Honey your shrinking

I love this little girl so much

2009-08-18T13:38:00.004-04:00

My honey suprised me today at work by sending an email of 2 pictures we took 2 weeks ago with Kadence..

She is the love of our life.

We went this weekend to take Whitney to Baltimore and Miss Kadence went with us. I at first was a little nervous to take her b/c we would be driving so much and I knew I would be emotional. To top it off I had to take her to her checkup the day we left and she had to get 2 shots. I was freaking out b/c I remember my youngest Courtney getting hers and her legs would bother her after her shots. But Little Miss K was a trooper and took her tylenol faithfully and was not one bit fussy the whole weekend.

She got us all misty eyed as well on Saturday morning. We were driving in crazy traffic outside of Va into MD and she grabbed Whitney's arm put it on her car seat, squeezed it like she was giving her a big hug then planted a big ol smooch on her arm. Whit, Court and myself all had to wipe the tears away.

When we did finally drop Whitney off and headed back to Va, my Courtney was tore up and Kadence was sitting right next to her sobbing aunt with her own Kleenex wiping her fake tears b/c she wanted Courtney to know that she was right there with her. It was so sweet.

Today is Brittany's 21st birthday. We will probablly take her to dinner and Walmart.
She started beauty school yesterday. I hope she likes it.

Well got to go. Enjoy the pics.

Sorry it has been so long

2009-07-28T21:00:00.007-04:00

Work has been crazy but that is a blessing now days. I have been going thru a ton in my life. I wonder when will I pass the test that I feel I have been in for so many years. I miss my mom and dad so much. I love my parents and hope that they know that. I try to talk to my mom on a weekly basis. I hope that my girls will feel that way when they are older. I am definitley getting ready to go thru another change in our lives as Whitney will be leaving for Baltimore MD on August 15 to start a ministry/mission program. I am so excited for her but it is a bird leaving the nest (the right way) not the way my other bird left....It will be a big change as we will just have Courtney at home. She will be very busy in marching band as it starts tomorrow. I know that she is realizing that her big sister is going away and I know she is so sensative she will feel it in a month or so.

Ok Ok enough of the sentimental moody mom.... I do have to say that I feel wonderful.I actually feel awesome. I have now lost 121 lbs. I will be one year post op. on August 21, 2009. I am now wearing a size 14 or 16 and large or extra large in shirts.My shoe size has gotten smaller too and my rings are getting big. It is so wierd. I cant believe it sometimes. We were coming home on Sat night and Gil was checking his Facebook acct and someone had posted a pic of us at the 20th reunion. Gil showed the girls before he showed me. I have changed a ton. I am going to post more before pictures after 1 year so that we all can see. I love the way that I eat now.Small is the key.I have not over eaten. I wont let myself. I eat on small plates and bowls. Share my food with my family. Dont eat sugar but I dont miss it. I am so glad.This has been the best thing that I have done. I dont regret it at all. I have to say I used to be the biggest expense to my family. If we went out I ordered the nice meals. Now I am a cheap date... We have not been to a buffet since my surgery that is not only good for me it is good for my family as well. I do treat myself to getting my nails done. Probablly sounds funny but I enjoy it.

A few high lights of this summer. We started with going on a Family vacaction to Pine Knoll Shores NC. It was so nice and peaceful. I posted a ton of photos on my facebook acct.
After that Gil and I whent whit 2 other couples from church on a Motorcyle ride to Fancy Gap VA you go thru Mt.Airy NC where they say the Andy Griffith show was suppossed to be based on with "Pilot Mt." in the distance. I know my friend Trisha went there a few years ago. Trisha what did you think of it? Well Gil and I crashed on the bike but all we walked a way was a very scratched up right leg and broken pinky. The bike kept working and I had to get back on and ride the rest of the weekend. I am truly thankful to be alive.Gil got a nice bruise and I think he broke his finger too...

Gil and the girls and I did a quick trip to Williamsburg VA to the Bush Gardens theme park. They let the Military in for free. It was so nice and we had a wonderful time. I thinked the girls were happy we went.

This last Friday we drove to Elizabeth City NC stayed the night and drove on Saturday to the Outer Banks of NC. Gil was funny as he was talking to a fellow soldier on the phone that day. He was explaing to the gentleman that I let him know that we had live in NC for 7 years and that he would take me to the Outer Banks. Welll now I know why everyone loves the outer banks.It is so beautiful. We stopped in Rodanth NC and saw the home that the "Night in Rodanth " was filmed. I will post a picture. It is not that beautiful. Hollywood does a great job...lol. I found out with talking to my mom on Monday that she loves the book and the movie. We also got to see the Wilbur and Orville Wrigt monument, Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras light house. It is beautiful. So pretty. We climbed it but had to pause several times.

