FFF # 11 crazy hair/bed head

The Mom's of any of the children I nanny for will tell you, I LOVE to fix their children's hair. I don't have many pictures of crazy hair because I am forever parting, combing, braiding, and "doing" the kiddos hair at the start of our time together, hahaha. Most of my pictures are of them looking quite adorable in praids, comb overs, faux hawks, pony tails, head bands, etc.. However, when your caring for kids like the one's I do, all crazy, energetic, wonderful amazing kids, you have your days where you let the little things slide.




Here is Mr. Caleb. This day I had all 3 boys Alex, Ben, and Caleb home. Caleb had just woken up from a nap. He'd gone down with his hair wet and when he woke up it was crazy. It was SO cute because it has little curls, I didn't have the heart to comb in. Besides, he was likely to get popsicle in it anyway :)
Kenzie wanted to be an "upside down" turtle. Her hair of course looks crazy handing down like that. I love this picture most of all because it is so true to her personality! I love this little girl so much! She has a beautiful heart.
Getting Ben to to get is hair cut is like giving a cat a bath. He loves long crazy hair that makes him look like a mad scientist. The new thing is for me to take him for a haircut. I have slowly, each hair cut, gotten a shorter one. He looks quite handsome with short hair. It makes his big blue eyes pop out. This picture too displays Ben's personality, wild, crazy, and always good for a laugh.
Once when I took Caleb to the zoo, the wind was blowing and his hair was going up. Ben insisted I give him a "Mowhawk" so I did. Not long after this picture was taken, he got his first hair cut.
Mackenzie isn't one for REALLY liking her hair done. I don't blame her as when you brush it, 5 minutes later it's tangly and messy again. I love giving her french braids because it's so cute on her. She loves it because the next morning her hair is "curly" which she desperately wishes she had. I braided her hair about 2.5 weeks before her 7th birthday, she told her friend the next days she was leaving them in until the day of her party. She wanted it "curly" for her Princess' in Pajamas birthday. Needless to say, her parents made her undo it a day or so later. I had promised her I'd come the night before her birthday and braid it. As you can see, I kept my promise, and she had her curly hair for her princess birthday. It's a messy look in my eyes but to her, it's beautiful.

My Baby got an owie!

Poor Kalika stepped on a Bee today. That's what I thought it was, and I searched her paw pads, their was a big ole stinger still in her center pad, poor baby. It's all swollen, and she is limping around.

It's not as bad as the last time I had a dog get stung though. That dog was only 7 weeks old, about 2.5 pounds, and she got stung on the tip or her nose. She swelled so bad she could barely breath, we had to give her benadryl.

Say a little prayer

I've been following the blog of two amazing women who have children suffering from Leigh's disease, a mitochondrial disorder which inevitably leads to death. One of the women is a friend of a friend who has a blog, and I just stumbled on her blog exploring my friends blog. The same day she stumbled on my blog in the same way. We both left each other comments and I really feel God brought us together, she said the same. Her little girl M. is just over 1 year old and suffer from this horrible disease. She had asked for prayer a couple of times for her friends little boy L. He just turned a year a couple weeks ago. I started following L.'s mommys' blog as well. I am sad to report that L. went to be with Jesus today.

Help me pray for this family, Mom, Dad, and big sister P. who just lost a sweet little boy. They are Christians and are rejoicing that he is no longer suffering and is completely restored in the presence of Jesus. But for those left behind, this is incredibly painful.

Violet

My running partner

Today was day 3 of running. They say 3rd times a charm. I was sore after the first day, my thighs and 3 strands of muscles that essentially run from the base of your skull to your but (spinalis, longissimas, and oh crud, I can' remember the name 3rd but, it attaches to your ribs and I can see it in my head). I made the mistake of not stretching on day 1. So, day 2 I went last night. I'd babysatt for about 8.5 hrs. for a 3 years old who doesn't nap and a 1 year old who screams a lot. I needed to run. So, I did. It wasn't any better or worse than day 1. The last 30 second jog session is the hardest but, it's nice to know you get 5 1/2 minutes of walking to end it. Then, I stretch for about 10 minutes or so. 

So, so many times I told myself that if I had a running partner I'd be more apt to go. I often said this because in H.S. my good friend and I walked A LOT together and when I went to N.U. I ran often with other girls. Seems to make the time and distance go by quicker. But, things have gotten out of control with my body, and my friends are getting married, having babies, and running of to places like Tokyo so, that isn't going to work.

Today I got a bright idea, I decided it wouldn't be too much work to check my stop watch for the intervals AND pray at the same time. I need to spend more time speaking and listening to God. As soon as I started I heard him whisper, "this was my plan all along, I wanted to be your running partner". Ouch. All this time he was their saying, I will be with you, focus on me. 

