Catch Up on News

So it's been a while since I've blogged. Obviously, if you've seen my ticker to the side, you've picked up on the fact that we're expecting again. It came as a huge surprise. I didn't think we'd be having any more kids although I hoped I'd be able to experience that again. Reece's b-day is Dec 16th and this little one is due Dec 2nd. I'd like to make it closer to the due date this time as Reece was 3 weeks early. We found out just a few weeks ago that the new little one is a boy! Devun is so excited that he will have a brother. Brian and I didn't mind either way, but are happy with a boy. Now it comes down to figuring out a name, which we are both at a loss for. Although we do have a lot of helpers with ideas. He'll at least be named by the time he gets here though....right?

Kitties!

We have 2 cute cats Buddy, we got from a co-worker of my husbands right before Reece was born. He loves my husband and follows him around like a dog. He is very mellow and scares very easily.

Will, we got just about a year ago, he is the complete opposite of Buddy. He is very hyper and will get into anything and everything. He broke his leg a few months after we got him, if I can find a picture, I'll have to post one. He looked pretty funny in his cast.

Kimmy

Today is my best friends birthday. My daughter Reece is named after her, her full name is Kimberly Reece, but we of course call her by her middle name. If you've ever seen the movie P.S. I Love You there is a deleted scene that talks about the first best friend you had after being an adult and actually getting to choose your friends. Kimmy was that to me. She helped me see that it was okay to be me, that I didn't have to hide away who I really was. I was so lucky to have had her in my life, if only for a short time. Sadly, Kimmy passed away a year before I got pregnant. I don't know who wanted a child for me more, me or her. I like to think that she took care of Reece in heaven and was with her before she came down to me. She used to give me cards just randomly, with little notes in them. I still find them from time to time and they make me smile. I miss you everyday. Love you and Happy Birthday!

Fun in the Snow

It's embarrassing to admit it, but our little family hadn't been outside to play in the snow until we had this snow storm in February. We all got in on the action though and the snow was perfect for making a snowman and other snow sculptures.

Coming to America!!!!

21 years ago today, February 21st, my mom and my 4 siblings moved to utah from jolly old England. What an adventure it has been. I can't believe it's been that long. As my sister Lesley said, it makes me feel old. We celebrated today by getting together at the restaurant Sweet Tomatoes. It was fun visiting with everyone and realize how much our little family has grown. For how close we live together, we don't see each other nearly enough. Happy Anniversary Mom, Hayley, David, Lesley, and Katie!!! Love you guys! Wish I had taken a picture, this will have to do.

Budding Photographer?

Reece got her hands on my camera. Something she's been dying to do for some time now. Here are some of her pictures.

hmmm, a little close

Self portrait? Aren't those lucious lips!

She took some pictures of her dad and I, but my husband does not want his picture on the blog (although I may have to go against that, as I took the cutest pictures of Reece and her Dad) and I have veto rights on my pics, aha!

Valentines

Valentines Day, not really a favorite holiday, but more so now that I have kids.

My cute sis-in-law, Deb, who watches Reece during the day, did a really cute "do" for her hair. Which Reece was only too happy to pose for.

If only I could do cute things like that with her hair. It's lucky Reece has aunts as I am no good at doing hair other than a ponytail.

We "kept it simple" by having homemade pizza and raspberry lemonade for dinner. A heart bucket was given to each member of the family with treats inside.

Here is a picture of Reece and I, at the bottom is her Valentines treat bucket.

And one of Devun for fun!

Reece vs Truck

On Monday I got home from work and found Reece looking like this.

My daughter is a klutz (she gets it from me) Apparently she tripped and fell onto one of my nephew Landon's toy trucks. These pictures really don't do it justice, it looked like she had gone a few rounds in the boxing ring. The right side of her face was all swollen. Here are her injuries the next day.

It kinda looks like she's broken out in acne. She also had scratches on her upper chest.

Here are pics from today.

I should also note, these pictures were taken within about 5 seconds of one another. She doesn't like her picture being taken lately, so I have to snap quickly before she runs away. Do you see the look she is giving me in the top picture? Wish me luck for the teenage years!

