Perspective. Sometimes life gives us a swift kick in the rear, and it really puts things into perspective. Yesterday while at the gym, letting the kids play, I was complaining about my kids. Konnors super clingyness, (I don't even know if that is a word.) Blaykes constant terrorism, and Cierras sassy attitude. I was whining and complaining about these precious souls. An hour later, I was getting a call that my sweet four year-old niece had been diagnosed with Leukemia.
And I had been murmuring. Instead of being greatful that they are healthy, mostly good kids. Not only that, I had been talking about how hard my life was. No. My life is simple. There are bumps, yes. But in perspective my life is pretty dang good.
Now. I have this pet peeve. It is when people use others hard times to focus the attention on themselves. I have some family who are really good at this. (ex: Their 12th cousin twice removed's brother that they met briefly in Wal-Mart passes, and they are "DEVASTATED") I have never been that person. So, I was taken back by the true heartache that I felt when we got this news. Don't get me wrong, I love my husbands family, and it wouldn't have surprised me if I was sad, but the pain I felt was kinda shocking. I cried for hours. It seemed as though this bubble had been popped. Blown to smitherines actually. I think it made me realize how easily this really could happen to one of my children. Something that was so abstract is suddenly hitting very close to home. Needless to say, I hugged my children A LOT yesterday. Perspective. Funny how quickly it can change!
I can't imagine the pain my sister- and brother-in-law are feeling. I cry when I even try. However, I know the Lord is with them, and will take care of them.
**Dustin, Dusty, Saydie, Allie and Rylee, we love you guys so much, and are praying for you harder than I think we have ever prayed! We hope that you will find comfort in the Lord at this trying time! **
Please, if you could, keep this sweet girl in your prayers. And hug your little ones. Hold on extra tight.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Winter, Woody, Megamind, Kids, Idaho and Friends!
1. WINTER:
Right outside my window, it is snowing. Seriously!? Will this ever end?! We still have 2 feet (or more) of snow all over town! I am so sick of it! Idaho winters hold nothing on North Dakota winters. We aren't even hitting the 30's yet! (At 23 the other day, I was able to go out in a light sweater!) And we are still dropping into the negatives at night! I am beyond ready for sun, warmth, parks, picnics, and dang it I want to wear my flip-flops! (I am a flip-flop addict, and back home would even wear them through the winter. I don't DARE do that here, for fear of losing 1 or 10 toes!)
2. WOODY
Ok, enough of that. Not a lot of excitement here. Woody is sick, has a nasty intestinal blockage that we thought was a hernia...The doctor wants him to try to pass it naturally, but if he doesn't he will have to get it cut out.
3.MEGAMIND
Ok, if you haven't seen this movie, it is worth it. Pretty dang funny. And watching Blayke dance to the closing credits song makes me laugh even more!
4.KIDS
They are doing well. Konnor, however, is in this super clingy phase made worse by the fact that everytime I get him down for a nap his very loud older brother wakes him up. I have been feeling crazy with him lately. And nursing has, in all honesty, been tough. Seems like it is all he wants to do. I just keep telling myself, "This too shall pass". (Lets just hope it does before what is left of my sanity is gone!)
5.IDAHO
The first of April the kids,my mom and I will be making the trip back. We are excited to be going to see our loved ones!! Can't wait! (Gonna get a temporary gym membership while we are there and everything!)
6.FRIENDS
This one, I am super thankful for. In addition to the couple of other wonderful friends I have made here, I am finally feeling like I am getting over this social stunt, or whatever, and meeting people! We had a family over for dinner and games last night, and it was SO fun. We have another family coming tonight! And I have been talking to/hanging out with another girl from church, and she is really super cool! I am excited, and hoping that this makes living here slightly more bearable!
Ok, well that is all for now! I should go clean house...UGH!
Right outside my window, it is snowing. Seriously!? Will this ever end?! We still have 2 feet (or more) of snow all over town! I am so sick of it! Idaho winters hold nothing on North Dakota winters. We aren't even hitting the 30's yet! (At 23 the other day, I was able to go out in a light sweater!) And we are still dropping into the negatives at night! I am beyond ready for sun, warmth, parks, picnics, and dang it I want to wear my flip-flops! (I am a flip-flop addict, and back home would even wear them through the winter. I don't DARE do that here, for fear of losing 1 or 10 toes!)
