McKenna's First Day of School

McKenna is officially a preschooler!

Today was her first day of school.

I still think of her of one of my babies, but she really is growing up. I am so happy for her to have this opportunity to learn and grow and have fun.

Of course here are some pics of my little scholar...

We were the first ones there this morning because she just couldn't wait to leave. She has been looking forward to this day since the rest of the gang started school last week.

Ken picked her up on his way home from school.

When she got home she was beaming and Daric welcomed her home with a big hug on the front porch. I think he missed his big sis.

McKenna reported all about coloring, and recess, and snack time.

She couldn't remember any one's names, which I made the mistake of asking twice, she then informed me that she already told me she didn't know.....dramatic sigh from 4 year old. Which I interpreted to mean....Duh, mom - Aren't you listening?  

She then tried to convince me that she was now a big girl and preschoolers do NOT take naps. I told her that was fine as long as she had "quiet time" and I didn't see any fits in the evening. Well by 4:00 she was throwing a rip-roarin' tempter tantrum, so tomorrow that little preschooler WILL be taking a nap!

I'm so glad she had a great day.

I think she is going to LOVE preschool.

365 Days Ago

Today marks one full year since we heard those shattering words..."I'm sorry, one of your babies no longer has a heartbeat."

This is for you Zachary...

The world may never notice
If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,
Or even pause to wonder
If the petals fall too soon.
But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be,
Touches the world in some small way
For all eternity.

The little one we long for
Was swiftly here and gone.
But the love that was then planted
Is a light that still shines on.
And though our arms are empty,
Our hearts know what to do.
Every beating of our hearts
Says that we do love you.

-Author Unknown-

We miss you, Baby.

 

Losing It....Week 2

Well today was weigh in day for me. It was 2 weeks ago that I committed to get in shape, and I must say it feels pretty good.

Excercise: 

Ken and I have been doing Zumba together at night, then cooling down by taking a walk around our neighborhood. It really is a fun workout and a great way to spend time together.

I have also gotten on the treadmill of few times, doing a little walking and jogging. I even ran my first non-stop mile the other night. Granted it was a 15 minute mile, but I ran it nonetheless.

It feels good to sweat, to work hard, and to feel sore.

Food:

Okay, so things have been going pretty good in the food department. Exercising definitely helps motivates me to eat better. I usually end up asking myself...What's this gonna cost me if I eat it? And the answer is usually...It's not worth it, then it comes to sweets. BUT I am a self proclaimed emotional eater and although I think I've done darn good the past 2 weeks, Sydney's b-day was too tempting. I will have to have a rule that after a party the remaining cake has to go bye-bye, otherwise it just calls my name. That was my weakness this week. But I did have success too. I have been drinking more water, eating for fruits and veggies, and watching portions. I don't count calories yet, because I hate that. It seems like so much work, but thanks to a friend I did find a low-cal Oscar Mayer lunchable type thing that I am really diggin'. One of the hard things for my to do is make food for myself. I prepare, cook, and serve my family all day long it seems, but I just have a hard time spending that time on me. So many times I just wouldn't eat, or would munch on less than favorable snacks throughout the day. These prepacked lunches make it so much easier for me to grab something healthy without spending too much time.

Results:

-6 pounds

Today I am six pounds closer to my goal, and 6 pounds lighter than I was two weeks ago. I haven't noticed any difference except that it feels better to be working out and working hard. It's a start.

Goals:

My goals for the next to weeks will be much the same as what I've been doing. I'd like to up my running time and keep doing Zumba each day. My eating goals are the same. I want to lose at least 5 pounds by my next weigh in, in 2 weeks.

Slow and steady wins the race.

*The next 2 weeks will be a little more challenging because Ken and I just started a new semester today. We will both be very busy so basically my goal is to get in at least 1 hour of exercise each day anything more than that is bonus.

Here's where you wish me luck. :)



Birthday Girl

We officially have a teenager in the house!

Sydney turned 13, on Wednesday

 

Happy Birthday, Syd!

 

 

Here's a few pics from our traditional birthday photo shoot.

 

 

I used to be afraid to have my kids grow-up and become TEENAGERS, but have since changed my mind. I have loved watching Sydney blossom into a beautiful young woman. She is such a sweetheart. I really feel spoiled with her, and grateful that she has made this transition into teenage-hood so easy. I know we are just at the beginning, but Sydney is pretty wise. She tries very hard to make good choices. I have no doubt we'll have a few bumps along the way, but I'm very excited to see what the next few years will bring.

 

 Soon we'll have teenagers busting out all over the place every year or two from here on out. Oh, My! 

I just realized yesterday that by the time Aftyn finishes kindergarten, Sydney will be graduating from high school. I only have 5 more years before Sydney is off to college. How can that be? I'm way too young for that, right? Oh heart be still, I don't know if I can take that. Aaawww...I won't think about that for a few more years.

