Week 2 - the Year of Change

Week 2 of "The Year of Change" just finished.  Whew!  I have completed week 2 of Body Combat and I am still loving it (still hating burpees though)!  I even survived the 60 minute workout session (twice!).  I haven't worked out that long for a few years.  I've made it a goal to not hit the snooze button, which I am famous for.  So far, so good.  There have been some very early mornings that made for longs days.  There were mornings that I didn't want to get up, but then I remembered all of the pictures that I've been posting or see my friend (& coach), Claire's pictures and knew that I had to do it!  My girls are counting on me!  I've laid off of the tv during the weeknights and go sit in bed and read right after I put the girls to bed and fall asleep shortly after.  I haven't been sleeping well, but I'm hoping that's just my body re-adjusting to getting back to school.  Several of my friends that I follow on Instagram are either Beach Body Coaches or Fitness Trainers and they will post their meals to encourage their team.  This week I've paid close attention to their portion sizes.  No wonder I gained 40-50 lbs!!  I thought that I would be starving when I started making my portions much smaller, but I have been fine.  I am actually enjoying my 6 small meals.  I am loving my Shakeology and have noticed that my cravings for the crazy junk that I love has started to go away.  I haven't gotten on the scale since last Monday, so I'm not sure of the progress.  I keep trying to remind myself that it is not all about the scale, but a lifestyle change.  My girls are watching me!  In fact, this morning they were off to the side doing Combat with me.  Lyla was even cheering me on, "You're doing a great job mommy!"  :)
I know that I've been posting a lot of pictures.  In fact, at first I was a little self-conscious and even insecure about it.  Would people laugh at me and make fun of me to my face or behind my back?  Then, I had to remind myself...it's not about them.  This is my journey.  I figured that if others get sick of it, they can block or unfollow me.  :)  Posting the pictures have held me accountable and I hope have encouraged others.  You can start from anywhere you are in your life right now.  I can't do every exercise, but I keep pushing through.  I know that my girls are watching me.  I know that some of my students see those pictures on Instagram.  I also know that I'm gonna see those pictures a year from now on my TimeHop app.  Ha!!  I want to inspire and encourage others.

I hope that I am encouraging others through this journey.  I have found that in my life, having accountability and people to share my journey with have helped me so much.  What keeps you going?  BTW...I took the plunge today and signed up to be a Beach Body Coach.  I am excited about the next stage of this journey!  Feel free to ask me any questions and I hope that you continue to join me on this journey!  Have a great next week!  I'm gonna go and enjoy the rest of the weekend with these cuties!

Ann

2015-The Year of Change

I can't believe how time has flown.  So much has happened in the 4 years since the girls and I have been together.  This past year I downloaded the app "TimeHop".  It's been fun to be reminded of my first few days with the girls and to see just how far that we've come.  There have been highs and lows, new friendships, ended friendships, and much growth.  Unfortunately, some of that growth has been on me.  Ha!  It cannot be a coincidence that over the past year, I've had several friends on FB & Instagram that have decided to make lifestyle changes and are doing an amazing job with it!  This year, things have got to change.  I need to live and model a healthy lifestyle for my girls.  I am the only parent that they have.  I also know myself and know that I need accountability. My friend Claire has become a Beach Body Coach.  I've decided to join her next accountability group.  The main reason I chose this was because Beach Body offers one of the workout programs that I used to do all of the time at the gym when I lived in Florida (Body Combat).  

I started it this past week.  I am LOVING it so far.  I missed my Les Mills workouts so much.  The girls have been watching me exercise and they love it!  Lyla told me yesterday, "You did a great job exercising mommy!"  

I had Mia take before pictures of me.  Maybe someday I'll post those.  Not today though...they were disgusting!!!  :)  This first program last 60 days.  Hopefully over the next 2 months, you'll see a change.  I'm seeing that you really don't need a gym membership to be fit.  As a single mom, I have to make my health a priority for my children and for me! I'll keep you posted on my new journey of change.   
Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Disney 2013

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Welcome to 2013

I can't believe that it's January 1st already!  December just flew by!  It was a precious time with my girls!  I am so blessed!  I am trying to treasure every moment with them.  I love it when I ask them if they thanked Jesus for their food and Mia's arm shoots up and she asks to say the prayer!  Of course, Lyla-Boo chimes in.  How precious!  Lord, I pray that these girls grow up loving and serving you with all of their hearts!!

We had a great time celebrating our one year anniversary!  The cake was AWESOME (thanks to Say It With Sugar) and I am blessed and so grateful for everyone that has walked this journey with us!

It did say Happy Anniversary Romagnolo Family until Mia's finger got to it!

 We had a great Christmas.  Even though we were an official family for Christmas last year, in some ways this year felt like our first Christmas.  Maybe it's because the girls are older.  We had the traditional Italian meal after Christmas Eve service and then we went home and decorated cupcakes for Jesus!  It was so sweet hearing my girls sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Mia's first time in "big" church.

Decorating cupcakes for Jesus!

Santa was here!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas breakfast!

Homemade Sausage Cheese Biscuits! Yummy!

 We also said goodbye to our elf, Eugene.

 December also brought firsts for Lyla.  Yay for being potty trained and in a big girl bed!!

 As we begin 2013, I think about this past year.  I have so many areas that need growing.  I want to change.  I am not satisfied with where I am.  So, I decided to make a list of where I want to grow.  I tried to be specific about my "goals" too.  My big thing is growing spiritually.  I know that if I commit myself to growing in my relationship with Christ, everything else will probably fall into place.

 Here is my list...what's yours?

