I've been a bad bad girl.

      I've always been hard on myself, and especially after the holidays I get onto myself a lot.  This year though I deff deserve it.  I was doing so well with eating right and drinking the right things.  I veered off when I was too proud to pay $4 for a bottle of water, or $3 for a cup of water, and I gave in to the $2 soda.  I started a downward spiral that has come to me landing in bed for the past 2 days in so much pain.  The odd thing was that when we were out at TGIFridays I ordered water.  It shows that I KNOW BETTER, but I just wanted to splurge. 

     It started when we were at Dollywood last week.  OMG It was so much fun to go out with my family to an amusement park for the holidays.  We had so much fun.  Even walking the strip in Gatlinburg was fun.  I was feeling fine Monday when we got back.  Christmas on Tuesday I cooked IC friendly, but I didn't drink IC Friendly.  Yesterday 5 days of drinking like crap caught up to me.  Well, Tuesday night/Wed morning.  I didn't sleep the past 2 nights because I was in so much pain and having to get up to use the ladies room so much.  I did it to myself though, so I am fully to blame.  Today I vowed to use the Christmas gift my MIL got me (a juicer) and start drinking more blueberry juice and homemade apple juice again.  I splurged and it got the best of me.  Other than that I only really veered off the diet when I had pizza, but it was so thin there was almost 0 sauce on it.  It felt good to eat it just once though (and that is really all I did eat it).  

     While I was lying around most of the day yesterday (I did get out to visit my sister who delivered my newest nephew yesterday) I was reading some books trying to catch up on some sleep I didn't get the night prior.  Only problem with that is I had the same issue during the day.  I had to pee.  So, I learned a valuable lesson......STICK TO THE DIET AND DONT DRINK SODA!!!!!

     Christmas was fun though.  Having the weekend with just my little family in Gatlinburg (Smokey Mountain Christmas baby) was nice.  We relaxed and enjoyed the time we had together. I cooked a big meal for 10 people on Christmas.  That kept me on my feet from 0830-10pm.  It was worth it though.  I enjoyed having both my parents and Dennis's parents along with my grandma and other family members stop by.  It made it really feel like a family holiday.  I also enjoyed not having to drive all over Clarksville.  Dennis did ask me if I want to take a break next year and let someone else do it, but I can see the driving and dividing time between everyone starting up again.  I really like having it where I don't have to drive and schedule so much.  It's nice and relaxing.  Everyone comes to us.  Sounds selfish, but driving 5 places isn't fun on Christmas.

     Well, I hope you all take a lesson from me and follow your diet.  The docs tell us this not to be mean, but for our own good.  Now, today starts day 1 all over again of being coke free.  I made it 5wks last time....I'm shooting for 8 this time.

SO SORRY!!!!

      Forgive me for it being so long since I last wrote.  I've been super busy.  Between Physical Therapy, Scouts, Family, oh and um ICE it has been a crazy few weeks.

     I'm nearing the end of week 4 with NO SODA.  On (of all days) Friday the 13th I will have officially gone 4wks no soda, tea, coffee, or kool aid.  That is a big deal for me, so I'm happy.  I have moved past the needing it stage, and have learned other things I can drink.  I really am big on water, water, water, oh and blueberry juice. Apple is good here and there, but not in large quantities.  

     I have cheated, and I learned a few things I cannot have.  Chocolate cake being one of them.  Spicy foods are another.  I also had pizza last night (no sauce but I had pepperoni) and its either been the spicy pepperoni or the chocolate cake from my sister's baby shower, but I am in the midst of a flare up.  Has not stopped me from having a life though.

     Thanksgiving was good.  OH was it GOOD.  I made an IC friendly Thanksgiving and it was so simple.  You could not really tell the difference (minus the missing cranberry sauce).  Even the pumpkin pie was IC friendly and nobody could tell.  It was enjoyable!!!!

     I'm excited to share that if all goes as planned, and my grades stay steady (I've got a 3.95 GPA currently) I will be graduating in October!!!!  I can't believe I have essentially entered my senior year. Granted I'm taking 24 credits a semester vs the normal 12 of the other students, but I think I can handle it. If I don't then I will graduate in May 2014.  Yeah a bit of a difference, but hey think positive right!!!

     Now, I started this to tell you all that you CAN live with IC.  So, some proof that you can....lol.  Hubby and I have had a few date nights including most of yesterday (yes in a flare up).  We went Christmas shopping in Nashville, went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and even walked around Opryland Hotel seeing their beautiful lights.  As a family we have done so much.  We are almost always on the go.  They really do keep me going.  In fact I've got an interview on Wednesday for a job.  

     YES, I DO plan on going to work.  I DO NOT want to be one to sit down and do nothing.  I want to show that with hard work and determination you do not have to be stuck in the house doing nothing.  Yes, I do have flare ups.  In fact I feel like I'm taking 50 trips a day to the bathroom (and like 7 at night).  I am working on getting those down with bladder training.  I'm confident that I will be able to work and be alright!

    Well, I need to go and get ready to pick up kiddos.  I figured though I will leave you with a quick view of some of our Christmas photos.