The good and the bad

The plane/pinata pre-paint.

Airplane cupcakes for the party guests (I'm so not an artist.)

Mad rush for all the candy!

Brian getting ready to take the first swing!!!

The family cake.

Brian turned 6! Time really does go by so fast! We celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Fillmore's (It was gpa's bday too) and then he had a little birthday party. He wanted paper airplanes so we made the invitations out of paper airplanes which were hand delivered (how do you mail a paper airplane?) and then made a cardboard box airplane/pinata. We ended up with about 20 kids here which was a little crazy but a blast! I think everyone had a really good time except Nathan who was not ok with mommy giving so many other people her attention. In the end, he was just as excited as everyone else when all that candy fell. I think my favorite part about Brian's birthday this year are his facial expressions. You could tell when he opened a gift he really liked (or when he saw his party decorations) because his eyes got really big and he did this little pretend faint act. What a fun kid!

Oh a not so happy note, I lost my job doing program coordination for adults with disabilities. The state decided to go with one broker out of Boise for all program coordination. They only gave us 2 weeks to make the transition so after working a 60+ hour week, I am now in the market for a new job. It was such a hard week to say goodbye to all these families that I have really come to know and love. People with disabilities have an innocence and love for life that really puts things into perspective so it's doubly hard to see their programs cut (can't the government make budget cuts somewhere else?). While losing the job was a huge shock, the state had been talking about making these changes for some time so it wasn't a complete surprise. It feels nice to know I have my teaching certificate and a master's degree to "fall back on" but I'm really hoping for something part time so I don't have to leave my kids too much. Dusty and I were able to attend the Temple the weekend after I found out and gained the peace and reassurance that the Lord is watching over us and will provide a way for us to care for our family.

A family outing

The local museum has a full size 90% complete T-Rex skeleton. We decided to go for family night this week. The kids LOVED it. It was kinda crazy and I didn't get to read nearly as much as I wanted to on the little info signs they have but it was a neat experience. This isn't something we usually do, probably because of the money, but I remember to ask if they offered a military discount and our whole family got int for $10! (50% off) There is a museum in Rigby too. Maybe we'll have to check that one out next month.

An American Epidemic

January 2012

1st I can't believe it's already 2012, (And it's already February!)

A few months ago I found out I was insulin resistant. I had not lost any weight after having Nathan (July 2011) despite reducing calories and exercising (we're talking hour long workouts at Zumba!) so I was pretty discouraged and approached my doctor about it. She sent me in for some labs. My thyroid and actual blood sugar levels are great but my insulin levels were through the roof- just barely below having actual type 2 diabetes. Needless to say, I was relieved that there was a reason I hadn't been able to lose weight but at the same time, a whole new set of worries and questions began rolling around in my mind- what now?

My Dr. recommended this book: The Insulin Resistance Diet by Cheryle R. Hart, M.D. and Mary Kay Grossman, R.D.

I hemmed and hawed about getting it, probably because I was partly in denial and mostly because who wants to start a diet during the holidays?!?!

I finally ordered it online and read it in less than a week. It has truly changed how I look at food and exercise!

First, it's not a diet at all. I like to call it a nutrition plan. I can literally eat whatever I want to eat, I only have to be careful about when I eat it and what I eat it with (of course portion sizes are always an issue to but that's a whole other problem).

It's called the link and balance method where you simply link and balance your carbohydrate intake with your protein intake. It's simple, easy and filling (they actually want you to eat every 2 hours) Since I finished reading the book and applying the principles (2nd week of January) I have lost 7 pounds and more importantly, I feel fantastic. I have more energy and I'm more cheerful and patient.

I'm trying to remind myself every day that the changes I'm making are life long changes and that it will take a long time to make them all so I'm working to not treat setbacks or a bowl of ice cream as major obstacles, just little pebbles on a long journey. I'm learning a lot about myself, what motivates me, what tempts me, and especially how many wonderfully supportive friends and family members I have. Here's to the beginning of a journey...

December 2011

Christmas!!! Our kids are super spoiled and got 3 "Christmas Days" We had Santa come and opened presents early. Then we did Christmas with my parents before we left for AZ. Then we had presents down there too. It's hard to keep the true meaning of Christmas in Christmas but we had a really neat story time and discussion on our Christmas Eve about Mary, Joseph and Jesus. We really felt the Spirit and I hope to make that part of our Traditions every year.

November 2011

Jennifer and her family moved to Arizona for Tyler's new job in July. We really missed them this Thanksgiving. One tradition Jen started was to have the females do a craft of some kind while the menfolk were busy watching football. We wanted to keep this tradition going and this is what we came up with.

October 2011

It's Halloween time again!!! Even in all the craziness of me working 3 jobs, I made time to make a few things for costumes. Brian's request was to be a wizard so we all piggybacked. We also had a blast carving pumpkins with some friends.

September 2011

Brian goes to School!!!

Technically, Brian's 1st day of school was in August but who's counting? This is a self-portrait just to show how fast this guy is growing up. We went to a meet and greet night at the school the night before the big day to take in school supplies, find Brian's desk and meet his teacher. Mrs. Clark is amazing! At our first parent-teacher conference, she confided in me that Brian had a really time at first paying attention and following directions. Well apparently, the children earn a sticker each day they have good behavior and Brian didn't get all his stickers. So the first day most of the children got prizes, Brian did get one and threw a little fit. However, the following school day, "I had a whole new Brian!" said his teacher. She asked him about his change in behavior and Brian looked at her and said, "I'm gettin my sticker!" Atta boy! He's been doing really well ever since.

We also had a family outing to go get firewood. While Dad and Dusty were busy with the chainsaw, the kids and I found this amazing black catapiller.

Another fun thing that happened was we got a "Roommate" Lacie Weaver, Sarah's best friend, moved into the room downstairs to abide her time until it was her term to start at BYU-I. She asked if she could paint and boy did she paint!