Happy Birthday to my BIG GIRL!

 Just yesterday Samantha asked me why I didn't call her "baby" anymore! She still is my baby! I love this little girl and can't believe that she is 3 years old.

Newborn

Some of my other Favorite Newborn Pictures of Samantha can be seen HERE!

 1 Year OLD!

2 Years OLD!

 Almost 3!

I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me with Samantha. There have been so many days that she has been just the thing I needed to get me through the day. I remember a while ago my dad said to me (refering to Samantha), "She is a comfort to you, isn't she?" For sure, she is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Our Life at the Moment

I think there are still a few people around that check in on this blog, so I thought I would do a little update on what is going on with our family.

We have been back in Cache Valley for 6 weeks now. Crazy!!  With renters being in our house, we moved in with Jim's parents. We weren't sure what our plans were quite yet....not even sure if we were going to be staying in Cache Valley. Well, within two days of being here our renters gave their 1 month notice. Do you think coincidence??? So, the end of Jan. we got the keys back to our house! We have been cleaning and repairing things for the last two weeks and still have a few weeks till we will be able to be back in completely.  It is so fun being back in MY HOME! I have loved listening to my girls as they run from room to room and plan how their bedrooms are going to be. I love that I can just let them go outside and not worry....other than if they are going to track mud back in from playing in the field out back! (Sorry Traci.) Karissa's friends showed up today and all I had to say to her was, "Let me know if you go to someone else's house!"

The girls have adjusted well with school. Lexie has the same kindergarten teacher that Karissa had. She gets a homework packet every week and books to read too. She didn't have homework in Carson, so it is taking some time for MOM to get used to it.

Karissa didn't miss a beat with her friends. They picked right back up where they had left off. Her first day back it was like they had rolled the red carpet out for her. Several of her past friends followed her around the school. When we got to her classroom the Principal gave her a big hug along with giving me one. Karissa's 1st grade teacher was waiting at her classroom door to welcome her back too and then her new 4th grade teacher was waiting for her at the door. Mrs McKell told Karissa that all she had her for the last 3 days from other teachers and Karissa's friends was, "Karissa, Karissa, Karissa!" She had a friend call the first day back to see if she could play.

Brindley seems so much HAPPIER!!! She was happy before, but she has changed. She is not near as stressed as she was a few months ago. It is so good to see her relaxed and enjoy being who she is and not always worrying about something. She too has picked up with some of her past friends. 

 Jim has been driving Brindley to middle school every morning. When we get back into our house she will be able to ride the bus. She has started riding it to our house since we are usually there in the afternoon working on stuff. I drive Karissa and Lexie to the elementary school every morning then I go over to my SIL Jessica's house to do daycare. Jim picks Lexie up from kindergarten brings her and Samantha over to Jessica's house and we all have lunch. Then he is off to the house and I am done with daycare by the time Karissa is out of school. I either pick her up or she rides the bus out to the house. LOT's of travel time!

Samantha still talks about her friends in Carson City. She tells people about her best friend "Ellie" and will talk about Jack Jack too.  It has been interesting to watch her be around extended family. It used to be just her and I most of the day and now there are so many others around. She doesn't act as grown up as she did. I'm hoping that when we get back into our house and get things more "normal" that she will move past this phase. She has had alot of fun though playing with cousins and teasing Uncle Matt. She has even made a few new friends that come to Aunt Jessica's for daycare.

I don't know if I can speak for Jim, but as for me, it has been sooo good to have him back and not traveling. I enjoy being able to be with him. I think back over the last 3 years and wonder how in the world did I get through those years with him gone as much as he was. I know it wasn't easy for him either. And my girls have LOVED having their dad around!

Jim is still looking for a job. He has had a few leads on some, just waiting to see what happens.

So for now, that is where we are at....Oh, and I get sustained this coming Sunday for my most favorite calling! I am excited! This will be the 3rd time I have had this calling! YEAH!!!

Updating....Still

To see Thanksgiving 2011 Post...CLICK HERE.

My HOME!

I remember when we first moved into our Hyrum house....I told Jim I loved this house so much that I could HUG it. I know....I'm wierd, but I am ok with that. Forward 2 1/2 years later and we are moving from that house. It was one of the hardest things I have done. Now....2 1/2 years after moving out, we are looking at moving back into it! I am so excited!  I have been thinking about it every day and I love to look at the pictures we took while living their. Here are a few I thought I would share.

This is the view off my back porch. A storm was rolling in.

Another view to the East...Look at the clouds hanging low in the foot hills. Rocky gets his home back too!

Jim planted this tree while we were living there. It was a seedling from The Old Rock Church. This picture was taken our last Sunday there. Can't wait to get it prunned up and take another picture of it.

Our front room....Home Teacher Room. :) We had just painted and hung the new light.

So excited to pull my decorations out again!

Our Family Room downstairs was so fun! Lot's of dancing, playing and having fun downstairs!

We were just finishing the garage. This picture was actually taken to show the snow but It shows my house too!

This picture was taken our last Sunday in Hyrum.

