Promises Kept, Promises Broken

So, a couple of weeks ago, as my friend visited, we had a reunion. (See previous post). And we had agreed that we would keep up our blogs so that each other knew what was happening in the others' lives. I promised that I would keep mine up to date. Haha. Well, needless to say that was one promise that I haven't kept very well. Now, I figured I have a little bit of catching up to do. I'm not really sure how far to go back. But, let us review my Happenings so far.

Two years ago this month, my dad found cancer on his head. He went to the doctor, and was diagnosed with the deadliest form of melanoma just a few days before his birthday. That was a very grim birthday. Stage 4. Very hard to hear. He underwent surgery and they found his cancer had spread. So chemo was the next step. That didn't go too well. Thanksgiving that year, he spent two weeks hospitalized and the doctors had to find a new treatment that he wouldn't react so badly to. They determined it wasn't the right treatment for him. He's definitely doing better, though he's not in remission. The new treatments they gave him have been slowly shrinking the cancer. But that chapter is still being written. We're crossing our fingers.

That same year, earlier in the year, the office I was working for as a virtual assistant closed down. It was a whirlwind. In the same day, I was out of a job and being handed the rights to continue working on my own. I went into business with a coworker, and we ran our work out of her home. We took some familiar clients with us (with our former employer's permission) and ventured out on our own. That was scary. But, we just celebrated two years in business. YAY!

This time last year, I helped out the community theater with costuming for their summer musical production. It's something that I do every year. I love the family I gained from doing that. My musical family. It was at last year's production that I met two amazing ladies who had accomplished an amazing feat. In just 18 months they both lost 80 lbs. It was inspiring. I told myself I was going to so that. And so I started my own journey. Of course it has taken me a whole year to find the right meal plan and workout routine that my body likes. So, I have only just really begun to reshape myself. It's not much, and it's not as fast as those really incredible stories that you hear of dramatic weight loss, but you know what? I don't care. My weight loss motto is "slow and steady wins the race." I did amazing on my own. 15 lbs gone. But then, I was hitting a plateau. It wasn't until I joined TerraFit that I actually was able to break through that wall. I am now 21 lbs down. But I have lost much more in measurements. And have gained so much in strength and fitness. I can now hold a plank for 45 seconds. I am proud of how far I have come and I won't stop. The sky is the limit here. And I'm going to reach for it.

Lately I have been taking so much time in my life to focus on myself. My goals are to better myself, and others. I am working toward physical fitness, personal development, and finding happiness. And I tell you what, I am excited about my journey. It has been great so far, and I can't wait to see it out.

But there is one final important update to my life. My brother and his wife and kids have spent the last 5 years living in Pennsylvania. It has been hard to see him. He just started working in Utah, published a book, and moved his family back this way. So, I get to see him a lot more now. And I am thrilled.

Not only did I get to have my nieces and nephews closer now, but I am getting a brand new nephew. My sister is expecting her first! So, exciting. I can't wait for what the future brings for all of us.