Summertime, and the livin's easy...

Summertime is most definitely upon us here in 'ol Tejas! Holy smokes is it HOT! I'm talking 108 people! Despite the heat, the swamp butt and the massive boob sweat, I've have been killin' it with my half marathon training! Can I get a woot woot?!

 

 

So I officially started my training schedule on Monday with Strength training, a little BodyPump, pump, pump it up, pump that Texan spirit up! Sorry, I got transported back to my high school pep rally momentarily, but I'm back now.

I totes need this tank!

 

 I am doing Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half Training Program, which will end pretty much exactly when I am set to run the Louisiana Jazz Half.

 

Can I just tell you how stinkin' excited I am about going back to NOLA! Mmmm Cajun food, Abita beer, jazz music, people watching... ahh love it - CANNOT wait! Maybe LSU will be playing while we're there - Geaux Tigers! I'm not a fan, I just like to spell geaux like that ;) I am planning to add in some lifting to the mix (maybe 2-3 days a week including a BodyPump class), some core work, and maybe some cycling (either a class or a ride on the trail once a week). I'll be splitting my runs up between speed intervals, hills, easy runs, pace runs, and tempo runs. I REALLY want to run a sub 2 at the Jazz Half!

Eating has been going really well too! I feel like I am finally find a good balance between eating clean, low carb, dairy free, and grain free. It ain't easy, but it sure seems to be making a huge difference in my overall health! Of course, I'm not perfect, I'm just do the best I can, and aim to get better. Imperfect Progress, that's what it's all about my friends! My go to breakfasts are scrambled green eggs (spinach), all natural bacon or turkey sausage, fruit and a cup of coffee or green tea. My lunch is usually a turkey wrap with veggies and fruit or leftovers, and I find most of my dinners on Pinterest and the Peace Love Low Carb blog. I also will have a protein smoothie after a hard workout or run. I use Jay Robb Chocolate Egg White Protein, spinach, half a banana, chia seeds and ice and it's yum-o! Oh and these little guys are my new favorite obsession!

Ohhhhemmmmgeee, so good! I wish I a) knew how to make them at home and b) had the time to make them at home! They are great snack for when you're out and about and can't make a smoothie or whatever.

Anyhoo - I am just feeling fan-flippin' tastic lately! I will admit that it is a bit overwhelming to remember to take all these darn pills, but oh so worth it! By the way - I totally got my haircut... it's really short... what do you think? Now I just have to wait a few weeks to correct the color (um yeah, that can be a whole post in and of itself, let's just say, this is not what it was supposed to look like).

Sorry - this is the only pic I have

Here are some pics from our 4th of July weekend festivities, hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

 

Double rainbow "What does it mean?!"

(watch it, seriously, you can thank me later)
 

Neighborhood 4th of July Pool Party

Mmmm Ice cream!

 

Sunset before the big 3rd of July fireworks show

It's about to start!

Just chillaxin' waiting for the parade to start

Here it comes!

CANDY!!!!!

Family pic!

Tempting, but no, we did not eat the GIANT donut at Round Rock Donuts!

We could not peel this kid away from these fountains!

Look at my poodle mom!

Mere moments after this photo was taken, she tripped and her flower balloon popped

and an epic meltdown ensued. Fun times.

Cheeto coma on the way to Mimi and Poppy's

Face painting!

My little flower child

Spiderman!

What 4th of July weekend would complete without watermelon with friends?!

 

Guess who's back....back again....

If you are now bobbing your head to the corresponding Eminem song that matches those words, give yourself a pat on the back. Aren't you thrilled to learn we have similar taste in music? I mean what SUV driving mom of twins doesn't rock out to Eminem, right? Don't answer that. So yes, after a LONG time, I am knocking the dust off this blog and going to fill your screen with the ramblings of what's been going on 'round here lately. 

