Biggest Loser . . . . Starts Up!

Well I decided to step on our scale the other day. At first it read "ERR" which made me quite nervous. Had I exceeded the scales capacity?

We did upgrade our scale last year for Christmas since the first one had been attacked multiple times by Max. Our new scale allows you to program in your age, height, weight and then some how miraculously gives you a boby fat percentage. I don't really buy in to the percentage weight idea since it has been engrained in to me about pinching arms, stomachs, legs, etc. While I am interested in dropping weight I know my fat percentage is will come down.

So here is the deal. I am prepared to share with the world that I am now on a course to lose 55.5 pounds before June 29, 2009! This will give me a little over 10 months to complete this goal and really I am determined to make it - perhaps even before June 29th.

For years, now I have been wanting to put myself first with my health but, it really is so easy to put it aside and eat when I am sad, depressed, stressed and of course when I am happy! I have tried almost every program out there in my adult life including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Body for Life, The Carboyhydrate Addicts Diet, various versions of all protein, etc. Really, what losing weight to me boils down to is cutting back, no snacking, more water and consistent exercise. I am not not going to say that I am going to stop eating one type of food or the other, etc. That really just does not work for me in the long run.

So I will keep a running total of my weight loss updated on this blog and keep you posted as to how I am doing. My reward in the end . . . well, the first reward will be a healthier me which will be most important. I will enjoy taking our kids to the pool much more and of course doing even more activities outside. The big reward . . . well hopefully Mark and I will be able to spend a little time in Hawaii to celebrate our future and the first 40 years of our lives! And to see many more sunsets like the one above together.

So keep asking me on how I am doing . . . this will help keep me on track. This morning I told Max to say "Keep up the pace mom!" while we were out on our walk. I started back walking this week and I have really enjoyed the early morning cool air of August!

I challenge all of you to make any changes you may need with your health and keep me posted on how you are doing!

Which is Cheaper?

So I need to pose a question. Which is cheaper in your part of the world -

a Gallon of Milk or a Gallon of Gasoline?

Answer: Here in Winchester, VA buying a Gallon of 2% at Walmart was $4.05. Buying a Gallon of Gasoline in Winchester, VA (87 89 Oct.) is $3.69 and 10 miles down the road I saw it for $3.59!!

Pretty soon we'll start carpooling to Walmart, Target and Giant/Martins for groceries and use our powder milk from food storage!

Who Am I ?

Recently I have had the opportunity to describe myself and let others know who I am. The past two mornings while I have been out walking with Max I have really contemplated this question. I know there are both physical and spiritual sides as to who I am and I think that I have changed or shall I say evolved over the past 20 years.

So today I thought I would share who I am.

I am a daughter of our Heavenly Father
I am a daughter of wonderful parents (youngest of three - two older brothers)
I am a wife to Mark
I am a mother to Max and a step mother to Justin
I am a homemaker
I am a gardener
I am a counselor in Relief Society
I am a charitable person who enjoys helping others
I am a person who enjoys baking and cooking
I am a person who enjoys hosting events and parties
I am a hard worker at my jobs
I am willing to give a 110% to the projects I take on
I am often stubborn with what I want to do
I am willing to share my opinions on just about anything I am knowledgeable about
I am confident in the knowledge that I have (probably too confident)
I am willing to teach others and counsel others on things I am knowledgeable about
I can be stubborn at times
I want to succeed at the challenges that currently face our family
I enjoy playing the piano
I attempt to cross stitch-usually projects that are too big and end up turning them over to mom
I am a person who suffers from stressed induced eating
I am a football fan thanks to my husband and mother
I enjoy learning new skills and hobbies
I take satisfaction on getting the laundry washed, dried, folded and put away all in the same day
I like a clean and orderly house
I am a customer service driven person

While this list is not complete, I think it is ever changing as I am constantly learning and trying to improve on my mistakes. Life certainly can deal you a heavy stack of cards some weeks and I want to take my strengths and use them for the good.

Right now motherhood is calling me from his new big-boy bed so I am off to check on my little miracle!

Max is no one-hit wonder!

For the past week or so, Max has been asking me to sing him "the missionary" song. Tonight, he decided he would sing it to me. Here is his version:
"I hope they call me on a mission
I hope they call me on a mission
I hope they call me on a mission, when I have grown a foot or two
By then I think I will be ready, to teach and preach and work as
missionaries do!"

I was so proud of him! We called Grandpa and Grandma so they could hear him sing his new song but, Grandpa was the only one home. Grandpa told him it was "wonderful". So after we hung up, things were "wonderful". I am so impressed with how all children can learn songs so quickly! Other songs Max will sing are:

Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars - also sometimes called "poopie poopie little stars"
You are my Sunshine (a favorite of mine)
"Help me find the Way" is what Max calls I am a Child of God
Families Can Be Forever
Popcorn Popping
Jesus Once was a Little Child

He usually selects one song each night before he goes to bed that we sing at least five to ten times before he can go to sleep. I love to hear him sing! While the tunes still need much improving (for all of us that is) at least he is learning the words and knows how to make himself happy!

