*****""""""***~ April ~***"""""""******
 

Congrats !

100 lbs gone!!!!!!

http://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/birthday/t3362.gifhttp://yoursmiles.org/tsmile/party/t3411.gif

Goals? Oh My....

Health / Fitness Goals...
1. 100 oz water daily M: Yes, T: Yes, W: Yes,
2. 5 different fruits/veggies daily M: Yes (like 7-8), T: Yes, W: Yes,
3. Exercise at least 30 minutes every day this week M: Yes, T: Yes, W: Yes,
4. Walk on lunch M,T,Th & F (appt on W) M: Yes, T: Yes, W: N/A,
5. Weigh and post daily M: 232.8lbs, T: 232.0lbs, W: 231.0lbs, Th: 230.6lbs,

Life Goals...
1. Do work paperwork every day M: Yes, T: Yes, W: No,
2. 20 day review & dr appt for son Weds W: Yes
3. Find something positive each day (been focusing on some negative stuff so stealing this goal) M: My hubby rode the bike to come see me on my lunch break and I still got to walk 1-1/2 miles. We are in such an awesome place with each other right now. :) , T: Got in another night time workout. Doesn't seem to be holding me back anymore, W: How much better can it get than I LOST 100 POUNDS!!


Most of my Wednesday was already reported yesterday so not much new there. So far I am holding the weight loss. Actually dipped a little lower again today. I am holding out waiting for the inevitable bounce that almost always happens after I lose 6-7lbs. But as long as the weight would like to drop a little each day for me that is just fine! Wearing a new top and new size 16 dress pants today to work. They must be very flattering because the compliments are plenty today. :o

Not much posting going on last night.

Thank you guys for the congrats on my reaching 100lbs. I figure I have 50 more to go before evaluating what will be a comfortable maintenance weight. I do not want to be skinny. I want to be healthy and look good in clothes.

April CONGRATULATIONS! Couldn't have said it better myself (because I don't know how to import all that stuff!)

That is such a significant achievement and you should be very proud. Keep up the good work. I have 60 to lose and it seems some days like such an impossible goal, but seeing this makes me more confident that it CAN be done.

April! OMG, we all know it takes a lot of hard work to lose weight. And to lose 100 lbs. is absolutely fantastic!

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...ed69ebc144814d

Hi everyone,

Well I had a little slip yesterday - didn't do horribly, just enough to get me off track and now I'm up a pound. I didn't log last night or even look at the computer, fell asleep instead (must have really needed it!). Then I overslept this morning and hadn't prepared anything for breakfast, so I had some whole wheat crackers and now I'm already at 13 carbs for the day! I think I can still stay on track though, as long as I'm good the rest of the day.

Here are my stats so far this week:

<1400 calories: M: 1329; T: 1536; W: 1739:(
Net Carbs < 20: M: 17.4; T: 18.2; W: 43.9
Water >64(oz): M: 50; T: 40; W: 45
exercise: M: no; T: no; W: no, slept instead:p
Vitamins: M: yes; T: yes; W: yes

I'm on track with food, water, and exercise except that I did have a minor cheat last night with an illegal food--about 2 tablespoons of milk because I was craving something sweet. I can eat any kind of cheese, sour cream, whey protein to get in dairy, just not milk. But I did make myself have no more than that "sip" so I'm proud of myself for that. :)

Where's Hope?

Quinn--planning what trip? Did that mean the trip to pick up DD from Mackinaw this weekend or another trip after that?

Luv, thanks for your encouragement. It's past 10:30AM and I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Skipping meals due to being busy is not good for weight loss or management of health issues. I'm going to eat as soon as I submit this post. You had a spectacular Tuesday report! I'm so glad for you that your health group is starting back up again. :)


I am so far behind again--just haven't had time to read the posts but I will try hard to catch up later today after the gym, visit from grandkids, and errands.

Cate ... Don't feel too bad about sleeping instead of exercising. Sometimes your body knows more about what it needs than your mind does. Thank you so much for your kind words about my loss. It really is doable. It just takes time and that is hard to remember when you want it so bad. I just keep telling myself that I didn't get to 331lbs in a week, month or even year so it certainly won't come off any faster than that.

Mern ... Take care of yourself. That means eating too. You know how it messes with your blood sugars to skip meals. Don't make us get a whip out after you next!

Doing a backpacking trip in the Smokey Mountains this fall. Trying to get my lodging figured out.

awesome job April!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, April! That's a huge accomplishment!

