Hi!

Hey everyone!  Just a quick post to let you know that I'm still alive. :)  I've really been struggling with blogging as regularly as I'd like to these past few weeks.  I've already talked about how busy I am, so I won't bore you with more excuses. :}  I guess I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still around, even though I haven't been on as much.

I'm so excited to publish some of the "in-progress" posts that are waiting.  I hope to have some of them up by next week.  I've also let Belle and the 18 inchers know that they need to get posting on their blogs, too! ;)

Let's see, is there anything else? Oh, I guess I should do a quick weight loss progress update.  I'm pleased to announce that I've lost 4.6 pounds.  It's not as much as I would like, considering I've been in Weight Watchers for over a month, but it is still progress.  I'm averaging a loss of about .2 lbs a week (that's, uh, point 2, not 2...heh heh).  For those of you who are interested in keeping up with how I'm doing, I've added a Weight Loss tracker to my sidebar...it's the very last thing in the sidebar lineup.

It's easy for my perfectionist side to get frustrated with the slow speed of my weight loss, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm still headed in the right direction.  The good news is that I haven't gained any weight since I started.

 The Lord has been really working on my attitude through all of this.  Honestly, I've done really well with Weight Watchers in the past, so I was a bit cocky when I started (inwardly, at least).  I had pretty high expectations that have NOT been met whatsoever.  Like my struggles with patience and parenting, though, I think the fact that my weight loss journey has not been easy this time around has given me more compassion for others who are in the same boat.  How easy it is to look down on others when something is easy for us!  Yet when we are struggling for something with all of our might, it's easier to relate to the needs and struggles that others are facing, and to give them the encouragement they need.

So, I'll just keep plugging along!  I'm already noticing a slight difference in the way my clothes fit, and I feel a lot more energetic and in control of my eating.  I'm (slowly) trying to learn to be a journey person instead of a destination person like I normally am! :}

I most likely won't be online much this weekend.  I'll be singing for a memorial service tomorrow afternoon, and tomorrow evening my great uncle and great aunt will be in town.  They live in Virginia, and I haven't seen them for about 5 years or so.  They'll be here for the whole weekend, so I'm really looking forward to spending some time with them. :)

Oh, and I can't remember if I've already shared this, but I'm also really looking forward to May.  Our church's "Ladies Spring Event" (basically a Mother-Daughter Tea) has a doll theme this year, and I'm the special speaker! :D  I'm so excited to share with all of the dear ladies in our congregation.  I'm planning on showing them some of the dolls from my collection and also using one of my dolls as a spiritual object lesson.  My oldest daughter gets to be in a skit, and my two oldest get to sing a song.  Oh, and I might be singing a couple of numbers if another lady from the church isn't able to be there! :}

The Ladies Spring Event is always such a blessing.  I can't wait to see what's planned for this year...besides the stuff I already know about! ;)  Pray for me, if you think of it.  I really want to share a clear message with the ladies and have a fun time while doing so. :)

I guess that's about all for now.  Thanks for being so patient, everyone!  I'll be in touch again soon.