Provence Holiday 2011 Christmas 5x7 folded card
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Go Visit Manic Ceramic!!
Do you like painting? Do you like people who are just so much fun to hang out with? Do you like getting away and having girl's nights? Then go visit Manic Ceramic! They have fun things for adults and kids alike!
Tonight they had a ladies' night! And to make it fun it was pajamas night!! Wear your pjs, BYOB and they provide the snacks! (And the owner's hubby makes THE. BEST. MEATBALLS. EVER!)
There are a ton of things to choose from: vases, platters, coffee mugs, ice cream bowls (that's what I chose today!), Christmas ornaments, piggy banks, tooth brush holders, and more! Penny, the owner, is wonderful!! She's fun, energetic, helpful, sympathetic, full of ideas, and all around a pretty cool person!
And if you are looking for Christmas gift for grandparents or special friends, this is a great place for kids to paint things and give them as gifts. They are personalized, and beautiful pieces of art to their grandparents or special friends! And the prices are very reasonable!
They are having a Black Friday discount. 20% off that day! So go visit Penny and get some Christmas shopping done. I'm pretty positive you'll be hooked after that!
Friday, November 19, 2010
The 12 Days of Christmas Challenge
Are you going to take the challenge? I am. And maybe this will be my way of making sure I'm held accountable! This could also be the place where I get ideas from any of you who take time to read this blog!
So, 12 days. 12 days to be in the season of giving and doing things for others. That's your challenge!
Each day for 12 days find something you/we can do for someone else. There are so many ideas. And try to choose something one of the days that maybe you wouldn't really enjoy doing, but that you know would help someone else. (Maybe you don't like to watch other peoples' kids, but you know the parents need that time to go Christmas shopping.) Make it a selfless act!
Make a meal for someone.
Shovel your neighbor's driveway.
Bring a friend a coffee when you go to Starbucks or Caribou.
Surprise someone with cookies you made!
Write someone you haven't talked to in a while a letter telling them you're thinking of them.
Visit the nursing home and just chat with someone who has no family around.
Send some flowers (anonymously even) to somebody!
Walk a friend's dog for them.
Take part in Operation Christmas Child.
Pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru.
Be a Christmas Angel.
There are so many things that cost little, or NO, money! I'd love to hear what ideas you have, or what you are going to do. Write your 12 days down on paper. That way you hold yourself accountable! Then write it on here to give others ideas. There is no time frame here. It can start 12 days before Christmas, or it can start now and be intermittent until Christmas!
I'm writing this challenge early enough that we have time to think about what you (and I) are going to do! Remember, Christ gave his whole life for all of us. We can surely take a few hours over 12 days to show others that we care! Read this, and feel the joy that someone else could get from one small thing you do!
I hope you accept this challenge!
God bless!
Each day for 12 days find something you/we can do for someone else. There are so many ideas. And try to choose something one of the days that maybe you wouldn't really enjoy doing, but that you know would help someone else. (Maybe you don't like to watch other peoples' kids, but you know the parents need that time to go Christmas shopping.) Make it a selfless act!
Make a meal for someone.
Shovel your neighbor's driveway.
Bring a friend a coffee when you go to Starbucks or Caribou.
Surprise someone with cookies you made!
Write someone you haven't talked to in a while a letter telling them you're thinking of them.
Visit the nursing home and just chat with someone who has no family around.
Send some flowers (anonymously even) to somebody!
Walk a friend's dog for them.
Take part in Operation Christmas Child.
Pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru.
Be a Christmas Angel.
There are so many things that cost little, or NO, money! I'd love to hear what ideas you have, or what you are going to do. Write your 12 days down on paper. That way you hold yourself accountable! Then write it on here to give others ideas. There is no time frame here. It can start 12 days before Christmas, or it can start now and be intermittent until Christmas!
I'm writing this challenge early enough that we have time to think about what you (and I) are going to do! Remember, Christ gave his whole life for all of us. We can surely take a few hours over 12 days to show others that we care! Read this, and feel the joy that someone else could get from one small thing you do!
