In memory of Luke....

I figured more people take the time to fully read my blog, rather than just posting this entire thing as a facebook post.  Now this is going to require some effort on everyones part.  I don't want everyone reading this and think "Oh that's a great idea!" and then not follow through with it.  It's a really crappy day outside and I figured everyone can take 10 minutes out of their day to make this a success for my family.  I know you have 10 minutes because you've already been on the computer for 30 minutes browsing facebook.  Caught ya didn't I! :)

Here is what I am cooking up....
I am in the process of making a book for Lucas's wife and kids.  My Mom and Dad will get one too along with Austin and I, but I am doing this mainly for Quintin, Kai, Gem and especially Soph & Mia.  I am going to do everything I can to make sure my brothers kids remember him.

This is the part where you come in.
I am asking you to PLEASE write down any story or memory that you have of my brother.  It can be two sentences, or it can be 2 pages long.  Some of you will have more memories than others, but I am just asking for any piece you can dig up so his kids will know what an amazing, funny, and hard working man he was.  If you have pictures that would be great!!!

I am begging you all to please help me make this work!  I can't do it without you guys.

I will take hand written letters or typed, whatever works best for you all.

If you could, please email them or send them by mail.

Keely Richman
925 E 100 S
Declo, ID 83323

E-mail:
keelyrichman@gmail.com
208-431-6082

Please help spread the word.  Feel free to share this post with anyone who had the honor of knowing my brother.  Also, please include how you met Lucas for those of you who aren't related.

Miss you

Tippin the scale

I have been asked by a lot of my friends and family to write more on my blog, so here it goes.

Men, this may or may not apply to you, but I'm sure a lot of women can relate to what I'm about to discuss.  Two dreaded words....WEIGHT GAIN.  There's a quote that hits the nail on the head for me.  "I wish I was as skinny as I was back when I thought I was fat."  I don't think there has ever been a time in my life that I considered myself "thin" or "skinny."  Looking back at my High School Volleyball picture though, I definitely think "Holy crap, I was THIN!"  (Notice my awesome tan and rippling bicep)

2007

I am one of those shallow people too that looks at others and thinks "Wow, they sure tanked up." I'll admit it.  I'm not proud that I do it, especially now that I AM one of those people that have "tanked up."  It sucks tasting your own medicine, but I plan to change all of that.  

I just became a Mom.  Kyla is the best decision I ever made, besides marrying Casey of course.  I had a pretty rough pregnancy though.  The sick and miserable kind, not the pretty glow and tons of energy kind.  With my 9 months of misery came 65 extra pounds that I had told myself I wouldn't let happen.  Ya...guess I lied cuz it happened alright.  Oh...and those 20 pounds after I got married happened too.  Funny how it can sneak up on ya.  I got BIG and sadly those 65 pounds don't come off as easily as they go on.  To add to it all....I have struggled with extreme tiredness and fatigue, which I blame on "mono" that I got back in High School.  My energy levels tank easily if I'm not careful.  Being tired leads to zero energy which leads to laziness which leads to weight gain!  If only I could sleep and lose weight at the same time.  Someone should really figure that method out.  So here I am...tired, overweight, and wanting to make a change in my life.

WHY?  Why do I want to lose this weight?  One, to feel better because I feel like a slug, but honestly it's because of my family.  I want to be the energetic happy wife that my husband deserves, and I want to be the energetic happy Mom that my kid(s) deserve. The (s) will come later down the road of course, but they deserve to have a active Mom who is willing to go and participate in things with them, rather than sit on the sidelines and watch.  Plus....I'm just a big kid myself and it would kill me if I didn't have the energy to play all the time with my mini me's. 

I needed a little jumpstart to get this weight loss in motion, and my friend introduced me to AdvoCare.  I did a 24 day challenge and lost 10 pounds and 8 inches.  The real kicker....I didn't change a single thing in my life.  I ate the same, did zero exercise and lost 10 pounds!  Oh...and my energy levels skyrocketed!  Now during this 24 day challenge they encourage you to do the normal weight loss rules.... eat healthy, exercise....yada yada yada.  Well I really wanted to test this which is why I didn't do any of those things.  It works!  I'm a firm believer that a body in motion will stay in motion.  The energy that I got from this made me want to be up and about which automatically burns more calories.  Energy is big in my book and would tell any of you to try the "SPARK" drink that AdvoCare sales.  It was just the boost I needed.  Now I absolutely hate having my picture taken....especially when I look extra plump these days.  (Ironic that I'm a photographer huh!) But It's a good way to see results.  

I am nowhere near my goal, but It's a start.  I am not planning to look like I did in High School, and I am not planning on getting down to 165 lbs.  My goal....to feel happy in my own skin again.  To be comfortable having my photo taken.  To have energy and strength back.  To fit in my jeans I wore before I got pregnant!  I want to be a physically strong woman, not a stick that has to run herself to death to shed the weight.  For those of you who struggle with losing weight....take a picture once a month or once every 2 months.  It's a lot more fun to see your results this way, rather than that nasty 3 digit number that makes you feel discouraged that it's not decreasing.  I won't let a number on the scale define who I am, and you shouldn't either!