Square One

That's where I'm at.  I need pudding.  Well, that would actually be really tasty, but what I'm referring to is the pudding that holds the proof.  I was so exactly diligent for two whole weeks with eating right and exercising and only lost 2 lbs.  It's quite discouraging.  Especially when typically you lose fast those first couple of weeks as you shock your body.  That does not give me great hope.  It's just really hard to continue on in something that doesn't seem to be giving any results.  So in a moment of fatigue and frustration, I gave in.  Macaroni and Cheese.  The gooey kind.  Well, dieting is like the saying "It's easier to live the Gospel 100% of the time than 96%".  As soon as you give in a little, it's super easy to give in a lot.  And that's exactly what happened.  By the end of the week all caution was thrown to the wind.  Pizza, ice cream, chips, burritos, rolls, and Oh-the-PB&J's.  So, I haven't been on the scale to see what damage it created, but I'm climbing my dragging butt back up on the wagon.  I know I don't like where I am now, and I also know that while eating all those things was quite tasty, I actually felt like crap a large amount of the time after.  I can continue on in things that give results.  Things that I can actually see working.  But enough people have quoted the ever popular "Doing the same thing over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity".  So to continue knocking myself out just to have no results feels pretty sucky.  EVEN though I know I'm doing the right thing.  So, here's to another week.  Another long week of counting points and steps and turning my head away from every commercial or billboard with a juicy hamburger calling my name. But if something doesn't happen this week,  I may have to go straight for the pudding.  Head first.

Happy

Some days are just good.  Today was one of those days.  I had the chance to fill in as a substitute tour guide today, so spending 6 hours at the temple is always a good thing!  I had some really nice conversations, smiled a lot and gave a tour to anchorman Mike Dana.  

I was supposed to have my first dance class today, but I was the only student so she postponed it till next week.  Yay!!  I was really tired and almost skipped it anyway.  So instead of dance class, I got myself a very cute new pair of flip flops.  I know, it's January.  But it's also ARIZONA.  After the shoes I indulged in a burrito from Costa Vida.  That I regretted later.  Since I've been eating healthy and less, a whole burrito gave me a tummy ache.  I grabbed Taco Bell for the kids and put a smile on their faces!  

Melanie came over and worked on our house plans, I think we finally have a winner!!  While we were working at the table, Rhett was learning some break dancing moves from YouTube.  He got mad when he found out I took pics of him and quit.  He's wearing the puffy jacket cuz apparently it hurts spinning around on the floor.  I love him.  

Lastly, I forgot to mention a little story from my not so awesome day at the Temple on Monday.  As I was arriving home a little troubled over what had happened with my friend, I parked the car and as the kids were getting out I heard a little voice.  It was Bo singing.  This is what I heard:  We have been born as Nephi of old , to goodly parents who love the Lord...We have been taught and we understand, that we must do as the Lord Commands."   So sweet and perfect.  My heart just melted.  What we're doing.. this whole religion thing... it's good.  And it's right.  And it's true.  That sweet little voice reminded me of that.  

Army of Helaman

What day is it?

Since the kids were out of school Monday, it's been really difficult for me to remember what day it is.  Been crazy.  Monday we took the kids to the Temple for the first time.  Because we spent most of the time talking to our friends who went with us, I didn't really get to talk to them at all.  So we decided to go back again the next day!  The kids were all excited about that and some have even asked when we can go again.  This time we took some pics. Oh how I love this bunch!!

Back to Monday though.  Monday Dalin turned 13!  Because we had tickets for the open house and one of his good friends was having his birthday party that same day, it kinda came and went without a lot of fanfare.  Now, don't get me wrong.  On his birthday he got to go to the temple, eat lunch at Fudruckers and go see a movie with his friends.  He just wasn't the focus of all that fun.  By the time dinner time came and he was asking what I was making for his birthday dinner, I panicked.  So I offered up taco bell.  He chose Barro's instead.  So we all went for pizza, even Dad was able to make it.  We ended the night by singing really loudly for all to hear before we left the restaurant.  I wish I had known how red he was going to be, cuz I definitely would have taken pics!  Happy Birthday Dalin!!

Tuesday morning brought on more "what day is it" behavior.  Katy had been chosen to say the pledge in front of the whole school and it was TODAY.  Yikes, we didn't' remember till it was almost time to leave so I redid her hair a little cuter, threw on some clothes and mascara and went to the school to watch.  She was GREAT!  Strong voice and so much confidence.  I love it. I love her!!

