LOVE this protein smoothie!

One cup "milk" (whatever your favorite - hemp, cow, oat, 7 grain, coconut...)

5 T Whey

1 tsp Maca Powder

Fruit, whatever you choose.  My favorite which is pictured had frozen strawberries and 1 organic banana.  I prefer fresh strawberries but I used them this morning so I had to resort to my frozen. Whirl in blender and enjoy!

Just know that this particular brand of whey tastes very good.  It doesn't have a grainy texture to it, funny taste, or any of the negatives that pure whey can have.  I purchase it HERE!  I highly recommend it if you want a delicious and "so good for you" pure and natural whey powder.

One Mother's Homeschool Days

 For the month of March 2013

Our Academic Journey-We are in week 13 of Sonlight.  The house hasn't been so quiet and focused in a long time.  Mary is coming along nicely with all the attention she is getting from mama.  I am finding her favorite subject is picture study.  She loves looking at all the art print books we have.  She will sit for the longest time and just study them.  Then she will come to me almost as if playing a game to tell me every single detail about the pictures.  Then I'll get a story to go with!  She began latin about a month ago and this must be her 2nd favorite.  She loves being 'tested' orally on what she is learning.  Most everyone else in the house is on auto pilot and quite able to follow their daily schedules on their own with a few exceptions here and there!  But all and all, we are enjoying our Sonlight journey together since we are all studying much of the same things each day but only on different levels.

Tips or advice-   Great blessings will come when we embrace our lives as they are.  We are all unique in our callings as mothers and women and trying to be like "that other lady" won't work nor last long. Seek for the path the Lord has set for YOU and happiness will spill forth in your heart when you do. Because He makes no mistakes.  Trust in your prayers and in your hearts.

Goals and Aspirations-My husbands goals are getting these bikes ready for riding.  After sitting all winter they are in need of attention.  As for my goals I am planning at least one field trip a week with our family! I am hoping the book I checked out from the library on Wisconsin Family Weekends will be just the tool I'll need!  As for aspirations, I am always looking to better myself physically and spiritually.  It takes constant focus and attention these days with so many distractions that can come into our lives.  "Staying focused" has become my motto.

Activities-We are just beginning to see the first touches of spring so not a lot of projects yet for mom but dad and the boys have been busy with de-winterizing their toys and readying them up for some fun times!

I really enjoyed-My special birthday dinner out with daddy at Texas Road House.  Love that place!

Projects/goals/ideas-The project under construction right now belongs to my little girls.  Mom and dad gave them full rein in our room.  We armed them with paints and brushes and let em loose only with their imaginations to lead them.  Here is the result of their art work!  One wall is still waiting for it's turn to be completed.

What mother is reading-Actually I am more like referencing them.  Wisconsin Family Weekends and The Nature Connection:An Outdoor Workbook

What mother is cooking-Swedish Rice Porridge.  A family favorite. You can check my recipe section if you'd like the recipe.

What mother is thinking/wondering about-I am thinking about my garden.  What will I plant and when will I begin.  I bought some heirloom seeds from emergency essentials this year.  They have a wonderful basic package and the cost is reasonable.  

A favorite quote-Women's Liberation is just a lot of foolishness.  It's the men who are discriminated against.  They can't bear children.  And no one's likely to do anything about that.~Golda Meir

Living with gratitude-I am so thankful that I am able to catch moments like these.  They are reminders of just how precious and full of joy my life is.  Being home with my kids and not having to work is a great gift!

Praying for-My husband.  He has another visit to the doctor on Wednesday the 2nd to see if it is doing some good healing.  He has been out of work for 2 months and they might possibly OK him to return.  Or not!  Just praying everything will be well.

Highlights of my month-A small highlight in it's own way but exciting for me.  I got a vitamix for my birthday and it has been the best thing ever.  I love it.  Making these yummy green smoothies and more has been great.  I'm not a big 'greens' person so this has been perfect for me to get some in my tummy!  And if it's mixed right, the kids will even have some.  The kids love it when I fill it with all kinds of different fruits and through in some Greek Yogurt.  Protein and so many live vitamins!

