2009 in Review Meme

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Rode english style
Experienced Las Vegas

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept them as best I could. I worked out for about 4 months straight! I bet this year will be better!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Susan
Cousin Laura


4. Did anyone close to you die?
Adam Dykes wasn't that close to me, but he died and I was sad.

5. What countries did you visit?
USA

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Patience, and more forgiveness.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Oct 17 - the day we left for the bestest trip in the world.
Dec 20 - the day I forgave Jos of his past and willing to move forward.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Working out and completing Slim in 6 AND P90X back to back.
Building our food supply and learning how to be self reliant.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Holding on to the past, and not trusting.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few fainting spells, and tendonitis in my wrist.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
food Dehyrator

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jos
Lance
Miranda


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few.

14. Where did most of your money go?
car payments, mortgage, taking care of my boys with mat-leave money

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Vegas Girls trip, Christmas at the cabin, weekend getaway in Waterton.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I gotta feeling - BEP

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? ;thinner
iii. richer or poorer? poorer, for now.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gone camping, hiking, spending time outside, running.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
imagine the worst in people.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At the Badger valley Ranch in Cardston. Excellent times as always.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Mostly no, but it turned out well.

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Survivor, Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser,

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope

26. What was the best book you read?
Love Dare.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing new really, just enjoyed a lot of top 40

28. What did you want and get?
a new wallet, healthy family, happier self.

29. What did you want and not get?
a running partner.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The Proposal.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Sold goodies at a Cardston farmer's market, and then spend a fun evening with the GVs, I turned 31.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Visiting the Jensen ranch more.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Comfy, summer attire, even when its winter.

34. What kept you sane?
My boys, and watching them grow up. Looking forward, planning and travelling to Vegas.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Robert Downey Jr.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
H1N1 pandemic....oy.

37. Who did you miss?
I miss my GV's and its my fault for not seeing them.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Jesse, woot! I looked forward to it all summer!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Forgive THEN forget.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Forever - Chris Brown.
all that.

GAH, I really need to make this a habit again.

Sorry folks, I'm a slacker with the blog again. I really want to get into the habit of updating.

For those of you that are interested in seeing/reading about my Vegas trip with my sisters and mother, I have a whole album in facebook. You can view it here http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=169642&id=666062386&l=7f56ff3633

As soon as I got back from Vegas I was employed again. I work as an accounting assistant at a company called Oak Environmental. I absolutely love it there. I love the staff, I love the workload, I love the challenge. I love love love that its only 10 minutes from my house! Eeeek. The challenge now is, finding day care for the kids. I have a brother who is currently not employed full time, so he helps out when he can, and I adore him for it! Lance, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to work! What a trooper.

So 3 days a week, I am in the office, and the other 2 business days a week, I'm at home working, cleaning, playing with the kids, and getting ready for Christmas. I'm trying to find out HOW I'm going to make this Christmas a good one this year.

I'm struggling with a few issues that are pretty huge, and life-changing. We will have to sell our house sometime in 2010, which isn't a bad thing, but its super hard to try and do it with MINIMAL funds. So I've got a lot on my mind, and most of it isn't pleasant. I'm doing my best with trying to add income to the family, and trying to "up my game" as a mom and part time home maker. There are things you just gotta suck up, and get through.

We are planning on going to the Badger Valley Ranch for our Christmas plans. Its a HUGE cabin near Cardston that can hold our ENTIRE family and kids. So I'm really looking forward to that. I just love Christmas.

Its true, I'm actually blogging

I feel ashamed that I didn't finish the Love Dare...and I frankly, my reason for not blogging AT ALL since then is that I didn't want to post another regular blog until I finished Love Dare...ARGH. Didn't work, and now I have a ton of stuff to blog about, and so much time has passed.

So tomorrow when I have time, I'll give you all a nice juicy post.

Love Dare - Day 10

Day 10 - Love is Unconditional

Romans 5: 8

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."


This task was ok. Do something out of the ordinary for your spouse - something that proves to THEM that you are with them because you CHOSE to be.

I chose to give Jos a HUGE, moment-stopping kiss. The kind where they don't want to leave for work. I miss those moments like that where you remember the good old 'make out days'. Keep them happening...it will soon feel like the old days again and perhaps reignite that spark! I also chose to iron his shirts for him....HAHA does that count? LOL Ok, I'll finish the ironing today.

Love Dare - Day 9

Day 9 - Love Makes Good Impressions

1 Peter 5:14

"Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

The task is to think of a certain way you would like to greet your partner. Do it with a smile and enthusiasm. And then try and greet your spouse that way every day.

I enjoy calling Jos during the day and surprise him with an energetic and enthused phone call. Its always so pleasant to get a happy person on the other end of the phone. You can sense the other person is smiling on the other end, just by the tone of their voice. I just love that.When he gets home, he's pretty beat from his day, and so am I...so the energy is sort of fizzled out. I will most definitely, try harder to be enthused at the door.


