Follow the Prophet, don't go astray.

Tonight for family home evening, I really wanted to help my kids understand how much I loved President Hinckley, and I saw on someone's elses post his beautiful testimony he gave in the April 2006 conference, and what a gift we will always cherish. I shared his testimony with my kids, and of course the 9 ways he has taught from his own life to be happy and make something out of our lives.
Be Grateful
He always spoke of his deep gratefulness for his sweet dear wife Marjorie

Be Smart
I loved this interview with Larry King, it was very obvious Pres. Hinckley was well educated, and was very smart in helping others understand our religion without turning them away.

Be Involved
He was the most traveled President of the church, and did not miss any opportunity to be involved. Here he is lighting the Olympic torch of Neil A. Maxwell.

Be Clean

We know Temples were of great importance to him.

Be True

He spoke the truth in over 2000 speeches. I remember one comment he made about having a hard time coming up with something new. I loved his humor.

Be Positive

Even when he lost his best friend his wife of 67 years, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, died in 2004, he told Larry King: “The best thing you can do is just keep busy, keep working hard, so you’re not dwelling on it all the time. Work is the best antidote for sorrow.”

Be Humble

Many leaders around the world had deep respect because of his humility.

Be Still

What better place can we go than to the House of the Lord, and so many people are blessed to have a temple closer to them because of him.

Be Prayerful
I pray that I will remember the things this great prophet taught.

President Hinckley's testimony:

"I hope that all of you will remember that on this Sabbath day you heard me bear my witness that this is God's holy work. The vision given the Prophet Joseph in the grove of Palmyra was not an imaginary thing. It was real. It occurred in the broad light of day. Both the Father and the Son spoke to the boy. He saw Them standing in the air above him. He heard Their voices. He gave heed to Their instruction.
"It was the resurrected Lord who was introduced by His Father, the great God of the universe. For the first time in recorded history, both the Father and the Son appeared together to part the curtains and open this, the last and final dispensation, the dispensation of the fullness of times.
"The Book of Mormon is all that it purports to be—a work recorded by prophets who lived anciently and whose words have come forth "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations" (Book of Mormon title page).
"The priesthood has been restored under the hands of John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. All the keys and authority pertaining to eternal life are exercised in this Church.
"Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, the great Prophet of this dispensation. This Church, which carries the name of the Redeemer, is true.
"I leave you my testimony, my witness, and my love for each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
President Gordon B. HinckleyApril 1, 2006, Sunday morning session of the 176th Annual World General Conference

I want to win, but chocolate is soooooo good!!!

Ok, if you have been reading my 12 weeks of what's a good word?.... misery,...no it's.... ok it is that bad. Anyway, I have been writing down my daily efforts; I want to write them down, because it helps me stay motivated to do something everyday knowing I have to report it.

Wednesday, I got up and went to Michelle's church to teach yoga, I love yoga, but it does not burn many calories. I thought about working out that night, but ended up doing hair at the spa for 2 hours. I weighed myself, and I hve lost 15 pounds yeh!

Thursday, I got up to run the stop sign, but it was raining, and I can't take me kids out in the rain, so I got a silly idea, I put on my heart rate monitor, and ran up and down my stairs to get my heart rate up. When my heart rate was up to about 160+ I ran around my house cleaning. If my heart rate started to get below 110, I ran back to the stairs and ran up and down two or three times, then continued cleaning. I ended up burning 450 calories, that is pretty good, and my house looked a lot better. Lydia got a kick out of my energy, she was running around with me.

Friday, Michelle's kids were still sick, and she didn't feel so hot, so I had to attempt the stop sign all by myself. I waited till Marcus got out of school at 10:30, and I took his scooter so he could ride it. I have to say, I was so close to going to walmart instead, but I ran, and burned 800 calories. Marcus didn't ride his scooter, so pushing three kids was a great workout.

Saturday, I played church ball again, and there were 8 of us, so dang it I only burned 500, but it was fun.

Sunday is hard because I don't exercise, so the eating is always hard for me, soooo hard. The eating is what is going to get me, but I found a treat that almost tastes like a banana split ( french vanilla yogurt, bananas, frozen raspberries, and a little hershey's chocolate drizzled on top. YUM). I like that this contest is 12 weeks, because I am forming better habits, I am not perfect, but like a 300 calorie ice cream bar, I would eat without a problem, but now it is easier for me to just eat half because I am aware that is all I can spare. Tonight at the baptismal fireside they had cookies(the costco ones), oh they probably had 200 calories a piece, but I chose not to eat one, because it wasn't worth it, (the treat has to be better than a store boughten cookie). Before this contest, I would have eaten it no problem.