Yesterday I wasn't sure how I was going to fit a run in as I am working 7am-7pm for the Boy's then I'm going to babysit for Ruby and Davis from 7:30pm till about 3am. (mom is out of town, dad has a d.j. gig). Plus, mounds of homework. Well, the thing is, my God works ALL things together for Good (his good that is). Poor Alex had a massive seizure this morning (4 dyastat and a call to 911 before it finally stopped). While that is not cool, and I don't think God gave him a seizure so that I could run, he worked it out so that, since Alex would be sleeping all morning, I wouldn't be needed to get Alex out of bed.  Trish told me to go for a run if I wanted to. It worked out so nicely, and I spent time with GOd. I know that was in his plan for today, me to run and pray to him. 

I am utterly amazed out how different things can be when you have a different perspective and attitude, and you do things to glorify God. Before I have said I was going to eat better, exercise more, etc. to honor God with my body but, It was a crock. I really wanted to look good and impress people. Now, I truly want to honor God with my life, with what I put into my body and how I treat it. And he is really helping me to stay motivated for this running plan. Of course I still have sore muscles, and their is a chance of triggering a migraine but, I have faith God will protect me from that. So far I've experienced less discomfort from running that usual. I'm not getting splitting side aches, or chest pain from breathing. Yesterday the outside of my feet hurt really bad as I was running and I prayed about that today, guess what, no foot pain.

What I love about this plan is it's so concrete. I know EXACTLY what I am going to to and for how long. I love my little stop watch that tells me I have to run for 5 more seconds. I love that I'm not OVER doing it. I love that I get to walk for 10 minutes first, and 5 minutes last. I love that I'm not spending 5 minutes recovering because I ran to far for what my body is adjusted too. 30 seconds run, 30 seconds walk. It's great. 

God really spoke to my heart about some things today, and I took time to pray for many people. It really felt good to live up to my word to various friends/ blogger buddies/ and family member to pray for them, their little ones, etc. to pray for them. It also felt good to just worship God, to give him all the praise, and the Glory, which only he deserves. 

I'm excited to run again tomorrow, with the best running partner a girl (or guy) could have. 

Here is a picture of my other running partner :0 ) . She went with me on day 2 and 3. Other than being very thirsty (and hungry) when we're done, she seems to tolerate it really well. I think the 3o/30 plan works well for her too! Good thing because she has a few pds. to lose as well, according to the veterinarian. 

FFF # 10: Friends

This is me and my BEST friend Alicia. We are 15 days apart, and I met her the day she was born :) . Yes, this is our normal, lol. Her sister said "you just won a million dollars!" She also said things like: "You see a super hot guy across the street" and "you wake up with boobs double their normals size", I will spare you those reactions! Please excuse my double chin. It was a fat face day : }
I took my Lil nephew (right) to see my frineds baby Gabriel (Left). Gabe is 6 weeks younger. Kenzie (Gabes big sister) loves babies and loved helping out with lil' Zackery. Josh is in the background, and Levi was napping. I hope these little guys will be friends someday.
One of Kalika's favorite friends is Spike, my brothers dog. She likes to talk to him, seriously. Cockers talk to other dogs, It's pretty funny. They both go nails clipped, teeth brushed, and showers this night so they both got to sleep in my bed. Spoiled mutts. Kalika loves pillows to put her head on and Spike likes to be UNDER the blankets.
A few months ago I met up with my Friend Joanna and her 4 kiddos with 2 of the boys I nanny. Ben and Josh are about 9 months apart. They hit it off right away.
The boys' little neighbor girl Ashton, She idolizes BEn.
And Caleb idolizes her. When we go outside he looks at her house and says "Ashton?". If we say, she can't play he says "Oh, Ashton sleeping, Ashton play later". She loves playing with him too.
All of Mackenzies cute girly friends from her princess' in pajamas party! They are cute girls!
Kalika made new friends at the off leash dog park the other day.

Runnersworld.com

Today is July 24th and in exactly a month I am going to a friends wedding. So, that is my final motivation. I'm beginning to run. Ugh, I've always hated running. The problem though, when I ran while at Northwest University, I was my skinniest. I know my body responds well, and quickly when I run. So, I'm going to get back into the habit. There are many other reasons I want to do this. Partly do to my lifestyle and partly do to the depo shot, I have gained about 10pds in 4-6 months (yikes). I gained about 5 after my 1st shot (I'm going off the stuff, it's poison). In high school I was on average 135-145pds. My body builds a lot of muscle so, I think that is just my natural average as a swimmer, my sport of choice. When I started running I actually didn't drop much weight, maybe 125-130 at my least but, I dropped about 2 pants sizes. In high school I was a 9 all 4 years. I dropped to between a 5 and a 7 depending on the brand. To measure up now, I am almost 170 pds and wear about a size 12. No joke. I know it's not outrageous but, I'm 22 and don't have any kids. If I don't take control, it can only get worse from here. I've noticed a serious decrease in my energy level this year, and I'm moodier. I know I FEEL better when I exercise.

