It's All In The Timing...

I am a control freak. I feel the compulsive need to plan, organize, create lists and constantly be in control of my life...and whoever else's I "think" I can control. Case in point in eighth grade I wrote a story about what my wedding would one day look like. 7 years later when I got married the only thing that had changed from the story was the groom (I know shocking I didn't marry my 13-year-old self's crush!) and the church. And to be completely honest if I had had my way and not given my husband-to-be any say we would have been married in my sweet hometown church.

My husband and I were married at 10:30 Saturday morning on a beautiful sunny July day in 2003. Aside from a REALLY creepy limo driver and a flower girl who wasn't interested in having her pictures taken, the day went exactly as I had planned...demanded...threatened....we'll just go with planned.

After a breathtaking honeymoon in riviera, Mexico. once realizing there was an entire country to explore besides our suite, we set off exploring the Mayan ruins, snorkeling, diving, off cliffs, ATV tours through the jungle, plenty of R&R, and a lot of yummy tropical mixed drinks.  We returned home to start our lives as newly weds which brought with it a new plan.  Kevin went back to work right away. I was still in college so I got to enjoy the rest of my summer vacay. My plan was to finish my b.s. degree and graduate spring of 2005. I would then work for about three years before we would start our family. Ever hear the phrase "we make plans, God laughs"? Well he must have thought my plan was down right hysterical! We were married July 12, 2003. Unbeknownst to us on about October 13, 2003 a very big very unplanned surprise was conceived. If you have done the math we were married three months before we got pregnant....not my 5 year plan. So plans change I have always wanted to be a mama and wasn't going to let "my plans" ruin an experience I had longed for as long as I could remember. I finished out my junior year of college, finishing April and may at home because my belly no longer fit under the desks. Our son was due July 4, 2004. I was so sure he would be here before or on the 4th he had a whole drawer full of patriotic little outfits. June came and went, July 4th came and went. July 12, 2004 we celebrated our first anniversary. That evening we went in for an ob appointment to find out I was not even dilated, Dr. Kegel said he would see me next week I promptly burst in to tears, I wanted this kid out weeks ago I was extremely hormonal and emotional and at that moment I was positive being pregnant for yet another week would most certainly kill me! Being the kind man Dr. K is, he sent us right over to the hospital to be induced. 16min. Shy of 24hours later we welcomed our 8lb, 12oz, 21 3/4in son Collin into the world. I have never in my life been so happy to see my carefully constructed plans destroyed because what God had in store for me was so, so much better.

I'm very stubborn and hardheaded, great qualities I know. But I am slowly but surely learning to trust in God and wait on his timing. I have always wanted a large family and since we ended up having our first child when I was 21 I was sure we would be done before I turned 30. Well we have two sons ages 8 and 4 and i will be turning  30 in 10 short weeks and no we aren't even trying right now. I long to add more babies to our family almost as much as I need air to breath. But the timing just hasn't been right? For awhile now my goal had been to get pregnant this dec. but I know with every fiber of my being that that isn't God's plan for us. Often, God has to reel me back in and I am learning to hear ever so clearly "wait daughter" whispered across my heart. So now my prayer is simply this, " Lord you have blessed us with two beautiful healthy sons. If these are the only children we are meant to have, still I will stand and praise you. But Lord you created me you know my deepest desires and the longings of my heart. You told me to seek and I would find, knock and the door would be opened, ask and it shall be added unto you. So Lord I'm asking in Jesus' precious name that if it's your will Lord you would bless us with more healthy children in your timing. In your holy name, amen."

When my mind and heart are cluttered with my plans and lists and all my worries and fears. I find it becomes too loud within me to hear God's voice. Daily I must meet with Him and hand over the control and remember His grace is sufficient for me.

Has your life gotten to noisy that you can no longer feel Gods gentle proddings or hear him whisper softly across your heart. Find some quiet time to meet with the Lord. No matter where you may be or how long it may have been since you've called out to Him. He will meet you wherever you are.

In Christ,
MKAYL

Save Second Base!

Today is national "Do It For The Girls Day" encouraging all women to preform self breast exams today and EVERY month. Regular breast exams, mammograms, and yearly ob-gyn visits significantly increase your chance of discovering a problem early and being able to treat it and save your life! 1 in 8 american women will develop breast cancer in her life. With early detection and healthy lifestyles we can save lives. Our own, our mom, our sister, our friend...the list goes on and on I think you would be hard pressed to find someone in your life who hasn't been affected by breast cancer. Today breast cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic will be hosting Do It For The Girls Day online discussion. Click the link to find out more about this initiative. Early detection isn't the only thing we can do, a healthy lifestyle can also help to prevent breast cancer. Woman's day magazine had this list of 10 things we can do to help to prevent breast cancer, written by Dr. Ann Kulze.

