The strength of my son...

Mitchell continues to find ways to impress me. Not only has he become a young man of integrity, with wisdom and knowledge beyond his years, but he has become a young man whose physical strength equals his spiritual strength. I couldn't be prouder of the dedication that he puts forth in all aspects of his life.

We attended his first varsity power lifting meet yesterday. I'd never been to one before, so Mike gave me the basics of how it works. They had three lifts/events in which they competed: the dead lift, bench press, and the squat. They got three attempts in each category to add/improve their previous weight. There are three judges, who approve the lift with a white light, or deny the lift with a red light. If you get two or three out of three white lights, then it's a good lift. If you get two or three red lights, then your lift is not approved and you don't get credit for it. At the end of the meet, they took the athlete's top weight they lifted in each event and added them together.

 Chalking his hands

Centering his stance

330 lbs.

 Momma is cheering to herself..."Go, baby."

Look at that focus!

A THREE white light lift!

Mitchell totaled 775 pounds for his final scoring. For a sophomore (who happens to be 6'3"--a disadvantage in this sport), competing on a varsity level...that ain't bad!!! We are so proud of Mitchell and look forward to watching him succeed throughout the rest of his high school athletic career.

Holding myself accountable

So is it worth it?

I love food. I enjoy eating it. I find comfort in it, especially sweets and breads. There is a recognizable amount of therapy provided in eating for me...whether I've had a long day at school teaching twenty-one 8 year olds, or come home to disgruntled children of my own whose negativity is contagious. It could be that I am feeling overwhelmed by the trash cans that seem to be competing for the highest pile award, creeping up the wall in each bathroom, or that laundry that still hasn't figured out a way to fold itself. Sitting at the computer with a package of M&Ms, or the movie screen with a bowl of movie theater pour-over buttered popcorn is my kind of unwind!

But as I've gotten older, I've also found that my metabolism is not as kind as it once was. I've grown tired of gaining 5-10 pounds each year over the past few years (it has found a way to add up, my friends). I find that as I glance into the glass floor-to-ceiling windows in the shopping mall, I am self conscious of the larger image that is becoming my own. At a recent health fair, it was determined by my BMI that I am overweight and was counseled to improve my diet and level of activity.

So what is the point to this post? Last November, I decided I had grown tired of the steady pace at which I was gaining. I went so far as to initiate a "biggest loser" club at work. I've cut back on portions, sweets, breads, sodas, and yes...my buttered popcorn. I am exercising 3-5 times a week and drinking more water. (As tempting as the media makes it, I haven't used any miracle solutions in a bottle.) Is it working? Yes. I've lost about ten pounds...and people have noticed. I will admit, there is nothing more motivating than friends who acknowledge your efforts with the complimentary question/comment..."Are you losing weight? You look great!"

Now, here is why I am writing...I am growing tired of working out, passing up my favorite indulgences, and watching others maintain their tiny figures, while eating MY M&Ms! I've done horribly over the past few days and have basically eaten how I've wanted, without exercising to counter-balance my splurges. :(

I know that I must continue living a healthier life style, because it does feel good to be HEALTHY. I miss my sweets and the time spent playing Bejeweled on Facebook, but I love the way I feel after I've actually completed a workout, or weighed and lost another pound. I am writing this post to convince myself that I will GET UP IN THE MORNING, put in my workout video, and travel the treadmill!

There's nothing more motivating than advertising my weaknesses for all to see. I consider it my own form of peer pressure...holding myself accountable.

Go ME!

T'was the Night Before Christmas...

in the Anthony's house,

yummy creatures were baked...even Santa, the Mouse!

 

 

Tiny stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

inside castles of crackers that reached for the air. 

(T'was the Night Before Christmas is one of my favorite holiday poems! :) 

 

 

On this winter-white, snowy Christmas Eve, our family has enjoyed cookie decorating and movie time in the media room with buttered popcorn and one of mom's favorites, Miracle on 34th Street. We made miniature "gingerbread" houses using graham crackers, with a competition brewing...BOYS vs. GIRLS! Due to technical difficulty, the girls struggled to keep their project standing. With Mitchell's architectural skill and design, the boys won by a land slide. We may have to recruit parental support for next year's rematch. :) 

As we focus on our Savior during this special season and what our family and friends mean to us, may you and yours have a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To be published, or not to be published...that is the question!

I am braving the tumultuous waters of publication and submitting some of my work this week. While working on my realistic-fictional novel My Mother's Secret, I have decided to take a short break (two-thirds finished) and attempt contact with the "writer's world" of children's literature. I am submitting to a few publishers who accept solicited submissions, as well as agents. (I made need a life preserver before it's all said and done!)



 "WHAT are you submitting?" you ask! While unpacking boxes, hidden in the garage for an unmentionable amount of time, my husband found a book I wrote and illustrated for one of my education classes in college, years ago. Since it's unearthing, I have thought seriously about my desire to write. I have concluded that I am willing to walk the plank and see which water animal gets to me first (...hoping the sharks don't chew me up and spit me out).



Whose Friend Are You? is a simple, predictable children's book that I could see as a board book in the hands of my niece or nephew. While I won't give away its content, I'll tease you with a picture or two! Muwaaaaahaaaahaaaaa....;)

I may be getting in over my head, but one never knows until he flaps his arms and kicks his feet, if he can swim. We'll see what happens! (Stand by with the boat and bouy.)

Gifts come in all kinds of packages...

During this holiday season, I have pondered the gifts in my life and how grateful I am for them. While they aren't wrapped in shimmery packaging, with ribbons or bows, they are sealed with the blessings of my Heavenly Father. He knows me, loves me, and continuously makes His presence known in the lives of my family.

The most recent gift we as a family have received, is our newest addition--Kai Harkness. After years of trying to have their own child, my sister and brother-in-law were told they could not get pregnant. With a strong desire to become parents, they decided to adopt. They went through a Chinese agency and found our sweet Kai. With the wonderful news of becoming parents, spirits lifted, and plans began to unfold. The unexpected twist in this fairy tale is that Nancy found herself pregnant, just months before she was scheduled to travel to China to get Kai! God blessed her with a TWO-FOR-ONE special! Her daughter, Kylee, is due to make her entrance into this world in March. Kai will be a big brother!

After crawling from bed at wee hour of 5:00, the kids and I went this morning to the airport to meet their new cousin. We felt like missing a day of school was worth the opportunity to spend time with Kai during their layover at DFW, before finishing their journey home to OKC.

Yes, this precious package is small, and isn't tied with string...but this morning, 

became one of "my favorite things!"

We love you, Kai!

My Bucket List

While I don't plan on leaving this earth any time soon (beyond the clouds),  one of the things I have always wanted to do is ride in a hot air balloon. The area we live in has several balloonists who take advantage of beautiful days like today! We happen to live in a path that they frequently fly, so our very own back yard is a prime spot for watching as they glide through the sky.

Mike, the kids and I, stood in the front yard and waved as 

the air born explorers passed...

and I daydreamed of waving back to my family, from the basket above.