-25 pounds!

Since March 15th I have lost 25 pounds! I'm so stoked! I have another 10 to loose before I'll be around my goal weight, but I really love the way I look thus far--aside from very loose skin around my belly. I've been running for over a month now. Yesterday I was able to run 2 miles without stopping. Pretty stinkin' awesome if you ask me! I use to be the worst runner ever and I still am not the most amazing at it, but I'm getting there and it's neat to see how my endurance has built up.
Elijah and I were on vacation for a month in Utah and Colorado. It was a fantastic vacation and now that we are home I wish I would have extended it! Only because I'm way more bored now than I was, but it has been great to be home in my own house without living in a suitcase!
I have a ton of pictures to upload which I won't do right now because it would take forever and I need to run.
I am going to upload two pictures I took of myself this week.
Sorry for the long period of nothingness. Vacations will do that to ya! Plus, I'm getting to talk to Justin more so writing things here isn't near as important.
We are roughly 10 weeks away from homecoming and I cannot wait!!
Till I post again--

Elijah

The past 3 years of Elijah's life have been anything but boring! Our sweet boy has experienced more things (traveling, vacations, road trips....) than most people do in a lifetime! Our first big trip with him was when he was 9 months old. We made our trek from Florida to England to visit with Justin's parents. Since then he has been back there one time as well as road tripped across the US with my mom and I, and also up from SOCal to Utah and Colorado!
While I think those life experiences are fantastic and I'm so thankful to have those memories, there isn't anything like being at home with him. Elijah has a joy for life. He daily surprises me, encourages me, and humbles me!
Ever since I was little I wanted to be a mom. I always bartered with God that if He would just wait till I had my first kiss to rapture the church then I'd be ready to go, then it was till I got married, then till I had a baby.... Now, having accomplished all those things I still make barters with God! I know it's super silly and obviously God is not on my timing, but I am so thankful to have my amazing husband and little boy and to be growing through this season of my life.
Justin and I have had our share of issues in our marriage, finances, parenting, and even relationship with the Lord. But this year God really opened our eyes and gave us the passion for Him again and the drive to serve Him in all that we do. We are far from perfect and I struggle daily giving over my "control", but having a whole new perspective on my walk with the Lord keeps me going each day.
Since Justin left 3 months ago I have seen such a radical change in Elijah. He has a better grasp on who Jesus is and what He did for us. He LOVES learning Bible verses and reading from his own Bible. Even last night after he came home from Emily's Rainbow class he told me as I laid him down for bed "I will follow Jesus, mommy." How does that just not melt your heart? Now being a wife and mom I appreciate so much more the time and effort my parents invested into my to be brought up with good morals and values and to really know who my God is.
I pray as we continue to learn and grow as parents that we can invest those same principles and love for the Lord into our own children. I am so excited for all that God has in store for our small family of 3! I am anxious to see it all pan out, but I am more than happy to be content with right where I'm at!

5 week progression pictures

If you are friends with me on facebook you have seen these pictures already, but for those who aren't here they are. I actually didn't take a great before picture, but there are plenty floating around out there that I'm ashamed of so I picked a few. This diet has been such a huge blessing to me. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it here before, but having PCOS is tough sometimes. My body is/was constantly giving itself more insulin even if I didn't need it. It's very difficult to loose weight and many many people become obese because of it. Thankfully, I have youth on my side and because of that my entire body has responded positively to doing MediFast.
So without further-ado, my post until now pictures.... I'm so happy to see results so quickly! It makes me more and more motivated to keep going!

Decorating....

In the last few years Justin and I have been trying to add some nice touches to our house. When we first got married most everything we owned was a hand-me-down which was terrific because we didn't have any money and were more concerned with being a married couple than what our house looked like. Now that we have a few years under our belt I feel as though it's time to turn this house into a home. Unfortunately, I am probably the most indecisive person on the face of this planet and I may like something for a little while but will end up wanting to change it a few months later. I also have expensive taste. I do shop at our local thrift stores and look up blogs to see how to create old used things into something new and beautiful! I have become way more "crafty" in the last year than I have ever. My beloved bought me my Cricut for my birthday and have put it to good use!
So, the last few months I've been over-whelmed with the thought of how much everything to fill my home will cost. Going into debt to buy things for our house isn't an option, and dipping into savings isn't something I find necessary, especially since there is a good chance we may be getting out of the Marines next year and we need to have some money put away for all the "what if's". Since Justin has been gone I've tried to buy something each pay check. Just a little something to add to the house, but it hasn't made that much of a difference... So, today I was talking to a friend about how she has decorated her house so beautifully and how she can make firm decisions that reflect both her and her husbands style. She pointed me in some great directions for inspiration. I have come to the conclusion to just do it one room at a time starting with the cheapest and working my way up. Once that room is "done" I will move onto another room, that way I don't feel so rushed into doing the whole house now and I can concentrate on that particular room. Plus, it will allow me to save some more money because I won't be splurging on furniture for rooms I'm not ready to complete (i.e Elijah's room is in need of big boy furniture).
So I know that's not all that exciting to most people, but for me its a great start on a huge task! I will hopefully be documenting the before's and afters! I am starting on our front patio soon. It's in dire need of some love! So, here goes nothing!

-10.2

Today is my official weigh in day. I am 3 weeks into this diet (hopefully I only have 9 weeks to go on this strict eating part). Monday is when I check in with my health coach so that number will be what goes on the record. But, I am 10.2 pounds lighter! I'm super stoked and even more excited to keep doing this.
I ordered my second month of food. I can't wait to try new stuff!

Well that's my update for right now. I need to run. We are busy busy people these days! And thats just how I like it!

My 24th birthday--- a month late.

