The City!!

So I got back on the 10th

from Sunny California.

We left snow, and it was so

nice to have some sun!! Peggy,

Troy's mom, had a conference in

Francisco and I got to go as a

guest. It was a lot of fun and

I have a HUGE love for San Fran

now!! It was so much fun!! Thank

you, Benchmark!!! Thank you

Mom and Troy for watching the

kids!!! I feel very lucky to have

gone! So, now for some pics and

vacation info...

This was a very cool water

park in Downtown.

Very interesting.

The flowers were so pretty.

Fisherman's Wharf sign. We went

here a lot. Very yummy seafood!!!

And I don't even like seafood!!!

I think they called this Cocktail Street.

They had a lot of Dungeness Crab and

seafood cocktails all a long the street.

It smelled...interesting.

You can't go to San Fran without riding

the trolley. It was quite an adventure.

I had to hang off the edge one trip and

I thought I was going to get taken out

by the oncoming trolley!!

I told you we went here a lot!

We still didn't see everything!

This is the bay. Very

peaceful and beautiful!!

The sunsets were so pretty!

This is Gherradelli(sp) Square.

They used to make chocolate here,

but it moved. So now it is a store and

restaurant. Very neat.

The last day we were here,

we went on a tour of the Muir

woods and Salsalito. This is not

part of the tour, but our driver was

really cool. He took a detour of the

Golden Gate Bridge. It was exciting!!!

This is a tree in the Muir Woods.

They were very neat.

This is Oma. Peggy and Oma knew each

other, but this trip was the first time

I got to meet her. She is incredible!

I quickly came to love Oma. I wish

all of you could meet her, she is so neat.

This is in the Muir Woods.

This is a horrible picture of

Crookedest Street. Because of an

accident in the 70's, tour buses are

not allowed to go down the street.

Our driver stopped to let me take a pic!!!

This is Union Square. Peggy

and I didn't do any shopping here,

but we did visit once. We did a

service project at Glide. If any of you

saw The Pursuit of Happyness you

know the Glide is the homeless

shelter he went to. We refinished

the pews in the sanctuary. I was amazing. While we waited

for the pews to dry, we walked down to Union Square.

Boy did we feel out of place!!!

I looked all over San Fran

for this spot...also from the movie.

Peggy finally found it...right out side

of our hotel!!!

GooGoo Dolls anyone? We were

sooo close to the stage. Thank you

Peggy for standing there with me

through the whole concert! It was amazing!

Mark Curry...aka Mr Cooper.

He entertained us a lot on this trip.

He was pretty funny, but he repeated

a lot of his material. Still, pretty funny.

After his show, he allowed us to get pics

with him.

Okay, horrible hair, but our tour

finished late and I had to hurry.

I was so embarrassed to meet a celebrity

looking like that!!!

Home. I bought Daeson a sword

and a costume from Chinatown.

He loved it! It was "just what I always

wanted!"

Tevan was not sure about me

when I got home. It took him a sec to

realize it was me. I think he thought

I left for good. But, he then wouldn't

leave my side!

These are Willie braids.

We got these at a late night

party at Purple Haze. They all got

a kick out of them.

The SanFrancisco bread company.

Boudin Sour Dough. This is Troy's

asiago cheese loaf...flower.

This is the kids' rabbit.

Neither one of the loaves got

eaten before they went bad...bummer.

But it was good.

Diet info...as much as I can

Okay, so it has come to my attention that I need to post the diet info on my blog. As I was discussing this with my dad, he said I better check with Dr. Willey first...you know, copyright and all that stuff. So, here is his info, and then I will post below what I have been doing. That way you all can get a head start and I don't feel like I am taking away his business. Also: As with every diet, you need to consult a physician before starting this...especially if prego or nursing. This is a low cal diet and it was set at my weight of 194. So, you might have to play with it to get it to fit YOU. Now with that said... here it is!!!

Oh, I better post on here that his books are available in Chubbuck at Physicians Immediate Care Center across from Smiths. The phone number is 208-237-7911 and you can make an appt. His books are approx $30.00 and they have them for sale there.

I am on a 1400 cal diet. Troy is on a 1700 cal diet. The difference is the amt of food you can eat. Here is a basic schedule, then I will post some sample meals that we have eaten. There is a website that talks about glycemic indexes...so use that for a reference. http://www.glycemicindex.com/

Exercise 30-40 minutes in AM BEFORE FOOD. WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU EAT!! I have found that if you follow this diet, you will generally stay in the 1400 cal range. Stick with the portions! You need to eat every 2-3 hours on this diet. You need a sugar free fiber supplement in the evening. Use spices as needed. Drink 3/4 gallon of water EVERY DAY. You can have up t0 2 diet pops OR 2 cups of coffee a day. You need to watch the junk you put in your coffee if you drink it.