Congratulations, April!!!! So happy for you; you must be so proud!!!! You did it!!!! You are awesome, girl!!!

Wednesday's Numbers:

Calories: 1,271 fats: 66.7g Carbs: 70.4g Protein: 102.2g

Not much to report on the homefront. Am spending much of Thursday getting things together for DH's birthday.

Female type question: Has anyone here gone through menopause yet? I am in peri-mentalpause (I guess - no ins, so haven't seen a Dr. in several years), and some months (not many) skip menstruation. Of all that getting my period entails in the misery department, one "good" thing - the "whoosh" of the scale at the end of it. I would usually lose at least the water retention and a little bit more as an 'added bonus' (right.). When the periods end, am I correct in assuming that the water retention and subsequent loss will end? I think this might be one of those 'skipped' months, and I will admit to a small feeling of disappointment - silly, I know. But, any loss is a good loss!

Should I post this as a separate thread for the 'general population'? :o

Thanks ladies (..and you too, Mike;))

haha it's fine, I hear it all. :D It doesn't bother me, as long as it doesn't bother you.

Belated goals: (if I may) and how I'm doin' so far (how're you doin')

1) 500 words of real writing per day: Yes
2) Stop obsessing over child/stop writing about her: Yes
3) Eat less and better (no sugar, tomatoes, dairy, chocolate, if I can manage): Yes
4) Stretch every day: Yes
5) Don't be mean: I wasn't mean, I was pointed

I had gained 8 pounds and managed to lose 5 of em. But I am supposed to go the shore with some friends who are big eaters. There will be TONS of food. Plus family. Danger Will Robinson.

DH took me to Aerosmith for our anniversary. Enjoyable but lacked energy a bit (I'm talking Steven Tyler, not me.) The guy next to me was in such a deep sleep I was starting to get worried. Then they played Sweet Emotion and the guy literally sprung up, fist pumping, trying to get everyone to dance. I guess the drugs/alcohol/whatever stopped kicking in. All righty...

Is this Ft Lauderdale ad pissing off anyone besides me? It keeps popping up.

Judi, I've been through menopause and from talking with friends who have gone through it, there's no "one-size-fits-all" experience. I wasn't trying to lose weight during peri-menopause so didn't notice about water weight loss. I'm well past menopause and still battle water retention but I am rather sodium sensitive. Sorry I can't be of any more help than that on your specific question. I will offer some unsolicited advice, though, as I didn't go to a doctor for menopause, either. I did not want hormone replacement therapy because I would not accept the risk of uterine or breast cancer associated with it--I don't know if those risks still exist or not. But I can assure you that it is possible to live through the hot flashes without medication. Soy products (like soy milk, textured veggie protein (TVP) seemed to help, as did giving up caffeine except for in the little bit of dark chocolate I allow myself. DH says my "mentalpause" never got kick-started again. LOL

Still haven't had time to catch up on the thread! Unusually busy day again.

Quinn, oh, I do remember now that you mentioned the backpacking trip to the Smokey Mountains. Such a beautiful place--I haven't been there in many years. I love planning trips, especially on the computer. I'm so glad you suggested the picnic at Mackinac. Found a place called Doud's Market across from the fort, where the locals shop for food, and it has a deli and we can get healthful salads, sandwiches, subs, paninis, sides and drinks there for a picnic at very reasonable prices. The website even has a map of suggested picnic spots on the island, one being on the lawn outside the fort. Talked to my GF about that (because of her dietary needs) and she said that'll be quite doable for her. :)

Hope, kudos on losing 5 lbs. of those pesky 8 already! :) Steven Tyler is gettin' kinda old, so I'm not surprised he lacked energy. But in any case, what a neat anniversary present to see Aerosmith! I'm not getting the Ft. Lauderdale ad popping up and pissing me off--a couple weeks ago it was Lee's Chicken and now Dave and Buster's--must be regional ads according to our IP addresses or something.

Will try to come back later to do more catching up.

Great Job, April!!