So, if you've read my infertility story, you know that I have hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) along with premature ovarian failure and a hysterectomy to boot (don't be jealous). With this disorder, comes it's own set of challenges, primarily with the symptoms it causes in my body. I have been on medication for the past 2 years that were supposed to "fix" my issues, but let me tell ya, the only thing that was "fixed" was the number on the lab result sheet. Apparently, this number was all my doctors cared about and dismissed all of my other issues. It was not until just recently that I discovered that my doctors back in Dallas ssssuuuucccckkkkeeeeddd! Lately, my symptoms have really been bringing me down and have gotten the better of me, and I really hate that. There is nothing worse than going around like a raging hormonal biatch to your husband and kids while also being incredibly sad all the time, unable to sleep, have zero energy and even less than zero libido, I mean talk about feeling like a worthless, useless ball of crap!

I knew I had to do something, things COULD NOT continue the way they were going, but I was powerless to do anything about it on my own. I had tried everything I could think to do for the past 2 years to make these symptoms (as well as sooooo many more not mentioned) go away, but nothing I was doing (diet change, exercise, vitamins/supplements, antidepressants, spending more time in the word, yoga, meditating... you name it!) was working :(

I knew I needed to find a new doctor, so I hit up the 'ol webbernet and did some research. Through my research, I discovered that the LAST person I needed was an endocrinologist. So, there was the first mistake I made. And also, that I was not alone. The internet was full of countless people who were also suffering with unwanted symptoms despite their labs being "normal" and their doctors not doing anything about it, or worse yet, blaming the patients for their issues. One woman was even told to seek psychiatric help! Reading all this really pissed me off! What the heck is wrong with the medical community that they can't seem to address what appears to be a pretty common problem??? Seriously, I don't get it!

 

I began to seek out a doctor that was open to taking a deeper look into my condition and not just what my TSH level was. I ended up deciding on Dr. Wiseman - perhaps it was subliminal (Wise-man, I sure hope so!). His practice promoted that they were an integrative practice that offered both conventional, as well as alternative approaches to wellness. What I also liked, was that they tout that they are a practice dedicated to treating the whole person and understanding the root cause of medical issues and specifically listed thyroid and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy as disorders that they treated. Sounded perfect. The reviews were great. So, I made the call and got myself an appointment for the very next day - score! I told the good dr. of my laundry list of issues and symptoms and while he agreed my case was definitely unique, he had more/less heard it all before and was very confident that he could help me get back to "feeling like myself" again, which is someone I'm not even sure I remember anymore. He had me go get some lab work done so that he could confirm a few things and would have me back in a week to talk treatment plan. Over the last 7 days, I have continued researching some of the things he was talking about doing (switching my medication from synthroid to armour), and I began to see a common theme forming with all the posts I was reading... people would respond that their lives had been completely transformed with this simple switch. Seriously, I did not find ONE negative review about it! This got me VERY excited! But at the same time, I began to get very angry. Angry at my former doctors who didn't prescribe Armour in the first place. I felt robbed. Robbed of the happiness I could have been feeling over the last 2 years instead of the chaotic roller coaster of hormonal hell I had been living in. Then I was so sad thinking about how this horrible cycle would just continue. That uninformed doctors would continue to force their useless medication on these poor unsuspecting patients all so they can get the result they want on the labs, check it off their list and collect their paycheck, without much regard for how the patient is actually feeling.
I was also reading a lot about people changing their diet to grain-free, dairy-free and Paleo/Primal and having amazing results. I decided to take a deeper look at this idea and must say, I'm pretty sold.

I've tried it over the past week and honestly, it's not much different from the low carb diet we've been following for the past year. One big adjustment was including more eggs and meat into our meals, something we had previously been trying to decrease after watching Forks Over Knives. I don't know if it was the added protein, the mood change or both, but I lost almost 5 pounds over the course of the week! Holla! However, I'm fairly positive I gained every bit of it back last night when I went out celebrating with the girls from my church. Celebrating the end of our healthy challenge no less! Ha! Hmmmm, celebrating being healthy by shoveling fried eggrolls, deep dish pizza, and a pizookie party platter into your mouth! Sounds like a good plan!

sinfully delicious y'all!

Sooooo thankful for these awesome ladies!

Fast forward to today... one week after my first appointment. I had been anxiously awaiting this day, like a kid before Christmas morning! Somehow the anticipation and proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel" seemed to change my mood considerably the whole week - it's amazing what a little hope can do!

