Introducing Our New Staff Writer: Julie Wilson

{Khaleef here: Back in the early summer I started making weight loss videos on YouTube. I came across a number of people who were also chronicling their weight loss journey through video. One of them, in particular, stood out to me because we have so much in common. We are both Christians, married to amazing people, successfully losing weight, and have a strong desire to support others who are doing the same.

Well, after a couple of conversations about blogging and her love of writing, she has decided to start writing for Fat Guy, Skinny Wallet! I am tremendously excited about having someone with her experience, background, and current situation (as you will read about) writing here. You will definitely get a fresh perspective on a variety of topics. Enough from me, let me allow our new writer, Julie Wilson, to introduce herself!}

Introducing Our New Staff Writer: Julie Wilson

My daughter Tessa climbs up in my lap with her fairy tales excited to hear me read to her. As I read the stories, I can’t help but laugh at the idea of a fairy tale.  Most involve the same type of characters, similar plots, and the very familiar ending of happily ever after.

Little girls dream about these stories and assume they will live out their traditional fairy tale one day also.  I was one of those girls, but have come to realize that my fairy tale doesn’t quite fit the mold that I had been dreaming about my entire life.

As a teenager, I daydreamed about finding my husband, having two children (I always pictured 2 boys), and living in a big house without a care in the world. I went on to graduate from high school with the dream of becoming an elementary teacher.

I graduated from Purdue North Central with a teaching degree, and set out to change the lives of young people.

A lot happened in my life during those first years of teaching. I went from teaching in an inner city school to a suburban Christian school. Although I was right where God wanted me,  I continued to daydream about my fairy tale.

I sit here today 29 years old feeling so blessed that God had His own idea for my fairy tale. I did find my husband and my two boys, but they were a package deal! God hand-picked a man named Todd who was finding his way back on his walk with Christ, and two little boys full of joy.

Trent, who was seven at the time, was always looking for new things to impress me with. Tate, a mischievous 4 year old with a huge heart, could always be found on my lap. We became the Wilson family on March 21, 2009.  Our marriage is centered on our faith in Christ and we are walking stronger than ever.

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I had always desired children of my own, and we decided after much prayer that we wanted to add to our little family.  Tessa Breanne was born in the middle of a blizzard in December of 2010. She added so much more to our family and brought us so much closer together. We would spend nights just sitting around together watching her do her cute little baby things.

Tessa was just eight months old when Todd proposed the idea of having one more baby. I took that idea and ran with it! Taelynn Elizabeth made her debut on May 8, 2012.  Our family is now complete, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

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As for the big house, we live in the perfect house overflowing with love. I drive a full minivan and would not have it any other way. We wake up late sometimes, I do tandem diaper changes, toys are hiding in every corner of my house, and I hide in the bathroom for peace and quiet.

Cooking food for my family, while I try to eat right and take care of my own body is a challenge. My workouts sometimes consist of carrying a toddler on one hip, a baby on the other, and doing the stairs. I have managed to lose 75 pounds while juggling all the roles in my life that God has entrusted me with. We live on a shoe string budget, but we consider ourselves so rich in other important areas of our life. This fairy tale that God has written for me, although unexpected, is far better than anything I could have written for myself.

Things are not always easy with a husband who works shift work, boys that have to live between two homes, and two babies under two years old. I have come to realize just how strong I am even when I feel so weak sometimes going through it all. Having Christ in my life is my source of strength, my superpower, and my secret weapon. I hope I can convey to you the joy that I have in my life despite all the obstacles that arise, and I look forward to sharing my happily ever after with you!

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Tagged as: Christian family, Christian mother, Christianity, family, God's sovereignty, Julie Wilson, losing weight, stay at home mom, weight loss, young family