Sunday Sermon #3

I think the idea of adoption is always on my heart, and I sob when I see videos like this. 
They move me in a way I cannot adequately describe. 

Working with children with special needs is a gift I feel I posses, and is ultimately what I decided to get an education in....
but since having my own children, I have not put in to practice what I got a degree in. 

My own children are my priority now, but I can't help but feel drawn to the idea of adoption,
because of my education,
because of the feelings I have in my heart for these precious ones,
and because it may just be part of the grand plan for the Wilkins Family. 

Our life right now is so uncertain, it would not be in the cards for us today, but I can't help but feel it could be a possibility.

I do not know what the future holds, and I feel the utmost respect and love for families like these. 

They are my heroes.



Happy Sunday!

Liquid Lunch

Here is my current lunch smoothie:

1 LARGE handful of spinach
1 handful of blueberries
1 handful of strawberries
1 banana
1/2 c. organic plain yogurt
1 Tbs. flax seeds
Maybe 2/3 c. of Almond Milk
Splash of water...enough to get it moving in the blender

Blend and drink.
Make one LARGE smoothie or two regular sized cups.
I obviously am drinking a LARGE amount...
but there was a tiny bit leftover that I put in the fridge for River as his after-school snack. 
He loves this smoothie too!
Yay for healthy kids and healthy Moms!



Have a great weekend!!
xo

P.S. Someone very special is turning 33 on Saturday.....

And even though he won't be rafting down the Salmon River like he was here last May....
which is, by the way, his own personal HEAVEN.....
We will probably grill out, bake him a cake, and give him lots of hugs.
He is our rock, our protector, our hero....
and I am thankful everyday that I have him by my side to go through this crazy life with.

Target Tablecloth

We all know Target has great clearance prices, and I can tell you SO many things I get there are from the clearance isles.  It is something I check every time I am there, because you just never know what you might find!  Here is a video about how I recently have used my Target Clearance purchase to make two large pillow covers, for $5.38.


In other breaking news....
the kids wanted me to upload the photos from their "kid cameras" from their Nana they had been playing with a lot over the holiday break, and it was hilarious to see what we found!
We had not downloaded any of the pictures from Paige's since the summertime, and River had only had his since Christmas, so there weren't as many, but he did take a few videos.  Funny to see the world through their lens. 
Here is a sampling!

Hope you had a great weekend!
Trying to sort out housework after enjoying the long weekend....
Hello Laundry!
xo

#250

250 posts deserves something....
so imagine me doing a cheer...
Gimmie a 2----2!
Gimmie a 5---5!
Gimmie a 0---0!

Can you tell I wasn't a cheerleader??

Anyway, I kind of can't believe I have posted that many things...
Or also that I haven't posted more...because you know I have
LOTS to say....
BUT, I am just happy you guys are still coming back to see what I'm blogging!
THANK YOU!!!
Here's to many many more posts!

So, in the spirit of milestones, I wanted to share an idea with you...
I love the idea of scrap-booking...but not necessarily the time it takes
to plan out a page, or the cost involved to make your ideas a reality.
I do however like the idea of time-capsuling....if you will.

I have a few journals/time-capsules/notebooks where I collect things and keep them safe.
I have been Journal-ing  for a very long time...
and kind of die when I read what was on my mind back in 1996
But, I am so glad I have that to read and see how I handled certain situations in my life...
Like when I found out my parents were divorcing....

Like when my heart was broken over a relationship....
or when I saw a rainbow...

I wrote it down
So I would remember.

And journal-ing  doesn't have to be so serious either.
I do it now to remember, but also
so I can show the kids when they are teenyboppers...
-what was "IN"
-what was "FASHION"
So I can FEEL like I am supermom...
although the kids baby books are half filled-out
and they are 6 and 4years old!

So, here goes....

This is MY time-capsule where I paste/tape/attach things that I love...

magazine clippings
quotes
recipes
pictures
dreams
etc.

Here is a book where I keep my favorite Kid-Art....
It is hard to choose since it is a daily thing around here and at school, but I just can't keep everything.
And this is my compromise for now.
It is a book that has clear plastic sleeves instead of pages, so I just slip them in, and can put more than one in each slot...
win-win!

And here is a journal I started for Paige before she was even born.

I felt like there were going to be so many things I wanted to tell her along the way, and if I could just write them down somewhere a few times a year, then I would feel at peace if something were to happen to me....or her Dad.....
MORBID, I know.....
And, she is tough when it comes having serious chats now, and I know things will only get tougher as she gets older....so I figured if she could see how much her Dad and I  loved her and wanted her to know THINGS...and she could read them when she was older then maybe....just maybe it would be a tool to help her.
Justin has also written Paige and River "Just-In-Case" letters so that they would KNOW he thought the world of them and wants them to know how much he loves them, etc.
Maybe it's the military life that makes us think this way, or maybe it was reading The Last Lecture...
whatever the reason, I believe in capturing the moment and putting it in some kind of time-capsule
for you
for your kids.

