A Little O' This, A Little O' That...

Aren't the season's of life great?!? The last few weeks will be memorable ones for us. Nothing totally tramatic happened, but enough for me to stop, take a step back, a deep breath and remember that life is good, God is good, and God is good all of the time.

I had written about my visit to the dermatologist...well, the mole was indeed classified as melanoma, and I will go back in this Tuesday for another excision. This time they will take a football shaped portion around the original mole on my back and send it off to make sure the doctor cut out all the cancer cells. I had this same thing happen 8 years ago...however, then it didn't effect me like it effected me this time. 4 children and 9 more years with my love and best friend, got me a bit emotional about the whole thing. There is always that little thought in the back of my mind, that "what if..." how on earth could my children grow up without their mother, then my mind goes to the whole...what if Justin remarried (although I already told him that is not allowed) anyway, if I let my mind stay on it long enough the devil totally takes hold of my thoughts and then I'm a complete mess. So, this past week I focused on the fact that they got it in the early stages (we think) and on the scale it was borderline on the melanoma side, and they didn't rush me in to take care of it. So, that is what we'll be up to this week. My sweet friends in our Homeschool Group are taking care of dinner for our family the whole week--now that is exciting! :)

(The following is really long but I'm using it as a journal of my experience...don't feel like you have to read it! :)
Speaking of food... have you seen all those adds on the side bars of the internet, facebook, etc.? Well, we gave in, ordered some, then I googled them--not good stuff I found out about these "colon cleanse" companies. So, I asked my friend (my go-to for health and workout info. friend) her thoughts on them. She shared with me what she does and gave me all the info. So, in the span of one night, Justin and I committed to doing The Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse has been around for over 50 years. The health benefits of it are amazing. I could try to tell you it all, but if you googled it, it would give you a much better picture of all the great things it does for your body. So, we jumped in with both feet. The one huge difference in this and the pills I ordered was that I couldn't eat on this one (which is probably why it works!) So, with about 80 organic lemons and a gallon of Grade B Maple Syrup, we started this adventure.

Day one I felt good--downing the 32 ounces of saltwater was a bit uncomfortable, and the shots of the homemade lemonade concoction with ceyenne pepper made my toes curl--but it was doable. Unfortunately for Justin--his headaches set in pretty much instantly. He spent all of day 1 in a dark room laying down. I laughed at him, told him to buck up, it was his idea to start this immediately....By 7:00 he gave up and ordered a pizza. It was hard to say no to the pizza, but when you have a friend on the outside who is encouraging you and checking up on you --it makes it a bit better. So that was a Wed.

