Week 3

When they say week 3 is the toughest, they weren't kidding.  I was sick much of this week and had several things come up which threw my schedule off.  With that being said, my weigh in this week was quite disappointing as I did not drop any weight.  I know my body is changing because I can feel it in my clothes but to not see the number change was tough.  I am still focused and I plan to work out more despite the fact that I am still coughing.  I am determined to see a change next week.  

Luke's Birthday Party

Wow, I cant believe Luke is 6 years old.  It seems like yesterday we were telling everyone we were expecting.

This year we had Luke's party at the new facilities that our church built.  It was perfect for a sports themed party. 

Houston even wanted to play ball.

The girls had fun but they were not quite as into the whole sports things like the boys....

Luke and his friend Jacob share the same birthday.  Luke was excited to see his preschool buddy make the party.

If you look at this picture, I am sure you can guess what is about to occur......yes the cupcake fell off the plate and landed with the icing down.  I am pretty sure Luke did this on purpose :(

As always with our parties, we had a pinata.  

And like always, the pinata failed to perform like it should.  It fell right off the string and busted open but the candy did not come out.  So the men stepped in and dumped it all out.  

I am not sure whether the kids had more fun or if the adults had more fun.  

Luke, I was miserable with you in my belly but that was only because I was as big as a boat.  I loved feeling your kicks in there.  This picture was the morning we went to have you.  

We were so blessed to get to experience this journey along side our best friends and as a result, you were given a best friend of your own.  You and Landon are so precious to us.

Your Daddy may have been a little nervous but he did amazing with you.  He continues to teacher you right from wrong and teaches you all there is to learn about hard work and the farm. 

Luke you are such a special boy and you are so smart.  The last 6 years have been the best and most challenging years of my life.  Here are some of the things you are doing now:  

• you can read cvc words
• you know all your letters and their sounds
•  you have been making 100% on all your spelling tests
• you can add pretty much any numbers I give you
•  you love to fight with your brother and do so pretty much every waking moment of the day
•  you have more energy than most kids your age
• you love to work on the farm
•  you have very little fear
• you love going to church and you are the most faithful giver I know
• you wear size 5 or 6 in clothes
• you can hit a baseball so far
• you love the outdoors

Thank you Luke for being a part of our lives.  I can't wait to see what they future has in store for you.  We love you sweet child.

Week 2 Shred

Wow this week was tough, my energy level has not been as great as I had hoped.  I also haven't been sleeping too well.  

Well the results are in, I lost 2.6 Pounds this week for a total of 9.8 pounds in two weeks.  

It was a tough pill to swallow when I only saw 2.6 lbs this morning but Jeff was good to remind me that slow weight loss is better and that this time I am dieting correctly.  Typically, I just quit eating or quit eating carbs when I want to drop weight.  This time I have a real plan and I am eating lots of fruits and veggies.  

I know that part of the issue this week is that I did not exercise as much as I should have but as I said earlier, I just haven't had energy.

Still looking forward to next weeks report.  Here's to a great week! 

Week 1 of Shred

Wow, it has been a week of adjustments.  First, I went from drinking 2 1/2 liters of diet soda a day to 12 ounces.  Second, I had to start planning my meals and measuring everything out (even counting the number of pretzels).  Finally, I had to learn to diet without weighing myself daily.  I am proud to say that in my first week of a healthier me, I have lost 7.2 pounds.  I expected a lot less so to say I am encouraged by this new eating plan is an understatement.  I think the best aspect about this diet is that I have not been hungry one time.  Thank you Lord for leading me to this healthier way of eating and for giving me the strength to get through my first week.  

The New Year----2015

And so begins, day one of the 365 days that we have possible this year.  As I do each year, I set goals for myself.  As I reviewed last years goals, I accomplished alot but also failed myself.  I lost all the weight I wanted to but I also gained it all back.  I read half of the Bible but I had hoped to read the entire book. I did not drink more water, actually just the opposite.  I ran a lot but failed to run a 1/2 marathon.  So now that I have my confessions of failure out of the way, let move on to setting new goals. 

First, I plan to drop the 25 pounds I gained.  My plan to do so is to follow this diet and eat 6 times a day.  This also requires me to drink only one soda a day.  This will be the toughest task for me of all because I love diet soda.  Anyhow, I plan to take a before and after picture.  I might even take weekly pictures and blog about it, who knows!  Another difficult task for me is that I only get to weigh once a week (Jeff is helping me with this by taking my scale away from me).  

I also plan to spend more time listening to positive and encouraging music.  I also hope to live in a more positive and encouraging manner.  So if you bring your negatives this way, expect to get something positive back.  I also plan to remove negativity from my life as much as possible.  I really allowed others to bring me down this past year and I need to remember that I control my joy.  It is up to me to find joy in every situation and to not allow others to still my joy. 

I have always spent a great deal of time worrying.  I struggle with anxiety at times and its not something I am proud of.  As a Christian, I want to do exactly what I know I should: give all my concerns to God.  Unfortunately, I will pray and try to turn these concerns over to Him but I will still think about those concerns.  I will play over scenarios in my head and as a result I don't always get to sleep well.  I know that when I stick to running, it also helps me stress less.  I have my running schedule made and I begin Monday.  I WILL accomplish my running goals for this year.  My running goals are: 1) run 3 short runs a week and 1 long run a week; 2) run at least two 5K's; 3) run a 1/2 marathon; 4) Run 450 miles this year.

As mentioned earlier, I only read through half of my Bible.  This year, I plan to read the other half.  I believe this is a very realistic goal and will help me to accomplish all of the above goals for my life.  

Happy New Year to you all.  May your 365 days be blessed and may you reach all of your goals.  

Christmas Keymer Style

It is a Keymer family tradition to read "The Night Before Christmas" to our children.  Of course in our house, the book is read year around.

Then, every Christmas morning we open gifts at our own homes and then head to the Keymer house for Breakfast.  

When it is time to open gifts, everyone gets one gift and then we all open at the same time.  Then we continue this until they are all gone.  

The boys got so many great things (clothes, basketball game, etc).  I still feel like my house has been taken over by toys.  Brilee is so talented she was able to open gifts while watching Evan. 

Evan especially loved his basketball goal and wanted it put together now.  I love how this year he appreciated each individual gift so much that he didn't want to open another until he had a chance to play with his previous gift.  

Ethan got diapers for Christmas, LOL!  

Maci and Keyton enjoying their gifts. 

The best part of the day was that my father got his first pair of "cool" jeans.  I am pretty sure he has only worn the jeans from his work uniforms or some from Walmart.  I thought he looked so handsome.