Thumbs Up

Hey there, BabyCakes! We're just about ready to leave for school.  You look so grown up today! 

I'm going to take your picture with my phone.

Please take the thumb out of your mouth.

Come on, BabyCakes, just one picture! You're such a big girl! 

Just take the thumb out for one minute, please?!

Ok ok! Sorry I asked! But seriously, is that thing chocolate-flavored or something?

WW Wednesday

I sent this email out to my fellow WW meeting members this morning.  I thought I'd share it with you because some of you have showed support of my weight loss journey.

Courage.

That's what I'm summoning this morning as I walk in to our meeting.

I don't want to go in to all the particulars, but just know that stepping on that scale and owning where I am today is taking courage.

Facing the ladies that have recorded my weight week in and week out, knowing that they know just how much I've zigged and zagged in the last year takes courage. (even though they have never been anything but discreet, sensitive, and supportive)

Saying goodbye the the shame I put on myself and constantly denying the urge to quit takes courage.

Eating a real dinner last night and a real breakfast this morning took courage.

Wearing "normal" clothes for weigh-in instead of changing at the meeting or carefully picking a light-weight outfit takes courage.

Letting go of the expectation that every meal be childishly tasty, and instead making the healthier choice takes courage.

Continuing to feel as though my words and actions have worth, even when I struggle with following my own advice, takes courage.

And, believe it or not, sharing ANY of this with all you is taking a lot of courage.  But I'm worth it. You're worth it.  I hope you can find your courage, too.

Then give a little to me. ;)

See you soon,

~Cayce

My Gardeners

Like everyone, there are things about our home that the hubs and I wouldn't mind changing.
All-in-all, though, we are in a friendly, safe community with easy access to everything we need and want, a great job-market, good neighbors, and good schools for the chitlins.

Our house isn't big or perfect, but it is a safe, loving home.

Our Pottery Barn-inspired mudroom kitchen floor begs kids to strip down to the least amount of clothes necessary for decency make themselves confortable.
(BabyCakes, How many times do I have to tell you to put your shoes in your room?!!)

Priceless works of art line the halls unpainted hallway in our home.

Built-in bookshelves house expensive common-yet-beautiful souvenirs from world travels of the Southeast.

The winner of "Survivor: Cayce's Plants Edition" gets a hard-earned moment in the sun.

Dinosaur-monsters (that slightly frighten me) are next to my to-do list on my desk in my office the pantry door.

No, we don't have the fanciest house on the street, but I can guarantee I have the most loving gardeners in the neighborhood.

Cherry Grove

 Hi! Here's a brief (as in, I have dinner cooking on the stove right behind me!) post about last week.
We were in Cherry Grove in North Myrtle beach and, after a whirlwind weekend with fun visitors and a few issues (hot oil, a migraine, and jellyfish come to mind), we settled in to a perfectly relaxing stay at the beach.

These tiny mollusks washed to shore and many of them would burrow into the sand.  It was pretty neat

J finally got a real break.

 We didn't do a whole lot besides nap, watch movies, chill at the beach, and eat well. :)

We just enjoyed our family.

The kids had a blast.

We all had a blast! :)

All the same, it's good to be home.

Mostly. ;)

Taking on the world belly-first

One morning recently BabyCakes emerged from her room wearing this get-up.

She had taken off her pajamas, stolen a too-small t-shirt from a teddy bear, and added the tutu.

Oh and she also ditched her diaper.  

If only we could all be so secure in our bodies and fashion choices!

Staying the Same

Today we went to a park.

Miss Melissa was kind enough to snap a few shots of us swinging.  After my post yesterday, I got some questions about "before and afters." I don't really have them yet, but I do know a couple things about before and after.

Before, BabyCakes still knew me as her mama and only wanted me to put her to bed.

( I still get most of her elusive affection.)

 ("Don't make us fall!")

Before, BigBoy still told me I was beautiful and thought I was a fun mom.

In the first grade he still wants to play with me and hug me in public.

The hubs has told me I was beautiful nearly every day we've known each other.

My weight may have changed, but my biggest blessings have stayed the same.

Celebrate!

I'm taking a leap, trying something new... and I'm telling you about it.

I'm entering the Weight Watchers "Celebrate Success" contest.

No, I haven't hit Goal yet, but that's not mandatory.

Yes, it has been almost 2 years.  But that's 2 years of maintaining a lifestyle change and commitment to myself and my future.

No, I'm not Jennifer Hudson.  But I'm sure as hell a better version of Cayce.

So I am celebrating now.  Not giving up, but celebrating.  I've celebrated every step forward -- even when my "step forward" just meant that I didn't quit -- and so I'm going to continue to do that by entering the contest now.  After all, having compassion for myself like God has, and celebrating the small stuff is what's gotten me this far!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

From the beginning:
I celebrated fitting in to my size 14 jeans (and then size 6 jeans!).
I celebrated being in the 100's.
I celebrated trying and enjoying group fitness classes at the gym.
I celebrated buying a bra in a regular department store instead of a specialty shop.
I celebrated numerous healthy food changes.
I celebrated no longer being obese.
I celebrated wearing button-front shirts again.
I celebrated normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels.
I celebrated far less migraines.
I celebrated turning 30 in skinny jeans.
I celebrated the new friendships I've made.
I celebrated what I learned about myself and what I was capable of.
I celebrated my honesty about my weight loss joooourney.
I celebrated the new confidence I found in who I am.
And last but not least, I celebrated a 70-pound total weight loss.  Twice.  And truth be told I will celebrate 70 again because this has been the summer of ups and downs at the scale for me. (I'm at 67 as of last week.)

I have "a future and a hope" not because I've lost weight, but because I'm a child of God, and I know He would want me to celebrate!

Wish me luck!

~Cayce