Starting CLEAN

Ok so, I was not going to document this but I have to.  Kevin was suffering back pain and sought the help of a chiropractor.  He met Dr. Maynard who runs a Maximized Living practice.  After a couple visits the doctor asked "where do you want to be in five years?"  Kevin replied..."alive."  That unguarded response set off a chain of events that has changed our lives.  We are eating a 'clean' or 'paleo' or 'god given' diet.  VERY minimal processed foods at all.  No sugar, no grain.  We don't even eat high sugar fruits right now.  It is the easiest diet plan ever.  NO counting carbs, calories, fat grams, nothing.  Just eat the food that God has provided and does not go through a factory or processing plant. 

After just three weeks I am down about 7 pounds (148) I was up 20 pounds from two years ago when we went on our cruise!  Kevin has his first weigh in next week and hopes to be under 400.  I have been so proud of him!  He is taking this very seriously and is absolutely determined to loose weight.  I bet he could drop 100 pounds if we stick to this.  I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and a lot of time finding recipes.

The kids are not following as closely.  Elisabeth always has chosen fruits and vegetables over anything else and HATES bread so this was nothing for her.  Kyle, well, he really likes his carbs so I make sure to keep some bread for his PBJ, some pretzels and some waffles so he can get his fix.  He is consuming a lot less sugar though.  I am anxious to see what his next glucose level is.  Back in January it was 98!!!  100 is the highest level of normal.

When Kevin weighs in next week the real journey begins.  I would like to see him loose 100 pounds over the next year.  And if we stay strong, he can do it!

What can I say?

To say the last 6 months have been crazy is the understatement of the century.  I am now an Oklahoma resident as are the children and of course my sweet hubby.  I can't say I am adjusted but I can tell you that we are trying.  Elisabeth settled in right away.  It is as if she went to sleep in Illinois, woke up in Oklahoma and nothing changed.  Of course, she misses her family and her friends and talks about them a lot but she is happy.  Kyle is just now starting to meet some friends.  Kevin and I...still no friends here.  Sigh.  Oh well, it will come with time.  I am trying to find a job for the summer so we don't fall behind financially.  The house in Joliet has an offer on it and the house in Oklahoma may be offered to us to buy.  We are trusting that the Lord is guiding us and will provide all we need.  I will try to be better at this!

Nothing is more constant than change.

We had a doozy of a shock when Kevin's company closed the Chicago branch. Now we are relocating to Tulsa, Ok. This was a grueling decision for my darling hubby and I have felt so sorry for him as he struggles to affirm that this is the right decision. I am looking forward to a new adventure and I hope we will be as happy there as we have been here. We will be back often to see our family and friends.

With Grandma Dirt battling Cancer we are grateful that the family has really stepped up to help and we are grateful for Dan, Ben and Aunt Barb as they are always there to lend a hand. It is nice to know we leave her in very good hands.

We will be renting to own (hopefully) but right now we have no idea when that will take place. I have always been focused on Thanksgiving and I am still hoping that is the case. There are a lot of beautiful homes for affordable payments so that will be nice.

I will update with a new address and photo when possible.

Cruise Was AWESOME

Well, I am back to almost 143 but that is okay. 5 pounds really isn't that bad and the cruise was so worth it! I loved every minute and can not wait to spend a week with my hubby again. I have 2 months to loose 10 pounds. That is gonna suck. I think I may have to fast for the next 8 weeks to make it happen.

Grandma Dirt was not able to start chemo yesterday as expected. She will have to wait a week. She had a breakdown over the weekend and is afraid she will never see Logan and Emily again. I think that is unrealistic but i know she is scared. It is so hard to see her struggle with these extreme emotions. Cancer sucks!

Good news!

The surgeon spoke out of turn. I am sure he panicked a bit when opened ma and saw so much cancer. However, the oncologist is much more optomistic and the cancer is NOT ovarian. The cancer is stage 4 metastatic colon cancer. This is still bad, of course, but SO much better than the outcome that advanced ovarian cancer would have brought. We could have years instead of mere months and that is incredibly good news!!

On another note, I saw a whole new set of numbers this morning! 139. 1 3 9!!! I haven't seen those numbers in 10 years and that only lasted a short time. I am determined and really looking forward to 135. I got a lump in my throat when I saw that number this morning.

2 weeks until I am on a cruise ship. 2 piece - here I come. And we don't have to spend 9 days worrying about ma. What could be better!?!

Crappy McCrap Crap

Well, I guess this is now going to be where I voice my feelings about my mother in law. Nope, not the typical my mother in law is evil or overbearing or intrusive or any of the other typical mother in law posts. These posts will serve as a record of medical facts and my feelings as well as the reaction of my children and things they say. Friday, May 20th, Shari was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that has spread through the ovaries, through the apendics, through the colon and into the stomach. The tumors are so large the surgeon did not even attempt a removal. They took out the colon tumor so that she can have bowel function and that is all. With the huge size of the tumors, we know it is stage 4. Grade is yet to be determined. We told the kids last night. Kyle cried, a lot, and Elisabeth cried but did not really comprehend. We will not lie to them about the details if asked. They know she has cancer and that she is going to die. They also know that every person put on this earth is going to die and none of us knows when or how. The fact that we have some warning with Grandma Dirt means that the time we have left needs to be all the more memorable and special. Kyle wants to go on the white water rafting trip Grandma has been talking about for years and Elisabeth wants to go on the balloon ride. We will see. Elisabeth called Grandma this morning to tell her how much she loved the Flat Stanley project and that she lost another tooth. I talked to her and she is planning on starting chemo in four weeks. We will see. I am anxious to get the test results back!!!

6 year angelversary

Well, I really just don't feel like doing a whole formal post. I am extra emotional today with the death of my grandfather and the effect it has on my mom. I am simply going to post the edited video of the ultrasound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tTXVapH4r0

If anyone should happen to read this, please do not share the link on any facebook pages. I have kept this private because most of my loved ones did not even know I was pregnant much less with twins and it just makes people feel bad. I do not want that. I want to help others move forward and grieve in a positive way. This is not about me and sharing the link would make it less special.

Thank you!
Gina