GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL...
We are preparing to get away to the Adirondacks for a week of camping, just the 4 of us. We have not had a family vacation in years, mostly because we were horse-bound and couldn't leave them unattended. My new horse, Laila, is not arriving until the first week of September, and we will be taking Jillian to Montreal (college) the last week of August - so this is a good time to get away. Devin, my 14 year old son, virtually planned this entire trip for us - we're pitching a tent right next to the water's edge at one of the region's most beautiful lakes. On Sunday, we will spend the entire day on a 20 mile white water rafting trip; on Monday, we're doing a 5 hour fishing charter trip (can you tell a 14 year old boy planned this trip?? 
) - and Monday evening, Jillian and I are trail riding to the top of a mountain where, at sunset, we will enjoy a 5 course picnic dinner with a group of people we've never met before! Jim and I are planning our own get away together for several hours of hiking. I have never in my life been able to enjoy nature this way; I have never in my married life, and as a mother, been able to be so physically active with my family. So, as we prepare for this trip, I wanted to take a moment to really feel and express my deep gratitude for where I'm at today - despite the constant daily struggles (and they loom larger every day) of trying to keep this weight off by remaining vigilent in my commitment to healthy eating and physical activity, I am so blessed to be living in a body that wants to live fully and freely. My brother, who was a gifted athlete and had a beautifully fit and sculpted body, lived the last 7 of years of his life as a paraplegic - he broke his back in a freak hunting accident and he died in his sleep from a blood clot that moved from his leg to his heart. I felt so badly when he lost his ability to move and so guilty and full of shame that the reason I couldn't move was because of FAT. Brian didn't live to see me lose the weight and to see how physically active I've become. I know he would be very proud of me. So while I am in the Adirondacks, I will carve out an hour's time of moving hard, being very aware of my physical strength and endurance, and dedicate that hour to my beautiful brother. I will never stop missing him. Just felt the need to share - have a great, wonderful day full of meaning and purpose, my dear friends. All my love, Reenie
) - and Monday evening, Jillian and I are trail riding to the top of a mountain where, at sunset, we will enjoy a 5 course picnic dinner with a group of people we've never met before! Jim and I are planning our own get away together for several hours of hiking. I have never in my life been able to enjoy nature this way; I have never in my married life, and as a mother, been able to be so physically active with my family. So, as we prepare for this trip, I wanted to take a moment to really feel and express my deep gratitude for where I'm at today - despite the constant daily struggles (and they loom larger every day) of trying to keep this weight off by remaining vigilent in my commitment to healthy eating and physical activity, I am so blessed to be living in a body that wants to live fully and freely. My brother, who was a gifted athlete and had a beautifully fit and sculpted body, lived the last 7 of years of his life as a paraplegic - he broke his back in a freak hunting accident and he died in his sleep from a blood clot that moved from his leg to his heart. I felt so badly when he lost his ability to move and so guilty and full of shame that the reason I couldn't move was because of FAT. Brian didn't live to see me lose the weight and to see how physically active I've become. I know he would be very proud of me. So while I am in the Adirondacks, I will carve out an hour's time of moving hard, being very aware of my physical strength and endurance, and dedicate that hour to my beautiful brother. I will never stop missing him. Just felt the need to share - have a great, wonderful day full of meaning and purpose, my dear friends. All my love, Reenie 
What an awesome, inspiring, happy post! I am thrilled for you and for your family, on many different fronts! I hope you enjoy every second of the time you have together and that many enexpected blessings come your way, as well as the planned enjoyments.
I went white water rafting several months after WLS with my younger daughter. We had a ball! (Even if I couldn't seem to stay in the raft!)
We want to hear all about it when you get back!
Joy
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