I hope you accept this challenge!
God bless!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
'Tis the Season...
to be giving, right?!
I feel confident in saying that our family, myself for sure, is so blessed with the life we have. With the things we have. With the love and support from friends and family we have. With the gifts God has given to us!
Well, today we decided to give back a little. Well, at least the first step. I decided that with the daycare kiddos we would partake in Operation Christmas Child. If you're not familiar, you fill a shoe box with items in it for a little kid; boy or girl; ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. (We chose a little boy AND a little girl, ages 2-4.) You get the items, pray for the child that will be getting this package, fill the shoe box, then bring it to a drop off place and they send it to a child who may not get to celebrate like our family does, or has in the past!
So today I took ALL the kids shopping at the Dollar Tree (where both Santa and I are going to shop for our kids' gifts!) with the help of our backyard neighbor and friend, Grandma Diane! 8 kids. 2 are infants, 1 is almost 2, 3 are almost 3 (all within days of each other), 1 who just turned 4 and one who is 5! WHEW! But you know what - they did GREAT! I explained before hand what we were doing, not knowing if they were really going to get it. But they did! As they were picking out items for the boy AND the girl, they made comments like, "I think the little girl would like to play with this," and things like that! All the kids behaved really well. I kept getting comments made to me and Diane like, "Wow you have your hands full," and "You brought all those kids in here. You're brave," and things like that. But you know what, I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Well, I brought my cam
era with so I could take pictures. But it was so crazy with the kids handing items to either Diane or me that I totally forgot. So, we got our first round of pics after we got home and spread out the gifts! I am going to take more as we pack our shoe boxes and as we bring our boxes to the drop off site!
I am so proud of my Little Blessings! They were excited to know we were sending these fun things to a little boy and girl who may not get anything else this Christmas! I'm hoping that I taught them that it is something we should do, to give to others. That's what God did for us, and he wants us to continue to do that for him! I know I was so proud of those kiddos that we will continue to do things like this throughout the year; not just at Christmas time!
I encourage you all to do something similar. I have a feeling that you are probably just as blessed as we are, if not more! We just take it for granted sometimes. What a humbling way to show that we are grateful for what we have, to give to children who don't have control over what they get or don't get! Visit this site for more information on Operation Christmas Child and get involved in helping a little kiddo smile this holiday season! After all, 'tis the season for giving!
(And if you do something selfless for someone else in the upcoming weeks, or have any ideas of what to continue doing, please comment on it! I'd love to hear it!!)
I feel confident in saying that our family, myself for sure, is so blessed with the life we have. With the things we have. With the love and support from friends and family we have. With the gifts God has given to us!
Well, today we decided to give back a little. Well, at least the first step. I decided that with the daycare kiddos we would partake in Operation Christmas Child. If you're not familiar, you fill a shoe box with items in it for a little kid; boy or girl; ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. (We chose a little boy AND a little girl, ages 2-4.) You get the items, pray for the child that will be getting this package, fill the shoe box, then bring it to a drop off place and they send it to a child who may not get to celebrate like our family does, or has in the past!
So today I took ALL the kids shopping at the Dollar Tree (where both Santa and I are going to shop for our kids' gifts!) with the help of our backyard neighbor and friend, Grandma Diane! 8 kids. 2 are infants, 1 is almost 2, 3 are almost 3 (all within days of each other), 1 who just turned 4 and one who is 5! WHEW! But you know what - they did GREAT! I explained before hand what we were doing, not knowing if they were really going to get it. But they did! As they were picking out items for the boy AND the girl, they made comments like, "I think the little girl would like to play with this," and things like that! All the kids behaved really well. I kept getting comments made to me and Diane like, "Wow you have your hands full," and "You brought all those kids in here. You're brave," and things like that. But you know what, I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Well, I brought my cam
era with so I could take pictures. But it was so crazy with the kids handing items to either Diane or me that I totally forgot. So, we got our first round of pics after we got home and spread out the gifts! I am going to take more as we pack our shoe boxes and as we bring our boxes to the drop off site!I am so proud of my Little Blessings! They were excited to know we were sending these fun things to a little boy and girl who may not get anything else this Christmas! I'm hoping that I taught them that it is something we should do, to give to others. That's what God did for us, and he wants us to continue to do that for him! I know I was so proud of those kiddos that we will continue to do things like this throughout the year; not just at Christmas time!