On Thursday, Jed wakes up with a 103 fever. I get an afternoon appt. and take him in for a strep test. Strep is negative but flu test is positive. Great. The very first year I don't get everybody flu shots. The Dr. immediately gives me a shot and says she can give the other 3 a shot at 25 dollars a piece or I can head over to a free clinic that night and get the kids shots for free. A car ride and $75 cheaper sounds good to me. By this time my head was starting to hurt. We go home to pick up Justin then head to McKinney for some free shots. On the way there my head is about to EXPLODE!!! I have NEVER in all my life felt a headache like that. I couldn't keep my eyes open, I couldn't see straight. I was so thankful that I was not driving. But let me tell you all those not so nice things I said to Justin about bucking up, I was feeling pretty guilty about. However, my husband is very merciful and was very sweet. (mostly) By the time we got to the school where the shot clinic was, I was totally and completely out of it. I found a cafeteria table and layed my head down. I looked like I was strung out on something (not that I would know this, but I looked like what they look like on tv). Justin was doing his best to convince me that I needed to eat and I agreed with him, we would get dinner on the way home. Right before we left I got an email from my friend encouraging me to keep at it, that the benefits would be so worth it. It was then that I decided I would not eat, I was going to do this---for 10 days. Oh yeah, on the car ride to McKinney Judson came down with a fever and the nurses wouldn't give him the shot because...he already had the flu...
Day 3 and 4 were so much better, but I still had a dull headache. By the weekend all the kids had come down with the fever and symptoms of the flu. Luckily, our pediatrician is awesome, and they just called in meds for all of them. I also had to skip church on Sunday to stay home with sick kids. This was a true blessing I feel because it was First Sunday and on the first Sunday of each month we have a potluck... (and I LOVE food)
The rest of the 10 days really flew by for some reason. My friend told me to keep a journal (which is what this is) about the experience. I really learned a lot about myself and my "relationship" with food. Bottom line, I LOVE food, I love to eat. I thought about it constantly...I ate bites here and there without even really knowing what I was doing. It has been a good time to reflect on what I am putting in my family's bodies, or more importantly, what I'm NOT putting in them that they need. I have had a ton of energy, my mind has been clearer, my hair isn't falling out in clumps anymore like it was, my skin looks healthier. My "system" is cleaned out and ready to start over so to say. So, we are starting over. My kitchen is stocked with fruit and veggies. We are going off the processed food and more natural organic, good for you foods. It will be great. I NEVER thought I could go 10 days without any food, although now it's been 12. Day 11 and 12 you get orange juice (I've never been and OJ fan, but let me tell you how good it is!)Tomorrow I will bring fruit into the mix, and possibly a salad. I really want to go slow and not jump back into eating just like I was before. Food still looks so good, but my mind isn't going crazy trying to get a taste of it like it was before. I am so glad I did this. I never would have thought I'd make it, but I did. I proved to myself I can achieve things I didn't think I could. The whole experience has effected me in a number of ways, I'm glad I did it! Oh yeah, I haven't measured, but I did drop 13 pounds as of this morning and I'm wearing jeans I couldn't wear a week ago, so that is an exciting bonus!
If you stayed with me and read this "Longest Entry EVER" Thanks! If you want to know more about the master cleanse just google it and you can find all you need to know. It is really for the health of your body, I highly recommend it!

10,000 Steps and Other Randomness

I am a random person...
Here's some of my randomness tongiht:
*My favorite Body Blast teacher and friend has been on vacation for the last 2 weeks, last Thursday Justin asked if I wasn't going to go back to the gym until she got back...ouch! So I drug my tired body up Friday morning, picked up another friend and headed to class at 5:30 AM...of course, we had to stop at Starbucks afterward...one should not get up at 5am without some kind of reward! Well, I went to my normal class today thinking that I would at least get 2 workouts in before my friend got back....wrong...she was back...very tan...and very excited to work us out!

*Justin and Jed are very actively watching Monday Night Football...Cowboys and Eagles...need I say more? I bet if you listen you can hear them yelling, I mean cheering, all the way to your house.

*Jadyn starts ballet on Thursday...that makes 75% of our kids in an extracurricular activity...they all happen to practice on Thursdays...fun times ya'll!

*Ike hit my sisters neighborhood badly. My sister and fam were lucky, only a few trees down and thankfully none hit the house. When you have 67 trees in your backyard, a few are likely to fall! They will not have electricity for at least 3 weeks...talk about roughin' it!

*My mom is in the hospital...she's had 5 of her 6 intense chemo treatments...she is a rock, she is feeling good, and her voice is strong and normal! Wednesday she will have the stem cells put back in ..what I've read online about it is that it is comparable to a bone marrow transplant. This is when she will probably not feel well, I am going to stay with her the first of October--while my wonderful in-laws take the kiddos for a week..love in-laws!

*Our Neighborhood Homeschool Group is having our 1st annual Back To School Bash/Olympics Friday night...yes, I am making my family matching t-shirts :)

*For some reason I get emails from Payless Shoes...tonights email was: "Ankle Boots A Must Have For Fall" UUHHGGG! I guess I won't be hip this fall!

*The weather today was incredible...we took a nature walk after school work was all done...we all had a ball!

*Oh yeah, 10,000 steps....so if you've read previous posts you know all about my catastrophic experience with my yummy spinach shakes...so, I've decided to just get back to the basics...eat less and move more...which led me to buy a pedometer to see how many steps I take in a normal day. Everything I've read says to strive for 10,000 steps a day. 6,000 steps for health and 10,000 for weight loss. So, I got a pedometer and started tracking last Friday. Let me tell you, 10,000 steps is a TON...I had about 4,000 and thought I did a lot of walking...So, now I hop on the treadmill and get my 10,000 in no matter what. And guess what, I feel more energized. We walked to the park today, and I wanted to run around and play, not sit and watch...so, how many steps do you take in a day?

