Evan's Birthday

Evan turned 10 this past weekend.  I thought it might be a fun tradition for me to start taking them on a date for their birthday.  So I let Evan pick the movie and where he wanted to eat.  He also requested Cheesecake and Neapolitan Ice Cream.  We ended the day with a visit to "This is the Place Heritage Park" with Nana and Grandpa, followed by dinner at IHOP.  Thanks Nana and Grandpa for making that possible!  I asked him what his favorite part was at the end of the day and he replied, "Putting the Ninjago together all by myself."  So happy to have these boys in my life!

 

Opening the 1st gift of the day

About to see the movie

Ev using his imagination at Olive Garden

Isn't he so cute?

Putting together his new Lego's

More Lego's from his Mom

What more could Evan possibly want?

On a side note, Ryan and I finally finished wrapping presents after hours of hard work
 (ok so technically there are a few more to come)!

30 Photos That Will Make You Absolutely Happy You Live in Utah

I forgot I wanted to add this also to my blog so that I would have it in the future!  I love these pictures and I love living in Utah!

Relationship advice

Lately I am reading/studying anything and everything I can about relationships in general.  Relationships have always been interesting to me, although I have not been a expert.  I found this blog that I really like.  In fact I added it to the blogs I follow.  There are two recent posts I really like: http://jamesmsama.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/10-ways-to-know-youre-dating-a-real-man/ and http://jamesmsama.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/5-things-men-need-to-learn-about-women/.  If you are interested in reading about this kind of stuff I would recommend it! 

 

Love this crazy life

Lately I have felt crazy, yep, plain old crazy and with nobody to turn to.  Okay that is not true, I have been turning to my Heavenly Father, but need to more and trust.  This is probably because I have been juggling more in my life/leading a double life.  Christmas shopping has not helped either; I detest it!  This morning was the most perfect morning though!!!  I have realized that I need 3 things to keep my sanity.......

 

1-Scripture study.  I read this scripture and it brought me peace. D&C 101:

 36 Wherefore, ^afear not even unto death;

for in this world your joy is not full,

but in me your ^bjoy is full.

 37 Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body;

but care for the ^asoul, and for the life of the soul.

 38 And ^aseek the face of the Lord always,

that in ^bpatience ye may possess your souls,

and ye shall have eternal life. 

 I especially liked verse 37.  I need to worry more about my soul or spirit and not so much about me physically.  The Lord brings such peace to my soul EVERY TIME I seek Him.

 

2-Sleep.  Yep this is uber important.  If I do not get a minimum of 7 hours, preferably 9, then I don't function.  I get easily depressed, want to bite people's heads off, and feel like the world is coming to and end. Why can't I be one of those people who function on less than 6?  I would love that!

 

3- Boot Camp.  Around Halloween I started going to a Boot Camp for a few reasons.  My cousin and I partnered for a physical fitness test (I can thank her for introducing me to the program), I wanted something that actually works (unlike going to Gold's and using the treadmill/elliptical over and over), I wanted to be stronger (especially in my upper body), I wanted to feel good about myself physically, and eventually I hope to see some muscle definition.  I have learned that the emotional benefits far out weigh the physical ones.  Although the physical ones are good and I have dropped 10 pounds and many inches (I weigh and measure once a month).  If your unfamiliar with it, like I was, we do stations or rotations through exercises like planks, push ups, ropes, medicine balls, burpees, kettlebells, sprints, resistance bands, squats (hate the most), and weights.  I love that the exercises change every three weeks too.  The class size is always small and individual too.  Here is their website if you want to explore...http://www.exlfitness.com/ 

 

Before and After

Two days in a row, can you believe it?!  I just had to share these pictures of these handsome boys!!!  I am so blessed to know them.  I am always amazed at the difference a haircut can make in a person. 

 

I think Drew's haircut was the most drastic, loved it!

Serious Evan, but he was the most interested in the before and after pics!

Robby loves to make faces...isn't he a cutie?!

Ryan is cute before and after, but he didn't want an after picture until he shaved. 
So lucky to have this guy in my life!!!
 







Boredom and Annoyances

It has been awhile since I have written, but nothing huge or significant has happened.  In fact I am in desperate need of a surprise or anything out of the ordinary.  I love flying by the seat of my pants and not knowing what to expect, in fact I think I thrive on it!  In the meantime I have been filling my bored moments with things such as Buzzfeed...http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/gifs-that-will-make-you-laugh-every-time  or live feed of animal watching...http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/polar-bear-cape-churchill-cam. 

 

Well I think I really want to complain about Christmas....well not the holiday itself, but the commercialism!  I hate it!  I feel like Christmas overtakes November more and more every year and people are obsessed with shopping.  I was talking to my co-workers this week about how much they spend on gifts and was floored!  One of those people makes the same amount of money as I do.  Don't get me wrong I have snitched and listened to Christmas music early and have been wanting to put up my tree (but I will not until the day after Thanksgiving).  It is the gifts and shopping part that is driving me crazy already!  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO CHRISTMAS BEING ABOUT CHRIST?  Gift giving is ok and important, but I feel like it has become the reason for the season.  Oh and look what I just got an email about:

 If anyone reading this blog has ideas about how to make the holiday more

Christ centered I will love you forever!

 

Okay, now I feel like I need to list things I am grateful for (which I have been doing on Facebook, but since this blog is more private I can be more specific).

 

-The biggest blessing right now in my life is Ryan and the boys...Drew, Evan, Robby, and Kael.  We have gone through some hard things lately, but I love them to death.

-Another thing I am loving is my boot camp.  I only get to go 2-3 times a week,

but it is tough and makes me feel good. 

-Anything Pumpkin or gingerbread.  That being said I am trying to eat well

 and these two things make that goal hard.

-My bed!  I have been a lot more tired and emotional lately so a good night's rest is a must.

-Snow.  Every time it snows, even if it is just a little bit it makes me super happy. 

You would think I live in Alaska again. 

-Faithful friends.  For some reason I am frustrated with always being the one who contacts my friends to set up things, SO I love friends who make the effort!

 

To the Rescue

I have been meaning to write for over a week, but life has been busy.  Last week I went to see the movie "Ephraim's Rescue" with a friend of mine.  It was exactly what I needed!  I am not a crier and I cried!  I wanted to name one of my future children Ephraim because his character left such an impression on me.  It is not a perfect movie, but there is not a perfect movie, especially when it comes to Mormon drama.  My friend pointed out the humor was not accurate for the time period, but it was the stories of the Saints within the movie that left an impression.  If you want to know why this movie left such an impression on me you will have to watch the trailer below and/or refer to my other blog....milkbeforemeat.blogspot.com