Djo D'jour

2011 - Year in Review

2011-12-30T12:15:00.002-07:00

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Rode a Mechanical Bull in Dallas, TX (BUCKET LIST item!!!)
I didn't get bucked off...I was awesome

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I was pretty diligent at the weight loss for the first few months, I've managed to keep it off all year, so I guess that's an accomplishment.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Kennedy

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Great Uncle Jim died, on Christmas Eve.

5. What countries did you visit?
USA

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More memories with my kids, more patience, more laughter, and more energy.

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Jan 2 - was the day I started the amazing South Beach Diet...and Succeeded!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Taking care of my family.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping in touch better with my family.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Sprained ankle, Scarlet Fever. Fun times

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Well, I didn't buy it, but I got snowshoes for Christmas, and I'm super excited to try them.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Those who chose the right.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those who cannot forgive.

14. Where did most of your money go?
car payments, mortgage, re-paying debt, taking responsibility for my kids.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A new job!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Avril Lavigne - What the Hell?

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier
ii. thinner or fatter? same
iii. richer or poorer? Richer

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

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Waiting

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas in the country.

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
....I'm Separated.

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?
I didn't read at all this year.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele, Bruno Mars, LMFAO (wiggle wiggle)

28. What did you want and get?
Strength
Wonderful Chilren

29. What did you want and not get?
win the lottery

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Did I go to the movies this year?

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My Birthday I hung with my friends, and enjoyed the Hockey Game (Canucks didn't bring me my Birthday Present and we lost) I turned 33.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with the people I love.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Good Ol' Jeans and whatev.

34. What kept you sane?
My boys, and watching them grow up. My sisters. Good support from friends.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Kim Kardashian - jk

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Occupy Wall street movement.

37. Who did you miss?
My friend Lori

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Dan

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Stand up for yourself and for what you believe in.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Someone like you - Adele

What made me the worst sister in the world...and memories

2011-12-16T12:20:00.003-07:00

So I've been thinking lately about my wonderful childhood memories. And I had a real good belly laugh over the silly things we used to do!!

1) I was the worst sister in the world!
- I convinced my younger sister that she didn't belong to our family, and that she was an alien from outter space. I went as far as painting a picture of the spaceship she came from.
- I always spied on my sisters playing pretend in the back yard (mostly acting out scenes from Jurrasic Park - HIGHLY entertaining)
- I read my sister's diaries and them made fun of what they wrote later.
- I colored brown streaks into their underwear and declared to the neighborhood that my sister has skid marks!
- I cut my sisters barbies hair, every time she got a new one, and made matching sharpee nipples for Barbie's amazing new haircut.

I don't have any idea why they still love me...srsly, I was evil. And I have an evil laugh to boot. Don't cross me.

Trust me - Karma is a you-know-what. I got it 10-fold when my brother was put in charge of us when my parents went out on a date. I was chased with knives, and coat hangers....and forced to smell the stench of 14 yr old farts in my face as I was held down by my brother. Oh and not to mention, the boogers that were flung my way to top it all off....

2) My older brother and I are only 14 months apart, so we sort of had the same friends there for a time being. During this awkward period, where we shared friends, we got into a bunch of mischief!
- Making napalm in the basement, and "testing it"
- loading my father's .22 rifle with low-velocity bullets and shooting targets in the garage.
- Driving as fast as we could around corners just to see if we'd tip the car over.

3) I spent my summers in Cardston and Southern Alberta from birth, and every summer we'd pack our bags from BC and head East to God's Country (I know I know....I came from the most Beautiful provincde ever!!! - I consider both BC and Alberta heaven to me)
- Since I was 14, I'd come home with a new crush of the summer. Oh Stake Dances in Cardston were amazing!!! OUTDOOR DANCES!!! And the boys were so much more FUN, and actually took you on creative dates (when I turned 16 of course)
- I remember my grandmother would send us and my siblings away with a towel and a toonie to make ourselves oocupied at the local swimming pool. HA - why didn't we just invest it in the candy store, and hang out at Lee's Creek in the mud Hole?! That would have been smarter...oh well.
- I remember the smells of silage, hay, and cows whenever I came into town...there's something amazing about those smells combined.
- I remember spending at least a day to a week at the Olsen's ranch, and horseback ride....taking the buggies into the creek with the horses, bonfires, long horseback rides into Beazer and Leavitt. I love that family! Like my own!
- When I was real young, and my grandmother lived in her old place that had an indoor pool, her house was filled with creepy things. I remember my parents would put me down in the spare room filled with manninquins and creepy wigs. yeah...try and sleep with about 14 pairs of glass eyes staring at you....HA! Impossible! No wonder I have creepy dreams. oh - and it smelled funny. *shudder* moving on...

4)My mom would never drive us to school unless she was FORCED to. We didn't have bus to take us, but walking was horrible. We lived a good 2km from the school, and on those cold, misty days in the lower mainland, it made for a miserable walk to school. I normally had a bad hair day to start, but you mix it with walking in a fine mist for an hour, you get the most horrible hair-do ever. Little strangs would curl up and only the first layer of hair would look frizzy and curly. Ugg...no wonder I didn't have any dates! Mom - it didn't make me a stronger person...it ruined my self esteem. Shame shame. JK mom - I love ya.

I'm sure I'll conjur more memories up over the next little while. So enjoy what you have for now.

Its Christmas time bab-ay!!!

2011-12-14T15:41:00.002-07:00

I love the feeling, the smells, the acts of Christmas.

I love walking through a crowded Walmart and smile at people as they tear past me in panick mode. HAHA - ok well maybe not, but I do love to smile.

I've been smiling a whole lot more these days.

One reason - is that my last child is now potty trained! yes! Its true - and in one day too!!! How the heck? Just a week ago, he was saying he didn't want anything to do with underwear and the toilet...but now he's all about being in the "Underwear club" and "squirting in the potty" Hahaha! Oh how crazy that sounds. And a bit creepy. Oh whatever people, I'm happy to not change a dirty diaper anymore! FREEDOM

Another reason that I'm smiling is that I'm going to be joining a weightloss challenge and I will be sporting an amazing body just in time for summer. So my plan is to drink a "shakeology" shake in the morning, and do P90X for the full 90 Days. Oh my heck. I might be brave enough to post before and after pics on my blog. Once upon a time, I have made before and after pics...but those are lost in the web somewhere I'm sure. Please stalkers, do not try and resurrect them. They remain lost on purpose.

I'm also smiling because its Christmas! I love having the chance to celebrate Christ's birth. I love the story. I love the truth. I love having a testimony.

For the commercial sider of Christmas, I love seeing the look on my kids face as they know that Someone loves them enough to leave a few awesome presents under the tree.

I really want to take on Snowshoeing. Since I live in Calgary, and winter lasts 6 months of the year, I might as well take up a sport that I will enjoy that won't cost me an arm and a leg to take part in (Ie. snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling)
Costco snowshoes - here I come!!!!

Well Hello there my Blog Friends

2011-12-02T15:13:00.005-07:00

Ok ok ok ok ok so I've sucked, and mean ROYAL suck lately at posting to my blog. What can I say? Busy? Trying to keep myself busy, and financially afloat to even think about it? Ha! Perhaps.

Anyway.

I've been immensely busy with work during the day, picking up kids, running home, making dinner, and other commitments I might have that day. Then try and have the patience and understanding to have some snuggle time with my boys before I lay them down to bed. oh the sweet times when they go to bed. I just love my kids. really they are just my pride and joy.

Recently, our family took a family trip to Powell River to see my little nephew be baptized. What an epic event! The WHOLE family, I'm talking, my mom and dad (both of which are divorced and remarried to other spouses), DJ, Kennedy, Katherine and all our children.

Pics to follow - among all the other fun stuff you've, I'm sure missed. ha!

Deep fried Pickle - never had one before, so this was pretty good

Deep Fried Mars Bar....Heaven

so with that...enjoy a bit of nothing with a bunch of pictures

Quite the Change

2011-07-16T10:12:00.002-06:00

So, some of you know that there have been a few changes in the Willard home.

1) its Summer, yes it finally came!

2) Anthony is starting to lose his second tooth. Shoot me now, I can't handle the wiggling!!! PULL IT OUT! Unfortunately, Anthony is just like me and terrified of teeth, and would rather let it fall out in his sleep like the last one.

3) It gets lonely around here.

4) as in...Jos and I are separated. He moved out last month, and me and the kids are remaining here in the house. Jos gets to see them on the weekends, and they love to spend time with their daddy. We have remained friends, and speak to each other quite often. I can't really get into much detail, but some people aren't meant to be.

5) I'm learning NOT to trust people. I have always managed to give people 100% trust when I first meet them. Not sure why. Not smart, really.

yeah. so. that's it.

Ze Frank's web playroom | Video on TED.com

2011-06-25T07:44:00.000-06:00

Can I say I'm falling in love with TED.com!!!

Ze Frank's web playroom | Video on TED.com

Ron Gutman: The hidden power of smiling | Video on TED.com

2011-05-26T13:26:00.000-06:00

I thought this was worth posting.

Smile everyone!

Ron Gutman: The hidden power of smiling | Video on TED.com

Its time for a break. How about a nice 10-day road trip to Vegas? Yes? OK!

2011-05-24T16:12:00.028-06:00

Once upon a time, there was a severely stressed out working mother. This mother was in dire need of a vacation and SUN. Ok ok, so its me. My cousin Kelly, who is staying with me for the moment, was going back home to Vegas to visit his hot hot wife. We left at 3am from Calgary.

4 hours from Vegas, and this is what we get on the road. Thank you Fillmore!

Oh tell me its going to warm up soon....!!!!

We arrived in Vegas at 10pm THAT VERY SAME DAY! Woooot!

So I ate healthy - at the ELEPHANT BAR....oh my heavens...this place is awesome. Because the road trip was filled with fast food, and munchies, I had a sincere desire to eat healthy right away.

I ask you not to judge my dessert of choice...I shared it. lol every calorie-free bite!

My cousins, Bob and Vonda at Claim Jumpers...or as I call it "Clam Diggers" I can never get the name right, so its now Clam Diggers to me. lol everyone knows what I'm talking about anyway. Crazy talk.

***warning***

Cleavage....be ye warned of the cleavage in the next photo. Its Vegas for heavens sake.

I'm hot. And. I'm awesome. Ok?

Can you blame them? They haven't seen each other in a month and a half...oy.

This was a close to Vegas Buffet as I could get. This picture does not do it justice...the portions were massive. All I wanted was a grilled cheese sandwich, and they brought me Paul Bunyon's portions. WOW. All for $8.95

Freemont Street - for me Starts at the Golden Nugget...and here's its namesake. THE GOLDEN NUGGET. WOW in all its golden glory.

Me, enjoying the night life! Ahhhh...Warm at night Vegas.

We are not blood related cousins...but dang we have the same tongue!

*glee* Happy to be out and about, enjoying my own Freemont Experience.

The lightshow featured Queen as its musical feature...and I love love love Queen. See the love?

Ahhhh now that kind of temperature, I can deal with! mmmmm oh the heat, oh the sun...I miss my tan already!

It was 91degrees at night....and I loved loved LOVED the sunsets.

This little piece of magic was my LUCKY machine. Its a rare machine, only found in certain casinos...and it LOVED me! Like...it MADE me money EVERY TIME!! Eeeek!

This is my "Winning" face. You know you love it too.

This is my "Yes, I Di-id" face. With attitude.

Aaaand, here is the Famous Vegas Sign. This was about 4:45am...I was tired!

The next day - was a relaxing day, we did a little bit of shopping, and I got the kids some more gifts to bring home to them. It was so sad to leave this place, and yet, I was SO excited to see my kids again. Our morning started at 7am, and we were on the road back to Calgary. We did not stop unless it was for gas. We made it to the Coutts border by midnight. Not bad timing eh? We drove over to Cardston to crash at my moms. It was a goooood sleep. In the morning, she had breakfast waiting for us, and then we did a quick trip to Waterton. Gosh, I love this little nook. Its Gods country for sure!

*giggles*

Gorgeous!

After our trip to Waterton, we started our last leg of our trip to Calgary. My kids were so happy to see me! Of course, they were delighted that I had shopping bags and bags full of goodies for them.

It was a relaxing trip, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go!

Thanks Jos and Kell for making this happen.

Kalispell...Cowsbell, whatever.

2011-05-24T15:58:00.016-06:00

So, blog friends, stalkers, my fellow peeps. Sorry I've been gone for so long. I was lost in the Blogosphere. With work, callings, Scentsy stuff, I've been run off my feet busy. So now I've got to play catch up.

Every so often my sisters, and mother and I get together for our "Girls Weekend Getaways" Our last trip was to Vegas, and it was a super-duper awesome blast. We figured that it was time again for some sister time!

Mom planned a weekend in Kalispell, and we had SO MUCH FUN. The drive down there is worth the trip alone! Its so much fun to be with my crazy family.

2.5 hrs later, we found ourselves in a warm, quiet city, filled with good times and good shopping.

Here is what we did....

Mooses Saloon....good eats in Kalispell.

My sister, Katherine and I enjoying ourselves at the Mooses Saloon

My other sister, Kenndy, who was 7 months pregnant here.

And thanks to my mother, who make these wonderful girls trip memories happen!

Ahh, Famous Daves. It doesn't get any better, for BBQ. Accept, if you are Jensen girls AT Famous Daves...then its just the best. Each time we head out to dinner together, we always make up a game while we wait for our food to come up. We are now compiling a list of games we've already come up with, and we're thinking of making a book called "Games to play while you are waiting for your food" LOL So this game we played was with coasters...each player had 2 coasters hidden on their laps, and on the count of 3, they had to reveal which colors they chose to show...and it was just fun to see the color combinations we came up with.

We saw a lot of this kind of result...when we figured it would take a million tries to actually get all the same color...well...

We love to make up new games to keep us occupied as we wait for our food to come.
This is played by using your coasters.

Then there was another game we made up...in one blow - how close can you get the coaster to 'coast' to the other side of the table without it going over the edge. Oodles of fun here.

Aaaand, now you've seen my blow face.

