Lauren's challenge,

Okay Miss Lauren, you know how I love a challenge so here goes your request.
11 Things about Little O'l Me

1. I am a wife, a mother and daughter of God! I even have a shirt that says,"Super Wife,Super Mom,Super Tired" and yes, that about sums it up! And yes that is 3 things about me so if I get to number 9 and run out of info. I will point you back to this statement.
2. I taught 3rd grade for 9 yrs and 3 mths before my "real job" employeed me as a stay at home mom.
3. I Love Being Home with my Sweeties! Best decision ever and toughest. Sue, my sister in law, once told me I can always find a job, but can never get back time. Of course at the time I didn't "like" my employer so it helped my decision.  Maybe that was God helping me,huh.
4. I have many amazing girlfriends that have gotten me through my life! Feel blessed that I have always been able to talk openly about anything and am never judged and they always make me feel normal and not alone!
5. I have been on a health kick since my daughter had seizures and no one can explain them. I am trying very hard to lose weight and be healthy. Also very conscience what I say about my body and focus on saying "this is great for our hearts or brains or....."
6.  My husband is my rock and foundation and best friend! I never want to go through life without him. Yes we have our moments, but when the chips are down he has my back. I love him more each year and trial we go through.
7. I love music, stink at singing, love to dance and am grateful my daughter loves dancing, although often tells me to stop.
8. I love to read, when given opportunity and books that have nothing to do with parenting! Just joined my first book club, which is exciting.
9. I love the beach and hope to make lots of memories there with my family. Give me the sun, sand, ocean and a pool that spells heaven to me!
10. I like to scrapbook and be creative, but also competitive and like a challenge.
11. Huh, did better than I thought talking about myself! My family, last but not least, means the world to me. I can depend on them rthrough thick and thin! I am blessed by my family and my side and my husband's LARGE family.  Sometimes I wonder why God blessed me so much here on Earth.

Questions:
What is my wildest fantasy?
Haha, we'll I am simple so I would love a beach house that we could enjoy and that means all of my family. Of course no debt is another practical fantasy!

What is my weirdest dream?
One year at the beach, my friend Holly and I were sleeping and I jolted upright because I thought I was falling. Funny thing is that it was off a curb, high I know! Kicker is that I was dreaming that I had mashed potatoes in my pockets! Don't know what I ate that night!

How good of a cook are you?
Well, I am okay. I have a lot of practice now that I am home and prepare about 98 percent of our meals. Luckily my husband is not picky!

What is your biggest turnoff?
People that are disrespectful! I believe in the Golden Rule!

What is one thing not a lot of people know about you?
Huh, I am not sure about this one...

How is the last person I hugged and why? What do they mean to you?
I just kissed my husband before he left for work and I think you know how I feel about that guy. I also kissed and held my kids this morning, it's our thing to snuggle in the morning watch a show. They are my world and greatest achievement.

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
I wish sleeping since it is 8:30am right now! Getting breakfast ready.

Would you go back in time or into the future? Why and what moment would you go to?
I would go to the future and see who my kids would marry! I am already praying that they marry people of God!

What is your favorite movie and why?
The Notebook because I love a good romance!

Are you afraid of any animal? Why?
Well if threatened by one like a grizzly bear, YES. I hate bugs, spiders, bees and thousand leggers!

Why did I start this blog?
To create a book for our kids of our lives!

Thanks Lauren for this long challenge! I did not proofread, sorry for any grammatical errors!










Q

7 th anniversary

Wow! It sure has been a long time since I blogged.

Today is Ed & mine anniversary.....7 years.  He is still my love, companion & best friend. I love him more with each passing day, challenge, milestone & joy. Marriage takes hard work but the pay off is abundant especially now with children. Though we may never agree on some things we do see the value in us & how it makes our children secure and confident. Love you Ed❤

I did pack our day of family fun. First thing this morning we set out to plant a few items in the garden (peas, onions, kale, broccoli). Ed had to till,meanwhile the kids & i picked up rocks that we are going to paint & label as our markers. Then the tiller broke so we decided to clean up & head to Red Lobster . Yummy! Once home the kids napped & we headed out to garden. He had some done so I began planting. Mind you I am not a green thumb & have not attempted to plant so much as I am this year! I started with broccoli then moved to the onions when I realized my rows were way to close. So... I had to dig out a row of onions. As Ed pointed out at least it wasn't the peas 😊

Once the kids were up & ate a little bite they went to their 1st swimming class at YMCA.  They did great since it's been months since we took lessons. We came home & played outside while Ed & I got things ready for our 1st campfire of 2013. We cooked hotdogs & smores, campfire essentials! The kids got to use their lanterns they got from Easter Bunny.

It was an awesome & exhausting day. Think I will make it lighter next year!