There are just some books that cannot be read enough.  In our home it is the four shown above.  As far as Heckedy Peg is concerned it is nearly worn out from so many readings over the years.  I suspect the chewed corners are most likely from a teething baby sitting on my lap during reading time.  We have been reading this book for over 10 years at least.  My kids love it.  And the other 3, my kids know them so well they can tell it by heart.

The abacus is our most used math manipulative.  It too is standing the test of time with many hands using it!

My camera is constantly missing.  I usually find it right here.  In the hands of girls who LOVE taking random videos around the house.  Nothing like those family videos, even if they are only 10 minutes old!

March's "life with kids" favorite memories

Winter is slowing fading and spring is trying to bounce through.  This year in Wisconsin we have seen a long winter.  Everyone is getting so excited to see it end!

Patiently waiting for spring!

Mary wears this hat to bed and wakes up with it on.  

Falling asleep during a Friday late night show!  Some folks just aren't up to it yet!

Note to self: Just one day at a time

It is a blessed secret, this of living by the day.  Any one can carry his burden, however heavy, till nightfall.  Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day.  Anyone can live sweetly, quietly, patiently, lovingly, and purely till the sun goes down.  And this is all that life really ever means to us - just one little day.  "Do today's duty, fight today's temptation, and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them.": God gives us nights to shut down the curtain of darkness on our little days.  We cannot see beyond, and we ought not to try to see beyond.  Short horizons make life easier, and give us one of the blessed secrets of brave, true holy living.

From Secrets of a Beautiful Life

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

Basically for the entire month of November and most of December

In my life "these months"

I have been a normal busy mom of many.  As any mom is.  Basically, I am soaking in each and every minute I can with my kids.  We are spending an incredible amount of time reading together, and even singing together.  Who knew!  We have begun to "try" building a habit of singing hymns and worship songs each night before say our family prayers and it has proved to be quite wonderful.  The kids and parents both are loving it and the kids each enjoy choosing a song or two or three.  I am amazed to find the calming effect the singing has had on us all and how spirit filled our prayers are afterwards. Our first birthday in our series of birthdays between December and January is Mary and she is very much enjoying her ice cream on her birthday dinner out!  In the next 3 weeks we will celebrate Mary, Robyn, Aubryn, Heather, Emma, Kaydee, and Gemma. It's a wonderful life for sure. 

In our homeschool "these months"

Hours and hours of reading together and journaling in our learning notebooks.  Looking ahead already in January for when our new year begins.  Why? Because we will be jumping back into Sonlight and I have 6 very excited children.  We've done Sonlight in the past and enjoyed it! Not to mention how excited mom is to have her daily school schedule already planned out.  Our plan is to do 3 cores between 6 kids.  Condensed World History, World History Year One, and American History In Depth.  Mary keeps busy learning her math by using my favorite hands on math tools.  I've used these for teaching basic math skills for 11 years! She is working through Series one book two this year and nearly finished!  I love these little books for the younger kids and Mary is our 7th child to use them.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share

Well, I've been thinking about this one for a bit and all I can really say is enjoy your days with your children and have lots of cuddling and learning together.

I am inspired by

My two boys at home, Aaron and Gregg.  They are the best.  I won't go into detail as they are standing over me right now and this is all I have permission to say without embarrassing them!!!! ((smile)) Let me just say that Gregg literally carried a bottle of vitamin E in his pocket the whole time Mary's cut and scraped face was healing.  Every couple of hours he would call her to him so he could rub some on it to ensure she didn't scar. 

Places we are going and people we are seeing

Delivering Christmas goodies to friends and neighbors

My favorite thing "in these months"

Hearing about and seeing our happy daughters who just this year married their eternal and forever husbands.  I love hearing all about their lives as new wives.  They both are wonderful bread bakers and I hear their husbands are feeling much blessed by this!  The crafty creations are beautiful additions to their homes and I am having the most fun following their new duties.