2. WOODY
Ok, enough of that. Not a lot of excitement here. Woody is sick, has a nasty intestinal blockage that we thought was a hernia...The doctor wants him to try to pass it naturally, but if he doesn't he will have to get it cut out.
3.MEGAMIND
Ok, if you haven't seen this movie, it is worth it. Pretty dang funny. And watching Blayke dance to the closing credits song makes me laugh even more!
4.KIDS
They are doing well. Konnor, however, is in this super clingy phase made worse by the fact that everytime I get him down for a nap his very loud older brother wakes him up. I have been feeling crazy with him lately. And nursing has, in all honesty, been tough. Seems like it is all he wants to do. I just keep telling myself, "This too shall pass". (Lets just hope it does before what is left of my sanity is gone!)
5.IDAHO
The first of April the kids,my mom and I will be making the trip back. We are excited to be going to see our loved ones!! Can't wait! (Gonna get a temporary gym membership while we are there and everything!)
6.FRIENDS
This one, I am super thankful for. In addition to the couple of other wonderful friends I have made here, I am finally feeling like I am getting over this social stunt, or whatever, and meeting people! We had a family over for dinner and games last night, and it was SO fun. We have another family coming tonight! And I have been talking to/hanging out with another girl from church, and she is really super cool! I am excited, and hoping that this makes living here slightly more bearable!
Ok, well that is all for now! I should go clean house...UGH!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
First Steps!
(BABY KONNOR 10 MONTHS!)Well folks, Konnor is well on his way to being a "toddler"! **SNIFF SNIFF**! Yesterday, he took his first step between his bouncy chair and the couch. Then last night he took another one! (Woody even got to see that one!) I have been waiting for this, he has been cruising furniture for a while, and letting go for the last month!! He has taken his first steps far earilier than my other two. Cierra was about 11 1/2 months before she took her first steps, and didn't actually walk until 13 months. Blayke didn't take a step until after a year and didn't walk until 15 months. I am betting that by his first birthday, he will be walking!! They grow SOO FAST!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
HMMMMM.....
So, apparently during Church Sunday, there was a discussion about Facebook and the detriment it is to families. I have been thinking a LOT about this, and it makes sense. Truly. Here is the hang up for me though. I live 14+ hours from everyone and everything I have ever known. I live in a tiny town with VERY FEW friends. I am lonely, and sometimes bored. (There are always things I could and should be doing, but sometimes, I just don't feel like laundry!) Enter Facebook...My link to the "other" world..To my family and friends. Well, Woody and I got into this discussion on our hour long drive home from church, and we have decided I will keep my Facebook account, but limit my time spent on it. I wont be on it when he is home. Ever. Even from my phone.
We have also decided that I am not the only one that is in this boat. To understand this, you would have to come to North Dakota, and spend some time. I think Idaho, Utah and Colorado have doubled North Dakotas population! We read in 3-4 new names A WEEK in church! (And 90% of the time, they are from Idaho! The husbands are here, working 12, 13, 14, 20 hour work days, leaving wives (IF the whole family comes) home all day long, in towns with very little to do, that have LONG, HARD, FREEEEEZING COLD winters, hours away from everything they know, and truth be told, I don't think any person dreams of living in NORTH DAKOTA! It makes sense that we would cling to this lifeline. To this connection to our worlds!
So, the question comes, how do we fix this?? I don't know that there is an answer. However, Woody and I have decided that we are going to make this ward our new family. Our new friends. We are going to give others something to cling to other than Facebook. We are going to start doing a dinner and game night once a month, and invite a different family from the ward to join us. We are going to keep it small, so that we can really get to know people. So that we can visit, and noone gets lost or feels umcomfortable. And we are starting this Friday. And we are starting with some people that, for personal reasons, it is really important that we start with. Pizza and game night! I am excited. (I will only be having 1 slice! ;) ) I hope that this will help me feel at home, help me meet new people, and help others know that we are here, and we want to know them!!