So get out the scissors and glue and get to it!
XO 

How do you keep track, write down, and remember??

My Home Gym

 ***Happy Monday***
Here is a quick overview of what I have at home...
it is pretty simple and straight forward, and has taken me through the last 5 years or so.

Also, I have included a few stabilization exercises for you to all try at home.

Ignore how I performed the Lift and Chop...I had it backwards.
Start with your right knee raised and your hands on your left side,
and then take your arms across your body to the right side. 

Make sense....I don't know why I messed that up!
And not that the way I did it is necessarily wrong, but not the actual exercise.

Have a great Monday, and I will see you later in the week!



For more on this topic, you can go to ACE Fit and search for an at-home workout
or a stability ball workout...there are so many great resources here to meet your needs, and it is all FREE.

10 Tips for Success in 2013- Part 2

Let's look at the last five tips I have for achieving success in 2013!

#6 FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU- A.M. vs. P.M.

We are all different; different work schedules, different body rhythms, different commitments.  Find out when you can COMMIT to exercise.  For me, I have two options....around 9:30, or at 3pm.  If it doesn't happen then, it isn't happening.  So I have to set myself up for success by working the rest of my day around these things in order to make exercise THE priority.  I could never promise to work out at 4 a.m......it wouldn't happen!  Find out what works for you, and be honest about what you can truly make happen.  Then, just do it!  This would also include ways to shape your behavior, such as putting your gym bag on the front seat (rather than in the trunk) so that you have to look at it while driving...and will be more likely to get to the gym.  Or lay out your gym clothes the night before so you are ready to roll.  Pack your lunch the night before and go on a walk for your lunch break.  Anything you can do to increase your chances of being successful is time and money well spent.  More on this topic at a later date......

#7 SNEAK IN WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK

Whether it is busting out 50 squats in the ladies room, or doing walking lunges through your house, there are always more opportunities in the day to get your workout in. Have fun with it, and make it a game. My sister and I used to squeeze our glutes at every red light while we were out driving when we were in High School...why not bring that back!? There is no excuse to not DO SOMETHING. Also, I think wearing a pedometer is a great way to assess your activity level. They are small and discrete now, and easily show you how much movement you have throughout the day. A great goal to shoot for is 10,000 steps a day, which is roughly 5 miles. At the end of the day, you should see how close you are to your goal...and walk it out in place while you watch your favorite show if you need to make up some lost steps. You can do it!!!

#8 ABS ARE MADE IN THE KITCHEN!!

You HAVE to watch what you eat......but not diet.  Diet is a four-lettered word in my opinion, and I hate hearing that people are on this diet, or that diet.  You have to create a lifestyle for yourself that you will be able to maintain, no matter your circumstances.  Eat smart, eat healthy, eat clean, and EAT.  Starvation will get you nowhere, and eating junk is just as bad.  Plan out your week, so that you already know what you will eat so there are no last minute bad decisions because you have "Nothing to eat!"  Again, figure out what works for YOU.  What do you like to eat???  Now, just clean up those meals a bit, and remember portions.  More nutrition lessons later as well, but stick to something sensible, and there is no need to radically cut out a food group for the long haul.  These changes are so difficult to maintain, unless it is for medical reasons, and then work with your Doctor to find suitable alternatives for the foods you love.

#9 STAY AWAY FROM PROCESSED ANYTHING

This obviously piggybacks on #8, but stay away from the 100 calorie pack marketing.  If you read the labels, those snacks are typically filled with many preservatives and chemical products you should stay away from.  At the beginning of the week, you can portion out snacks in small Ziploc bags such a carrots, triscuits, raw almonds, and other nutritious snacks so that your snack choices are ready for you when you need them.   The less pre-packaged and processed foods you consume, the better.  And, it is cheaper to portion things out yourself anyway.  I like the mix at Costco that is raw walnuts, almonds, pistachios, dried cherries, and dried cranberries.  I get a little sugar, a little fat, and a little protein....and you only need a small handful.  The kids love it too, so it is a win/win.  Try it for just a month and see how you feel.  I dare you!

#10 LOVE YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY; SELF-DOUBT IS TOXIC, and unattractive.

Change doesn't happen overnight, and you can't expect to transform your thoughts and feelings overnight as well, but you must intentionally focus on the positive.  The more you pat yourself on the back for small accomplishments and successes, the better your experience will be.  Be PROUD of yourself at every step in your journey, because it is just that......a journey.  Not a non-stop flight.  You will have bumps in the road, you will have set-backs,, but you must remain positive...and keep moving forward.  Love yourself enough to take this seriously...if you can't keep a promise to yourself, who can you keep a promise to?? 

Ok....do we all have an area or two we can improve upon????
Write down what you are going to do to fix at least one area.  Make a plan, and take it seriously.
What do you need to make this plan a success?  Set aside money from your next paycheck to purchase anything you may need, so there are no excuses!!  Feel free to share on here what that may or may not be, so there is additional accountability!

