Mary Update Only

I just wanted to give an update on me and my life/thoughts. I feel this is important because I know what it's like to struggle with certain thoughts & feelings that I feel a lot of girls and women struggle with.

I've never been comfortable with my body or weight..even at my thinnest (around 120-125) I felt awkward and chubby. I think it's just something I grew up thinking and it has stuck with me. And of course there's always some blame that can be put on the media. However, after I had my daughter in 

September 2011 my weight was at its highest. Thankfully 30 of my 41 lb. baby weight gain just fell off within 3 weeks of having her, but that last 11 lbs. stuck with me for over a year. It all resided in my midsection and thighs too, so my jean size was considerably higher and I felt considerably rounder. I would make half-hearted attempts to lose the weight (get salads when dining out, go on walks, etc.) but nothing I did was a serious attempt or life change until the last few months.

Renewing my faith in God has helped me renew my faith in myself. I believe I can achieve ANYTHING. It may sound cheesy or lame but it's an honest statement. I've lost almost 9 lbs and shrunk one jean size (as of Sunday March 3rd). I enjoy working out and eating healthy. Honestly the beginning was difficult. I noticed mental and emotional changes before any significant physical changes. I had to change my mindset. It's not about "being skinny", it's about being healthy and setting the best example I can for my child. I don't go to the gym to be skinny anymore. I go because it makes me happy; it keeps me energized. Losing weight on top of those things is a bonus. I do have weight loss goals (20lbs total) BUT I'm not going to stress out over not being a certain figure/size. It's a hard place to come to. It was honestly a  HUGE challenge to stop focusing on my body and start focusing on my health but if you stop focusing on weight loss or the physical image of yourself in your head and start focusing on improving your life that weight loss WILL come and you won't be stressing about it.

I'm honestly one of those people who was always trying to lose 5lbs, 10 lbs or shrink a jean size so if I can lose weight and be healthier I truly believe anyone can. This isn't a bragging blog, but I hope it can encourage some of you who are unhappy with yourself to take that step and make changes. If I can do it so can you.

:)

2013 starts

Well here I am again! I've come to accept the fact that I suck at keeping up with this blog on a weekly or even monthly basis. Oops! :)

Alex has been gone since September. It's been a long deployment already..and not an easy one either but we're still hanging in there and anxiously awaiting the reuniting of our family. Alex and his unit are doing great work over there and I know they are a powerful presence. We're so proud. Please continue to send your thoughts, prayers and encouraging words to Alex and his team. It's needed and appreciated!

Spencer will be 18 months in a few weeks. I cannot believe our little baby is almost a year and a half. Her BIG personality is becoming more and more apparent with each passing day. She loves the word "no". In fact, she likes to answer all of Dora and Mickey's questions with no and she doesn't look entirely convinced when they disagree with her! HA! She has mastered the use of a fork and gets the idea of using a spoon for the most part but not all of the spoonable foods make the long trek from the bowl to her mouth..we lose a lot lol. She's learning though and LOVES using all utensils! She is constantly talking. Every day she likes to hug her puppies and tell me their names. She talks about her Mimi- pointing her out in family photos (as if the rest of us aren't in them too). She has been able to Skype with Alex on several occasions and she knows that's "Dada" even though he now has a full blown Amish beard. She loves showing him all her toys and makes sure to hug all her favorites with a big "awwww" while he's watching. I can't wait to have those two back together.

She is very busy. If she's conscious, she's moving, running and exploring. She is a big hugger and loves to point. Her YMCA "teacher" said she was really great at communicating. (duh, have I mentioned she's a superior human?) ;). She (and I) have been warming up to some childcare. She goes to the Y childcare and will now be going to Sunday school at church. Which brings me to another exciting bit of news...Spencer and I found a church that I'm pretty sure her daddy will enjoy! It reminds me a lot of the church I attended back in Kansas, Life Church. I already feel really connected and welcomed there and cannot wait to get more involved. It's really a beautiful thing finding a church that I feel so drawn to so quickly. I look forward to this new part of our life. I've honestly fallen off track with regard to my spiritual side so this is a huge deal to me.

Anita will be visiting us this upcoming month. She'll be babysitting Spencer (and me) while I get my wisdom teeth taken out. We can't wait to have her!

Life is very busy for the Burdge's. We're ready to have Alex back with us and to spend some quality family time together. Again, I cannot say when he's coming home or much of anything about the deployment so please respect that. But we do appreciate your concern and know you're just worried! He's doing well and is happy to be doing something good over there! I'll leave you with some pictures from the last months. :)

Love.