Happy 5th Birthday Michael and Matthew!

Matthew in "the suit"

This blog is a week late in coming but, Michael and Matthew turned 5 last week.  5!  I can't believe it.  It someone ways the last 5 years have flown by and in other ways, it has been a long 5 years.  When I look back over this time, especially the last year, I am amazed at the progress they had made.  Late in 2012 both boys were able to go through a 3 week intensive therapy called "Therasuit Therapy".  This therapy is like putting 6 months to a year of therapy in 3 weeks.  They both went 5 days a week for 4 hours a day. 
This therapy would have not been made possible without the help of the awesome church community that surrounds us.  We did a fundraiser to raise the money for this therapy.  This therapy costs $7000 EACH!  That is not money I have lying around the house, if you know what I mean.  I thought it would take me months and months to raise this money.  God had other plans.  The money was raised in less than 2 months!  A therapy that I thought they wouldn't be able to do until this summer they both did between October and December of 2012.  When God moves, He moves and I am forever grateful.

Michael in "the suit"
 

This benefits from this therapy has been many.  Increased strength, mobility and endurance to name just a few.  Matthew has become so much stronger.  Michael's confidence has grown and continues to take more and more independent steps at therapy.  Michael also just got discharged from OT (Occupational Therapy).  He is up to speed with any other 5 year old when it comes to his fine-motor skills.  Yeah! 
I could on in more details about the progress the boys have made but, I think video and pictures will speak much better than I can ever do justice.

I also want to give a big thanks to all the therapists who helped the boys through this "boot camp" of therapy.  The therapists at Progressive Pediatrics are the best.  There is not one day that I have been there that they don't have a smile on their face and ready to take my boys.  Love them!

 

 

My boys came into this world 8 weeks early and started life at just a meer 3lbs. 12 oz. each.  Their future was uncertain as they spent the first 7 weeks of their life in the NICU.  Since then we, as a family, have had many ups and downs.  I know these boys have been given this cross for a reason or reasons that only God knows.  Michael and Matthew carry this cross with such grace and joy. They continue to beat the odds and progress beautifully. 

I have posted in my office a poem that was written by Ryan Sprague.  He too, has a son with cerebral palsy.  I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this but, I read this often and think of my boys.

I hope you enjoy it as I do. 

 

The Road He Travels

by Ryan Sprague

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

But this is the only path I know.

A weary traveler, long I stood,

And wondered if I ever would,

Travel the road where my brothers go.

 

Their way is smoother, but all is fair,

I do not wish them off their road.

In our family, my burden's shared.

It's actually better that they are there.

for from that path they can share my load.

 

I doubt if I'd been given the choice,

That I'd have opted for this trail.

But I might have missed that still soft voice,

That gives me the power to rejoice,

And provides the wind that fills my sail.

 

After many steps along my way,

When at last my final breath is spent.

I'll look back fondly on that day,

When the smoother path was taken away,

And know why mine was different.

 

Drop a Pants Size by February 2013

Well, it has been months since I blogged.  I have missed it!  Honestly, it is not easy to find the time to blog, work and take care of a large family.  One of my goals is to blog more.  One of the main reasons for doing this is because I need to.  I need a place that I can keep myself accountable.  Let me back up.  The last few months I have gotten away from healthy eating and living.  I haven't been exercising as much and my eating has been less than desirable.  Especially the last month I have gone WAY over board.  This isn't about what I have done though.  That is the past.  In order to move forward, you must learn from the past but not dwell in it.  I have spent much of my life living and dwelling in the past and I am hear to say, that does not get you very far.

So here we are at the cusp of a new year.  We are seeing ad everywhere asking what are we going to do different in 2013?  What are your goals?  I know I have been making goals for too many years to count and I don't follow through to the fullest.  Not this time.  I don't want to blink my eyes and a whole year has past and I haven't made one of the most important changes.  That change is my relationship with food.  Suffice to say, it is a rocky one!  I am ready to make a change in my lifestyle.  I am ready to break the negative cycle.  The negative cycle of eating well, binging, feeling bad, binging more and then doing that all over again. 

I can't do this alone, I need help and support.  Will you do this with me?  Are you ready to make a change too?  Are you wanting to lose weight, feel better, or all of the above?  Let's do this together! 

Starting Jan. 7th I will be starting a 30 day weight loss challenge.  Let us take 30 days and SERIOUSLY change how we are eating.  This challenge group will be on Facebook.

Here are the rules:

1.  You must drink at least 8 glasses a water a day.  Water is a great way to cleanse your body and keep you hydrated. 

2.  You must have a Facebook account.  We will be using it to support each other daily.

3.  Shakeology is required.  If you are not familiar with Shakeology, it is an amazing meal replacement from Beachbody (the makers of P90X). 

4.The first 3 days of the challenge we will swap one meal for Shakeology. 

5.The next 3 days of the weight loss challenge we will take the sugar out of our diet, no candy, cookies, soda's (even diet) and no foods with added sugar.  You would be surprised how much sugar is lurking in the foods we eat.

6.  Day 4 we will limit are carb intake.  Carbs especially from white flours (pasta, bread, etc), contributes to weight gain and/or not being able to lose weight.  We should be getting our carbs from veggies, fruits, or nuts. 

I think this is a great place to start for now!  We have time to go get our kitchens ready to start this, i.e. get all the holiday cakes and cookies out. 

I know this might sound like a lot but, we can take one piece at a time together.  I really want to see how I will feel after 30 days.  I have started challenges like this in the past and I have never given my full 100%.    Sugar and carbs are my Achilles heel. I start to feel better from not eating them for a few days and then I think I can go back and just have a little.  That never happens.  No matter how many lies I tell myself, I always go back in full force. 

I just don't want to lose weight for vanity reasons.  I want to take care of my body better and my mind.  You see, I suffer from anxiety disorder and I am finding the more sugar and carbs I have, the worse it is.  The more I eat healthy and stay away from the sugar and carbs, the better I feel.  It sounds so simple right, but so hard to do! 

Let us do this together.  I have limited spaces, so please let me know as soon as possible if you are in!