My Comic Relief

Oh...Saley! This kid, I know, was sent to me for comic relief. Everyday she makes me laugh because of the funniest things she does.

So I know these are terrible pictures, but this is what I' was able to capture in the moment with my camera phone

First of all, Saley cannot get enough sweets and goodies. We were at a party not too long ago where she kept sneaking cupcakes.

I just can't get over the face she is pulling in this picture and the Mr. Macho chocolate mustache.

Then 2 more...She looks drunk from all the sugar.


And just 1 last one...Where is this girl's mother?!

Now, she can't get enough yogurt. She will open the frig, pull out a yogurt (which has to be a specific kind either strawberry, or peach Walmart brand yogurt)open it with her teeth, go to the draw and get a small baby spoon and set it all on the table. Her latest quarky thing is this:

she has to have 2 small baby spoons. To help her eat it faster??! I can't figure it out.

And then, the other day...

she had 4 baby spoons.

Oh this kid makes me giggle!

The other night at dinner she got me rolling! I was laughing so hard I was crying. After she finished her dinner, I pulled her up and out of her high chair. That night she was only wearing a diaper to dinner because she had had a major poopy accident right before and I didn't want to dirty any more clothes. Anyways, she's standing there in her little diaper bum and all the sudden she starts dancing on her tippy-toes all hunched up kind of Urkle style then backs up with little quick steps like she's getting ready for something big all the while pulling one of her classic, full of character, Saley faces, then she takes off running. It was just like a cartoon character when they're getting ready to run and they are standing in place for a few seconds while they're feet are rolling. I'm still laughing as I write this post. It was sooo funny! I wish I had captured it on camera.

I just love my baby girl! I definitely need a little, I mean, a lot of comic relief in this line of work and she gives it to me. every day! Love you Saley!

(Chris got a great picture of Saley yesterday with his phone. Love that face!)

I did it!

So much to write about...First I'll start with the race.

(Lynette and me right before the race started...not sure what's going on with my eye.)

I did it! I ran the Love My Body Race and did so much better than I even expected. I got 19th place out of almost 700 participants!

Everyone of my friends and sister ended up backing out of the race (or not even signing up. They all had good excuses of course. OK only Shar did) except for one that I didn't even know about until the day before.

I was kind of feeling grumpy about going especially when it was COLD and raining I really did not want to go. I kept hoping I would get an email that said it was cancelled. Luckily my cute friend Lynette got me excited again on our nice little ride down to Thanksgiving Point to go run 6 K on a cold and dreary fall morning.

Once we got there I started to feel the excitement of the event with all these women buzzing around and having fun even though it was sooo cold and wet.

The race started and the masses took off. Lynette has a much faster pace than I do so she went on ahead. We knew from the beginning I would not be keeping up with her. But as I started running with my headphones in and the music going, I started to feel really good. I started passing people, getting into my music, enjoying the beautiful gardens, and just going strong. The hills I enjoyed the most. I just kept booking up the hills then I would fly down them as fast as I safely could. That's where I would pass a lot of people. I have to admit that was pretty fun (my competitive side coming out:)

Then as I saw that I was approaching the end I really started booking it. I started running as fast as my little legs could take me. and the last 100yds I sprinted. It was so much fun! In my head I could hear my dad cheering me on from the side lines yelling "Go, Min, Go!" with such intensity and excitement just like the good old days of Stake Olympics. And then I passed the finish line, completely winded but feeling sooo good. I had no idea what my time was at the time but I didn't care. I had finished and I felt awesome!

Later they posted the times and I couldn't believe when I saw my time and place...19th!, (not that my time or place means anything in the racing world, but for me it was such a bonus!) I'd forgotten how fun these races can be. I hate training for them, in fact I barely trained for this one, I just kept up with my regular work out routine (which is pretty intense, but does not include hardly any running.) But the fun and excitement of all the people, getting into your zone and feeling so strong is just fun!

Anyways it was awesome. I definitely want to do it again next year and hopefully I'll get some more people to join me. Who knows maybe I'll even go for the 10K.

