LIFE...

I am so sorry I haven't written lately. My world has been crazy and non-stop. Since my last post, I have lost my precious Grandma, been unsuccessful in getting a classroom teaching job, and decided to start new.

First of all, my Grandma... She died at the end of August. I had driven to Dallas with Greg to see her just one week before. I knew that as I sat at the end of her bed and she held my hand that she was telling me goodbye. She looked at me lovingly and told me to always put God first and my husband second. She said that behind God, Greg is my number one priority. She told Greg to always love me and she told me to always respect him. She blessed our marriage and told us she would always love us. I keep flashing back to this image of her looking at her staring at me with a blank look on her face because she was so confused... but then I smiled at her with a big smile and told her that she was SO BEAUTIFUL. She said "Who me?" and I said YES YOU! Even though she didn't have any makeup and her wig wasn't on and her skin was yellowing... I can truly say I have never seen anything more beautiful than a lifetime of wrinkles, her beautiful sugar-white hair, and her sweet little smile. I made sure that I told her I loved her and hugged and kissed her twice. As soon as I walked out of that door I started to cry. I knew that was it... and sure enough one week later, I gathered with friends and family from all over the country to honor my beautiful, God-fearing, wonderful, funny, and gentle Grandma. She will always hold a very special place in my heart... I am coonstantly dealing with the grieving process. Every day it becomes more real that she is gone and I miss her more than ever... but I know we will meet again.

Also, as many of you know, I have been searching for a teaching job. I searched until the very last moment, and I was not hired after many many interviews. I was hired as an aide at one school. I am currently working there and I have ended up getting to work with kindergarten literacy and I pull out the low performing children 3 at a time.. .so I have 24 kids. Even though the pay is not great, I love my job. It is funny how I was not successful in what I wanted, but I have found true joy in where GOD wanted me.. I honestly spent way too much time worrying.. God has taken good care of me.. and for thatm I am thankful.

Lastly, I have recently made the decision to try to lose weight (once again). I feel very motivated to do this. I want to lose at least 60lbs. I am going to try to document my progress on here so that I can be held accountable for my actions and what I eat. I want to eat 1500 calories or less in a day and exercise at least 4 days a week (hopefully more). I proposed an idea to Greg and he said he would support me in it... I am wanting to lose my 60 lbs, and maintain it or continue to lose for 6 months after reaching my goal weight. (This will probably end up being a yr and half- 2 years if I take it slow and make it a lifestyle change) If I am successful in this venture, we are going to start to try to have our first baby. I am very excited about the idea of it, but what a reward would it be to have our first little one after I lose my weight...

So here is to a new start! A new life and new habits!

Please keep me in your prayers as I take this journey.

I love you all!

Tiffany