When Your Kids Ask.....

When your kids ask to paint a pumpkin at 9 pm on a school night, say YES and do it WITH enthusiasm. 

When your kids ask you to clean the pumpkin & make pumpkin seeds, say YES and do it with enthusiasm. 

Even if you're the only one to eat them, remember THESE are the MOMENTS they will remember for a lifetime. Super Jace has taught us to savor each moment, breathe in every second, and put your complaints aside. 

They might just be pumpkin seeds to you, but this year for us they are a symbol of family tradition, a reminder that our family is together and they really ARE yummy. :) 

Poncio Famly Pumpkin Seeds

*Every year our recipe changes, but this is usually the recipe we start off with. 

Bowl of freshly cleaned out pumpkin seeds

A cup of boiling hot water

Garlic Salt

Garlic Powder

Table Salt

Pepper

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1. After separating out the seeds from the pulp, place seeds in a bowl. 

2. Chances are you'll still have pulp, so pour the boiling water over the remaining seeds and pulp. Let sit a few minutes. Preheat oven to 400º 

3. Spread seeds on a cookie sheet. ( We use non-stick foil)

4. Drizzle EVOO and give seeds a little stir. 

5. Sprinkle the garlic powder and garlic salt over the seeds. Stir. 

6. Add a little table salt and black pepper. Stir once more to spread seasoning evenly. 

7. Cook for about 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them and stir occasionally.

These are a family favorite and we usually have to clean out several pumpkins for everyone to get their fill.  Some of us, (no names) just eat them whole because they taste so good. ;) 

Enjoy and savor the taste AND the time with your loved ones! 

Love & gratitude,

40 Days of Thankfulness Challenge 2013

We want to, personally, invite you to join us for our annual thankfulness challenge! 

We can tell you from our experiences this year that gratitude can't change your circumstances BUT it CAN change your attitude and teach you to find the light in a dark situation. 

You can join via Facebook here: www.facebook.com/40daysofthankfulness 

Check the events page or see details below! U can do a personal journal, tweets, Instagram, FB status, or whatever works for you. 

We'd love to hear from you about how gratitude has changed YOUR life! 

Love & gratitude, 

Tisha

• Anywhere: Facebook status, twitter, Instagram, personal journal, notes app, whiteboard, text, email, phone call - whatever works best for you!

• **Start October 8, End November 16 ** Every October we join together and challenge ourselves to post, write, or SHARE and DECLARE one gratitude per day. We are on our 6th year and challenge you to invite your entire friends list to join us! This year is especially a big year for us as #childhoodcancer has changed our family and now we know for sure that grabbing #gratitude can't change your circumstance, but it CAN change your attitude! (You can read about our journey or follow here: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jaceponcio  www.facebook.com/graceforjace) We will throw in some specific challenges to get you really thinking and will also share some testimonials from those who've seen their lives and perspectives change as they worked through their 40 Days.  40 Days is really about cleansing your mind & heart and detoxing from the negative, toxic thoughts, bitterness, unforgivness of others or ourselves, low self esteem, focusing on lack, or dwelling on mistakes. If you're ready to GROW to your next level, this will help you jump start! Be ready, be open, be EXPECTING it to change your outlook and your life.  #40DaysofThankfulnessChallenge  #40DaysofThankfulness (tag your posts, pictures or tweets with this)

10 Minute Hospital Workout

Living healthy is something I've always tried to strive for. Early on, I remember exercising and eating right being a part of my life. My dad use to buy crazy "health" food and I loved it.

 It wasn't always easy to be healthy and active because depending on the seasons of my life I would battle myself and my mindset. "I don't have time. I do have time. I can't do this. I can do this." Most of the time the only obstacle I had was myself. 

There was a point I was a size 6 (high school AND after baby #2) and there was a point when I was a size 16 (after baby #1). Today, I don't worry as much about what the scale says as much as I do about putting good things in my body and being active daily. 

But what if you're a caregiver? What if you find yourself in and out of hospitals? What if you're also juggling a full time job? What if most of your time and energy is given to caring for a sick child? 

Moms are busy no matter what, but I can tell you those of us affected by childhood cancer have a lot to juggle. 

So why workout? 

You KNOW this answer. 

You CAN'T take care of others if you don't take care of yourself. 

You WILL have more energy. 

Your mind set will be more positive. 

Your stress level will lower. 

You'll be more likely to focus and tackle your day. 

Your body, mind and spirit will be more aligned. 

You're more likely to eat better when you workout. 

We have made it a priority to workout at least 3-5 times a week since Jace was diagnosed. We don't have extra money for expensive gym memberships and so we do things at home like DDP yoga or basketball or just walk the track for an hour. 

When we are really short  on time, we do this little ten minute workout. We call it our "Hospital Room Workout" because it's all things you can do while passing time at the hospital. We even do it on early clinic days. 

If you can, do it TWICE to get your heft pumping!!! :))) 

Hospital Room Workout

(for Caregivers) 

1 minute down dog

25 crunches

1 min plank or  30 second plank

25 high knees

10 push-ups (adv single leg) 

10 squats

15 burpees

1 minute  wall sit

30 second calf raises

1 min squat punches

Cat lift/cat arch or upward facing dog

Repeat depending on time. 20 min workout is ideal if short on time. 

Live healthy DESPITE your circumstances!!! 

Xoxo

Tisha