31 days in Anticipation of Expecting - How did I get here - Day 4

So "We" really want to be three...or four...or five...or heck maybe a whole softball team! 

Ryan and I are blessed in our Marriage. We have a great thing going on, and that is a wonderful foundation to lean on. Knowing that our happiness will continue with or without our family growing is something I find comfort in. Over the years before our Wedding and after I have gained weight and didn't care much to do anything about it. I  have a husband who loves me, despite my weight. This is a wonderful attribute of the man I married, however, its also a bit of a curse that allows me to be lazy about my weight.  

The reality is I am almost 35 and I want Babies, and I will take them just about any way I can get them.  As I ponder our infertility, I often wonder we are in this trial. I know I wont know that answer this side of heaven, but I still get hung up on it. 

Philippians 4:6- Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We have started down the road to adopting, and have hit some blocks that are heart breaking and aggravating. From Money, to Moving, to Health Issues, things just haven't lined up for us.Which brings us to today. I find myself questioning if I am willing to make the sacrifices I need to, to either conceive or adopt.  I am so thankful that My Lord is a healer and that he knows the plans for my life.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

So I am focusing on the things that I know I can do. I am eating better foods, exercising, praying, reading, finding time for peace, taking herbs and medicines, and strengthening the bond with my husband.  I need to stay focused on this until I change my habits and lifestyle.  I am having to make on purpose decisions about time management, my thoughts, and what I allow to influence my world. As I walk each day, I keep my eyes on My Lord, as I know that I cannot do this without him. 

Psalm 37:4 - Take Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

31 days in Anticipation of Expecting - Week 1 Food Plan - Day 3

Four Days ago, I had wonderful plans for this week. This was wrapping up to be one of the biggest weeks in my career. What will most likely be the largest project of my career went live at 8am on Tuesday Morning.

A year of planning, sweat, and tears, lead to a wonderfully exciting moment, and me experiencing  a level of exhaustion I have never known.

I allowed my careen to to lay waste to my plans of clean eating and drinking. Junk Food, Candy, Drive Thru, Donuts and Cupcakes and a glass or bottle of something yummy derailed my plans.

Its Thursday, and although I ate two salads this week, I feel like a glutton, and failure.

My priorities were once again aligned in the wrong order. This is a lesson learned, and what I love about the the focus that this kind of challenge creates. Thank goodness is next week is a new week, and I can start all fresh.

31 days in Anticipation of Expecting - Week 1 Exercise Plan - Day 2

I’m working Shaun T’s Rockin’ Body program which can be found  here.

Has anyone else done this program before? 

31 days in Anticipation of Expecting - Welcome and Prayer - Day 1

Welcome

For the next 31 days I want be focused. I am motivated, like I've never been before.  I want to get my heart, body, and mind prepared to conceive life if God blesses us.  I'm going to use this challenge from The Nesting Place to document this journey.

My lord has been so faithful in so many other areas of my life. However, I find myself plagued with wondering if I have done my part in preparing for the conception of a child. Have I failed on my end of the bargain?  

Infertility is heart breaking; it’s overwhelming and it is an uphill battle. There are so many unanswered questions in the Medical Community, so many unknowns.  We do our best to surround ourselves with people who support and love us, however there are those who don’t understand, and use our inability to conceive as a weapon. All of this carves away at my faith and self-confidence.  Outside of continued prayer and faith in my Jesus, there are other areas that I can impact change in:

·         Healthy Choices

o   I need to lose weight. The doctors say if I lose as little as 10% it may impact my PCOS diagnosis and help regulate my hormones

o   My Ideal Body Weight is 150lbs for my height and frame. Being closer to this weight will not only help in my chances to conceive but also in my ability to parent a little one.

o   I need to change the way I eat as well as exercise on a regular basis.

o   Educate myself more on PCOS, Medications, Supplements, and Acupuncture

·         Soul and Heart Choices

o   Research Biblical stories and wisdom of barren women and their journeys.

o   Prayer – Unceasingly about this hope and what God has in store for our lives in this area.

o   Find healthy ways to deal with how “Others” feel about our struggle, and share openly with my husband who loves me so much.

o   Find ways to rest in the Faith of my Jesus, realizing that this journey will also supports our hope to adopt.

This is a list of my posts planned for the next 31 days.  I will add the links to them as the days progress.

Date	Post Title
Tuesday, October 01, 2013	Welcome and Praying for the Journey
Wednesday, October 2, 2013	Week 1 Exercise Plan
Thursday, October 03, 2013	Week 1 Meal Plan
Friday, October 04, 2013	How did I get here
Saturday, October 05, 2013	Wanting of a Baby - Hannah
Sunday, October 06, 2013	PCOS 411
Monday, October 07, 2013	Progress Update Week 1
Tuesday, October 08, 2013	Week 2 Exercise Plan
Wednesday, October 09, 2013	Week 2 Food Plan
Thursday, October 10, 2013	Hurt in the Waiting
Friday, October 11, 2013	Medicines,Vitamins, Supplements
Saturday, October 12, 2013	Wanting of a Baby - Elizabeth
Sunday, October 13, 2013	Being Enough for Him - Finding Contentment
Monday, October 14, 2013	Progress Update 2
Tuesday, October 15, 2013	Week 3 Exercise Plan
Wednesday, October 16, 2013	Week 3 Food Plan
Thursday, October 17, 2013	Questions that need answers
Friday, October 18, 2013	Infertility that Awful word
Saturday, October 19, 2013	Wanting of a Baby – Rebekah
Sunday, October 20, 2013	Juicing
Monday, October 21, 2013	Progress Update 3
Tuesday, October 22, 2013	Week 4 Exercise Plan
Wednesday, October 23, 2013	Week 4 Food Plan
Thursday, October 24, 2013	Deep Breath
Friday, October 25, 2013	Acupuncture
Saturday, October 26, 2013	Wanting of a Baby – Sarah
Sunday, October 27, 2013	Ovulation Tracking/Pregnancy Tests
Monday, October 28, 2013	Progress Update 4
Tuesday, October 29, 2013	Connecting to those who walked before us
Wednesday, October 30, 2013	What does the next 30 days hold?
Thursday, October 31, 2013	Prayer for continued Journey