MEAL 1: 1 Protein source, 2 Active carbs
MEAL 2: 1 oz RAW almonds
MEAL 3: 1 Protein source, 1 Active carb, Free Carbs (as many as you want)
MEAL 4: 1/2 LOW CARB protein bar (troy and I don't like them, so we use a sweet and salty nut bar...1/3)
MEAL 5: 1 Protein source, 0 Active carbs, Free carbs (as many as you want)
Bed Time meal (opt): 1 cup sugar free jello. (I refuse to eat things with aspartame, so Troy and I have opted for a sugar free pudding, or Blue Bunny fudge bars...the low cal ones.)

Active carbs are so plentiful I cannot list them all. Here are some...you'll have to go to the glycemic index if you are concerned about others: Apple 3 in 1.5, motts applesauce 1 cup, muslemans applesauce 6 oz, fresh apricots 8 med, banana 1.25 med, blueberries 1.5 cup, carrots 12 oz,fruit roll up 2 rolls, grapes 1.25 cup, grapefruit 1.25 4 inch, grape juice 8 oz, navel orange 2 3 in, oj 8 oz, peach 1.5 cop, canned pears 4 halves, fresh pineapple 1.5 cup, caned pumpkin 3 cup, raisins .25 cup, frozen strawberries 1.75 cup, ff yogurt 8 oz, white popcorn 3 Tbsp, Yoplait yogurt lowfat 6 oz,yoplait lite 8 oz, cheerios 1.25 cup, cocoa crispies 1 cup, grapenuts .33 cup, honey nut toasties 1.25 cups, wheaties 1.25 cups, all bran .65 cup, corn flakes 1.25 cups, raisin bran .65 cups, cracklin oat bran .66 cups. shredded wheat 1.75 pc, spoon shredded what .75 cup, rice krispies 1.5 cup, cream of wheat 3 Tbsp dry, low fat granola .33 cup, oatmeal precooked measurement .66 cups, orowheat lite bread 3.5 slices, wonder reduced cal lite bun 2 buns, corn cake 4 cakes, flour tortilla 1.5 tortilla, corn tortilla 1.5, triscuit 1.5 oz, eggo waffle homestyle 2 waffle, boiled black beans .75 cups, dry black beans .33 cups, kidney boiled .75 cups, lima boiled .75 cups, navy bean boiled .66 cups, canned navy .75 cups, boiled pinto .75 cups, caned pinto .75 cups, dry pinto .25 cups, pork and beans .5 cups, sweet potato 1 5x2 in, baked in skin potato 1, rice cakes 2.5 cakes, white basmati rice .5 cup cooked, long grain brown .75 cooked cup, instant rice uncooked .5 cups, boiled or baked yam .75 cups, any kind pasta 1.75 oz.

Free carbs are: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Green beans, Green peppers, Lettuce (iceberg and leaf), mushrooms, onions, pickles, radishes, red peppers, spinach, Tomatoes (except juice), and zucchini.

Protein sources are: bacon 2.5 slices, skinless chicken breast 4.5 oz, Hormel chick breast 1 can, Bar S ham 96% ff 6 oz, sausage links 1.5 links, skinless tky breast 3 oz, Hormel tky breast .75 can, 10%fat hamburger 3 oz, 15 % fat HB 2.5 oz, steak blade chuck 3 oz, rib eye steak 3 oz, porter house steak 3 oz, eye round steak 3 oz, top round 3 oz, shank cut steak 3 oz, top sirloin 3 oz, venison/antelope 4 oz, dry heat freshwater bass 4 oz, striped dry heat bass 4 oz, Atlantic cod dry heat 5 oz, Alaska king crab moist heat 5 oz, blue crab moist heat 5 oz, dry heat flounder 4.5 oz, haddock dry heat3.75 oz, northern lobster moist heat 5 oz, mahi mahi 5 oz, orange roughy dry heat 5 oz, perch dry heat 4 oz, Atlantic/ocean dry heat perch 4 oz, Atlantic salmon dry heat 3.5 oz, moist heat shrimp 5 oz, dry heat trout 3 oz, tuna burger 5 oz, low sodium can tuna .75 can, water tuna canned 1 can, walleye baked,broiled,microwaved 4.5 oz, colby/mozzarella cheese 2 oz, cottage cheese 1.25 cup, egg beaters 1.25 cup, egg white 5, whole eggs 2, milk (skim, 1,2%) 6 oz, ff mozzarella shredded .75 cup.

