tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79655846392100441742024-02-07T12:48:26.712-08:00The Marvelous MartinsSandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-51379279541959964612013-12-16T19:44:00.001-08:002013-12-16T19:44:30.302-08:00The Love of JesusSo it's been a while, a long while actually. I am not sure where to start but have found this blog to be an outlet. So forgive me if this post is scattered!<br />
<br />
The last seven months have been tough and great all at the same time. Due to some stuff in my personal life in October, I hit an all time low. I was emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually drained. I'm talking running on fumes and then stranded on the side of the road low. But........................<br />
<br />
You wanna know what I found in that darkness? What I found in that pit? The ultimate love of Jesus! Through a combination of my precious friends, amazing family, and fresh words from God through scripture and through The Grove at Passion City Church I realized a few things. I would like to share them (or document them) here so that I can have a written reminder of who God really is.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We are all rooted in something. I was rooted in insecurity, my past failures, in other people. But what we must be rooted in is Jesus and in the Word of God. If you're truly rooted, when the storms of life come you will not be moved.</li>
<li>Psalm 52:8 says that we are an olive tree planted in the house of God. You know what I learned about an olive tree? That even if it's cut down to the roots, it can still regenerate. That it will grow and flourish again as long as the roots are in place. Can I tell you that life and situations had cut me all the way to my roots and was starting to work on my roots? But God had me! And I am starting to regenerate, to grow, and flourish yet again!</li>
<li>God's love is wider and deeper than anything we have ever done. Jesus is a relentless pursuer of the heart and he will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up on you!</li>
<li>When I am going through struggles, it is NOT meaningless. God has a purpose! He is going to bring me through the issues, not over them. And He is going to be right there beside me every step of the way!</li>
<li>Even when you are living in a desert, God always provides a river. I am thankful that God provided a river for me!</li>
<li>We flourish in spite of our circumstances by worshipping. Worship says to Satan that he can't take our trust in Jesus! He can't take our joy in the Lord! In that worship, we exchange our issues for the beauty of God and He gives us beauty for our ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)</li>
<li>I flourish by taking a deep breath and letting it all go. It's HIS spirit working in me! He is replacing my ashes with beauty!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In my waiting, I don't have to fix it all. Jesus has already done that. He has already won! Why do I doubt?</li>
</ul>
So that is just a small glimpse into what God has started to reveal to me and in me! I don't know if it's because I am seeking God's will for my life and seeking His face more than ever before or what. But what I know is that I have a freedom in the love of Jesus! And of course, just as I begin to walk in that freedom, Satan comes knocking. The bible says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And though I am still weak, I know that God is strongest in the middle of my weakness! He is big y'all! He is good! Though he comes against me to try to steal, kill, and destroy me, I know where my roots are now! They are strong and getting a little stronger everyday. There are things coming against me on every side now that I've got my personal life worked out but it's okay. I got some roots, and they are STRONG!!! If you're not rooted strongly in God and in His word and if you have never truly experienced the love of Jesus......dig in! He is sooooooo good!<br />
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If you are walking through a dark place, find a quiet place and play these songs. Let the love of Jesus wrap around you! <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TeIHxQdjys">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TeIHxQdjys</a><br />
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Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-24849807095513362662013-04-07T19:29:00.001-07:002013-04-07T19:29:38.980-07:005 months....YIKESHoly cow! Talk about falling off the "blogging" band wagon. It has been almost 5 months since I posted anything. That is just crazy. Life has been extremely busy and chaotic. In a lot of good ways! Quick recap of the last 5 months:<br />
<br />
November:<br />
<ul>
<li>Thanksgiving with the fam</li>
<li>Martina McBride concert with my mama and my sister</li>
<li>Black Friday Shopping</li>
</ul>
December:<br />
<ul>
<li>Christmas--my favorite holiday because of the time we get to spend with our family and friends. Love it.</li>
<li>Christmas break.....time away from work to enjoy with my family </li>
</ul>
January<br />
<ul>
<li>New Years! (That's about all) </li>
</ul>
February<br />
<ul>
<li>Valentine's Day </li>
</ul>
March <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyaPoGU_ptp84QMMy21UwHZAM5Y7TxLp-7zLuYS6g6hfYHvZBOWXZ28_urZCALMZelvwGImHuEmJ0mWw_pDSg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<ul>
<li>Destiny rocked out the Talent Show at school (sorry, you'll have to turn your head to see)</li>
<li>My sweet hubby finally got a teaching job in Hall County. He is now teaching 4th grade at Tadmore Elementary. I couldn't be anymore proud of him than I already am. He has worked so hard for this moment and he has always been the perfect example of perseverance. He should be the poster child for the phrase "Never Give Up" and he walks in the truth of God's faithfulness. </li>
<li>And lastly, Easter with my family. Can I just tell you how much I love spending time with my loving, precious, caring, <strike>somewhat crazy,</strike> fun family? Cause I do! Here are just a few pics and if you look close enough you are liable to see some of the crazy...errrr...fun shining through!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxs7scgP2_E0lz2AnpXfkfm7FOqdKUOX3LJTdelLmvLt1jWaCCzTHvKa4QN0HUU01q6OrorlPJ1SUlWr4C7HHaL0iTahXbhMt4Kd9opIjsECG-k2liyjmYUYEMXPgNa51gRPQFt-rCtEe/s1600/easter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxs7scgP2_E0lz2AnpXfkfm7FOqdKUOX3LJTdelLmvLt1jWaCCzTHvKa4QN0HUU01q6OrorlPJ1SUlWr4C7HHaL0iTahXbhMt4Kd9opIjsECG-k2liyjmYUYEMXPgNa51gRPQFt-rCtEe/s320/easter2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Whole Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPlqQlKPoFbWXPET5D-Bj54TB33VFDG1e01nqWvfLa1QCPtXQgdxfeUkrTRJnfKDJ242PqDIzGwT-3UKvlRL-WGyuPOlOg52hs2tTWYn5CeAFuZKnb2Z80owbuFXQP98ga_-AO8yGk2ln/s1600/Easter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPlqQlKPoFbWXPET5D-Bj54TB33VFDG1e01nqWvfLa1QCPtXQgdxfeUkrTRJnfKDJ242PqDIzGwT-3UKvlRL-WGyuPOlOg52hs2tTWYn5CeAFuZKnb2Z80owbuFXQP98ga_-AO8yGk2ln/s320/Easter1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Sisters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5UpuF6bwN27KyEhjja0Z_xt69NS12VNUmR6VHB_Tj68YglFbBaR5khjZUNZrlQS3hI_ZYRDOlKHN3ho_37J9vuwbiLLX0HSMYGeIpD2k-VLV0DlzIZqo8EZOCofo8h0L9XRHi-0R1FKK/s1600/Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5UpuF6bwN27KyEhjja0Z_xt69NS12VNUmR6VHB_Tj68YglFbBaR5khjZUNZrlQS3hI_ZYRDOlKHN3ho_37J9vuwbiLLX0HSMYGeIpD2k-VLV0DlzIZqo8EZOCofo8h0L9XRHi-0R1FKK/s320/Easter.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April:<br />
<br />
WOW! Here we are at the 2nd week of April already. I would be perfectly happy with time slowing down a little. Right now it is Sunday night at the end of our Spring Break. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL trip for break to Orlando, Florida to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. My daredevil 9 year old is now obsessed with roller coasters. It was quite humorous to see 12 and 13 year old kids getting scared and getting out of line for a coaster when my barely tall enough 9 year old diva is giggling with excitement. Did I mention she got me on a 90 degree incline coaster not once but twice? And she got me on a free fall ride that scared the crap out of me but that she absolutely loved, not once, not twice, but three times. Yes. Call me crazy but those memories will last forever! Here are just a few of our pics from the trip:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEExB4FQOh93E1S6gmo1tlo-bszaKjOJpfiWIHAOy4CxHyH8dUETpGk-H_NoZ9oZvXadHWkvbwg_xVhuUxzi0B71BYkuXxJu5fkaEa1ggvOMcan86y3BKvGT6P2DfW86oopzjWFf2kXvwA/s1600/IOA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEExB4FQOh93E1S6gmo1tlo-bszaKjOJpfiWIHAOy4CxHyH8dUETpGk-H_NoZ9oZvXadHWkvbwg_xVhuUxzi0B71BYkuXxJu5fkaEa1ggvOMcan86y3BKvGT6P2DfW86oopzjWFf2kXvwA/s320/IOA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Seuss Landing with the truffula trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERZSXTkTlKzuVA55wSMaroEgKe9PIIZrXUajfhgzAYq5kQug2J6zAOFgnQV-HDTAWfXsWcwP2bu7Jhtevgu5O7Ri6Rv_jb4StK-7Cpx9EX1oTF6RUnA_zUo5GalOH8LwdCctz2ZBK7adW/s1600/SB13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERZSXTkTlKzuVA55wSMaroEgKe9PIIZrXUajfhgzAYq5kQug2J6zAOFgnQV-HDTAWfXsWcwP2bu7Jhtevgu5O7Ri6Rv_jb4StK-7Cpx9EX1oTF6RUnA_zUo5GalOH8LwdCctz2ZBK7adW/s320/SB13.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to rock the roller coasters....day 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvHT5liNOMG0wBb46ub4eaeDO_kzBIZ_P0SOgtYQjqfumjUBWs87lDcrysGlO3i4hVUmAN9MBFvFBbEn98h44L2-vXz2p5kRS8MuHXSAbjOXn-kX1yTIUwftnVHueegk48yqPEujsBL3Y/s1600/SB131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvHT5liNOMG0wBb46ub4eaeDO_kzBIZ_P0SOgtYQjqfumjUBWs87lDcrysGlO3i4hVUmAN9MBFvFBbEn98h44L2-vXz2p5kRS8MuHXSAbjOXn-kX1yTIUwftnVHueegk48yqPEujsBL3Y/s320/SB131.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner dates....can you tell who she gets her "crazy" from? LOL!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the weight loss front, there is not a lot to report. Still hovering between 197 and 200. Hey, at least I'm not gaining. And I keep telling myself that it's not about a number on a scale. It's about how good I feel and the energy that I have. It's about not being self conscious at the theme parks for three days that I might not fit into the seats on the rides. Actually everything was quite comfortable. Life is good. I am healthy, and I am not just a number on a scale. Don't get me wrong: I am not finished. This journey is a daily struggle but I got this. I have figured out it is all in moderation. The only thing that has not been in moderation for me lately is exercise. Who the mess goes running or even walking outside in 30 and 40 degree weather? Not this chick! Now that the weather is getting warmer though, I am pushing myself to get back to "wogging". I am doing the Color Run in September with some great friends so I have to make sure I am ready for that!<br />