Now you know what you have to do, right?? Go to the local grocery store and find two 50 lb. bags of something to really get the true picture of your accomplishment! :D

That's my very favorite kind of trip! Husband and I do things like that all the time... When we get to a location, we check with locals that we can trust and get out of the "touristy" places. In Mexico, we would venture a little too far, but that's a whole 'nuther story! lol By making friends with the resort owners, etc., they would take us to local hang-outs that were so incredibly fun. I am still in contact with many of them by email, etc. We did things like have drunken golf cart races at 3 a.m. and help baby sea turtles get to the ocean at sunrise. They just don't show you that kind of stuff in brochures! lol

Belated goals: (if I may) and how I'm doin' so far (how're you doin')

1) 500 words of real writing per day: Yes
2) Stop obsessing over child/stop writing about her: Yes
3) Eat less and better (no sugar, tomatoes, dairy, chocolate, if I can manage): 2 sugar free Oreos
4) Stretch every day: Yes
5) Don't be mean: I wasn't mean, I was pointed

Bad fibro flare. I am getting electric shocks all over my body. DH suggested taking more of my basic fibro med and I'm thinking maybe tighten up on the diet. Getting some sleep would help. man, it's the weirdest feeling like I'm being electrocuted. Plus tingling and numbness in my hands and feet and a lot of weird skin and other issues.

Ok, so posting a little late because yesterday I just didn't want to talk about it.
Most of my goals were not met yesterday, I ate somewhere over 2000 calories and probably a bucket load of salt, I was grumpy and grouchy with everyone around me and I was pretty close to chucking it all in. I am not sure what happened, I was tired and not myself from the moment I got up.
One positive is that even though I felt myself go into 'binge mode' I ate a quarter chicken and chips and two dim sims and a coke. This is not fantastic as that makes over 1300cal in one hit... but I didn't stand in the cupboard systematically eating through everything I could get my hands on. Once I had eaten this I stopped, drank water and went to bed.
I had thought I had the impulse to binge under control but it is obviously still lurking. It is almost always preceded by moodiness that is not fair on my family, unfortunately the guilt after I have done it doesn't make me any easier to live with.

But today is another day and I am doing much better, I am being careful not to let myself get too hungry and I am choosing good foods that give me nourishment not short term pleasure..

Mern - thank-you so much for mentioning the low carb pasta. I found a version tucked away in the tiny health food section in our local supermarket. I can't wait to try it out. Pasta is something I miss a lot and this will really help.

Hopefully tonight's post will be more positive.

Hope, I'm so sorry to hear that you are still suffering. I get those electric shocks too only I did not know that they are fibro related. When I get them it's usually in the neck and lower back, but at the same time, like two points of a taser (at least I imagine that's what a taser feels like, LOL). Luckily have not had them for a couple of months now... feel better soon!

I went through menopause quite early - I had a lot of 'female' problems and had both tubes and one ovary removed when I was 34. The remaining ovary shut down a couple of years later. I seem to recall experiencing feeling bloated and other PMS-ish symptoms on a monthly basis for some time after Aunt Flo stopped visiting. I did go on HRT due to my age (HRT is supposed to aid against bone loss) and also because I had a lot of hot flashes, hair loss, and other issues that the HRT really helped reduce. I've been off HRT now for about 8 years but still get the hot flashes (sigh).

Hi everyone,

I've been on the computer all evening visiting various low-carb sites and reading about blood sugar and glucose and learning a lot. I've eaten way too much today and my carbs are up around 50, not including the 3 Werther's originals:eek: I ate at work today because my blood sugar was low (yeah, that fixed it, half an hour later my BS was 9.6!!!):p Not happy with myself and I know I'll probably be up tomorrow, but still determined to make it work.

I'm not missing the bread too much, or pasta, and I've found a rice that I can have occasionally, but I miss my berries and yogurt. I have to find a way to have them occasionally without them causing carb cravings or stalling my weight loss, since I'm having enough trouble losing. I also think I might have to reduce my calories a little more. I'm going to do a lot of food prep and planning this weekend and hope for better results next week!

I will post my (dismal) numbers tomorrow!

I've had a really unfocused week, diet-wise. I'm kind of disappointing myself at how I haven't been able to regain my discipline since coming home last weekend. I'm not blowing all of my goals, just most of them. ;) And here it is, the weekend again. Thinking about just throwing in the towel until Monday and then going at it, full-force.

