I have been very encouraged lately. Christmas was AWESOME! I missed my family like crazy, but my mom & dad did end up coming over yesterday...which they didn't think they would be able to do, so that was nice. We exchanged gifts, ate a really good lunch and spent time together. They gave Chaya this turtle that illuminates stars all over her room at night, it is the coolest thing ever, it's like she has her own little view of the galaxy! Nick had to work on Christmas day so we celebrated on Saturday, it was nice just having our little family together this Christmas without having to worry about whose family we needed to spend time with and having a schedule..it really ruins the fun let me tell ya!

Chaya loved Christmas, she didn't really do to well opening her gifts, but this year she was more excited about the gift than the paper and boxes, I think her favorite gift was baby stella, she's a doll and Chaya absolutly adores her! Another gift that she loves is her animal dvd and polar bear that her daddy got her... I was practical and ended up getting her new toy baskets for her room, I wanted to get her a toy box but I couldn't find one that I liked...We spent Christmas day baking tons of cookies and Nick helped us decorate them, it was so much fun!! On Christmas eve we went out for pizza which I think will be our new tradition and the went to family comunion at church which I really loved. All in all we've just had such a wonderful week together..all 3 of us, it's just really been a huge blessing.

I can't believe that new years is right around the corner...it seems like yesterday we were celebrating the beginning of 2008, I was making my new years resolutions and making a list of goals.... and for once in my life I can actually say I stuck with my resolution, my goal for 2008 was to lose weight, I've lost 37 pounds since this time last year!! I wish it were more, but it's been slow and pretty steady. Which in the long run I think will help me to keep it off. I've lost about 13 pounds over the last couple of weeks since joining weight watchers, I really enjoy doing it because I see results. I've been really slacking off this week and using the holidays as my excuse but let me tell you, my body is hating me for it, tomorrow it's back to fruits, veggies, grains, and protein... not cookies and pasta and pizza etc.. I've just realized that I have come this far and I need to keep going until I get to my goal..which my first goal I'm only about 10lbs away from! Weight watchers starts you off with losing 10% of your body weight and I am sooooo close! I can't wait to be healthier and lose the rest of this weight! I feel so much better already! I've been thinking about my new years resolutions for this year and this is what I've got so far...
* Lose weight*
*stop drinking soda*
*work out everyday*
*listen to God more*
*read scripture more...*
*be the best Christian I can be...*
*make friends*
*read more*
*be a better friend*
*love the unloveable*

thats what I have this far but I'm sure I'll add to that list.....

I'm excited for 2009, I'm excited to reach my personal goals and to see what God has in store for us! I think new and exciting things are coming so be watching for updates!! haha..

well thats about it for now...

~Melissa

I haven't updated in awhile again! I'm a bad blogger haha.. I'll probably be updating a little more now because I'm done with school until January 5th (woohoo!) We just recently decorated our house for Christmas and I have every intention of posting pics I just haven't had a free minute until now and my camera is dead until I find some batteries!

Chaya is growing up way to fast for me, she basically learns at least one new word a day, I honestly can't believe how much she's talking! And...she knows what she's talking about.. We were at church on sunday and in the row in front of us was a baby, sure enough Chaya pointed at her and said baby. When she see's Dora the Explorer, she says "Dora" when you leave she says bye, and soooooooooo many more words that I have lost count of! Today we started potty training, I wanted to wait until she could walk, but I changed my mind because I have full confidence in her that she's ready and I figure if I wait to long she won't want to do it... I think now is a good time.. We started this morning by her sitting on her potty for over an hour until she peed... then I gave her an animal cracker and told her what a good girl she was, then we put a dora sticker on her chart. Shortly after though, I put her panties on her..(That's right I said panties!!) and she was in her walker where she went poop. So...we're 1 for 1 today, not bad considering today is day one! I figure that today I have already not had to change one diaper and that my friends is what we call success!!

In other news.. my dad feel on the ice at work today and hurt his back, he's in the emergency room now, so I'm hoping that he'll get to go home soon and rest and get better. The schools in Casey got let out early today at 1:00, I don't know maybe it's worse than it looks outside but the weather doesn't seem to be very bad here, there is a little dusting of snow on the ground but thats it that I can see.. who knows, maybe driving is much worse...

I joined weight watchers, a few weeks ago, I've lost 9lbs so far, which is awesome! I have a lot more to go but I'm really confident that I can get to where I need to be. It's hard, but definitly worth it, I'm not struggling much with eating healthier because I've been working on that for the past year, but I am struggling with working out, I'm shooting for 3-4 times a week right now, I made that goal last week, so I'm hoping that this week I will too. Well, I think thats about all I'm going to write for now, I need to do some housework, I have laundry to put away and dishes to do, and of course cheerios to clean up off the dining room floor because my daughter feels the need to throw food on the floor everytime she eats... we've seriously had a time out everyday for the past week!! I'm hoping that soon she understands why I'm mad!! grrr...

Well, thats all! Merry Christmas!!!

~melissa

wow, I forgot to blog lol

Wow, I can't believe I haven't updated this in almost a month!! And I said I was going to be a faithful blogger..ha..right.. my life has just been really busy lately with traveling, class, Chaya, and of course spending time with the love of my life=P

Class has been HARD! But, totally worth it and I'm actually doing well, I have a B right now and I only have a week and a half left! Thank God!! I can't wait to be done with math forever and I'm ALMOST there!!

I've been really good lately, the holidays were very stressful though! We all ended up getting the stomach flu! I had it the worst, and Chaya had it too, but she bounced right back from it, I didn't bounce back quite as fast, Nick didn't either but we're all good now. I lost 16 pounds in 3 days, not quite the way I wanted to lose weight! yuck! Bulimia works people!! LOL I could never do that, I don't see how anyone could ever do that but whatever...

I've been doing good with weight loss lately, I lost 2 pounds, this past week... I've been eating healthy and REALLY watching portions, thats the area where I struggle but I've been doing so good!! I'm even trying to eat more fruits and veggies because my diet is lacking in that area...but hey I'm always improving =) I've been trying to find healthier versions of sweets, since I'm a junky and trying to quit I've been finding snacks that are low cal and still just as yummy as cookies and cakes... I've recently discovered graham crackers and fat free/sugar free cool whip... amazing!! haha

anyway, we are doing so good right now, Chaya is absolutly wonderful and growing and learning more everyday! Nick and I are more in love than ever!! We've been going to a fireproof your marriage smallgroup, it's been really great for us and being with the people in our group is such a blessing they are wonderful! we are very blessed!

Well I think thats about it for now... I love the comercial for sugar cookies where the kid leaves them for santa and then he sees his dad eating them and he freaks out..hahaha so funny...

okay .. anyway, I'm out! Hope you had a good thanksgiving!!