Bridal Shower

My mom hosted a bridal shower for me on Saturday 6/20/2009. She invited nearly 20 people and 6 showed up. But that is okay because I was excited to even have one. I didn't get very many pictures with my camera but I wanted to share some family photos from the day.

My mom, Kaylee and I ... My "adopted" grandma, CarolWendy (a bridesmaid and great friend) and I

4 months

Okay so since life has been so busy I haven't been working out. Bad, I know. But I also haven't been working out because I am so scared that my dress won't fit. I've had so many fittings and they've taken my dress in from a size 22 to a 14. There isn't much dress left! My totals so far (as of 6/19/2009 **drum roll please** 71.5 pounds! I'm officially UNDER 200 pounds! It is such an amazing feeling and I couldn't have done it without the support of my amazing friends and family. THANK YOU!!

Surgery Day 2.19.09

4 months later on 6.19.09

The Venue

Well it's been FOREVER since I updated this thing ... oops. Life has been really busy with finishing up the wedding plans, working tons of overtime and taking photos for other weddings. I did however have a chance to visit the venue again and take some photos so that I could visually figure out where I wanted everything (I'm very anal about that sort of thing, lol)

So ... I know I have some family members that won't be able to make it to our wedding so I thought I'd share some photos. Enjoy!

Driving up to BeckenRidge (sorry for the bad photo - it was getting dark)

The entry way that we'll be usingThe walkway down to the lawnThe lawn/ceremony areaMe! Looking down onto the ceremony area.
I love this because the vineyards are right next to it
(and you can see Kaylee "practicing" LOL)

3 months already!

I can't believe that it has been 3 months since I had my surgery. Life has been so busy - it really has been just flying by. Taylor is in baseball still and doing great. My photography is starting to pick up since wedding season is coming into play and all of that on top of trying to finish the planing for our own wedding has been making the time almost feel as if we are in fast forward.

The last week or so I have been getting discouraged because the scale is just not changing. I went to a follow up appointment at the surgeons office on May 13th and they said that I am loosing too much muscle. They said that I am doing everything else great - my food, protein, medications, exercise - I'm just losing too much muscle. They gave me a new medication to help my body keep the muscle and take the fat out. I am hoping to be able to start it soon. My weight loss to date is nothing to be discouraged about though ... I've lost 58 pounds and 6 sizes total. My doctor said this is when the weight loss starts to decrease so I am not sure what next month will bring. Here are some before and after photos of my progress:

day of surgery 2.19.09

today 5.19.09

Family Hike

So Saturday Taylor's baseball game was canceled due to the rain and we had really been looking forward to going because it was his first game of the season. He was bummed and so were we really. Before baseball season we would always try to do something as a family on one of the weekend days but we haven't been able to because of all the practices and upcoming games. We decided to take advantage of the canceled game - even if it was raining.
Funds are extremely low so actually going somewhere and doing something that cost money wasn't really an option for us. The rain started to subside so we decided to take the kids to Silver Creek Falls. They had never been and Brent and I had never gone together ... in the 10 years we have been together. The thought of a hike scared me because I have never been the physical type. Or the outdoors type either. Not sure how Brent and I ended up together - I guess that opposites attract thing is kind of true, LOL. So, we headed to Silver Creek Falls for a rainy day hike. We put on old shoes and clothes that we wouldn't care if they got muddy or dirty. (Well, the rest of the family didn't care if they got dirty but just the thought of all that mud and dirt made me cringe!)

Me and Brent Impromptu family photo behind the falls

Of course as soon as we started in on the hike it really started to pour. We all got DRENCHED to the point of no return. We were closer to the end of the hike than the beginning so we decided to just keep going in the direction we were already headed versus turning around. We got to a point where we could either go up or go down. Going up was going to the car, going down was going around the park more, and about a mile longer. We opted to head up. It wasn't a gradual hike up - it was a hill. And it sucked.

Finally to the top of the hill.
I was so tired. And sweaty. Nasty.Kaylee and Daddy at the top of the falls
(Taylor tried sneaking in the picture)

Checking out the top of the water fall

2 months!

Wow. What an amazing and life changing 2 months this has been ... and it has only just begun. I knew that weight loss surgery was a big decision that would not only affect me, but my family as well.

In January, we all went to Pacific City to climb the dunes and enjoy the beach. Brent and Taylor went to the big dune - Kaylee and I to the small one. I couldn't even get up the small one. I was treading in one spot, getting so frustrated and just wanting to give up. On Sunday, the 2 month anniversary of my surgery - we went again. This time I climbed to the top - proudly. I didn't give up. I took a couple of small breaks but I embraced the view, the solitude, the reward. That is how I view my weight loss. I may have weeks where I lose 2 pounds and others that I lose 10. But no matter how much I lose, I did it. I didn't give up. I kept going. As of Sunday, 4.19.09 I have lost 48 pounds. Here are some photos of my progress ...

Surgery Day 2.19.09

Now - 4.19.09

"Hoppy" Easter

We started our Easter at home with the Easter baskets and a few eggs scattered around the yard. I was stupid and deleted the pictures ... yeah, I know. After that, we got ready for the day and headed to church. During the service, the congregation puts flowers on a cross to cover the "sin" and show the true beauty of Christ's death.

...Taylor putting flowers on......Kaylee adding hers......the finished project...

After the service, the church had over 1500 eggs all over the back fields and the kids were "let loose" to find as many as they could. I had my camera this time but I could NEVER find Taylor. He was always running off to corners and behind bushes looking because "that's where bunny's hide, mom." Oh, of course Taylor. Silly mom!

...Kaylee (pink bucket) and Taylor (blue bucket) waiting......ooh, I found one...

...Kaylee wandering the field...

After church we headed home and changed (they were soaked and had grass all over them!) and headed to Salem. My mom and step-dad were having a family get together. I must say though, I was so excited to go so I could see my nephew. It's been awhile since I've seen him and he is so stinking adorable!

...Taylor blowing bubbles for his cousin...
...and he loved them......and then the bubbles stopped - I love this picture...