Short and sweet.

Love Dare - Day 8

Day 8 - Love is not Jealous

Song of Solomon 8:6

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame."

Day 7's challenge is involved with Day 8's task...ahh now it comes to light.

Day 8 is to determine to become your spouse's biggest fan, and reject ANY thoughts of jealousy. Focus on their achievements, and take yesterday's negative list and BURN IT. Well I just crinkled mine up and thew it away. It was surprisingly easy to throw it away. I don't even remember the silly things I wrote down! Was that the point? Perhaps. I am so proud of Jos. He has pulled up his socks about 100% this year. He's really impressing me with his hard work, his success, and I can only imagine that his success will double or even triple by the end of the year. I can encourage his success by being excited about his new business, new employees and team members, and help him with anything he needs help with.

I am his biggest fan.

Love Dare - Day 7

WOW - 7 days in a row of the Love Dare

Day 7 - Love Believes the Best

1st Corinthians 13:7

Love
"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

I, personally, love this scripture. It reminds me of a few talks that I've heard in the past that we must not only endure our life, but endure WELL to the end. Having a strong love bond will help with enduring with a HUGE smile on your face. Who wants to be happy in love? I do! Srlsy, I do! I envy other couples that just "have it" together. I look at those who make it look so easy!

Day 7's dare was to compile 2 lists on separate papers. One for the positive attributes about your spouse, and the other for the negative attributes. Don't be shy...write away! There apparently is a different purpose for each list. Now, pick something from your positive list, and THANK your spouse for having that characteristic. I didn't necessarily tell Jos about my positive characteristic YESTERDAY, I actually emailed him about one of them a couple of weeks ago. I absolutley adore family time that we have together. We took our August long weeked and spent it at a family reunion, and one of the thing we did together as a family (before we took Lliam to the hospital for the swollen face) was going for a creek walk in the middle of nowhere! We went for a small walk near Police Lake. This creek took us to some farmer's ranchland, and we cross fences, and hiked further up the creek with both kids strapped to our backs. We helped each other along the way, and it was the perfect family time. I really crave those days that we can all do stuff together with our boys.

Love Dare - Day 6

Sorry, this post is a little late. Here we go.

Day 6 - Love is Not Negotiable.

Proverbs 16:32

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

Day 6 dare was to choose to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.

Ways I need to give a little:

- when he goes out for fast food more than 3 times in a week.
- relax when he's tasting my food I just made...I'm always nervous for the BIG critique.
- take a compliment while I'm dripping in sweat (during my work outs, he often gives me a boost, but that's when I really feel vulnerable. Especially when I'm jumping, and doing pushups)

Things that need to be fixed from my life:

- take the criticism when he does give it. He's got good intentions, its just always hard to hear.
- Show more compassion for the vulnerable side of Jos.

I'm trying not to over react to things lately. I know it just compounds the problem if you do over react. In my family, OVER reacting is the ONLY way to react. So this has been a hard one for me. My motivation to try harder on this one, is because I really want to to be able to discuss things with tact, and a slow mouth. It makes life a whole lot easier to deal with when you aren't afraid to get someone jump up in your face about anything.

Love Dare - Day 5

Today is a quickie.


Day 5 - Love is Not Rude.

Proverbs 27:14 (seriously, everyone should read the whole book of Proverbs before they get married....31 chapters...one a day...excellent advise!)

"He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him."

Notice how when we are dating, its natural that we put on our best, act our best, so that we can attract a mate. Same philosophy in nature as well...birds flaunt, big horn sheep bonk heads, you know, that sort of thing. But once that mate is attracted, that sort of "fight for it" feeling sort of goes away. Irritating things that were overlooked are now INSANELY irritating! The way they chew their food, if they make loud noises in their sleep (whether it be snores, or what have you), how they assume EVERYTHING. You get the idea. The etiquette seems to disappear to the wayside, and it starts to feel like you are roomates with your spouse. Thankfully, my spouse, is pretty good on the etiquette side. But here are some general guidelines the book recommends...

1) Guard the Golden Rule - Treat your mate the same way you want to be treated. (see Luke 6:31)

2) No Double Standards - Be as considerate to your spouse as you are to strangers and co-workers.

3) Honor Requests - Consider what your spouse already asked you to do or not do. If in doubt, then ask.

The task, you ask? LOL Was to ask your spouse what 3 things that caused them to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. This is from their perspective! This is a pride-sucking task. What fun.

My 3 things were emailed to me. *Gulp* I will not share them, sorry folks, they are mine to work on.

The 3 things I had for Jos were emailed to him. Except, that I had only 2 things. And they were little irritations...I guess I have a lot more to work on. Go TEAM WILLARD.

Love Dare - Day 4

Howdy! Day 4 already? Sweet!

