Just a quick little update of my weight loss adventure. I have one more weigh in...on November 7th and I'll officially be a Weight Watchers Lifetime member. I am thrilled. I've lost 18 to 20 pounds and have been maintaining below my set goal weight...Wahoooo for me! I do have to say that having Vic in the home...thus buying way more junk food than I normally would...has made WW a little more challenging the past few weeks. The great news is that I think my body has leveled out and I am now much more aware of what and how much I can eat to maintain a healthy weight. Not to mention, I am enjoying buying the size 6's as opposed to the alternative so I am motivated to maintain!
I haven't been to the gym in about two months because of the various physical ailments but I am definitely looking forward to returning to the Y next week. I hope my muscles are ready to WORK. I have missed the energy and nice increase in serotonin that exercise gives me. I can't wait to get back to my routine and hopefully I can get Vic on board with a workout routine too.
Thanks to all my friends and family for their support along my journey!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
MIA no more....
The past few weeks have been busy at the Cook household. Between a quick trip to Disney, stomach flu, bronchitis, walking pneumonia and a broken rib, I haven't had much time to write nor have I really felt like it. Not to mention, we are all still adjusting to having the newest crew member...Vic. Vic is such a delightful new addition but the experience definitely calls for a learning curve. I continue to learn everyday something new about parenting a teenage boy. Let's see....a few new things I have learned about "Victor P"
He can easily drink a 12 pack of Sprite in just a few days, grape soda runs a close second.
He moves about as quickly as his father in terms of getting out of the house to leave...NOT QUICKLY AT ALL...like father like son.
Potato chips, Poptarts, and cereal are among his faves and Butterfingers are his favorite candy bar....like stepmother like son :)
Teenage boys, well mine anyway, needs lots of reminders to take care of chores. I guess chores aren't high on his list of priorities when compared to friends, girls, etc.
Victor has turned out to be an amazing big brother. I like to watch him interact with Connor and my heart sings when Vic refers to Connor as "buddy." Vic even babysits every now and then and doesn't complain. Nice bonus.
So that's where we are at the Cook household. I am still recovering from the bout of bronchitis that I swear feels like it is lingering on and I am still dealing with some pain related to the broken rib. But life goes on and we continue to put one foot in front of the other.
Stay tuned for an update on my weight loss journey and a new women's group I am participating in each week.
He can easily drink a 12 pack of Sprite in just a few days, grape soda runs a close second.
He moves about as quickly as his father in terms of getting out of the house to leave...NOT QUICKLY AT ALL...like father like son.
Potato chips, Poptarts, and cereal are among his faves and Butterfingers are his favorite candy bar....like stepmother like son :)
Teenage boys, well mine anyway, needs lots of reminders to take care of chores. I guess chores aren't high on his list of priorities when compared to friends, girls, etc.
Victor has turned out to be an amazing big brother. I like to watch him interact with Connor and my heart sings when Vic refers to Connor as "buddy." Vic even babysits every now and then and doesn't complain. Nice bonus.
So that's where we are at the Cook household. I am still recovering from the bout of bronchitis that I swear feels like it is lingering on and I am still dealing with some pain related to the broken rib. But life goes on and we continue to put one foot in front of the other.
Stay tuned for an update on my weight loss journey and a new women's group I am participating in each week.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Down and Out...and trying not to be!
Well, I am on day four of feeling like crap and on like week 7 of not feeling like myself. Bronchitis that never went away, followed by a horrific case of stomach flu topped with walking pneumonia. Nice! I am not used to laying around, resting and just taking care of me. Afterall, I have a household to run, two boys to take care of, a husband to tend to and clients that truly need their time with me each week.
After talking to my girlfriend, Mrs. Toot-Toot, realization kicked in that, yes indeed, God is teaching me a lesson in self-care. It's so easy for me to teach my clients how to do this but not so easy for me to do myself. So I am working on it. Since Monday, I've been worried about the clients that I see each week, what their needs are, how easily can they be rescheduled, the money I am losing and what my colleagues must think about me being out.
I am slowly accepting that
1) It does not matter what my colleagues think!
2) God will provide financially and ensure that my family is OK despite the loss in income for the last two weeks
3) I cannot meet anyone's needs until I meet my own. For all you caretakers out there reading this.....this is always hard for us...its always others before ourselves.
