Meet Brody

My adorable little nephew was born Christmas morning! Such an amazing little present! Welcome Brody Gehrhart Vucksinick!

Santa

This year we didn't have to wait in any lines or fight any crowds to see Santa although when Millie asked me who the guy dressed up as Santa was I figured the magic was a little lost. Santa visited us at a Christmas party this last Saturday!

I love that none of my kids are too big for Santa! Ian was a little hesitant and I was a little surprised by that but at least he took the candy from him!

The Nutcracker

This morning I was looking through my old blog books and I couldn't help smile at the pictures of Millie from the Nutcracker of years past. This was her 6th year participating in it and although most of us hate sitting through it year after year it has been fun to watch her grow from this....

Into this....

This year Matthais even performed as a party parent in three of the performances. I didn't get a picture of him on stage but I did get one of the two of them together after the first night performance

It's a great yearly tradition and I look forward to next year!

Good intentions and November in a nutshell

I really had every intention of updating this once a week. Last night Adam pulled this blog up and showed me I hadn't posted in a month. What? I thought, I swear it's only been a week or two. Boy time does fly. Especially this time of year.

I feel like I spent the whole month of November sick. It started off with a cold, turned into bronchitis and a sinus infection. I finally broke down and went to the doctor who put me on a 3 medications. I felt better within a couple of days and just when I was feeling almost normal I started getting sick again. This time I had aches and chills to go along with the cough and congestion. I am so happy to be feeling decent again.

Owen was star of the week the first week in November. He was so excited and his teacher puts a lot of time and effort into making them feel special this week. The parents make a poster to display in the class all week and each day they are honored is a special way.

Millie did a Nutcracker preview and the Christmas show. It was a night run through for them before the big night in December. It's always fun to watch Millie do what she loves and spend time with her and my friends.

We had a great thanksgiving with the Harris family. As usual I didn't take as many pictures as I intended. It was fun to just relax, eat and play games with the family.

Thanksgiving night I joined the others in pure madness and went shopping with my friends. It was fun and although I never buy much I enjoy the craziness and hanging out all night with the girls.

The next day I had to pull out the Christmas stuff. Owen would not stop bugging me and wanted it done now! I was tired but I gave in and we decorated for Christmas. We didn't get the tree up that day and he was not happy but we finally got it up on Saturday. Ian was totally in his element as he loves hanging things anywhere they can hang (I once found my purse hanging outside in the tree, true story!) and he hung all the ornaments in the same place. Even if I moved them he moved them back!

I do not have a "pretty" tree like most people I know but when I look at these pictures I can't help but smile. My tree is totally a kid tree and I am happy about that!

Now it's December and already our month has been busy! This time of year is just like that but I love it and wouldn't have it any other way!

let's get political

Maybe it's the social media, the state of the economy, the mass confusion all over this nation or maybe people are just plain mean but I felt this election was particularly nasty. Even some of my level headed, smart, responsible friends contributed to the madness. Everyday I got on facebook some one said something that broke my heart or turned my stomach. I feel like we live in a country divided. I stayed out of it best that I could but still there were times I felt my blood boil. Here is the deal. I am a Mormon. I am a republican. I am not a republican because I am a Mormon nor did I vote from Mitt Romney because he is one too. I kind of chuckled at someone who told me they don't confuse their testimony with their political view. I guess because I'm a conservative republican who values life and the sanctity of marriage and the many other things I believe I must be confused. I understand that it must be tough to be a democrat in our predominately red state but I felt that my intelligence was insulted. I voted with my heart but I also voted with my head. And I didn't confuse my testimony with my political opinion either. Probably the hardest thing of this election was the fact that dear, intelligent, loved friends and family made such disparaging remarks about my faith. I don't remember any election that a candidates religion was an issue. I don't have any idea what religion Barrack Obama is nor do I care. Yet, Mormons were being attacked at every angle by people who know, love and interact with Mormons everyday. It made me very, very sad. Some of the things people said were just mean and bitter and wrong. Here is the thing I know though. I am not thrilled with the results but God is in charge. He will bless us if we are following the commandments but if we are not, well, we all know how that goes. We have seen many stories in the bible where cities were destroyed because they hearkened not. I have faith in this country, it is a wonderful place to live. Do I feel like the president we've elected will lead us in the right direction? No. I'm not worried though. I have a lot of faith in this nation but even more, I have faith in God who has a plan. Gordon B Hinckley shared his wise words, "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future."   It's not as bad I think! and if by some chance it turns out to be, I will gladly say I voted for Mitt Romney!

