My Favorite Room

About a week before Braeden's baptism, leaving for Rough Camp, Primary Quarterly Activity and my week for Sharing time, I decided to make a big change. So I started by pulling off the previous owner's tapestry they had so eloquently placed as a lovely border around our family room. One thing led to another and by 2:30am on a random Tuesday, I had painted the previously maroon room with a coat of primer and 2 coats of white. This was just to get us through the very busy next week. Then I called my very good friend Kelley and asked her if she had any ideas for this room. We had previously discussed some wants, however, I thought it was just casual conversation. I was happily wrong. She arrived the next morning, blueprint and nailgun in hand. She had done a tad bit of homework and compared paint samples and decor! In one day, she transformed this room. Unfortunately, I didn't take a before picture. Picture this: marroon/red walls with an oak chair rail, beige tapestry framed nicely with marroon/red border wood. I have to give complete credit to Kelley because I was really busy with camp stuff, a CTR shield and babysitting neices and nephews. I can't thank Kelley enough for the gift she gave. And now this is my favorite room!

Go left? Go right?

Mom and Dad are great examples of deciding to make a change and really sticking to it. They are diligent about their points, their healthy guidelines and continue make great strides towards a healthy lifestyle. This is a dramatic change as their lifestyle has always been packed of skipping meals and eating late at night because of their crazy schedules. I am proud to be on this incredible rollar coaster with them. Mom said she bought a pair of pants that were two sizes smaller than she had worn in years! Yeah! A few months ago we would have all chosen to go to the left and now we are all staying to the right!

Caramel Apples

I made caramel apples for the Highland Care Center Bake Sale. These apples were hand picked just this week. I bought a bushel of them from Schmidt's Farm. They are amazing, crisp apples. Add them with a bit of caramel, chocolate and peanuts and really...how wrong can you go?

They sold for $3.00 each. At that rate I could start a new job. There really are crisp apples underneath all the goodness. You will or should be proud of me...I didn't eat one!

YAY! My first Tag

I am...a mommy, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and paranoid.
I want... the earthquake to happen, already.
I wish... there were less worries in the world.
I hear... a child's laughter.
I search... for new ideas on being thrifty and weight watcher recipes.
I wonder... where I really stand in the real scheme of things.
I always... leave lights on, I am totally afraid of the dark.
I am not... ready to let go of hope.
I sing... every time I hear my favorites on my playlist, scroll down you might find something you like.
I never...lock my car doors. I figure if someone breaks a window it is more expensive than anything I am keeping. Though, I hear Cheerios are going at a great rate!
I rarely...go to sleep without the TV on.
I cry...rarely when I need to and always when I don't want to.
I am not always...consistent at my goals.
I lose... everything. Cody finds everything.
I'm confused... about how to handle sibling rivelry.
I need... to relax, simplify and enjoy.
I should... go to bed with the lights out and TV off.
I dream... of resolution between family members.
I TAG... anyone reading this.

San, Steph & Nessa- a tag is where you take this idea and implement by cutting & pasting with your own answers in your own blog and then you tag someone else...:)

Boys will be boys

Cody is planning to elk hunt next week. He saved his pennies (literally), turned in his loose change and purchased a tag. He is heading up with some buddies from work. Until next week he is practicing by aiming at water bottles. He hit his targets. Here's hoping the elk run fast and a little to the left...I really just hope he finds a good time and not an elk :)

Cody called me at work in the Spring and asked a simple question. "Hi hunny, Um...how long will I get the silent treatment when I pull in with a small motorcycle?"

My only concern is that he always wears a helmet. He bought me a very cute pink helmet as well as a "sissy bar" which translates into a nice backrest.

Isn't he cute? I always wanted to marry a biker!

It's that time again

Every General Conference weekend, we update our 72 hour kits. I feel VERY strongly about the need to keep these updated. I pull out the food and check dates. This time around we replaced fruit snacks, trail mix and crackers. (You'd be surprised at how long tuna stays good.) I urge anyone and everyone to keep these kits ready to roll in case something happens. You will notice there is a 2L of water, this is not quite enough but I want to keep the kits functional in case we have to carry them. They are kept in our luggage, with wheels on the suitcases for easy transport if we are walking somewhere. When we travel we just keep the kit stuff on our bed and when we unpack we repack our emergency kits. They are stored in our coat closet for easy access to both exits. For the kids I added extra comfort items, some coloring books and a stuffed animal.

