ARe you feeling Strong My Friend?

I am. More like, empowered.

I was looking through a magazine and came across a medication that I tried to help deal with my anxiety etc. 2 whole pages of warnings and possible side effects. I stopped taking it because I felt yucky when I took it.

Here is my new prescription. Two different essential oil blends. No side effects, they work better, and I feel healthier, and happier.

I am not saying that essential oils will heal everything and there is no need for modern medicine (i hope not, my husband would be out of a job. smile). I am so grateful we have advanced technology in the medical field.

But I am really enjoying learning how to eat healthier, and use natural things that will keep me healthier as well. I am feeling so good.

I am thankful for that.

rockin' the muu muu

My sisters Kelly and Nicole decided to bring the muu muu back. So they sent Gloria and I each a muu muu for our birthday last year courtesy of the thrift store. Can I tell you how happy it makes me? Am I not the picture of motherly comfort? My mom wore these growing up, so I am sure that is a part of our reason for loving them.

I wore my muu muu and made bread, and felt happy inside. Give it a try.

P.S. There is some danger to wearing the muu muu. You can eat all you want and not feel uncomfortable in your clothes.

P.P.S. Your husband won't love the muu muu as well as you. I suggest slipping into something a little more form fitting before he gets home. smile. I mean, you can't really appreciate my rock solid Jillian Michael abs wearing a "house dress." And yes, Jillian makes me cry every day with her "no more trouble zones" workout dvd. But the results will blow your mind. My body shape is completely changing even though I am not losing tons of weight because I cheat every day on my diet. Although, I am in general eating way more healthy. If I just ate less, I would drop it fast I know. I'll work on that.

getting warmer

need to find some cute new bathing suits like this one! Why is it so much harder to look this cute in s swim suit when you are older?

consistency is the key.

I am so proud of Jacob. He wanted to go out for the high school tennis team because he has loved playing with dave and I all growing up, but had never been taught by someone who knows what they are doing. ha ha. So we took him over to the tennis center by our house and had him meet with one of the tennis pros to see if he was good enough to be in the junior academy. After meeting with him, Vince (who is an awesome coach over there) told me that he is a natural athlete, but suggested some private lessons to learn the basics (forehand, backhand, volley, and serve). We did that and Jacob completely fell in love with tennis. That is all he could think of day and night, and dreamed of the perfect tennis racket (he was using my old racket).

Within a month or so, he went from the junior varsity, to varsity at the tennis center. He decided to get ready for tennis instead of playing basketball this year, and got a lot of flack from the bball coach and heckling form the bball players, but jacob didn't care. He was committed to tennis. Watching the Australian open, and planning out his professional tennis career. ha ha.

Anyway, try-outs came along, and low and behold jacob received the coveted spot of Varsity 1. Which meant he was the best on the team, and played the best player from every other school. Pretty good for only learning how a couple months earlier. His first match was painful to watch. It was like every hit of the ball was a change-up. He was playing so cautiously. The other player, who was used to a high speed game, was kind of thrown off his game. Jacob didn't win, but sure got lots of good advice from us afterwards. wink.

It was so great to see his confidence and ability get better with each match. He really learned to hold his own with kids who have been playing for years. Some of them are so amazing. After one match, that he was defeated pretty bad in (the kid is one of the best in the state) Jacob asked me if I was embarrassed that he was my son. NO WAY! I couldn't be prouder. He was doing amazing for only having played a few months, and was consistently getting better with each match. The mental game is so huge too, and Jacob is so good at staying focused. (He didn't get that from me.)

How Jacob survived most matches and won a few, was with his consistency. He didn't have lots of tricks, or high speed power shots, but he would consistently return every thing they gave him and eventually they would make an error. That was his weapon. They played every school twice and we made sure to point out how he won more games in each set than the previous time, even if he lost.

Life lesson learned....consistency is the key. Sometimes we give huge efforts in life, but get too tired and give up. Slow down, do the best you can, keep working at it, and watch the progression you will make. It's like the story of the race between the tortoise and the hare. Those who are rushing and overly confident sometimes blow it because they aren't consistent, or persistent. This life is all about enduring to the end, not who is perfect first. Short bursts of trying to be perfect don't work. We have all eternity to work out all we should do and be. We need to just try to be consistent in the seemingly little things. The basics, the fundamentals (as coach says in HOOSIERs). You know praying, reading your scriptures, loving and serving your family and those around you the best you can. Even if our opponent seems too big, our obstacles insurmountable. Just keep your head in the game (are you thinking high school musical now? ha ha)stay focused, keep going. You can do it! (nacho libre voice).

