Count down continues

Day 30-

My friends and family put out a great spread last night with quinoa salads, broccoli salad, chickpea and black bean salad, grilled asparagus and BBQ chicken. The colors and flavors were beautiful. After desserts was served the kids jumped into the lake for a swim to cool off.

Last summer I got a rowboat and I love it. So last night I rigged up some lights on the rowboat, filled it with kids and we headed out to the middle of the lake to watch the fireworks. Patrick grabbed a kayak so not to miss out. It was a great way to have some time with the kids and enjoy the fireworks.

Now I am enjoying my Greek yogurt breakfast with the chirping of birds in a sleeping cabin, 7 heads still on pillows.

Wedding prep today is meeting with the florist and trying on my dress so my mom can hem it. My

daughter and my two (soon to be) stepdaughters went dress shopping with me. My mom was not there when I bought the dress so I am looking forward to having her help me. I bought an inexpensive dress, $199 and am embellishing it and I need her help. Moms are good at that stuff.

Lunch was funny because my boys slept until noon and the oldest had gone back to bed. When I got back from town the house smelled like pancakes and I was hoping for Turkey burgers and broccoli slaw.

Kayaking, swimming and a walk with my daughter filled the afternoon. I finally feel like summer has begun and this is the time to get back on track.

And my dress fits! I know I made many poor choices in food over the last month but I did watch my portion sizes. The lack of activity has made me a tiny bit wider in the hips. Think I do some lunges and squats up the driveway.

Day 29 -  After two days at the lake and time with their cousins my children and I have settled in. I love coming to the lake. Patrick and his kids had to leave this morning. I wish they could stay longer and get to know the other kids. We had a mini Olympics and tubing. I took out a windsurfing board with a kayak paddle to work my upper body. It was a great day at the lake. We spotted the baby Loon as well.

   When I tucked my daughter in to bed tonight I told her, “ I am so blessed to haveyou as my daughter” Her response, “What, did God just reach into a hat and say, “this is who you get?”

“No. I think God picked you out just for me. He realized I needed you. And he was right.”

“I love you mom.”

“I love you too.”

Honestly that doesn’t even begin to cover it. My daughter made me a better person. I love my time with her and the way she is growing into a wonderful teenager.

She made dinner tonight; chicken ginger stir-fry and she added bean sprouts in place of rice. Yummy! If I wake up first I can have the leftovers for breakfast.