A Full Year of Change, Love, Loss, & Becoming Our Best

It has been over a year and a half since I last blogged and although I do not care for excuses, I know life often happens when making plans.

The past year was filled with deep dark valleys, towering ethereal mountains, and dusty plateaus where only the wind blows. It has been a year full of change, enduring love, the pain of loss, and the determination of becoming our best.

I was able to retain and increase my position at the middle school to a full time 8th grade Social Studies teacher, despite the wringer of public education cuts. Through tireless prayer from my friends and family, I was able to have this blessing and dream job, and allow Kenny to scale back his hours at work so he could return to school in hopes of earning a degree. Praise the Lord! We are so blessed!

Last summer (around this time), however, I experienced one of the greatest losses our family has ever experienced: the unexpected loss of a very dear and close uncle. We all continue to mourn for our loss and grieve, missing him daily, but it is amazing to me how his life continues to touch people. He is still a living testament of generosity, compassion, Living (because, man, did he Live), and of Christ's love. Although, we miss him very much, I know he is with us, and every once in awhile, I could almost feel his encouraging words and love, and I am reminded why we Live.

As quickly as the summer came and we experienced our dark valley, we also experienced those towering peaks, as we celebrated Kenny's 30th in Las Vegas, and we celebrated our One Year Anniversary on a little weekend get-away in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.

4th of July in Las Vegas.

One Year Anniversary

Paper Anniversary

Up by Mary Hill Winery

Multnomah Falls

The 2013-2014 school year began with gratitude in my full time position as an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, but still as a relatively new teacher, I, as well as the most experienced teacher, felt the pressure and stress. I am sure everyone has heard of the changes in public education in Oregon as well as the Nation, so it must come to no surprise when the you hear the terms: Common Core, proficiency grading, on-demand writing assessments, and PLCs. On top of all of this, our 8th graders this year needed so much love and attention, and all though my heart more than wanted to mother and nurture them, I was often left emotionally drained and wounded. Oh, and for some reason, I decided to ensure I was invaluable to the school and took on the ever-time consuming task of After School Activities Coordinator.

Before & After

In reflection of the pressures, stress, and anxiety of the school year, I was forced to realize what was the most important thing in my pedagogy: the relationships I formed with students and (hopefully) the impact I had on their character (and HOPEFULLY a passion in learning from history and becoming active citizens to change our future world into a place of acceptance).

In the midst of the school year, we dealt with the transition of Kenny attending school and working part-time. There were some real budgetary adjustments we had to make and it was at times stressful, but the Lord continued to provide. My family, due to my uncle's passing, felt wounded and often disjointed, but we also came together and finding bonds we never had before. My closest group of friends also dealt with life altering events and losses, which I feel have only brought us closer together and we are finding the 'glue' that keeps us together is the simplest and sweetest of ingredients.

The Ingredients

As the school marks an end, it also marks a new beginning. Kenny and I (nearly two years ago, August) made a commitment to love it each other through sickness and in health. After what seemed like a dry, desert plateau for miles without end, we are finally in a position where we want to work to better ourselves: to bring out the best in each other. We felt almost disconnected at times, as two ships passing in the night, and now we are rendezvousing in a place where we both feel we should be. We want to live healthy and feel good. We eventually want to start a family and we want to be our very best when we are blessed with the said family. We do not know what the future holds. As I said before, life often happens when you are making plans, but we have both made a commitment to one another to better ourselves, our relationship, our spirituality, our careers, and our health. We are making baby steps, but I know we are heading in the right direction. We are attending Crossfit together, we are scaling back on the processed/chemical laden foods and buying more fresh/clean foods, we are taking more time to connect with one another, we are growing in faith, and we are both attending classes to better our careers.

I do not know what the next year has in store for us, but I am excited to see what happens as we continue to grow together. We will most definitely have more deep valleys, dry plateaus, and high mountain peaks, but we know we are in this together.

Love, the Strands.

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Cleansing the World, while Cleansing the Body

The sunset before the storm.

As the snow fell in our Portland metro area over the last few days off and on, I was able to revel in its beauty. It blankets the world and muffles all noises, and I feel surrounded by a peaceful world.

Snow falling.

While the world was being purified by snow, I began my juice cleanse.

A blanket of snow.

Yesterday was a struggle, while I suffered from a headache (which just started to subside tonight), and I started with a hot mug of water and lemon juice. My first blended juice was a strawberry raspberry cucumber juice by Daphne Oz (the recipes are from The Chew).

Strawberry Raspberry Cucumber Juice

I continued the day with drinking chicken broth, more strawberry raspberry cucumber juice, and a green juice.

Daphne Oz's Green Drink

 Today I had a delicious breakfast blueberry banana juice along side some green tea and lemon water.

Blueberry Banana Juice

This afternoon I allowed myself some broth based tomato soup and more lemon water. And tonight I had the best juice yet! And the surprise ingredient: a jalapeño! But I promise it is delicious.

Daphne Oz's Secret Juice

I'm hoping each day will get a little bit easier. Tonight, as the snow has passed us and been replaced by rain and wind, I only have three days left. Now, I just need to stay off pinterest, with all the foodie pins—I'm torturing myself!

