New Year - My New Challenge

The thing I was reeeeeally hoping wouldn't happen ... did. The weight I gained with having babies stuck around. =(

I've been trying to work on making better choices in my life (and benefits my family too!): using Norwex cleaning products (simply awesome!) for less chemicals around me, buying Trader Joe's products (I know that doesn't mean "super healthy" but at least "better"), buying more organic foods, walking around the neighborhood, etc....

BUT my portions of food were soooo off and cardio??? Why would I want to do that???

So I wasn't losing the weight and I wasn't happy with this new body (thanks boys ;). I had heard really great things about Beachbody and started looking into it. I bought PiYo DVD's and borrowed the 21 Day Fix portion control containers (and information booklet). WOW was that eye opening!! I knew I had a lot of sugar each day, but didn't even realize the amount of carbs! ...And one serving of veggies wasn't enough?? I had work to do! ha

My friend/coach asked me join her Facebook Challenge Group and that was super helpful to stay motivated. I didn't want to "disappoint" the group or my coach for not following the plan! But, I wasn't super strict with it either. My goal was to use it as a jump start to living a healthy lifestyle, not STRICT 21 Days and DONE!

Have you done yoga with Pilates before?? It's awkward at first. And some moves are tricky. However, I kept at it and each day I did a little better! Then a week or so later I did a workout and I was able to do all the moves (!!) and that was exciting to me! (Can I do a video for you now with perfect moves? nope. But I bet you would burn calories laughing as you watched it!) THEN I started seeing results! A few pounds off each week and a thinner waist! That was even more exciting! Crazy how working out with eating healthy and getting in your vitamins really DID work! ...The experts always told me that was the combo...Now I believe them.

Now I want YOU to feel good! Take out the guess work. Take out the pain & hassle of going to a gym.  Get a program that meets your needs and helps you reach your goals!

My new challenge this year? To challenge YOU while I go on this journey towards a healthy lifestyle! Facebook me or leave a comment! I want you to know YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Kelly Joy Dressen

It's been a very long time since I've written anything. I once had lots of time on my hands... Then I found out I was pregnant with Matty and I just wanted to nap all. the. time! =)

My pastor posted a blog titled "A Miscarriage Is More Than You Think".

It got me thinking about our story that happened 3 years ago...

I was sitting reading the story of Rebekah giving birth to twins for our Bible time in my 1st grade class. All of a sudden I had this thought "I wonder if I'm pregnant." It really came out of no where. After work, Anthony went to his Bible Study with his guy friends and I ran to Target to buy a pregnancy test. I took it at home and it was the faintest 2 lines....2!... so I took 2 more tests (can you relate? hehe). They all showed I was pregnant! Anthony came home and I showed him the results and  thus began our excitement. It was so much fun thinking about how to tell our parents, family, and friends. It was so much fun thinking about what it would be, names, how our family of 2 would go to 3, etc. etc. etc. I told a couple friends, then we planned a trip to MN to tell my family. I bought a "Grandma's photo album" for my mom and a board book for my grandma. On our way up I was so nervous excited! I wanted my dad, mom, and brother in the room at the same time. I wanted them to be surprised. I had been praying for God's timing to have a child and here was His answer!
... so I thought.

I love giving presents, it's my jam. Everyone was in the kitchen (perfect!) when we arrived at my parents house, so I gave mom her bag and she didn't think anything of it. She opened it, saw the Beatrix Rabbit and thought it was cute. Said thank you and put it down. Silly mom.  I asked if she read what it said on the cover and then she FINALLY pieced the clue together. They were all excited and Dad wanted me to go tell Grandma right then! So dad, me, and Anthony all went over to her house and gave her the board book and she was very excited for her first great-grandchild.

The next day was Oct. 13th. Anthony's birthday. We were going to have a party for Anthony later on that day and tell more family our good news. But instead, I woke up knowing it was over. Without going into detail, I had to call the nurse line and ask what she thought was happening and she told me to go in to have the baby checked. I cried. My mom tried to give me hope that things might still be OK, so I clung to that idea. It was a long ordeal finding the right hospital that could help me. It was a long ordeal to find out what happened. The nurse started positive with a "You are pregnant! Congratulations! About 6 or so weeks a long." and the ultrasound tech ended with a "I'm sorry, we can't find anything."

