Annoying Observation of the Day

Yesterday was "weigh-in" day at Weight Watchers. Yes, I didn't make it the last two weeks because I wasn't going to take the time to go there, and fight with my kids in the process, so I could stand on the scale and have them tell me I'd gained weight. Nah, didn't sound fun to me. After Lagoon and my trip to Colorado, I just knew it would not bode well for my psychie.



No, instead my renewed motivation led me this week to a loss of a whopping 1.4 lbs.! Yes, quite the overachiever I am. After I weighed myself at home, before I went (you know, to actually see if I'd lost anything - I will not be humiliated with a gain!) and decided that I hadn't yet seen that number on the scale (which is a good thing) I did try my hardest to get rid of any extra bodily fluids that might be lingering (and no, not throwing up).



When I pulled up at WW, there was a sign on the door that read to use the back door because construction was going on up front. Not a problem - a simple walk to back was maybe 50 feet. But that must've been too hard because from the time I parked and walked to the back, two different cars pulled up to the front, paused to read the sign, then took the time to drive all the way around the building to the back to get, maybe, 5 spots closer to where the could have easily pulled in up front.



Yes, this was my Annoying Observation of the Day: come on (and I'm just going to say it) fat people, walk a few steps...especially as you enter WW!

Beginning Again

I'm beginning again Anew.

It's time once again where I've been reevaluating my life and I've decided to incorporate some actual goals. No, I'm not talking about the goal of merely surviving three boys everyday, or the goal of getting the laundry actually folded, or even my latest goal of fulfilling my Cubmaster calling with enthusiasm - no, I need something bigger.

So, I signed up for a half-marathon in July and saw that my friend, Katie, who is also in my ward, was also running. I'm now running four days a week with her and some other ladies in the ward and I've also been talked into doing three additional races, one being a 20-miler. So, this is becoming bigger than I had originally intended it to be.

We did our first race, a 10K, on Saturday. I really do enjoy running. I'm not super-fit, nor do I have lean, muscular legs that indicate I can actually run some long distances. But, I love that exercise can clear my mind and I've really enjoyed getting to become better friends and getting to know these ladies I run with.

That being said, I've put it out there now that I'm doing these races and I'm just going to put this out there too, (for motivation so I don't come across as all bark and no bite), be it hell or high water I will lose 15 pounds by the middle of July...or the middle of August! I've joined Weight Watchers multiple times and I know all the tricks...it's just....food...is...so...good!

So, maybe by writing down my goals/plans I'll get there. After all, I do have this pet peeve about people who threaten to make their blogs private and then never carry through. So, I gotta do this now.

Sam Andrus Family Vacay

I organized a little family retreat for just our little family. It's difficult to do much because Sam and I are on such different spectrums - he travels a lot for work and so he likes to stay home when he can. I am home nearly ALL THE TIME and have the need to leave familiar surroundings once in a while. I talked the hubby into it and we took off for a far away adventure to Layton/Farmington. Wahoo! We started the first day off at the Hogle Zoo...

...where we found these goofy animals....

...and Cooper the "animal whisperer" who talks to any animal in a high, falsetto, gibberish language...

...and Milo, who loves big animals....

...and Matt who wanted to see the giraffes, but said the zebras were his favorite....

...and, of course we had to take the quick train ride that hasn't changed in at least 25 years....

...but this time it involved three monkeys.

And after the zoo....

...exiting the cool 3D movie (where Milo kept his glasses on the entire time) at....

....Thanksgiving Point...

...and three minutes after leaving Thanksgiving Point.

Just beginning the day at Lagoon...

....got all the kids on the first ride...

...onto the next...

...happy boys....

....warming up....

...getting the hang of the whole ride thing....

...happy again after a melt-down....

....and three minutes after leaving Lagoon.

Preschool Graduation

Matt finished off his first academic year with great success...yes, as a preschool grad-u-ate he has, indeed, climbed mountains. He's been so excited to learn this year. He loves to do his "homework" and practice writing at home. He knows his ABCs, his numbers 1-20 (minus a few here and there), and has begun to recognize some words along with thinking "148" (his current favorite number) really just means "a lot, lot, lot."

I pray he stays motivated and loves to learn. I think preschool and elementary teachers really have that unique challenge to capture a kid's learning enthusiasm and keep them focused before they hit those awkward pre-teen years. That's a ways off for Matt right now, but I am looking forward to kindergarten in August - he and I will both need it by then!

Stick Rodeo

Our ward had a "stick rodeo" a few weeks ago. Matt wasn't shy about getting in on the fun and I wished I'd actually ridden the bull myself.

Diaper gods vs. Potty gods

I haven't wanted to write about the process of potty training Milo because I've been holding my breath about it (in more ways than one). I also did not want to risk somehow offending either the diaper gods or the potty gods. But after a touch-n-go week, I think it's safe to say he's got the hang of it. HALLELUJAH!

This, I must say, was a bit harder to accomplish than it was with Matt. You see, with Matt, after he was trained in pretty much a day, I was feeling pretty confident and almost...cocky. He was a boy, about 2 1/2 years old, and I did it in a day (with only a few accidents after that first day). Thanks to advice from my Aunt Donna, I thought I could have written a book about potty-training. A little bit of candy bribes, no pull-ups only undies, cleaning up their own accidents, spankings, and the longest day of my life sitting in that damn bathroom ALL DAY! So, I was pretty confident in this method.

Well, kids have a way of humbling their moms. I did my above method with my second child. Sure, he was great about cleaning up his own messes and reading books on the pot (child after my own heart), but spanks didn't seem to faze him and he wasn't getting it! His method was to sit on the pot for 20 minutes and pee two minutes after he got out. I wasn't going to give in and put him back in diapers - it's been do or die this last week because after nearly two years of two kids in diapers - I'm about done with that.

Suffice it to say, he's gotten it now, we've survived, and I'm holding my breath after posting this that I will not suffer the wrath of any potty gods by jumping the gun and declaring to my bloggers that Milo has said goodbye diapers, hello porcelain god!

Bunk Bed Prayers

Matt's been pretty willing to say his night-night prayers lately. So, tonight he was the first to volunteer as I put Milo and him to bed. The boys have bunk beds and Matt is on the top, Milo is on the bottom. Here's how tonight's prayer went:

Matt: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today. Bless Jesus at church and bless Mom, and Dad, and Cooper, and Milo...
Milo: (from the bottom bunk) Stop it!
Matt: ...and bless all the boys and Milo to be nice....
Milo: Stop it!
Matt: ...and help us to be safe and Milo, too....
Milo: Stop it!
Matt: ...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Gotta love sincere prayers from the heart and brothers who don't need a good word put in for them to the Almighty.