Grateful

Right now it's 4:30 in the morning. I've been suffering from sleep depravation for months now. Well i should say for years on and off, but right now seems to be the worst it has ever been. it's not fun. Knowing you will wake up in the dead of night and be wide awake. Most of the time I just lay in my bed and toss and turn. But lately I've found getting up and doing something for an hour or so helps me get back to sleep quicker. Tonight, (well this morning), i started thinking of all my blessings. My life has not exactly gone the way i pictured it. Some due to my own choices. Some not. But i have never been lacking of blessings. I have the most amazing kids in the world. I miss them when they aren't with me. Not knowing where they are or what they are doing is hard for me, but it makes me all the more glad to be with them when they are home. I'm grateful for a husband who is wants to spend time with them and do fun things with them. I'm grateful for friends who sacrifice to help me in a time of great need, or are just there in case i need them. Friends who send kind words via text message, email or voice mail. Friends who invite me to be with them, so i'm not alone. i am grateful for brothers who i sometimes forget i have, but when it really matters, step up to the task and support me. i have five of them and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm grateful for temples that seal families and children together forever. To feel that joy and know that no matter what, it will be alright. For the protection we feel when we are there. I'm grateful for parents who never give up, or stop caring, or stop loving, who are probably lying awake worrying about me right now as I type. Grateful to walk into a ward I left a year ago and be embraced as if I never left. Grateful that me body will carry me while I run. It's such a therapeutic time to just be able to think and feel, time that's just for me. Grateful for sister-in-laws who support, understand, and love unconditionally. Grateful most of all for a Savior who suffered what I suffer, who loves me so much, He never gives up or turns away when I fall and stumble. Who shares my joys and my sorrows. Grateful for a Heavenly father that does answer prayers. Who does care that i am happy. Who understands what we need even when we don't. I'm GRATEFUL.

Weighted down no more

It's funny how we perceive ourselves. I've worked really hard. I've lost 23 lbs. I'm not saying that to brag. Only to prove a point. After all that work, I feel better, I watch what I eat and keep exercising so i don't gain it back, and yet when I look in the mirror I'm not sure what I see looking back at me. Am I thinner, thin enough, still fat, was I ever really fat? I have two scales. I call them the fat scale and the skinny scale. Most likely the fat scale is more accurate. But I always weigh in on the skinny one first. I usually like the number I see. Then I weigh in on the fat scale and it's not so happy I feel. Why do I do this, why does it matter. Does anyone who truly loves me really care if I weigh 134 lbs or 139 lbs? Or the original 160 lbs to start. So today I threw away the skinny scale. I told my weight for the whole world to see, and I feel better.......... I think?

School Projects

Aspen's first school project this year was on "Watersheds". She had to design something that showed the cycle of water and where it is used in our community. Our little town is a great example of this. Anyway WIllie helped her build this replica of where Aspen would like to live. It turned out awesome. She "blew her teacher's mind" literally. (that's what he wrote on her grade) She of course got an A and even some extra credit. Way to go Aspen.

Jewelry

I just updated my jewelry website for those of you who have been asking what I have new. Just click here

Happy Birthday Canyon

Happy Birthday Big Guy. Hope you have a great day. We love you so much and are grateful for the fun and crazy you bring to our family.

O joy.

It's one of the best day's of the year! The bead show, Friday at noon. You'll know where to find me, but i won't be answering my phone. I'll be to busy drooling all over the beautiful beads. O happy day!

Hiking Timp.

Willie and the kids hiked Timpanogos on Saturday last week. It's a second for Sacoya, first for Aspen and Canyon. 14 miles, not bad for a days play. They all slept good that night. Maybe they should do it every Saturday?


Looks like one of his photos.



I think I see my house!



Good thing they've got peanut butter- just in case!

I cut my hair..

not drastic, just enough. Feels good for a change, change is good.

Behind

I'm behind-

Behind on laundry
Behind on cleaning bathrooms
Behind on organizing closets
Behind on making beds
Behind on unpacking Lake powell
Behind on making jewelry
Behind on mopping (ok I'm always behind on this one)
Behind on washing my car


But............ School starts in 6 more days!!!!!!



Enough said.

Race

Saturday Willie and I ran the Prove half Marathon. I had Several friends also run. My friend Kellie ended up running along side us and her husband and kids followed us to several spots and took pictures.



It was an awesome race. I didn't think I would like as much as I did. All that training paid off.


Here we are on the home stretch. I'm glad I did it, I'm glad all the training is over, and I can't wait until next year to do it again.

new additions

No were not having twins! We added a new trampoline and a sandbox to our yard. I know that may seen like no big deal, but seriously, it made my week. The kids finally have something to do in this crazy little town and I don't have to chase Ridge down the road near as often!

Hit my Target!

Yep, it's true. I got on the scale this morning and hit the mark. 18 lbs that is. Gone. Gone forever. Never to return. Had no idea what I was getting into when I started 3 months ago. But I feel great. It wasn't easy, I missed a lot of great dessert, I ran more miles than I ever imagined my legs could take me, I ate chicken and broccoli until my skin turned green and I started baulking, but it was worth it. Ya I still have flab, and stretch marks, and a little pooch on my tummy, But I know I've done part of the work to be a better me. Thanks to all of you who have supported me, who hid their treats from me, who told me I was looking great, or just followed along.

Can't stop

Can't seem to tear myself away from making Jewelry! It's too much fun.

Harley Trip

Wanna see what Willies been up to?

click me

Missing her

Today it has been one year since Ginger left us. I was feeling really sad because I ultimately made the decision when it was time to put her down. I actually had to drive her to her death so to speak. Today the kids and I made chocolate brownies in honor of her. We each had a candle and told what we loved about her and then blew them out. It was sweet. I came across this photo of her taken about a month before she died, and I realized that she was sad, and sick, and miserable. This photo doesn't tell the story of a happy dog. SO instead of feeling sad today, I will remind myself that she is happy and running and playing. That she is free from all the pain she suffered in her short life. And best of all, I'll get to see her again someday.



