I've been having bad lower back aches or the past week. I refuse to turn into a back aching whiny old lady at 31 (lol) so I've decided to lose 30lbs. I need to lose a lot more than that but I like to do small goals at a time so that the task doesn't seem to daunting for me and I quit. Since Monday I've been doing Slim Fast. I do a shake for bf, fruit for lunch and snack and then a regular dinner. I don't know if I've lost weight yet, but the last time I did SF in December I lost 10lbs in 2 weeks. My obesity is not what gave me the back pain. About 10 years ago I lifted something very heavy and that messed me up. Usually though my back doesn't bother me until late in pregnancies, but this time unfortunately I am not pregnant yet my back is aching. I think though that this time I threw out my back while cleaning our KIA van. I hopee that by loosing a big chunk of fat, specially off my belly, it will take strain away and I will feel better.

As for the rest of the familia, the kids have been so happy that we have our van back. We've been out almost everyday to the park and the library and such. I've missed it too! There have been times that we've felt like Rapunzels, stuck in our tower with no way out. The kids get bored and I have had to find ways to keep them busy. For the most part it has been tolerable, but my babies and I need to get out most days. God is so good to us though and I am so grateful He has provided for us to get the van fixed and here to AZ. Now I can make more plans to take advantage of the free museum days and to explore more of the area with the kids. I know there are many nice outdoor spots to walk about around here. I have to do more research on that. I would also love for us to begin doing volunteer work. I'm not sure where we can do that and include the little ones like Eva and Nicky, so I pray there are places that will take us. I want our kids to get used to not just thinking about themselves and that they think they need, but that they learn to follow in the steps of our Savior Jesus Christ and put the needs of others above their own. That is a lesson I also need to learn.