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I've been working on our summer calendar the last couple of days and I just realized something ... Summer 2011 was the best summer of my life.
Last summer was packed full of fun. I saw my babies go to their first week of overnight camp, which just happened to be the place Jim and I fell in love. There were weeks full of day camp, scout camp and vacation bible school. There were three weeks the kids spent with their cousins that live in Maryland, building memories that they will remember the rest of their lives. There was a week in Florida for a work conference where I got to spend time with one of my best friends. And then there were the weekends at lake houses with good friends.
July 4 was my favorite weekend last summer. It was the weekend the kids had gotten back from their overnight camp. I was just a complete mess that week, not knowing how they were doing and then when I finally got them back in my arms it was a huge sigh of relief. We had made plans to spend the night at our friends the Elmore's to watch the fireworks on their lake and we ended up staying two extra days. What can I say? The Elmore's know how to entertain! It's not only the kids that have tears in their eyes when we pull out of their drive way to drive home, but Jim and I do too. We love spending time with them.
That weekend was so fun. I'm just sitting here with a huge smile on my face remembering it. The Elmore's have two kids too and our kids all get along so well. They just spent the whole entire day in the lake playing and going down the slide and then at night they'd all put on their jammies and cuddle up on the couch and watch movies together. And let me tell you, the adults had a great time too. Staying up late around the campfire enjoying cocktails while the kids are sleeping. Making fresh guacamole with Julie Ann and hiding it in the fridge so only we would know about it. And the parties! - a friend's 40th birthday and the next-door neighbor's party, with music and laughing and sunshine. What a great time!
As I began to pencil in all of these activities into our 2012 summer calendar, I couldn't help but begin to get really excited about the fun we will have. It's really not that far away. Which of course means, it won't be long before the jeans and sweaters and coats will be packed away and the shorts and tank tops and bathing suits will make their way back in my dresser. And to be honest, that thought is kind of scaring me a little. Ok, a lot! It's a good kind of scare though - it's the kind of scare that is lighting a fire in me to really kick my weight loss into high gear.
Last summer was the first summer since the 1990s that I had been under 200 pounds. It was the first time in a very long time that I was comfortable with my body. I wore maxi dresses and tank tops proudly. I wore my swim suit in public without any tears being shed. I'm sure that helped to make last summer the best summer of my life.
On July 4, 2011, I weighed 194.3 lbs. That is three pounds lighter than I am today. When I think about this summer, I don't want to be in the 190s. I need to be at least in the 180s. To feel the way about my body that I did last summer, I know I need to drop at least 10 lbs. And that is totally doable.
So that's what I'm going to do! I'm excited.
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