(However, one side note, my hips and back were extremely sore:( can't seem to figure them out. I think I'm getting older but I don't want to admit to that yet.)

(Here's a funny picture to enjoy:\)

The Contract

On top of the coincidental events I decided I would like to get Chris involved in a motivating way. I asked him to come up with something that he would do for me that would be a really good motivator. Something fun, not having to do with numbers, weight or size, but just something great he would be willing to do if I meant my goals well of beautifying my soul and changing my nutrition path.

I pleaded and prodded and then one night as we were in bed I asked him once again "Did you think of a good motivation yet?" and then he said half asleep "How about I'll buy you laptop?" I quickly responded back "OK! I'm in! I'll do it!" {A laptop would be awesome I am always jealous of the mobility he has while computing.} Then he said, "Then write up a contract."

It took me a few days to finally have time to write up The Contract, but I finally did it and it has been signed and dated by both parties.

I've printed it off and posted it on my bathroom mirror.

The basics of The Contract: I'm going GREEN!

I have to eat or drink 1-2 lbs of green leafy vegetables, at least 4 fruits, and another pound of cooked green vegetables a day. I'm cutting out the dairy, sugar, and almost all meat. I can have beans, small amounts of nuts, and one serving of starchy vegetables or wholegrains. Anything else follows the 90% rule meaning %90 of my calories has to come from nutrient dense food and 10% can come from other low-nutrient food (meaning about 200 calories).

It's going to be strict but I am convinced by what I have read that the change will be good. I'm told I have to give it at least 6 weeks to really see how it feels to be "greenified" and change my ways {which is why I needed a really good motivator} I have also decided I am going to dedicate part of my blog to my beautifying revolution under the label "Mommy Feels Good"

This is going to be fun and in the end I'm going to feel great, have a new way of life and a new laptop {and a new pair of Toms and a dinner to The Cheesecake Factory, for a salad of course:) I had to write those into The Contract too:)}

{Here it is signed and dated In small version. I don't want to share all the details! :)}

Coincidence???

So, just as I had made a resolve to "beautify my soul" a group of women in my neighborhood asked if I wanted to be apart of a "Health Challenge." We each made our own goal and at the end of 6 weeks we get to have a girls weekend to celebrate how awesome we all are! Then I saw an add in the newspaper for The Love Your Body Race, a women's only 6K/10K run/walk around Thanksgiving Point gardens. I'm totally in! (for the 6K-I don't think my hips can take a 10K yet, maybe next year.) Anyways, funny how things happen so nicely sometimes. Love Your Body!

Knowledge

I love knowledge. I love that a person can learn about anything. I love that something can be learned in so many different ways and that information is so readily available in so many different places. I love that I have a library so close and a computer with internet access. (I love that my prince charming knows how to set that all up.) I love that my girls can go to school and be taught by such loving and dedicated teachers. I love that I can learn about whatever fancies my interest at that moment.

{This is pretty much what I've been reading the last couple of months}

I feel like I've been on a learning journey lately and sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed with all the knowledge that is possible to gain. I feel like Elder Faust when he said in one of his wonderful talks, "I am reminded of the poet T. S. Eliot’s words: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” I've been confused with this person's thoughts and that expert's theories, but I feel I've been led on a path that was just what I needed to learn.

{And this is pretty much how my night stand looks most of the time. Chris can't stand it! It does tidy up nicely on cleaning day.}

Lately my fancy has been nutrition and health. (That seems to be my fancy a lot:) I love learning about the body and how amazing it is. I've been reading about just how amazing it really is and how all we have to do is stay out of its way to have incredible health.

One of the most interesting things I've learned is that our body just needs to be given the right nutrients and this beautiful creation knows exactly what to do with it. If we listen to our bodies and give it wholesome nutrients (which comes mostly from greens!), I'm reading, that our bodies will feel so good and work just as it was designed to. Our bodies are such beautiful creations!

Reading and studying the Word Of Wisdom again I'm seeing things I haven't seen before.

