffed...I just ate a raisin" kind of stuff). This is not the case with Advocare! You eat basically every 2-3 hours and I am so full! When you do the challenge you get all source of resources to help you but it pretty much boils down to eating what your body needs for fuel. Protein, fruits/veggies, some carbohydrates and small amounts of healthy fats.
For the cleanse portion of the challenge you can't have dairy which is killer for me because I love milk. Normally I drink TONS but today I had none and it feels strange. We don't even have any in the fridge. Is there such a think as a milkoholic? I think I am one and I am having serious withdrawal issues.
That's all for me!
Glen:
Growing up I was a very active kid and well into my teenage years even but after high school because I no longer had P.E or went swimming all summer. I lost all physical activity and I started working as a security guard to help pay for my mission. The first place they put me at had me walking around more but the last place they put me before I left for my mission had me sitting in a booth for 8 hours and for those 8 hours for 6 plus months I was constantly eating and never doing any physical activity so slowly I began to gain weight and by the time I left on my mission I was overweight and unhealthy. For the 2 years on my mission I was walking around quite a bit so I lost some weight but I never got back down to my ideal weight of 175.
After getting home from my mission I followed a pretty unhealthy pattern of eating all the time and doing some moving around but not much, so as you can guess my weight fluctuated and sadly I have never been able to get below 200 pounds.
Before Details:
Weight: 231
Right Arm: 15.5 in.
Shoulders: 56.6 in.
Chest: 46 in.
Waist: 47 in.
Hips: 45 in.
Right Thigh: 24 in.
Right Calf: 16 in.
Here is what I am looking to accomplish in this 24 day challenge
1. Reach the 199 lbs mark
2. Create better daily habits
3. Be more self disciplined
4. Be in better shape to do more activities with Aimee
5. Learn healthy habits
After the first day I know that this is going to be incredibly hard but because of the support of my wife it is going to be a lot easier. I am looking forward to watching both her and I get healthier and personally I feel like we will grow closer together as a couple. 1 down and only 23 more to go!
THE ADVOCARE 24 DAY CHALLENGE:
The Advocare 24 Day Challenge is all about resetting your body essentially. The first ten days is all a part of the cleanse phase which cleans out your body of all the toxins and junk it has built up over time. The next 14 days are the max phase which helps reset your metabolism and really retrain your body on absorbing the necessary nutrients. That's the super reader's digest version, if you want more information you can email, Facebook message, text, call, or comment down below. To start the challenge we took our before pictures and our measurements. Over the next 24 days we will periodically make a post about how things are going and we are going to be super honest because we love our friends and family and believe in being nothing but honest with you all.Day One: TODAY!
Aimee:
Okay, so sharing personal details about myself especially my insecurities is the hardest thing I've ever done so please be kind. I have never been the textbook definition of "fat"and I know that will lose a lot of you, but I think I represent another chunk of women that I kind of call the "in betweens." I like many others have a time where I felt at my best; for me that was toward the end of our engagement, our wedding and shortly after. This was a result of no one hiring me (because of only being in Texas a few months) and doing yoga for an hour or more every day, decreased appetite due to hot temperatures and some medical stuff that I wasn't aware of then. But I was 125 lbs which was still healthy for me but more than that I felt gorgeous.
My goal for the challenge was to get back to my wedding weight and learn more about nutrition and taking care of my body. Some may roll their eyes at me when I say this but it's significant for me; I am the heaviest I have ever been and even more than that I feel more unattractive than I ever have. So for me, the goal of this is my wedding weight, healthy habits, and feeling gorgeous again.
Weight: 149 lbs.
Right Arm: 11 in.
Shoulders: 43 in.
Chest: 39 in.
Waist: 31 in.
Hips: 40 in.
Right Thigh: 21 in.
Right Calf: 13 in.
