Wonderful Spring Break Wednesday

I had a full day planned. I was going to take Dad with me to watch Benny at 0815. Krista and Stacia would stop by at 1045 and I would run for coffee with a sweet friend and ministry partner, then come back in time to get Benny his lunch and nap. 

THEN I woke up with another UTI. In less than 3 hours from the first pain I was at urgent care, tested and on another round of treatment - 7 days rather than 5 days this time.  WOW - they are taking precautions in prep for the Corona Virus.  We still have no cases in Alaska. 

I was thankful for our village today. I went to the doctor and then the pharmacy. I had to cancel meeting with Lindsey. The girls took Gpa and went to watch Benny. I met up over there as soon as I could. 

Benny loves dinosaurs and is getting quite a collection thanks to the generosity of his people. 

 While I played with Benny....Krista and Stacia left for today's spring break youth event. They hiked the flats in Wasilla. Krista reports one could be walking along just fine and sink up to their hip in the snow with the next step. It was a gorgeous day.  Youth photos via Krista's camera.

Evan, Allie, Josiah, Dillon, Jesse, Stacia, Brittany

 

They met back at the D family's house for dinner, conversation and games! 

They didn't get home until most everyone here had gone to bed....but before bedtime we had a visit from Arielle and Benny. Cory was working late. The 11th of March is a hard day for many in our family. Our minds go to the events of 3-11-11...in a land we still love and pray for - Japan. Somehow just acknowledging it is a hard day made it easier to handle this year.  We were happy to have Arielle come  spend the evening with us. It's hard to stay reflective too long when Benny is in the house.

Papa bought a gyroscope months ago and has been waiting for the kids to be old enough and patient enough to enjoy it. He brings it out every few weeks. Benny loved it tonight. YAY!

He thought he could show Baachan how to use the strap for workout. I'm not sold. 

He is a fun challenge element on the bike. 

He helped Papa play a lovely duet. 

Photo via Arielle

And played with the toys in the basement.

"Baachan, I help Papa." 

I've trained him well. As soon as Michael closed the door on the wood-stove, Benny brought stools over for us to sit on...and then demonstrated the proper way to warm one's self in front of the fire. LOL

Photo via Arielle 

The moose came out to say goodbye to Arielle and crew. She snapped this lovely sunset on the way home.  11 hours and 34 minutes of sun on March 11th!!!! Oh, the sun is coming! 

Photo via Arielle 

Musing on My Health Journey

I find myself thinking about my health plan more this month. The end of the month will mark one year since I cut out sugar and began limiting carbs due to diabetes. At the same time I added a bit of lean protein (salmon and chicken breast) and low-fat dairy back into my diet.  I get plenty of healthy fats.  In other words I listened to my medical provider and switched to a  Mediterranean/Blue Zone LIFESTYLE...

I am giving it my all, WITHIN THE PLAN. I do not plan to skip eating for days, or work out for 3 hours a day....only things I can sustain for a lifetime this time around.

I've lost 40 - 45 lbs twice before.  Both times it stayed off 2 - 3 years.  I am aging. It needs to stay off this time; it gets harder to lose each time. ::snort:: My focus has been on maintenance, even as I lose. I make only changes I know I CAN and WILL WANT to maintain for a lifetime.  I'm also working on a healthy relationship with food. Other than sugar no food is off limits, I simply choose how to work it into the plan if I want it. The loss has been slower.  BUT my focus is much different. I have proven to myself I can lose the weight with ANY weight loss plan; vegetarian, portion control, nutritarian/healthy vegan.....but I have also proven the weight will come back as soon as one quits whatever plan they are on.... You've heard it all before. ::snort:: I just had to prove it! I have no doubt I would lose weight on any diet out there...but I finally know that it won't stay off unless I eat THAT way the rest of my life. And frankly, I don't want to eat THAT way with most of the diets out there.

This month I'm participating in a challenge by a gal known in WW circles. Tamara offers #MarchMeltawaywithTamara. The challenge consists of 5 core habits. All are habits I "plan" to focus on anyway, but her encouragement and videos help me to stay motivated. Lots of alliteration...but each day I choose at least 3 habits for the March Meltaway Challenge. The habits are Mindful Meals, Meaningful Movement, Mighty Moisture, Me Moments (self-care) and Meltaway Mutterings (kind, warm words to another).  I'm having fun with it and posting my recaps on instagram.

Friday, I had ONE piece of pizza and stayed well within my eating plan for the day. This is amazing. It did not trigger me to eat 1/2 the pizza or to have to have pizza for breakfast today.  I also got 80 active minutes in. I'm not sure what a good amount of water to drink would be. I'm hearing everything from 60 - 100 ounces....and then just drink 1/2 your weight....anyway...I am making an effort to drink at least 64 oz a day. I aim for 80, but settle for 64. How much water do you drink?

