Just clowning around.

It was misty and rainy the morning of my party. I can handle the rain, but I would not be able to handle the cold. We can't afford to get sick right now. So the mud wrestling was off, I was disappointed. I have been gearing up for this for months. But if I have learned anything from this BIG LIFE CHANGE, is that there is a reason for everything. God uses everything if we let Him. So here I am with people coming over and a boat load of enchiladas and I am like what are we going to do? I had promised a slip n slide for the kiddos, well that was out.  Luckily I spoke with one of the ladies of my church who does a clown ministry and she was able to bring her ballooning kit and teach me how to make balloon animals and shapes.

My friend Leah arrived with her sweet daughter Bekah, who is Joslyn's age and they had a blast dancing and chasing each other around.And of course she had her new baby Tom with her. He is so cute!

 We had 2 new babies here and I got John to hold both of them not an easy task I tell you. Soon others started arriving. Sharon, my dear card playing friend, the only one who usually shows up on game night. Of course Julia (or Flower) and her 3 children showed up and we ate lunch. Then she started showing me how to make one by one the balloon animals that she could make. First she taught me about the different types of balloons. The quality of the balloons is important. She uses Qualatex balloons and they are specifically for making balloon animals with. These come in many shapes and sizes. There are of course the long ones that you normally see to make giraffes and dogs. Then there are heart shapes. And then the most interesting to me was the balloons called the Bee bodys. They are of course used to make bees and apples and pumpkins.

First I learned to make apples. This should be easy but you have to push the tied end of the balloon through to the other side and then grab it and twist. But when done it looks like an apple or a pumpkin.

Next I learned to make a bee. You use a bee body to make the bee body (hehehehe). Then you use a long balloon to make the wings. This one was easy.

The hardest and coolest balloon animal I got to make was the dog or giraffe. It took a little coaching and I hope that I can remember to make that one again. We did make a video of it but of course it won't let me upload it. I also learned to make a flower and a sword. Thank you again so much Julia for taking your time to teach me. I don't know how God will use this in the future, but I am sure that he will.

After the lesson was over more people showed up. Including the family that was buying our big couch. So we got out the white chairs after they carried out the last of my big couch. It does seem a little sad around here without that couch, we have had it for a long time. But new places and new adventures are coming, so getting rid of old furniture and baggage is important to make room in my new place and heart. We had a great time just catching up with friends and family and talking about old and new adventures. I am not one bit concerned about the mud wrestling. We will get it accomplished and then God can use it to reach others.

I just wanted to say thank you to all my friends and family that have been supportive about my adventure list. This list is not only important to get me out of my comfort zone and to move past my fears; but God is using it to reach people through their fears and comforts. I also can add a fourth person to my adventure of inspiring others to do an adventure list. Congrats Julia, I hope that your adventure list is just as inspiring as mine has been.

Everyday can be an adventure with the Lord by your side or it can be a chore. Find those things in life that you really want to do, ask God for His guidance to accomplish them and hold on for the wild ride. We have nothing to fear with Him guiding our steps. Please remind me of this when I get to the sky diving part. LOL

Some of the sweetest moments in life have been with you guys!

Love you all, Teresa

New changes are a comin!

Just wanted you guys to know what is going on with me and my family. Right now we are trying to move back to Oklahoma City from the country around Chickasha area. We love love love it out here, but we are really struggling to survive out here between the extremely high gas prices and the higher rent and utility prices. My husband drives 45 minutes each way to work 5 days a week and sometimes we go up there on the weekends also. This means that we are spending 30 % of our income on fuel. We have found an apartment complex up in the city that is in our prices range and is all bills included. They are also kid and dog friendly. They even have a small dog park. It isn't in the best area but it is decent and I believe that this is where we are meant to be for awhile. We are in limbo though, because we don't have the money to put down a deposit and they don't have an apartment available. We have been approved though and that is a relief. John's boss has given us a brand new Sharp 55 inch LED television to sell . It retails for 1600 and we are asking 1000 that will pay our deposit. But it is a large TV and 1000 dollars is a lot to come up with. So we haven't had any luck. But I am confident that we will sell it and that we will move when God wants it to happen.
I am gearing up to finally start working on my first goal after we move. I have been extremely busy getting ready for a garage sale and packing at the same time. So I know that starting my plan right now would not be good for me. I have talked about The 6 week body makeover diet before. Last time I went on this diet it changed my metabolism, so that when I lost 20 pounds I did not gain it back when I got off the diet. Well I am planning on following the basics of this diet again but I am going to make it a lifestyle. Meaning that I am going to change from eating 3 times a day to six, probably for the rest of my life. I also am going to follow the tools it had for my specific body type. Noodles and breads aren't good carbs for my life. But Rice and Potatoes are. Eating lots and lots of fruits and vegetables with my meals to provide good vitamins for my body. keeping my portions small; knowing that my next meal is only hours away. But the most important rule is to watch my sodium and not eat anything processed. This means that I must make all the food that I eat. Any canned boxed or prepackaged item is off limits. Now that doesn't mean that Joslyn and I wont go out for ice cream once and awhile. But I think that it means more often that I will be making our ice cream and desserts so that I can control what goes into our food.
The biggest change about this weight loss goal is that I am going to blog about it. I will have Weight Loss Wednesdays. Posting my successes and failures for the week. My weight loss or gain and what I have eaten and how often I have exercised that week. You see I have learned a lot in this last year and I really feel ready to change my life. But I know that I can't do it alone. First of all God is in control! If I give him the burden of this change and pray when I am tempted to give up I believe that He will give me the strength to continue. Secondly I will need accountability partners to steer me back on the right track. Thirdly, I think that knowing that I will have to blog about my successes and failures may make me want to have more successes.