Lord,

I pray for your blessing as I work to align my body in healthy ways to support the conception of a life. I pray for strength and endurance of mind and body, and everlasting hope in you.  

With Love Your Daughter

Annual Living History Tour: “Civil Wars, Civil Liberties”

On Saturday I joined my Aunt on a Living History Tour with the West Adams Heritage Association  to “meet” some of Los Angeles’s most interesting early pioneers, war veterans and entertainment industry personages as the actors, graveside at the Angelus Rosedale Cemetery  

The Cemetery was founded in 1884, when LA wasn't quite the City it is today. We meet 7 individuals, and heard about their life stories, their struggles  and learned valuable piece's of California's History. I don't know when I learned about California History, but in my younger years, it wasn't really a passion of mine. 

As we walked rows and rows graves we learned about "Cemetery Language". Things like sphere's are very costly to shape out of stone, meaning wealth or prosperity. Little Lambs for sweet young children taken to too soon, and broken column's for a strong life ended too soon. It was so very interesting. 

Our Journey started with Ivie Anderson, unfortunately I didn't capture any pictures of her, but her story was captivating.

Our next stop was Marjorie Zier, here she is describing the life of a "bathing beauty",  stewardess, and enjoying a little drink of Gin!

Stop number three was Dr. Oner Barker, his life story of race inequalities and second chances was inspiring. 

Stop four was Merle Evans, his story was quite sad, a terrible transportation accident 100's of lives lost. 

Fifth on the list was Orion Theodore Thomas, he was many things, one of which was a typesetter. I found his story  particularly interesting. As he explained the process of typesetting and publishing, I realized just how very far we have come. Especially as I will easily be able to publish this at a press of the button.

Sixth was Daniel DeVilliers, Horseman, Ladies Man, Finder of Trouble , he was quite the character. 

Seven on our list was Aurelius Hutton, the actor who play him was just amazing. 

And Last but certainly not least was Jennie Allen Bovard. As the First Female Professor at USC she changed worlds. She was truly and inspiration to me. She was so brave, breaking down barriers and taking chances. She love and cared for her three children, and planned amazing parties in their lovely home. The stories go on and on. Oh to be like her! 

We ended our afternoon together grabbing Burgers at Fuddruckers!  It was a great way to spend the day, and I was so happy to be able to spend some time with sweet lady, and one of her passions!

Note to Self...If you end up in a cemetery on a Glorious Southern California day....wear...Sunscreen.

Ouch!!

Fall Dinner 2013 - Menu and Recipes

Sunday September 22 was the first day of Fall this year!

We celebrated the first day of fall this year with a glorious Southern California 80 degree day!

Our Menu:

* Grilled Balsamic-Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin - Recipe found here.

* Scalloped Potatoes, or well Au Gratin Potatoes (The difference between the two provides wonderful candor at the dinner table)  - Recipe found here. I made a few changes I used a jack cheddar and mozzarella mix of cheese and didn't use paprika.

*Steamed Asparagus - Steamed in water in a skillet with a lid, until softened.

Cherry Kuchen Bars - Recipe found here.

It was great to have our Moms, a Dad, and a Sister to join us! Great fun!

I simply love the new season, even if our weather hasn't quite caught up yet. Some day I hop to live somewhere that truly has 4 seasons, even if its only for a year!

4th of July 2013

Happy 4th of July from the Blue Birds Nest

We recently moved into the home my husbands early childhood home. 

Its been an adventure full of aches and paint, and ups and downs.  We are putting final touches on our common living areas and are moving to the bedrooms as the summer continues. More to follow on our Home Refresh Project.

We were so very excited to host 4th of July here with our friends and family!

I was able to find some fun Independence Day Decorations. There is something so wonderful about the Old Red, White, and Blue. 

Freedom, Liberty, Independence...We are so Proud to be Americans!

I especially loved those Red, White and Blue Hydrangeas from Fresh and Easy of all places! 

 We had all sorts of Yummy Goodness.  Mr. Schaaf was the ultimate BBQ Master and grilled Burgers and Hot Dogs.  Fresh Grilled Corn, a Shark full of Fruit, and some baked beans completed the menu!

Lots of fun and Laughs. We continue to be so very blessed by the people God fills our lives with!

The city of Lakewood, CA in one of the few places in Southern California where you can buy and light your own fireworks.  We all wasted a few bucks on Paper and Gun Powder.

Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day!