And the last game we played, was getting the salt shaker to balance on one grain of salt.

I got my spa face on.

We did a lot of shopping, and we stayed at a fun hotel, and just had a blast. In the hotel pool, we played a game called "keep the beach ball up in the air" game. I had a few wardrobe malfuntions...the teen volleyball team that was staying there was surely enteratained.

The end.

enjoy that last visual.

HAHA!

New Start - new year

2011-01-29T13:26:00.007-07:00

So this year I've started the South Beach Diet. I started January 4th, and so far I've lost 15 lbs.

It was so easy, and the weight came flying off! I love quick results. It really didn't require too much effort on my part. I just had to make sure I had the ingredients for the day, and the money to buy the groceries. ToTALLY doable!

One thing that I have discovered - I have gotten so sick of salad dressing. With all the salad you consume with this diet, its quick to start dry-heaving at the very thought of any dressing. So I have replaced my dressing with a fresh avocado!

So creamy and yummy!

So I'm totally inspired to not only eat better, but actually workout and feel better too!

Its a long long long long road back to healthy body weight, and hotness. But lets face it folks - I'm awesome fat or not.

Now I'll just feel awesome in the end.

P.S. This is my new trainer - Jackie Warner....she kicks my butt

2010 - in Review

2010-12-31T13:23:00.002-07:00

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Witnessed the grand Stands at the Stampede

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't keep my resolutions. oh well...2011 I am doctor ordered to lose weight...so that's going to happen fo sho!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Katherine

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No one that was super close - but someone I did know die, and its still rather fresh and not content yet.

5. What countries did you visit?
USA

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More laughter, and good times. better health, thank you.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nov. 25th - the day I was told I can't get pregnant anymore. *sigh*

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
going back to work for a Customs Broker.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Gaining all my weight back. :(

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Endomitriosis, fatty liver, blah

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Bullet EXPRESSSSS! Scentsy Starter kit! LOL

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jos

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few husbands out there -tsk tsk tsk

14. Where did most of your money go?
car payments, mortgage, re-paying debt

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Christmas at Dads, getting a sales award for Scentsy

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Just the way you are - Bruno Mars

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? same
ii. thinner or fatter? faaaaat
iii. richer or poorer? Richer

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

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

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
at the ranch in Nanton with my Dad.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Still in love

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?
South Beach Diet.

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 wedding ring (since I lost mine in feb), Sketchers Shape-ups shoes (for work even!).

29. What did you want and not get?
win the lottery

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Avatar

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Spent a gorgeous day in Victoria, BC with a good friend and my family. I turned 32! WOOP WOOP

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 2010?
Comfy, sweats, business casual for the office

34. What kept you sane?
My boys, and watching them grow up. My sisters.

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

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Olympics baby!

37. Who did you miss?
My friend Lori

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Jenna - we never see each other anymore :(

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Make the most of your life.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Forever Young

As my world turns

2010-12-10T18:36:00.002-07:00

So its been a crazy life for Djo. Yep. Simply Crazy. It feels like one day runs into the next. My kids are growing up way too fast. Anthony's baby teeth are starting to fall out, which by the way, I'm terrified of!!! I have an innate fear of wiggly teeth! *shudder* too many bad childhood memories of twisting, turning, and that slimy weird hole that you are left with after the tooth is set free. Ew ew ew!

Anyway, I digress. Lliam is starting to say more words, which is good because we can't understand a word this 2-1/2 yr old says!

Work is getting much more tolerable! YAY for work slowing down enough for me to take a break!

Scentsy continue to amaze me! I really should have joined a year ago when I was peskied by a friend! Is Peskied a work? I was pesked. Thank you Meghann! Christmas was fully funded by Scentsy parties and the paychecks thereof! WOOT

I am officially decorating for Christmas tonight! yes, I know, I'm a month late from all you other "Let's get Christmas on the ROAD!!!! Decorate!! Go GO GO!!! Its November!!!" Anyway, tree is going up, and all my silly things that go up with it.

We've rec'd some bad news lately. This momma cannot bear children anymore. *sniff* Too much scar tissue or something, I wasn't really paying attention after, "You cannot have kids anymore" Blah! Well, I was listening, you just don't want to know. Trust me. But on the bright side, Jos and I are going to be adopting a little girl in the next year or so. Now that is some sweet news.

Also, along with the above news...I have a fatty liver! Fat around and IN my liver. I guess my workout-o-holic 2009 wasn't so wonderful. I guess my sit-around-and-work-all-day diet just doesn't like me. So I have been DOCTOR ordered to lose at least 40 lbs, and keep it off for at least 2 years for the fat deposits to escape my liver. Good times. Ya know, in 2011 I'll really really be hot. I have to be! Doctor's orders!

Well, I think I've hit the bulk of "about me"'s lately....lets move on to other things.

My brother, Lance, was supposed to be in the MTC by Dec 8th, but since his VISA did not come in time, we are pushed back to Jan 19th. One more Christmas was his family. Not too shabby. He got his call July 17th....so this has been a long long LONG wait! poor guy.

My Sister, Kenndey, is pregnant, and we are waiting anxiously to find out the sex of the baby next week! Girl girl girl....I'm sending out girly vibes to her. Out of 9 nieces and nephews - 8 of them are boys! So we need more girls in the family.

Annnnd....my dog hasn't bitten me since April. So life is looking up!

Aaaaand I totally need to catch up on your blogs!

2010-10-22T07:32:00.002-06:00

If you are a blogger - send me your address, I wanna stalk you *wink*

Ok Ok so I've been busy....what Can I say?!

2010-10-22T07:21:00.007-06:00

These are the things that keep me BUSY 100% of my day!

I have been so run-off-my-feet busy that I'm going to implode soon! Anyone want to take me on a vacation?

Stolen from my friend Lisa

2010-07-14T16:34:00.003-06:00

Interesting list of things to ponder:

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. Really, how ARE you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighbourhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Crap!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewellers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Light than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber &dumber every year?

29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'll bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time .

Here's some fun

2010-07-12T18:36:00.003-06:00

Never give me a hoot of Helium...ever

Debbie jo left her post up so im commondeering this blog. MWAHAHA
you, ladies and gentleman may call me lance, her evil little brother.

But being evil and kind-hearted at the same time has left me with some flaws. i cannot be both evil and nice at the same time, unless its with family.
and thus i cannot be evil while stealing a blog she left up on my computer.

Eff!!

2010-06-21T12:11:00.024-06:00

For the month of June, I have been busy again.

Busy being thankful for all the things the Lord has blessed me with.

All things "F"!

Enjoy the journey through the pictures.

Formulating a plan for our next visit to Heritage Park.

Flipped up T-shirt/nipple pinching nonsense...not sure what that was all about.

Fascinated 2 yr old watching the muddy water as we float by.

Family FotoOpp!

Ferocious firepower.

Flowers!

Fear of Falling....insert *butt-clench* here

Falling Friends

Freight Trains...

Fowl Whisperer.

Friends!!!

Faces full of Frankfurters...

Four-legged cute creatures drinking from my orange beverage cup.

Fast Whip rides at Heritage Park.

Ferris Wheels

Free Golf Clubs

Fast Golf Carts

Free things

Funny Faces

A retreat in Arizona

2010-06-08T15:01:00.008-06:00

I am so lucky.

Jos took me on a retreat trip to Phoenix, Arizona. He did some work for Rogers Oil and Gas, and they took some choice agents on this retreat, all expenses paid!

We were there from June 3-6th. Not long enough for me. We were welcomed with open arms as soon as we reached the resort on Camelback Mountain. It was gorgeous!! Here are some pictures of what we did and saw. Enjoy. I wish I was there again!

Spa robe and Slippers provided!

1st floor bathroom!

Main floor room!

Upstairs bedroom...;)

Upstairs Bathroom!! yes 2!!!

Our upstairs patio.

Our Mexican Feast! So yummy!!! This was right after my hot stone massage! 55 min of bliss!!!

What our villas looked like...thank you Rogers Oil and Gas!!!

Swimming area, it saved me from the heat!

18 holes of bliss at the Camelback Golf course...at 107 degrees F!!

Diamondbacks Vs. Colorado Rockies. My first major league baseball game, this stadium was INDOORS and air conditioned!! Bliss!

I'm waiting by the pool to soak up the last little bit of sunshine before my 2nd spa treatment and right before our flight. *sniff* I cried when I left the spa...I knew it was only minutes before our trip was officially over.

It was the most fantastic trip since I went to Vegas.

Lucky me!

Where did May go?

2010-05-27T14:09:00.017-06:00

I think somewhere in this month there was the month of May, I think, but I'm not sure.

Help me out here, what happened in May? OH yes!

For my birthday (May 7th) we drove to Vancouver, BC as a family for a friends wedding (that didn't happen when we got there, long happy story though). It was a fantastic weekend anyway.

We arrived in White Rock, BC May 6th, and just vegged for the night. In the morning we all boarded a ferry to the Island, and we enjoyed a sunny, wind-free day in Victoria. We picnicked at Beacon Hill Park, we visited the Royal BC museum (My FAVE of all the Museums out there, so far), and then hung out at the ferry terminal for 2 ferry sailings waiting to get back to the mainland to be back in time for the Vancouver Canucks game. We are HUGE fans! We ordered pizza, and I fell asleep at 9pm. Yes. I'm 32 now, and I'm old beans!

The next day was super fun too. I hung out with an old friend, and we let our kids play at the park across the street, and it was so nice to catch up and giggle like no time has passed. That night we hung out with the "bride and groom" who were supposed to be married that day, and I had a super tremendous time getting to know the Bride. She's an awesome lady, and I'm so happy to say that they are married now for time and all eternity! (as of last friday)

We went to church the next sunday in Langley, (our old stomping grounds) and surprised a few families. I just love surprising people! The weather was fantastic, and I couldn't ask for a better time!

We drove home the next day and it was fabulous with all the kids. They did great, and we had a blast driving! Really.

Hmmm what else happened in May?

I went to my first Passion Party...yes I purchased some fun stuff. I'm having my own Passion party soon! Oh I smell trouble!

The sunshine came out full force, and I loved soaking up every last minute of the sunshine! I loved it, especially now that its raining and gloomy and sad at the moment.

My new calling (Relief Society 2nd Councilor) makes me in charge over the Enrichment Activities, and I was in charge of our May 20th GO Green Night. I spoke for over 40 minutes on making home made cleaners, laundry detergent, and how to be more environmentally friendly. SUPER FUN night!

My youngest son, Lliam turned 2, May 24th!! IT was such a good day. We flew kites in the park, picnicked, and ate cupcakes. Then we poured some plasticine into moulds and we made garden stepping stones with the kids. Perfect day!

The next day, my youngest sister had her baby BOY, Patrick! He's adorable, and she and baby are doing excellent!

This weekend is my boss's 40th birthday party, and its going to be a wicked awesome party! All catered, and DJ'd, and wow, fun times to come!

Then NEXT WEEEKEND....

PHOENIX ARIZONA!!! WIll blog about that!

WILL BLOG SOON

2010-05-26T13:40:00.000-06:00

ITS BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY LATELY! WILL POST SOON!!!

PROMISE!

My Dog bites...literally.

2010-04-13T07:19:00.011-06:00

My last Friday did NOT go as planned. AT.ALL. I was supposed to sit for Jury Duty at 9:15am on Friday, April 9th, 2010. WHY was I at Jury Duty? It was canceled the night before. So instead, I found myself lounging around the house, checking/stalking on Facebook, making breakfast for the kiddies, and planning to visit my old office at Cole to show the kids off. Excellent plan.

Around 10am, I waltzed out of the shower singing a happy tune. I thought I'd make it an extra special day, so I slathered on a facial mask. Thank you Dead Sea Minerals! As I robe my underwear-clad body, I realize that the clothes I want to wear are in the laundry room. So I've got wet hair, white facial mask, white robe, WHITE underwear-wearing going on, and I notice the dogs outside have knocked over the dirty diaper garbage can and going to town, face-first into a full filled diaper! NOT COOL WITH ME! Frickedy ew!

I opened the door for some loud verbal scolding, and they both run away knowing they are in trouble. I SNAP! "No one runs away from meeee" So (think of what I'm already wearing) I grab the closest pair of shoes, my husbands BIG CLUNKY running shoes. I slip them on with ease, and proceed to give the dogs their much needed scolding. As I approach them, they knew they were in trouble. Neither of them would come to me. HAHA, who would?! So I approached...Ozzie ran away, and Toby just stood there and shook. I went to grab his collar, and he lunged up at my hand and grabbed it with his sharp, not quite puppy-any-more teeth. His teeth punctured pretty deep into the fleshy part of my palm. Right down to a vein.

Pictures please....turn away if you are like me, and faint.

I know it doesn't look THAT bad...but it bled like no tomorrow....6 hrs for it to stop bleeding.

I had learned a survival technique from someone, that if you are "experiencing" a dog bite and can't get the dog to stop chomping, you shove your hand deep down his throat. So I did. He gagged. My hand came free. With my freshly bitten hand, and my adrenalin pumping body, I pick him up (by his collar, he's small don't worry) and took him to his cage.

Time to breathe and assess.

Oh SHOOT! I'm now dripping from my hand. I instantly go into panic mode. I went upstairs, washed the wound, and *almost* passed out. Deeeeep! ew. So I called Jos and left a VM, and with my panicked voice, he can't understand a word I say. So, no call back. So now I call my brother and his girlfriend...I'm feeling rather weak, and ready to passsss....out. I found the number, dialed, and from then on, no one could understand my crying/panic voice. They found me on the ground in the kitchen. Not the first of my faintings. Apparently, I fainted 4 times.

After Miranda and Lance dressed me...yes, I was still underwear-clad, and yes, its awkward for your little brother to put your shirt on, and wiggle your jeans on over your butt! We went to the the hospital to get it checked out.

After a 5 hour wait, we were seen. The doctors were more concerned with the fact that Toby was face first in a dirty diaper before he bit me. Yuck...poo hand. So they chose not to freeze me, and performed a "High Pressure Irrigation" to each puncture wound. Imagine a syringe filled with water, and then forcefully squirted into each hole in your hand. Nice. My hand filled with water. So.Gross. 1 Tetanus shot later, and 5 days of antibiotics, I was on my way. No Stitches needed...and since I'm highly allergic to band-aids, I'm a bandage wearin' chic.

