Big Brother in Training

I haven't focused much on the arrival of Baby Huntington #4.  Perhaps it's because these three keep me so occupied.  But it seems I am running out of creativity when it comes to announcing new siblings and their entering this strange world.  I know I've mentioned we're expecting already here on the blog, but this was the picture that I posted on the Facebook world to announce to all who follow along with my life.  So I figured it merited a quick post.  I think Hinckley is definitely ready to be a big brother.  He loves babies and cuddles with Chrysa's dolls all the time, hugging and kissing them.  And Chrysa wants to change diapers for me.  She seems to understand that this baby will be another boy but she says all the time, "After, we will have a girl, okay, Mom?"  Who knows what the future holds.  Orion is so understanding when I fall asleep on the couch.  He covers me with blankets and says silly things like, "Mommy, I know you're so tired because of your big belly.  Don't worry.  I'll put Hinckley on Time Out.  He's not supposed to hit Chrysa."  These are just little things I don't want to forget.  My five year old is so willing to take on responsibilities that sometimes it just plain surprises me how fast he is growing.  And he is so nurturing.  I love these kiddos so much and I don't ever want them to forget that.    My love grows so much with each one.  So here's to the big brothers and sister in training and to the last few weeks till Baby #4 makes his grand entrance.

My Three Little Joys

Just trying to post some old pictures and catch up on things that have happened lately.  This is rather old already since my three look almost nothing like this now.  But a dear neighbor took this photo and I love it.  So before I begin devoting my time to nothing but the new baby that is about 6-8 weeks away I wanted to share my quick thoughts about these three:

-They drive me up the wall at times.
-Girls are harder to raise than boys it seems.  She requires so much more attention than my two boys do.
-Orion is a caring big brother always on the lookout for anything that might hurt his siblings.  But he always wants disciplining rights as well.  So I have to be careful with how much responsibility I flood his way.
-Hinckley is my butterball of joy that reminds me to keep things in balance and to just stop and breathe whenever the other two are causing a panic attack within me.
-Their smiles and prayers always light me up.
-Their laughter is a sound I will one day come to miss.
-I'm grateful the Lord saw me fit to be their mother even though there are days I feel too wretched to have them in my life.  They teach me more about the person I want to be than I ever knew without them.

Yogurt, Cheese, Bacteria and Food for Thought

I feel all over the place these days.  I'm not sure anyone really follows this anymore but I need to get some thoughts out.  Between traveling, working my business, raising three active young children and creating a fourth in my belly, I really haven't had the energy to keep up on my blog very well and am finally getting around to catching up.  Perhaps it's because my Hubby is away for a week that I'm just sitting here late at night trying to catch up.  I'll probably regret it in the morning when I'm tired and trying to get the morning routines going on little sleep.  It doesn't matter how late my kids get to bed.  It seems they're always up and ready to go at 7am.  Little buggers.  Don't they understand that a pregnant mommy needs some rest?  These are the days that I look back on times when my poor mother would try to get me to sleep.  I understand now, Mom.  I'm sorry I always put up such a fight.

So what else is new?  Well, a quick update on my rash.  These past few months have been awful.  But I'm finally seeing a light at the end of a tunnel.  There were days when it would subside but always the flare-ups at night it seemed.  I'm not sure why.  I looked into what's called the Pregnancy rash and I'm convinced it was a combination of a few things that this thing took so long to resolve itself.  One, nutritional deficiencies and imbalances are known to wreak havoc on hormones.  And two, since we all know pregnancy hormones are easily thrown into a spin, I'm certain it was a combination of those things that caused it in the first place.

