Here’s To The Journey

The lovely Marri and I at the beach last month.  It’s not fair that she looks this good at 32 weeks pregnant!

Yesterday I was speaking to my good friend Marri about making changes for our health.  She had asked how things are going with me.  Then, we got to talking about how when we’re pregnant and need to make changes for the health of our babies it has come so much easier to us.  An example, when I was pregnant with Sam I was told I was on the cusp of gestational diabetes.  Because of that I seriously gave up everything that had sugar.  When that didn’t help as much as we wanted to see I gave up all pastas and other high glycemic foods.  It came so much easier to me then.  Why?  Was it the idea of  this little being that was completely dependent upon me making good choices for his health sake?  I think so.  It was all about that baby boy.  Why can’t I do that now though?  I still have these amazing little loves depending upon me for their life and making good choices for OUR health.  I just wish I could get that in my brain.  If any of you have the secret to doing so could you help a sista out and spill the beans?

I do feel like I’m making a little progress in the sugar arena.  I used to drink sodas often, coffee with creamer multiple times a day, desserts almost daily, and a lot of white breads and pastas.  So far this week I have eaten mostly whole grains and WAY less sugar.  I did have ice cream twice with the family, but I refuse to limit treats like that to never.  After having celiac and being on such a strict diet for that, and then the LORD healing us I will not do a strict diet, unless medically necessary.  Moderation is my friend.  I also want to do something that I can keep long term and no sugar ever isn’t that.

My ADHD has been a bit worse.  I’m thinking that is probably partly due to the fact that I have been doing horribly at getting to bed at a decent time and I’ve been waking up before 7 a.m. everyday.  I know some of you are like, “Ha!  I wish!”  But for this homeschooling mama that is early.  We are night owls in this family and don’t typically wake up until 8:30 or even 9 a.m. if we don’t have somewhere to be that day.  It’s one of the many perks of homeschooling.  (If you are interested in homeschooling or need a community/support system as a homeschooling parent send me a message and let’s talk!)  I have noticed that when I get more sleep everything else seems to go better.  I have to make this a priority.

And then there’s the fact that maybe I need to be giving myself grace here in this change.  It took me years to dig this hole I’m in, and it may very well take years to build the ladder to climb out.  I don’t like to think about that.  I want to do something tonight and feel my best tomorrow morning.  I don’t want to think about the mistakes I’ll make along this journey.  But you know what?  In the journey I will gain wisdom and grow closer to the LORD.  That is worth it in the end.  In the wise words of Dory, “Just keep swimming.  Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.”  Here’s to the journey!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1: 2-4

 

 

Change Needs To Happen

Many of you don’t know this because, let’s be real, I hide it from most people.  I don’t like to be looked at as weak.  I like to be the strong one.  But all that being said I’m coming clean.

• I have suffered from depression and anxiety for the past few years, but this year has been the worst.  I have been on an as needed medication for anxiety since Sam was born in March 2015.  The past few months things have gotten worse.  I have had anxiety attacks multiple times a week.
• I have no energy and sleep all the time.  I have had multiple times a week where I go to sleep at 7 or 8 pm and don’t wake up until 8 am or later if it’s a weekend AND still take a nap with Sam.
• Then on the opposite end of that I will have horrible insomnia some nights and not go to bed until 3 or 4 am, if at all.
• I have been forgetting things.  I’m not talking, “Where are my keys?” forgetful.  I would be in a conversation and completely forget a simple word multiple times a day!
• I have pain in my muscles and joints, so bad that I have been taking ibuprofen multiple times a week.
• My skin has been doing weird things like crazy painful acne and dark patches.
• My ADHD symptoms have been worse than normal.  So much so I have considered going to get prescription medication for it, but I’m stubborn and hate taking it.
• I have migraines once or twice a month.

Right about now you are probably asking, “Why is she telling me all this?”  Well, surely I cannot be the only one suffering from these problems and I’m beginning the journey to be healthy again.  I want to document it and maybe some of the changes I’m making will help someone else too.  It has been hard, but the Lord has grown me so much in this time and pulled me near to Him.  He has show me grace and love.  He has shown me that it is okay to grieve and miss RHC and our family there.  He has reminded me that He has a plan for our lives and His plan is perfect!  I want others to have that same hope too.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

-2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

Here are a few changes I have made since it was brought to my attention that I probably had adrenal fatigue.

*Cut back on responsibilities.  I set time limits on these because I know myself, and I know I need a goal date or I’ll get back into things too early.

*No more coffee on a regular basis.  This has been the hardest thing!  I used to drink it all day long.  Seriously, I should have been a Gilmore.

*Reading my Bible more.

*Using essential oils.

 

Since making these changes I have had some good results.  I still have problems with insomnia and going to bed early, but it’s better.  I don’t typically have to take a nap during the day and I can make it until 9 or 10 pm now!  And my anxiety has lessened.  The next change I want to make is another dietary change, cutting back on sugar.

What!?! It’s been 3 years!

Apparently it’s been three years since I’ve posted anything!  Wow, a lot has changed in that time frame.  It was suggested that I start blogging again so here I am.  Now, let’s talk about about what has happened in the past three years.

We moved two times, within the Indianapolis area.  We continued homeschooling.  Scott and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.

We found out we were pregnant a week later, then found it it was a girl, found out at 37 weeks it was actually a boy(!!), and had this precious guy in March of 2015.

After having Sam we moved from Indianapolis back to Missouri, which meant many changes.  There has been a lot to process, especially in the past year, but the LORD is amazing.  He has been here guiding our steps and leading us to exactly where He wants us to be.  This was our family at Sam’s first birthday last month (sweaty boys and all, real life!).

 

Happy, crazy, full of life, and loving Jesus!  On to our future adventures we go!