Super Bowl 52

This is how we celebrated the Super Bowl on Sunday.

with pedi's in the tub. It makes for the best party ever!

  In the middle of washing the dinner dishes a special Super Bowl invitation was delivered.

the place: Mom's bathroom

the time: right now

the activity: pedis in the tub

There were foot soaks, foot and leg lotion massages, nail painting, and treats. 

After-all, What's a party without treats?

I vote we make this a new tradition! Next year I'll be rooting for team SPA! Go TEAM!

New Do

 Kaitlyn has been asking me for months to take her to get her hair trimmed before she turned into Crystal Gayle. (I might have thrown in the part about looking like Crystal Gayle. She has no idea who she is, and if you don't know who Crystal Gayle is either, you must under the age of 30 and you will need to Google her.) Seriously though!

Big Birthdays - Part 1

 Last November Clint and I both turned the BIG 4-0!

And since every big birthday needs a big celebration, we flew deep into the Heart of Texas for a weekend get-away.

Love/Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with blogging and this blog.

Can you tell?

 Some days I love it, other days I hate it.

Some days it feels like torture to write up a blog post, other days I can't get to my computer fast enough. When I capture a moment I want to remember forever, I can't wait to write about it. However, on the other hand, when my kids whine and cry and don't want any pictures taken, it frustrates me and I want to quit. 

Often I feel like what I share on this little piece of the internet is dull, plain, and boring.  I think, "Why do you even bother"?

Some days it drives me crazy that my blog is the only way some people keep in touch with me. Other days, I'm happy and excited that I'm able to share our family's happening.

Maybe it's hormones. Maybe it's stress. Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis.

Whatever it is, I keep coming back to this crazy little blog.

I love having a place where all my photos and events are stored in chronological order and available from any device. My children love to read it, and sometimes they spend hours looking back through the years of memories this blog holds.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, sorry for being so wishy-washy.
If you're still here and reading this. . . . 

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

Matchy-Matchy!

Wordless Wednesday

New Blog

No, I'm not going to stop blogging here, but I did want to announce that  I've decided to start a new blog where I'll be posting my favorite healthy recipes.
I use to share recipe ideas over at Rachael's Favorite Recipes, but I didn't like the idea of having  healthy recipes and not-so-healthy recipes hanging out together.

Introducing my new blog:

WATCH ME WHISK

www.watchmewhisk.com, 

Go check it out and let me know what you think.

Also Be sure to check out the ABOUT page.

When you Forget, I'll remind you

"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them. . ."

-2 Peter 1: 12

Reminder #1:

I'm not proud to admit that I've been subtly, but constantly, complaining that only having one washer and dryer wasn't enough for our large family.  I was frustrated that every time (every single time) I would go to put in a load of laundry, someone else's clothes were already in.

As always, whenever I  get proud and forget to count my blessings, the Lord is always there to help me remember.

A couple weeks ago, after finally beating everyone to the washing machine, I put my wet clothes into the dryer. I hit the button to start the cycle, but nothing happened. 

NOoooo!

It was broken! I immediately called my repair man (aka, my husband, Clint).  He diagnosed it with a blown motherboard (dang technology!), everything else is fine, but the computer just can't tell it to go.

UGH!

The kicker is that a new motherboard is almost as much as a new dryer, which we don't have the money for right at the moment - so. . . .

the air-hockey table and every chair we can spare has become our new "dryer".

(With the exception of that one time I almost got mugged at the Laundromat.)

And just in case you don't know -Air drying just doesn't dry the same way a dryer does.  No matter how much fabric softener you add, your clothes are still rough.

(The kids are loving wearing scratchy, crusty underwear. - I'm being sarcastic here peeps.)

and it takes about a day and a half for a pair of jeans to dry. You really have to plan ahead.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Lord is quick to chastise us and to remind us. 

I can just imagine the Lord saying:

"Oh she thinks she's got it bad with just one washer and dryer, let's see how she does with only a washer and NO dryer.  Maybe then she'll humble herself and be grateful for all that she has."

Reminder #2

Apparently I didn't learn my lesson with Reminder #1.

Last night I was complaining to myself about a part of my body that I hate-

my teeth.

We had just taken a family picture and sure enough, my eye was drawn to my teeth. I was moping around all night, silently criticizing myself for having such ugly teeth.

(Don't Judge. I know it's petty)

Guess how the Lord reminded me this time?

Last night in the middle of my moping, #6 slipped and fell in her feety pajamas while holding a marker. 

