The 2007 Christmas Letter

If you received a Christmas card with this blog site listed, welcome to the 2007 Estep Family Christmas Letter. If you’re a regular reader (Jeff), welcome as well…and Happy Holidays!

Like any year, it’s been a year of milestones and firsts. Luckily, there was a minimum of obstacles encountered this year, so I’d have to say it was a pretty good year.

Once again, we endured a winter in North Carolina virtually free of snow. I’m not sure whether the kids (Kaitie and Nathan if you’ve forgotten…) remember what snow is and I know for certain that they’ve never built a snowman. Keep your fingers crossed for some of the white stuff this coming year!

Despite the lack of snow, we still had quite a cold winter, so we headed down to Florida in March for a two-week vacation along with Kim’s parent’s (Wayne and Eileen). Week one was the most family-oriented as we spent our time in Orlando. We visited the Magic Kingdom for only one day, but what a great day it was for the kids. Never did mouse ears look so appropriate on two smiling faces. We also visited SeaWorld on a very blustery Florida Day. Otherwise, the weather cooperated beautifully.

The second week was spent at Daytona Beach at the Ocean Walk Resort. It was an incredible unit with a magnificent view, but our timing was off as we hit a very loud Spring Break week. Still, we had a ton of fun among the tattooed and pierced partying college kids, at least until the next-to-last day when Nathan put the “break” in Spring Break and busted his collar bone on the water slide. I think his “adventure” in the emergency room was his most exciting event of the entire trip.

Once we arrived back to NC, Nathan again garnered the attention of some medical folk when he had one of his molars extracted. It was the first out-patient surgery for either kid and I’m happy to say that the parents survived...barely. Nathan came out like a champ.

Both kids reached exciting milestones in the beginning of the summer. First of all, they both donned their blue mortar boards and graduated from Carolina Kids Academy. Not long after, they both reached their 5th birthday (I have NO idea how they became big kids so quickly). And then in mid-July, both kids started kindergarten at Olive Chapel Elementary, complete with back packs large enough (on them anyway) to serve as a sleeping bag. (For those wondering, the school system here has year-round classes). An extra-added bonus was having a visit from the kids’ Pap-pa and his new wife, Kitty. And for the record, I’m thrilled that Kitty is part of the family.

After six weeks of school, Kaitie and Nathan reached their first “track-out” time. In year-round talk, tracking-out means that they take a 3-week vacation between roughly nine weeks of classes. We took advantage of this time and traveled to Massenutten, VA where we met up with Dad and Kitty again as well as traveled alongside Wayne and Eileen .

School started back up in September, but Kim and I took a nice mini-vacation for our 11th Anniversary…an over-night getaway (our first alone since the kids were born) including a half-day spa treatment and a wonderful dinner (with no kid’s menu).

The celebration was a last-hurrah of sorts as I was ordered by my doctor to go on a fairly strict low-carb diet in order to get my cholesterol in check. I’m happy to report that my blood levels are in great shape and that the entire family is following a much healthier lifestyle. Not a bad way to wrap up the year.

We hope all of you had a healthy and wonderful 2007 and wish you the best throughout all the holidays and into 2008.

The Results Are In

If you recall, back in September, I was presented some alarming numbers regarding my blood health. Basically, my doctor accused me of "streamlining carbs" or "going on a drinking binge" because my cholesterol and triglycerides were so out of whack. After the appointment, I set some goals to improve my health, specifically the blood health, by my December 5 lab appointment. Well, the results are in.

To remind you, my measurements in September were as such:

• Weight = 164 pounds (although I was 166 when I started my diet)
• Triglycerides (TGs) = 667 (Less than 150 is preferred)
• Total Cholesterol = 260 (Less than 200 preferred)
• HDL (good cholesterol) = 41 (Greater than 40 preferred)
• LDL (bad cholesterol) = Unmeasurable due to high TGs (Less than 130 preferred)

My goals for my December appointment were:

• Weight = Less than 150 pounds
• Triglycerides below 300
• Total cholesterol less than 175
• HDL around 45
• LDL, no goals set, but was hoping for below 130.

My results ARE:

• Weight = 151 (close enough…lol)
• Triglycerides = 107
• Total cholesterol = 138
• HDL = 60
• LDL = 57

For the first time since I've had my blood checked (20 years or so), my good cholesterol actually exceeds my bad cholesterol. And my TGs have NEVER been as low as 107. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy!

And so is my doctor. He sat flabbergasted as he read my results, telling me he'd never seen such a turn-around. Then he floored me when made one statement. "How did you do it?"
I told him about my diet, and he literally wrote down the foods I ate and even the recipe for the ricotta cheese dessert! Naturally, the medication of Zocor and Niaspan was a major factor in my results, but the good doctor was quick to point out that there is no way I could have had these results without my changes in diet.

So, at this point, I'd have to say my diet has been a success. My goal was met, but that doesn't mean celebrate with a 4-pound bag of M&Ms and a tray of cupcakes. No, my celebration will be to continue to live as I have for the last 3 months. I'll still crave those snacks; much like an alcoholic craves a drink. But when I fall off the wagon, I plan to be smart about it (like the single servings enjoyed over Thanksgiving). Christmas sweets and snacks will be enjoyed to a minimum and healthier snacks will take their place. I've learned that it's possible to live within this lifestyle, not just exist.

As for new goals, my next appointment is in 6 months (June 4, 2008 for blood work). My goal is to be a couple of pounds lighter (under 150) and to maintain the same blood levels. Right now, I'm still wearing the same slacks. They might be a bit looser now, but not as much as one might think. I hope to be down to that 33-inch waist in 6 months and hope to be in a better exercise routine.

Thanks to everyone who has offered encouragement, recipes and stories of your own over the last 3 months. My fight for better blood is not over, but will continue the rest of my life. I look forward to having you join me.