Day 4 : Love is Thoughtful

Psalm 139:17-18

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

Ahhhh, isn't that such a sweet scripture? Day 4 dare is to contact your spouse during the business of the day. Without an agenda other than asking how he/she is doing and if there is anything you can do for them. This one is a pretty easy one. I call Jos about 3-4 times during the day. Yes, I know that sounds a bit much. Most of it is while he is out and about between meetings, so I don't interrupt his client meetings. I think its very sweet that he calls me for no reason at all too! Just to see how I'm doing. Sometimes its just what I need for those 10 minutes, a break from the day, a change to connect with my spouse. It also shows your partner how often you actually think of them. Since this was already a part of my daily routine, this one didn't come across as out of the ordinary. Easy smeasy task. We were bound to hit one of those right?

Love Dare - Day 3

I'm at the point now where if anyone asked me if they should try The Love Dare - even if they are already hot in love, I would say yes, please invest the $18.99 for yourselves.

Day 3 - Love is Not Selfish

Romans 12:10

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; "

Did you notice that our world has turned into a selfish one? We are more focused on our own appearances, feelings and personal desires. I ts a "Do what it takes to make yourselves happy" society. Sometimes, to a degree, that can dissolve a marriage. Do you agree that the opposite of love is selfishness? To a point, we are all selfish. We have to be, to be able to take care of ourselves physically and mentally and spiritually, I guess its the degree of selfishness I'm referring to that we must be careful. This challenge was featured in the movie. The challenge was, along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."

Again, so far so good. I didn't buy anything with money, as we both are getting pretty strapped for cash. He went out and bought me a huge bouquet of flowers (He knows I love to arrange flowers - its a talent that I have from when we owned a Florist shop in Abbotsford). They were yellow (my color of happiness) and I had a great time arranging them in my vase. Its so sweet that he took the time to pick out the right bunch, just for me at Costco. So, since I didn't have the kind of money he must have had (hahaha - what happened there?) and he was having a huge headache and exhausted from P90 day, I offered to give him a full massage. A half an hour massage! It was really fun to hit those spots that made him feel better. No, not THOSE spots! Just the tense, and over worked, and even hidden spots he forgot that needed work, like calves and behind the ankles. I nearly fell asleelp during the massage AND I WAS THE ONE GIVING IT, how is THAT possible! LOL so I appologized that was only a 20-something minute massage, and that it was the end of the day, and falling asleep. But it must have a great one for him, he fell asleep without a headache, and he felt that I loved him. That's all that matters right?

Are you intrigued yet?

Seems like I'm a poster board for P90X and Love Dare....HAHA well folks, 2009 was my year. I told ya! Its all about improvements. My not!

Love Dare - Day 2

So far so good. Day 2 down. It was a great day again!

Day 2 - Love it Patient

Ephesians 4:32

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."

Yesterday's challenge or dare, was to do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness, along with saying nothing negative to your spouse. Does presenting an unexpected gift YESTERDAY count? NO? DANG! I can totally tell that Jos is trying hard on today's dare. I'm just not remembering anything I did as an unexpected act of kindess. HE BEAT ME TO IT! Could I include making the most amazing roast beef known to man, as an unexpected act of kindess? Does snuggling on the couch count...does it still count if the reason we were snuggling was because he was giving me a massage? LOL NO???? See? He's beating me to this dare thing! Not complaining mind you, it just makes me look like I'm not 'with it'. I really tried to be pleasant and kind. It was a great family time. We went out to Joey's Only for the AUCE (All you can eat) Fish and chips....mmmmm Fish was amazing!!!

OK, on to day 3!

Love Dare - Day 1

I briefly wrote about my idea of blogging about my Love Dare. If any of you have seen the movie
Fireproof, I highly recommend it to couples. Note: Kirk Cameron hasn't aged a bit and the cheesiness and acting talent is a little more like chewing on tin foil, but the message is excellent.

Jos and I decided to both try out the Love Dare book, that is featured in the movie. We both have copies so we can do it at the same time, and record our experiences. I've decided to blog about it so that, in the hopes that someone needs 'that kind of help with their relationship', will be inspired to jump on board as well.

Its a 40-day challenge and each day is based on a scripture. Each scripture tells us how to be a better person. I'll be using the King James Version of the scripture quotes they provide.

For example: Day 1 - Love is Patient

Ephesians 4:2

"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"

So yesterday's challenge was to be patient with Jos ALL day, even when I have the opportunity to have a moment to snap, or 'fight back' I bit my tongue. The interesting thing is...he's doing the same challenge, so the moment NEVER EVER happened for me to blog about it. It was a pretty cool day. Maybe he saw things differently, or had to try EXTRA harder to be patient with me, but it worked. I didn't feel impatient, or frustrated at all (well, not at his expense anyway LOL)

Day 1 - down....39 more to go.

Summer Fun 2009

I know I have not been into blogging this summer, not time...blah blah.

