To elaborate..Caution: Rant ahead!

"I know I post a lot about fitness, and I have even been told it is 'annoying'.  But when someone tells me I have inspired them to start building a better lifestyle all of the jerky people who are annoyed go out the window.  I will annoy a million people if it means I inspire one person to change their life.  So if you are annoyed, delete me, and go for a  run.  Chances are,  you are mad becauseyou have yet to commit and know you need to."  This is my Facebook status from this morning.  In the last week, I have gotten 3 private messages. The first, someone told me I 'inspired them'. The third was asking for fitness tips.  The second...The second one made me want to scream, and did make me cry.  The person, who I will leave anonymous, told me that my constant fitness posts were annoying.  That they were "tired of hearing about it."  They even went so far as to ask me, "Don't you worry about the impact this obsession will have on your children, most especially your daughter?"  Are. You. Freaking. Kidding. Me?! 
Let me start with the first part, about being annoying.  Have you ever inspired someone to do something?  Because lemme tell you, it is an amazing feeling. It is part of what drives me so hard. Have you ever set a goal, and not only reached it, but CRUSHED it?!  Knocked it out of the park?! DEMOLISHED IT?! Because, my friends, if you haven't..I strongly recommend it as #1 on your bucket list.  Don't just set the goal....Reach it. Then crush it.   THAT has brought me a feeling of power, confidence and self-acceptance that is beyond how I look. (Even though that is a nice side effect). This morning when I did a stiff legged dead lift with 70 pounds on my bar, knowing I could barely do 15 when I started...That makes me feel like a rockstar.  I **WANT EVERYONE** to feel like that!! So, annoy you I will. But if I am annoying you, look at YOUR life, and figure out why.  And if you can't start out with a run. IT may help you get it!
Now onto the part that I am absolutely furious about.  I am not trying to be mean. But obesity is an EPIDEMIC in this country. Fitness is not.  I dare bet it is uncommon to ask a person who struggles with weight if they are worried about the impact that their lifestyle will have on their children. Seriously. It is politically incorrect.   Here is what my daughter sees:  Her mom putting HEALTHY food into her body, CONSTANTLY fueling.  Her mom working hard to acheive a goal. Her mom having confidence.  Her mom having energy. Her mom NEVER using the words "fat" or "thin". (I have in the past, but these words are outlawed in my home). Opting instead to teach about strength, building muscle and endurance.  Using food as a fuel.  Making sure she knows ALL food is not the enemy. But some are, if you can't use moderation. Making sure she knows how to derive pleasure from things other than food.  Do I want my family to be obese? Heck. NO! Because it "looks bad"? Nope. Because it will kill them. In the words of Jamie Eason, (One of my inspirations), "Most diseases are caused by environment, genetics, and/or an unhealthy lifestyle.  You only really have control of one of those things. Take it." 

I am taking control. I am not losing weight or gaining muscle in an unhealthy manner. I have revamped how I view food, to a less common view, as fuel. Not my source of pleasure. (Except my cheat meals.)  But I eat all. the. time. 5 or 6 times a day. Seriously.  Now, because I don't gorge myself on pizza, chips and soda, I must be a fanatic. No. I am just someone who truly views my body as a TEMPLE.  That means taking care of the insde, as well as the outside. I am someone who wants to know that if illness comes along, I have done all I can to help fight it.  Oh, I also don't smoke, drink, and I *usually* get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. (assuming kids cooperate.) Sheesh, I really AM crazy.  How dare I teach my children a healthy lifestyle....

Life.....So unpredictable!!!

I am going to start with what is going on with CBK trucking. (Our trucking business).  We have 2 employees, Woody's father and his uncle.  They live with us, and haul rock. We have had a third truck sitting dormant for months, along with a crude trailer.  Just sitting. Making nothing. Well, we were supposed to have a contract with the company Woody works for, but they put the kabosh on new contracts for the time being.  So, we have been diligently looking for another place to lease on to.  It finally happened!! YAY!!  A guy Woody knows through his current job offered to lease us on...Just in time for our truck to start doing crazy things like shooting flames out of the stack...In the words of one of our friends, "I'm no mechanic, but that can't be good!" So, now we are borrowing a truck so that Woody can haul crude.  What does this mean?  It means giving up a sure income, health insurance, (for now), having my sweetheart home at a decent hour, and several other things. So, why are we doing it?? Because it is the answer to our long term goals.  Short term, it actually kinda stinks....But Woody is basically stuck in a dead end job..Going nowhere, and not happy!  We prayed, fasted, prayed some more, fasted even more, and know that for whatever reason, this is the way to accomplish what we feel we need to for our family!

Now onto the other stuff!  I am starting an in-home daycare.  I already have the kids, just gotta get my licensing done. (Kinda doing it backwards, huh?)  But, when I called Social Services to find out what I need to do today, the lady SERIOUSLY seemed ecstatic that I was looking into doing it.  That has to be a good sign, right??  I want to help get some stuff paid for, but am not willing (or able, due to a lack of childcare in my area) to send my kids off.  I will still homeschool, and have already ordered my newest books. (Blayke's kindergarten, and C's next level.)  Will it be hard? Oh, probably. But it will be worth it.  I am also ordering stuff in 1.5 weeks to get my personal training certification, which I have already mentioned! However, I have started training a friend, and have decided to also get a nutrition coach certification.  I have never been good at anything. Never had a passion for anything.  I feel like, other than being a Mom, this is my "thing"! I am thrilled to learn, grow and become certified!!!

The last thing is that recently, our ward split, and Woody got called to be the 1st Counselor in the Young Men's presidency.  I was blessed enough to get my same calling, and get to continue teaching the 5 year-old class. I LOVE IT!  I am sooo thrilled for my husband. I know that it will be interesting, with all the time we will be putting into everything.

I am thankful for all of the WONDERFUL people in my life who are supporting my husband and I in our goals. I am thankful for the opportunity to get on my knees, and empty my worries, give my thanks, and just talk to my Heavenly Father. I am thankful for all of the wonderful opportunities Watford City has given my family, the growth that has happened here!  I love my life. I love my Family. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior.  I am so blessed!

HAPPY EASTER!

Today,(every day, actually...But today, I am acutely aware of it) I am so thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For the knowledge that He lives and that He loves me, imperfect as I am.  I am thankful for His sacrifice for me and my eternal salvation!  What a blessing for me.  There have been times in my life I didn't know this, and let me tell you, knowing it makes rough times oh so much easier. I feel like I have someone rooting for me no matter what.  And for that, I am thankful.  I hope on this Sunday morning, amidst the  chocolate, the bunnies and the food, you remember WHY we celebrate.  Celebrate because HE LIVES!  Turn your hearts to him, now and always.

I am also thankful for my family. For the opportunity we had a year ago *almost* to be sealed for eternity.  I am thankful for my loving, kind and faithful husband.  I love him so much!! I am thankful for each one of my children. They are so amazing, and without them, I don't know what I would do!!

Today, we are celebrating Easter. Not with baskets and eggs. We did that yesterday. But with extra Scripture study, reverence, and Church attendance. I love my Savior, and am thankful for this Easter Sunday...An extra chance to reflect on His life, death and mostly His resurrection, and what each means to me and my family!!  What a blessing indeed!!