These last ten pounds I have left to lose have decided they are so infatuated with my body, they refuse to leave. It reminds me of that one time I threw a party and it was two am and there were those two or three guests that wouldn’t leave.

It must’ve been the great food.

I’m discouraged. I’m stressed. This past week, I worked over ten hours leaving little time for the gym. My eating habits were sporadic and today in a total stress crash, I ate a bowl of fruity pebbles, a PB&J sandwich and a bowl of pasta. That was lunch. Dinner was a handful of chips, a hamburger patty and an ice cream sandwich.

Right after I scoffed down my entire kitchen pantry, Dustin, my fitness trainer sent me a text message. It made me wonder if his fitness powers are so great that he knew I had hit a wall and was dabbling in the sin of gluttony.

He’s. That. Good.

I start training again on Monday, after a two week absence involving my attempt of doing it on my own.

It is crack down time. (Crack Down Time is different from Crack Time. Email me for details…no, wait, don’t email me. Just google.)

<insert scream here>

Leaving Your Mark On The World- Hairline Fracture

Mojitos! – Musings of a Housewife

Proof of Love- Lifenut

Cherry Blossom Photography

The 1 Cor 7:5 Challenge

Fabulous Fun Finds!

  This summer, I’m coaching soccer for two teams. Eden Marie’s team and Eric and Jacob’s team. This means four nights a week, I’m either at a soccer practice or a game.

The first night of Eden Marie’s soccer practice was Wednesday. It was raining, and if you understand the issues I have with my hair, this was not a good thing. Apparently most of the six and seven year old girls have the same issue, because every two seconds they were asking if we were done with soccer, because if I hadn’t noticed…IT WAS RAINING.

My girls soccer team was scattered. There was one little girl who every two minutes would stop whatever it was I was having them do to ask about her soccer jersey. This was cute the first five times, but by the sixth, I was like, “There is no jersey. Elmo ate it.”

The biggest mistake I made was asking the girls what names they wanted on their jersey. I didn’t explain this question meant either their first or last name. So now I have a Princess, Dora, Boots, Hannah Montana and Michelle Obama on my team. When it was Eden Marie’s turn, she looked confused, and said, “Uh, I’d like my own name, please.”

The boys. Ahh…the boys team. Little rougher, little tougher, and a lot more opinionated. And that’s just the parents.

At first, the boys didn’t take me seriously. After five laps up a huge hill and some of them doing push-ups, they started to listen and practice went pretty smoothly.

I was all, “Don’t let this makeup and southern accent fool you, boys. This is soccer practice, not recess.”

I am really proud of that last line. I think I will use it more, because I believe it is a line that could work in most daily situations…or just for fun’s sake:

“Don’t let the makeup and southern accent fool you, I AM NOT IN A GOOD MOOD.”

“Don’t let the makeup and southern accent fool you, I DON’T PLAY NICE.”

“Don’t let the makeup and southern accent fool you, I KNOW HOW TO DROP KICK.”

I think I may just have T-shirts made up. Hmm…

In other ChaseNKids news…Have you signed up for the ChaseNKids Newsletter yet? What are you waiting for? Email ChaseNKids@aol.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, or just leave a comment to this entry letting me know you want to subscribe. It is that easy.

  I’m often asked how difficult it is to be married to an unbeliever whilst raising four kids. The short answer is: VERY HARD.

My husband and I will be married ten years this July, and while our marriage has been a roller coaster ride, God has blessed us with a very strong bond with each other. I can’t even find the right words to articulate how happy we are. This man is my best friend. I trust him. I respect him. I love him.

When we met, I wasn’t thinking about a relationship or the fact he wasn’t a spiritual person. The only thing on my mind back then… was how great he looked in a certain pair of jeans and how delicious he smelled. He had it going on in the looks, brains, and humor department.

And back then, that seemed to be enough.

While I’ve been traveling a long road spiritually, my faith being strengthen to such a gigantic proportion, my husband has remained an unbeliever. We are spiritually mismatched, but supportive and devoted to one another.

My husband and I enjoy an abundant life. We have four wonderful children, a house, good jobs and a deep respect for one another. I’m responsible for my children’s faith and while sometimes there are those days in which I cry in frustration, I know this is when faith comes in.

I’ve learned that every situation is a lesson from God. I’m married to a nonbeliever, but I know this will not always be the case. I know God is working on him and as of late, has shown a small interest in the “Other Man” in my life.

I have a front row seat as I patiently watch God work on my husband’s heart.

My husband encourages my writing, my business endeavors, and my new journey in finding a role in the ministry. I’ve learned that sometimes the loudest call from God is often a whisper from my husband who lacks faith in God, but loves me enough to wonder.

For more lessons, or to add yours, visit: Musings of a Housewife.