So...I am trying to embrace this time period that God has given for my body to heal and am trying to let go of my worried thoughts about the little things that don't matter in the long run! I have a dear cousin that made that comment to me after she struggled with the possibility of thinking she may have had a recurrence with cancer. Now please understand, I am certainly not comparing my illness to a possible recurrence of cancer but the point is the same....the things we THINK matter in life really don't when God allows us to examine our lives and take stock of what really is important :) Thanks Caelyn for reminding me not so long ago of this lesson!
After talking to my girlfriend, Mrs. Toot-Toot, realization kicked in that, yes indeed, God is teaching me a lesson in self-care. It's so easy for me to teach my clients how to do this but not so easy for me to do myself. So I am working on it. Since Monday, I've been worried about the clients that I see each week, what their needs are, how easily can they be rescheduled, the money I am losing and what my colleagues must think about me being out.
I am slowly accepting that
1) It does not matter what my colleagues think!
2) God will provide financially and ensure that my family is OK despite the loss in income for the last two weeks
3) I cannot meet anyone's needs until I meet my own. For all you caretakers out there reading this.....this is always hard for us...its always others before ourselves.
So...I am trying to embrace this time period that God has given for my body to heal and am trying to let go of my worried thoughts about the little things that don't matter in the long run! I have a dear cousin that made that comment to me after she struggled with the possibility of thinking she may have had a recurrence with cancer. Now please understand, I am certainly not comparing my illness to a possible recurrence of cancer but the point is the same....the things we THINK matter in life really don't when God allows us to examine our lives and take stock of what really is important :) Thanks Caelyn for reminding me not so long ago of this lesson!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
So Far...
So...We have had Vic since the weekend, won't be official until September 14th when we go to court. Hagie was home for the weekend and since then it's been me and the boys..transitioning, adjusting and doing the best we can. Victor is enrolled in Decatur High School. I have attended enrollment, attended registration and met with his counselor and gearing up to attend my first official "real" open house tomorrow night. I just wanted to quickly document some of the lessons I learned very quickly in terms of parenting seventeen year old boys:
1. No...they don't want you to walk with them through their new school to see the layout of their school and to see where their classes are.....this is an embarrassment to them!
2. On the list of importance these days at high school is the important question of "do you smoke?" and no we aren't talking about cigarettes. I was informed that this question is asked within the first few minutes of talking to other students. And if you answer no...you are looked at like you are a "nark."
3. Independence within limits is necessary....this is how teenagers grow and learn to make decisions on their own...hopefully good decisions.
4. Evidently, too many notebooks are overrated....one five subject spiral is sufficient until told otherwise.
5. Even as cool as I think I am...there really is no such thing as a "cool" parent in the mind of a seventeen year old.
6. Most important...they need all the love and support we can give them...because being a teenager is hard!
1. No...they don't want you to walk with them through their new school to see the layout of their school and to see where their classes are.....this is an embarrassment to them!
2. On the list of importance these days at high school is the important question of "do you smoke?" and no we aren't talking about cigarettes. I was informed that this question is asked within the first few minutes of talking to other students. And if you answer no...you are looked at like you are a "nark."
3. Independence within limits is necessary....this is how teenagers grow and learn to make decisions on their own...hopefully good decisions.
4. Evidently, too many notebooks are overrated....one five subject spiral is sufficient until told otherwise.
5. Even as cool as I think I am...there really is no such thing as a "cool" parent in the mind of a seventeen year old.
6. Most important...they need all the love and support we can give them...because being a teenager is hard!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Overwhelming Love and Acceptance
Well, the ball is rolling and Hagie and I have started the steps towards getting custody of Victor. This is our second try together, and the first ended in major disappointment. My prayer is that this one works out in the best interest of Vic!
Today I have experienced so many emotions, most of all, anxiety and excitement. I remember the day I met Vic. He was about 9 or 10; shy, skinny like his daddy, a joy to be around and easy going. Not much has changed except now he comes with the demeanor of a seventeen year old male :). From day one, I accepted Vic as if he was my own. I know he has a mother but I am also very aware that his mother has not done right by him and he deserves better. The love I feel for this child that isn't biologically mine is overwhelming! And it's because of this love that I am able to maintain some level of sanity throughout the trials and tribulations regarding Vic. It's also this love that gives me such a feeling of excitement to FINALLY have him in our home.
