UPDATES

So, several things have happened in the past six months that I thought I should post:

Since January, I have been working out, juicing, boot camping and going to physical therapy. I have lost 32 pounds and 6 sizes!!!!! I have never been in a single digit number in my life!!! I am feeling great, working hard at not only being healthy, but staying healthy - and I can tell you it really can happen to you!!! Lindsay once told me that it's 20% exercise, 80% food - and it's true! If you cut out all the sugars - for me that meant cutting back on fruit which was SOOOOOO hard - and adding green vegetables in place of the fruit, watching the 'white junk' - bread, pasta, crackers, etc - and limiting calories to how much you burn, then it's true, your body has no choice but to burn fat!! So, if you don't walk, exercise or move much, 1200 calories is too much. Eat less of the good stuff, and little by little, it will shed - that's what happened when I injured myself a month ago.
That's my second incidence - I hurt myself during boot camp and couldn't move....not even walk!!! During that time, I realized how grateful I am for the ability to WALK! How many of us take that for granted daily? I would watch people walk and be jealous - crazy, huh? But really, what an amazing ability that comes from the simple fact that our body was created in a way that several muscles facilitate the movement of a large limb. I had lost the function of two muscles - abs and glutes - on my left side which prohibited me lifting my leg off the ground! After a week of rehab, I could function again and was so grateful!!! Thank you Heavenly Father!!! I finally had tears of joy instead of tears of pain. I have such a small understanding now of those who have difficulty with movement due to childhood illnesses/conditions.
Thirdly, my grandma has been ill for several weeks now - I'm sure it's just age..... but I love her dearly and miss her very much. I wish I could be there. So my realization is this: appreciate those around you who you can love - not just those who love you. What an awesome opportunity we have to love and serve family and friends around us. When you're thousands of miles away from your family, you tend to realize that more often...... Thanks to all my 'friends' and family who show me kindness and love through generous acts of service - mowing our lawn since my lawnmowers broken, fixing my drain pipe since it's been blocked for 2 months, spending time to call and care. Thank you.

School's Out, Graduation and DISNEYLAND!!!!

Sariah graduated!!!! She looked so beautiful, graceful and mature - well she looked it, not acted it.... Here's some pics from these gala events........

• Graduation night, which was followed at midnight, by a long, drawn-out drive to Disneyland on a bus full of giddy girls gabbing gaily on gushing gusts of adrenaline!
• Disneyland was a riot with girls - not mine - and guys trying to catch up with each other through the mercies of their controlling chaperons who could not get to ride 'It's a Small World' for anything!!
• Swimming days begin at local homes of friends who are kind enough to let my brood into their private quarters...
• Cherai visiting from New Mexico, girls night out and wishing she never left - miss you so much!!! I hadn't done a late night movie in years.......it was so much fun to feel young again!
  

Doesn't she look stunning?

Two of Sariah's fave friends.....

Terri and I chaperoning 'the kids'.

After a long, exhausting day at Disneyland and California Adventure...

This was after swimming at our local friends pool....minus Nephi:(

Sariah fixed my hair, picked my outfit, and got me ready for the girls night out...

Great food, great friends, great times!! - we miss you Cherai!!!!!!

Cheeky Samuel after his hair cut - they all thought he looked like Hamlet, so he's nicknamed Samlet for his curly locks and bangs (aka, fringe)

Joseph's Birthday

Joseph about 10 minutes after he was born - he was born in his sac of water...

Ammon has loved him ever since he was little.

Joseph has always been the quiet, pensive thinker of the family.

He has the charming features with a twinkle in his dark eyes, always.

He was two when he started strumming and singing - maybe American Idol one day...

Even his piano skills are self taught.

He's still a goof ball, like the rest of the boys....

His favorite birthday pressie from his adoring Uncle Dave and Aunt Pattie.

So here's the top ten things I love about Joseph:

1. He's always loving. He wakes up and gives Gary and I tons of hugs - and Samuel who loves and kisses him back.....
   
2. He loves to whistle - even when there's no real tune....
   
3. Ever since he was little, Joseph is attracted to musical instruments - guitar, piano, harmonica..... he's a natural!
   
4. He has the most beautiful, curly hair ever!- so curly that I have a hard time cutting it.
   
5. He loves to write and paint - in fact, when he first learned to write his name, he wrote on my freshly painted walls in the loft.......in three different places....
6. Joseph is happy playing on his own - I wish some of the other boys did that more often...
7. Great gamer - aren't all boys though?
8. Sweet and charming - he reminds me of my brother...
9. He's the peacemaker of the family - always willing to sacrifice for others.
10. Loves to jump on the tramp - from sun up to sun down!! - he can even do a back flip.
    