I encourage you all to do something similar. I have a feeling that you are probably just as blessed as we are, if not more! We just take it for granted sometimes. What a humbling way to show that we are grateful for what we have, to give to children who don't have control over what they get or don't get! Visit this site for more information on Operation Christmas Child and get involved in helping a little kiddo smile this holiday season! After all, 'tis the season for giving!
(And if you do something selfless for someone else in the upcoming weeks, or have any ideas of what to continue doing, please comment on it! I'd love to hear it!!)
Monday, November 15, 2010
(Shutter)fly Right into the Holidays!
The holidays are creeping up on us! I just saw another friend's Facebook status update saying there's only 6 more weeks of 2010 left!! Holy Buckets! That means there's less time to do Christmas cards and Christmas gifts! Well, let me tell you a little bit about what we have done in the past, and what I encourage you to do!
First, let me say I love to use Shutterfly for our Christmas cards! There are so many choices to choose from! Here are some things I love about their Christmas cards. (You NEED to check it out!) http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
*They have either the one-sided photo cards or the photo cards where you can write a message on the inside.
*You can choose how many photos to put on your card! With 4 kids, I can find a card where I can put just the kids, or I can get one with 5 spots so Bryan and I can get on there, OR I can get one with 6 spots so we can get a family photo on, too! Here's one I'm thinking of getting:
*Shutterfly has different styles. You can go with the religious themes, the traditional red & green colors, beautiful snowflake decorations and more!! But whatever you end up going with, there is sure to be one you will love! Here's one that you can use as your partial Christmas letter, too! How cool is that!
*Regardless of what you want, I love how the site totally helps you select what you 're looking for! How many pictures do you want? What kind of card are you sending? What size and color scheme are you looking for? All you have to do is check off the boxes of what you need for your family, then it only gives you those options! How cool is that?!?!
So, enjoy looking for Christmas cards! I've got more to tell!
The second cool thing about Shutterfly is the calendar! We've gotten these for gifts for the grandparents the last few years! First, it's fun to reminisce as I collect pictures from the entire year to put into the calendar! Here's what I like about Shutterfly's calendars:
*You can choose different styles and backgrounds, but you can also mix-n-match throughout the months! Go here to check out what you can do!
*I love that I can personalize the special dates that I want to remember! And it saves it in your account for the next year, too!
*I love that I can give Grandma & Grandpa a special gift with pics of their grandkids! THEY love that!
And the third thing I'm going to share with you that I love about Shutterfly is the photo gifts they have. This is probably one of my favorite gift ideas:
You can give them a picture of your kiddos, then let them take time to put together! How cool, huh?! Visit the other many options you have for photo gifts!
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts
Ok, gave you a sample of some goodies from Shutterfly to move you right into the holidays! I know you're excited now, so go check it out and see what Shutterfly has for you!!! Oh yeah, and go here for a chance to get 50 Free Holiday Cards from Shutterfly!
Ok, gave you a sample of some goodies from Shutterfly to move you right into the holidays! I know you're excited now, so go check it out and see what Shutterfly has for you!!! Oh yeah, and go here for a chance to get 50 Free Holiday Cards from Shutterfly!
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Snow!
I understand that there are a lot of people who don't like snow. It's cold. Makes for tough driving sometimes. You have to get bundled up just to go out in it...and then what's the point. You have to clean off your car if you're parked outside. Just a hassle.