Vegetables and fruits, which should be used "with prudence and thanksgiving"

The flesh "of beasts and of the fowls of the air,"are "to be used sparingly" (D&C 89:10-13)

And then the promises:

"... shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

"And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

"And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

"And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them" (D&C 89:18–21).

I knew all these things but I didn't really think about how much "prudence" and "thanksgiving" and "sparingly" really meant nor did I realize how literal these promises are.

In much of my reading by many who do not even know what the Word of Wisdom is, they are stating these same health benefits which come to them basically by following what the Word of Wisdom says.

So, I've decided I want to Experiment Upon the Word!

I want to follow this great knowledge I have learned so that I too can gain these great promises: clarity of thought, being full of energy, and glowing with health!

I don't want my spirit hindered by my body. I want my body to be "the instrument of [my] spirit" (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled). In this way I see that my spirit can be strengthened and in turn my soul beautified! I can't imagine all the things that I could miss out on because of an unhealthy body! Who knows what is in store for me down the road but if I can at all make the road better by what I put in my body why not?!

So, here's to beautifying my soul as I experiment upon the word!

I'll let you know how it goes.

It's the Little Things that Mean the Most

We have been without speakers for our computer for some time. {Our computer is used more than our TV!} Well today my hubbie got us new speakers!

And I was reminded again today how much I love music!

Chris had a meeting to go to tonight but I {with a little coaching} plugged the speakers in all by myself! And tonight...we {the girls and I} jammed to the music. It was so much fun!!

Thank you Honey!!

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

G R A C I E

Every day I get such a kick out of watching my Gracie as she carefully applies and reapplies her cute pink lip gloss (that magically disappeared from my purse and reappeared in hers). She will hold a small make up mirror to her lips and look at it over and over making sure it is just right, then dance around and talk and act like she is so grown up as she walks around in my high-heels (never, ever if she knows someone is watching. I have to be very sneaky).

She has such a passion and interest for beauty, hair and make up. Every day she carefully plans what she's going to wear, how her hair will be done, and what color lip gloss she will wear. I seem to "lose" every lip gloss I ever buy and then they suddenly show up in one of Gracie's many purses. My high heel shoes seem to always be scattered in random places around the house.

She loves to put on make-up when I let her (she's actually quite good at it) and she loves to watch me get ready in the morning. She asks question after question of what I'm wearing from shoes to accessories, how I'm going to do my hair and make up, tells me how cute I look (I don't mind that) , and then always so sweetly asks she can have some make-up too. To which I reply, "You're too beautiful, I can't let you wear make-up too! Make-up is just too help mommy's not look so tired." To which she replies, " Oh, you should put some more right there by your eyes."

As she sat with me again this morning I started thinking about what I am teaching my girls about beauty. What does it mean to be beautiful? I read a quote I really liked in an interesting book I'm reading called Eating for Beauty:

"Many people are out in the world trying to 'get' beautiful. One cannot go out and get beautiful, because beauty is not something you get! Beauty is something you earn by refining the type of person you are becoming. The beautification process is about becoming the type of person who can be beautiful. If you want to become beautiful you have to become that type of person on the inside first and then attract beauty to you."

I am realizing this "becoming that type of person" to be so true from our spiritual growth even down to what food we put in our bodies. I do think it's fun to put fun outfits together, to try new hairdo's and hair colors, to wear a little make-up to accent the beauty we have, but I don't want it to mean everything to me or them. I hope I am showing them that by spending minimal time getting ready in the morning (or afternoon) and having many days where I don't wear makeup at all (not necessarily on purpose) , and wearing my paint clothes or work-out clothes all day long. I hope I am showing them it's about being a beautiful person inside, becoming the type of person we want to be and letting it show by what we do. I want them to feel beautiful because of the divine beauty within them. I hope I can teach them how to let that beauty grow and shine.

Anyways, this book is making me think a lot. And Gracie makes me smile a lot! I might have to write more about it another time. For now, here's to becoming a beautiful person inside!

