The Big Bad Bee Sting

Well, It happened today. You know those things you tell your kids to help them not do something, like don't pick your nose, or your finger might get stuck up there. Or playing too much video games will rot your brains out. Well Madison is terrified of bees, and I always tell her that if you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone, and I didn't even stretch the truth on that one, because I honestly believed that...until today!!! So, I was out running, and I am trying to work up to 6 miles, and today was going to be the day. I get to 4.5 and I feel something on my neck, and I think it might be sweat (I am a very gross sweaty beast when I run) but no!!! Not sweat. A Bee. And yep, it stung me. I see the monstrosity fall to the ground hoping it's wasp, but I guess today just isn't my day. You might be wondering why in the world I would prefer wasps to bees, but you see, I am very allergic to bees, so... My run was over and I headed home to try to remove the stinger, but failed, so my awesome neighbor came to the rescue and literally saved me. I just got back from the Dr.'s where I had to get an eppi shot. I feel a little woosie, and I will NEVER tell Madison that if you leave bees alone, they'll leave you alone, because they are Big Bad Bees, and I'm a Big Fat Liar!

Back to School!?*!?*!

I don't know why, but I always have mixed feelings about the first day of school each year. Don't get me wrong, the kiddo's are ready to go back, and very excited to model their new digs. I love the anticipation of something new, finding out which of their friends are in their classes, making new friends, getting back to the schedule, and to be honest being able to keep my house clean, get my errands run quickly and not having to be the referee. Another part of me is sad, because I miss the little farts! I have to let them go, and hope they have enough confidence in who they are to be true to that. I know this is only the beginning of what is to come, and I also know that they are both VERY strong willed, I also know that this is for a reason, but my favorite part of the day is when they come home with excitement in their eyes, and tell me all about their day! I guess back to school has been pretty great so far.

Happy Happy Happy Anniversary!!!

Jeff and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary last week on the 22nd, but we went away to St. George this weekend. We had so much fun!!! We went to Tuacahn and saw Tarzan (It was awesome) Swam, ate, biked, ran, shopped, visited historical sights, and just hung out! We had so much fun!!! I am so lucky to be married to my best friend, (it doesn't hurt that he's smokin' hot too!!!) Jeff, I love you so much. Thank You for the last 13 years. There have been ups and downs, but that has brought us to where we are today, and I do have to say that it's a pretty great place to be!!! Here's to the next 13 years baby!!!

Just Run!!!

Well, Today I Ran 5.5 Miles!!! Maybe you didn't hear me, I RAN 5.5 MILES TODAY!!! I'm so excited, and frankly a little shocked. If you would have told me 3 Months ago that I could run 5.5 miles with out having to stop and walk I would have called you crazy, but today I DID IT!!!

Bear Lake!!!

We had a Blast at Bear Lake!!! Here are our traditional Family Pictures we take each Year. Jeff and Kyle were extra willing to get them taken this year. Maybe funky hair is the golden ticket to a cooperative husband and seven year old son!!!

I'm Ready!!! (Well, Kyle is at least)

Kyle was looking through the Bear Lake scrapbook and saw the pictures of the year I bleached out Jeff's hair (we shaved it off when we got home), and wanted a Bear Lake do too, so we did it (Hey, there have to be some perks for having to share your Mom with the people downstairs in the salon, Right?)

Here's the OLD Kyle!!!

Kyle in between!!

And Finally, here's the new Kyle!!! He's all ready for Bear Lake!!!

What Do You Think? It's growing on me.

Youth Conf.

For Youth Conf. this Year We went to the Manti Pageant. It was Awesome, and several of our youth had never seen the production before. We stayed in Fair View, and did a service Project for two special needs sisters in Fountain Green. It is amazing how much we go done in 2 1\2 hours (We weeded the whole lot and planted sod in the front Yard!!!) We went to Deer Creek on the way home and tubed and wake boarded tons (it was way too choppy to ski). I am constantly in awe of the youth in our ward, They have firm testimonies of the Church of Jesus Christ, and their ability to love and serve each other leaves me is awe!! I truly LOVE getting to serve them!

My Baby the Runner!!!

Madi's started track, and is loving it. She runs the 50 Meter Dash, the 100 Meter Dash, and she throws Shot Put!!!

Welcome Back Madi!!!

Madison Slept over to Grandma's House for her Birthday, and Kyle misses her so much. He woke up at 6:00 a.m. to make her this awesome banner. Everyone who drove by wondered where Madi had been, oh, just overnight @ Grandma's House!!! Pretty Darned Cute!!!

Madison Turns 10!!!

I am having a hard time believing that it has been 10 years since our sweet Madison joined our Family!!! It's funny how it can seem like it was just yesterday I was holding my breath, praying that everything would be OK, and that she would be born without any complications. But on the other hand it's hard to remember my life without her. Madi you are an awesome kid!!! You have the best heart, and you are so loving and caring. You are a beautiful young lady, you are my best daughter ever!!! Happy 10th Birthday Kido!!! I LOVE YOU BABE!!!

Slow and steady finishes the race... Hopefully!

I just finished the first of three runs in my fifth week of training for the 5K. And I am very surprised that I have been able to increase my running time each week. I'm learning to push myself just a little farther than I thought I could go each week, and I keep feeling shocked when I get home and have completed another round of what I thought was Impossible!!! I'm not fast. NOT AT ALL, but my goal does not include speed (or time for that matter) I just want to be able to run for the whole 5K! So... I'm hoping slowish and steadyish finishes the race!