One of our favorite parts of the house was our fire pit! We always had fixin's for smore's. We made many tinfoil dinners and roasted hotdogs. Can't wait for that again and to sit out back and look at the stars!

Nothing makes a House a Home more than Family.

So excited to make our House a Home Again!

Updating....way back when...

Just posted Pics of Halloween 2011. CLICK HERE to see the Halloween Post.

Change is OK and even GOOD...

Ok, I just have to share this post. I have been thinking about it all week. We have been back in Cache Valley for two weeks tonight. Every day I notice something that was different in Carson than here in Logan...and it is usually something that we missed but learned to be ok with out it....For instance...we went to Carl's Jr tonight for dinner and were able to get FRY SAUCE with our meal. Jim and I heard a customer in front of us ask for fry sauce and we both turned and looked at each other and just laughed. I remember when we asked for it in Carson City, people had no clue what it was. We learned to not ask for it.

Another thing that I noticed today was that I thought I saw a guy smoking then just realized that the air was just cold and it was his breath. I still haven't seen someone "just smoking"! I got so used to seeing ALOT of people smoking in Carson City.

There are alot more MINI VANS in Cache Valley too.

People actually put JEANS on to go to the grocery store here!

Lot's of things like that....

Something else that I have struggled with since being back.....

The first day we were back it really hit me how much our little family has grown spiritually. We have HAD to grow and be strong. We were constantly learning new things whether it was about ourselves or others. We were constantly being pushed to trust in our Heavenly Father and to RELY on Faith. And seeing how things became easier for us as we were away from where we wanted to be, showed us to trust in our Heavenly Father. Does any of that make sense? Anyway, that first day back I got really scared. I was at a point in my life that I was really having to trust my Heavenly Father and just let things be how they were. I was so scared that we would be stepping BACK into the life we had 3 years ago and go back to the people we were then. I did/do not want that. I want to keep pushing forward and continue in that growth that I was experiencing.

Being a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and living in Utah, I have taken alot of things for GRANTED. Having the opportunity to live outside of Utah and to meet members outside of Utah has really opened my eyes. I have heard some amazing conversion stories. I have seen non-members search the gospel, be baptized and then see how their countinance changes. They physically change. I have seen that glow come into them. What a strength it has been to me and such an over powering testimony builder it has been. I know this stuff can happen in Utah too. I just have never put myself in the position to see it happen. I hope I can keep pushing forward and continue to learn and grow in the Gospel.

There are other things that I have thought about alot that I learned or recognized while being in Carson City. I am still contemplating those things and am trying to find the best way to word them.....so until then...

Never stop learning about yourself, Never stop growing, and Have Faith in Heavenly Father and His Plan.

Exercise Log

March 4th, 2012
So I have tried to stick with the couch to 5k thing. I am ok with where I am at. I ended up with another smaller cold/cough so I didn't run for about 10 days. I was surprised that I could pick right up where I left off though. I still feel my hip flexer but not as bad.

Jan. 30th 2013
So we will see if any one reads this still...I am on my 4th week of the couch to 5k. I am doing 2 weeks for every one week workout. Not noticing a change in energy at all. Very hard to run. My hip flexer that I pulled 3 years ago when running flares every time I run. It makes it uncomfortable to lay in bed or to put any weight on that leg. I hope it doesn't hold me back too much.

Just reading my last post from exercise....I did go see the doc. He upped my thyroid pill. I haven't had a migraine since. My wart is gone...which helps so much in exercising! No excuses...RIGHT?

Aug. 27th
Somethings not right with my body. I think it's time to go see the doc. I have been having migraines quite frequently. I had 4 in 1 week. My head is still recovering from the one last night. I slept well last night but all I want to do is go climb back in bed. I don't have a cold or flu or anything like that. Just don't feel right. NO ENERGY! I need to have my thyroid meds adjusted too. Any Doc recommendations?

Aug. 22nd
Treadmill/Eliptical
total time 30 minutes

Aug. 21st
Jillian's level 3

Aug. 17th
Treadmill/Eliptical
Out of the 15 minutes on the treadmill I am running 6! Is that progress?

Aug. 16th
Jillian's level 3

Aug. 14th
treadmill/eliptical

Ya, so I missed a few days. I AM SO NOT WANTING TO DO THIS ANYMORE! HELP!!!

Aug. 9th
Treadmill/Eliptical
30 minutes total Finally got the batteries changed.

Aug. 7th
Jillian's level 3

Aug. 6th
Last week was a wash. I think with all I had going on that I moved enough....good excuse...NOT!

So today (Jim and I's 14th Anniversary!) I got on the treadmill for 15 min. and the eliptical for 15 min. I need to get new batteries still for the eliptical so I can get the intensity going again. I feel good after my work out, but MAN it was HARD talking myself into it.

July 31st
Jillian's LEVEL 3
Wow, a few days off....I have had a few extra kids running around during the time I needed to exercise, so instead of giving them entertainment with my exercising, I just passed on it. But, got back to it today and it felt good!

July 26th
Treadmill/Eliptical 25 minutes total
Eliptical has dead batteries. Didn't get the intensity that I was going for.

