Christmas 2010

It's sure taken me a while to get around to writing about Christmas day. We did have a wonderful day--and spent lots of time together. But I want to be sure to write a few things down before I forget!

Christmas Eve was really nice--low key--we made most of the food ahead of time, and just enjoyed the day. My sister Esther and her family came just long enough to visit and have dinner--so a very short stop in, but it was fun to see them. The kids all love playing with their cousin, Hannah! We enjoyed a yummy dinner--ham and the fixin's...and our traditional Christmas Eve rolls from Texas Roadhouse. SO. DELICIOUS.

Brandon took the kids out to see lights while I stayed with a grumpy Carter--and we then read the Christmas story from Luke and did our gifts to Christ to hang on the tree...and then they kids went to bed. :) And after a visit from Santa, WE went to bed.

Christmas day....

This year was kind of different....mostly because Santa had to leave his gifts in the toy room in our basement--Jenna got the full size keyboard she's been begging for (that we were fortunate enough to pick up a while ago for $10!), Kaden got a tepee and tunnel (thanks to the kids resale) and Spencer got a little workbench.

We feel truly blessed with the things we were able to pick up through the year on sale or clearance--that's what makes Christmas possible for us. :) I didn't get pictures of everything--but here are some highlights!

All the kids got zhu zhu pets in their stockings.They love them!!!

Santa remember Brandon, the kid at heart, and brought him a Nerf game for the wii. :)

So we played around for a bit downstairs, before heading up to see the other goods.

The kids loved reading some new books...

And Kaden was thrilled with his "SLINGY"...

And Mr. Spencer got a MUCH NEEDED new coat...(can I tell you how big of a bummer it is to have 2 kids in the same size at the same time?? Puts a major damper on the hand-me-down situation because I have to just buy 2 of everything!)

A surgeon and police officer made their way into our toybox...they were a HUGE hit!

Carter slept through all our present opening--HALLELUJAH! :) Truth is, he couldn't have cared less--

I am bummed looking back and realizing that I don't have a single picture of me on Christmas day! But I do have to say that I was SO proud of Brandon this year. I asked him to PLEASE make things a surprise--I didn't want to know what I was getting--no hints--nothing. And he came through for me! He really put a lot of thought into his gifts and I was thrilled with the things he got me--not just because there was cool stuff, but because he far surpassed my expectations for secrecy and thoughtfulness! :)

We didn't have a very big budget to spend on each other this year (not that we ever do!) but I was SO grateful for all the free gift cards we won through SWAGBUCKS that paid for a good 75% of our Christmas gifts to each other. (My sister and her husband had a great return via Swagbucks as well, and ended up being able to get a Wii for free!!) Needless to say, if you haven't signed up through Swagbucks (it's free!) now is a great time--you have a whole year to earn free goodies for Christmas!!) :)

I think though, that above all, the thing I remember most of all is the FEELING we had this year. We kept a lot of things really simple--we spent lots of time together--and we had the chance to really reflect on and plan for some things I will write about soon...it was very exciting to see what our little family can do for others, and I am excited for the upcoming year and all it will hold.

Merry Christmas!!!

Weighing in - week 24

Christmas week. I could go on and on about the temptations and such that surround anyone during the holidays, but I won't...I will say that this week was the PERFECT time to show that I have learned about moderation in all things, and to prove to myself that I really have left many of my old eating habits behind. For example, I made sure that my stocking was pretty bare in the candy department. Instead, there was one Butterfinger bar (like I said, pb + chocolate = heaven!) I set out to eat it (not even on Christmas day!) and was savoring every bite. However,as I was finishing it, I realized it was just way too much for me. I would have been totally fine with a fun size candy  bar over the full size, and know for next time to keep it small so I can really enjoy it without feeling sick!


I enjoyed Christmas dinner--ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, jello salad, and our traditional Texas Roadhouse rolls with cinnamon butter. I just made sure that I got the right portion of each--accounted for it when tracking, and I was good to go. I had planned on making dessert, but abandoned that idea when I saw the goodies we had leftover from treat plates and such--and I have no regrets. I didn't even miss it.


I knew there would be more to deal with in the food department than normal this week, and for that reason I was okay if I didn't lose quite as much--but the fact of the matter is, that there will always be SOMETHING that can prevent us from accomplishing a goal--or being healthier--or losing weight. I feel like my view on this weight loss journey has really made it become a lifestyle change--that I can eat the foods I love, let go of some of the stuff I don't need, and embrace some new ideas that I hadn't considered before...and that I can do this whether I am trying to lose the weight or not...


I know I had some discouraging weeks when the weight loss had slowed down and I was so close, yet so far from my goal....I can't change the feelings I had then. But I can say today, that I am so very proud of where I've been and how far I have come--regardless of whether I hit that weight goal by a certain date or not....I HAVE CHANGED. Almost 50 pounds down in the past 24 weeks...more alive than I have ever felt, and looking forward to becoming stronger than I have ever been in the coming year!




