Just Because I Can

I guess I'm just so happy to be able to work on photos on my computer again, that I couldn't help snapping off a few photos of the boys just now. I loaded up my actions, determined to play with some different ones and while I did manage to use one that I don't usually use, I got sucked into my two favorites.



I can't believe how absolutely different these two boys are. They don't look a thing alike, Aaron is a drama queen, JM is far more active than any of our other children put together. (Notice he's on the counter....again! I can't keep that boy off of there!) Yet these two boys fill my life with such happiness. As crazy as both of them make me in different ways, my life would not be complete without either one of them. Love, love, love my A-Ronny, and my Funny Honey.



Last night Tracey and I went to see Valkyrie. I really liked it, with the exception of the guy sitting next to me. Of course it didn't start off that way. There was the obligatory seat in between me and his date and then someone asked if he wouldn't mind moving down seats. Now Mr. 50+ Chilvary opted not to let his "classy lady" in her Walmart boots move over so he hopped over her and sat next to me. (Don't get me wrong! I love WalMart. I really do. I just had to chuckle cause the guy said to her "those boots are really cute. They make you look like a classy lady." I only happen to know they were Walmart boots, because I thought they were cute too, and tried to convince Maddison to get them on our still ongoing quest for boots for her). Anyhow, usually a stranger sitting next to me wouldn't bother me in the least, except he had a cold and kept "snogging" his boogs during the first half of the movie. I was so irritated that I had a hard time following the story line.

After the snogging had ceased, I was treated to some full fledged snoring that even Tracey could hear during the loud parts on the opposite side of me.

So yeah, e-harmony - or whatever dating arranger those two love birds found, I wonder if it's a perfect "match" or not.

Anyhow, the movie....I really did like it, snogging and snoring aside. I really don't care for Tom Cruise whatsoever, but he did an amazing job. I don't know that it's one that I'd ever watch again, but if you're into true life war stories, then I'd definitely recommend it!

Photoshop-ing again!

Oh I feel just about complete with my new computer. Photoshop is up and running again. I still need to load on my favorite actions, but at least I can resize a photo with a program that I am familliar with. Now I just need to re-load Illustrator, find a copy of Word and Publisher and I will be back in business again!

Anyhow, I took these two photos this morning looking out of one of our windows. I loved how the sun was reflecting off of all of the houses and the steam coming out of their roof tops. (And would you believe I didn't even pick up my camera on Christmas Eve, Christmas or Boxing Day! I was boycotting!)

Well, I'm off to go and see Valkyrie. It looks so good!

Getting Sorted

Wow....I can't believe that I actually have a new computer. My dear sweet hubby surprised me with a new computer for Christmas, after a long, long year of massive computer malfunctions which prevented me from working on photos like I like to.

It's so nice to know that I can get on line, and I wont have my computer shut itself down due to low memory and I'll even be able to open photoshop and work on photos because my "scratch discs" will not be full!

HOO-RAY!

So bear with me for a little longer while I work through this new Vista stuff. Not loving it, but hey...it's a computer that works so I'm quite happy! It's just too bad that the stinkin' Macs are so expensive! I got so used to Tracey's Mac that now I am having to re-learn a PC!

Hopefully soon, I'll be up and running just like old times, but without the quarks!

So TTFN!

Hope your Christmas was lovely!

We're expecting!

Made you look, didn't I?

Well, my hubby is expecting. Hee hee.

Good thing it's not a child of flesh and blood for me, because despite what my mother in law thinks, if I were to get pregnant again, I'd either end up in the crazy bin or give the baby up for adoption!

The baby awaiting arrival is just a small little peanut. His name is Mark II (5D) and is a pretty snazzy number. I'm just calling him Mark. I figure if we have to have another child in the house then it may as well have a name.

Thanks to Canon (the best - of course ;o)) and a few other cameras that have decided to put filming capabilities in their SLR's, the adapter world is running out of time (GRRRRGH!), and since I'm not really eager to go out to work, as the president of our company I decided that moving forward with the industry was the best choice. Well, I am hoping anyway. (Hee hee...I love being president!)

