Back to School

 

22 weeks. 154 days. That's how long the kids were at home before returning to school.

Last week, the kids went back to school.

What changed?

1. I honestly think that this was the most uncertain back to school year ever. The school district is doing an excellent job. Still, even children know what uncertainty feels like. For each unanswered question, we assured the kids that we would get through this together by the grace of God. 

2. This is also the first time that friends from other areas of the country can't send their kids to school. I am encouraged to see that people are listening to local authorities and they are taking things seriously. The funny thing is that social media makes people forget just that. I don't live where they live so the rules and regulations here are a bit different. I can't tell you how many people offered me advice while I was following the advice of our local government. 

3. Being able to send the kids to school gave us all a welcome new routine to our days. Regardless of what others think and feel, I am positive that we will get to the other side of this. God is still in control and He will see us through. 

What causes joy?

1. Hearing about the kids' day brought us a lot of joy. For the first time in many months, everyone brought a different daytime experience to the dinner table conversation. We have no issue being together all the time. The joy came from being blessed to enjoy some of our old routines. 

2. I was able to experience a little bit of my old routine as well. Waiting for the kids to come home from school. Fixing their snack and getting ready for dinner. Picking up an empty house. The old felt familiarly great. 

What am I learning?

1. I learned that we may have to live with uncertainty for a while. I think it is okay to live like that for while, as long as certain things are intact. What are these certain things? The love of God and family. God's care for us and our care for one another. 

2. When the people around me are spreading fear and negativity with their words, I don't have to let it overwhelm me. I can choose to dwell in calm, positive things. It is realistic to want to be surrounded by good thoughts. It is possible to set the atmosphere around my heart and mind with the words I choose to listen to and speak.

3. I'm learning that God is a very present help for me, personally. I'm really glad He cares. 

I'm not sure if your kids are back to school or not. I'm not sure what's happening around you. I hope you take some time to reflect on what changed, what causes joy, and the lessons you are learning.

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Interview with Nylse from Life Notes Encouragement Blog

What a dreamy and encouraging conversation! Meet my friend Nylse from Life Notes Encouragement Blog! 

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How I took Control of my Weight

I decided to update an old post for you. Here's a Q&A about my weight loss. Enjoy!
Name: Cintia Listenbee
Age: 33 and fabulous
Starting Weight: 194 lbs
Eliminated Weight: 153 lbs
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Status: Happily, blissfully Married
Occupation: Christian Wife & Mother, Journalist & Media Consultant
Questions: 
1. What was your big turning point that made you realize you needed to lose weight?
2. What is one thing you wish you had known before going on a weight management program?
3. What do you think your biggest weight loss obstacle will be?
4. What advice can you give other people who are hoping to lose extra weight?
5. What is one thing that happens behind the scenes that that no one would know from reading the blog?


Related Post:
• Cintia takes control of her Health (2007 Post)
• Weight Loss after Baby Part 1
• Weight Loss after Baby Part 2

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Mommy Questionnaire

1. How long have you been a mom? Since April 29, 2009
2. How many children call you Mommy? None, I’m teaching my child to call me mamãe
3. Girl? Boy? Both? Boy
4. Did you know what you were having? Yes, totally.
5. How old were you when you became a mom? 29.
6. How long were you in labor? 11 hours with petocin :)
7. What’s your favorite thing about being a mom? Seeing God’s faithfulness to me unfold day after day. My child is a constant source of joy and we love being parents.
8. What’s your least favorite thing? I haven’t had time to think that way, I don’t think there’s negative in receiving someone you prayed for.
9. Do you want more kids? Yes!
10. Do you plan on having more soon? As soon as God thinks we’re ready.

11. Who inspires as a mom? God and my own mother.
12. How many times have you been peed on? Less than 10.
13. Barfed on? Plenty, especially lately.
14. Is your child named after anyone? Not really.
15. How did you come up with their name(s): My husband came up with the name, I agreed with it. The meaning is ‘the place where God dwells.’
16. When your child gets in trouble, who is the bad guy? He’s not at that stage yet.
17. And who is the good guy? Same as the previous question.
18. What is the longest you have been away from your children? 4-5 hours
19. Bedtime routine? At this stage, a diaper change, Prayers, psalm 23 and a song all in Portuguese.
20. Are your toes painted? Of course.
21. Last movie you saw in the theatre? Tyler Perry’s I can do bad all by myself
22. One thing you will not give up just because you’re a mom? Leading worship at church.
24. One thing you did give up now that you’re a mom: traveling with just my husband
25. Best mom perk: loving on with my son all day!
26. Snack that you sneak bites of from your child: baby food is not good.
27. When the kids are napping, you are: multitasking
28. Where are your children now? sleeping
29. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes? Burlington
30. If I could do it over, I’d do this differently: I probably would have taken an epidural. I had no clue that I would need an emergency c-section.

