Check In

K- so I said every Monday I would check in with how I am doing on my fitness goals. So far, so good. I only gave into temptation twice last week. I ate A cookie one day, and then on Saturday Mark's Dad made me a cake for my birthday, so I couldn't refuse a piece now could I? I worked out four days-skipped my birthday-so, I think I did okay. There is a little room for improvement, but hey, not bad. I have decided that I will only weigh myself once a month, because the number isn't really what I care about, it's the way my clothes fit and how I feel that matters to me. Besides, like Mark says, getting on the scale every week can make all that working out and feeling good go right out the window just because you don't see the number you hoped you'd see. I need motivation people...no downers!!!

I have a major head cold this week...but, I worked out today. Wish me luck for the rest of the week!!

Happy 2nd B-day to my Nohs

Noah T. is two years old today. I am happy to report that he is getting sweeter the older he gets. He seemed sweet in the hospital, maybe because he was hooked up to all kinds of things, but when we brought him home he began his ornery stage-which lasted about a year and a half ;) Not only was he ornery, but he didn't walk until he was 20 months old-which could account for the orneriness from 12 months on.

These days he knows almost all his colors, can count to 10, missing a few here and there, and can sing most of the ABC song. He LOVES Lightning McQueen, Thomas, crayons, and books. He will sit for a good 15-20 minutes just looking at a book.

Noah is our only brown eyed boy. I always wanted at least one-I even had a dream about a brown eyed boy, but it took us four to get one! Today he said "Happy Birthday to You" all day, and right after we sang to him he whispered to himself, "Happy Birthday to You", then promptly stuck his face into his blue frosted cupcake. Too cute!! Happy Birthday No-No!! We love you!!!

The Gifts Little Boys Give Their Mom

Sam thought the "I *heart* boys" necklace meant I love boys because I have four...not sure the general public will be thinking the same thing....as for the 200 carrot purple diamond...I know I don't give them enough allowance(more like none)to purchase such a gem...but, I do *heart* that they think of me on my birthday!!

Accountability

Okay. I am posting about my fitness/weight loss goal, something that is not like me AT ALL!! I have always enjoyed working out, but have never been really fanatical about it. Don't worry, I'm still not going to be fanatical-but I am going to *try* to be more disciplined then I have been in the past. I am going to use my blog to help me stay on track. Here is my plan:

*Work out five days a week. Combo of aerobics and weights.
*Eat "normally" with portion control and no sweets five days a week.
*Free days are Friday and Sunday (but, free doesn't mean pigging out...we'll see how that goes)
*Lose 15 pounds by April and/or feel comfortable in a size 7/8 jeans

There you have it people. Doable? I think so.
I will be posting my progress every Monday...encouragement and reprimanding welcome ;)

Day 3 of the"Experiment"

For awhile now Mark and I have been talking about all the TV watching, video game playing, and computer usage that go on in this house. It is basically a constant thing. A family in our ward recently got rid of their TVs, their XBox-everything! The mom said she was tired of her kids leaving her to spend time doing those things. Now, don't get me wrong, I actually don't mind my kids leaving me alone once in awhile ;) and I am by no means a television hater...I love my Lie to Me, my American Idol, and about a dozen more shows I could mention. HOWEVER, Mark and I wondered if limiting this stuff would make a difference in how our kids interact, how they talk to us, and how the general "feel" of our home would be.

We have tried the "each of you can pick one TV show per day and one video game, etc..." But, that always ends up in everyone watching everyone else's shows which results in watching more than we had envisioned. SO, on Sunday night we had a family meeting and asked the kids to raise their hands if they like TV....duh :) if they like video games, etc. Then to raise their hand if they thought Heavenly Father liked them...Mark and I were the only ones to raise our hands :) Then we talked about what happens when we have too much of a good thing-brownies, peanut butter bars, etc. Sam put it so well, "Too much of anything can make you sick!" So as a family we decided to have four days a week where we don't watch any TV, play any video games, or get on the computer, and three days when we can. They decided to have Sun-Wed be "NO" days, and Thurs-Sat be "YES" days.

So far, mind you it has only been three days :), the results have been very interesting, and very encouraging! On Monday we heard a few complaints, but not many. Sam actually asked me to write down some math problems for him so he could "get smarter", and he memorized a new song on the piano! Devin accidentally got on the computer-habit, I guess :), but caught himself. He definitely spent more time talking to us than he usually does.

Yesterday Sam was really upset that he couldn't watch Ruff-Ruffman, but he didn't tell me that until I went down to his room to find out what was wrong. He said he had a headache from our "dumb rule". During dinner I could tell he really DID have a headache, so we gave him some medicine and he started feeling better. I really think he may be a TV addict...don't addicts get headaches when coming off of caffeine, drugs, etc.? Scary! Sam definitely watched too many movies and too much TV. Anywho- after dinner no one had anywhere they had to be, so we all hung out in the living room and actually talked! Mark played Jenga with the boys and then they went and ran at the Community Center. When they got home Devin and Sam each had one of Devin's Zune earphones in and they were singing together. It was hilarious.

Even though I know the boys are looking forward to tomorrow, I really think this "experiment" is going to be a great thing for our family. Even though there have still been "moments" I can see the difference in the way our home feels and the way the boys interact. I ultimately hope the boys get into the habit of finding other things to do besides watching TV and all that.

Now I'm not saying anyone else "SHOULD" do this ;)-but, so far, it has been a great thing for us!!

Resolutions: To be Resolute

There are just a few things I am determined to be this year that I wasn't last year:

1. Not pregnant

2. A better mom. It is amazing how having this thought in the forefront has allowed me to smile when otherwise I may have screamed my head off. Example: Ty and Noah are constantly under-foot. I mean CONSTANTLY! Wherever I go, they go...and not just go, but remain just inches from me. I recognize that in a few short years they will be wanting to go in the opposite direction-so, I will enjoy their love and affection while I can.

3. A Finisher. I will complete a birth-one year scrapbook for Noah, and I will hide five of the six scrapbooks I made for Devin.

4. A grateful person. I will start a gratitude journal and write in it EVERYDAY.

5. An in-shape 30 something. I will work-out AT LEAST five days a week.

Happy New Year everyone...and wish me luck! ;)