But I feel differently! I think there are lots of good things about snow! If you dress appropriately, it's not too cold! And what's the point? Being outside. Off your butt. Not in front of the t.v. or on the computer! If you have kids, you can get out and have fun family time! Make a snow fort. Make a snow-person or snow-monster. Throw snowballs, which then gives you the chance to get exercise because you have to run away from the person throwing it.
(On a side note. There is SO MUCH OBESITY in this country! Every person is supposed to get 60 minutes of physical activity PER DAY! I know I don't get this every day, but the snow play certainly helps add up those minutes!)
Well, we had our first snow yesterday. And by 8:15 we were ALL, including our 7 month old, outside playing in it! And we had a blast! Got some exercise. And had a fun family outing with lots of laughs!
Our Little Man with his favorite color - orange!
Our snow princess!
Peanut and Momma, all in red!
R getting ready to pound M
Daddy's turn to pound R!
"Daddy, show me make snowball." - A
"I got you, Daddy!" - A
But I feel differently! I think there are lots of good things about snow! If you dress appropriately, it's not too cold! And what's the point? Being outside. Off your butt. Not in front of the t.v. or on the computer! If you have kids, you can get out and have fun family time! Make a snow fort. Make a snow-person or snow-monster. Throw snowballs, which then gives you the chance to get exercise because you have to run away from the person throwing it.
(On a side note. There is SO MUCH OBESITY in this country! Every person is supposed to get 60 minutes of physical activity PER DAY! I know I don't get this every day, but the snow play certainly helps add up those minutes!)
Well, we had our first snow yesterday. And by 8:15 we were ALL, including our 7 month old, outside playing in it! And we had a blast! Got some exercise. And had a fun family outing with lots of laughs!
Enjoy the pics!!
First steps in the snow!
First steps in the snow!
Our Little Man with his favorite color - orange!
Our snow princess!
Peanut and Momma, all in red!
R getting ready to pound M
Daddy's turn to pound R!
"Daddy, show me make snowball." - A
"I got you, Daddy!" - AThursday, November 11, 2010
A Slight Bit Snobby (and a Tad Judgemental)
So, let me start by saying I know I should not judge others. And there really should be no "BUT"! BUT, some people make it easier for me to do that. So let me next say this: Lord, please forgive me for judging, as that is only your doing. Please give me strength to love one another as you love me.
Ok, so, I start out by heading to the library for story time. We do this pretty much every Thursday morning. As I pull up, there are 2 cars in the parking lot. Hmm...wonder if the library is closed. Doh! It's Veteran's Day! Well, I'll go back and get my money to deposit it at the bank. On my way there I wonder if the bank is a business that stays open on this honoring holiday! NOPE! LOL Oh well. We're already on the way to a fun park at this point, and the kids are dressed to be outside anyways, so let's go to the park!!
At this point, I am wishing Veteran's Day was tomorrow!!! Another mom and her 2 kids who usually attend story time on Thursdays were right behind me at the park! And this is a mom who talks with a 12" voice IN the library...and talks that way AT her kids, not TO her kids. (Uh oh, I feel the judgmental tone in my voice already!) Ok, well, she could have gone home, but chose to go to the park with her kids! (That was my thought anyways.) Nope! She lets her kids out (maybe 3 and 4 years old) and sits back down in the passenger seat to read. Her kids are easily 100 yards away on this climbing thing that is quite high!! And she's in her car, not only not interacting with her kids, but not even paying attention!! Well, needless to say, once her son moved on to the play equipment he ended up falling. I'm glad I was there to help him, but that shouldn't be my job.
Well, at the same time as this mom from the library is coming behind me, another mom and her boyfriend/friend step out of the car with their two little ones, probably 3 and the other was 2 (I did talk to her a little...let me stress LITTLE bit). They both walk through the park to the playground equipment smoking! I HATE THIS!!!!! This is after they put their kids' coats on, blowing smoke in their faces! GRRRR!!!!!
