New Web Page

Well, I had stated a few blogs ago that I was trying to get a new blog up for my weight loss journey. Since then, a lot has changed, and this is how:

I had talked to my doctor a couple of months ago (I was still breastfeeding) about my family's heart history and my being overweight. She kinda shrugged it off and said to come back when I wasn't breastfeeding and she'd give me diet pills. I didn't like that answer from the beginning, so I dropped it and decided to bring it up later. Well, a few weeks ago I hurt my back at gymnastics - I was trying to out-flip Olivia - and I had to see the doctor. At this appointment, I got to see my original doctor (who must be 80+ years old) and I mentioned to him that I thought the reason my back was weak was because I was carrying some "extra weight out front." He laughed and said, "Yeah you're right."

Ouch! That stung, but he was the first doctor to EVER acknowledge that I'm overweight. I asked him if he could refer me to a nutritionist. He did, but insurance wouldn't cover it, so Josh and I decided that it was worth the investment. So, last Tuesday we met with Gelsie, a dietitian at Northside, and she gave me TONS of great advice. I can't recap all of it on the blog, but she definitely educated us in a way that we never expected. Josh and I both walked away feeling great about the road that lies ahead - for me to loose weight and to keep our entire family in check so that we can all avoid health problems in the future.

Gelsie recommended a website that I'm IN LOVE WITH!!! I've referred a few people there already, and they are equally impressed. It's www.sparkpeople.com, and it's totally free. The best way I can describe it is like a MySpace community for people trying to loose/maintain their weight. I've added a link to my Favorites, so I hope you guys will all check it out. I'm hoping to find some accountability with my online buddies!

If any of you join, be sure to use me as your reference. My user name is Bethanypreston. You'll automatically be added as one of my "friends" if you do, and I get "Sparkpoints" which you use to buy motivational icons for friends.

So, as I approach the big 30 later this year, I hope to do it as a lighter, healthier me! And even though I know that there's no true way to melt away the pounds, this Mommy is determined to melt away as much as she can in 2008!!!

Walkin' Away

So, I've been working on the brochure that will never end at work, and last week, during a day that had almost drove me crazy, I get this from my dear friend, Jennica. It was as if she new that I needed a little pick-me-up, and we hadn't even talked that day.



Now, if this doesn't put a smile on a mother's face, I'm not sure what will!!!

Be sure to check out the blogs below for Easter Updates. I know that most people have given up on us because we haven't blogged very regularly, but I'm up to three posts in under a week. (I think I'm using this as stress relief!!)

Happy Easter

We have just had such a blessed day today. We all woke up bright and early to get a start on our busy day. and I'm so glad that we did. We started the day by taking the kids Easter Pics, which I'll add to the blog later. That doesn't always go so well at our house...but today the kids were soooo cooperative.

Josh had to work, so I took the kids to see the Easter Bunny. This too was quite unusually, because usually Olivia screams in fear at the sight of Santa, but she's been asking to see the Easter Bunny for weeks. Better late than never, so we headed to the mall. And let me just say, usually I'm terrified to go to the mall with both kids along - but they were both ANGELS today!!! We had such a great time. We saw E.B., had lunch, rode the carousel, and played on the playground....and we did all of that before 12:00!!!


Here's the kids with E.B. I know that they don't look thrilled...but the fact that Olivia sat beside this crazy creature without freezing in panic still amazes me.

year, and it was soooo much fun. Aside from the usual (Mimi, Pop, Aunt Bre, Uncle Gabe, Unc, Aunt Steph, Hailee, Dakota, and Austin), we also had Mel Mel and Morgan, Mel's parents, Mel's sister and her son and daughter, and two of Mom's neighbors. Wheww!!! We all ate, talked,After the mall, we headed to Mimi and Pop's house for our Easter BBQ. We had a crowd this played with the kids, and of course - hunted eggs.
Here are all of the kids waiting for the Big Kids (Aunt Bre & Aunt Steph) to hide the eggs. (Have you ever tried to keep 6 kids inside when there are over 200 eggs calling for you on the other side of a door???? Not easy!)