  Lori Brewer lights up the room with her smile. She sparkles with optimism and faith. She is a beautiful woman and she has a way of making those around her feel just as beautiful. She’s one of those rare people that defines the word genuine. The people who know Lori, love her.

I met Lori almost two years ago. I had heard her name through the years, as it seemed we traveled in the same social circles. We hit it off immediately and we quickly became close friends. It was as if we had known each other for years.

When I found out Lori had breast cancer, I was shocked. Lori is known for  living a healthy lifestyle. She is a faithful servant to Christ.

It didn’t make sense…

Lori is an example of what it means to have strength in spiritual combat. She has shown what it means to be faithful to God, despite opposition.

She didn’t spend her days in chemo, thinking. She spent her days…TRUSTING.

Lori Brewer is not only a Wonder Parent, she is an overall Wonder.

This is her story, in her own words:

I Am A Survivor!

By Lori Brewer

Breast Cancer is hard.  It’s devastating.  One word-cancer and your entire world tilts.  My battle was fast and consuming.  I felt perfectly healthy but was diagnosed with breast cancer on July 11th (grade 2/ stage 3- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma).  The cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes.  During the original meeting with my surgeon, a double mastectomy was considered.  Surgery was set for the 17^th.  My life was full of tests, blood draws, scans, and doctor’s appointments.  My days were mix of anxiety, pain, and fears of not being able to raise my son or grow old with my husband.  We met with the oncologist on July 24^th (Bob’s and my 15^th wedding anniversary) and were told after surgery my survival chances stood at 40%, but with chemo, radiation and five years of hormone inhibitors, my survival chances rose to 82%.  No brainer!

With all the tough days, there were amazing blessings.  My family and friends surrounded me during every step.  My house was full of flowers, cards, gourmet meals, and chicken soup.  The food was so good, my husband teased that we would keep my recovery a secret.  Friends became family and my family grew closer than ever.  I learned to lean on the Lord to get through each day.  Fears and doubts would creep up in the middle of the night and my husband held me while I cried my heart out, but each morning I would awake with a new strength and mercy from Him.  I learned to look for the joy that was waiting for me that day; on days with pain, days with super human manic steroid powers, and even on chemo days.

On my toughest days I had horrible joint and muscle pain.  I had nausea, blurred vision, and high anxiety.  My depth perception was off and driving was difficult.  I took a leave of absence from work and depended on family and friends for rides, peace of mind and encouragement.

I am thankful for my husband.  He was my hero.  He managed our family, our home, our business and was my care provider.  He went to most doctors appointments and rubbed my feet every night.  He made me feel beautiful and sexy even when I was bald and dopey.  He set goals for recovery and even made fun plans for out retirement.

I am thankful for my son.  He was my rock and prayer warrior.  He helped take care of me during the entire nine months.  He rubbed my hands and my bald head.  He prayed non stop.  He did get in a fight at school when one of his classmates told him his mom was retarded because of cancer.  He strutted like a peacock afterwards, proud to defend my honor.

I am thankful for the time with my Mom who visited every month.

I am thankful for my Mother in law who went to every chemo.

I am thankful for the time with my Dad and out of town in-laws who came to help.

I am thankful for the closeness with my sister who called everyday and still does.

I am thankful for my super busy girlfriends who spent days in bed with me talking and watching chick flicks, brought me books, stayed during chemo treatments, emailed me daily scriptures and gave me non stop encouragement.

Each step was a party.  We had a party in the cancer center after chemo, another party after radiation, celebrated with family in San Diego, and celebrated for a week with my sister in Colorado.

My biggest advice is to make sure you take steps towards early detection.  Get your mammogram and do monthly self exam.  My February mammogram was clean and we found the lump in July.  My doctor estimates it was doubling in size weekly.  It had already spread to the lymph nodes.  I wish I had paid attention and caught it sooner.  I am so thankful that we acted quickly and didn’t give the cancer opportunity to spread further.

I am seven weeks out of chemo and radiation.  I miss me.  I miss my energy, my confidence, and playing hard with my son.  It’s just starting to come back and everyday is a gift.  Everyone wants to know if cancer has changed me and it has.  I am a different person from before my illness.  I am softer, love deeper, more compassionate and less driven.  I no longer strive to be number one at everything I touch and care less about others approval.  I am focused on my family, my friendships, my health, and discovery of the exciting plan that God has for my life.  I don’t understand why families have to go through such painful times, but someday I will.  When I get to heaven, God will show it all to me and I will be amazed!  I know that He has held me in His hands everyday and given me strength and courage to be my best, even at my worst.

    Lori Brewer is the owner of CAFFE D ARTE ALASKA and lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband and son. She currently is a board member for the ACVB and the EVA Foundation.