Toy to the World*A Merry Christmas

Only my son...

They say what goes around comes around...especially in parenting. How many times, growing up, have I heard a remark about "I hope you have a child just like you"? I heard it a million times. I may mostly be an easy going peacemaker, but people who know me best know that I am stubborn to the core. I dont dig my heels in a lot, but when I do, dont expect me to change my mind...

I ran out of pull ups the other day (for bedtime) and decided to try again at bedtime dryness, rather than just continue to buy Jeffery pull ups. He can stay dry during naps and occasionally wakes up dry. Tonight, I decided to wake him up to go at 11 pm, about 30 minutes before he potties his bed the first time. Bear in mind, this is the child that at almost 4 years old, still has a difficult time with Christmas morning. Waking up on his own is angelic, waking up any other way is a nightmare. Waking up nudy-the-booty in the bathroom was a first class temper tantrum. He cried, screamed, screeched, cried until he coughed up stuff. I held my ground, though. After 15 minutes or longer, I think he finally got the message: no exit until he pees. Needless to say, my sweet little boy climbed into the tub and peed there!
On the bright side, he was mad about it, being nasty and all and his feet getting wet, sprayed off with water and a paper towel...Oh the joys of teaching and it ended with a loving conversation about "Jeffery, what are you going to do next time?"
I am sincerly trying to do the parenting with love and logic and I love it when it works:)

One more thought on gratitude...

I'm not shy about talking about depression. I battle depression and it is something that I've had to accept, learn from and deal with. I own this issue and acknowledge depression with every food choice I make, everytime I commit to an hour of fitness and with a good nights sleep. I battled depression on a smaller scale in high school and shortly after being married, I became extremely depressed. I went from being an very active student to suddenly living out in the middle of nowhere, working 2 jobs and going to school full time and being a wife. Combined with lack of sleep, too many sudden changes, lack of exercise and sudden weight gain (30 lbs), bad nutrition and probably the biggest thing, the birth control, I became severely depressed. This was a very difficult time in my life. However, with medication for a while, some helpful books and the support of people around me who care, I've managed to stay on top most of the time. I am so grateful for the people who have supported me.
My thought on gratitude is this: because I do understand myself better now, I can take care of myself. I have learned to spend a lot of time learning about HOW nutrition affects our bodies so much. I've learned that I need to take care of myself to be a better person to those around me. And, equally importatn, I'm learning that nutrition affects my sons, who are so young, so much. Nathan has always liked fruit and vegetables. He promises to taste anything I put in front of him. Today for lunch he ate carrots with ranch and applesauce and was perfectly happy. Jeffery is a work in progress...David loves breads and carbs. I am so glad that I learned how badly sugars and carby foods affect my body because I can see it so clearly in him. Luckily, David loves cooked carrots and prefers spinach salads over iceburg. He will eat the healthy stuff. I am just so glad that I have battled depression and learned so I can take better care of my kids and can see it in David. I am considering altering his "diet" to elimate dyes and processed food, or at least keep it to a big minimum...

Thankful for things I have learned...

Jason and I are celebrating 9 years together this weekend. This is when we were engaged and I celebrate some of these little milestones more than our actual wedding. During this time, with the season of thansgiving and the end of the year, I wanted to celebrate things that I have learned during these years.

1) I am grateful that I can cook for my family. I started taking an interst in college and I am so grateful that I can prepare food that tastes good and nutritious. I have a lot of learning left to do, but cooking is an invaluable skill,

2) I am grateful that I have learned that taking care of myself is not selfish. Eating healthy foods, exercise, sleep, and doing things that I enjoy make me a better person and allow me to be able not only care for my family better but it also makes me a more intersting person, a better friend and someone worth knowing. I take ownership of the fact that I do battle depression. I am open about it because I think its vital that I acknowledge it every single day and I have "manage" myself to keep from slipping into the dark hole. Its not fun, but I know that if I do eat healthy (limit sugar intake), get sunlight, manage my life, exercise and sleep, I can survive it and I am grateful I undestand it and for the people who have helped me along the way. Krista lent me an excellent book called When your Body gets the Blues that I think every women who has battle depression (severe or "minor") should read this book).