There are several other items that Tracey has in mind to accompany the D-SLR film maker, so Tracey is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mark, so that his creating can begin.

Now what does this mean for me and my sweet little 20D? It means that my lenses are going to be constantly on the go with Mark. Then again, Mark might feel that my average lenses are far less superior to his needs and he will likely be looking at some L-series lenses (only after income starts rolling in!), but that just means that my stuff will be where I want it, when I want it!

;0)

So yeah....Mark...Now we will have 3 of the 4 gospels covered in our house! Sorry Luke. No room for another baby. EVER!

Oh if you're interested in what this piece of equipment can do, here is a link to an amazing video!

Whoever said my attempts at learning cake decorating was a wasted effort?

Okay, so I never got the knack of cake decorating, but my stash of "real" food coloring is pretty impressive.

So what if it didn't get used on cakes. At least it got used.....

Right?

A little disturbed.

First off I have to say that I hope to bring no offense to the thong wearers of the world. Truly.

That being said, I am a little disturbed.

Granted. I am not a thong wearer. Never have been. Never will be. So really, "who am I to say" on the following matters.

Last night we were out parousing the aisles at Target, having to stock up on items you'd rather not spend money on, and I came across these.



I have to be honest. I just sat there in the aisle giggling. When Tracey rounded the corner, I had to make sure that he had a look at them too. The look on his face was priceless. I mean...any interaction for the common male with feminine hygene products is frightening enough, but to bring to his attention that they actually create liners for thongs was just too much.

I mean, I guess everyone has the right to a little extra protection, but seriously....wouldn't the bulk of that riding up your hiney make for the most permanent permawedge of the century? Permawedge aside, I think you'd definitely be dealing with some chafing issues.

But then again.

Who am I to say?

:0)

I gave birth to a shark

It's true. I've got photos for proof.

As if our dental visits haven't been enough this year, I've gone ahead and scheduled a visit for Tess to see the dentist next week. I mean, why not take advantage of our unused dental benefits before the year expires.

Maybe I have a bit of a warped sense of humor or perhaps I'm just a mean mommy. I don't know which. All I know is I purposely scheduled Tess' appointment to have her baby teeth pulled BEFORE Christmas so that she can sing "all I want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" for me. Even though she does have nubbies already growing in already, this will be the closest that we will have ever come to having the missing teeth in time for Christmas.

I can't believe that she hasn't lost any teeth yet! And furthermore that we have to schedule a time for the tooth fairy to come.

Kids.

Hormones & Weight Loss Part II

All right...a few of you asked, so I will finish up the last few tidbits of info...some of which was new news to me.

* pyy & glp-1 if you wait more than four hours to eat:

Like I said before, I really think that three hours is a better interval to try to be eating. After reading The Three Hour Diet, I'm pretty much sold on the reasons why, so if you are in for a good read, you should get it. Very interesting.

Anyhow, after a meal PYY, a chemical that is produced in your gastrointestinal system travels to the brain where it helps to switch off the urge to eat. An empty stomach squelches the production of PYY, so the longer you wait between meals, the more you may consume before the "full" switch kicks in. The key is to keep hormone production revved up. You can outsmart this delima by eating frequent small meals which will help activate the hormone GLP-1 which is another satiety hormone, increasing your feeling of fullness.

I know that I've turned to raw almonds as my every few hour snack, (and wasabi almonds....SHHHHHH....not as good for you), but I'm here to tell you that both Tracey and I dropped 8 - 10 pounds in one month and the only thing we can think of that we did different was adding the raw almonds. We both had been exercising regularly, but the month that we added almonds our weight dropped significantly. We got lazy about eating them, but stocked up at Costco a few weeks ago, and have both seen a difference again. And boy oh boy are those wasabi almonds pure heaven!

* Progesterone during PMS (This was new info to me. Interesting!)

