(this blog contains random pictures I have from 2009, in a very random order...)
I have neglected this blog during the past year. There are many reasons for this. Some due to being too sick, no energy, unable to think, concentrate, or not having any words to remotely describe what I was going through. This past year has brought one that allowed me to gain a better understanding of my relationship with myself, my family, community and God.
(benefit concert-April)
(decorating PURPLE cupcakes-May)
For those who may not be aware, 2009 was a year of great struggles for me regarding my health. I felt that I had hit rock bottom so many times, only to then say "nope," apparently I could go lower. I felt as though I had no immune system, and would catch every virus that the kids I worked with carried. My body did not have as much strength or ability to fight off the virus' that well. Which would leave these nasty bugs to linger for weeks on end. During this time though I was granted much time to read, learn, study, observe, ponder, and pray. I began to see things in different ways, and learn how to listen understand a bit more how my body communicated. I began to hear the part of me where my instincts were trying communicate regarding what was going on within me. Things that I had sensed were not right within me, yet had been told by countless people that this was not the case, was soon to show that it was a part of the problem.
(Christmas 2009)
(My sister teaching me how to use my new camera:) - Dec)
In September everything seemed to just fall into place and I began to see more clearly that throughout my entire life I had been dealing with food intolerances. The more that I studied this, the more I could see what certain foods were doing to me. I began to learn that if you deal with a lot of ear infections as a child, they are generally caused by food intolerances. All those who had ear infections galore as a child, please raise your hand (*ME!!!) Some studies had shown that ear infections, and hearing loss in children could be resolved through elimination of possibly just gluten and dairy.
(Tucson Zoo-May)
(Rockin with Aunt-Nov)
I began to see a naturopathic doctor who tested me for foods I was intolerant to. Through this I was placed on a diet of foods to avoid that would help strengthen my body and get rid of toxins and bacteria. In addition, he placed me on a few supplements to add in this support. It took a few months to figure out the right balance of what my body could handle and what it could not. Through this time I began to see how food intolerances manifested in me. It was in different ways that I would never had thought of... sinus problems, extreme fatigue, waking up insanely early, not being able to sleep, low immune system, foggy thinking, digestive problems, anxiety, oh the list could go on... What was a new thought for me as well was seeing how many times it would manifest a few days after consumed (like this past week: added the spice, tumeric, to my food, and couldn't sleep 2 days later). In addition, I have also been learning how my body reacts when things are eaten as certain times (i.e. it does not work well when I eat a large meal at night, especially protein).
(Attempting to make the tallest lego tower)
(He let me HOLD him!!!-Dec)
Together, my naturopathic doctor and I have finally found a good combination of things for at this time in my life. It's a very limited diet (6 things, count them - 6: mung beans, asparagus, quinoa, amaranth, blanched almonds and ghee), but it has been the biggest blessing to come to me at this time. It has allowed me to lead a life once again. What's interesting is that my body didn't need any supplements - in fact it repulsed them - what it needed was ghee and blanched almonds. (*ghee is clarified butter - it's a popular with India cooking ) I will need to be on this regimen for a few months to allow myself to heal. Then slowly we will be able to add back in more foods. This won't be as difficult as some may imagine, I have been pleading in my prayers for the ability to have be made whole for many years now. This past year I feel the Lord has been teaching me things regarding what I need to do to allow this to happen, now it's time for me to implement them. Plus for me experiencing 30 seconds (if that) of having something in my mouth that some may feel is the necessity to life is not really worth it at this time.
(Christmas Lights-Dec)
(raodtrip! view after Jacob's Lake - June)
Throughout all this, I have also been able to understand more what other things in my environment were doing to me. Over the summer I began to stop in my daily routine using synthetic chemicals, products and fragrances. One night, a few weeks after doing this, I suffered a horrible headache/ body-ache of a detox nature. A few months later, during one of my really low points with my health, I could began to sense more how those items had been affecting me. How it would weaken me more than I thought they could. Most people's systems could tolerate and process these things, but my body had been weakened through many things, that it didn't have the ability to do this.
(UofA Grad- May)
(Farewell party-July)
If someone would ask me how I would describe 2009, I would say it was a year of being humbled and learning many things. I feel that I needed to be taken to an extreme of being completely off balance in order for me to see more clearly and to hear and understand answers. Through this I have been able to see and make changes that would be necessary for me to continue towards achieving a healthy life. Do I have all the answers, of course not. But I am excited as it allows me to continually seek out, learn and understand throughout the years.
(farewell party-July)
(The Sharp campout-July)
(Roadtrip to Sedona-June)
I feel that I am such a different person than when I first moved to Arizona in October 2008. I see the world differently, have different goals and desires, and understand things a bit more. Knowing what I know now, would I have wished that my doctor's would have known about the food intolerances early on to have avoided all those ear infections, harsh drugs, antibiotics, digestive problems, pain and surgeries... no, because I can see, just a tip of the iceberg, wisdom in having me experience those things and learning countless things. I am though grateful for this time now with the ability to gain more understanding and the blessing of working towards becoming more whole.
(Temple open house -Utah-June)
(My 2 Valentine's - 2009
In addition, the knowledge gained through my life experiences, I feel I have become a better person.
Plus this adventure has not even come close to ending.... :)
We went to San Francisco and hung out at Pier 32. Here is a picture of me with a lot of sea lions in the behind me. There were a LOT of them, just laying around - it was very relaxing to watch. 
We stopped at walked around the Golden Gate park. This is similar to Central Park in NYC. Calvin and Trevor had fun in the Rose Garden area :)
They had a few redwood trees at the park that we were able to see for the first time.
On Saturday, we celebrated my nephew's 2nd birthday. Part of this celebration was a picnic at one of his favorite parks. The weather was perfect! 
Here is a picture of my newest nephew showing us his infamous smile. He is so cute!
Here's his brother showing his contagious smile as well. He LOVED the chocolate chip pancakes his dad made for him for his birthday breakfast.
My sister did an outstanding job of cooking the most amazing meals. She made an incredible salsa that was talked about the entire weekend! She really knows how to cook.
Here is a picture of my newest nephew showing us his infamous smile. He is so cute!
Here's his brother showing his contagious smile as well. He LOVED the chocolate chip pancakes his dad made for him for his birthday breakfast.
My sister did an outstanding job of cooking the most amazing meals. She made an incredible salsa that was talked about the entire weekend! She really knows how to cook.
Here is my nephew with one of his favorite aunts :)