The mountains were one of her favorite places. We made her a little grave site and visit it sometimes. She woud have loved to have gone there with us!

Losing libs?

So at dinner tonight the kids were joking about how slow I have been losing weight, I was trying to explain that 17 lbs in 11 weeks was actually pretty fast. Aspen thought it had been 6 months. Then Canyon blurts out, Mom, you should try losing 300 libs, like the women on those magazine covers. It took me a minute, then I realized he thought lbs was pronounced libs. I was laughing so hard, I think I lost another lib!

Girls lunch out

Today, I took my awesome friend Kellie to lunch for her birthday. It's a fun tradition we started quite a while back and thankfully have continued to do. I decided to take my camera and of course forgot until after desert came, but the waiter was happy to take a photo for us. We went to the amazing Pizzeria 712. We both love that place. We sat out on the patio and were almost the only ones there for quite a while. It was tons of fun and a good chance to catch up. I'm so grateful for good friends.



We had this chocolate pudding which, normally I'm not a big fan of, but this stuff was like chocolate silk. Yum.

Boring!

I'm pretty boring when it comes to clothes. I really try, but almost always come home with the same style, same color, same jeans. I even buy two or three of the exact same shirt in different colors, like black, brown, and white. So I've recently tried to break out of my solid colored bubble. And to my credit, I have bought a few colored pieces. Yellow, green, and even turquoise. But still boring no pattern clothes. Look at my closet, it's full of nothing but solid tees.




In my whole casual closet, I have two prints. One is brown with small cream polka dots barely visible, the other is a shirt I bought when I was pregnant with Ridge to hide my growing belly, (going in the DI pile today, Scary) I need some serious "boring" clothing intervention.



At least my church wardrobe has a little more excitement in it, but really, I wear black most of the time.



So today after my fun lunch date, Kellie and I went to Ross. I thought it would be a great place to find off the wall cute prints without a lot of price commitment. Start small right? I picked a big pile of prints I really did! This jacket was darling made me look skinny mini. But it's black!!!!!


Next, this cute shirt had the same effect. Waist cinching thinness. (Yes I've been watching too much Stacy and Clinton), but dang this one is black too!!!


Ok, well this one is black, but it's got a print to it, right?


Ok, I really scored with this one, see brown, and green, and cream! Makes up for the other ones, really it does! Ok well 1 out of 4 isn't bad? I know, send the boring police on over. I need help, serious help.

Got Nap?

Don't you love those Sunday afternoon naps. Canyon is pretty sacked out. Guess we stayed up too late watching fireworks.

New favorite

My new favorite Jewelry creations! Super cute for summer.

Not a fun place

Just got back from the laundromat. My new washer came yesterday, I did a little sigh of relief when they brought it through the door. Had my ten thousand loads sorted and ready to go. They hooked it up, plugged it in, turned it on, and out poured water all over my floor. *&%$##!! Yep I said that too. Defective part. Have to wait another week. Do I count this as # 5 or can I pretend this one never existed?

On a happier note.......

Had my First Jewelry party yesterday, it was awesome. Thanks to everyone who came and supported me. I really appreciate it. I had so much fun, can't wait to do it again. Kathy- thanks for hosting it for me, it was perfect.

After 8 days without a washer things are getting out of control.......



Thankfully, This baby is coming tomorrow. And not a minute too soon. This is my 4th, yes 4th washer.I didn't buy it because it was the most expensive or cheapest, I didn't buy it because it was the sales clerks recommendation, I didn't buy it because it's a famous brand. I bought it strictly on consumer reviews. Out of 117 reviews, 91% recommended it. I hope the people don't let me down. Otherwise I might go into the Guinness book of world record for the most washers purchased in a 14 year span.

Party!

I'm having a Jewelry Party this Wednesday in my old neighborhood. If you didn't get an invite, and you want to come, email me and I'll give you the details!

Fun at the Lake

So bare with me cause there are lots of photos but had a hard time narrowing them down. I did leave out a lot!

Sacoya and Shay showing off the boat.

This year we let Sacoya bring a friend (Shaylee). They had a great time together and she was an angel. Shay, you can come with us anywhere.


Ridge playing in the sand, he never got in the water but loved the beach.


My little niece catching a lizard. She loves those things.


This is the famous water slide many of you have heard about. The boys make it every time we go down.


Sacoya trying it out.


Opps, she's gong backwards.





Here is Shay, so happy she loved it.


My sister-in-law Jodie with her son. See that lizard, yep he went flying in the air.


It's really not as scary as I made it look, it's just fun to scream on the way doooown!


Another little niece. She forgot to sit on the tube.


Willies brother Tom and his daughter. Tom likes to catch air


My nephew, I just love that little smile on his face.


Willie on a plateau. It may not appear that high, but if you look closely, ya pretty high up! He had to drill holes in the rock and put up a rope so he could get down.


Willies self portrait.


Most of you know I have been running like a crazy person and eating really well. I'm down 14 lbs. And I thought it was finally paying off. That was until I saw my thighs in this photo. I hate thighs, they are evil. I guess I'm going to have to start lifting weights again. Dangit.


Canyon and his cousin enjoying the tube of death, really it is.


Even though it wasn't very sunny, Sacoya still managed to get sunburned. Ouch.


The making of our sweet little mermaid Aspen.


Doesn't she look cute.


Oh and of course we had to add crush, I mean Canyon, the sea turtle.


We had a great time and can't wait to go back later this summer.