I hope that Max will always have a song in his heart!

PS - Still working on broken camera problems! Ughhhhh

Ouch!

Well today was the day we have been dreading! Warning . . . this story may make you queezy!

I was getting ready in our bathroom, Mark was out in our bedroom as was Max. The next thing we heard was a high pitch squeel from Max . . . you know the ones I am talking about? The cry / squeel where his face turns red, tears are running down his face, his mouth is open but he is not breathing? I've heard this cry a couple of times now in Max's short almost 2 1/2 years of life. It just makes me want to cry for him. What had happened . . . ? This was our question to Max as both Mark and I go running to him. Turns out Max decided to put his left hand on the "just unplugged still very hot iron" that was sitting on our ironing board in our bedroom! Oh boy, the burning was still hurting so we rushed him in to the bathroom and got his hand under the cold water. We then were able to get a cold wash cloth on him and we were off to the store to look for some time of burn cream.

After administering some Tylenol, we found out from our friend Darren, the pharmacist, that you apply Neosporin to the burn and Neosporin comes with pain relief medicine in it. We also found the "spiderman" bandaids that were just the right size for his fingers. All day today we has barely used his left hand but, tonight things were looking better. We have reassured Max that it will be ok . . . but, I did feel so bad for him. Especially when I should have just put the iron up instead of leaving it to cool on the board. Ughh . . . motherhood is certainly a learning experience.

As for some good news . . . I had a sister in our ward reteach me (because I am sure my mother taught me more than once) how to bottle and pressurize green beans about two weeks ago. This week I was able to pick fresh green beans from a garden that was over flowing with green beans. A friend lent me her pressure cooker and I decided to give it a go. With some help as to exactly how much water to put in the pressure cooker . . . I was able to bottle five pint jars of green beans. I was very excited to put in to practice what I had been shown and of course to add something to our food storage shelves! This week I will be "relearning" how to bottle tomatoes and peaches. I'm really looking forward to that.

Going to the Baptism

Max heard me mention that I was going to a baptism tonight at our church. We have been teaching him about baptism and that when he turns 8 years old he can choose to be baptized by his dad. So for two days now, he has been asking me to go to this baptism tonight to see a young woman get baptized who has been investigating the church. This morning after dropping him off over at Josh's house, it turns out that Josh's parents were planning on going so that Josh could see the baptism too! So all morning long, Josh and Max were excited to go! They even read a book on the topic and could hardly wait. And, thus the baptism became the bribery of the day. If you don't do this or that . . . . no baptism!

So after dinner, we got ready and headed to the church. (A little drama for getting our Sunday shoes on of course.) We arrived just as the baptism started and the room was packed. Max and Josh waited as patiently as 2 year olds could to see Kelly get baptized down in the water. They were anxiously waiting down in front so that they could see up close. As the baptism was performed, both boys watched anxiously and excitedly. Once the baptism was completed, Max then exclaimed, "Can I go in the swimming pool?" For those who are not familiar with our baptism ordinance, we practice baptism by immersion. So our church fills a faunt with water which Max had interpreted as the "swimming pool". We then explained again to him that he can be baptized when he is 8 years old. There was a small chuckle from those who heard his comment, which was just about everyone. But, I am glad that we have the opportunity to teach him the importance of baptism and that Jesus Christ, himself showed us the way by being baptized himself.

Although the evening ran late into bedtime I am happy to teach and show our son one of the most important ordinances we have within our gospel knowledge.

Catching Up

We have had a very busy week. Uncle Mike (my brother) and his oldest daughter Kiley dropped in for a visit and business trip. Kiley is 16 now (which I can hardly believe) and we were able to spend several days down in Washington as well as a day shopping in Leesburg at the outlets.

Of course our camera desides to give us trouble during all of this but, I think I was able to capture a few pictures of Max & Kiley along the way.

Kiley was able to see the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Washington Monument, White House, Air & Space Museum, the movie "To Fly", The Capital, Eastern Market (although most of the vendors were not out) the Holocaust Museum and the Jefferson Memorial. While this was not her first trip here this was trip she will hopefully remember for sometime. Max was a trooper and thank heavens for strollers and good shoes. We spent many hours walking, waiting in lines, getting tickets, looking for parking and of course driving back and forth!

As soon as I can get the camera batteries worked out I hope to add a few pictures.

Uncle Mike also taught Max a few new words while he was here. "Bar-hoppin" is Maxs' new favorite expression - although he has no idea what it means! After Mike & Kiley left the other night, Max cried out many times, I want to go bar-hoppin with Uncle Mike & Kiley. While I must of told him that really they were going back to the hotel room, he was not convinced. I was very glad to know that Max did not share his new word with the nursery today!

Thanks for visiting us and we welcome any other visitors to come East!