Well, it's been a few month since I've posted anything on this blog.

Life sure has a way of keeping my busy.  Hard to believe that's it's already the middle of November.  Since my last post a lot of things have changed. Here's a quick list:

• This summer we took a road trip to WA to attend my sister's wedding, hang out for a week in OR and then attend my cousin's wedding.  It was a great trip with a ton of fun memories. It's not too often my entire side of the family is together, so it was extra special.
• We moved! We love our new house and especially our new neighborhood. Don's parents moved into our other house, so it's a win-win.
• The kids are at the same school! Alex started 1st grade and Katie is in 4th grade.
• Since both kids are in school all day, I've started subbing for the school district. I was a little worried about how it would all work out with getting the kids to and from school, but we've worked it out.  I prefer to take jobs at early start schools, (7:00-8:00 starts) because they get out just after 2:00 which gives me enough time to get to the kids' school by 3:20 when the get out.  Don takes them in the morning.  It works out great because they don't have to ride the bus and I don't have to pay for Safe Key.  Plus, I LOVE being there when Alex bursts out of the doors at the end of the day shouting, "Mom!" and telling me his day was great.  It's one of the best parts of my day.
• Every Wednesday I get to volunteer in both Katie and Alex's classes.  I truly love getting to know the kids in their classes and getting to be a part of their school life.  They both love having me there too.  I love both of their teachers.
• We're still following the Paleo Diet Lifestyle.  It's been a struggle with the kids sometimes, they still just want to have cereal for breakfast, but I've seen positive health changes in all of us, so I'm holding my ground.
• I'm taking an on-line 3 credit graduate class as part of the credits I need to renew my teaching license.  It's an interesting subject, but as no surprise to me, I really prefer the classroom setting over the on-line setting.  I also took a two Saturday one credit class, so once I complete this course I will only have 2 credits left to earn.  It's sure a change to say, "I have to go work on my homework." 
• Alex has been playing soccer this fall.  To my surprise, he really enjoys it and is a great player.  The thing about Alex is that he always gives it 110%. He is a very coachable kid and he has a great attitude.  I think it will serve him well in life. 

That's a pretty good update. Who knows when the next time I will post will be? I'm guessing it will be our Christmas letter, which this post seems to be a kind of rough draft.  :)

Day 17

I am over half way through my very first Whole 30 and dive into the Paleo world.  So far I've been very successful.  I'm so thankful to the friends who have done this before me and are so encouraging.  This journey has been pretty easy for me.  I don't miss any of the things I'm no longer eating.  I do, however, still have trouble with lunch.  I just really hate lunch.  Nothing ever sounds good. 

Don has loved all of the paleo dinners that I've made.  His favorites have to be the smoked pulled pork, and the World's Best Chicken.  I even managed to pull of feeding my book club last night, all of the food was paleo and nobody complained, in fact they liked it! 

My kids are so aware of what I'm doing.  Alex is always asking me, "Is this paleo, Mom?"  Katie says that she's going to "go paleo too."  I'm still waiting for that to happen.  For the kids it's going to be a slower process as they get used to eating a little bit differently. I'm just happy that I can be a good example for them and they are aware of what's going on and eager to ask questions and accepting of the answers.

Over the last 17 days I've done a bunch of firsts.

• Made home made mayo.  Delicious!!
• Made almond flour.
• Smoked a Pork Shoulder on the BBQ, then finished it in oven.
• Made delicious homemade Ranch dip/dressing.
• Went to Bunco and didn't eat one piece of tempting candy, and most importantly didn't have a hard time ignoring it.
• Brined Chicken.
• "Riced" cauliflower.
• Used coconut aminos.

I'm so happy to be on this journey.  Thanks to everybody who has been encouraging and supportive. I'll keep you posted.

A new Adventure

It's time for a new adventure.  I've done the research, I've seen my friends' results and I've decided to board the train.  I am going to start living a paleo lifestyle.  It's going to start with doing a "Whole 30" starting April 1st.  There is a lot of information, written by the experts, out there, so I'm not going to rewrite it.  Basically, I'm going to adopt a different diet.  In a nutshell: Eating fresh foods from good sources and eliminating all grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, & processed foods.

My story doesn't start now, my story began 35 years ago.  I came into this world as a big kid (9 & 1/2 lbs) and I stayed a big kid.  As a kid, I lived an active life style.  I spent countless hours outside.  Whether playing hide and seek, riding our bikes for miles, delivering newspapers, playing sports, or just hanging out, we were doing stuff.  I was never a great athlete, but that didn't stop me from playing basketball & softball from third grade through junior high.  I joined the golf team in high school. I was never good at running.  I was always out of breath. It never seemed fair to me that I was bigger than most other kids, but I didn't really dwell on it.  I didn't think it bothered me, but in retrospect, it has always been a burden I've silently bared.  I hated being bigger than my big sister.  I hated not fitting into the latest fashions.  I hated that clothes that did fit me were made for old, fat people. I hated that I felt like I wasn't doing anything differently that other kids.

I've always hated theses pictures.  See my thunder thighs and and general chunkiness.  Notice my sister (3 years older than me), notice, her skinny arms, legs and tummy! I do look happy, and I'm sure I was.  I was always a pretty happy kid.

I've never let my weight define me, but over the last several years, I've let it get out of control and it has buried me.  I know it's time for a change.  I know the change needs to be drastic, and I know the change won't be easy. I'm looking forward to the day when I don't think how much easier life would be if I was skinnier.


My goal is to be healthy.  I want to be able to do anything that I want and go anywhere that I want without worrying if my size will play a factor.  In September I started working out a Curves.  I've gotten in better physical shape, even if to an outsider it's not noticeable.  A few pounds have come off, but more importantly my energy and strength have improved.  I don't LOVE working out, but I do love the feeling when I'm done.  I love the feeling of putting myself first and doing something for me.

The funniest part of this journey is that I am armed with all of the information to be successful, but have failed so many times. What I lack is motivation and follow through.  I'm determined that this journey will be different.  That this journey will be successful with the help, guidance and encouragement of my friends and family.

My mom died too young. I see all that she is missing.  She would have loved being a grandma. She would have loved experiencing all of the things her grandkids do.  I want to have that.  I know I need to make changes now to ensure I have a chance to do all that I want to do.

There is so much more I have to say, and maybe one day I'll get my words together and be able to express myself.  Maybe one day, I'll feel brave enough to share all of my thoughts.  Until then, wish me luck, better yet, wish me strength and peace. :)
~Kerry