 

Sure enough, my thyroid was barely functioning (it is constantly being attacked by antibodies) and was not converting my T4 hormone to T3 (I realize this means nothing to most of you - sorry!), also we found out that I have ZERO estrogen, untraceable amounts of progesterone, and very little testosterone, as well as low Vit D and DHA levels (I know there was another letter in that acronym, but I can't remember what it was - I think it was an R??). It's bad enough to deal with the Hashimoto's symptoms by themselves, but coupled with the issues of a 90 year old woman's body too, let's just say, I was/am a HOT MESS. But, the good doc is hookin' me up! I start my switch from synthroid to armour TODAY, and should feel the effects of it in as little as a week - Hallelujah! The compounding pharmacy should have my estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone meds by tomorrow, and I also need to pick up some Vit D and a new multi-vitamin with DHA when I get the other meds. All in all, I should be a new woman by the end of the month. OMG - I still can't believe it - I have never been more relieved and excited before IN MY LIFE. I'm excited for what this will mean for my marriage, for my family, for my self-confidence, gosh everything. I honestly don't even know what it's like not to feel like a prisoner in my own body. Thank you Jesus for bringing us to Austin, for leading me to this doctor, and for the amazing wisdom, knowledge and advancements in science that allow for me to live a life free of these debilitating symptoms! I just feel like I am in such a positive place right now - finally! Jason and I are so thrilled and excited for where the Lord is leading us and the people He is putting in our lives.

Now, if only I could find a sitter for this weekend so the hubs and I can go out and celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary :)

Love this man so much!

 

So, I kinda feel like today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I am LOVIN' it! I will let you all know how this all shapes out! I hope you all have a fantastic week!

 

-Candice

I'm breaking up with Shaun T...

But we can still be friends. See, I have decided that I would like to spend my 2 hours of "me" time everyday (the kids' nap time) doing something other than sweating my ass off in my living room.

 

So instead, I am going for mother of the year, and using my 2 hours of allotted child care time at the Y and am going to hit it hard gym rat style. So the question is, do I bring my gallon jug of water with me so I look more hardcore??

So I was out of town this past weekend and did not exercise AT ALL on Sunday or Monday, nor did I eat well :/ but I did do really well all week with eating and met all my workout goals - so holla! I got that goin' for me. I woke up on Monday at the hotel after a glorious night of uninterrupted sleep, and getting to sleep in, I was feelin' good, and maybe that transferred to my brain or something, b/c for some reason I was feeling skinny and decided to take a pic - wish I could feel that way about myself all the time.

So, I sent it to my hubs with another little somethin' somethin', and let's just say, I made his day and he was very happy to see me when I got home. Ladies, don't forget the art of flirting with your man ;) makes you feel young again!

Anyhoo... my mom and I went with some of her girlfriends on a quick girls trip to a casino in Louisiana.

 

We all had a good time, and I came home with about $35 more than I had when we got there, so can't complain about that! Hey, that's like half a race entry! How sad is it that this is what my life has come too!? Old Candice would have said, "sweet! New shoes." Or. College Candice... "sweet! That's half a keg!" (of the good stuff)

In other news, I have made an appointment with a new doctor to discuss my thyroid issues (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis), and I go in next Tuesday, so I'm pretty pumped about that! This guy is actually a Chiropractic Neurologist, who specializes in treating patients with thyroid disorders. It's really quite interesting... he takes an approach that most mainstream physicians do not, which is to treat and focus on the autoimmune disorder and the why as opposed to just treating the hypothyroidism with synthetic hormones (which is actually just a symptom of the autoimmune disorder). I am fully on board with the idea and philosophy that much of what ales us can be remedied through proper nutrition/diet and exercise. That's not to say that there is no room for modern medicine in my life, because there is, I would just rather take a more natural approach to things. I know that my thyroid symptoms are what drag me down so often, making me feel tired, making me gain weight, lose sleep (insomnia), and literally makes my hair fall out. Ugh, it's so frustrating! So yeah, can't wait to hear what he has to say.

But in the mean time, here is this week's workout goals:

Workout Goals:

Monday
nada - on vacay

Tuesday
Interval Speed Training on Treadmill - Ran 5 min at a 6 to warm up, then 1/4 mile at a 9, walked 2 min and repeat until I get to 3 miles completed (I lost count, maybe 6 times??)
Back/Shoulders - 2 exercises per body part, 4 sets (12, 10, 8, 6) and then s superset of 12 reps for both exercise, switch to 2 different exercises and repeat.