We have not decided yet on what to do with Toby. He's not a bad dog. He's just not a dog that pees when he's scared, he bites. I either need to get some massive help with training...(apparently watching Cesar Milan isn't enough) and find out HOW to discipline without getting a bite. He has not bit the kids...only the adults at least twice!

So...I went to a GNO with the ladies from my church. Super fun! Then I went and saw "Date Night" with a good friend.

The next day was also Girl Night Out with some ladies from work. EPIC night! Mani's/Pedi's, appys, karaoke!!! Out till 5am! I'm too old for that, but it was a top night fo sho! Here are some pics.

I'm the red toes.

We made a pit stop to my bosses house in Bearspaw, isn't his view gorgeous?

Karaoke!!!

Gangsta!

Photobomb!

Jenna CAN SING! We decided to take our act on the road.

Good times.

My hand is healing, and the bandages are off today.

WOOT

Oh the blessings!

2010-04-08T09:06:00.002-06:00

OK, MARCH IS OVER!!!!

April, spring, sunshine, rain, blooms, GREEN, mountains, walks, NO ICE, BBQs are all HERE!!!

I really do, just want to forget March. Bah, that is our last bad month we're going to have. Financially, mentally, attitudely (ha, is that even a word?) I'm working on a few things right now. I have a responsibility to teach my children in the home about the gospel, and I am responsible for their well being, and their health. So I'm bucking up with my teaching, and showing more uplifting videos/movies/shows in the house. I really have noticed a difference lately. A wonderful feeling now abides in our house. Its more calm, peaceful, and safe.

Our recent blessing is Jos' new job with a financial company as a Sales Manager. WOAH, this is huge!!! I'm so proud of him, and knew he could do it! He starts this morning for them, and its a beginning of something excellent. We will have less worries about money, and actually have more quality time for each other because of it. Less stress in the home equals a happier family. Trust me. I'll be able to take the kids to the ranch more, take Miranda to see her horses more, and volunteer more of my day to helping others! See? Blessings!!!

The kids are growing up so fast! Lliam is learning something new every day, and mimicking our words and actions. I just seeing our 23 month old learning so much. Anthony can now read at a Grade 1 level, and getting pretty bored in Kindergarten. He loves all his friends at school, and still very sociable, he's just more advanced with the learning aspect of words, letters, forming sentences etc.

Have you noticed there are a TON of people pregnant right now? Its always hits in waves...and now I'm at a crest of pregnant friends, or friends who have JUST had babies. Do you ever get the "Oh man, I want to be pregnant too?" Or not. I'm one of those really happy-to-be-pregnant people. I love it. I cherish the fatness, the attention, the special 9-months of bliss. No, seriously, I do. After the first 12 weeks I'm a little queezy, but after that is totally awesome! *sniff* I sorta miss it.

Toblerone Cookie Recipe

2010-03-28T14:59:00.002-06:00

OK OK, you asked for it!

Here it is:

Ingredients:

2 cups plus 2 tblsp flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 Cup White Sugar
2 eggs
1 cup butter
2 cups broken up chunks of Toblerone

Cream butter, sugar, eggs, add dry ingredients. Bake at 350F for 10 min if you want the chewy kind, and about 12 minutes if you like the crunchy cookie.

I prefer chewy cookies always. If I'm 'forced' to eat a crunchy cookie, please offer me milk too ;)

Question of the day?

2010-03-26T14:08:00.002-06:00

Is there anything worse in life than having a diarreah dog spurt all over the house?

Yes.There.Is.

Maybe the Halocaust, or bending my own finger nail back.

I'm sorry for feeding those dogs leftovers.

Miranda, I will forever be sorry and gratefull that you cleaned up that whopper this morning.

Be Green, Make your own Deoderant!

2010-03-23T18:52:00.002-06:00

I'm willing to give THIS recipe a try.

YAY.

If ya'll try it, let me know! I want to know what works for you, or what doesn't.

Deodorant - More DIY How To Projects

Toby's Tricks

2010-03-23T14:45:00.002-06:00

March weekend stuff.

2010-03-22T12:51:00.016-06:00

This weekend was quite a blur. Here's the blog.

Well, I'll start my weekend talking about Thursday. Normally we have girls night that night. Our GV's got together to watch "Up in the Air" with George Clooney. As crappy and total waste of 1-1/2 hrs of my life as this movie was, I totally didn't mind staring into George's eyes for that long either. I'm no movie critic, but this movie was so boring, and had no meaning to me. Its rather bothered me that I've found nothing in this movie. Normally I can pick something out. But a movie about a lonely man, who travels so often for his work (he fires people for a living), that he actually prides himself of not being at home 340 days of the year. Meh, George, you're hot.

We all giggled outside the theater for about an hour, and then realized, that the cold weather was going to rain on our gigglefest, so we took the laughs/stories/crazy stuff to Denny's for some hot chocolate. OH.MY.GOODNESS. Hot chocolate comes in refills there? Whipped topping...oh the toppings. So yummo. We stayed out until well after midnight, I left at 3am, and the other girls stayed out til 5 or 5:30am!! Crazy girls! I sure loved it, and seeing Debbi again was super great! I sure missed her. Mwah!

The morning came early for me, as I had to pack and get the kids ready for a trip to Lethbridge/Coaldale for the weekend.

Surprisingly, my tiredness wasn't so bad. I made it though the day, and picked up Anthony from school, and off we went. The visit with my sister was pretty ok. I was sporting a HUGE HUGE HUGE headache, so the nausea was pretty intense, but we managed to have a good time. We giggled, and ate hot dogs and her amazing cookies. Oh *drool* the cookies...she sure can make a wicked batch of Toblerone Cookies!

Saturday was a little long. It started with a trip to Walmart to gather a few things, including a mock wedding ring. I LOST MY WEDDING RING about a month ago. I have no clue where its run off to! Seriously, its gone. I'm sad. So I bought a $9.97 special from Walmart's Jewelry rack. Its a pretty ring with a HUGE stone, its already turning my finger green. Oh the joys of fakeness.

Then I met my girlfriends Louise and Tara at the McDonald's playplace in Lethbridge. Oh WOW, the headache did NOT go away after that. Full on Migraine. I took 8 Ultra Strength Tylenol and 2 Liquid Advils, and NOTHING. WOW...crazyness!

Lliam at the McDonald's Play place.

Later on, I met up with my other sister, Kennedy at her house on the west side. The kids played, drew on the walls, and I was still trying to fight my headache. argh. I was taking care of Kennedy's kids while her and my mother ran the "Moonlight Run" again this year. I ran it last year. I was so proud of them!

Anthony and Will just chillin' before the Moonlight run

Sunday was sick day for everyone. Poor Katherine, 31 weeks pregnant, and barfing her face off. I felt so bad for her. I was in charge of baking the birthday Angel Food cake for the birthday family dinner in Nanton that day. It turned out so well, that is, until I took it out of the oven, and it fell. So I baked another at Dad's and it turned out wonderful!!! Happy Birthday DJ, and Katherine!

FACELIFT!!!

2010-03-16T11:32:00.001-06:00

Ah, now that looks better.

Thanks to my bestest friend Rick for helping me out with the errors in my HTML coding. YAY! hip hip hooray for RICK!

or as I call him...Dr. Rick!

Friday's lesson: What NOT to do.

2010-03-15T12:28:00.004-06:00

So the plague has eaten this family alive! We've all endured the 24 hr bug (the kind where you are taking a puke bucket to the toilet if you catch my drift). NOT FUN. Friday I was told not to come into work, lest I should spread this bug to my co-workers. So Friday was a little off for me.

Here goes.

I'm really trying to be a better person, quicker to forgive, slower to be angered, and trying to use my 'spidey senses' more to help me with daily decisions. Well, my day was already a little 'off' from not being at work. I was on the phone all morning trying to organize a family dinner, fold laundry, play with/entertain Lliam, and then it dawned on me. 11:29am!!! !!! !!! I forgot to pick up Anthony from school at 11:25am! SHOOT. I look down and realize I'm wearing jogging pants, a painting shirt, wet hair (as I just got out of the shower). I look outside where Lance and Miranda are loading up the truck to take a load to the dump. Nope. Can't ask them to get Anthony for me. Its got to me me! So in a rush, I slid on some massive winter boots (its not even winter anymore) and glanced at my purse (thinking to myself, oh geez, its too much work to lug that thing, I'm already late!) and grabbed keys and ran out the door.

I jumped into the van, and sped away. About 1 block down the road, there was a cop sitting there. Waiting...stalking his prey. Oh shoot. I WAS his prey!

His lights go on, and he flips a U-ey so he can pull me over. I thought to myself, "Did I forget to fully stop at the 3-way stop?" "Was I speeding?" "Did he notice my blinker wasn't actually working?" What was it?

So the female officer walked to my window, and we did the 'uncomfortable hello'. *hang my head in shame*

Me: Hello
Female Officer: Hi, there, we noticed that you weren't wearing your seatbelt.
Me: Oh, crap! You're right. Sorry, I was in a hurry trying to pick up my son from Kindergarten, and I'm terribly late as IS!
Female Officer: Oh, I see. Can I see your license and registration please?
Me: Um, shoot.
Female Officer: What's the matter?
Me: You see, I was in a SUPER flustered hurry trying to leave the house, and I forgot my purse...*she cut me off*
Female Officer: Oh that's fine, just let me see your license and registration.

---------
um...did she not understand that my LICENSE was in my wallet in my purse? probably not.
Me: My purse is a block away, at my house.

......blah blah blah

I also realized that having my cell phone with me would have been nice too...that school calls you every 1 minute you are late! I could have done something as I'm stranded 1 block from the elementary school! So. No cell phone, no wallet, no purse, no seatbelt. Just stuck. I'm more panicking about Anthony just crying that no one has picked him up. I just wanted them to hurry up and write me a ticket so I could be on my way!

Nope.

Female Officer: Can I see your proof of insurance please?
Me: Oh sure. Here.
Female Officer: This has expired, these are only temporary insurance papers, where are your permanent ones?
Me: Oh shoot, probably with my purse (PROCRASTINATOR!!! - need to actually put them IN the van for that to work)
Female Officer: I see. Well, stay in the vehicle, and we'll be right back.

30 whole minutes later, they waltz back to the van. YES 30 mintues! My poor kid!!! They hand me 2 tickets. One for not wearing a seatbelt. $115 And the second one for not having my ID with me $172 With a bonus lecture of "IF you are going to leave your ID at home, for heavens sake, don't give us an excuse to pull you over. Wear your seatbelt." Of course what hurt the most, was that she was right... Lovely day indeed! So as I'm finally let go, Jos drives by with his car (the school got a hold of him, and he went to pick up Anthony, wondering where the "H" his wife went!) Oh, his question was answered as soon as he knew the pulled over, crying sobbing mess was actually his wife! We both were there to pick up Anthony, almost 40 minutes later.

I feel sick.
I've gained 5 lbs,
I can actually go and work out now that my hip isn't disinigrating into powder.

what the heck is wrong with me.

Happy pills anyone?

I think I should blog...but about what?

2010-03-11T09:13:00.011-07:00

I know I know. You miss me. Its true, I've been a smidge busy. What can I say? What about you? Busy? Anything new? No? Yeah...just read up, or just look at the pictures, and you'll be all caught up.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Jos and I took the missionaries in our ward to the Cardston Temple. It was the first time we went together, as a couple in more than 5 years. It was such a great experience. I was there to witness my Aunt Wendy's first time working in the temple! There were so many firsts that day, but that stuff is saved for my paper journal.

We have been kept busy by our dogs. We have a few new members of the household, Miranda, and Ozzy. Miranda is a new memeber of the church that is living here with us, she takes care of the kids on the days I work, and we let her see what its like to live in an LDS home. Miranda has joined our family, our animal household has almost doubled! She owns a HUMUNGOUS Border Collie/Lab mix breed dog. He's a great dog (when he isn't scaring the neighbors by barking, and jumping over our fence into their yard). Ozzy can do a few tricks. I'll make a video of Toby's Tricks my next post.

Ozzy CANNOT fit into Toby's dog bed!

Here is Lance, Ozzy and Toby getting all snuggly.

Just last weekend, I reaped the benefits of the gorgeous spring weather we've been having. I went out to the ranch with Miranda, and we went to ride!

Nana Wendy givin' us a smile.

Miranda just givin' her girl, Peek-A-Boo, pre-ride before I get on her.

This was appearantly was before Kaitlyn fell off at full speed. Look at that nice clean hoodie (or as Miranda calls it, a bunnyhug)

Kaitlyn just about to go for her ride
.

My older brother has welcomed a new child into this world. Please welcome Treston Daniel Bale Morisson

Then last sunday I sang my first solo...in a Relief Society production of "the parable of the 10 virgins.

The video of my first solo available upon request.

And last but not least....

The most hilarious thing I've ever recorded! Please please just ignore the moment where my 5 yr olds' boy bits are showing. Just keep your eyes at eye level, as I'm not sure how to make a sensor dot.
He's singing the Phantom of the Opera...and I just had to tape what he was singing...and this is what happened.

--------------

oh, and I don't need hip replacement surgery. Good news.

I have perfect hips. Good news.

I am still in pain. Bad news.

I have 2 slipped discs (S2, L5) Bad news.

the pain can be healed by massage therapy. Goo...Baaa...um. Not sure if its good or bad. If I get a "Helga masseuse - you know the type" BAD NEWS. If it get a hot, er I mean well trained guy, GOOD NEWS.

Sniff Thanks a lot Timmy Ho!

2010-02-24T19:54:00.001-07:00

Pls respond

2010-02-17T18:57:00.001-07:00

If you read my blog, pls respond in the comment section.

I need to send you a file that will allow you to see my font better.

