Behind the thin blue line...

Today is a day to Thank the men and women who put on that police uniform day in and day out. A day to thank them for their service. A day to thank them for their protection. A day to thank them for their patience. A day to thank them for their sacrifices. A day to thank them for their presence. A day to thank them for putting the lives of others above their own. A day to thank them for doing a job well done. So...THANK YOU!!

Being the wife of a State Trooper is not something I dreamed about as a little girl. I'm not going to lie...this lifestyle is hard! However...as hard as it is...I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

What I did dream about as a little girl was having a husband who loved me unconditionally. A husband who supported me and believed in me. A husband who wanted to walk this life by my side...not in front of or behind me, but side by side. A husband who loved the Lord and would put his faith above everything else. A husband who made me a better person. A husband who would keep me safe. All those things I prayed for and dreamed about came true...they just so happened to be wrapped up in the package of an amazing man, who had the same dreams for a wife...and who also dreamed of being a police officer. My dreams came true! But not only did I get the man of my dreams but I also got my hero. 

Sure there are long nights...or short nights...depending on how you look at it. Sure we have crazy schedules. Sure there are lonesome holidays. Sure there are quiet meals. Sure there are lots of hectic nights getting the kids ready for bed. Sure there are unanswered phone calls. Yet with all that, there's nothing I would change. Because all of that comes with the job and without that job he wouldn't be doing what he is called to do. He was made for this. When he puts on that uniform, he's a different man. I can only imagine what it's like to see him on the other side. I know what sets him off. I know his pet peeves are. I know what is has zero tolerance for and what he might let slide. Those that get to see him in their rear view mirror with those lovely blue, red and white lights flashing, get a quick course on what some of those things are. 

You would think after he comes home and the uniform comes off that he would relax but it just doesn't happen. Of course he's more laid back but he's always on point. Listening. Watching. Observing. I'm always amazed when we are driving down the road and meet a car, going the opposite direction, and he can tell me if the plate is valid and what the expiration date is, if it was male or female driving and also color and make of the vehicle. All in a matter of seconds. CRAZY!! I'm doing good with just the color and if it's a car, truck or SUV. Of course there's going out to eat. He must always be facing the door. He is always making eye contact with those around him. Taking in every detail. Listening to conversations going on around him. Yet still staying present. Still communicating and carrying a conversation with his own family. Still helping with meals. I have just learned that even though his eyes are wondering and looking around, he is still paying attention to me. And the hardest thing to get used to...the gun. It didn't come easy. For the longest time, when he was in uniform I would only hug around his neck. It just wasn't right to touch a gun while hugging him. As time passed the uneasiness was replaced with comfort. Now, there's a sense of peace knowing it's there...ready for him if he ever needs it.

In light of the situation in Ferguson, I appreciate everyday a little bit more. I appreciate our freedom a little bit more. I appreciate his job a little bit more. I appreciate the life we live a little bit more. Of course we have always talked and prayed about him coming home safe every day/night. I had never really thought about how other events could be so life changing. I can't wrap my mind around not being able to do the job of your dreams because you did your job. Mind boggling!

I am so proud of my husband. I am so proud to be his wife. I am honored to be a LEOW (law enforcement officers wife). My love for him and my faith in Christ is what makes me the best wife for this job...for our life. I am so grateful that I am able to kiss him before he leaves for work and be home to greet and kiss him when his shift ends. Sure there are times when I worry, but I am thankful that those times are few and far between. This is the perfect life for me!

So the next time you see an officer...Thank them. It doesn't have to be a special day. But it's an easy way to make their day special.

The journey continues...

Triple D

Wow...that was a fast 30 days! This is such an amazing journey. And to watch my body transform, literally before my eyes, is AWESOME!! With that being said, not every day comes easy. Not every day feels good. But every day is a success!! No matter how bad I am not in the mood to do my exercises, I do them anyway. That brings me to my first "D".

Determination!