Estrogen dominates the first half of your menstural cycle peaking during ovulation leaving you energized. After ovulation, progesterone increases in preparation for a possible pregnancy slowing you down and prompting you to eat more calories, sugar and fat. You can outsmart this problem by overhauling your diet in the first two weeks of your cycle when eating healthy will be easier. Don't try to start a new habit when progesterone is raging. You're least likely to suceed then. Also consider days 14 through 28 of your cycle "red alert" days when your fitness vigilance matters most. In other words, don't be like me and get lazy about exercising the week that flo comes cause it's hard to get back in the swing!

* Ghrelin & Leptin when you don't get enough sleep.

This one if for you Tracey...if you're reading. Also new info to me!

These hormones mess with your weight on their own AND together. A lack of sleep drives appetite inducing ghrelin up and leptin - the "I'm full" hormone down, so you wind up feeling even hungrier. Not only do you want to eat more, you crave junk food to get a quick energy boost. Outsmart this delima by aiming for at least 7.5 hours of sleep a night. (Yeah..Tracey...no more going to bed at 3 AM! - Sorry you were having RNG woes!) Can't get that much rest in one shot? Even catnaps help. "Just 30 minutes can help reset appetite-regulating hormones".

Well there you have it. Havoc wreaking hormones!

Dear Santa & **GASP** I scrapped Christmas!

I know, I know....before you pass out from shock, take a deep breath! I do believe this is the first anything Christmas related that I have scrapped since a layout that I did of Aaron when he was a teeny tiny baby. I just don't love scrapping Christmas, although the new WRMK Christmas stuff sure made me want to play. Thanks Tavnir for doing a knock out job on the holiday lines!




Anyhow I also had to put in my plea once again to Santa. I know I've told Tracey numerous times that all I really want for Christmas is some new Balga Hidden Comfort running socks. I know it sounds silly and I know that Tracey keeps telling me it is a boring and far to practical Christmas gift, so I'm throwing my plea out to Santa.




Dear Santa...please, please, please, please, please.....all I want is some Balgas! $10 and I will be a happy girl. Well, make it $20, cause I'd really, really love 2 pair!

Thanks Santa. You're the best!

(Yes, I DO know Santa! He comes to visit us every 2nd Sunday in December at my mom and dads house!)

Random musings

Could it be? Another boring, no photo post? Yup. It is.

So I'm kinda bummed. We decided this morning that we are going to forgo the Beat The New Years race. My good, sweet hubby with his heart always in the right place, made me realize it's more important to ring in the new year with our precious kiddos than the two of us, freezing our butts off in the cold. I'm bummed, because it seems like race after race that I try to do, something changes. Oh well. There will be other races for sure, and I totally plan on doing another 1/2 next year so that will be fine.

It's one week! ONE WEEK! I think I am more giddy about this Christmas than I have been in a very long time. I'm beyond excited to give my inlaws their gift, cause it's freakin' awesome! I'm also totally psyched to give Tracey his mystery box. I hope he will love it. It's such a great idea that he will not ever suspect. Sorry love....It's not the Mark II. :0( Maybe next year.

Veggies? Anyone have any great veggie dish recipes? I'm taking veggies to my inlaws for our Christmas dinner this upcoming Sat. and I'm not quite sure what to take.

Hormones and weight loss. Did you know our bodies produce lots of hormones that can cause havoc on trying to lose weight? This is all stuff that I've learned over the past year from doing research on weight loss but I just got the info again in my Fitness magazine that just came and figure that some of you might like the info, cause I know a lot of you are trying to lose weight just like me!

Ghrelin if you skimp on protein. Ghrelin is a hormone that is produced in the gut and normally spikes before mealtime stimulating your appetite. The bigger the spike, the hungrier you are. Eating protein curbs ghrelin. Try to reduce carbs as they are digested so fast that it causes hunger-inducing ghrelin to rise and rebound to higher levels. Outsmart ghrelin by increasing your portion of lean protein in your diet by about 25%. Try snacking on low fat cheese.