ANYTIME FOODS (you can eat these in you meals anytime that your meal allows you to) slow inducers of insulin secretion: most all meats, most all cheese, yogurt low fat artificially sweet, canned soy beans, peanuts, soya beans, rice beans, green apples, cherries, fructose, dried peas, grapefruit, red lentils, protein enriched spaghetti, full fat milk

BEFORE 3 PM FOODS moderate inducers of insulin secretion: kidney, black, butter Lima, garbanzo, pinto, navy beans, soy milk, dried apricots, skim milk, fettuccine, All Bran fruit and oats, mars snickers bar, apple juice, white spaghetti, fresh pears, tomato soup, plums

BEFORE NOON FOODS moderate inducers of insulin secretion: all bran, fresh peaches, mars twix caramel, oranges, canned pears, sweet potato, mars choco, canned pinto beans, macaroni, linguine, instant rice boiled one minute, sponge cake, grapes, pineapple juice, canned peaches, instant noodles, green peas, mixed grain bread, grapefruit juice, baked beans, high fructose corn syrup, muffins, canned potatoes, ice cream, oatmeal, hamburger bun, split pea soup, cheese pizza, pastry, rice vermicelli, white rice, bran chex, honey, fresh apricots, white pita bread, power bar, mini wheats, mango

EARLY MORNING FOODS rapid inducers of insulin secretion: mini wheats shredded wheat, skittles, high fiber wheat bread, taco shells, stoned wheat thins, grapenuts, croissant, angel food cake, green pea soup canned, pineapple, nutrigrain, life cereal, steamed potato, sucrose, black bean soup, mac and cheese, mars bar, beets, raisins, shortbread, apricots canned, tofu frozen dessert non dairy, maltodextron, maltose, glucose tablets, dates, parsnips, glucose, instant rice boiled 6 minutes, rice chex, microwaved potatoes, rice krispies, pretzels, jelly beans, post flakes, rice cakes, vanilla wafers, coco pops, total cereal, waffles, donuts, pumpkins, cheerios, puffed wheat cereal, boiled mashed potatoes, rutabaga, watermelon, white bagel, golden grams, white wheat bread, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat and Melba toast.

DO NOT eat within 3 hours of bed.

EXAMPLE EATING PLAN:

Exercise: I use the firm cardio dance slim down. This is a great workout and fairly easy. Walmart $10.00. I also use my Wii Fit and the XBOX You Yourself fitness program. These are all very easy and good workouts. Pilates and yoga are also great. I loved my yoga ball until the kids melted it...

I actually take LIPOZENE supplement 30 minutes before I eat three times a day. I find this works great with this diet. Troy does not take it. It is about $26 at CostCo.

Breakfast: 1. Eggbeaters, toast, and a piece of fruit. 2. Yogurt, grapnuts, and bacon. 3. Fruit, bagel, and milk. 4. Eggbeaters (half portion), sausage (half portion), waffle, OJ.

Lunch: 1. One pc bread, lunch meat, crackers. 2. Boiled eggs, cucumbers, broccoli, and a pc of fruit. 3. Tuna made with ff mayo, crackers, free carbs. 4. Spaghetti (watch portion), green salad.

Dinner: 1. Steak, asparagus, green salad. 2. Chicken, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, green salad. 3. If you go to dinner, order fish, steak, or chicken that is not breaded. Get a salad or steamed veggies for the side. 4. Chinese: order the moo goo gui pan...just don't eat the rice or lo mein. We eat a lot of green salad and spinach. If you want to eat the pastas, eat it for lunch.

I almost forgot: in order to keep your metabloism from stabalizing, you are allowed one three hour cheat. So for three hours, you get to eat how much and what you want once a week.

Also, please do not repost this onto your blog. I am really trying to keep out of trouble from Dr. Willey, so please do not repost. I am only keeping this up for a short while...after that I will only post his name, address and phone number. So, if you would like the diet plan, please copy, read or whatever before the end of the month as I will take it off. Thanks for everyone who had intrest in this GREAT diet! Troy and I have been super happy since shedding the 20 pounds. Good luck to everyone who gives it a whirl!!

Woohoo!

