The Big 5-0!!

50 baby, 50!! 'nough said right? Boo-yah!!

(If you don't know why I picked this picture for my big 5-0, you don't know me very well, huh?!)

(If you don't understand this post, just go back to July 8 and it will make more sense!!)

Last Day of Swimming Lessons

I realize I'm a bit behind but, hey, at least I'm updating! The kids had their last day of swim lessons and they made such an improvement again this year! They love going to the pool and practicing what they learned, Miss Adrian even taught them a back stroke! It's so fun to watch them practice!!

With Miss Adrian, they aren't crying, the sun was in their eyes!

E messin around on the wall!

A sitting like he should!

Could I do it?

As I have been hearing stories on the news about the Aurora, Colorado tragedy I have been struck deeply by the courage and unselfish love of so many of these wonderful people. I first heard about what happened as I was grabbing a quick lunch at McDonalds with the kidlets as we were driving to Rexburg. They had CNN playing and I couldn't believe what I was watching. Luckily I also had my friend Linda's girls and niece with me to take care of the kidlets since I was totally glued to the tv. I have tried to follow the story without watching too much of the news since then and have been awed by the stories I have heard. So many people courageously tried to sacrifice themselves so that their loved ones would remain safe. I've read stories of men jumping in front of significant others so that the bullets wouldn't touch them, and friends carrying other friends who were injured out of the theatre to safety. I have been wondering...how would I have reacted had I been there? Would I have been willing to physically throw myself in front of my loved one? Would I have been able to carry them to safety? I like to think I would have, I like to think I have that much love in my heart that I would give my all for those I love. I really hope I never find out but in my head I have vowed that I would, I only hope that should the occasion arise, I can act as these brave heroes have.

1st day of Swimming Lessons

The kids took swimming lessons again this year from SwimBoise and Miss Adrian. We took from her last year and liked her so we decided to do it again this year. Here are some pics from their first day:

A taking his turn with Miss Adrian.

A gettin ready for kicks on the wall.

E doin kicks on the wall.

 It always amazes me to see how well they do in just six lessons. They love swimming and I should probably get them private lessons and they would be joining the Olympics in no time!! It was nice this year because this year there was only 3 of them so there were much less distractions and more one on one time. E had a little ADD trouble but I think it's just because she loves the water so much, Heaven help us if we ever had a pool of our own!!

Camping at Hyrum Lake

We went and stayed with some friends of Ben's parents in Logan for the week of the 4th and decided to give everybody a break from us and go "camping" one night. Camping for us consists of staying in a cabin, which is the very least I will do. It also requires many threats on my part to the children that we will be going home if they do not go to sleep right this instant, etc, and so forth!! It went pretty well considering that it was raining when we got there and continued raining for much of the first day. It finally quit and turned into a beautiful evening and then was a nice day the next day for fishing. They didn't allow fires so we had a dinner of cold fried chicken with a breakfast of cold cereal since they provided a refrigerator and microwave!! We also made marshmellow sandwiches (smores) in the microwave which are much messier than campfire smores! We had fun and if you have a chance you should check out the campground, it's very nice and well maintained, they even have showers!!

The view from our front door of the lake.

Our cabin.

We stayed in Jim Bridger which even had an ADA ramp which the kidlets loved!

Our dining area.

Our sleeping area and kitchen. Had 2 queen size bunk beds.

Ben and the kids fishing. A caught a crawdad and that's the only catch of the day.

What a great day...no scratch that...an awesome day!!

So yesterday I decided I needed to go through some of my old clothes that were boxed up in the top of my closet and have been since around the time I got pregant. My aunt has been complaining that she needs some "fat" jeans and since that's where my "skinny" jeans are I thought I'd pull some out and take them to her. Well, guess what!! She doesn't get them!! Yay me again because my skinny jeans fit, really well actually, I don't even have to squeeze into them. This led to me cleaning out my entire closet and getting rid of some of my bigger clothes which I sent to the VA with Ben to donate to the Veterans. I am so excited that I have been holding onto these jeans with the thought that maybe someday they would fit and now they finally do!! Oh, and I'm not going to tell you what size my skinny jeans are because for most people they probably wouldn't be considered skinny jeans. I do have a couple of size 8's put away (which is what I was wearing when I got married) which are my really skinny jeans and I am still hoping to one day pull out and fit into!

This Is A Moment!!

The Visions of Ransom Lake, Heavenly Surrender, and Shackles of Honor; these are the three books I knew I had to take with me!! Where was I going do you ask? Oh, only to a meet and greet with one of my favorite authors of all time, Marcia Lynn McClure!!!! If you haven't read her books...where have you been? She is so great, they are clean (but still give you a little thrill), romantic, have the guy every girl wants. Hey, my grandma even likes them :) Anyways...as soon as my best friend Linda found out that Marcia was going to be in Logan at this event she bought tickets and told me we were going (yep, didn't even ask). I read Shackles of Honor (one of her first written) in 1998 and Linda started reading about 3 years ago. She cusses me for not introducing her sooner but I'm pretty sure I told her about them years ago, she just chose not to read them (he, he). We had a great time, got to spend time with Marcia, her hotty hubby Kevin, and best of all...each other. Thanks a billion Lindy!!

Here's a link about the event:
http://www.awhc.org/index.php/have-fun-with-us/events/marcia-lynn-mcclure-dinner-and-book-signing/
Here's the link to Marcia's site:
http://distractionsink.com/

The Big 4-0

And I don't mean years!! I mean pounds!! I finally made it. I have finally lost 40 pounds, yay me. I still have about 40 more to go but I am finally feeling like I am making progress and actually getting somewhere. Wa-hoo!!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America!!

Thanks Baby Brother for making us proud & keeping us safe!

Mesa Falls

We went to Mesa Falls with my parents, brother Jeff and his family, aunt Louise and her kids, and my friend Linda's girls. We had tons of fun hiking and having a picnic  and letting all the cousins play together!!

Everybody (except Louise and I) in front of the falls!

Me and the kidlets

A caterpiller that decided to hitch a ride on my backpack.

Update on Wellness Challenge

Week 1: 67/70 points
Week 2: 65/70 points
Week 3: 67/70 points

Not too shabby I should think!! I'm going to make a goal once I get home to have a week with 70 points and then a week with no free days!! Think I can do it? I think I'm up to 40 lbs lost since the first of the year so I'm really excited and getting proud of myself!! I love it when I see people I haven't for awhile and they say, I almost didn't recognize you, have you cut your hair (which I actually did)? This next week is going to be rough though so wish me luck, we are visiting my in-laws who are visiting friends who have cookies and treats everywhere!!