Bootcamp

            I started bootcamp on Monday and so far it is not that bad. I thought having to be there at five in the morning was going to be much harder then I thought but it has not been that bad. Luckily I don't have to be to work until noon so I have been going to bootcamp, get home eat, shower then go back to bed for a little before work so it has worked out perfectly. After my first day I was feeling good and so proud of myslef for getting up and going, the next day however I was not feeling that great I was so so incredible sore. I did not even want to turn over in bed or get up for that matter I was tempted to buy adult diapers so I wouldn't have to get up during the day (Yes, I am that pathetic) but I didn't I sucked it up and even went for a walk that day. Thankfully on Wednesday when I had bootcamp again my muscles where feeling much better. Then came Friday and ever Friday is ball day, where we bring the big yoga type balls and I was thinking oh this should be a easy day how bad can it be if all excerises involve this ball, oh boy was I wrong! I now have a hate towards that stupid blue ball and no longer look forward to Friday ball day. I am looking forward to seeing how in the next three weeks of bootcamp I progress with being able to do more and my body change. Keep tuned for a update in a three weeks!

         Next post will be a baby front update!
          

Good Bye Tonsils

        I was completely terrified to go get my tonsils out but I did it! I was so sick to my stomach the week of my surgery I barely ate or slept and I was dumb and watched YouTube videos of people getting their tonsils out so not a good idea. The morning of the surgery I was so scared but was glad Kris was able to come with me I would have hated it if she wasn't there. Surgery went amazingly well and the doctor told me that it was good I got them taken out they were badly scarred and had a lot of holes in them, so I am glad that it was worth it! 
        Healing after was pure torture. He had told me it would be bad but me being me I was like no I got this I am going to be a tough on, oh man was I wrong. I was in so much pain and misery thank the heavens above for pain medicine. I was having to take it every 4 hours on the dot because I couldn't survive without it. On day three I was so miserable and was having trouble breathing so Kris took me to the ER where they gave me a steroids, fluids and morphine through and IV and that night I was feeling pretty good. (I wished they would just let me take some morphine home it was so much more effective). It took me a good week and a half to be fully off the pain medication and back to being able to eat regular food. I talked funny for a little while and I was afraid it was going to stay like that. I went back to work a week and two days after my surgery which shocked some people because normally people can't go back to work for 2 plus weeks, so I guess I was a tough one after all. I am now fully healed and back to my normal voice thank goodness. The plus to all this is that I lost 13 pounds in the process! I am working on keeping those off and even start my bootcamp in the morning at 5a.m which I am not looking forward to waking up so early but I promised Kris she would have a hot fit girlfriend soon so guess I better go. To anyone getting their tonsils out or thinking about it I would say it is worth it but be prepared it is not an easy recovery for adults. The doctor told me a 4 year old would recover in a few days but for some reason the older you are the worse it is, so not cool. 

Its Been To Long

   It has been far to long since I have posted on here and Kris got mad and said I need to start updating more often so I will try and work on that.
   My new job is amazing and I could not be happier with it. I love working with the children and wouldn't want to do anything else. Balancing a full time job and being a full time student is semi of a challenge but I have been doing pretty well so far. I am keeping my grades up and getting all my work done also. There are some days that I am just absolutely stressed and I just have to step back and breathe and Kris keeps me pretty grounded which I love! Working with my kids makes me so happy and I feel like I am helping other people. I had one of the kids dads tell me that he manages millionaires money but he feels like I have one important job and can change peoples lives. That made me feel amazing! Working with children with Autism and being a Behavioral Therapist is not easy, I have day were I just want to pull my hair out but seeing the kids make progress is the biggest reward ever!
    So besides the new job we have been doing amazing! We are attempting to get a couple of our dogs into training to that we can move in together permanently (we have 5 dogs between the two of us, yes we are crazy). Right now we practically live together but take turns going from my house to her house which is getting really old so hopefully we can get this dog situation figured out! If anyone has any helpful ideas it would be greatly appreciated.
   I have to get my lovely tonsils taken out this week which I am not to excited about I have heard horrible things about it especially with being older. Speaking of older I am now 24 years old which is depressing to me. It makes me feel a little better knowing that Kris will be 27 this year so at least I am not that old yet. I am so weird about getting older I have no clue why but I am terrified of turning 30 everything thinks I am ridiculous. 
   I am going to attempt to update on our life more often I love and miss blogging. So I will try to be more on top of it promise!

