May 2012...au revoir!

The last month has definitly been a stressful month. Trevor graduating, birthdays, new car, moving, and last, God has called my grandma back to him. Needless to say, I'm glad to be seeing the end of May 2012. It's been so up-and-down, and though there have been many positives, I am so ready to find a new 'normal' daily routine.

I don't want to delve too far into this event, but I do feel I need to touch on it lightly. My grandma Grace, passed away on May 21st. She has been declining recently, and though it was expected, it was a sad day. The important thing to me is that I got to say goodbye while she was in the hospital. She is with my grandpa in heaven now, and that is what gives me comfort.

For the last two weeks, we have found, applied for, and signed a lease for a tiny, albeit adorable house located not more than 4 blocks from our old house. It's a one bed, one bath, itty bitty house.



Did I mention it's tiny?





It has a small laundry area, a fenced off side yard for Keira when we're not home, and a large front yard (also fenced) for playing in. Though it's been tough trying to condense our large amount of stuff to fit into our new home, with leaving us room to move, it's been fun to make our new home, feel like home. We have had to get creative with storage, and our large sectional couch, has been pulled apart and we are using one half of it until we can sell it and find a more suitable replacement.



Looking in from the front door



And....a little to the left

I like to think of it as a cottage. Those are small right? Well, it's all we need, and it will help us keep our bills low so we can save for things we really want (such as Paris, and a down payment on a house). If Dave Ramsey were here, he would give us a high five...I think.

Ok, I realize I havn't posted in a while, so this may be scattered and unorganized...not like that is unusual anyways.

So the month of April has brought us many new things. Trevor has started his practicum, in which he works in a hospital for a few weeks before his graduation, to get experience. It's awful hours, and the pessimist in me only thinks this is the beggining of his awful hours (newbies don't exactly get favorable hours=overnight shifts), but the optimist in me says "Hey, this isn't that bad, and it's only a few days a week" I tend to go with the former, but I'm learning to go with the latter.

After Trev gets done with this obstacle, he has graduation. God is good! He has worked so hard, and studied for so many hours, and it pays off in just a few short weeks when he gets to stand on a stage proudly and recieve his diploma. Though I dread sitting for a few hours to watch hundreds of people do the same thing (aided of course, with family and my kindle), I know that when he has his moment, and I see his smile, it will all be worth it. Afterwards we plan on having a barbeque graduation party, in which people can come and give their congrats while enjoying amazing homemade dishes. Have I mentioned, that I'm enjoying party planning? Makes me wish I actually did some planning for my wedding haha. I have my menu and subsequent grocery list, getting organized with what I need (tables, chairs etc), I have some centerpieces already, and am making some more decorations to catch the eye. Really, it's just an excuse to do some crafts. OH, and celebrate Trevor's acheivement of course.

With Trevor graduating, and me wanting to start school again in the fall, we can't help but notice the options we have with Trevor not being tied to Spokane anymore. Nurses are a hot commodity, and allows us to pretty much move anywhere with a guarenteed job for him. It begs the question, "What now?" We have considered many ideas. We have thrown out South Carolina, East Coast in general, Montana, even Germany was an option at one point. All the criteria we need is a community college for me, and a hospital for him. After much consideration, I think we have decided to stay in Spokane for atleast one more year, then re-evaluate when I have my AA. (which I need one more year of schooling to get). After that, we can decided if we would like to stay, or be adventorous and find a city with a University (with an Animal Sciences degree, did I mention I want to be an Equine Vet?) I pray for guidance often and for the courage to follow it.

I'll leave at that, as I am tired, and want to retire to bed and keep reading my kindle (currently enjoying the 4th book in the Game of Thrones series). God Bless!

Lent, here I come!

Ok, now I know that Lent is generally practiced by catholics, and I know it has many meanings, but overall I find its to sacrifice something, and be closer to God. I don't really see anything wrong with that, so I've decided to go ahead and give it a go!!

