Virtual Smooches: December RECAP

Hello, friends:} Happy NEW Year, everyone:) ***I actually have a super fun video going live on New Year's day!!! Be sure to stop back by to check it out! 

I've been sharing my Virtual Smooches videos over on the VS blog with just sneak peeks here...so I created a post with all of my December videos and creations-- just in case you've missed any! **NOTE:: Thursdays are my video days on the VS blog. Mark that in your calendar! 

***Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching! THANKS:) 

December 4: Christmas CAS part 1- Snowflake Wreath Card

PS stamps: A Blessed Christmas; PS dies: Large Snowflakes and Streamers 

December 11: Christmas CAS part 2- Reindeer Tag 3 Ways

CAS x100000

CAS with a bit more detail 

Kind of CAS--- so it's still CAS:) 

PS stamps: A Holy Holiday; PS dies: Gift Tags 2

December 19: Christmas CAS (part 3) Penguin card 

PS stamps: Winter Grooves, Feline Friends, and Christmas Sampler

That's it for me today-- be sure to stop by the Virtual Smooches blog for more inspiration! And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for challenges and a chance to win a Paper Smooches gift certificate! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Weight Loss for Sav

Hello, friends:) 

***Don't forget about my GIVEAWAY! Check it out HERE:) Deadline is December 31st at 11:59pm EST! Anyone can enter:)

First..... let me begin with some thanksgiving! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all of your love and support on Facebook!!! I literally didn't expect to read or see so many of you liking and commenting on my photo! 

Not sure if you can see it in this photo--- but 325 people have liked my pic! THANK YOU! 

And honestly, I didn't even want to post these pics! I hate admitting that I was "fat"! I hate that I let this last year of trial and depression get to me... well, some of that excess weight was from that. 

Several of you have asked how I've lost the weight, what program I'm on, etc. so I've decided to create a blog post explaining what I've done the past 6 months. ***NOTE: This is not a fancy program or anything special! It's worked for me, and I pray it might work for someone else;) 

I actually wrote a bit about this journey on my deep{er} reflections post HERE. 

So what did Sav do to lose this weight: 

1. I wrote out a goal. That's the first thing I did because I am a list and goal maker. If I don't write it out, I won't do it.
2. I joined the gym... well, that's not true. I joined the gym a year BEFORE I got serious! LOL! 
3. I hired a trainer-- I love my trainer! He's so nice and really works with me (i.e. injuries, headaches) yet he still pushes me. I recommend hiring a trainer! He keeps me accountable because he is at the gym daily and would see if I was working out or not.
4. I started eating healthier. I am lucky that my trainer is also a nutritionist. He helped me look at what I eat, how much I eat, when I eat, etc. He gave me lots of good tips to help me with my weight issue (i.e. I should only eat red meat once a week, same for potatoes, etc). 

That's really it. But let me give you more details of the progress of my weight loss (***NOTE: with each step of my progress, I continued with the previous step): 

• July- I bought about 5 water bottles. I keep one full of ice water. It's always with me and I try to drink at least 8 cups of water a day.
• July- August (beginning of Sept)- I worked out 6 days a week (usually 30-60 minutes of running on the Arc and then 30-45 minutes of circuit training), one day with my trainer. I didn't worry about what I was eating because I was working on my muscles and metabolism. Sounds weird, but I really didn't watch what I was eating during these 2 months.
• In August, I downloaded the MyFitnessPal app (THANKS, Chase for telling me about it!). This is FAB! My trainer told me how many calories I should eat and this program helps me scan food for each meal and counts my calories. ***NOTE: Counting my calories doesn't mean I can't have sweets or pizza! I can still have these foods, but I watch the portion I'm eating because this program really helps me see the "size" I'm allowed to have. I also started buying fresh fruit and more veggies. I eat so many salads! LOL! 
• In September, I got a digital food scale to start weighing my food in ounces and grams. THANKS, Lori-- she actually got it for me! 
• November 14th- I hurt my ankle while running on the Arc. Since then, I've been on strict orders for complete immobilization--- that means that I've only been able to watch my calorie intake. And even while doing this, I've lost 10 lbs in a month. 

My goal for this weight loss was to do it in a HEALTHY way. I didn't want to join a program where I can't have bread or where I only eat 10 grapes for lunch. I didn't want to lose a ton of weight quickly because I want this weight to come off and STAY off! LOL! 

 Not my favorite photos, but I wanted to show you several photos from the months... After working out, I would send Trav a selfie. He's been so sweet as I've been working out and losing weight. His encouragement is what got me through all those workouts;)  

Sometimes I would smile...

Sometimes I wouldn't! Esp if Tony (my trainer) killed me that day! LOL! 

Sooooooooooo.... that's how I've done it. I am hoping to be more active in 2015... starting in February once I get this boot off! LOL! 

My goal is to lose 10 more pounds- this would bring me to my wedding weight and the weight at which I was in a modeling troupe in college 12 years ago! LOL! And the biggest thing for me, my goal for the rest of my life, is that I want to just stay active. I like the weight I'm at right now... minus the fact that NONE of my clothes fit! I really do need to go shopping:) 

I hope that this post makes sense! I pray that this post will inspire some of you to join me on this weight loss journey! 

