Down the Rabbit Hole.....or not

Friday was a particularly difficult day with the boys and I just felt as though I needed a break. On Saturday my darling Dave said he'd watch the boys and I could go away for the day. So, I gathered a stack of books and magazines and started driving but had no idea where I should go. Then Vasquez Rocks came to mind. Reminded of when Jesus went to the mountains to pray, it sounded llike the perfect place. He escaped the pressing crowds for some peace and I needed the same from the daily pressures. Vasquez Rocks County Park is loaded with some pretty intriguing history, from bandits and hideouts to a highly filmed location. I decided to head the few miles down the road. I grabbed my In Touch Magazine and started walking. Of course, there are signs saying to stay on the trail but it was hard to tell what actually was the trail. Besides, paths are boring. Give me something unexplored and I'm there!! I know I ended up off the trail several times. (Oops!) I scared a rabbit out of the bushes accidentally and tried to follow but it quickly lost me. I stirred up a bevy of quail who took off in scurried flight. I climbed a few "mountains" and took some pictures that will give my sister a heart attack. I got lost once and kept the sound of the river (14 freeway) behind me knowing I would eventually end up back at the Famous Rocks. I eventually did end up there and climbed the highest one about halfway. It was very windy and my hair kept blowing in my eyes. All I needed was to fall off a cliff! So I sat there for awhile and read from my magazine. It's not a coincidence that this was one of the devotionals I read.
 Many of us have experienced times of abandonment just when we needed that other person the most. It could have been a spouse withdrawing emotionally, a co-worker who ignored us, or a close friend who seemed too busy to help. The life of the apostle Paul teaches us how not to become discouraged in these situations. Remember that the Lord is always with us. When we trust in Jesus as our personal Savior, we enter into a permanent relationship with Him, and His Spirit comes to live in us. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus remains with us at all times, regardless of the circumstance. He is our friend—one who will never leave us. And His is the most important friendship we have. Reading our Bible will help us to remember this.
Draw on God’s strength. Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to divine power every minute of the day. When we let go of control and depend on the Lord, we will be able to draw on His strength. Then, if family or friends cause hurt, His presence will provide comfort and help us to forgive them.
Look expectantly for God’s deliverance. Paul testified that the Lord had rescued him and would continue to deliver him from every evil situation. He knew he could always trust God.
Paul faced many painful situations without the support of friends. Toward the end of his life, those who cared about him were widely scattered. Yet his attitude remained hopeful because Christ was his constant Friend. Do you know the Savior? Are you aware of His presence throughout your day? In Touch Magazine Devotional by Charles Stanley
Climbing up in my Earth Footwear made it burn all the more!! The climb down wasn't so easy in tennis shoes but then it never is. Why, oh, why do I always wear tennies when I hike?! After my hike down I went into town and did a little shopping. My sister had told me of a cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld called Deceptively Delicious. A great cookbook with ideas on how to incorporate veggies into meals and your picky eaters won't even know it! I found mine at Big Lots! for $3 and they also had it at TJ Maxx for $7. It's a must for Mamavation moms because when you don't feel like eating a plain veggies, like me, then you can add a puree to almost anything and you're still getting you're veggies without gagging!! I had a great day off and felt renewed for the week ahead. Thanks Davey!! Muah!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Mamavation Application

At the end of 2009 I followed along with the Mamavation Moms and lost 12 pounds! The biggest motivator for me was the support of the other moms involved and the accountability to the other moms. This is a wonderful group of women who are always there to lift you up. To quote the website, "Mamavation, brought to you by Earth Footwear & EA Sports Active, is a social experiment and weight loss campaign on Twitter. Mamavation, la play on mom and motivation, is an opportunity for two moms to change their lives and create a healthy lifestyle for their families. The Mamavation Moms will be supplied with a bonafide team of professionals. They will be challenged and encouraged for two months to make everlasting changes in their lives. And as goals are met throughout the campaign, prizes will be had.

Everyone can join the Mamavation family! You can follow along, read, witness, talk with, comment on, lose weight with, or just blog stalk the Mamavation campaign. We would love to have you along on the ride with us." Please go to http://www.mamavation.com/ for more info on how you can be involved. Part of the application process states:
"Show me that you already have support from your friends online. You will need to lean on them some days, so show me they exist and that you ALREADY have a network of friends that care about you. Have them tweet at me the following message, "Hey @bookieboo! I want @ElsklingDyr to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support!" This step is important, because regardless of the outcome, EVERYONE knows you have made a step toward healthy living. Wether you make the final 5 or not, they will hold you to your pledge of wanting to live healthy."
Help me take another step toward a healthier life!!! Here is my application vlog and thank you all for your support!!

Mamavation Here I Come!!

I did a video and everything today to apply for the next Mamavation campaign yet it seems I have been defeated before I even start. Despite the obstacle that may or may not lie in my path I am applying anyway. I may not win but I will have at least tried. Contrary to what is believed, excercise is what all my doctors have suggested for my problems. Whether or not I am accepted as an applicant I will forge ahead anyway. I have too often told myself I can't and others don't think I can either but I will prove all of us wrong. I CAN do this and I will. The fight might be tougher but I'm tired of being defeated at every turn. My health won't get the better of me once again. I won't let it rule me anymore!! So look for my vlog later this afternoon as I will be rerecording it!!