Here's another quick recap:

Findlay Reunion in Aetna was a success. Lliam was bit by mosquitos and had a bad reaction to it, and half of his face swelled up and made a fun trip to the emergency room. Thanks to Benidryl, he's back to normal.

Went fishing, and did not catch a fish....my no fish streak still stands! Witnessed Weez's first time fishing. *squeal* we should do it again soon my friend!

Thew my rotator cuff out on my shoulder, right before the softball tournament....took a lot of chinese medicine and it worked well.

We played 6 games of softball in the tournament, and played really really well....we took home 2nd place. Next year I will invest in cleats/batting glove and I will practice my sprints. I feel like I run backward sometimes! SICK!

Jensen family reunion happens right after the ball tournament, and since we did so well this year our family dinner was very late in the evening. With starving kids, and hungry mosquitos and sore muscles, my day was very over by 9:30pm Good times


- The sisters at the ball tournament. The only girls to play on the team.-


It was a good summer.


Jos and I are trying something fun and new. We both watched the cheesy movie "Fireproof" and if any of you have seen it, know the cheese I'm referring to. But we were inspired to try the "Love Dares" 40 days of something nice you do for your spouse that will help develope and intensify your relationship. I'm in. Day 1 starts today....I will have 40 blogging days set aside JUST FOR THIS, so stay tuned after tonight...and I'll explain more about it.

TTFN

Too pooped to blog

Hey folks


Here's a quick recap:

- garage sale (to earn money for Vegas trip) went very very well. $512, not too shabby for getting rid of tons of crap!

- visit with sisters was fantastic!

- trip to Magrath was exciting, always on the run. Moving, packing, unloading, working out, driving to Lethbridge and back, driving to Cardston to replace debit card, hanging with my dear friend Weez. Are you working out too Weez?

- Surprise birthday party for my bro-in-law Mikey. It was great, food was fantastic. I've now learned to master the roast beef! Thanks Kennedy!

- Lunch with Jon & Jessie @ the Water tower (Ric's Grill) and it was so awesome to meet Jessie for reals! Sorta wishin' I had money to fly to St. Eustatius to visit them when they move out there. As Jon says, "better bake more cookies." Yes, bake sales really do make money...:)

- Settled in Cardston for a week or so. I've just completed my Legs and Back workout, and I'm feeling rather fabulous! Come on folks...you know you love to hear me talk about working out. Am I losing weight? Um...lets just say I have excellent endurance...weight-wise, probably not coming off as fast as I'd like, but its still coming off. I need to get my diet cleaner, and that won't happen 100% until my summer plans are done.

Coming up:

- Findlay family reunion in Aetna. I'm in charge of games on Saturday. It will rock everyone's socks I bet.

- Jensen famiy reunion and family softball tournament. Now that I don't have an 8 week old baby with me, my softball skills must have improved. YAY for not nursing after every game! Yay, for no jiggly milky jugs flopping around (HAHA and EW) YAY for being more in shape! YAY for family! YAY that I'm healthy and alive and have great kids. YAY for a husband that works his tail off for this family. I love you honey! YAY for the nice cool-down rainstorm we just got last night.

- Anthony starts Preschool 3 swim lessons Aug 10

- Anthony starts Kindergarten Aug 27

- LORI GETS HERE and stays for a whole week!!! <----Banff, sight seeing, chillaxin'. Its all good

- Robyn is coming and we must see each other when she is here!!!! Its been far too long, my friend.


Ok, that's all for now folks


P.S. I still have not caught ANY FISH. My 21 year no-fish marathon is still on. I want to break that streak before this summer is over!

Work in Progress

I know you all must be sick of me talking about working out, changing my fb status everyday regarding a workout...bla blah blah workout blah blah. Its actually something I look forward to...working out and then talking about it. HAHA, yes look forward to talking about it. Since I'm doing Beachbody's P90X, I have found an online group that all started at the same time as me and we post ALL the time about our progress, post "post-workout" pics (yes, those sweaty 'look what I just did' photos). Like this:

This past weekend was our annual Grammy's Reunion. Our kids don't call their Grandma "Grammy" but that's just something we came up with to name our family reunion with my mother and her offspring. LOL We started the Grammy's about 3 years ago officially, and have managed to make it happen every year since then. Our first year was at Park Lake, Lethbridge. Our second and third were at Little Bow Provincial park. This year was a real hoot. There were more kids this time around, which made things more interesting and busy. My older brother brought his speed boat out to the lake, and we really put it to good use... so much that we ran out of gas with a boat full of kids, babies IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE! Yes, we were stranded with no gas. My brother was convinced that someone siphoned his gas. I couldn't be possible that we actually USED the gas the night before with our 3 hour boatride? LOL oh boy. Do you know how long it takes for a boat to slowly float to shore from the middle of the lake? Approx. 45 mintues. There, know you all know, and you don't have to go out and experiment. Just take my word for it. When we did make it to shore, we found another boat that was docked on shore, that was willing to tow us to the other side of the lake where the resort homes are...and we'll find someone to donate gas for out tank. 2-1/2 hrs later, and a lot of door to door begging...we managed to get enough as to take us back to the Marina where our trailer was. We BAKED in the sun, and the poor kids were sweltering hot, hungry, and my sister's nursing baby was still back on shore with his daddy! We needed to be out of our campsite by 2pm....we managed to get back on shore by 1:30pm - we sure know how to cut it short, and break camp in 1/2 hr. Lucky us. It made for a funny memory that's for sure.

