Well Deserved...

Sometimes it seems that the good our children do can be far and few between. So when something is awesome-we have to take advantage of it and give them praise.
Caleb was given an award to day in school for having striaght A's all year long. He was the only 4th grader to do so this year! I just have to say I am so proud of him and the person he is. What an exceptional honor for him! He has really enjoyed this year of school...he has waited for years to get Mrs. Murray and he had a great group of friends in his class this year also. I am sad that it is coming to an end tomorrow. But I am just so proud of him and this accomplishment.

Rain+ Family= Good times

Today we had planned on going to Riverfest and having a nice time with the kids. Well... we got there and the girls had barely enough time to ride the train and the down pour came! Thankfully I brought an umbrella and so we made a dash to the car and decided to go bowling instead. The kids love bowling and so they were excited to go and try to whoop their parents at this game. I suck at bowling but just like every other sport, Mitch is good. Way good. He got three strikes in his 10th frame. I mean come on, who does that besides pro Bowlers?! He just as to show off when it comes to sports. Aubrie got second and Caleb third. Yes I placed last, I told you I suck bad. Tonight Mitch and I went out and saw Terminator Salvation. If you are a fan of these movies, this one is pretty cool. I give it two thumbs up.
Here are some pics of our fun day today:))
Check out this freakin funny picture of Bryn!

My freakin hot hubby! Yummy.








I love how sweet Aubs can be with Bryn. She has her cute little arm around her and you can just see how she loves being the BIG sis.

Crazy Days...

Another fun day for Aubrie at school, today was CRAZY day- To celebrate the birthdays that are in the summer time. The kids could do whatever they wanted to do with their clothes, makeup and hair. Aubrie has always been funny about dressing crazy when she is at home playing dress up. She comes up with the most unique outfits, so this to her was just great! This morning before school, she had a dr. appt to get two more shots before she can start kindergarten. She of course was tall for her age, just like her mama.
Mitch and I found the doctor very amusing and maybe even a little intrusive with some of the questions she was asking Aubrie. Do they not think we are doing our job?? Just because we are young doesnt mean we are bad parents and stupid people. Whatever. I figure that this is how most doctors are today and that I shouldnt have another tantrum at the doctors office or else, I might not be able to find one who will take us. But Aubrie was very brave getting her shots. She couldnt have gotten out of there faster. She was so excited to get to school to see how everyone else dressed up:)

What do you all think?

Kris Allen was named the newest American Idol. Did America get it right? I really think it was well deserved between both of them. They both did great the night before but when it came down to it...Kris won. I LOVED Adam. I think why I liked him so much is because he was different than any other person that has been on Idol. He was a great singer and performer, and he has paid some dues being a performer for so long. He deserved some pay off for that alone.Plus he added some spice to this competition and I think he is going to do well out there no matter what. I will buy his album:))
Kris is very talented also and I am happy that a young guy like him got a break in life. It will be intersting to see who does better huh!
And on my last note...Can I just say American Idol is totally hamming it up and sucking it dry for two hours of our time!! Granted to it was great to see some of the greats singing with the Idols but on the other hand giving air time to people like Norman Gentle and Bikini girl (who Kara just made a huge fool of:))- I think is ridiculous! I was so ready for it to be over with that when the results came it was just not even a climax in the show because so much had gone on for two hours, I just wanted to hear the name and go to bed.
What did all of you think about the finale?

Aloha Aubrie

Today at school for Aubrie is Hawaiian Day. She has been waiting a month for this day. Every day she asked me "Is Hawaii day today?"
I was ready for it to be here, just so she wouldnt have to ask me that question.
Since we went to Hawaii last year our kids have been in love with the Islands and so we had lots of cool Hawaiian stuff for Aubrie to wear. Caleb had International Week at school this week too and his teacher chose the Polynesian Islands so he felt pretty cool that he was the only kids in his class that has gone to the Polynesian Culteral Center. Here are some pics of Our Pineapple Princess, as she is off to school to enjoy her day.
Aloha:))

Just lovin' this little bum...

Today at Aunt Becky's the kids were playing in the waterpark pool and Bryn decided it was time for some tanning. She was so cute just laying by herself:)

Comments...

Today I am grateful for COMMENTS. It brightens my day when I get some feedback and comments back from my friends. HINT-HINT! :))
I am just kidding around- I know everyone is busy.
Thanks Regina for your comment on the post below. I know it might have been T.M.I.
But I do appreciate the comments on my blog. Much love to you all!

