Dear friends- It has been ages! I am slowly revamping my blog to better fit our lives. I will soon be changing my title and FINALLY updating our family pic. But I thought I would do a post that will describe some of our recent changes.
Most of you know that Ryan has been through a huge health transformation. He lost over 80lbs!!!! This March he ran his first marathon. He finished in 4 hours! He won the Biggest Loser challenge at work in March and is beginning his second Biggest Loser challenge today. It will go for 11 weeks. His goal is to be at 200 by the end. It has been so inspiring to watch him work so hard to achieve his goals. Here is a before and after pic of Ryan.
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| Ryan March of 2012 |
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| Ryan & now sister in law Ally; March 2014 |
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I have lost and gained the same 20 pounds over the time that Ryan has just LOST. I saw pictures from Adam's wedding and I was ABHORRED!!!!!!! Although my new red hair looked fabulous, I can truly say that was the only thing. I have started a Whole30 day challenge. This means I don't eat processed food, and I have given up all grains, all sugar (except fruit), all legumes (never liked beans so this wasn't a stretch) and dairy. As I write this I am on day 4. I have left the "I want to jump off a cliff if I don't have coffee with maple syrup now" phase and entered the more level headed, "I'm not going to die phase." One thing I read on the website was, "it's not hard like fighting cancer or something. It's simply a lifestyle change in putting food in its rightful place." Since I do have my brother in law fighting so mightily it put things in perspective. Andy's fighting cancer, I can make a simple lifestyle change. So much to my chagrin, I'm posting a before picture. I hate this pic, but it symbolizes my continuation to find complete health and wellness. Part of that is diet and weight-loss.
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Another part of my journey to wellness has been through essential oils. I had a friend introduce me to them a few months ago. While the oils have helped our family, the supplements are what have made the difference in my life. I take three supplements called Life Long Vitality Pack. One is all the amino and fatty acids we need, another is all the nutrients that we don't get from dieting, and the one that has made the most difference is to help repair damage on the cellular level. If any of you know my history you know I need all the repair I can get. For some reason my body isn't self regulating by synthroid alone. I have been functioning at like a 20-30% ever since I was 22 when it was removed. With the help of these supplements I am now functioning at a 60ish%. I know as I adjust my diet, exercise and continue with my oils regime things will change. I am excited for what the future holds for me and my health. I am a better wife and mother since I have started these. I take a few other things that are basic auto immune protocol from Chrones to Fibromialgia... Please let me know if you'd like any information on what dōTERRA can do for you. I will be occasionally posting on different ways dōTERRA has worked for us but it won't be overwhelming. I do want to share but not in an annoying down your throat sort of way. LIFE IS WORTH LIVING WELL!!!!!!!
Aside from our health journey, our parenting journey is taking me in a new direction that I didn't think I would do. We are homeschooling this year. Preschool is extremely expensive and was not an option for us this year. Charlie is smart and recognizes half her letters already, (thank you PBS Super Why)!!!! But she is craving fun things to do. She asks to do a craft everyday, and to go visit someone or have a friend come over. Her social desire grows everyday. We are doing Awana and a Thur morning Bible Study and everything we can to fulfill her social needs. But at least I can "make her heart happy" as Charlie says by doing crafts. Our curriculum for this year is called Little Hands to Heaven. I chose it for two non-heroic reasons. It was free because my friend used it last year, and there is no planning involved. Can you give me a Hallelujah!!!! I'm not organized nor good at thinking ahead/preparing in advance. I have always flown by the seat of my pants. So, this curriculum lays it all out. It is very easy, tactile for the kids and Biblically based. We go through all the letters and numbers 1-10. It goes from creation to Paul, and can be incorporated into our family worship time. Did I mention, its EASY!!!!!!! I open the book and 30 mins later school is done for the day. When I was an education major I had lofty ideas of writing my own curriculum for my kids. Oh the things we think we can do pre-children. I will be posting about our triumphs and failures as I venture into this new land of homeschooling.
And now what most of you have been wanting. Updates on the girls!!!!
Charlie makes life fun. She is dramatic, super outgoing, artistic, smart, impish and is most of all, an entertainer. She is also super strong willed, which is rearing its ugly head most through potty training. She knows what to do and how to do it but refuses because, "its not fun" she says. I have tried all kinds of things from nakedness, forcing her to sit on the potty, holding her hand and cheering for every little brown bit that comes out, treats, etc. So I'm doing my best and not giving up. Ryan is afraid she will be 6 and still in diapers. Many have reassured me that it will eventually click and she'll get it. Until then, I do a lot of praying for a calm voice and a joyful heart as I clean poopy underwear. (Sometimes I just throw it away, when I feel its okay to be wasteful)
Sam is my delight. She is sweetness personified. She loves to cuddle and loves ME!!!!!! She is a mommy's girl. Its nice to have one now. She is part boy the way she jumps into things physically and how she plays. But she still loves to sing and wear her princess dress just like her sister. She copies everything Charlie says and does and it is helping her language development. She is quieter by nature and has never had an opportunity to talk with Charlie around, but now they can play and have conversations. They understand each other better than I do sometimes. Sam is quiet but smart. She will answer any question you ask and understands everything we say. She is also a lover of music and dance. Our home is never quiet. I am living Les Miserables in a non-sensical toddler version, or with Sam, the wordless version. Everything is dictated through song. Did I mention that I am raising my sister? They really do love playing together and can play for a couple hours with little refereeing. Its a joy to watch them play and love on each other. Charlie sings a lullaby to Sam before nap time. When they are laughing together its contagious. So here are some of their recent adventures together.
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| Princess day at Chick-Fil-A. Every princess needs a sword! |
And that is a LOT to take in so we will leave you with a night, night! Will post again soon. We love you all and thanks for following us on this wonderful journey of life.