Blake Turns...4!

It's hard to believe that my baby boy is now 4 years old.  Of course, he would inform me that he isn't a baby, but a "big boy".  And he would be right he is definitely growing up, but I still get to squeeze in those special moments of holding him and kissing him and tickling him:)  I am holding on to that as long as I can...like all mom's do.
I am so proud of my little boy and all that he has done this year.  He had numerous swimming lessons at the YMCA and he really improved not just in swimming, but confidence.  He started the year in water babies 2, where I swam with him.  Grandmother came too b/c Ava was in the same class.  He is now in the next step, Pike, where he swims without me.  I knew he would be able to follow directions but I was nervous about him speaking up and doing the swimming without me in the pool.  The week before class I told him he would swim with Miss Emily not Mommy.  He took it well...no complainants, but I could tell he was trying to decide if he was okay with swimming.  Turns out he marched right over to were the kids sit and swam like a champ.  I think he did better without me!  He can bob underwater and at the end could do 5 bobs on the side of the wall without help.  He answered questions (What are the pool rules?) at least by end of the class he did:)  Even though every night at dinner before class we would go over the rules.  The one thing he was not fond of was getting his ears in the water, but Miss Emily showed him how to get it out by shaking.  He jumped in the pool by himself with very little hesitation, which was great b/c a lot of the boys would not jump at all.  He was comfortable to talk tell Miss Emily when he needed a tissue (allergy season), she couldn't get over how polite he was, a proud mommy moment.  The only thing he didn't like is no time to play with toys at the end:)
Blake is also a wonderful and gentle big brother.  Ava is fortunate to have Blake, not only as a playmate, but someone who loves her with all his heart and protects her instinctively.  It is a blessing to watch them grow as people but as a family too.  They are really using their imaginations now and coming up the most creative things...four wheeler now a plow.  Most days they play well with one another and really love having each other to do things with...yes, sometimes Mommy has to clean!  If he wakes up from nap first or in the morning and has something to share, Ava is the first person he thinks of to share his treasure or thought to.  Bless Ava, she really listens intently to Blake or shows lots of emotion to a treasure.  Blake loves to hold Ava, can even pick her up and hates to hear her cry.  He has even learned how to distract her when she is upset by showing or pointing something out to her in an attempt to calm her down.  Blake's heart is so big and generous imparticular when it comes to his little sister.  As parents it warms our hearts to see quality.
Blake is also learning a lot: ABC's, Numbers 1-20, Colors, Shapes, Animals, Sounds of letters... now not perfect but really working on these.  He also is learning to use the computer (great preschool website:  www.starfall.com) and working with scissors and glue.  These are the two newest things we introduced him to.  He loves to make things even crafts.  With the bad weather the other week we made countless crafts and he was asking to make an alligator puppet and said, "Mom, just get on the computer and find out how."  I have a new love of Pinterest b/c of all the great craft and educational ideas at my fingertips.  He enjoys playing games he got Hungry Hippos as his birthday gift and we are teaching him UNO.  He's not fond of losing, but this is part of growing too.
A few things that rate at the top for Blake:  Favorite Show: Poppy Cat or Kipper, Favorite Color: Blue, Favorite Movie:  Disney Cars ( loves Mater and Lighting McQueen), Favorite Book: Any book, he loves to pick out different books to read, we generally read the same one for two days then move to a new one, Favorite Friend: Brady (his cousin) Favorite thing to play: Cars, r Football or baseball, Farm or ride Bike, Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese (box kind) and P.B.J. (such an easy kid) and smoothies.
Last but not least Blake loves his Daddy and looks up to him with gazing eyes of wonder and admiration.  It actually chokes me up to watch the two of them outside working together.  He idolizes his Daddy, which makes me grateful b/c he has a wonderful dad to look up to.  He is just as observant as his daddy which cracks me up.  The other day he told me he wants to big so he can be like Daddy and do all that he can do!  As for me I marvel in the little moments that he gives me.  He knows when I am having a tough day or moment and stops to give me a hug and/or kiss and says, "that make you happy mommy?"  oh, boy does it ever.  He is so sweet and considerate of my feelings and wants his family to be happy because that makes him happy!  Oh, how I love you my sweet baby boy:)

