I'm going to be on Channel 13 tonight!

I was interviewed this afternoon by a Fox news reporter and the story is going to be on Channel 13 at 9pm. So, everyone tune in so you can see if I make an idiot of myself. ;) Just a disclaimer, I'm doped up on cold medicine so who knows what things came out of my mouth. I was interviewed about my Obama sign in our front yard... yes, we are Dems and proud of it. Anyway, tune in. It should be a nice little 30-second blurb.

PS Here is the story. (My 30-second blurb turned out to be maybe 2 seconds. They edited out my all my witty comments. Oh well. At least Josh looked stinkin' adorable!)

Another Awesome Run

I've had a nasty cold the past three days and so didn't get my long run in on Saturday, which I was pretty bummed about. Last night I set my alarm for 5:15am so I could get a really good workout in to make up for the weekend. Well, my alarm went off and I was not feeling it so I hit snooze. I called the gym's daycare right when they opened to see if they had an opening this morning and thank goodness, they did! I went in at 10:30am (I only had about 40 minutes until I had to get the kids and then go pick Ben up from kindergarten.) I turned on the treadmill and told myself to just make two miles, not push myself, and see how my body was feeling after a 3-day cold. I felt GREAT, much better than I should have felt after how sick I've been. I ran 3 miles in 28:08, my fastest 3 mile run so far. (Maybe I should get sick more often!! JOKE.) I felt so good I wanted to go another mile or two but had to finish up so I could get the kids. I've lost 21 lbs. now, more than halfway past my goal. I'm crossing my fingers that in another couple months I'll be there. Yesterday when I was getting ready for church, I pulled out my skirts and tried them all on. My skinniest skirts are loose which is awesome, but not great for our pocket book. Jake told me I need to learn how to tailor my clothes (he was joking... at least I think he was.) I told him when I get down to my goal we're getting me a whole new wardrobe. YEAH, baby! My motivation is back! WOO HOO!! Thanks for all the inspirational posts last week. I needed a little kick in the butt.

Random Happenings

This video cracks me up. Josh does this thing now that Emma used to do when she was his age. When he smiles really big he grinds his teeth together and starts to shake his face and he tightens his fists so they shake too. It's hysterical. He knows it makes people laugh and is funny so he does it a lot to watch us laugh at him... silly boy. We all love him so much.

For FHE this week we carved pumpkins. The kids have been waiting to do this for weeks. Emma scooped out two or three handfuls of seeds and then wanted to wash her hands. She definitely doesn't like to get dirty. Ben was loving it, though and even drew his own picture of what he wanted the face to look like. We have all decided that Jake is the master carver, much better than me. He can make the circles come out perfectly round. I, on the other hand, practically butcher the face. As you can see below, Josh wasn't about to touch the pumpkin innards. I love that look he is giving Jake... "Are you FREAKING CRAZY?! I'm NOT touching that!!" Priceless.

As silly as this picture is, I had to include it on our blog. I went to Lowes two days ago to buy a new toilet seat and lid because the one for the main bath broke. As I was leaving I saw these garbage cans and grabbed one to replace our nasty, disgusting 8 year old one in the kitchen. The kids think it's the coolest thing, especially because it has a lid that pops up... something our other one didn't have. If they love them this much, maybe Santa should consider bringing one for each of them! Who needs Baby Alive and Pokemon stuff!

Truman, the dog. I don't talk about him much but just know, he is still alive and kicking. His two-week horror of a neuter job is finally over with and he's back to his normal self. He has needed a trip to the groomer's for months now and sadly, our dog is the last to get himself taken care of. He's the 4th forgotten child normally. This week was his week though and I took him to All Dog Grooming for an afternoon of pampering. He looked like a different dog by the time the girl was done with him. Jake just laughed when he saw him and couldn't believe it was Truman. He looks so much better now. His hair is short and soft and out of his eyes. He's a good lookin' dog. ;)

We joined the world of Netflix this week. My brother and sister-in-law had mentioned a few months back how much they loved it and Jake and I decided to give a try. We have our first movie coming in the mail today. (It's sad that the excitement in our lives revolves around things like this... but hey, you can't expect trips to Malaysia and New York every week!)