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I guess that brings us up to speed. All in all, life is good. I am blessed! Far beyond what I deserve! Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-86325157957566157522012-11-15T19:02:00.001-08:002012-11-15T19:02:26.717-08:00I did it....I really did!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="Photo: Lets do this thing! Woo hoo!" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="320" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/407652_10151304805381171_681832442_n.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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So this week has been a great week. Last Sunday night was my first official 5K.....holy freakin' cow! That thing was HARD! I didn't think we were ever going to finish and if I had had to go up any more hills I probably would have just sat down to cry. LOL! Seriously though, I did not "have fun" but I can say that I am very glad to be able to say I did it. I went into the 5K with three goals in mind.....just finish, don't finish last, and finish in under an hour. I am proud to say that I completed all 3 of my goals. My sweet friend, Krystal Parker helped to cheer me on and wouldn't let me quit even when I wanted to. Here are the stats from my trip. My actual race time was 51:39. I forgot to stop my timer when I finished. <br />
<br />
<div class="distance first_not_owner workout_detail">
<span class="label">Distance</span>
<span class="value">3.30 mi</span>
</div>
<div class="workout_detail duration">
<span class="label with_add_info">
Duration
<span class="add_info">Duration pause</span>
</span>
<span class="value with_add_info">
00:52:11
<span class="add_info">00:00:02</span>
</span>
</div>
<div class="workout_detail average_pace">
<span class="label">Average Pace</span>
<span class="value">09:48 min/km</span>
</div>
<div class="workout_detail average_speed">
<span class="label">Average Speed</span>
<span class="value">6.11 km/h</span>
</div>
<div class="workout_detail calories">
<span class="label">Calories</span>
<span class="value">285 kcal</span>
</div>
<div class="workout_detail elevation_gain_loss">
<span class="label with_add_info">
Elevation
<span class="add_info">(gain/loss)</span>
</span>
<span class="value">
109 m
/
109 m
</span>
</div>
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Here are a few pics of the day!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/554184_10151305140961171_282654171_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="309" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet friend Krystal and I </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Photo: Before the race. So anxious at this point." class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="320" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/c0.69.342.342/p403x403/306896_10151305144206171_765608223_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bib on, phone in armband, stomach anxious, ready to go!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="266" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/539806_10151305141321171_1326710888_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krystal, Kaye and I </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/430578_10151305141586171_1501130323_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="317" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the race.....sweaty and in pain but joyful at finishing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This week has brought a peace beyond all understanding and a little boost of self-confidence. With the scale sitting at 197, I am confident that I am headed in the right directions. I got this! <br />
Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-30920239644002977042012-10-24T21:00:00.003-07:002012-10-24T21:00:58.166-07:00Who the mess likes running?<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So as you may have read from my last post, nearly 2 months ago A LOT has happened. The school year has gotten chaotic, which is my normal. Just part of the job.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I have started "wogging". (Thanks Jessica for the new word) For those of you that don't know that term, I am a half walker-half jogger. It is not pretty. I always hoped to be one of those "pretty runners" but guess what, it ain't happenin'. People also keep telling me that the more I do it that I will eventually begin to LOVE it. Guess what you people must have lost your flippin' mind because there isn't anything fun about running, or wogging in my case. HOWEVER, I have put that to the side and I have committed to <span style="font-size: large;">do<span style="font-size: large;">ing</span></span> two 5K's within the next couple of weeks. Next Saturday (Nov. 3) will be my first one that is a fundraiser for a homeless shelter that is a ministry of my childhood church. Even if it's not pretty, I can do it. Then my dear friend Krystal has talked me into doing the Lanier Under the Lights 5K with her which is at Lake Lanier Islands and it's an evening 5K where we <span style="font-size: large;">"wog"</span> under the Christmas lights at the islands. No better way to begin to get into the Christmas spirit, right?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the weight loss front, I have gotten down to my lowest weight to date, 197.6. SOOOO excited about that. Now I've been stuck there for a little over a week but it's better to be stuck under 200 than over it. I still have a week to make it to 190 before my doctors appointment. I doubt that goal will be made but I am super proud of myself for getting over 10 pounds off on my own with diet and exercise. So I'm good, God is good, life is good.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I AM BLESSED!</span></span></span></span>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-60464991060286398952012-08-29T18:16:00.001-07:002012-08-29T18:16:47.298-07:00Restart #9287474646464<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: black;">**WARNING! This is a pity party. Forgive me before reading! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All I can say is praise the Lord for mercies that are new EVERY morning. This first 3 weeks of school has been SUPER stressful, more stressful than any other school year I can remember. Not really sure why but it has definitely taken a toll on me physically. The thing that people often forget (including patients) is that weight loss surgery fixes the physical issue of being obese, not the emotional issues and brain issues tied to being overweight. I confess that I have always been an emotional eater: happy, sad, mad, scared......I ate. The most eating happened though under stress. So with this super stressful few weeks, as I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office yesterday and saw a number of 208, I fought back tears. Tears of frustration over not having the will power to stick to my portions and good food choices. Tears of anger for letting myself fall back into this mess again. Tears of failure feeling like no matter what I do I will always be fat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm tired of being fat, I really am. That's why almost 18 months ago I went through a life changing weight loss surgery. I am still down 77 pounds from my highest weight and down from a size 26 pants to a size 16. But come hell or high water, I will be out of the 200's. I have to go back to the doctor at the end of October for a follow up. I have set my goal to be back down to 190 before that date. I guess this post is sort of a way of publicizing my failures so that I can learn from them and move forward. It will also help hold me accountable to that date 2 months from now so that I can work towards that goal. Praying and believing for God's mercy, strength, and fresh mercies for the mornings after I screw up. </span>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-58073033921224912232012-08-06T18:31:00.004-07:002012-08-06T18:31:46.878-07:00Back to life, back to reality....If you are a music nerd like me you were singing the title to my blog (Hint.... Soul II Soul). LOL!<br />
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Well tomorrow is back to reality for me. I head back to work for preplanning and then our students come back on Friday. Right now, we have 25 boys on our roster and I am super excited about another great year. For whatever reason, this summer has seemed to be the shortest ever. And I will admit that I have had a sucky attitude about having to go back to work. But when I think about the difference that I can make in the lives of these 25 boys, I have a renewed energy. I am thinking this sign may be going in our classroom somewhere.<br />
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Teaching is one of the hardest jobs.....EVER and I DARE anyone to say it's not. So I approach this year enthusiastically, yet seriously. We must constantly remember that we hold a child's future in our hands every single day. One year can make or break a student's self-esteem and future goals. So to all of my teacher friends, I pray that you all have a wonderful school year and that you will facilitate, engage, listen, encourage, support, cultivate, and learn with your students everyday!<br />
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<br />Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-92153509422681196032012-08-06T18:31:00.001-07:002012-08-06T18:31:07.911-07:00Summer Vacation 2012---in picturesWe had a WONDERFUL vacation together this summer. <br />