I guess that's all my randomness for the day...guess I should go fold some laundry...yuck!
Catch ya'll later

Counting Down

We have officially began counting down! Today was the LAST MONDAY I may ever have to drag Jed out of bed (not literally his bed, because he always ends up on the floor in our bedroom by morning) to go to school. YEAH! What is sad to me though is that he will only be a 1st grader for 2 more days. He will then be a second grader. Somehow, second grade seems much older to me. My boy is growing up and there is nothing I can do about it, but enjoy the time I have right now. I have purposely been trying to enjoy the kids these past few weeks. Honestly, it makes parenting so rewarding to slow down and really, truely enjoy them. We've had some good times! :)

I officially ordered our homeschool curriculum this morning! Not turning back now! And I even ordered Jed curriculum, yes we are officially a Home School Family! We are all excited about this, I feel so relieved making this decision and not going back and forth anymore. This is it, this is who we are and what we are about. Family. Molding, shaping, influencing, teaching.

One more piece of good news---we caught the mouse in our house! :) YIPEE! I found him on the stickey pad under our kitchen sink, that little stinker lived for 3 weeks as an unwelcomed guest in our house. I am crossing my fingers that we will have no more furry guests...

If you get a chance, head over to Justin's blog and library to check out recent pics of the kiddos and what we are doing. He wrote a recent post on what we are using and doing for discipleship with our kids. Of course, I am biased, but it's good stuff ! :) Here's the link:

http://web.mac.com/jedgar11/iWeb/Site%202/Blog/Blog.html

http://web.mac.com/jedgar11/iWeb/Site/Library.html


Happy last week of school folks!

My Yard and Nightstand

It is 8:07 and there is a variety of humming,cutting, and blowing noises going on outside the office window. I love it! This means that my yard will be looking good soon--as soon as the fertilizer kicks in and the sun shines to make the grass green. There is nothing like a manicured lawn to make me ready for summer. Growing up our yard was always meticulous. If Dad didn't have time to do it (my Dad's days start anywhere from 2:30am-4am) we had somebody do it. My husband doesn't have the time or desire to do it, we just like the end result--it's our one vice. We could take 6 months to pay for a good lawnmower, or we could pay someone to do it for 6 months--Justin chose the latter.

On a completely different note, my friend emailed me yesterday wanting to know if I was reading any good books, she was in the mood for a good book. Unfortunately, I couldn't give her anything stimulating. My bedtime reading has been focused on my debate to homeschool my girls next year, so my nightstand consists of "What Every Kindergartner Should Know" (a whole language approach), and "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons". Stimulating, huh?!? So, for the 5 of you (whom I know of )who read this, what is on your nightstand? Leave a comment of your good reads! I'd love to get a great read to take me away for a little bit each day!

MySpace

Ok, so this isn't going to be about a "MySpace" account, but it is about My Personal Space. I am typically not a touchy, feely person so I guess you could say I like my personal space. Today, at Turbo Kick Class we had a few new women there. (disclaimer: this is great, I want new people to commit to exercising and getting healthier) Unfortunately, these 2 women-one right in front of me and one to the right of me, had no clue how to follow directions. You really ARE supposed to follow the instructions of the teacher. If she tells you to move up with your front kicks, then guess what--MOVE UP! I was constantly right on these womens rears. It started to drive me nuts....What then got me really frusterated is that one had no idea that she was not doing it. She did not even look like she was trying to do the moves--she literally danced around in her own little world. Now I'm all for dancing around and being in the "groove", but don't come to a choreographed class to do this--it will just get you lots of dirty looks and people like me running over you because I am so focused on the teacher, I am not paying attention to those around me. My hour at the gym is MY time to decompress and focus on me--not what is going on around me, I do that the other 17 hours of my day! I really do hope these women continue their workouts, hopefully they will start to understand that it is a class, not a dance session.
If you read this, thanks for letting me vent, if you can't tell I'm a bit "pms-y", but now I feel better and tomorrow at Turbo Kick, I will look around before I pick where I am going to stand (which is a bummer, because I have "my space" on the floor, and would hate to give that up!)
Happy Exercising Everyone!