Heart Update

My doctor called this morning with the results of my 24-hour heart monitor test two weeks ago. He said I'm "basically fine" but I do have a slight arrhythmia. It's nothing serious enough to warrant medication or surgery, but just something to be aware of. He did mention a few things that slightly concerned him. My heart rate is pretty high when I exercise (which I already knew.) At one point while I was sleeping my heart rate dropped down to 37. He also mentioned there was a 2-second gap when there was no heart beat recorded. My dr now wants me to get an echo cardiogram. He said he thinks of the heart in two parts, electrical and plumbing. The heart monitor helped him get a better look at the "electrical" part of my heart. Now he wants to look at the "plumbing" which is the reason for the EC. Overall I'm not too concerned. It sounds like my heart beat is slightly abnormal but nothing to make me change anything. I can stick with my regular exercise routine, which I'm happy about. It will be interesting to see what my "plumbing" looks like.

As for my workouts, I think I've finally hit my first slump. I've been waiting to come off my high and I think I'm finally down. I'm still going to the gym 4-5 days/week but I'm not really "feeling" it somedays. I've had to drag myself out of bed the past week just to get my butt out the door (something that wasn't a problem the past two months.) My weight loss has stalled which is annoying. I'm sure that can be attributed to my choice in foods the past 2 weeks. I've stuck with my 1450 cals/day but have chosen a couple things I know I shouldn't have. So, I'm using this post to re-dedicate myself to this. I know I need to push myself harder, instead of just being okay with my usual 3 miles and then 100 crunches. I need to do more. I read a sign this morning at the gym that said "The average weight gained during the holidays is 10 lbs." I don't want to be "average" so I need to step it up. Who is with me?! With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming, it's going to be hard but I'm sure I can do it. What about you?

First snow of the season

I was not prepared to wake up to a Winter Wonderland this morning. It's not even Halloween yet! I hope this is not a sign of worse to come this winter. Jake says it's supposed to be in the 70s next week and I hope he's right because I am not ready for this. I love fall and don't want to get cheated out of our cool crisp nights. The first picture is of our front yard and Jake knocking snow off of our scrub oak before the branches broke. The kids were so giddy, clambering to get their snow gear on. It was quite a sight, pulling out all the snow bibs, boots, gloves, hats, and coats. Emma's size 7 1/2 boots definitely don't fit her anymore, but she was determined to jam her feet into them. Her mittens are a little too small and are cotton so not great for making snowballs. Josh's size 5 boots should have fit but I think his feet are a little wider than most 1 year olds so they wouldn't stay on. Oh well. This is a good first run through for the winter season and helps me know what to put on my list of "needs" for the kids.

I was anxious to see how Josh would do, his first time playing in the snow. He was intrigued and loved watching the older kids throw snowballs at Truman. When we put him down though and he tried to walk in it and fell, he quickly decided this was not his idea of fun.


Emma was in heaven and would have played outside all day if we would have let her. She made tons of snow angels, buried Truman's chew toys, and threw snowballs at anyone who got in her way.

Ben loved pulling the branches up and down and making it "snow." I think he really enjoys it, but a little less than Emma. He was ready to come in after awhile... I don't blame him.

I put Josh in the swing and he seemed to be okay with that. This is the one picture I got with all three kids. Emma looks like she's in pain, but she's really not. She was getting impatient and wanting me to hurry and take the picture so she could go back to making more snowballs.