Wedding Wellness via Mind, Body, & Soul

I remember when my mom took me to purchase my very first training bra and she gave me some advice that will live with me always: wear pretty underwear—it makes you feel good. On that trip to Meyer & Frank's intimate apparel section, I bough the prettiest, frilliest training bra's I could find. And to this day, I still choose to buy the "pretty" bras over the "granny" bras (ladies, you know what I mean by that!). The only difference is that I have learned to buy bras that not only are pretty, but give me support and full coverage—and that makes me feel good, physically and mentally.

Needless to say, I now fully understand my mother's meaning. It is important to feel pretty from the inside out; and you can't feel pretty on the outside until you feel pretty on the inside (and vice versa—it goes both ways). Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not stressing on physical appearance—I'm talking about overall health: mind, body, and soul.

I don't know about you, but after all the dark days, hearty/rich food, and stress of the holidays and winter, I've been feeling a little sluggish and not inwardly pretty. After reading my beautiful sister-in-law's recent blog post, she is so right when she calls her soul 'overweight.' There is something that needs to be done, and I don't mean make a gym/workout/weight loss/healthy eating (whatever you want to call it) "resolution" like so many other people—because I am one like so many that falls of the wagon by March—I mean, make a lifestyle change. And if it means starting out with buying a new, pretty bra, getting a massage, or doing something you used to enjoy and have not done in a long time—just do it! It takes one push. So let's cheers to that!

Here is my Mind, Body, & Soul Wedding Wellness Plan:

1) Pick up an old favorite hobby or activity.
I've started writing my historical fiction novel again. Since seventh grade I've been researching, writing, rewriting, scrapping, and writing again. Throughout college I had spurts of writing motivation and months of writers block. I've promised myself this year to actually finish the final draft, so I've been working on it between subbing and wedding projects, and I forgot how much I enjoyed it!

2) Start doing little workouts.
One reason many people flop on the New Year's exercise resolution is because they bite off more than they can chew. Signing up for a gym membership, trainer, a buzzillion work out classes, and they are burnt out by March. I figure the gym is packed this month, so instead I am doing little workouts at home and running when its dry outside. And there are plenty you can do at home. I have several on my Made for More Plan pinterest board. Kenny and I have started to run together and I think that is so great for our relationship!

3) Pray, A LOT!
One thing is for sure, it's hard to be constantly self-motivated and that's A.O.K., because praying for motivation and asking for help is necessary.

4) Change your facial routine.
Since puberty I have been troubled with acne. It has improved as I've gotten older, but it definitely comes out with stress and not eating right. So recently I changed my cleanser to Neutrogena Naturals purifying cleanser and eliminated all of the other acne products I was using. Now I am just using the gentle cleanser, a basic SPF moisturizer for my combination skin, and a toner at night. Of course, everyone's face is different, so do what is right for you. I also have began microdermabrasion, laser treatment (for those old acne marks), and glycolic peel (much gentler than those basic chemical peels), as well as the new LED light therapy that has done wonders in keeping me from breaking out (it kills bacteria) and heals old blemishes. I've already noticed such a difference and have received several compliments. I also will start another skin routine about 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

5) Take some time to watch your guilty pleasure.
I have several shows that I am watching right now and yes, that includes some trashy reality TV—Extreme Couponing, Teen Mom 2, and even Jersey Shore (I thought I would never confess to this, but Kenny and I became addicted when there was a marathon on during his knee surgery recovery). A girl has to have her guilty pleasures. I am also watching the Second Season of Downton Abbey with one of my dearest friends and bridesmaids (it's so good to get some girl time and bond over a smart, girl show).

6) Start a cleanse.
A detox or cleanse is often intimidating, so I have started small. Last spring, I gave my body a spring cleaning with all raw foods: so that was manly fruits, vegetables, juices, nuts, green tea, and tons of lemon water! I felt so great and completely energized. I am about to start another one. Last week I started getting my body ready with a colon cleanse, limiting bad carbs, and mostly eating a protein and fruits and vegetables; this week I am repairing my body with probiotics and continuing to eat high protein and low carb meals. Next week, my mother and I will be starting a juice cleanse for five days, using Daphne Oz's recipes, which you can also find on my Made for More Plan pinterest board.

7) Get a regular eight hours of sleep each night.
Recently, I have fought with having a hard time falling asleep or waking in the early morning hours. I have also talked to a family member and a friend (both women) who also struggle with a full night of sleep. Sleep is so important for overall health. I still have not completely regulated my sleep, but it has improved by taking Vitamin D every day, using lavender to relax me, and reading something that is not stimulating.

8) When all else fails...[you fill in the blank {i.e. grab a choice book and a glass of wine}]...and just relax.
After a very full, busy day, sometimes I just like curling up with a good book, some tea, or a glass of wine, and just relax. Another great thing I forget about, is laying in a bubble bath with a candle and some soft music, with an optional glass of wine.

It is important to not only feed your body, but to also feed your soul. Nourish yourself with healthy living. Most importantly, for a long and healthy life, limit stress the best way you know how. In a society of high stress, I think this is the greatest factor in 'overweight' bodies and souls. So take charge of your life and do what makes you happy, helps you feel good, and helps you limit the stress in your life. As a person prone to stress, worry, and anxiety, this is so important to getting through wedding planning and reaching the wedding day feeling calm and relaxed.