Happy Mother's Day

Mom, I love you and miss you but want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for your patience, guidance, love and kindness you showed to me everyday. Thank you for showing me how to love & have compassion for others. Thank you for instilling in me a positive attidue & an optomistic way of thinking. No matter what came your way in life, you never complained and lived each day with a smile. I am truly blessed to be your daughter and hope to keep your memory alive in all that I do.

It will be seven years on June 3 since my mother passed away at the age of 56. I didn't realize how young she was when she passed away until I got older. Its true that time does heal all wounds. This is the first mother's day that I didn't dread going to church and wasn't sad or jealous of others who still had their mother. This year was the first year since her passing that I didn't cry but rather enjoyed thinking and cherishing the memories of my mother.

I can't believe its been seven years. There are moments when it seems like yesterday I was just talking to her then I realize, I miss hearing her voice and seeing her beautiful smile. I think about her often and what she is doing on the other side. I have come to know with time that she is in a better place, no longer suffering and doing a very important work. I know she has moments when she can catch glimpses of my life. I have felt her close to me at the times when I need her the most.

I stand in awe of how our Heavenly Father & Savior, Jesus Christ truly do know what is best for all of us. Sometimes we may doubt what purpose there is to death of a loved one when it impacts our life so much. I believe that purpose is different for everyone. I have found that my purpose was to obtain personal growth both spiritually & emotional as well as building a resevoir of knowledge I need to continue on my own path in life.

The women I am today is because of the great example I had in my mother. I pay tribute to my mother on this special day. I love her dearly and can't wait to be with her again someday.

Spring at Temple Square

Last Sunday, my friends Margo & Debra suggested that we go to Temple Square for a walk right after church. We usually go walking around the neighborhood, but Debra mentioned how everything was in full bloom so it didn't take much for Margo and I to agree to the idea.

We couldn't ask for a better day. The weather was fabulous. It was 70 degrees, the sun was warm but we were blessed with a nice cool breeze to make it a perfect day. I enjoyed the day, the walk and the company of good friends. I realized that sometimes the simple things in life can bring me the most happiness.

I hope you enjoy the pictures that I took from my trip to temple square. We truly all have a lot to be grateful for. Lets all take time to enjoy the simple things in life.

I Did It!

It is official! I reached my goal of getting below 300 pounds. I now weight 291. I have lost a total of 163 pounds. I am so excited! There aren't enough words to describe how wonderful I feel. This brings me one step closer to reaching my maintance goal of 180.

I finally broke down & bought a bathroom scale so that I could weigh myself in the privacy of my own home. In the past I would weigh myself weekly at my work's gym. I like weighing myself much better at home. I weigh myself first thing in the morning right before I get into the shower. I didn't realize how much clothes can actually weigh. The scale showed a 5 pound difference which I will gladly take. I guess every little bit helps.

I am on to my next goal of getting below 250 pounds. My weight loss has slowed down a little but I find as long as I stick to the program the doctor has recommended that I loose. Its just not as fast as it was before. I won't complain, I will take whatever I can get.

I am also getting ready to do a 5k in June. One of my friends from support group recommended we do it together. Its on my list of things I want to do so I am getting ready for it. I won't be running it, just walking the 5 K but at least I can say I have accomplished it after all is said and done. My personal trainer gave me some tips that I can start incorporating into my works to get my body conditioned for the 5K. If anyone would like to join me in my 5K adventure let me know. I would love for friends & family to come join the fun.

Spring

Spring has sprung & I couldn't be more excited. I truly love this time of year. Spring is my favorite season. I love the flowers, the new green grass, the chirping birds and the weather. I love that I can go walking outside on my lunch break to awaken and refresh my spirit.

This time of year definitley brightens my day and puts an extra kick in my step. I find it is invigorating to be out in nature. I am grateful for all the little things that make this earth beautiful.

I hope each of us can slow down and take some time to enjoy the beauty all around us. I feel like some weeks I am so busy being busy that I don't have time to relax & enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I think sometimes we plan our lives so much that we overbook ourselves.

My goal this week is to slow down, remove the things from my life that I think are important but are not so that I can just take time to meditate & relax.

April Fools!

I would like to introduce you to my new husband, children & pet. On April 1st I was introduced to all of them by my co-workers. They wanted to surprise me on April Fools day with an imaginary husband & family. They introduced me to my gorgeous husband, 4 beautiful children and my own pet.

Most everyone I sit around with at work knows that I have a thing for Firemen. There have been a couple of times the firemen have come to our workplace for medical emergency & I will stop working to catch a look at them as they walk by. We call them our eye candy when they come.

As you can see my co-workers decided to play off of my Firemen fascination and provide me with my hot husband. The pictures are framed and sitting on my desk at work. Every time I look at them they make me laugh. It made for an interesting day at work. Everyone that walked by my desk stopped to ask me about my pictures.

I have to admit I can't keep my eyes off of my imaginary husband when I am working. The sad thing is I can't think of a sexy name to give him. My co-workers thought it was only fitting that I name him but none of then names I come up with seem fitting. I am open for suggestions. My co-workers thought it would also be fitting that they provide me with a dalmation as my pet since I have the firemen as my husband.

It is official now. You have met my imaginary family. I hope you enjoy their pictures as much as I do.