So, if you follow my blog you know that I have struggled with the weight loss game. But, girls!!! I am here to tell you I found the diet that works...after 2 1/2 weeks, I have lost 19 lbs!!! I am sooo excited about it! So, if anyone is interested, I can send the info to you. It doesn't cost anything, just your willingness to stick with it. I was at 194 and now I am at 175!! I know I have a lot to go still, but with results it is a lot easier to keep going. I would love to be down to 140...s0 I will keep on it. It is not a hard diet...even Troy has done it and lost about 10 lbs. He is all for it. So, with 35 more lbs to go, I am willing to give up all my fave summer foods to hit it!! I guess not all my faves...if I could stand to eat potato salad in the morning it wouldn't be so bad. I am really hoping to hit 170 before California Saturday...so cross your fingers!! These five pounds just might be the hardest! I know this is a very personal thing, but I am so happy to share with you my loss!! I have my dad to thank for introducing me to this very easy, inexpensive diet. I am so glad he had the patience to help me get it going. I have Dr. Willey in Pocatello to thank for developing this wonderful diet! Like I said, it is cheap...even cheaper than regular groceries because you eat less and healthier. My biggest struggle is balancing my diet with things the kids will eat. But so far we have managed.

CONGRATS!!!

So I have some congratulating to do!!! Congrats to my brother, Jesse and his wife Carlie for having a beautiful little boy, Carson Dean. (I know he came two days late, but good job on being a soldier and sticking with it!) He was born on Wednesday. We were able to run down to see him. He is a sweet boy. Tevan hated that I held him though!! Good job Carlie, having a baby isn't the world's best thing to go through, but the end result is so precious!

And to my sis in law, Danielle. She and her husband Todd had a beautiful little girl yesterday. Sadie Grace. So, congrats to them too. We are hoping to make a trip to SLC this weekend to see them. I heard she has a ton of long black hair. She wasn't due until April, but Danielle's liver was having some problems and the Dr didn't want to risk anything. So at 39 weeks she was able to deliver a beautiful baby girl. Good job, girl!

Next up we have Kayla (girl) and Hailey (boy)! All these babies are so fun...and I get to enjoy four of them without having one of my own!!! I like that idea!

Home

Just a quickie...we got home late last Friday night. We had a good time and the boys loved swimming in the hotel. I had plans to see a couple of friends on the way home, but my sister in law thought she was having her baby, so we scooted home as fast as we could. It was sooo good to be home. I got butterflies as I pulled into the driveway. Troy had told me he had a surprise for me, so I was a bit anxious for that. Tevan took a couple of hours to warm up to Troy, but then was very happy to see him. Daeson was ecstatic! And of course, the toys went flying and the books were read. Next time I don't think we will stay quite so long.

If any of you have been to my house in the last four years and have seen my bathroom, you now that the redone bath was not all the way finished. The tub front was not in place. But, when I came home, it was all finished and it looks so nice. So now I don't have to look at the tubes and the bottom side of the tub. But, the real surprise...If any of you have seen my bathroom in our bedroom, you know that it was crumbling away and unusable. Well, he made me a brand new shower. He raised the ceiling, added a light, and tiled the most beautiful shower...complete with lots of shelves!!! So now our old bathroom is new and finished...or just about. I get to paint the trim now. So, I will post pics as soon as my computer will let me. I am sooo sad I didn't get any swimming pics, really sad about that. I have pics of the quilts we made, too. So I will post everything soon.

We're comin' home! (skinnier)

Okay, so anyone who has been away from home for more than a couple of weeks knows what I am feeling right now. It has been fun up here, but the boys and I are ready to come home! We will be bringing my mom and she is staying with various family members until July-ish. So, that will be fun to see her more this summer...she will even get to be around for the kid's b-days! I have started packing...never can start too soon...and we will be on our way Thursday. We are excited.

Now, some really great news. My thyroid tests came back okay...normal...so that was a relief. But that same day, my dad put me on a very rigorous diet. It is a 1400 cal diet...and it deals with glycemic indexes. So, I was eating the right foods, just at the wrong times. The bad news?? I am kissing Johnny Carino's goodbye. No more pasta on this diet. But, since I have started that...mixed in with Lipozene supplements (the alli that he suggested was a lot more money, so we went with this) I have lost....assuming my scale and my mom's are the same...13 pounds!!! In just over a week!!!! I know, huh!!! I had no idea that peas and carrots were so high in sugar...so my "healthy" snack was not so healthy. Also, because metabolism can become stagnant, this diet allows you once a week for three hours to "cheat". So, this works out great for me on date night. This diet is found in the book, "What Your Dr. looks Like Naked". So, if any of you are interested, I am sold on this diet. It is the only thing that has worked for me. I also bought "The Firm: Cardio Dance" video. It's a pretty good little workout. So, hopefully when I get back I will continue to lose and continue to be happy. One other sad note, I found out I have an intolerance to chocolate...so no more chocolate for me...at all. But things could be worse. It is so nice to find out what our bodies are trying to tell us!!!

So, we will return to IF on Friday and get back to our crazy schedules. Take care all!!!

We are still alive...

We are all doing great...I cannot tell you how we have spent the last week mostly because I cannot remember. It is crazy how time is flying!!