July 25th
Jillian's LEVEL 3

July 23rd
Treadmill/Eliptical 30 minutes total. Ran...ok, jogged for 5 minutes. I think I am noticing a difference. I think some of my clothes fit me better. One thing has been very dibilitating for me though... For over 2 months now I have been dealing with a WART....yes, I said that, GROOOOSSSS!!! It is on the ball of my foot. It is very painful to walk on. So, I get kudos for doing those jumping jacks barefoot! (I can't wear shoes on the carpet to exercise in. Just doesn't work.) I'm hoping this thing is on it's way to clearing up. It has made ALL of my daily resposibilites that much harder.

July 20th
JILLIAN LEVEL 3!!
UGGHHH, I forgot how hard some of it was. Did it though!!
I have had two people tell me that I look like I am losing weight! I wouldn't know because I still don't have a scale to weigh myself. But, it makes me feel good when someone notices!! Thanks to them for the compliments, that's what keeps me going!

July 19th
Treadmill/Eliptical 30 minutes total
July18th
Jillian level 2 25 minutes total
July 16th
I HATE WAKING UP TO EXERCISE!!!! I have been getting up the last week plus today to exercise and shower before the boys get here. I was waisting to much of my day when I'd wait to exercise after they got here. Now I am showered and ready for the day. And I got my workout over with before 8:30 am!!! Eliptical and treadmill 30 minutes total. I increased the resistance on the eliptical and ran for a bit on the treadmill.
July 13th
Jillian's 25 minutes
July 12th
Eliptical and treadmill 30 minutes total
July 11th
Jillians 25 minutes
July 10th
Slept in...
July 9th
Treadmill 15 minutes, eliptical 15 minutes
July 6th
Jillian's level 2 Total time 25 minutes
July 3rd
Still not feeling the motivation.
Treadmill 15 minutes. Eliptical 15 minutes.
Total time 30 minutes
July 2nd
So not feeling the motivation. After a break (girls camp) I struggle getting back into a routine. I did do Jillian's level 2. Total time: 25 minutes.
June 27th-30th
GIRL'S CAMP....HIKE....OUCH!! Glad I did it though. So proud of Brindley and that she endured the HIKE!
June 26th
Jillian's level 2 total time: 25 min.
I will be leaving for girls camp tomorrow so I won't be doing my regular workouts.
June 25th
Same as the 22nd
June 22nd
Jillian level 2, eliptical 15 min. Treadmill 15 min.
total time: 55 min.
I definately am feeling stronger. But it is still kicking my butt. I keep thinking that I am seeing a difference in the way my extra tire around my waiste is. I think it doesn't show as much, but maybe I am just wishful thinking. My arms are feeling different to me too. They are feeling stronger. I MUST KEEP PLUGGING ALONG!!
June 21st
Jillian level 2 total time 25 min.
June 20th
Jillian level 2, 15 min. on treadmil, 15 min. on eliptical
Total time: 55 minutes
June 19th
Didn't workout today... Had alot of errands to run.
June 18th
Jillian's 30 day shred..level 2
15 min. on treadmill, 15 min. eliptical
total time: 55 minutes
June 15th
Same as day before. I am feeling a difference as in when I think about doing Jillian's, it feels easier to do so I am not dreading it as much....Just in time to move to level 2.
June 14th
Jillian's, 12.5 on treadmil, 12.5 on eliptical
total time: 50 minutes
Karissa worked out with me. Kinda fun having someone feeling the pain with me!
June 13th
It is such a struggle to have the desire to exercise! I did get some exercise in today though. It took me clear til 5:15 pm to start. It was a short workout.
Jillian 25 minute total.
June 12th
Took kids to park...no exercise...did work in the garden...thought that should count for something. I was sweating enough!
June 11th
Same work out but increased treadmill by 2.5 minutes and the eliptical by 2.5 minutes.
Jillian, 12.5 minute on treadmill, 12.5 minute on the eliptical
total time: 50 minutes
June 8th
Same work out as the first 3. By the time I get done with the eliptical I can hardly walk. Infact, I am feeling it in my legs again today. I increased the resistance on the eliptical and really worked my legs.
June 7th
Not sure how I am going to work Thursdays yet. I didn't get in a workout today. I took the girls along with my daycare boys to the Zoo in the morning. I am planning to take them out every Thursday. I have to take them in the morning so the younger one can have his nap after lunch.
June 6th
Pretty sore when I went to bed lastnight. I even had to take some Ibuprofen to help. Today the stiffness isn't near as bad, but I REALLY did not want to work out!! I did though! :) Today's workout was the same as the last 2 days. I almost quit after Jillian, but I pushed through and got those extra 20 minutes!
June 5th
OUCH!! I felt yesterdays workout before the days end! I almost talked myself out of exercising today, but knew I had posted my plan and had just started so I couldn't have a day off that soon! So, today's workout:
Jillian's 30 day shred, 10 min. treadmill, 10 min. eliptical....lot's of moaning and sweat....
total time: 45 minutes
June 4th
30 day shred, 10 min. treadmil, 10 min. eliptical
total time: 45 minutes