Happy as a Clam!

   I never really understood that saying "Happy as a Clam" how do people no clams are happy they have no ability to express emotion, but hey I like it. So I am in pure bliss and feeling so incredible blessed lately. I accepted my dream job I (Harper) am not working as an ABA Therapist and couldn't be more excited if I tried. I am so in love with my job and the company that I work for it is absolutely amazing! I will update more later but just wanted to throw a little teaser out there!

Determination!

     I am not working 2 jobs one full time and one part time job and going to school taking 15 units. My feet hurt, my body if sore, and I don't even know what day of the week it is more then half the time. My full time job right now is as a Hospitality Specialist/CNA and it is exhausting. Working 10 hour days for 4 days then 4 days off. My part time job I am still working with children with disabilities not as much anymore which makes me sad I miss my kids so much. I also just interviewed for an ABA Therapist job which I am praying I get. My true passion is working with children with disabilities.

      Keeping up with my school work on top of working is difficult sometimes. I have all my weekly calendars for all five of my class hung up on the wall in the bedroom so that I know what is to when and what needs to get done. It looks ridiculous and not so pretty, I told Kris it's how we will now decorate our room from now on.

      Staying on top of everything and working so much while trying to keep up with each other and have time with one another is not easy at all but worth it. When I wake up sore or am at work and my feet are aching I just remember I am working my but off because I am determined to save the money to get our babies. I imagine little faces, family trips, and just cuddle time and it all goes away. I am determined to get the money we need to get our babies no matter how much pain.

     On the side note my diet is not going to well but that too I am determined to get back on track. (Stupid PMS I swear) So for this week its all about determination!

Resolution In Full Affect!

    Well I didn't start my new years resolutions right at the beginning of the year but have started this last week and a half, better late then never right? I am determined to lose all this extra weight I am caring around. I have gained way to much after moving to Texas and going through all the infertility issues, so now time to get back to being healthy.

     After thinking about what I want to do to get healthy I finally decided on using Green Smoothies and Paleo to make this weight loss happen. My new daily routine is for breakfast I make a green smoothie and take my daily medication plus Flax Seed Oil, a vitamin, and a Pure Green Coffee Bean Supplement that Dr. Oz recommended. (Yes, I will try some things even if they sound ridiculous). If I want snacks I will have peanuts, almonds, tangerine, or pistachios and limit my amount to a small hand full. Lunch I eat a portioned meal that has a protein, vegetable and a fruit. I do not eat anything processed. Example of a meal I ate today was ground turkey with peas and corn mixed in and for my fruit I had a tangerine. Finally, for dinner I will make another green smoothie. Through out the day I drink a ton of water, drinking a lot of water will often times curve your appetite.

      For those that want to know for my green smoothies I use:
                  1 cup Coconut Milk
                   1/2 a Banana (can be frozen of fresh)
                   4-6 Strawberries
                   3 cups Spinach
                  1 tbs Flax Seed Meal
I put it all in the blender and blend it up then drink it. For those who want to try but don't like Spinach I am happy to tell you that you can not taste any of the Spinach (Kris hates Spinach and loved it, plus I didn't tell her there was Spinach in it). I have also used different fruits like Pineapple, Orange, and Pear but remember fruit is high in carbs so limit how much you put in. Also, the Spinach can be replaced with Kale if wanted. I am working on figuring out a good no fruit Green Smoothie but so far no such luck.

      For exercise I will admit I don't do a whole lot right now. I work with children so chasing them around is a work out most of the time. I have also been walking around the park near my house twice a day. I usually walk around it 2-3 times before heading home. I have yet to see how far that is so I am not exactly sure how many miles it it if I had to guess I think maybe 1.5-2 miles, but that is just a guess and I am not very good at measurements I am always off. I do however, plan to start maybe next week Insanity, I own it but have yet to try it. I figured after spending the money on it I should probably do it and get this body in shape.

