Toxic Chemicals and the Rise of Childhood Cancer: What is the Relationship?

Check this article out! I like to read other people's blogs and I always thought it was weird how there was so many cases of childhood cancer. I never knew until a year and a half ago why there was such an outbreak. I also found out recently that cancer in kids has gone up 420% in the past 20 years. Yes, I said 420%. I never knew that was a statistic but scary enough, it is :o( I'm so glad I am doing what I can to change our lifestyle to be healthier and safer for my family!!

Toxic Chemicals and the Rise of Childhood Cancer: What is the Relationship?

Snow

Well, it's been 3 years in a row that we have gotten snow! In Texas, we usually just don't get much snow. Maybe a dusting here and there and some ice but a couple inches of snow??? Anyway, seeing all this snow really got me itching to go skiing again!! Grrrrrr We were at Scott's grandfather's house for his birthday so all the family was there. All the kids got out there and had a huge snowball fight. (Including Kylan) Thankfully his snow jacket still fit and his gloves, but the boots, not so much. His mud boots had to do!! ;o) Let's get on to the pics :o)

This is how it started:

and then a couple hours later, it was this:

After we got done dropping off my car and getting out "The Beast", Taylor got HAMMERED when she got out of the truck!! LOL Everyone was waiting on her ;o)

Trying to do a snow angel. Couldn't really tell what it was when he was done ;o)

Get em' Kylan!!!

Scott Won!! LOL

I saw this last week after it started to melt in the grass but the snowmen were still standing! It cracked me up!

Anyway, off to bed!

Until next time :o)

~Alyssa

"2011" It's Always A Good Time To Change!

I wanted to share this. My friend Erika shared it with me and I LOVE it :o)

The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide that you're not going to stay where you are.

You're a product of your environment. So choose an environment that will best develop you toward your goals.

Analyze your life in terms of your environment. Are the things around you helping you toward your success or are they holding you back?

Your world today is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind. It's something that you can change at any time.

You don't have to remain a captive of your environment. Don't say "If I could change, I would change,"

Say "I can change, and I will change."

We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish.
~ Anthony Robbins

Have a great Monday!

~Alyssa

The Importance of Laughter to our Health :o)

Great Article :o)

Here are some important of laughter to our health

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

• Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.

• Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

• Humor shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles.

• Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.

• Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside.

• Express your true feelings. Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface

• Lower blood pressure

• Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood

• Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline

• Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.

• Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores

• Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

Don't be alarmed if you see me laughing for no reason!! Bahahahaha

~Alyssa

Fredericksburg

Whew, it's been a while!!! I just feel like it's been so crazy around here for some reason. Maybe since it's December and the Holidays are here ;o)

Well, Scott and I needed a little weekend away so we took a little trip to Fredericksburg the first weekend in December. It was so nice to just get away, relax, do what we want!! We went a couple of years ago and I LOVED it. The little shops are so cute and the town was decorated for Christmas so it got me in the mood for the Holidays.

We ended up lounging around, doing a little shopping, and went to Enchanted Rock. The part I was really excited about was the drive up there. The first time we went, we went through some beautiful hills. I couldn't get to my camera in time so I was excited to go through there and get some pics. Wellllllll, the Garmin lady decided to take us a different route. :o( Instead we were going through the back roads through some scary looking places. Looked like something off of the movie Wrong Turn!!! LOL

We got there and this was our little cabin :o) So cute!

We were told that our cabin was the closest to the Elk pen so once we got there, this is one of the first things we saw :o)

Looks like I was having a conversation with it!!

I don't know if you have ever heard how an Elk sounds but it's the strangest noise! I would have never imagined they sounded like that!!! LOL I wish I could of caught it on video. It's very strange! ;o)

We also had TONS of deer around!!

It's a baby deer! It was so cute :o)

Scott was trying soooo hard to get this peacock to spread it's feathers, never happened!! :o(

Saturday morning, we woke up and went to Enchanted Rock. Enchanted Rock is a HUGE pink granite rock formation that's been around for thousands of years. Anyway, it was a gorgeous day, I think in the 70's. We had planned on doing this last time but it was too cold. We will definitely do this again when we go back :o) The pictures start with the drive up there. Very pretty 15-20 minute drive!

Ummmmm, way up there??

I thought this would have been taller than the one we were climbing, but it wasn't

And yes, it was that steep in some spots:

It was a good little workout! I wish we lived closer so I could just got and climb it everyday!! I really enjoyed it :o)

I had a little anxiety, ok A LOT, about the drop offs and the steepness but I worked through it!! LOL

We made it to the top in no time. I kind of wish we would have slowed down some to take in the views a little more!! **Ahhhhh Hum** (Scott)

I just couldn't seem to move it!! ;o)

Anyway, I have many more pictures but I am going to stop at this!! Maybe next time, Scott and I will go back to do wineries (when the grapes are out) and do the Rock again :o)

Have a good evening everyone!

~Alyssa

The Meaning of The Candy Cane!!!

My friend Erika posted this and I thought this was too cute!! :o) I had to share as well!

The Meaning of the Candy Cane

The Meaning of the Candy Cane

Many years ago a candy maker wanted to make a candy that would symbolize the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus.

The hard candy was shaped like a “J” to represent that Jesus is our rock of all ages. The candy was made of white to stand for the pureness of Jesus. The red represents the blood that Jesus shed to save us from our sins.

So the next time you see a candy cane take a minute to remember the real meaning of Christmas.

Enjoy!

~Alyssa

Wordless Wednesday...

~Alyssa