1 yr anniversary- St. Louis Temple Trip

Well, yesterday, the 17th, was the 1 yr anniversary of my dad passing. I didn't want to be sad, he wouldn't have wanted that either. But, as I was thinking of this day approaching, I really wanted to be in the temple. I felt that I would be able to feel closer to my dad if I was there. As it turned out, it was the youth temple trip and so Tom and I decided to make it a family trip. We caravanned with another family from the ward, the Mitchell's, and we had a great time. After getting checked into our hotel, we went out to Red Robin for some yummy food and then back to our hotel to let the kids swim. The next morning Tom and I watched the Mitchell's kids while they went through a session at the temple. The kids loved eating and eating at the hotel breakfast bar and then just hanging out and playing together. Then we met up with the youth at the temple and the kids got to help with the service project (weeding). They thought it was great fun. Then Tom and I were able to enjoy some time in the temple with the youth, while Sheila took the kids to the park. It felt great to be there in the temple with the youth. I think that is where my dad would probably choose to be if he couldn't be with his family--in the temple with the youth. He loved his time as a temple worker and always loved working with the youth. He always used to say that his tremors weren't really apparent when he was serving in the temple. I am so grateful for such an amazing father and for his amazing example of righteous living. I sure miss him, but know that he is happy and I'm sure busy. :) I am so grateful for the knowledge and testimony I have that I know families are forever and that I will see him again and that this time without him is just a moment--even though it feels like forever! Thanks dad for your love, unending support and memmories!

GOAL!

Well, Soccer Season has started! Practice twice a week, and game on Saturdays. (a bit much for her age if you ask me!) But, this cute gal doesn't mind. She loves soccer and loves hanging out with her team. Last weekend was there first game of the season and Shelby scored a goal! We were all so excited for her because this was her first goal playing for this team. She was in heaven-smiling from ear to ear! (I think playing basketball this Winter must have helped bring out a little bit of the aggressive side of Shelby!) :)

Another Happy Year!!

Well, just can't let the day go by without telling the world, (litterally!), that I have the best husband ever!! He is my best friend and I love to spend our free moments together. I love that he works at home--that way I can see him whenever I want. :) I love that he "gets me" and knows how to deal with me in a kind way. He is the best helper too! I couldn't imagine a life without him! Happy 13th Anniversary! (again--ha ha--funny thing is that we thought last year was our 13th!) I love you Tom, "the mostest and the bestest"!

DETOX!!

Ok, please note this has NOTHING to do with drugs or alcohol! :) But, last night after the kids were in bed, I told Tom that I felt like I needed to go through DETOX! Since our Spring break I have not been doing so well. I was a bit sick, then got really lazy and Tom and I were staying up super late watching shows and planning our vacation. So, needless to say, the gym hasn't been too regular lately and there has been more eating out. To top it off, Tom has been to the store the last two weekends. And, I don't know if all men are like this, but when I send him to the store----he comes back with a ton of candy, chips, pop, etc.!! He thinks he's being a nice, fun dad. :) That he is! But, it is also being a bit of a cruel husband. :) JK. So when last night hit--after a Conference weekend full of baking, eating and hanging out in jammies, I was stuffed to the hilt! :) Hence, after a couple lazy, pop full, candy full, eating out couple of weeks I needed to get things back in order!
Plus, it seems that Conference time is a time that I reflect, make goals and start anew. So here I go!
So....this morning I started my detox! I can remember seeing those people at the Chemical Dependency Unit at McKay Dee Hospital when I worked there. Their first couple of days were just horrible and they sometimes didn't look like they were going to make it through the day. I may have looked like that at the gym today. I started off running 4 miles, then weights, then 3 miles on the bike. It felt really good, but I was pretty wiped! But, I think it helped me be good with my eating. So, my first day wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Hopefully I will be able to still work out tomorrow! :)

I have decided there are a couple of items my detox is going to include:
Pop--I don't have one everyday, but it was getting there the last couple of weeks Candy--chocolate--going back to the sugar-free little candies to help me
Eating out--going to try to only go out as a family once a week! :)
Gym--get back to at least 5 times a week!
Yelling & screaming at the kids---now this one might not go so well, it might be something that I figure out how to slowly taper off! :)
So, there you have it! I hope I get through the week! :)

Also, as a family we talked about conference and made some goals to help our HOME be more like the TEMPLE and how it would feel there. It was cute as the kids gave their suggestions. Right away Sam said that he would erase some of the "not so good" game sites from our "favorites" on the computer and that we shouldn't play violent video games as much. :) We talked about thinking of others first, spending more quality time together as a family, not yelling and screaming at each other, being obedient, and talking nicer.
We hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as we did!
(Maybe some day I will get with it and post the many happenings that I have been meaning to post!--For now I am moving on!)