This weekend we have a wedding at church and the bride and groom want the choir to sing and the band to play so Whitney will play her flute and Courtney will play the Clarinet and I will sing in the choir. With all of that next Saturday will be Whitney's last one before going off to school. Yikes.. I know we will be busy preparing for that so you can see why we did so many outings. Good memories.

Well I will get off here and post photos...

Some new pictures Only 5 pound to go until...

2009-02-20T13:05:00.008-05:00

I have been so busy but I thought I would spend my lunch break getting some new pictures up here. I am now only 5 pounds away from the 100lb mark. I cant beleive it.It will be 6 months tomorrow. Man time flys.
I am feeling really good. We have started a womens areobic class on Monday nights at church and my girls go with me. We have a fun time. A wonderful friend Crystal Baker and I and the girls have also started walking on Tuesday and Thursday night. I need to get my butt in gear and do more on my own as well. I will post some pictures of K Mac and her Papa from the youth bible study. Just some casual shots.
Kadence turned 1 on the 12th of Feb. We had a party for her on the 14th. She was such a good girl. She loved her new toys and clothes.
Hope to go buy Whitney a Prom dress this weekend. Oh I remember prom. It was so much fun. Oh to be a teen again..,,.lol.

Love you all. Must go for now.

Andrea

New pictures of us. 85 lbs.

2009-01-15T11:22:00.007-05:00

Slammed at work. It is a blessing. Just wanted to get some more close up pictures on here.

Love and miss you all.

Andrea

Christmas in Jacksonville

2009-01-06T09:39:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone. Sorry no time to post much. Just wanted to share 2 of my favorite pictures from Christmas. We took time on Saturday to walk around the planes on the Navy Base in Jacksonville Fl. We had a great time. Kadence was a big ham and so much fun. I will post more later.

PS Lost 82 lbs now. Cant wait to post more pictures.

Update on my 3 month check up.

2008-12-09T08:38:00.003-05:00

Hi I am just going to be quick. Work thank God has picked up. We are slammed. Rates are so good right now we cant keep up with all the calls we need to make and all the calls we are getting.

This week is very busy for me. Some ladies from church threw a surprise dinner for our friend Sonya who will be moving at the end of the month. Everyone brought stuff for taco's and it was great fun and fellowship. Tonight we have the ladies Christmas Banquet at church, tomorrow is church. I think I have nothing planned for Thursday. Friday is our 21st anniversary.The kids have practice at church that night from 6-10 for the Christmas play so maybe we can grab dinner out.

I went to my 3 month check up yesterday and my doctor said I was doing great. I asked him if I was where he thought I should be and he said yes. I have now lost 73 lbs since the 21st of August.They did take lots of blood and will test all of my vitamin levels to see if I am low on any of them. I will let you know what they say when I get my results. I am eating small portions of normal food now. I do mean small. But I am so happy. I dont push the envelope. If I feel the slightest full I stop. I gave away 4 big bags of clothes on Sunday. Some women from church have been so kind to give me some clothes so I have not had to buy many.

Bonnie gave us a CD with all of Whitneys pictures and man they were awesome. When I buy them I will have to post them. She did awesome. It will be hard to pick.

Well take care must run.

Sneak Peak of Whitneys Senior Pics

2008-12-02T13:31:00.002-05:00

My wonderful friend Bonnie posted us a sneak peak. I cant wait to see them all.

I wanted to share it with you all.

Gil and I were just talking last night and cant believe she is Senior. Time goes by so fast.

She is considering doing a 9 month program called the Masters Comission in Ft.Myers, Fla. I am all for it.

I need to post some more we have just been so slammed. I have now lost 70lbs. Praise the Lord.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving will post more soon.

Gil Surprised me with flowers and he wasnt even here.

2008-11-18T14:00:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to share a photo of the flowers that Gil asked my boss to surprise me with while he was on the band trip this last weekend.
They were a beautiful fall arrangement that even had real fall leaves mixed in the bunch of beautiful flowers. I was shocked b/c I came into work and they were on my desk.
It was a nice surprise.

Just us.

2008-11-18T13:51:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to post a picture we took with my cell phone. I got Kadence this Saturday night after all of my stuff was done so that we could just hang out. I had a wonderful time with her. She is such a good baby. She loves Baby Einstein. The girl can sit still and watch the whole video. It freaked me out the first time. I sat with her on the floor and we watched it together. Hence the reason she would not look at the camera.