3) I am grateful that I know that, even though I am a cluttered person, how much more peaceful the house is when its picked up. The kids play better and its not so chaotic.


4) I am glad that there are resources, such as the Flylady to help me, as well as the Relief Society and its programs. I'm not alone in trying to raise my kids. We are all in this together.



5) My Mom and I have always been close, but I am so grateful for her and that she's always there for me. I believe she is the one person who really gets me and still loves me!

Thanksgiving Pics

My Other Personal Commitment

I've decided to re-commit myself to the nutrisystem lifestyle. Yes, I exercise 5-6 days a week and am pretty fit, but I am still a little pudgy. I've lost a few pounds since school started by snacking less at night, but I decided that I'm going to fight those holiday pounds by having a plan: back on the nutri schedule. I'm not purchasing their food at this time, but am going to take extra vitamins (fish oil and flax), regular multi vitamin and folic acid, drink water, and follow their plan. So, begins day 2 of my nutri plan and I weighed 149.8 this morning. (I gained a pound the week after Halloween. Now that the good candy is gone, the rest isn't a temptation at all.)

I did start teaching step two weeks ago, on October 30. It is a Saturday only class at 7 a.m. When the kids are all in school and if I can get a following , I may offer more class times during the day. We'll see. Choctaw is a small town and I am unsure of how much interest there really is...However, even though I know I'm in pretty good shape, I want to look the part for my class.

I am sharing the scan of the nutrisystem meal plan for the 2008 Nutrisystem Daily Diary Books. If anyone is intested in following this plan, I strongly recommend doing the actual program for a short period of time to find out exactly how much the portions are, info about glycemic index and what dairy, protein, fat fruit and vegetable servings are allowed. At the very least, check out the nutrisystem website.






I'm a big fan of nutrisystem because it is a livable, permant lifestyle change. I've done nestle sweet success and slim fast. Most people are not going to be willing to do that for any long length of time. This plan, however, is a format solution to offer a better lifestyle.

Even though I am not unhappy with my body at all (miracle), I keep imagining myself at my duathalon next summer or pedeling up the hill effortlessly. My goal weight is simply between 130-135. I'm shooting to be super skinny, just a resonable weight and I'm commiting in writing to doing it:)

Best wishes friends, happy crafting and every other wonderful thing that I want for all of you:)

My Little Announcement!

I have started up a fitness class at the Gym I workout at!

David learns to use my cricut Gypsy!

I let David use my new Gypsy. He can change the cartridges and alter shapes. Today he learned how to take his creations and change the mat size and also learned to hook up the Gyspy to the machine and cut.

Happy Halloween!

We won a family costume award trophy!

Vent on Clutter

I hope this isn't inappropriate to just "put it out there", but I am anyway. I throw away stuff constantly. I do laundry like crazy. I love storage containers and love to find creative and easy organizing solutions. I started my real flylady control journal a few days ago. My kids do chores occasionally. I have 3 storage sheds and rotate out seasonal stuff, but I ask WHY OH WHY, inspite of all my efforts, is my house a giant clutter magnet???? Seriously? I donated 2 bags of stuff on Thursday. I listed and sold stuff on craiglist. I got a giant rubbermaid container, one of those big enough with the wheels on it, and filled it full of the big plastic toys that I'm tired of and dont really have a good home. Now they are in the middle shed. I bought one of those pocket behind the door organizers for the boys' T-ball uniforms, belts and hats (which is most of it). When the boys' room is clean, its the most organized room of the house. I have an 8 cubby system and a 9 cubby system and I love those. I have some of those drawers bins, too. The books fit perfectly in there, then I have car bins, zhu zhu bins, build-a-bear and dinosaurs...When they dont dump everything out and leave it, its a very small crowded work of organization.
I just wonder, what the heck is wrong with me? I bust my butt running around all week, picking up, driving kids back and forth to school, and working around the house and I feel like my house looks exactly the same (3x a day), with one very noticable exeption from years previous (thanks to the fly lady): no more pile of old dishes. Yes, I dont always get all the dishes done in one session, but now I love an empty sink and hate trying to cook when I've got left over work...I just am putting out my frusteration because I feel like such a failure. If I vocalize it out into my blog bolivian, I am hoping that it will help me really truly be able to master the fly lady system and get out of CHAOS. I am sick and tired of crap in my way!!!
Stains, laundry, toys left out, shoes, poopy underwear...It all needs to be done away with...