Wednesday
Insanity (see I told you we could still be friends)
Run hills (3ish miles outside)

Thursday
Bicep/Tricep - same routine as above
JM 6 week 6 pack
*leaving to go out of town this afternoon

Friday
Insanity
Go swimming

Saturday
6 miles

Sunday
rest
*drive back home

I hope you all have a great week!

-Candice

 

 

War on Sugar???

So, I've mentioned before about how I have "Met B" and follow the guidelines outlined in Diane Kress's book, The Metabolism Miracle. This is was really worked for me after finding out I had post partum hypothyroidism. It has almost been a year since I started it and I have kept all the weight off (about 28 pounds) and continue to lose fat and gain muscle and have had NO problem changing my eating habits (of course I cheat now and then, but on the reg, I watch my carb intake). It has been a life saver for me! I always seem to get tongue tied and confused with scientific words when trying to explain the science behind it, but this article that Diane posted today really helps explain why nothing has worked for you before (that is, if you have weight issues). Very interesting stuff, I just wish more people knew about it.

Here's a link to the article below.

SUGAR WARS??? Not Quite……

Posted on May 2, 2013 By: Diane Kress

Sugar Wars….Yes, we need to fight the war on obesity, but we must target the right enemy to win the battle!
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/100112p28.shtml
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/your-brain-on-sugar?ecd=wnl_dia_050213&ctr=wnl-dia-050213_ld-stry&mb=
Two more half baked articles regarding the toxicity of “sugar”. Sugar is being singled out as a root cause of health woes. The first article does highlight the wishy -washy stance of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the AMA and ADA regarding the obesity and diabetes epidemics. Over 100 million Americans have pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Most are overweight or obese. (The Web MD article singles out sugar…when reading it, substitute carbohydrate for the word sugar and it would be much more accurate! ) It’s not enough to point out that sugar leads to overweight and weight related medical conditions as sugar is only the tip of the iceberg. We need to tell the whole story and finally get this right…people’s lives are at stake.
Sugar is a carbohydrate. Fructose is a type of sugar and a carbohydrate. Bread, grains, legumes, potatoes, corn, beets, fruit, juice, milk, yogurt, pasta, crackers, cereal, cookies, sweets are also carbohydrates.
ALL CARBOHYDRATES CONVERT TO BLOOD SUGAR AND NECESSITATE THE RELEASE OF THE FAT GAIN HORMONE, INSULIN.
Sugar is just one of many carbohydrate foods. Just one. Stop focusing on a needle in the haystack of dietary intake!
Over 60% of the US population has the genetic predisposition to insulin imbalance. Excess insulin causes excess fat growth…both on the body and in the blood (cholesterol and triglycerides). Excess insulin and insulin resistance is the basis for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The obesity and diabetes epidemics are NOT due to excess calories and fat grams! The obesity and diabetes epidemics ARE DUE TO excess carbohydrate intake.
The diet propaganda all began when the USDA developed the Food Pyramid that focused on increased intake of carbs: starch, fruit, low fat dairy…and recommended decreases in the intake of protein and fat.
The promotion of the Food Pyramid corresponded with the birth of the low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol diet both of which preceded the advent of the obesity and diabetes epidemic. High insulin from carbohydrates is the root of: obesity, pre diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, Alzheimer’s disease, PCOS, infertility issues, sleep apnea, GERD, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance.
Do you realize how many medications have been developed since the 1960′s to “treat” all these diseases and medical conditions caused by insulin imbalance???
It’s true…the low calorie, low fat diet is a high carb diet and systematically triggers insulin over-release and illness.
The newer My Plate campaign? Same old. Take a close look at the plate. It is over 50% carbohydrate foods! This is the pyramid in another format. And My Plate will not help one bit with the obesity, diabetes epidemics just as the pyramid did not.
68% of the population has issues with insulin. It’s progressive. Some are further down the tracks than others. But all need a “rest and rehab” for their overworking carb metabolism. What works? An 8 week rest from overt carbohydrate overdosing. Then, 8+ weeks of a gradual reintroduction of low glycemic index carbs (low impact) in a certain quantity, strategically spread over the course of the day. This brings the insulin producing pancreas and sugar releasing liver back to work in a gentle manner. Once desired weight is reached and lab work has improved, a lifetime of a balanced diet. BALANCE is everything. Equal parts healthy carb, lean protein, healthy fat, liberal vegetables.
Read more about it at http://www.themetabolismmiracle.com. Knowledge is power. Once you know what the whole problem is, it’s much easier to treat and win the war!
I am a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with over 30 years experience specializing in weight, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. I was named to Today’s Dietitian’s 2013 Top 10 RD’s Making a Difference for my work with the diet/lifestyle program that does work to end overweight and weight related illness. And I am not afraid to speak the truth:
Follow me : Twitter:@ DianeKress
LinkedIn Diane Kress
Facebook Diane Kress The Metabolism Miracle The Diabetes Miracle
Blogs on: http://www.dianekress/wordpress.come and http://www.thewhistleblog/blogspot.com.
websites: http://www.themetabolismmiracle.com. and http://www.thediabetesmiracle.com
Truth in Diet, Health, Wellness….