Don't worry, I'm not trying to spam/scam you. LOL

Djo

A quick day-trip getaway to Banff. Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T07:32:00.019-07:00

Each year, Jos and I take turns planning Valentines Day and our Anniversary. This year it was Jos' turn for V-day. We both took part in the planning and it ended up being a fabulous day! We left Calgary at 9:30am. It was foggy, and -11C. Not too encouraging as we were heading into the Rocky Mountains. It was supposed to be warm and sunny.

We arrived in Banff, parked the car, and walked into many neat shops and stores along the main drag of Banff. It was relaxing and so nice to actually feel the warmth of the sun. It was +6 and sunny. It made the gloomy feeling of Winter fly away, even for just the afternoon.

This is us enjoying our walk.

We ate at this place called Eddies.

Such yummy Burgers! All so creative and FRESH! Our table had a TV so we could watch the Olympics!

Thank goodness I brought my sunglasses.

This is Jos' usual face in front of a camera. You'd think he'd be more photogenic being an actor and all....

Annnd, the silly face. Thanks Jos. oy.

We were tourists in the closest tourist town. We went to the Cave and Basin, and visited the Museum.

it was really pretty in there, but if you can't stand the smell of Sulphur, a long visit isn't a good idea in the cave.

The scenery at the cave and basin was so gorgeous! I know my camera does not capture the awe of these mountains!

This is the basin. And, yup, it stinks out here too.

These are the Banff Endangered snails. Look closely, they are very small. They are the only snail of its kind to grow anywhere else in the world.

We left our mark.

The Banff Springs Hotel - was built very quickly after Banff became the first National Park in Canada in 1885. Thanks to the CPR, the railway began to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year!

It still stands today, as majestic as the day it was first built. I remember staying in this hotel twice as a teenager when our High School Choir group sang in the festivals in the small town of Banff.

We went to Canmore on our way home, and was craving dessert. We went to a place called Divine Cravings, and it served delicious crepes. I enjoyed a caramel, almond, and praline ice cream topped crepe, while Jos ordered a pear, honey, almond crepe. They were both yummy, but I really liked mine better. I wish I had a photo. We are most definately travelling to Canmore again! Its so close, and yet, you really feel like you are 'out and about' somewhere fun!

We started our journey back into Calgary, as I had to get back and write my talk for church the next day. As soon as we passed Morley, the fog and cold appeared. Appearantly, it was cold and foggy in Calgary ALL day. I'm glad we picked a great day to have faith that the weather would be good when we got there.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Post? Hmmm, why not?

2010-02-09T17:26:00.008-07:00

Ok Ok, so I've been the biggest slacker in the blogsphere. I truly have been pretty busy here at home, work, play, church, family etc. I feel like I have nothing to show for it. argh. Let me dig up some pictures for you to see what I've been up to.

Yep I craft.

Lliam at the Telus Science Center in Calgary.

Anthony at the Telus Science Center in Calgary.

I'm on a bed of nails at the Science center.

And then my brother and Anthony made this while I was at work, and hadn't gotten around to cleaning house. Just ignore the messy craziness! Enjoy.

2010 - it will be a good year, right?

2010-01-07T09:47:00.006-07:00

So I'm having a slow period here at work, so I decided that I have no excuses to post on my blog. I love to read other blogs while I'm at work, but I just don't have the idea in my head that I haven't posted in a while!

OK, 2010 is going to be a great year. I'm going to make it a great year. I don't really have any new resolutions. I like to keep the same ones as the year before and then add on to it if I feel I need to make new changes as well.

I am still continuing to be environmentally friendly.
- I recycle everything that is recycleable
- I reuse products and containers
- I dehydrate my produce so it doesn't go bad, and am using it all!
- I make my own laundry soap, fabric softener, and dishwasher detergent, and reuse my containers....<---this in it self is saving me about $150 a year!
- I make some things I need, like hats, scarves, and slippers
- I grind my own wheat.
- I bake my own bread, and cook at home.
- I use a staple-less stapler
- I make paper bricks with my paper-brick maker instead of burning logs (and I'm reusing recycled paper)
- I'm no longer breastfeeding, but I nursed Lliam as long as I could, and that saved me about $500 in formula costs, and it was healthy for everyone!

I will be working out 4-5 days a week, including walking my new dog, Toby.
I will spend my weekends doing family oriented things. Those are my days off, and I intend on spending my free time with my boys.

So on to recent news.

Jos and I just came back from the coast for a last-minute weekender trip for Jos' business. We decided to go the night before we left. Anyway, we drove out there with Lliam, and left AJ with Uncle Lance with our new pup. The business part was good, but the visiting with friends was better!! I sure miss my BC friends. It was 8 degrees, and rainy, but it sure beat the -21 with windchill out here in Calgary, that's for sure.

We picked up our new pup, Toby on New Year's day.

He's a handful right now. We picked him up for free on a Kijiji ad. So we aren't sure of his background. Other than, we know he's been crated most of the day, and no one spent time with him. He's a year old already so he's socially challenged, and he's growly and humpy. So hopefully a neuter will rectify the humpy part. *Crossing fingers* I really don't want him going to town on my 5 yr old anymore. I shudder at the thought, and the dark side of me laughs myself silly. I know that with a bunch more training, and work, that he'll be a great member of the family. He's still getting used to us right now. Only time will tell.

More to come...I promise!

2009 in Review Meme

2009-12-27T12:02:00.002-07:00

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.

2009-12-10T15:27:00.004-07:00

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

2009-11-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-20T08:28:00.002-06:00

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

2009-08-20T07:40:00.003-06:00

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

2009-08-18T09:24:00.002-06:00

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

2009-08-16T20:12:00.001-06:00

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

2009-08-16T19:52:00.002-06:00

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

2009-08-15T13:19:00.003-06:00

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

2009-08-14T11:06:00.003-06:00

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

2009-08-13T06:31:00.005-06:00

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

2009-08-12T06:30:00.003-06:00

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

2009-08-11T06:47:00.002-06:00

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

2009-08-10T07:57:00.003-06:00

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

2009-07-31T08:58:00.005-06:00

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

2009-07-22T09:47:00.011-06:00

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.

2009-07-14T07:09:00.003-06:00

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!!

2009-07-09T07:13:00.005-06:00

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

2009-07-04T16:55:00.003-06:00

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

2009-07-02T15:12:00.012-06:00

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.

2009-06-26T14:51:00.008-06:00

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

2009-06-12T20:39:00.009-06:00

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.

2009-06-10T11:44:00.007-06:00

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!

2009-06-01T07:29:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-05-26T07:34:00.030-06:00

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!

Recently....

2009-05-18T10:55:00.004-06:00

As you've noticed, I haven't been all that bloggy lately. Not sure why. I think its because I'm just not taking pictures of anything, and I think blogs need pictures! Aye aye aye!

Lately, I've been keeping myself busy with gardening (er, keeping my 1/3 of my garden alive), keeping my eyes on a very mobile Lliam and chasing after him with baby Anbesol (as he has 4 teeth already through AND about 4 more pushing through) its been a disaster around here, going to the Ranch.

On saturday was my little nephew's birthday party. It was such a perfect day. It was 23 degrees out, sun shining, and a little breeze. We took the horses out for a ride, and tried out my Aussie saddle. The kids had a blast running around outside, popping balloons and un-poppable bubbles. We had amazing BBQ burgers, and to round out the meal, we had a "Wiggles" cake for dessert.

Today, on my holiday monday, I'm staying inside. Its way too cold to do fun stuff with the kids. I'm going to finish the laundry, and maybe take the kids to the wave pool.

I'll post pics soon. Lliam is just growing like a weed. He'll be one year old on May 24th!! Can you believe it?

I know!

Happy 100 posts to me!!!! WOOOT

Birthday Redemption

2009-05-09T21:35:00.004-06:00

My birthday has now come and gone. May 7th was my big day. I hit the big 3-1! Now officially in my 30's. Birthdays always seemed so special to me, but ever since I hit 30, they have just been regular days. This year was no exception. I was in Cardston selling baked goods that we spent 17 hours the previous day preparing. My sisters and mother are trying to fundraise for our trip out to Vegas in October. So we decided to sell our baking at the Farmer's Market. We baked Cinnamon Buns, Sweet Buns, Banana Loaf, Lemon Loaf, Ginger snaps, white chocolate Ginger Snaps, hand rolled chocolates, snickerdoodles (caramel and chocolate dipped pretzels), Apple pie, Bumbleberry pie, and last but not least Apple turnovers....yes, we baked ALL of these the day before, PLUS decorating all the packaging they went in! LONG LONG LONG day....Did it pay off? Well, not too too bad. I was a cranky pants most of the day. I was going on NO sleep, cranky kids, I was PMSing something fierce, and I just couldn't shake the grump off. The bake sale was a little dissappointing. I really thought more people would have bought our stuff. A lot of work went into that, and I just thought we would have sold more. Oh well. You never know what the consumers are craving these days.

The end of my birthday was drawing near. I travelled back up to Calgary, and made it to Girls Night. I'm so glad that I went. One of the girls baked me a cake, and it truly was the highlight of the night. She bakes and decorates cakes for a living, and OMgosh, it was one of the best cakes ever! It was a chocolate peanut butter cake, with almond flavored frosting! **drool** it was fabulous! I'll post the pics as soon as she posts them on facebook. Trust me, way cute, and way yummy!

Lliam is almost one year old!!! Can you believe that its been a year already?! A year since I've started my blog as well. No kidding! Lliam is cutting about 4 teeth at the same time, so cranky is his favorite mood lately. Not cool. I'll be glad when the teeth are all in. He's also standing up on anything he can get his hands on. He's mastered the crawling, and soon to be walking. *tear* my baby is growing up.

I just gave my "I'm not returning to work" notice at the office. Sad and yet not. For so long my career defined me. And now my new job, SAHM, I'm finding a new rewarding career. I love learning how to make life at home easier, more economical, and fun for the kids! I'm into planting gardens, learning how to dehydrate food and store it, and learning how to make home made bread not taste like home made bread. Yeah, thanks You Tube...its amazing what crap is on that site! I waste almost as much time on that site as I do with facebook.

Just tonight, Jos and I went to see Star Trek. AMAZING MOVIE. I watched the Original Star Trek as a child, and grew to love Star Trek: The Next Generation (seriously, who didn't fall in love with Ryker?!) This movie exceeded my expectations. I loved that Jos and I could have that time together. I rarely see this man, and it was a nice treat to watch it together. On our way home, he let me pick out my birthday gift. A brand new LG X120 Whatchamacallit. Its so cute.

It was a perfect end to the day. Thanks Jos for the mini laptop.

Now to watch the Hockey game and WIN!! GO CANUCKS GO!!!

The Blogger Blues

2009-05-08T13:54:00.002-06:00

I don't feel like blogging. Nope. Not at all.

So this is my blog post saying that I don't feel like blogging.

I am in a Bad mood.

I have cranky kids that I need to not duct tape to the walls.

I'll write when I have something to say.

7 year itch?! Its all good!!

2009-04-21T10:18:00.020-06:00

Well as some of you may have heard from my facebook statuses, that this weekend was Jos and I's 7 year wedding anniversary. We take turns at who is in charge of planning the anniversary date. This year it was Jos' turn. We think. All I knew from the beginning was he wanted $XXX transfered to our visa card. Now, as the suspicious person as I am, I began to piece things together. You know, when you see something out of the ordinary, its assumed that its part of this mystery weekend...

Example :

"Jos, where are my new jeans?"

"I dunno, maybe the wash...?"

"Jos! They aren't there. I've looked everywhere, and I want to wear them today. They were JUST in our room 10 mintues ago!"

"Well, I don't know where they are."

That kind of stuff definately strikes me as "something is UP!"

Example #2:

"Debbie Jo, do think we'll be using this suitcase any time soon? So I should put it downstairs by the laundry then? Okay."

Also triggers that...um...Sherlock Holmes in me.

I truly love to be surprised, but its so hard to NOT FIND OUT.

So I figured we were definately going somewhere for the weekend, its just a matter of where. So I let THAT be the surprise.

The plan was put into action.

Saturday

10am - have a shower, get ready for the day

11am - call sister and giggle for an hour and plan the summer activities

12pm - feed lunch to the kids, bathe them and dress them

1pm - work out in the garden for a bit. I'm digging up my gravel pit backyard and turning a portion of it into garden space for a cute veggie garden. Its hard work.

2pm - relax for a bit

3pm - Watch You Tube, blog, stalk other people's blogs, play scrabble on Facebook.

4pm - continuing to waste time on Facebook

5pm - get the kids ready to pick up my step sister at the airport and take her to the Ranch in Nanton.

6:30pm - arrive at the ranch, where no one was home yet. Let the kids play around the house, and another car pulls up. It was OUR other car. Lance (my little bro) was driving it. He had it full of suitcases and supplies for the kids.

6:45pm - the cat is out of the bag, that the kids are staying at the Ranch, and Jos and I are continuing our drive down to Waterton for our weekend getaway.

7:15pm - we get in the car, and start our scenic drive down to Waterton. I decided not to take the boring Hwy 2 drive down there, but instead, we jotted over to Hwy 22 and took the back way (Paralleling the Rockies) all the way down. It was a 1/2 hr longer that route, but far more scenic.

8:30pm - we take a wrong turn at Pincher Creek. We back track 5 mintues and continue on in the right direction

8:45pm - We slam on the brakes for some wildlife on the road.

8:50pm - We slam on the brakes for some wildlife on the road.

8:55pm- We slam on the brakes for some wildlife onthe road.

9:00pm - We slam on the brakes for some wildlife on the road.

9:15pm - We arrive in Waterton National Park.

9:16pm -We slam on the brakes for some wildlife on the road.

9:20pm - We arrive at the Glacier Suites in Waterton.

10:00pm - FALL ASLEEP! - its been a long day.

Sunday

8:00am - we head down to the lobby for some complimentary breakfast. It was so yummy, but I do not recommend getting the "Beef sausages" if you enjoy eating things that resemble a small horses parts, go right ahead. Other than that, it was fabulous.

9:00am - Start our brisk walk around Waterton Lake. The wind nearly blew us over! It was warm (15 C) but the wind was so crazy! We weren't prepared for that kind of wind. My ears were starting to ache.

