It's a Wonderful Life

 

The holidays have been fantastic so far. For example this weekend we went to a "Silly Hat Christmas Party"and I won a rubber chicken for least effort. I suppose it's true since my hat is adorable and not silly at all. Haters.

I have been so happy lately... like ridiculously happy. Nothing drastic has really happened and you'd think I'd be sad that this will be our first Christmas spent away from home but I just can't get sad. I feel all of these blessings happening in my life and my heart is so full of love that I could just explode. I have wonderful friends that I do fun things with, I'm so in love with my husband that even when he forgets to plug my phone in to charge at night I don't get mad, and the closeness I feel to God right now is stronger than I have ever felt before in my life. This past year has been such an interesting one full of situations that have really tested my emotions and I can honestly say God has lead me through each one of them. Each choice that has brought me to where I am at this moment has been the right one and while I have cried, bitched, moaned, screamed, etc. many times it was all part of my process.

One huge part of my process has been learning to love myself. I've always struggled with weight and the need to please the people that I love most and this year I really learned that the only person I have to please is myself. (Sometimes Chad) I've started to change lifelong habits (such as drinking soda) and to move towards a more realistic life. I put down the MyFitnessPal App and started to LOOK at food and see it for what it is instead of counting it. It took 6 months but I've lost and kept off 17lbs and I hope this next year that number doubles. I still eat pizza, I still eat cake, but it's just different now. Portion is key and I think letting go of the GUILT for eating those things has been the biggest change of all. Another thing is working out, learning that my body really loves yoga and that cardio and weights are quite fun as well. The importance of getting my body into a healthy place has also made me a believer in massage. I have been carrying such stress around with me for what feels like years and after four massages in two months I finally feel un-wound. I know so many people that have never gotten a massage and I have no idea how anyone lives their life that way. Between my work stress and working out I don't think I could make it without getting the occasional massage and I have found the most AMAZING masseuse in Washington. I feel like the Seahawks should hire her but then she wouldn't have time for me so hopefully none of them see this blog post.

I wanted to tell you guys about Diane so that if you are in the Lynnwood, WA area you can get a crazy good deal and check her out. I love to share really good services with people and I give her my 100% backing as the best masseuse I have ever been to. (And I've been to a lot) She really has a knack for reading your body and where you carry your stress but the best part is how tuned in she is with your energy. Now, I know that sounds crazy but it's true! My right forearm has been tight for months and I could never figure out why. Then I go to Diane and she notices and then tells me that in Eastern medicine the right side of the body is thought to be the male side and that tightness might mean I'm holding onto an issue with a man and I need to just let go. WHOA, I thought of a personal situation the moment she said that and I took the advice. Two months and three massages later my arm is no longer tight. It's very rare to feel like someone is in tune with what you're going through in life and I feel like she knows exactly why I'm stressed and then she gives you affirmations and guides you to let them go. I'm about to snag this deal right now and if you're smart you will too! Two 90min Massages OR Three 1 hour massages for $100! (Normally $180!) That is crazy good and she doesn't jip you like everyone else with only a 50 minute massage she has always given me a full 60 minutes for an hour and Sunday I ended up getting 67 minutes of pure happiness just because! It was so lovely that I had that half asleep/half awake massage because I was so relaxed and what she does that is so different from any other one I have ever had was the "Healing Energy" part which basically means she whispers to you about breathing in and out and other chants to focus on instead of thinking about having to go to the grocery store for the third time in four days. Diane is such a delight, I always leave so relaxed and refreshed. Check out these deals on her website that are only good until December 31st and get ready to feel brand new!