Restoration 2016: Health

Recently I decided to focus on one word for this year: Restoration. I was led to the word when I considered what areas in my life I needed to focus on. Upon pinpointing specifics, I realized one common thread. All of the areas I wanted to focus on were in need of repair. These areas of my life need to be restored.

I've broken them down into specific areas with goals for each. I am beginning with my health. I am not terribly unhealthy and I'm generally active. However, over the last couple of years, and even recently, my body has not been functioning at its best and I need to work harder at caring for it. My body is the Lord's temple and I need to tend to it as such.

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.

1 Cor. 6:19-20

Here are what my health goals look like...

-Lower BP
During my first pregnancy (2012-2013) I began having issues with my blood pressure. My doctor assumed it would return to normal after delivery. Nope. Despite losing 20lbs in addition to all the baby weight, it did not return to normal. This only caused additional concern during my most recent pregnancy. 6 months post delivery, my bp is still fluctuating and I am still on meds. To be honest, being on bp meds makes me feel SO much older than I am. I want to work towards being med free. This includes weight loss and stress reduction.

-Overall health/fitness
I have my physical coming up in 2 weeks. I'm both dreading it and looking forward to it. I'm dreading all the things she’ll say I need to work on, but I welcome devising a plan of action. I'm working on adding more exercise and eating differently. While I'm not sure what this will all look like, I am determined to see change.

-Address current health concerns
I developed some crazy symptoms during my last pregnancy. Only after continuing to have issues after delivery did I decide to speak openly to the appropriate doctors. I was having issues with my eyes to the point that my vision would sometimes become distorted. The resulting diagnosis was octal migraines. That's right, my EYES were having mirgraines. There is no cure since they typically develop from experiencing continuous stress and hormonal changes. ::sigh:: While I don't know when or where the next one may occur, I'll rejoice in the fact that I have not had an episode since October, praise God.

I've also been dealing with some leg issues and some super serious and painful shoulder pain. After having local doctors run blood work only to find nothing and to have one doctor give me his official (unofficial) diagnosis of mommy-itis (overtired and strained muscles), I felt at a loss. What was wrong with me? Due to the continuous and spreading pain, after an additional 4 months, I opted to see an orthopedist. She was a gem. After a thorough exam and x-rays, it was determined that I am experiencing issues with my siatic nerve and I have damaged my rotator cuff. Thankfully I don't need surgery but I do need physical therapy. I am in the process of setting all of that up now.

While I know things could be so much worse, I do not feel myself and I want to. I want to be able to play with my kids, be active, work on projects, drive etc. without pain. I know that this health journey is not one I can do alone (especially since it seems like I've started falling apart since turning 30 in April). Thankfully,  the Lord's word is never short on encouragement.

He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy, he is restored by God to his righteous state. 

Job 33:26

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

James 5:15a

Here's to a healthier year!

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The 12 Books of Christmas: 2015 Selections

The tradition of having the kids open books on the 12 days leading up to Christmas has become one of my favorites. This year was no exception. I'm not sure what we'll do as they get older and picture books are no longer as captivating (since we read the stories together after opening them). Chapter books are not as ideal for this tradition. I am tossing ideas around and open to suggestions.

Regardless, I love this tradition and I will now share the books we selected for this year...

Wake Up, Little One

A Day with Animal Firefighters

Eight Silly Monkeys

Green Eggs and Ham

 

Russell and the Lost Treasure

 

You Can Do It Sam

 

God Gave Us Christmas

 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Thanksgiving: What makes it special?

 

Here Comes the Crocodile

A Chick 'n' Pug Christmas (My personal favorite)


Bear Stays Up for Christmas 



2013//2014

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Restoration 2016

A few years ago I stopped making resolutions and focused on accomplishing small goals. I found this to be much more successful. Reflecting on my past goals I realized my goals were not very cohesive and I feel by making them such that I'll be more focused and be able to accomplish even more.

I decided to use one word as an umbrella for my goals. In prayer and pondering, there was one word that continually came to mind...

RESTORATION 

This word truly encompasses the heart of my goals this year. In mapping out my goals for this year, I've broken them down into categories. I plan to share the details of each in later posts. For now, I leave you with my Restoration 2016 outline.

Restoration 2016 

Restore My Health

-Lower BP

-Overall health/fitness

-Address current health concerns

Restore Relationships

-More face time

-Less social media

-Snail mail

-Acts of kindness

-Date my husband

Restore My Prayer Life

-Create a place of prayer 

-Dive wholeheartedly into the Word

-Devote one-on-one time with the Lord daily

Restore Order in My Home

-All meals at the table

-Complete unfinished projects

-Establish cleaning routine

-Purge unneeded/unnecessary items from our home

What does this year look like for you?