  

What's working/not working for our family

According to my daughter, THIS hair style is not working.  She did it all by herself and was proud to tell us, "I found this hair do on Pinterest but I can't make it work!

Questions/thoughts I have

An odd thought, but fitting in my opinion....Can we as a society begin to put our focus on LESS gun control and MORE mental control?  

Things I'm working on

Decluttering and organizing every room in my home.  It's a job but a few minutes a day certainly pays off.

I'm reading

Or should I say we are reading The Von Trapp Family Singers, The Glorious Impossible, and anything Christmas we can get our hands on!  For schooling we are reading A Child's Geography of the World, Greek Myths for Children, and A Story of the World.  I personally am not really immersed into any particular book right now but most certainly loving the learning I am getting while reading to the kids.

I'm cooking/baking

It's Christmas, what NOT am I baking?

I'm grateful for

(okay I know it's shallow but on a cold winter night this warm milk spiced with pumpkin flavor and nutmeg is a winner.)

I'm praying for

Most deeply for the trials of our fellow human beings in Conn.

Photos to share

 I never tire of seeing my sleeping children huddled together

This child could spend all day having me read to her.  She definitely loves to learn and soaks in every word that comes out of her books.

What more can I say.  The watch though, I'm not even sure where that came from or who even owns it!

Our last warm day of November

THIS is what most of our days look like!

Somtimes........

Sometimes....

It's hard for me to sit down and enjoy the moments.

I'm reminded of how much I LOVE my 5 grandkids and their moms and pops when I run across a photo of them. Living in different states STINKS but fortunately, considering that we still get to see them quite often. But of course not often enough!

I feel self-conscience when I see a camera nearby and someone snapping photos!

I am mildly dishonest (to myself) when I indulge in something I shouldn't and think it's not going to affect me on the scale! Or when I sleep in longer than I should and shave an hour off when hubby asks what time I woke up! (okay, not quite a whole hour and only because he teases me constantly! I mean, not everyone can wake up a 4:20 a.m. like he does! But I'm working on it! Not the 4 o'clock thing but the mildly dishonest thing!)

I can't imagine a world without my family.

I'm surprised that I still long to have more babies added to my family! "Saying there are too many children in the world is like saying there are too many flowers." Yes, Mother Theresa, I wholeheartedly agree!

I get a little too easily wrapped up in exercising and long walks.

I indulge in guilty pleasures like organic white chocolate bars.

I wish all things in life were as beautiful as a breezy, cool, summer evening lying on a blanket outside.

A fun game I was invited to join (invitation open to all) from daughter-in-laws Heather's blog. You too should grab the list and fill out your own 'sometimes' thoughts!

A very sweet Mother's Day

"Sweet" in so many ways. After church we had dinner outside on a blanket and when we were finished the girls all 'ordered' me to stay outside for a little bit. Before calling me indoors my Mary came up to me with her 'flower' and told me to blow on it and make a wish. Her exact words were: "Hey mom, blow on this and when you do make sure you wish for a card, a headband, a picture, some pennies, a ring, a candle, and a coupon holder. Somehow I had gotten the distinct feeling as to exactly what I would find once I went into the house. Sure enough, this mama got everything she 'wished' for. So precious. The girls had a lay out of pound cake, strawberries, rhubarb crunch, and homemade whipping cream. Another sweet from my wonderful day. Later we all had fun playing at the park and enjoying the beautiful day. The day ended with my older kids chatting on the phone and getting a sweet mother's day's from them. You can never hear Happy Mother's day enough I say! I want to thank all my precious kids for making me smile the whole day long! And how can I forget my little grandson Beckham with his uttered words of; Happy Mudder's day gandma! Love it!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

For the week of Feb. 13 - Feb. 17th, 2012

In my life this week....I have had more time to read to the kids than normal and I am really enjoying it. I have been enjoying this even more than reading books I am personally interested in. I sometimes struggle with staying focused and on track with all the things on my plate but as of late I have been praying for more focus and I'm seeing the fruits of those prayers everyday. In the end there is only so much that matters and that is the time I spend with my kids; in reading to them, taking time to train them, instruct them in their homeschool lessons, having quality chat time, and enjoying doing activities together. There can be so many distractions that take us away from our families and I have been determined to fine tune my attention to the best of my ability towards home and hearth.