My initial thoughts today have been these:
1. Fiber drink-unpleasant but survivable.
2. If I drink anymore water I may just float away.
3. I have never been so full while being on a "diet."
4. I miss milk.
So for some of the days during the cleanse there is a fiber drink that you have to drink and I had heard that this was the worst part so I was not looking forward to it. I am a picky person when it comes to my food and drink and to top it off I have a super sensitive gag reflex. I took the suggestion of my coach and mixed it with 4 oz of water and 4 oz of Trop50 orange, I had to mix a little extra water in though toward the end. It also helps if you brush your teeth right after.
The "rule" for water consumption is your weight divided by two is equal to the number of ounces you should consume. I hate water. Sounds strange yes, but it has no flavor so I don't like it. I fixed that problem by putting some lemon slices in the water. Made it more appetizing at least. But I am pretty sure I drank more water today than I did all last week. If I drink anymore you may find me floating somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
There are some diets or health programs that make you go through the day eating very little ("I'm stuffed...I just ate a raisin" kind of stuff). This is not the case with Advocare! You eat basically every 2-3 hours and I am so full! When you do the challenge you get all source of resources to help you but it pretty much boils down to eating what your body needs for fuel. Protein, fruits/veggies, some carbohydrates and small amounts of healthy fats.
For the cleanse portion of the challenge you can't have dairy which is killer for me because I love milk. Normally I drink TONS but today I had none and it feels strange. We don't even have any in the fridge. Is there such a think as a milkoholic? I think I am one and I am having serious withdrawal issues.
That's all for me!
Glen:
Growing up I was a very active kid and well into my teenage years even but after high school because I no longer had P.E or went swimming all summer. I lost all physical activity and I started working as a security guard to help pay for my mission. The first place they put me at had me walking around more but the last place they put me before I left for my mission had me sitting in a booth for 8 hours and for those 8 hours for 6 plus months I was constantly eating and never doing any physical activity so slowly I began to gain weight and by the time I left on my mission I was overweight and unhealthy. For the 2 years on my mission I was walking around quite a bit so I lost some weight but I never got back down to my ideal weight of 175.
After getting home from my mission I followed a pretty unhealthy pattern of eating all the time and doing some moving around but not much, so as you can guess my weight fluctuated and sadly I have never been able to get below 200 pounds.
Before Details:
Right Arm: 15.5 in.
Shoulders: 56.6 in.
Chest: 46 in.
Waist: 47 in.
Hips: 45 in.
Right Thigh: 24 in.
Right Calf: 16 in.
Here is what I am looking to accomplish in this 24 day challenge
1. Reach the 199 lbs mark
2. Create better daily habits
3. Be more self disciplined
4. Be in better shape to do more activities with Aimee
5. Learn healthy habits
After the first day I know that this is going to be incredibly hard but because of the support of my wife it is going to be a lot easier. I am looking forward to watching both her and I get healthier and personally I feel like we will grow closer together as a couple. 1 down and only 23 more to go!
 |
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Here Comes Summer
Hi everyone! Time to update things from the past couple months. The weather has been getting warmer here in Texas so we have been doing some playing outside, which has been nice! A little while after my last post we had an uncharacteristically mellow Saturday and wanted to take advantage of the nice weather by going to the park. But it looks a little strange walking around the park on a nice Saturday without a kid, so we stole Megan and Gavin's and went to the park! It was so fun! We played on the swings and the slide and climbed on the jungle gym (as much as a munchkin can at 8 months old). After we had played ourselves all out, we went to the car and played with the horn for a few minutes then we headed back to return the kiddo.Since I posted last Glen got a job. He works for Leslie's Pool Supplies and really seems to enjoy it. It's not quite full time but he's been doing well at it and it's helping to ease the financial stress. He's still working on his t-shirt business and the website looks awesome! He's added a bunch of new designs and just recently he added some fun flip flops, just in time for summer! You guys should totally take a look! http://shirtsjustforyou.spreadshirt.com/. The company that hosts the website did some tweaking to the site for him and made it look awesome! They also sent us a couple free t-shirts so we can see how they printed; they looked so awesome! Glen used one of the samples to get me one of the ones I really liked. Corrine came for a visit in the beginning of May and it was a busy and fun visit!