Updated Weight Loss Pictures:

I love the pink shirt I am wearing in the pictures. I bought it at Ross for $6.99. A couple of weeks ago I went clothes shopping with a friend. It was so nice to be able to walk into Ross an pull tons of clothes off the rack that I could try on. My friend and I had so much fun we were laughing hysterically with some of the selections we tried on. There were two ladies next to our dressing room and as they were leaving they told us that they had so much fun eavesdropping on our shopping experience because we were having so much fun. I don't remember the last time I had so much fun clothes shopping.


I have now lost 152 pounds as of two weeks ago. I should weigh myself tomorrow and see where I am at again. Because of how much weight I have lost, I do have a lot of excess skin that eventually I will need to have plastic surgery to remove. I have a lot of excess skin on my upper arms and have become very self concious about it. I make sure that I purchase shirts that have 3/4 inch sleeves. While I was trying on some of the shirts my girlfriend picked out, she wasn't aware of my sleeve requirements, so needless to say some of the shirts I tired on were beautiful but showed too much of my arms. We had a good time laughing about my arms. I will take my baggy arms anyday over how miserable I felt before the surgery.


I was so pleased with myself I was able to purchase 6 shirts at Ross and my entire bill came in around $55. Before my weight loss I would have spent $55 on one shirt. You can see why I was so excited.


The other day I realized that my cousin left for her mission to Tennessee 2 days after I had my surgery. I realized that we both will be hitting our 1 year mark very shortly. This realization lit a fire within me. I realized that after our 1 year mark that leaves me 6 months before my cousin gets home from her mission. Because of this realization, I am now motivated to reach my maintance goal of weighing 180 pounds by the time my cousin gets home from her mission. This is the fire that was lit within me. I am now more determined to reach my goal. I am so excited! This excitement & motivation helps me stay focused on my long term goal. I can't wait until my cousin comes home from her mission.

8 Months & Grand Re-Opening

Exciting News!!


I had my 8 month follow up appointment with the surgeon last Thursday. The doctors scale shows that I have lost a total of 145 pounds. Dr Simper was very pleased with the success that I have been making since the surgery. He mentioned my success is phenomenal and that I am well on my way to getting closer to maintance. He cautioned me to be more diligent the further I get out from surgery because its easier to get lazy & loose focus. I realized that I can't compare myself to another patient because my journey will take a little bit longer but the most important thing is that I will eventually get to my goal.


In the past I wasn't comfortable sharing with everyone what my starting weight was prior to surgery. I am okay with sharing that information now because it is just a number. It doesn't have any more control over me then I give it. My starting weight was 458 pounds.


Never in a million years did I ever think I would allow myself to get that big. I had no control over my life. I was making bad decisions and didn't take care of myself. I put others needs before my own. I didn't love myself and it showed. I was headed down a path that terrified me. I knew I had to do something.


The surgery was not a quick decision for me. It took much thought, consideration, prayer & fasting to make the right decision for me. Once I made the decision to have the surgery I know it was the right decision for me. I was at peace.


So currently if you have done the math, you will know that I am at 313 pounds. I still have a ways to go but with my commitment to myself and the support of family & friends, I know I can make it. My short term goal is to get below 300 pounds. My maintance & long term goal is to weigh 180 pounds. I have found that if I share my goals with others it helps me be accountable to myself.

I know this post is really long but I promise I am almost done. This surgery has brought about many positive opportunities & changes in my life. One of the positive opportunities that I wanted to do first was start up my Mary Kay business to enrich, pamper & bless the lives of all who have helped me become who I am today. I am excited to announce the Grand Reopening of my business on Thursday March 18th. I will be celebrating by doing what is called a $1000 day sell. What that means is my goals is to sell a $1000. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? This is where YOU can benefit!!

I'm asking everyone to go to my directors website: www.marykay.com/medgington and find something that you need or want! The best part is when you order it on my $1000 Day, YOU get to pick your discount.

Thursday, March 18th is THE $1000 Day!

• Orders received from 8am to 1pm receive a 20% discount!!


• Orders received from 12pm to 6pm receive a 10% discount.

The same times apply if you email me bberry@marykay.com or go to my director's website! (If you decide to order on my directors website please make a note that it's for my $1000 day.)

I must have your order no later than 6pm to qualify for the discounts. Please contact me if you have any questions.

I am excited about the direction my life is headed. I am glad I can share this journey with all of you! Thanks for your support & friendship.

P.S. I will be posting new updated pictures shortly.

Pet Peeve

I have so many pet peeves that I could blog on and on about all of them. One of my biggest pet peeves is I get really annoyed when other people come to work really sick because they don't want to miss a day of work and spread around their germs. They have now successfully contaminated the workplace & shared their germs with everyone else. Its like an incubator at my work, once one person gets sick it spreads all over until almost everyone has caught the nasty bug. I caught a nasty cold from someone and I hate it when I don't feel good.

Now that I have vented about my pet peeve, I feel much better. Lesson learned: Please stay home from work if you think you are contagious or if you are not feeling well at all. Thank you!

Weight Loss update: I am 7 months out from my surgery and I have lost 143 pounds. The new pair of levis that I bought about a month ago are starting to get baggy on me. I can't wait for warmer weather so I start wearing cute capris.

A couple of post ago I talked about how I was addicted to exercise. I feel like a hypocrite because I haven't been exercising the last week and half because I haven't felt good. Someone at work told me that its good to workout when you don't feel good because it will help you get better quicker? I don't think that is true. I think its better to give your body a rest.