Shall We Lay Hands On It?

When I was in high school our school purchased a brand new bus with our walk-a-thon money. This was a big deal, I went to a small private school--which I loved and am very thankful for all the sacrifices my parents made in order for me and Davedda to be able to go--Go Hope Huskies!--it was quite a fancy bus. Being as I played volleyball, basketball, and softball, I personally spent a lot of time on the school bus--many late nights driving back from small Indian Reservations where those girls would run us into the ground. Anyway, not long after we got this brand spanking new bus it was torched! We all arrived at school one day to find the shell of this bus a crispy, charcoal mess. We were all outraged--how could this happen.....Long story, but the school was later able to get another bus, but this time the whole school went outside during chapel and laid hands on the bus (we had a charismatic principal!) To my knowledge, that bus is still taking the Huskies to far away games.
Fast Forward 12-14 years....I was reminded of this today as I was driving home from Walmart. Our mini-van has begun to have some issues. A little over a week ago, the alarm started going off in the garage--mind you I was just getting out of it and it kinda startled me! Later that night we were at football practice and I was getting the stoller out of the back and again the alarm started going off--randomly, it went off throughout the hour and a half practice. I tried everything--resetting the locks, alarm, locking it with the key only..this van had sprouted a mind of its own. I knew Justin wouldn't believe me, he thinks I imagine the cooky stuff that happens around here (a lot of kooky stuff happens with us) but it began doing it with him as well that weekend. Then the rear air decided that it should be on full blast all the time no matter what number I have it set at. The poor girls are either blown away with hot air or cold air. Friday I got a great spot at the gym-right in front of the door. As I was getting my towel and water, still sitting in the front seat, the alarm and hazard lights started going off. EMBARASSING, so what do I do? I give up my perfect spot and go park far, far away and hike us into the gym. Same thing at the doctors office Friday afternoon (Judson is sick--possibly the flu, but it was too early to tell the dr. said) as the alarm was ringing and the lights were flashing Jed says to another mom in the waiting room--"yup, that's our van". Again, EMBARRASSING! I've had 2 appointments to take it in, however, with Justin's new job and school, I am dragging my feet because I don't want to be at the dealership all day with 3 kiddos and they won't give me a loaner...so as I was driving home from Walmart, I remembered the school bus we laid hands on and thought........worth a try! I doubt my husband will go for it though!
So, if you hear an alarm going off--it's probably just me!

I Wanna Be A Rockstar

My favorite new store--Steve and Barry's. I had heard about it on Oprah when Sarah Jessica Parker was introducing her new line of clothes and talking about them only being at Steve and Barry's. Living in Lubbock, I quickly dismissed the thought of actually ever being able to shop there. But now we are in the Big City! (well, not THE Big City, but the city nonetheless) And in the Big City you have opportunities that you don't have in small college towns--like cool new stores!

Last week the fam went to visit my father-in-law in Burlison, which is really far from where we live, so on the way home we stopped at a mall in Arlington and the first store we come to is Steve and Barry's. I immediately remember Oprah and Sarah Jessica Parker, but more importantly I remember that this store is extra special because--ready--NOTHING is over $20.00. The store has everything, all very hip, lots I'd never wear, but cute hip stuff.

I immediatly roll the stroller in and the rest of the crew follows, reluctantly, since we actually just stopped to grab some supper. And we (I mean I) go crazy! I'm already thinking of what I want to ask for for Christmas, vowing again to lose 30 lbs before the Holidays and also vowing that I will be a hip mom of 4 kids.

After 1 1/2 hours of trying on clothes, shoes, headbands, Texas Tech sweatshirts...we emerge, now STARVING. Justin bought me a pair of huge white sunglasses....very hip...very cool....something I'd never buy...enter the rockstar...



I LOVE these sunglasses--me and Sarah Jessica Parker---BFF wearing the same sunglasses, meeting for iced coffee at the corner Starbucks... laughing over the crazy things our kids did this morning, before we left them with the nanny to take them to their gymboree class....(remember I told ya I had quite the imagination!)