9:15am - decide to drive into Cardston to gas up, pick up a few things we needed for the hotel. Things that were forgotten when men pack secretly for women. Like hairbrushes!!

10:00am - surprise mom at her work, and visited for a bit. She was so happy to see me. We had some good times. Did you know that "Yesterbay" sounds a lot like "masterbate" in pig latin? Yeah, who knew!

10:45am - Go to the only store open in Cardston on a sunday. Find some more treats and conditioner (because only a few hotels actually supply it in their complimentary soap dish)

11:00am - take the relaxing drive back to the Park, and stop at every For sale sign to check out properties.

11:45am - Arrive at the park, and make our reservation for dinner.

12:30pm - Drive up a mountain road and plan to go on a hike.

12:59pm - Realize that EVERY trail is packed with snow. Not fun.

1:05pm - eat our picnic lunch on the way down the mountain.

1:30pm - Decide to finish our walk around the lake. It was SO WINDY, but I was prepared this time with a toque. MUCH BETTER.

2:30pm - Stop to look at the falls that everyone that goes to the park gets their photo taken at...you know where I am talking about.

2:45pm - get back to the hotel and take a nap. Watch a movie.

5:00pm - Oh this is getting pretty fun without KIDS!!

6:30pm - arrive at the restaraunt for dinner.

7:00pm - order our steaks, and watch the Canucks game.

- WE WON!! 3 games in a row!! GO CANCUCKS

8:00pm - start filling the jacuzzi tub, and turned the TV in its direction. We turned on Mamma Mia! It was such a fun show, that I didn't realize I was still sitting in a luke-warm tub.

10:00pm - bed time.

Monday

8:00am - go down to the lobby, and order something different this time.
French toast it is.
It was ok...Reminder to chefs out there...French toast it to be made with Texas Toast...not end pieces of regular bread.
tsk tsk tsk...still yummy though.

10:00am - check out, and head back to Cardston to give back the borrowed
toque from my mom. Stop by her other work at the Flower shop. Mom looked
busy. I offered my help.

10:30-12:20pm - I helped mom do floral arrangements, vases, and other
chores around the shop. I sure miss those days of owning one. Said goodbye,
and started back home.

1:30pm - stopped in Fort McLeod for some subway...Drive thru SUBWAY!!!
No kidding!!

3:30pm - arrive at the Ranch. Saw the kid...wait...Kid?!
Where is my other one. Anthony was the only one I saw!
He was soaking wet from playing with the garden hose,
and begged to stay with Grandpa at the ranch. Where
was Lliam? He went to WORK with Nana Wendy! Yeah!
To work! So we had to wait until she got home from work
to be able to leave with the kids. Not that that was a bad idea.

5:30pm - fired up the BBQ for some costco steak!
Oh geez, steak 2 days in a row?! Yes please!

7:30pm - realize that its still 20C outside, and take the
horses out for a ride. The sunset was beautiful, and there
was no wind, and it was just perfect.

9:00pm - drive home back to Calgary, and sleep!!!

This weekend seemed jam-packed because it WAS.
I wouldn't trade it for the world. I spent 2 amazing
days with my sweetie, and 100% was perfect.
No kidding. Perfect. There were no awkward
moments, frustrating moments. Just relaxing and
romantic.

Thanks Jos for such a wonderful weekend.
I'm going to have a hard time, when its my turn next
year, to top this!

I love ya babe.

P.S. I have no idea why blogger is not fixing my size of my type. This is crazy! Sorry about that.

A little Easter Walk

2009-04-11T17:37:00.011-06:00

It was a gorgeous day today. I just love the beginnings of spring! Its funny how warm 15 degrees above zero feels! I decided to take the family on a walk/hike in Nose Hill Park. My sister (Katherine) and her husband (Zed) called from Lethbridge saying they want to hang out today. So I waited for my other brother (Lance) to get home from work, then we all jumped in our vehicles and headed to Nose Hill. We put Anthony in the jogging stroller, and I strapped Lliam on my back for the first little bit. Uncle Lance wore him for the rest of the hike.

Here is Lance wearing my baby.

Here is a pic of Zed.

And Katherine...

of Katherine and her husband together...

of Me and Katherine...

This is of my sweetie.

any similarities to this "I AM smiling" character?

Yeah, its so hard to get him to smile for photos. Did the US military forever taint my husband's ability to smile for the camera forever and ever?

NOPE! There you have it. Proof my husband CAN smile for the camera. Er....yeah.

And...that's the "end" of the story.

My little brother drank a raw egg...ew

2009-04-05T21:16:00.003-06:00

I really wish I had closed my cupboard door! So embarrassing.

Oh the things I dare my little brother (Lance) to do! LOL

My week-long project

2009-04-05T14:01:00.010-06:00

I can't believe this time has actually come! I have finished a project! For those of you who don't know this about me, I love to start projects, but I don't finish them. Lately, I've gotten used to doing projects and doing ONLY that until its finished. I ignore chores, cleaning, children (Oh wait, I shouldn't admit that) until the project is completed!

A few months ago I crocheted a blanket for Lliam. Its brown and black camo, and so adorable. I don't have pics of it...I'm lazy. The blanket is looking at me right now, but I've already uploaded all my pics for this post, so THERE BLANKET!

Last Saturday I bought some fabric to do a rag quilt. I've always wanted to try doing one. I'm not a quilter by any stretch of the word, but I do enjoy a good craft. Especially if it enhances the appearance of my house for really cheap. I'm not a great sew-er either. So this project was going to take some real dedication and patience. Bwaa haa! (Evil laugh)

The Idea:

The Machine:

The final Product:

So there you have it. Now I'm giving it away to my grandmother who is in hospital fighting lung cancer.

The kids are growing up fast. Here is Mr. Lliam at 10 months.

This is Anthony before his first day of swimming lessons. He loves it, and I've booked him in for the next session!

Mmmm, I gotta go...I'm grilling steaks on the Q, and it smells frickin' awesome!!!

Bad Blogger,..bad bad blogger

2009-03-31T09:45:00.007-06:00

I think I'm feeling busy and boring at the same time. How is that possible you say? (C'mon, someone must be thinking it).
I've kept on top of my busy housework (except laundry, I love love love to wash laundry, but folding and putting away just makes me gag. Besides, I have a husband that lives out of the clean folded laundry basket anyway, and doesn't bother to put them away, so who cares right?) Things I've delved into lately:

- making healthy dinners regularly (started to slack off in this department...thanks to oven-ready pizzas)
- making play dates for Anthony.
- started my very first quilt! (which cutting out 5000 squares makes my hands feel like a 90 yr old)
- children consignment stores (very neat things in there!)
- shoveling my sidewalk almost daily (yes still snowy up here in the north, go figure)
- recycling and trying to do something "green" every day (per my New Years Resolution)
- trying to spend time with my Grandmother in the hospital
- spending time with friends and rekindling those friendships.

Nothing sounds really exciting in my life except my really cool rag quilt I'm making! **DROOL** . Thanks to one of my best girlfriends, she has lit a fire under me that can't be doused until the project is finished!

I must run and finish cleaning my house for my sister coming up to stay with me and her 2 boys. YAHOO!!

Jessie - this one's for you!

2009-03-20T16:40:00.003-06:00

Freakin' weird and funny. Eff you cat. *tear*

It must be watched more than once to get the real effect. Still laughing!!!

And they're off!

2009-03-16T07:49:00.009-06:00

This weekend has been a whirlwind of events. For months I knew that the Moonlight Run was coming up. I "tried" to train for it. I didn't succeed with the trainin part. I'm the queen excuse maker. So going into the race, I was aware that I was about to run 6k without proper training. It kicked my butt literally. But I was willing to take whatever "punishment" it dished out. I dropped the kids off with my Step-mom, and drove to Lethbridge. I hung out with my mom and sister until the race started. We got our gear together, and hooked up our GPS tracker devices on our shoelaces, and started our warm up. This is us right before the race.

Yeah, that's when we still had pep! LOL pep. What a funny word. The cannons fired, and off we ran at around 8:15-ishpm. The weather was perfect! It was about 5+ outside. We started by running down a 1k coulee straight down hill. I felt like I could fly. Once the ground levelled out, I knew the race was going to get me. One portion of the trail wasn't lit (under a bridge) and I stumbled on some rocks and twisted my ankle. THAT made my run extremely painful and hard. I power-walked most of the way back. I also realized the power of music. My sister and mother didn't bring their music, so I didn't turn mine on at all. There was a point in the race, where I was slowing the girls down, and it was almost impossible to catch up to them. So I turned on my MP3 player and the Olympic Fanfare happened to be on...I bolted! My pace was unbelievable, and I sprinted passed the girls and continued on for another 1/2 K on my own. I think that next time we do this race, I will train, and have music with me at all times. I really didn't know what to expect, and now that I know, I can properly train. When we reached the top of the never-ending hill, there was a bagpipe-player playing a tune that kept our spirits up. We just knew that the Finish line was near. The girls each took one of my arms and we ran together to the finish line. Tears were streaming down my face, I was full out moaning and crying with every step I took. The finish line seemed to stand still, not getting any closer. My lungs had HAD it, and my legs were like Jello. We passed through the finish line together for a time of 59 minutes and 33 seconds. It was and wasn't my proudest moment at the same time. I was so impressed that I finished at all. There were so many times I just wanted to throw in the towel and quit. Knowing that I didn't quit, was so awesome! It felt just as good as winning the race.

This is our "after" the race photo. We were SOAKED, and tired, and jiggly. I am so proud of us.

No more race talk. I'm sore. I've got things to do, like take care of my kids. BTW, here's an updated photo of Mr. Lliam for you all to enjoy.

He's just learning how to crawl.
The next photo is of our fluffy cat Virgil, and Lliam. They are so cute together. Virgil has not swatted him, or scratched or anything like that. Lliam will pull his fur, roll over on top of him, and Virgil just takes it. What a good kitty.

Look, Virgil is smiling! LOL

Is that right?

2009-03-11T23:09:00.000-06:00

Yay 'N Boo

2009-03-09T09:55:00.007-06:00

Today's post is well overdue.

Yay for me organizing my house a little better.

Boo for being so bored while I'm in it.

Yay for Lliam and his 2 new bottom teeth!

Boo for him being so sick as he pushed them through.

Yay for the moonlight Run in less than a week.

Boo for the moonlight Run in LESS than a WEEK!!! (not training enough = walking through most of this run!)

Yay for building a 30-day menu plan WITH ingredient lists.

Boo that I can't eat all that yummy food in the first week!

Yay its MARCH, one step closer to spring.

Boo that its Calgary and we won't ever see spring...just summer in July & August. Then back to winter again. Extra Boo for that!

Yay for Jos and his million appointments for helping families get out of debt and actually have a retirement

Boo that he's gone 18 hours a day.

Yay, I'm one of the girls camp leaders!!

Boo that the ward that we are camping with are ANTI-campers and ANTI-fun!!

I was stuck in the fabulous blizzard on saturday night. We went to Walmart for 30 mintues

to find this

Crazy!! It took us 30 min to get 6 blocks!

Lliam being so sick, lately its been really hard to get this thing updated as often. I'm really going to try and update more often, even if its something small. I'll have pics up soon of Lliam's teeth and my haircut. I'll keep everyone posted if/when I do my brown paper bag flooring idea. Complete with before and after pictures of course.

Next week I'm doing an Enrichment skit of sorts. I've been asked to sing a song "you've got personality" and dance with a purse. OH MY...yes. It will be fun, promise! I'll even try to get it on video.

Keep warm!

Hatching Ideas.

2009-02-28T21:45:00.007-07:00

Its March (Ok, its technically still February for a few more hours, but who cares, its still winter!) and its still freakin' cold and snowy and WINTER. Yes. I understand that I live in flippin' Calgary, but seriously, we at least should have had like 5 chinooks to melt away the white nasty. I figure I'm going to be kept indoors until spring arrives, so I might as well get a few projects finished that need to be completed. ie) painting the walls up the stairs (the paint has been purchased when we moved in...I just haven't got around to doing it), wash interior windows (then when the weather is nicer, I'll be washing the outside window...its so yucky dirty) While I was thinking that we seriously don't have the money to have this kind of flooring done in our kitchen:

We CAN afford this idea:

Its called Brown Paper Bag Flooring. Its such a neat idea. You use brown paper bags (or rolls of brown paper purchased at Home Depot by the rolls), and seal it with Polyurethane. It can even be stained a darker color if you like! It looks classic. I love how it looks like you are walking on leather. I'm curious, AND excited at the same time. I don't have a lot of money to spend on doing it the original way I wanted, but this is a change that I like, and WAY affordable.

I have to make my money go a lot further. Our year-long mat leave is going to be over May 15th, and that is NOT VERY FAR away!!! I have to make our dollar go a lot further these days, and provide for 1 more person with it! I know Lliam doesn't eat very much now...but just you wait. This kid is a tank! Speaking of Lliam....he's cut his first tooth today!!! My 9 month old is growing up! He's learning how to crawl, and getting his bottom teeth. **sniff** they grow up so fast!

Where my money is going this year:

Mortgage
Mini Van
Lease on the Caliber
Christmas in Alaska
A week in Vegas with my sisters and mother
Mini camping vacations during the summer.

I went to a slimming wrap party last weekend. My cousin is selling these detox wraps, and I was curious to try these "wonder wraps" out. Well to my surprise, I lost 2-1/2" that very night around my waist! I bought 2 more wraps from her to keep losing inches around my waist. I've lost another 1/2" with my 2nd wrap, and I still have one more wrap to use. Sounds kind of hokey I know, but it seems to be working. My cousin is having another party March 7th, and I'm SO THERE!

I've got to get back on the working out wagon again. Its 2 weeks until the Moonlight Run in Lethbridge, and I am no where near ready for the race. My sisters and I have just resorted to jogging as long as we can, and walking the rest of the way. Sad, I know...but it just didn't happen by my own faults. I've gained 10 lbs since last month, so I've got to get things back on track again. Summer is coming, and I want to wear some cute stuff!

Please help! Steve is missing!!

2009-02-27T16:04:00.001-07:00

My imaginary friend Steve.