I managed to get my workouts in while camping...not excactly a P90X workout, (although I was prepared with DVD player and resistance bands) I was able to pull off doing a power walk up a steep road, 2 assisted chin-ups and multiple pushups. I ate pretty clean during the majority of the camp, but the last day, I BINGED like I have never seen before! Before breakfast I had 2 handfulls of chips, 3 twizzlers, 2 donuts, and THEN cereal. HAHA...nice Job Debbie jo!! I managed to not gain weight from this trip, so that makes me feel pretty good.

Here are some pics from the camping trip.

It was a great 2009 Grammy's, and can't wait for 2010 for THUNDER IN THE VALLEY. Woot!

My sisters, mother and I will be going to Vegas Oct 18-25. We have been planning, prepping, saving and earning our way there since last year! We finally are booked in a sweet resort. Its called Tahiti Village, its a Time share, but its super sweet!

http://www.consolidatedresorts.com/property_tahiti_village.aspx

Its very Hawaiin themed, and I'm very much looking forward to a trip with sisters and NO KIDS!

Check out this lazy river....the current just takes you around and around in a tube...talk about relaxing!!

I will be finished my P90X program right before we go on this trip, so this will be a huge reward for me! I want to buy a sweet evening dress for a couple of nights on the town.

The new and improving me.

I've been busy undergoing a rather large transformation. I need to be getting more in shape, and getting my life back on track towards happiness.

I've slacked in certain areas, and my husband has made some of them pretty clear. So here are a few changes for the near and distant future:

- Complete the P90X program with great nutrition. I' ve been doing great so far, and I love this program. Its such an endurance race with weights and jumping squats. I love how drenched I am after a workout. It really shows how hard it makes you work. So far I've lost 3 lbs, and its only Day 2! Yahoo!!

- Have all of Jos' 16 dress shirts pressed for the coming week or two. He's working so hard to keep the family fed...and me at home with the kids. I love my time home with the boys. Thank you darling for blood, sweat and tears for this family!

- Reading the Book of Mormon on a daily basis...this needed to happen like 7 years ago. But I've slacked off, and its just because I'm lazy. I really enjoy reading it, I just need to get off my duff, and have the book ready and available for me to just grab and read. No excuses!

- Cleaning the house/kitchen/bathrooms at least to the point where it doesn't reak!

- Laundry twice a week, instead of once every two weeks piled in a mountain!

- Keeping all commandments, including taking care of my husband and showing him the love he deserves.


Things lately have been so busy around here. I've been coming and going from the house so often that I'm not sure where I am anymore!

I went out horseback riding with my GF Cyn, and her 2 adorable kids. Her daughter's first time riding, and I think she liked it, and did extremely well! I tried out my Aussie saddle, and I'm still getting used to it...its not quite western, and not quite english, so its a little to get used to. I made my dad try it out, as the horse I was riding was acting up. I wasn't sure if it was the saddle being uncomfortable for the horse, of if she was just being a pest! So dad climbed up on the horse, and gave her a run around the barrels to get some jitters out. On his last barrel he raced "home" and on the high speed run back, he lost balance and a stirrup and fell off! He landed in some pretty soft soil (it was where an old grain bin used to be, so it was pretty soft with packed down grain) but he didn't move for a long long time. Can I just say, that when you see a loved one fall lifelessly to the ground in front of you, your legs just can't move fast enough to get over to them? It really felt like I was going in slow motion to get over to him. He was slowly breathing, and not moving well. He wouldn't let me call an ambulance, or take him to the hospital. I think he was trying to "cowboy up". That, and I think he was a little in shock that he ACTUALLY FELL OFF, and that his body isn't the young spry, agile cowboy it used to be. I felt like a schmuck!!! After about 10-20 min, he got himself up, and moved really slowly. He made it to the house, and he sat down. He was so white, he almost looked blue! It was so scary to see. I got him some Ibuprofen, and some water...and let him rest. I made dinner, but that didn't help my guilt at all. I know things happen...I just can't help but think, if I didn't ask him to get up on my horse, this would have never happened! I just heard (ON FACEBOOK, NO LESS) that he was actually admitted into the High River Hospital because of swelling in his lungs, and ribcage. OH MY GOODNESS.....where was the phone call on that one?!!!! I'm sure he'll be fine, but seriously, if my dad was staying overnight in a hospital, for heavens sake, give me call people!!!!
One more thing to work on I guess...ANGER ISSUES...I have a hard time just letting things go. I haven't heard word yet, on how he's doing...just that he's not feeling good enough to work. He works with my husband...I will just continue to pray for him for a speedy recovery.