New Page for Challenge

New scrapbook pages

Here are two new pages that I have created. The Christmas 2009 is for a Cricut Circle Challenge, where I was challenged to use glitter, jewels and pink. The snowflakes have pink between them and I think it turned out cute.

The Fall page was made with my new paper doll dress up cartridge. I love this cart and was excited to use it. I've actually had it for a few weeks but was nervous to use it because I was so excited about it and didn't want to goof it up...silly, I know.

First Circle Blog Challenge

Here is my entry for the first cricut circle blog contest. The criteria is to use 2 cuts from the French Manor cartridge and use jewels or pearls. The page is of my Mom and me at Epcot. We have a habit of dressing very similarly without any plans to do so. When she met me at mothers week at college, we met on the sidewalk and we were wearing identical shirts, dark jeans and white tennis shoes. Even when we chat on the phone and we mention our clothes, it is not uncommon for both of us to both be wearing the same color T-shirt and pants. :) Good thing I love my mom so much:)

Halloween 2008 Finally Scrapped!

Here is a fun little 8x8 page that I finally did for my Halloween book. I keep a simple book for Halloween (and Easter and Christmas) where I can just pop in 1 or 2 pictures and that is it. I am not obligated make some elaborate page for each album (for each person + family) and it makes my life so much easier. That being said, it was brought to my attention that I had not done 2008 or 2009. I am sharing this page because I actually used a snowglobe off my Christmas Cheer Christmas (cricut) cartridge on a Halloween page and I thought it was fun:) The spooky house and bats are of the Paper Doll Dress Up cartridge and the numbers are from Plantin Schoolbook (italics).

Day Out with Thomas!

I hope to post some scrappy projects soon!

5K run today:)

New Scrapworthy Pics and recent life

The picture of Nathan with the book: Book title is "Hush, Baby Ghostling". It is a libary book about a baby ghost who is afraid to go to bed and afraid of childlings in the closet. Nathan was thrilled to find a picture of himself.

David did an "about me" collage for school.

T-Ball! Go Sharks! David has on the black shoes and Nathan's are bright blue. Jeffery isn't in any of these recent pics, but wonders why he isn't getting a turn.

Labor Day Scrapbook Page

I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd submit a page ON THE INTERNET of me in my running stretchy pants, but alas, here it is:

Fun Run: Labor Day Morning:)

Splash! You're it!

I cant believe how big my boys have grown this summer! Holy cow, what happened? Aren't they supposed to still be babies? (Somes they still are...) David is about to be in first grade! Everyone always said to hang in there during the tough time when they were smaller (fyi Jeffery was born a week after David turned 3 and Nathan was 18 months...That was hard) because before I knew it, they would be big and its true. They are getting big. I was looking at our Disney pictures last night and I was amazed by how much bigger they are since then and its only been 2 years. School starts in less than 2 weeks and they are ready to go back. I've bought them a few T-shirts and they are excited. We got Lego Star Wars (their favorite video game, we have it in Wii and XBox) and How to Train Your Dragon Shirts...Ladies, for those of you who are there with a bunch of tiny kids in diapers, trust me, soon they will be wearing backpacks and gettiing on a bus and you can smile and say "YES! I actually have a shot at a clean house!" Lol. Actually, now that they are bigger, they can help out more and are good little helpers.:)

Pretty New Paper

Here is my beautiful new paper! I bought it at Scrapbook Alley in Harrah and I love it! I'm going to use it on an 8x8 album for a new baby. The only problem? Its so pretty that I am afraid to use it...So, I scanned it in with the labels showing so it would be easy to re-purchase...Pics to follow soon, hopefully, of a created album.:)

Goals...