If you have questions or comments, leave them below! I'd love to hear from you:) 

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your love and encouragement on Facebook  Be blessed:) 

Paper Smooches SPARKS: December Designer Drafts challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! This week we are sharing a DESIGNER DRAFT challenge. 

This week we are inspired by the following sketch:

**Sentiments can be placed anywhere on the sketch.

Get ready for this.... I would say that I've followed this sketch 90%!!!! I did change a couple of things (i.e. flipping it, the string only goes around the diagonal panel, and the sentiment is moved-- but that's allowed! LOL!)!

This is my nephew Jackson's birthday card-- he is a HUGE farmer and I thought these papers by Pink Paislee and the Paper Smooches Green Acres stamp set would be PERFECT for this card! I also used the PS Digits stamp and die set. HAPPPPPPPPPY (early) birthday, Jackson!  *His birthday is on January 1st. 

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs, get inspired, and leave them some love. 

Alice

Lisa A. GDT

Erin

Jenny

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends January 3rd. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

deep{er} #20: reflections

Hello, friends:) ***Giveaway details below:) 


Merry CHRISTmas!!!!! I hope you all had an amazing holiday with family and friends!! 

UPDATE/REFLECTION: I've got lots to share in this update:) I've got a couple of present pictures, working out update, and some end of the year reflections. First things first...

1. Working Out/Training/Losing Weight- I mentioned in THIS post back in October that I started working out in July. I don't like telling people that I'm working out or watching what I eat because I feel like that's too much pressure... that I need to show that I'm making progress on day 1. But I told you because I really want this training to make a difference in my life- I want to lose some weight and eat healthier. So anyway... I was doing awesome until I hurt my ankle on the 15th of November. Despite my injury, I've continued to eat better, and I've lost almost 20 pounds! It's like 18.4 pounds! I cannot wait to get over 20!!! Here are some before and after photos (not the greatest photos, but hopefully I can get other photos soon! LOL!):
   
   July 26, 2014--- YIKES! 
   
   December 22, 2014
   
   
2. Gifts- Since the beginning of November, I've been thinking of things I can get Travis for Christmas. We don't normally do gifts... not really sure why, but I try to do something small each year. I wanted to do the "something you wear, read, need, want"... but I just went a bit overboard and ended up with more gifts that fit the category "I want to give this to you just because!" LOL! 
• The first gift I gave him was on the last night of Hanukkah. We saw this 3D relief map when we went to Israel and talked about getting one but came home empty handed. I might be speaking for just myself, but I'm going to say that we probably both regret not getting one of these maps while visiting Israel. And so that's why I got Trav this map!! The reason I gave it to him on the last night of Hanukkah... I can't keep secrets or presents for very long, but also because I wanted to celebrate a bit of Hanukkah! *Not sure I really celebrated Hanukkah... I still need to do a bit of research:) **Visit Touch-Israel to check out their products! 
  
  I think this map looks AMAZING on this little shelf:) It's the perfect spot for it-- we can still use it for studying the land and places in the Bible... plus, it's a fab decoration in our Study Room! 
  
  We received that beautiful Faith glass container for Christmas from our friends Sara and Craig! I think some candies will look nice in it... that's if I don't eat too many:) 
  
  
• His second gift also had to do with Israel. In our hotel, The Dan Jerusalem, Trav and I saw some mezuzahs on the doorframe of the rooms. We chatted about how cool they were and forgot all about it... well, I'm sure Trav forgot, but I didn't:) I went searching for just the right mezuzah for our Study Room and was lucky enough to score this beautiful silver one with the city of Jerusalem design on eBay. LOOOOOOOOVE it! *I cannot wait to show you a picture of it on our Study Room frame!!! 
  
3. End of the Year Reflections- I've got to say that writing these posts have been more difficult than I thought! In the past 2 years, I've been nudged a couple of times (by the Holy Spirit) that I needed to share my faith on my blog... I made excuses (i.e. I don't know what I should call this series... I don't know what to say... will I lose followers?). I still have these thoughts and questions, but inside I know that I'm just trying to share my belief and faith the best way I can through my blog--- and I think it's a success because of YOU! THANK YOU for all of your support and for stopping by my blog each week (and sometimes during the week if I'm late in posting)!!! Thank you for your prayers and for your love and support! This past year has been super tough for us... but we see the light at the end of the tunnel! HOOOOOOOORAY! Soooooooooooooo..... to celebrate the end of the year and all of my wonderful followers/friends, I thought I would have a giveaway! You have blessed me more than you know, and I thought I would share a couple of my favorite things with you!!! To enter, just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter! If this widget isn't working, just leave a comment below:) Deadline: December 31st at 11:59pm EST. ****If you don't have a blogger account or can't leave a comment, just leave a comment on the Facebook post HERE! 
   
