A Fascinating journey into the heart and culture of a reclusive religious community.
I Am Hutterite takes readers into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony in southern Manitoba where author Mary-Ann Kirkby spent her childhood. When she was ten years old her parents packed up their seven children and a handful of possessions and left the security of the colony to start a new life. Overnight they were thrust into a world they didn’t understand, a world that did not understand them.
Before she left the colony Mary-Ann had never tasted macaroni and cheese or ridden a bike. She had never heard of Walt Disney or rock-and-roll. She was forced to reinvent herself, denying her heritage to fit in with her peers. With great humor, Kirkby describes how she adapted to popular culture; and with raw honesty her family’s deep sense of loss for their community. More than a history lesson, I Am Hutterite is a powerful tale of retracing steps and understanding how our beginnings often define us.
Controversial and acclaimed by the Hutterite community, Kirkby’s book unveils the rich history and traditions of her people, giving us a rare and intimate portrait of an extraordinary way of life.
Well first things first, I have to admit that I had never heard of the Hutterites. I have for the most part always been fascinated with the Amish and the Menonites, but I had no idea that there were Hutterites. And while not exactly the same, they also live in communities and have similar beliefs.You can read more about them here .When the opportunity arose to reviews this book, I was excited, I love learning about different religions and cultures and ways of life and I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy this book.It did start a little slow and it was a bit confusing at times because the author uses a lot of the German language throughout the book, but I quickly overcame that and just sat back and totally lost myself in these wonderful people. They live simply and though at the time the author lived in the community they weren't much into the modern technology, I have since then read about how nowadays they do enjoy the things that everyone else does. Matter of fact, I found a great blog by a Hutterite lady, it's called "Pebbles in My Pocket".It was fun looking through her blog and seeing how the Hutterites live today and what has changed from the time the author's family and her as a child, lived as Hutterites.The book was very well written and it left me wanting to know more

move it and lose it

Well this last week has been a whirlwind I have been in Cleveland for job training, I got the job I will be doing Car Repossessions once again.





Last week eating was way off one day all I had was a bite of ham fried rice and that was it other than coffee and water





I have been on an exercise kick latly I have been doing the wii on the bikes with the kids and swimming and of course walking each and everyday.



I started out this campaign at 269.4 I am now at 253.6 for a total loss of 15.8 wow
Arms
Left: 12 inches
Right: 12 inches
Bust: 50 Inches
Hips: 49 Inches
Waist: 50 Inches
Thighs
Left: 26 Inches
Right: 24.5 Inches

move it and lose it challenge

So I am late as usual on the post LOL

I am having a great week so far I am into sixe large or Xlarge bottoms and that is great, I used not to fit in XXLarge YAY!!!

I have been riding one mile + a day with the kids for the last 3-4 days.

I have been drinking tons of water.

My weight loss is pretty steady.

Like I said last week I need to journal my food.(I'm having a hard time with this one)

Also EARTH_FOOTWEAR is the sponser this week, I can not tell you how bad I want a pair of Kinetics Love them

Move it and Lose it Challenge

This week was better than last week, no hosptial for me woo hooo.

My water intake has remained about the same as last week just a day or two that I didn't get in enough water.

I have been using my EAS_ACTIVE, which I love so much.

Eating is another thing I feel like I am hungry all the time but by the time I make something I no longer want it.(strange)

I still want to log my food that I eat.

We ofund some awesome snack foods that we love Chiquita_Bites I love the Pineapple with coconut yum-o and my kids are loving the apples and grapes, it is so easy to take them in the car or to the park or anywhere really. They trully arein the words or Rachel Ray YUM-O!!!

mamavation monday move it and lose it

This week has been screwed up. I ended up in the Hospital with and appendix attack last thursday and friday.

I have uped my water intake to at least 80 ounces of water a day. I also have set goals to drink at least 5 ounces and hour.

Eating has been really good I found some wonderful veggie slaw with a sprinkling of turkey bacon yum-o!!!!

Exercising is another thing i have been using my EAS_Active. I love the jumping rope!!

Also there is something called better_n_eggs., I would love to try this product as I am trying to live healthy.

And now what you all have been waiting for.......

Update on my Mamavation Post

So I forgot to add my photos for Move it and Lose it, so here they are.

Now here are pics form January.