Monday: It was so nice to wake up knowing I did not go for that snack that I wanted so bad last night. I got all ready to run the stop sign, it was cold, so I bundled my kids up and drove up. Michelle and Cam met me there, and we went for about 1 1/2 miles and decided to turn around, cause the wind was so strong. I was bummed because I knew if I didn't get my calories in, I would not do it at all, so I gave Michelle my van and I ran to my house which is only 3 miles, but in the wind pushing a stroller it is tough, I burned 600 calories. yeh, and it didn't rain on us.

Tuesday: Ok, if it's not one thing, it's another. It was a blue sky today, but up in the canyon there was ice on the paved trail. Michelle, Cam and I ran up (Cam pushed both strollers-quite a sight), we had to go kind of slow because it was icy, but I was so glad, because I got blisters yesterday from my new shoes, but my back felt great! Running down was just pure misery, Lydia would not get under the covers, and I had to run flat footed because of my blisters. I did burn 600 calories, I am slacking on the 1000 that was what I wanted, but at least I'm trying. I have been doing pretty well with eating, but made the mistake of making cookies for FHE. I thought I could be good, and at first I didn't even feel like I needed to have even one---then I broke of a little bite and scooped some ice cream with it mmmmmmm, I was a gonner. I didn't actually put any in a bowl, but by the time I was done snacking I might as well had a bowl. Today I am craving valentines candy, but I will not buy it. I am waiting for valentines day, and then I am going to reward myself. The food is the hardest, but because I am very much aware of everything I eat, and allowing myself to make mistakes, it is getting easier.

Wednesday, today I taught yoga, I love the stretch. I went and worked out at the spa in the evening, it is so boring to burn calories in the gym, I got to only 400.



Thursday, it was a beautiful day, I ran the stop sign with Michelle, and Jessica, I burned 950 calories. My back felt great, and my blisters were a lot better.

Friday, I did the stop sign by myself. I took Marcus,Lydia, and Brig. Marcus held on to my stroller strap, and wore his heeley's, but half the time he was in the stroller, it was not very fun, I was so not motivated, and my heart rate monitor stopped, but I probably did around 800.

Saturday John and the kids came with me, we had a wonderful time, I burned 950 calories. Last night I bought candy and ate it instead of dinner, so I was so sluggish, and had no energy, so the kids kept me motivated. I weighed myself, and I have lost 18 pounds in 4 1/2 weeks. Mom, you might not beat me!!:)

A day to remember

I'm sure everyone knows and experiences the Sunday morning craziness; I have to get up before my kids to get myself ready for church, then John usually gets the kids cereal, and then while the boys get dressed, he takes a shower, one of us bathes Brigham, and then I get Lydia ready, trying to make her hair cute, and get to Church before she messes it up, then we all jump in the van and try to arrive before the opening prayer-9:00 church is a killer!!!! Of course today was no different, but we did get to church on time, I sat down, exhausted and not sure if I was ready to deal with trying to keep Lydia quiet, keep the boys reverent, and keep Brigham asleep. Then an older gentlemen in the ward stood up and gave a beautiful prayer, his prayer was one that was certainly from the heart, and it definitely put in to perspective the small efforts that I am making each day to teach my children, that I know will have an effect on the choices they make throughout their lives. The gentleman's wife, (they are both Polynesian) gave a beautiful closing prayer in her language, and all that happened in between, to be honest, I didn't catch much of it trying to keep kids quiet, but to listen and feel the strong spirit that both of the prayers brought was so worth it.

Tonight was Payton's baptismal fireside, I can't believe our oldest is at the age to get baptized(May 17th). It was a wonderful fireside teaching the kids about what they need to know about that very special day. Payton said the opening prayer and did a wonderful job.

Our dear prophet President Hinckley passed away tonight, I can't help but think of how wonderfully happy he is to be with his dear sweet wife. What a wonderful life he lead, the televisions news programs about his life were so well put together, it is obvious that he is a prophet that is loved by so many people around the world. When life gets tough for me, I often remember the letter his father wrote him on his mission telling him to; "forget himself and go to work", he did just that and kept doing it throughout his whole life.

Happy Birthday Lydia!!!!!