Man, I am just awful about updating this thing. I blame it partly on the fact that till Monday night our computer had to stay particularly positioned on the living room floor because the cord was broken and wouldn't charge if it was moved. Having it down there made me want to spend less time on the computer (which isn't a terrible thing).
We are staying ultra-busy these days! And it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. That is a-okay with me! This Saturday marks 2 months down on the deployment but Monday marked 8 weeks. I don't get to hear from Justin as often as I'd like, but I know he calls as often as he can.
Now onto the purpose of this post. My birthday. A day that this year I chose not to make a big deal over. A day where I usually have a list together 2 months early. A day where I missed Justin more than ever. (oh wait, that's everyday!)
No, this birthday was no big deal. 24. I'm in my mid-twenties. Where did the time go? Just a fast 4 years ago I was just hitting 20 and learning how to be a wife. A lot has happened since then!
Growing up birthday's were a big deal. I was blessed to grow up in a town where almost all my family lived (extended and what not). We would all get together and have a fantastic time! Birthday parties are for sure a growing-up highlight for me! Many many laughs and "Megan, Megan, move, get out of the way... it's not your birthday. Megan!" I can still hear my dad now! Since we now live in California, 1,000 miles away from any family, I've learned to just appreciate being able to spend my birthday with the ones we love out here. I didn't make any plans this year. Not a single one! Oh wait, that's not true. I did have plans to watch Kelly's boys for her so she could go to the doctor! I love having them here! 3 boys all roughly the same age is for sure busy!! So aside from that I didn't plan anything. I was hoping to hear from Justin, but knew that he probably wouldn't call because it seems as though on the days you want them to call they can't. My sweet Kelly took me out to lunch. I absolutely love having a really good friend out here. Her and I have gotten very close and spend many days a week together as well as watch each other kids. I think it's so neat that God is in the most minute details. I have been praying to have a good friend since we enlisted. Now I do!
Sorry about all the babble... I told you, so many details because I don't post enough! So after she took me to lunch we came home and I put Elijah down for a nap and went to clean all our cars. (We have 3 right now because we are keeping a friends while he is deployed with Justin) My mom had bought this car scrubber thing that you attach to the hose and put soap in. It works GREAT! Anyway, after that I got ready because some new friends had asked if they could take me out to dinner. Now, by new I mean I've only ever met them 1 time. I did think it was a tad odd that they were asking to take me to dinner, but was blessed by it none-the-less. I chose to eat at Outback which is one of my most favorite restaurants ever. Probably because it makes me think of both Nicole and Justin. Nicole because when she was pregnant with Jaxon we'd order the Outback special with a baked potato and a house salad with ranch to share on a regular basis. Justin because we spent many date nights there and still to this day enjoy going there even as a family! This time it was just as fun and full of laughs and tears! You see, these girls totally rock! They bought me cute little gifts and made me wear this ridiculous happy birthday hat! I felt loved! The insisted before we eat that I open my gifts. After opening all of their gifts there was still one bag left. I was a tad confused, but thought maybe it was from all of them. Boy was I wrong! My beloved, 10,000 miles away arranged to get me a gift I had been wanting for a while. He sneakily planned for them to give me it. On the outside of this little bag it read "To my wonderful wife. Love Justin". I had no idea how that was possible since he is deployed and he is not one to plan ahead! I opened the bag and read the peice of paper that said " You're getting a..... CRICUT!" I was blown away! Tears started flowing and I kept asking "How is this possible? How did he do this?". Justin isn't the hopeless romantic type. Neither am I, though I wish I was! I love to surprise him though. I always make big deal out of his birthday and even have planned a surprise party or two for him. He's never been good at surprising me. I think I'm to blame for that because I'm nosey and I always know when he's up to something! He doesn't lie very good! After a few minutes the girls reluctantly told me how he was able to pull of such a huge surprise for me. Then the questions started flooding in about what a Cricut is! They still make fun of me for it, but little do they know just how cool it really is! I think every home in America should have one! Okay, maybe not every single one.
My birthday just happened to fall on a Wednesday. We go to church every Wednesday night. I was suppose to be in the nursery that night, but I got to church a little late. My friend Lindsay brought me home-made donuts and flowers. Does she know me or what? Another lady that I really look up to me got me a fitness journal! Then a sweet older lady whom I've gotten to know in recent weeks gave me a prayer journal! I was so overly blessed this year it's unbelieveable! My mom as well as mother in law sent beautiful flowers as well! I am a flower finatic! I would take flowers over most things. My best friend Amber sent me an Edible arrangement too! It was so so good! And I can't forget my dearest sister in law gave me her Ipod! I love it!
Well, that was my birthday in a nut shell! It was a really good day. I'm so glad that I didn't plan anything. I can't wait to spend my 25th birthday with Justin home!!
Here are some pictures of my big day!

-7

Yep, that's right. Two weeks into this diet and I'm 7 pounds down. Now, if you are friends with me on facebook you probably saw my status about loosing 5 pounds in 5 days. While that is true, I went on a women's retreat last weekend (hence the reason I didn't post) and ate a little different than normal so it off-set that loosing streak.
I'm pretty stoked about the weight loss though. It's coming off quickly and healthily. I feel fantastic. I'm not gonna lie though, the first 4ish days were awful. My body was screaming CARBS, SUGAR!!! But now, I don't even desire it. I like my food, most days, and what keeps me going is knowing that in just a few short months i'll be skinny again AND healthy!
Well, that's all for now. I do have a ton to catch everyone up on... like my Women's Retreat, my Birthday (I'm about a month late on that post whoops!) having a roomates for a little while... that sorta stuff! Plus all those mundane details that I need to write in here so that when Justin gets home he can read about all the things he missed :(
Oh, and as of Monday we will be 8 weeks down! YAHOOO!!!! Only 5 more months to go!