Face Painting on a Rainy Day

Face painting reminds me of Sunny days! It reminds me of fun times spent with friends and school carnivals and cake walks! Face painting reminds me of little faces in my hands...little hearts filled with glee! Thank you Jesus, for little faces to paint!

Sissy

Just a few shots of Thea. I loved these cause she was just being Thea, and not making funny faces at the camera...as she usually does.

Playin' with Daddy

What kid doesn't like to fly!? That's just one reason Daddy's are so necessary. Cyrus, you are such a fantastic Daddy!

Jack & Elsa

I found Jackson cuddled up with Elsa one day. I got up to take a diaper to the garbage, and by the time I got back, he had crawled up and snuggled up with Elsa. He made sure her little feet were tucked into his legs, and her hand was cradled by his. He is so sweet when he wants to be...and I'm so glad I was able to capture that side of him here.

This Little Piggie Went to TARGET

The other day Thea was playing "This Little Piggie" with Elsa...and I heard her say, clear as day, "This little piggie went to Target". I had to laugh at my little girl...who only knows Target and Walmart. I guess, she's a Target kinda girl.

Every Girls' Worst Nightmare

Is it wrong that I share this????

24-DAY Challenge: Day 24

Well, the challenge is done and the new life habits I've gained will continue. It has been a great experience. I Feel, I know, and I SEE the difference that Advocare has made in my life.

Why did I blog about this? To be quite honest, I didn't want to at first..for fear of failure. To start yet another program, and not finish it. I didn't share my experience so I could rave about my weight loss, or gained habits, etc. I blogged about this because I wanted accountability, growth, and to share with those I love, an experience that has changed my life, and broken bondage to failure in many areas...mentally, physically and yes, even spiritually! Now that it has come to a close, I hope for the same great results for those whom I love, that may also have the same or similar desires that I have. To live healthier, to grow stronger (in all aspects) to achieve goals I never thought I would achieve.

The results I love best:

1. Weight loss = 10 lbs. / 3.5 inches
2. Gained Energy = All-day energy...Getting so much more done daily!
3. Mental Focus = Clarity of mind, mental and emotional stability.
4. New Healthy Habits = Gained knowledge of healthy eating, and living in general
5. Motivation = To exercise, shop healthier, exercise enthusiasm in many areas... especially with my children

Thanks for sharing in it with me. If you'd like to do your own 24-Day Challenge, I'd be happy to share with you the details, and help get you started!

24-Day Challenge: Day 21

Wooo-Hooo (big yell!)...I feel so great! Just 3 days left of the 24-day challenge...and we're so impressed with this program! We feel so good!

So, far Cyrus has lost 9 lbs. and 2 inches in his waist. I've lost 7 lbs. and 1 inch in my waist! It's amazing how effortlessly this weight came off! Well, I guess it wasn't without effort...but it just seemed so easy. We put into place a lot of healthy new habits in terms of eating and exercise during the last 21 days, and they have stuck! We've been eating several small meals a day instead of 3 big meals...a fist and a half is the goal size of each portion or about 300 calories per meal. Also, we've cut a lot of foods from our diet...and added more healthy ones, lots and lots of water, vitamins probiotics, fiber, etc. For me, exercise has become something I look forward to again...cause I feel so much better, and have so much more energy!

I think I've had maybe 3 cups of coffee since we started...I just don't crave it when I drink the SPARK in the morning. Have I mentioned how much the SPARK has helped me in the mornings? I used to drag my rear-end around the house for a good couple of hours before I could wake up enough to get on with my day and my responsibilities. Wow! I can't believe how much time I've wasted just being tired and without energy! But since we started this program, and started drinking the SPARK, I get up and just have amazing focus and energy to get going with my day! My house has never been more orderly! I feel much more enthusiastic about just about everything!

Why did we do this? Because for many years we've taken on some not-so-healthy habits. We want to live long and healthy lives (Lord willing) so we can give the best of ourselves to what the Lord has called us to: Our children, Our Marriage, Our Ministries, Our friends and loved ones.

I think after the 24-days is up...we'll go on to the 24-Year challenge!

Home At Last

Well...we're home. We actually arrived home late Tuesday night. What an experience that was. We know the Lord had a purpose, maybe someday we'll know what that was. In any case, here are a few photos we did get to take while on our journey to Portland and beyond. The kids did amazingly well in the car...Elsa did the best. Of course, upon arriving home, we hit the ground running...literally! Tues. night I went for my first run with Rachael...we've just started running/walking together. It feels great to be getting out in the evenings for some exercise!