Trying something new

Last night I got a wild hair and I started baking @ 10:00. I don't know why my creative juices don't start flowing until it's time for normal people to go to SLEEP, but that's just how I roll. I've been trying to reduce the fat in the recipe's I've been making to help our family be more healthy. (lots of them have been in desserts, so I don't know if that really counts:) You all know the trick to great Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies is:

1 Large can of canned Pumpkin

2 Spice Cake mixes

1 Bag Milk Chocolate Chips

Mix together. Form balls. Bake @350 for about 13 min.

(I'm all for super easy)

Well I've been thinking for a while, Couldn't I make similar cookies with applesauce? (I've been having a hard time finding canned pumpkin lately. Apparently last year wasn't the best pumpkin growing season according to a Wal-Mart Manager. At least that was his reason why they have not had it in since November of LAST YEAR) Anyhow.... Last night I got very adventurous and tried something new!!!

2 Cups Unsweetened Applesauce

2 Chocolate Cake Mixes

1 Bag Mint Chips

Mix Together. Form Balls. Bake @350 for 16 Min.

Now They aren't spongy like Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, but they are rather tasty, if I do saw so myself!!! But you don't have to take my word for it Jeff, Madison and Kyle loved them too!!!!

Maybe, it's good to try something new every once in a while!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mom's out there who awe and Inspire me!!!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day starting out on Saturday. Jeff had arranged for a babysitter, got me flowers, and took me to Ruby River for a HOT date!!! I woke up to AMAZING Whole wheat cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit!!!! And the kiddo's could hardly wait for me to open the fabulous gifts they had made me at school. (Kyle's was a poem and a card and Madi's was a hand painted turquoise jewelery box) Jeff also got me some music that I've been wanting and he put in the garden!!! Wow, I LOVE being a Mom!!!

I did it! I Did It! I DID IT!!!

OK, like many people in January I evaluated my past year and set some goals to make some adjustments in my life, one being to be a better example of being healthy for my kids. (That and I wasn't going to buy pants in a size bigger) Well since January I have changed my eating habits to include much more fruits and vegetables and at least eight glasses of water every day (basically Weight Watchers). The result. I have lost 30 lbs. and I feel a lot better. As a Family we are making better food choices and we are moving more!!! Now, for the real reason for my Post this morning. I AM NOT A RUNNER. I watch my friends and neighbors who are in awe. Don't get me wrong I have TRIED to be a runner. I have even went out and bought running shoes and running outfits, I even have an arm band for my i-pod, but I am still not a runner. Now, typically when I try to run I put on my i-pod and try to run two songs and walk one, or after I get started I try to run one song and walk one, but I ALWAYS get a stitch in my side and I give up pretty easily and walk the rest of the way. This week wile running to get Erin's New Camera (YAY!!!) She told me that she and her sister-in-laws were going to run a 5K. I asked if I could tag along figuring This might motivate me into being the runner I always dream I could be. So I did a little research and today I DID IT!!! I completed my entire training without giving up and having to walk before I was supposed to. I know it's not much, but it's a start in the right direction, and if I've learned anything in my life it's that I just have to keep taking those steps toward my goals, and sooner or later I'll get there. I just have to keep moving!!!

Something Old, Something New!!!

I bought these sassy Jeans a little while ago from a Jean Party at my sister Becky's house and have loved them.

While I was going through my closet last weekend I found these Jeans.

They fit good, but they are a little boring. So.....with a needle and some orange floss I turned them into this!!!!

Something Old into Something New!!!

What do you think?

So So Sad

The kids and I went to the dentist and I am So So Sad to report that at the fine age of 31 years old I have my first cavity:( I can't believe it. It is in a tooth that has a sealant on it and the Dentist said that the cavity was actually caused because of the sealant on my tooth. No fair. Madison has 2 and Kyle is very happy to report that he doesn't have any!!! Jeff was teasing me that having no cavities was my best asset, and we'd have to come up with something else FAST HA HA very funny.

Not Fun

The kidos are off track and we have been having a PARTY!!! (It's always a party at this house), but since Wednesday it has been "not fun," because Kyle has STREP:( He told me yesterday, "Strep is the very worst sick I've ever been," and has become very germ aware because he doesn't want anyone else to get it. Poor kid. But on a good note his fever did break today and he seems to be on the mend!!!

Before and After Kitchen!!!

In February Jeff decided it was time to start our kitchen Project!!!! We (and when I say We I mostly mean Jeff and Matt) removed the old tile and the path of carpet in our living room. Next I (I did help with the whole project, but Jeff and Matt did lots of the labor) sanded down and cleaned the cabinets and drawers and ripped out the wood spindles of the banister and sanded it down too and added bead board to the bar, Jeff Painted them with one coat of flat black paint and let them dry for 24 hours. I distressed them by sanding were they would naturally look worn and Jeff put on a coat of gel stain and wiped it off (so the exposed wood took the color of the stain and the black paint had a light coat on it) then let them dry for 2 days. Jeff then painted 2 coats of the finish and added hardware. Next Jeff and Matt laid the tile and removed our old counter top and replaced them with granite. Tom came and welded our new iron spindles and we put then into place. On President's Day we went and picked out our appliances (unfortunately so did A LOT of other people so we had to wait 2 more weeks for the project to be done so I decided to refinish the table too!) I sanded it down (seriously this was the worst part of the whole project because of the finish I had put on it previously) and painted it RED distressed it and stained it with two coats of finish.
I decided I wanted a new shelf so Jeff Built one and we stained that and got it hung!! Here are before and after pictures!!!!

BEFORE!!!

AFTER!!!!