The marker hit her front teeth and chipped them like a professional hockey player.

As I was holding and comforting my poor little girl, the Spirit whispered to me:

"Be grateful for the teeth you've been blessed with, it could be worse."

Reminder #3 & 4

Then to make sure He really drove the point home, first this quote showed up in my insta-feed this morning.

"Be Grateful in time of Distress"

And if that wasn't enough of a reminder, in my scripture study this morning, I was reading in 1 Nephi 18 where Nephi's brothers tied him up on the ship for 4 days.  In verse 16 Nephi says, "Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions."

The Lord is so good to us. When we're quick to forget, and we start to murmur and complain, He will remind us of just how blessed we really are.

It is up to us to trust Him, heed his reminders, and make the necessary changes in our attitude and behavior.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

-Psalms 34:8

I "HEART" Mornings

 I would never have considered myself to be a "morning person".

Growing up, my poor mother would have to pry me out of bed every morning for school. (Thanks Mom!) I liked my sleep, and I definitely did not like even the idea of waking up early.

It's funny how the tides have changed. I now love my early mornings.  I'm usually up by 5:30 am.

I love opening the blinds to the view of the city lights twinkling below.

 The house is so quiet and peaceful. I have time to let my brain wake up before the chaos of the day begins.

I pull out my scriptures and read (my day always goes better when I begin it with God's word.) as I watch the sun crest up over the east mountain peaks waking up the sleeping world below, and turning the skies a brilliant shade of magenta.

There's just something about an early morning that has me addicted.  I love it. I inhale it, I can't get enough. It leaves me wanting and always coming back for more.

Hair-Do's, Answers, and Social Media

I'm happy to report that I made it safely home from the laundromat yesterday. 

PHEW!

To celebrate my safe return (okay not really), I took a little visit to my favorite hair salon and had my stylist chop my hair off!  It always feels so good to get a fresh new do.

Clint went on a little over-night fishing trip with some friends. Won't he be surprised when he gets home!

I love it!

Yesterday I also listened to President Russell M. Nelson's Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults.  Sister Nelson also spoke (Find her talk HERE). These are both amazing -AH MAZING talks about being who you are meant to be.

 In Sister Nelson's talk she issued a challenge.  She said,

"Would you be willing to try an experiment for 30 days?

"Daily kneel and thank your Heavenly Father for the scriptures.  Tell Him the one question you most need to have answered that day.  Plead to have the Holy Ghost with you as you read.  Then open your scriptures anywhere, and read until you find the answer.  Try it for 30 days and see what happens".

"[Let] the scriptures become our "go-to source" for answers and for the comfort we may realize we've often been seeking online."

She also talks about the effects of social media on us, but I'll let you read that for yourself.

(I talk about my experience with this HERE, HERE, and HERE)

Early Morning Adventures

Good morning! It 6:26 am my time. Since I have nothing else to do I thought I'd blog to you live from location. 

Where am I?

Yep, I'm sitting at the scary local laundromat in the wee hours of the morning praying that no creepy person notices I'm here. 

Our dryer broke again. Yes we fixed it back in August after a week of hanging our clothes out on the patio, the front porch, and the cement driveway to dry (I'm sure the neighbors loved it). Fingers crossed we can fix it again (when I say we, I mean Clint) and STAT. It's way too cold to hang our underwear outside to dry.  Plus, what kind of mother would I be making my kids wear frozen underwear to school? 

Last night at dinner, we discussed the broken dryer. However, there was one certain 13 year old that somehow didn't get the message.  He got up early, and 

Oh crap. . . I hear something. Quick! HIDE ME!!!

Phew! It was just the heater banging on.

Don't panic. I'm okay. 

Where was I? Oh yes, he woke up early and washed the clothes he needed/wanted/had his heart set on wearing today, only to realize the dryer wouldn't work, and he was left with wet clothes to wear today.  If only he'd paid attention at dinner last night.- DUH!

So his nice, kind, "Momma of the Year" mother dug through her piggy bank for quarters, and took his sopping wet clothes, risking her life in the process, to dry them at the laundromat.

And here I sit. Waiting for clothes to dry, and watching for creepers.
If you don't see a blog post from me tomorrow, better tune in to the news - there might have been a stabbing at the local laundromat!

p.s. I sent Clint this photo.  His reply - "Wow! They have free Wi-Fi."
I didn't find that very amusing. 

Reflections

Reflecting this morning on the past year, the good, the bad, and the just okay. 