WEll, i am all out of movie quotes, and sport analogies. ha. So just one more word to Jacob. I couldn't possibly more proud to be your mom. Not because of your athletic prowess (amazing as it may be. ha ha), but because you try your best to do what God wants you to do, and share what you know is true with everyone around you. I am most proud when I hear you pray. Your prayers have always deeply touched me. You have such faith. In your baby blessing, DAd was inspired to say that "you would have a faith that would pierce the veil (the veil that shields our view of heaven)." And you truly have been blessed with that gift. Proud doesn't even begin to describe how i feel about you. Keep it up Mr. Consistent. I love you. -MoM

AHHHHHHHH

Found this picture in a frame packed away from a few moves ago. Rachel has had it hanging in her room. My first two babies. Aren't they so cute. Jacob and Rachel are only 15 months apart. They were always the best of friends. It is no secret that Rachel was a monster when she was little. I really think that she is alive today because Jacob was always looking out for her. He used to say to her, "I betect you." It was so sweet. RAchel was so excited the other day when she asked Jacob if he loved her, and he replied, "of course I love you." She was so so happy. She is Jacob's biggest admirer. So when he rarely admits that the feeling is mutual, Rachel is on cloud nine.

This picture was really a big deal for me to get. We didn't have a lot of money and I was so excited to go to Olan mills (the expensive studio), because they had some special where you had a free photo session and 8x10. Obviously, the hope is that you will buy more. I had to sit through their whole presentation, and than say, "no, I'll just take the free 8x10."

Don't you think that Ammon is a mix of these two? With a little bit of Lizzie thrown in for good measure. Ok, he looks like all of them, because they all look alike. smile.

p.s. what do you think about another 15 month duo? I think I'd be up for it if i could have this outfit. (oh, and not be sick either. smile) (oh, and also look this cute in the outfit.)

baby boy is 5 months old.

ohhhh how he lights up my life. YOu know what brought this happy joyful expression to his face? Lookin at his mama. Pure love.

Today he finally got his two month old shots. He was a trooper.

A Healthy Smoothie Anyone?

My kids are always begging me to make them a "healthy (as they term it) smoothie." We got addicted to these when we went to Utah and my bro in law was having these for dinner. And I am so proud of him because he has lost 45 pounds since January!!! Go Grant!! woo-hoo. Not only is he eating healthy, but working out at the gym every day. So here is his secret recipe. smile.

1 banana (can be frozen)
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup soy or almond milk
1/2-1 cup orange juice (tropicana 50 has fewer calories)
6-8 strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple chunks (peaches, raspberries, melon, etc.)
1-2 scoops of protein powder
I am adding a scoop of flax (bought this at costco), and dark greens. Kale, and spinach are the best. You can't taste it I promise.

And there you have it a "healthy" smoothie. What an awesome way to get in lots of nutrients that our kids may be missing. It is a special treat for them, and so much better than reaching for ice-cream when they want a treat to cool them down.

Thanks Grant for sharing.

I miss the Hinkleys

Go here (you have to scroll down to the picture of president Hinkley since I am so technically challenged that I can't link just to that one post. But enjoy all of her favorite posts. They are all uplifting and funny. Also, her rules for her blog are good ones to follow). to read some amazing quotes that my sister compiled. my favorite today is by Sister Hinkley.....

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from moving Sister Schenck's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know that I was really here and that I really lived."

-Marjorie Pay Hinkley

So now on this beautiful monday morning I have to go and get to work really living. Living the way Marjorie did.

sisterly affection. brotherly love.

I came out of my room and saw this precious sight. Ammon hangin' with Rachel while she did her homework on the computer. It melted my heart. I love how Ammon is hugging her. He is like that. He reminds me of a koala bear. He just latches right onto you. I love it. This little boy is jsut so happy and content to be with his family. He adds so much happiness to our home. Every day is a gift with him.

What a good sister Rachel is. It sure is easier to have a baby when you have 3 kids that are able to take care of him. I don't think life gets any better than this.

Best CAr Detailing Cheap!

You are going to l0ve me for this information. Actually, love Anne Christensen, because she passed it on to me.

This is Randy detailing my car this morning. He is awesome. He comes to your house at your convenience, and he only charges............are you ready for this? $60. Isn't that awesome. We are talking shampooing carpets, waxing, the works. He did my suburban for $60. So a smaller car would probably be cheaper. Also, that is for inside and out. If you only want the inside that is even cheaper.

You can send love and thanks my way in the form of raw vegetables, since I can't have treats for a month. ha ha.

His info is in the picture on his truck 602-635-0074, and his name is Randy. He is super nice.

p.s. I just saw you melanie out there talking to him and getting his info. ha ha.

Bright Star

One of the best movies I have ever seen. It is the true story of John Keats the poet. Everything about the movie is poetic and delightfully beautiful. It was an artistic masterpiece. In other words, don't watch it with your husband to fully enjoy it. You don't want to chance ruining it with moans, groans, and cracks from someone who doesn't appreciate the joy of 1900 century living. You can never relive that first encounter with something so truly divine as this movie. Every scene, every word spoken is perfection. I love the little girls clothes in this, and that they call her "toots" as a nickname (i call my girls that all the time. It is short for tootsie, not that they are gassy. ha.) made it all the more perfect. Kelly, I couldn't stop thinking about how you would love it so much. I don't want to spoil it, just go and find it asap to watch. Rachel waited months to get it from the library. I think she started out as 205th on the list. It was worth the wait!
p.s. word of warning. It is very emotional. I must put that disclaimer for at least my sister kelly, who went into deep depression after anakin turned to the dark side.