Patience...

Today I feel that I need to be grateful for patience. Patience with my kids, my husband, God, my family, friends...everything. I wish that I had more of it but often find myself not having enough. Patience is definately a learned behavior. My kids test my patience every day and I wish i could say that I handle them so well but the truth is I dont. Right now we are potty training Brynley and she has been doing very well with the whole #1 part but unfortunately for me and Mitch her going #2 in her pants has become almost a daily routine for her!! I am so tired of it and wish I knew what i was doing or saying to her that is holding up her progression with it. Last week I thought we had finally had a breakthrough and she was going poop in the tiolet but needless to say today she has reverted back to her ways of going i her pants. Not only is this distgusting but expensive, since I refuse to put poopie panties in my expensive front loaders, so I have been throwing them away.
I wish I had more patience in this situation. I would welcome any advice or ideas for us to try???
If I didnt have patience I might just have her wearing a diapers again until kindergarten!

Learning to tie laces...

I am grateful for being able to learn and grow!
This week Aubrie learned how to tie shoes laces! Such a big deal with most kids is to learn how do to this. She was so proud of herself. I am blessed with such bright, smart kiddos. They surprise me and impress me with their abilities!
I also have gratitude for being able to keep going to school myself. Mitch has been such a great provider and supporter, for me to be able to achieve some of my goals when it comes to education. I always appreciated President Hinckley because he supported women getting an education and being smart when it comes to being prepared for the future. I feel very strongly that he foresaw what our economy and world was heading. It is important for us to take hold of our future and the future of our children. We as women are capable of carrying the weight on our shoulders to help in times of need and I am glad I have been given an outlet to be somebody other than a mom or wife. I am a person and I have dreams and aspirations just like everyone. Just because you become a wife/mother doesnt mean we have to give those dreams up. So I am glad I am able to go to college and grow and learn more about myself and what I am capable of.

Me...

I am grateful...for being me. I would rather be myself than anyone in the world. Okay maybe having Heidi Klum's bod wouldnt be so bad. Heehee. No really- I think sometimes we might be too hard on ourselves and we need to take a step back and realize what a beautiful piece of work each of us are. We are each individual in our own ways and each of us have different characteristics that make us who we are as a person. Our trials and experiences have also added to the mold of who we ultimately, shape into becoming throughout our life. Every little scar, wrinkle, smile, wound, pimple, curve, color, texture... have a story and meaning behind who we are.
I wish alot of things about myself. But they dont have anything to do with the KIND of person I am. I am me. I will always be me. I am who I am and I am grateful for being able to be ME.
Name 10 things you like about yourself.
1. I am a nice person.
2. I like that I am tall.
3. I like my complexion. Sometimes it gives me hell but most days its nice.
4. I am sensitive. Yes, I take things way too personal. Something I am working on.
5. I like my hair. Most days. I like that it will curl or be straight and it is very low maintenance since I dont frequently color or abuse it.
6. I am open minded. I try to not be a closet thinker.
7. I am thoughtful. I try to do things for those around me to make them feel good.
8. I like my sense of humor.
9. I am a do-er. I like to get things done. I will finish a project once I have started it. Sure its a little OCD but if the world didnt have people with OCD then we might not have all the luxuries that we do.haha
10. I am loyal.

Sweet Kisses...

I am grateful for Sweet Kisses good night. Every night the kids like for us to "tuck"them in and read stories. We always let Brynley be the last so she can read with Caleb and Aubrie. So when its her turn she gets in her covers and then makes this cute little noise with a puckered mouth like "mhhmhhmhhmhh" To give her a kiss good night. Aww. It always makes me smile and melt my heart.

Dog Pile!!

I have to give it to my husband...he is still such a kid at heart. This is a good thing! He is always playing with the kids, whether its kickball, baseball, kitchen, reading books, playing house, frisbee or my kids' favorite...jumping on the trampoline. From the moment he comes home from work or wakes up, the kids are all saying "Daddy come play with us!" And he NEVER is too busy for them. Thats probably the best thing I love about Mitch...he always lives in the moment and doesnt let one go by that he can be with the kids. So last night, as I watched then playing outside, I wanted to capture those thoughts I had and capture the moments he always makes for them. So I took this picture as they were wrestling and dog piling on each other. I AM GRATEFUL FOR BEING ABLE TO WATCH MY HUSBAND PLAY WITH OUR KIDS.