   Giveaway includes: a brand new CD by Stephanie Peters, a smaller version (cliff notes) of The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, and a 365 day inspirational calendar with scripture and quotes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And just one more thing before I go...

Travis and I have made a big decision and accepted the Worship Leader positions at the New Hope East campus in North Port, FL!!!!!!! We are super excited to work with our friend and pastor, Ramon (and his wife, Laura). We are thrilled to be serving the Lord and to be using our gifts again!!! Please pray for us as we start in January. As always, please pray for good health, that our hearts would be in the right place for worship, and that the congregation would only see Jesus! We need His covering each week! THANK YOU!

My goals for this week:

1. Continue to pray hardest even when it's hardest to pray and get on my knees and pray!  **I guess you can never pray enough:) And I think it's never too late to pray:) 
2. Continue with chapter 3 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse--- Trav and I started this study two weeks ago:) LOVE it! ***We are back on track:)
3. Pick a devotional bible or study for my daily devotions. ***I think I've found my studies! I will be doing "Today in the Word" from Moody and 2 other books! I can't wait to share more in the new year;) 

I pray that God has been speaking to you and that your time with Him has been deep{er}! I also pray that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

IMAGINE Crafts: Simply Santa RECAP

Hello, friends:)


Today I'm sharing a recap of my project over on the Imagine Crafts blog. Click HERE or HERE to check it out:) Click HERE for the video on Vimeo! 

****Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching this video! THANKS:)

I used a Tsukineko Wedding Dress Pico Embellisher to add detail to this little PS Santa image! This card was sooooo easy to make! 

I also used some IC silver embossing powder to add a bit more detail to this Santa tag that I turned into a card! 

I hope that you will stop over on the Imagine Crafts blog HERE to check out my video or leave some love! 

And I hope that you will join in the fun with the Paper Smooches SPARKS Anything Goes (wk3) challenge. Be sure to link up your creations before 11:59pm PST on Saturday, December 27th. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches SPARKS + IMAGINE Crafts

Hello, friends:}

***Click HERE for my IMAGINE Crafts VIDEO that shares how to make the project below:) Or click HERE to check it out on YouTube.

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! Another Anything Goes challenge starts today!   

That's right--you get to create ANYTHING you want (as long as you use Paper Smooches stamps)!! This is the BEST challenge ever!!!

I've created a super simple CAS card using the PS Santa Paws stamp set and IC Wedding Dress Pico Embellisher. This literally is so simple! Here's a sneak: 

I also created a tag for the video and then made that into a card! LOVE it! 

Be sure to stop by the PSS blog to play along, and stop by the IMAGINE Crafts blog to check out my video! Or click HERE for the YouTube video and HERE for the Vimeo video:) 

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs and leave them some love. 

Katie

Larissa

Lori

Lynn

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details. This challenge ends December 27th. Hope you join in the fun--- this is the EASIEST challenge ever!!!!!!!!

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

deep{er} #19: reflections

Hello, friends:)


I'm so glad that you stopped by today. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and that you were able to find some time with the Lord this week. 

I also hope your Christmas shopping is out of the way so that you don't have to rush around this weekend/next week!

UPDATE: Nothing really is new this week... I'm still on complete immobilization with my ankle. I'm hoping that it will feel better soon! I really do not like being in this boot all day long! 

Really... that's it:) Pretty uneventful week! 

Here's a picture that I snapped this week while Trav and I were doing our studies. I love it! 

OH! If you follow me on Facebook, you have already seen this status, but I thought I would share it again here because I've been reflecting on the book The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. I think this comment from Trav is HILARIOUS! I guess I've been talking so much about circling things/goals in prayers that it transferred over to Trav and EVEN Olsen! LOL! 

REFLECTION: So this week, I'm not sharing anything new from my reflections... it's basically the same (i.e. I need to pray more, I need to forgive those who've hurt me, etc.). I'm a work-in-progress and am continuing to work on the same issues. LOL! 

Last week my goal was to record a video for you! Check it off the list because I did it;) I completed this goal the best I could **NOTE: I did my best with my boot and not being able to walk. I apologize if the video is a bit shaky.

I wish you all could come and visit our house, possibly do a bible study with us in this room! It would be so much fun! ***Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching:) THANKS! 

***NOTE: This is actually how short I would love to keep my Reflections posts... but sometimes I get a bit carried away, and my posts grow in length, making them kind of long! LOL!

My goals for this week:

1. Continue to pray hardest even when it's hardest to pray and get on my knees and pray!  **I guess you can never pray enough:) And I think it's never too late to pray:) 
2. Continue with chapter 2 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse--- Trav and I started this study two weeks ago:) LOVE it! ***We are a bit behind, some weeks it's harder to get it into our schedule because of Trav's work schedule. I'm hoping we can get a schedule and stick to it! 
3. Pick a devotional bible or study for my daily devotions. ***I still need to do this! I've got so many books ad devotionals to pick from!

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}


ps... be sure to stop back by next week, I'm having a giveaway! I am so thankful that you want to join me on this journey, and I thought it would be fun to give something away to one of my readers:) Just thought I would let you know...HUGS:)