We have also decided that I am not the only one that is in this boat. To understand this, you would have to come to North Dakota, and spend some time. I think Idaho, Utah and Colorado have doubled North Dakotas population! We read in 3-4 new names A WEEK in church! (And 90% of the time, they are from Idaho! The husbands are here, working 12, 13, 14, 20 hour work days, leaving wives (IF the whole family comes) home all day long, in towns with very little to do, that have LONG, HARD, FREEEEEZING COLD winters, hours away from everything they know, and truth be told, I don't think any person dreams of living in NORTH DAKOTA! It makes sense that we would cling to this lifeline. To this connection to our worlds!
So, the question comes, how do we fix this?? I don't know that there is an answer. However, Woody and I have decided that we are going to make this ward our new family. Our new friends. We are going to give others something to cling to other than Facebook. We are going to start doing a dinner and game night once a month, and invite a different family from the ward to join us. We are going to keep it small, so that we can really get to know people. So that we can visit, and noone gets lost or feels umcomfortable. And we are starting this Friday. And we are starting with some people that, for personal reasons, it is really important that we start with. Pizza and game night! I am excited. (I will only be having 1 slice! ;) ) I hope that this will help me feel at home, help me meet new people, and help others know that we are here, and we want to know them!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
I FEEL GOOD! (Weightloss Week 8)
Ok, really,I don't know WHAT week I am on, EVER, and ALWAYS have to look at my "Edit Posts" option! (OH MY!)
I am not sure what to put in post. I snuck a peak of the scale Saturday, and was down another pound. But this morning, I was UP a pound. Now, on the weekends, I tend to have... uhm..Some digestional issues. (I don't during the week, and I think that it is because I don't exercise on the weekends, and exercise gets EVERYTHING moving!) So, I stayed within my daily points all weekend and can't IMAGINE I gained 2 pounds! (I think that my "issue" may have affected my weight this morning.) SO, I am going to change my weigh in days to Friday, and see what happens. The good news is, I went jean shopping this weekend, and am back in a size 7!! (I was in anywhere from a size 9-13 and usually 11!) They even fit loose around the waist! (Unfortunately I am packin' some junk in my trunk, and they are snug around the hiney and the thighs.) All in all, I FEEL GOOD! Still doin' what I do. Last night I was able to have a salad, a small piece of meatloaf and half of a small twice baked potato. It was plenty! For dessert, I had half of a SUPER YUMMY cinnamon roll. I love feeling like I have control. That I don't NEED to finish the whole pan of sweets, and I can still be satisfied!!
I FEEL GOOD!!!!!
I am not sure what to put in post. I snuck a peak of the scale Saturday, and was down another pound. But this morning, I was UP a pound. Now, on the weekends, I tend to have... uhm..Some digestional issues. (I don't during the week, and I think that it is because I don't exercise on the weekends, and exercise gets EVERYTHING moving!) So, I stayed within my daily points all weekend and can't IMAGINE I gained 2 pounds! (I think that my "issue" may have affected my weight this morning.) SO, I am going to change my weigh in days to Friday, and see what happens. The good news is, I went jean shopping this weekend, and am back in a size 7!! (I was in anywhere from a size 9-13 and usually 11!) They even fit loose around the waist! (Unfortunately I am packin' some junk in my trunk, and they are snug around the hiney and the thighs.) All in all, I FEEL GOOD! Still doin' what I do. Last night I was able to have a salad, a small piece of meatloaf and half of a small twice baked potato. It was plenty! For dessert, I had half of a SUPER YUMMY cinnamon roll. I love feeling like I have control. That I don't NEED to finish the whole pan of sweets, and I can still be satisfied!!
I FEEL GOOD!!!!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
What I do..
I know you are probably sick of hearing about my weight loss junk. Oh well. If you are, skip this blog! (Pretty simple!) I want to put down somewhere all I am doing to lose this weight I have packed on. (I wonder if it is possible that where you LIVE makes you gain weight? I was up to the highest I have ever been except for during pregnancy!) To date, I have lost 16 pounds. I started Weight Watchers January 3rd and going to the gym January 8th. So in about 2 months I have hit and surpassed my 10% goal on Weight Watchers. I am going to list some of the changes I have made.