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Our family vacation started with a day at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. We rode all the rides and saw alot of the shows. Here are a few pics to sum up the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly girl in a shark mouth</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding with her daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now riding with mommy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is absolutely obsessed with dolphins</td></tr>
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After about 11 hours at the park we drove back to our hotel and crashed for the night. The next day we got up and headed to the port to set sail on the Carnival Ecstasy. First on Destiny's agenda once we got on the ship was the waterslides of course. We enjoyed a nice dinner and show that evening. Then we had three days of ports in a row....Freeport Bahamas, Nassau Bahamas, and Half Moon Cay. We got rained out in Freeport and we enjoyed a very low key day in Nassua. In Half Moon Cay we had a GREAT time playing in the BEAUTIFUL ocean and beach. The final day of our cruise was a sea day where we hung out at the pool, took a nap, I got a massage, and just relaxed. It was a PERFECT day. Here are just a few of our pics from the trip.<br />
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So that's our vacation in pictures. We had a great time and are getting ready to head back to work. I absolutely love having my summer time off with my family. We are blessed and have enjoyed every minute together. Here's to another great summer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVf2qE6IxSmfbZS2OguhtgpzuroGMuS-KEFunjDFtZck9DX8AV1ZRedAd-NnKB3FV5jwBJRpuhMsL5chGqVdPY4Ye3UAdBILxLB8hjnFxinss-ibAK8hlE4Wx7TXuBvAlSHjhvBEcXetv/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-37206788692861938572012-07-15T13:28:00.001-07:002012-07-15T13:28:37.149-07:00Sweet Summertime!<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I am enjoying every last bit of summer that I can. It's hard to believe that in a little over 3 weeks I'll be back at work already. It's crazy. I had 2 main goals for this summer.</span></div>
<ol style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: large;">To relish in every moment and enjoy my family</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">To kickstart my weight loss again</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well let's just say that I accomplished my first goal but not so much my second one. We have enjoyed swimming, library visits, fireworks, legoland, movies, and some quality time together. On this week's agenda are Stone Mountain, waterpark with friends, Sea World, and cruise. We actually sail out on Saturday for a Bahamas cruise so needless to say we have a very busy week ahead knocking several things off our summer bucket list. </span></div>
<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I look back over the summer thus far, part of me is frustrated that I didn't get my weight loss moving again but I can say I did lose the 7 pounds that I had gained just in the last month of school from stress eating. Now my goal is to not gain 7 pounds back during the 1st month of school from stress eating. But with all that said, I am still at my lowest weight of 197. It's frustrating that I am only 12 pounds away from my 100 pounds lost mark but it's okay. It's only a number right? To be honest it's more of a mental thing. I really am happy where I am. I can now go into 95% of the stores I would be interested in, see something on the rack, find a large or XL and buy it and it fits. And I'm healthy. I can run and ride bikes and play with Destiny without feeling like I'm dying. I no longer feel anxiety about going to places like Stone Mountain because those trips used to mean stopping every few minutes to catch my breath. So I guess the weight loss will come....eventually. I have a goal of starting 5K's in the fall and have many more short term goals. The votes of confidence and encouraging words from my family and friends carries me through those days where I get frustrated with it all. I leave you with a couple before and after pics. </span></div>
<div style="color: purple;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr59QltbdpG_O-04WdiSPc7Y8IZhrTPAGlN_3eW5A0FKQqVo6jBswN3MwQSffK6qQ6VhkYubltOa1vpuy8u7Vf40KnHXJv3KgPIZLqXdE180TNIiPhqRgZ1vpPhE_tzt2nyrA4PPZkqHiw/s1600/Before+and+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr59QltbdpG_O-04WdiSPc7Y8IZhrTPAGlN_3eW5A0FKQqVo6jBswN3MwQSffK6qQ6VhkYubltOa1vpuy8u7Vf40KnHXJv3KgPIZLqXdE180TNIiPhqRgZ1vpPhE_tzt2nyrA4PPZkqHiw/s400/Before+and+After.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Left-October 2010--------Right-December 2011)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A3OewQQeIs1Uv7kpi-n5-C09q-NrE8c9t65W3ISKL1gEc7uj18haLqAJxbwivFuDYPiu_SPQFzjVWatIOksNabJFZGdOxbllx5a92AkhztmvSQh9j7k0yqXTyQxPkoXO7nAmUJmpDpyS/s1600/Before+and+after+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A3OewQQeIs1Uv7kpi-n5-C09q-NrE8c9t65W3ISKL1gEc7uj18haLqAJxbwivFuDYPiu_SPQFzjVWatIOksNabJFZGdOxbllx5a92AkhztmvSQh9j7k0yqXTyQxPkoXO7nAmUJmpDpyS/s400/Before+and+after+2.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Left-September 2009----------------Right-July 2012)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-66610729482306190672012-06-18T20:18:00.001-07:002012-06-18T20:18:57.311-07:00Destiny's Summer Bucket List 2012So Destiny has heard Jason and I discuss our "bucket list" several times. So a few weeks ago we started talking about needing to make a list of what all we wanted to do this summer and she said<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"I know. We will have a summer bucket list"</div>
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First of all, let me just tell you that I LOVE my child. She is so creative and has such big ideas and imaginations. So I thought why not so I bought some bright colored sticky notes for Destiny to make her list on. This is what her finalized list on our living room door looks like....<br />
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As you can see her list is not too out of the ordinary. I just love some of the spelling like "<strong><span style="color: red;">plane</span></strong> a playdate"<br />
and "<strong><span style="color: red;">swimm</span></strong> with friends". So today we actually knocked one thing off the bucket list. We visited LegoLand Discovery Center in Atlanta. It was pretty cool and definitely something we all enjoyed. Destiny was so fun during the 4D cinema when the snow started falling. She was grabbing at it not realizing it was real at first and when she realized it was real her smile couldn't have gotten any bigger. Here are some pictures of bucket list #1 as indicated in the first pic. ENJOY!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bucket List #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K4d-2WAiiT0LR4i2kFEmNZY7yQX9MdaUxd9r1gHd4VnrQJzTzeBwtt8g1ynoGZDHaIUmf3Tpcf_oYlyPTYiXi2uYbKWu6o3fjjvHuJ8G1ovR-Dmi5N0-X3usNqVAKYSekCMrasyvPPVX/s1600/IMG_2789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K4d-2WAiiT0LR4i2kFEmNZY7yQX9MdaUxd9r1gHd4VnrQJzTzeBwtt8g1ynoGZDHaIUmf3Tpcf_oYlyPTYiXi2uYbKWu6o3fjjvHuJ8G1ovR-Dmi5N0-X3usNqVAKYSekCMrasyvPPVX/s320/IMG_2789.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with the Lego guy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des and her daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging in the Fire Department Playground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy08JF2DxY-n7EsTJqqOXg14EtS9y6IiaufZK6n-wyqyoQ6SEoDjLXgcvSMkNYin0ZOAGrDwKBTEvR2g5rhmJp-5soZXQXJhVfRVMt52GRAKPvzLPl078Wg83s-xUoKTtq3mbmHjYT6Bs/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy08JF2DxY-n7EsTJqqOXg14EtS9y6IiaufZK6n-wyqyoQ6SEoDjLXgcvSMkNYin0ZOAGrDwKBTEvR2g5rhmJp-5soZXQXJhVfRVMt52GRAKPvzLPl078Wg83s-xUoKTtq3mbmHjYT6Bs/s320/IMG_2812.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My baby girl and I </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJofi1srAHHdKp9dG15TwQ0zixcaJKVYltRdwWMSZxkLR2Tj0jTVqbfOjCXlambYP-wsnhPm5geZxHxbDSD7NEDDMqXmUWaBqE4cX6UUPaWNm4nLbZmOyj6NqSDuFnvsroxRd9JnUa6Br/s1600/IMG_2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJofi1srAHHdKp9dG15TwQ0zixcaJKVYltRdwWMSZxkLR2Tj0jTVqbfOjCXlambYP-wsnhPm5geZxHxbDSD7NEDDMqXmUWaBqE4cX6UUPaWNm4nLbZmOyj6NqSDuFnvsroxRd9JnUa6Br/s320/IMG_2813.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is DEFINITELY cuter than the puppy!!</td></tr>
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<br />
My goal is to post a new blog for every item we do on the summer bucket list. So stay tuned!Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-3070557304008836322012-05-29T19:04:00.000-07:002012-05-29T19:04:06.691-07:00Time.....can you slow down just a little?So our first summer project is to remodel Destiny's room with new furniture, new curtains, and a mural on the wall. As we started today, one of the first things on the agenda was replacing her blinds. The one that was up had a couple slats broken. Destiny broke these slats when she was still in her crib. She would wake up, stand up, and pull on the blinds to look outside. After moving to her big girl bed, the window was always covered by either her headboard or then later her dresser so the broken slatted blinds kind of got forgotten about. After we moved her old furniture around to make room for her new bed that's coming tomorrow I saw those old broken, tattered blinds. I immediately kind of got teary eyed. It was like time froze for a moment and I could see my almost bald little toddler in that crib saying "look mama" as she pulled the blinds apart to see outside. I know, I know. She's still a little girl, only a few months away from being 9 years old. But it is so hard to believe that those broken blinds represented almost 7 years of sweet little memories. <br />
<br />