The first day I wore them I felt a little 'loud', but as I dropped Jed off at school, the air was crisp and the windows were down. The song "Rockstar" came on. I turned up the volume and sang as loud as I could. Thinking in my head that I was NOT in my workout clothes headed to the gym, NOT in a minivan with 3 kids laughing at me thinking their mom had gone nuts,....hence my love for the sunglasses blossomed.

Fortunately, I have satelite radio in the van, so whenever I need a quick pick me up, I can usually find "Rockstar" and don my celebrity sunglasses and in no time I am rockin' away...."I wanna be a rock star.....where we all stay skinny cuz we just won't eat......." (I really don't know all the words..probably a good thing I don't!)

Randomness

Here are a few random thoughts that I've been thinking about posting but haven't had enough time, so in no particular order here it goes:



1. I have been FAITHFULLY working out the last 2 weeks--3 days a week of an hour of cardio (in my zone) and 2 days a week doing weights. I'm feeling pretty strong, even uped my weights, but somehow have gained 5 pounds....yeah yeah, muscle and fat...blah blah blah, but seriously, come on. So, today it is out with those carbs (that I could live on) and in with the protein. That means no more chocolate crock pot cake! (YUMM-O!) If you want the recipe to that check out http://www.babybangs.blogspot.com/ and read the comments from her crock pot purchase! (baby bangs happens to be Amanda's blog --Beth Moores daughter.)



2. My son has used the term "nuts" to talk about his male parts. RED FLAG for public school--when I asked Jed if someone at school taught him that term he looked at me wierd and said, "No mom, Colby says it all the time." Thanks cuz! Did he learn it from public school or his great big brother?!?!?!



3. Call the scouts! Blakley is a soccer natural. She is AMAZING! I am not just being a proud mom either-- I promise. She scored 5 goals on Saturday. The coach (who for the record played soccer in COLLEGE) came up to me during the game wanting to know what drills I've been practicing with her at home--I laughed because the only sport that has been playing around here lately has been football. I told coach nothing, but would be open to some suggestions, and he replied that there are no drills to teach what she is doing, it is all natural--I then (being as Daddy was out of town) told him that she gets her athletic ability from me! She was stealing the ball from the opposite team and dribbling it ALL THE WAY down the field and scoring--it was awesome! She also had time (while on the field) to come to the sidelines and tell me that she and another player had made plans to go to the movies on Sunday after church--that's my girl!



4. Judson is into EVERYTHING! He is very curious since he figured out how to crawl. However, he cannot for the life of him figure out how to chew. He gags on the smallest of anything. Last night I fed him some of my mashed potatoes (see told ya I love carbs) and he started "choking" on a TINY piece of potato, that when finally came up I easily smooshed it with my two fingers....we are counting down to his 1st b-day (Oct. 13th) and I'd really like him to be able to actually eat some cake, but it is not looking good!



5. Jadyn is still in her own world most of the time. I have been giving her cranberry juice because she is constanly dancing around having to go potty like every 15-30 minutes. Sometimes complaining that it hurts, so we are trying to nip it in the bud and not have to go to the dr. about it. She likes her "special juice".



6. I am on the 3rd Harry Potter book. Yes, I am hooked. I read 1 and 2 then watched the movies--books are definitely better. If you know me and know my imagination--you won't be surprised that I can only read them when Justin is home--not that is is practicle in any way, but I'm weird like that!



7. My mom only has 3 chemo treatments left! Praise God this has been a bearable adventure. My mom has been a rock --she is amazing. God is so faithful. Her levels are continuing to raise--all by themselves, she has not had to have a shot to up the levels in quite a while. Her white blood count is actually in the "normal" range which makes us think that the cancer cells are gone from bone marrow. We will find that out after all the chemo treatments are done. We are so proud of mom and her endurance and faith--not much more I can say without the tears flowing!



That is all I can think of right now---I'm sure there is more, but will have to wait til another day....I have ravenous girls waiting to eat something--don't know what yet--something with lots of protein! :)