Thankful

As I get older I realize how thankful I am for my family. This year it was so nice to see all my nieces and nephews. At times I laughed at myself thinking that I used to changed their diapers and now having a glass of wine with them at Thanksgiving dinner. It was also nice to spend time with all my great nieces and nephews (boy that makes me sound old) they are all so cute and sweet. It was wonderful to see everyone and would be nice to see them more often than just holidays or birthdays. This year was especially specially because mom and dad come down from the mountain. They got to reconnect with their grandkids they haven't seen in months and some in years (dad) and got to meet new great grandkids. It was really nice.

Hope everyone had just as special Thanksgiving as I did.

Until next time...enjoy the season and cherish the memories you make.

Finally an Update !!!!

I know it has been so long. I could use the excuse that I have been busy but that would be a lie. Just been lazy and enjoying some me time since the kids all went back to school.

Over the summer we (Alvin and I) spent 7 wonderful days in Cancun with family (mom, sheri, dan, mike and lala). It was so nice and relaxing but always glad to come home. It is really hard to spend that long from the kids.
After Cancun we spent lots of days at the beach, Knott's and soak city with friends. All in all it was a nice summer.

Now that school has started it has been very quiet which is some what strange. We are usually running around like our heads cut off like chickens. Speaking of chicken we had a great time with the whole family at the Okerberfest again this year, we really missed seeing Shannon, Lorin and Milo this year.


We are some pictures from over the summer. Promise I will update more about kids and anything else in a couple of days

Until
love and kisses to all

New Pictures

Before Elton John Concert with Alvin

Anson and Haley in Hawaii My little Girl

My Love

Clayton ready to go

Always a smile on his face..Just gotta love him.

I I was so cold!!!

Life is Wonder

I know it has been along time since my last blog.... Well now I am back and ready to go...

Things have been going great. All the kids are doing well. Alvin and I are great and just celebrated our 20th wedding aniversary in Febuary and are excited to celebrate it in July in CanCun.


Sorry this post is going to be a short one. Mostly wanted to say hello and post new pictures. Until next time.


Love you all.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. My week at my mom's was really relaxing and it was nice to get home, until.....Jeremiah and Clayton came down with a cold and the stomach flu and missed a whole week of school. Then Evalyn came done with it last weekend. Thank god her's only lasted the weekend and she only missed work. Alvin came home this past Monday with it and is still at home. Of course Anson started in early this morning. I can say I think I am living in hell...LOL. Now the big joke is if I get it (oh god I hope not.....mom's still have to work when we are sick) what in the world am I am going to vomit (i know thats gross). I guess I am going to have to call the doctor to see what I can do if I do get it.....

On a happy note, it was nice to see Shannon, Milo-aka Turtle, Renee, Laura and Sheri last Saturday. We all got together at Sheri's for a Booty Party. It was a lot fun. We played a game that you had to right down a sex tip and a fanasty. I was pretty good at that, just ask Sheri..LOL

Last night I went to a candle party at Haley's house. That was also alot of fun and saw a few people that I haven't seen since May. Pam went with me and she was designated the Party Crashers. It was pretty funny.

Some really exciting news (well for me) to share. I am sure that all of you have heard of the new store Fresh and Easy. Well this morning I and some other board members from the boys baseball league was given a $1000 check from the new store that opened in Buena Park. We started a month ago sending nominations in via email and was chosen last week. It was really a honor to receive the check for the league. They gave us one of those really big form board checks.

Until next time everyone stay safe and well.

Lots of Love

I know it has been a while. Things around here have been a little crazy. Alvin missed all last week of work with a really bad cold. Thank God he is back to work this week.

Anson has been working let a mad dog and we probally only see him 2 times a week.

Evalyn is working less hours since haunt is over. She is doing really well in school maintaining a 3.25 GPA. So proud of her.

Clayton is also doing well in school he is maintaining a 3.50 GPA and has a little girlfriend Diana. It's must be nice to be giddy. He's so cute when ever she calls he turns all red and starts laughing.

Jeremiah, is so funny he puts a smile on my face everyday. If I am having a lazy day he is so concerned and always ask if I am feeling ok.
I do want to brag for a moment. Yesterday he wants ask to fill in on Clayton's Pony team with the 12,13,14 and 15 baseball players (Jer is only 10). After he got over thinking he was going to die, because they are so much bigger he did great and held his own. After that game he went to another field to fill in for another team (boys is same age) then finally he arrived for his game at 2:30. This boy played in 3 games for a total of 6 hours of baseball. He never complained and always gave 120 percent. He is truly amazing in my eyes.

Now for me...I had to go and have a CATSCAN for some burning I have been having in my stomach. Everything came out ok, but the doctor thinks I might have a small hernia. He said that we will evaluate the situation after the holidays. I did though loose 46 pounds since surgery.
I am now preparing to go on a mini vaction to Mom;s over the Thanksgiving for 5 days.

I love this time of year..it always brings family closer and gives you time to reflect on loved ones that have passed

Until next time God Bless and have a wonder thankful Thanksgiving with your families

Love you all

October Fest. Pictures

Girly Picture

Clayton, Jeremiah and Blake being a bunch of Chicken Heads

Milo not to sure about the German's. Riley in the Chicken Head Gang

OH What a Feeling

Oh what a feeling to feel so good. I thought it would never happen. Went to the doctors on Monday and I have offically lost 26 1/2 pounds in just 33 days. I can not believe the energy I have now. I am always on the go...it's kinda strange, who would of known by losing some weight and eating the right things you could feel this good. :]

Life is truly wonderful!!

Oh What A Day

What an exciting day. I met my new nephew Milo today..he's so cute, just like a baby turtle. Also got to see Riley, he's also so cute and boy does he love his NaNa.

