September, let's get it started!

 

Lets go back a little bit in time. Twelve years ago I was preparing to marry my one true love in the Mesa temple. Up until then I had always been thin. I never weighed myself so I am not ure what is really was. But I bought clothes in the 5/6 range. Occasionally even a 4 would do. I am 5'6 and have always been active. However, when my now husband and I became a couple I has my first shock. Yep I went in for a fitting and the seamstress mentioned I had gained weight! What? I had always heard you are too thin. Never that I had gained weight. I had no idea how! Of course I look back and I know the culprit. Ice cream! My husbands roommate always had ice cream and would scoop up large bowls every night I was there. Duh!! 

     After we were married DJ and I moved to California. That was also a shock to my system. Things started out hard. But, we eventually found a home and jobs. Then I went shopping. I was a 8!!!!! I was about 145 and I thought my life was over. There was no Pinterest then no where for me to find awesome workouts and how to eat healthy. So I was there for a while. Then Lucas was born , I seemed to be tight in my clothes but I was still an 8... I think. Then Eden came. Yikes! After she was born things haven't ever been the same. I gained! I think I got down to 160 or 170 sometime before Leila. But that was it. Now I have Molly. My fourth and final child. My no excuses kid. The you need to lose this weight and feel good in your own skin again kid. 

     So here is my challenge. I want to lose 5 pounds a month. I'll take more if I can get it. So here is my before picture. Ugh.  I am tracking my progress on www.sparkpeople.com and I am collecting a support system on Facebook

I can do this!!

Leila turns 4

My little Leila turned four on August 19th.

She is such a joy to me. She goes to preschool.

Of her favorites she loves my little ponies, mud, dress up, barbies, and animals.

Her favorite friends are her friend Erin and her cousin Travis 

She is joy itself and she makes me laugh constantly.

I love my little girl and I am excited to see the wonderful things she'll say and do this coming year.

Camping love

This past week we went camping. My family hit the little town of Greer with great anticipation. We escaped the heat of Tucson for an entire week. Usually we go camping in July. But this year was June. Why is that weird? Because we had absolutely no rain! I have never camped without rain! It was nice but also so every dry and dusty.

I have never seen such dirty children in my life! It was impossible to keep theme somewhat clean. Leila was the worst. She is a mess all the time anyway. So she was pretty  much a disaster. 

      One of my favorite days was Wednesday. Our designated laundry day. Luck.y for me one of my best friends lives their with her 5 children. She was so generous in letting me do laundry at her house. She also let us shower! I am not sure whether that was for our benefit or hers. Her son Sam and my Lucas instantly hit it off. They are boys cut from the same tree. They had sword fights, made boats and had races down the canal, swung in the swing, and did well, I am not sure we just said go outside and play!! 

Operation rock shop, the girls mainly collected and cleaned all these rocks and displayed them. The boys wanted to be involved.

Molly decided to go for a drive.

I think Leila was in this swing for 2 hours. It was her favorite!

Katie & Molly, this just makes me happy.

       During our trip we saw lots of wildlife. I saw a bear! We also saw a herd of elk being stalks by a couple of coyotes. Deer, beavers, a muskrat, birds, squirrels, Corey even saw some young foxes. It was a great trip. But I am happy to be home and bathed. It is going to be  a few days till our chapped skin and sunburns return to normal. But the cool weather and beautiful scenery will be missed.