Anxious For Summer

Lately, I've been in a mood. I have been aching for nature. I NEED to be outdoors. If I could find a job that would allow me to   just go camping/hiking whenever I wanted, I would be in heaven. Now, there are a few reasons that I am stoked out of my mind for Spring/Summer 2013. Ready?

1: Soldier comes home!!!!!! <3 <3 <3

2: Cruise to Alaska with my cute husband

3: Running away to Moab for a week

4: Testing out my new hiking/outdoors gear

5: Random camping trips

6: Basically, anything and everything that deals with finally being together again.

Christmas present from Soldier! I'm so excited to try them out.
Merrell Moab GTX

MULE NV Hydration Pack. Eventually going to be my early birthday present.

Underneath Delicate Arch for our pre-deployment Anniversary trip.

Pre-deployment Anniversary trip. Cannot wait to go back in May! 

Cruise to Alaska. Kayaking. Hiking. Shaking with excitement!

Come on, sunshine and summertime, get here faster!!

"Army Wife: It's not my status; it's my life long promise to him." ~Anonymous

A Healthy Celebration of Veteran: Emily Walsh

Hello, everyone!! This post is pretty special because I didn't write it. Emily asked me if she could write something for my blog to inform people about little known disorders and diseases that are effecting our beloved military veterans. I was more than honored to have it on here. Please take a moment and read her research. It is very informative and I have already learned a lot that I didn't know before. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you, Emily, for striving to bring attention to the health of our veterans!

As we celebrate our veterans, we remember those who have served in our armed forces to secure our freedom. We honor their sacrifices for our country. We also desire them to live a life as healthy as possible since retiring from active duty. 

Despite the desire of the military to reduce the short and long term health risks from military service, veterans provide the medical world with some unique symptoms and diseases. It is important for veterans to follow up on all of their medical appointments, as they are more prone to infectious diseases even with all of the vaccinations that they received during active military service. Chronic muscle pain and injuries especially to the neck and back are common among veterans. The symptoms can be reduced by regular physical exercise to avoid disability.  A healthy diet low in saturated fat and salt will also help veterans and their families to stay healthy. 

Military servicemen exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War from 1962-1971 are at risk for a variety of symptoms and diseases. These chemical agents can cause fatigue, kidney stones, loss of concentration, Parkinson's, liver dysfunction, cancer, heart disease and shortness of breath. It is challenging dealing with the effects of Agent Orange. The Veterans Health Care system continues to provide benefits to former service men and women. The VA department has a comprehensive program for those with service related symptoms and medical conditions from Agent Orange including disability compensation, health care services, scientific research, outreach and education.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often occurs following a life-threatening event such as military service. It takes time and good psychiatric care to recover from the emotional and psychological effects of war. Stress management, suicide prevention, alcohol and substance abuse are all a concern to the military. The support of family and friends is crucial to cope with recovery and adjusting to a life after military service. 

An especially devastating injury to both military personnel and their family is traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a jolt or blow to the head bringing on disrupted brain function, headaches and memory loss. This injury and leg or arm amputations involve a lot of rehabilitation for the veteran to cope with and return to living as much of a normal life as possible. Advancements in medical prosthesis have been made in recent years that provide for improved functioning and mobility. 

Exposure to asbestos in the 1930s to 1970s has put veterans at risk for mesothelioma cancer. As the asbestos fibers build up in the body, it triggers physiological changes that can lead to mesothelioma that is a tumor in tissue covering the lung or the lining of the abdominal cavities. There are VA benefits for veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The American spirit lives on in our veterans and military families. Their patriotism inspires us to hope for a better future for our country. 

"Army Wife: It's not my status; it's my life-long promise to him." ~Anonymous

Drumroll please...

On August 9th, I started going to Crossfit Fanatics in West Jordan. I have lost 15 lbs since July 13th WOOHOO! Because of this, several of my friends asked me to post before and after photos onto Facebook. Yeah right. Even though this blog is 100% public, I feel like it will be seen less this way so, without further ado, I give you my before and "so far" shots. Please ignore the garbage in the bathroom.

The end of August 2012 

December 5, 2012

The end of August 2012 

December 5, 2012

There you have it. As of December 5th, I weigh 170 lbs. My legs are a lot thinner, I'm toning up (you can see my ribs in the after shots), I feel great! I also didn't realize, until I saw these photos, that I naturally stand a lot straighter now. This is after 4 months at Crossfit and I have 4 more months to reach my goal! You will have another update in April. I'm going to be going back on my GF/AF/SF diet so that my insides will stop hating me. That will definitely help me continue to tone up.

One thing that I am proud of and am continuing to improve is my strength. When I'm not having asthma, I can dead lift 150lbs. When I first started, I could only dead lift 105lbs! My endurance is increasing and I am loving the opportunity to challenge myself to go further than the time before.

"Army Wife: It's not my status; it's my life-long promise to him." ~Anonymous

You know you're an adult when...

Why hello! I haven't seen your face in a while. Lots has been going on in my world the last few weeks but the most recent just happens to be that I discovered what it's like to be an adult this morning.

For a long time I have had a dream about opening up an equine therapy camp for veterans with PTSD. It was going to be huge. There was so much going to go into it that I would have to write a whole different post in order to tell you. Today, it hit me that this was a selfish dream. Yes, it could help SO many soldiers and I am so passionate about it but...it would put my marriage and family at risk. All of our time would be spent on the business and my family would have to come second to it. I'm not willing to do that so I decided, for the sake of my current and future family, that dream needs to come to an abrupt end. It would have been amazing to help all of those selfless vets but military life is stressful enough on a family without adding "try to keep a business alive" on top of it.

That was my moment today. Now, I'm back at square one trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. I might just finish my AS this semester and then continue to advance as a phlebotomist. It's really not a bad career path and I have loved doing it the last year. We shall see...

 

***UPDATE***

I know...I'm bipolar or something. I'm still wondering what to do but I don't want to end my dream. My family will always come first but these veterans need someone who will fight for them. They need someone who is going to help them overcome such a hard disorder. I'm not ending my dream, it's just on hold for a little while.

"Army Wife: It's not my status; it's my life-long promise to him." ~Anonymous

Inspirational: From Lyndsay's Letter

"James 1:5 is almost at the end of the Bible. Joseph Smith had to read all the way til there to find his answer--but it came! Likewise, sometimes we have to wait and search and wait some more--but the answers always come. Trust in the Lord that He will fulfill His promises--in His due time :)"

I love her. This is what I needed to read today. Just because I don't have an answer yet, does not mean that it isn't coming. I just have to be patient and wait for the time when the Lord knows that I am ready for the answer.

"Army Wife: It's not my status; it's my life-long promise to him." ~Anonymous