So needless to say, I really wasn't in a playing mood! But we're at the park. The kids are having fun. So I'll stay. I'm just keeping my distance from the smokestacks that continue to blow smoke in my clean air! (I know, I'm bad, aren't I?)
Well, my little man decided to have an accident at that time! So, time to go. We did get to play for about 25 minutes. But I do wish I would have chosen another park to go to! Maybe things would have played out differently. Not sure.
Ok, so, I start out by heading to the library for story time. We do this pretty much every Thursday morning. As I pull up, there are 2 cars in the parking lot. Hmm...wonder if the library is closed. Doh! It's Veteran's Day! Well, I'll go back and get my money to deposit it at the bank. On my way there I wonder if the bank is a business that stays open on this honoring holiday! NOPE! LOL Oh well. We're already on the way to a fun park at this point, and the kids are dressed to be outside anyways, so let's go to the park!!
At this point, I am wishing Veteran's Day was tomorrow!!! Another mom and her 2 kids who usually attend story time on Thursdays were right behind me at the park! And this is a mom who talks with a 12" voice IN the library...and talks that way AT her kids, not TO her kids. (Uh oh, I feel the judgmental tone in my voice already!) Ok, well, she could have gone home, but chose to go to the park with her kids! (That was my thought anyways.) Nope! She lets her kids out (maybe 3 and 4 years old) and sits back down in the passenger seat to read. Her kids are easily 100 yards away on this climbing thing that is quite high!! And she's in her car, not only not interacting with her kids, but not even paying attention!! Well, needless to say, once her son moved on to the play equipment he ended up falling. I'm glad I was there to help him, but that shouldn't be my job.
Well, at the same time as this mom from the library is coming behind me, another mom and her boyfriend/friend step out of the car with their two little ones, probably 3 and the other was 2 (I did talk to her a little...let me stress LITTLE bit). They both walk through the park to the playground equipment smoking! I HATE THIS!!!!! This is after they put their kids' coats on, blowing smoke in their faces! GRRRR!!!!!
You know, endanger your own lives, if that's what you so choose, but spare your babies. And spare mine and the children that are with me, too!
So needless to say, I really wasn't in a playing mood! But we're at the park. The kids are having fun. So I'll stay. I'm just keeping my distance from the smokestacks that continue to blow smoke in my clean air! (I know, I'm bad, aren't I?)
Well, my little man decided to have an accident at that time! So, time to go. We did get to play for about 25 minutes. But I do wish I would have chosen another park to go to! Maybe things would have played out differently. Not sure.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Living in the Moment!
So after work last night my husband met me and our 4 kids at a very hidden treasure that only few know about! It is one of the coolest parks in our town! Enjoy the pics of the most beautiful day in Minnesota in November!
Our Little Man enjoying the swing!
Going round and round and round!
Now it's Bug's turn! (with a little help)
And now it's M's turn!!
Our beautiful Peanut!
Our Little Man enjoying the swing!
Going round and round and round!
Now it's Bug's turn! (with a little help)
And now it's M's turn!!
Our beautiful Peanut!
Monday, November 8, 2010
I have no right...
Before I write this, let me start by saying I'm simply using this as my journal tonight. I apologize if I hurt anyone tonight. As that is not my intention.
NO! I DON'T NEED AN INTERVENTION! So don't try to plan one! I'm simply putting down on paper what I'm sick and tired of hearing myself repeat in my head. And maybe once I put it down on here, I won't have to be stuck with it in my mind!
I have so many thoughts going through my head I don't really even know where to start. So I also apologize if I'm rambling throughout this post.