Had a wonderful, surprise in the mail today... a totally unexpected, long-shot of a scholarship (3 awarded in the nation) came through, which was incredible news. It was especially nice because a smaller one that we had fully counted on, fell through the day before. That brings her number, lucky or unlucky, to 13. I guess it's true... when one door shuts, another just may open. :)


Thursday:

1. Calories between 1000-1200. 1103, ? ,1167, 1433
2. 80-90 oz. of liquid a day. No, Yes, No, Yes
3. Walk daily! (Stop making excuses!) No, No Time, Raining, Raining
4. 3-4 fruits and veggies a day. Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes
5. Remember all vitamins and supplements. Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes

Just now getting around to logging and posting with mixed results. Yesterday was not good; I got notification of a deposition for the Case From Hell I had back in May and for some reason couldn't think of another way to deal with that stress than to eat frozen yogurt and tortilla chips (not together). And then because my husband is out of town this week on business, I had not only a home office crisis but an irrigation system crisis and a minor car crisis, and there was also a did-I-really-knock-nail-polish-onto-my-two-week-old-carpet crisis.

However, today has been a dream, both in terms of smooth sailing, working mostly at home, and having time to catch up on the household stuff, not to mention some good laughs with the boy. Eating's been very clean today and hubby is home tomorrow :).

April, congratulations on such a big milestone! You are an inspiration to many people here and I'm glad things are gelling for you these days.

Hope, so sorry you have a flare-up. And even so, you managed to walk the line between mean and pointed. Wishing you a better day tomorrow, sweetie.

nichaleh, we've all been where you were yesterday. As a matter of fact, I was there yesterday also :o. Best thing is to just pick up and move on; what's done is done. Venting and thinking it through here is often helpful.

Wish I had more time to catch up, but I'm going to take advantage of my uncharacteristically early sleepiness and get some rest as soon as I catch up my goals.

Quinn...great news on the scholarship! Every bit helps!!
I swear, when I saw that AP score, I saw a dollar sign instead of a number.

1. Calories below 1300. Yes Possibly No Yes
2. Balance pie chart and follow my rules. Yes Yes No Yes
3. Drink 2 blue bottles or 3 clear bottles of water daily. Yes Yes No No
4. Log everything and post daily. Yes Yes No Yes
5. Eat clean. Yes Fair No Yes
6. 3-4 fruits and veggies per day (I'm stealing ). Yes Yes Yes Yes
7. Take all vitamins and supplements. Yes Yes No Yes
8. Sleep 7 hours, at least, per night. Not even close! Yes Yes No, but I had a kitten in my face
9. Exercise 6 hours total this week. 75 min. 60 min. 45 min.

That's right! ;) The best advice that we were ever given was to apply for EVERYTHING! (Even the longest of long shots.) Even if it doesn't even seem to fit your career objectives, apply anyway. Ones that I thought were sure bets were not and ones that I thought had no chance hit. You just never know. This company is already offering her projects and experimentation assistance in college and has offered to talk to her about employment! Yea! Employment! Also said that she may be asked to fly to the east coast to get her award (their expense). Hope parents are included! :)

Wow, it's wonderful to be such free spirits. Getting out of the touristy places certain was worth the effort!

Thursday's Numbers:
Calories: 2,001 (Steak for supper and DH's birthday cake - ouch!) Fat: 129.5g
Carbs: 79.4g Protein: 135.2g

Actually, I am surprised the carbs weren't higher after that ice cream cake!

Other goals for the week: Walked Sunday twice, then Tues, Thurs, today. Didn't meditate every day, but most days had at least some mindful breathing. Kept the temper (and the comments) in check for the majority of the week, but will admit to going off on DH during our counseling session. It wasn't totally 'evil bitch' mode, tried to keep it sane and constructive. The session ended on an up note, which is better than other times. :rolleyes:

The summer projects continue - the garden is producing plenty of beans, lettuce, cukes and basil. Planted the fall crop of sugar snap peas and kale. Made up 2 1/2 gallons tomato sauce ( I used store bought canned tomatoes), put up 8 quart jars and froze two quart containers. My tomato plants are getting decent sized, and starting to show some fruit (finally!!). I might be unemployed for the summer, but I keep busy!


nichaleh, just wanted to say WELCOME!!! And great control on the binge - the subsequent binge 'hangover' tends to keep me deep in it, making it that much harder to break free of it. Your awareness and inner strength combined to keep control.

Hope and Cate - fibro sounds difficult and awful to live with - here's hoping diet and meds keep you comfortable.

Cassie - I had to laugh - the kittie in the face while trying to sleep happens here quite often - more to my husband more than me, tho - one of the cats like to wake him by sticking his snout into Dh's nostril. :eek:

Quinn, kudos on the scholarship news - one less thing to worry about!

