Christmas 2011....It's a Wrap!

Yes, it's been a while since I last blogged. Someone asked me a few days ago if I had stopped, but no, I haven't stopped I've just been engaged in life, and had so many changes over the past few weeks that I haven't really had much time for blogging. Two weeks ago we got Dianne moved back to her house, and the day after she moved out Michael came home to stay, so we've just been very busy changing and rearranging.....then of course it was time for Christmas...WHEW!!!!

I must admit that through the holidays I have been extremely laxed on my eating and I have had deserts galore!!! Did they make me sick??? Well, sometimes yes, and sometimes no. Last night though I was looking through a friends pictures (a friend who had gastric bypass a few years ago), and in looking through those pictures I realized that this particular friend is just as big now, maybe bigger than before bypass. It really opened my eyes to the fact that this battle I fight every day is still very much there. Last check I had gained about 4 lbs since the start of the holiday season, which isn't too terribly bad considering I haven't been able to walk for about 6-8 weeks because of the stress fracture in my foot. HOWEVER....I'm sure my friend didn't think it was too bad when they gained the first 4 lbs back either, and now I can only imagine how that person must feel. My battle is LONG from over, and in reality I will say this battle will never be over, at least until the day I meet Jesus face to face.

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, however if I did, I would say that my goal for 2012 will be to finish losing the 33 lbs I still want to lose. I will try walking here in a week or so and see how my foot does; and hopefully that will be a go, and I'll be able to get back on track fairly quickly. Even with gastric bypass, I have discovered that exercise is still very much a vital role in the success of my weight loss. Not to mention that it really does make me feel better.

I hope each and every one of you have had a very Merry Christmas, and like me are looking forward to 2012. Twenty-eleven hasn't exactly been the best year for the Carroll's, so we are hoping 2012 will bring some positive changes to our lives, and hoping things will get back on track for us.

From our home to yours, wishing you all a very Happy and Safe New Year!

It's Almost Christmas!

Wow! I can hardly believe Christmas is just two weeks and two days away! I am sort of ready to do it and get it over with. We've been under quite a bit of stress the past few weeks, and I have been eating probably a little too much. We are about to have some changes, in that Dianne is going home this weekend, after being here for a year and a half, and Michael is coming home to stay for a while. Keith has been off work since July and is waiting for Toyota to call him with a new placement for his permanent restrictions. Brock is working at Amazon and has just blossomed! We are so excited about him. Needless to say 2012 is a welcome sight....it hasn't been one of the best years for our family, but we're going to be okay. God hasn't left us yet, and I have no reason to believe that he's going to now.

December is a month I try to reflect, and remember just how blessed we really are. I always think of my mom and dad during the holidays and I miss them terribly still. My dad passed away 14 years ago this year on December 20th. I can hardly believe he's been gone that long. I have such wonderful memories of Christmas' past. I can still remember the smells of baking my mom used to do. She always made homemade candy, jam cake, and fruit cake. I sure would love to have something she made just once more. I loved holidays in the Tuttle home....and it was a "home". Family is such an important part of us, and I am so thankful that being the youngest of ten, our family is still close and I can't imagine my life without them.

I don't make New Year resolutions, but if I did, mine for 2012 would be to reach my goal weight finally. I am so close and I would love to reach my goal by Summer. I haven't been able to walk for several weeks now due to a stress fracture in my foot, and I can tell a difference in the way I feel. Hopefully in a few more weeks I'll be able to get back at it.

I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully blessed New Year. God is good all the time! Can't wait to see what blessings are in store for 2012!