Heck on Wheels

Samantha is just growing before our eyes. I can't believe that she is riding a two wheeler at 4 years old. She loves to be riding about with her brothers and the other neighborhood boys, but those training wheels were just slowing her down.

Once I was comfortable with her ability to balance on the Razor, I thought it was time to take those wheels off. She was a little wobbly at first, but she has gotten the hang of it. She can even get herself started, if and only if, she's on an incline not unlike our driveway.

This is my baby. This is my little girl and I'm a little sad that she is growing up so fast......That's a lie. I'm so proud of her. I'm so excited for her excursions and becoming more independent each day. I love that we can have conversations and talk over making bracelets and necklaces with her beads. I love that she tried to read the book along with my at night time. She is truly an
amazing little person and one that I love bunches.

Checking In

Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around. I have some pictures of the last day of school I've been wanting to blog about but haven't found the time.

I've started writing my Dad's biography. It is amazing to learn new things about my Dad that I have never known. He has some amazing stories to tell and some very funny things that have happened in his life. I'm starting to get re-acquainted with my "writers" side. I bet you didn't know that about me, huh?

So between keeping my kids' brains exercised, keeping my body exercised, keeping everyone fed, and writing, I have little energy left over for blogging. I'm trying to save Sunday afternoons for it, but as always, those get filled up rather quickly and unexpectedly.

Sick and Tired...

I'm sick and tired of having sickness in my house.
Someone has been sick in this house since Easter!
We're talking 7 weeks.
WHAT is up with THAT?
I've disinfected the house weekly.
I've had two of my kids to the MD at least 3 times.
I've probably spent a whole pay check on pharmaceuticals.
When does it end?????

Chris is the latest victim and ironically the biggest baby of us all.
So if you see me outside wandering aimlessly, just make sure I'm not in any danger cause chances are I'm half asleep and don't know where I am OR I'm taking a mini vacation from the confines of the sick house.

Mazatlan 2009

What a wonderful trip! After being delayed in Phoenix, we finally arrived in Mazatlan mid afternoon. We had a wonderful view of the beach from our balcony and personal air conditioning in our room. PERFECT!! We explored a little and hit the local grocery store for some snacks. We walked back to the hotel along the beach at sunset. SO PRETTY!

Saturday morning we went Zip Lining at the Huana Coa Canopy. This is the region of Mexico where the desert ends and the rain forests begin. Hence you have HUGE tropical trees mingled with Cacti. We had so much fun. Some of the landings were high up in trees and the last one we repelled off of. Our exursion included a tour of the tequilla plant nearby. It was interesting to learn how they make it, but no drinking it of course.

Upon our return to the hotel, we slipped into our suits and went to the beach. It was so pleasant. The water was nearly as warm as the air. We were body surfing with some friends and minding our own business when I got stung by a jelly fish, bad. Mostly these fish just swim beside you and every once in awhile their tentacles will slide over your arm or something. Not too bad, but this thing wasn't done with my arm. It had to attach itself to my back and just pulsate it's charges into my body. OUCH!! I spent the next few hours dealing with the pain in the privacy of our room. There were quite a few tears shed, but I was back to normal by morning.
We went to dinner with some of the other Dentists and their wives, then hit the beach for a sunset "wedding". Everyone wanted to play volleyball which I sat out of, but when the game switched to soccer, I joined in and took everyone by surprise when I scored the most goals. I think they underestimated the fat chick still suffering with a jelly fish sting.

We spent Sunday by the pool. There was NO WAY I was headed back into that ocean again. I got my yearly sunburn and didn't sleep well our last night. All in all it was such a relaxing trip and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. After having a weekend away, we realize yet again how important it is for us during this turbulent time to remove ourselves from the chaos and focus on one another. We are recharged and ready to deal with the business, family, church callings and demands by our children.

So as many of you know, I teach the Marriage and Family Relations class in our Ward. I have learned so much and it has truly been a joy to teach and share with the couples in our Ward.

I have a new found appreciation for my marriage and our relationship. Although at times, I feel as if our marriage is suffering, we always work it out. Where the recession is concerned, we haven't had the best financial situation our entire married life, so we don't know any better. Where the H1V1 virus is concerned, we have our own personal stash of face masks thanks to his career.

We really have a great marriage. We are as in love with one another if not more than the day we married. We're definitely more in love than when we first met.....it took 2 years to finally hook up to "dating" status. I really love my husband and am so glad he chose me to be his companion. As much as I hate to admit it, I went to BYU for my MRS because I'm not marketable with my BS.

A week ago in class, we had a quote by President Boyd K. Packer regarding the shield of faith:

“Our Father’s plan requires that, like the generation of life itself, the shield of faith is to be made and fitted in the family. No two can be exactly alike. Each must be handcrafted to individual specifications.

“The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.

“It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.

“In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 8; or Ensign, May 1995, 8).

I learned so much from this one quote. I learned that the gospel being taught in Primary and other organizations is a "one size fits all". It is up to us as parents to shape and mold it onto our children. It is up to us to help then recognize the spirit and answers to prayers. It is up to us to help them understand how they fit into the Eternal Plan. It is up to us to help them know the story behind the First Vision and what happened because of it. It is up to us to make the gospel personal to each of our children. What fit's for Zac will not necessarily fit for Tyler or Samantha.

WOW, what responsibility! I'm so grateful Chris and I are up to the challenge. I'm so grateful that we are true to our covenants and promises. I'm grateful that we have a home that tries to invite the Spirit in and learn from it. There is always room for improvement and it takes line upon line.

So there you have it. Dad, you owe me a Hot Fuge Sunday!

Biggest Loser

When I first saw this show years ago, I wasn't a big fan. I wasn't thrilled with the term "loser" in the title. Since, I have become a BIG fan. I watch religiously and root for my favorites. I'm amazed at the transformations these people accomplish is such a short amount of time. I have a favorite trainer, and I would still love to experience something like that.

Over the last few years, as the season has come to a close, I have reflected on my failures. When each new season starts, I vow to work right along with them. I think in my head that I will be able to make some changes and actually lose some weight. I always come up short. I usually get down and depressed that I didn't do it yet AGAIN. Although I love the show, it was pure torture to see these people make significant changes in their lives, and yet here I sit at home still in the "wishing" stage.

Tonight some of the contestants tried on some "goal" outfits. I thought to myself, "I've got some stuff in storage.....maybe?" So I dug them out. I have one pair of pants that fit 5 years ago and one dress I wore to my mission homecoming (I'm not telling you how long ago that was). At first, I was reluctant. I didn't want to set myself up for failure. I didn't even try the mission dress. I know full well that I don't want to stuff this body in that dress. However, the pants were a different story; THEY FIT! I got them over my ample behind and zipped and buttoned up. WOW! I was amazed. I was amazed at MY transformation. Granted, I will not be wearing them in public tomorrow, but give me 2 more weeks and they WILL fit comfortably. YEAH ME!!!

Although my transformation is taking a much longer route, I am doing it! I am making changes and setting goals to finally kick this monkey off my back. It hasn't been easy, but man has it been worth it. Tonight, I'm not depressed. I'm happy. I'm full of determination to make it to my goal weight and prove to myself that I CAN DO THIS!

Gifts Galore

Copied from my good friend Amy: (she had great taste)

Here is the deal: The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me. My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
What I make will be just for you.
It'll be done this year.
You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. No guarantees, I may sew or stitch or bake something. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
I reserve the right to do whatever I want!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your own blog and offer the same deal to 5 of your own lucky blog readers.

So, the first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in, win a homemade gift by me!

Be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it.