Heart4Ash (Skwig)

I am almost done with my yoga training! Next weekend I have my final and I am instructing a class with 2 other of my yogi friends. It is crazy how fast the training has flown by. We have all grown so much with understand the preventions of injuries and education on repetitive motions in yoga. I love hearing about peoples first impression about yoga, so if you have taken or have been taking yoga class please comment and let me know. Yoga is a journey just like our individual lives. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I am still working on Steve but his feet must be cemented into the ground. ;) Sometimes we get frustrated, can't do somethings or we bundle up our emotions inside ourselves. I have learned yoga is not a good work out; it is a so much more! In my last post I touch the surface of what I have learned. I am going to dig a little deeper. Yoga meaning united. What does that mean to you? Could you imagine if this world which we live in was united as one? If ...

I have been thinking a lot about posting on my blog, but have been pushing it to the side. I am thinking about posting another youtube video of where I am at now after my transplant because there has been a few questions that I believe would be better if I explain verbally. If that makes sense? My mom and I have thrown the idea around for the past year and I wish I would have done a new video each year that I have had my transplant to express the gratitude and show others that it is possible and to never give up. So... stay tuned! I am getting my yoga certificate at the moment and enjoying every single step of the way. At the beginning I was extremely hard on myself and now that it has been a whole month since starting the program my understand of being humble with myself has grown enormously. This past weekend we learn a portion of the 8 limbs of yoga which was ahimsa meaning non-harming and non-violence. Obvious we all know not to kill anyone, right? What about saying something abo...

This weekend I was on top of the highest peak in Idaho called Mount Borah. It was death on top of death. I thought going up was bad because my heart was pounding out of my chest, think again the descend was painful especially on the toes and knees. It was the worst 12 hours but the most incredible adventure! On our way home it was remarkable to see how high we were and that we did it, we owned Mount Borah! Started at 5am  Stretchin dem legs in the Woodlands  Chicken out Ridge at top left  Out of the Woods Way cold as we ascended  Part of Chicken out Ridge No chicken here In between Chicken  DEATH... Having fun scrambling on Chicken Ridge This summer has had it own ups and downs, but I have been trucking right along. I was planning on running my 2nd half marathon of this year in July, but couldn't. My knee was bothering me and I couldn't run distance. As you can ...

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! At the beginning of the month my family and I went to celebrate the 25th anniversary for the artificial heart program. It was amazing to be there and to see all the people who have been impacted by the artificial heart program. There was a gentlemen who has had his LVAD for 10 years. The technology has and is still continuing to become better. The history of how it came about was remarkable to hear. I am so very grateful to be living in this era, just because I was only 3 years old when the program started. Mid month Steve and I ran the Famous Idaho Potato half marathon. I was feeling great until the 10th mile. Steve was telling me if we keep at this pace we could PR. Just a few more steps my left knee on the outside cramped up so I had to walk. I stopped to stretch out and tried running again, but it kept cramping up on me. That didn't mean I was going to throw in the rag. I had to stop 5 times to stretch out and keep going. I tried a slow jog but couldn...

Nothing bad to report just living life and enjoying the sunshine. I started playing soccer on an outdoor league with one of my old teammates named Lauren Ryan. It is so fun to be able to get to play with her again, since I still wish I could rewind my life and get to play all 4 years at Idaho State. I was talking with Ryan and just reminiscing on the good ol' days. We both kinda got emotional and how crazy how far I have come since 3 years ago. I am in aahh myself to think about how I was when I first started this journey and sharing my story with you guys. I remember right after my LVAD (left ventricle assistance device) surgery and go for a walk around my parents block with my mom. I had to stopped 3 to 4 times because I was so weak and now my mom can barely keep up with me :) just kidding mom I love you! It gives me chills just thinking about it. Going from not being able to do anything without help to being able to push myself to my own limits is invigorating. To just be out on...

All good news at my annual exam this past weekend. I got to see my surgeon, doctor and my ICU nurses. My procedure to check my ticker went well with no struggles and my recovery has been blissful. I really enjoyed see everyone because they are basically my 2nd family that I love so much. No changes just keep doing me and remember my medications to keep trucking along. One of my doctors told me that heart rejection is extremely rare if I don't forget my medications and another doctor said to not test my celiacs due to it may affect the absorption of my medications. So with that said I am definitely going to avoid all gluten and never miss my meds. Roger? I got to see my brother's baby Tygen. He is a adorable peanut that grunts majority of the time. My mom and I were watching him while my brother and Danielle his wife went to a wedding. We just fed him and my mom said he just pooped, so I offered to change him. As I finish cleaning him up, he decides he isn't quit done and ...

I can now say that I have been to the deep south. We went to visit my in-laws in South Carolina for a week. I though the east coast was going to be a different land, but it was very similar to the West coast. We saw a few historical sites and Lisa my mother in-law told us pretty much all the rest. We got everyone in Steve's family. We met Matt, Kenzi and the boys in St. Augustine. It was great to see everyone and to spend time with each and everyone. We went to the beach, ran around, played games with the kiddos, walked around Fort St. Augustine, hit up downtown and enjoyed being all together. Through all the fun we have been having we have been finishing up our application to adopt and have signed up for the training program in June. This process has been great with no struggle thus far. My hopes for the future is bright. I have dedicated myself to be on my mat each morning and if I don't my day feels off. My understanding of mobility has increased over this past year. Eve...