My little girl is three today!!! I was so excited to have a girl, but the joy she has brought to our lives is unlike anything I could have imagined. She is three, and I love when everyone writes the things they love about that person one for each year, so this is a piece of cake:

1. She is so full of life, very social, kind, determined, thoughtful, and so darn cute!

2. She loves her "boys" (how she refers to her brothers) especially "Briggen".

3. She is such a girly girl, loves dolls, American Idol, Dancing with the stars, barbies, Dora, painting her nails, putting on her makeup, playing with ANY ONE'S hair, talking on the phone, doing yoga, shopping, dancing, singing, but she also loves to watch Superman, Spiderman, and power rangers with her brothers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYDI!!!!

Still hangin in there

Well last week was not so good:
Monday, I walked the stop sign, my back was still in pain

Tuesday, walked it again, but actually ran down with Cam and Maryann, I literally held on to the strap of my stroller while Maryann pushed it. My back was hurting at the end. I did go to the chiropractor, but because of my fear of popping, this chiropractor did not believe popping was necessary, (yeh) He adjusted, pushed, pulled and I walked out pretty hopeful.

Wednesday, I taught yoga with Michelle, and felt much better.

Thursday, what a joke, we started walking, I noticed my tire flat, Cam got his pump, while Michelle and the others went ahead, the pump did not work, so I got my front pack and put Brig in it, and Cam was going to run ahead and get Michelle's stroller, come back and put Lydia in it. (there have been many times when we have had three in a double stroller). He came back, and walked with me because I couldn't run with Brig, and after a couple of miles, his stroller had a flat. Well, we walked back with Lydia and Trey, and Miya. Miya stayed in the stroller, and Trey and Lydia walked all the way back. We got to the bottom at the same time Michelle, Debbie and Kayla got back, and they ran to the top!!!!!!!!

Friday, had to visit teach, planned on doing something but didn't.

Saturday, I played basketball for the first time in 12 years!!!! Our ward had a game, there were only 5 of us,(I was glad, cause I wanted to burn some calories). We won.:) I burned 700 calories!!! My back hurt, I ran funny, it was frustrating, but I had a lot of fun.

Monday, tried to get up and go, I hadn't fixed my tire, so I went to get my other stroller, it was flat too. Instead, I drove to the tire store, got new tires for the strollers, and my kids bikes that have been flat for a month or so. I was at the spa because I had a hair appt., and the acupuncturist was there, I told her my sob story about my back, and she told me to lie down. She did some readjusting with lots of pressure for only 5 minutes, and it felt sooooo much better.

TODAY, I had a break through!!!!!! I had to run the stop sign by myself because Michelle's kids were sick, and Maryann was babysitting, but I still went. Two miles into the run/fast walk, Cam showed up from out of nowhere, scared me too death, but he took my stroller, and it took everything out of me to keep up with him, but I was determined to keep up with him, and I did. We got to the bottom, I burned 1100 calories, and my back was actually not in pain, and after some good stretches I did not come home frustrated because of back pain!!!YEH

I wanted to write my 12 week journey down because blogging it makes me work harder because I have somewhere to report. The first week and a half I lost 10 pounds, I worked hard! This last week, I didn't write down all of my calories, I snacked a little too much, and wasn't truthful to myself. I wasn't able to work as hard because of my back, I only lost 2 pounds, but I need to thank Laurie for her quote that motivates me to keep going, "We learn from their experience that goals and dreams are not always measured in outcomes but often in attitudes. We gain a lot from beginning and then having to push on by beginning again. So even if you feel that your dreams and goals have washed out in the past, build them up again. Each new day is a fresh start, a clean slate, a new chance to change, improve, and try again. In the very process lie opportunities immeasurable for growth and good fortune."

OOOOUCH!!!!!!

My back is KILLING!!! I have an appointment on Thursday for the chiropracter, and I am so scared, I hate popping anything. John popped my back on Sunday, and it was so bad, it sounded like a plate dropped and shattered in a million pieces!!! I hate that sound!

On Saturday, Maryann came with me to run the stop sign, my kids wanted to come and John was going to come also, but he sprained his ankle on Marcus' scooter right before, so he stayed home with Brigham. My back was still really hurting, so I couldn't go very fast, so Maryann pulled Payton while he wheeled on his heeleys (shoes with wheels), and I still could not keep up. Marcus was ahead on his scooter, but ditched it halfway, and ran and when he got tired, he rode in the stroller.
This is the stop sign that I will talk a lot about the next 10 weeks because we are going to run everyday but Wednes, and Sunday. It is a great workout, I can bring my kids, and it is beautiful, and I want to win $1000!!!!!!

Poor me in the back just trying to keep up. Marcus took this picture, he was telling me to hurry because I was slow!!!

one week down---11 MORE!!!!!