Truck 1 Reece 0

Best Buds

My kids are 10 years apart, but they are really close. I know it won't always be this way as they get older. Devun is on the brink of his teenage years and Reece is in her stubborn toddler years. They are so cute together right now though. Here are some pics of them hanging out playing together. Devun tried to tell me that he was forced! I hope these will end up shown at his wedding reception one day! ;)

I really love how Devun will get down and play with Reece on her level. So cute!

Falling Off the Wagon

Okay, so it's been a few days since I finished the fast forward "cleanse". I wasn't actually able to complete it as I got sick. Not really sure why, as I was eating, but maybe lack of certain things in my diet is what caused it. I'm feeling much better now. However, I completely rebounded over the weekend and ate really bad. I made cookies (candy bar choc chip, yum!) and ate my fair share of them. I did start working out again last night though and made pretty good progress on that front. I ran for .75 of a mile, not all at once, but in 1/4 mile increments. Total distance was 2.75 miles. It felt really good. I was planning on walking tonight, but my body has other ideas. Not feeling so good and so taking the night off. I will be back to it tomorrow though as I can watch the new biggest loser episode. I love watching it while working out. It's a great motivator.

Day 3

Today was so much better. I didn't crave sweets, I actually wanted salt on my parfait, hmmm. Dare I say it, I got on the scale this morning and I'd lost 3 pounds already. I'm not convinced they'll stay off, but it is nice to see. Only 2 more days to go!

Day 2

Getting into the swing of things. The raspberries didn't seem so tart today. Having to be at work made it a bit more difficult as did having Devun back home, so the regular dinner schedule was on (me cooking). I did it though, although compared to pizza my smoothie didn't exactly hit the spot :) I am exhausted, probably due to the low calories. I'm also having a lot of discomfort in my upper back, which tends to happen when I'm not eating enough. Probably didn't help that I was researching recipes most of the day. Only 3 more days to go!

Fast Forward Plan Day 1

So, I gave up on the challenge this week as I was gearing up for this fast forward plan. That's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it. Today was day 1, overall not too bad. The egg scramble was pretty good, even without any salt. I would've loved to use some, but that is a no-no on this plan. The part I had a problem with was the raspberries. I like raspberries, but apparently not on their own. The almonds helped, but I was puckering like a mad woman while trying to chow these down. The parfait was alright, it was just not sweet enough for me. However, I love love love the greek yogurt. Not the taste necessarily (I have to use plain) but the texture is just so creamy. The salad, which I wasn't sure I'd like, was actually my favorite meal of the day. Lastly, the smoothie, wasn't bad but not great either. I expect to enjoy them more tomorrow as my taste buds get used to them.

Hunger wise, it wasn't too bad. Oddly, I mostly felt the hunger pangs during eating or right after I ate. I'm guessing this is because my body was craving the sugar? The book states that I should feel lighter by the end of the day, not so far, but there is always tomorrow. At this point I'm hoping the next 4 days go by fast. See ya tomorrow.

Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She is such an amazing woman and often doesn't get the credit she deserves. She raised 5 children basically on her own. She had to deal with 4 girls as teenagers, let alone my brother. Just thinking about Reece as a teenager makes me cringe. How she did it with us, I don't know, but she did a wonderful job. I'm so very glad that she is my mom. I love you Mom and Happy Birthday!!!

Look at that, she's still go the touch.

Additions

I've been doing pretty well on my challenge, although I didn't make my weekly goal last week, but I'm okay with that. My goal for the week was a lofty one. I ended up with 63/70. My goal for this week is 64, but I plan on taking a week off next week as I am doing the Cinch! 5 day fast-forward plan (from the book Cinch! by Cynthia Sass). I'm doing it to reprogram my system with sugars, fats, and processed foods. My friend Sharann and I are going to do it together starting Sunday. On this plan we are only allowed to eat 5 foods; almonds, yogurt, spinach, eggs, and raspberries. This is why we're taking a week off from the challenge. I'm pretty excited to start.

Random Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pics of my kids. Love them!

Believe it or not, I didn't ask them to do this. I just happened to take the picture right as they looked at one another. Too cute.