I enjoy having goals because it gives me motivation, particually with fitness. I enjoy taking an aerobic/group fitnes class, but because of the casual/come-and-go nature, I find it hard to be super committed to something liket that because no one cares if you dont feel like coming and stay home. (Unless,of course, you are the teacher...I've done that.)So, I have goals about running and biking. I did my second duathalon 2 weeks ago at Stanley Draper Lake. I did ok, but not as well as I had hoped to. It took me 2hours, 18 minutes. The course was a 5K run/24K bike/ 5K run. My goal was 2:05. I dont feel really bad about not making my goal because I was in the car for over 50 hours the week before. I spent the day before the race trying to rest and hydrate, but also had laundry to do and grocery shopping. Needless to say,
I did the best I could under the cirucmstances and am not unhappy with my time. I do believe in having goals, though, and plan do the do the Du Draper Race again next summer. My goals are to lose weight and get faster. I'm in pretty good shape. I biked 25 miles on Monday and this morning I ran 10 miles in 100 minutes. However, I am still about 154 lbs. I look ok, but how much more efficient would my body be if I lost 20-30 lbs? It would be so much easier to power up hills or run, right? Less work on my heart and muscles. I purposly kept my weight above 150 lbs for the last few months so I could race as an "Athena" racer at this last Duathalon. My kids wanted to see me win a prize, but now its time to slim down. So, today I am putting it online to devote myself to slimming down. I am not planning on another duathalon until next summer, but will do a 5K race in September or October. Hopefully, I will be lighter and I look forward to seeing what kind of time I can do. Pre-trip, I was able to do consective 8 minute miles, so I would LOVE to do a 5K in less than 26 minutes. I am hoping this is not an unreasonable goal, as I am defiantly NOT a natural runner. Anyone that went to high school can attest to this. I do think its important to have goals, to motivate ourselves and have things to look forward to.
So, here they are:
1) Run 10 miles again next Saturday (oh, I usually run on a treadmill...Yes, I know its easier)
2) Keep a food log, starting today
3) Lose 20 lbs by July 1, 2011.
4) Be able to run a 5K in less than 25:59.

Anyway, if you've managed to read through all of my rambling, I appreciate your support.

Here is what motivates me.
1) For me, fitness fights depression. (So does sunlight, sleep and healthy food).
2) I love bicyling and I like running when I'm in good shape.
3) I want my boys to know that fitness and competition does not end with high school or college sports and activities.
4) I like having goals.

Thank you friends, Best wishes in your goals and activities. :)

So Excited!

Yesterday, the cricut circle had a contest where the first 500 people to respond got to nominate a K-12 school of their choice to get a refurbished cricut expression. I only got a resonse saying that I would hear back shortly, but since I turned in my survey only 4 minutes after the qualifing start time and the fact that the admin posted 30 minutes later that there were still machines available, I am feeling confident that the grade school will get one! Yeah! Hopefully, I can come and use*um, I mean help* with it :)

New Pics to Scrapbook!

Last week we went on a road trip and had such fun. We went over 50 hours in the car in 6 days, but it was all worth it to see Candice's family, Ap and her kids and Pa. This was the first time we have ever had all 10 Grandkids together and it was a fun crazy time. My boys miss their cousins and ask every day Mama Bear (Candice) will drive Joshy over for a sleep over. Here are some highlights from our trip:

Cricut Circle Kits Shipped!

Sneak peak at my newest project!

In a few weeks, I am going to open my very own ebay store! I am going to sell pre-made pieced together diecuts made with my cricut! I am also going to offer this service over craiglist. I know have 23 cricut cartridges, and with the use of my cricut design studio software too, can make and create a variety of different images. Last night, the boys and I made some names with the DS software.

The beginning of the album

I am having such a hard time with blogger lately!As I type right now, after I have loaded the pictures, Its just a bunch of letters and symbols, unlike before where I could attempt to make it look more attractive!!!

I made this album for a friend who is about to have a baby. They did the room in a princess theme, so it was fun for me to do a girl album but I didn't want to make it overly commercialized. I kept the pages super simple because I wanted the emphasis to be on the baby, not on all the details. I also tried to keep the page titles where they werent' too specific so it could either be general baby pictures of her babyhood or all of the first week. I just hope that the family is able to use it and enjoyes it :)