So here it comes:  What really helped the most?  As I've been reading a couple of my new favorite books and trying very hard to assess my problem, I came to the conclusion that my body needed some fermented food products and friendly bacteria in order to battle the possible sugar and yeast imbalances.  So yogurt has been my life saver.  Eating it as well as slathering some on my arms.  Crazy.  I've fought so hard to stay away from yogurt and casein in general that I was definitely missing something.  The idea that not all dairy is created equal.  I'm so blessed to be living around the Amish right now because they are known for having some of the cleanest cows and dairy products around.  And they have provided me with tons of homemade yogurts from grass-fed cows and raw cheeses.  Which I must say beats anything on the market I have ever tasted.  Don't get me wrong.  I still believe a plant based diet is important, but I have learned so much this summer about health.  Because of my being compelled to humility, I have learned that there is indeed a balance to find between all things.  I'll probably struggle to find this for the rest of my years on this earth, but I will endure.  My kids all happily enjoy an occasional yogurt now and some eggs that come from cage-free chickens.  I continue to supplement my diet with fresh juices and veggies from the garden.  These, I have come to see are a great source of energy for me and I am lost without them.  And though I was never a true vegan, I had come to respect the lifestyle so much that I didn't realize there was so much more to whole food preparation that I was unaware of that far surpasses the benefits of any fad vegan, vegetarian, or raw food diets.

But yes, my arms don't itch at night anymore.  Thank goodness.  That pins and needles sensation that erupts in the urge to scratch until I'm bleeding was not fun.  Not one bit.  I never want to experience that again.  I hope I never have to.  But if ever I do, I at least am open to different possible solutions now in a way that I wasn't before.  I dreaded going to any doctor around here for fear they would just give me steroid ointments and tell me to take Benadryl.  And I'm glad I didn't give in.  But I must admit that going to holistic healers was not giving me answers either.  At least they made me think and did guide me to finding an answer.  They basically told me to try things I had already made a huge part of my lifestyle.  Like juice and water cleansing.  Which I do regularly.  So, how was this to help me resolve a problem that began in the midst of doing these things?  I think my answers came from a lot of scripture study and prayer.  And as always, reading more books.  The two I have recently come to love, though I don't agree with everything, are Healing Our Children and Cure Tooth Decay, both by Ramiel Nagel.  He writes based on a lot of the work done by Dr. Weston Price.  The titles may seem irrelevant but there was a lot in these that I needed to hear and I want to document that for future reference.  Like I've mentioned before, if ever my children come across such adversities in life, I want them to know that I experienced things first-hand and I want them to know how I found solutions.  Always I turned back to D&C 89 and have come to find new gems every time I read through it.  And that is what I turn to when the philosophies of man begin to cloud my thoughts.  There are a lot of great and intimidating books out there claiming to have THE answers but nothing is ever whole without the wisdom found in scripture and from our prophets and leaders.  I take everything in with a grain of salt now more than ever before.

An interesting lesson, I've learned, I know.  Anyways, I'll leave it at that for now.  I realize this post seems all over the place.  But I needed to get some things out like I said.  I may or may not expand on some of these things later.  But I needed to journal my experience so as to have it later in life.  I would love to have more time to be thorough but for now, this will have to do.  Now, if only I could figure out how to balance my sleep schedule.   Well, maybe that will be a lesson I will have to learn the hard way too and you will see me document it in the future at some point I'm sure.

Finding Balance

I'm an addict.  And a bit of a perfectionist.  I have a tendency to find something I want to be good at and then I focus.  I focus so hard on something and I work and pick at it until I'm certain that no one could do a better job than I.  Is there a problem with this kind of thinking?  Definitely.  I believe I have great qualities.  I am persistent and dedicated when I set my mind to something.  But these qualities also come with flaws.  At least they do for me.  So I'm writing this out to hopefully discover something new about myself and correct myself as I battle the great struggle that life is.  I think my biggest problem is that I will focus so hard on one thing, that everything else tends to go by the wayside and I become very unbalanced, both in my physical and emotional life as well as in my spiritual.  This, I believe is the eternal life struggle.  Do some people ever really find it?  And if they do, how do they put it into practice?

And it's so easy to blame it on my hectic life with three children and one more on the way.  But I think I'm done with that.  I don't want my babies to grow up thinking they were the cause of my imbalances because let's face it: I CHOSE THEM.  I chose to have them and if anything, they are constant reminders to me of where to find balance.  And I hope and pray that my imperfect habits don't rub off on them because their innocence and ability to balance themselves out even when they deal with a stressed out mom is my greatest instruction and I'm just now beginning to listen to the lessons they are trying to teach me.  They never forget to smile at something sweet.  They laugh often.  They move their bodies and don't sit still long in order to circulate their systems in a natural way.  Why do I fight it so?  Why can't I learn how to be relax and just be more like them?  Go with the flow.  Be a child.

