Love...

Love comes in many forms - friendship, marriage, children, kitchen appliances. :o) I'm one of those crazy women who loves kitchen appliances. I'm not really talking about refrigerators or dishwashers (though I do love my dishwasher). I'm talking about the smaller, fun stuff. My recent loves come in the form of my wheat grinder, Bosch, and pasta machine. And I can blame most of it on my friend Bridgette.

I tried bread with the wheat grinder and Bosch. Didn't turn out perfect, but it was my fault. When I tried to proof the bread in the oven (get it to raise quicker), I forgot to turn the oven off after heating it up. That lead to bread baking instead of rising. But I'm one step closer to getting wheat bread instead of wheat bricks!

And it's also her fault I have fallen in love with the coolest kitchen store in the world... Shar's Kitchen. She has the coolest stuff, but best of all, she teaches classes most days of the week and shows you how to use them. Her recipes are awesome and she pressure cooks most things to retain flavor and nutrients. Now I just have to talk me and Clayton into investing in a couple of pressure cookers. I've been to two classes so far, but would have gone to more had Andrew and I not been sick the past week. I have my calendar booked for May. It gives me an opportunity to do something I love. I've learned how to make pasta, which is soooo much better than the store bought, dried stuff. I have an ever growing wish list of things I want to get. I'm sure Clayton is horrified, happy that I've found something I enjoy, but horrified. :o)

Jam, Jammin', Jammies

So I decided I wanted some homemade jam. We used to make strawberry freezer jam all the time when I was younger. I hadn't had it in years so I decided that just had to change. Got the strawberries, pectin, jars, etc. Freezer jam is easy. No cooking involved. Still took me a couple of hours to get it done, but nothing bad. Ended up with 15 yummy pints of freezer jam. Then I decided to make regular cooked jam. That took a little longer, but still wasn't too bad. I did it in three double batches and was able to get it all done in less than three hours. Don't tell my feet that it wasn't bad though. They were not happy. And my knees were protesting, too. But now we have 26 yummy pints of strawberry jam...and I'm happy to report I had a 100% seal-rate on the jars. Of the canning I've done so far, only one or two jars (both pears) didn't seal. That's not too shabby.

I've really been trying to get into a routine for working out. It's not easy with two small children and a hubby who is crazy busy with work and school. The last couple of days have been great though. I'm walking hill intervals on our treadmill. Burning more fat and calories. And I can't run. I sometimes wish I could, but the longest I've ever been able to run without stopping in my life is about 8 minutes. Even in elementary and junior high when I was in pretty good shape, I couldn't run distance. I could outrun most of the boys in the 100 yard dash, but much farther than that and I would get light-headed, dizzy and have problems breathing. High school PE just about did me in. So, I walk. Maybe in a couple of months when I get some pounds off and I'm in a little better shape I will tackle the running thing. But for now...it's walking hills. It's actually good though. Clayton and I would love to do more hiking and we love to go camping so our goal is to get to the point where maybe next summer or fall we can hike the Grand Canyon. I'm up to a max speed of 3.1 and a max incline of 6.0. Not bad considering a few weeks ago, the most exercise I had done in a year was giving birth to my son. :o) I'm down a total of 4.6 pounds since I started two weeks ago. I'll take it!

I have to admit I thought the end of the world was coming last night. Andrew fights us every night when it comes to bed time. We have a pretty good routine, but he still just pitches a major fit. Clayton had class last night so I was on my own. I was preparing for a real rip-snorter! But alas, it was not to be. The only protest he put us was when I told him I had to brush his teeth after he finished to make sure his teeth were really clean. He said his prayers and climbed into bed without so much as a, "Mommy, I don't want to go to bed" or "Mommy, I can't sleep". And on more nights than not, he wanders out at least once. Not last night. Nothing. It was SOOOO nice! I thought for sure I was going to get to bed early. Luke killed that. He decided not to go to sleep until midnight. *sigh* I was tired this morning, that's for sure!

Changes...

I finally, finally got my tushy on the bandwagon to get off the weight I've gained over the past few years. I've exercised four days in a row and have dropped almost four pounds in the process. I've been watching how much I eat, but not really what. We went out for chinese at lunch yesterday; I just didn't eat as much as I normally would have. I know it's only a small success, but it's something. Every day and every pound gets me one step closer to my goal weight and activity level. Hopefully a year from now, I'll be in good enough shape to hike the Grand Canyon. I want to have the engery to play soccer or basketball with my kids. I want to wake up every morning ready to face the day rather than wanting to climb back in bed and sleep.

I've also been trying to improve my spiritual health lately. I have really slacked off a lot the last couple of years. I've been going through the motions, but not investing myself at all. I'm happy to report that I have studied scriptures and gospel lessons everyday for a week. Sadly, I can't say when the last time that happened was. I still have a long way to go, but every little bit helps. I already have a better outlook on life in general and have more patience with my kids. I'm determined to do my visiting teaching this month. I have lived in my current ward for almost three years and have only seen visiting teachers at my house maybe four times, home teachers three times. I know how it feels to think that no one cares enough to even call me, let alone stop by and spend some time getting to know me. Well, I can't very well complain about others not doing it if I, myself, am slacking off. I have a challenging route - four sisters, zero phone numbers. So I have to guess at when they may be home and hope to catch them. And I've decided this month, I am going to ask my visiting teachers when they are coming. I'll make it easy on them...they won't even have to pick up the phone to call me.

One step at a time. Every little change has helped so I know as I implement more positive changes in my life, my life will be better.

Luke

He's just so cute!

New pics of Luke

Luke is one of the happiest babies! It takes very little to get him to smile and laugh. The only time he cries is if he's lonely or hungry. He's a social baby, too. He wants to be where the action is. He likes to see people's faces and hear their voices.

Renewed

I'm finally feeling better after having a nasty stomach bug. It's hit everyone in my family except my uncle, my mom, Clayton and Luke. Whatever it is, it can hop a space ship for outer space and stay there!

After a relaxing weekend of watching conference, I'm feeling particularly renewed. I'm determined to make some positive changes in my life. I have a lot of work to do in a lot of areas. But it was good to hear the words of the Prophet, Apostles and the rest of the General Authorities who spoke.

I'm back on the fitness bandwagon, too. I've broken down my total weight loss goal into digestable chunks that actually makes it seem pretty easy and I got up and exercised this morning.

The Worst Weightloss Plan EVER!!!

So I've been trying, pretty unsucessfully so far, to lose weight. I've been unmotivated to do anything. I guess my body decided to take things into its own hands...or stomach. For the first time in probably 16 years or so, I have the stomach flu. Since yesterday afternoon, I've dropped 4 lbs. Yea for loosing weight... YUCK for the way it's happening. Andrew is just getting over it. Keeping my fingers crossed that Clayton and Luke don't get this...especially Luke.