Week 1 - lost 2.2 pounds
Week 2 - lost 2.2 pounds
Week 3 - lost 2 pounds
Week 4 - lost 2.8 pounds
Week 5 - lost 2.8 pounds
Week 6 - lost .4 pounds
Week 7 - lost 3.8 pounds

Week 8 - lost 1.2 pounds

Week 9 - lost 1 pound

Week 10 - lost 2.4 pounds

Week 11 - lost 3.2 pounds

Week 12 - lost .8 pounds

Week 13 - lost 1.8 pounds

Week 14 - lost 3 pounds

Week 15 - lost 3.4 pounds

Week 16 - lost 3 pounds

Week 17 - lost .2 pounds

Week 18 - lost 2.6 pounds

Week 19 - lost 1.6 pounds

Week 20 - lost 2.6 pounds

Week 21 - lost .8 pounds

Week 22 - lost 1 pound

Week 23 - lost 1.2 pounds

Week 24 - lost 2.4 pounds

Total lost: 48.2 pounds

1.8 pounds to go!!!

Away in a Manger---

We have made it an annual tradition to go visit the huge nativity display they have in Kirtland. There are thousands of nativities collected from all over the world. I absolutely LOVE seeing how different cultures depict that special night when our Savior was born--it really makes me realize how big this world is, and the span of people, places and cultures that believe in the miracle of His birth and life.

I obviously can't capture one of every display--as there are literally thousands....so here's just a very small sample to share.

(the one below is made from recycled coke cans)

(corn husks)

And while Brandon and I took turns looking through the displays, the kids played in their own nativity scene...with costumes and animals and a baby Jesus.We've got some cute shepherds and wisemen on our hands. :)

Locks of Love--Jenna's big haircut!

Ah, the great hair debate. It's been going on for a while now....Jenna wanted to cut her hair, then she wanted it long, then she wanted it cut...this summer we did the biggest cut yet when she had 4 inches cut off, but decided she wasn't ready for a short cut.

Fast forward to now...it's winter, Jenna always has to wear her winter hat when walking to and from school and at recess, and she won't let me do anything to her hair that the hat won't fit over--so no bows or fun hairstyles. BOOOO!!! Only a low ponytail. And honestly she was starting to look like a ragamuffin! :) So when she mentioned cutting her hair again, I agreed. Now or never.

For a very long time Jenna has talked about donating her hair to Locks of Love--to help make a wig for someone in need. We knew this was going to be a  dramatic cut since you have to have a minimum of 10 inches to donate. I know I am the mom, and perhaps a bit biased, but Jenna has got GREAT hair. Seriously, so thick and strong--it does what you tell it to (lol)...and in a sense it was hard for me to part with that.

The stylist even stopped as she was snipping to ask if I was okay--which was when I realized I may or may not have had a little tear in my eye. :) But the snip snip was done, her hair in a braid and held in her hand, and Jenna was sporting a new do!

Am bummed because so many of these pics are blurry, but can't change it now... ;(

Anyway, she LOOOOOVES her new haircut. I mean, LOVES it. It's the kind of thing she manages to bring up in whatever random conversation is going on at any given time of the day...

To her, short hair is the new COOL...and she is feelin' it!

She really does look cute, and I am grateful she had the chance to give something so special...I hope it helps make some other little girl or boy very, very happy...and she does too.

Kaden's day...

Last week Kaden's class had a party, in which a parent (or both) were invited to come spend the morning with their child at school. I am SO relieved Brandon is around this month and that I was able to go spend that special time with him...

We started with a trip to the library...

followed by a little visit with the man in the red suit...

Kaden got to show a pattern during circle time, and was so proud to do so.

We got time to just play together.
I want to let out a big sigh right here...because just writing that, and remembering that feels so very good. Sometimes it seems that I get caught up with life--meals to cook, things to clean, stuff to do...
and sometimes it seems that just getting down and dirty on the floor with the kids is in reality the most refreshing thing ever. I loved my play time...and hope we have more soon...really soon.

One of the best things that came out of our time together is when the teacher sang the cleanup song, and I was able to witness Kaden cleaning up at record breaking speeds. If I had not seen this for myself, I would question the reality of him cleaning up anything at ALL!! I kid, I kid....but with an underlying bit of truth in there. It is seriously a struggle many days to get him to pick up his toys...
Or at least it WAS.

 As I watched him clean up, I praised him in awe at how fast he was doing it--things in the right bins, etc. So when we came home that afternoon, I was sure to tell the rest of the family just how impressed I was because that day I had learned what a FAST cleaner Kaden was!! He was BEAMING.
And he has set out to prove to the others that he can pick things up quickly, just as I said.

Is it PERFECT now? Nah...But better. Much better. And from watching the teacher and some of the other things she did with them at cleanup time, I feel like I learned a little bit more about how I can deal with the other kids in regards to cleaning up--was juts a moment of divine inspiration...and it's made all the difference to me.

We ended the morning with sugar, sugar, sugar... :) And a cheesy, cheesy grin.

Am truly so grateful for my little man--for the time we had together--and that he gets to be in my life. He's a really special little guy.