Then after replacing the blind and having a sentimental moment Jason, Destiny and I were laying on her new mattress on the floor "trying it out". And immediately my mind went back to another distinct memory. The first year Jason and I were married we lived in married housing on the Emmanuel College campus. In January of our senior year we started working on our house to get it to livable conditions. The house basically had to be gutted. We did rewiring, re plumbing, had new windows put in, a new roof installed, central heating and air put in, and all new floors. Most of our things were still at our apartment. But we had started bringing a few things at a time. One was our second TV and DVD player to have background noise as we worked on the house. I remember sometime that winter we had come up to wait on the carpet guys to put in the carpet. The house, which didn't have any heating at the time, was FREEZING. So while we were waiting we cuddled up, trying to stay warm and watched The Tigger Movie on DVD. I told Jason that I had just had a dejavu moment and reminded him of that day. I said "that seems like just like yesterday" and he kindly reminded me that it was actually over 11 years ago. <br />
<br />
How in the heck does time go by so fast? We are quickly approaching our mid-thirties and we have an almost double digit aged child. Life is SOOOOOO good and we are so blessed. But these sentimental moments today helped me to clarify my goals for the summer. So my number one goal for the summer is to relish in EVERY moment with my family. Every single memory, even the little ones tonight like watching Jason and Destiny play with lincoln logs, legos, and GI Joes together laughing and being silly. Life really is too short to not enjoy every minute of them. I'm afraid if I don't make myself slow down enough to enjoy all these little moments, that the next time I blink I'll be re-modeling Destiny's room as a spare bedroom because she is no longer home. And that......I can't even think about that without crying. LOL! So for now, carpe diem. That's my motto for the next 10 weeks or so. I encourage you to do the same!Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-3993963026710324492012-03-24T19:21:00.000-07:002012-03-24T19:21:25.951-07:001 year surgiversaryWOW! I can't believe it has been a year since I decided to change my life FOREVER. Thinking back to this time last year, I was scared, anxious, nervous, and very depressed. I had beaten myself up over the fact that I had to resort to weight loss surgery because I was too "weak" to lose the weight myself. Looking back, I realize how silly that was. Here I stand, a year later, with a lighter load, both physically and <strike>for the most part </strike>emotionally. <br />
<br />
There are still many days that I forget that I am no longer almost 300 pounds and that I still tell myself that I'm the "fat" girl. I don't think the woman I see in the mirror is the woman that I really am. I still have a very jaded self image. I still see the "rolls" that are now just folds of excess skin and the non-toned body and am still not "happy" with the way I look. BUT, the outward image is not the reason I had this surgery. I had this surgery so that I could live until I'm 80 not 50, so that I could walk wtihout running out of breath, and so that I could feel better in general. So even though my body image is still not healthy, my body is. And that's why I started this journey to begin with. <br />
<br />
I now sit, somewhat plateaued, at 197 pounds. I seem to bounce back and forth between there and 201. I was really hoping to be at my 100 pounds lost by this point but it's okay. It's a journey, not a destination. I just have to keep telling myself that. I have gone from a tight 26 pants to a comfortable regular 16, not plus size and am shopping in the regular women's section of the store, not the plus size. I am so excited about this upcoming summer and knowing that I will be in so much better health to enjoy all sorts of family adventures. I leave you with gratitude in my heart for the support and encouragement that I have gotten during the last year. (and a before and after shot)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0XDIeMrz1AS6M7CXkA2nieJ360dJJaApb74eSLZX3QzTa9v4AZ35vu3db7PV_YnlumFOMEkgPB7vwIiZ6JeTqYJF1IoIlvlV_q0gZCwq7Q5jGsVaj3dq9urCxLkTq_v5O0K41zkUt1by/s1600/IMG_1354+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0XDIeMrz1AS6M7CXkA2nieJ360dJJaApb74eSLZX3QzTa9v4AZ35vu3db7PV_YnlumFOMEkgPB7vwIiZ6JeTqYJF1IoIlvlV_q0gZCwq7Q5jGsVaj3dq9urCxLkTq_v5O0K41zkUt1by/s320/IMG_1354+-+Copy.JPG" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before at 285 pounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH_6BtK-jv5tX3pxebonf-Kr8ctI5ByiOmeOWURXzLkCc6YUFk63m8dDz075KG_hJRY7hBoVG6s27MwtduVRFvRe56kXzI1G35c4CumUGY3FVN6-UIq2_rjlz8Bu6prWFjK24pvpZvozv/s1600/IMG_2591+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH_6BtK-jv5tX3pxebonf-Kr8ctI5ByiOmeOWURXzLkCc6YUFk63m8dDz075KG_hJRY7hBoVG6s27MwtduVRFvRe56kXzI1G35c4CumUGY3FVN6-UIq2_rjlz8Bu6prWFjK24pvpZvozv/s320/IMG_2591+-+Copy.JPG" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After at 197</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-63280926663806288892012-01-18T17:27:00.000-08:002012-01-18T17:27:56.433-08:00I know you ain't talkin' to me!!!Okay so I am having a hard time dealing with the compliments I've gotten since I had my weight loss surgery. I know it sounds crazy to say I don't know how to take compliments. But I guess I can say I really am just not used to getting them. When I did get compliments at 285 pounds, they were very few and far between. <br />
<br />
Part of me feels frustrated that I get compliments now and I didn't then. It sometimes makes me mad that our world is so superficial. And don't get me wrong, my friends mean their compliments but when people who never really took the time of day for me before now are all "wow, you look great" I just want to say "I know you ain't talkin' to me", you never did when I was almost 90 pounds heavier. But then again, who doesn't like compliments no matter who gives them to you?!?! <br />
<br />
The other part of me wants to relish in EVERY compliment but I feel like I can't. I have found my natural response to a compliment is "you're silly". WHY? Because I don't know how to see myself as thin (which I am not yet) I look in the mirror and I still see that 285 pound girl. And it's frustrating. I need my mind to catch up with my body. And it's especially frustrating now that the *#&$ scale is apparently broken again since it won't change.....EVER!! I want to be able to see the positive changes in my body when I look in the mirror, but I really don't know how. It truly is like a mental block. I see it a little bit in pictures but I want to see it in the mirror everyday as I am standing there in my birthday suit. <br />
<br />
For now, I will continue to somehow embrace my new life,almost 90 pounds lighter. In the mean time, if you give me a compliment, and I don't respond very well I apologize ahead of time. Just know my brain and heart are trying to catch up with the scale (though it's currently slow-moving).Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-41536651955697557362012-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:002012-01-02T19:02:41.949-08:002011 year in review<strong><u>Things I have lost: </u></strong><br />
<ul><li>1,376 ounces.....that's 86 pounds y'all</li>
<li>4 pants sizes</li>
<li>3 shirt sizes</li>
<li>1 shoe size</li>
<li>2 ring sizes</li>
<li>exhaustion</li>
<li>fear of dying early because of my health</li>
<li>huffing and puffing when walking short distances </li>
</ul><br />
<strong><u>Things I have gained:</u></strong><br />
<ul><li>years on my life</li>
<li>my health</li>
<li>my confidence</li>
<li>my energy</li>
<li>LOTS of excess skin (LOL!)</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
What a difference a year makes!!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VsARQR-Wb3KoM3flxeG9ybl50WHXLuitveYsj-s5TEsnyuWuiNtZBy5FzbSvMDa5ACbeLkKcCi-4OUE5KVMC4gSV2Q1XVC5xo93MIDFRivf4Bu8rmzVbU1A1zLGXSZ-SFgJ1GRk7kTj0/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VsARQR-Wb3KoM3flxeG9ybl50WHXLuitveYsj-s5TEsnyuWuiNtZBy5FzbSvMDa5ACbeLkKcCi-4OUE5KVMC4gSV2Q1XVC5xo93MIDFRivf4Bu8rmzVbU1A1zLGXSZ-SFgJ1GRk7kTj0/s320/IMG_1354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6odYceXArsVyulkvaBB_qfPDA0It7hpsAY0R9-Tz-_ohsKy5haC_ERi5UYyP8irGgy4YtIZWNVjudV0oHbGwySQcV1WpgTl3kVssbe4IQiUX6vru880UlZ3ulcdj-CMgZmmyFgFRLNqZr/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6odYceXArsVyulkvaBB_qfPDA0It7hpsAY0R9-Tz-_ohsKy5haC_ERi5UYyP8irGgy4YtIZWNVjudV0oHbGwySQcV1WpgTl3kVssbe4IQiUX6vru880UlZ3ulcdj-CMgZmmyFgFRLNqZr/s320/IMG_2491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtLd4c7rXZuREBtxkvq7TFWV7CskQtccbVFUH1qd6dMuXPebJpehyAoZluG5UXljCxo4wK-sG5qPTg7yqHt9MdCAKl3dcw57eebJoSd1QHG4Bx39oUM0QqnbtbKF4y9OiCczTLuTTGozt/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtLd4c7rXZuREBtxkvq7TFWV7CskQtccbVFUH1qd6dMuXPebJpehyAoZluG5UXljCxo4wK-sG5qPTg7yqHt9MdCAKl3dcw57eebJoSd1QHG4Bx39oUM0QqnbtbKF4y9OiCczTLuTTGozt/s320/IMG_1318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNRKjgUnAz4/TwJvOswC8FI/AAAAAAAAAJo/90GP9OPI-QI/s1600/DSC_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GNRKjgUnAz4/TwJvOswC8FI/AAAAAAAAAJo/90GP9OPI-QI/s320/DSC_0131.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-60421112287360850772011-12-23T20:07:00.000-08:002011-12-23T20:07:17.216-08:00ONE-DERLAND......HOORAY FOR ONE-DERLAND!!!!!!!<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case, I agree. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mwLADRHaX0/TvVP1qEP7iI/AAAAAAAAAGc/8ZYG_qFrVj8/s1600/375466_10150544144656171_503831170_11208916_779519659_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mwLADRHaX0/TvVP1qEP7iI/AAAAAAAAAGc/8ZYG_qFrVj8/s320/375466_10150544144656171_503831170_11208916_779519659_n.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not the best picture I know but it works. (excuse the horrible excuse for a pedicure...LOL) And the cool thing about this weight is it was mid-afternoon, not my normal weigh in time of first thing in the morning. I have been working really hard to not obsess over my weight because I have been stuck on a plateau for like 8 or 10 weeks bouncing back and forth between 201 and 205. As part of not allowing myself to obsess, I haven't been weighing every morning like normal, only like 2 or 3 times a week. So today, I thought "I haven't weighed since like Monday". So I stepped on the scale and I had this wonderful surprise. Talk about the coolest Christmas gift. