Random Thoughts

Some days I have like 3-4 different things I want to put as my Facebook status, and I have a hard time picking just one. So random thoughts from my head:
1. Does lumpy Cream of Wheat make anyone else gag?
2. Today is a sad day. My mommy kisses so longer heal owies:(
3. I love any holiday when I get to put my flag out. It makes me feel patriotic:) Happy Veterans Day!!!
4. This has been the LONGEST weekend ever!!!! Its been 25 days since John worked! Thankful he has work lined up for the end of the month, but its still a couple weeks away!
5. This week is going to be awesome! John and I both got tickets to go to the Twilight marathon!!!! Its seriously something I've been looking forward to all year long, and I cried when I thought I wouldn't be able to go! I don't ever have girls night out, weekends away, or other things most moms I know do- but I do allow myself a midnight premier of books turned movies that I love and the once a year Twilight marathon- this will be my 3rd and final one:( But I am thrilled that John wanted to go this time- since its a one time opportunity and he didn't have to get out of work to do it. I'm also super excited a couple other friends who are closet Twilight fans will be there as well as my bro and sister in law!!! Twilight brings people together! (and I already have everything thought out for avoiding the theaters expensive junk food!!! Cooler full of sandwich stuff in the car!)

Starting something new:)

Tomorrow, John and I embark on a life changing challenge: A 30 day juice fast!
Last week we watched the movie "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". And it was just the thing to set me over the edge! I've battled my weight for a few years now (okay, so I haven't really put up a fight!). Even last year, I considered going casein/gluten/processed foods free...but what else was there to eat? Vegetables and fruits?! No way! I didn't think it was possible to even think about resculpting the way I eat and live. Our lives are completely revolved around food. Its payday- lets go out to eat! Its Sunday after noon- lets go out to eat! We just ate a big meal- lets stuff our selves with ice cream now! Birthdays- food. Funerals- food. A friend is in town- food! Food and eating is something we all enjoy/do. But many of us struggle to properly nourish ourselves. We live on a diet of fast food, take out, pizza, and food we heat up from a box. Some of it has been chemically treated. Most of it has been bombarded with preservatives, artificial flavoring, and lots of added sugar and salt.
I've been reading about how the body can heal itself. I find it amazing that God was so creative and clever when He designed our bodies that if we treat it properly, we will be healthy (well, minus genetics...that's something else!). So maybe all the times we've asked God to heal us of this or that, maybe God just wants us to eat food He created, as it is, to heal ourselves! So that's what we're doing!
I have psoriasis. I've had it for as long as I can remember. But since I got married and had babies, it has spread like wild fire. What used to be just on my scalp sometimes, is all over my neck, back, and chest. Its like the heavier I got, the worse it's gotten. I've read that people have had great results when they quit eating junk and ate a plant based diet. Doctors want to throw pills at us. But could it be that getting healthy, eating a plant based diet, and exercise could be the correct answer? I don't know! But I'm hoping to find out! I'm kind of treating this like a science experiment.

Anyways. So this weekend we were so excited! We spent Saturday at Walmart and bought enough produce to get started with. We decided we would drink freshly juiced juice for breakfast and lunch. Dinner would be a completely plant based meal- cooked is okay. We ate at a friends house on Saturday night. That was our food finale! Starting tomorrow- only juice- for a month!


Written February 29

A New Year- A Fresh Start

I like making out my resolutions each year. I think I'm going to keep the same list I made last year for this year! Last year I resolved to:
1. Get finances in order!
    -pay all bills before they're due
    -save $1000
    -be able to account for every last penny
    -inexpensive meal planning
2. Focus on healthy living
    -weekly meal plans
    -WAY less eating out/processed foods
    -grow a garden again
    -family exercise
    -drink more water
    -spend more time with God daily!
3. Get home in order
    -reduce clutter
    -more positiveness/less negativity
    -keep up with Fly Lady
    -more encouragement towards my husband
4. Limit stress
    -take time to relax/alone time
    -meditate on positive things

Those things have been hanging on my wall for a whole year now. I think I actually did a pretty good job with most of it. Especially considering the major upset to our lives and schedules that 2011 brought us.

So going into 2012, I think I've decided to keep this same list. Of course I'm adding a few things to the list:

-be more gracious
-simple living
-become the crazy recycle lady
-do a creative project each month (crochet, embroidery, sewing)
-creative baking ideas for Rassy Cakes
-complain less (especially on Facebook and to my husband!)
-separate myself from people who make me feel badly about simple living (aka people who are really materialistic and show off their fancy stuff- its really annoying! Who seriously needs a 2012 Porche?!)
-complain less...wait- did I already say that?

I want to be a better person. Someone who's genuinely concerned for others. Someone who's not easily offended when not invited to a party. I really want God to change my heart this year. I want Him to use the brokenness and heartbreak that 2011 dealt me/us, to reshape and reform me. To make me flavorful and not bitter (like I've seen myself becoming...scary!).

I'm really looking forward to this new year! Happy New Years to all:)

This is Emelie on New Years Eve with Papa's hat on..."loving" on the kitty! She survived the whole night, with lots of energy to spare!