My semester is over and I am so glad it is! It was my last semester of having to take 15 credit hours, so I am hoping that the next semesters feel a little lighter than the ones before. I am doing 6 credits of summer coursework after which I will start my last year in the education program (wow...did I really just say that?!). In the fall I will spend one full day every week in my cooperating school and I will be working on taking a bunch of certification tests. In the spring I will be in a cooperating classroom full time, then I will finally graduate! This summer I will prepare for and take the first of my certification tests and I am so freaking nervous! There's a whole process you have to go through to even clear to take the test, so that's my focus now.
After my semester ended, I got really home sick for New York and my family there, and Glen as he usually does suggested I go. Thanks to my Dad who had an extra buddy pass, I was able to go and be there for Lucy's birthday (it was the first I have been able to be there for since her first). I also got to see one of Justin's baseball games and surprise my Grandpa Friday. I was so happy to see everyone and it made me even more excited to go back with Glen in the beginning of July. I already have a list of things I want to do with him there. So excited!
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| Lucy taking a swing at her pinata at her birthday party. |
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| Some of the pictures I took at Justin's game. He's so fun to watch! |
Thursday, March 12, 2015
March? Already?
Well, Glen and I both agree that it feels like it was Christmas yesterday. We cannot believe how quickly 2015 is passing. We are keeping pretty busy with various different parts of our lives. Glen is still looking for work; some times we're more optimistic than others. He worked with my dad to revamp his resume and it really did the trick! He's been getting a lot of responses even just in the past couple of days and has several interviews lined up. We haven't talked about it exclusively but I think Glen would agree that this has a lot to do with the prayers of those who love and care about us as well as the fasting we did with out family the first Sunday of the month. That being said we are grateful for the heartfelt prayer that has come from our behalf.
Note: For those of our friends who are not familiar with the term "fasting," one of the leaders of our church put it much better than I can when he said "In the Church today, one Sabbath day each month is set aside for the
purpose of fasting. Members of the Church go without food and water for
two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period and then contribute the money
that would have been spent for that food to those in need...“Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going
hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without
eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion
with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is
powerful. (https://www.lds.org/topics/fasting-and-fast-offerings?lang=eng).
Glen has also been working on getting his t shirt business going; the website that he's found to process orders should make shipping fast and there are some really awesome designs. There are a lot on there that I would really like. Take a look at his website: http://shirtsjustforyou.spreadshirt.com/. He's also the first counselor in the young men's presidency and while he's still learning exactly what all it is that he's supposed to be doing but he's enjoying getting to know the young men. Our ward has a good group of boys.
I have been up to my eyeballs in school. It's toward the end of spring break week and I'd love to be in the movie ground hog's day so I don't have to go back to school. It's really reading intensive and a lot of the reading is repetitive so it's really hard to feel motivated to actually focus on the reading. But there aren't a whole lot of assignments that go into the final grades so every little thing counts. Which makes me feel like I am getting my butt kicked, which is a terrible feeling when you're a perfectionist like I am. Four out of the five classes I am taking have major projects so I am hoping that the effort that I put into those projects helps compensate for the lack of focus that happens sometimes when I am reading endless pages of textbooks. I am starting to lose steam and in general just getting tired o being in school; unfortunately I am not going to get much of a break between now and graduation in May 2016. It seems like so far away and like it's just receding as I get closer. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the opportunity to get a higher education I just wish it could have been completed before now. I do really like that I actually get to be in elementary school classrooms and I am learning a lot. I really enjoy it! It reminds me why I am incessantly reading textbooks and what the end result is. That's what matters.