*My mind wants a break. My body wants a break. My heart wants a break. And partially my life wants a break. This mom and wife and daycare provider is tired. (So go to bed. After all it is 10:30.) Not going to happen. And even if I did, it's not going to help. I want to get away. And that's not going to help either. I really do have it good. My husband is amazing. He deals with me! That's a hard enough job in itself. He just wants to make me happy. (Those are words from his mouth.) But I don't want him to. My mind doesn't hear that. My messed up mind hears what the devil is putting there. And believe me, it's not good stuff. I just want a break. But I don't think it's from the things I mentioned above. I think I need a permanent break from my mind. My mind needs to be healed from the thoughts it continues to put into my heart. I need help with that. I've needed help with that my whole life. I just don't know how.
*I'm such a witch with a capital B. At least that's how I refer to myself. My husband wants to go hunting for one weekend out of the whole year! 2 days! That's it. 2 days to do what he has been doing since he was a teenager. 2 days to spend some time with the deer, his family, nature and God. 2 days.
But man, would 2 days feel so good. 2 days to do what I want to do. From sun up to sun down, and later, actually. 2 days. I don't know what I would do for 2 days. That's sad. And who would I do them with? I have NO friends! None! I'm sure I brought that on myself. So it goes. Someday I'll have 2 days in Heaven. And I will love it. So until then....
There's more. But like my title, I really have NO RIGHT to complain. A friend of mine's wife has been in the hospital for the last 8 days. She is pregnant with #3! They have 2 girls, with 1 on the way. She's 29 weeks pregnant! She is 30! She just found out she is in stage 4 of breast cancer. She's 29 weeks pregnant. She is 30. I have no right to complain about wanting a break from motherhood. A break from house cleaning. A break from my fucked up mind.
The whole world of my friend and his wife just got rocked upside down.
So now I ask the Lord to watch over my friend and his family. To give healing to them, in body and mind and spirit. Then I ask for forgiveness for being selfish. I have no right.
NO! I DON'T NEED AN INTERVENTION! So don't try to plan one! I'm simply putting down on paper what I'm sick and tired of hearing myself repeat in my head. And maybe once I put it down on here, I won't have to be stuck with it in my mind!
I have so many thoughts going through my head I don't really even know where to start. So I also apologize if I'm rambling throughout this post.
*My mind wants a break. My body wants a break. My heart wants a break. And partially my life wants a break. This mom and wife and daycare provider is tired. (So go to bed. After all it is 10:30.) Not going to happen. And even if I did, it's not going to help. I want to get away. And that's not going to help either. I really do have it good. My husband is amazing. He deals with me! That's a hard enough job in itself. He just wants to make me happy. (Those are words from his mouth.) But I don't want him to. My mind doesn't hear that. My messed up mind hears what the devil is putting there. And believe me, it's not good stuff. I just want a break. But I don't think it's from the things I mentioned above. I think I need a permanent break from my mind. My mind needs to be healed from the thoughts it continues to put into my heart. I need help with that. I've needed help with that my whole life. I just don't know how.
*I'm such a witch with a capital B. At least that's how I refer to myself. My husband wants to go hunting for one weekend out of the whole year! 2 days! That's it. 2 days to do what he has been doing since he was a teenager. 2 days to spend some time with the deer, his family, nature and God. 2 days.
But man, would 2 days feel so good. 2 days to do what I want to do. From sun up to sun down, and later, actually. 2 days. I don't know what I would do for 2 days. That's sad. And who would I do them with? I have NO friends! None! I'm sure I brought that on myself. So it goes. Someday I'll have 2 days in Heaven. And I will love it. So until then....
There's more. But like my title, I really have NO RIGHT to complain. A friend of mine's wife has been in the hospital for the last 8 days. She is pregnant with #3! They have 2 girls, with 1 on the way. She's 29 weeks pregnant! She is 30! She just found out she is in stage 4 of breast cancer. She's 29 weeks pregnant. She is 30. I have no right to complain about wanting a break from motherhood. A break from house cleaning. A break from my fucked up mind.
The whole world of my friend and his wife just got rocked upside down.
So now I ask the Lord to watch over my friend and his family. To give healing to them, in body and mind and spirit. Then I ask for forgiveness for being selfish. I have no right.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A New Rule!