Life is exhausting

Why does life have to be so exhausting? Just when I finally get a minute to myself, my brain is too exhausted to think anymore. My creative juices have run dry. And I feel like I'm running in circles while staring at a blank page. There are so many things I want to do, and learn more about, but the thought of learning something new most of the time becomes too daunting and overwhelming...It's easier to just stare...I read about lots of great ideas, but I never seem to put them into course. I greatly admire those that run with new ideas and don't worry about things more than necessary. I have lots of excuses but no good reasons. But the fact is after a long day of mothering (that is just keeping up on kid necessities, kid homework, and household chores) my brain and body become numb and tired and I just want to sit. 'The question is how do I overcome this? Because if this keeps up, I'm never going to get anywhere.

Somethin Good

Here's a great book about to come out. I am certainly excited for it. Check it out here. Everything I have ever heard from the Eyres has been so spot on, motivating and inspiring. Can't wait to have one more reference to help me in the day to day challenge of raising great kids.

God's Hand

I felt God's hand today in a special moment I had with my Isabelle tonight.

Izzy was very upset about swimming lessons in the morning. She has developed a major fear of going in the deep end that comes back strong each summer as we begin swim lessons. Tonight she was especially upset. A few days ago she asked her Dad for a blessing to help her not be so scared (That was another special moment.) She was very comforted, went to her first few lessons and loved it but today they started moving towards the deep end...

Izzy was a little defiant and onery tonight for which I couldn't figure out why. As I was tucking her into bed, she kept begging me to stay and sleep with her because she "couldn't sleep", for which I kept telling her "No" and gave her ideas to help her fall asleep. Just as I was about to leave the room for the third time, she called me back. At first I got a little annoyed and upset, and then she broke down crying saying how scared she was of swimming, and the nightmares she has been having. Then it all made sense. I quickly regrouped realizing what had caused the sudden change in attitude. I reminded her of the good teachers she has, who are there just to make sure she is safe. I reminded her of the blessing she was given, and that she can always say a little prayer, to which she cried, "The blessing's not working!!!"

Feeling a little helpless at this point, wishing I could take the fear away, and wondering if making her do swimming lessons was worth it I suddenly felt prompted to pray together with Izzy. It took a moment to help her understand that it was what she needed and to calm her down enough to listen. We closed our eyes ready to pray, her laying in in the top bunk bed, me standing beside it.

As I began to pray I felt a beautiful feeling of comfort and peace. I prayed for many things, but especially that she would be comforted and feel peace and learn to trust in her teachers, herself and in God. I prayed that she would know that her mom, her dad, Gracie, and Saley and especially Heavenly Father all love her very much. I ended the prayer and we opened our eyes. She looked at me and slightly grinned as I put my hand on her head and caressed her hair. I smiled back as she held my hand tightly to her head. Within less than a minute she was asleep. Asleep with that beautiful sound of deep, peaceful breathing. And I was watching.... with the peaceful reassurance that she will be OK, reminded of how much I love my sweet Princess Isabelle... and how much I love watching my babies sleep.

Just a Little Fizzy

I had a little nostalgic moment as I sipped down a little bit of "fizzy" this weekend. Funny how the sense of taste has such power to take us back and let us relive such vivid memories. This Ginger Beer, Chris and I had on our first day in New Zealand at a wonderful little chicken place. Sadly, I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but I do remember the food. It was delicious!! We went back 2 more times while we were there. But the best thing was this Ginger Beer, Bundabergs. It was different but so refreshing! We had it several more times while we traveled around the north Island.

Well the other day walking around Macey's I saw the ginger beer and I couldn't pass it up. (It's also funny how I had never seen this drink before our trip, but now since we've been back I see it everywhere.) Chris was so excited too when he saw the distinctive bottles. Together we sipped our "fizzy" and reminisced of a wonderful time. I love Ginger Beer!

A Fun Production!

Here is something special to watch. I am so proud of all my stars!



This is Chris and Patrick's latest Mormon Message. I got a chance to go on the shoot for one day taking pictures. I really do like being at the productions. I'd love to do it more. (pictures coming...)

