Adulting is hard. My kids are now both on the adulting track and it's hard not to do everything for them still. I think we parents have as hard of a time adjusting as the kids do.

My kids are both going to college, one living on campus and one living at home. Both are going through a bit of anxiety and have a difficult time with change. Of course, me being their mother, I am going through the same emotions because I closely feel their emotions. They have no idea how much I feel their pain.

This summer has been a difficult adjustment for my youngest and is still that way right now. It's such a tough adjustment. I think he is looking forward to college, but is also nervous. He hasn't been able to get a job because of anxiety. It's freezing him in his tracks.

Yes, he has help.

Additionally, my husband and I have been encouraging him, understanding his limitations. We just want him to be able to get back to how well he was doing in school towards his Junior and Senior years of high school. He had such trials prior to that with his anxiety. 

My oldest is working, is excited for school, but it has been a rough summer for him as well. Adjustments to being back from an LDS service mission, a change in jobs, and troubles with his hip have all struck hard at his anxiety and Asperger's.

​When there is a new event, or when there is a change (especially life changes), those with Asperger's tend to have difficulty adjusting (even when it is high functioning). Well, in addition to those things listed above, my oldest found out that he couldn't room with his old roommate (who just returned from a mission) and would be starting over that way, and his best friend just got married. 

Fortunately, we all see a fantastic psychologist who is an expert in cognitive therapy. I highly recommend cognitive therapy. It changes your mindset, your actions, your thoughts.

Also, medication has been very helpful because part of these disorders are genetic and on both sides of the family. Those who think that it's bad to be on medications for mental health disorders are the ones who are insane. These medications have saved lives, our lives.

Little do people know, I have extremely bad anxiety. People don't typically know because of how I cope. Yoga, walking, being present on social media, being aggressive in business, and seeming outgoing in social situations. Little do people know how much practice has had to go into those situations, or how much time has to go into the exercise part of things. 

I hope that we can move through these adjustments and on to less stressful times and soon. We know this is all temporary. There are phases of challenge. We are working hard at it. Adjustments have been made in every area possible and we are working hard at moving through this so that we can get to the next step in this magnificent life. 

​I am very blessed.

So smoky today. It's so very smoky outside! All of the wildfires this year due to drought conditions and things like lightning strikes. We need rain so badly. Although, I don't want to have the amount of rain that they have had in Japan, so that there are floods in addition to the heatwave. My sister lives there and I think about her everyday with the weather issues they are having there and pray that she is okay.

It seems like the weather is screwed up everywhere and that there is no part of the globe that is not touched by it. It stresses me out, man! I guess life is not just a fairy tale. Things cannot be perfect all of the time. I guess there has to be bad so that we may know the good, right?

My life at home feels like a fairy tale a lot of the time. It's not because we have a lot of "stuff" or a "big" house or any of that. We live simply. We live that way, partially because that is who we are and partially because of life events, such as me having had late-stage Lyme disease and having so many medical bills. But, that said, that period of life gave me such valuable life lessons. 

I am so grateful for all that we have and that, even with challenges, my life is beautiful. I have a home. My husband has a steady job. We have two very awesome young men for our children. Our family works as a team. There is not a thing that we could not overcome together. I have unconditional love. I am married to by best friend. My health is slowly but surely (with a LOT of work) getting better. Our perspective is simple and positive. Life is great.

With everything going on around the world, we are so blessed. My children are so blessed to see parents who love each other and who are best friends and never, ever fight. In this world, to see parents work together for the best outcome of every single situation, no matter how challenging, without raising their voices to one another (but instead laughing a lot, all of the time), is so rare. However, that is my relationship with my husband. We were meant to be together. 

More on our story, our love story in later posts. It's something that needs to be shared. It's something that will give people hope and a realization that love is out there and that you deserve it. 

Summer is flying by, but we are in the most hottest months of the year in the US, and people are feeling it.
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Exercise outside in the morning so you can sweat but not get overheated.