Picture taken 3 years ago. Last seen March 21. Frequents discount sushi bars and polka raves. If you see him, tell him Vince is sorry about the ice cream and to come home.

Yep, its true. A post from Debbie-Jo

2009-02-20T15:30:00.003-07:00

So I know its been a while since I've written anything of worth here. Here it is. A boring update. I really feel like there's something special I need to be writing about, but I can't think of anything cool that has happened recently.

I'm in the midst of re-organizing my house. We threw out our kitchen table, as it was only used as a flat surface to collect crap on anyways. And we put up bar stools to our kitchen nook to be used a the kitchen table. So now I'm finding "homes" for all the crap that was on our old kitchen table. Blah! I know I'll feel liberated after all this stuff is done. I would love a clean, functional house. One that is going to be easy clean, less clutter, etc.

I'll be going to a "wrap party" tomorrow that my cousin is putting on. They are detox wraps and I'm looking forward for some girly fun! Anyone wanna come?

I've decided to take online lessons for the piano. I found a free website that has sweet real-time videos that you can watch. I'm totally up for free at this point! I'm really looking forward to learning how to play it! We got an electric piano for Christmas, and so far, haven't put it to the best use yet. I'd really like to be able to play soon. So we'll see what practice and the future bring.

My grandmother is still fighting her lung cancer. For some reason, the family is keeping things sorta secretive about it. I want to spend as much time with her as I can. I wish I lived in Cardston so I can learn all I can about her. Learn as many yummy recipes as I can while she's here. I'm sure I'll be making a trip down there next week for some grandma time. I just love that woman, and I hope I am someone she can be proud of as well.

!!!!

TMI warning

!!!!

I've been a nursing mother for almost 9 months now for my son Lliam. Its been a rewarding experience. I loved cuddling up to him, and bringing him close to me. For some reason, after I came back from BC, things changed. Lets just say the well went dry. Without me even realizing it, my bonding time with Lliam was taken away. He had dry diapers (except for the poops) for a week. I no longer felt the "let downs" that nursing mothers have. I figured out, I was no longer producing milk. As sad as I was about it, the kid still needed to be drinking. I went out and bought a $31 can of formula. SERIOUSLY!!! $31!!!

Gimme a break. I was producing the stuff for free!!! AND....it was healthier for me AND him!! I was burning 500 cal. a day making the good stuff....and now I've just made myself more upset over it. ARGH. In all honesty, 9 months is a long time to have nursed for a first time nursing mom. I can now take the good drugs! HAHA I can take cold meds! I can drink caffeine!!! um...I can go jogging without making a milkshake of myself! HAHA I went to Costco, and found that their infant formula was INFINITELY better than the $31 stuff. Kirkland Signature brand was only $18, and exceeded my expectations.

Nutrition wise, it has more of the good stuff from the "other brand" and less of the bad stuff. Such a way better deal in a can that is twice the size! Good deals over all!

End of TMI rant.

And with that....adieu.

Prelude to a post?

2009-02-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've been lazy...er I mean BUSY yeah, Busy lately. So this a post to say that I will be posting very soon as to what we've been busy doing. Not very exciting...just busy. And for all those folks who are squeamish...I'll include some TMI as well. Booyah!

Bad Mommy Awards Part 1.

2009-02-10T09:08:00.004-07:00

Is it bad that I think this is funny? Shame on me. I'll repent soon. Promise.

I'm home...and I'm not feeling home yet.

2009-02-09T11:14:00.010-07:00

We just got back from our trip to BC last night. It was a beautiful drive as always. We were kept SO busy and I had a ton of fun. While I was having a blast seeing the sights and hanging out with friends, Jos was busting his butt with my dad helping families with their RRSP's and future plans. *gleam* I'm so proud of him!

The drive out there started a little late. We left Calgary at 2:30pm on Wednesday. The drive was wonderful until we got to the "pass" in the mountains. I'm a little (and by a little, I mean a lot) night blind, and when I don't see the lines on the road, I have no clue where I am! It was a stressful 2 hours through the pass, and I have a few more wrinkles to show for it. We got stuck in one of those "please wait an hour while we blast a cannon to start a planned avalanche, and please be patient while we clean up the mess" parts of the road. Fun times. Its always when I have to pee, and its like 20k from the next town. Once we got through the tough part of the trip, the roads were perfect, and no one was out driving on a wednesday night! We arrived at 2:30am BC time. Not bad!

We pulled up at my friend Lori's and we crashed! The kids, were not ready to sleep though. Baby was awake THE WHOLE night! Argh, after a long drive, I had HAD it! The next day was filled with visits. I visited the office I used to work in. I met up with a friend in North Surrey for some Fresco's mushroom burger yumminess.

After that lunch date, I REALLY needed to walk off the lunch. The portion sizes are HUGE at that place...and I'm a sucker for "eat up all your food on your plate" from back in the old days. Argh. We walked down to the pier again. This time it was much more windy and cold. Not as pleasant. But Anthony still loved it.

Later on that evening we met up with my husband, and father to see a couple friends sing their hearts out at an open mic thing at this place in Abbotsford called "The Bull 'N Raven". A very tiny hole in the wall pub that could only fit 20 or so people in it. It was a short and fantastic visit with my Abby friends.

I realized that evening that I'm not as young as I thought I felt. I was so dog tired. From the near all-nighter the night before, and the late night I was pretty exhausted. I drove home and hit the sack. The kids slept, and I slept really well.

My morning was pretty nice. I made Jos breakfast (He was creeped out by a double-yoked egg) and managed to keep his food down. Later on, I met a friend (Don) for some quality fish and chips. I love fish and chips normally, but nothing beats ordering from a place that is actually on the beach! It just seems more fresh to me. The place is called "The Whale's Tail" The owner, Eddie, is so pleasant to talk with and is such a people person. I ordered a 2 piece Hallibut, for *gulp* $16.50!! It was worth every penny to me. It was baked, as well as their fries! Home made tartar sauce to boot! Oh man, I could eat that stuff by the vat! We walked around again, to walk off some of our lunch. Thank goodness White Rock is on a tourist attraction month, ALL the parking was free until the end of the month to lure in more tourists.

Lori gave me the night off from the kids so I could go and hang out with Don with Jos. It was a good one-on-one time with him. By the time Jos got there, I couldn't hold on anymore to open eyelids...so I conked out on the couch for a nap. Sorry guys...I just couldn't do it. Home to bed for me!

Saturday was more of a relaxing day for the family. We strolled around the Walmart Supercenter, ate some pretty disgusting lunch at ABC Country Restaraunt. Then back to the house to prepare for the AMAZING dinner that Lori, Trevor (her roomate) and I helped make. On the menu was bacon-wrapped and stuffed flank steak, twice baked potatoes and salad. I was in charge of the twice baked potatoes. I have not made any before, and was dying to know how. Lori started by providing some potatoes that were the size of my head. So these babies were friggin amazing!

Oh boy dinner was good.

I'm very grateful for good friends. I'd like to think I work hard to keep my good friends. Thanks Lori for putting up with us. We love you.

The drive home was beautiful, we only ran out of gas once. Just off the coquihalla (which there is no more toll booth by the way, we learned the hard way, we ended up in Chilliwack and thought "where the heck are the toll booths...did we drive through them and just not know it?") and we cruised into the gas station with mere feet to spare. Thank goodness I listened to the Holy Spirit on this one!

Everyone is now home safe. I'm still getting used to being back home. I miss BC, and I missed Alberta as well...I'm torn. I love both places and could live in either very happily.

No time to relax!

2009-02-03T18:53:00.002-07:00

It feels like I don't have a second to sit still. I'm either packing for the ranch, coming home from the ranch and cleaning the house, cleaning the house again for my mom and sister's visit, cleaning up after my mom and sister's visit, and packing again for the Vancouver trip tomorrow. Woah! I feel like I'm busy ALL the time.

So we are leaving to go to Surrey/Abbotsford/Langley/White Rock tomorrow so Jos can do some business out there. Its RRSP season, and since Jos is a specialist in helping people make wise financial decisions, I thought I'd tag along for the ride with the kids. I think I'll be more busy than he is with all my visits!!! I love the drive. Its so peaceful and beautiful. I love that Jos and I can have the most open and meaningful conversations while we are driving. Its my favorite part of the drive! Today I've spent most of the day doing laundry, cleaning, doing dishes, and packing yummy snacks and food for the trip. We'll be staying with a good friend, and I'm so happy to spend some time with her! You rock Lori! (How's THAT for a shout out?)

I've totally slacked off these last couple of weeks with working out. I have not done a single exercise these last 2 weeks!!! For shame! I haven't gain any weight, I'm just not consistant. I also have the Moonlight run coming up, and I haven't trained at all for that. As soon as I get back from the coast (Sunday night) I'll be up and at 'em with the training at the gym.

Well, that's all for now.

I'll try and post while I'm out and about this week.

New look!

2009-01-31T15:05:00.001-07:00

Check it out, I think I might dream in HTML tonight....what a new language you have to learn to get this stuff done! Reow!

enjoy.

Or not.

Just read.

Very Busy week!

2009-01-30T08:43:00.002-07:00

I know I've slowed down in the blog-world as far as writing, its been a little crazy around here. I've had my mother and sister with her 2 kids over visiting. I love having them here, its always a hoot. I have been snowmobiling, shopping, going to Applebees (oh YUM) and soon we'll be going to the wave pool with my brothers kids and all our kids. Woah, its going to be a crazy day today now that I think about it. They'll be here until saturday. So busy busy busy....

Next week our family will be visiting the coast. We are heading back for a few days for Jos' business. I'm going along for the ride, and I also MISS B.C. and my friends! Its RRSP season people! Hook us up! I'll be there from Feb 5th, 6th, 7th and leaving the 8th. I'm way excited about this trip. It just puts another crazy stressfull log on the fire. I have to pack for the kids and all the crap that takes up most of the space in the van, and all of our stuff as well. Ah, no worries, we'll get it all figured out.

I'm still working on my blog, and I actually change it daily, and change it back, and fix this and whatnot....and while "fixing" my blog, I've lost ALL my blogging friends addresses...help? Do you remember everyone that was on my list? I'd like to make a list again...just in case.

Thanks for hanging on, and reading my boring post, that I'm too busy to think about.

Changing a few things

2009-01-23T13:55:00.001-07:00

I'm doing a little big of house cleaning with this blog....

I have no clue what I'm doing, other than I wanted a different look. I think I may have wrecked a few things....for those of you who are html proficient, and/or have changed your layouts before, can you please help me get my additional on-the-side menus again?

I'm noticing a trend

2009-01-23T11:14:00.002-07:00

So its the new year. Most people make weight loss goals for the new year. I like to remember that the new year is a time for renewing myself. Making goals. The problem is...I keep making the same goal, and keep failing. I want to lose weight, I want to be more patient with my husband and kids, I want to be more spiritual and dedicated to my religion, I want to give more service and I want to be all around MORE active.

I'm feeling a little down right now. Its the weight thing. Some people have the ability to burn calories as they are mowing down a chocolate cheesecake. I, on the other hand, just look at the cake and I feel the pounds pack on my rear. I remember when I was 18 or so, when I was smokin' hot and knew it...and ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and was able to maintain said smokin' hot body. That's not quite helping my issue though. Remembering the past is something of a curse for me. It creates more emotion for me that I'd like. I wish I had that metabolism back again. I wish I had the confidence I used to have. Although, now that I think about it....that confidence got me into a bunch of trouble. I'd settle for feeling comfortable.

I'm still here at the ranch, and I'll be coming back to Calgary tomorrow morning. Its Jos' 34th birthday, and Lliam 8th month birthday thingy. So we are going to celebrate. I'm so proud of my husband, and the things he's accomplished, and WILL accomplish this year. He works so hard for his family and me. He is my best friend. I can't wait to come home!

I'll continue my workouts and hope for the best. 2009, I'm not going to let you beat me! This is my YEAR!

Self Sabbotage?

2009-01-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

So I'm on this weight loss journey. I've NEVER lost weight. Only gained, and gained. Maybe lost 10lbs here and there, but it came back and THEN some. So this is new to me. Eating proper, and working out as I should, etc. I'm seeing progress. Its very good to see. I've lost 23lbs since Lliam was born, and then I botch it all to high heck by eating out, AND then ordering dessert! 2 friggin days in a row! What am I thinking?!!! 5 lbs back on the scale. Please let it be mostly water weight from my 2 virgin ceasars with no ice.

I'll be at my dad's ranch all week helping him with the animals while he's away soaking up the sun in the Mayan Riveria. I'll be all alone with my kids....alone....anyone wanna join me? Horses? Wii fun? BBQ? sledding? Sleepover? HAHA.

Almost 100%

2009-01-11T16:58:00.006-07:00

Boy oh boy, this bout of throat infection/cold is really taking its toll on me. I'm not sick that often, and when I am sick it doesn't stick around for more than 2 days. So this sick for 10 days is crappy. At least the baby is pretty much all better and back to normal. He's chipper and giggly. Its so cute. I'm thinking of starting a round of Slim in 6, then onto P90X when I'm all Slim in 6 weeks.

This year my goal is to lose about 20 lbs. Doable? I think so! In October is when my sisters and mother and I go to Vegas for our girls only trip. We are almost finished planning it, and now on to the saving aspect of it. I'm so excited for it! I am also taking a long weekend to go down to our land in Montana, for some R&R and camping. Perhaps setting it up for a family get together in the summer.

I want it to be summer real bad! Starting.....NOW!

I love my husky voice....hehe

2009-01-07T08:31:00.003-07:00

Well my sniffies turned into a throat infection right away. Lovely. So now our whole household has this illness...and one by one, they'll all have to go and get antibiotics from the doctor. I got mine yesterday, and my pills I Have to take with food. Later in the evening I was ready for my 2nd dose of antibiotics an I figured I had enough food in my belly from dinner. Um. Nope. It was bad. I had tummy issues all night....like I don't think I slept for more than 2 hours.

Sorry to interrup my story but this just in....