I know this seems like a vague post, but I'll probably explain this in more detail as I've suddenly had the urge to write out my thoughts and not censor what's coming out.  So in my quest to find balance, I am currently working on healing my emotional.  The stresses of my past that I've held on to for so many years.  Yes, it's time to let them go.  I'm learning what true forgiveness means.  Because holding a grudge is only hurting me and no one else.  I've seen what emotional stress has done to my family members and I refuse to travel that path.  I will strive to be more grateful and realize that everything I've always wanted is already in front of me.  I will not judge and I will not cross boundaries unless I feel prompted to do so.  My mind is an absolute mess.  So it's time to clear it up.  Detox in a sense.  But this time, I will detox my mind.  So my question of the day for any readers following along: How do you find a balance?  What are some things that have and have not worked for you?

Making Sense of Healing and its Sometimes Slow Process

Usually, Orion is the one breaking out in some kind of rash.  Never before have I ever had a rash like this.  I'm sensitive to bug bites but it never gets this bad.  I guess I'm getting a small taste of what my poor baby went through those first couple of years of his life.  There must be something to learn from this.  Frankly I'm not sure I care so much right now what it is.  But I'm trying to remain positive and open to what lesson I need to learn from this particular adversity.  A few people have said it might be hives.  It sure feels like it.  But has anyone ever heard of hives centralized on the arms and ankles?  I thought hives was an all over breakout.  I'm thinking it's something yeast related.  Some kind of eczema.

I'm not certain what defines hives and separates it from all other allergic or non-allergic rashes.  It has calmed down a bit.  At night, it seems to flare up the most.  I've done some juicing to cleanse out any toxins I may have ingested from eating all those gas station goodies.  I was also thinking it may have something to do with my slight anemia that my blood tests showed.  So I'm thinking I'm low in protein and that it must definitely be contributing to my low immune function.  Could also be a low B-12.  I'm certain some eggs could help that.  I've also added a probiotic supplement and started taking a healthy source of fats and omegas.  I guess I'm trying to attack this from all angles.  For the itching, I've been taking hot showers as the hot water seems to scratch out the itch, if that makes any sense.  Then I switch the water to cool to help take the inflammation down.  I've heard a lot about hot and cold hydrotherapy so I thought I would give that a try and it definitely helps soothe the skin.  I've mixed a few drops of peppermint and melaleuca oils in some water and placed into a spritzer bottle that I use to mist all over the itchy spots after my showers.  It really cools.  And then I slather on the coconut oil.  This routine has been the most helpful to me.

Dr. Brian Clement, a doctor I'm rather fond of, once said in a lecture on health that eczema and other such rashes are basically asthma expressed on the skin.  That basically, it's a combination of systems not functioning together and a body desperately trying to rid itself of toxins.  And, that as a last resort, the body uses the skin to expel things that are not being expelled properly otherwise.  Does that make any sense?  I'm just thinking out loud now.  So I've been asking myself, what could my body be trying to rid itself of and why is it having trouble doing its job?  I'm eliminating as much processed food and sugars as possible.  As a pregnant woman, I want to say, that has been a challenge.  But I have noticed a bit of a pattern.  Anytime I eat sugars, I find myself flaring up again.  I also thought it might be low B-12 because I don't eat a lot of animal products and therefore don't replenish my flora the way I probably should with all the cleansing I've done in the past.  Which is why I've been taking a probiotic.  Anyways, those are some of the things I've done thus far.  Not a total cure.  But I'm not one to find instant relief anymore.  I refuse to mask my symptoms with some drug that suppresses it long enough for new things to malfunction.  I want to heal my body.  Even if it's a slow process.  So here's to hoping and healing and listening to my body's warning signals and giving it what it needs.

