Goals-short term

Every one has goals, whether they put that into term or not. Whether they be short term or long term. Goals are. Good thing to have, and re-evaluate them every so often. Check off the ones you've completed & add new ones, see how far away from one you may be, or to see if you've lost track completely. That's my problem. I loose track or loose focus. Which, is not a very good thing. I let life get in the way, and I shouldn't. I have three main focus in my life. My spouse, my kids & myself. I usually put myself last, but not anymore. My health is important. I usually neglect my husband due to my kids, and honestly that's a terrible mistake. Think about it, if you & your spouses relationship isn't right, how are you teaching your kids anything? (Just my opinion) My kids always want me. I'm the favorite when it comes to my husband & I. I believe most stay at home moms would agree. They are with me, always, I'm the one during the day that gets them what they need, want & so much more. But, that needs to change. They need to see that daddy loves them just the same & is here for them too. Straying from topic, my apologizes- goals. I wanted to write out my goals & share them with my readers. Gain some encourgement, opinions & feedback. So- here it goes. 

My fitness goal- I've always been overweight. I used to eat when I was sad, board, or just thought I was hungry. I had this obsession I guess, with eating. None of it was healthy, no portion control, no cares- nothing! No one ever knew my true weight. I always got teased in school. It bothered me, but I never saw anyone that truly cared about their body so I thought, "this is it; I'll be like this forever" I got married, had 3 beautiful, handsome sweet boys- my biggest was 8 pounds 9 ounces & that was my first! My last was 8 pounds 4 ounces & Gabriel was my smallest, at 7 pounds 9 ounces... This year, I found Advocare! I found out, I don't have to always eat, or eat unhealthy, and water is super yummy! I'm just over 2 weeks soda free, and I'm so happy! I've lost an inch in 4 areas, so four inches in all & I've lost 2 pounds! I have a few goals in my fitness area- to be a size 14 before Isaiah's 1st birthday. I have 4 months! I can do this! To go a full month with no soda! I'm two weeks down, only 2 more to go!! & to work out 5 days a week to the Thirty Day Sherd, because I need a structured routine to keep me going (day 1 complete) These may seem simple to some, but to me, these things aren't easy, and don't come easy to someone who's overweight. I want to be a healthy mom, not just a fit mom, but healthy & I want to show my kids that being healthy is easy, and rewarding! Next....

My wifely goal- I would like to read Gods word every morning with my husband. Pray every morning with him, before he goes to work, and make us breakfast at least 5 days a week. I would like to show him that I can handle my household duties & my workout duties no problem. I would like for him to see in my actions that I love him & I want to encourge him more. I want him to know every day that I'm proud of him. I want to pack his lunch every morning and put little love notes in it or encouging words in it. I want to wake up with him every morning without being grumpy. I want to kiss him at least 3 times a day! I want him to feel like he's the luckiest man around. 

My kids- let's start with Isaiah, he's simple for now. Isaiah needs a structure(ish) schedule. I want to feed him 3 times a day if he lets me along with his nursings. I want to read to him at least twice a day, and I want to pray with him twice a day. Gabriel, I want to sit down with him twice a week and work on letter recognition, saying his abcs not singing & coloring. I want to teach him scriptures, during these times & pray with him. I want to read to him several times a day & cut out the television. I want to encourge active play, & really how he learns. I want to be more aggressive with potty training & have him potty trained before he's 3- I have four months. Elijah, I want to sit down with him 3 times a week work on writing, sight words, and numbers-writing them & counting higher. I want to teach him Gods word & pray with him twice a day, and read to him as well. I'd like to start morning walks after breakfast & cut out television with him too. I want to make it a rewards system. I want to teach him responsibly- just haven't figured that one out yet.

I know this may seem like a lot, but if I get up with Matthew, do my workout, eat breakfast & do my daily housework, being able to focus on the boys after they wake up, will come easy. Will I be tired? Yes! Lately I've been going to bed shorty after 8:30, but it's been great! I think I can do this. I will update on my progress in a week, and we'll see how much I actually did. I know my first week will be rough, and maybe even my second week, but I'm determined to do this! I love my family, and myself and I want some changes happening in this house! 

