Twenty Four Days

is all I committed too....and now I am hooked for life!

My goal for 2013 was to finally get healthy. To stop talking about losing the extra 30 pounds I was lugging around, and actually lose them! To stop being out of breath when I climbed the 19 stairs leading to my front door! I started with a membership to the YMCA and walking on the treadmill 5 days a week. I posted encouraging signs around the house, tried eating healthier, and committed to working out at least 5 days a week. For the most part, I've done good on that front :) I brought my heart rate down, and I can do the stairs without stopping to catch my breath. But, I wasn't losing weight or toning up. So I added some other exercise routines and weights. A month later I had lost 2 whole pounds! I was discouraged even though I knew I was trying.

One day I was talking to a friend in Tennessee and she told me about how she was losing weight and inches with Advocare. I should probably mention here that I do not like to put anything into my body. No pills, no weight loss miracle shakes, nothing. I told my friend this and she told me that's not what it was and to check it out...so I did. I googled it and read everything on the website. When I was done I was still convinced that it was one of those weight loss miracle schemes. My friend told me to check out some of our other friends who were doing Advocare before I made my mind up to say no. So I did. After a couple of weeks I decided I had nothing to lose and told her I would do the 24 day challenge and that was all. Then I ordered  my product.

Let me just say that it is not cheap to order a 24 day challenge. Unless you are totally committed to changing your lifestyle, it will not seem worthwhile to you. I know myself well enough to know that if I paid that amount for something I would follow it to a T. When my package arrived I went through it all and read all the packages and information provided to me. I was still feeling a little leery, but was committed to the 24 days required.

Two weeks into my challenge I felt so much better than I had in a long time. I decided to become a distributor so that I could buy my products at a discount and continue with Advocare after the challenge. During the challenge I lost a total of 7 pounds and 13.25 inches. In the past 4 days I've lost another 2 pounds and I don't know how many inches. I have completely changed the way I eat. I still work out 5 mornings a week, and I am finally seeing results.

Yes, I had to give up some of my favorite things including coffee and cheese. Yes, I have to eat a lot of vegetables. No, it doesn't phase me. Between the eating plan and Advocare products, I do not miss the things I gave up. There are so many options for the foods that are encouraged that I have yet to become bored with what I eat. And have I mentioned how much better I feel?!

Here are a couple photos of me from day 1 and day 24. See the results for yourself! I would love to share Advocare with you!

Just some thoughts

For the past five days I have watched many news stories on the shootings in Newton. I have heard politicians discuss gun control and laws more than I have heard about the poor victims and their families. I have seen people post many different things on Facebook about what they think about guns and mental illness. From all of that, I decided to post my thoughts on the situation.

The shooting in Newton was a sad, horrible tragedy. One that probably could have been prevented, but ultimately wasn't. Evil works that way unfortunately. No one is sure what the back story is on Adam Lanza. He and his mother are both dead, and I haven't heard his father speak about him. That may or may not change, and honestly it doesn't change what happened. Who Adam Lanza was won't prevent further evil in this world even if it might give insight to this particular tragedy.

I stand behind the right to own guns. I don't currently own any, but I have in the past. I love the way a gun feels in my hands. I love the rush of shooting at targets. I love that, if I so choose, I can do this any time I want. I am an expert shot on the M-16, and I'm not bad with a handgun either. My husband does not like guns. He too is an expert shot on the M-16, but he has no love for guns. Because we have five children, we have no guns in our home. I am not opposed to teaching them the proper way to handle and shoot, but we have chosen not to at this time.

I am appalled by the number of people out there who show such contempt for those who are diagnosed with a mental illness. I have seen people write about how they all need to be institutionalized. I have seen people write that the system is broken. I have seen people write that those with mental illness have no moral compass (this one in particular got me going). I have seen a whole lot of bashing and very little compassion. It makes me wonder if any of these people have ever known anyone with a mental illness; a parent, sibling, friend or child. Have they never loved someone like this? My guess would be no....based solely on their lack of compassion. 

