Gratitude even after crappy day

I went to my first week's weigh-in for Weight Watchers yesterday. I was pretty despondent, and told my friends that if I hadn't lost anything, I was going to quit. Well, I did lose something - 5.8 pounds!! I was so shocked, and happy, when I read the scale. All my starvation paid off! Since I had such a successful first week, I was asked to share what I did to help me get there. I said I starved! But then my friends had me add that my husband helped out a LOT by making me meals, counting my points and giving me options, and just being plain supportive. I also gave up Mountain Dew - cold turkey. Something that I didn't get to share with everyone else, but I shared with the leader, should be known by you blog lurkers. A big help to me this week was my friend Jess. She would call every couple of days and ask how I was doing. She took me shopping one day, and showed me some good foods to eat and what snacks were tasty. Thanks Jess!

My crappy day today was bad, though. I almost cried a lot, and wanted to quit everything - WW, outside activities, shopping - everything. I felt so bad for myself that I went out and bought a Mountain Dew and drank it all, and tasted good!

Hopefully tomorrow will be better. But I would just like to say thanks again to Jess and my husband. They helped a lot! And thanks to those who have posted their support for my newest endeavor. 5.8 pounds baby!

Go-go Peace Lovin'Family

I am preparing for my part in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and am acquiring costumes for different acts in the play. This has got to be my favorite one, for our go-go scene. Since I was taking a picture of myself, of course the boys had to get in on it. I don't know what Jacob was spazzing out about, crazy kid! I must say, the wig is kinda itchy, though.

I also have a go-go dress, but I don't think I'll document myself in the blog world wearing that. Let's just say the moon might come out and shine if I wore it without pants.....

So Doane was bored again, and the boys were watching Sleeping Beauty, so he made them thrones to sit on. He's so funny!

Weight Watchers

So this week I started Weight Watchers (WW), joining two friends who have a week on me. When I first stepped on the scale, I wanted to cry, and ask if I could trade their scale for the one I have at home. At least that one makes me 10 pounds lighter! Ugh, the evils of scales.

Anyway, I have the full support of my husband, and I have two great friends to help coach me through it. It's really nice, when I don't have the energy I used to, for Doane to say "What can I make you?" or "What recipes would be good for the family, so we can all eat together?" Such a blessing. And one of my friends doing WW with me calls every other day or so, to see how I'm doing. Blah, blah, blah, is pretty much my response right now.

So, for all the world, and especially those blog lurkers out there, I'm posting a picture of me taken right after I had Dean, and I was pretty close to the weight I am right now (maybe slightly less then - SLIGHTLY). This gathering we were at was where I first met my friend, who is joining me in WW now. It's kinda crazy. We both desire to lose weight and be healthier, but MAN I have a long way to go!

Anyone up for some fat-free icecream with me? :)

Dog Pile! Bonjour!

So what could a bunch of boys do when they are bored, and need something to do? Dog pile on each other, of course. So, of course, I had to have Doane lay on top of them to keep them there, while I went and grabbed my camera. Then I had to take endless pictures, to see how long they would last like that....it only took three pictures before they'd had enough. Oh, well, it was still funny.

And while I'm here doing a blog, I thought I'd thank Jess for sending me the link to the Hawaiian chair. I laughed so hard! For those of you who didn't get the link, just go to http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/01/hawaii_chair.php

It's pretty funny! It brightened my day.

Oh, Doane, what have you done? This is what happens when Doane is bored and needs to use up some paint he had left over. I know he is a good painter, but on the boys? :)

Blogger Tag

Oh, I hope this is the last time I have to do this.....

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.

C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

#1What was I doing 10 years ago? I was a month away from my wedding, and freaking out at all the things to do!!

#2Things on my To-Do List Today: Shower, go grocery shopping, play with my kids, get a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's so we can have a Valentine's pizza for the family

#3What would I do if I were suddenly made a Billionaire: Pay off all our debts, pay off debts for our families (there's a lot of family, that ought to take a big chunk of money....), give my 10% as tithing, 'cause we need the blessings, buy a Hummer

#4 3 Bad Habits: Mountain Dew, shopping when stressed, Mountain Dew

#5 3 places I have lived: 1. Cedar City, Utah 2. Santa Cruz, California 3. Kettering, Ohio

#6 5 Jobs I have had...1. tickets and concessions sales at a movie theatre 2. front desk clerk at a Best Western 3. Hogi Yogi 4. Office Manager at law firm 5. (and the MOST important) being a mom!

#7 5 Things people don't know about me: 1. I apply chapstick at least 3 times in the middle of the night (sorry Korbi, I had to steal) 2. I can touch my nose with my tongue 3. I taught karate for 2 years 4. My middle name is Rae, after my mom's sister 5.



