Sunday, April 11, 2010

Feeling a little late to the party... but better late than never... right?

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

So, there's this thing called a blog party.  I kinda still don't really understand it and that's why I've avoided them in the past.  But I figured, why not?  It's time to join the fun.  After all, I've been blogging for almost 2 1/2 years.  Right?  I wouldn't classify myself as a wallflower at parties, but I'm pretty quiet until you get to know me (or get a couple glasses of wine in me.  mmmm... wine... but I digress).  And I'm coming - as per usual - late to the party.

I started blogging way back in 2007 as a way to document and find support for my weight loss.

When I started, I looked like this:


At my lowest weight, I looked like this:


And right now, I look like this.  30 pounds above my lowest weight, but 70 pounds below my very highest.


I've started getting serious about weight loss again and will be blogging more about my adventures in getting healthy in the next little while.  And I say healthy because it's about much more than my pant size.  

I have 3 little kids.  They are my biggest joy in life, as well as my biggest stress.  I'm learning that kids can be super stressful, especially when they have some extra issues, like a couple of mine do.

Here they are:

Willem is 7.  So very smart, but struggling in school like you wouldn't believe.  Oh the joys of a gifted level IQ.



Nate is 4 (almost 5, as he keeps reminding me).  He only ever wears jeans, he's a pro at Lego and has a girlfriend.  They are very serious.



And little Miss Finleigh is 3.  She has significant developmental delays which include not really talking yet and and is an ex-tubefeeder.  We like that she can eat normally now.



I'm married to a wonderful man, Brian.  He works shift work, which can be hairying at times, but the time off he gets is nice.  He's also an aspiring writer and a pretty good one at that.  He wrote a poem about me a couple years ago and it made me cry.  Maybe one day he'll let me post some of his work on here.  Most importantly, he's a fantastic father and really, what woman could ask for more than that? (And I'm not just saying that because he reads my blog)


I am Canadian.  Brian and I made the epic move 4 1/2 years ago from Vancouver, the beautiful city that has my heart, to a town in Northern Alberta.  I grew up here and I still have family here, but let me tell you... it was a tough choice to come back.  Coming back meant I could be a stay-at-home mom, so here we are.  It's a good life.  I like my life even though I sometimes find my self completely overwhelmed.  I am tossing around going back to school once my 3 are happily tucked into all day school.  We'll have to see.

Sometimes?  I have mommy rants.  Or tantrums, depending on how honest I want to be about it.  Somehow, they really do make me feel better.

I also review books in all the spare time I have and post my reviews here.  I love books.  Well many of them anyways.  

I love to decorate cakes and goodies for my kids' birthdays and other special occasions.  I sometimes post pictures of them here, though more on Facebook, it seems.  Here's what I did for my son's 7th birthday...



I like to shop online (have you seen the lack of stores here?  Sometimes it's the only way, short of a 5 hour drive to the city, to get things).  I like to try to be crafty, but I'm really not.  And I spend too much time on the computer.  But you wouldn't be able to identify with that, now would you?

And that's me.  See?  I may be quiet at first, but once you get to know me, I just don't seem to shut up.  Ask my friends... one of whom is partying over here.

Thanks for stopping by.  It was nice to meet you. 

26 comments:

  1. Stopping by for the party! I love the blog. Cool cupcake decorations. Nice to meet you :)

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  2. Stopping by for the party...it's nice to meet you!

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  3. If you're late you're fashionably so! So, no worries! Congratulations on the weight loss. Someday I, too, will have before and after pictures to post...but for now I just focus on staying healthy and happy and trying to be sure everyone else in my family can say the same :) Your kids are beautiful!

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  4. Stopping by from the Blog Party. Beautiful family you have. Cheers to you gorgeous!! Way to go on your weight loss achievements! You are an inspiration to many.

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  5. Stopping by from the UBP! Love your blog, and congrats to you on your weight loss!! :-)

    http://lizzydearslife.net

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  6. HI! Popping in for the UBP! This is my first year and I love discovering all the new blogs I didn't know about! Congrats on the weight loss! I also decorate cakes (although I don't blog about it)! You have gained a new reader!

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  7. Stopping in from the UBP... so very nice to meet you and your lovely family...

    Congrats on the weight loss... you look fantastic!

    Glad you like to decorate cakes.. I have a cooking blog... please stop by sometime.. http://cookingtipoftheday.blogspot.com/

    and please leave a note... I love to chat.