 

Sydney, I am so proud of you.

Hope you know how much you are loved!

 

 

Back to School

Well this morning I sent 5 of my kiddo's back to school.

Sydney - age 12 (until tomorrow, yikes!)

8th grade

Kaylie - age 11

6th grade

Tyler - age 10

5th grade

Emma - age 8

3rd Grade

Todd - age 6

1st grade

Okay my little peeps I'll miss you tons but I know you'll all have a GREAT new year!!!



Aida

Ken and I had a way fun date on Friday night. We went to see Aida playing at the Murray City Park Amphitheater. It was a really fun play with a very talented cast including my brother, Craig, which made it even more fun to watch.

Craig has recently lost 50lbs. He is looking awesome. And look close because you may not ever see it again, he doesn't have any facial hair. For at least the past 13 years he has had something growing on his face. Sometimes a little patch of something, sometimes a beard, but NEVER nothing.

Kinda a bit strange for me to see my brother wearing more make-up than me, never thought I'd see the day. As long as he keeps it to the stage, AND as long as  I always look better wearing it I think we'll be okay.

Great Job, Big (in a much less way) Bro!

Ken and I were completely entertained. 

Losing It....

I know what you all were thinking....

you thought I meant my mind, didn't you?

Well losing my mind is debatable, but that isn't what I'm talking about.

I mean pounds, inches, excess largeness, that sort of thing.

I have wanted to post on this subject for a while now but kept putting it off because if I announced to the world that I was trying to lose weight then I would have to be accountable, which to me is the whole point, but I wasn't ready to commit. However, enough is enough! I've reached my "limit", you know what I mean, that very unpleasant number on the scale that you tell yourself you with NEVER go above. Well I'm there. I'm at my limit.

Now it's time to commit. It's time to get serious.

I had Ken take these pictures on my 36th birthday. That was 6 months ago, 2 wks after having Aftyn. This was to be my "starting point", unfortunately I couldn't really exercise for another 4 weeks because of my c-section. By then my fatigue had increased and my motivation had decreased. So, regretfully I have gained weight since these pics were taken. Which is actually pretty typical for me after having a baby. I lose weight while I'm pregnant then gain it back a within a few months while nursing. Now it's time to take it back off, and much more. ( 9 babies worth of more!)

I am not one of those people that think you have to be skinny to be beautiful, nor do I think a person's self-worth should come from how they look. I know I'm a daughter of God whether I am 100 or 500 lbs. This isn't about that, it's about being HEALTHY.

I don't plan on trying any radical or fad diets. I think those are for idiots. I just plan on increasing the good ol' exercise and watching what I eat. I'm planning on taking one step at a time, starting with baby steps until I eventually reach my end goal. Which I just realized I don't even know what that is yet. So, I will be figuring that out mighty soon. I do know what my first goal is though, and that is to see a 1 in the first digit column of my weight, not a 2! Aw....I can't believe I just said that out loud. (well wrote it anyway) Yikes, it's a little scary being so open with such a touchy subject as weight. But I'm going to tell myself I don't care and just move forward.

*This week my goal is to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday, cut the sweets, and increase my water intake.

I've decided to weigh myself every two weeks to check my progress. I'll probably post that often and report on how I'm doing.

Wish me luck. I'm not one to beg for comments, but a little moral support along this journey may be helpful. AND if anyone wants to share their successes I'd love to hear them. What exercise do you love? What low-cal foods are your favorite?



Adventures in Cedar City

Ken and I took the fam down to Cedar City this past week to spend a few days with his brothers family. We tried to squeeze in family time, cousin time, and adult time all in a short time, but I think we did a pretty good job.

I have a zillion pictures as usual.

One cannot take too many pictures!!!

*First a little fun in the park.

*Next the green show at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

*After this my sister-in-law and I went to see "The Music Man". It was really a cute play.

*Next up we have pics from our picnic just before entering Zion's National Park.

Here are all the cousins together. There are 12 between our 2 families and you should have seen the looks we got at Zion's. Most of the looks were not looks of admiration, more like looks of disgust. Too bad for them, they don't know what their missing.

*Welcome to Zion's

Ignore the strangers face. Don't know him.

Waiting for the next bus.

Earlier in the day Ken and Tim attempted to hike Angels Landing, however due to the fact that they both have a fear of heights neither one made it passed the first set of chains. I was grateful they didn't go all the way. People DIE doing that. NOT good.

*The last family activity before heading home was swimming at the aquatic center.

Toddy was LOVING the water slide.  He kept going down over and over again. I went down once and didn't quite see the appeal, but that's because I'm getting old.

*We did other fun things too like date night with the adults. Dinner and a movie. Mmm....Mmm good.

* And Shopping. Oh, Yeah!

Good times, Good times.