Weighing in - Week 23

I'll be honest. This week was bad...or so it felt.But I suppose it was bad in a good way. There were the treats for teachers and classmates, the nibbles here and there while assembling goodie bags, and then there was the batch of cinnamon bread that went terribly wrong--but that I just HAD to taste several times to make sure the pieces I was salvaging weren't too doughy. 


Once I got the stuff out of my face, I did fine...but man, having it around was terrible.  I did account for everything I ate, and it wasn't like a complete OVERLOAD -- it just felt like it when I have been really diligent about not eating a bunch of junk like that...but more than the extra empty calories, was the feeling of DISGUST after eating it. I seriously felt so gross...


So when I say it was bad in a good way, I mean that this week made me realize a few things...

1. I had convinced myself that I LOVED sweets and was missing out by not eating them very often. The truth is, I don't miss the pigging out on them nearly as much as I thought...and after this week, the temptation to over-indulge is almost non-existent. THAT was a wonderful feeling. You'll still find me with a small sweet treat on occasion (pb + chocolate = heaven), but that's where it stops for me... :)


2. My sugar hangover made me really push myself to go exercise. It wasn't that I was trying to burn it all off, but man I wanted to not feel like there were dead weights sitting in my stomach. As a result I ended up running a 2 mile stretch. TWO MILES!!! I was THRILLED! I am still aiming to run a 5k around my birthday, and hadn't made it to the two mile mark until this week...I'll be honest when I say that I don't think there was ever a time even in elementary school when I made it the full mile run around the field without stopping, so to be at a point where I ran TWO, made me want to jump up and down and scream it to the world. I am making progress....not only in my goals for eating healthier and losing the weight, but in becoming a stronger woman in general.


The weight is still coming off slower than it used to, but I hope that means my body is getting to the place it needs to be. :) Time will tell... :)


Week 1 - lost 2.2 pounds
Week 2 - lost 2.2 pounds
Week 3 - lost 2 pounds
Week 4 - lost 2.8 pounds
Week 5 - lost 2.8 pounds
Week 6 - lost .4 pounds
Week 7 - lost 3.8 pounds

Week 8 - lost 1.2 pounds

Week 9 - lost 1 pound

Week 10 - lost 2.4 pounds

Week 11 - lost 3.2 pounds

Week 12 - lost .8 pounds

Week 13 - lost 1.8 pounds

Week 14 - lost 3 pounds

Week 15 - lost 3.4 pounds

Week 16 - lost 3 pounds

Week 17 - lost .2 pounds

Week 18 - lost 2.6 pounds

Week 19 - lost 1.6 pounds

Week 20 - lost 2.6 pounds

Week 21 - lost .8 pounds

Week 22 - lost 1 pound

Week 23 - lost 1.2 pounds

Total lost to date: 46 pounds

4 pounds to go!

The busy season...

Been SO busy lately. We all have...I know. :)

I find it kind of funny, really, when I lay in bed and think of what I would write on the blog--if I had the time or drive to do so. :) And somehow the time passes and I never quite make it to the computer.

A lot of my time has been spent just with Brandon. He's here. And I love it. I especially love having that little bit of extra time together each day after the kids are in bed and the night is ours--and so the computer looks less and less inviting and snuggling on the couch watching a movie looks better and better. This usually turns into me falling asleep at a ridiculously early hour--like seriously 9 p.m. has become my evening cut off. I am OUT :) But there is something I just love about it.

Last week was jam packed with school stuff--class parties and my feeling that I needed to somehow contribute little snack bags for the kids and their classes, and gifts for the numerous teachers and aides that each of the kids have--why, why, why did I do this to myself? I am still asking that question. :) But the fact is, it's done and over...and we got our goodies out...and next year will be much more simple. :)

Kaden had an outpatient surgery last week, that also had me all sorts of worked up over nothing. :) I seriously stressed out way more than I should have...or needed to. I am grateful it all went well and that he is recovering better than I anticipated.

Between that and the present-wrapping and the goodie bags and such, it's been busy. Really, really busy. But it's also been a really good month too...

I am grateful for this time of the year. I love the change that takes place--the physical transformation that makes the world around us a sort of winter wonderland, and also the spiritual shift that seems to take place within me. It is hard not to look at my sweet, small baby and think back to our own Savior, once a small baby himself--born to Mary and Joseph in less than ideal circumstances...I just can't help but feel such awe and amazement for that special experience, that has forever changed our world and our lives.

I am so looking forward to this week--a chance to really spend family time, to build and practice our family traditions, and a chance to celebrate the reason for the season.

Snow Day

Monday was an official, bonified, no-school kind of snow day.

It consisted of lots of free time for the kids to imagine, explore, play....hot cocoa, warm soup, and fresh baked rolls...giggles and laughing and an incredible workout pulling the kids around and around the yard on the sled (though, Brandon gets the most credit for that one!)

It was a great, great day.

Brandon took the picture below...he says he took it unfocused to be artsy. {wink, wink}
 While I know different, I actually really love this picture... :)