I've just finished my Plyometrics workout, and I've got to shower off....yeesh!

Slim in 6, in the bag. Now to bring on the X!!

Yee-haw, my Slim in 6 adventure has come to an end. I have taken before and after photos (Sorry folks, I'm not THAT brave yet. No one wants to see post-partum smooshy belly pics) and taken my measurements.

The verdict is:


















5 lbs down.

3" lost in my waist!


1" lost in my hips! (haha, I typo-ed Hipos at first...oh geez)


1 and .5" recpectively lost in both my biceps...and gained muscle (they were uneven sizes to begin with, and now they are even sizes)

2.5" lost around my chest/back. - I see a total differenct there....less back/boob fat, and all my bras don't fit anymore. I love weight loss, but not boob loss....so this sucks. They are always the first to go. *sniff*

1.5" lost around each thigh.


I have far more endurance than ever before. I am starting a new program on Monday July 13, called P90X. Its the mother of all workouts. 12 DVD, 90 days, drowning in your own sweat, and you see MASSIVE results. I had to do Slim in 6 before, so I could be in shape JUST to do the Pre-Test. I tried doing the Plyometrics DVD the other day, and its labelled the hardest workout out of the 12 DVDs, and I got through half of it with no major issues, then Lliam found out that I was working out, and ankle grabbed for the last half hour....argh. The backs of my legs, and calves are so sore, so I know that will be a killer workout for me. You try and do regular jumping jacks, then doing it in a squat position! YIKES!!! Today, I'll be dabbling with another DVD, weights arms and back. Then going hardcore on monday as my Day 1!

When I see great results, I'll post pics up here. So stay tuned.

There are a few other things that need to change around here.

I had been away for 12 days, then came home on Sunday...I felt like a stranger in my own house. Is that normal for being away so long? I feel like I have about 12 days worth of cleaning to do, and laundry...etc. I'm trying to change my motivation so that I am comfortable again in my house.

Yesterday, was Jos' company Stampede Breakfast! Oh it was yummy, pancakes and sausage in the morning? yummo! The kids had a great time eating all the pancakes they could. Then I took Lliam and Anthony and step-sister Kaitlyn to the zoo (we WERE supposed to make it to the Stampede, but missed the 'come in for free before 9am' window). Seeing the kids faces light up with all the animals was so adorable!!! I can't believe how much my kids have grown!

My favorite Titan

Thanks to my husband, I am a huge Tennessee Titan fan. Their former QB, Steve McNair, was found shot dead in a condo in Nashville.

RIP Steve. The NFL world is indeed mourning your passing.

If I had my jersey with your name/number on it with me in Cardston, I'd wear it for you today.

Still in Cardston, Raymond, Magrath, Lethbridge...er...Southern Alberta AND Bad Mommy Awards part 2

I'm still down south in Alberta. I'm loving how much time my kids get to spend with their grandma and aunties! I'm sporting a pretty cool tan too, as I'm always outside!

Here are some pics from the famous Raymond Canada Day Parade, and Cardston's Party in the Park for Canada Day.







Bad Mommy - do not let your kid stand up in a stroller, he will fall out and land on his head on the pavement. Possibly in front of 500 or so spectactors at the Raymond Parade!


"Trevor! Throw me Candy TREVOR!!!" Yeah - not even a nod. We aren't friends anymore.


"Anthony, can you be cute please?" - He thinks cute means make any face you want, as long we you are tilting your head to the side, it passes as cute. Good thing he's cute anyway.





I don't know anything about the "shriners" are they are religion, or some Masonic type man club? Either way, I laugh at their little cars.


Anthony and Debster doing the Cha-Cha slide...they were so cute!



2 hours later we watched the Canada Day fireworks, and it was so awesome to spend that time with Anthony and see his face light up with excitement. He had a good day.

My trip to Cardston...so far.

I'm here in Cardston for a few days. I came down to help with the monthly bake sale me and the sisters have together to help earn our way to Vegas in October. So far, we've earned $760 from the 3 bake sales we've had. Not bad for selling cookies and pies! Thank you Cardston for having a sweet tooth. During this particular bake sale, we decided that our kids weren't the best entertainers for the customers. I took them on an adventure around Cardston instead. While the sisters were selling baked goods at the Farmer's Market, I took 3 kids down the "big hill" in Cardston, we walked to Lion's Park, and played for a bit.



Cousin Will just posing for the camera.



Again, smiling for the camera.



Smiling with a Cheesy poof.