We got here late Wednesday night, everything went well. My dad got a little too lead footed and got pulled over just before Gville. I guess he didn't realize how my minivan can fly!!! LOL But the boys and I settled right in. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are all blurs. I am not sure what we did. Sunday was fun. I got to reunite with some of the girls I have become friends with. I hung out in the nursery with Tevan and Daeson, believe it or not, was terrified to go to Sunbeams, even though his friend Johnny was there. Monday we had FHE and started a quilt for Jesse and Carlie. We hand quilted the sucker and it is so stinking cute!! We have since then started another one for them. I think we have about 10 quilts total that we are going to be completing. Finally all that material in my closet will be used. I bought some for every member of my family...so all those having babies, beware!!! Tuesday night my dad watched the boys...I know!! It was great! My mom and I went to a Stampin Up class. We came home with some great things...all finished!!! That is the best part. Did you know that you can make paper swirly things with shaving cream and ink??? It is the coolest thing! Wednesday, Thursday and today have all just kinda run together. I did get all the American Idols caught up...Thank heavens Tatianna is GONE!!! What a drama QUEEN...,and the FAKE accent??? Whew! But, I am so happy Jorge is continuing on as well as many more. So between all the American Idols and quilting, there has not been much more time for anything else. We have hit all the stores here, Kings a few times! But hey, there is always something I can't live without.

Anyway, Daeson has spent most of his time in time out, or getting spankings. He has been the hardest part about being up here. I am not sure if it is that he misses Troy or that he is just being awful!! Maybe it is the three-just about four stage??? I don't know.

Tevan is cutting a cuspid SP?. He has had a chronic runny nose since we have been up here. So, he is dealing with that. He has handled it pretty well, considering.

I was able to run outside one day, still training for htat stinkin 1/2 marathon. (It has been crappy weather) Gville does have a gym that I might do a two-week membership to. I have been doing the bike the other days and my buttocks is sooo sore! I have been heavy dieting...for about two months now. I started dieting about four months ago, but now it is pretty hard core. I have not had one chocolate anything since the Sunday after Vtine's Day. But, I have stayed right around 1100-1400 calories every day. Today my dad had me get my blood drawn to check everything out. I have not lost one single pound!!! I am ready to give up. In fact, I figure I can eat super healthy and work my but off to stay the same...or I can eat onion rings and yummy things and not gain, staying the same. I am so ready to switch back, but I know this is so much healthier for me. I would love to lose 40 pounds...that is not asking too much!! In fact that would put me at a pretty healthy weight. I guess my goal of losing 20 before Cali is obsolete. I am so sad about that. I really wanted to look good!!! Oh, well. As long as I don't pass out during the race, I will be just fine. I told myself, however, that I couldn't get prego until I was a bit less...so Troy will be happy when I put that off!

So, there you have an update. Tomorrow we are headed for an auction and then Sunday, church again. Not too much ahead planned. Oh, I did get through the Twilight Saga. I must say book one was the best...the rest were just okay. There was so much DRAMA! But, if I married a vampire, there would be a lot of drama. So, on to the next series of books if anyone has suggestions! Hope everyone is well....see you all soon!

Going, Going, Gone

Tomorrow the boys and I leave for about a month to Gville!!! I am excited, but sooo tired of packing! I have no idea what the weather is going to be like, so I am packing jackets, coats, hats, gloves and boots. I think that takes up more room than our filled suitcases. But, we are excited to go...sad to leave Troy, but I think he might enjoy the break from nagging!!! :) What? I nag??? Hahaha.

I am happy to announce that when I get back from Gville, his den should be completely finished and all pretty. I am looking most forward to that. We bought our lighting tonight and it is very pretty...it will look nice for the library/den feel he is going for. The bathroom will be the last thing we have to do. That and replace all the doors and door knobs. I am so excited to have it almost done! It will be so nice. Then we can remodel the upstairs...especially my kitchen!!!! I can hardly wait! Now, without further adue, I bid thee farewell for now...think of me tomorrow when I will be in a car for 9 hours!!!

Family Favorite

This is quickly becoming one of our favorite recipes. I found it in the Kraft magazine.

1 can apple pie filling
6 thin-cut pork chops, boneless
1 pkg pork stovetop stuffing, prepared with microwave directions, omit heating

In a baking dish, pour apple pie filling in the bottom. Lay porkchops on top. Top with stove top. Bake for 45-60 minutes on 350 (depends on the thickness of the chops). Cut into the pork chops to see if the juices are running clear. Troy really enjoys this, and it adds just the right amount of sweetness to you dinner. I serve it with peas and carrots and jell-o or pears for the kids. I hope you all enjoy this meal. It litterally takes 5 minutes to preapare...who can toss that up!?!

