Conquered It!!!

Today was the day that I finally surpassed the number of calories that I burned prior to the bleed at the gym!  This morning I worked out for 80 minutes and burned 953 calories.  Yesterday I burned 900 calories.  While I know the number of calories that show us what we burn may not always be accurate it is pretty close if you minus 20% off your total number.  One of goals accomplished and now it is time to work on the next goal!

Life's Journey

At our Church we have a program called visiting and home teaching.  The purpose of this program is to make sure every person has a home teacher and visiting teacher who comes to your home monthly to share a spiritual message, be a good listener, and to see if the family needs any help.  Lately Kirk and I have both reflected about our assignments and have felt humbled and a sense of deep appreciation for our life.  This is one of the many reasons why I love this program is because while you serve others it gives you insight into your own life, and you begin to feel a sense of gratitude for everything which you have.  Though our life has not always been easy our experiences have given us tools to help others in their time of need.  We are all here together to help each other on our personal journeys.  We are our Savior's hands and this is a beautiful program, and I'm thankful that I get to participate and feel a little bit of what our Savior feels when He serves each of us.  My new focus each day is to ask myself what have I done to make someone's burden lighter?  Sometimes it is a simple smile and a warm "hello" and other times it is a sacrifice of our time and talents.  Through each of my experiences I always experience growth, and when I watch my husband participate  and serve others my love for him grows deeper, and I realize I have been given a good man!

Dancin' for My Life!!!

Six years ago I was physically in the best condition and shape in my life, and what I now refer to my brain bleed as My Beautiful Heartbreak happened, and my life changed in ways that I could not have imagined!  It has been a grueling process back, but I can honestly say that the happiness I felt six years ago is filling my soul again and I have been experiencing miracles, and doing things that I had given up on after the bleed!  As many of you know a year ago I experienced more health challenges which resulted into two operations 29 days apart, and I knew that I had months of physical therapy ahead of me, and it felt like my body hated me!  However, a loving God knew what was ahead and recognized that not only would I need the support from my husband, but knew that I strongly yearned and desired to have my physical strength back like I had six years ago so he put a lady from church into my path to help me achieve my goal!  Her name is Marti and by profession she is a certified personal trainer.  Marti came to my home with an eating and exercise plan.  The eating plan I knew that I could do, but some of those exercises I was unsure of and was afraid of hurting myself, but I elected to follow the plan and trust Marti.  I have been amazed of what my body can do such as walk out planks, low lunges and squats, and a variety of other exercises!  I have felt so much stronger, and I feel like the bleed never happened!  I have also recovered very nicely from my back surgery and total hysterectomy and have not regretted having those operations because they needed to happen so I was able to do all of these activities!!  I'm unsure of how many inches or weight that I have lost because my friend and I talked about it and determined that Kirk would weigh me every two weeks, but was never to tell me the number.  The same goes for food I don't count calories or points instead I eat within the guidelines of my eating plan and I eat what my body needs.  This has been so helpful for me because I have gotten to know my body again, and to love how it feels!  It has and continues to be a transformation physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  I'm proud of my work and dedication and my choice to dance again in my life!  I now realize that the past six years has been a gift to me because it has helped me recognize my strength, perseverance, and what an incredible person I am and I can do very hard things!  It has also prepared me to help others and be a source of strength to them in their times of need!  I am blessed!  

Newport Beach, Point Defiance, and Ruston Way Spray Park Memorial Day weekend!

Soon to be 13!!!

Where has the time gone???  In just about 7 weeks Zach will be 13!!!  It has been fun to watch him grow and develop this past year!  This year he is in honor's science and loves it!  He also scored beyond the 9th grade level in math!!!  His writing is getting better week by week and he is enjoying school!!!  In his free time he still loves football, and he has a huge heart for the elderly and loves to serve them!  An 82 year old friend by the name of Juanita came into our lives recently and my heart fills with pride when I watch Zach carry heavy items for her, open doors for her, and takes her hand when they walk!  In the moments, when Kirk and I are frustrated with living the life with a almost teenager we look at this picture and are quickly reminded that he has a huge heart and what a great and wonderful kiddo he is!

A Warrior Princess!

In March our little Isabella woke up one morning and had a difficult time walking.  We thought at first that it was growing pains but a few days later we felt something else was going on.  We took her to the doctor where they ran a bunch of tests and discovered that her inflammation rate was high and she carried some antibodies.  We were then quickly referred to Children's and she saw a Rhematologist.  He discovered that she has rheumatoid arthritis.  It has been a hard journey but she is being effectively treated and we are so grateful for Children's and that Isabella is able to find joy again in activities like going to the beach and finding starfish!

"Anchor Down with the One You Love"

This is the theme for the whole house!  We have a wall dedicated with a sign that reads "Anchor Down with the One You Love" followed by pictures of the coast our favorite place to be!  We went to Oregon over Mid-winter break after the big snow storm!!!!

Juanita

This is our 82 year young friend Juanita!  We met Juanita about a year ago and we have grown to love her! Z has a very special bond with her and he will do just about anything for her from opening up car doors, holding her hand when she walks, visiting with her, and any chore she asks of him.  He loves listening to all of her stories and learning new information about history from her!  She is an amazing person and we are so blessed to have her in our lives!

And They Lived Happily Ever After!

