Family Togetherness (have some pictures)

We went to the park on Saturday. Matt played catch with the boys and Hannah decided to be a big girl and climb all over the toys/slides/steps/bridge all by herself (with a paranoid mother hovering close at hand). It was fun!

Hey Sugar...

I have been caring a lot lately about my health. Mostly I worry about the heart disease, diabetes, and cancers that run in my family. I really want to be around to see my kids turn into nice adults. :-) I also need many more years with Matthew, even though we have eternity together. :-) I also need more time on earth to increase my understanding of the atonement, the gospel, and my Heavenly Father's love for me, etc. I have things to do people!!! I've come to the realization that sugar is bad for me. It's bad for you too but that's for you to figure out on your own. I can preach for days on the affects it has but I don't want to become one of those crazy people who share their obsession with everyone and are kind of crazy about it (you know someone like this I'm sure). Anyhow, with that being said.... I've been eating very small amounts of sugar in the last month. We're talking going from eating a ton of chocolate and junk EACH day to eating a piece or two once a week. Big change. It's been obvious in my appearance (losing 7 pounds in one month with do that to a person), and I am a lot less stressed and crazy in my head. Who knew??? I read a great article (and there's a YouTube video on it) called "Sugar is Toxic" and "Sugar: the bitter truth". Scoff all you want and think I'm crazy, just know that I'm going to live longer and be happier and healthier because of the changes I am making to my diet. Hooray!! Hopefully Matt will live longer since I sort of control what he eats at home. Remember the part about me wanting him around for a long time?!???? The hardest part I have it trying to change what my kids eat. It's so easy to hand them some carbohydrate product that is processed and loaded with crap than to convince them that they want to have a(n): (insert fruit or vegetable item here). If you have any suggestions about how to do that I would love to hear it. So that's my plug for the day. Happy day to you!!

It's not the 90's but I have a GOAL skirt.

It just seems like yesterday that it was the 90's. I guess that's because I don't feel like I'm 33. In my head I'm 21. The reason the 90's is such a concern to me is because I have this goal skirt. It was one I wore when I was working at Dave and Busters and it's tight and black and super cute. It's a pencil skirt and I've held onto it for, ummmmm, 10 years?!?!? Anyhow, it's the goal skirt. I successfully got on a pair of size 4 Levi jeans that I wore prior to marrying Matt and having 3 kids (granted they are cotton/spandex). That made my day and I only had a slight muffin top. :-) With great excitement I tried on "the goal skirt". It doesn't zip all the way up (and it's a size 6 so how about those size discrepancies?) Anyhow, I wasn't depressed about it just motivated!! Whoo hoo! Then I was reading in the Glamour magazine and some comment was made about "the pencil skirt from the 90's". It was very similar to MY skirt and the magazine made it sound so OLD. It got me to thinking... and I was sad for a moment or two. But I've moved on and I'm still going to fit into that skirt, dang it! :-) I'm still hoping some of the dresses from the OLDEN days (like the 40's or 50's) with the full skirts and puffy sleeves come back. :-) So onward with the weight loss. How am I doing it?? Of course I exercise. I'll always exercise. It gives me happy endorphins, a legitimate break from reality, and I don't make enough of the good cholesterol so I have to work out. Besides that though changing my diet has had the biggest affect on my overall appearance. I don't eat the entire bag of Raisinettes anymore (moment of silence in fond remembrance....), nor do I spend my evenings bingeing behind closed doors with a good book. I do eat less and healthier and it works. Who knew???? Happy day to you! Now, do you have a pair of goal pants or a goal dress or skirt? I'd love to hear about it. Find it. Get it out. Put it up to remind you. Whoo hoo!

Riley's kneeR

Read the below post for an explanation.

I just forget

I really do mean to update this. I'll stop my own guilt trip now since there are many other worthwhile things to feel guilty over.... Let's see.... Levi went to bed last night at 2am because 1st he stayed up to read a book and then he took my phone (while I slept) and played Angry Birds for 3 hours. He woke me up at 2am to tell me that he couldn't go to sleep and then I saw my phone with the battery dead (and it had just been 100% charged) so I called him on it and he confessed. He was grounded today and we had a lovely discussion. Raising kids is so hard. There's all this stuff to learn. Phooey. Dylan is the child that constantly amazes me. He amazes me because one day he's a little devil and being an ornery little sucker who gets in to everything and drives me nuts. Then the next day he'll be sweet as can be and so tender and loving. I think he's a confused soul. I hope the nice boy wins out. Pictured above was a sweet day for Dylan. Riley had fallen and got a minor cut on his knee. I basically told Riley to suck it up and deal with it. Dylan so kindly put his arm around Riley and said, "It's okay Riley, I'll take care of you." A little while later Levi came to tattle on Dylan and was bummed that I didn't yell at him (Dylan). I saw the above scene upon arrival and had to pause and capture it. Riley has two bandaids on his knee, some gauze tape and about 10 stickers to make him feel better. Dylan helped "take care of him". Isn't that sweet?? I thought so. Riley told me that his owie feels better. I just love these kids! Hannah has been walking for a month now and is so confident. She bends down to pick things up and carries things. She loves to carry her dolly around and put her to bed and play peek a boo with her. She wants to always read books (which is okay by me!) Matt and I are just busy running a household. We are happy. (How could I not be?! I'm married to Matt and he's pretty awesome!) So there's your monthly update world. :-)

Riley Gus has SPD

My cute Riley has Sensory Processing Disorder. One aspect of it is that he gets overstimulated while sleeping (or something) and needs a weighted blanket. Double bonus: it helps with Restless Leg Syndrome! (April, you were right!) So, rather than pay the $90 for a weighted blanket (and that was the cheapest with moderately cute fabric) I made him one myself with a set of directions found free online. I do so love the internet. He wanted yellow on his blanket and "something funny". The supplies were $20 and it took me 2.5 hours to make his cool weighted blanket. He loves it but was a little worried that it held him down. We'll see how tonight goes. Hooray!

Levi's Birthday

My oldest child is 7. Wowie Kazowie! I have no idea how to raise a 7 year old. I work on it every day. He was so excited for his birthday and thrilled for his presents. He got a four square ball!! (Thanks Mom and Dad). He's "the best 4 square player at school". He also got shirts, a wallet, and books. Kyle sent him a Tech Deck ramp and boards (finger skate board toys). He's pretty happy. Plus, I let him play video games and said "yes" to whatever reasonable thing he asked for. Happy Birthday Levi! Oh, he picked the cake: lemon cake with chocolate frosting. It was also his cousin's birthday the same day.... Happy Birthday Maddie!