Elijah can write his name 

Sweet Isaiah 7.5 months 

Gabriel can take naps, when he's super tired 😉

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Livin' on Love

   A while ago, in 2006 there was a guy, and his name was Matthew and a girl named Amanda. These two met up at work, at the Waffle House. They talked and got to know one another for three months. After those three months he asked her to be his girl friend, and since she was head over heels for this guy, she didn't hesitate to say no. Matthew was 21 and Amanda was 16. Yes, they knew what risk they were running but only after a few months of dating they knew they were in love. All she could talk about in school was the guy she dated, and the only person she wanted to talk to when she wasn't in school was that wonderful guy. In May of that year she turned 17 and thought she could rule her own world. Little to her knowledge her daddy didn't want his baby girl to be hurt, and saw that she was trying to get a little too big for her pants. So, he tried to do everything in his power to get these two love birds apart. He took her phone away, got her transferred to another Waffle House, wouldn't let them see one another. Her mom threatened him with a restraining order. But much to there dismay the couple found ways to see one another, to talk to one another, and even had a notebook they would write in and get to one another, if that meant he had to go to her school and give it to her, and get it from her. They were in love. One one could get this couple to see how crazy they were being.
   In Aug of 2007 the couple has talked and was tired of how the parents were punishing the girl. I think even if the parents look back on the way they punished the girl they might rule it as being a little to harsh. The girl would get in trouble for little, stupid things. Her punishment would be worse. Having to go outside all day and work in the hot, steamy Georgia sun. Got so sunburn she couldn't have anyone touch her, and she would cry because it hurt so bad. The guy got so steamed and mad at her parents for treating her this way. They made the girl buy her own clothes, pay rent, and give her mom gas money, which I must have to say was pretty hard. Since all did was waitress. She only got waitress pay, which was like $2.60 something and got her tips. It was really had for the girl to pay her "rent" which was $65 a week and pay for all her school items. She was very upset with her parents, and one day her and the guy was talking, while he was taking her to work and decided to get married. They didn't know when, how, or where, but they wanted her out of her parents house. So she got to work and the manager said he didn't need her, so she called her mom and asked her if she could go to Matthew's house til later that night since her dad thought she was working, her mom said yes. So the couple was on the way to the guys house. They got about half way there and her mom called fussing at her because she left the house super early, and told the girl to get home asap, and that she was in trouble. The girl broke down into tears because she has no idea why she was in trouble, and didn't understand why she would be in trouble. The guy got so mad at that point. The girl asked the guy not to leave her when she got home, because her parents always made him leave. (Her parents were always trying to tell the guy what a bad girl she was, and how she acted so immature when they tried to punish her, but they never let him see) The girl was scared to go home, and the guy saw the fear in her eyes and tried to calm her. They talked more about getting married, and she told him, if she asked her dad when they dropped her off at home to marry her, her dad might see how mature he was and say yes. As he calmed the girl and tried to reassure her he wouldn't leave her, they creeped up on her house. The girl's stomach dropped to the bottom of the car, and just didn't like how she felt. They went out to the back yard where she knew her dad was, of course the dad looked at Matthew and said, "Matt, I think you need to leave, I don't think you want to see this." Matthew spoke up and challenged him. Matthew said he wanted to stay and told him he didn't want to leave the girl. He didn't understand why the girl was in trouble. The dad said he needed to leave and didn't need to understand. Matthew still challenged the dad and told him if he didn't want to leave the girl, that he loved her. Then he looked the dad in the eye and said, " Mr. Eddie, I would like to ask you, to take your daughter's hand in marriage." The dad laughed, and the guy and the dad argued for a while, and finally the dad looked at his daughter and said, "So you think you are old enough to get married?" And the daughter said, "Yes, sir." So he said, "Ok, well you can get out of my house." So the guy never left the girl's side and helped her get all the things they could into his car, including the girl's dog. They had no idea this would end up this way, but it did. The girl shortly moved in with her uncle and thought things would be better, they were for a little bit, but they just knew if they got married everything would be better.
   Three months passed while she would live with her uncle. The guy became a truck driver, and God made it very possible for the guy and the girl to get married. They knew it was God because how everything played out. They felt very blessed. Although they didn't have a big wedding, she didn't have a white dress, there was no cake, only a handful of people came, but they were able to become one. A little less then two years later he went into the Air Force, on there two year Anniversary he was in Tech School, And on Feb 14, 2010 they found out they were expecting there first baby. They were very happy. In March of 2010 they moved to Missouri, which is very far away from there home. They are very happy, and couldn't want more. They love one another and are about to be married for 3 years. They have learned a lot from one another, taught one another a lot, and God has showed both of them how to love one another. They have had there moments, but they know they will never divorce. There marriage hasn't been the best, but they have one another and they have love. They know they have friends and family that wont let them give up on one another.

This couple is Matthew and Amanda Flippen. They became one on Nov 10, 2007!!

.... and a recent picture of us...