Blog resurrected

I was sure I would remember the password and everything looks so different but I am happy to say I am back. Last night I was looking through old pictures and unfinished scrapbooks and I was overwhelmed with a deep sadness. Earlier in the day I was talking to my neighbor about how everything has gone digital and how our kids generation are missing out on things in print. As I was looking at my scrapbooks with one or two pages (per year!!) I realized my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids will have nothing to look back on unless I make it happen. I was really good and keeping up this blog and printing it out each year to act as my journal/scrapbook. And then, I wasn't. I think I lost sight of what I was doing it for and how everything else seemed so much more important. I know now that THIS is important. I won't try to catch up but may add little bits and pieces of the important things that have happened to us since March. I will also try to keep up! It's a good excuse to take a break from the daily grind and reflect a little. For today I will leave you with a picture of our little cutie Owen who is STAR of the week at school. He was so excited and helped me make this poster all about him.

I can't believe how quickly time has gone by! It wasn't long ago that my baby was, well, a baby. Now he is this 6 year old boy with his own attitude and his own opinions. Pretty soon (12 short years!) he will be a man and heading out on his mission ON HIS OWN! Breaks my heart to think about it but for now I will cherish the time I left have being his favorite girl. :)

Stitches and Stich

Our ward has a fun tradition called the ward auction. Every year members of the ward donate services or items and they are auctioned off to raise money for scouting. We have lived in this ward for 6 years but have never been able to attend until this year. We had a nice dinner and we browsed all the items up for auction. Owen had his eye on this brown, puppy pillow pet. After dinner Owen was off to play with friends. No sooner did he run out the door her ran right back in with a huge gash to his cheek. We knew right away he needed stitches. We thought about running to the ER but we have an ER doctor in our ward so we decided to have him stitch it up instead. All Owen could think about was how she was going to be out bid on the pillow pet. Luckily, we had some great friends who made sure he won it! Of course, we had to name him stitch!!

 Owen and his new friend Stitch

 Before stitches

Nice and stitched up

Weight loss, the never ending struggle

So, anyone that has read my blog knows that I've struggled with my weight over the years. I've lost 50 lbs, gained it back. Lost it again, gained it back. Again.  I've started over and over again only to lose 10lbs and give up. I am happy to report I have lost 17lbs! The only thing is, it's taken me, like, forever. (Well, 5 months but it feels like forever!) My dear, sweet husband is always looking for ways to keep me motivated. This is what I came home to last night...

It's really hard to see but the top note says "Don't give up, I believe in you!" and then the next three show my reward for reaching certain weight goals. The bottom picture is of my "skinny" butt. I asked him if he was sure my butt didn't look the same now but he assured me it does not :) If this is not motivation I don't know what is! Time for double workouts and faithful food journaling! I can do this!

Picture, picture

I sat down to write a big catch up post and started going through the pictures to accompany it only to realize any picture I've uploaded in the last few months went straight to facebook and not to my computer. It wouldn't be a problem if I could find my camera to re-upload them to the computer. Sigh. Also missing? My iPhone, a pair of my shoes and a bag of one of the daycare kids diapers. Where would you be if you were any of these items?

Hey, remember me?