In our homeschool this week....I'm proud to say that I actually got some handicraft projects incorporated into our days. I should rephrase that - A handicraft project!

We had 5 of them but one must have taken up legs and walked off!

A peek at our classical writing class. The model looks a bit rough around the edges but much work goes into these! We identify all of the parts of speech throughout the week by circling, underlining, checking, etc. Each week we focus on a different Aesop's Fable as our model to analyze. We cover vocabulary, spelling, dictation, copywork, parts of speech, elocution as each child reads aloud their model and we go on to discuss the fable in depth and talk about how we can apply it to our own lives. Each of the children has their own copy to "mess up." On the right Janai colored her picture of Abraham from out lesson in Christian Studies.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice....Here's a 'tip' for a couple of the very best artsy type books I have found. They are full to the brim with awesome ideas.

I am inspired by....My daughter Christie and her resolute faith in the Lord. She prays, she patiently waits and listens, then moves forward with a clear mind resolved to do the will of the Lord in her life! Something I am always foggy on. Waiting, hearing, knowing for sure.........

Places we're going and people we're seeing....This statement gets me every time! I'm sure every time I post my Homeschool Mother's Journal it will always stay the same. - Staying home! (Does the grocery store and church count as places we are going?)!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite thing this week was....Watching 4 of my kids sweating it out with Jillian Michaels. Typically, only the boys workout but since they finished with P90X they've wanted to try something new so they started doing Jillian's workouts. The girls decided they'd jump in just for the fun.

What's working/not working for us....Setting aside ALL movie time until after dinner has been helping us a ton. We only have the abilities to watch movies of our choice which is great but not when one child finishes with their school and decides to watch a movie. That always interferes with the other kids. Just knowing there is a movie on somewhere creates a loss of attention. Even though the movie is on in another room. So now, NO movies until all school and chores are DONE!

Questions/thoughts I have....This one just kills me!! It's a new twist on the same ole story of trying to get a new roll of toilet paper changed out once one is empty. Around here we have a certain someone, or someones, not sure yet on the who is doing it. What happens is that once the roll is empty, the cardboard roll gets taken off and thrown away but then they put the holder back into place before putting another roll on it. And yes, 99% of the time there are fresh rolls on the shelf which sits right next to the holder. Yep, this one has me baffled for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I'm working on....Making sure the motorcycle gets out of my dining room and doesn't return! Our son's new toy just could not possibly spend it's first night outside in the cold! He told me I was a being a good trooper to let him have the opportunity to sit and look at it without freezing his little b*m off outdoors! And of course everyone HAD to sit on it! I would like to add - First there is NO carpet in our house! Second, eons ago when hubby and I were first married and had 2 small children we lived on the bottom floor of a condo in Colorado. He bought a motorcycle and just couldn't bear leaving it outside all winter with no garage or anything and he brought it indoors. (after MUCH discussion, coaxing, and buttering up to me!) We had a second bathroom that was never used since our children were so small and one in diapers as well and I guess I really didn't see what it would hurt. You know what they say?The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

I'm cooking/baking....Need I say more?

I'm grateful for....The latest small snowfall. We've not gotten nearly as much as we have in winters past and I worry about ground water come spring. We've still not had one day of sledding as the shortage of snow has made it impossible.

I'm praying for....Faith

A photo or quote to share - William Penn told the Russian Czar, Peter the Great, that "if thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him." Penn also said that "those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

I've always loved this picture of oldest daughter and baby number 11

Resolved to workout

I love to workout. Always have! Ever since I was a young person moving my body has been a huge part of my life. While in school I was on the gymnastics team, a competitive ice skater, played softball every summer, and I could always be found jumping in on a game of volley ball, basketball, and even tackle football with my 5 siblings!