I love this message and the talk by Elder Uchtdorf that inspired it. I sadly, really need to be reminded to enjoy the moments with my beautiful princesses and our life together more. It is something I have being trying to do much better. I have to completely agree with a few of the comments that were posted about the film, I wish my life would go in slow motion during those priceless moments so I could savor every second too.

I am so glad my girl's could be apart of this message so I can savor these fun moments captured on film forever! I'm proud of my hubby for all his beautiful work. Love you Honey!

P.S. Can you find my cameo?

A Hard Day's Work

Funny spring weather allowed me to procastinate this year. But, the long awaited, finally changing, change of the seasons came and along with it ... the very dreaded need to change out the clothes. All I can think of is the overwhelming mess, and boxes of clothes coming out, and more boxes of clothes ready to be stored with maybe not enough room to be stored. The thoughts of the mess become more overwhelming than the actual mess. Silly but true, the thought of it gets me anxious, so I put it off. But I've put it off for as long as I can, the girls need appropriate well-fitting clothes and, the change has finally come...

I shirked it no longer. I spent the entire day removing the dark, heavy (too small) winter clothes and bringing in the bright, fun summer clothes. It was a huge, overwhelming mess. But I have to admit,...I was reminded I do kind of I enjoy it. I enjoy the nostalgic moments as I go through the boxes of previous warn clothes and pull out all of my long-forgotten, favorite outfits. Remembering when Izzy was little enough to wear them and getting excited to see them look so adorable once again on Grace and Saley.

Izzy misses the clothes. She, over and over again, excitedly exclaims, "I remember that dress!" or shirt, or pants as she pulls it out of the box and holds it up to her, then quickly gets a sad face and realizes, "but it's too small now." Then Gracie quickly picks it up, holds it up to her, twirls with it (of course) and says with a gleeful grin, " Do I get to wear it now?!" To which I happily nod as I'm comforting Izzy with a "new"dress that her cousin just gave her. Both are happy, both have adorable clothes they can't wait to wear and Saley is happy making the messes bigger not caring one bit about the clothes or the order as she throws once folded clothes around the room.

We got through it, each girl felt like it was Christmas with a whole closet full of "new" clothes. Old, worn, too small clothes are out; new, bright, fun clothes are in. The closets and drawers are organized, the rooms are clean, except for 2 outfits. Two outfits carefully chosen, neatly layed out on the floor with shoes and accesories to match, who won the prize "the favorite outfit", waiting to be worn by two anxious, and excited little girls as soon as the sun peaks into their window once again. And then... one more dress carefully put aside, for a little girl that doesn't really care at all, but for a Mommy that can't wait to see it worn by her little baby princess.

We ended the day with "the perfect dinner," as the girls called it of...PIZZA!

pictures courtesy of my droid

My New Favorite Quote

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."

-Victor Hugo


I read this in a great book that has been so enlightening and motivating called
"A Mother's Book of Secrets" by Linda Eyre and Shawni Eyre Pothier. It's kind of become my 2nd set of scriptures. I would totaly recommended it :) if you need a little boost as a mother. It's so practical and well written with so many great secrets!

I Love Music!

Music is so wonderful!

It can make you want to be a ballerina, a cleaning princess, a rock star, a dance star, meditative, contemplative, creative. It can fill your whole soul with every emotion. It can make you smile, cry, shiver, laugh. It can make you want to move. It can spiritually embrace you. I love music!

Music is divine. Music is even better then food. Good music always spiritually centers me. Music always emotionally moves me. I think music is a gift to remind us of heaven.

Today we pretended we were all Cinderella as we cleaned the house. We cranked the music up loud and let it fill the whole house. It made us want to groove, dance, laugh, and giggle. And the house even got clean as we sang a long (even if we didn't know the words).

