Foster-to-Adopt

Back in February of last year, our family started training for a foster to adopt. Bryan and I had to take parenting classes. It was weird at first. I am already in the process of raising 4 children. My first child being 15 years old. I think my children are pretty awesome. Even though sometimes I think that they have been abducted by aliens. So I was wondering what could they teach us that we didn’t already know. Well apparently quite a few things. I have been able to come home and apply quite a bit to my family with great success. I will post on those individually. Most the families that are in the foster-to-adopt program are young couples that are struggling having children of their own. They all think that we are crazy wanting to add more to our family. But, when I was about 8 years old, I wanted to adopt a child from the Christian program. It has always been in my mind that this is something that I have always wanted to do. And of course, I am married to a wonderful husband who is supporting me in this and actually very excited. We have 2 family members that are already doing this in Las Vegas as well.
We are on the downhill slide of the process. It has taken us longer because we have lived in so many states and they want to make sure that we don’t have any skeletons in our closet.
Hopefully by the end of February, we will have a couple more kids in our home to bless us. After going through all the training, I wish that I had taken these classes before I had children. I would take a guess that a lot of kids would not be in the system if it was something that all parents had to do.
One of the things that were so shocking about this whole process is that people come into this thinking that they are going to see a child and instantly bond with them and then live will be just great. That they will instantly love them and the child will love them right back. I can see having a child fit into a family would be ideal. But I am thankful that we have a different approach. I know that there are no coincidences in life. I have the faith that the Lord is mindful of each one of us. Especially these families that are going through rough times. It is not my desire to get children at the expense of others, I am just thankful that we are in the position that we can give these children a home. It is such an interesting situation because in all reality, I would hope that the parents would be able to care for their children. But, I know that sometimes that is not always the case.

A Healthy Way of Life

So, here goes.
Last week, I have begun with a group called Losers are Winners through my chiropractor. I have decided that the only way I will hold myself accountable is to share.

First, let me begin with the “WHY?” of it all. About a year ago, (yes, it has taken me a year to get my act together) I was carrying my sleeping 7 year old up the stairs. OH MY, was it hard. By the time I got up the stairs, I was in pain in my chest and legs. I had a moment where I thought that if my kids needed my help, I would literally die trying. My kids are way more important than my laziness. So in a nutshell, I want to get healthy. My goals are to lose 30 lbs. and to be able to run a ½ marathon in a year.

So, as my first week, I have to say this is not so fun. Half way through the treadmill when it comes to my second run, I think I am going to DIE! My kids are a great motivation. They encourage me to keep going. When no one is watching, it is very easy for me to just stop. YIKES! This morning, I did my 3rd workout. Is it sad that my one month goal is to be able to run 1 mile. I think that is so sad. I used to be able to competitively dance for hours. What has happened to me? Enough self pity. So the question is, can I do it? Each time I have started, it lasts about a month and then, BAM, I give up. And guess what happens? I gain more weight. My biggest issue to overcome if, you guessed it, FOOD! To be more exact, JUNK food. I love sugar and chips. Here comes the accountability part. I can eat half a bag of cheetos without a second thought. Even worse than that, Dove chocolate is my weakness. Before I realize it, the bag is gone, and I just opened it.

Thankfully, in October, I quit drinking Dr. Pepper, my biggest weakness of all. I cannot tell you how much better I have felt without it. I would drink 44-64 oz. a day. That was the beginning of my change. This month, I am trying to cut out all sugar. Do you know how much sugar is in everything!!! I know that with 4 kids, it is not realistic to keep it out of my life completely, but for one month I think that I can do it. However, I will not be bringing chips back into my life. Do you know what are in those? Scary. And as for sugar, I will defiantly have to figure out healthier options. Through my chiropractor, I started on a cleanse this week. I am on day 3. I have not eaten any food. I was surprised that I was not hungry after each protein drink. Anyways, for 7 days, I cannot eat any sugar which is helping jump start my goal. But the interesting thing is that we have chocolate all over my house, and I am not even craving it. But let me tell you about the withdrawls. They are not as bad as I thought, but I am having headaches and the shakes once in a while. The only other problem that I am having is that I am tired. The purpose of this cleanse is to clean out all the toxins in my body. On Friday, it will be the last day, so I will post more after that is complete. I am so excited because today, I get to eat a meal for dinner. YEA! I have never been so excited to eat vegetables in my life.

Even though it is not very fun right now, I am very excited about my journey and hoping that with sharing it, (even if no one reads it) that I will be able to reach my goals and then keep it off. I am waiting for my addictive personality to switch all my bad habits to exercise. I have heard that running is addictive. However, I would not know.

This is my first of a 6 month journey that I hope will continue to become a new lifestyle.