    So, for now this is my routine and so far it has worked amazingly well! Once I lose more weight I will add in another portioned meal instead of the green smoothie or I will do 5-6 small meals a day depending on my work schedule. I will keep you all updated on my progress and if anyone has any questions or suggestions please let me know! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

Winter Break Is Over And Food Experiments

   So, my school winter break is officially over back to school I go tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about this on one hand I am happy because means I am closer to getting school done and sad because I didn't miss all the studying, tests and note taking. This semester all my classes are on time which means I have to work hard not to get distracted my other things on the internet which is not always an easy task with me, I am very easily distracted. I am determined though to and ready to face it head on.

     During my break though I have been doing a lot of food experimenting. The first one I tried was garlic, parmesan crusted Edamame which was amazing and so easy to make. I love edamame and adding the extra flavor to it makes an amazing protein filled snack. My next new adventure with food was mashed garlic parmesan Cauliflower. This one is a healthier alternative to mashed potatoes and surprisingly didn't taste much different. They were not as whip like as mashed potatoes but the flavor and taste was all there. Even Kris who is a huge mashed potato fan, she would eat them everyday if I made them, thought that the mashed Cauliflower was good. Finally, my last completely not healthy recipe I tried was Birthday Cake Rice Krispie Treats. These were so good and luckily I still have some left. They were fast and easy to make and would be a great recipe to try if you have kids. I will put the recipe for the Rice Krispie below and feel free to message me for the others!


Ingredients 
Rice Krispie Treats 

• 6 tbs margarine* (3/4 of a stick) 
• 3/4 cup yellow cake mix 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
• 3 cups Rice Krispies 
• 1/2 10oz bag of marshmallows (5oz) 
• 1 tbs sprinkles 

Buttercream Frosting 

• 1/2 cup margarine* (1 stick) - room temperature 
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 
• 2 tsp vanilla 
• 1 tsp almond milk* 

Instructions 

Melt margarine in the microwave (about 45 seconds). Mix in marshmallows and return to microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring between, until melted. Mix in cake mix and vanilla until combined. Add in sprinkles and 2 cups of Rice Krispies with a spatula. Add in the third cup of Rice Krispies.

Fill each well-greased muffin holder with the Rice Krispie mixture and press it in gently with the back of a spoon. Cool for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

For frosting, cream margarine in stand mixer with paddle attachment, then slowly add in confectioners’ sugar until well combined. Mix in vanilla, almond milk and food colouring if desired.

Remove Rice Krispie cupcakes from tin with a knife. Frost and top with sprinkles.

*Butter and regular milk could be substituted for their non-dairy counterparts.
**Makes 24 mini cupcakes. For a 9 x 13” pan, double the recipe.
***Note: Also try this out with a marshmallow cream frosting!

Why Adoption?

   We get asked all the time why we decided to adopt instead of have children of our own and why we chose to adopt internationally and now I am about to explain. Adoption was always in my mind since I was younger, my parents had talked about adopting a child when my sister and I were in middle school but ended up not doing so. I also had a friend who's mom would foster children all the time and ended up adopting some of those children. So I grew up around the idea since a young age. Although when starting to think about a family adoption was not the first thing that came to mind, trying to conceive was. We planned to use a donor that looked like Kris and I would carry the baby, but life had different plans for us. I went to the OB to see about all this because I was having such erratic cycles so, predicting ovulation was nearly impossible. Turns out that wasn't my only problem, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and have a small tumor on my pituitary gland that is messing up all my hormones. We were devastated and didn't know what to do or think. I was put on some very harsh drugs that made me sick at first to see if they would help get me ovulating and regular. Unfortunately, none of them worked as the months went by. I was so upset and felt like less of a woman and it was tough to deal with at first. I knew I was meant to be a mother so why was this happening to me.

    Until I figured out life had a different plan for me, I wasn't meant to have babies I was meant to save a child and give it something it otherwise would never have. I knew right then and there that I was meant to adopt. Both of us spoke about it and Kris was right there with me and felt the same way I did about things. We jumped right into doing the research to adopt and I was immediately drawn to international adoption instead of domestic adoption. Why you may ask, because the kids in some of the poorer countries don't have much of a chance and some of the statistics are saddening. In some countries in Africa the children don't even live past 2 years old due to little to no medical help. It hurt me to read some of the statistics knowing some of the children would never leave the country, to get to live a better life were they will go to college one day, be able to go to a doctor when they need too, and know were their next meal would come from. So, here we are today on a mission to adopt internationally and not only change our lives but the lives of the children we plan to adopt (we are adopting two hopefully). That is what I tell the people that ask and couldn't be more proud to say it.