Tuesday night we gave tours at the temple again and I came home really tired!  So Wednesday was a pamper day.  Sort of.  Nails and lunch with Jenny.  Then it was scouts and dancing with Mutual for the evening.  They are doing so well with the dance for the Cultural Celebration, better than I could have imagined.  It's been lots of fun.

Today brings more tours and my first women's dance class and tomorrow more tours and Amazing Jake's with Amazing friends.  With a week like this, who cares what day it actually is!

Christlike Love

It's finally here, the open house for the Gilbert Temple!  It's brought on a myriad of different experiences, some good... some not.  In my bewilderment of how some things come to pass and also in my sincere desire to be understood, I decided to poor my heart out to blogger.  First let me tell you... I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ.  Because of that, I try hard to be like them.  To follow the example Christ set as He walked the earth, to love others as He would.  I'm not perfect, even close, but I try.  So it's somewhat heartbreaking and just a smidge maddening when people try to tell me what I believe.  I've heard some of the crazies things ever!  And no matter what I say, they know more than I do.  Strange I tell ya.  I believe in things I had no idea even existed.  So I'm told anyway.

This is where I begin my "set it straight" part.  I'm not going to list the many scriptural references that I know of that would "prove" my beliefs, no.. I'm not going to do that.  Wanna know why?  Because it doesn't matter.  I completely respect the basic right to believe and worship as you feel proper.  Or not at all if that suits you.  I claim that same privilege.  You don't have to agree with what I do, you can even think it's downright wrong.  But what the Savior taught is to love thy neighbor as thyself.  Even to love your enemies and those that hate you and despitefully use you.  As far as I can tell, it's my responsibility to love you because you are YOU.  A child of God.  Sent here to do your best and make your way through life trying to figure it all out.  We're all in the same boat.  On Sunday, I go to church to worship Jesus Christ and renew my covenants and be spiritually strengthened.  I don't give one seconds thought to what other churches are doing or if they are doing it right or worrying about their souls.  Nope, I worry about my soul and the souls of my family. That's why I take them to church.  You will not find a Mormon church teaching or preaching or discussing the teachings of other churches.

  And we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins.     

That is how we spend our worship time. If your church is spending time doing anything else, such as how to disprove someone else's beliefs...well, that doesn't seem like something the Savior would approve of. BUT, you have to the right to do it!

I will never understand the hostility towards the Mormon church.  Even if we are crazy wrong and totally deluded and have been lead astray by foolishness, what part of my daily life is so offensive?  Is it my desire to serve others?  The commitment I have to my husband and children?  Maybe it's that I don't steal your things or when I wave as you pass by.  I guess it could be that I teach my children the importance of being virtuous in all things.  Those are pretty offensive characteristics, I guess that makes sense.  If I'm  a generally good person, why does it matter what I do in my church or temple or home?  How does it change your life?  Mormons aren't perfect.  We make mistakes, fall, doubt, get angry, are inconsiderate and even rude.  We're human.  But we try.  We try to be Christlike, to act as He would and avoid contention.  For we are told in the scriptures that contention is of the Devil.  So if I don't enter in to your "bashing" of the things most sacred to me, that's why.  I will not be goaded into acting opposite of the Savior.  I know in my heart that my beliefs, my church, the Gospel of Christ is good and right and true.  That's what matters to me.  If you've found something that makes you feel the same and that's what matters to you, then we should rejoice together that we have found something that completes us and brings us joy.  That is being a Christian.  That... is Christlike love. ♥

A New Date-r

 Rhett is just weeks away from turning 16.  He got just lucky enough to turn 16 three days before his schools Sweethearts dance.  He's had a little "thing" for this girl he's known for awhile and apparently she has a little "thing" for him.  She filled his room with balloons asking him to the dance (Girl ask guy).  So he spent a day or two anxiously waiting for me to come up with a way to answer her.  I'm not super creative, so this is the best I got!  But, he was happy with it and took it to school today to leave on her desk.  Another chapter begins....

23 Years and Counting

We just celebrated our 23rd Wedding anniversary on January 5.  Because we had some things that weekend, Glade booked us a romantic weekend away to.... CHANDLER!  It's the thought that counts.  We left Thursday evening and went to eat at Kyoto Bowl, which was quite a treat!  I haven't been there in a long time.  After, we went to see Mama Mia at Gammage.  It was good, but a little naughty for my taste.  We stayed in a nice hotel and spent the whole next day looking at model homes.  It was actually really fun and very helpful in making up our own new home plans.  For dinner we met up with friends and tried a new Mexican place.  Saturday we went to breakfast, but then had to end our vacay to attend a Temple tour guide training meeting.  It was some very sweet time away, which I'm always in need of.  I love my guy and I'm glad we can still be alone together and LIKE it. ♥

 I bought these super cute matching key rings for us.  The penny is actually from 1991.