I will not make my ultimate goal this month, but I plan to give it my all for this last month of my first year of my life-long journey to health and wellness.

 Honestly, I'm no longer sure what my ending goal is...I'm reconsidering. It will be within the range of "normal" for my height and BMI. How do you settle on a weight goal?

I started this days ago...and then thought I'd find a photo...and here it is on my desktop. The past few days have been a whirlwind of fun.

Here I am last March with friends (middle)

I don't take a lot of photos....here I am last night with my man

Here's a blurry selfie...20 - 30 lbs to go...14 lbs to hit the upper range of "normal." 

You know - the loss has been slow....and so I don't really "see" the difference...but there it is. ::snort:: 

Terrific Spring Break Tuesday

Today the Youth Group enjoyed "Triple Sonics Tuesday." They met and viewed Sonic at the theater, went to the arcade and played Sonic, and then went to Sonics for lunch.

Stacia, Josiah, Jesse, Evan, Allie, Krista

lunch time 

 The highlight of my day was visiting Bre and the grands.  They were finishing lunch when I arrived.  I brought some Almond Poppy Seed muffins and some sugar free banana/chocolate/oatmeal cookies. The cookies were NOT a hit - but I "enjoy" them. The muffins were devoured.

Gideon often falls asleep over lunch 

Bella enjoyed tea with Mom and Grandma

Annie is growing so fast 

 Bella wanted to put together is awesome puzzle. I was happy to attempt it with her. Annie was happy to try to add chaos to the endeavor. I LOVE this photo. Bella looks proud and a bit nervous, Annie is heading for the puzzle with all she's worth and Bre is chasing her. ::snort::

Magnificent Spring Break Monday

It is SPRING BREAK. We are filling the week with lots of activity. 

Nolan and Alex are working. Alex is busy trying to get caught up, and ahead, with school work.  Stacia and Alex have work samples due on Monday, the 15th. All of Alex's work and grades for the year are due May 1st.

Us gals started the week off with a breakfast meeting at Sophia's. Arielle and Stacia are going to have a table at the upcoming Bella sale to highlight Monat and Alaskan Happy Hats.  They met to discuss their table and shop for supplies. Krista, Benny and I joined them.

Impressed with the cinnamon atop my chai

 We checked out a couple of thrift stores.

Krista and Stacia needed to duck out to get on with the 2nd part of their day....Arielle, Benny, and I made a quick run to the library.

It was snowing all day - but the youth had plans. They decided to do a variety of local activities this year, rather than a youth winter conference. Today, they climbed to the top of Bodenburg Butte - in a snow storm. It was a fine and pleasant misery. 

Pastor Krista 

Go, Stacia. 

 The group at the top - they are NOT on the edge....

Stacia, Jesse, Evan, Josiah, Allie 

 They SLID down the Butte and it made for a much quicker descent than the ascent. Note the depth of the snow on the posts. They are sitting on ice-encrusted steps. 

Success! Back at the trail-head

They showed up at our house for hot chocolate, showers, and to change into wedding attire. All that in an hour - quite impressive. 

Quite the change in an hour! 

 We loaded everyone into our van and raced for the church. We arrived before the start of Ethan and Stacy's wedding.  The wedding was sweet, simple, and timeless.  There was a 2 hour break between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception. We went with the D family and Mark and Mona to a local cafe for dinner. It was fun to fit that bit of community into the day. The kids kept our conversation lively with stories of their afternoon adventure.

The reception was in a beautifully decorated, historic train depot. We love this couple and are honored to be a part of their story - we enjoyed pre-marital counseling with them.

 I think we cleaned up well. None of us had worn dress up clothes since moving to Alaska. ::snort:: 

Michael and Stacia

Michael and Krista 

Michael and Me

It was a great first day of spring break filled with family time, youth adventures, a romantic wedding, table community, and a fun reception to top it all off.

Resurrection Garden Growing

It's growing. We may need to give it a trim soon. 

I MUST go dig in the snow and find a big rock to close our "tombs." Bella reminds me of this each time I see her. It will be fairly easy to grab some twigs to form crosses from our trees....

Paper Adventures

Our paper delivery man has been interesting in the choice of daily placement of the paper. I've had to call numerous times as the paper is simply not present - or has possibly sunk in a snow drift.

He's taken to throwing it down the driveway or leaving it on the snowdrift in front of the box...either is fine.  We never know if we'll find a paper when I go to get it each day.

This morning....two papers! 

Stacia Encounters Dissections

I don't understand it 100%. I remember being squeamish about dissections in high school. All of the girls have been. I didn't expect it with Stacia! 

We're Alaskans now. We process salmon, moose...

Wait! You were there when we gutted and cleaned 65 salmon this year...you are worried about cutting open one worm? 

She recovered like a pro and found it interesting. 

Into the life of each homeschooling Freshman a little biology must enter.