Ann Kulze, M.D. is the author of Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet (Top Ten Wellness and Fitness, October 2004), a primary care physician, spokesperson for Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant and mother of four. Dr. Ann designed these ten steps to show you how YOU can prevent breast cancer in your life.

1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life. Weight gain in midlife, independent of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase breast cancer risk. Additionally, and elevated BMI has been conclusively shown to increase the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.

2. Minimize or avoid alcohol. Alcohol use is the most well established dietary risk factor for breast cancer. The Harvard Nurses' Health study, along with several others, has shown consuming more than one alcoholic beverage a day can increase breast cancer risk by as much as 20-25 percent.

3. Consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Eat seven or more servings daily. The superstars for breast cancer protection include all cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower) ; dark leafy greens (collards, kale, spinach) ; carrots and tomatoes. The superstar fruits include citrus, berries and cherries. Note: it is best to eat cruciferous vegetables raw or lightly cooked, as some of the phytochemicals believed to offer protection against breast cancer are destroyed by heat.

4. Exercise regularly the rest of your life. Many studies have shown that regular exercise provides powerful protection against breast cancer. Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity (brisk walking) five or more days a week. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are key!

5. Do your fats right! The type of fat in your diet can affect your breast cancer risk. Minimize consumption of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils), saturated fats and trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and herring). Consume monounsaturated oils (canola, olive oil, nuts/seeds, avocados) as your primary fat source, as these foods have potential anticancer properties. Specifically, canola oil is a good source of omega-3 fats; extra virgin olive oil is a potent source of antioxidant polyphenols, including squalene; and nuts and seeds provide you with the cancer protective mineral, selenium.

6. Do your carbs right! Minimize consumption of the high glycemic index, "Great White Hazards" - white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and products containing them. These foods trigger hormonal changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue. Replace these "wrong" carbs with whole grains and beans/legumes. Beans/legumes because of their high fiber and lignan content are especially special.

7. Consume whole food soy products regularly, such as tofu, tempeh, edamame, roasted soy nuts, soy milk and miso. Only consume organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) soy. Epidemiologic studies have shown a positive association between soy consumption and reduced breast cancer risk.

8. Minimize exposure to pharmacologic estrogens and xeno-estrogens. Do not take prescription estrogens unless medically indicated. Lifetime exposure to estrogen plays a fundamental role in the development of breast cancer. Also avoid estrogen-like compounds found in environmental pollutants, such as pesticides and industrial chemicals. Buy organic produce if you can afford it; otherwise, thoroughly wash all non-organic produce. Minimize exposure to residual hormones found in non-organic dairy products, meat and poultry.

9. Take your supplements daily. A multivitamin, 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C in divided doses, 200-400 IUs of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Also take 200 mcg of the mineral selenium or eat one to two Brazil nuts as an alternative. If you have a chronic medical condition or take prescription drugs, consult your physician first.

10. Maintain a positive mental outlook. Engage in self-nurturing behaviors regularly. Develop rich, warm and mutually beneficial relationships with family and friends. Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night). The mind-body associations with breast cancer are significant.

Get Felt! Xoxo KAYL

Blessed

I am so, so, so blessed! I have been trying lately to find and thank God for all the positive things in my life. Especially when I am feeling stressed/anxious/depressed. It usually helps me get into a much better frame of mind. Not that it's always easy, once I'm in the middle of a "why me" pity party, it can be hard for me to see the blessings right in front of me! Often I start out so basic, thankful for a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food in our bellies. Once I get started I am filled with thanksgiving and usually have a really great time of prayer. Something I repeat like a mantra in my head is "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." I challenge you no matter what your day has been like or what hardships you are facing, to find one positive thing to be thankful for. Maybe it's just that you're still alive at the end of the day, your children haven't killed you yet! Many days I am simply glad to make to see another day because my 4-year-old is very strong willed (and possibly has a hidden agenda to push me over the edge!). Praying that you can see the blessings in your life!
Love,
KAYL

Blessed Be Your Name, Matt Redman

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Chorus:
Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"

Blessed be You name
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering


Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

I will bless Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
*Repeat*