Lifestyle...

What exactly is a lifestyle?

I used to ask myself this all the time.  I would hear numerous health fanatics say 

"I didn't diet, I changed my lifestyle". 

I googled the definition of lifestyle and here is what it says:

the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

But really, how does one person change their lifestyle?

It is no easy thing!  My belief is that it happens in stages and that you truly have to dedicate yourself in changing for the long haul and not short term. 

The first step I took was to kneel in honest prayer and ask for help.  

I knew that this would require divine intervention.  

I have taken many steps to change my lifestyle over the past year.  

My Heavenly Father has led me to every resource I needed to reach each of my goals. Miracles!

I do know now that me loosing my business and my home were both in the plan so that I would change the way I was living. Perhaps that was what needed to happen so that I would snap out of my rut and get help?  I think so:)

My habits, attitude, taste, standards, and economic level have all been hit spot on this last year with challenges that brought me to such an amazing level of change.

My dad gave me a picture from the Ogden Marathon I ran in May 2011.  

Wow, yes... Change has happened for me from the inside out since then!

Anyone can change their lifestyle if they are not living according to their beliefs of what one should live by.  I am proof that miracles can happen and keep happening if you have faith and embrace your challenges!

May 2011

May 2012

May 2013

I am a bit taken back by these photos! I am emotional as I sit and reflect on each and every step of my journey.  It has been the most trying time of my life but the most memorable.

First and for most, I have turned my heart and soul to the Lord.  

My testimony has grown tremendously.

I have spent countless hours in the gym, gotten completely off of gluten, dairy, and sugar. 

Going on almost six months now!

Taken charge with my family and their health.

Most importantly, I have forgiven myself for treating myself like I didn't deserve this amount of happiness or feeling of achievement.

What a blessing!  

I'm truly grateful I committed myself to changing my lifestyle... What a difference!

Feeling blessed for the changes I've made!!!!

When I looked on Facebook today I loved the prophets update and music video:

I Sustain Thomas S. Monson

In a world where peace is such a universal quest, we sometimes wonder why violence walks our streets, accounts of murder and senseless killings fill the columns of our newspapers, and family quarrels and disputes mar the sanctity of the home and smother the tranquillity of so many lives.

Perhaps we stray from the path which leads to peace and find it necessary to pause, to ponder, and to reflect on the teachings of the Prince of Peace and determine to incorporate them in our thoughts and actions and to live a higher law, walk a more elevated road, and be a better disciple of Christ.

Truly peace will reign triumphant when we improve ourselves after the pattern taught by the Lord. Then we will appreciate the deep spirituality hidden behind the simple words of a familiar song: "There is beauty all around when there’s love at home."

Owen's first Bee Sting!

Owen has always stayed far away from those flying, buzzing, cute little bee's.
Dad was out mowing and picked up our soccer goal to move it and when he gripped the goal he had also gripped onto a handful of bee's.  Daddy got two stings on his pinkie.  Owen wasn't too far behind him when Dad came in to get my help with his stings.  Those darn things went after Owen too!

Luckily he just got one sting...

Owen was so brave, no tears came:)

Hi HO, hi Ho, back to WORk I gO...

I got a job!

Was I trying to find work? No...
I felt that since my kids are getting older and Kaebrie is in school every day that I needed to help pay off my business debt.

Honestly, I wanted to find a job that I could make my own hours, come and go as needed, and have a pay rate that was worth working for.

I fasted and prayed about whether I should find a job or not and my prayers led me to a wonderful opportunity with an amazing company.

I started looking on KSL classifieds at some job possibilities, not expecting to actually find something.

Jeff does the shipping for this company and one of the guys that works there used to be an old neighbor in our Layton ward.

I interviewed. I pondered. I stewed. I hesitated. I stressed. I got the job!

************

I started working on June 24th.

Three words

PERFECT MOMMY JOB

I make my own hours, part time, very good pay.

Come and go as needed

It's an awesome company to work for.

I am feeling very blessed.

Now, I can contribute in paying off my business debt!

We can get through anything at this point.
************
Owen gets to go play with Grandma Camille and spend some time at Buddy Bin, and I work while Kaebrie is in school. It works out fine for the summer. Owen starts first grade in August so I will just go to work every day while Kaebrie is in school.
I feel like I can't keep up on my housework.  What is keeping up though when there is always something to wash, fold, scrub, vacuum, dust, or pick up?
We move in less than a month so I am going to keep up on only the important stuff for now.
I'm going to be playing with a ton of boxes soon:)

A Child's View of Sensory Processing

Happy Dads Day!

Jeff is the best dad ever.  Although he works way too much, he still makes time for each of us at the end of the day.  Even if it is only five minutes!

He has a heart of gold and really tries to make us happy and provide for us.

We love you Jeff!

You are the BEST... HAPPY DAD's DAY to our 

FATHER of the YEAR:)

 Weird black bug that was evil looking and scared us all:/

 Jeff and Owen got some remote control cars that climb over rocks.  We took them up the mountain on father's day for a little nature walk.  We had a very memorable time together.
Check out Owen's socks in this photo!  Wow, those look fantastic Owen:)

Sensory Integration

Kaebrie has been doing so much better, all around! Between her preschool, therapy once a week, and my understanding of her we have reached a milestone.

I am able to discern with her behavior of whether it is her anxiety creating bad behavior or her sensory seeking needs.

That is of course not to say that I will always be able to figure my cute Kaebrie out.  But, I do know that I have several tools now that I didn't have before that achieve results.  Which we have never had.

Seems like everything I have tried led me to where I needed to be with her.

She is a true gift! 

I have incorporated lots of sensory type activities into our daily schedule.  Owen loves projects and Kaebrie loves making messes.

Perfect combination!

I got out two cookie sheets and filled them full of shaving cream.

Owen refused to get his hands in.

Kaebrie couldn't keep her hands out:)

I then put some liquid ink into the cream and gave them a stick to mix it around.

I gave them both a piece of card stock and they laid it flat on top of the shaving cream.

The ink made marbled paper.

The kids were thrilled with this project.

Best part was I made dinner while they did it and it was a win win!

 I made a retreat for Kaebrie.

This was a recommendation from her OT.

I got a blanket, pillows, books, IPOD, has natural light, and I created some sensory baggies to put in it.

This is her space where she can collect herself and tune out anything that is making her body react to the environment.  Certain sounds, smells, or activities really bother her and she needs time to seriously wind down.

This has been absolutely PERFECT for her, this week:)

Best part is that it is made special, just for her!

Definitions of Hidden Sensations

The familiar body senses are sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.  Two less familiar or hidden senses deal with movement and body position.  Three important senses in sensory integration treatment are movement, body position, and touch.

Movement Sense (Vestibular)

-Comes from the receptors in the inner ear

-Detects changes in head position and body movement

-Tells us where our body is in space

-Important for muscle tone, balance, coordinating both sides of the body, and posture.

Body Position Sense (Proprioception)

-Comes from receptors from the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints

-Detects changes in muscle and joint action

-Important for body awareness

Touch Sense (Tactile)

-Comes from receptors in the skin

-Detects light touch, deep pressure, temperature and pain

-Important for protection, moving away from unexpected or dangerous touch

-Important for motor skills