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now don't get me wrong, I don't physically feel any different today than I did Monday when the scale said 201.6 but the "emotional" part of me is....ELATED!!!! The last time I can remember having a "1" in front of my weight was when I was 14 and a freshman in high school around 1993 or 94. That was over half my lifetime ago. It took me half of my freakin' lifetime to kick this weights butt but i did it. I did it. I flippin' did it. NEVER again in my whole life will I have a 2 in front of my weight. Thank you all for your continued support as I defeat this battle for my health and well-being, as much emotionally as physically. </span>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-1211582282977538732011-11-02T19:37:00.000-07:002011-11-02T19:37:32.036-07:00STUPID, STUPID "ONE-DERLAND"SOOO......it's been a while since I've blogged. I kept postponing thinking that my next blog would be titled "Welcome to One-derland". For all of my skinny peeps, you may not understand that "one-derland" is a HUGE goal for us chubby bunnies. It is the heavenly moment, angels singing hallelujah, when you step on the scale and see a 1 at the beginning of your weight instead of a 2 or higher. Now don't get me wrong, I am not disappointed with my weight loss. I have lost a total of 83.4 pounds, and you're daggum right I'm gonna give myself credit for that .4 pounds. For those of you mathematicians, like myself, that puts my current weight at 201.6. I first hit this 201.6 weight on October 18th. The last 15 days since that moment, I have fluctuated all the way back up to 205 to finally be back down to 201.6 this morning. GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRR!<br />
<br />
I want that "one-derland" goal SOOOOOOO bad that I can taste it. So then I must ask myself, why am I not trying harder. I have to admit, in this public forum, that I HATE exercise. I mean, I hate it like I hate the devil. I don't mind getting out and riding bikes with Destiny but the thought of going to the gym to walk on the treadmill or the elliptical makes me wanna throw up. UUUGGGHHH!!! I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that if I could overcome my hatred for exercise, that my weight loss would be a lot faster because I am doing a good job with food. Yes, I am snacking a little but I'm keeping it to string cheese or yogurt and the occasional candy (like today when I ate 4 or 5 pieces.......STUPID halloween candy).<br />
<br />
So for now, I am going to continue to do what I know to do with food and do my best to PUSH myself to more exercise. As bad as I hate it, my health depends on it. And come hell or high water, I will make it to one-derland, hopefully within the next week or so. Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-64983031945303870062011-08-21T15:52:00.000-07:002011-08-21T15:56:45.168-07:0065 pounds lost....life, bikes, and joy found<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>The title says it all. I have lost 65 pounds since surgery and a total of 75 pounds since this time last year. What I have found though is life. Life fulfilled and joy unspeakable. Now don't get me wrong. My life and joy is not found in weight loss but in who I am. Most importantly who I am in Christ. I have come to understand that I am worth so much more than just what I look like or what the scale says. I have recently told people very often that the best part of this process to me is not how much I've lost but how great I feel. God is good.....I am good. God made me that way. He created me for a purpose and I am holding on to that dream of making a difference in the lives of children by providing them the best education possible and by equipping the teachers I work with to do the same. </strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>This journey has brought me to a place where I feel confident enough to do things I haven't done in years. One of which was going to buy a bike and riding with my beautiful little girl. Just hearing her giggle because mama was riding bikes with her was worth every painful step of this journey. Don't get me wrong, I still have a LONG way to go. BUT, I am very quickly approaching "ONEDERLAND" and I can't wait to bust the 200's wide open. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Signing off for now. Until next time, find your dream and chase it. Don't let ANYTHING get in your way. (Thanks Pastor Mike for reminding us of this). It may be painful and frustrating and we may encounter "dream killers" or "dream thieves" along the way. But stand up for yourself, take confidence in who you are, and let NOTHING affect the dream God has placed inside of you!</strong></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39Nq7yB1C1HcZmLG1AHkC40BV2pFMHFmpv2H15u7e0fvNsi5s-aZuDBIASYKcntIbq4dd_d2ce5NWbgSHp327xq5DsbiLz8AM1TjsHzSe20vNYZ-IzOIQq_EdeXC3L8ba4oCGmfqrktVb/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39Nq7yB1C1HcZmLG1AHkC40BV2pFMHFmpv2H15u7e0fvNsi5s-aZuDBIASYKcntIbq4dd_d2ce5NWbgSHp327xq5DsbiLz8AM1TjsHzSe20vNYZ-IzOIQq_EdeXC3L8ba4oCGmfqrktVb/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" width="113" /></strong></span></a></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Highest Weight: 285 (July 2010)</strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Current Weight: 210 (August 2011)</strong></span>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-23907098928731730812011-07-19T18:44:00.000-07:002011-07-19T18:44:07.489-07:00Almost 60 pounds......HOLY CRAP!!!!Friday will mark my 4 month surgiversary. These 4 months have gone by SOOOOO fast. I have currently lost 58.8 pounds since surgery and am in shock by the differences. I don't always notice the differences because I see myself in the mirror everyday. I receive lots of compliments and am still learning how to accept them. I rarely got compliments before. Compliments to an almost 300 pound woman are about as rare as water in the desert. LOL! However, my family just got back from a Caribbean cruise and was working on posting pictures on facebook. I thought "hey I've got pics on here from last summers cruise which were of me at my highest weight of 285 pounds". So I proceeded to look them up. I thought I would post a few before/after pics from last summer's cruise to this summer's cruise. Even I can see the difference in them when put side by side. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay so I guess I have to finally take the compliments because WOW. To think that I weighed 216 this morning down from 285 in these before pics is CRAZY. I have TOTALLY lost 69 pounds since these pics and 59 pounds since surgery. Would I do it again? HELL yes.....pardon my french. The confidence and energy I feel now can't be matched. I haven't been this close to "onederland" since I was a freshman in high school. CRAZY!!!!! Thanks to everyone for your continued support and for the compliments that I may not be able to accept with ease quite yet. Look out Heidi Klum, move your skinny butt over because I'm gonna catch you. LOL!</div>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-36564830834311648182011-06-30T05:43:00.000-07:002011-06-30T05:47:17.476-07:00My butt is no longer a dam.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="rg_i" data-src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTqKZrOAmn1-f-FbYD7BklB4zDvKcmAW0KWn8VtBUmp76vlGHGV_JB8ugmm6A" height="320" name="p7ZfVeGNDLIU3M:" onload="google.stb.csi.onTbn(0, this)" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTqKZrOAmn1-f-FbYD7BklB4zDvKcmAW0KWn8VtBUmp76vlGHGV_JB8ugmm6A" width="320" /></div></div>Okay so let me begin by announcing that on Saturday I met my first weight loss goal of losing 50 pounds. Actually I have now exceeded that goal and have lost 53 pounds. It's crazy to me to think that it has only been 3 months and that I've come so far already. I am now sitting at 222 pounds. My next goal is "One-derland" of course and I'm hoping to be there by the middle to the end of August. I decided at the beginning of this journey that it is better to make short-term goals that I feel like I can actually achieve instead of shooting for the moon and getting disappointed along the way. I can't even begin to describe how I feel. I feel.........great, energetic, happy, excited, renewed, refreshed........The list could continue forever I think.<br />
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My family went to Stone Mountain Park last Saturday and I was able to walk all over the park with its hills and inclines like it was nothing. In the back of my mind I just kept thinking "I GOT THIS". This week has been full of activity with yard work and swimming. Today we're headed to the zoo. I love that I can get my walking and exercising in by doing something fun with my husband and daughter.<br />
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We are leaving next Friday to go on a 7 day cruise to Grand Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cozumel. I am super excited about vacation but am also quite nervous about all the "cruise food", especially the 24-7 self serve ice cream that will tempt me constantly. But......I GOT THIS!!! I believe in this journey, I believe in myself, and I LOVE my sleeve. <br />