Today I celebrate my 38th birthday.  Birthdays for me are a fresh start, a time to decide what I want in life and a chance to set some goals to accomplish those changes.  It's a new year & an opportunity to be a better me.  

"It is our duty to be better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today.  . ."

-Larry R. Lawrence

Randomness Post # 7.2356a

 i. Last month I cleaned out my closet.  This is what is left-  a few shirts, 2 skirts, 1 pair of jeans, some shoes, and a bathrobe. This cleaning was due to having recently read the book: 

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Condo.  It's all about how to declutter and organize, but you probably already figured that out (you smartie!). I've slowly been going through the house, keeping only items that bring me joy (aka-still fit me) and getting rid of the rest.  I still have a lot to do, but I choose not to think about that right now.

f. Over the weekend I ran to the mall to buy #4 new Sunday clothes.(He's growing like a weed and now towers over me- No FAIR!) I just happened upon a store having a huge sale.  After spending way too much moolah (that's Spanish for Money- I think), I now have some jeans that fit, and a new jacket!  I also bought Clint a few things, and #2 a few things but she won't get them until her birthday next month.

5. Speaking of birthdays, my sweet little girl will turn 18!  That's E-I- G-H-T-E-E-N peeps!

(insert running around the house screaming)

I'm much too young to have two adult children.  I want a do-over!  Who do I call to file a complaint?

 

 xii. I went on a school field trip with #6 to Cornbelly's.  

I had her cute friends in my group.  We got lost in the corn maze), which only took us approximately 1.4765 hours to complete. (I hate corn mazes, but I was such a good sport this time.  You know, to set a good example for the children and all. . .  We also went on a hayride, played on a beach made of corn kernels, and entertained ourselves on about 1000 different playhouses and swing-sets.  It was a good time.

A.  Last night I looked over at the lamp on Clint's nightstand and thought how sweet it was of him to decorate our room for Halloween.  Only he didn't.  So that only means that spiderweb is real, and I'll be spending some much needed time dusting the house today!

Progress

I posted about this on Instagram, so this may be old news to some.

The picture on the right is me last August 2014, after I had been running daily. The one on the right was taken two weeks ago (August 2015).  Notice any difference? 

Remember last summer when I embarked on a daily "lose the jiggle" exercise program.  By the end of the summer I was running 5 miles 5-6 times a week?  I lost a grand total of 1 pound and gained a bad knee and ankles in the process.

Remember last November/December when I took on the challenge of my first Whole30 and lost 14 lbs without any exercise?  (If you're wondering what the heck a Whole30 is you can read more about it HERE HERE and HERE.)  In January I did another 30 days just to make sure my new healthy eating habits were well established.  I felt 1000 times better.  My hormones were balanced for the first time in years.  My chronic fatigue was gone.  I was finally sleeping through the night, and waking up feeling refreshed and not tired.  My skin was clear - no more zits on my forehead or on my chin.

After my second Whole30, I switched to a mostly paleo diet. I do allow myself a cheat every once in a while, (after all you only live once and life is to be enjoyed and that includes eating yummy things.) but mostly my "treats" are made from honey instead of sugar, and nut flours instead of all-purpose flour.  Our meals now are mostly vegetable/fruit based with a side of protein. Once school begins, I'm hoping to share some of my new favorite recipes.  (I haven't decided if I plan to post them here or on my recipe website.  More about that later once I've decided.)  

It's been 9 months since I first began this new lifestyle.  I've lost almost 20 pounds, and who knows how much body fat.  I feel better than I have in years. I'm convinced that health does not come from a prescription, or an exercise program (although exercise is a still a good thing).  Health comes from the kitchen.  It's in what you eat and what you don't eat.  I know from personal experience that "You cannot outrun a bad diet".  You just can't.  I'm so grateful to God for finally helping me to understand that.

ps- You should see my mama!  She and I did our first Whole30 together.  She looks amazing! As soon as I find a picture that really shows her incredible transformation, I'll post it.

Seriously, you're mind will be blown!

Zip-Line = Flat-line

We spent last Saturday and Sunday up at Heber Valley Camp (HVC).  It is heavenly up there.  I just bask in the quiet, peaceful, serene, beautiful atmosphere of it all.  

 I get to be with my family.  I get to see my mom and dad.

What could be better?

 We are allowed two "visits" per year.  Since my parents served there last year, this was our 4th stay.

Each visit includes a challenge course (there are 5 different ones to choose from), boating on the lake, and an over-night stay in one of their awesome cabins. 