The girls (Shannon, Renee, Paula, Sheri and myself) spent the day together shopping, late lunch and just enjoying the day with each other...except for the Bambo Man..lol We all agreed that we need to do it more often. Well Sheri says every 6 weeks. I am not quite sure about that one, but it would be nice..even if we got together for dinner.

Our next big adventure October Fest but this time the boys will be invited, someone has to buy our drinks.

Just Dandy

Everything is going great. The kids are back in school. I am feeling better and lighter than ever. I am back coaching Jeremiah in little league for the winter. Clayton is playing Pony ball over in Cypress. The nice thing is they only have games on Sundays. Anson is working hard and Evalyn is doing the school thing and for right now working weekends at Knott's until October then will pick up more shifts during Halloween Haunt. Alvin is doing good working hard and supporting me. As you can see everything is just dandy.

They're Noticed

Even though I can't tell that I have lost weight besides on the scale it's nice to hear that friends and family have noticed. I guess Anson was right I do have a neck, (right Sheri,lol). Friends at the ball park have noticed to.

Speaking of Sheri, we had a really nice visit last Saturday with her. She was watching Blake and Riley while Shawn and Renee went to the Angel game. Blake was so funny he kept on calling Jeremiah and Clayton his friends. He is so much like Shawn. Riley is so happy and that little button nose of his is so cute I could eat it. It was a nice peaceful relaxing afternoon watching the cousins play ball and golf in the backyard.

Staple Free

Yes it's true I am finaly staple free. Went to my post-op doctors appointment today. I have lost 12 1/2 pounds so far. I can tell I have lost the weight, but Anson said he can tell in my face because I have a neck. He really knows how to make you feel good.LOL The doctor says I am on track and in a couple days I can start on soft foods, boy I can not wait.
I am walking a mile and a half every other day and I can now start working out. The funny thing is I am actually looking forward to working out, for the 1st time in my life. I might even do laps tomorrow up Sheri's drive way.LOL

My goal to be looking hot next summer in a bathing suit on the beach in Cancun

On My Way

2 days home from the hospital and feeling great! Really I was surprised on I good I feel. I am up and around for brief periods., I get groogy after a while being up. I never thought thought Me of all people would only beable to eat 1/2 -1 ounce of food at a time, but I am full.

Went for my first walk outside today(it's so hot) and actually made it around the block with out no knee pain...It's a miracle.

As of this posting I have lost a total of 14 pounds. Doctor says by Thanksgiving I should lose 80 pounds. Watch out everyone I am going to be running around like a wild women...oh that's right I all ready do, but now a skinny wild women.

Nesting

Oh Lordy Lordy!!!! I think I am nesting (no not like having a baby..nesting) Trying to get things done before the big day.
Alvin and I started painting the outside of the house yesterday and can't wait until it is finally done. Will post pictures when it is all through. Anson calls it the Robin "O" house (my best friend in Tenn.)
Speaking of Anson he just purchase his first car. It's not brand new,but it is for him. He got a 1979 K5 Blazer. He is in love!!! Thank God Haley is not the jealous type.

What Was I Thinking

I knew that I was going to have to watch what I had to eat 2 weeks prior to surgery. That is excatly what I am doing watching everyone else eat. I am on a strict protein shake and water diet (to bring down the size of my liver) until the 26th and then on the 27th only water. What was I thinking, I had to give up food for 2 weeks. I realized that if I really wanted to start this new journey that I had to do it.



I never realized how hard it really could be, boy was I wrong!!! With great support from family and friends I am doing it. Some days I was just plain mean...okay bitchy.



As of this posting I have lost 8 pounds in 10 days with 5 days left until sugery.



I can honestly say this is the hardest thing I have ever done, including giving birth (that was a breeze)



The next month should get a lot easier after surgery for the 1st 2 weeks I will be on protein shakes, broth and water.



Weeks 3 and 4 will be protein shakes, soft foods( scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, yogourt)



Then I will be on a regular food diet only to beable to eat about an ounce a food at each meal for the rest of my life.



What Was I Thinking...a new healthy long living life.



I can not wait. Not many people get a 2nd chance and now I do because of the love and support from all of you

The Journey Begins

With butterflies in my stomach I arrived at my 1st of many appointments of my new road of a new life. I knew today was going to be a long one but never thought that I could be so excited and nervous all at the same time. What was to come?

I went to the 4 hour educational class, met with the physiologist, financial department, was weighed, had my picture taken (oh joy) and finally met with my surgeon.

The big day was finally set- GASTRIC- BYPASS surgery for Tuesday August 28th.

That was easy

Only a few more things to wrap up before the big day and I was set, lab work, ultrasound, EKG, Chest x-rays and 1 last appointment with the DR.

No Problem

Life Journey

A new life journey has begun for me (and my family). After spending 3 days in the hospital in June with pulmonary edema, resulting from a severe reaction to my allergy injections. I realized that everyday is more precious than the next and that I was only good as the choices I made. I need to do something about it, but what. That day finally came at my grandmothers memorial when my sister Sheri approached me about looking into gastric-bypass surgery. I did with her help and connections.

Knowing that yes I was extremely over weight and starting to have health issues (obstructed sleep apnea, joint pain,etc.) I finally made the decision to do something about and with family and friends support made the appointment to start a new healthy life on July 18th. The following blogs I will share my thoughts with all of you as my journey truly begins.

Band Wagon

I am officially jumping on the blog band wagon. After months of reading my nieces blogs and realizing that it's an ideal way to keep in touch with family and friends in between those precious visits that lately are so far and few.

It is nice to know that at least once a week I can long on and see my wonderful great nieces and nephews grow and flourish into happy healthy bundle of joys.

Now it is my turn to share with all the ones I cherish the joy and wonders of my life.