Weight-loss Update

I am 12 weeks into my Take Shape for Life Plan and I have shed 36 lbs. I'm so excited that this is working. It's almost surreal! :)  Check out those new boots I bought today!

Work Crawling Out of the Fence...again!

So these last few weeks have been weeks of seeing my flesh play out horribly in the classroom. I have screamed and lost my cool more times than I care to admit. It seems nothing I try gets results with these kids. I feel like a miserable teacher and to top it all off a parent  came to my assistant principal yesterday with concerns about her child not wanting to come to school. She thankfully referred her back to me, which I appreciate, but the parent has yet to contact me and I only know that about the concerns cause the AP gave me the heads-up. Well, I've tried to contact the mother and her cell apparently, according to her request is not taking INCOMING CALLS! I feel horrible that I can't even do anything to contact the parent and attempt to get this all straightened out. I hate having some conflict that I have the possibility of fixing, and not having the ability to attempt to resolve it. It's nights like these that make it so tremendously difficult to leave work at work. Work is crawling out of it's fence and I feel useless to get it back where it belongs.  Jesus, I need your help cause I'm probably trying too hard to fix this all by myself.

What I'm Into

Saw this post on my friend's blog and I'm playing along.

On my nightstand:

The Fitting Room: Putting on the Character of Christ by Kelly Minter - I've been working on this one for a while and I'm nearly finished. It's based around the passage in Colossians 3 where scripture says we are to clothe ourselves with Christ. It's been really good to read and digest slowly.

Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey - I'm taking Financial Peace University at Church, so reading parts of this has been my homework. 

Not a lot of reading happens during the school year...just being honest.

Movies I've Seen

The Muppets  was the last movie I saw in the theater, it was very funny and nostalgic. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this one.

  

TV:

* Biggest Loser - is always a favorite and I'm looking forward to seeing who will win. Always inspiring and encourages me to keep going with my weight-loss plan.
* Once Upon a Time - Love this new show, find it so cool!  Plus it's a roommate bonding night cause we watch it together.
* Parenthood - it's on so late, but it's one guilty pleasure I usually get sucked into! 
* Switched at Birth - is a tweenage drama on ABCFamily about two girls who discover at 16 that they were switched at birth. One girl happens to be Deaf and there's lots of signing on this show and it makes me realize how much my skills have atrophied since college. *sigh*

In my ears:

*Children of the Free - this is a worship cd that was birthed out of my church in NC, and I listen to it weekly.  

*Christmas music, of course!  On the radio mostly, but I will bust out my copy of the Emmanuel tour from the nineties that I love with all the Christian Artist of old on it, and of course what's Christmas music without a little Michael W. Smith Christmastime in the mix.

The One You Need - by Shane and Shane - Awesome worship from one of my favorites. The song "Your Grace is Sufficient"  is my favorite right now. 

In my kitchen:

Since I've been on the Take Shape for Life Health Plan (click for more info) for the last 10 nearly, 11 weeks there's not too much excitement in the kitchen. Mostly green veggies and lean protein of the day with an occasional Morningstar Tomato Basil Pizza Burger thrown in the mix.  Although, many recipes especially the Cauliflower Breadsticks have been on my list of faves from this site. The plan is working wonders, as I've lost a total of 32 pounds, so far and persevering during the holidays is the plan!! :) Thanksgiving down and Christmas and New Year's to go! :)

Looking forward to:

* Getting out of school for the holidays and going home to Arkansas.

* Getting to my goal weight and eating more like a regular healthy person, and purchasing clothes smaller than any I've ever worn as an adult.

*Receiving and putting up Christmas cards. 

*Giving gifts to my family and spending time with my nephew and nieces.

* A teacher of course always looks forward to the summer and an occasional snow day, but not too many cause I don't want to lose my Spring Break.  ;)

(Obvious plug for Ooohs and Aaahs! With some before and after photos)

Here's my prior to starting my Take Shape for Life (kinda hate this picture now):

Before Take Shape for Life

After 32 lbs gone!!