The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window…the sun is setting after shining its little heart out all day.

I am thinking…I should probably be more upset about turning 40 tomorrow.

I am thankful...God has blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life…especially my family. I could have been adopted into any family in the world and God chose the perfect fit for me!

From the kitchen...will be tacos prepared by my daughter.

I am wearing...a sense of contentment.

I am remembering...where I was 5, 10, 15 years ago…

I am going...to Asher’s doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Can’t wait to see how well he’s doing.

I am reading...lots of Dr. Seuss books lately.

I am praying…for a continued hedge of protection for my family.

On my mind…is figuring out something I can try and sell on Etsy.

I am hearing...Asher squeal from his jumpy seat, Abner ask for more food, 19 Kids and Counting that Phebe is watching.

Around the house...more and more rooms finished with spring cleaning.

Noticing that….the family working on different character qualities is quite a challenge.

Pondering these words…

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

One of my favorite things...is raspberry pie.

A picture thought…Abner had to get rid of his dog…they sure loved each other.

Week 2 of HCG diet

Here we are in week 2. I have to say that week 1 was a bit harder than I expected it to be. The first couple of days I couldn't seem to keep from cheating a little. I have a feeling I'm paying for that now. However the last half of the week I was a very good girl. The most difficult area is fixing yummy food for my family and diet food for me. I have to admit that my food actually tastes very good. It's just that I miss the sugar and junk food. I will spare you the detailed list that keeps running through my mind, but that home-made pizza last night was a true temptation.

So here are the results:

Drum roll please...

I am down 8 pounds and 3 1/2 inches. I was hoping for 7 pounds, so I'm above my goal and I didn't really set a goal for the inches. I am excited that my clothes already seem to be fitting me differently...in a good way. :o)

So just a little over 5 weeks to go.

I will attempt to do better at drinking more water as that seems to be a struggle for me now. That seems odd to me since normally I can't get enough. I'll try to drown my "food dreams" in water.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window…is gorgeous sunshine and melting snow.

I am thinking...I wish my feet were warm.

I am thankful for...my new part time babysitting job.

From the kitchen...will be home-made pizza.

I am wearing...no socks.

I am remembering...what it was like to walk in the nice warm weather.

I am going...to get groceries later in the week, and not really looking forward to it.

I am reading...Making More Milk by Diana West and Lisa Marasco, and wishing I could produce enough milk to feed my baby.

I am praying…for financial wisdom.

On my mind…is SPRING!!!

I am hearing...Asher bounce and coo in his jumping chair, classical music from the TV, and Abner make strange noises as he does his school work.

Around the house...is TONS of dust. My hubby cleaned out all of the heat radiators with an air compressor which made an extra large abundance of dust throughout the house.

Noticing that…losing weight also gives me more energy.

Pondering these words… "I love you mom!"

One of my favorite things...is watching Asher "talk" to me.

A picture thought… Asher telling us HIS thoughts.

Voices of the Faithful Book 2 by Kim Davis and Beth Moore (& give away!)

As a child I dreamed of being a missionary. I would imagine myself in all different types of dangerous situations. Many times in my imagination I would be kidnapped, left for dead, robbed at gunpoint, and the such. Reading this devotional brought many of these memories to the forefront of my memory. It amazes me what missionaries must deal with on a daily basis.

"A willingness to go is all they have in common," exclaims Beth Moore, speaking of her friends on the front lines spreading the gospel around the world with whom she collaborated to create Voices of the Faithful.

This book is a 366-day devotional. Each day explores the life in the day of missionaries past and present. It starts out with a verse, then the devotional, and ends with my favorite part...the prayer.

One of the great things about this book is it takes you all around the world. It drops you into situations you can't even imagine. You're able to see and in some ways experience what it is like for these dedicated missionaries.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and have used it to inspire me to be more mission minded as well as to pray more often for our missionaries.

I recieved a copy of Voices of the Faithful from Booksneeze.

Leave a comment about the book and I will put you in a drawing for you to receive my review copy. The drawing will be next Monday, March 7.

