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Introduction Text I'm a stay-at-home, homeschooling, adoptive mom of many...12 legally adopted kids and 1 older "informally adopted" daughter. ONLY 7 of the kids live at home now, PLUS 4 grandchildren we are caring for full-time (YES, I'm too young for this!). It's our calling....but somewhere in this calling I forgot to take care of myself. So that's why I'm here. I NEED to focus on ME. If I'm not well, the family can't be well. --------------------------------- I first joined SparkPeople in October 2009, just after my Dad passed away after a battle with liver disease, and immediately following a failed adoption of our twin baby boys. Emotionally, I was a wreck and many days still feel like I am for various reasons. However, my FAITH has carried me through so many ups and downs. I know that there is HOPE and my faith in God has been an anchor for my soul during these times. But when it comes to this, to eating, fitness, and healthy living, I just can't seem to get a handle on my issues. I don't know what my hang-up is. I think it's just too easy to rely on the excuse that "it's hard" and "I was never taught the right way to have a healthy lifestyle." So, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I have to do this. Update: Dec. 29, 2011--Still here. Still battling against so many things, but knowing that God is bigger than all of it. I am excited about what 2012 will hold. Here's to a New Year!! Update: March 24, 2013--Hanging around. Trying to come back to the basics. We now have 9 kids in our home (3 grandchildren with us full-time indefinitely plus our six). Life is insane. I need to say "YES" to taking care of me and not feel guilty that I'm taking time away from the house or the kids or my husband. I need to be healthy or I won't be around to see them all grow up. It's way, way, way past time. I started this journey in October 2009 and have struggled for more years than that! Time to get serious. Update: July 10, 2014--This is just getting crazy, isn't it? In October it will be 5 years since I joined SP. I haven't lost the weight. I haven't even begun to really lose it OR get my mind in the battle. Over the past 3 years, I have battled more than ever with my emotional well-being, and it's not over. HOWEVER, I have learned so much about truly living by faith and trusting God in all things. I often tell people now that I do well with trusting Him for the BIG things in life (income, shelter, food, clothes, providing for my kids, etc.) but when it comes to the smaller or more personal things, I still have many battles to face. I'm so thankful that I don't walk this road alone. So, here I am again. I now have ten kids at home, our six are 20 years old down to 9 years old, and we have four grandkids living here (3 indefinitely, 1 permanently will join the six as our official #13 adopted...long story). It's a daily struggle to keep it together. But this is a journey I have to get on board with. I have GOT to take care of me so I can take care of all of the rest of my responsibilities and BLESSINGS. :) Update: August 30, 2015...almost 6 years later. I'm sad to say that I'm not doing better. I'm doing worse. I feel terrible and tired, more than ever. Our family size has grown, now caring for 11 kids on a full-time basis. I'll spare you all the explanation. I'm spiritually doing okay, but, wow, do I struggle in these practical things. I see one of my goals on the right has said "Be able to wear a CUTE swimsuit when my husband takes me to Cancun for our third trip." Well, I missed out on that. He took me back in January for our third trip and I wore the same size as the first two trips (probably even weighed more). :( SOOOOO, here I am again. I pop onto SP when I feel most stuck, when in reality I should pop onto SP DAILY, MORE THAN ONCE per day. :) I will see what I can do this time around. Real life change NEEDS to happen soon. I fear for my health and wellness and my family's well-being if I find myself in poor health. This momma needs to take care of herself!

� Get to goal weight of 150 lbs. � Exercise for at least 90 minutes per week � Be able to wear a CUTE swimsuit when my husband takes me to Cancun for our third trip---NOW fourth trip!

� Track what I'm eating daily � Exercise at least 3 days per week for 30 minutes (walking, swimming, yoga, Wii Fit, or videos) � Blog 2x weekly � Track water intake (at least 8 glasses per day) � Track calories ~1500/day � Eat clean-real foods, Paleo, low-carb (PCOS), low-sugar, healthy protein, gluten-free � Drink Water, Green Tea, and Coffee (limited, half-caff or decaf) only � Accountability from SparkFriends and my DH and other local friends � Address emotional and spiritual needs to help win this fight--journaling, prayer and meditation, and accountability ***BIG ONE***

Missy from central Kansas! Adoptive mom of 14 kids (7 grown, 7 at home) Homeschooling 8 kids Grandma to 14 sweet grandbabies Knitter, crocheter, scrapbooker (almost never these days!), book lover--occasional reader, homemaker, and coffee lover :) Pinterest ADDICT!

LOVE the Lord, my family, adoption, needlecrafts, scrapbooking, Christian music, and my friends, and a good coffee shop, too! :)

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