I have a child with a diagnosed mental illness. I gave birth to her, fed her, and rocked her to sleep at night as an infant. I have taught her right from wrong, manners, sarcasm and how to laugh at herself when needed. I have sat with her in a hospital waiting for admission on the scariest day of my life while she calmly told the doctor she didn't want to live. I sat in her therapist's office and heard the words bi-polar and almost passed out. Through it ALL I have loved her fiercely, with all that I am. When I read what people think of those with mental illness I want to smack them! My child would give you the clothes off her back even it was all she owned. She loves Jesus and wants others to know who He is. Her compassion for others astounds me. There have been hospital stays, she has to take medication for stability, and she has a temper, but that doesn't define her....her heart does. Do I think that she should someday be allowed to own a gun, I can't answer that. There are to many things to take into consideration. It is not cut and dry like the media would like for us to believe. 

As for the system, there are options. It isn't broken in the way people would like to believe. There are resources out there for those who are willing to accept them. What's broken is the way we think, as a whole. There is such a stigma on mental illness that even when parents can see an issue they won't seek care. Heaven forbid someone find out that they, or someone they love has a mental disorder. I'm not saying that I wear my daughter's illness as a badge of pride, I'm saying that I stuffed my own pride and got her help. She takes daily meds, goes to therapy twice a month and has special accommodations in school. It works for everyone involved. It helps her, and it helps those who interact with her. Since her diagnosis we have had two different insurances. BOTH have paid for her care with very little out of pocket expense for us. My responsibility as a parent is to teach her the importance of therapy and medication so she carries it through adulthood. Educating her on the importance will help her be better maintained once she is grown.

All of this to say that the phrases "mental illness" and "gun violence" are not synonymous. They are not interchangeable. One does not mean the same as the other. To assume that they are is idiotic. This is not the time to discuss gun legislation or mental health issues though. It is not the time to debate over more or less guns, or to decide how to ensure those who need help get it. It is the time to lift up the families of the 26 victims in prayer. They don't need our indignation or our excuses or our suppositions.....they need prayer. There is evil in this world. It will remain until Jesus returns. We cannot stop it with our laws and indignation...only He can stop it...when He chooses too. 

Books

i.love.them. seriously. I could read every book in the library and then start over and do it again. Every week or so I go and check out 10-20 books. I read EVERYTHING! Right now I'm on  Karen Kingsbury kick. I'm also reading James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, Lisa Jackson, Francine Rivers....and craft books, and books about starting my own business, and all kinds of things. I seriously love books. I love getting into the story lines. The characters become real people to me. I laugh with them, I cry with them, and when the book is finished I feel an emptiness. I think that's why I read a lot of series. I'm reading both the Alex Cross books and the Women's Murder Club books by James Patterson. I'm also reading The Baxter family series by Karen Kingsbury. This series I really like because it is set in the town I grew up in....Bloomington, Indiana. I love seeing the place come alive in the eyes of the author.

Today I read a book that spoke to me on levels I can't even begin to describe. It left me sobbing. Literally. It spoke to a place and time I have tried for 21 years not to think about. It made me see a time in my life in a totally different light, and from a totally different point of view. It has me wanting to go back and do things differently, to make a different choice, to have a different outcome. Rationally I know that isn't possible. What is possible though is to apologize, ask forgiveness and forgive. Now to find the courage :)

In the author's note at the end of the book she mentioned another book along the same lines. I plan to read it too. I need to read another person's take on the subject. I need to feel not so alone in this. I need to be able to do what needs to be done and move on. Don't get me wrong, I have done my personal business with God on the issue, but I have never gone to the other person. I've never had the courage....emotionally. I think now I do....

October is...

Breast Cancer Awareness month. It's a month of teaching women how to do self exams and when to seek medical care. There are fundraising walks and the NFL wears pink shoes. I love it. Having lost my dear friend to this horrible disease, I fully support all that is done in trying to not only make women aware, but also in research for a cure.