TAG YOUR IT....POST A BLOG EVERYDAY FOR A WEEK TELLING US SOEMTHING YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR EACH DAY OF THAT WEEK!! OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO FEEL GRATITUDE!

Mother's Day picnic...

On Mother's Day I went with my family, to my grandparents place at Lemon Lake. We had a nice picnic of steaks and yummy salads. The kids love it up there! Caleb got a new pocket knife from Papa Phil the day before and he was widdling on wood and playing catch with my brother Cody the whole time. Aubrie's favorite thing was to swing and play with bubbles, and Brynley made a new friend, Magnus. He is a huge St. Bernard that wondered over to our picnic from the neighbor's house. Bryn chased him everywhere and everytime she would get to close to his tail, it would knock her over. I would not enjoy having such a huge dog to have to take care of!

All three of the kids love swinging in the hammocks and just playing together. It was a nice day and time well spent with family!

The Great Cal-bino

Last night at Caleb's baseball game, it was the last inning and Caleb was basically the last batter up and the bases were loaded and guess what happened....He totally hit one to the fence. It almost went out of the park, allowing the player on third to score and as the other guys were going around the bases, one dude didnt touch third so he was going back to touch it and it confused the other guys running and the other team ended up getting some guys out because of it. And also there is a 7 run limit per inning for each team batting, we hit our 7 and the game ended, us being one point behind the team who one!! But really it was the coolest thing that Caleb hit the ball like that!! We are so proud of him and all the hard work he puts into practicing. We knew if he could connect with the ball, it would super cool. To us he is the Great Calbino (bambino)!
In honor of baseball season, I have changed my blog background.

My Progress...

Just an update...I weighed in yesterday and lost 6 more pounds! That means I have lost 11 lbs in almost three weeks. Yes! I cannot tell you the validation I felt all day yesterday. It have me so much drive to keep going. I believe that my body isnt so crappy after all. About 6 weeks ago, my Dr. increased my thyroid meds by doubling the dosage. I really think it has made such a huge impact on where MY body needed to be to function and metabolize normally. We will see what my thyroid results say at the end of the month. Hopefully it will just where its supposed to be.
I also decided to take the personal training class at the college this fall. Just for fun and to learn more about nutrition and health. Jackie, my trainer teaches it and really wants me to take it. I am excited about it.
I am really happy about my progress and finally seeing some results of my hard work paying off.

Butterflys, Braids and A Babe...

I took these pics of Aubs yesterday morning before school. She looked so beautiful in her new shirt and her hair braided. Caleb and Mitch found this butterfly, while walking Caleb to school. Mitch brought it back for the girls to see, it had a damaged wing and couldnt fly anymore. Sad. Brynley later had just about demolished the poor thing to death. It was a sad day for the butterfly.
But I just had to share such pretty pics of my gal!

Just Kids

I realized I havent posted some cute pics of the kids lately. I have been too self involved in my own personal drama and issues. Sorry. Especially to the family that check out the blog. Here are some fun pictures of the kids last week at Aubrie's gymnastics award's night. She really had such a good time in it. I think I might put Brynley in them next year too. She was always sneaking off during Aubrie's class and jumping on the trampoline. It's got to be hard to be the youngest kid in a family, not being able to do what the older siblings are doing.

Depressing...

Diets. I have been on one that I think just might do me in. I weighed in yesterday with my trainer and lost 5.4 lbs. in just a week and a half. But I seriously hate it. I am depressed. I am not sure whats more depressing- being strictly confined to a diet or being fat. I think I might choose to be fat. After the first two weeks, I can have fruit again so I am hanging on for dear life until Monday.
I consider myself to be healthy and choose healthy foods. But the weight wasnt coming off. I had to be extreme to see results. So I meet with Camera Palmer who is a dietician in my ward and also my Dr.'s niece. She suggested this diet that resets your insulin levels and jump starts your metabolism in 8 weeks to help your body lose weight easier. Yeah, there is nothing easy about this. I thought it was going to get easier but its only gotten harder for some reason. Boo.
I am just so sick of being in this body. This was not how I was supposed to be. I want to be my old self again. To have the luxury of working at Dairy Queen and eating whatever and still only be 130 lbs. In my dreams. Those days are long gone. I know this. But I still dont know why it has to be so HARD to lose weight. Really. Sine I started working out with Jackie a year and half ago I have lost 25lbs but it has taken me so long to get there. I just hope I can stay focused.
37 more pounds to go...
What are some battles you all have had with weight/food?? What are some goals you have?