Stuck in Forest Grove, OR

So, it all started out with an exciting 4-day Oregon trip...a couple days in Portland for an Advocare Conference (which knocked our socks off, and blessed us so much!) and then on to Cannon Beach for a beautiful sunny day in God's amazing creation (I was soooo looking forward to this). Just about 40 minutes away from the beach, our car lost all power, and into a nearby gas station we coasted. Little did we know that we'd spend the next 8 hrs. there, on the side of the highway, in the middle of nowhere...alternator belt long gone. So, anyway, long story short, we made it to a little country town called Forest Grove...far from the fabulous ocean front hotel that was awaiting us in Cannon Beach(my heart aching to be so close...and still so far away). By God's grace, we ALL fit into the tow truck, and made it safely to our new home for the next couple of days. We are currently waiting on an alternator to be delivered out to us...and to have it installed, so that we can return home. In all of this, we are asking...why? what? how? But we find rest in knowing that the Lord knows, even when we don't...and we trust He has a purpose! Please pray for us...that we can get our van fixed and come home. For now...we'll be here in Forest Grove.

Make Your Own Sugar-Free Granola Bars

Healthy Granola Bars

Ingredients

* 2 cups bran flakes, crushed (or substitute multi-grain flakes)
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup skim milk powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup raisins (or any dried fruit: blueberries, cranberries, etc.)
• ½ - 1 cup nuts of your choice (use small pieces, like sunflower seeds)

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350°F.
2.Crush cereal, and place in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add oatmeal, wheat germ, and cinnamon; set aside.
3.In a medium mixing bowl, combine yogurt, applesauce, vanilla, honey, beaten egg, and skim milk powder: mix well to combine.
4.Add baking soda and baking powder to the yogurt mixture. Mix well.
5.Gradually add the cereal and oatmeal mixture to the yogurt mixture and stir well.
6.Add raisins & nuts (or other fruit) and mix to combine.
7.Spray non-stick spray on one large cookie sheet and press the mixture flat into the cookie sheet.
8.Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes. Makes 15-25 bars (depending on size)

Just Playin' Around

Preparing for Easter

This year, we learned about Easter and how Jesus rose from the Dead. Afterwards we colored some Easter pictures, and dyed eggs for the first time. Jack and Thea have been eating the eggs ever since and loving them. Today, on Easter Sunday, we woke up and the kids found that the Easter Bunny had dropped off a basket for them at the front door. When Cyrus opened the door to let them get the baskets, they were sooo excited! Jackson had a huge grin on his face...and Thea, well, she was a serious as serious gets...she got her basket and headed back in to the house to examine it.

2nd Generation Dress

We went up to Idaho City today with Cyrus on business. So, before she outgrew it, I thought I better get a picture of Thea in this dress that my Mom saved...it used to be mine. What better backdrop for such a dress? So, if I can ever find the picture of ME in this dress, nearly 30 years ago...I'll have to post them side-by-side.

Look up in the sky, it's bird, it's a plane, it's Super Jackson!

Jackson loves Superman and power heroes these days! If he had his way, he'd watch The Justice League all day, every day! It's a requirement though, that when we do watch it, he must put on his Super Man Jammies and cape! But besides this...he is doing so many new things and growing into such a sweet little guy. It's been challenging at times, but as a friend suggested to me, try to focus on the GOOD things in him and not so much on the challenging things. I'm so thankful for that, cause, although he's a challenging child, he is a delight and holds a very special place in my heart. Right now he is learning to use the computer (thanks for the idea Chels and Suz!). He loves PBSKIDS.org and some of the game and activities he can do on his own. He's also learning to put on his own socks...which, for a perfectionist, is quite challenging. I was the same way as a child...I remember having nervous breakdowns when my socks were the slightest bit wrinkled inside my shoe! Oh Lord help my son! He's also desperately trying to learn to tie his shoe laces. He still loves swinging most of all when we go to the park. We love you Jack, the little man of our family!

24-Day Challenge: DAY 4

Well, it's going great so far! We're four days into it, and I have SO MUCH more energy! I've been feeling fabulous! Plus I've dropped 5 lbs., and that never hurts! Cyrus has dropped 7 lbs. We're eating much healthier, and drinking SPARK instead of coffee...and I have loads of energy without that frantic-crazy feeling that other energy drinks give you. I can't tell you how much better I'm feeling...both physically, mentally and emotionally. I just feel more stable and focused in my mind, and also so motivated. Yesterday I fed the baby and went to the grocery store and was back at the house by 9am. That's pretty much unheard of for me in the mornings! 20 days to go still...but with such great results already, my hopes are high.

Jackson is very interested in what we're doing...he says,"I want to be healthy too Mom!" It feels so good to pass these habits onto your children too, knowing that it will only benefit them as they grow and begin to make their own choices in this area.