Cabin

I have been told that my font is VERY small, so I hope this is bigger. Sorry to all of you who had to squint while reading the previous blogs...I had no idea it was this small until I went to my sis-in-law's and saw for myself. My computer enlarges font sizes...something Troy did for eye strain, so it looks huge on my screen. Let me know if this is better.

The third annual Grover cabin retreat...finally some pictures!!! Thank you Kayla!!

Mieley Adalyn Daeson and Ryker having fun in the loft

Adalyn Daeson Mieley and Ryker eating lunch Friday

Adam was so nice to take the kids in the hot tub...Thanks!!

Adalyn and Daeson on the snow machine...Adam told a great story about this!! I guess Adam stopped to help Adalyn (all three were on the same machine) when Daeson reached up and grabbed the gas. Adam about flew off the back and I guess they were going pretty dang fast. Finally they got stopped, and Daeson got a good talkin to. He felt pretty bad, but once we explained why Adam was upset, he was back to his bubbly self. I wished I would have been there to see it...but I am sooo glad no one got hurt!

Daeson and Adalyn on the cave falls ride.

This is the time Troy actually got to do something FUN. The figure at the very bottom is my brave Daeson. I guess he LOVED the snow hill and went down numerous times. It was quite the hill!!!

Okay, do kids get any cuter than this???? If you have your own kids, you are not allowed to reply :). This is Daeson posing for the camera. Thank you to KLA for all the great pics. I have some hot tub ones on my camera of the kids, but those are going to have to wait. I am doing pretty good to get this up!!!

We were supposed to go Thursday, February 5, but Troy's weekend help decided that it is not worth it to him to continue working, so we ended up postponing until Friday. (Thank you Richard and Peggy for taking Daeson with you, and to all of you who helped with him). About 3 pm on Friday we made it to the cabin. Our car, even though it is 4WD, couldn't make it in, so Tevan and I hiked to the cabin in the snow. I am not sure how long it took or how far it was, one guy told me it was 1/2 mi and another told me it was 1/4 mi. But, we made it and Tevan actually enjoyed the walk outside. Adam and Richard went in the pick-up to get Troy and all our stuff. We were there about 45 minutes and Troy had to come back home due to weather and he had to work Saturday morning. So, the kids and I settled in and I worked on dating my pictures...600 of them...so I can scrap them at my mom's. The boys had fun and Tevan fell asleep on the floor down stairs. About 6 we ate Kayla's yummy lasagna and got the kids ready for bed. They played some more and finally went to bed about 9:30. The adults stayed up, Danielle showed us footsie and I worked on my RS lesson, getting input from Toddly and Richard. I decided to hit the hay about 1:00 am. As I was drifting off to sleep, Tevan woke up...SICK. So, not wanting to wake anyone up, I boiled a pot of water (make-shift humidifier), and rocked him with the steam around us. Finally about 4 am, we were able to sleep...a little. I had Daeson at my feet and Tevan in my arms.

Saturday morning I called Troy to let him know Tevan was sick, and he tried to get a nebulizer to bring up after he got done working. No luck. So, after having a very fevered, sad, sick baby I was happy to see Troy arrive. He took Daeson out side to play in the snow and I finally got Tevan to sleep for about a half an hour. Then I bundled him and I up and we hiked up the giant snow hill. He didn't like it much, but I made him go out hoping the fresh, cool air would help his wheezing. He continued to go through the day sick, getting worse all the time. Finally about 1 am we packed everything up (once again thanks for the help) and left for Idaho Falls. We called our fab neighbors and woke them up. They let us borrow a nebulizer (we had the meds from last time he was sick) and gave him a treatment about 3:30 am. We had a rough night sleeping, and 8 am Sunday we were up.

Troy and I got ready to go to the Emergency Care place...RediCare by Mountain View. Dr. Sunshine (I know, huh?) saw him and gave him a steroid shot...dextromethizone? and a neb treatment. He started to improve so after a couple hours we went home. I took a brief nap before I had to teach RS. Richard and Peggy kept Daeson until Monday night for us...THANK YOU!! I was hoping Daeson would steer clear of this croupy stuff, but he started hacking yesterday. I am not sure where they got this, or how, but they did and we are all paying for it now. I am just hoping that tonight I get to sleep in my own bed instead of on Tevan's floor listening to him breathe. SIGH.

Unfortunately we decided this was our last trip to the cabin. Year #1 we left because I couldn't feel Tevan moving in my tummy, Year #2 Troy took Daeson to the ER at 3 am because of ear infections and this year it was Tevan. Plus, we were only there for maybe a full day and a half, and Troy even less than that. So, sad to say it, but we are done cabining for a while. Sorry Grover fam!!! But, this is our decision.

