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Since September, my wife has been selling Arbonne products. Arbonne has everything from skin care, hair care, makeup, and health and wellness products. Since September, all we have used in our house is Arbonne. I can tell a huge difference in my face, and in the way I feel.

Here's a few things you need to know:

Most types of lipstick in the cosmetic industry contains lead. That's right, lead. There is no regulation on the cosmetic industry, so there is no problem with them doing this. And, its not just your cheap lipstick, its name brand, department store lipstick as well. Arbonne's lipstick contains no lead, is botanically made, and contains no animal by-products.

Most types of mascara contain bat poop. That's right, good ole bat poop. Arbonne's is poop free.

The face and body care has no animal by products in it. Did you know there are kitchen's and restaurants who sell their used grease to body care companies to put into their body wash and face wash? Arbonne does not.

It has now been a week without caffeine and oh yeah, I'm still FAT!

Okay guys and gals, I've gone a whole week now without caffeine, unless you count the microscopic amount that is in chocolate, which I am not eating a lot of either. One week down, and here's the lowdown-

I can live without caffeine. Caffeine is not my ruler. Caffeine is not required to pay attention, wake up, energize or any other excuse we use. However, even though I'm drinking mostly water, and eating significantly better, i've gained weight. I realize that caffeine is a metabolism boosting agent, and without it, it is harder for me to do this whole lose weight thing.

I will say that stopping the whole Diet Dr. Pepper craze has helped me realize that I do control what I put in my body, and that I CAN control the cravings. Its just a rather difficult thing to do.

I'm pushing 260 now, officially reaching the most I've ever weighed. There's a guy on the Biggest Loser this season who just went home last night that weighed 285 when he got there. I'm reaching a weight that people are going on television reality shows for now. This past week has had a big impact on me in regaining my control of myself. I know that I can do this. I just have to stick with it. Even at my lunch the other day with Jason, at a Mexican place, I drank water. Last night at the State Playoffs for basketball, I drank water with my meal. This is hard, because we've trained ourselves to think that soft drinks just go better with certain meals. Its not true!

So It has been requested of me by my dear loving wife that I weigh 225 by the time the baby gets here. As difficult as it my be, I'm game to try. I've written on here many times about starting this out, and failing miserably. NOT THIS TIME!! I've got more control now than I've had in a while. I just have to get off the couch and move.

The Aftermath of a Day Without Caffeine

I decided to kick it in to high gear yesterday by simply just quitting on caffeine. With recent reports that Diet Sodas actually don't do what they're supposed to do, I decided it was only hurting me in my effort to lose weight, which if you haven't figured out by now, is a huge issue for me.

So yesterday, I consumed no caffeine (to my knowledge). I usually start the day out by drinking a Diet Dr. Pepper (DDP) first thing when I get to the office. Then I'll drink another one mid morning. Then I'll usually have at least one with lunch. Around 1:30 or so, the mid afternoon slumps start to kick in, and I consume another. Then, depending on the rest of the day, I may have one with dinner (especially if we eat out). Over the course of any given day, I may consume 6 to 8 cans of DDP, or more diet soft drinks if I eat out (I love refills, especially when I pay $3.00 for a soft drink).

Yesterday, I had no caffeine. Yesterday went well, no real effects, just a little fatigue, and nothing more. I thought to myself this would be easier than the last time I kicked this little habit. I went to bed last night earlier than usual (go figure) and rested well. I woke up this morning, and ....

BAM!

It was literally like my head had been beaten with a blunt metal object. It had been at least 30 hours since my last known caffeine consumption, and I was feeling it in a major way, and I still am. It is now 10:38 a.m., and I am moving slow and starting to feel sick. I've read about how different people respond in different ways to caffeine withdrawal, most experiencing headache and fatigue, but others have physical symptoms like runny nose, neck pain, and the jitters. Check, check, and check, yup, I'm experiencing them all.

Baby Girl Widick (a.k.a. Ladybug)

Things are really getting exciting around the Widick household. We've nicknamed Baby Girl "Ladybug". I've finally been able to feel Ladybug move around. Not a whole lot, but enough to feel her move a slight bit.

Last night, after reading about playing music through some headphones placed on the pregnant woman's belly, I picked up my Ipod and scrolled through the music. I thought long and hard about what song I wanted to play first for her. I thought about all sorts of songs, and finally settled on a song done by the Zoe Group, an A Capella song called "Great Is the Lord".

This song was the song Kristen and I used for the lighting of our unity candle in our wedding. Here are the lyrics:

Great is the Lord
and most worthy of Praise
In the city of our God,
the Holy Place
The joy of the whole earth
Great is the Lord
in whom we have the victory
He aides against the enemy
We bow down on our knees before you
And lord we want to
lift your name on high
And Lord we want to thank you
for the works you’ve done in our lives
And Lord we trust in your unfailing love
For you alone are God eternal
throughout earth and heaven above.

We have yet to visibly see Ladybug move or kick. However, last night, after this song repeated through the second time, right after the line "And Lord we want to lift your name on high", we saw her kick. She didn't just kick, it looked like she was kicking a 60 yard field goal into the wind. Kristen said it was the most pronounced kick she's felt yet.

I can't help but think that Ladybug is already praising God and worshiping Him for the life she will live, and last night, God gave us comfort and joy with that one slight movement, and I won't ever forget it. I am so excited and thankful for the joy that she has already brought. God be praised.

Sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don't

With many apologies do I write this. We've been swamped at church lately, especially with our annual pilgrimage to Gatlinburg, TN for Winterfest. Just about every free moment I have outside of normal church activities goes toward getting people in rooms, groups, vehicles and more for Winterfest.

But since the Writer's strike is officially over, I feel like I should get back on task. Sorry for the delay. Thanks to Greg for calling me on it.

Baby Widick is doing well. We go back to the doctor on Thursday for our monthly check up. How's that for Valentine's Day? After which, we'll have a our Junior High Valentine's Fun Night at the church building.

We spent the past two weekend in preparation for Baby Girl. Last weekend we painted the nursery a color called "Candy Mix", which is basically a light pink color. We put new blinds up, we've bought a rug, got the crib ready, and now the room could handle a little girl. Except for the fact that we don't have a mattress yet, maybe we'll be able to afford one of those before she comes! Baby stuff is expensive! (Cough, hint hint, we're registered at Babies R Us if you'd like to purchase us some gifts...)