Finally, the kids were allowed to head outside, and they all went wild. There were way too many to post, so I just picked one of Olivia and her favorite person, Mimi, finding eggs. Olivia found the egg with the dollar in it....but she could have cared less. Other eggs had lolly pops - and let me tell you my girl was in heaven!!!!

Zachary did hunt eggs, but I had to post this picture instead of one from the egg hunt. We were playing in the yard and Zach was going crazy over this Carrot Bat, and I let go of him and he stood there for almost a minute just playing with the bat. I was AMAZED. He's never stood that long without falling or holding on to something. I was soooo proud of him!!!


We caught the girls "just being girls" and couldn't resist snapping shots of this all-time favorite nursery rhyme reenactment! Ohhh, I love these girls!!!!!

And last but not least, my two favorite girls!!! Chillin' out after a fun-filled Easter BBQ!
This is the life!!!!
May everyone have as blessed a weekend as we did!!!! And as Olivia says every night, "I wuv you God, I wuv you Jesus, Amen!"

Welcome Warm Weather

Well, it's finally warm enough to get outside most days, and boy have we been taking advantage of the parks. Olivia asks almost every day if she can go to the "Big Slide", and she is a pro at climbing, sliding, and shimmying through anything that a playground can throw her way.Josh was off today with the kids while I worked my bottom off at work (booooo), and he actually took the kids to the park for a picnic! I was so proud (and jealous) of him!!! He's definitely the best Daddy in the world. Life is changing by the minute in our house. Zach is cruising along on all of the furniture, and I think that he'll be walking before long. He loves Aunti Lynn Lynn's push toy, and he gets so frustrated when he pushes it into something and can't go any farther. Truly Adorable!!!

He had his 9 month check up about a week ago, and he's weighing in at 19.6 pounds (25th percentile). Olivia weighed less than that at her 12 month check up! He just seems so big compared to her....but I guess compared to other boys, he's pretty normal.

Olivia is such an amazing little girl. She's learning so quickly, and her vocabulary is quite great if I may say so myself. She's picking up on little sayings that we use alot, like "I'll think about it." She'll ask for something and when she can tell that I'm pondering my answer, she'll say, "Just think about it, Mommy." How cute is that?!?!

She's also memorized about 15 nursery rhymes, and it's so cute to hear her say them. If I can ever figure out how to do the whole video thing, I'll post so all can see.

Josh is interviewing for the Director's position in University Relations at NGC. He's been the acting director for almost a year now, but they have finally put a search committee together and are filling the position permanently. Please keep him in your prayers. his interview is a week from today (Friday) and he's very passionate about getting this position. North GA is very special to Josh, and for those of you who know him, you can attest that no one could work as hard for or care more about that University. If it's God's will, it will happen. If it doesn't, I'm sure there's another opportunity for him.

And me...well I'm just ready for Spring. I can't wait to plant some flowers and do my Spring Cleaning in the house. I have several closets that are crying for attention. I've actually been trying to start a new blog. It will document my weight loss journey. Inspired by Caron who has her ticker on her page, I thought it would be a nice way for my blogger buddies to help me be accountable. And anyone who's interested could join in on recipe swaps. I just have to figure out how to get a ticker up there, and I'll be good to go.

I did get to see my friend Amanda this week. She just had her new baby girl, Marleigh a little over a month ago, and let me tell you this little girl made me want to have another one right now!!! Amanda let me feed her while I was visiting, and I just couldn't put her down. I also got to meet some of Amanda's neighbors who were really nice, so hopefully I'll have one more blogger buddy to add to my list.

I hope that everyone is doing well. I do check in from time to time, but I hardly have time to leave messages. So please know that even though I'm not commenting, I'm still keeping up with all of you.

Happy Easter Weekend!!! I hope the Easter Bunny bring you everything that you want...and don't forget the True Reason for the Season!