A New Year...

    We didn't do to much for our New Years Eve we played the Wii and played board games because we are children adults and that's what adults do right? 2012 was a year full of ups and downs but a year we will never forget. It was the year that I hopefully have had my last surgery, the year we became stronger as a couple and the year we decided to start a family together. Now that we have a whole new year to make memories and experience so much more. This year we have so much planned and are so excited to see what is to come. Like any other people we of course have the new years resolutions. Mine (Harper) are to lose weight because yes I am real original, finish up my school, and raise the money and save they rest of the money we need to get our babies. Kris' new years resolutions are to find a better job that she loves, and also save and raise the money we need to get our babies. We are hoping this new year brings us happiness and blesses us with amazing opportunities. I hope you all had amazing holidays and may the new year bring you complete happiness. I am oddly glad to say I return back to work tomorrow, I love my job and miss all the kids so much! Ready for this New Year bring it on 2013.

Not going to hide...

   So I read a blog post from an amazing blogger about how her love for women all started and how long it took for her to realize she was a lesbian. It took me 22 years to finally find my complete happiness and come out. When I was younger I knew no other gay people and lived a somewhat sheltered life seeing how my Father had two daughters and was in law enforcement. In high school was my first experience with people that were gay and my first experience with a girl. I was at my friends house and I was sleeping over because we had somewhere to be in the morning and for some reason unknown to me she kissed me, I was in shock and disbelief, but my deep down feelings are what surprised me the most I wanted her to do it again. After that kiss I had no other experiences with women through out high school. I went through high school telling myself that it was nothing and me wanting her to do it again meant nothing at all, so I continued to date men and live the straight life. 

    After high school I started college and college is a whole new world full of so many different people. In college I was still thinking about that one kiss and I began to think maybe all my thinking some women are attractive was not a straight thing, but once again I ignored the feeling. A year into college I was invited to go to my friends birthday party in Big Bear and that is where I met my former fiancee. Yes, I was engaged to a man. Him and I were together for 4 years of my life which during that time he was in the military and stationed in a different state. I cared for him but it became more of just a friend thing due to the distance and my struggle with finding who I really was. Needless to say we parted ways but are still very close friends and talk all the time. 

   So, here I was confused and not knowing who I really was until I met her. I was working at a vet clinic but had put in my notice because I had to go to school all day for a class I was taking. I told the vet that I could stay until the new person was fully trained if he could find someone soon that he wanted to hire. The next day he told us that there were two  interviews the first girl walked in and I we were all in aww the girl asked us what number month June was, and then proceeded to call her mom and say she didn't know how many years of high school she completed but she graduated. Yay she didn't get hired. The next interviewee was much different she walked in the door and I looked at her and immediately ran to the back to fix myself up the best I could, then thought to myself why am I doing this? It made no sense to me as why I was so drawn to this women after all I was straight right? I was about to find out how wrong I was because she was hired. The next day I knew she would be there so I did my hair and put on makeup (which I never did my hair or wore makeup to work) I hopes she would notice me. That first day we all got to know each other she was a gorgeous brown haired, blue eyed, confident in who she was, lesbian woman, and I just couldn't stop smiling around her. 

   Over the next few weeks I trained her and she finally asked me to hang out with her and I of course said yes! I was so nervous that night as I headed to her house, trying to figure why I was like this. That night we kissed and my whole world changed I had never felt the way I did when she kissed me. It was bliss, and I honestly had never been so happy in my life. Finally, I felt like I belonged and she has become my world. Coming out to my parents was one of the hardest things because all my life they had seen me date men, and even saw me engaged to one. The day they said they didn't care as long as I was happy I couldn't believe it. Kris has changed my life and made me the happiest women alive and now with her by my side we are ready to start a family together, and we couldn't be happier!

You never think....