Mamavation Monday Move it and Lose it

So were are at the begining of another Mamavation_Mom_campaign I am lucky enough to be in the Move it and Lose it campaign.The applicant that loses the highest percentage of body weight during the seven week campaign will win $500 and a pair of shoes. The second place winner will also win a pair of shoes.

So I am at 269 this week not great at all I did not loose.

I am getting in 70-80 ounces of water a day which was one of my big challenges.

I rode bikes with my kids today for the very first time!!!! ( which is HUGE HUGE HUGE!!!)

I have also been checking out Subway. I have sucessfully been able to eat a half of a kids meal sandwich, but I love their tuna and would love to try their new breakfast melt.

As always my challenge is still exercise but I am hoping that will be better now that I won an EA_active. Thanks so much.

Now on to the measurements

Arms

Left: 14 inches

Right: 13.5 inches

Bust: 51 Inches

Hips: 53 Inches

Waist: 51 Inches

Thighs

Left: 27.5 Inches

Right: 26 Inches

Mamavation Monday 4/4

Well it is Easter Sunday, where has all the time gone too????

I am getting very excited for the finalist announcement tomorrow night on Mamavation_Monday.

I have already put in my application.

If you support me in what I am doing please tweet this out. "Hey @bookieboo! I want @southeasttxmama to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support!"

So I am down to 268.1 pounds yay!!! I watched my first Mamavation video that I made and can tell that I have lost a ton of weight in just my face alone.

The water thing has really been going good this week!

I am doing 7000 steps a day on average!

I am alot more active with my kids.(playing at the park, walking the neighborhood ETC)!!!!

I would really LOVE an EAS_Active to workout with!!!!!!!!

We already have a Wii but I haven't really found any games that I am in love with yet.

I am still struggling with getting in all the foods that I need to eat in a day.

I would also like to add-on some weight training in the mix.

Can ya'll tell a differance in my face??

My Mamavation application

So ladies here you have my Mamavation Vidoe Application. If you support me in what I am doing please tweet this out. "Hey @bookieboo! I want @southeasttxmama to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support!"

Mamavation Monday

This week was better than last weeks that's for sure!!!



The almonds are working great for me. They keep my protien levels up and are quite tasty if I do say so!!!



I am down to 270 now for a total of 69 Pounds since Dec 14 2009 and I could not be happier!!!!!

I went to the park last tuesday and played on all the equipment with my kids and never got short of breath or tired!! That alone is a huge plus in my book!!!

I got in at least 6500 steps each day last week that is not including the time we have spent at the park!

I think one thing that I need to work on is logging my food daily.
That I have yet to do..

I am excited about the earth_footwear giveaway monday night on Mom_T.V.

I have never wore a pair of these and wouldlove to win a pair!!

I hope all of you ladies out there have a great week!!!

Mamavation Monday 3/21

Wow I can't believe the new apps are getting accepted starting tomorrow!!! Gosh time flies right??



This week....

The Good:



I got a new rubbermaid water bottle it is 20 oz and have been getting at least 3 in a day!!!

I got some almonds for added protien I got dry roasted and natural and the dry roasted in my opinon are way better.LOL

I got baptized. (not really related to weight loss but...)

The scale shows me 273.4 tonight not bad but not what I would like it to show.

The bad:

I have no motivation to EXERCISE...

But I can not wait to apply for the next mamavation moms campaign.

Mamavation

Well this week was a whirl wind week.

I took my son and daughter to Monster Jam on saturday for my sons fourth birthday, and they didn't have anything that was healthy. I ended up with a jumbo angus hot dog and shared the kids fries and some of their coke.

Kati-Lyn got to meet Candice Jolly of Monster Mutt Dalmation!!!

I am down to 274.8 pounds and I am feeling great!!!!

The Slim-Fast High Protien is working out great for me, I make one of these when I take the kids to school and I am good to go for the day.

The Flowering Cross Book Review

I had the chance to review The Flowering Cross children's book by Beth Ryan.

My 5 year old daughter loved this book, as we are in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. My daughter had alot of questions about the resurrection of Christ. My daughter loved that the girl in the book was named Katie which is her name.

This book shows how showing Christ's love can make a difference in the hearts of people today and the role children can play in showing His love.

