Healthy Living

I have been thinking about becoming healthy for a long time. Before our second anniversary I had gained 50 pounds. I still can't believe it. When I went for a physical around that time they discovered I have hypothyroidism. I wish I would have caught it sooner, but to be fair the weight gain cannot be blamed solely on my thyroid. Although the discovery of this did lead to me being able to get pregnant, so in a way I would like to thank my overweight body.

Ever since gaining the weight its been hard to drop to drop it. I don't like taking pictures and I dread the idea of clothes shopping. When we first moved back to Colorado, a missionary who was helping us move saw a picture of me from my freshman year of college and asked if it was me. When I replied yes he had a sort of shocked look on his face. I was upset. I had become unrecognizable.

I wanted desperately to loose weight, but I have always lacked motivation and with two little ones now I also lack time.

At Izebelle's 2 year check up yesterday, I gained some much needed motivation. When Ize was born she was in the 75 percentile but since her 4 month check up she has been around the 95 percentile. Her doctor and I (plus Marty) agree that she isn't fat or overweight. Ize is just a big girl, but if there are small changes that I can make now that will help her out later in life then I am willing to do it. I know that these changes will also help me with my weight goals/struggles, so I'm all for it. Honestly I would eat dirt and drink gutter water if it meant I could help Izebelle so she wouldn't have to struggle too.

The second part of my goal is to loose weight before we take family photos again. We took the first ones when Ize was 8 months old and I would like Kae to be 8 months when we take the next ones. So that gives me until around July 11 to loose weight. I don't really have a specific number in mind. I just want to feel good about myself again. I'm going to try and post pictures as the journey unfolds. I have around 150 days to loose the weight so I've broken it down to every 50 days I change things up so I'll post about the journey then.

My plan is to workout at least an hour a day, 6 days a week and eat whole grains, low fat everything, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Hopefully after these next five months are over I'll look a little less like this:

(Family Pictures 10/09)

And a little more like this (again):

(Glamour Shots '04)

Judge and Grudge

These are two things that I struggle with immensely.

It seems like judging others actions or behavior is so easy to do. I read a blog recently where the blogger stated how we should set a good example for our children and not belittle or judge others, especially in front of them. I agree but we live in an age where most people think their opinion is king and where there is a channel almost completely dedicated to judging others.

With constant criticism consuming the world around us its difficult to find something positive to say to those around us and even harder to think nice things about others.

What did Thumper from 'Bambi' say: "if you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." Thank you Mr. Disney for these wise words. Too bad such a simple thing is all to hard to do. Put if we/I do fall pray to the judge bug, hopefully we/I can remember to button our/my lip.

Now onto the grudge end. All too often, or more often then I would like I get really upset when I feel the sharp sting of another person's criticism. This upset turns into a grudge I end up holding towards this person. Its difficult for me to let go and move forward. I think, "I am only hurting myself." But am I really? Usually this deep seeded anger and resentment is contagious. I'm hoping that as I grow more personally, that someday I will become more forgiving and teach my children this trait as well.

Thank you for allowing me to vent. These things have been on my mind for a while.

I also wanted to briefly discuss a spiritual moment I had recently. I have been struggling with anger for most of my life. To be honest I am swift to anger and it was affecting many of my relationships. I have read numerous articles on the subject and tried a long list of techniques to overcome this terrible trait but nothing was really working. Then recently Marty sent a request to Salt Lake for a copy of my patriarchal blessing. I lost the original long ago. I had a not so good copy, but I rarely read it. It came in the mail and I couldn't wait to sit and read it. Then there it was. The line that would change everything. It was so simple and yet it totally changed me to the core. I know this may sound corny but I found the key that has helped me and I am so happy that God knows me. He knows who I am and he tailored this blessing to help me throughout life. I am so grateful for the answer to this and for the simplicity of it all.

I would also like to mention that Kaelie was weighed and measured today. She weighs 13 pounds 1 ounce (75%) and is 23 1/2 inches long (75%). Kae is smaller than Ize was at 3 months but just as cute.

Them together

Holding hands

Kaelie recently before a bath. See the scared look.

Kaelie at 12 weeks

Izebelle at 12 weeks

Have a great week!

It's that time of year...

Football and Taxes.

Both are good and bad in their own right. First of all, I love the Superbowl mostly for the commercials. Honestly that's the only reason most women watch it and some guys too. Marty made the mistake of watching most of the commercials online during the week, which he says he will never do again. I don't blame him. Half the excitement is seeing them during the game and talking about them during the plays, or at least it is for me.

The bad side of NFL football for me is that it coincides with so many other sports, including college sports. I end up feeling like all we watch are sports and ESPN. So its nice when the Superbowl finally comes because we can steer our focus towards college basketball until March.

Secondly, tax time has arrived. Luckily its mostly good for us because Marty doesn't declare very much, so we can receive instead of give. We look forward to the rebates so we can pay stuff off, like Kaelie.

Also so Marty can buy something like this:

Yes its a real gun. He also plans on getting a concealed weapons permit. Here's hoping he never has to use it off the range.

Then a good portion will go towards a sprinkler system, which we have to get to keep the HOA off our backs. BOO!

So onto a completely different subject. Izebelle has started mimicking. This is good and bad also. Good because its helping Ize learn how to talk, or at least say some new words. Bad because those words may not be ones we want her to learn. I'm not saying we always say bad things, but there are times when such things are said. Maybe this phase will help Marty and I be better. That way we won't have an incident where Ize walks into nursery showing off the new word she's learned. We'll keep you updated.

Izebelle's 2nd Birthday!

Yes, today is Izebelle's second birthday.

I honestly can't believe it. I remember those two long years of trying to get pregnant, until that amazing day when the test was finally positive. Excited doesn't nearly describe how I felt when I saw her sweet face for the first time two years ago.

Izebelle is a handful, but she is all ours. She looks like Marty and acts like me. We love her so much and we look forward to celebrating many, many more birthdays together.

So, on a related note. Izebelle and Marty are practically twins. I took a picture of her last night, where she looks ridiculously similar to Marty.

Here is Marty:

Here is Izebelle:

One word: AWESOME.

They're both so cute.

Happy Birthday Ize!!!

Hopefully we'll be able to have fun today despite the weather.

*Side note: We didn't go to Chuck-E-Cheeses on Monday because of the weather, but we rescheduled to go in two weeks.