On the lighter side, I got put in as the Girl's Camp Director for 2009. I am stoked! I cannot wait. So, if anyone has fun ideas, please let me know. We are going July 7-10. It is ward camp, so I get to do it all with the YW leaders.

BUSY BUSY

We have some busy times ahead of us...starting tomorrow!! This is the week for the cabin with Troy's family. So, tomorrow I will be very busy packing and cooking. I have dinner one night and Kayla and I have breakfast one morning. For dinner, I am making enchiladas so it should be pretty fast and easy. Our friends from Boise get in tomorrow as well, so we will spend some time with them. I got all the laundry...the last batch will be finished tonight...done today. I got Dorothy's bowl changed and cleaned and the vacuuming and dusting done. The bathrooms are sparkling and they smell great (we will see how long that lasts!!!). So, the cleaning part should be easy. Just the dreaded packing. We leave after work on Thursday...with Troy coming back and forth for work almost every day. Overall, I am looking forward to the trip. If you know me, you know that I am stressing right now. :) I have to teach RS on Sunday, so I have been trying to get that done, too. I leave to go to my mom and dad's on the 25th of Feb and we are not coming back until the 16th of March. My sister in law should have her baby around then. Then April 4, I leave to go to California with my mother in law...San Francisco. I am sooo excited. Babysitters have been hard to come by, but my fab sis in law Kayla will have them two nights and my wonderful friend Barbara will have them two days. I am praying that my lil bro will come up Sunday and stay until Monday....I am HOPING. Then I can breathe for a minute before my half marathon in June. July will be very busy, and if anyone wants to help with my kids....I will be gone from the 7th to the 10th. :) One day at a time..that is what I keep telling myself.

Troy and I have recently discovered the Office. We don't have TV, so we find something we like and rent the seasons. WE LOVE THE OFFICE!!!! So, there are now three shows we are completely addicted to...The Office, Heroes and one we watch on line, The Legend of the Seeker. Our shows keep us sane...for the most part. But, I must close for now...off to the Office season 4. Until next time...! Oh, Daeson and I borrowed Little House on the Prairie season one from the library this week. He loves it and I feel it teaches very good morals. It is nice to step back in time and watch the things that are really appropriate!

BIG BOY!

After some very discouraging nights, three of them to be exact, Daeson has successfully gone THREE happy nights without wetting the bed. I am sooo proud of him! We took the pull-ups away six nights ago...the first three nights were not so great. However, the last three have been wonderful. He even got me up this morning a quarter to five to let me know he had to pee. What a great job, Daeson!!! I will admit that we have had to bribe on occasion...Cold Stone, Action figures, a surprise...but, he is doing it. The big bribe is that we get to go to Grandma Cindy's when he has no accidents. He asked me after this morning's trip to the potty if we could leave today. It is absolutely driving him crazy that we have to wait. He wants to go NOW!!! But, three weeks isn't too long of a wait....sigh. He is growing soo quickly...I just love him sooo much!

Team Teaching

I had the opportunity to go team teaching with the sisters tonight. Hats off to them!! They are teaching new member discussions to a sweet little boy Frankie who is 10. He is such a high spirited child whom I instantly fell in love with. The reason for the hats off? Frankie is deaf and in a couple weeks these sisters have learned enough sign language to teach him. They have worked so hard at it and they have done an amazing job!!! To be honest, I was grumbling about going with them, but how grateful I am for the amazing opportunity! Thank you, Sister Speidel and Sister White for allowing me to go with you and meet some pretty amazing people.

My heart is full tonight. I KNOW the restored gospel is TRUE. I KNOW that families can be together forever and return with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I KNOW HE LIVES and HE LOVES EACH OF US. HE KNOWS US. HE DIED FOR US. I KNOW that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and that he was the mouthpiece of God. I KNOW that President Monson is the Prophet today. I know he receives revelation and instructions form God. I also know that without the Gospel, I would have no hope. How grateful I am for this knowledge. How grateful I am for a loving husband who supports me and our family. How grateful I am for my WONDERFUL children...and for my Heavenly Father to trust me to take care for these little spirits. I am thankful for prayer and the knowledge I have that HE does hear and listen to our every conversation we have. He is there for us always. I know the Book of Mormon is true...it has soooo many things we can learn from it. I pray that I will live righteously so that my family might be eternal. How grateful I am for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I hope that I never take it for granted!

I love this child!!