Glen and I have come up with the saying "do what we need to get what we want." It seems to be the theme for the bigger part of our lives lately. I think we're both looking forward to Glen having a job and my graduation. UTA will be lucky if we both don't dance across the stage when they call my name.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
The Start of Our New Year
Hello everyone! Look at me, two posts in two consecutive months! Wow! We hope everyone had a fantastic holiday with their friends and family.Before we left for Colorado we did one of the big Sykes family
traditions which was making anise cookies. Everybody participated, even
Caelan! We spent Christmas in Colorado with Glen's side of the family; we got to spend a whole week there and we had a lot of fun! It was an adventure flying there stand by but it was super easy getting home (surprisingly enough). We got to spend a lot of time with family that we haven't seen in a long time. We played a lot of card games, watched movies, made a cookie train with the nieces, and shopped. It was a lot of fun. We watched this really awesome DVD on Christmas Eve that I absolutely loved. It totally brought the spirit of Christmas; unfortunately I can't remember the name of it! I will have to ask Hillary. On Christmas morning Glen woke up early (not quite as early as the kiddos...but pretty close (: ) and we waited for all the kids to be awake to go upstairs and see the Christmas tree and everything. It was so cute to see all the kids so excited. One Christmas Eve the Parmenter side has a tradition where each family gets a Christmas book to take home, we hear the Webb family story of Skat the dog, and then we read the Nativity story out of the scriptures. Here are some of the pictures from Christmas time, the ones from
Glen's parents' house I stole from Corrine, I am just waiting for her to
post the others! :)
When we got home we realized that one of the souvenirs we brought home was the cold type thing Eden had. So we spent a couple days relaxing and trying to feel a little better. Then we did Christmas with my side of the family on New Year's Eve. Then we brought in the New Year with the "Christmas" dinner with my side of the family.
Since then we have been bracing ourselves for the semester to start. Glen is working on his t shirt business and looking for full time work so we can get the benefits while he works on getting his business of the ground. Today Glen celebrated my birthday with me. My actually birthday is on a Sunday so he's making dinner for me tomorrow night and he's making me a cake! Today we went to see the matinee (yay for cheap seats!) of the newest Night at the Museum and had lunch. Then we went to do some errands we had to do. Glen spoiled me a bit too! He took me to get my nails done which I have only gotten done a few times but I really like how they look. I thought that was my birthday present but later he told me to stand up and close my eyes. When I opened my eyes I was wearing an apron (for those that know me well, this should come off as odd). And there was an envelope in the pocket. It was a groupon I had seen for an online cooking class! I have said a bunch of times that I wanted to take a cooking class but with my full time school I never thought I would have time to actually go to one to make it worth the money. I love to cook but I want to learn to make more. I am so excited! It's 12 months worth of online cooking class that I can start after this semester is over! So far it has been a great birthday.
My semester starts Tuesday. I can't say I am really looking forward to it. It's going to be really hectic and really hard but hopefully I will do well. I am really glad that I have Glen to back me up and help make it easier. Once I get done with this semester, I will only have 3 left! I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Like I said, Glen is looking for work and trying to stay busy. He does some stuff on the side to help bring in income that he enjoys. We're hoping to find the right position for him, that he enjoys and works well for us.
That's all for now! :)
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| Caelan (with pants on his head) cutting out his first Anise cookie. |
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| Now one without the pants on his head. |
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| Rueger checking out his rocking horse. |
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| Darby and her fancy new science kit. |
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| Making the Frozen themed cookie train. |
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| Montanna and her bow and arrow. |
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| Poor Eden had been sick so she's wrapped up in Uncle Glen's sweatshirt listening to the Christmas book we all received. |
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| Happy boy on Christmas |
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| The results of Eden's new make up kit. |
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| Our family picture. |
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| The whole Parmenter side of the Family. |
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| My birthday nails! |
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| My cooking class certificate! |
Like I said, Glen is looking for work and trying to stay busy. He does some stuff on the side to help bring in income that he enjoys. We're hoping to find the right position for him, that he enjoys and works well for us.
That's all for now! :)
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