I will still blog about other things to. Eventually I would like to blog about a different goal each day. But we are going to start small and God will help me develop the blog into what it needs to be to mirror His image. Thanks for all of the support you have given me by reading my blog and commenting. This blog has helped shaped me into a better person. I love reading all of the blogs that I follow and I can't wait to see how we grow together even more!
PS the picture is of me when John and I were dating over 12 years ago!

Why Moms groups aren't for me.

Firstly, let me say how sorry I am that I have not written in awhile. We have been busy with many things such as illness, garage sales, and packing. I will try and keep up my writing even though we are dealing with all of those still.

I have a friend that is constantly trying to get me to join her moms group. I have made excuse after excuse after excuse and finally last week I told her they aren't for me. But why? I will tell you.

REASON 1
When Joslyn was born I was both excited and scared. I wasn't expecting insecurity to overwhelm me. But it did. Anytime someone would look at Joslyn and reply about how much she would spit up or cry or poop,  I would go into a frenzy wondering if my baby was okay. It is unbelievable how much "advise" is more offered as commands. Especially to new mothers who haven't developed their confidence yet. I believe that confidence is something I would have anything for in that first year. But I also know that going through that first year gives you the confidence to be able to handle the many years to come. So many new moms I have met have the same feelings. Trying to get to know your new little one can be frustrating enough without many moms throwing their suggestions into the mix. Here is the deal. Many moms clubs have lots of women who have gone through what you have gone through. Understand what you need to understand. And care about you care about. BUT, when you are insecure in any way you can be manipulated easier. I am not good for a moms group because I am insecure with my motherly instincts. I am not saying that I don't make good decisions when around others. I am saying that it is hard to hear my voice amongst the others. I get confused rattled and very unsure of myself. The same reason that a newly sobering alcoholic should not be in a bar.

REASON 2
I never seem to like competitive situations. I have been in some pretty competitive markets before in my job fields. But nothing compares to moms being competitive. Here's the skinny on the mom field. You will meet many moms out there that are sweet and loving and want the best for their kids and others. But the majority of moms out there have a weakness. Competition. My kid is better than your kid because..... Fill in the blank. He walked before yours. She talked before yours. He got teeth earlier than yours... Her bow is bigger than yours... His stroller cost more than yours... ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? NOPE!
I usually like to see the best in people but come on!!! It is ridiculous how selfish and caddy some moms can be over stuff. Infant achievements should be celebrated with all children, not rubbed in the faces of those that aren't achieving like you. It leaves many moms wondering are they doing everything right. Lets leave the walking and talking achievement worries with the ones that can help, doctors. And the competition over baby stuff is sicking. There are babies out there that are without clothes, food, and other needed things and we are going to fight over who has the cutest diaper bag and baby bedding. I will be very honest here; I have done this! And it hurts my soul. You see when I hang out with people that haven't had to suffer through having the money to buy diapers. Or they don't have the compassion for those without, then I start to act like that. I forget (because of my insecurity) what I have gone through and that every day my child gets food and clothing  is another day that someone else's child doesn't. Please believe me, not all people are like this. But it is too easy to get caught up in the Jones's game and lose sight on what really matters.

REASON 3
Remember that insecurity I was talking about before? Another reason I have trouble with moms groups is because it is all about breast feeding and baby wearing. Clothing and home schooling and daycare and play groups. Okay PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME HERE. I understand that these things are important. But I don't like the discussions that turn into debates that turn into hurt feelings and hate and rejection. I have seen friends and family rip apart because they have different opinions about cloth diapers and breast feeding. I have  talked to mothers who have spent hours crying because they weren't able to breast feed. I have seen many people turn ugly over whether or not to vaccinate their kids. I have heard of stories of women getting rejected from church groups because they don't home-school their kids. Oh, I have to wonder what Jesus would say about this. Does it matter to Him if we breast feed our child? Will He have something to say about the way we treat others that differ from us? Yes I believe so! I will have to account for the words that I say. This last year I have really tried to stay away from groups that tear each other with their words and be apart of groups that build each other up.

REASON 4
I know that many moms group are very valuable to many people. Many moms don't get the socialization needed if they don't go to a mom's group. It's hard to find a place that you can go where your kids will be accepted and have fun while you socialize. And socializing is very important. But many of the moms groups that I have seen tend to be closed minded to others and centered around themselves and not the community. I feel that if I am around women that lift me up and bring out the best in me then I would want to share that. Also, sitting and talking about me and my issues isn't going to solve anything. I would feel useless and that I am wasting my time. I am not saying that we don't need that, but eventually the group should accomplish something besides gossip and self centered issues.

Knowing these things about myself helps me become a better person. I would never put someone down for being in a moms group. I do have certain feelings about certain moms groups and I will not apologize for those feelings. If you feel differently then you have that right. I will not fight with you about your opinions. I hope that this helps you understand a little more about me.