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Now to the title of the blog. Our bathtub is a standard bath tub, not a garden tub or such. Because my wide hips snuggly fit into the bathtub, when I would let the water out, any water behind me would stay there. Thus, my butt was a dam. HOWEVER, now my hips do not fit quite so snuggly. They fit quite comfortably. And the water doesn't stay behind me anymore. It drains out just as it should. All is right in the world again, now that my butt is no longer a dam. LOL!Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-76474132815289641942011-06-08T19:31:00.000-07:002011-06-08T19:31:00.215-07:00AAAHHHH...........SUMMER!!!!!!!I first want to apologize for not posting for over two months. CRAZY how quick the last two months have gone by. It has been filled with lots of really cool things, just a few of which are pictured here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6T5ygBh3-w1LrnafKidffHOzEb15q6A74LCSpQOxL5QHnbyz6II_N6tsKYq0wZJr5_pg-yND_z05qfwwdi6zAajhB3Zewf36vCD9Yrm08mXhhtpHUy02j8BFJ0zr9cQOfG-eArVWk8E9/s1600/IMG_1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6T5ygBh3-w1LrnafKidffHOzEb15q6A74LCSpQOxL5QHnbyz6II_N6tsKYq0wZJr5_pg-yND_z05qfwwdi6zAajhB3Zewf36vCD9Yrm08mXhhtpHUy02j8BFJ0zr9cQOfG-eArVWk8E9/s200/IMG_1638.JPG" t8="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter with the special ladies in my family</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5CbKYhEj71HsuxIicWycP2g2NnmVElvX9CdIgVbdiRQt-9-fK55tIxejik0KOVS0uy_1TZdMZ9nzgBr8DXyXchE2EkT4DEbYb1SrlvdYFK4wrOJ-ouvThLmkQ2N5TT9Tq2fKFRupJTHy/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5CbKYhEj71HsuxIicWycP2g2NnmVElvX9CdIgVbdiRQt-9-fK55tIxejik0KOVS0uy_1TZdMZ9nzgBr8DXyXchE2EkT4DEbYb1SrlvdYFK4wrOJ-ouvThLmkQ2N5TT9Tq2fKFRupJTHy/s320/IMG_1744.JPG" t8="true" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my beautiful sister on her wedding day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaEUHrvDqzU6CzQ0TlEb22h1Ln_Ly8uG6HfZ749UdZifSgU9owvkW7uhl_zKq16qAmKur3VNilP8EKFmz46rngirzN_7N5I4eLawaTgu_dTNgfb8JmZDPFk_cvwTsMuUGGaxbnht7fpZU/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaEUHrvDqzU6CzQ0TlEb22h1Ln_Ly8uG6HfZ749UdZifSgU9owvkW7uhl_zKq16qAmKur3VNilP8EKFmz46rngirzN_7N5I4eLawaTgu_dTNgfb8JmZDPFk_cvwTsMuUGGaxbnht7fpZU/s320/IMG_1747.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious family......we clean up quite well!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> These last two months have been filled with.............<br />
<ul><li>Easter</li>
<li>Our 11th wedding anniversary</li>
<li>Jason's graduation with his master's degree</li>
<li>Brooke's wedding</li>
<li>The end of another school year</li>
<li>Mini vacation to Pigeon Forge for Jason and I to celebrate our anniversary/his graduation</li>
</ul>WOW......we've been quite busy. This week, summer school started. I volunteered to help direct summer school so that we would be able to go on vacation this year. The front end work to get ready to start was the hardest part. Now that we've gotten things rolling, it's not too bad. I work everyday Monday-Friday from 7:30-12:00ish and it's only for 4 weeks. These 4.5 hour days for 4 weeks are allowing us to go on a 7 day cruise in July to the Grand Cayman Isalnds, Montego Bay Jamaica, and Cozumel. Super excited about that trip. <br />
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And in the "weight" world, things are GREAT. I can now say that "I LOVE MY SLEEVE". Several people asked me shortly after surgery if I was glad that I had gone through with the surgery. My answer in the beginning was always "not yet". Well, yet is now here. I am SOOOOO glad I did this. My highest weight last summer was 285 and I weighed 275 when I began my pre-op diet. This morning I weighed 228 pounds. That's 47 pounds since surgery and 57 pounds since last summer. What a difference a year makes. I am able to play with Destiny without sounding like I need an oxygen tank. I'm able to shop in the "regular" section for shirts now, not just the plus size. I have lost almost 3 pants sizes and 2 shirt sizes. Overall, I just feel GOOD!!!!!!<br />
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Stay tuned for more updates, especially as I approach my first weight loss goal of -50 pounds (only 3 more pounds to go). This summer has lots of fun stuff in store including lots of pool time with my family and friends, laser show, braves game, zoo trip, our cruise, cookouts, and just chill out time. Until next time..........Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-66111699183653386822011-04-01T19:56:00.000-07:002011-04-01T19:57:08.192-07:00The "weight" is over<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be the very first to admit that this whole weight loss surgery thing has been harder than I expected, until now at least. I will attempt to journal you through what the last 9 days of my life have looked like. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday, March 22nd</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arrived at hospital around 8 AM a nervous wreck. They gave me some versed (sp?) to calm my anxiety. When I had gallbladder surgery, they gave me the same stuff and it knocked me out. This time, it didn't knock me out. I was laying WIDE AWAKE as they rolled me back to the operating room a little before 10 AM. I remember laying there staring at the ceiling and those HUGE lights. This nurse was talking to me telling me to be calm and just breathe as she place an oxygen mask over my mouth/nose. I remember trying to think about what was going to happen and then......NOTHING!!!! I was out cold. The next thing I remember was waking up in my room. I even slept through recovery. My family and several of my wonderful friends came to visit me but I was not a very good entertainer as I couldn't stay awake long enough to have a five minute conversation.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday, March 23rd</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This day was also alot like a blur. I don't remember most of it except for having to drink this disgusting dye to make sure that my new tummy wasn't leaking and finally getting to have a popsicle. I finally got permission to go home from the doc around 6:30ish, just in time for shift change at the hospital which meant that it was around 8:00 before we actually got to leave. Went by pharmacy to get my meds and then to my mama's house to stay the first couple of nights as Jason had to go back to work on Thursday. All I know about Wednesday is that the seemingly ENDLESS waves of nausea started around 7:30 that night and that SUCKED!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday, March 24th</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slept most of the day so that I wouldn't throw up. Finally decided it was the medicine so I quit taking that and that night tried some liquid tylenol. Lo and behold, dry heaving ensued again about 5 minutes after the tylenol. So I did it. I vowed to take NO MORE MEDICINE. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday, March 25th</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Felt a little better today, finally no more nausea. Still struggling to get in enough liquids. The sound of anything to eat or drink was not appealing at all. We finally came "home" to our house on Friday evening. I was ready to try my bed versus the recliner I'd been sleeping in. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday, March 26th-Tuesday, March 29th</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyday seemed to get a little bit better. Stronger and stronger everyday with a few weak spells in there. Getting REALLY sick of sweet liquid diet though. Sweet protein drinks, sweet pudding, sweet popsicles. UGH!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday, March 30th</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Post-op appointment. Doc says everything looks great. Now I am moved to stage 3 diet, soft proteins: eggs, beans, fish, etc. It has NEVER felt so good to eat an egg for breakfast and some lima beans for dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday, March 31st</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Felt pretty good today. Just feel a little worn down from yesterdays doctor visit and the couple of errands I had to run. So I'm just chilling. taking it easy, one day at a time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday, April 1st</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today has been.......YUCKY. Not sure why but this is the worst I've felt since last Saturday. Not sure why but I just know I don't like it. I am thinking I was a little shy on getting in all my liquids yesterday so a little bit of dehydration hit me a little hard this morning as I thought I was going to pass out while in the shower. Finally stomached about half an egg and some water and started feeling a little better. Just felt like every ounce of energy I have has been zapped today. Just a day to prove to me I'm not 100% yet I guess. I get it. Gonna make sure to get my liquids in and my protein. I have done much better today though. I ate my first piece of chicken tonight even though I was SUPER scared of it making me sick. I had about 1 1/2 pieces of Jason's sesame chicken from chinese take out. I made sure to chew it really well and picked off any sesame seeds. I did it. It didn't make me sick and I DID IT! It felt like I was "succeeding" at this new way of eating. It gave me faith in myself. This road is certainly not easy but I'm excited about it and am appreciative for my friends and family that are cheering me on every step of the way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My stats so far:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Highest weight: 285 (July 2011)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight at beginning of pre-op liquid diet: 275 (March 8, 2011)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surgery Weight: 264.4 (March 22, 2011)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Current Weight 248.8 (April 1st, 2011)</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I have lost a total of 36.2 pounds since this journey began in July, with 26.2 of those being in the last month. So I can't complain. I started not to include my actual weight, just how much I've lost but I'm laying it all out there. I have hidden behind my weight too long. Now I want everyone to know so that they can continue to cheer me on and hold me accountable. Till next time..............</span>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-58599106682180155642011-03-06T21:00:00.000-08:002011-03-06T21:00:01.195-08:00Sleepless nights......busy mind!!!!So I haven't been sleeping well the last few nights. There is ALOT on my mind. These next few months are going to be super crazy!!!! <br />