Gotta Start Somewhere...

Hi y'all thanks for visiting! So I decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon after being an avid stalker reader of so many other fitness/weight loss related blogs (mainly her, and her, and she's always funny, and of course her - love her!) I am hoping to use this little 'ol blog as a place for me to talk about my goals, my dreams, and all things I aspire too- specifically in weight loss and fitness. It's become an all consuming part of my life. Learning to eat cleaner, train more efficiently, and basically be the best me that I can be for myself and my family.

To understand the beginning of my story, you have to understand a little about me. Growing up I never really struggled with weight. I was never super thin by any means, but always average and athletic. I played soccer, volleyball, ran track, yada yada yada. Even throughout college, my "freshman 15" never stood out, I still fit in and could wear a bikini whenever I wanted without the slightest hesitation. It wasn't until after college, when I moved to a new city where I didn't know anyone that I really began putting on any weight. Even then, I managed it well I think (I still had that young metabolism!). Then my boyfriend graduated and moved to the same city and after a few years we got comfortable - well I guess I got comfortable. I gained some weight, but before my wedding was able to lose some of it - but I'll be honest, I wasn't too motivated to lose it.

June 2009

 



I think Leigh Ann put it best, so I am just going to quote her here, "Bottom line- I love food, booze, and passing a really good time. I also really love to feel thin, fit, and super hot- be real you do too. Unfortunately, a fast lifestyle and a hot sexy body can't co-exist - ah moderation, my favorite word (HA HA!). There's always a turning point, a wake up call, a slap in the face, denial ain't just a river in Egypt honey- moment when you decide which one you want more and you're gonna have to put in WORK to achieve your goals." For me, that moment was about 6 months after giving birth to my twins in May of 2011. After coming to terms with the fact that I WAS NOT one of those moms who would lose all their baby weight from breast feeding, I was stuck with the fact that just the opposite was happening. The weight was creeping on slowly. Up to this point, I had not be physical AT ALL in over a year! This was our 3rd attempt at IVF and I was not going to do ANYTHING that could possibly jeopardize this pregnancy. Well, at 27 weeks, I was put on bedrest where I remained until I delivered 10 weeks later. Praise the Lord, both babies were healthy, I on the other hand was not so lucky :( I had what is called Placenta Accreta - a condition in which the placenta attaches itself too deeply to the uterus and is unable to disconnect from it, thus resulting in removal of the uterus (and subsequently half my blood supply in the process). So imagine if you will a new mom, who can't even sit up without passing out, failing miserably at breastfeeding (b/c of said blood loss), tired beyond comprehension, morning the loss of any future children, and trying my best to do everything right as a new mom. It was a rough couple weeks. I actually lost all but 8 pounds of my baby weight when the twins were born, but it wouldn't stay that way for long. When they were 6 months old, I went in for a routine physical (which apparently you have to start getting once you turn 30 - oh yeah - I also turned the big 3-0 in the midst of all this!) and my doctor was concerned about my weight gain (which at that point was 150 lbs. and I'm 5'3), my constant fatigue, and mild depression - all of which I thought were perfectly normal things to have as a new mom of twins. Turns out my vit D levels were pretty low and my thyroid numbers were through the roof. I had developed post pregnancy hypothyroidism - yay. I will say that it was a major relief to know that there was a reason for everything that was going on with me (tiredness, low milk production (which sadly I had just given up at 8 months), weight gain, sleeplessness, etc.). The next step was to find the right amount of medication to level off my hormone levels and then take medication for.the.rest.of.my.life. sigh... At least I had answers and a plan. A couple months and blood tests later, we had found the magic dosage and my hormones had finally leveled off and I was beginning to see the pounds drop off - FINALLY! I was determined not to EVER see 150 again and thus began my journey to get fit.

