Tom planted the new bushes today as well as put out new mulch! It looks a lot different but I love it and think it’s awesome!
132 pounds in 365 days!
One year ago today at my highest weight ever, I crossed my fingers and started my attempt to lose weight doing low-carb (the only thing I really knew). Little did I know at the time I’d find my way to Naturally Slim and would end up successfully losing 132 lbs. (thus far—with a few more still to go)! If you’d told me a year ago I’d have lost that much I’d have said you were insane.
I can’t begin to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, but top shout outs go to Tivo friend Brad Nelson (who started the thread on Naturally Slim), Tivo friend Bryan McCullough (who turned out to be THE Naturally Slim guru), and my amazing husband (who supported me every hour of every day—and even joined in).
I owe my life to this program (and these people!) and I’m beyond thankful every. single. day. that I have a new, thinner, and healthier lease on life!! ❤️ 😀 🎉 👏🏻 🍾
Marlins team pictures
Of course, the first gorgeous day we’ve had in forever and we didn’t have a game scheduled—just team pictures! It was like herding cats trying to keep 12 boys somewhat under control while they waited their turns.
Amazingly, Owen isn’t the tallest on his team! He’s actually third tallest! (Though I’m not sure what grade/how old the other two are.)
Bushes be gone!
Our bushes have been needing a major trim for quite some time but Tom has just been too busy. He promised me when his night class was over he’d take care of them. Well, he finished his class Tuesday night, so tonight he started trimming them. Katie and I were two doors down hanging with the neighbors. And then I turned around…and saw one entire overgrown bush completely GONE! He said once he started trimming it, all that was left was twigs! And we’ve never liked it, so he just pulled the whole thing out! (We would love to pull out the other ones as well but that’s a lot of work and a lot of expense to fill the space again.) Owen even helped clean up to earn some spending money.
Here’s a before picture (from an old blog post):
The boys and their tools. (Tom just let Owen hold the saw—he didn’t actually get to use it.)
I know she leaves but she always comes back to the box.
GwynnieBee success!
So I joined another monthly clothing delivery company on a free month…and their clothes are awesome—much more my style and somewhat cheaper. This dress was the third thing I’ve purchased (out of six sent items). Tom loved it, too, which is why it’s now hanging in my closet. 🙂
Unfortunately (fortunately?) I’m only doing the one free month, otherwise this could get very expensive!!
Pushing Kayleigh
Charlie’s still in the box.
Katie’s reward for being good on errands.
It’s fun wearing things for the first time.
Charlie likes my new tote.
Watching TV with Charlie
Hedgehog Lego Build
Naturally Slim reposted one of my testimonial videos on Facebook today!
Katie is 3 years 10 months old today!
See, I’m not always successful.
Another walk critter!
Watching TV with GJ
Showing Gramma Jean her classroom!
Swinging with GJ
Three tails!
Cooking dinner with my mom!
What did we make?! CITY CHICKEN!!!! It’s a bit of work so I’ve never made it but my mom made it off and on when I was growing up and it’s a favorite!. She’s here visiting so we made it together today. 🙂
Of course, Katie had to help, too.

She did pretty good until the last piece she couldn’t get on the stick…and she wasn’t too happy (as you can see on her face).
What is city chicken, you may be asking? Breaded, fried, and baked skewered pieces of veal and pork. It looks like chicken legs—like non-farm “city” people might have. Apparently way back when, veal and pork were also cheaper than chicken so it was a faux chicken. It’s DELISH. (Similar recipe to ours here.)
Pizza stones don’t like us.
Happy Mother’s Day from Owen
You can tell we just had chicken pot pie at home because his answers are VERY chicken-pot-pie related. 🙂
My mom’s name is Jennifer.
She is 42 years old.
Mom and I like to play xbox 360/to help me on my Lego to get me red bricks.
Mom likes to say “I love you/respond.”
My Mom really loves playing with me.
She likes to eat chicken pot pie.
She likes to drink energy drink. [Our Naturally Slim H2OJ.]
My Mom’s job is taking care of me.
If she had time, she would like to watch Ellen DeGeneres.
Mom is really good at making pizza.
If I could go anywhere in the world with her, we’d go to Florida.
I love my Mom because she is nice.


































































