I'm Still Here, I Swear!

Wow, I tend to forget sometimes about where I came from, and that I should document the progression more.  So, here I am to catch up a bit.

I've been in our new home on the coast for 4 months now.  It's so strange living in a high tourist area.  We actually make an extra dollar an hour at work all summer to accommodate the busy-ness. 

I got promoted at work.  I am a Customer Service Manager now.  :)  
It's brought both good and bad with it.  A LOT of haters have shown their faces, including girls who were my "friends" before I got the position as their boss.  One gal won't make eye contact with me - ever, especially when I have to ask her something, or tell her to do something.  She'll bad mouth me like no other though.  I'm holding my own, and doing a good job though.

It's a lot more stressful than I'd imagined.  There's a lot more responsibility than there appears to be on the surface.  Lots of running around, being everywhere at once, fixing everyone's problems, and always with a smile on your face.  I like it though.  And if all goes well, I can anticipate another promotion in 6 months. 

For Mother's Day, I organized a family portrait session.  I do believe it turned out smashing.
It was important for me, because since our last family photo (in 2005), I have lost one husband, and gained another, lost (almost) 120 lbs, and gained a nephew. 

Okay, Left to right:  My Mommy and Daddy, our newest addition: Isaac, then in the back its my brother and sister in law, then me, and my Daniel.  In the front are my 3 older nephews. 


This is my favorite shot....

My weight loss is....still there I guess.  I've been beating myself up, but looking back to my last blog, I've lost a few more pounds.  I am sooo close to -120 lbs its not funny.  I hit 189 (187 is -120) and then it went back up into the 190's.  I went a few weeks-months being very lax on my carbs.  I'd eat "healthy carbs" like fruit and whole wheat crackers (and candy *cough*), and would gain and lose the same 10 lbs over and over again. 
Now I've been straight  for 3 weeks now.....and I'm hovering on the low 190's, just refusing to hit the 180's again.  It's frustrating, but I'm not caving, or haven't yet at least.

I am a solid 14/16 pant size now.  I even fit into some 12's.  I can wear Medium and Large tops no problem, and try on smalls that are cute, and about 1/2 the time can fit them.
I just bought a dress today that is a size 6.  It's stretchy, and some spanx may be needed to smooth things out, but it fits!!  :P

This dress here is an 8:

This past Sunday, we had a big multi-stake meeting.  When I saw my cousin walk by well into the meeting, I stood up to flag her down to sit by us.  She smiled, came over, and then looked at me and gasped.  She hadn't realized it was me!  She thought I was just some nice *skinny* lady who was giving her an extra seat.  :D  

Another old friend was in the bathrooms, and I said "Hi".  She politely said "Hi" back, and then goes "OH!! Amanda!!  I didn't even recognize you!!  You're all skinny and blonde!!"    :D

I FEEL small(er), but I am still seeing the 50 lbs I have left.  So when someone compliments me, I add a "but" to it.  Several ladies from work ask if I'm losing weight and how, and one gal asked if I worked out cuz I was "FIIINE".  Umm.....thank you??

I gotta say I love living on the beach.  We frequently go on long walks (on the beach, cliche' I know, lol) but its so rejuvenating.  We swim occasionally, but I like the walks better.

We've even started to learn how to Flow Ride.  No good whatsoever, but its fun, and we look hawt in our wetsuits. 

One day for my lunch break, I even sat on the beach.  It was so nice and relaxing.

This was my view:

Last weekend my parents and brother and nephews came up for a quick visit.  We rented the 4 wheel bikes and rode it along the beach.  It was so fun.  We had never done it before.  My oldest nephew and I were shouting "HIIII!!!" to everyone we passed, and he would not stop ringing the bike bell.

Our legs were like jelly afterward, and I had to leave early to go to work, but I won't ever forget it.

Daniel and I have gotten to go to the temple a few times.  I love living close to it.  I love having a temple recommend and actually being able to go.  It's such a blessing that I didn't know I was missing.  We've been active in our Ward here, and are Nursery workers.....which is....fun.  :)

Giving us a crash course for when we have our own. 

The animals are good.  I know the dogs miss their backyard, but they haven't said anything about it yet.  ;)

We take them on short walks to potty, and occasionally long walks on the beach.

We're battling fleas, which is oh so fun, and such a losing battle. 

It's surprisingly not too insane living in an apartment with all of them.  Wouldn't be the same without them.  I will wrap up my blog with a couple shots of my babies.  We still have Garfield too.  We've tried a few times to adopt him out, but I think he's family now, and we're stuck with each other. 

I'll try my best to write more often....just crazy busy with work and such.

BYE!!