Success...not yet

Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in & day out.
Life gets so busy it is hard to keep consistent. We started the week out really strong with exercise and then starting the work week, it was less motivating to keep moving. I stayed within my points each and everyday. Yet, I gained .6. I think the meetings are great and motivating. Today we talked about LEARNing from old habits. There were many attending today who had lost all their weight but gained it back quickly. They talked about not reverting back to old habits. It's hard not to want what you had. For me a relaxing evening with a movie, curled up on the couch with my sweetheart, with popcorn and a coke was an old habit. The small up and downs can really be discouraging, however, success is overcoming the person inside who wants to quit!

Last year for Christmas, Santa brought Talan a 3-wheeled scooter. He wanted nothing to do with it. He picked up Braeden's razor this Spring and has loved every minute of it. We were all shocked at how quickly he was able to balance and ride this scooter. He now takes it everywhere we go. I love to watch him, he really has no fear.

Too big

Braeden beginning his 2nd grade year grew up over the summer. He expresses his desire to "work-out" and to wear "boxers" now. He has decided that he will not leave the house without his hair done and deodorant on. He is very health conscious. He enjoys riding his rip-stick, scouting and playing with his friends. I asked him if he would watch Talan for an hour while Cody was sleeping. He replied, "How much?" I replied, "5 bucks" he then said, "10" to which I replied, "7" and then he finished up with "DONE!" He and his "dude" Braden were jumping fire hydrants when Jenifer said they needed to stop, to which my Braeden tilted his head and replied to Jen, "We are just being boys!" Yep, he is way too big!

School bag in hand

Lexee started 1st grade this year. She is loving every minute of it. She comes home and can't wait to do her spelling words and read. Her teacher, Mrs. Soelberg is amazing! We feel so blessed to have her as Lexee's teacher. Lexee is making new friends really easily and is growing up so fast. She especially loves dictating what she will eat for lunch. I almost have it down. Ham only on bread with the crust cut off and then cut into squares, mandarin oranges, juice, and a treat (either smarties or jello). She will vary sometimes, with speghettios or a PB sandwich prepared as above. I can pack a variety of yummy things and she will not touch them. Someday her husband will need a manual to know exactly what makes her happy. I hope to have that ready for him.

One of a kind

Talan is so funny. He makes everyone who knows him laugh. Once he feels comfortable he breaks out of his shell and strives to get everyone's attention. He talks very distinctly and extremely talented at such a young age. He can two-wheel scooter with the best of them. He also flips on the tramp, like you wouldn't believe. He has sort-of an old soul. He loves to ride the "markle" or motorcycle as those of us like to call it. He rides on the front with a helmet and loves every minute of it. He is so sweet!

Here is dressed for church. You may think this is staged, but it really isn't. He put the sun glasses on himself and tucked his cute little hands in his pockets with absolutely no parental direction.

A Great Ride

Today we decided to load the bikes in the car and ride Jordan Parkway. It was a great ride, with a cool breeze and steady declines and inclines. This time Talan rode on the back with me and kept me going, with a cute "Go faster, mommy!" We then treated ourselved to IHOP with an eggwhite garden scramble and Talan had a pancake...his favorite. It's amazing at how much energy exercise gives you. You would think, logically, that one might be more tire. But I find myself very motivated to get things done!

The struggle continues

We have been at it for 3 weeks. Cody lost another pound and I lost 2.4 this week. Cody has gone down a notch on his belt! I feel like we are on the right track. We are keeping up with the Biggest Loser, however, our workouts are very different. We appreciate all of the support we get those around us! Everyone is very concerned and conscious as we enjoy dinners with family and friends. Mom and Dad are doing awesome as well. Steph found some new recipes and is plugging along with her journey. Matt and Tay report that Jaymi has some workout videos and they do them as well! Sandy & Sarah are great supports as we have stocked our work cabinets with healthy, low point snacks! However they are both at 11 pound weight losses...I will get there eventually! We decided to pull down the bikes. We have been on them a few times this summer, but then they seem to end up back up when we clean the garage. We rode for an hour, it is great to do this with Cody! He is the best cheerleader!