Veterans Day Sunday

2008-11-13T12:52:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to post a picture of Gil and I on the Sunday before Veterans Day and one of Whitney and Courtney and our grandbaby Kadence.

We had a nice Sunday dinner after church at Chili's. Brittany our oldest daughter was our waitress and she got to sneak in a few kisses and hugs w/ her baby.

Gils birthday was great. We had a great time and alot of company came over. I think the best thing was I was able to eat some of the traditional food and it did not upset my stomach.

Our pastor and his daughter came, the Regan Family, Tammy and Jd and kids and my wonderful friend Bonnie whose blog I follow check it out. She and I and Whitney met that afternoon before the party and drove out in the country for Whitney's Senior pictures. You will be able to see previews on her blog in a few weeks. She is always so kind and give us eager parents a peek of what is too come. She took Whit in a wheat field and put her in a funky green chair and shot pictures of her. We also did a red barn, Juniper tree, fence and rail road shots. I cant wait.

I am now down 61 lbs. I cant wait to see where I am at 3 months out. Feeling good and very happy of that.

My girls and Gil left this morning at 5:30 to go on a Bands of America trip to Indianapolis. They will perform on Friday and hopefully make finals.
I have a weekend of deep cleaning pre pared for myself. I want the house good and clean for the Holidays and it is nice to clean when no one is home. I acutally find it relaxing. I have not been by myself in so long. I am kind of looking forward to it.

Well I need to get back to work my lunch is over. Just ate some yummy zucchini soup that my boss Patti and her hubby made and it was so good. It is rainy here today so it was nice having something warm.

Thank God it is over.

2008-11-05T12:49:00.003-05:00

Well we have a new president and my husband a new Commander In Chief.

We will pray for his safety and wisdom to run our nation. I think it is neat to have a young family in the White House. I wonder what it will be like for them next year at Christmas time.

This was not a surprise to God for He had this in His divine plan. I did feel sad watching McCain give his speech but I think he was very gracious and humble.

It was very neat seeing History being made though. That did make me happy that I was seeing the First African American President be elected. It is nice to know that it happened in my lifetime. It was also neat to see a spot on GMA that showed people from other countries that said "it just goes to show you that in the US you can do anything." I do think it will let young people know that we can make a difference.

I do thank God for our freedoms and thank those soldiers and families that sacrafice so much to keep us safe.

Speaking of soldiers my husband will be wearing his dress blues on Sunday to church in honor of Veterans day. I will hopefully get some pictures of that. I love a man in uniform lol.

We are preparing for Gils birthday this Saturday as well. We may cook Philipino food. Yeah. I just hope I can eat it. I have not tried fried food but I love my husbands eggrolls so I want to at least have a bite. We will also have homemade fried rice and chicken adoboe. I will need to make him a cake.

Whitney has been working on her Senior project and stressing over it so she has been on the moody side lately. She is also working 4 days a week after school at a day care so she does not get home till after 6 pm. She is learning how to juggle school, band and work.

Courtney is still practicing with the band. They are done with the local season but are still practicing hard for a Bands of America Competition in Indianapolis next week. She loves band. She is a very good marcher.

Well my lunch is almost over at work so I will post more and some pictures.

Here is what 51 pounds less looks like. Thank God

2008-10-31T10:38:00.003-04:00

Here are some pictures we took this weekend October 25-27 on a marriage retreat. We had a wonderful time.This is 2 months and 4 days out.

I had to get new clothes. That was fun.

Ok getting better.

2008-10-31T10:31:00.003-04:00

Here is a picture of me trying on some old jeans. This was taken on September 29th 2008. Just one month and 8 days out of my surgery. Got to get rid of these already.

Ok Here it goes before and some after pictures. Hold your breath.

2008-10-31T10:23:00.002-04:00

Ok After being badgered for photos here are some of me 5 days before my surgery. We were on a motorcycle trip so excuse the flat hair and no bangs. I have to have bangs...lol.

Kadence is learning to wave.

2008-10-29T13:55:00.003-04:00

I hope you enjoy this happy little face as she makes me smile.

First day to blog or try to.

2008-10-28T16:40:00.000-04:00

Ok , Ok, after having 3 saved to my favorites I am deciding to try my hand at blogging.

Gee this is scary... You all will have to bear with me as I learn this.

I wanted to do this so that my friends and family will be able to share my weight loss with me.

I was very encourage while doing research on the Gastric bypass surgery to see others transformation. So maybe this will encourage someone else out there.