Pregnant again, Out on the East Coast and A Rash

Okay, so I haven't blogged in a while.  Three crazy kids, and a hubby who changes his mind about work a lot have recently thrown me out into the incredible little town of Lancaster, PA.  So here I am now.

Long story short, Alex is out doing sales again.  Who knows if I'll ever catch up on posting Christmas photos and other videos.  Maybe I will.  Eventually.  But I guess I'm giving up on trying to catch up.  I get this crazy sense of not being able to blog unless I catch up.  Anyone else ever experience that?  It's the same way when I journal.  It's silly though.  I'm missing out on writing current thoughts because I have to wait to catch up?!  So, here's to overcoming the OCD freak inside of me.

Lately, I believe many view me as the health freak on top of it all.  Okay, perhaps sometimes I do become freaky.  But my post tonight is about expressing to all that I'm not perfect.  Sometimes I feel like I say that and people don't believe me.  Maybe it's because when others say that to me about something I genuinely compliment them on, I DON'T believe them.  I have a tendency to think of others as so perfect.  But what woman hasn't done this at some point, right?  Who hasn't had thoughts of how perfect the neighbor next door is with her 5 kids and then thought, "Why can't I be more like her with my one?"

Anyways, I'm getting off subject.  I guess the point I wanted to make in this post is simply that just because I'm a huge advocate of good health, green juices, natural remedies and essential oils, doesn't mean I'm the perfect example of using them.  Do I give in to temptation?  Of course I do.  Do I fall off the health bandwagon?  Absolutely!  I can't begin to describe how guilty I feel sometimes about the things I do that are not in line with my latest ideals of good health.  Did I eat a huge bag of cinnamon bears on our road trip out here?  Yes!  I admit it.  Wow, it feels good to be honest.

I'm not about to ever go back to over-indulging in the lifestyle I once had.  When I fall off, I get up and say to myself, "Oh well, I'll start over again."  The truth is, I'm not really starting over again.  Perfecting any one habit, whether it's health related or not, can take an entire lifetime to achieve.  It's an ongoing process.  But it's one I'm passionate about enough to truly want to share with others so that they too can benefit.  Which is why sometimes I get overly excited and share too much and freak people out.  If I've ever done this to you, please forgive me for my weaknesses.

I guess my main reason for writing this post today is to share my weaknesses.  Someday perhaps my daughter or sons may have a similar predicament and I want them to KNOW, their mother was never perfect.  She only did the very best she knew.  Whether it's the junk I ate on the road out here, or pregnancy hormones, or different allergens/toxins in the environment, I seem to have developed an interesting rash on my arms, ankles and cheeks.  And yes, I am pregnant again.  I guess this post will serve as the official blog announcement.  Poor baby gets such little blog time.  But we're excited to enjoy our third little boy come Sept 2nd, or earlier.  You never know.

So why am I talking about my rash?  Well, one reason is possibly to just vent about how frustrating it feels to itch all over and not know exactly how to treat it.  I know, you're probably thinking, "But wait, you're the green juice and smoothies gal!  You're the essential oils gal!  You're the all natural, home birthing weirdo who picks wild edibles and eats them!  Surely you already have the answer and solution to your ailment!"  Well, sometimes I'd like to think I have all the answers.  But Heavenly Father has definitely humbled me in the past couple of days as I've diligently searched for remedies with little to no avail.

It's true I believe that good nutrition can support the immune system enough for people to avoid and ward off most common ailments.  It's true that since I started on this health journey three years ago that I rarely get sick the way I used to.  But even the best health gurus sometimes experience nutritional deficiencies and have to use outside help and testing to analyze what is going on inside the body.  My most recent blood tests recently showed a slight anemia.  It makes sense.  I don't eat much meat or dairy.  So it's difficult for my body to get sufficient iron and protein if I don't have enough variety in my plant foods.  Especially if lately, I've indulged in some donuts and croissants and not really focused on creating healthy meals.  ;)  I mean C'mon, a pregnant lady has some room for a donut or two, or sometimes three in one 5 minute sitting.  Right?  Okay, seriously now, on one occasion I did have six.  But who's counting?