Evidence of the cheesy poof smile, and child abuse. Can you spot the bruises and broken nose? He was a bad bad boy this week. JK, he knows that he shouldn't head butt his cousin for fun, because that = NO FUN.

Yesterday was a beautiful day outside. I woke up early to work out, and then we drove out to Waterton area to clean a brand new house. Check it out.



I love living in the city, but nothing really beats cooking in this HUGE LOG CABIN...this was just the middle floor. There is a loft, AND a huge 1st floor. This is a cabin my Uncle built, and we were doing the dust/leftover crap from building, clean up.



I also love being able to see a scene from "Wild America" play out in my front yard.


All of THIS for a the basement low price of one millioni dollars.



Someone sure is lucky out there to have this as their summer cabin!

I'll be posting more as I go...but here is what the first 2 days have been like.

Firefighters in Kindergarten

Yesterday was a highly entertaining day.

Anthony is on his 2nd round of swimming lessons. Its very basic st uff. Can you put your whole head in the water, blow bubbles, etc. Anthony is such a small kid, that the other kids in his class tower over him. He is still wearing his swimming trunks from when he was one year old! No kidding. I helped him get over a few trust issues with his instructor, so hopefully by next class he'll be able to jump in to the pool while holding the really really cute 16-yr old instructor's hands. Tee hee....he is the only kid that makes lip rings look hawt! ok, moving on....


We got home, I made a snack and then we were on our way to Anthony's orientation for Kindergarten. He's so excited! I'm so excited.

I've been preparing him for 2 years for Kindergarten. We practice letters, numbers, colors, shapes, adding, subtracting, and reading 3-4 letter words. He's a pretty smart kid. The teachers were so warm and welcoming. I got to know some of the other parents, and it seems to be a very exciting year ahead. While we were enjoying our tour of the school, the fire alarm goes off. Judging the look on the teachers faces, this was not a planned fire drill. PLEASE EXIT THE BUILDING PEOPLE!! Seriously, everyone just stood there. Once the parents and children realized it wasn't a drill (which you should still get your hind parts out of the building anyway) we were all piling out the front doors and onto the lawn outside.



On our way down the hall, we noticed a single mom yelling at her two kids, while the fire alarm switch was pulled ALL THE WAY DOWN. Now that's going to suck to get that $500 from the fire department. It was very exciting for Anthony to hear the sirens in the distance get louder and louder, and when they pulled up and jumped out, ready for an emergency, my heart lept.


I don't know why, but I tear up whenever I witness something with Anthony for his first time! Like seeing a steam engine for the first time at Heritage Park, or driving downtown to see the skyscrapers. My heart just skips a beat. The firemen stormed the building and found that there was no danger, that it was just a "woopsies", we were able to get on with our night.

It was pushing 8:30pm before we ever got out of there. It was a long night, but it was perfect. Anthony just can't wait to start school. I think he'll do very well, and its a new and fun chapter he gets to start in just 10 weeks!

Today, we went for a great bike ride. I've been trying to teach him how to ride a bike for 2 years. Its been a long process. But he's now getting it! YAY. Here is a funny/boring/embarassing video of our "test"

We were supposed to ride to the park and back to the house WITHOUT stopping, or he wouldn't get his toy he picked out from Walmart (A sponge-bob square pants lego set....Don't ask, we don't even watch the show!)

Trying new things out.

So lately, I've been trying a few things out. It has been snowy and cold up here in Calgary this past week, so I've had to resort to youtube for entertainment. While I was getting my daily dose of laughter and learning how to stuff sausage by hand, I came across "how to bake bread using your food storage" and "how to make your own pasta" videos. Oh boy....!!!

I made a few purchases from good ol' Ebay for a few of my experiments. I bought the food grinder attachment

for the Kitchen-Aid Mixer, and while I was at it, I might as well buy the pasta press attachment

for the food grinder.

What a good investment!! I did some research about how to do use some of this stuff. Look out for my very own "how to video on youtube...'How to make your own pasta with the pasta press attachemnt" there wasn't one at all on youtube, and that place has everything!!! The dinner was super easy to make, it was like $2.00 in ingredients, and it was so fun! Do you remember those playdough sets, you squish the dough out through some presses, and it looks like funny hair or pasta?

Yep, that's pretty much how it looked, as it was coming out of the press. So fun, and filling, and so good. It tastes much better than dried pasta from the store.

I have also been spending my time over at my favorite food storage site and learned how to make home made bread that tastes like store bought bread! woah!

Check out the video on how to make this amazing bread!


then go to part 2 of the video here:

It only took me 7 minutes to prepare this bread!! No kidding! So easy, and it worked. It actually worked in my kitchen-aid like a charm. Normally I end up adding like 10 cups of flour just to make it not sticky...and this worked!!! TRY IT!!!!!!!

Pretty much anything from Crystal from this site, is amazing! I love learning how to make her Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls! They were fan-friggin-tastic!