 Mom and Dad choose the challenge course for us, and this time they chose the zip-line, or Challenge Course #2. 

I have a love-hate relationship with the Zip-line.  I don't mind climbing the 20 foot pole up to the top, but the moment I have to step on the horizontal pole and make the walk across to the actual zip-line, my fear of heights sets in and really scares the bejeebers out of me.

 

Finally after I get my knees to stop shaking and I make it to the zip-line platform, my heart finally starts to slow-down, and I can breathe again.  The worker hooks you up, gives you a pep-talk, and then it's time to jump to your death.  (Okay not really, but it feels that way.)  It takes a serious amount of trust to leap off that super high platform.  Once you do and the initial rush is over.  It becomes so fun, you almost -almost- want to do it again.

 (I chose this picture because I look really tan in it. - That is all.)

 Every time we go, Clint and I mention how fun it would be to have a family reunion up here with his family.  Who knows. . . one day, we might actually do it!

 At each challenge course and also the lake they have a sandbox for the children to play in. (Whoever thought of this idea must have been a mom with little kids.  Bravo Lady!) 

After the challenge course, we canoed on the lake where I had the cutest view.

There's just something awesome about having fun with your family outdoors.

I can't wait to go back!  (Next time, I'm forcing #1 to call in sick to work . . .Insert Evil Laugh. . .)

Weekend Festivities

This past weekend was full of good times.

(We were pretty much singing "Nah Nah Nah We're Gonna Have a Good Time- Hey Hey Hey!" all weekend long.)

Friday Night, Mr. Collins took me on a date to Cubby's.  The food is good, and by good I mean not only delicious but also good for your body. It was a win-win for us both.  We'll be back - really soon, I hope!

 Saturday was the kick-off of our small town's "Days".  Every city in Utah has a week or weekend they celebrate what makes them unique.  This week is "Our" week!

Here we are watching the Mud Volleyball event.  Bodies were slipping and mud was flying everywhere.

 These two were smart and stood way back out of mud's reach.

Later Saturday night, we headed up to HVC.  It was our last turn this year, to visit our missionaries up there, but more about that later. 

The best thing about the weekend was that this boy finished his last day of work and is home!  I had no idea how much not only I but everyone would miss him.  We're so glad he's home for good.

Gram

Last weekend we moved Gram into an Assisted Living Home.

(There are actually 9 of us plus a large luggage cart in this elevator.  Thank goodness no one suffers from Claustrophobia.)

She'll be living in this lovely one bedroom apartment.

(This is a itty bitty photo.  Click on it and it should enlarge.) 

 Gram told us which of her things she would like from her house, and it was our job to load them up, move them over, and decided where everything should go.

For not having a degree in interior decorating, I think we did a pretty awesome job.

 There is a small fishing pond on the property where the kids spent most of their time fishing. 

Grandma spent most of her time trying out Gram's new bed.

Celebrate Summer

Summer vacation has gone by way too fast!  We've been having so much fun, I've hardly had time to blog it all.  What have we been up?

 Last week Clint dusted off his cowboy boots and extra large belt buckle and took #2 and #4 to the Rodeo.  They all had a boot-scootin', rip-roarin' good time.

 We've also gone to a baseball game or two.

Apparently, selfies are a must at baseball games (basically selfies are a must for these two anywhere)!

 So are photos with the team mascot.

We also had Clint cousin, Samantha and her fiance stay with us for a few days.  They're getting married in September.  And yes, I made sure there was no hanky-panky going on.

wink wink

One nice sunny hot day, we took them up to the local reservoir to work on their wedding tans.  As soon as we arrived, the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up.  We were only there for 20 minutes.  It was awesome!  Oh well. . . 

 We've also done some car repairs (when I say we here, I really mean #1).  He super mega talented when it comes to fixing stuff. If you ever need something fixed, he's the man!

 We've also spent a lot of time reading on the sleeping porch/patio (whatever you want to call it).

(When I say we this time, I really mean we.)

 We've also spent most Wednesday at the library where they play a movie, and serve popcorn, all for Fah-Weeee.  Yep, our library is the bomb-diggity!  

We've also sought refuge in the bathroom for an hour when a huge thunder storm rolled in during one of Clint's games.  They eventually ended up canceling the game.

And last but not least, this summer recap would not be complete without me mentioning that we've also shucked a lot of corn (when I say we here, I mean #6.  We took a vote, and crowned her the family's official corn-husker).