The other day a friend was over visiting us.  We got on the subject of trials of faith and health that sometimes come into our lives and can effect our marriages.  Almost 18 years ago, I was a newlywed bride, and like many young brides I had visions of what my happily ever after looked like!  However, six months into our marriage big trials of health came into our lives.  At the time we both were attending school, and I had become very ill and was given a blessing by my loving husband and Bishop and was told, "Heavenly Father did not know when I would become well."  Those words have come to past several times through our almost 18 years of marriage, and at times are difficult to swallow.

I don't want to leave the impression with others that we have an unhappy marriage, but I do want to leave a realistic picture that trials of faith and health are very challenging on relationships.  During our 18 years of marriage I have had numerous health challenges, we have lost a baby, a parent, and I had a brain bleed that nearly left my husband alone to raise two young children and one with special needs.  When these trials came, there were days that were difficult and sometimes it was very hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I carried around guilt of causing hardships to our young family while recognizing that some things are beyond our control.  My husband carried around the burden that he had to keep our family afloat by caring for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  During times of trial he would frequently come home from along day of work to a wife who was in despair and crying and did not know how much more she could take.  Followed by a son, who had very specific emotional and academic needs, and a young daughter who had her health challenges as well.  He would often say that he has to put on the blinders temporally so that he can focus on the now, and then have enough strength and energy to care for our needs.  I often ask myself why did my husband stay and did not run far away?  As I have reflected upon this question, for several years it has come to me it is because he is truly faithful to our eternal marriage, and he relies on our Savior to carry him in those dark moments. How many women can honestly say that they have a faithful husband?  How many women can honestly say that they have a husband who is committed and will several times sacrifice his own desires to care for his family and keep his marriage alive?  I have personally witnessed not many, and though we have had those trials our marriage has been strengthened.

I also reflect upon those words that were given to my husband several years ago by a loving Father in Heaven that said, "Heavenly Father did not know when I would become well."  How true those words have rang throughout our marriage.  It would be so very easy for us to throw in the towel and give up on our marriage.  However, over the years we have been schooled through our trials of health and we have chosen to make our marriage better rather then weaker.  I know personally my definition of what happily ever after looks like has drastically changed, but 18 years later I like my happily ever after now, and I would take those trials of health over and over again.

Kindness Matters

It seems like there has been a lot of  debating, bashing, and less tolerance on social media lately.  It seems like every time I choose to look at social media someone is offending someone else, and feelings are hurt.  I have read on several posts where people are unfriending and or unfollowing others to avoid the negativity of others.  There are also people who like myself, who are choosing not to look at social media frequently, but I'm also depriving myself of not being able to see all of the positive things my family and friends are up too.

Yesterday was my youngest uncle's birthday.  A year ago he suffered a stroke, that I know personally changes a person's life and their family's life forever.  As I got on Facebook, to wish him a Happy Birthday, my heart was filled with gratefulness that he was still living on this Earth to celebrate another birthday with family and friends!  However, as I was scrolling down through my feed I saw so many comments of hate, unfairness, people saying that they are unfriending or unfriended because they were offended by what someone had said or what they did to them, and many other unkind remarks.  Reading these comments caused my heart to hurt and I felt angry.  However, while I was in the car shuttling my kids around we were listening to the new Primary music CD that we were given the other day, and as we were listening to those songs I told my kids, "You know what I love these Primary songs because it simply reminds us that regardless of what is going on in the world kindness matters and we need to do our best to be Christlike whether we agree with others or not.  People matter more then events, and if we choose to be offended or if we are the offender then we need to seek forgiveness and move on."

A year ago when I almost lost my uncle and five years ago when I almost lost my own life taught me powerful lessons that I need to sometimes be reminded.  The lesson I learned was that life can be taken from anyone one of us on a moment's notice, and each of us face our personal challenges and we all need each other to help us on this journey of life so lets focus on the people who we love and matter most to us because in the end everything is going to be okay!

The Transformation

I have been thinking a lot about transformation and what it all entails. Last night I read an entire book again and learned that five years later these are still my favorite quotes from this author who battled many hardships in her life, and that I need to continue to learn from each of these quotes. The book is called "Running with Angels" and it is an excellent read! I love the many angels my Father in Heaven puts in my path here on earth and beyond the veil.

"Drawing on our life's experiences helps us have more compassion for others."
"Finding time for ourselves does not automatically mean that we are neglecting or taking time away from others."
"Smaller, incremental steps will lead you steadily toward your ultimate goal."
"Change takes place one step at a time."
"Embracing love and support from others will help us in whichever life race we run."
"Prepare for Success"

We are Back!

After much time off we decided to get back to writing on our blog!  There will be updates about our family and sometimes stuff that we are doing and learning about.

Go Seahawks!! Z is the biggest fan of all!!!!

Singing in the Rain

Sunday morning all of the sudden we here singing low and behold we open up the front door and their is Isabella with an umbrella singing her heart out!

The enjoyment of reading!

Zach captured Isabella reading "Chalotte's Web"  She has watched Z read so now she wants to read!

Happy Early Halloween!!!!

Here are photos of our cute Trick or Treaters!  Isabella was Ana from "Frozen" and Z man was a Transformer!!!!

Great Quote

Isabella's future hats for spring

Isabella will be getting these hats for spring.  She'll have to wait until Easter to get them.  My friend also made these so cute!!!!

My talented friend

So during Church my friend brought over this adorable hat and sweater that she made for another gift.  They're so pretty I have to show her work off.  She'll be moving in the spring so I have also had her knit more things for Isabella.  I love giving handmade gifts to people!!!!