 Kyoto Bowl

 Selfie at the Temple

 Our Hotel room.  It looks dreary, but it was very nice and quite spacious.

This was the kitchen I fell in love with at one of the model homes.

Just for fun.  Where it all began....

Random

It's a good thing I take a lot of pictures!  Found all these and reminded me what we HAVE been doing these last weeks.

 New Year's Eve I took the kids for a bike ride down the trail.  We were only gone an hour or so, but it was nice to have working bikes and a little fresh air.  Rhett was there but went for a run.  He wasn't so happy with his results so he was cranky and didn't want a picture.  Go figure. Ü  That night the older kids went to the church dance and we sat around like old farts ringing in the new year.  It was super chill and low key, but I was really happy for a night with some of my favorite people just being us. ♥


We had been given some free manicure coupons from a friend, so Jenny and I took the girls out for the day.  We drove WAY into Mesa for them to get their nails done at a beauty school, but first stopped at Costa Vida for some lunch.

They all got nails painted and even got to take home their bottle of polish.  We then headed to Neilson's for some frozen custard.  Super fun day with great friends.

 Weird picture, but I had taken the three boys to spend some of their Christmas money and as they were all walking together and talking and getting along so well, it just warmed my heart.  I love my boys!

This is Stanley.  He has a long story, but for the short part, he's a stray that really loves our family.  After expending some energy trying to find his owner, we decided to keep him.  Then realize that wasn't smart.  He's too big to be in the house and without a fence around our yard, he just has to stay tied up all day.  We are now in the process of finding a new home for him.  He really is sweet and if it were a year from now and we had a fenced yard, he may just have become a Smith.

This cute thing is almost 7!  Just a couple of weeks more.  Today she had a fever so she and I stayed home from church together.  I forgot how much I like spending time with her since she started school all day.  She really wanted some blue box (mac and cheese) so I decided it was time she learn how to make it.  She did great!  Love these times with her.

Pretty Ho Hum

Not much to blog about.  Life is going along as usual. Busy, not busy, crazy, chaotic and peaceful.  Kids went back to school, I went back to trying to keep things up to par, Glade's still swamped at work... the usual.

The Gilbert Temple open house is coming NEXT Saturday, that's pretty exciting.  I'm looking forward to many exciting experiences as we give tours through the temple.  We get to go in for the first time on Tuesday.  We've already had our first Cultural Celebration rehearsal with the youth and it went really well.  I was super nervous that I would have a handful of kids make it difficult for me but they did great!

No one is doing any sports or plays right now so life is mostly on the slow side (for us).  It's been nice having some evenings just at home with the kids.  We just signed the final papers for our land so it's officially ours!  Now to get on with building a new house, that's actually pretty exciting and overwhelming at the same time.  Let's hope Glade and I can pull through in one piece!

Stephen is working at Taco Bell now, has a girlfriend.. Taylor Contessa and recently rear ended someone.  Fun times.  Bishop released his mission papers today so we can get working on them.  He has a lot of work to do before he will be able to go.  Hopefully he can buckle down and get serious about it.  Rhett has started piano lessons.  I hope he sticks with it cuz I think he could be really good.

I've been purging all sorts of things for two reasons: 1) I REALLY want to have a more organized home. 2) in preparation for moving.  We just have way to much stuff.  It's a big... slow.. job, but so fulfilling to see emptier, organized space.  If I can only keep it that way!

I'm really trying hard to lose weight.  It's been a whole week that I have stuck to my weight watchers.  Only down one pound.  That's really discouraging.  The first week when people start making drastic changes usually results in good numbers.  Not me.  Grrr.  But I see myself and I just can't stay like this any longer.  I have tried to be "fat and happy" but I don't think they can really co exist.  So many things that are hard for me to do, just feels so blah.  In reality, it makes me want to crawl into bed with a big bowl of chocolate.  But that's not the answer, that's the problem!  I know it only takes a while to start feeling good again and strong, but I'm certainly not there yet.

Nick's court date it tomorrow and hopefully we will know more about his future, but we don't' think it's that kind of hearing.  We've gotten two letters from him and he appears to be doing well (under the circumstances).  It's weird as it becomes more real that he won't be with us for several years.  Choice and accountability.... It will be nice when we finally know his sentence and can then move forward from there.