Well, ta ta for now folks, I'm off to put my bread in the oven.

The Wii has been put away for the summer!

Can you believe it, its actually summertime?!!! Yes, its true. I am outside planting, watering my lawn, filling up the kiddie pool, weeding and teaching Anthony how to ride his bike (he's had for 2 years and has NEVER taken it for a ride) For this purpose, have I turned off the Wii for the summer. What a great decision! Summertime is the best time to be a kid. They should be out chasing ice cream trucks, going to the park, climbing trees, jumping on a trampoline, eating a freezee or slurpee, camping etc. I want my kids to have a normal childhood.

So I'm going to be working out a daily fun schedule for the kids.

This weekend I'm going down to Lethbridge/Coaldale to visit my sister. I'm so excited about it. We are going fishing! I bought my first fishing license (thanks, Walmart) and I am bringing my brand new fishing rod and reel I got last summer. YAY!!! Maybe that will make a good blog entry, but for now, I'm just excited about it.

For the last week, I've been doing a workout program called Slim in 6. So far so good. I'm really not impressed with my regression of weightloss. I've gained 5-10lbs back since I've started my weightloss journey after Lliam was born. AH! Not cool!! I'm on the 2nd phase of the workouts, no they are getting longer and harder, and incorporating weight lifting...yay my favorite part! I've had success with it before, I lost 8 lbs in the 6 week program. So I'm hoping for a similar effect. Its mostly a leg-blasting workout, and that's a huge problem area for me. If I see some spectacular results, I'll even post before and after photos. My before pictures actually scare me. I am in such denial that my body has gotten THAT outta shape, and fat. Oh dear.

I took Anthony to the park yesterday, and helped him learn how to ride his bike. When we got to the park, we were the only ones there, and we decided to play "chase me" game. We chase each other all over the playground. Only, the difference is, that I can barely move with agility anymore. I can't even hang on the monkey bars for 5 seconds, let alone move along the bars.
Its going to be a long process...but entirely worth it.

My Super Duper long Happy Birthday Lliam complete with Pictures over 1 year, post! Happy Birthday my boy!

It was May 2008 when I was at the end of my pregnancy rope with Lliam. It was hot outside, I had body parts swelling up that I could not control, and I had a huge belly. Ahh, the joys of pregnancy. This post is dedicated to my Little Lliam. 1 year!



Just hours old.




I made this cute video of all my pictures set to music....and it just wasn't compatible with Blogger, or You Tube, or whatever. Stupid Windows movie maker!
So now you get all the pics on here.




Was he ever this small and weird looking? LOL Yes he was!




Ahh the milky mouth. I miss the smallness of him.




He TOTALLY looks like a Jensen here!!!




Just learning how to sit up, I was still propping him up until he was 6 months old.




See? Still propping. Lliam did things in his own due time.




These little bouncy activity things, are the best things ever!!!




Lliam loves pizza...even now. He can gobble up a whole slice without even thinking about it.




Lliam and Auntie Schmaff...isn't she just gorgeous?




Lliam has mastered the rolling over, and army crawling. My boy is starting to grow up!




Lliam and Virgil, doin' their thang. Just being cute at 10 months.




Every time I see this picture all I can see is his drool...*shudder** sorry folks.




And here's the star of this post....THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!!!




He's almost outgrown his bouncy thing.




Just chillin' with grammy on the stairs. For his birthday we had family and food and fun. No games really, as Lliam is just too young for those kind of parties. I just wanted my family there to celebrate this happy day. Isn't he just so darn cute?!




I wanted in on a pic too!




The sisters, the ma, and the nephew...awwww!




Holy Hannah! Peanut Butter and chocolate cupcakes for the birthday boy! Dang, these were amazing with Vanilla ice cream!




Pics of the festivities....the house got a little messy...that's ok right?




My brother, just chillin.




My other gorgeous sister, holding Lliam.




Appearantly I'm a huge poser, so they are making fun of me! Laugh it up girls!





He had no clue what to do with it...so no messy pictures here. Sorry.

The day was perfect! I had a great time, and Lliam was a great baby. Now he's graduating into toddler-hood. He's standing on his own, and learning how to walk. WOAH...didn't he just learn how to crawl like last month?!

On monday, my father (who didn't attend his birthday party on sunday) treated us to Chuck E Cheese. The food is still pretty yuckie, and the animatronic mice still creep me out. We earned Anthony about 1450 tickets to trade in for a cool toy at the end of the night. Lliam loved being able to crawl around wherever he wanted to. That place makes it so secure, that no one can escape with your kids! Love it!

Anyway...today I took Lliam in for his 12 month immunizations....he did not do well. He's a fighter and made it really hard for me to hold him still....poor kid. He's napping now, and should feel fine in a couple days.

That's all for now folks...enjoy the long long long over due post!