Cortisol during stressful situations (the nasty bugger). When you are tense your adrenal glands increase the release of cortisol or the "stress hormone". Your body interprets the sudden surge as a response to a fight or flight situation, causing you to crave high-fat and high-sugar foods meant to replenish the energy your body believes it spent warding off danger. Cortisol is also partly responsible for the belly bulge or muffin top as I so lovingly refer to it. Because the abdomen has a greater density of cortisol receptors than other areas in the body stress affects that tissue the most. So eating sugary or fatty food in combination with high cortisol levels tends to cause fat to be deposited around your middle and central organs. Outsmart cortisol by EXERCISE! Physical activity triggers the release of endorphings that signal to the brain that everything is okay helping to drive cortisol production down.

Letpin after you consume high-fructose corn syrup and sugar. HFCS has been shown to lower levels of leptin a hormone that gives the "I'm full" signal to your brain. Sugar does the same thing. While consuming any food containing sugar or HFCS may lead to weight gain, sweet drinks are the wors. Not only do the lower leptin they put more strain on the liver than food because they are processed so quickly. Experts believe that the fast action may decrease the livers ability to store the sugar leading to an unhealthy jump in triglycerides which is a harmful blood fat. Outsmart leptin by reading ingredients. Avoid items with sucrose or HFCS in any of the first three ingreditents.

Bored yet?

I'm bored of typing.

If anyone is interested in learning more, I can post some more tomorrow. Really it's all pretty basic stuff, but I had no clue about a lot of this stuff before I really began researching earlier on this year. I think paying attention to some of the little things has really helped me to drop my 20 or so pounds so far this year, and hopefully continuing to pay attention to these little things will help me drop another 15!

The other topics are PYY & GLP-1 in combination of waiting more than four hours to eat (Although I firmly believe that 3 hours is a better target for eating), Progesterone during PMS (This was actually new info to me that I hadn't learned before....interesting stuff) and Ghrelin & Leptin if you don't get enough sleep. (Also new education for me!)

Well. Have a great day!

It's no wonder!

Okay. I have a little confession to make. I haven't gone running since the day that I made the post at how surprised I was that I was still running. In fact thanks to monthly torture last week I didn't exercise. Not one lick. But you know what? I dropped 3 pounds. What gives with that. Happens every time I quit exercising and makes me wonder why I torture myself!!!!

Anyhow, this morning I decided that if Tracey and I are going to "Beat The New Year" in our 5K run that starts at 11:30 pm, I'd better get my hiney out there and start running again.

Man, was it cold. COLD. COLD. COLD. Colder than a heartless witches nippies in a bra made out of dry ice! Even though my lungs were raging on fire, I think my fingers hurt the most. (Yes...I was wearing gloves). :0) However, the music pick of the day got me through without stopping except to stretch at my stretch out point.


I have to say, if you are a Beatles fan and haven't heard the I Am Sam soundtrack you should check it out. As much as I am wholeheartedly addicted to my Mercy Me Christmas album right now, I've kinda OD'd on Christmas music for the moment.

So yeah as I was driving the kids to school this morning I was commenting to them how cold it was out there and I looked down at the temperature gage and it was a whopping TWENTY ONE degrees.

No wonder I froze my tooshkey! Too bad I didn't freeze it off!

A Highly Caloric Day

Wow. I think if I ever bake again it will be way too soon.

Today I was somewhat pinned to the home as we were waiting for a UPS shipment for the business that had to be signed for. Since I had no idea when the boy in brown (although it was actually a girl today) would show up, I decided to declare today as my Christmas treat making day.

And boy what a day it was.

I began with carmel making at 9:00 this morning and worked pretty much non stop all day, until about 5:00.

All in all today I made a batch of carmel (thumbs up), a batch of english toffee (so-so), two batches of peanut butter fudge (they hit the trash), cream cheese candies (sorta eh...but they look nice on a plate), santa claus cookies (my kids' favorite cause they're cute), and a huge batch of egg nog snickerdoodles which I had never made before but kinda liked.