1. Soda. I have kicked the habit, hopefully, permanently! I hate soda. But I love soda. I hate how terrible it is for me, but that sweet fizz is just sooo yummy. I haven't had one since New Years Eve. Even when we go out to eat. And the truth is, so far, I am not tempted. (Even when Woody brought home 5 Mountain Dews!)
2. Water. I drink SOO much water. I love water.
3. Weight Watchers. I can't tell you all of the things I love about Weight Watchers. I never really realized how MUCH I overate until I saw how much my body really needs. I rarely feel hungry. I get to eat out with my family. I can eat whatever I want, in moderation. *Again: NURSING FRIENDLY!*
4. I have discovered I love oatmeal. I always thought I hated oatmeal, but really, I hated instant oatmeal! Give me the other stuff, and it is pretty dang tasty, especially with a TBSP of peanut butter and half a banana!
5. Fast Food. Hi. I'm Nancy, and I am a fast food addict! NO KIDDING. I LOVE Taco Bell,(Thank goodness there is not one close!) Wendy's and Taco Johns. I have been in "recovery" for this addiction all year. (HEHE! Love saying all year, so much cooler than 2 months!) My family has also abstained! Even on grocery trips to Williston.
6. Switching slowly to whole grains. I am still learning nutrition stuff, so I am still switching, but it is a work in progress!
7. Fruits and veggies. I am sure to have some at every meal. (Clementines are my fave!)
8. Eating several times a day. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks. (I used to do a third after dinner, but discovered this left me wanting to vomit at my morning workouts!)
9. Speaking of the gym: I am there every weekday morning, getting my cardio in. Which is good. But I feel even better about my weight routine. I reallllly like doing my resistance. I feel so strong, which is super cool. (Also, weights are the key to weight loss! It will make you burn calories much more efficiently!)
10. "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." (Ben Franklin) Most nights I am OUT by 9:30, at the latest. And nowadays 'sleeping in' means sleeping until 7!
11. Pictures. I took some pictures before I started losing weight, and take them every 2 weeks, and WOW! What a great motivator! It shows me results even when the scale doesn't!
12. I don't deny myself ANYTHING, as long as I track it, and keep it within reason. (Sunday night, I had Skittles and sour gummy worms.
13. Plan. Seriously, I couldn't do it without planning. I always have a 2 week menu, and track all of my food at the start of my day. Then I know what to prepare for! (Now, on the occasion that we spontaneously go out to eat, I just figure it out!) Also, I strongly recommend a meal plan, even if you aren't trying to lose weight! It saves us so much money, and makes grocery shopping soo much easier!
These are the changes I have made, and they seem to be working very well. Also, I feel good knowing my family isn't eating McDonald's!! I hope that this time next year, I will still be doing these things, and be 15 (more) pounds lighter!
1. Soda. I have kicked the habit, hopefully, permanently! I hate soda. But I love soda. I hate how terrible it is for me, but that sweet fizz is just sooo yummy. I haven't had one since New Years Eve. Even when we go out to eat. And the truth is, so far, I am not tempted. (Even when Woody brought home 5 Mountain Dews!)
2. Water. I drink SOO much water. I love water.
3. Weight Watchers. I can't tell you all of the things I love about Weight Watchers. I never really realized how MUCH I overate until I saw how much my body really needs. I rarely feel hungry. I get to eat out with my family. I can eat whatever I want, in moderation. *Again: NURSING FRIENDLY!*
4. I have discovered I love oatmeal. I always thought I hated oatmeal, but really, I hated instant oatmeal! Give me the other stuff, and it is pretty dang tasty, especially with a TBSP of peanut butter and half a banana!
5. Fast Food. Hi. I'm Nancy, and I am a fast food addict! NO KIDDING. I LOVE Taco Bell,(Thank goodness there is not one close!) Wendy's and Taco Johns. I have been in "recovery" for this addiction all year. (HEHE! Love saying all year, so much cooler than 2 months!) My family has also abstained! Even on grocery trips to Williston.
6. Switching slowly to whole grains. I am still learning nutrition stuff, so I am still switching, but it is a work in progress!
