My philosophy summed up by Lucy

Since I first had learn about food and learn to stay healthy, I have been slowly and steadily changing the way I eat. I go whole grain, fresh and little to no processed foods. As I mentioned before, fast food may as well have a skull and cross bones on it for all I'm concerned. I have been growing a strong testimony of the word of wisdom and how it has warned us of the "food dangers" of our day, just as much as the scriptures warn us of other traps, set to rob our agency.

I have been asked to talk at an enrichment on easy ways to lead a healthy life, and I have been struggling with how to present my ideas without sounding like Debbie Downer "WHAAAA...WHAAAAAA!!!!" Then I thought back to my, somewhat bizarre childhood, where lessons were taught through musicals and watching Andy Griffith, and I remembered one of the greatest moments in television history.

Lucy is trying to do a TV commercial and doesn't know the product contains 23% alcohol.

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The 1950's marks the time when people started to trust corporations to make their food and to put convenience over health. I'm sure at first those TV dinners and twinkies tasted bad compared to homemade food, but over time, our taste buds have been trained to crave the extra sugar, fat, hormones, anti-biotics, chemically altered "stuff" and preservatives the corporations use to make a profit.

Thanks Lucy for demonstrating my point and for reminding me that TV, like our food supply was much healthier when my mom was growing up, than it is for my kids.

Snowy Valentine's Morning

Happy Huggin' and Kissn'!!!!

Double Digits

Jaxen turned 10 on tues, and it has been a week of celebration! Despite my alluring suggestions to many other restaurants, the birthday boy chose McDonalds for his dinner. ( I really have grown to disdain all fast food, but McDonalds is the the ultimate gross out for me) I swallowed my pride, and a little bit of a salad and sat and marveled at how old he seemed.

Last year at this time, I wrote about how much I was struggling with how to parent Jaxen. I had more questions than answers, and most of all, I truly felt that I was loosing my connection with him. I vowed to do better, and I am so relieved to report that this year has been an amazing one for us. I found some answers, I tried new approaches, I faced some fears, and came out the other end a better mom. He has soared in school, gained confidence and taught me so much about how to let go and learn from these kids in my home.

Jaxen is a deep thinker, and sensitive to the spirit. His prayers can bring tears to my eyes and his ability to call me out when I've ventured into "crazy mom" leave me humbled. (and him in his room for a while) As much as I love having babies, this stage is so exciting as they start to hone in on what their talents and interests are. He's loving basketball, indoor soccer and gearing up for another summer of swimming. He is also showing interest in creative writing and art, showing that he has influences from both sides of the family.

His party is tomorrow---a bunch of 10 year old boys-----please send me strength!!!!

Back from Akumal

Oh, what a day! We started off sad to end our trip and ended up so glad to be home. It was a week of perfection. We needed to get away, re-group, rest, and spend some time just being a couple again. This quaint town of Akumal was so safe, so low key and just what we needed. Every day was calm, everything was peaceful.













Jason and I are not good relaxers. We have literally been running since we got married. We thought that finishing resisdency would bring us relaxation, but instead we moved, had a baby, moved my mom in and started work on the basement. For the first time, in WAY TOO LONG, we let it all go, left the kiddos with their very kind grandparents, and we just relaxed.

Coming home was bitter sweet. The kids were very brave while we were gone and got good reports, but Elijah and Autumn seemed to let down their bravery as soon as they saw us. Elijah just seemed sad and wanted to be held, and little Autumn just starred into my eyes and pressed her forehead into mine. I hadn't felt sad the whole week, but these two broke my heart a bit. I couldn't prepare them very well, and I think that, especially Autumn, must have been confused in her little mind. So tonight, I am so happy to be home, happy to be doing the routine and very, very happy to be mom again.

Hello from Cancun

Hi kids, (and our other friends who read the blog) Dad and I are having a great vacation and have lots of stories to tell you when we get home. In two days we have had a few adventures and a lot of time to relax and rest on the beach. The ocean is just a few feet from our casita, so we have had fun snorkeling and kyaking when we need a break from our relaxing.

We went to COBA, one of the few places they still let you climb the Mayan ruins. I have to admit that I got a little nervous at the top, but the view was worth the trek up.




Here is the house where we are staying and the view from our window. It seems almost unreal that places like this exist----and even more unreal that we don't choose to live here full time. I really think that I was made for the beach life.




As much fun as we are having, we find ourselves planning how we can come back and bring you guys next time. Now that we have staked the place out, we will know the best places to bring you guys. We love and miss you!!! Be good and keep earning those kid dollars!!!


Con mucho amor,
Mom and Dad

Consumer Alert

Did you know that these innocent looking scented reeds can destroy all surfaces within seconds?



During the basement construction, mine were rattled off of their perch, splattering these "natural oils" onto my couch, carpet and coffee table. Luckily I was close by and reacted within seconds. Unfortunately, these things work like acid and there was nothing I could do. They ate through the finish on my table and stripped my leather instantly. Also, our awesome warrantee for the couch only covers food and beverage..... "I'm sorry mame, but your policy says nothing about "oils". ( thanx to PMS, I cried on the phone with this nice woman)




When I called up Pier 1 to tell them I thought their product had caused significant damage in my home, they told me that they have had numerous complaints, but that there is a warning in the packaging. My bad...... I guess the rest of the nation actually reads the warnings on their room fresheners..... I just assumed that there would not be such a destructive product put into open containers for people to place in their homes. I guess the rest of the nation knows not to place them near anything, on anything, or around anything that is not made of steal. As for me, I am left with only the satisfaction of having my opinion "noted" as "I think your product stinks" , and a reminder that things are just things and that accidents can and will happen.

Beware the oils.......beware!!!!!

Birthday Assessment

So.....here I am, 33 today.


No makeup, after a workout.....a very common state for me.
Not a huge milestone, but certainly inching higher into my mid-thirties. It's a normal day today. Kids to school, taught some yogamotion, had a protein shake for lunch (because the water is turned off for construction). Just a calm birthday with time to think about where I am in life. Ten years ago, I was super pregnant, ready to become a mom for the first time. Oh, how my life has changed since then! I like who and where I am as a person better now, but there are certainly things I had more or less of in my twenties that I did not appreciate.

Here's my assessment of the changes.

I have:
More self-confidence
Less free-time
More ambition and desire to learn
Less time in which to pursue the above
More self-control
Less control over my surroundings
More humility
Less control over how I am perceived in public (kids are not good at "faking it" to save face)
More faith and a deeper understanding of what a gift the gospel is
Less tolerance for those around me who mock that which I call sacred
More friends
Less casual acquaintances
More appreciation for silence
Less annoyance at chaos
More people for whom I am responsible
Less ability to keep my brain on track and focused
More below
Less on top
More wrinkles
Less acne (though I still have some ----totally WRONG)
More age spots
Less worry about my stick- out ears
More people that I admire
Less people that I can't stand
More knowledge
More peace
More joy
More hugs
More family
More to loose
More to love
and more to look forward to

So I sit here, un-showered, full of my protein shake, fine to be 33 (more or less :)