Weight Loss - Shopping - Trips - Oh My!

Things are looking up and Spring is around the corner.  I'm not taking many pics or selfies these days. My face is still bruised from the mouth surgery I had last weekend. Had a couple molars pulled. But it's getting better. And day by day I'm feeling stronger. As we suspected my body was thrown for a loop as a result from the surgery. But gratefully my boys and Leif helped keep the house together and the baby cared for. They really amaze me. Their ability and willingness to help is such a blessing!

I've still been following the HCG Diet. Unfortunately, since I've gotten down to a weight that I haven't been for a long... long time, and because of all of the health events the past few weeks. My body is NOT letting go of any more weight at the moment. So I've decided to stop using up the valuable/Expensive HCG for the time being and focus on strengthening my muscles. 

overall, I lost 15 pounds.  I have enough HCG left to help me lose about 5+ more. I will be thrilled if I can maintain where I'm at and then lose the last bit next month.

At the end of April I get to go on a trip to Missouri to my brother's wedding. I'm excited to see my family and to spend time on The Ranch and with the new horses and calves in The Arena. I'm also looking forward to cleaning myself up a bit and enjoying the time. I'm going to buy a new dress and shoes/boots for the wedding and a few outfits maybe. I'm going to FINALLY go get a decent cut/style and highlights for my hair. And, hopefully I'll catch a bit of a tan at the beach before then too. 😉

The big decision before then though, is to decide whether to take the baby with me on the trip. Only my parents and Jared have met/seen him before. I'd really Love to take him to meet everyone. Also, I think I'd be lonely and stressed if I left him home. I haven't left him more then a few hours before. BUT, it will be A LOT of work to bring him along. He's a baby and that means gear, naps, bedtime, snacks, fussing, etc... Do I have it in me to go it alone??? That is the question...

So, like I said, lots of good things happening and to look forward to. I'm So Grateful that Leif is willing to work So Dang Hard so I can spend his money. I sure do Love the man!! ❤  And I'm grateful Father helped me along the way to lose the weight that I needed to to lighten the load on my bones, heart, and soul. A true Blessing!!!

The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon Timeline

Our friend Haley who was baptized last month is coming over tonight for a "lesson." That's what she likes to call our visits about the gospel. :)  I asked her what she wants to talk about and she said she wants to talk about how the Book of Mormon and the Holy Bible are written during some of the same time periods and how that correlates. This will be a fun visual for my kids as well as Haley.

I found some great resources to help us visualize and put things into perspective. I'm always so grateful when I don't have to "reinvent the will."  Other people have already done all of the hard work. 

Here is a website that has compiled a timeline of the two books together. How awesome is this!!??

LDS SCRIPTURE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

I will use a basic world map to show the different parts of the world where the events of the books are happening (The Holy Land and The Americas). I'm looking forward to our discussion and visit. 

It's been a few days since I've written. I'm having a rough go right now. There's not one single reason. I think it's just the load of life. We can't shake the Winter Sickness. It's been a long time since we had to deal with so much sickness. We were isolated for a long time as Travelers and Home Schoolers. So it's hard to get used to having so much snot, coughing, and headaches to deal with. Especially with a baby who is building up his immune system. Uhg!!

I forget it's the dead of Winter too. My body really likes to hibernate during the Winter. So even though it's often Sunny I think it still knows that in the past we went in to hibernation mode. This makes me really grateful for all of the big windows in our apartment that I can see the sunshine through.

PMDD has been BAD this month. Really Bad! The kind of bad that reminds me how closely PMDD can resemble a Multiple Personality Disorder. It's extra difficult because if something is planned at one moment that needs to be carried out in another moment, I could be feeling a completely different personality and ability. It's embarrassing and a Nightmare!!

And the longer we stay living in one place, the more it shows to other people how unstable my personal world can become at times. I have to remind myself that the huge majority of the people around me are clueless of the inconsistencies. Most people are just not that observant. But I am. And I recognize them. And it's Really Hard!!