It was hard finding something to give up, I don't eat much junk, no sugar, hardely ever drink coffee, you see my problem?? So I googled creative idea's and found an awesome list. As I scanned I found one that is perfect...NO SNOOZE BUTTON! Seriously, you wanna talk about discipline, try being used to hitting your snooze 6 times a morning, then give that up. I woke up this morning, and laid there, just so upset with having to get up right away, ugh!!

Now I know that's not a big thing, and I have a couple others I'm doing (going through my closet and getting rid of excess clothing) but the main thing is I'm going to add extra prayer time and PBJ (prayer, bible, journal). I'm still working on becoming fit and the healthiest woman I can be, (just finished my third run this week...whew!) but I really need to focus on creating a stronger relationship with Him. That's my focus this month....pray for me!

I don't really have anything else to say, so that's it for me for now!

Updates Galore!

So to update from my previous posts, I ended the Cleanse strong, and hungry. I ended up at 141 lbs, only had mild side effects (hunger and small headache), and though I did feel very healthy. I worked my way up to bigger meals by eating small bland meals to get used to eating whole food again.

Now I'm just focusing on putting healthy food into my body. I've recently found a new love: greek yogurt. Every morning, I make a shake consisting of greek yogurt, soy milk, agave syrup, and fruit. I get a serving of fruits, a serving of a probiotic food, and atleast 21 grams of protein to boot. I switched to costco greek yogurt soymilk, which has less sugar, and comes in bulk which is amazing, because I don't want to go to the store twice a week for my shake ingredients. I pack my lunches, mostly with a good sized salad, cottage cheese, fruit, sandwhich, or any combination of those things. I also bring along two snacks, one before lunch, and one after. I am trying to eat every two to three hours to boost my metabolism.

Lately I have been doing a lot of research, for the trip to Paris Trevor and I have planned to go on for a while now. Due to my overwhelming desire to experience Paris to the full I can, we have decided that in April 2013, after I have recieved my A.A. (if all goes to plan), I will depart to Paris. I will be there for the whole month of April, living there and experiencing all I can. Trevor will join me after about two weeks (depending on how much time he can get off) and spend the final time with me, then we will depart Paris together heading home. One of the best parts is, we (my siblings/father) are saving up for an extra airplane ticket for my mom's 50th birthday. She will leave with me, so that I'm not alone, and she can travel with someone. I'm very excited to give this to her, she doesn't know yet, and I really hope she likes it. She has expressed a want to leave, but has accepted that she probably won't ever have that chance. I want to give her this chance to travel.
The amazing thing is...not days after I start my research, I learn that a friend in Paris has bought an apartment for one of my oldest/best friends mom. She bought it for her, and for her daughter/me to always have a place to stay when we visit Paris. I heard the news, and started crying, how good God is to me! Paris is my favorite place, I feel at home, and close to God when I'm there. What a better sign that this is a path to follow, than to find out I have a permenant home in Paris!? I feel so blessed, I literally couldn't concentrate the entire day. I couldn't tell you how much I prayed my thanks to Him.

I'll finish with one last thought, though I have many going through my head in the past two days. If you have a dream, please follow it. Tomorrow is not promised to you, and at the end of your life, how wonderful it would be to know that you really, truly lived. People say "Yeah, I would like to do that one day" and I can understand patience, but please don't put your goals on the backburner. Keep them in the front of your mind, work towards them, see everything that you do as a step closer to acheiving them. I plan on making a 'Bucket List' so they call it, or in other words, the things I want to do/accomplish before the Lord calls me home. I encourage others to do the same, and then most importantly, start crossing them off.

Day Two

Well, Day two starts with good and bad. The good being that i checked my weight, and I'm currently at my lowest weight since high school, and it feels awesome. The bad being I'm listening to my dog eat, and it's making me salivate. Give and take right?