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness month. Did you know? It isn't talked about as much as breast cancer, but it kills 3 women every day. Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted by a boyfriend or spouse. Up to 10 million children witness this every year. Those are some sad statistics. And to me, they are very personal.

I spent 4 years in an abusive relationship. I think I knew before the wedding that it would be that way, but I was sure I could change him. I had known him, at that point, for half my life. There was no question of love because we did love each other. I knew his background. I knew he was raised in less than ideal conditions.....and I was going to rescue him. It wasn't long after our honeymoon that I realized I was in over my head, but I still thought I could rescue him.

Over those 4 years I left and returned a few times, had 2 beautiful daughters, and finally realized you can't rescue someone who doesn't want to be rescued. I still can't talk about much of what happened during those years. Eleven years later, I still occasionally have nightmares.

Domestic violence is a cause that is worth fighting. I long to help others who are in abusive relationships and help them realize they are not alone and they can get out. It isn't easy, but it is possible.

I will wear pink this month in support for breast cancer awareness....and I will also wear purple in support of domestic violence awareness. I will donate to both causes because both are dear to me. I will educate my sons and daughters about both causes because I believe it will change the future. And, I will pray for all those affected because ultimately God is in control.

Listen.....

Life is hectic. When you have 4 kiddos between the ages of 11 and 14, it is VERY hectic. Between school activities, church activities and family activities, there is very rarely down time. Recently on Pinterest I found the above quote. It was like getting punched in the gut. Seriously.

There have been so many times when the kids have said "Hey mom!" and I have replied in a minute, and then never asked them what they wanted. I'm not proud of it, I'm just stating a fact. There have been other times when I have stopped everything to listen to one of their silly stories. The quote made me realize I need to stop more and not ask them to give me a minute.

As I am writing this, The Informant is sitting next to me talking about her day at school. She is showing me the apps on her iPad, and her graded posts on Edmodo. I could tell her to hold on while I finish typing, but I keep stopping to pay attention to her. As she grows older I want her to continue to talk to me. I want her to continue to share with me. I want her to know that she is more important than what I am typing.

Fun Times at the Pool....

There are a group of adults that live here at our apartment complex that seem to greatly dislike children. Any time we get to the pool and they are there I do an inward cringe. This group has, in the past, told my children to stop being loud when they are in the pool. Now, I should probably say that my kids aren't overly loud or obnoxious in the pool, they are just having fun. It's a big pool and my only rule to them is to be respectful of those in the pool with them, and don't splash those around the pool.

So, today we get there and I tell David that I have a speech prepared in case they tell my kids to be quiet again. He says he wants to hear it. So I tell him...and he tells me good one and to write it down. So here I am, writing it down. I didn't get to say it, and that's probably for the best actually because I really am not big on confrontation and I have to live here.

If they had said something today I would have apologized first for my children acting like children....because you know, how dare they. :) Then I would have told them that while I'm sorry that my children offended them by being children (GASP!) I have been polite enough, time after time, not to say a word about the music they play loudly while they are at the pool, which is offensive to me. Nor have I mentioned the fact they are not small women, but insist on wearing string bikinis that wouldn't cover my big toe. I have also overlooked their chain smoking and beer drinking even though that is also not something I think they should do at a family pool. Then I would have thanked them for bringing it to my attention that my children were enjoying the pool and to have a nice day.

Now....I would not have really said all that to them...I am a bigger person than that. It felt good to think it though :) David and I had a giggle over it and then got back to playing in the pool with the kids....because after all....isn't one supposed to have fun in the pool?!

Craft Blog

I've decided to start a craft blog. I just did an introduction post today. I plan to share some of the projects I do for others to try. I know not everyone is crafty, so I hope I can make things seem easy enough for others to try. If you would like to follow along, here is the link http://scrap-a-daisy.blogspot.com


Let me know what you think and invite your friends!