My princess Izzy is like me she loves to move with the rhythm; Gracie loves to sing her little heart out; and Saley perks right up with every song as she moves to the beat with her little worm/robot/wiggle that makes us all want to giggle. And best of all Prince Daddy loves to do his 80's Michael Jackson spin (that each of the girls is determined to perfect) with an occasional pelvic thrust and an "OWWWW!"

Today I was reminded of how much I love music. I'd forgotten. Every time I hear a beautiful piece, it brings me to tears (I think because it reconnects me to my spirit). Today I felt reconnected. I remember now how much music comforts me. Music is my new go-to comfort.

Music makes life better.

I love music!

Saley Eating Cake

Oh...The Joys of Motherhood!

I just love being up until 1:30 in the morning with a puking child. And another one that's fussy and may be puking soon too! Ahh sleep...who needs it? (me desperately!)

It's kind of weird but in the moments when I'm helping them through the discomforts of this mortal body, I love them even more. My heart aches to see them in such pain and discomfort especially knowing there is nothing I can do to completely take it away. I just hope the holding their hair back as they puke, cleaning up after them, and tickling there backs to get them back to sleep does something to help them through it.

It reminds me of one time when I was pregnant with Gracie and sick as ever. I was of course standing over the toilet and throwing up my just recently eaten breakfast, when I felt a little hand on my back. Cute little 3yr old Izzy was patting my back saying, "Mommy, it's gonna be OK, you'll feel better in a minute" and stood by my side through the whole puking episode. Even from my sweet little 3 yr old it was so comforting! Oh, I love my Izzy!...A natural little mother (even if she won't admit it as she constantly reminds us she is not going to have children, she is never getting married, and she is living in this house forever!! Oh the things she soon will learn!:).

I have a PROBLEM!!!

I have a problem...I'm on a diet and can't celebrate my new change in life with a wonderfully fabulous spread of food (I know, I know there are lots of other ways to celebrate but oh a spread of good food would be so good!!).

That is another commitment I have made... To take care of myself physically. OH...THAT IS HARD!!!
I love to exercise (not a problem)
I love healthy food (very good)
I love food (not good)
I love sugar and sweets and everything scrumptious and delightful and crunchy and munchy!! (HUGE PROBLEM!)

I have come to realize (as I have been on this no sugar diet for the last week) that I have a problem...I find too much comfort in food, particularly candy, sweets, bread, pastries, and, OK OK JUNK! In the middle of this first week I got a cold and now I want nothing more than to eat to comfort my lethargic self.

So, I must commit to a quest. Because if I am going to be any different, any better about eating (and I am definitely not convinced completely ousting sugar is the answer) I need to find a new comfort, a new outlet, sadly a new past-time. I don't want to but I know I need to and that is why I am writing today, right now. And you know what it feels really good! (I just won't think about those gooey chocolate brownies that have just come out of the oven!!)

The reason for the quest...I know I'm an ornery mom when I load myself with junk and I don't want to be an ornery, mean, bratty Princess. How will my girls ever learn to be beautiful, elegant delightful princesses if I can't be one myself? So, this is for them and for me. It's only for 21 days so I can find other good things in life, but at this point food is still divinely wonderful. Why is it when you can't have something you want it all the more?! ( Can you tell I'm still rambling because I still need to distract myself until those brownies are gone?!)

So...wish me luck and pray for me! Because this is going to be like slaying a dragon...in fact I'd much rather slay a dragon then miss out on those ooey, gooey, chocolate brownies! (UGGH!! How am I ever going to make it?!)

Becoming...

Today I formally made a commitment to be a "stay at home mom"...I quit my job! It was so good, but so hard. It was hard to not feel like I was giving up or quitting on something I worked so hard to get, but thanks to my Prince Charming I was reminded what was most important...my sweet little budding princeses. Even though I wasn't working a lot, mentally it was an excuse and a distraction from my kids, from me, and my creative side that has been so longing to come out. So I did it... today is the start of a new me. A more focused mom, a more committed homemaker, focused homekeeper (ugh), and a creative woman. It's all about becoming and I wasn't becoming I was stagnant and paralyzed. Here's to becoming...now where to begin?!