change

Transformation is not a future destination, it is a present activity.

After working out with Jillian Michaels each morning for the last...well, too many mornings, this is a quote that has become ingrained in my memory. Over the last month or so I have found myself become increasingly more aware of the truth in this statement. When I began this health/fitness/losing weight journey, I put very little thought in to the portion sizes on my dinner plate, or the snacks I would have, or even the treats that I "deserved." I thought very little of the calories that were included in the food I was eating. It was always in the back of my mind of course, but I think I thought if I really knew how many calories were in this or that, then it would just ruin it for me. :) Now that I have been on this journey for several months it is more apparent to me now that because of those choices I have made along this "journey", my body is now used to certain foods and certain portions. It has been incredible to reminisce on my past dinner/dessert/snack choices and have that a-ha! moment. (A-ha! THAT's why I couldn't ever lose the weight!) I would think nothing of having seconds or thirds of spaghetti, an entire Ghirardelli chocolate bar (but I would only piece on one square at a time so that isn't the same as eating it one sitting...right?...), I would put as much butter on my bread/pancake/toast as I'd like--same for peanut butter.

Luckily I am much more aware of all of that now and my priorities and tastes, have changed dramatically. We have an entire bag of Halloween candy sitting on our kitchen counter that I haven't touched, and can honestly say I have no desire to indulge in anything in that bag. It would take up too many of my precious calories! :) Priorities, priorities! Most recently while enjoying the quiet time right after bedtime, I wanted something sweet (can't lose that sweet tooth!) and opted for some fresh watermelon over anything else. It was not a painful decision by any means, it sounded good to me, plus I knew I could have as much of that as I wanted without "ruining" my good day. I have found that I still crave sweet stuff, but I feel more in control about how much I will enjoy.

I did not write this as an AW look at me, blah blah nor as a preach-y type message, but as a person who has set out to lose weight multiple times before and was never successful enough to notice these changes. It's been an amazing experience to be able to reflect on past eating habits and feel and see a definite change-not just with food but with being more physically active as well.

Lucky Number 7!

June 5th marked the seventh wedding anniversary for Joe and me. It is very surreal to think that it's been seven years since we were married. Mostly because I remember that time of my life and I remember that day very vividly. On some accounts, it feels like a long time, but I feel like we're the same couple as we were seven years ago, but better in so many ways. A LOT has happened and changed over the past seven years. We have experienced some wonderful moments along this journey and some awful, heart-wrenching, maddening moments as well. However, we're still here, together, determined as ever to continue the journey, now not just as a couple, but as a family.

To celebrate Joe and I were able to take off on Saturday and spend the evening in "the city" (as we small town folk like to refer to Kansas City). Aunt Bailey, bless her heart, took on our two little cherubs while we enjoyed some relaxing time together! When we arrived in KC we first found our hotel and then roamed around downtown. We found Union Station and decided to walk around.

Fountains in front of Union Station

When we were done there we were going to walk to Crown Center but as we crossed the street realized that Liberty Memorial was "just right up the hill" (ha--it was 95+ degrees so that hill felt more like a mountain--but, thank you Jillian Michaels for kicking my butt every morning so I could climb this baby and not pass out at the top! ;) ) Now, to preface, I had heard of Liberty Memorial before. It is where Rockfest is hosted every summer. However, I did not know that it was home to the NATIONAL World War I Museum. So, this place is a pretty big deal. And I didn't even know it was here. I am a horrible Kansan I know (or Midwesterner-since it's on the MO side...whatever). Anyhow, we decided to go in and explore and I am so very glad we did. Joe and I are history buffs, but WWII has really been the only world war that has really interested either of us, so it was a memorable experience to listen and read the history on WWI. I know we both left with a much greater "appreciation" (for lack of a better word) or understanding on how WWI came alive, so to speak. Pretty depressing venue for a celebratory weekend, but it was great experiencing it together. (Next up, WWII museum in D.C. in August!)

View of downtown KC from the top of the memorial

an old fighter plane

the "bridge" leading in to the museum; below the glass bridge are poppies. 9,000 poppies, each one representing 1,000 lives lost in WWI. (We didn't know what they were for until as we were leaving someone else asked!)

We had a lovely dinner at Skies Restaurant which was atop our hotel. This was the view from our table! (The floors rotated which was double whammy for Joe....heights + moving backwards (because of the direction of rotation and his seat :) ) The food was delicious and so was the experience!!

Overall we had a fabulous, relaxing weekend and were welcomed home by our two wonderful children and Aunt Bailey. :) I feel so blessed!!!