Ahhhh...It's Not About Me, It's About Her

Haiden THRILLED to meet Cindi and Snowy

So, you have a child and you have ideas about things. I did not want Haiden to wear all pink. I wanted her to be able to be comfortable and active in whatever she wore. I never wanted to catch myself saying, "Don't run in your dress." I just didn't want to raise her to be a girly girl.

What is that anyway? Really, Wayne and I created Haiden, she is our daughter. I thought, I am not going to raise a sissy. I am not going to put her in pink frilly dresses, etc. etc. Well, she did come from me, but she is not "mine." She is our daughter, but she is her own unique person.

It was a wonderful realization when I bought her the sparkly, pink, frilly dresses that she would love it. She did. SHE would love it. That is what matters. Just because we have children does not mean we should not honor who they are. Haiden loves to run around and jump in mud and she likes to dress up, carry a purse and wear a tiara. That is wonderful, that is Haiden.

Haiden asking Snow White a few questions...

We had a great time at the princess party we took her too. She was smiling ear to ear the whole day. She was SO happy to meet Snow White and Cinderella. Sure, she was wearing a beautiful, pink, frilly dress, but she was still Haiden.

Haiden and her Daddy, building memories...


My favorite part of the day is when my inquisitive child asked Snow White and Cinderella about their stories. She asked Cinderella, "Are you still with Prince Charming?" "Are your stepsisters nice now?" and she asked Snow White, "Why did you eat the poison apple anyway?" It was so wonderful to watch the other little girls listen to the "big girl princesses" every word. I am sure the college students who were dressed as Snow White and Cinderella had no idea they would be quizzed! They did a great job answering the questions. It was a quality event put on by a hospitality class at MSU.


Haiden asking Cinderella a few questions-with the other princesses listening intently!

Watching Haiden have true curiosity about Cinderella and Snow White was fantastic, it was critical thinking at its best! I am so proud to honor who Haiden is and who she is becoming. All of the preconceived things I worried about were before I had the realization that this little lady was one of a kind. I look forward to honoring who she is for the rest of her life. She is only three now...so the best is yet to come on this-lord help me when she is a teen!

Get Out of Your Own Way!

People (self) included...get out of your own way. Life will through up road blocks, but, don't get in your own way too. Stop making excuses, take care of yourself and handle your business. I get in my own way and I really need to have my own back. Today, I pledge to get out of my own damn way! If you are keeping yourself from achieving, stop.

Much love, J

What happens when you increase calories &...

What happens when you increase calorie intake and decrease exercise?

Yep! I gained a wee bit of weight over the holiday month...3ish pounds. I am back at WW and start a new exercise class today. It is harder getting back going than it was going...

I guess I remembered all the yummy things in life. Time to monitor myself and get those three pounds off and 25 more by June 29th. Wish me luck! This eating healthy and exercising is proving more difficult with all of the holidays and the winter! :) Although winter won't last forever. I am excited to use my new bike when the sidewalks are clear.

That is my update!

The New Year Cometh

What have I lost in 2009? Or what have I gained in 2009? The new year is around the corner and 2010 is going to be a good year. I have a creative project I am working on. I am ready to continue working hard at work-loving my job. I am ready to get back on track with exercise since I took a wee hiatus over the last few weeks...

I want to build on the progress I made in the last half of 2009. I would like to loose 25 more pounds by June 29th. I am looking forward to riding my bike, taking a new exercise class and I love that I had to ask for new clothes for Christmas because my old clothes are just too big. So, I have lost weight and gained a better understanding about nutrition, choices and most of all that I can accomplish my goals with hard work.

Stay tuned to hear more about my creative project. I have been wanting to do this for a long time and one lunch hour ignited a spark that has lay dormant for a long time. I welcome 2010!

My Oh My, How Time Flies

Haiden feeding the goat at Country Mill


Time has flown by since I last blogged about the summer. Fall has been filled with adventures and a lot of work. Good news to report on the battle. I have lost 28 pounds since May. Not bad, not bad at all. I have "under-grown" most of my pants. I have to literally tighten my belt, so today, I will be rewarded by purchasing a few pair of pants. A girl has to have a good pair of jeans and a pair of black pants! I have like three pair of pants I can still get away with, but ... seven pair or more will be going to consignment. Why? I do not plan to ever need them again. Thanksgiving is coming up, Christmas and challenges, but I plan to AT LEAST maintain. Wish me luck!



About our wonderful child...

Haiden on her thrid birthday morning

Haiden is cracking me up these days. She has had some memorable phrases, like "I love the story Hansom and Gretel." and "It's OK Mommy, you can watch whatever you want. I don't mind. It's good operation! (meaning cooperation, but good enough!) "Mommy, I don't have breasts or freckles, how did you get them?"

She is noticing EVERYTHING too. When having some family time down stairs in the "man room," Haiden was looking at Wayne's signed and framed basketball jersey. She asked, "Daddy, why is your shirt in that box?" It's true actually, they notice things we don't think are that strange. They hear things we block out. Every time we walk outside she says, "Do you hear the..." train, birds, car, firetruck, etc. I have to tune in and listen. She is right. What is the lesson in this? Pay attention to children, they notice things we block out, take for granted or miss in our daily lives. It is nice to take time to listen to the birds!



On HOLIDAYS: We had a wonderful Halloween! She and Mommy were witches and Daddy was a ghost. Wayne had been gone most of October, so my Mother mentioned perhaps it was type casting, since Haiden decided what we would all be! LOL. HEY! Wait a minute... I guess everyone in my family has jokes!

Family: We had a few family challenges, my Mom was in the hospital (I was with her) and she had an emergency appendectomy. My Dad had knee replacement, my Mother-in-law is retiring and will be splitting her time between Michigan and South Carolina. My Mom may need to retire early due to contract negotiations. Meanwhile, Wayne, Haiden and I are happy, healthy and thankful to be gainfully employed (Wayne and I, Haiden isn't working...).

That about says it all! Winter is on it's way...I will have more down time to write. :)

Update on the Battle

Since I have joined Weight Watchers. I have lost over 10 pounds. I am feeling good about it and not deprived in any way. I am down 18 pounds since I began this journey. Tonight we are having a Weight Watcher's recipe for Chicken Marsala. It is soooooo good that I would order it in a restaurant. I have been working out at least 4 days a week and know my schedule will get busier now and I will have to reprioritize. It is great to have Wayne on board and cooking new recipes and meal planning. Love having Lis to send my points too and for walking, H20 and encouragement. I know there will be ups and downs, but I am optimistic and feeling good. Less eating out, less time with friends and volunteering...there are sacrifices I am not loving, but I have to put my health first.

Thanks for all the support! I tried on a dress the other day and realized my legs looked good....I almost forgot that the shape beneath it all can come back :).

Wish me luck and continued success for this life long journey!

Mackinac Island

Great travel companions!

Lis and I on a bike break-taking in the beauty of the island.

O and Lis at dinner, it was a GREAT dinner!

A self portrait of us on our trek.

What a perfect weekend.

1. Fantastic travel partners

2. An 8.3 mile bike ride after not riding a bike in over twenty years!

3. A perfect spa pool to relax in after bike ride...

4. A folk singer in the Pink Pony singing Joni, Indigo Girls and Stevie Nicks...I was in heaven. JONI! WOW!

5. A great blend of walking, bike riding, being carted around by horses and lounging.

6. "crackers"

7. Bats dive bombing us and Lis squealing like a she was about to be attacked by enemy combatants.

8. Orion's crooked walk after the beverage I selected for him...

9. The rain held out!

10. Spending time with my honey and sleeping in...Grandma watching Haiden...