   Today was suppose to be filled with happiness I had finished my last final and had the day off from work to just relax and get errands done like take my dogs to the vet for shots. After my final I called my mom on my drive home like usual we always chat but this time it was filled with bad news and sorrow. One of my friends who I grew up with and played basketball with her Mother was diagnosed with lung cancer awhile back which was a shock to all of us because she hasn't ever smoked and took good care of herself. Her Mother had surgery to remove part of her lung and started chemo to make sure that is was all gone. My friend who also lives in Texas with her husband moved back to California leaving her work, school and her husband to help take care of her Mother. She never even hesitated at the idea and has the most loving husband who supported her in her move while he stayed in Texas. Everything was going great they surgery went amazingly well and she started the chemo and was doing well on chemo. Everything was looking up, until recently. Her Mom went in for a routine check up with a MRI, CAT Scan and blood work we were all expecting it to come back with no signs of anything little did we know. Her cancer has spread into her brain were there are two tumors that are not small, this is devastating news. My friend's brother who was in Afghanistan was flown home to be with his Mom and if any of you know anything about the military they only do this when it is a extremely serious matter that is life threatening or not looking good at all. I am in a complete state of shock and disbelieve. Her mom is an amazingly strong woman and is always being so positive in such a rough time, she truly inspires me. We are all trying to stay as positive and continuing to pray. All the well wishes and positive thoughts are needed at this time.

A Year Ago

      Before a year ago I thought my life would be that of a typical find a job and go to school and have all the same friends from high school and full of the stories people tell of one another because we all grew up together but little did I know with one decision that I made it would change my whole perspective on life and change my life for the better. I was a privileged child my parents made good money and for the most part we got what we wanted and needed I can't remember a time I didn't have what I needed. In a way I guess you could say I was spoiled (but not a brat). My parents though taught us once we were of age to work that anything extra we wanted would be on us. When I was 16 I got my first job and unlike all my other friends that meant I no longer got money from my parents to go to the movies or out shopping, and when college came around I took out loans of my own to pay for them because my Father told me it would teach me responsibility. At first I thought all this was to unfair, I mean why are they doing this to me when they can pay? Now that I am older I understand completely.
        
     A little over a year ago I made the decision to move from California to Texas you could say it was on a whim but I have always been the spontaneous type. Moving to Texas has honestly changed me in so many ways and I could not be more grateful that something in me decided to move. When I first moved to Texas I thought I had just made the biggest mistake of my life it was right in the middle of summer and it had been 30 straight days of 100 degree plus weather (which I have never experienced growing up in Orange County, California). I was miserably hot and was on a mission to find a job and get everything going for my school. Once I started my first job here I immediately loved how people are in Texas, friendly, nice, always willing to talk and have amazing stories. My first job is were I met two of my roommates who helped change my life. Most of my friends back home were like me came from a privileged family and  got everything they wanted but my roommates came from a whole different background. They came from families were a parent was an alcoholic, were they had been on there own since 16, and a family that had the bare minimum and just scraped by. My roommates had done everything themselves since a young age and worked for everything they had. I continued to meet people with stories like this and it made me extremely thankful for all I have and had growing up with. I thought I had problems and that my life was so difficult and never really thought how bad others may have it and I think a lot of people are like that. Living in Texas and meeting all the people I have met has made me a better person and makes me want to continue to strive to be a better person.
     
    I have thought and thought about how I can go on to help others who are not as fortunate as me and my new adventure that I am working on is to travel to Ethiopia, or any place in Africa to help orphans, help build homes, or help do anything I can. I am beginning my research and am hoping to go Summer 2013 and I can't wait. Why Africa you may ask? Africa because ultimately I plan to adopt from Africa in the near future but that will be another post!
  

First post ever!

Today I decided it was time to share my journey with others. I have debated about this for a long time after reading and following so many blogs, each time I read on I thought to myself I should share my journey for all I know it could help someone or someone could help me. After all I have learned a lot and have got some pretty good ideas and in a way advice from reading so many others blogs and comments on those blogs. So here I am, through this blog I plan to share my journey through school and my journey to adopt internationally. Through this I hope that may help others and that others can help me. I hope you all will enjoy and welcome to the start of a new journey with me.