Suddenly, and before I knew it, REAL life hit at the age of 20. I got married and began my family. I was still in the military until shortly after my daughter was born and blessedly I was relieved of my 6 contract and was able to be honorably discharged so I could begin my life as a wife and mother. (I had an amazing CO who was a family man and was happy to relieve me of my duties after my first 3 years were fullfilled) That part of my life ended and another began! One that has been full of physical ups and downs for many years. I was born to be active and so I continued to do my best in between babies, nursing, homeschooling, and all that comes with having 12 kids. Fast forward to now and I have been consistently working out for a few years. No baby breaks for a time has meant I could stay on the ball for much longer than I had been able to do in the past And since it seems the babies are no longer being sent from the Lord he gave me a new baby: the ability to catch up where I left off. And I love it. It's not easy either this time around. I'm older, weigh more, still quite busy with homeschooling; but RESOLVED to stay in the game. Another reason it is harder is I am doing way harder workouts than I used to do. In the past I only knew cardio, (except while in the military) but now I do circuit training using a mixture of weights and cardio together to get a really good burn! I throw in yoga at least once a week, and love to take brisk walks whenever I can. For me, walking is the icing on the cake, even after a good workout! I love to walk!

But it's what motivates me to exercise is why I'm writing this post. (Obviously, my MAIN motivators are my awesome husband and children). In doing so, I hope I can motivate others to begin making needed changes in their own lives. It is a process, but one well worth the effort. The word I've chosen to push me is RESOLVE. We have many choices in life but there are some I don't give myself. One is where my working out is concerned. I don't give myself the choice. Each day when I wake up the question is not: "Do I feel like working out today? It is: Hmm, what am going to do for pain today?" Pain, that's what it is. A full hour of pain 6 days a week. (Five if I feel like being kind to myself!) The choice has been made. As long as I am in good health and feeling well, I WILL get my workout in!

I have found though that there are two things to be considered. They go hand in hand and compliment each other perfectly. Diet and exercise. I am NOT strong in the diet area. (Not diet as in diet for a week, but my lifelong diet) I eat really well. Whole foods and as close to completely natural as I can. But let's be honest, I do love my junk food! Within reason of course. One scoop on Breyer's vanilla ice cream? No thanks, how about 3 or 4 scoops!! That's my motto. And it's my motto that drives me to the pain I go through everyday! But I have to say that each day is getting easier and easier for me. As I'm working out I hear my mind saying, that slice of cheese cake was SO NOT WORTH IT! That candy bar, SO NOT WORTH IT! What I am finding - very, very slowly is that it isn't worth it. And because of my intense workouts I realize that it is easier to say NO than it is to bust it out in a workout.

My goal now, is to maintain weight and intensity of workouts as best I can. Both are going well. I am slowly finding the middle ground of moderation in both areas. I still have a l o n g way to go in my journey, but taking it one day at a time will s l o w l y get me there! My resolve is there: get that workout in everyday and give thanks to Heavenly Father for my new baby, and for the strenght, determination, and resolve to get er' done! Because if it weren't for Him, whom I give the glory to, I fear what my life would be like. Most likely, I would be spinning out of control and only facing a dream of feeling halfway healthy!

Disclaimer: LOL I have a really HARD time talking about myself in this way!!!!!! I only hope that by doing so I am being an inspiration to whoever may read this :)

The Magic of Yogurt and Fats

I found this article extremely interesting. The last couple of months I have read and researched the idea of 'why French women don't get fat.' And while there is much to be said about it, I won't go too far into it other than to say that their diet includes, whole foods, including whole milk products, cheeses, chocolates, creams, etc. And eaten using their built in 'portion control' buttons! Something we all have, we just need to tap into it. Long of the short, I work out 5-6 days a week, for more than a year I've been counting calories in order to stay in a calorie deficit for weight loss. Low and behold I've actually gained 9 lbs. But, I have gone down in size. At any rate, I still HATE seeing the numbers on the scale rise so I new I was doing something wrong. What I realized, through talking with trainers and researching diet and exercise, were three key things.