Anthony and I are playing Wii Sports bowling while I'm writing my blog, and as I'm typing I'm getting strikes...I know *talented* Anthony sees that just got a "turkey strike" (aka 3 strikes in a row). He says...Oh mom! mmmmm I love turkey! Ok it may not be funny for you guys...but it may just be the drugs and the perscription cough syrup I'm taking...but I laughed pretty hard.

Ok back to my whining.

During the night, Lliam needed a feed. So I get up and tend to him...during his feeding, I felt "the wave of nausea" come over me. I needed to quicky put Lliam back in his crib, and run to the bathroom...I know my body well, and it doesn't EVER leave me enough time to get to the bathroom in time. Lliam is screaming in his bed (he does that when he's not done eating), I'm barfing all over myself on the way to the toilet...so I run the shower and hose off....meanwhile my dead-to-the-world husband hasn't heard a THING. Baby is still screaming. His coarse, sickly cry is now almost breaking my heart. I jump out of the shower, grab a towel, and run to finish feeding the baby. It was a rough night. I have a voice that sounds pretty husky. There's a part of me that loves it...but not the part where I actually feel the pain of it. My throat is sore ALL the time, and I have a week left on the antibiotics...the cough syrup is dangerous though. A yummy codine addict dangerous! mmmmm so yummy and dangerous.

That's enough of my blabbering for now. Whining is over for now.

The Sniffies

2009-01-04T21:58:00.002-07:00

I caught the sniffies, as my son would call it.

Bah!

Having a cold, with the rest of your kids, sitting in a freezing cold house (waiting for it to be fixed) is not fun. At least I had a nice ripe fever to thaw out a bit....that wasn't really cool. But at least I'm feeling the heat now. Thanks fever. I'll take it.

I managed to teach my YW class, but my heart and spirit wasn't into it. I just couldn't pull off a cool lesson sounding and looking the way I do. Sick.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. I'll bank on that. C'mon tomorrow....can you please be a good day?

I saw another infomercial (I'm a sucker for those) about the P90X, I'm so looking forward to starting that fun journey. Our family updated our passes to the VSLC rec center (swimming, ice skating, and workout gym), so now I can start my running training. My brother got me an 8G MP3 player, and I've loaded a bunch of songs on it, so I can get motivated while running, and using the Gazelle. I can't wait to not be sick anymore....so I can breathe...get back to the grind. etc.

Happy New Year! 2009 - sucks so far.

2009-01-02T08:30:00.011-07:00

Oh boy, what a whirlwind of events already in our new year.

New Years Eve was good. Jos took me to see Chicago - The Musical.

I'm not a critic of musicals, as I've only ever seen one other before this one. The sound was super, the dancing was great, but that's about it. They didn't ever change the props, or anything like that. They had the small front of stage to do their dancing on, so it was a little limited. I was hoping for something a little more "SPECTACULAR" but it was good for what it was. We had good seats, on the floor a little right of center. We got home at about 11:15pm, just enough time to take the baby sitter home, and celebrate our New Years as a family.

Jos and I were so pooped, that at 11:45 we went to bed, and sat in bed. We rolled over, looked at each other at 11:59, waited for the stroke of midnight, and said Happy New year, and rolled back over to crash. We were sooooo tired.

In the morning was a little chilly. Our house seems a little bit more cooler inside. Maybe its the -20 weather. Who knows. Any way...we were getting ready for going to mom's for New Years Day Dinner. Lance (brother who lives with me) came home from work early, and was able to come down with us to Cardston. We scrambled to get out of the house by 10am. We're all in the van, and ready to pull out of our driveway.

I start to back out, I shoulder check to see if anyone is coming down the street so I can pull out. No one is coming. I pull out, and at the corner of my eye, I see a RED Pontiac Grand Prix sliding into our driver's side back end. My instinct was to pull ahead to avoid the crash. The girl that was driving, was driving down the wrong side of the road, and was driving WAY too fast for conditions (hence the reason I didn't see anyone coming at the time of my pulling out-shoulder check) When she hit our back end, she continued to slide. So not only was this girl's fender crunched, but since she was still moving when hit the back end, the ENTIRE side of her car was scraped up and dented. Lovely! What a wonderful thing to happen RIGHT outside your house! She came out with some spicey words. Jos hopped out to see if she was alright. They calmed each other down, and took down each other's info. I appologized for the schmuck. I'd say the damage to HER vehicle was about $2000, and ours was about $10 of bumper paint. I swear, we didn't get one dent. Just paint transfer from her car to our bumper.

On to Cardston we went. We got to moms and to her surprise, Lance was with us. I love seeing that look on her face. She was truly grateful for most of her family being there. My other brother DJ (Doug) wasn't able to make it :( We made some fun times. Food was good. Games were good. Drive home was good. No accidents. Woo Hoo.

So we get home at about 10pm. Both our kids are sick with colds and coughs. Its so sad to hear a baby cough and cry with hardly any voice. We walk in the door, and its SUPER freezing in our house. We bundled up, put humidifiers in both the boys rooms to help them breathe, and we went to bed for the night. When we woke up, we found out that our heater fan is broken.

We have heat, just no fan to distribute the heat through the house. I've managed to find heat from our stove,

and I've bundled up the kids.

Isn't that just our luck that when we buy a house, things start breaking down?

Argh.

Your Favorite Movie Meme.....This is way fun!

2008-12-29T21:41:00.007-07:00

Rules
1. Pick 20 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb.com and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Fill in the film title once it's guessed.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search functions

1) I heard you broke in more then the colt while we were away...Did you have to use your spurs boy!

2) You know, it got darker while I was busy.
Yeah, it gets dark at night....here.

3) The strangeness of this life cannot be measured: in trying to produce my own death, I was elevated to the status of a living hero.

4) What really matters is what you believe.

5) "Grandi," uh... grande familio. Grande predistione- The Christmas presents. Stupido.

6) Secrets are not my concern. Keeping them is.

7) You're incredible! You're a prodigy! A doodle prodigy!

8) How do you get those shirts so... stiff?

9) Are you like a... crazy person?
I'm quite sure they will say so.

10) You better watch yourself pal, I'm the FBI round here. Full blooded Indian.

11) Let me know if you run into any trouble.
Yeah, and you let me know if you run into any bacon sandwich.

12) This is the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me.

13) Wow! I cannot believe you're not retarded!

14) The Almighty says this must be a fashionable fight. It's drawn the finest people.

15) I think I killed a duck!

16) My life is like watching The Three Stooges in Spanish!

17) What did you ever do to change the world?

18) How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?

19) I may not be street wise and all that, but at least I'm not that dumb!

(Selena) - thanks to Jesse for getting this one right.

20) I don't know where we're goin', but there's no sense bein' late.

....Have fun ya'll

Here's to a Happy New Year

2008-12-29T07:43:00.011-07:00

My 2008 was pretty good. I'm really looking to a full and busy 2009. My sisters, and mother are planning a girls get-a-way trip to Vegas this October, and we are in the planning stages right now. So far, its gonna rock our socks. I love planning trips, its one of my favorite things to do. The best of my planning so far had to have been this trip. We also have a few camping trips planned. One, being the Annual Grammy's Reunion camping trip. We also have the discovery of Jos' acreage in Montana we plan on camping on (40 acres in Eureka, MT), I love to camp, so this one will be pretty fun. I want to spend more time with my sisters.

Christmas was a little weird and awkward for me. I have a few regrets. All those regrets went to the paper journal. Sorry folks. I am looking forward to our grandma&kids New Years Day dinner. Jos and I are hoping to see his parents for 2009 Christmas. They live in Soldotna, Alaska. This will be the first time the kids will have met their Alaskan grandparents, and my 2nd time ever seeing them. The first time being on our honeymoon.

We had a Christmas dinner at my Grandma Jensen's house on the 27th. It was so great to see my extended family that day. I received a great Christmas present from my grandfather. It was his second book he's published.

I had no idea this was even at the publishing stage, I thought he was still writing this book. I'm so proud of him! His dream was to publish a book, and now, in his old age, he's written two! His first book he published was Lariat Cross

Both are cowboy books, set in the old west. I can't wait to start reading my copy! What a legacy to leave behind for his posterity to enjoy!

I know I need to start training for the race soon. My body is starting to get a little out of shape and lazy, and I feel pretty sick about that myself. I need to pick myself back up and get back into the game.

Today I'm pretty busy, trying to catch up from the mess of Christmas, and trying to get myself organized.

Ta ta for now

My Year in Review- Version 20.08

2008-12-24T09:47:00.003-07:00

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Bought a House
Breastfed Successfully.
Barrel Racing.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember my resolutions from 2008...but everything turned out wonderful!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Um...do *I* count?
Kennedy
Louise
Angie
Michal
Charmaine
Leah
Collette
Juliette

4. Did anyone close to you die?
President Hinkley. But we weren't REALLY close, just I was close to him. He was like my grandpa.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Organization

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 23 - when my grandmother died.
May 24 - when Lliam entered the world
December 20 - when we purchased our house

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Eating healthy and working out consistantly and LOSING 20 lbs!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not talking to my dad enough.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few fainting spells, and post partum recover.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A weekly recipe planner - all planned out for me!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Kennedy's and recently DJ's

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

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

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Grammy's 2nd Renuion, dad's new ranch,

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Come what may - Moulin Rouge soundtrack

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? I've been fatter, but now I haven't been thinner in 5 years!
iii. richer or poorer? Richer :D

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

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
lazed around.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I'm doing to Dad's ranch in Nanton, and then the whole Jensen crew comes over for Christmas day! WoOOt!

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes I did.

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Survivor, Amazing Race, Workout,

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

26. What was the best book you read?
Running with Angels -it was the only book I read.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing new.

28. What did you want and get?
A healthy fat baby, my red Van back, a house, good health

29. What did you want and not get?
not much. I've had a great 2008.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Iron Man.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Celebrated Debbi's TV debut, I turned the big 3-0.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More outdoor time.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
half of 2008 was spent in maternity gear - blah, and fat
the other half was comfy at home, and cute top w/ jeans for the rest of the year. I love to dress up a little nicer for my sweetie, and our dates.

34. What kept you sane?
Focusing on bettering myself. Decluttering, working out, forgiving, loving. Spending time with my family, and my extended family.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Surprisingly its Jim Carrey. Totally impressed me recently.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8 in California, and the NDP coalition to take over crap!

37. Who did you miss?
My friends in BC mostly.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Jesse - thought we haven't actually met in person.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Trial and Error - keep trying and focus less on the errors.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Bring Me To Life lyrics

(feat. Paul McCoy)
how can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I’ve become so numb without a soul my spirits sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

now that I know what I’m without
you can't just leave me
breathe it into me and make me real
bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Free me tonight

frozen inside without your touch without your love darling only you are the life among the dead

all this time I can't believe I couldn't see
kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I’ve been sleeping a thousand years it seems
got to open my eyes to everything
without a thought without a voice without a soul
don't let me die here
there must be something more
bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

(Bring me to life)
I’ve been living a lie, there’s nothing inside
(Bring me to life)

A lovely Christmas Present for me.

2008-12-22T16:06:00.004-07:00

I wanted to own a house in 2008. Its not my favorite house in the world, but I have one! Jos and I bought our first home last week. Deal signed, mortgage completed, and we are in debt up to our eyeballs. But YAY! Its a good debt. We don't have to move anywhere, because its the house that we are renting and living in! YAY, for not moving in this ca-razy weather!!! Packing = *shudder* ew.

I am SOOO looking forward to 2009. I have a new and stronger relationship with my husband, whom I love dearly. I'm looking forward to planting a garden (flower and food type). I'm looking forward to mowing MY own lawn. I'm looking forward to summer time. Going camping, and exploring Jos' 40 acres in Eureka, MT. I'm looking forward to this contiued weight loss, and looking HOT come summer! 2009 I have two words for you. BRING. IT.

We receieved some crappy news about my sweet grandmother.

She was sick, and had some lung issues. She went in for a few tests that confirmed nothing. We just found out last week, that cancer has appeared in her latest lung scan. I'm so sad! She's my favorite grandma! I know that death comes to us all, eventually. But I was hoping to have her in my life for a whole lot longer. I haven't had too many people die that are close to me. So I'm not looking forward to this painful ordeal. She's not going to fight with Chemo (sp?) but will try radiation. Hopefully, they caught it while its still small, and we can keep our sweet grandma around for a bit longer.

Last night we helped out a friend with a *slight* emergency. Marce called me, and asked if I could pick up her husband from the airport. It would be after midnight, but I had no reservations at all! It was my pleasure to drive the whole 8 minutes to the Calgary airport, park for 30 (Free), and let him sleep on my couch for the night. His ride from Lethbridge wouldn't arrive until the next morning. WOW, midnight turned into 2am very quickly, and he still hadn't come through the gate yet! His flight landed on time, but no sign of him anywhere! I had visions of sleeping at the terminal with a paper sign that read his name and hoped for the best. Then I realized, that I was doing a good deed, and that I should stick it out. As passenger after passenger met with their loved ones, I felt my heart sink. Then he appeared, and we were on our way home. I put him on my comfiest of couches, and had some dinner leftovers warming in the microwave. Ahhhh, NOW I can go to bed. I was glad to do it, and would do it again in a heart beat. No worries. All is well. Everyone made it to their destinations in safety, a little late, and without luggage, BUT SAFE.

This morning I was able to play Wii with the King family for a while. It was so fun to watch Anthony and Daddy King play some bowling on the Wii. Good times.

I will be heading to my dad's ranch in Nanton for the holidays, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year!!!!

Fa la la la la

2008-12-17T11:01:00.008-07:00

I know I haven't been the most diligent of bloggers...but I really am trying to come up with some decent things to talk about. Some things I can't reveal *yet*, and other things have to do with it, so I can't talk about THEM either.

I love Christmas season! Love it love it! I love being traditional, and creating new traditions. I don't know why, but my whole family just LOVES traditions! Here are a few photos of what Anthony and I have created together.

Each day we open up a mini-book (advent calendar style) and read what it says, and put it on the Christmas tree, like a decoration.

The first craft we did, was make a paper chain. On each link, we wrote down what we loved most about Christmas.

Then we made a Christmas noise maker.

Then we made some holiday Rice Krispie Shapes.