I always say "God gave me the best way possible in the worst circumstance." I was very early along, I had no pain, I didn't have to have any kind of surgery, etc. But my heart broke. There went my dreams. There went my hopes. There went my love. Gone. All in a moment. It felt like a nightmare.

My family gave their condolences and tried to cheer us up at Anthony's birthday party. I did my best to hang in there that day and it was a nice distraction. But then we went back home and it hit like a ton of bricks. My principal was wonderfully understanding and let me have a couple days off (more if I had needed it). My energy was gone. I felt sick and weak. And the tears just kept coming.

I had read a book that gave me the idea to name the baby. I wanted it gender-nutural since we didn't know what it was (although there was a "it's a girl" sign in front of a house we drove by on the way home from the hospital, so that always makes me wonder). Anthony and I said "Kelly" almost at the same time. And I wanted to add "Joy" (even though it's more girly) because for that short time, the baby had brought such joy.

-------

I had many family and friend rally around me and help me through the dark time. Here's what they did for me, so you can have some ideas if ever needed. (Please think about the words you say. If you've never been in that persons shoes, don't act like it's "no big deal.")

- A friend gave me a book about others who went through losing a baby. We also met up to talk about our experiences. It was helpful for me to share my story and hear hers.

- A couple friends got me a Panera gift card and put together a CD with music about trusting God through hard times and how He understands our pain.

- A couple other friends let me come over to talk and pray since I didn't want to be alone the next week Anthony had his Bible study.

- Another friend baked delicious cupcakes and printed out Bible verses.

- Another friend gave me an iTunes gift card (I used it to rent a movie to get my mind off things and bought a few songs too).

- One of my students only knew I "wasn't feeling well" and brought in a baggie with toast and sprinkles on it. It was adorable.

- Relatives sent cards.
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God has the big picture and I fought to trust it. I had to stop asking "why". I don't know all the why's, but I do know I made a very good friend through that hard time and I understand others going through a loss better.

My heart has healed from my miscarriage (even though it still is sad). And I now have two happy healthy busy boys and they are my pride and joy.

God knows where you are at today. He will walk with you through the valleys and give you hope.

24

Well, it has happened again.

I reread one of my blogs (the Church one) and at the bottom it said it posted at 3:24.

24: It turns up everywhere!

I first liked it because it's my birthdate (3-24). Then as I was reading my Bible, I realized that the story of Rebekah was in the 24th chapter of Gen.  THAT made it my favorite number. Done. Even God seemed to agree that it should be my favorite number. (I don't say "lucky number" because I do not believe in luck. Believing God planned everything out is much more meaningful and helpful.)

I wish I had written down all the times 24 popped up.

Here's a few I remember:
* Our new house has 24 stamped in the ceiling

* The street I need(ed) to get to IKEA (a favorite store) is 24th Street

* First kiss on a 24th

* The song "24" by Switchfoot

* I started labor on a 24th 

* The show "24"

* Became "in a relationship" with Anthony on a 24th (not related to the kiss...)

All big moments and favorite things... I think I'll add to this post when another "24" happens or I remember another one.

Clean Living- start with cleaning!

Hey friends! Are you reading all those articles about the chemicals in your cleaning products? Have you read the labels on your cleaning products? There's even some cleaning wipes that say "wash with soap and water after use"... do you really want to use something that you need to clean, after you clean?

Want to know my favorite Green Company? Norwex.

What do their products need? Water. Yup! That's it! The microfiber picks up germs and dirt and the silver in their products kills the bacteria.

Their my favorite because they are SO EASY, and work BETTER than other products I've used. And I've cleaned a lot (my own places, my dad's apartments, and a couple short cleaning side-jobs).

They have a lot of different products! Here is what I got FREE when I hosted a party:

What questions do you have? Let me know if you would like to get a consultant's e-mail, I know 2 wonderful ladies that would love to help you!

(I'm not getting any compensation for this post. I just want to share how much I like these products!)

Summer Foods - My Favorite!

As I was making my chicken salad sandwich, I thought "You know, I should write a post about summer foods...and my addiction for chicken salad sandwiches...". Good plan right??

It's true. I love summer foods: noodle salads, hamburgers on the grill, ice cream, and chicken salad sandwiches (let's just call them CSS for short).

CSS's are easy, yummy, and great for leftovers (ahhh leftovers are wonderful aren't they??).