No Longer Worshiping The Holy Chocolate God

There are only a few things that I don't blog about. My weight is one of them. But since I know that weight and eating habits is a very common subject we all think about and work on throughout our lives. And I have said that Mama's Thinking Corner is "as real as it gets." I've decided to "come out" of my comfort zone and share with you my journey.

I haven't talked about my weight, because I don't want to draw attention to it. I usually don't like the way I look. So why encourage others to look closer, right? So this is a big deal to me. The other reason I don't share, is because my body and how it works/doesn't work, is far from the norm. So it takes drastic measures to get any changes. And I feel judged and lazy because of it. So, for the last three+ years I have quietly taken the drastic measures needed and followed the same pattern over and over (minus a pregnancy in between.) 

And here I am again, beginning the new "cycle" for the new year. But this year is a bit different. I'm changing the end part of the cycle.

If you know me well, you know that I have a true blue, through and through, full on, Chocolate Addiction. The kind that can become all consuming if not kept in check. The kind that would be classified as an alcoholic if I drank alcohol.

So starting October 31st through January 1st is the beginning of my personal holiday of worshiping the Holy Chocolate God, without guilt. Because, hey, it's TRADITION!!!  🎜🎜🎜(sorry if you don't get that joke ;)  And then on January 7th for my birthday, my dear husband agrees to let me spend a ridiculous amount of money to buy what I need to loose the weight gained during my Holy Chocolate God worshiping binge. And in a couple of months I'm back to a healthier state until October 31st. ... Except not this October 31, 2019. I'm not going down the Holy Chocolate God worshiping road again. And that's that. I'll write about it, and lament then. But the decision is MADE! 

So for now, I am 10 pounds heavier then before my Holy Chocolate God worship trip this year. And exactly 21 pounds to where I want to be.

Alright, here's the explanation. My body is clinically unable to handle exercise other then walking and lifting my 20 pound baby. And if you know anything about the human body, you know that you have to turn on the metabolism to burn the fat. And then you have to decrease the intake of calories to allow the body to burn the right fat load. And anyone who Really Knows about the body knows that strolling to the school everyday is NOT the key that will unlock the fat burning furnace door. So I require a Key. Something more then just decreasing the calories. So I have two choices thanks to modern day science and education.
I could follow the Keto Diet. Or the HCG diet. 

I tried the Keto diet once and I can't stomach it. I have studied old fashion holistic health and nutrition too long to get my mind to wrap around the fat intake. I believe in the science. But I literally can't get myself to eat it and enjoy it. Also, once I stop following the diet, I now have a TERRIBLE habit and liking for some Very Very unhealthy foods when I'm not following the diet. For example, if you add sugar and bread to the keto diet you have entered a very Fast Track Pass to Weight Gain City. So, I just can't do it.  

The HCG diet wasn't much better for years. In fact, I wrote about it here about 10 years ago after following it. Gratefully though, scientists and doctors have continued to study and have created a much healthier and realistic plan for following the HCG diet. In fact, after three years of me using HCG Injections, I have Finally found HCG drops or even patches that are strong enough to use as an alternative to the injections and less expensive. And for those of you who followed the original HCG diet with only eating 500 calories a day and yada yada yada of HARD STUFF; I'm telling you, it's not as hard as it was!!! Still not easy. But definitely not as hard!! I am using a book called the HCG 2.0. as a guideline. My personal calorie count is around 550-600 calories each day. And still almost no sugar and carbs. But we are able to eat some fats that come from proteins. But still no hard cheese. Not That Much fat. :) I'll post some of my meals and foods as I go. 

And seriously, I lose weight. It's the only way my body is able to let go of the fat. And it's pretty fascinatingly awesome! Stay tuned for more updates and stories over the next few months. 

Family Life Photo Dump!!

Caleb and JJ are excited to participate in the scouts Pinewood Derby this weekend. This is one thing I have done my best at making sure all of the boys have participated in and worked on with Leif. Even when Leif lived away from home, some how he has always managed to help the boys on their cars and they've had a great time! 