Day 2 of the HCG diet

It frustrates me to no end how food comforts me so. I could write a series of books on why I love to eat. I hate to admit that food is my addiction. I could go on forever about what I love about eating...the texture of the food in my mouth...the feeling of it as I swallow...the different spots on my tongue that are satisfied with different flavors...the smell of the food before I take a bite. Yep, I have a problem!!! Eating for me, is hardly ever about being hungry, but about the pleasure it brings.

So some friends of mine started the HCG diet and I have watched the weight fall off of them. I figured if they could do it so could I. This diet lasts 40 days and you are suppose to be able to lose a pound a day. Yep, I would love to drop 40 pounds...not many people wouldn't. The question is, can I do it??? Can I stick to the strictness of the diet? I'm only allowed 500 calories a day. Good grief...I probably ate that at each meal pre-diet.

Yesterday I ate 520 calories. By late evening I wanted food and I wanted it now. My hubby got home from work and fixed himself something to eat...bacon, french toast, tators. I thought I would lose my mind. The piece of fish and 1/2 cup of green beans I had eaten many hours before were but a faint memory. I went and took a hot bath to distract myself. It worked. :o)

I'm suppose to weigh myself every morning. I prayed I lost my 1 pound for the first day. I was so scared to stand on that scale. I almost chickened out. What if I had gained. You may laugh, but a few weeks ago I worked so hard one week to lose a couple of pounds. I watched my calories and moved more, and thought for sure I had lost something. When I stood on the scale, at the end of the week, I had gained 4 pounds. I was so depressed. So this morning all those fears came rushing back. Would I gain, would I stay the same???

I LOST 4 POUNDS!!!! What in the world??? Totally happy!!! Then the realization that I probably won't lose anything for the next few days, since I'm only supposed to lose a pound a day. Oh well, that 4 pound loss felt pretty good. I have to admit it didn't feel as good as I imagined some of my favorite foods would have tasted. ;O)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window…is the beautiful sunshine and warmer weather. Spring can't get here soon enough.

I am thinking...I should have taken my OPC's while I was gone last week. I'm having way too much pain as a result of forgetting them.

I am thankful for...Phebe being home. The family seems complete again.

From the kitchen...will be Chili and cornbread per Phebe's request. Today is her adoption birthday so she gets to chose.

I am wearing...a feeling of distraction.

I am remembering... how it felt to sleep 8 hours straight.

I am going...to get groceries and maybe just maybe a few clothing items. Since having the baby NOTHING fits!

I am reading...Speak Up With Confidence by Carol Kent.

I am praying…for a part-time job.

On my mind…is the dust that never stops accumulating in my house.

I am hearing...the sound machine through the baby monitor from Asher's room. It's playing the sound of the ocean. I'm also hearing Abner practice his guitar and Phebe singing along.

Around the house...is a need for a good spring cleaning.

Noticing that…my family loves me even when I'm difficult to love.

Pondering these words…of Carol Kent encouraging me to take a seminar on speaking in public. I feel the Lord has so much He wants me to share with others. I'm just not sure how to do it.

One of my favorite things...is Asher's giggle.

A picture thought… I can't believe it's been 17 years since Phebe became my little girl. She's been my sunshine ever since.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window…the beautiful sunshine is glistening off of the freshly fallen snow.

I am thinking...of spring.

.

I am thankful for...our new home.

From the kitchen...will be Split Pea Soup, but considering copying my mother-in-law and making Spicy Cheeseburger Soup.

I am wearing...many layers of emotions.

I am remembering...playing in the snow as a child. Flossie and I would attempt to build forts, but they never worked. We always slept better after those snow fort building days.

I am going...to stay home and attempt to stay warm.

I am reading...Overcoming Depression, by Neil and JoAnne Anderson.

I am praying…for my children, and wisdom in raising them.

On my mind…a list of things I need to get done. Actually "want" to get done.

I am hearing...the sound machine through the baby monitor from Asher's room. It's playing the sound he heard in the womb. It's becoming very annoying. :o) He seems to enjoy it though. I'm also hearing Abner practice his guitar.

Around the house...there are no more signs of Christmas decorations, but empty spots waiting for Valentines decor.

Noticing that…my family's mood always reflects mine.

Pondering these words…

"A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1

One of my favorite things...is to be home alone.

A picture thought… Missing my mom today, and loving that my baby boy looks a little bit like me. He's the first person I've ever been able to say that about.