Mern & Cate - thanks for the info on menopause... I get a little confused, 'cause my younger sister just got the word she is 'officially' in menopause (she's younger by 18 months. But still...) - she stopped more than 6 months ago (lucky so-and-so). I feel, Mern, that it isn't something that needs to monitored by a doctor - I, too, will likely try the soy/homeopathic path. Just kinda gonna miss the monthly 'whoosh'!:rolleyes:

Goals? Oh My....

Health / Fitness Goals...
1. 100 oz water daily M: Yes, T: Yes, W: Yes, Th: Yes,
2. 5 different fruits/veggies daily M: Yes (like 7-8), T: Yes, W: Yes, Th: Yes,
3. Exercise at least 30 minutes every day this week M: Yes, T: Yes, W: Yes, Th: Yes (in the evening even!)
4. Walk on lunch M,T,Th & F (appt on W) M: Yes, T: Yes, W: N/A, Th: Yes,
5. Weigh and post daily M: 232.8lbs, T: 232.0lbs, W: 231.0lbs, Th: 230.6lbs, F: 231.0lbs,

Life Goals...
1. Do work paperwork every day M: Yes, T: Yes, W: No, Th: Yes (caught up Wed's too),
2. 20 day review & dr appt for son Weds W: Yes
3. Find something positive each day (been focusing on some negative stuff so stealing this goal) M: My hubby rode the bike to come see me on my lunch break and I still got to walk 1-1/2 miles. We are in such an awesome place with each other right now. :) , T: Got in another night time workout. Doesn't seem to be holding me back anymore, W: How much better can it get than I LOST 100 POUNDS!!, Th: Was tired in the morning so I went back to bed when hubby went to work but still worked out in the evening ... side by side as hubby walked his treadmill time. :)

I have finally figured out that is okay for me to spend a half hour or so on myself to do a workout in the evening when I am too tired to do it in the morning. That is a big break through for me. I have a very hard time taking time away from my family to do something for myself. I have figured out that I can workout in our bedroom while hubby is watching tv on the bed that way I am still available for conversation as if I was laying there on my butt looking at the internet LOL!

Quinn ... You know better than to ever throw in that towel. You can do it. I have seen it before. .. Your daughter's scholarship is awesome! You have to be such proud parents right now!

Cassie ... Nail polish on 2 week old carpet? :eek: I think I would have done worse than Fro-Yo over that one!

Hope ... Gentle hugs for you girl. I really hope that something eases that discomfort for you. It sounds just so miserable.

Cate & Nichaleh ... We all have days where we eat what we shouldn't. The key is to get back on track as soon as possible. I'm up a smidge this morning from seasoned potato wedges on my salad last night with mozzarella cheese and the angus beef (cooked with peppers & onions) that is shredded for in cheesesteaks. But hey...I didn't eat the cheesesteaks on rolls or tortillas like the rest of the family did so it's a win for me!

Hope, I'm so sorry to read that your fibro has flared up so severely again. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain you are in. Huge, but gentle hug to ya!

Nichaleh, I get that way, too, when I just don't want to talk about my bad day. But I'm glad you did so that I can congratulate you on the CONTROLLED CHEAT when you felt yourself go into binge mode. You are so wise to not let yourself go hungry--that often sends me into cheat or even binge mode. Oh, I do hope your low carb pasta tastes good. Mine tastes just like regular pasta. It's the only kind I buy now and serve it to family, guests, take to picnics or church functions where we share food and no one can tell it's low carb. :) I totally gave up rice and potatoes, so I'm thrilled to be able to eat pasta. Cauliflower makes a great substitute for me for mashed potatoes. I cook it until very soft, drain well (reserving some juice in case needed to thin) put it in the food processor and add salt substitute, pepper, cheese, dehydrated onion or onion powder or chives to taste. If too thin I add more cheese; if too thick I thin it with some cooking water. I also make the same dish with cooked broccoli or a combo of broccoli and cauliflower. Cauliflower can also be grated to rice size pieces and used as rice in many dishes. :)

Cate so sorry you are missing your yogurt. Here in the USA we have a product by a large supermarket chain (Kroger) and they put out a three net carb "dairy blend" called CarbMasters that tastes exactly like yogurt. It's the only kind I can eat. Sometimes when I'm really craving milk badly I allow myself just 1/4 cup. Would you be able to allow yourself a small portion of the yogurt and berries at a time? Or how about this idea: since the berries are low carb, have a nice serving of berries TOPPED with a small serving of your yogurt?

Quinn, I'm rooting for you on getting back totally on track foodwise. I know it's not easy. Kudos on the additional scholarship!