Tonight I got to talk to Victor one on one. I loved every minute of it. Yes, it was an intense conversation about the difficult days to come involving court and school changes but it was also a conversation where I was able to provide this deserving child with unconditional love and security that all decisions are being made with a sincere attempt to meet his needs. Victor and I got to talk about trust and how he has often found it hard to trust either biological parent because of lies he was told by his maternal side of the family. The best part, Vic was able to verbalize that he has complete trust in me, "the second mom" as he refers to me, and I WILL NOT let him down!
I look forward to helping Vic get his room set up, I look forward to helping Vic navigate his way through a new school and making new friends, I look forward to being the "mom" at home when he gets home from school and most of all I look forward to offering this child security and love that he has not experienced in any other place. Did I mention that I look forward to having him in our home...praying that it is soon to be HIS home too!
I know God is in control and God has a plan for this family that includes Victor. I pray for peace and a decrease in anxiety as Hagie and I work together to make this upcoming transition (fingers crossed and praying) as easy as possible for Vic. I ask that you all pray for the same thing. I pray that Vic feels an overwhelming sense of unconditional love and acceptance and continues to talk openly with me about how he feels and what he needs.
Updates to come, hopefully, the ball keeps moving and we can have resolution to a situation that has been a long time in the making! Asking for prayers :)
Today I have experienced so many emotions, most of all, anxiety and excitement. I remember the day I met Vic. He was about 9 or 10; shy, skinny like his daddy, a joy to be around and easy going. Not much has changed except now he comes with the demeanor of a seventeen year old male :). From day one, I accepted Vic as if he was my own. I know he has a mother but I am also very aware that his mother has not done right by him and he deserves better. The love I feel for this child that isn't biologically mine is overwhelming! And it's because of this love that I am able to maintain some level of sanity throughout the trials and tribulations regarding Vic. It's also this love that gives me such a feeling of excitement to FINALLY have him in our home.
Tonight I got to talk to Victor one on one. I loved every minute of it. Yes, it was an intense conversation about the difficult days to come involving court and school changes but it was also a conversation where I was able to provide this deserving child with unconditional love and security that all decisions are being made with a sincere attempt to meet his needs. Victor and I got to talk about trust and how he has often found it hard to trust either biological parent because of lies he was told by his maternal side of the family. The best part, Vic was able to verbalize that he has complete trust in me, "the second mom" as he refers to me, and I WILL NOT let him down!
I look forward to helping Vic get his room set up, I look forward to helping Vic navigate his way through a new school and making new friends, I look forward to being the "mom" at home when he gets home from school and most of all I look forward to offering this child security and love that he has not experienced in any other place. Did I mention that I look forward to having him in our home...praying that it is soon to be HIS home too!
I know God is in control and God has a plan for this family that includes Victor. I pray for peace and a decrease in anxiety as Hagie and I work together to make this upcoming transition (fingers crossed and praying) as easy as possible for Vic. I ask that you all pray for the same thing. I pray that Vic feels an overwhelming sense of unconditional love and acceptance and continues to talk openly with me about how he feels and what he needs.
Updates to come, hopefully, the ball keeps moving and we can have resolution to a situation that has been a long time in the making! Asking for prayers :)
Friday, August 21, 2009
Early Morning Thoughts...3am
I'm starting this post about 3am on Friday, now whether or not I finish it before trying to go back to bed is another story.
So my last blog was about Connor's desire for a sibling and the beginning of my thoughts on having a second child. Life is hectic for the Cook's right now. Not to repeat but Hagie travels a lot, I am working full-time because I choose too, and I've discovered that parenting a preschooler is challenging, at best on good days.
Now..life has thrown a curve ball...one I welcome but a curve ball that comes with a different kind of stress. Victor, my stepson, is in a position where he NEEDS to live with us and has voiced that he would like to come live with us (we've been down this road before but it didn't work out how we had hoped). WOW...I love it! My other reaction is whoa....that means my life will change drastically. As I told Hagie today, I will willingly change my schedule and adjust my life so that Victor can have better. After all, isn't' that what moms do..even though I am not his biological mother, I sure feel like his mom in many ways and think of him as my own. Why will my life change? Well, Hagie will continue to travel which places me in the role of primary caretaker not only to an active preschooler but to a teenager who has a whole new set of needs. This does not scare me and care taking is what I love. HOWEVER, I love my job too. This is where all the internal conflict about having a second child comes into play along with the fact that I'd be single parenting it the majority of the week. Hagie...I'm not picking at you...just being real.