Joshua LOVES stuffed animals. LOVES THEM! This is him in the bin of animals at Walmart. :)

Joshua is reading us a story. This is a cute pic Leif caught of me listening to Joshua..

I haven't rewatched this. But it was cute when I recorded it. So hopefully it's appropriate. lol!  Joshua LOVES to be read to and to read to us. 

I walked in the room after asking the boys to feed the baby something and he had licorice running down his mouth. :) Mmm!

Guess who finally lost his two front teeth!? And he sounds so cute!!!  

My little Dapper boy waiting and reading with Papa at the Neurology appointment. He passed with flying colors. No more residual problems from the rough birth. 

This is a pic of me trying to get a pic of all of Joshua's curls. But he moves so fast. It's almost impossible to really catch how cute they are. 

This is the rain. It RAINED AND RAINED for an entire week. They say it was Very unusual. It was fun at first. Then, not so much. We Love our sunshine!!

And this my friends, is a clean bathroom counter. It took months for me to really get it cleaned off. But I finally did. This is my "Just Keep Swimmin'" Pic tht reminds me that we just have to keep trying and eventually what we're working towards WILL get done as long as we keep working on it.:)

This week is supposed to be my GOOD WEEK! But, alas. it is Not! 😕 I am trying so hard to make it Great! But I just feel Blaaa. Not sure if it's the change of meds; the lack of Welbutrin or the new Celexa? Or if I'm still getting over the virus from last week. Or a new one. Or just... what?

But it's a huge bummer! I feel like I have so much insight right on the tip of my brain, screaming to come out. But there's a huge fog there blocking it from coming out clearly. And when I can finally find the words I am either too tired to get up and write it down, or I am suddenly interrupted or distracted and the thought is then Gooone!

Sigh... Someday the words will flow again... Until then I just keep fighting to take care of my tribe and enjoy my life as it is... Beautiful, enough. 💓

Leif and Lena Baron Family

Christmas Update for 2018

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our Dear Friends and Family!!  We hope that this letter finds you well and happy. Our family is doing well! We've officially lived in California for one year now. Three months in Bakersfield and nine months in Huntington Beach.

Leif is working in Compton at MLK Community Hospital as a permanent float pool RN and is no longer a travel nurse. He enjoys the hospital and his co-workers. And they Love him! As a float pool nurse he is assigned to departments all over the hospital including the ER and the ICU. His latest evaluation was filled with praise and gratitude from the administration. Can't beat that! He is also finishing up his final year of his Masters Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. It's amazing to think that there's a light at the end of that tunnel. Leif and I finally convinced ourselves, and the ward leadership, that we will truly be staying here. Leading them to give us each a calling in the ward. Leif is serving in the primary and I am in the primary presidency as second counselor.  Leif is an amazing nurse. But he is an even better father and husband. He brings a life and light to our home that is hard to beat.

Lena, well, I'm doing well! I am happy. And I have all that I could ask for. I have a testimony of my Savior and His gospel. I have an amazing husband. I have seriously, Seriously, amazing children. Especially my sweet baby who is currently my constant companion. Which I know was absolutely meant to be for this time in my life. I live in a beautiful part of the country in a place close to the ocean, sunshine, and all of the conveniences of life that a mother could ask for. I am making good friends along the way. And keeping friends old and new from around the world. My cup runneth over, really. On the harder days I have plenty of good things to keep me from falling too deep, for too long into the dark. We have finally narrowed down the names and diagnosis' to my ailments. Which has been a lifelong journey up to this point.  And we are only steps away from getting control of a lot of the struggles I face daily. I feel very very grateful and blessed!!