More notes on Nutrition

Well, last week was not that great!  I was great til...Monday, meaning on track lost some weight (14 lbs total), but by Wednesday I started eating terrible and not even thinking about what I was eating and to make it worse I was not exercising!  I had been running 2-2 1//2 hours a week but only managed 1hour and 45 minutes which is not bad except along with poor eating this is not a good combination.  Then on Sunday it hit me that this week I should get my period.  I realized that I have a hard time staying away from sugar the week before my period.  I decided Monday I would buckle down eat well and exercise for an hour, which I did, yay for me.  Today, Tuesday, I ran for 30 minutes and have been good with what I am eating.  I also got a call from Cathy and she just inspires me.  I needed to book my next appointment only to find out she is booked in November!  She is that good.  So I don't see her until Dec. 5th.  I should be happy b/c that gives me a few extra days to shed 30 lbs.  She recommended me to go online to www.myhormonology.com and chart my period.  She thinks I am very hormonally driven and I agree.  I did check this site out before writing this, but it is down right now.  I did go to another site that was posted on that page and found that I really need to chart my cycle and based on it probably not have sweets in my house the week before my period!  I also learned that I am typical, I know who would think that about me! LOL  Most women go through the same cycle and if you know what is coming you can plan around it. 
In the meantime I am looking at this week as a fresh start and pushing myself to lose 3lbs to get to the next decade of weight!

Struggles with Sugar!

Okay ladies...as you know I have been really trying to "get healthy" and have taken you along with me on my journey.  In the last week or so I have been struggling with my craving of sugar and at bedtime I want to eat (Ed at work, kids in bed, peaceful at our house).  It got even worse last week with my period.  I emailed Cathy begging for a solution.  Here is her advice:

When my period begins or right before it our female bodies need/crave minerals, like calcium, but for me who has a "yeast" issue my body focuses on sugar which is feeding my yeast problem.  Her solution is 1 scoop of super seed (powder that I have, which is a source of fiber), 1/2 scoop perfect food (another powder) mixed in my water.  Now she warned me it doesn't taste good so take in two big gulps, pleasant I know.  She is trying to give me an easy fix that has the most impact.  So I can do this before and during my period when I have huge sugar craving.  Yes, that means a lot of these drinks for me! 

She told me that before she exercises she will mix unsweetened cranberry juice or unsweetened black current juice, water (1/2 water, 1/2 juice), 1 scoop super seed, 1/2 scoop perfect food, and couple of drops of Stevia.  She said this actually tastes good and the juices have great benefits too.  She said I could do this at night when I have my biggest issue of eating food, before exercising too.  She said it makes you feel full (fiber of super seed) and gives you stamina for exercising and helps aid muscles.

Another tip she said is to eat green apples, almond butter and grapefruit.  These are things that will help with my yeast issue b/c these are "bitter" foods which is the opposite of my craving, but needs to be "awaken" in me.

This tip she said Not to Abuse:  2tbsp of Brags Brown Apple Vinegar (looks cloudy not clear) in a glass of water.  She said drink this before eating "brownies" and I won't want a brownie or if I already eat a brownie, drink this after.  She stressed not to abuse or I will have a body full of vinegar!

She also recommends that I get the book (which I have, if anyone wants to borrow) Knives over Forks.  Great ways to bake for my family that are delicious and nutritious.  Another tip was to watch her on utube the segment called "healthy holidays".

To leave you on a good note I have lost another 2lbs.  Now let me set the scene for you, it is first thing in the morning and I have no clothes on:)  The total lost since August 2012 is 11 lbs.  Ideally I would like to lose another 4 lbs this month, but I am not banking on that to happen, but I am still on track to lose 30lbs by November 30th, which is my long term goal for now.  I have also been very good at water intake, taking probiotics and exercising at least 2hrs a week.  My means of exercise is walking, jogging, running on treadmill.  I range from 3.5-6.0 in pace and go about 3 miles...that is according to my ipod.  I exercise during my kids nap time (1:30-2:30 range).  I do 2 workouts on my treadmill each being around 15 minutes.

Nutrition Blog 2

As you know from my previous blog I am in pursuit of being a healthy family, which I think will make us happy too.  I went in to see Cathy again and she is just so knowledgeable that my time with her goes by so fast and the next thing I know 2 hours has past by.  To get to the bottom line this is my progress, info that I learned and next steps.

After taking the questionnaire on www.wholeapproach.com I learned that my number is 112, which is extremely high in yeast.  This is what is making me crave sugar better known as my enemy.  She would like me to do a test on myself as well as my kids and cut out milk for a month and see if I notice a difference in things like irritability, stamina those sorts of things.  To do this I can cut cold turkey, but my kids have to be weaned in 10 days.  To wean them I use 1/2 sweetened vanilla almond milk and 1/2 of their whole organic milk and then go to 1/2 sweetened almond milk and 1/2 unsweetened almond milk, if I want.  And I will guess I will see a change in their behavior.  Right now I know my kids get too much sugar.  We use sweets in our house currently as a "treat" or "reward".  This is something that I really want to cut back on.  Now don't think that I won't send my kids to parties because YES they will have cake at parties and enjoy things, but in a much smaller and tolerant way then we are currently doing.