Then we made some snowman poofs. Way FUN!

I've had some back issues for the past 2 months. It was getting so bad, that I couldn't even stand up. I went to see the Chiro on monday, and so far I've only had about 1 twinge a day. Back problems suck! Seriously, they do. You can't do the things you enjoy doing, (working out, playing with the kids, I dunno, STANDING UP), you can't sneeze without it hurting, and rolling over in bed....oh don't get me started.

I signed myself up for a Moonlight run in Lethbridge. Its a night running race, in the coulees. It sounds so fun. My sister and I will be doing the 6k Run/Walk to start us off. By next year we will do the 10k run. We are so thrilled to do it, and get ourselves healthy in 2009! WOOT

I'm back to eating healthy again, and I've lost 2 more lbs without working out. I just started eating better, and POOF!

I'm singing in a duet on sunday with another lady in my ward. We are singing "O Holy Night" my favorite christmas song!!! Its going to sound alright. I'm nervous, and wish I was a better singer.

Well folks, keep warm. Its nippy out!

The Doghouse

2008-12-12T10:59:00.002-07:00

Thanks Bobbi, this video was hilarious!

The Doghouse video

My new neighbors are moving out again!!! I really liked them compared to the last set of retards that moved in next door. These people must have been some Mediterranean students, and partied just as hard as the last set of neighbors, but instead of rap crap it was POLKA and hardcore Med music! Just as bad, and they sang, and clapped, and bounced ALL night. Jos was there the night before asking them to turn the music down. Another party the very next time, Jos went to knock on their door to tell them that past 11pm is a little late to be pounding the music. Jos knocked and knocked and knocked....he went to pounding, and then KICKING the door. When the same guy that answered the door last night finally answered the door, he thought he was the pizza guy. They just couldn't understand why the pizza guy was asking them to turn the music down. Yeah, heeeere's your sign!

Pleeease can I have some decent neighbors. Maybe a small family? Maybe a mute/deaf grandma! The landlord even lowered the rent! Check it out!

I'm home!

2008-12-11T16:19:00.003-07:00

After 10 days of being down in Cardston visiting my mom, it was time for me to come home. I got a lot accomplished. I signed paperwork for our mortgage, I cleaned, vacuumed, nursed myself and children back to health, helped my mother with her sewing and floral arrangments, and preparing food. WOAH, I'm tired. I gained 2-5 lbs while being there, and worked out 6 of those 10 days. I'm a snacker when I'm there! It sucks. I'm starting again tonight with my hardcore workout regime I was JUST starting. I hate taking 2 steps back, but at least I'm still plugging ahead.

Lliam has gained about 2 lbs since I've been at mom's, and that is spectacular! He really needed to gain weight, as the nurses were concerned he LOST weight at his last weigh in. He's on to solid food, and LOVES every bite of it. I make mine from scratch. Yeah yeah, I'm a suzie home maker! LOL I just want him to eat healthy, and I KNOW what goes into my babyfood. Lliam is also rolling from back to front and front to back. He's mobile, and rolls to get to where he wants to go. Its so cute.

Not much to write about right now. I'm still getting used to being at my own house right now. I caught up on a view of my shows while I was away.

I feel blah. I'm out.

A week at Grammy's

2008-12-05T08:24:00.015-07:00

Wow, it has been far too long in between my posts. I'm really not slacking. I have a bunch of updates and pictures in this post. I'm just trying to make it all worth your while. :D

I have been MIA and down here in Cardston where my mother lives.

Here's how my week went.

Monday

I drove down last monday, and am here just to have some down time. A little relaxation. A little R&R, you get the picture. The drive down was EXTREMLY windy and a +17 degrees (for my American friends, that converts to 62.6 degrees F) I think that's pretty mild for up here in the Great White North. It didn't last very long, as we got a dump of snow the next morning. When I drove into town, I stopped by the Floral shop my mom works at. She needed a hand with doing a few vases, and arrangements, so I offered to help. From what I thought was an hour helping out, when to 5 hours of helping with my 2 kids underfoot. I haven't sold a floral arrangement in about 14 years! Yeah, now I sound like an old person. It sure brought back a lot of fun memories of my family owning a flower shop. I loved it! I went out to dinner with my mom to try some new "under new management" restaraunt here in Cardston. Its owned by a Guatemalan family, and I their cuisine sounded lovely. So I tried one of their signature dishes. It.was.not.very.good.at.all!!!!! I really try not to let my food snob in me come out and play, but it was tasteless, spiceless and downright blah! Remind me not to go their anymore and try their Guatemalan food, but their Native Indian food was excellent. LOL We got home, and decided to work off our dinner by working out. We did a 20 min circuit, and some ab routines, and we did some aerobics (ie. we exercised to my mom's old 1987 TV series she starred in and we mostly laughed the whole way through) for another 20 min. After that, I helped out my mom by putting together over 100 goodie bags from Santa for her ward's christmas party. Lliam helped by looking cute.

Tuesday

Wow, what a day. Last night I had some pretty scary dreams. So scary that it left me tense all night. I woke up with a migraine. This migraine was pretty bad in that NO amount of drugs were stopping it AND I was throwing up all morning. I felt sick and throbbing. I was planning on visiting my sister in Lethbridge and her new baby boy (Jack), but I couldn't even get off the couch! What a bummer. Most of my day was spent trying not to throw up anymore, and take care of the kids. I ended up feeling well enough by the end of the day to go to mom's ward christmas party.

This is my crazy mother, and my step-dad Charlie. They are so in love, and its so sweet to see.

The gym was packed, there were about 300 people there for the food. We barely got a seat for the 4 of us! The food was ok, and Lliam had a really great time snuggling up to Grandpa Charlie. My kids just love this man. He's SUPER tall, and more like a friendly giant. So I guess they see him like a superhero-type.

Yes, I'm a goof. I can actually fit Lliam's toque on my head!

Wednesday

Congratulations to Jos and me. We are now proud "approved for a mortgage" people! What a relief. A huge stress bomb has been diffused. Now that that has happened, I feel like I can get more into the Christmas spirit. Today, mom and I took my boys out to Lethbridge to see Kennedy and baby Jack. Boy, that kid is so small compared to Lliam now. He looks a lot like Will did, just a different nose is all. It was so good to see my sisters.

We had some pretty wild conversaion. I loved every second of it! It really reminded me of an 8GV night *wink*. Lliam tried his first real food today. Sweet Potatoes...poor kid. He did excellent. He's growing up so fast and no rolling from front to back, and back to front. Mom and I tend to have a lot of talks about the past. Mostly about my childhood, and memories. I think she really is trying to let go most of her bad memories with my dad, and I'm trying to let them go as well. I think I've come a long way. I've had a really good childhood, and I have a terrific family. Now that I'm well on my way of starting my own family, I can take the thinkgs that I've learned from mom and dad, and be the best version of myself. I've forgiven dad and the things he did in the past, as well as mom. Its such a healing experience.

Thursday

I was planning on going back to Calgary today, but turns out, there are some things I need to sign while I'm still here in Cardston. So I'm sticking it out here until then. I haven't been eating very smart lately. I've been snacking a lot more than I do than when I'm at home. I don't buy snacks at home. But mom does, and when she's gone during the day...I go for it! ARGH. Bad me! I DID manage to crack out a 30 mion weight train. I still need to buckle down if I want to see more weight come off. I'm really starting to miss my husband, and my home. I miss my daily routines and life. I'll be looking forward to getting home after the paperwork is signed. I went to visit my grandmother (Jensen) for the afternoon.

I love that woman! She was just in the middle of decorating her house christmas. So that means, Anthony was not allowed to TOUCH ANYTHING!!! Its hard for a 4 yr old to entertain themselves in a "DO not disturb the trinkets" house. Oh well. We still had a great time, and great conversation. Later that night, we had some fun stuffing Lliam in a HUGE box. Can you say bored in Cardston?

Friday

Not much has happend today. Its still cold outside, and the roads look like an icerink. I'm glad I'm not out today driving around. It was a relaxing day in the house. Mom went to work today, so it was extra quiet. I went out and visited a friend in Magrath. Our kids played while we caught up on some good times. I love her, and wish her the best. I came home, worked out with some Slim in 6. I got my butt kicked. Again. Now I'm here at 10:16pm, trying to finish what I started this morning. My blog.

The

End.

Making Gingerbread Houses

2008-11-29T12:48:00.011-07:00

I thought Anthony and I could do a fun, crafty type activity together that was leaning towards the anticipation of Christmas. Anthony is our little joy that would love to have Christmas ALL year around. Not just for the gifts, and candy, but for all the family time, the cartoon specials (you know you love "Frosty the Snowman", and the ever popular with excellent graphics "Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer")

We decided to make Gingerbread houses together. I'm not the most crafty person in the world, but forgive me but I CANNOT have my gingerbread house ruined by a 4 year old's "craftiness". So I bought Anthony his own so I can concentrate on building and creating one for myself.

I think we both had a great time (Minus a few spazzes when Anthony discovered that the icing doesn't really stick as well as he hoped)

Here are a few photos from 20 min ago.

Tagged by Marci - husband thingy

2008-11-24T14:17:00.002-07:00

-What is your husband's name? Jos Ivan
-How long have you guys been married? 6 years and 6 months
-How long did you date? we met online and "dated" for about 4 months until we met in "real life" and he moved up to Canada 4 weeks later, then we really dated for 2 more months, and were engaged for 6 months after that.
-How old is he? 33, fricken old man! :D
-Who is taller? Jos is, and I'm happy he's just the right height for me.
-Who can sing the best? I think we are both good singers. I hope one day we can sing a duet in church or something....
-Who is smarter? Smart?! Um...well we both know more about certain stuff than the other. But I think Jos is more logical, and grammatically correct (all the time) than me.
-Who pays the bills? We both pay certain bills, and we both take care of each other equally.
-Who does the laundry? I usually do it, when I do it. When I've slacked off and Jos needs clean clothes to wear, he gets to do it himself.
-Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jos sleeps on the right side, for now. The bed sleeping arrangements normally depend on where the door is located in the room. I must be closest to the door. I guess its a mom thing to get to the kids faster. :P
-Who mows the lawn? We *just* got a lawn mower this year, and I was only able to mow once! (can you believe that?!) We have a huge tree in our front yard that doesn't let much light through, so our grass grew pretty slow. And there isn't any grass in the backyard. Lucky me. I normally love to mow!
-Who cooks dinner? I cook dinner. Its something that I've really started looking forward to every day. Now that I have a plan, and food to cook with, it makes life so much easier, and healthy in our home. On sundays, I like it when Jos cooks, just so I can have a break.
-Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? I think we are both pretty stubborn about this one. I like to admit I'm wrong as soon as I can.
-Who kissed who first? Our first kiss was at the Nashville Airport, and I have actual video footage of the first kiss...HAHA We kissed each other because we were expecting to kiss each other first. I was SUPER NERVOUS and felt rushed.
Who wears the pants? We share the pants. On certain subjects and issues, he wears the pants, and other situations I wear the pants. Its fun that way. And it works for us.

Thanks, Carla for the tag!!!

2008-11-22T15:13:00.003-07:00

Ok, so here I am. Posting. I spent all morning with a real estate agent cousin of mine, doing up paperwork so that we can buy the house that are currently living in. By the end of next week, it will be all over, and the stresses of paying a mortgage will take over. Look ma, I'm all grown up! LOL After signing my life away in about 40 different spots, we took Anthony to a church primary christmas activity. I'll admit, he's the favorite among the teachers and the kids. He got to decorate christmas cookies, make some reindeer crafts, and make some christmas tree ornments. Later on, a special visit from Santa Claus really surprised him. He sat on his lap, and shyly giggled as he told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. SO CUTE!!!

Carla tagged me in the "7 random things about me" meme. So here we go:

I love these random things about me games, because I can actually take a good look at myself and find the fun and unique things that *I* see about myself. I came up with 20, instead of 7...lucky you!

1. I hate raisins, except in Raisin Bran.

2. I wanted to be a firefighter, a marine biologist, and a doctor, when I was a kid.

3. I ate a 10 month old green egg, when I was in college. I was starving.

4. I've always wanted a pie in my face.

5. I can't put on my makeup unless my teeth are brushed. I can't brush my teeth before eating breakfast.

6. I hate the word apparatus.

7. I made my youngest brother eat a worm.

8. I love the smell of hot tar on a hot day.

9. I love baking, but I hate cleaning up the evidence of baking.

10. Was raised in Abbotsford BC...and hate it when people refer to that place as AbbotsFORD.

11. I make an amazing cinnimon roll.

12. I was never close to my father growing up...for 23 years I wouldn't really speak to him...only what was necessary to be a family, but now he's one of my best friends.

13. I wished I had a high metabolism.

14. My favorite kind of food is Greek.

15. I am afraid of swimming in open water. If I'm close to the shore, I'm ok.

16. I love thunderstorms.

17. I dropped a car battery on my toe as a child. OUCH

18. Love horseback riding and willing to try almost anything on a horse.

19. Scared of heights, but love bungee jumping.

20. I want to be more of a WWII buff.

OK, so I stole this from my old Livejournal 2 years ago, but its still pretty close to what I'd come up with today. Enjoy.

I tag everyone that reads my blog that hasn't already been tagged. You know who you are!

Pretty Stale

2008-11-15T11:23:00.002-07:00

I've had a pretty boring week. I don't have much to write about, but I hate seeing my blog so ignored. Our house hold had been hit with the never ending cold/flu! Just when I think we are over it, the second wave hits! Its so sad to see the baby sick, and Jos not being able to breath, and Lance not being able to talk. I, thankfully have a different immune system, and have only had a sniffle for a morning. Anthony as well, he's been able to fight through the plague as well.

I am making cookies with Anthony right now, and just waiting for the second batch to go in. YAY for rainbow chocolate chip cookies! mmmmm chocolate!

We are *this* close to buying our house, so its been a little stressful around here. We need to find a good lawyer that will answer our phone calls and emails so we can get this deal DONE!!!

I can't wait to visit my sister in Lethbridge. She just got home with her baby,and I can't wait to hug and squeeze him. He's soooo cute!