Weight: 144 lbs
Breakfast: 1 apple, 1 handful grapes, and 1 kiwi, 1 tsp cinnamon...fantastic! Cinnamon really took it to another level

On another bright note, I have absolutely no cravings for anything junkie or bad for me (with one exception-I found a recipe for homemade cheez-its, and actually the recipe is way healthier, so I'm gonna consider it still healthy!). I don't want cookies, and for anyone that knows me, I do have an unhealthy obsession with oreos. I don't want chips, I don't wan't sweets. Actually I have been craving salads. All I can think about when it comes to food is differen't types of salads! I've looked up homemade dressing recipes, and pinterest bless it has given me so many ideas for different types of salads I want to try. That, and avocados. But you can mix those two together :)

I think I'm going to use the meal planner Trevor and I use to plan out our week of dinners, to also plan out breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. I want to haveit all planned out so I never have to wonder, and in a moment of not knowing, decided on something less than healthy. It works for me really well to have a set plan so I can't deviate. Others I know would find it too tedious and find other things that work for them, but as my husband would tell you, I'm a planner.

Well I now I have a project to start on to keep myself distracted. Have a wonderful day and I'm sure I'll update soon!

End of Day One

So it's 8:17pm, and day one is coming to an end.

Lunch: 1 kiwi, 2 tangerines, bunch of broccoli, and 1 carrot
Dinner: 1 apple, 2 carrots, and a handful of grapes

Both juices were delicious. I was mildly surprised with the lunch juice, just because I havn't tried broccoli before, but it added a light, green taste and I enjoyed it.

I'm a little hungry, I won't lie, but not uncomfortably so. Surprising, considering I havn't eaten anything since yesterday night. It's like, the feeling about two hours before a meal. Hungry, but you can wait it out. I've been trying to drink lots of water, but am failing. I drank tea this morning, and about 24 oz of water at the gym, and that's about it...I just really dislike the taste of water. In fact, I'll go turn the pot on so I can have some tea instead.... 

K, I'm back. Tomorrow will be hell, I'm sure. But so far, I've stuck with it, and actually, for lack of a better term, I feel....clean. I havn't had too many of the side effects yet, but I'm sure that's what tomorrow will be for. I'm sure when I'm sitting here typing tomorrows post, I will be typing some more aggressive, unhappy words, but please, be forgiving. It will be hard but I'm very excited for the end results.

To name a few: mental clarity, reduced amount of muscle aches/head aches, lost weight, improved immune system, rid of toxins, etc. Tomorrow I shall start to feel icky, dirty, heavy, possibly aches and pains, lots of bathroom visits, and possibly smell. All side-effects of toxins leaving the body. Trevor has been warned, and I am aware. I have a good book, and a weekend off to do this, and I am a determined lady! Anything worth doing, is worth doing the right way, and I will stick with it and purge the body God gave me, of all the toxins it has collected.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I keep this scripture in mind whenever exersizing, or eating healthy starts becoming difficult. I am Wonderfully Made and I plan on honoring the body He has given me, by keeping it strong, fit, and healthy.

I'll leave you with that, and now I must go drink some yummy green tea.

Juice Fast-Here We Go!!!

Today is the first day of my three-day juice fast. What is a juice fast you ask? We'll let me tell you.


A juice fast is when you cease to eat, and instead consume only water, tea, or home-juiced vegetables and fruit for a set period of time. The most common is three days. The long-term benefits are numerous, and the ill side-effects short term.


Fresh juiced vegetables and fruit are one of the easiest, best ways to absorb nutrients to the body. The mechanical digestion is reduced, leaving only the the vitamins, minerals, water content, and sugars to be digested. It is argued that just eating raw vegetables and fruit is better for your health, because you are taking in the fiber with the nutrients, and I don't think anyone would argue the health benefits of eating plain veggies/fruit, but the juiced versions are a little easier to manage (in my opinion). 


My husband is patiently waiting on me to leave for the gym, so I will wrap this up and be back later to indulge a little more and blog my progress, but I will leave with my starting stats:


weight: 147.6
Breakfast: 2 carrots, 1 fuji apple, small handful of red grapes-juiced of course. Delicious if i might say so.


Starting strong, but nobody starts a race weak...I'm interested to see how the day pans out. Well off to try to obtain Marisa Miller's abs. Post coming later to mark my progress!