Birthday and General Conference and Firsts......

So I'm a little slow in updating - yeah, I had my birthday several weeks ago on General Conference Saturday session. The girls and I went out to lunch on Friday and it was great!! The food was fantastic, the friends even better!!! Then I went out with more good friends after priesthood session - so much food really spoils your diet.........
BUT, more importantly conference was fantastic and very inspiring! The children loved it as much as I did - of course I got more out of it I'm sure......

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This was the yummiest cake my friend Brenda made me - blueberry coffee cake with lemon icing................and the lovely decorations that she whipped up.

This is the beautiful present that Brenda packaged.....yeah it was the only one(arrived early),
so I had to take a picture.......

This is the boys at Pinewood Derby, and Jacob's getting the award for the Most Skinniest Car.

This is our amazing garden that we started and if you saw it now!!! And our first salad with our own lettuce!!! We planted over 80 lettuce!!!

This is Sariah's hair for her first Stake Dance!!!! She had a blast!!!!

This is Jacob at his final band concert.

So, since I always wanted another girl, we put Samuel's hair up - which he will never forgive us for - and took a picture - that he will try to destroy in future years - and here is the beauty......

Jacob's Birthday

Ok, so I've been a little busy, but here's Jacob's birthday pics. Also, let me tell you what Jacob brings to our family.....

• Jacob genuinely cares about everyone - he worries every minute whether mom took her cell phone, the garden got watered, the house was locked......somewhat OCD
• Jacob has a great smile - he lights up your face when you're down with his contagious smile.
• Jacob is very talented - he plays the flute, cello and piano. His orchestra teacher wants him to become a cellist.... he is torn between choosing cello or flute to continue with next year.
• Jacob is very book smart and wants to learn everything about everything - he wants to know everything about everything too.
• Jacob is a dedicated and loyal friend. He sticks with those he loves in all times of need - even with those he fights with on occasion.........
• Jacob is very spiritual. He is strong and passionate about the Gospel and his beliefs. He has been known to take scriptures to school and do missionary work........
• Jacob loves taking care of the garden! He is our delegated 'waterer' - he does this twice a day without fail...... hopefully the summer heat won't quench his desire.
• Jacob has an amazing ability to figure things out - he was putting puzzles back together when he was only 2!
  
• Jacob is loved by all his teachers - at school and church. He is a natural 'smarticle'! - and proud of it.
• Jacob hopes to invent something one day that has not yet been invented......and make lots of money..........(yes he is a go-getter)

Jacob was a concerned boy - even from the beginning...

Jacob making his angry face - he still does this but doesn't look so cute...

He was always the cheesy one in the family.....

He loves to pose with his 'cheesey' smile.

Isn't he cute and bashful? Cute - yes - bashful - NO!

Jacob was always a focused taekwondo competitor - he got all the way to red belt.

Jaocb has a great physique - totally muscular. Check out those pecs!!

Jacob is like his uncle in so many ways - I feel like I'm being taken back to my childhood most of the time.

He will always be there for me - this was in Havasupai, Grand Canyon in 2006.

Here he is as the future missionary.

Attempting to beat Nephi's attempt at touching the top, before jumping in.

Jacob is such a joy!

Nephi the Nice Guy....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEPHI!!!Nephi is so awesome......here's some great facts about a great kid!

• Nephi loves to help others - especially mom ☺
• Nephi is definitely named after the right prophet - he is obedient in doing what he's told to do.
• Nephi makes friends so easily, he often knows kids from other grade levels - very friendly.
• Nephi loves to excel in school - especially math. His teacher is very pleased with his attitude as well as aptitude - he tries to give others a turn when he can.
• Nephi takes care of his brothers and lets the older ones push him around - quite the martyr.
• Nephi is the svelt one in the family - don't know why? but I think that's a Gary gene.
• Nephi enjoys spending time with friends as well as family - he plays with anyone!
• Nephi smiles from ear to ear! He can't stop smiling, even when he's sad and cries, the smile shines through in a matter of minutes.
• Nephi is in the know on everything! and he claims to know about everything on anything!(He's been telling us that since he could talk......)

Nephi was a chubby little cupid!

Very inquisitive from an early age......

Loved food - almost as much as the others....

Nephi didn't talk until he was two, and then you couldn't stop him!!

He loves the water, but not when he's soaked in 75 degree weather...

He learned to jump rope at four, on the sidelines at school.

He always made his grandpas happy with his big smile ☺

Couldn't be more of a missionary than he already is!

Nephi's contagious smile........

The toothless grin.....

After his baptism at 8 - beaming like a missionary.

At his scout ceremony, when he earned his bobcat....

The sweetest smile to make anyone's day!
WE LOVE YOU NEPHI!!!!