(I'm not sure I do, but I'm working on it)

Too much has happened to even try to catch up, although I feel it's really important to do (for my own purposes of course). Someday (really soon) I plan on doing a great big, LONG catch up post. And I'm even figuring out a time to schedule in more blogging. Now that I've deleted my facebook account I should have lots, and lots of time to fit it in. Maybe blogging will bring me the joy it once did? Heaven knows I could use the pick me up! For now, I haven't logged into this account for many, many days and I have lots of favorite blogs to catch up on; pregnancies, babies and all kinds of good stuff! So farewell for now but I hope to see you again soon, real soon!

One of those things I find myself saying more often than I'd like to...

"Poop goes IN the toilet, not ON the toilet!"

Yes, it's been one of those weeks! Now when Adam or I hear Ian in the bathroom we run upstairs to make sure he's correctly seated. I'll take the little mercies though, at least he's in the bathroom and his pants are down!

So it begins

Last Tuesday I went back to weight watchers. The scale had actually gone down since the last time I had been there (sometime in October?) and I received lots of praise for making it through the holidays without gaining weight. The truth is I had lost even more than that but gained some back during Christmas. Still I have to be proud of every accomplishment and every baby step. I also decided to get back into running and I am starting from scratch with the couch to 5k program. Then I'll go from there to a 10k, half marathon and yes, I would love to do another marathon this year! So far I'm looking at the Top of Utah marathon in September. There is no way I shouldn't be to my goal weight by then! Also, I joined a group training class. Very interesting and informative! Each week we get a new workout and I am exciting to shake up my routines! Plus I am overcoming my fears and uncertainties about the gym. That's why when I exercise I always tend to run. I know running! Everything else? a mystery. As part of the training class she offers a free nutritional assessment. This is done through the Asyra testing. You can read about it through the link but basically it's a bio energetic test that tests your body for allergies or things that just don't jive with your body. It's definitely one of those things that is not mainstream and makes you raise your eyebrows but after 30+ years of dealing with headaches I am ready to try anything. According to the test some of the things I'm eating that I SHOULD NOT include :
Yeast
Barley
Chicken
Almonds
Wheat flour
Mustard
Egg yolks
Swiss Cheese
Baking Soda
Pumpkin
Whey
Aspartame

Interesting. Saturday night I had a chicken cordon bleu sandwich (chicken, Swiss cheese, mustard, wheat flour) and I woke up Sunday with a NASTY headache. Took me all day to get rid of it! And Aspartame. Yes, I have my fair share everyday! I am going to eliminated these things from my diet and see what happens! It's worth a shot and heaven knows I could feel better.

This morning I was down 2lbs but since Tuesday is my official weigh in day I don't know for sure. I am happy with the progress so far and feel very committed! I'll keep you updated!

PS I almost forgot! I'm starting the 100 miles in 100 days challenge today! it doesn't matter what you do, run, bike, cycle just as long as you do it! Who's joining me?

New year, fresh start

And that includes my blog! I might eventually go back and add posts that I missed in 2011 like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas but for now I'm starting clean! It's a new year, a new day, an new chance.

I didn't really sit down and write resolutions this year. I have the same hopes and goals as I did last year. I worked on bits of pieces of them during 2011 and never fully mastered any of them.

*The weight loss goal yo-yo'd most of the year. I lost and gained the same 10lbs most of the year. Of course I'm at it again. Sigh. One of the most frustrating things in my life.

*I feel like I became better organized in some areas but really need to create some good habits and continue to work on getting my life organized.

*The mastering time management really got away from me. I still really struggle in this area. Looking into new ways to learn this skill

*I feel in a lot of ways I've bettered my relationships with my family and God. Still plan to work on that and extending this goals to include friends and other's close to me. It's time to let the people I care about know it.

Anything else?

I think it's good to set goals. It makes me think about the person I want to be. It gives me something to strive for. And it gives me reason to believe 2012 is going to be a GREAT year!