We loved the faith imprint on each page. It was easy for a 5 year old to understand.

Mamavation Monday.

well this week is no differant than the rest other than I have lost another 3 pounds since last week!!!



I am down to 276.8 down from 339 Dec 14 all I can say is WOW!!!??!!!



I am on my way to over a 100 pound loss at say my 6th month mark!!????



I am taking in one scoop of slim-fast which is 15 grams of protien in 16 ounces of 2% milk.



I need to get in MORE scratch that I need to get in ANY exercise... Oiy I have not been good at the exercise aspect of this weight-loss.
I am doing O.K on the water part not great but O.K.

I hope all you Mommas out there are doing great.

Mamavation Monday AGAIN LOL....

So we are at a Monday again... Not sure that this week was productive or not.


I haven't been eating on a regular scheduale and I have slacked off on my water also, But I have found myself to be drinking caffinee free herbal tea so that's good right??!!??
But as I type this I have a large glass of ice water yay go me!!!

I did buy a can of Slim-Fast High Protien powder and it is yummy!!!! So that is a huge plus for me because I struggle with protien intake as you all know.

I do need to commite to exercising at least 20 minutes a day, any type of exercise walking swimming, treadmill etc etc. But on the up side I am getting approx. 7500 steps a day.

Review "Mom's Bible: God's Wisdom For Mothers"

This Bible is the New Century Version with notes by Bobbie Wolgemuth. While, in two weeks time I have not read this entire Bible (can you believe it?) LOL

When I got this book It was not at all heavy or large and bulky like I would have thought it to be.
The hard cover durability of this Bible is also very nice. Given that it will likely land in the home of many small hands, it is great that it is durable for Mom, but still a great size for silent devotion.


While this would not be my first choice for a study bible, it will definitely be used for daily devotions and topical studies. I highly recommend this Bible for all moms who are seeking to understand God's plan for their lives.

Mamavation Monday

So here we are at another monday...



So this week was more of just a get on track from being sick week, My son is doing better thanks for all the well wishes.

I have finaly gotten over the end of my pneumonia yea good riddance lol.

I haven't been eating all that great. But I am trying.
Water has also been an issue this week I just think because I am getting over being sick.
Like I said this week is nothing jazzy.

Mamavation Monday on Wednesday!!!

So ladies I am sure you are wondering what has happened to me????


Well I have had pneumonia for the last 3.5 weeks and now my son has it. Wonderful right???? Not so much.

I have had great weight loss I am down another 10.2 pounds. For a total loss in 2 months of over 50 pounds.

I am getting in all my water.
But I am having a hard time with beef products, I think that I am going to cut them from my diet for a while.

a new me

I never grew up in a church going family. But last october I went to WWW.cedarcreek.tv for the first time. I enrolled in a exploring christianity class and my grandmother and I went to the three week course and met some wonderful people. We have been every Sunday since then except the few weeks after surgery. We even started going to Lifegroups. My kids love it and I love it. This song was played the first service of this year and it has stuck with me. Just wanted to share that.

Live Like We're Dying from cedarcreek.tv production on Vimeo.

Mamavation Monday Week 4

So here we are at another Monday. My weight has not went down I am at 298.8.
This week was a little off both of my kids were sick we were at the Dr 2 days out of the week.

Sucesses:
I got more protein but not enough for me.
I am getting more water. But not enough.
I am not weighing every day.
I am keeping most of my food down finally!!! YAY


Challenges:
Protein (I think it is evil) LOL
I need to get to the gym more. With the kids being sick I did not get to the gym, but did walk around the neighborhood 4 days.


So here are my goals for the next week:

do 30 minutes of activity daily, something…anything

Get 10,000 steps a day

Get in 64oz water daily (PC)

Take vitamin daily

Continue to Journal my food/steps/exercise

30 minute walk each day (PC)

Eat only when hungry using the hunger scale (PC) There are sometimes that I have to force myself to eat.


I really need help getting in protein. I have 2 differant protein drinks the Special K Protein Shakes and Mix 1 fruity protein drinks. I hate the Mix 1. I also have the Jillian Micheals Chocolate protein powder its not great kinda taste like chocolate flavored powder. And then I have an unflavored one and that one is just gummy and disgusting. Any suggestions are welcome, even if it is not a protein drink but a way to get in more protein.