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Baby N: 6 Months

How could this have happened?! You are now 6 months old! We blinked and the first half of your first year of life is gone.

Weight: 18lbs  1/2oz

Height:  26 3/4in

Clothes:6-6/9 months

Eat: 7-8oz every 3-4 hours. You continue to enjoy trying new foods. We've moved you into eating various combinations of fruits and veggies and you seem to like everything so far. You occasionally snub peas but that's okay. You're sister was never a big fan either.

Sleep: It's been a little crazy but you are now sleeping in your own room. You and your sister are currently sharing but it is our hope that the two of you will have your own rooms in the near future. You are sleeping from 7pm until about 4am. You still tend to wake up once during the night, sometimes to eat, sometimes not, but readily go back to sleep with little fuss. These night time waking moments are slowly becoming fewer. You roll over to sleep on your tummy, and while I'd prefer you on your back, you are quite happy to stay that way.

Play: You are constantly on the go. You are always moving! Sometimes you are bouncing. Other times you are scooting yourself across your play mat. Your big sister is still your best friend and I love to watch the two of you interact. The bond between the two of you is one that I hope continues to grow. You grab things with no problem and have been seen switching things from hand to hand. You love your toes and grab your feet any chance you can get. You've also started really getting into bath time. You've discovered that you can splash with your feet and it gives you the biggest thrill. Your laughter is contagious and your smile is so big! You truly light up our lives.

Odds and Ends: You are now rolling from back to tummy. I'm certain you can do the other if only you'd try but you seem pretty content for now. 

There is definitely no leaving you even slightly unattended on any surface. One hand is on your little body at all times. You are also sitting up much better. You are still quite wobbly but you are getting stronger everyday.

You are SUPER ticklish!

You celebrated your first Christmas with family and friends. We loved watching you become delighted with all the sights and sounds around the house.

New Year's Eve was just like any other night. You were in bed by 7pm. You did ring in the New Year by waking up for a midnight feeding.

This year is going to be amazing, if for nothing else because it has you and your sister in it.

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With Love at Christmas

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas! 

No More Silent Nights

Christmas Eve Morning...

2:40am   G wakes up and comes into our room. She has developed an unpleasant cough that woke her up, so naturally she wants mommy (and Daddy was at work).

2:45am   Administer cough medicine and lay her down beside me (praying she doesn't wake up the baby.)

3:00 am   I hear N stir but he doesn't wake.

3:05am-3:35am   Intermittent coughing spells and more silent prayers that baby stays sleeping.

3:40 am N wakes up

3:45-4:10 am   N is fed. He gets gagged on nasal drainage and throws up most of what he just ate...all over me, himself, the rocking chair and floor.

4:15-4:40am. Get the baby, myself, and all other milk covered items cleaned up.

4:45-5:00 am. I take G back to her room, change her and then rock her for a few minutes before laying her back in her own bed.

5:05-6:00 am  I lay in bed, listening to the sweet sounds coming from my son's bed. I relax to the sound of the rain pouring down outside my window. I reflect on the days when I would still be asleep at this point. I go in and out of restless slumber.

6:05am  N wakes up. I take him downstairs, change him and feed him by the light of our Christmas tree. 

In that moment, despite how tired I feel, I am reminded that this is life. This is my sweet, unpredictable, exceptionally beautiful, chaotic, spit-up covered life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The baby lays peacefully, lightly sleeping in my arms. 

6:50am  G wakes up...crying for Mommy.

via

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Get Some Rest

I ran across this printable while I was perusing Pinterest for some Christmas brunch recipes.

I had to just stop and let the words of this verse soak in. How long had it been since I went to be truly alone with God? Sure, I've had my devotion time, but even that tends to be interrupted by little hands and feet. How long? How long since I had allowed the presence of God to surround me, to fill me and restore my weary soul?

From the looks of my tired spirit and mending body, I'm well aware that it has been far to long. My physical body is in serious need of some TLC and I have multiple doctor's visits to prove it. My weary soul and heart are craving peace. It's no wonder that I've had a hard time savoring the Christmas season this year.

I decided today that it has to end. The broken pieces of me need restoration and now is the perfect time. The Christmas season is filled with joy, family and a sense of hope that only seems to come this time of year. The birth and ultimate death and resurrection of our Savior provides a stronghold for the hope we have. I have not been clinging tightly to the right things. I've been letting worry and anxiety take the forefront. I've been letting stress chip away at my health. I am not honoring the debt that my Savior paid. He came so that I would live life abundantly, not mediocre.

I claim this verse through this season. I WILL make time to get away and just be with the Lord. I WILL make time to soak up precious moments with my family. I WILL NOT let anxiety and stress control my thoughts and actions. I will come to Him. I will find rest. I will offer to Him the broken pieces and work through His restoration process.

For in ALL things, He is good.

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