Losing It!!

The last 6 days have been hard, amazing,challenging, rewarding, crazy... well lots of words can describe what they have been like. Why? Little did I know that on Saturday evening the 16Th when I decided to make a 6 day commitment to change did I know it would end in the results I new were possible. I believed that I could see results if I changed but did not know the reward would be so great.

I have seen in my life it is with discipline that you see results. Last week I heard such wise words that brought me to a place where I was ready to commit to a tough challenge. One I was not willing to do a day before this. Coming to this place where I could "believe it was possible" even though I didn't know the result. Making a promise that for 6 days I would commit to sticking to changes.
What changes.. Changes to the way I eat. If you would have asked me a week ago if I was willing to change the way I ate I would have told you No! Why? because I wasn't willing to make the change to get results I really desire to see in myself.

I want to see results but I wasn't willing to be disciplined enough to see the results I know are possible. I have a dear friend who I am tremendously grateful to that I have been inspired by to see that it is possible. Possible to set your mind to be disciplined to change. She has made some good changes and has seen tremendous results, feels great and looks wonderful.

I have prayed for a number of years that I would be a woman who was changeable. I want to be molded into what the Lord has designed me to be. I know we can only tackle certain changes that need to take place in our lives when we want to see and be willing. Over the last year I have seen the change needed but not fully willing. I offered only some of myself to change. I wanted to be more fit and loose all this weight "I" have gained but was not willing to take a step in a direction of real change.

What is different now is that I believe I have seen, listened, prayed, desired and I AM WILLING to change. I know this change is not easy. My hardest moment was taking the leap to believe it was possible for me to eat in a way that can change the way I look and feel.

Looks are not everything, I know this but I also know that when I have let myself make choices that I knew were not the ones that I would love myself for tomorrow. Then I also know that the woman in the mirror is not the beauty that God created. Please don't get me wrong when I say that My God does not see me as beautiful. I know he does. I am his creation. My realization is that how I am taking care of his creation is not pleasing to me or him. I have let myself make bad choices in the foods I eat for too long. I have had 4 babies in 11 years. I know what happens to the body, your mind, your emotions and time. I also know that we all have seasons when we are ready.

Well my friends!! I am ready to change this body for the better of my God's creation. I know that I can serve him fat or skinny but the way I serve him looks different when I am living in discipline to myself. I am not living in the now but in the long term effect of my decisions. The choices I make please me and him at the end of the day.

How is 8 lbs in 7 days possible. It is with discipline, a healthy plan of eating, exercise and a desire to know that change in me is possible. I am not a dieter but I do know that I have what it takes to see the Natalie on the outside that I see on the inside. My heart has been changed through surrendering my wants. I now am taking a step in changing. I had to get my head around this all because it meant for me to make some big changes for myself but I am doing it.

I have shared with many of you what this is and what it has been doing for me. I would love to share more with you all if you wish. Please comment and I will send any info you wish.
Thank you for reading all of this because I know it is long. I love you all & thank each one of you out of there supporting me through this time. I am so thankful that my sweet husband stands by my side as I take this time to put energy into being healthy and fit before I am 30 !!

Seven days of prayer

I pray for my kids daily. Sometimes I know for myself I can let that be something that happens during the day as I see something to pray for. I also know that I can be so consumed with the to do list, the crazyness of my house, the kids and their needs, academics and places to be. I can get overwhelmed and forget my desire to be more of a mom who is filled with the concerns of the heart of each of my kids. I now have a junior higher who is changing everyday. He will be entering the world of teens soon. I know that this brings lots of pressure. I pray for him as he leaves my car for school and when he rests. I do this for my other 3 little ones.. or so they still feel little. I know that my time with each of them goes so fast. I can make those days count and put my focus on my prayers for them as we go through our daily motions.

I do believe I can have enough in me to pray over them as they grow before me. I am not saying that those prayers are not valued that I pray now. I know they are I just see so much more that I can do through my prayers for them. I just didn't know where to start.

Recently I have read this blog. It has given me the tools I wanted. I am loving it!
If you are not a mom but some day will have children or have little ones around you. Join me in this!! Our prayers are heard and impact the heart of our children.
Let me know if you will be joining me. It does take a little to do but is a little something that impacts their hearts. The Lord wants our hearts to be for him.



(click on the link & it will direct you to this blog)

I would love to know if you will be joining me along with moms all over as we pray for our children!

It is decided

The day after the election I find myself in a place of sadness and hope. I am sad that McCain/Palin did not win. I do believe that voting is so important and know so many voted yesterday. This makes me proud of Americans. It makes me proud that people have seen that they need to vote. 

I read today wonderful words of wisdom. Please feel free to read with me these words of Beth Moore. If you need inspiration at this time please join me and read!! 

I know that this is now my time to pray as I did this morning for our new president-elect despite my differences with him. It is what I am called to do. I will be faithful and pray Obama and his family will serve our country. 

In being honest I am nervous of what we have ahead of us. I do believe there is unknown with this man but pray we will pray for his leadership. As my husband has said this week. "We live in a great country, this is America!" This is true so let's pray the land of the free and the home of the brave stays that way !!

 

Almost out of Diapers

Now the title of this blog is inspired by the events of today. Yes, today Annalyse initiated pee pee on the potty all by herself . She told me and we went running. This is a day of celebration. The day of diaper changing in the Pruis House may be coming to the end!!

I had to take pictures well because that's what I do. 

( Annalyse gave me permission 1st!)

I also made them as modest as I could. I just thought they were way too cute!! I was so excited that the day of potty training is coming and that this took no bribes or even taking her and talking about it. I mean of course we talk about it with her but I haven't even been pursuing the issue. I 

know she won't be in diapers forever. But at 2 yrs 4 mo. I am excited to see her show the interest.

Now this all started by just taking off a very wet diaper and letting her air out. Well my friends... who knew it could be the start of something like this. Now don't get me wrong. Annalyse has gone on the little potty once or twice before but that was me putting her there. This was her feeling the sensation and saying pee pee... I know what comes next. 

A lot of accidents and messy pants. But the end result is I am almost out of changing diapers everyday. This is a happy day for me.. even if it seems so goofy to be celebrating this. I am !!

The choice, our freedom

Today is voting day. 

As I have followed this political race for this election year. I have found myself looking at the great freedom we have. The amazing country we live in to be able to go to the polls and put our choices on paper. To stand for what we believe is right. To vote for someone who will be leaders and voices of our country, states and cities.

I count this a freedom to not take lightly. I am in awe of our right that we have as Americans to vote on so many issues and the people who will stand before us and represent us. Ones who should stand for what American is all about... Freedom! 

I am proud to vote today! 

ps.. I will follow up later and let you know how my voting experience was like when I take my two little ones with me to the poll!

 

pumpkin carving time

The pruis pumpkins

yes that is the apple sign for Mac... This was Dries W's pumpkin.. he carved it himself. It was so fun to see him do this and be so proud. It was a lot of fun !!

Pumpkin Time

Thought we would share some of our fall festivities !

   what a cute pumpkin

                                        

The cart is suppose to be for pumpkins. 

Do you like the two cute ones we picked out!! Heehee

Yes that is his IPOD. He was listening to music through the bail of hay.. 

What can we say..Jr High

We know the train driver so Alayna got a front seat picture on the pumpkin train!