I am setting an alarm on my phone at 9:30 everyday to remind myself it is GO-TIME for some exercise....and I have written out my plans for sick days (yoga and stretching), and home workouts for days I can't make it to the gym for one reason or another (Beach Babe DVD and Jillian Michaels).
So those decisions have already been made for me...I just have to follow through.

Have a great weekend!
XO

Goodwill Goods

I made a stop at the Goodwill yesterday, with some time to kill
and I found some great things!!
If you have a Goodwill in your area, you should check them out (more than once), because there could be some treasures waiting there for you...
and they could be the color of the day!
In my case, nothing was the color of the day...the elusive yellow tag was nowhere to be seen!
But, you can't beat $0.99 for books, $1.99 for kids jeans, $3.99 for tops and $5.99 for dresses. 

I apologize for the quality of this video....I am on the old camera today and it starts getting really choppy later in the video, so hang in there if you want to see what I found!
Have a great Friday!

Why I care

I care because I know how good it feels to set goals for yourself and achieve them.
I care because I know how amazing it is to see your body change from hard work and dedication.
I care because I know how hard it is to make changes, to let go of the past, and to move forward.

I spend my free time on here trying to share with you because I genuinely want to help, and if I can help one person realize their true potential and transform their life, then I feel blessed.  Some people don't fully understand why I care...but they don't have to.  You should see that it brings me joy to get comments and emails, and that I am happy that my story, my example, can help others.

XO-Ariel

10 Tips for Success in 2013- Part 1

You made it through the first week of the new year...good for you!
Now that you might have your mind made up about what it is you want to achieve this year for Project 2013, I thought I could share my top 10 tips for success when it comes to weight loss/weight management.
Here is Part 1,Tips 1-5.

#1 BE ACCOUNTABLE- When you have to answer to someone, or something, you behave differently.

Justin likes to log his workouts on a large executive desk calendar, while I prefer a notebook or a fitbook(I purchased mine at Target). Any system will work, and I wholeheartedly endorse myfitnesspal for those of you that prefer something on your smartphone. Take to time to think about what you want to accomplish each week, and break it down from there. Smaller goals are easier to achieve, and will keep you on track for a longer period of time.

#2 SET GOALS-SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM-
If you aren't working towards something, you are just floating.  Make goals more process oriented, and less product oriented.  Set yourself up for success by choosing goals that are challenging but attainable, like "Exercise 5 days a week for 45 minutes".  That gives you 2 days in that week that can be used as rest days/sick/excuse days!    Plan out your week ahead of time, so that the decisions have already been made for you.  As far as long-term goals, you can choose a health marker, like cholesterol/blood pressure/body fat% to improve upon with the assistance of your Doctor if need be,  or you can choose something like a 5k/10k to be ready to participate in.  There are plenty of resources out there to help in creating a training program for free.  Check our Self.com/fitness.  That is where I printed a free training program for a 5K/10K/Half marathon.

#3 UTILIZE MEASUREMENTS, OTHER THAN YOUR SCALE
I am a firm believer in taking measurements before beginning any kind of workout program, and using these for insight into your progress.  You can also take your measurements quarterly or monthly, throughout the year to see if you are on track.  Grab a soft tape measure and get to it.  Record them somewhere important so you won't lose them.  For more information on how to properly do this go HERE.

#4 GET THE PROPER WORKOUT ATTIRE- New shoes, New Music, New clothes can mean New Motivation.
I know personally if my favorite workout clothes are not washed and ready for me throughout the week, I am less likely to go to the gym.  Call it vanity, call it stupidity, call it what you will.  I just know when I feel confident, I am more likely to make my workouts at the gym...and that is all that matters.  I think the same is also true for those of us who prefer to workout with headphones on...and use music to help us along in our workouts.  I am handicapped at the gym without my ipod, and the right music can make a huge difference in motivation and attitude.  Spend some money on yourself and invest in your success!

#5 TEAM UP- Get your hubby/Mom/Sister/Boyfriend in on the action.

I am blessed/cursed to live with one of the healthiest people I know, and use his good influence to help shape my behavior.  If I lived with someone who had poor eating habits, or did not exercise it would be SO much harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  I am not saying it is impossible, or that it is an excuse, but if you can team up with someone who you can count on to help motivate you it helps.  You really have to find the motivation within yourself to be successful for the long-haul, but you can work as a team to support each other through initial changes.  I also think that attending classes is another way to utilize social support.  If you all managed to show up for Zumba or Spin, you have something in common!

Stayed tuned for Part 2 later in the week!
Do you need to work on any of these things?
Let me know if you have any questions.... and you can always watch this video for more on this same topic.
 
XO

Hey 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here's a little intro into what I am thinking about for this year on this blog!
I hope everyone had a great New Year, and has mentally started fresh for 2013. 
Let's get our goals clarified, and start putting our plans in to action.
Talk to you soon!!