Here is my happy Josh. Hopefully he will get used to the snow these next couple months and start to enjoy it. We'll see. I found the last picture on one of Ben's CDs, taken when he was about 11 months, 3 months younger than Josh is now. It was fun to compare the two pictures. They definitely have similar features but Josh is becoming his own unique person. Jake and I definitely make cute kids. ;)

The kids reminded me of a little tradition we started last winter, drinking Stephen's Hot Chocolate after playing in the snow. It really was a great morning and I'm glad the kids had so much fun.

112 Hours

The length of time it took me to finish the 4 books in the Twilight series. I have to admit, I was quite hesitant to read these books just because I know how I get when I'm sucked into a book that I can't put down. (It didn't help that there was not just 'one' book, but FOUR.) When I thought about reading the series, my mind would automatically shift to the last book I was "sucked" into... Davinci Code. Let's just say, it wasn't a pretty sight. ;) I also think I sort of liked being a "rebel" and not joining the masses. I managed to escape the Harry Potter series unscathed, even when each of my family members and friends were dying for me to join their fan club. What changed my mind? Well, I overheard my friends, Meighan and Abby, talking about the books at church a couple weeks ago and it peaked my interest. My curiosity got the better of me and I caved. Abby was eager and willing to let me borrow her complete set. As I started reading the first book, Twilight, I thought how silly the whole plot was, kind of like Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets romantic tragedy/comedy (thanks, Lisa, for the analogy.) But, I have to say about half-way through I was hooked. My house was neglected for 4 1/2 days. My exercise routine was rudely disrupted by my very late nights. Jake wondered if I would ever leave the loveseat in our living room. My poor kids had a zombie for a mom. Don't worry though, I am back. My journey is over... We all survived.

Thanks again, Abby, for letting me borrow your books... I think. ;) I'll return them as soon as I finish "The Host." Hopefully I can have more restraint this time and not read hundreds of pages in one sitting... I doubt it.

Top 8's

This was fun. Thanks, Karyn.

8 Favorite TV shows...
1. Lost
2. The Office
3. American Idol & So You Think You Can Dance (tied!)
4. The Biggest Loser
5. America's Next Top Model
6. Dr. Phil
7. Antiques Roadshow (yes, I think I'm a 60 year old woman ;) )
8. Anything on the surgery channel (220)

8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Olive Garden
2. Red Robin
3. Spaghetti Factory
4. Emigration Market
5. Hires
6. Morelias
7. Outback
8. Papa John's (does that count?)

8 things that happened yesterday...
1. Took Ben to kindergarten
2. Met with my trainer at 10am
3. Picked Ben up and gave the kids lunch
4. Put the kids down for naps
5. Ran 3 miles on the treadmill, then showered
6. Made dinner
7. Went to a Stake Primary Presidency training at 7pm
8. Read over 50 pages of "Twilight" before bed

8 things to look forward to...
1. Working out and getting skinnier
2. Seeing my parents in a couple weeks when they come visit
3. Finishing the Twilight series
4. Starting my Christmas cards
5. Party tomorrow night with some good friends
6. General Conference this weekend
7. Watching my kids get excited about Halloween
8. Getting excited about the holidays coming

8 things I love about Fall...
1. My FAVORITE season! Love the colors changing
2. Eating hearty, thick soups
3. Wearing sweaters
4. Crisp, cool air
5. Halloween
6. Getting ready for the holidays
7. Shopping for cute sweaters
8. Warm fires at night

8 things on my wishlist...
1. Lose 20 more lbs.
2. Have all our debt paid off (house, van, student loans... you get the picture!)
3. New wardrobe
4. Have all my scrapbooking caught up
5. Date night with Jake
6. Massages upon request
7. fat-free, calorie-free, sugar-free Reese's peanut butter cups (and they need to still taste good!)
8. Magically have a spotless house and dinner made every day without having to lift a finger (we can dream, right?!)

8 people I tag... (don't have to do it if you don't want to)
1. Ashleigh
2. Mom
3. Whitney
4. Naomi
5. Lisa
6. Cheri
7. Mandy
8. Chelsea W.