Cassie, I'm glad you had such a nice Thursday compared with your nightmare of a Wednesday! Aw, that's great that hubby is due home today! :) Your reports this week contain way more blue than red. Kudos on that!

April and Judi, I saw your posts but I gotta go for now. Will be back to catch up later.

DH and I love to do this stuff too. We spent a week on Anguilla, met a local family, hung out with them and they threw us a second wedding, baked fresh pineapple cake and invited the whole town. They offerred to build us a house there.


We watched the set set and incredible moon rise (at the same time!, unearthly looking) with a Navaho man and his son in Monument Valley. We actually stood up all night talking.


We met the owner and grande dame of Antoines in NOLA and became friendly. They treat us to drinks and amazing meals when we go down there.


We got drunk with friends and "went swimming" in a public fountian in Mexico. Tequilla...

We spent a week hanging out with a British family in Spain - we just met the guy on the street, asking directions. He helped us rent a house with a courtyard and introduced us to his Catallan friends. We accidentally ended up in a strip club and the women were shocked and laughing their heads off that we were "tricked" into this. I'm not sure if the guys knew what kind of club it was...


Thanks for making me think of these fond memories. Especially considering I wrote a note to DD this morning and cried for two hours till my eyes hurt.

I am glad you haven't had them for a while and hope they go away forever. Mine are fibro related; sounds like yours could be. I hope you are well, Cate. I'm trying to go low carb too. It helps, doesn't it?

Nichaleh, I just want to say that I am thinking about you. I know it is so hard when we get out of control with food. But every day is a new chance so don't give up.

And for all those, Mern, April and everyone who sends support I want to thank you because it does help me.

So Nichaleh you will see that this is a very caring community here. You are not alone.

Hope ... These notes that you are writing to / about your DD.... are they for her or do you keep them and it is just therapeutic to write it down?

April, I have written notebooks full of her, volumes in fact. But the notes I wrote this morning were for her. They weren't the kind of notes I envisioned writing but then I am learning that you have to take life on its own terms, not on how you want it to be. The therapist she went to (who says she feels DD will be OK, that she seems to have a solid foundation and core) suggested I write to her. I have tried this before with not great results but I just felt I had to do it. DD says she can't stand to see me cry and especially if she feels like she's the one who "caused" it so the notes felt like a way to let her know things without tears or arguments.

Thanks for asking. This was a very sensitive question, shows that with all the things you face, you care and pay close attention to others. I want to thank you for that.

I have been fearful and angry, not the things I want to send my girl off to school with. I want to be there for her; sometimes I just don't know how and this makes me overreact to stupid stuff like chores not done or rude remarks. I feel like I have failed as a mother. I wrote one note to say that I am worried for her and giving her the therapist's number yet again and another (that she hasn't read yet) to say that I do believe in her. That I wish I could slay all her dragons but I believe in her strength and ability to face down what she has to and to succeed and that I will help her in any way possible. I don't know what else to do.

Hope... I am so glad to hear that her therapist thinks that in the full scheme of things she will turn out okay. Your post almost brought me to tears (at work!) :) I think that since she doesn't like to see you cry and knowing myself, I can't discuss anything with feelings without shedding tears, that writing these notes is a very good thing. It gives her a chance to read them through on her own terms. She can keep them. Read them again. She can't think that you said something that you didn't. It also gives you the time and ability to think about what you are writing and word it the way you really mean it instead of having words pop out of your mouth that you instantly wish you could take back.

April and Hope,

I just wanted to tell you both how much your exchange touched my heart. What incredible, insightful, caring moms you both are! I sure wish I had had a mom like you! One day, I know that your kids will look back and know how just how very much you loved and supported them unconditionally. Until kids reach their late 20's, it seems as though they just have a hard time letting their parents know how much they truly need and love them. My own kids are no exception. My son, now 28, is just starting to tell us openly how much we mean to him which, although I guess I knew, I never thought I'd ever hear from him. (He was pretty rebellious as a teenager.) My daughter is very analytical and scientific, as all of the engineers in my family tend to be, and has a hard time openly expressing emotion. With both of them, texting and email have been a godsend. Some of our biggest fights (and heart-felt moments) have been handled this way. My daughter will text me things that she would NEVER have the courage to tell me face to face, good and bad. As much as I hate, hate, hate how much kids text, I'm really thankful to have had this tool to parent with.

Your kids are so incredibly lucky to have you both. Parenting is the hardest job in the world... they will all see for themselves when their own children are born. ;)