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Unattainable Beauty

"For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh" Philippians 3:3

A friend of mine asked a question on her blog that bothered me. She asked her readers what are the images that inspire them to lose weight. Something didn't feel right to me about that question because of my past and the redemption that Christ has brought in my life. An image was the root problem of my former weight issues. Unattainable beauty, inhuman shapes or waist lines that only 5% of the population in the world can attain were the causes for fluctuating pounds and years of mental attacks from the enemy. The self-help messages of loving myself and accepting myself did nothing for me until God showed me in His word what He said about me. It took years but I can say that I am free to love myself because He first loved me and created me the way He wants me to be. My short answer to her questions is Phil. 3:3, Christians put no confidence in the flesh. What kind of sense does it make to look at an image and say I want to be like you? God created me in His image, I ought to be like Him, the perfect one.

I haven't been in touch with many pregnant women on a daily basis – I'm quite alright with this. I hear that many feel fat, ugly, etc. Many say the hormones did this to them (the negative thoughts and talk) but I prayed and asked God to teach me how to distinguish heart issues from hormonal issues. The mouth speaks things that come from the heart. Even if people tell me I'm fat (trust me, I've heard that recently in church) because they assume most pregnant women think that's who they are, I don't accept these kinds of statements. I believe with all my heart that there's a time and a season for everything. God allowed me to be in a season where I lost 40 pounds and after gaining health and strength, He allowed me to be in a season where I am nurturing a son. The focus is to stay strong and have a healthy birth. The last thing I need to worry about is how I no longer have a waist line. The health of my son is way more important than that. After I'm done with the pregnancy phase, I'll be glad to work on my own body. I keep telling my husband how blessed I feel that God had a plan for my health and I accepted it. He transformed my mind in such a way that I love the way I look, pregnant or not. Do I feel this great every day? No. When I don't, I try to quickly find encouragement in the words of God about me. I challenge you to get your focus off top models, who are the last role models anyone needs in my opinion, and get your focus in a God who created you, loves you and meant for you to be an unique, creative and beautiful woman. You gotta know this for yourself sister, the media will never tell you that. Here are some articles I've written about image, one of them is my story, the others talk about images in the media, etc:

* The image - click here

Body awareness - click here

The weight of my Mind - click here

* My story :)

I also added my updated 6 month pregnant photo for yall. My little man is growing and kicking much stronger – how fun. Once we can venture out in the streets, sister girl and her little man are going to gym :) we gotta stay strong you know ;)

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Q&A

What are you most excited about? I am most excited about having a new member added to the family I love. It’s exciting to see that my love for Zeke will go on through this baby. It seems cheesy but that’s the way I feel. I’m also looking forward to the changes that a new baby will bring, believe it or not. 

How is your energy level compared to “normal”? It’s pretty normal I’d say. I was tired for a few weeks but I’m pretty much back to normal: work, gym, church, house work, etc. I do take more time to rest so I have energy to go on and do all that I do. 

What clothes are you finding most comfy? My old clothes still fit me okay. It was hard to believe that I still fit into small shirts, Zeke said it’s because I’m small. I just have to accept it and move on. My pants are getting tighter around the waist but the low riders are just fine for now. 

What type of food are you craving or have aversion to; does the smell of pickles make you smile or gag? My relationship with food has not changed. I had the idea that pregnancy meant lots of sweets. I haven’t had such cravings at all. I’m more sensitive to smells. Currently, any perfume, cologne, etc irritate my allergies.

What color will you paint the nursery? We painted it light yellow, it’s lovely and very happy. 

What is something interesting that your husband has said about your pregnancy? He said I had mood swings before I got pregnant, when I was struggling with weight and self esteem issues. I thought, he was so right. It made me see how far the Lord has brought me from. Zeke also said I’ve been doing really good while pregnant. 

What is a gift that anyone could give you while pregnant? Prayers for a healthy baby and great health as my pregnancy progresses.

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Q&A

Q: When are you due?
A: May 8, 2009
Q: Was this planned?
A: Yes, we really wanted this baby and we want others :)
Q: Have you been sick at all?
A: Not at all, glory be to God and thanks mom!
Q: Are you going to try and work when they come?
A: Still deciding... I know I'll keep working out LOL
Q: Do you have names?
A: Of course, not ready to publicize it tough.
Q: Boy or Girl?
A: Not sure yet, but either will be welcome to the crib.
Q: Are you scared?
A: God has not given me a spirit of fear. The same God who helped millions of women give birth before me will be with me as I go through this joyful season.
Q: What has been your favorite thing about being pregnant?
A: Having great expectations: knowing that my love for Zeke is eternal foreal, knowing that this child is an arrow that will go further than I ever will, getting another person to join our family. And we thought we had fun while it was just the two of us LOL.