So yeah. Like I said, if I ever bake again, I'm afraid it will be too soon.

We wrapped up the plates and delivered them to some of the neighbors tonight for FHE. Unfortunately, they didn't go as far as I needed them to go, but I do have a ton of carmel left. Just ran out of wax paper to wrap them, so maybe everyone else will get baggies of carmel.




Aaron had so much fun helping me roll the cream cheese candies and was ever so good at "gently" pressing them with a fork. And yes. He did wash his hands. :0) Actually I made him use clorox wipes on them since I know how well a kid washes his hands. Hee hee.





Well, there you have it. Holiday baking 2008 - complete.

Christmas Questionaire

I found this on my cute Sister In Law, Michelle's blog, and figured since I've neglected my blogging addiction for a few days this would be a fun thing to do.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I DON'T REALLY LOVE EITHER, WASTE OF CALORIES.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? WRAPPED, UNLESS IT IS A BIG ITEM, LIKE AARONS TRAIN TABLE LAST YEAR, OR WHAT JM WILL BE GETTING THIS YEAR.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? WHITE LIGHTS. GLAD I FINALLY CONVINCED HUBBY OF THAT. HE HATES COLORED NOW. I EVEN PUT THEM UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE THIS YEAR. MAKES ME HAPPY.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? BLECH. WHO WANTS TO KISS.
5. When do you put up your decorations? WHENEVER WE FEEL LIKE IT. THIS YEAR WAS THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? HMMMM....NOT SURE. I LOVE HAVING COLD CUTS AT MY MOMS.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? DRESSING UP AND ACTING OUT THE NATIVITY EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? OH SUCH A SAD STORY. I MADE SANTA A MINI LOAF OF HOMEMADE BREAD FOR A SNACK, AND FOUND IT A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, HIDDEN IN THE BACK OF A CUPBOARD ALL MOLDY. I ASKED WHY SANTA HADN'T EATEN IN AND THE TRUTH CAME OUT.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? YUP! IT'S ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO. WE DRAW NAMES IN OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY SO THAT THE KIDS HAVE THE CHANCE TO PICK OUT A GIFT FOR SOMEONE ELSE, AND WE OPEN THOSE PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? LIGHTS, STRING OF BEADS, SILVER AND BLUE ORNAMENTS FOR THE BIG DOWNSTAIRS TREE. RED AND GOLD FOR THE SAD CHARLIE BROWN UPSTAIRS TREE.
11. What is your favorite holiday tradition? PROBABLY CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST.
12. Can you ice skate? HAVEN'T FOR MANY YEARS. NOT SURE IF I STILL CAN.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? AS A KID MY BARBIE DREAMHOUSE. AS A GROWNUP THE VIDEO THAT MY HUBBY MADE AND PUT ON MY IPOD LAST YEAR.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? BEING WITH PEOPLE I LOVE AND REFLECTING ON THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? OH PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING. ALAS, THAT IS WHY I GAINED 10 POUNDS LAST YEAR I AM SURE. DOING GOOD SO FAR THIS YEAR!
16. What tops your tree? A BIG SILVER STAR THAT WE GOT IN GERMANY.
17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? GIVING
18. What is your favorite Christmas Song? #1 - O COME O COME EMANUEL, #2 - OH HOLY NIGHT, #3 - STILL, STILL, STILL.
20. Candy Canes? DOUBLE BLECH.
21. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized? OF COURSE, BUT IT SURE HELPS BEING ABLE TO PULL OUT THE OL - "SANTA IS WATCHING YOU!" CARD WHEN THE KIDS ACT UP.

I promise....NO MORE!

Yup. These are officially the last traveling buckets that I will be doing this year. Not that I wouldn't adore making more, cause I'm really quite fond of doing them...but when your hubby asks if you are going to make one for every family in the ward, I guess it is time to quit. :0) Oh wait! I lied. I think I will be doing one more. I always like to make something for the people at WRMK and give to them, so I'll probably make a bucket and fill it with my homemade carmel! Mmmmmmmm.