Here are my worries about all of this but I have made a decision to pray about it all and I know that it will all work out...God's way not always Stacie's way (boy that's a hard one for me sometimes)!
1. We DEFINITELY need a bigger house. I think we out grew it the day we moved in over five years ago.
2. To have Vic and a second child will definitely mean a reduction in my private practice...this is a big decision for me and one that I struggle with A LOT.
3. Currently, there is no real end in sight to a reduction in Hagie's travel schedule. Hagie I love you and KNOW that you work hard and do what you do to support us and make sure we are comfortable....I appreciate you for that!
So, as jumbled as that all my sound at 3 something in the morning, those are my thoughts. I'll keep writing about this ongoing topic; it definitely helps!
So my last blog was about Connor's desire for a sibling and the beginning of my thoughts on having a second child. Life is hectic for the Cook's right now. Not to repeat but Hagie travels a lot, I am working full-time because I choose too, and I've discovered that parenting a preschooler is challenging, at best on good days.
Now..life has thrown a curve ball...one I welcome but a curve ball that comes with a different kind of stress. Victor, my stepson, is in a position where he NEEDS to live with us and has voiced that he would like to come live with us (we've been down this road before but it didn't work out how we had hoped). WOW...I love it! My other reaction is whoa....that means my life will change drastically. As I told Hagie today, I will willingly change my schedule and adjust my life so that Victor can have better. After all, isn't' that what moms do..even though I am not his biological mother, I sure feel like his mom in many ways and think of him as my own. Why will my life change? Well, Hagie will continue to travel which places me in the role of primary caretaker not only to an active preschooler but to a teenager who has a whole new set of needs. This does not scare me and care taking is what I love. HOWEVER, I love my job too. This is where all the internal conflict about having a second child comes into play along with the fact that I'd be single parenting it the majority of the week. Hagie...I'm not picking at you...just being real.
Here are my worries about all of this but I have made a decision to pray about it all and I know that it will all work out...God's way not always Stacie's way (boy that's a hard one for me sometimes)!
1. We DEFINITELY need a bigger house. I think we out grew it the day we moved in over five years ago.
2. To have Vic and a second child will definitely mean a reduction in my private practice...this is a big decision for me and one that I struggle with A LOT.
3. Currently, there is no real end in sight to a reduction in Hagie's travel schedule. Hagie I love you and KNOW that you work hard and do what you do to support us and make sure we are comfortable....I appreciate you for that!
So, as jumbled as that all my sound at 3 something in the morning, those are my thoughts. I'll keep writing about this ongoing topic; it definitely helps!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Today...Frustration!
As I sit and write this, Connor is screaming while he sits in time out. He sits in time out because he continues to poop in his underwear. He didn't poop because he does not know...he pooped because he REFUSES to poop in the potty. In fact, he'll ask for his underwear to be put back on him after sitting on the potty just so he can poop.
Today is not the day! So he is sitting in the corner, calling for "daddy" because I'm the bad guy. I hate that. These are the times I wish Hagie was home too. So for today, I am choosing to let him sit in time out, I took away his favorite car, and he'll be going to bed after he has a bath to get the poop washed up. Next on the list is to light the candles in the house to cover up the poop smell, a nice warm bath for myself, a glass of wine and an early bedtime.
Dear Lord,
Grant me the patience I feel I don't have,
Let my child know I love him even though I have to discipline him,
and give me the strength and tolerance I need to do it all over again tomorrow!
Today is not the day! So he is sitting in the corner, calling for "daddy" because I'm the bad guy. I hate that. These are the times I wish Hagie was home too. So for today, I am choosing to let him sit in time out, I took away his favorite car, and he'll be going to bed after he has a bath to get the poop washed up. Next on the list is to light the candles in the house to cover up the poop smell, a nice warm bath for myself, a glass of wine and an early bedtime.
Dear Lord,
Grant me the patience I feel I don't have,
Let my child know I love him even though I have to discipline him,
and give me the strength and tolerance I need to do it all over again tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