So, I began to research how to begin running. Before I had plenty of girl friends to go with that made the activity less dreadful. Now, it's usually just me. I needed a guide to get me going. I found a WONDERFUL websight : WWW.RUNNERSWORLD.COM it has TONS of information on beginning running, training, etc. etc. etc. it's just fantastic. I found a plan I really like. It's called the 30/30 plan. Today was my first day. It was harder than I thought yet, still do able. I felt like I had gotten a GOOD 3o minute work out, I broke a sweat, I got my Heart Rate up, and I felt tired when I was done. I'm sure I will be sore tomorrow but, that is to be expected. I plan to try and record my results here. I hope that in 6 months or so I will officially be a "runner". Who knows, maybe I will even train for a 1/2 marathon! Maybe. Basically you do this plan before you do "beginning runner" plans. It builds you to that level. I kinda skipped a step and went straight to 30 sec. job to 30 sec. walk. It was hard but, I did it! Here is the plan:

THE 30/30 PLAN
Here's a simple plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise for the first 30 days.By Hal Higdon
PUBLISHED 08/28/2001
Here's a simple 30/30 plan to get you going, featuring 30 minutes of exercise for the first 30 days. It is a routine similar to one that Chuck Cornett, a coach from Orange Park, Florida, uses with beginning runners.

Walk out the door and go 15 minutes in one direction, turn around, and return 15 minutes to where you started: 30 minutes total.

For the first 10 minutes of your workout, it is obligatory that you walk: No running!For the last 5 minutes of your workout, it is obligatory that you walk: Again, no running!

During the middle 15 minutes of the workout, you are free to jog or run--as long as you do so easily and do not push yourself.

Here's how to run during those middle 15 minutes: Jog for 30 seconds, walk until you are recovered, jog 30 seconds again. Jog, walk. Jog, walk. Jog, walk.

Once comfortable jogging and walking, adapt a 30/30 pattern: jogging 30 seconds, walking 30 seconds, etc. Follow this 30/30 pattern for 30 days. If you train continuously (every day), you can complete this stage in a month. If you train only every other day, it will take you two months. Do what your body tells you. Everyone is different in their ability to adapt to exercise.

When you're beginning, it is better to do too little than too much.If you continue this 30/30 routine for 30 days, you will finish the month able to cover between one and two miles walking and jogging. You are now ready to progress to the next stage of your training as a beginning runner.

Weighing the consequences.

In October of 2006 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. This after 9 years of painful, nauseating, dizziness inducing, cramping so bad I can't walk periods. I was miserable. I missed school and work. I spent 24-48 hours in bed, and usually ended up with a 3-4 day migraine. Once they figured why I was having such severe pain, I was excited to treat it. Guess how they do that? Birth Control I tried multiple pills, and the patch. All triggered migraines. I was getting 2-3 migraines a week. Ugh. Finally, reluctantly, I tried the Depo-shot. One of my sisters gained 25 pds. on it and I was afraid of that.

I got 3 shots and did not like how I felt afterwards for a couple days. I also gained about 15 pds. while exercising MORE! So, I decided to see what happened if I went off. I started spotting the last couple days. These just happened to be VERY stressful days. I completely lost it emotionally! It was like P.M.S. tenfold. I was screaming at my brother, losing patience with everyone, frusterated by small things, and wanted to cry about anything and everything. I decided to google symptoms of coming off.

I found lots of information and did not like what I found. From wath I am experiencing, to more weight gain, to VERY sore and lumpy breasts that appear up to 3-5 months after the last shot, irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant...etc. etc.

 

I also found symptoms of being on depo. that may have been in my pamphlet but were waved off when I talked to my doctor. Such as increased ovarian cycsts. I have a history of these and had several small ones over the last few years, and depression, hot flashes, etc. 

I realized I was having way more symptoms than I thought.

Now I have to choose to deal with the risks and symptoms of being on it, or go back to the nightmare periods. I'm not sure what's best for my body. The longer I'm on it, the harder it may be to get pregnant when I want to. The worse they symptoms may be coming off of it.

What to do?