So, I think I am going to make a new rule in my house! Not sure if my hubby is going to agree, but I don't know that he's going to have much of a choice in this matter...LOL!
I just got done cleaning the toilet in our bathroom. Oh. My. Gosh. Where there are boys (yep, plural, as my 2 year-old is going on the big boy potty) and a grown man that pee in there, it gets pretty disgusting! I don't mind cleaning it, because I like peeing in a clean toilet! But here's my new rule:
When I clean the toilet where it's decorated with yellow polka dots and black garland, I am done for the day! I don't cook. I don't clean anymore (unless I want to). I get to sit back, pat myself on the back, and relax!
I would like to suggest that other moms, wives, girlfriends, daughters, heck, even the dads, husbands, boyfriends and sons, adopt this rule in their house if they, too, are cleaning the decorations off the toilet where males pee!!
I just got done cleaning the toilet in our bathroom. Oh. My. Gosh. Where there are boys (yep, plural, as my 2 year-old is going on the big boy potty) and a grown man that pee in there, it gets pretty disgusting! I don't mind cleaning it, because I like peeing in a clean toilet! But here's my new rule:
When I clean the toilet where it's decorated with yellow polka dots and black garland, I am done for the day! I don't cook. I don't clean anymore (unless I want to). I get to sit back, pat myself on the back, and relax!
I would like to suggest that other moms, wives, girlfriends, daughters, heck, even the dads, husbands, boyfriends and sons, adopt this rule in their house if they, too, are cleaning the decorations off the toilet where males pee!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
What I Would Say...
So I'm a little behind in watching the episodes of The Biggest Loser. With 4 kids, 2 of whom are in activities, plus the daily routine that seems to just eat away at the day (laundry, supper, bedtime routines, check backpacks, etc.), we find it hard to find time to watch ANY of our shows when they are actually on. So we are very thankful that we can watch them online!! So we just got the chance to watch the episode where Rick was NOT the biggest loser.
Now, let me tell you a little about Rick. In one of the earlier episodes of the BL the contestants got a check up by the doctor on the show, were shown their body's age based on all the overweight problems they were having, and then they were able to talk via Skype to their family members for some needed encouragement. Well, with Rick, I felt like I was looking in the mirror to my family.
Only Rick was my dad.
Rick was very unhealthy. Scared after hearing how few years he was going to live if he didn't change his life! His family, grown children with some grandchildren, were telling him he could do it. And that they supported him! That they loved him so much and were proud that he was taking this step to live a longer and healthier life!
Fast forward to when he was not allowed to stay on the Biggest Loser ranch anymore. They showed where he was now, after months of having this support at home. He looked great! He looked happier! He looked healthier! He was off his blood pressure meds, as well as all the other meds he was taking! He was joining his family in activities that were healthier, like walking, exercising. They were doing it together, living a happier, healthier life TOGETHER! As a family! And to top it off, Rick was using what he had learned to inspire his son-in-law to start making healthier choices and lose weight!
The mirror.
My dad is obese. And I would be scared to know what his numbers are. I would be scared to know how many years doctors would guess he has to live. He has grown kids who enjoy being active. He has grandkids that want him around, to be apart of their activities and accomplishments. He has family that will support him! And he has family members that he could inspire to start living healthier! The thing is, my dad watches the Biggest Loser. When is he going to be inspired enough to do something about his own obesity?
These are things that I would like to say to my dad.
Dad, do you know that you are loved? Do you know that you have grandkids that want you around? They want to tell you about the bonfire that they built after learning how to do that at school. Then they want to show you! They want to tell you that they are reading at a first/second grade level at the beginning of Kindergarten. Then they want to read to you! They want to tell you that they are potty training, and that they went poopy on the potty for the first time! They want to tell you that they are learning how to cross the monkey bars. But then they want you to go down to the park and actually show you!