Well, I have already started on #4.  I just finished reading "Courageous Parenting by Jack and Deb Graham.  I really enjoyed it.  I have to admit...I had a hard time getting through the first 2 chapters, because they dealt with marriage.  I pushed through though.  I am glad that I did.  They were a reminder to me of what qualities to look for in a husband.  There have been many times that I have given up on the thought of a husband.  There are other times that I dream away of having one and then there are times where I just cry myself to sleep.  Holidays and my birthday are the hardest.  God created families.  His desire is for children to have a father and a mother under the same roof, committed to each other.  Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world, so that is not always the case.  I know that God has chosen me to be Mia and Lyla's mommy (somedays I wonder..."what were you thinking God?").  I have to trust and believe that He knows what He is doing and that He has a plan.  "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)  God loves my precious girls more than I ever could.  I have to give my worry about them growing up without a father and finding their security in men to God.  He will protect them!

 Lord, your Word says that you will give us the desires of our hearts.  I keep praying that if it's not your desire to for me to be married, to please take that desire away.  You haven't, so I guess that I'll keep praying for my future husband?  I can't say that I understand your ways, but I will trust you!  Lord, I will try not to let myself listen to the Enemy or get discouraged (especially when old students are getting engaged/married & I am still waiting).  Please help me to keep my eyes focused on You Lord!!

I am praying that my girls' and I will grow closer this year and that they fall deeply in love with Jesus (in the future)!  I am praying that I make it through my strong-willed Lyla!  :)  The next book on my list is one of James Dobson's on the strong willed child!  :)

I pray that you grow this year in Christ and that you draw near to Him!  Happy New Year!

Jingle Bells

This Christmas has been so much fun with my baby girls!  Since they are older, they are understanding who Santa is and his little helper, our elf Eugene.  It's so much fun to see my girls' excitement!  This

year, they ran to Santa when we had breakfast with him.  

I love being their mommy!  Our conversations crack me up.  One day in the car we were talking about birthdays and Mia said that for my next birthday we would celebrate me being forty ten!  Thanks kid...I'm 40...not 50.  :)  This morning I woke up to find Lyla sleeping in my bed!  There is never a dull moment with those two.  I love it when they are both singing in the car and making up their own songs.  One of Mia's favorite songs right now is Jingle Bells, especially when it's Michael "Blue-blay" with the Puppinni Sisters. :)  In a few weeks, we will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary as a family.  We have so much to celebrate this month...our family, the birth of our Savior...we are so blessed!!!  This momma is more than ready for a break from work though.  There have been so long crazy hours and I am ready to spend time with my girls!  I'm exhausted and I find that when I'm exhausted, I'm not a good mommy!  I pray every night that God will fill in the gaps!!!

Enjoy every moment!  Life is so precious! Merry Christmas!

Sweet Moments

Is there anything more precious than being a Mommy?  Right now, I would have to say...no.  I love these sweet days.  We are crazy busy, especially right now as I head into show week, but I love my girls.  I cherish every time I pick them up from daycare or Sunday School and I hear an excited "Mommy!  Mommy!" and see excited little feet running to give me a big hug!  I love the little snuggles and sweet kisses.  Is there anything more precious?  Life is not easy, but this is so worth it!  Thank you Lord for showing me every day that being obedient to your calling was worth it!  We would not be where we were today if it weren't for Your grace and mercy!

To all of you that have truly walked this journey with me through prayer, emotional support, or being family to the girls and I...thank you!  God has used you to bless us!!  I have grown so much over the past two years!  I pray that I will continue to grow and that God will continue to shape me!  I pray that He fills in the gaps (& there are a lot of them) of my many mistakes.  I love hearing my girls say that God & Jesus (they don't quite get the Trinity yet) are their daddy!  Yes He is baby girls!!!  He will ALWAYS be there for us!!!

I know that some are probably so tired of hearing me always gush about my babies or share pictures of them.  I can't help it!  God called me to be these precious girls' Mommy!  My heart's desire has been to be married and be a mom.  I guess that God has chosen to go in a different order or even has a different plan.  I don't know, but I'm gonna go with the flow and sit back and enjoy the ride.  Cherish every moment!  Our life here on earth is but a blink of an eye!

Lyla-Boo & Mia (seriously, so precious!)

A sneak peek of our Christmas pictures!!

We had a great time at the Pumpkin Patch!

Halloween 2012
Meet Princess Rapunzel & Princess Merida (Mommy was Snow White)

October

Well, it's obvious that school has started...I'm too busy or tired to keep up with this blog!  :)  Life has been busy, but good.  I can't believe that it is October all ready!  This is my favorite time of the year!  I love all things Pumpkin and I am loving be able to share that love with my girls!  Now, if it would only get cooler!!!  The first concert of the year is done and I have a few weeks "down time" until the next big show!  I plan on enjoying every moment with my babies!  We went to the Zoo yesterday.  Today, we went to dance, lunch, shopping for Halloween costumes, ate pumpkin ice cream, and cuddled on the couch watching Cinderella!  What a great day!  Thank you Lord for choosing me!  There are many moments that I wonder why you chose me, but I am glad that you did!  Lord, I pray that I live a life worthy of this calling.  Please continue to mold me and shape me into the mom and woman that you want me to be.  You must increase and I must decrease!  I pray that you will fill in the gaps where I fail!!!

Lord, I love these precious girls so much!!!  Thank you for the gift of motherhood!!  If I could only figure out how to not be so tired...

Thank you for the students and friends that love on my girls!!!  I am so grateful!!!  Lord, thank you for ALWAYS providing for us!!!!  Thank you for loving us!!!