Thank you

First of all, I really want to begin by saying this: If you're reading this,  I want to give a very big Thank You to you. If you're reading this, it more than likely means that you have been reading a large portion of my blogs, and I really want to say Thanks for that. Every once in awhile someone will come up to me at work and say something along the lines of "I read your blog, and..." and I want you to know that if you have ever said this to me, you completely made my day that day. I also have people that will message me on facebook and ask about the weight loss and tell me they have been reading my blog but are just looking for a few more tips or wondering anything else I have to say about it. This makes me completely ecstatic. I initially started this blog because it was a good outlet and I had a lot to say. That was nearly 2 years ago now and I have to say that I've definitely come a long way since then and I appreciate those of you that have been here for parts of the journey, and especially those of you that have kept up on the majority of the journey. It's lovely to just sit down it write, but knowing that you are reading this, that someone is actually listening makes it so much more rewarding.

As for today though, there are a couple of people that I especially want to thank.

# 1: My Mom, Lisa Hinkle


My mother had me a month before she turned 20 years old. She wasn't always Mother of the Year, but she did a wonderful job for what she was handed in life. By time she was 22, her husband (my father) had passed away and she was left all alone with this 2 year old daughter (that's me!). I gave her a lot of grief growing up. I liked to complain that she didn't ever cook anything I liked or we ate TV dinners to often. I used to get upset when I had different babysitters or when she got mad when I won at Mario Party. The truth is though that my mother had it very rough. She was a single mom of a young child working a full-time factory job with no one to really help her out. She didn't have time to cook every single night because she was tired from a long, hard days work and I was one picky eater. I went to different babysitters, but each of them loved me very much. I created good times with those babysitters. I learned to play the keyboard when Verla babysat me, Gina always took me down the street to play at the park and walk the railroad tracks (which mom strictly forbade), and Connie always did crafts with me and talked to me about my dad. My mom was competitive when it came to video games, but that's just her. I got to watch whatever I wanted on TV and my mom wasn't overly strict about going to friend's houses; She loved me, and she did the very best she could. I give her props. She's a very strong woman. I can't even imagine having to go through and do all the things she did when I was a child. If I hadn't been raised the way I was, I wouldn't have turned out to be who I am and that's something that I would never take back. We're just lovely together now, but I supposed that's how children get with their parents once they finally move out. We have long conversations about stupid things she did as a teenager and stupid things I did as a teenager. She's still trying to teach me to be a functioning adult with the cooking real food and small things like that. So, Mom, if you're reading this,  I love you. I may have given you a lot of trouble as a child and I know that it was hard on you. I thank you for always putting up with my shit and never giving up on me, even when you didn't approve of my life choices.

#2: Lance's Mom: Angela Portell


This woman is absolutely amazing. I have only known her for a little less than 2 years now, but I cannot express how much I have grown to love her in that little amount of time. She reminds me so much of my Aunt Connie, and for those of you who have heard me talk about my Aunt Connie, you would know that this is one high compliment. Angela just has this presence about her that you simply cannot ignore. It's beautiful. She spends her spare time cleaning the church and doing anything she can to help out those around her. Any time that Lance and I have been in trouble, she has been right around the corner offering her hand to help in any way she possibly can. She has fed us when we were hungry, given us money when we were broke, been a shoulder to cry on when I've been sad, and a therapist when Lance and I have argued. She is a blessing to the world and everyone around her. Some of the things that come out of her mouth are just...priceless. I really don't know how to explain it. Sometimes she says she quirky funny things while other times she's telling us about these gory stories she heard on the news that morning. She has talked things out with me when I've been having a rough time with life and sends little messages to Lance and I just to remind us that she loves us and was thinking about us. I really just cannot express how happy I am that somewhere along the line I was lucky enough to meet this sweet, heart-warming woman, because she has supported me and Lance through and through.

Also, Angela, I want to give you a very big thank you for birthing your son. I can't imagine my life without him and you did a wonderful job raising him and making him the person he is today.





Thank you everyone. Thank you to those who constantly keep up with my blog. Thank you Mom and Thank you Angela. You all are just absolutely wonderful.