Reason number two I post this:  Perhaps to just get a little sympathy and maybe some good advice from anyone who may have already experienced this particular frustration.

Reason number three:  Since I plan to take action on trying a few different things to cure and heal my body, I want to later document what it was that did and did not work for me.  Maybe some poor soul somewhere out there in blog land will be searching for an answer to pregnancy rash in the future and happen to stumble across my account.  And if by any chance it will be useful to her, I will rest happy, knowing I could be of some help to the poor gal who had to endure the same trial I did.

Anyways, sorry this is so long.  I just needed an outlet for my latest frustration on this night as I desperately try not to scratch my itchy and inflamed skin, that for now, I will blame on the beautiful trees that are covered in the most colorful blossoms I've ever seen out here in Lancaster.  

Only Pictures I have of November

Cousins hanging out and decorating tree together for Christmas that was just around the corner.

And then it was Christmas.

Halloween 2011 continued

Just a few more pics I forgot from the night we went to the Nightmare Express ride.

They full on decorated everything, including the waiting line that had seating with Halloween cartoons playing for the kids. My photos don't do it justice but it gives you an idea of what this family does for Halloween. So cool and generous of them to do such a thing for their neighborhood kids.

Daddy and Hinckley waiting.

This was a shot of Chrys just after she had been calmed down by her daddy from the terrifying mummies wandering around with hideous masks.

October 2011 Came and Went

On another one of our Friday Fieldtrips, we went to a fun house that goes all out for Halloween and has free train rides on a little power engine train that takes them around the block. I guess their whole family lives together and does this full on decorative thing. So fun. We went during the day with our playgroup and then at night another time. Chrysalis was not fond of the guys in scary masks at night that jumped out at you. Hinckley was rather impartial. Orion loved the scary scene.

Hinckley and me.

The kids.

Orion making faces at me.

Silly kid that I love.

My Chrysa has the most piercing gaze sometimes.

I tried to capture some of the tunnels we went through on the train ride but Hinckley on my lap was making it difficult. This was the best I could get.

Fun stuff. They apparently do a Polar Express train too but this year it wasn't going to be operating. Oh well. Maybe next year we'll catch that one. It's seriously decked out for one family to all put together for kids to enjoy free.

Lack of money for costumes this year meant some creativity once again on my part. I saw this in a parenting magazine and decided to do it for Orion. He loved it. "He went around telling everyone I'm the I-15 highway. Check out my roads."

For anyone who's traveled the I-15 from Utah to Cali, I'm sure they've seen this funny town's name a few times and wondered how that was pronounced. At least I know I have, so I thought it would be funny to tack onto his costume. Orion kept asking me how to say it. So the question of the day is how do YOU pronounce it?

Cheapest and easiest idea for a costume ever, in my opinion.

Random church craft that Chrysa made that month. She called it her "chunky monkey." These are the things I don't want to store long term that I want to document somewhere forever.

Some Halloween crafts the kids made at the library and at our storytime with our ward Grandma, Mary Lynn Peterson.

Roman, a little boy about Hinckley's age who's family we hang out with a lot these days.

Chrysalis, the contemporary ballerina with a colorful skirt, wasn't sure what to do with so much candy. But I think she got the hang of it.

Orion definitely knew what to do. But he was so cute and funny. We got home and he asked me, "Mom, I know candy is junk food so how many can I have right now?"

Orion with his friend Gabe from Primary. Gabey's younger brother was Yoda. Cute little brothers. So, Halloween came and went. And this was a short summary of how the month of October happened for us this past year.

Random photos to be posted

Okay, I have been absent from the blog world for a while. Life has suddenly gotten crazy. So here are my catch up posts for the day. Forgive that these were from so long ago. Definitely stuff I want to publish in my blog book eventually though so that's why they're here.

Wheat Thins are yummy.

Running around on one of our Friday Fieldtrip days to the hospital to see a Helicopter but it never showed up. Sad. Oh well. Kids don't care as long as they can run and play and laugh all day.