Here are some of my go-to CSS recipes:

Lemony Dill Chicken Salad - This recipe is from The Daniel Plan. It's even healthy! I've made this one quite a few times this summer and everyone has liked it. Plus, you can add a little more ingredients and have more servings (I love not having to measure when all-of-a-sudden you have a couple more people to feed!).

(Today's lunch. That verse even fits! hehe)

Quick Chicken Salad - I first found this recipe on Pinterest (of course). It too is tasty and like it says, quick! Just use canned chicken! A friend said she liked it better than Hy-Vee's Chicken Salad!

(My Annual Easter Luncheon)

Super Quick Chicken Salad - buy some at Hy-Vee! It might seem pricy, but I can get at least 4 servings out of a $6 container, so not too bad when broken down.

Organizing Your Classroom #3

     Hello again! Thank you for stopping by!

Some schools start TOMORROW, so hopefully this post will help you just-in-time. ...Or when you re-work on your room in couple weeks and again during Christmas "break" and again during Spring "Break"...and any 3 min. you have during the day... Life of a teacher.

As you set up, there is SO much to think about. Here are a few pointers:

#1 Have a reading "nook." Even older kids like to have a small space that feels like a "hideout." I choose to put mine in-between bookshelves so I could still see the students anywhere I was in the room, and my reading group table was close by as well.

(Big enough for 2-3, and I really didn't have issues with everyone wanting it at the same time.)

#2 If possible have as many materials (paper, pencils, math manipulatives, etc.) at easy reach for the students. (*See shelf on right* - I did put "special" materials on the high shelf so I would take those down when needed.)

#3 Have "Find a Home," "Toy Drop," and "Birthday Bucket" containers ready to go.

"Find a Home" : Students/teachers place items that drop on the floor during the day inside the bucket, then at the end of the day the student with the job to put items away can find where they belong.

(Helpful when you don't have time for the student to put that one piece back in the math game that you put away in the cupboard.)

"Toy Drop" : If a student brings something to school that he/she shouldn't and gets it out, ask the child to put it in the "Toy Drop" bucket so he/she isn't tempted to get it out again. When the child packs up for the day, hand it to him/her and remind that student that it shouldn't come to school again.

 "Birthday Bucket" : Have a bucket with either a little birthday trinket (pencil, squiggly straws, bookmark, etc.) ready to go inside. Birthdays seem to pop up every-other-day in a classroom, so having it ready with the child's name on it will help the last minute rush for you to get something together day of.

Squiggly straw balloons! Something fast, original, and fairly cheap

#4 Last, but not least, think of the children's safety. 

ALICE is an amazing organization that has some great resources for teachers.

Our school took their training and we all felt empowered and giving clear ideas on how to keep our children safe. The link will take you to a blog on 7 ideas to help keep your classroom safe from an intruder. 7 Tips for Safety

Take time to read their other material. It is definitely worth the time.

I hope these ideas are helpful!

Calm in the mist of Calamity

Here I sit. In my God-given dream house, with my lovely family, good food, wonderful summer... I sit in my air conditioned home, on a comfy couch, listening to my child play ...all while I read the terror going on around the world.

Complete terror.

Pictures so horrifying I can only read bits of the articles to go with them.

I started praying. God is the only one who can stop those who are doing this unthinkable evil. God is the only place to turn when you are half-a-globe away and can do next to nothing to help.

I was grateful for this post. It spoke directly to me, "Don't feel guilty. Guilt isn't going to get you anywhere. Feel the URGENT NEED of prayer."

What an amazing gift God gave us to be able to pray to Him about people I have never met. To pray against The Evil One and these evil leaders on earth.

I started reading Psalms 10 aloud as my prayer:

Psalm 10[a]

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
    Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
    who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
    he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
    in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
    your laws are rejected by[b] him;
    he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
    He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”

7 His mouth is full of lies and threats;
    trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
    from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9     like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
    he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
    they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;
    he covers his face and never sees.”

12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
    Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
    Why does he say to himself,
    “He won’t call me to account”?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
    you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
    you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;
    call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
    that would not otherwise be found out.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;
    the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
    you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
    so that mere earthly mortals
    will never again strike terror.

(Taken from Biblegateway.com)

I still ache for those in turmoil and I still tear up every time I see another picture,

but now I feel calm in the mist of this calamity.       

Will you set aside your guilt?

Will you take time out of your day to pray for those who desperately need it?

God hears. God sees.

and God ACTS.