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First of all, my weight loss surgery got moved up two weeks because of scheduling conflicts with the doctor. So my new surgery date is March 22nd which is only 2 weeks away. That's only 15 days or 360 hours away.....OMG!!!!!!!!! I begin my two week liquid diet on Tuesday. I have to admit that I am quite anxious about these two weeks. These 6 months of hoop jumping for insurance approval has forced me to admit that I have a food addiction. And as much as I thought I had defeated it, the thought of giving up some of my "comfort foods" after tomorrow makes me FULL of anxiety!!!! Now to those of you who have never had a food addiction, just skip ahead to the next paragraph because <strike>you suck</strike> I don't expect you to understand. I made a grocery trip yesterday to equip myself to be successful for these next two weeks. My fridge is now stocked with sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, skim milk, and water. The pantry is full of crystal light packets, grits, protein powder, and soups. Not a very exciting sounding menu especially for a two week long period. I am ready to do this. I know that with the support of my wonderful family and friends I am ready. I can't wait to be able to run with my child, exercise with my friends, not be worried about fitting in a booth at restaurant. I <strong>can </strong>do this. I <strong>will</strong> do this. My husband is worth it, my daughter is worth it, my other family members are worth it, my friends are worth it, but for the first time in my life I am taking the steps to say <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">I AM WORTH IT!!!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am also venturing out in another way this week. I am flying (for the first time ever) to New Orleans with a group of people from North Georgia College to the PDS conference. I am super excited about this new opportunity in my career to learn more about the partnerships between colleges and schools. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My mama got some not so great news this week. Because the chemo did not seem to be as effective as we originally thought, mama is going to have to undergo 33 radiation treatments. She will go everyday (Monday-Friday) for 6 1/2 weeks. She has several doctors appointments this week for check ups and to get the plan in place. I continue to have a grateful heart for the support from our family and friends and I also continue to covet your prayers. God has been with us through every step of this journey, and I know He will continue to be. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm signing off for now. The next time I blog, I'll probably be recovering from surgery and beginning my journey to my Heidi Klum body. LOL!!!</div>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-49408973389100580272011-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:002011-02-06T18:31:17.300-08:00The forecast for the next 3 1/2 months is........Cloudy with the sun breaking through! Where to begin? These next three and half months are going to be scary, exhausting, stressful, hopeful, exciting, painful, happy and pretty much any other adjective you can use to describe life. The promising thing is that it starts kind of cloudy, but then slowly but surely the sun begins to break through. <br />
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Mama's double mastectomy surgery will be next Wednesday, February 16th. Though I know how hard this surgery/recovery will be, I know that this means we will be even closer to hearing the doctor say <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">"<span style="font-size: large;">you are cancer free</span>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then on April 5th, I will be having weight loss surgery. This will be an anxious and exciting time for me. These last 6 months of hoop-jumping for insurance approval has been <strike>a huge pain in my......</strike> extremely helpful. I was quite frustrated when I found out what all had to be done just to get the approval from the insurance company. That 6 month journey has included:</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;">6 months of support group meetings listening to people share their own storeis about their weight loss journeys. I lovingly have called these my AA for Fat people meetings. LOL!</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">6 months of supervised medical weight loss, which I was successful with. I have lost 13 pounds since September. And that was even through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays!</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">a psych evaluation that ruled that I am (in the words of the psychologist) "disgustingly healthy psychologically" but that I have ADHD! Thank you Dr. Walfish. I do not have ANY idea how I have lived 31 years through three college degrees without Adderall. </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Sleep study at home with a nasal cannula and several other things</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">Needless to say, it's been a long journey. Now that it's all finished though, I have ALOT more perspective about what it's going to take to be successful post-surgery than I would have been before. I have learned more about myself and how <strike>as much as I don't want to admit it</strike> I am TOTALLY<strike> and at times uncontrollably</strike> addicted to food. It controls me and I now believe that I have the will power I need to eat to live, not to live to eat. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">May 6th will bring our 11th wedding anniversary. It has been a CRAZY ride but has been amazing all the same. I wouldn't trade anything for the trials or for the good times. Jason is the biggest blessing in my life. He is my very best friend and is truly my soul mate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">May 7th will bring Jason's graduation from Piedmont College with his Master's degree in Special Education. Words will never be able to express how proud of him I am. He has been hard at this for 2 1/2 years and deserves every accolade people give. He is making such a difference in the lives of the students at Cornelia Elementary and I am believing God to provide a teaching job for him next year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On another note, May 21st will bring the wedding of my baby sister, Brooke Nicole Melton. It really doesn't even seem real. Brooke was 5 years old when Jason and I started dating. Brooke has grown into a beautiful young woman and I couldn't be happier to be welcoming Levi Westbrook into our family.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Though these next couple of months will bring anxiety and stressful situations, they will all be followed by some pretty exciting and happy occasions for my whole family. No matter what happens, through it all, I know that THE SON will break through the clouds, no matter how dark they may get. I will be very cautious to give YOU Lord all the praise!</div>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-40531301468288747712010-12-28T20:41:00.000-08:002010-12-28T20:41:14.097-08:00Guest Blogger and a touch of melancholySo Sandy has been trying to get me to poste a blog and even though I've said several times that I would, I just seem to have always found some excuse or another to put off doing it. So today, I decided to change that.<br />
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This Christmas has been a season of reflection. Like so many others there have been thoughts of presents and get togethers plus curbing my road rage as I seem to get ticked while dealing with the poor driving habits of others. Truth be told I seem to struggle shortly before and after Christmas. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I've lost a few very close family members around and shortly after the holidays. In January it will be five years since my stepfather Junior passed away. In January of 1987 I lost my grandmother (my mom's mother). It's hard to think about the holidays without them, particularly Junior. I feel like there is so much that was left unsaid and undone and celebrating Christmas with him was always special and something I looked forward to. And at Christmas time, being as I am a parapro, I end up with two weeks to dwell on these types of things. Not the most healthy thing to do but it seems like I do it anyway. So while there is much joy at Christmas there is always that undertone of melancholy that seems to creep in and take away a little bit of the happiness.<br />
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But somethng interesting happened this year. It was like all the commercial things of Christmas just slipped away, lost not in memories of what I don't have, but in creating new ones with the family and friends I do have. It was simple things like eating tacos with Paul, Steven, and Lydia Roach. Seeing the joy on my daughter's face and watching her fascination with the Christmas festivities. Being snowed in on Christmas and loving it. Waking up to breakfast with my inlaws and thinking how cool it was to be there in those moments and sharing laughs over games of Catch Phrase.<br />
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I imagine that there will still be moments that make me pause and remember less pleasant times. That's just the realities of life. But that doesn't mean I have to be stuck in those unpleasant times/memories, hung up in an endless loop of sorrow. There is so much more out there. So many blessings I have. Family ties that are stronger than any unpleasantness that comes my way. Few, but great friends. And a wife that loves me not based on what I get right or how much money I make (or don't. I did mention I'm a parapro, right?) or any other superficial characteristic that defines so many people or relationships. She loves me for me, the real me that probably only a handful of people know or ever will know. <br />