I would like to tag the following ladies: April Sedgwick, Julene Nelson, Jessica Croft

Red, White and Blue....maybe a little much

So I might have gone a little overboard when Doane was deployed. It started out as this little section of a wall in our old apartment. I bought a few patriotic things to hang on my wall, and liked my little corner. Then we moved into a house that we were renting, and my patriotic wall got a little bigger. Then we bought a house, and my patriotic wall spanned our small entryway on three walls. Now we've moved here, and we have a really big entryway, and my collection seems to have exploded! I still like it, though. I don't currently plan to have it travel all the way up the tall wall in our entryway, because I don't want to have to climb up there to put them up or take them down. So it will probably stay as it is for a long time (I might even be persuaded to take some out....eventually).

I Was Tagged!!

I Was Tagged!
A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Friend? Friend? I think I have more than one....
C-Cake or Pie: pie
D- Day of Choice: Thursday (good TV(amen Jess!)
E- Essential Item: new cell toy - uh, phone
F- Favorite Color: Hunter green
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: worms
H- Hometown: What is that? I'm not familiary with the word
I- Indulgence(s): Mountain Dew and chocolate
J- January or July: January in Hawaii, July in Alaska
K-Kids: Jacob, Patrick, and Dean
L-Life is incomplete without: Doane, Jacob, Patrick, and Dean
M- Marriage Date: March 27th
N- Number of Siblings: 3
O- Oranges or Apples: Apples (currently liking Braeburn)
P- Phobias or Fears: Being alone at night (kids don't county, they can't hurt anybody)
Q- Quote(s): "Things will get better"
R- Reason To Smile: When my kids are happy and laughing with each other
S- Season: Spring or Fall
T- Tag Nine: Ape^3, Cynthia, Jenica, Cool Crafty Lady Jill, Jane Payne, Sarah Wilder, Julene (sorry, ran out of untagged friends)
U- Unknown Fact About Me: maybe not unknown to all, but I've had MS for 12 years
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Animal lovin' eater!
W- Worst Habit: drinking Mountain Dew
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds - new life is cool!
Y- Your Favorite Food: Italian or Mexican
Z-Zodiac: Scorpio

MamaSource Update

Hey all,

I just have to apologize to those who I encouraged to join Mamasource, because they apparently have a spamming problem. I've been contacted by several people about it, and they can't get it to stop. So if you haven't linked to it yet and signed up, don't! I'll leave the link on my page in case people are curious, but RESIST the urge to send someone a free e-flower or tree or whatever they offer. They will contact everyone in your address book and will not leave them alone.
Again, sorry about this.

Beka

New Way Cool Crafty Lady Stuff!

Oh, I am such a blog lurker! I subscribed to the Homemade by Jill blog, and saw that she had a new post, so of course, I had to check it out. Her sock animals are so cute! I wish I was the "friend" that was going to receive that argyle doggy! Anyway, I linked to her and her friend's site, Bee-Boppin' the Boroughs, and was thrilled (and a little vindicated that I was right) to learn that they belong to the same church as me! I love finding neat ladies like them, and learning that we have something in common (being crafty is not one of them - I suck!). Anyway, for all you other blog lurkers, check out their fun site http://beeboppinnyc.blogspot.com/. It's a great way to tour New York (I love the grape and toothpaste earings, and could use some for when I prepare my lessons for Relief Society [sorry for the picture steal, ladies]), and they have a fun, light-hearted perspective. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy (or something, maybe just smile and giggle a little).

Blessed with Friends

So I've had this friend for a while, and she's always impressed me. She always seems so put together, talented at everything she does (I wish I could paint my house as good as she can), a great mom, and an equally determined and talented working professional. I could aspire to be her when I grow up (I know, I know, like that will ever happen). After some recent struggles, she continues to amaze and impress me with her outlook on life. She has the sweetest, most giving personality, and I love and admire her all the more for her outlook on life amidst her hardships.
How greatful I am to have met her, and greatful I am to God for bringing her into my life. We share so many ideals and goals, yet she seems so much further in her eternal progression than me. We enjoy a lot of the same things, and love to get together with friends and play games and just hang out. I look up to her, and hope that I can offer support in any small way.
Recently our Prophet died, and although it was very sad, I am glad to know he was reunited with the love of his life. It must have been long and somewhat lonely years without her, even though he was so busy with other things. He was a great man, and a great example to the world over, no matter what religion you belonged to. As he set an example for us, and led us for the past 12 years, I know that the next prophet can do the same, and be just as wonderful an example.
So, for my friend, I reiterate the sentiments of President Hinckley: Things will work out.
I feel so blessed to have her as a friend, and to have all my other friends also. I appreciate her, and look forward to many more years of friendship!