1. I was working out too hard and for too long each day.

2. I was NOT eating enough in order to fuel my workouts.

3. I was keeping fat to a minimum or not eating fats at all.

These were my mistakes. So for the last month I've cut my daily workouts in half, I'm eating more fats, AND I'm happy to say I've lost 5 pounds! Go figure - I exercise more, count calories, and gain! I exercise less, eat more, and lose. Just to clarify as to what kinds of fats I'm eating along with tons of fruits and veggies are: Breyers ice cream at least twice a week! Pouring raw milk cream into my daily oatmeal, spreading BUTTER on my toast, baking with creme fraiche, using a good amount of olive oil and coconut oil, drinking whole milk buttermilk smoothies, and feasting on whole milk yogurt everyday! Which brings me to this article: Hope you enjoy! (I just want to add that these things are working for ME, I'm just sharing my experiences with my "why French women don't get fat" information. I'm not saying it's for everyone)

The Magic of Yogurt

New Secrets About a French Women Favorite

By now you are well aware of my love affair with yogurt. I've long employed the creamy treat as my "secret weapon" and I've gone to great lengths to expose its beneficial dietary effects. Recently, I stumbled across some nutrition facts about yogurt that shocked me, and I wanted to share them with you.

It turns out that yogurt actually promotes weight loss by accelerating your body's fat-burning capabilities. By eating one half-cup serving of yogurt twice a day for a year, you can lose up to 10 pounds of body fat. This is especially true for those of you trying to lose a few inches in the waistline; many studies have called yogurt the "tummy trimmer."

And here's why: when the calcium in yogurt is broken down in your body, it produces heat inside your fat cells. There's a big scientific word for this process: thermogenesis. Long story short, this helps to burn off the fats cells and convert them into energy and muscle.

Now, what's unique to yogurt in this burn-off process? Many foods contain calcium: orange juice, milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. But it's the living and active cultures in the yogurt that fuel the cellular fat-burning process.

So what are you waiting for? Time to get more yogurt, whether store-bought or homemade, into your diet, and now!

Here are some great tips for incorporating yogurt into your daily diet in place of offenders:

• Swap a few tablespoons of yogurt for mayonnaise in dips, salads and salad dressings.
• Try a dollop of yogurt on a baked potato instead of sour cream. This can work as a suitable replacement in sour cream dips as well.
• Use yogurt in smoothies or milkshakes as opposed to milk and ice cream.
• Try as a soup garnish.
• Make yogurt cheese: Place yogurt in a coffee filter over a container, allow the whey to drip out and mix the yogurt cheese with herbs of your choice (scallions, chives, garlic, etc). Yogurt cheese has the consistency of cream cheese, but contains much less fat. Spread on bagels, crackers or mix into dips.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

Journaling my previous week....

In our homeschool we are finishing our reading of Five Little Peppers and Our Island Story. We are throwing in some a little bit of latin and math to get us primed for the next year set to begin Monday, Sept. 12.

Helpful homeschooling tips-Enjoy the unhurried, last few days of summer before settling into full blown lessons.

I am inspired by Tamara and her awesome Five in a Row Ideas and thank her for sharing them.

My favorite thing this week was having lunch out and a day of shopping with my daughter Robyn.

What is NOT working for us right now is our sleeping too late in the mornings.

Things I'm working on right now are-rising earlier to finish exercise before kids wake, finishing up on kids' lessons schedule for the new year, completion of the new face on our school room.

I am reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, A Biblical Home Education by Ruth Beechick (reading more but wanting to finish these NOW)

I am 'cooking' up new grain cereals for breakfast. Seven grain cereal soaked in water and greek yogurt for 24 hours. Excellent

I'm grateful for a new year of home schooling with my children.

I'm praying for patience, energy, and determination.