Be sure to drink plenty of water.

Staying hydrated is the most important thing during this heat.

I love to exercise in my @nonzerogravity outfit and drink @amritawater ... the perfect combination.

Taking care of myself makes it so I can take care of my family and everything else that goes on in my crazy wonderful life.
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#nonzerogravity #amritawater#stayhydrated #takecareofyourself#activewear #alkalinediet #antiaging#drinkwater #womensfashion#activewearstyle #neoprene #sweat #heat

Some people collect sunglasses. Me? I find a pair and typically stick with them. ...and there are all kinds out there to choose from, something for everyone.

I have wide set eyes, a wide nose bridge, as well as a wide face, and thus, it's hard to find a good glasses fit. But when I find them, I stick with them. 

This season, the styles are broad and varied, as well as quite retro. 

Above, these are vintage round rivet sunglasses. Feel free to click on the picture for more information.

Above, see the Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses. They look really glamorous and they are available in a ton of different colors. Celebrities are seen all over wearing these. They make any outfit look more expensive, more posh, more upscale

These above are obviously Retro Sunglasses, and Steam Punk Sunglasses. Don't they remind you of the 80's and 90's? Sort of like what Ozzy Ozbourne has been seen wearing. 

Sunglasses are not just a tool to save your eyesight and to keep you from getting wrinkles around your eyes. They are actually a fashion accessory. Sunglasses have so many different styles and colors, made for all different occasions, made for all different styles of outfits.

So when you think of sunglasses, rethink. They are an amazing way to add a little flair to your wardrobe.

With just a hint of jewelry, even the tiny bracelet and/or stud earrings, you can create interest. Your outfit can go from ho-hum to yum!

Today was a slow moving Monday. But, this evening, we had an extended family barbecue for Pioneer Day...

...yes, it’s technically Pioneer Day tomorrow, but we can enjoy the evening this evening because not everyone has to work tomorrow.

...besides, it’s a great Family Home Evening activity 😉

It was delicious and fun.
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#utah #pioneerday #daysof47 #utahholiday #july24 #curvyblogger#bracelet #blouse #floral #floraltop #femininefashion #summerfashion

As you may have noticed, bell sleeves are very in. They are flattering, feminine, and flowy. They look lovely on all body types and I for one hope they stick around.

As you see above, bell sleeves come in long or short sleeved tops. Sometimes, they are considered more of a flutter sleeve in the shorter version.

You can see in the above dress that they are not just for tops, but also for dresses of all lengths. I think this is one of my favorite styles of sleeve. So romantic, flattering, and feminine.

Tell me how you feel about this trend in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you.

Trends for this Fall include some interesting textures and combinations.

​There is soft and flowy, and there is boxy and bulky. Quite a mix of textures, of textiles.

Chiffon, silk, and sheer fabrics, mixed with solids (non-sheer).

Florals are still going to be in style, although in deeper tones.

​Variety is the spice of life, and that includes fashion.

80's and 90's trends (good or bad) are here to stay, a lot to do with the pop influence of that era.

Of course, with Fall, come the dark colors, most especially black.  Don't fall into the trap of drab. Use color to your advantage.

Some of the trends of the 80's and 90's are good. Stick to those.

Big shoulder pads, wide shoulders, boxy looking blazers...they are back!

This is the same with coats. A lot of the coat styles are back to having boxy shoulders with added padding.

Most blazers are longer. Some are short. However, midline blazers are not really in for Fall.

Many styles of pants are wide legged. 

Herringbone is also back, so YAY for traditional fashion! 

Be careful with fads. They come and go. Find mainly traditional pieces and add a few of the fun things you like each season to keep things spicy.
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As you can see, I paired this awesome tee from BeadsBee Boutique with white capris from Old Navy, and some simple flip flops. (Dang, I love flip flops!) 

Statement tees go well with skirts, jeans, casual pants, just about anything. Isn't it amazing? Very versatile.