Taking a nap

Celebrating Christmas with Devun on Dec 23rd

Christmas Day

Boxing Day, all worn out sleeping in with Mom

Reece's Birthday

Reece turned 2 on December 16th. I can't believe it's been 2 years already. I'm so grateful for my daughter. I waited a long time to get her and I wasn't always patient. She was/is worth the wait. Love you babygirl!

Sunday Thoughts

I have recently started going back to church, as in the last year. I may have actually now made it to the year mark, but just barely. Prior to that I was inactive for about 11 or 12 years. Today in Sunday school we were talking about that and I was asked what made me come back. My answer was my kids, but I'm not so sure that was it. I certainly wanted to make sure my kids knew about Heavenly Father and Jesus, but I obviously had a desire there too. I know I talked about it for many months before I finally made that plunge, my kids were just the final puzzle piece. During my inactivity, I never once stopped believing that the church was true. I often prayed, though not with any frequency. I am so grateful that I found my way back. This past year has been a wonderful one, especially spiritually. Devun decided to be baptized in June and he is such an example to me. On fast Sundays he is often the first person baring his testimony and I couldn't be more proud. Here is is with his Uncle Sheeb, who baptized him.

I was called to be the Young Women's secretary and while I was nervous at first I truly enjoy it. The girls and leaders are so much fun and I learn a great deal from them. My sister Lesley joined me at church a few Sundays ago. The subject of personal progress came up and she asked me if I was working on it. I had meant to, but never had. She reminded me that I had mentioned prior to going back to church that I had always wanted to do the personal progress and had I ever thought that was why I was chosen for this calling. It certainly took me back, especially since Lesley has been inactive longer than I have and is still so. She was so easily able to see what I was blind to. I don't often think I have much of a testimony let alone a strong one. But how can I not believe this church is true when you not only get answers to prayers that you ask for, but also answers to questions/desires to didn't know or forgot were there.

Scary Ahhhhh

So as far as toys go, the Sing-a-majig was the top toy last year.....Just not in our house. We got one for Reece for Christmas and she wouldn't even touch it. Listening to it was okay, but try to get her to touch it and no go. She even asked me to play with it for her, by saying "scary ahhhh" (as in making the singing noise that the sing-a-majig makes). It took me a minute to realize what she was asking for. Too funny. After Devun played with it for a while she was finally convinced that it wasn't as scary as she thought. Now that she plays with it....I wish she wouldn't ;) Here she is cheesing it up for the camera with her new, unscary toy.

She's great about letting me take pictures as long as she gets to see them after. What a cute kid! Wow, I just noticed how long her hair has grown from the 2 pics. My husband would like me to cut it, but I just can't bare to even think about doing it.

Resolutions

Yes, Yes, I'm a little late. It's still January so it counts right?

I have many goals in mind for the coming year. Which include writing on this blog at least once a week, controlling my temper better, paying off as much debt as possible and so on. I found that this year I couldn't seem to stop coming up with ideas on what to do. Who knows how I will fare this year, but I hope to stick to the three listed, if nothing else.

Along with that I am working toward being healthier. I refuse to have the goal be "lose weight". That would just be a nice side effect. A friend and I have started a ongoing challenge to work towards this goal. I got this idea from another blog and tweaked it a little. Here it is;

1 point/mile walk/run
1 point/10 min intense activity
1 point/15 min regular aerobic activity, yoga, pilates, toning, etc
1 point/20 min extra stretching
2 points/7 servings fruits/veggies daily
3 points/day for no treats
1 point/week serving of fish
1 point/limiting 3 carb servings a day
1 point/not eating after 6:30pm
1 point/day eating normal serving size (use kid plates & bowls)
2 points/day for drinking 12 8oz cups of water
1 point/reaching weekly goal

The ones I added are mostly about eating, my big problem area. I'm hoping this will motivate me to eat better. Our goal is to get 70 points a week. So far so good.

So we started yesterday 1/10/11 and I got 7 points. I figure that's pretty good for making the decision to do this 1/2 way through the day. Today I got 7 as well. Almost got that fruits and veggies point. I was 1/2 a serving away, but then it was too late to eat and I didn't even get the point for not eating after 6:30pm :( That's what you get when you're a mom and take care of everyone else first :)

We haven't decided what our reward will be yet. I'm always inclined to choose food for a reward and that just defeats the purpose. I'll have to update with that later.