A favorite quote-"What luck for rulers that men do not think." Adolf Hitler"

click the pic to link up to The Homeschool Mother's Journal

When I'm not at my best....

which is quite often, I refer to this poem I have written in my notebook (author unknown) and it really helps my perspective. (And my patience) I hope it helps you when you are down as much as it has me.

There are little feet that follow

In my footsteps every day

Their little voices echo

So much of what I say.

Sometimes I'm not too happy

With all the things I see

Then I begin to realize

That they're imitating me

My patience seems to falter

And I speak with too much haste -

Til I hear the Saviour speaking

When I look into each face.

Oh Lord, please grant me wisdom

As I train each little one,

Help me set a good example

As You yourself have done.

I would not ask for riches

Or that they famous be

But may each find Christ as Saviour

And live each day for Thee.

My bad

But it still doesn't make me feel any better knowing it was my fault. Our daughter Robyn was expected to fly home today from her Aunt's house in Utah. Pick up time: 12:50. We were a bit late to arrive at the airport but only by about 8 minutes. It's a small airport so I knew it would only take about a minute to find her. The flight was on time so I looked around and didn't see her anywhere. I called her on her phone, no answer. Hung around for a few minutes and called again. Beginning to get nervous because that's what I do. Called her phone again, and again, and again. By now, well, if you are a mom you know the by now stuff. I go out to tell dad I have no idea where she is. He called Utah to speak to Aunt Marjorie, she then called her son who was to have taken her to the airport this morning as we wanted to make sure she even made her flight before I panic anymore than I am already.

Still calling her phone and no answer. By now, about 20 minutes have lapsed and I am in tears. I mean, I was shedding some serious tears. She was no where to be found. (I had begun to pray quietly and honestly I was feeling better, still crying, but feeling peace) Daddy trying to calm me as well but I couldn't seem to pull myself together! Finally, a call from simultaneously from Aunt M and daughter Christie telling me that she doesn't fly out until TOMORROW morning, not today. Okay, my bad!! I am so happy to say that she is still safe and sound in the care of her Aunt M. I have to tell you, I'm getting way too old for this!! (Okay, kids, you can all stop laughing at me now. I was in real pain for a little bit!!)

My new journey with yoga

There was a time not so very long ago that when I heard the word 'yoga' only one came to mind: HIPPIE!! I don't know why either, just some weird mindset I fell into. At any rate, once I began doing Jillian Michaels workout several months ago I was introduced to yoga through her Yoga Meltdown dvd. Either I'm now a 'hippie' or not I don't really know but I can sure tell you that I am a huge fan of the practice of yoga. Combined with weekly workouts of strength/circuit training and cardio workouts yoga adds a nice touch all on it's own. Even power yoga can feel like you've just done yourself the hugest favor you can do to your body!! Here are some of the many benefits the practice of yoga can give you:

Increasing flexibility

Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments, and tendons

Messaging of all the organs of the body

Complete detoxification

Excellent toning of the muscles

To read and understand how this can be visit the link HERE

But these enormous physical benefits are just a 'side effect' of this powerful practice. What yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body and this results in quantum benefits. It is now an open secret that the will of the mind has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats,, which proves beyond doubt mind and body connection.

Yoga through meditation works remarkably to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. How often do we find we are unable to perform our activities properly and in a satisfying manner because the confusions and conflicts in our mind weigh down heavily upon us? Moreover, stress which in reality is the #1 killer affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal, and emotional systems can be corrected through the wonderful yoga practice of meditation.

In fact yoga = meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body, and spirit - a state of eternal bliss. More on this HERE.

So I don't know all about the mental stuff going on with yoga (nor do I think I care!) but I can tell you that the physical benefits I have found by practicing it have been awesome. My husband and my children practice yoga as well but mainly for the health benefits of it. I have seen much improvement in many areas over the months of my yoga practice. My favorite yoga dvds, in fact the only ones we have tried are P90x yoga, Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown, Bob Harper's Warrior for the Yoga, and The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga. All workouts are considered to be Power Yoga and are not typical of what we all think of when we think of yoga. Definitely some great workouts.