But those are things that are happening now. Dad, your grandkids want to tell you who they asked to their Senior Prom. They want to tell you where they chose to go to college. They want to call their Guy-Guy and say that they are getting married to the person they love to death! Dad, they want you to be around in 20 years when they tell you you are going to be a Great Grandpa (although that's probably scary to hear now!)!
Dad, you have to start taking care of yourself NOW! Not tomorrow. Not next year. You may not have til next year! You may not have til graduation. You may not have til your grandchild's wedding day. But you have today! You have to love yourself the way we love you. You have to want to be healthier the way WE want you to be healthier.
Dad, you have support! Even from 200 miles away, you have support!
What I would say to my Dad, if I could, and if he would listen, is that you need to do something about your obesity! You have to do something about your weight, your lifestyle, your heart, your mind. I would tell my dad that I pray every night that he makes it to another day. I would tell my dad that I would be his cheerleader (and trust me, I am NOT a cheerleader!). I would tell my dad that I know he could do it, even though it would be one of the hardest things he has done for HIMSELF! I would tell my dad that I love him.
Now, let me tell you a little about Rick. In one of the earlier episodes of the BL the contestants got a check up by the doctor on the show, were shown their body's age based on all the overweight problems they were having, and then they were able to talk via Skype to their family members for some needed encouragement. Well, with Rick, I felt like I was looking in the mirror to my family.
Only Rick was my dad.
Rick was very unhealthy. Scared after hearing how few years he was going to live if he didn't change his life! His family, grown children with some grandchildren, were telling him he could do it. And that they supported him! That they loved him so much and were proud that he was taking this step to live a longer and healthier life!
Fast forward to when he was not allowed to stay on the Biggest Loser ranch anymore. They showed where he was now, after months of having this support at home. He looked great! He looked happier! He looked healthier! He was off his blood pressure meds, as well as all the other meds he was taking! He was joining his family in activities that were healthier, like walking, exercising. They were doing it together, living a happier, healthier life TOGETHER! As a family! And to top it off, Rick was using what he had learned to inspire his son-in-law to start making healthier choices and lose weight!
The mirror.
My dad is obese. And I would be scared to know what his numbers are. I would be scared to know how many years doctors would guess he has to live. He has grown kids who enjoy being active. He has grandkids that want him around, to be apart of their activities and accomplishments. He has family that will support him! And he has family members that he could inspire to start living healthier! The thing is, my dad watches the Biggest Loser. When is he going to be inspired enough to do something about his own obesity?
These are things that I would like to say to my dad.
Dad, do you know that you are loved? Do you know that you have grandkids that want you around? They want to tell you about the bonfire that they built after learning how to do that at school. Then they want to show you! They want to tell you that they are reading at a first/second grade level at the beginning of Kindergarten. Then they want to read to you! They want to tell you that they are potty training, and that they went poopy on the potty for the first time! They want to tell you that they are learning how to cross the monkey bars. But then they want you to go down to the park and actually show you!
But those are things that are happening now. Dad, your grandkids want to tell you who they asked to their Senior Prom. They want to tell you where they chose to go to college. They want to call their Guy-Guy and say that they are getting married to the person they love to death! Dad, they want you to be around in 20 years when they tell you you are going to be a Great Grandpa (although that's probably scary to hear now!)!
Dad, you have to start taking care of yourself NOW! Not tomorrow. Not next year. You may not have til next year! You may not have til graduation. You may not have til your grandchild's wedding day. But you have today! You have to love yourself the way we love you. You have to want to be healthier the way WE want you to be healthier.
Dad, you have support! Even from 200 miles away, you have support!
What I would say to my Dad, if I could, and if he would listen, is that you need to do something about your obesity! You have to do something about your weight, your lifestyle, your heart, your mind. I would tell my dad that I pray every night that he makes it to another day. I would tell my dad that I would be his cheerleader (and trust me, I am NOT a cheerleader!). I would tell my dad that I know he could do it, even though it would be one of the hardest things he has done for HIMSELF! I would tell my dad that I love him.
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