Happy Birthday Grandpa Jump

My Grandpa Jump...Oh what a spunky man he was.  He had this hat that said "Older then Dirt" that he would wear often, and he was the type that would tell stories and start it with "Back in my day, we walked 2 miles up hill to school every day... bare foot... in the snow...with a broken leg"  That is just how he appeared to be... he seemed like this grumpy old man who always thought that the glass was half empty... that's is how he appeared until you got to know him.

Grandpa Jump was a humble man who would give anything for his family and loved them dearly.  He stood about 5"5 but sure was a firecracker!  He had tattoos of "sexy ladies" up his arms that he got in the war... you didn't see them much because he always had on long sleeves to cover them up, but he did say that Grandma was PISSED when she saw them. HAHA.  My grandpa talked about his brothers and sisters a lot.  Aunt Thelma and Aunt Ginger always called to check on him, and I know that he appreciated that, even though he would say to them "I am fine, don't worry about me, stop calling"  Then he would always end the call with "I love you sis" 

I spent a lot of time with my Grandpa after he got sick.  I needed to for me, and I think that he really appreciated me there.  We would watch old war movies and documentaries, and eat Pecan pie, and drink Kool Aid Lemonade.  He loved that stuff.   He was the sickest right after Blake was born, but he drove himself to the hospital, and stayed with me when Blake was in Surgery.  Then he got really sick, but I always brought Blake over to see him, and he called him his "Little Wee One"  Blake would sit with him and then I remember when I brought him over and said " Grandpa, I have something to show you"  I put Blake down on the floor and he crawled over to his Great Grandpa... It took everything he had to pick Blake up, but he did, and then he said " I'll be damned, you are a fast little shit aren't you"  HAHA 

So today, I celebrate his Birthday... maybe I will get some Pecan pie and watch Platoon, but either way, I know he looks after me, and I know that he smiles on my boys.  We Love you and miss you every day!

My Beginning

This is my beginning... I took the weekend to think about which path I wanted to take, and here we go!!  I have joined weight watchers.  After thinking about it, my biggest problem is portion control and motivation.  I love Weight watchers website, and I love reading all the success stories on there.  It is time for me to make this happen!!

I just went to Fred Meyer and got all the essentials for my lifestyle change (I refuse to call this a diet)  Lots of fruits, veggies, whole wheat and nuts.  So, as of tomorrow, I am going to start tracking my points and getting this show on the road!!  I am so excited to start this and to do it the right way... not just quick fixes.  Also, I figure if I can be successful during the Holiday season, then that's one up for me!!  And I will be getting a head start on all the new years resolution people :)

So, as I was reading the success stories, I saw that someone had a picture of them self at their goal weight to keep them motivated... so here it is, me at 150 lbs and this is where I am comfortable, and anything less is a bonus!!...  and you better believe that it will be on my fridge!!

Self Image - NEVER AGAIN

The other day, someone "taged" me on a picture, and let me say that it wasn't very pleasing.  I will be honest, I don't take very much time on myself.  I wear Black yoga pants and a sweatshirt most days, and a ponytail.  Up until now, I thought that I looked pretty put together... nothing like I used to, but I am a busy mom with not enough hands, and for what I have time to do; I thought I did a pretty good job.  Also, let me point out that I am about 40-50 Lbs over weight.  When Kyle and I met, I was a size 6-7 and weighed 120 soaking wet.  Now... (I cant believe I am going to do this, so please forgive me) I am a size 12 (sometimes a 14...okay, usually 14) and I weigh 190...not soaking wet :)  So, you can imagine the disgust when I see a nasty picture of my rear end that is so big it could have its own zip code plastered on my facebook page.  If that isn't enough to make a lifestyle change, and holy hell, I don't know what is.

I am happy in the 130-145 range.  I am no spring chicken, and I have had 2 children, and lets just say that I don't have one of those bodies that "bounces back"  But I would like to wear shorts next summer instead of Capri's and I want to take my kids swimming without worrying about my fat ass falling out the bottom of my suit...if it even covers it all the way ( after seeing that picture I am going to make sure I look at that back as well as the front)  I just need to be comfortable with myself, and right now, I am really far from that. 

Where to start now... not really sure.  I need to think about it and see what would be the best thing for me to take on.  I do definitely think that I need a treadmill... just have to fit that into the budget somewhere... Maybe if I spend less on food, then I can afford the treadmill HAHAHA 

But in all seriousness... I am going to do this.  I don't want to be unhappy with myself anymore, and I am not going to let how I feel about myself effect how I interact with my kids.  LETS DO THIS!!




This is "THAT" picture... NEVER AGAIN!!! 

Viva Las Vegas!!

Vegas was a blast for me because I got to see Garth, but it was also just as fun for the other people that we went with :)

Ryan, Kyles younger brother turned 21 in September, and we got to celebrate it in VEGAS!!  And to top it all off, he is a HUGE Chris Angel fan, and guess who was doing a signing at the Luxor while we were there??  Oh yes, you guessed it, and I don't think that Ryan will ever forget that.  While he was waiting in line (it was pretty long)  Tammy and I snuck into the Titanic exhibit HA!  It was cool, but so glad that I didn't pay $60.00 to see it.  Totally not worth that!

Ryan and Season with Chris Angel

I have never used public transportation before... mostly because I am nervous that I will get lost, but the bus system in Vegas was SUPER easy!!  We didn't use a cab the entire time that we were in Vegas because this was so much cheaper (8.00/day) and there were 6 of us, so sometimes we couldn't all fit in the cab depending on what one it was.  I will definitely ride the Deuce again :)

Ryan, Season and Tammy waiting for the bus!

Kyle and Monty Waiting for the bus.

Did I mention that we were celebrating Ryan turning 21? We went to lots of bars, and we did find some pretty funny bar stools at the MGM at the Rain Forest Cafe!!

All in all, it was a really fun trip.  Lots of good food, fun company, and one AMAZING singer that I will never ever...ever forget!

***Oh, and just a side note...What in the world are people thinking taking their infants to Vegas and walking them around at night (way past bed time) with a bunch of drunk and loud people... I wonder sometimes, and it was actually hard to watch.***