                                             

April/May 2011

                                                                                

So, I never really had any real issues with food, nor had I ever really dieted before, but I did know enough to know that diets don't work. Like ever. Calories in, calories out, and work off more calories than you intake - that's when weight loss occurs. Or so I thought. So, I was reading through my daily blogs one afternoon in June 2011 and came across this little post on one of my fellow mom of multiples' blog: Stacee's Pieces Blog - Metabolism Miracle

And OMG - I felt like she was writing it for me! I had to know more info, so I went on Amazon, pretty much immediately, and ordered the book and the cookbook. A few days later they came in the mail and I read that sucker cover to cover and was floored by all the information and how closely it seemed to resemble my issues. In the words of Suz, have you ever found something that just “works” and you want to shout it from the rooftops?…
I believe I have found “that thing” that works for me.

Take a look at these photos of me from the end of May (just before starting MM) and one from after 7 weeks on MM (please don't make fun of me, I know I'm fat, that's why I'm doing this):

(Ugh, must tell the hubs not to include my face!)

 

You can read more about The Metabolism Miracle here. I should also mention that around the same time I started MM, I came across this amazing Mama's blog (if you're the only person left on earth that doesn't know mama, you have to check her out, she is amaze-balls and super inspiring), and was introduced to this crazy bitch and the c25k program, and thus began my love affair with running. So the results you see in the pics were from a couple weeks of running and 30ds as well as MM. You can read more about my journey here, here, and here  I felt so empowered and inspired at my own accomplishments. I started out like many people and couldn't even run half a mile, but after every run I felt myself getting stronger and my endurance improving. My 8 weeks on MM turned into 10 b/c of some set backs along the way, but I finished it, as well as the 34 30 day shred and the c25k program. I was all "This girl is on fire!" when I was finished. I had lost a good amount of weight but wanted to keep going, so I figured why fix what's not broken, right? I started half marathon training and ripped in 30 - I guess I'm a sadist or something cuz that B is cray cray. I got myself some good running shoes and I was off!

 

September 2012

 

I signed up for and ran, with.out.stopping. the Dallas Half Marathon on Dec. 9, 2012 in 2 hours 24 min (not my PR, but the course also wasn't exactly as flat as the trails I had been training on). The hubs, bambinos and my BIL were all there at the finish line cheering me on and I felt on top of the world, you could not have wiped the smile from my face if you tried. It was an absolutely AMAZING day that I will never ever forget, but that I do intend on repeating.

 

 



 

So that brings us to today. I kinda fell off the wagon after the half marathon. We were so busy fixing up the house and packing for our move, plus I was "recovering" that I kinda sorta stopped working out all together. I honestly just did not have any time - and this comes from someone who is a proponent of the mantra "If it's important to you, you'll make the time". Once we moved in mid January and got all settled into our new house, I had to have a "come to Jesus" meeting with myself regarding what I was seeing in the mirror (can I just say, that 128 lbs when you're fit looks a lot different than 128 pounds when you're muscles start turning into fat again). So here we are... it's March and I am ready to kick some ass again. As of today, I am 5 days into a 10 day reboot of Step 1 of MM and have been running about 4 days a week for the last 2 weeks, AND have thrown some Insanity workouts into the mix as well (4 days in). I can already see changes happening and I LOVE IT!

 

Sooo, that's me. I only hope that my story will resonate with you and help you to continue or start your own journey. Thanks for reading!