Easter goodness

The morning started out with the mad rush to find the easter eggs.

Then the deeper looking. Ammon tried to join in too.

(dad, i know you are thinking he looks like elmer fudd searching for the itty bitty wabbit) and you are so mean for thinking it! ha.
it just became a little overwhelming.

The request was for creme brulee french toast for breakfast. Leah had to have me take this picture of her with her bacon that was shaped in a heart. (what really happened is I burned the bacon and when I broke it apart it just happened to be in that shape).

Our first, and only easter in this house. (actually you never know with the military, maybe we will be here longer. I'm just sayin.) I wanted it to be memorable. I stayed up late preparing every detail. It made me very happy coming down the stairs and seeing everything ready easter morning.

Of course, the table filled with people that i love is an even better sight!


ah, always the picture of the perfect plate. In my family that is very important. As well as the perfect bite (but i didn't bore you with that picture). Well, this was a good last over the top fattening meal before I started my diet today. I did very well today I might add. One day down and a lifetime to go ( i mean 29 days). ha.

Hope your easter was full of gratitude for the Savior, love of family, and delicious food.

organic delights

Looksie what I got at the local organic farmers market. Aren't they beautiful? I thought, why color eggs ? (my children thought differently). Anyway, after all my sister's ranting and raving about how eggs at the store have no nutrients and how the chickens need to be out in the sun, cage free, eating insects etc. etc. I can hardly eat a regular egg without a sense of loss. I swear, i think i might just be better off if i didn't know any better. Like, I just read new cancer research how you shouldn't microwave your food (or my baby's bottle water in a plastic liner) because it releases dioxins into your food that feed cancer cells. I am frantically telling other people and they are like, well duh. It actually was a really cool article put out by John Hopkins. What was neat to see was that so many of the things listed not to do because they feed cancer cells, are a part of my church's guidelines for health. It was given by revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith back when the church was first restored again on the earth in the early 1800's. It was appropriately named "The Word of Wisdom." At the time, people scoffed at the thought of God giving us such commands about what we eat and drink (and they still do). But luckily, God has a little more insight than man. Interestingly, now John Hopkins and other universities almost 200 years later are just figuring it out.

So, back to uneducated me. I am very grateful to all my friends, and family, that lead my by the hand step by step to a healthier me. I slowly learn knew things, and try to incorporate them. I feel better knowing that i am putting (or trying to) the best things that i can into my body. Our bodies are such a gift, and i am so grateful for mine. I want my body to stay as strong and healthy as possible. I plan to live a very long time.

Here is another market find. I used it on my delightful brunch that i made for myself this morning. Isn't it beautiful?

I feel so much better when I eat healthy. I am loving using more herbs, and vegetables for seasonings. It makes you feel happy inside.

Of course, then I made chocolate chip cookies for Ahlena, and i had some (i had to make sure they were good right?). Well, it was a quick confirmation that I really just can't handle that much sugar in my diet. Because of course, I didn't have just one. What do you think i am? A Robot woman? Lesson learned (for the 3 millionth time). Yes, i am still pre-diet. But I did go shopping today. The date has been set for monday. I had to enjoy a lovely traditional easter dinner first.

PS-The movie we watched last night was one of the best i have ever seen. Can't wait to share the details.

early morning visitor

At 830am this morning, i heard someone rapping quickly and continuously at my door. I thought, who could it be? Because, 830 am is really early in the morning for me. I went downstairs to find this angel of a girl at my door. Little Lennon, who I'll have you know turns 5 on April 6th. I know because she has told me many many times. smile. She stood at the door in her little jamie dress, with her hair all awry. She was sent up by her mommy to see if a book was left at my house. I couldn't find it. Natalie then got out of the car and the two of us, both in our robes searched my house and the cars. I am sure we were a funny sight. A familiar one if you really know me. smile. WE never found it, but Lennon wanted to stay with me. I love it when they want to stay and hang with me (even when my kids aren't home). Yesterday, I convinced Crue to stay. They just chat up a storm, and i love every minute of it. Anyway, I cozied Lennon up on a chair and we watched a movie on the disney channel while feeding ammon. My favorite comment that she made when a man was speaking with a southern accent. She said, "I just don't understand when people speak spanish." i love her.

I love Ammon's hand up on her face. so so precious.

Don't you just want to squeeze ammon's little sausage body parts? He snuggles right into you and lets you get your fill.

I love how his socks are slipping off too.

So, thanks Lennon. What a sweet surprise that you came to my door. Come back any time. And I can't wait for April 6th!!!

Now I am off to spend time with another sweet girl. Rachel and I have been waiting all week to watch a certain movie. I'll let you know if it is good.