Did somebody say unicorn??

...Nope...not me...

So the logistics are that when I created this blog I didn't have a Google/Gmail account so I set it up under a new user/profile. Then a few years ago when I did setup a Gmail and began using and quickly became obsessed with all the wonderful Google features and apps, I was just logged into my Gmail stuff all the time. So when I would click on the Blogger link it'd say this page didn't exist because I was logged in as another user and I'd have to log OUT of ALL of my stuff in order to login here and write a blog. It just got to be a hassle and life carried me away for awhile. I tried uploading the Blogger app on my smart phone probably a year ago and that just wasn't working for me for some reason so....here we are now! (If anybody knows how I can fix this is my settings or profile please so share!!!)

Somewhere in 2011 I SUBJECTED myself to a verbally and emotionally abusive relationship for about 18 months. There was a 'bout of depression I gained up to 230 and had gotten rid of my looser clothes so I felt miserable b/c everything was tight and uncomfortable. Eventually I had to face a bunch of personal issues I have, get real REAL with myself and leaving that relationship was one of the hardest things I've done because he had a really bad hold over me. That stress in my life subsided and I got the emotional eating under control and went back down to about 215 where I stayed for a long time.

2012 for me was more about maintaining. I got to the point where I didn't think about losing weight. I would say I didn't have time to workout (and although time was horribly tight for me) I recognize that I just didn't MAKE working out a priority anymore. I liked where I was, felt pretty and confident and felt like all the changes and emotional battles and trials throughout the previous few years had been SO exhausting and so eye opening that I just needed some time to continue to adjust, see my body for what it really looked like, love me for me, continue to forgive and heal the past. So I did that and also spent a ton of time with my kids, focused on my career, didn't date as much and spent a lot of time thinking really hard about my ENTIRE future and what I wanted that to look like and where I wanted it to go.

Seriously now....who remembers this: http://lizandrk.blogspot.com/2009/08/warning-im-bearing-my-soul-below.html#comment-form
LMAO! LMAO! LMAO!
I almost just peed myself just now re-reading this! I'm a messed up woman! haha!

I'm a Realtor now!!! It had been my dream for YEARS and I can't tell you how difficult, long, painful, rewarding and amazing that whole process was of going to school, finishing and getting my license! You know,  like an NSV that you've been wanting FOR. EVER. and then BAM, all your hard work pays off, you realize that all that positive self talk isn't just you trying to get yourself to believe in yourself but YES you really can do it damn it!!! God it felt so good! And most days since then (in my career) have felt amazing because I am following my dreams every day!!! That feeling, if you haven't felt it, is truly priceless. I can't regret my life up until that point or all the rocky or shitty roads that lead me here because they made my appreciation greater, the feeling of accomplishment EVEN sweeter!!!

I need to wrap up this post and share some pics so I can go figure out how to fix this account login issue so I can be on here more often! I so miss this!!!

PICTURE FEST!!!!

2011

Trying to teach my boys to be active like it's just a normal part of life so that they don't ever feel like they have to TRY to be healthy and active!

I keep them involved in the outdoors!

Halloween 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

2012

Finally went to Real Estate School!!!!!

Me & my little sister!

Cake and surprise party from my family the day I passed the Real Estate Exam!

My boyfriend took me to New Orleans for a wk Oct '12 and we stayed in an old historic mansion and it was one of the best trips of my life! That gorgeous room, plus the tall mirror on the armoire, all the light pouring in the windows and I was finally brave enough to wear mid-thigh dresses out EVERYWHERE we went! I spent the whole trip in all my different dresses! As you'll see below! Big NSV there!

I always wanted to be one of those people who poses like this and it actually looks good! (Self: I have arrived!) 

Halloween 2012 (I think I might have been looking my all time best here)

Playing in the mirror at work of course! I just hadn't fixed my hair straight in months so when I did that morning I was pretty surprised it was that long!

2013

Trip back home to Arkansas in January

My sister's wedding in January. First wedding I've EVER been in! 

I thought I just looked too damn cute in my $2 booty slipper boot things I got a Dollar General in Arkansas before we left to come back to Az for the 26 hr road trip!

Loving my career!

This was probably one of the last pictures of me taken as a Girl Scout Leader & Neighborhood Volunteer. We had an award ceremony and I'd say about a month after this I had to step down because my work and personal life got too dramatic and crazy for me to be able to commit to running a troop of 25 girls. =( I was SUPER sad about it, still am! 

Grand Canyon with my babies!

I've got some BIG hair!!! ;)

April or June road trip back to Arkansas again.

Getting my kid out to exercise more often! Riding his bike while I walk/jog around the 2 mile loop in our neighborhood!

My first time running in probably a good year. And if you can't tell how happy my face looks....I LOVED IT!!!

We added a new addition to our family...adopted a 11 mth old Pit mix and he is a NEW love of my life!!!

I finally got my son signed up for Karate! If you can't see the difference in the photos of him this year and just 2012 for a few months this spring he grew about a foot and put on maybe 20 lbs. He has a chubby little belly and I was worried that I wasn't keeping him active enough. His MD said he's totally fine, he isn't worried about his weight and he is going thru a growth spurt. So other than me buying him a new wardrobe every month for 4 mths til it just stopped....he's fine! But I had signed him up for Karate b/c I thought he needed the exercise. But now he just loves it so we keep going, he's getting better and he's showing me that he can commit to something if he truly wants to! <3 p="">

Proud of my Cub Scout!

My oldest son, finally taking an interest in piano! Thank God!!!! Guess now I need to teach myself so that I can teach him or we can learn together! (That's one of my NSV Goals for this year!!!)

This is Halloween 2013, just the other day. It's the only recent body shot I have of myself. Honestly I was a little disappointed to see the size of my thighs in this photo b/c I've been wearing primarily dresses the last 18 mths so when I see a photo like these every so often it's a real hit or miss as to whether I'm going to like it or not. But that's okay because I started running again REGULARLY a week ago and I've gone almost daily. Doing our 2 mile loop here in our neighborhood every morning. It's made me feel lighter, happier, drink more water, eat better, feel calmer and just over-all is a wonderful thing! 

XoXo,

Liz