#38: Itemize your Donations

Your dad and I have been on a steady weight loss journey for almost 8 months now, so it was definitely time to empty our closets of items that no longer fit.

This is a lesson that your Great Aunt Phyllis taught me as soon as I started working and having her help with my taxes. ALWAYS itemize your donations and get a receipt!!!! Being generous really does pay off in so many ways. I want you all to know the importance of giving the things you no longer need to people who might truly treasure them. We periodically go through your toys for this very reason...there will always be people less fortunate than you - remember to do your part to take care of them...

#37: Swim With Sharks

So, anyone who knows me knows I do NOT like getting in the ocean. I'm terrified by what could be lurking below the cashing waves - and yes, mostly I'm afraid of sharks. I seem to be the only one in the family with this fear...and so I bite my tongue as the kids play with Dave and venture further and further from the shoreline.

Thinking about swimming with sharks made me think of an important lesson. There are so many people out there who are scared to swim with the sharks (aka: big dogs/executives/etc) and I want you to never be intimidated. Swim with the best! Learn from them. One day, I'm sure you will all be sharks in whatever sea you decide to venture into.

#36: Positive & Honest Reflection Provides Continued Motivation

I love my birthday. It is the only day that is ALL MINE! Each year on my birthday I take a minute to reflect on myself and what's going on with ME. This year was no different - but so different at the same time. Here's what I know:

I am a 35-year-old woman. I am a mother to 3 of the most beautiful people I've ever known. I am a wife to my best friend and #1 fan. I am a sister who misses her little sister everyday. I am a daughter who is still trying to make my mom and dad proud. I am a daughter-in-law who is thankful to have a 2nd family so full of love. I am a friend to so many - old and new...and I treasure each relationship. I am overweight but so proud to no longer be OBESE. I am blessed beyond measure with family/friends who love me, support me, challenge me, calm me, excite me, push me, pull me and most importantly - believe in me!

In the spirit of honest reflection - check me out!!! 100lbs lighter since Louie was born - well on my way to achieving my ultimate goals...Here's to a new year - an even better year - a year of progress and forward motion - a year of results - a year of ME!

Take the time to give yourself a POSITIVE annual review. I use my birthday because it is easy to remember...ask yourself - where am I? where am I going? where have I been? How do I get there? Who can help me? Don't forget to keep it positive. It does no good to beat yourself up with negative self-talk and low self esteem...be proud...believe me, I look at these pictures and my gut reaction is disgust...but when I take time to give myself honest reflection I see a woman who is trying her best...Believe me, YOU can make the most amazing things happen!!!

#35: Eat FRESH Fruit (and Veggies)

Recently we visited a FL orange grove and it was beautiful. Orange is my favorite color - so this has definitely been on my FL bucket list...One of the best parts about our visit was getting to eat fresh oranges/grapefruits...there is quite simply nothing better (in my opinion)! It made me think of Paps and Grams because he had an orange tree and a grapefruit tree in Arizona and it was one of my favorite things to do...pick a grapefruit and eat breakfast with them...

There's no deep lesson here - just always look for and enjoy FRESH fruit (and veggies) when you can! :)

#34: Check and Change Your Filters

So, the week before last both of our home furnaces (yes we have 2 in FL) had to have their motors replaced. What are the chances, right? Luckily, they were covered by our home warranty and were able to be fixed easily...but I did learn a valuable lesson that I wanted to pass along...check AND change your filters! lol FYI: They should NOT look like this:

Now our filters are all clean and this is now a task on my home to do list every couple of months...but more than a house filter, this got me thinking...how often do we check and change our personal filters. Perhaps I've been thinking too much...but hear me out...filters trap all of the crap that is in our house's air...thus allowing for clean air to be cycled back through our ventilation system and back into our space. I'm pretty sure I have a personal filter that works the same way...it collects all of the trash I read/see, all of the nasty things people say, all of the doubts/fears I hide, all of the troubles I face...etc...so as I quickly approach my 35th birthday - I think I'll take a minute and check and clean my filter...start fresh and enjoy the life I'm working so hard to create. There are people/things that don't fit in my world anymore and I think it is time to do some spring cleaning...think about it...

#33: Always Root For Each Other

We spent the weekend in Melbourne cheering for your dad. He ran a 1/2 marathon today...and we wanted to show him how proud we were! He has always been such a positive role model for you in terms of leading an active/healthy life - it wasn't always this way...but I'm so glad he has made this committment not only to himself, but to us! I'm finally listening and doing my best to catch up so that we can all enjoy getting growing up together! :)

Official Stats: 1:57:50, 8:57 pace, 70F, 97% humidity

As you grow up, please remember to root for each other. Cheer each other on to the finish line - whether it be with school achievements, extra-curricular activities, career successes, personal growth...whatever it is - let's root for each other!!!