Troy and I were talking about finances this morning...just reviewing when this conversation happened:
Me: Pretty soon Daeson, you are going to have to go to work.
Troy: Yup, you're gonna have to get a job.
Daseson: Well, when I am Dad's age I will.
Mom: You better get a job before that, cause we aren't supporting you until your 30!!
Daeson: I AM JUST A KID!!!!

I LOVe that boy! He is sooo funny...sigh!

Training update 2

Okay. I know for some of you my training updates are so NOT interesting, but I am posting them mostly for my own good...but for those of you who feel a little tug, these are also for YOU. Now, I ran a 5K a couple of years ago and that is where I left my exercising...at the finish line. After two kids and some very bad eating habits, my weight has spiraled out of control. There are two reasons I am running this half marathon on June 13. Reason 1: I want another baby, but my health is not so hot right now and I have to get it under control. Point blank. Reason two: I made a goal after my 5K that I would run a half marathon before I was 30. Well, this June I turn 29...and next June I am hoping to be very pregnant. So, that is where I stand.

I have changed a lot of things in my lifestyle...what I eat, exercising, and just trying to stay motivated. I must admit that Peggy made some very yummy cookies last night, so I had a couple...or maybe like four. And for dinner I made Navajo Tacos...and the fry bread probably wasn't the smartest choice, but I have to have a treat once in a while. On that note, I start the hard-core training again today. Yesterday was my slack day...and I must admit I exercised all week last week...Monday thru Saturday. I am still tired, and I have even been sore, but I must continiue. I am only ot the point that I can run just over a mile at a fair spped and incline...only 12 left. But, if I can add-on a mile every week, then I will hit my 13 mile marker and I will do just great. I have called Kayla my marathon-running-sister-in-law several times for tips and advice. She has helped so much...ThAnk YoU!! I have broadened my exercises...yoga, pilates, the Wii Fit and Yourself fittness on the XBox. I also rely on my trusty-well-abused-clothes hanging-child playing treadmill. I love that thing!! So, this week continues...as does the training! And the DIETING. Thank goodness for Weight Watchers treats!!!!

Training has begun!!

I made a goal a couple of years ago to run a half marathon before I was 30...well 30 is approaching very quickly and so this is my year to complete the goal. So, yesterday I started my training for the Teton Dam Marathon race. I did the 5 k a couple of years ago and had a blast. The only draw back is that I am the only girl not prego in my fam, so I have to run it myself!! I ran yesterday and I am feeling it today. If you are interested, go to Hal Higdon's race schedule and he will lay training out for you. Very cool! So, wish me luck...13 mi is a long way to run!!!

Halloween pics...only a few months late!!

Happy Halloween!!

These pics were on my mother-in-law's camera so I loaded them onto Troy's computer. So, here are the Halloween pictures very late. It has been a while since I have posted pictures, so you might be getting some really old ones!!

This is Troy. It was the very coolest Halloween costume. He is really no that short, his face is actually in the hat!!

Ahhh! It is our Ninja Turtle Daeson. What a cutie!! My mom actually got this for him at Kings in Gville! It was so cute. We actually bought him a Ninja outfit, but before Halloween he spilled on it. Then after I washed it, it fit no longer!!

Who doesn't love Elmo?? Tevan is the world's cutest Elmo if I ever saw one!! Actually, have you ever seen the guy who plays Elmo? His is HOT! You would never believe it was him!!

And this would be me. I know, scary!! I actually had fun dressing up. No, it was not in honor of Twilight. I have never read the books, and I only recently saw the movie. I did like it, however. I have always dressed up in the girlie costumes, it was kind of fun to bring out my "dark" side.

So, there you have it. I am still having difficulties on my computer, but maybe I can sneak a few more pics onto Troy's...shh!!! Until then, this will have to suffice. Happy Halloween!

Okay, a picture finally!

I know I need to do a major overhaul on this thing, but it will have to wait. Other things right now are more important and need attending to...like taxes! Augh! However, this is a picture Troy's mom took of us just before Christmas...craziness, but this is it!

More Daeson

At lunch today:

Mom: Daeson, what should we have for dinner tonight?
Daeson: Cereal.
Mom: No, we can't have cereal, Dad doesn't eat that for dinner.
Daeson: Well, then him don't have to eat if him don't like what we having.
Mom: You think?
Daeson: Well, (long pause) maybe Dad willn't be hundry so we can eat it and him don't.

He is so funny with some of the words he uses. I love the way he speaks.

I stole this off my sister-in-law's sister-in-law's Blog. Sorry, Megan, but I did love it!! I have learned that babies di grow quickly...mine is now 18 mo. It makes me sad to know that before long, they will be gone. Thanks for posting this...and letting me steal it:)!!

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
ew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

- Ruth Hulbert Hamilton