7. Fruits and veggies. I am sure to have some at every meal. (Clementines are my fave!)
8. Eating several times a day. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks. (I used to do a third after dinner, but discovered this left me wanting to vomit at my morning workouts!)
9. Speaking of the gym: I am there every weekday morning, getting my cardio in. Which is good. But I feel even better about my weight routine. I reallllly like doing my resistance. I feel so strong, which is super cool. (Also, weights are the key to weight loss! It will make you burn calories much more efficiently!)
10. "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." (Ben Franklin) Most nights I am OUT by 9:30, at the latest. And nowadays 'sleeping in' means sleeping until 7!
11. Pictures. I took some pictures before I started losing weight, and take them every 2 weeks, and WOW! What a great motivator! It shows me results even when the scale doesn't!
12. I don't deny myself ANYTHING, as long as I track it, and keep it within reason. (Sunday night, I had Skittles and sour gummy worms.
13. Plan. Seriously, I couldn't do it without planning. I always have a 2 week menu, and track all of my food at the start of my day. Then I know what to prepare for! (Now, on the occasion that we spontaneously go out to eat, I just figure it out!) Also, I strongly recommend a meal plan, even if you aren't trying to lose weight! It saves us so much money, and makes grocery shopping soo much easier!
These are the changes I have made, and they seem to be working very well. Also, I feel good knowing my family isn't eating McDonald's!! I hope that this time next year, I will still be doing these things, and be 15 (more) pounds lighter!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Some more of my random, meandering thoughts!
So, I have these things that I think about, that I want to share, I don't know why I want to share them, but I do. However not one of them constitute their own blog post, so they get compiled into these random posts!
1. (This one realllly gets me) There is this guy at the gym, and he drinks COFFEE the entire time he works out. Now, I don't care for coffee, but that is besides the point. I am truly in awe that as this guy is sweating like CRAZY, he is sipping on a hot drink. (I am well aware of the benefits of having some caffeine right before a workout, but this guy keeps his little styrafoam cup in the cup holder of the elliptical.)
2. Soo glad that I didn't hit that car this morning as I slid right through the end of our driveway. I never slide there, and there are rarely cars coming at 5:30 in the morning. BOTH happened today, and I barely missed the other car!
3.Cierras new thing is the "circle yes or no" notes. She writes me about 20 a day! (NO kidding)she has a question, she writes it, hands it to me and closes her eyes until I circle an answer.
It's kinda cute. The first 10 times of the day.
4.Baby Konnor is sick. For real, it seems like all of a sudden one or all of the kids have something going on. We went through the line of them puking a couple weeks ago..(That was fun.) Then Cierra developed a rash on her face. Then Blayke got a rash. Now Konnor has a NASTY cold.
5.There are little circle spots all over the front window where Blayke stuck a bunch of fruit snacks yesterday. He was so proud of himself! "LOOK Mom! I decorated!!"
1. (This one realllly gets me) There is this guy at the gym, and he drinks COFFEE the entire time he works out. Now, I don't care for coffee, but that is besides the point. I am truly in awe that as this guy is sweating like CRAZY, he is sipping on a hot drink. (I am well aware of the benefits of having some caffeine right before a workout, but this guy keeps his little styrafoam cup in the cup holder of the elliptical.)
2. Soo glad that I didn't hit that car this morning as I slid right through the end of our driveway. I never slide there, and there are rarely cars coming at 5:30 in the morning. BOTH happened today, and I barely missed the other car!
3.Cierras new thing is the "circle yes or no" notes. She writes me about 20 a day! (NO kidding)she has a question, she writes it, hands it to me and closes her eyes until I circle an answer.
It's kinda cute. The first 10 times of the day.
4.Baby Konnor is sick. For real, it seems like all of a sudden one or all of the kids have something going on. We went through the line of them puking a couple weeks ago..(That was fun.) Then Cierra developed a rash on her face. Then Blayke got a rash. Now Konnor has a NASTY cold.
5.There are little circle spots all over the front window where Blayke stuck a bunch of fruit snacks yesterday. He was so proud of himself! "LOOK Mom! I decorated!!"
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