A positive note is that I have lost 5lbs.  Not a huge amount, but better than staying where I was.  My next goal is to lose, hold your breath...30lbs by November 30th!!!  Holy cow, is what I think.  Although Cathy is very optimistic about this being the "easy" part to lose the last 20lbs will be the kick butt kind.  Yes, that is right folks I have 50lbs to lose to be a healthy weight.  Another shocker is the knowledge that if I don't start eating better eventually this yeast issue will take over me and could become a cancer.  That scares me and everyone else to think about the potential.

Two tid bits I learned:  Blood type O's digest milk better, Blood type A's have a lot of difficulty digesting milk.  When you combine sugar & protein in your meal your body has a hard time digesting this combo.  Usually the effects are a feeling of tiredness.

I was sick and craved ginger ale here is the homemade recipe: Perrier (Sp?), ginger and Stevia (sweetener).

5 Pillars of what our Bodies Need:
Minerals
Fiber
E.F.A. (essential fatty acids)
Probiotics
Enzymes

These things I will be getting through foods and supplements.  Minerals, Fiber & EFA I will eat and the Probiotics and Enzymes are the supplements I will take.  Multi Probiotics I will take for several months, probably till Feb. or March.  We hit cold/flu season and guess what else we hit...holidays and the sugar knocks down our immune system!  EFA's are oils and omega 3's that she said are very important to have, but especially in children that have ADHD, ADD, or Aspbergers.

I will attempt to add Flax seed, which is cheap and is a natural estrogen...good to know for women hitting menopause.

Adobo is a seasoning that she recommend me using in all kinds of meals...on meat and in soups, which adds great flavor.

Books:
Forks over Knives - recipe book
Soak Your Nuts by Karyn Calabrase (don't you love the title?)

Recipes:
Cereal
pumpkin seeds (not roasted or right from pumpkin unless you peel shell)
chopped almonds
sesame seeds (calcium)
frozen raspberries (or blueberry, or fruit of choice)
coconut - unsweetened
almond milk

F.R.O.G. Smoothie for Kids
Almond milk - vanilla sweetened
Fruit of your choice
Kale or Spinach
1/2 scoop "supper seed" - Fiber
1/4 scoop/tsp - "perfect food" (like the vegetable)
a little ice
May need to add more milk to get to right consistency
*to change color b/c it will be green, add blueberries or beet.  A beet will change the flavor but the make it a berry color.

F.R.O.G. Smoothie for Adults
same as above, but eventually changing to unsweetened almond milk
work up to scoop of fiber and 1/2 scoop of perfect food
use water
lemon
2TBSP milled flax seed

Now I don't care for the taste of this yet, but I need to tweak it until I can get to the adult smoothie.  I don't like the texture of flax seed, gritty and I needed mine to be sweeter:)

website:  www.greensmoothiegirl.com

She recommended soup being my friend and having crackers on hand (Ryvita brand).

Also if I eat poorly to take enzyme supplement before or after meal.  So if I go to a picnic...eat then take supplement to help my body digest food.

Lots of information, but I am working on it.

Our 1st family vacation!



Sandbridge Beach! Brad, Ashley, Breanna, Lauren, Blake, Ed, Ava, Brady, Pap

 We just arrived home from an AWESOME Family Vacation!  Some people may not take to going on a big family group, but we had a blast!  Our house was amazing, plenty of room to spread out and have privacy and best of all a pool that was loved by everyone day & night.  Our typical day was to spend a few hours in the morning on the beach, hit the pool, napping for Blake and Ava, pool for older ones and adults, dinner out and night swim or boardwalk at night!  Talk about Heaven on Earth:) 
What I didn't realize until we were home was the fact that we ALL needed this break from day to day routines.  Our kids are happier and we are happier, everyone is in great spirits and ready to tackle obstacles of life.
It was such a Perfect week that we felt spoiled!  A rare thing to feel when you become an adult.

A special "Thank You" to Mom and Dad Dukehart for this beautiful gift.  It will be one of our fondest family memories.  Mom I am glad this was always your dream (before Brad and I were even married) and know that it exceeded your expectations.  I feel blessed that we could do this trip with the whole family.

Bathing Beauty

Blake loved getting in the ocean!

 Brad buried in sand.  No we didn't leave him there:)

Brady buried in sand!  Cutie:)

Thank goodness the beach wasn't crowded with this bathing beauty and his attire!

Lauren, Brad, Breanna & Ed riding waves in...not a lot of waves this day!

Sara, Ava, Ed and Blake at Aquarium

All the kids at our pool!

Breanna & Grandmother at the Sweet Frog Yogurt shop!



Brad and Suzanne at Sweet Frog (FROG = Fully Rely On God)