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  8. Stopping by for the party!! Nice to meet you! :) Hope you are having fun at the UBP!

    Jenni ("Miss Tutu")
    My UBP blog post: How to Make a Tutu blog - hope you will stop by and say hi! :) and Mom Blogger $100 Cash Contest

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  9. Hi!! Thanks for visiting my blog and welcome to the party!! I came here to leave you a comment and got wrapped up in reading through your posts! My 2 year old was tube fed too, and as you know has GDD...we lived in Northern Alberta before we got married too:-) I am definitely going to follow your blog, I think you are a great inspiration...I need to lose quite a bit of weight too, so thanks for sharing your journey! It has inspired me:-)

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  10. Stopping by from the Blog Party and am so glad I found you? I just walked back through the door of WW last week (hopefully for the last time - by 4th try). I am too vain to post pictures of myself, but I have about 65-70lbs to lose. I am always looking for support. I will be following your blog. Your children are beautiful. I hope you will stop by and visit me as well: http://myfreshlybrewedlife.blogspot.com/

    Blessings!

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  11. Stopping by for the party and by the looks of the the cupcakes!1 They look great!! I shop online mostly too although because I am an American leaving overseas and the stores in Germany are expensive!! LOL. I just started blogging so my blog isn't much yet, but I am trying!
    http://aislinnminer.blogspot.com/

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  12. Found you on the UBP; can definitely relate to the love it/overwhelmed with it feeling of being a SAHM! Stop and and say hi!

    Pam

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  13. I'm very impressed with your weightloss! I'm hoping to get on the weightloss wagon after I have this baby (hopefully soon!). And I'm also impressed with your cake decorating skills! I may have to come back for ideas for my son's 5th b-day in July! He's in love with Star Wars!

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  14. I love finding new blogs! Yours is pretty fun!

    Check out my party blog too! It's at
    http://littlelifeinmine.blogspot.com/2010/04/ultimate-blog-party.html

    Here's hoping we win!

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  15. Hi there! I was reading in twitter tonight and someone said your blog was their favourite find this week, so of course I had to come over! It's my first blog party too. Lots of fun. I've also got a special needs child, and that is what I am blogging about. Nice to "meet" you!

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  16. Hi,
    Thank-you for stopping by my blog.
    It is very nice to meet you. I am following your blog now.
    From UBP. Have fun the blog party.
    Lisa
    http://www.lisasglutenfree.com

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  17. Visiting from UBP! Congrats on the weight loss and I love the look of your blog. I'm having a blog party over at my blog today. If you get a chance stop on by and please add your link! Nice to meet you. - Meredith

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  18. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Im trying to lose weight right now. I was at one time 232 and size 24 Im 5'2 and 7 months later got to 126 with eating every 3 hours and working out everyday. I got pregnant and got to 202 ( I was on bedrest so I couldnt do anything) Im not 170 and I have 40more to lose. I know how to do it but Im nursing and it is so much harder to do since I have to make sure I eat enough to make milk for my baby I had my little one in Jan and when I got home I was 186. Congats on your weight loss!!!

    http://meandmineinasmalltown.blogspot.com/

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  19. Hello and congrats on your diet successes. I think your family is a handsome group indeed. Look forward to visiting you again. I am new to blogging and am a reader at this point.
    hickcrazy1 at yahoo dot com

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  20. Hello and congrats on your diet successes. I think your family is a handsome group indeed. Look forward to visiting you again. I am new to blogging and am a reader at this point.
    hickcrazy1 at yahoo dot com

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  21. Hi There! Glad to be partying with you! Your kids are adorable!

    How long did it take you to lose the weight? You lost 100 lbs! That's amazing!

    I lost 80lbs after my daughter was born. I lost a bulk of it her first year and then another 15 in the years that followed.

    Your cupcakes are amazing. I wish I'd found your blog when I was planning my daughter's outer space theme.

    So glad I found you!

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  22. Hi! How nice to meet another Canadian! I am in Ontario. This is my first UBP as well. Your wieghtloss is inspiring.. and I could use the inspiration:) Enjoy the party, come visit sometime...and blessings on your day!

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  23. I think it's great when people blog honestly about weight loss. I've had weight problems since I developed thyroid issues 5 years ago. It always encourages me to read about others who are losing weight, or struggling with it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  24. Hey Winner!
    You need these numbers to complete the prize form on the prize page - http://www.5minutesformom.com/ultimate-blog-party-2010-prizes/

    Comment# - 999
    Prize Code - SPONSOR

    ReplyDelete