I had so much fun last Saturday scrapping the day away with Jana at Archivers. I was entirely unproductive, as always, but still loved my time creating.

In addition to these two pails, I completed most of two layouts. I just need to finish up journaling on them, then they will be done.

Otherwise not much else going on here other than regular life...although I do have to share my exciting find of the day.

For Christmas Santa is bringing Aaron the Matchbox Skull mountain. I bought it awhile back at Target for $34. Today I found it on Amazon today for $13.99! I had also bought the Rolling Redwoods for him at Target for $22. Got it today at Amazon for $15.00. So I splurged a tiny bit and got JM a bucket of Clipos for $8.00 and the kids New Cadoo for $7.00! I'll still be making out $15 ahead than I did with just the two Matchbox toys for Aaron. Gosh I love a good deal!

Downer news right now is that JM still isn't talking. I just took him to his 18 month check up and his doctor wants to have him start in the Kids On The Move program. I just hope he's a late bloomer and that he'll start talking full sentences soon, cause I tell you what...I'm tired of all the grunting, groaning, and yelling as his way of asking for things! :0)

Still running after all these years....

Okay, maybe not years, but that silly song keeps popping into my head that says something or other about "after all these years" when I think of how long I've been running.

I guess I have to give myself a little pat on the back here because I can't believe that I'm actually still running. Nearly 9 months ago I started running with Tracey while he was training for the Ragnar, and here it is December and I'm still doing between 8 and 10 miles a week. Not quite the 14ish that I was doing in the summer but it IS colder and way dark too!

I thought for sure that once the colder weather and the holiday season hit that I'd give it up...pack on the 10 pounds like I did last year and start up again sometime in the spring.

I'm just so proud of myself! So often I get lazy, and slip out of the exercise habit, but I really think that this time it is here to stay!

Thanks for letting me have my little pat on the back post. Hopefully it will be something more exciting tomorrow or the next day since I'm having a loooooooooooong scrappy day tomorrow and will hopefully be productive enough to have something to share!

I never met a tomato I didn't like

At least that is John Matthews theory. I cannot believe how much that kid likes tomatoes. He usually eats a whole tomato every morning for his mid-morning snack. When we go out to eat, we always order him a side of tomatoes and you wouldn't believe the bizarre looks that one gets. If you put a pile of fruit loops and tomatoes on his tray, he will undoubtedly go for the tomatoes over the cereal.

I kind of found it funny the other day, when it occurred to me that I had a massive craving for cherry tomatoes when I was barely pregnant with him. I even did a layout about it, or I am sure that I would have forgotten. Makes me wonder if somehow that love of tomatoes passed through the ol' cord. Guess I can't really determine if he's in love with corn nuts at this point. My only other craving that I had with him.



Well, I guess if nothing else, he's going too have a healthy heart....downing the tomatoes like he does. I need to make a Costco run so I can replenish! We are nearly out!

(Oh yeah..and color me lazy for taking a photo of him eating tomatoes on my phone and emailing it to myself. I couldn't be bothered with actually dragging out my camera!)

Oh and another thing! If any of my lovely neighbors would like to go to a Scentsy party with me tonight you are more than welcome! My SIL is having a party and so far the only people coming are me and her sister and her mom!

A little Christmas fun...

My mom...the woman that lives and breathes in thinking about sweet things to do for the grandkids gave each of the families a gingerbread house for the kids to decorate.

Rich and April invited us over for Family Home Evening so that we could build our houses together.

I had such a great time...even though I had to keep giving April crap that she is ditching us here in Utah this weekend to go and spend some time in Hawaii with her sister. Somehow that just doesn't seem fair....but whatever. ;)

As I was taking photos of the kids having so much fun I actually got a little weepy as I sat enjoying the wonderful family that we have, and the fact that they love their cousins so deeply. (Dang PMS hormones!)

Even though there are days that my boys...especially...drive me nuts, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for sending us such a large and lovely family!