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And for all of those things I am grateful and am excited about the prospects of the coming year.Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-20996589799242269042010-12-28T19:25:00.000-08:002010-12-28T19:25:13.976-08:00Christmas 2010So I have to start by praising God for one of the best Christmases EVER!!! Christmas 2010 started with a week full of spending time with old friends. Of which I was reminded that old friends are some of the best friends. We then kicked off family Christmas festivities by going to my dad's house for Christmas Eve day. I cherish my time with my dad. We don't see each other much but when we're together, it's special.....really special. He blessed us (my sister, stepbrother, and I) with a solid silver coin made in 1928 that had been passed down to him from his great grandfather. The simplest gift ever but the sentimental value in it was beyond explanation.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PKd-_RT2z6n2s7kY0oYaqhMh__F_SFApZ-977x-u9-xP8S0qo-jo4J4XMbHpBwvpnlOjxDHQ0fvCET0dhnaPItZRXkm92J7Y9yfPtTW1WWaMl8z35Eai2sDbCVm4npRBJf_8WqyO-rlC/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PKd-_RT2z6n2s7kY0oYaqhMh__F_SFApZ-977x-u9-xP8S0qo-jo4J4XMbHpBwvpnlOjxDHQ0fvCET0dhnaPItZRXkm92J7Y9yfPtTW1WWaMl8z35Eai2sDbCVm4npRBJf_8WqyO-rlC/s320/IMG_1354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sister Patrice, my dad and I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGadnWuThMBYvWhJugi3fsbEE-SzTVx0Y3x3g-gdevd8Of9HRB9-UENrHIS5Vg5X8Qi7wFM6tXOYWTbzs8LN9K2VKsBqgkkaUc49K4YeWLPw77rt7vC_zFyYbV1FVPCh_77X0YVXkSqb2E/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGadnWuThMBYvWhJugi3fsbEE-SzTVx0Y3x3g-gdevd8Of9HRB9-UENrHIS5Vg5X8Qi7wFM6tXOYWTbzs8LN9K2VKsBqgkkaUc49K4YeWLPw77rt7vC_zFyYbV1FVPCh_77X0YVXkSqb2E/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Us with my grandmother. Doesn't she look great to be 77?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas festivity #2 was at our house with Jason's dad's side of the family. Always lots of laughs with them. They are hilarious and I enjoy spending time with them. Destiny was wired (as you can see in the pics) about Christmas and Santa coming all together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeEuk197s7_gK8ctm6wgT9dFqnf6IxPnL33CTSMfCCbQH7V2pxSkd3AdPyuozQMEA6UFXqt3HW_xf7P0X-uOZVvzKh3E1r5IUlQ2khr0MofSPNJe8R0DjIhMDrKe4eeuUHHtlfo1f8tNu/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeEuk197s7_gK8ctm6wgT9dFqnf6IxPnL33CTSMfCCbQH7V2pxSkd3AdPyuozQMEA6UFXqt3HW_xf7P0X-uOZVvzKh3E1r5IUlQ2khr0MofSPNJe8R0DjIhMDrKe4eeuUHHtlfo1f8tNu/s200/IMG_1357.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_Dj4sKrlIgkRSGA7zkODwPXaH0tHu2wy_VAvWsXUhcPiCeMKourWZyadZ2geLrI45wBwcKzcBTz4LeMkifd4o-Bhim-dVelZG46O8Jl0pIbqPNLsi6rGjETyv_DxRyujIWY0eGuKTrgf/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_Dj4sKrlIgkRSGA7zkODwPXaH0tHu2wy_VAvWsXUhcPiCeMKourWZyadZ2geLrI45wBwcKzcBTz4LeMkifd4o-Bhim-dVelZG46O8Jl0pIbqPNLsi6rGjETyv_DxRyujIWY0eGuKTrgf/s200/IMG_1358.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After we went to bed on Christmas Eve, Santa made a visit to our house with lots of gifts for a pretty cool little girl. Destiny left him a cookies, milk, and a pretty cool letter with inventive spelling. I LOVE this stage in her life. She has quite the personality and we are so blessed to have her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaMQa7x2HXs8iuDDGg27vZ0Paa-7IJeF9JLz3AxzVj_QsIsHUxnT1w6z8BKIGyzNNOR6WmEhgPLowneIvCvLJ9O6AifF0QaDXA9g7MKk7HPmKnFvI2CnGFMd_610hzFWjyKfUVBybXTLG/s1600/IMG_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaMQa7x2HXs8iuDDGg27vZ0Paa-7IJeF9JLz3AxzVj_QsIsHUxnT1w6z8BKIGyzNNOR6WmEhgPLowneIvCvLJ9O6AifF0QaDXA9g7MKk7HPmKnFvI2CnGFMd_610hzFWjyKfUVBybXTLG/s200/IMG_1369.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOX0BbpSw2pYjXGN_SbzAyvGN8S_5VV61bAWMI37KtG4M_oTEOJyN43BDOgjz8qitrQ84BZsRpSMGWIIYP31j5tPHxk8A49Z89H-2cNYofKNWvxMeDk34zbJC-22HTSJfofGXyfTdTK_r/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOX0BbpSw2pYjXGN_SbzAyvGN8S_5VV61bAWMI37KtG4M_oTEOJyN43BDOgjz8qitrQ84BZsRpSMGWIIYP31j5tPHxk8A49Z89H-2cNYofKNWvxMeDk34zbJC-22HTSJfofGXyfTdTK_r/s200/IMG_1373.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EemmGE62TNYObJNvhjnFs-vfktBfQA8WiKmx6c8bsHF-yzM_udaYesv4zcdC6JeGRpnWJ5McEMqrojdriGh1Da2c4R2-gZZUXWVxiOsREod0H0tXNLYtCZpbvJaQiv9LNhzwlsz5O93M/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EemmGE62TNYObJNvhjnFs-vfktBfQA8WiKmx6c8bsHF-yzM_udaYesv4zcdC6JeGRpnWJ5McEMqrojdriGh1Da2c4R2-gZZUXWVxiOsREod0H0tXNLYtCZpbvJaQiv9LNhzwlsz5O93M/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas morning brought a very excited little girl around 7:30 AM, which is way too early for me but seeing the excitement in Destiny's eyes made it all worth it. Our Christmas tradition is to call my mom and dad when Des wakes up and we wait for them to get here to see what Santa brought. Destiny was very excited. We all got great gifts, some of my favorites were the snowman dish towels and tall coffee mug (yes, I know....I'm getting old) from Jason and Des and of course my new Glee volume 4 CD....AMAZING music!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk9xyfiC5vag6URw15e9o7cDhKyUJy4F0quz5OrPt0Ps6REpscgbNePBFValaJDXuFwWYLvYA-aky5Y_a20TKztklarWjOeffXWGbKMHVEu_nGGaGJaRdBGKWoJXHuP-u6f7R50djn0LD/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk9xyfiC5vag6URw15e9o7cDhKyUJy4F0quz5OrPt0Ps6REpscgbNePBFValaJDXuFwWYLvYA-aky5Y_a20TKztklarWjOeffXWGbKMHVEu_nGGaGJaRdBGKWoJXHuP-u6f7R50djn0LD/s200/IMG_1378.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXvdZAd1H2GbetuGU4nWug8r6EFIPV3rKor1EHnMp-1n3m1whJh0DpjjqLzegQTkomlY6YW0TWY5sbP_lsJulV9DyAACRcqs3SEhe2DT-fHjiSDxRQSN3y-q9NWlIFMOrpTXwk99sJi5C/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXvdZAd1H2GbetuGU4nWug8r6EFIPV3rKor1EHnMp-1n3m1whJh0DpjjqLzegQTkomlY6YW0TWY5sbP_lsJulV9DyAACRcqs3SEhe2DT-fHjiSDxRQSN3y-q9NWlIFMOrpTXwk99sJi5C/s200/IMG_1392.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After opening gifts at home, we loaded up and went to my mom's house to celebrate Christmas with my two sisters, BIL, and future BIL, niece, nephew, mom and dad. We all opened gifts together and then enjoyed a wonderful lunch. After all the struggles this year, Christmas seemed to be a little more special this year. We all knew and recognized how blessed we were to have mama with us even in the middle of the fight against that nasty thing called cancer. And I think God blessed us a little extra with the first white Christmas in a REALLY long time. That snow caused us to have to postpone our tradition of Christmas night with Jason's mom because she wasn't able to get here from Blairsville because of the snow. But it also brought something really cool.... a whole family sleepover (minus Brooke and Levi). We all stayed up late laughing and talking and just enjoying each other's company. I woke up on Sunday morning to the smell of my mama's homemade biscuits. I don't think there is any better smell than that. : ) We then spent the rest of the day lounging and laughing and then we played in the snow and finished the afternoon off with a couple rounds of "catch phrase" which is ALWAYS dangerous with my family. We came home around 5 or so and unpacked and put away all the gifts. I finished the day with a huge smile on my face and in my heart. Thank you Lord for your many blessings, especially for a sweet mama like mine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I look back over our Christmas festivities, I can only think of one word to describe it.......BLESSED. I am SOOOOOO grateful for God's blessings over my life and for my family. The coolest thing is that we still have one more Christmas get together with Jason's mom's family. So we get to extend this Christmas holiday. I have alot of thoughts brewing in my head about 2010 so watch for another blog coming later. But for now, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965584639210044174.post-60745843539623031232010-12-07T19:35:00.000-08:002010-12-08T19:30:22.802-08:00Deciding on Christmas CardsWhat is better than Christmas trees, lights, and the mantle all decorated with stockings? For me, it's the collections of Christmas cards that we get from friends and family every year. It is so cool to see how friends from the past (who I don't get to see very often) have changed and watch their precious children grow through pictures. <br />
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So we too always get our family pictures made around Christmas so that we can send the infamous Picture Christmas Cards too. I am SOOOO excited about this years pictures because my friend Grace did an EXCELLENT job with our pictures. And I have to brag and say that I think my daughter is one of the most adorable little things on the planet. And no, I'm not biased. LOL! And then today, my friend Jill shared on her blog about the really cool Christmas cards offered from Shutterfly. I am going to have a REALLY hard time making a decision this year though. These are all excellent, but here are a few of my favorites. <br />
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<img height="361" id="pipLargePreivew" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23046-2778-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281038892000108249.jpg" style="margin-left: 0px;" width="500" /><br />
<img height="500" id="pipLargePreivew" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x7/STATIONERYCARD_5x7-23052-2578-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v128103988300079962.jpg" style="margin-left: 69px;" width="361" /><br />
<img height="500" id="pipLargePreivew" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/img_/publishing/styleSwatches/ssc/stationerycard_5x5/STATIONERYCARD_5x5-31046-2640-MERCHLARGE_FRONT-v1281031183000128045.jpg" style="margin-left: 0px;" width="500" /><br />
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And the coolest part? Shutterfly is offering up to 50 free Christmas cards for anyone that posts this info on their blog. SOOOO cool. They also have several other items available. Some of which may end up being Christmas gifts like <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards">Christmas cards</a>; <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs">photo mugs</a> (great for grandparents), and possibly my favorite the <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars">photo calendars</a>. I may have to buy one of those for myself. ; ) Can't wait to share our updated family pics, including the puppy, with our friends and family!!Sandy.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11332415437751398650noreply@blogger.com0