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Roni Answers Me

I was really surprised to hear one of my questions on Roni's video post. Hope you enjoy her blog! Happy Saturday to you. Happy cleaning and cooking day to me!

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Q&A

I found these questions on Maria's Last Diet and I wanted to answer them as a one year into my lifestyle change evaluation:

1. Can I envision a better life for myself once I've lost the weight?
Yes! I can see myself being more active, enjoying sports and exercising more and finding new healthy foods and better than all that, a very healthy life. I believe my family will also benefit from that.

2. Is this a good time for me to start a diet?
It was the perfect time cause my mind was changed.

3. Should I do this myself or should I get some help?
I did it with help and I realize that every time I get help it works.

4. Do I know what went right and what went wrong with my last two diet attempts?
I was starving myself during the last one and that wasn't good. The previous one... I just wasn't eating the correct foods. There was not a lot of variation.

5. Have I chosen a diet that is particularly good for me?
Yes because it's not a formula and I can eat great foods no matter where I am.

6. Do I know how to keep a cheating episode from ruining my diet?
I can start all over again the next meal. I can exercise and most importantly, remember that guilt and condemnation are not part of an abundant life.

7. Am I willing to make changing my eating a priority?
Yes, it has been a priority for over a year now.

8. Do I believe in my ability to change?
I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I believe that God created me to adapt in order to live an abundant life. Change is always welcome.

9. Can I let go of old patterns of behavior?
Through God's healing and determination, yes.

10. Do I have a workable strategy for maintaining my weight loss after this diet?
I have gotten tips from my health educator. I think that if I keep exercising and eating well, I should be okay. This is a lifestyle and once I changed it, I have no desire to go back to old patterns of behavior.

Read the whole article on Maria's Last Diet

My Goals for the week of August 17 -24:
{1} To burn at least 2,000 calories - 2,939.5 calories burned not counting today's work out!
{2} To get protein and dairy daily in my diet - OK
{3} Focus on behavior change, not on the numbers on the scale - Haven't touched the scale for 11 days, 10 more to go.

ENJOY your weekend!

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Vegetarian Q&A

1. How long have you been a vegetarian?
Since January 5, 2008

2. Why did you go veg?
I believe this is the best way for my body to function in health.

3. Favorite non-dairy milk?
Silk lite (vanilla) – it makes a mean smoothie and it’s great plain.

4. What are the top 3 dishes/recipes you are planning to cook?
Vegetarian lasagna, TVP Meatloaf and my famous ‘surprise bread.

5. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure?
Homemade Pancakes.

6. How do you organize your recipes?
I have a little notebook my family send me 5 years ago. I’ve been printing out things too.

7. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods…what would they be (don’t worry about how you’ll cook them)?
Black Beans, Bananas and rice.

8. Fondest food memory from your childhood?
Hearing the pressure cooker cooking black beans.

9. Most loved kitchen appliance?
My blender!!!

10. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?
TOFU is the only one I know.

11. Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)?
I cook when I have time. Lately on Saturdays or after dinner during weekdays. I enjoy cooking Brazilian food the most :)

12. What is sitting on top of your refrigerator?
My husband’s chips, all our spices on a big bowl and some cereal bars we don’t like.

13. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.
Hot dog buns, corn, black beans.

14. What’s on your grocery list?
Right now? Brown sugar, Soy milk, fruit, zucchini, kale…. I need to fill up on more black beans too.

15. Favorite grocery store?
We go wherever we get deals. For fresh produce we’re working on going to local markets. It only makes sense when there are so many farms around us.

16. Most extravagant food item purchased lately?
Sesame seed oil. Really, in my circle, no one eats that.

17. Best thing about going veg?
Possibilities, possibilities.

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Q n A

1. What time did you wake up? Que horas vc acordou?
5:30 a.m.
2. Which stations are saved on your XM radio? Que estacoes estao programadas no seu radio XM?
BBC, XMPR, The Spirit, The Message, The Groove, Real Jazz, Oprah and Friends, The Power and Take Five.
3. What’s your favorite exercise? Qual e o seu exercicio favorito?
Walking because it’s natural. Caminhadas porque sao tao naturais.
4. What’s the greatest lesson you learned so far in your weight loss journey? Qual e a maior licao que vc aprendeu ate agora na sua jornada de reducao alimentar?
I’ve learned I am NOT what I weigh. Eu nao sou o que eu peso.
5. What advice would you give to someone starting their WL journey? Que conselho vc daria pra alguem comecando a jornada da RA?
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind in Christ. Tranforme-se atraves do renovo da sua mente em Cristo.

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