I am determined to change. I am determined to get healthy and tone up. I am determined to finish what I started. I am determined to make a lifestyle change.

It is that determination that pushes me to run up and down the stairs...to jump rope... to do my least favorite exercises (which are mountain climbers and burpees....BLAH!!!!). The determination to prove to myself that I can do it. The determination to believe in myself the way my husband believes in me.

My second "D" is...

Desire!

I truly have the desire to want to change. The desire to look at myself and be happy with my reflection...not just satisfied. The desire to set an example to others...because believe me, if I can do this...ANYONE can do it. The desire that my boys will learn a lifestyle of fitness and crave it in their daily lives.

My final "D" is...

Dedication!

I am dedicated to loving my body. I am dedicated to this change so I can be as fit as possible to keep up with my littles. I am dedicated to process...and the realization that change doesn't happen over night.

When I made the decision to start exercising, it originally was to make a quick change and then go back to my old ways. I was so naive....and very childlike in my thought process of how my 30+ year old body would react to the workouts and maintain the progress. However, along those first 30 days I began to slowly enjoy my few minutes of working out. Now 90 days later I honestly feel better afterwards and love the adrenaline rush it provides. The part I struggle with the most is the mental side....and to be honest...the lazy side. But I literally talk to myself and remind myself of how easy it is to just give up...it takes true heart and dedication/desire/determination to keep going. So I get up and get 'er done!

I decided on a 90 day challenge this time because I wanted to step it up. It's a whole body routine and has taken some getting use to but I like changing it up. I don't even remember how I stumbled across the program that I'm doing but I am so glad I did. The name of it is called, "The bikini body mommy 90 day challenge". It is a program that was started by a mommy who does the exercises right along with you and you get to see her struggles and results right along with yours. She has a meal plan as well, however, I do not follow along with that portion of the challenge. You have to pay for that, and to be honest...I'm not looking for a 'diet'...I'm looking for a lifestyle change. I know I will not eat healthy food all the time, so I wanted to transform my body by eating the things I already eat...just kick it up a notch with so very much needed exercise.  Every single one of her daily exercise routines are on YouTube...for free!! No excuses!!

When I started this challenge, I took before pictures of myself (just like she tells you to) in a bikini. I am not going to share the before pictures until the 90 days is up and I can show them side by side. I still have plenty of room for improvement and can't wait to see the results on October 31st!! So stay tuned!! However, I did take my normal "before" pictures. There's not a huge difference visually but there is a noticeable difference in the way things "move".  Here's my last 30 days of progress:

 Now in all fairness...I took the one of the left at the end of my leg challenge on July 31st. I didn't start my 90 day challenge until August 3rd. So technically there is more then 30 days between these shots.  But it is the best shot I have to show the difference. I am so pleased with the results...in just 30 days. 6.5 inches!!! How awesome is that!! Here is the breakdown as to where I lost my inches.

Chest = -1 inch

Arms (bicep) = no change

Waist = -1.5 inches

Thigh = no change

Hips: Widest = -1.5 inches

Hips: Narrow-ist = -2.5 inches

I was in shock when the measurements were taken today. Yay me!! These results just give me more and more umph to keep going. I also wanted to share a reminder of where I started from back on June 1st. I am so mad that I didn't think to take measurements to begin with.  (Reminder: I did a 30 day Ab challenge 6.1.14-6.30.14 and then a leg challenge 7.1.14-7.31.14, and starting my 90 day full body challenge 8.3.14)

Another thing I want to point out...even with all the changes my body is making...the scale says exactly the same thing today that it did 30 days ago, on August 3rd. Proof that the scale is NOT a depiction of my hard work or results.

One more thing...I wrote a little saying on my mirror as a reminder to myself and thought it might help remind someone else..."Satan's job is to distract you from the goodness God has planned for you...don't get distracted". Satan tells me I can't do this...that I won't stick with it...that it's not making a difference...that nobody cares. I am proudly proving him wrong...every day...one step at a time!!

The journey continues...