Jakob. Jakob. Honestly, Jakob is the linchpin of the family right now. His mood and influence determines much of how the rest of the house feels. Gratefully, he is most often cheerful, helpful, silly, and uplifting. Wherever Jakob is, there will be music. He revolves around listening to, exploring, and creating music. All different genres :)  Jakob has full blown ADD. So this means that he is a constant multitasker. For example, right now he's listening to his current music, while playing or watching his favorite computer game of War Thunder (currently as a Fighter Pilot), all while juggling his baby brother. Really, that's a small scale example for him. Most of the time he's flipping through several different random YouTube things he's researching at the moment. All while playing and listening to music. He's pretty impressive. His parkour, writing, and acting skills are equally impressive. He is now a Teacher in the Priesthood and takes this very seriously. Jakob has a "presence" about him. He makes a big impact on whatever, whoever, and where ever he is. I love to watch him interact with the kids at church and school. He's so unique. Yet, they all admire him. It's pretty fascinating to watch. Jakob has his health challenges too. Which we're finally able to address. His rheumatologist is the chief rheumatologist of the children's hospital and is a great doctor. Jakob's up against some challenges with Juvenile Arthritis. But he'll tackle them like a champ. Of that I have no doubt.

Caleb, what would we do without Caleb!? Caleb "shakes things up a bit", every day. 😁 He is showing so much progress in school. He's in the 4th grade and we love to watch his writing and spelling improve as he puts his mind to it daily. Caleb has a kind and tender heart. He really wants everyone around him to be their best self. Caleb still Loves WWII and military history, especially anything about tanks and tank battles. Caleb still battles Autism and ADHD. But he has mastered many “life skills” by now that have moved him forward in many ways. We are so proud of him and love every ounce of him and all that he is.

JJ, or rather, “Jonathan”, as he has chosen to go by at school; is as wonderful and complex as his full given name of Jonathan Jefferson Lee Baron. 😲 He was baptized this summer and his tender spirit and desire to do good reflects the commitment to Christ he made. He is doing great in school. And has made a lot of friends. Which means that he's finally able to go a week or more without talking about how much he misses Alton (his favorite place to live). 😉 JJ Loves dinosaurs and hopes to be a paleontologist some day. JJ is a great brother. Especially with Joshua. He will read and play with him for hours. I also love to watch JJ and Caleb navigate their relationship. I often compare them to “two grumpy old men, sittin’ on a porch, tryin’ to outdo each other as they talk story.” 😂 They know that if I start calling them “Frank” and “Bob”, that it's time for them to simmer down and make some peace💓

Joshua. Our precious Little Caboose. I would be, and was, lost without him. I love all of my children! But each of them has had the season where they are “My Baby.” And this is his. Though, I have a feeling that his season might last just a little bit longer then the others did. ;) Joshua is what I call a “conflicted introvert”.  Much like his Papa, he can be the life of the party and yet be one who would rather hang back within his own thoughts and observations. He has a presence about him, much like Jakob. People are drawn to his warmth. Though his quick smile and strawberry blonde curls help him in this regard, i’m sure. He will jibber jabber to people, himself, the windows, and to his toys, all day long. Telling all of his favorite stories.

He LOVES HIS BROTHERS and will mimic their every word and action. Truthfully, the only real word that he says without hesitation and with full understanding is  “pray” .And he brings his two hands together in the sign of prayer. It shocked and tickled us when he surprised all of us one night at family prayer. Otherwise, there's a lot of testing of sounds and signs. But few true blue words. He says “mama”. But rarely with a purpose. Joshua is healthy for the most part. He's walking, eating, and doing all the cute things a 15 month old baby should. The only concern that still lingers from his rough and early birth is the possibility of some nerve or neurological damage with his right arm. It's very subtle. But he crawls on a fist and his arm gives out on him here and there. So we're meeting with a Pediatric Neurologist about that. He also has a problem with his right eye. It likes to wander outwards on occasion. So that will be fixed later. Once the muscles are grown more. So, all in all, for a baby who came out not breathing for a bit, we are So Very Grateful for the health and strength he is blessed with. And for the treasure that he has become within our family.

Thank you all for catching up with us! Please know that we Love you all and miss you and your company. Also, please remember that there are  ALWAYS Good Things To Come in this life! We must not give up! Please endure to the end, In Christ. For, we know with all of our hearts that He will carry us through all things.

With Love,

The L&L Baron Family