Well, one week of trying to burn 1000 calories, and eat only 1500 is over. I am a very competitive person, so it helps to have this competition, but it has been hard. We all weighed in Wednesday night, I was so ready to get going, I went straight to the gym.
Thursday morning I ran the stop sign with Cam, and Michelle. They are tough, but they took my stroller to make it easier on me. I literally am in pain almost the whole time.
Friday Michelle came with me on the stop sign.
Saturday I did a circuit class at the spa. I have to write down my calories to know what I am eating, I bought a bunch of frozen 300 cal dinners which makes it easy, and I love the thick and creamy vanilla 100 cal yogurts.
Sunday, I rested from exercise, but that made the eating so much harder.
Monday morning Michelle,Cam and I ran the stop sign again. It is such a great workout, because I can take my kids, it is outside, and it has an incline, so even walking I am getting a workout.
Tuesday, Maryann came with us and I ran with her to the top and back, I was ready to CRY!!!!
Wednesday, Michelle and I taught a yoga class at her church while the kids ran around in the gym, and that night I did spinning on the cycle for 45 min. On Wednesday, I noticed my back was really bothering me, I made John massage it.
Thursday it felt a little better, so we ran the stop sign again. This time I ran up to the stop sign and back again, and I felt my back hurting a little, but I had to hurry to the bottom, because Cam had my kids in the stroller, (he always is ahead) and I was worried about Brig being hungry. I came home and took a long bath because my body just hurt, and my back was killing!!!!!
Today has been a bad day. I tried to workout with Maryann at the spa, but it was pretty unsuccessful, and when I am in pain, I love to eat thinking that might ease the pain. I did not write down my calories today, because they were definitely way over 1500, and I didn't want to know how much. My body has been pushed too hard too fast, and I hit a little wall. I can't help but think that this is so much like my life. I work so hard to be a good mom,a good wife, a good daughter of god, and I am amazed at how quickly I can hit a wall. But I have to pick myself back up and forgive myself for the things I do out of pain, and start fresh the next day. Tomorrow I am going to WALK the stop sign with Maryann, I will make her push my stroller so she will walk with me, and I will have Sunday to recover.

My word for the year of 2008 is 'ENDURE'

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

The kids were all up @midnight to bang in the new year

Byson wants to play the guitar and drums when he grows up, hope Michelle gets a soundproof room.

We had a blast playing Cody's Wii. This is James Keilman bowling


Michelle got a strike on this one



Nice form Cam!!!



Trey and Lydia watching their own movie.



Payton took this picture of John and I





Cam and Michelle got up at 6 AM, so it was a long night for them


Cody (Cam's brother) and Kristen used to live down in St. George, they moved to Salt Lake, but came to bring in the new year with us

Our friends James and Sheri came from Lehi to continue their tradition of celebrating the New year with us in St. George.

John trying to bowl.

The guitar hero was the funnest game, I never play video games, but this I think I could get addicted too. Thanks Cody for bringing the entertainment, it was a fun night, and we all, except for Lydia made it to midnight.

Well, it is the second day of the competition, I was so sore today, I did not want to run, but I knew I had to. Michelle came with me today and as we were running, I got ahead of Michelle, and Brielle (Michelle's daughter)was in her stroller said, "Oh look at her cute little big bum." If that ain't motivation.....

I need to write down the clever things my kids say each day, Lydia was in the office on the computer where she knows she should not be, and I walked in and she looked at me and said, "Get out!! You're the kid, and I'm the mom."

The competition is on!!!

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS, doesn't almost everyone say, "I want to lose weight!" Well FitnessRidge issued a challenge to all the employees and their family members to be the biggest loser in 12 weeks. The weigh in was last night, and over 50 people showed up. They have a grand prize of $1,000, and $500 for second, and $200 for third. Well, I've just recently had my fourth child, and struggled for three months nursing, I think I had every infection there was, and for me when I am in pain, I eat chocolate or anything sweet, and lots of it. Ya, well three months later I am still at the same weight I was when Brigham was born, and this competition is just the motivation I need. I showed up last night, and stood on the scale weighing in at 160 lbs. My body fat was 32.8%!!!!! Scary, Of course right after the weigh in I went and worked out, it felt so good to start sweating real hard. I have been working at the spa for almost three years, and know exactly how people lose weight, and so I am ready to put it to the test. My game plan is to eat 15-1700 calories a day, and work off 1300 calories. It is very time consuming, but from 9-11 every day I am going to run the stop sign (9 miles, 1000 ft incline) it takes about 2 hours, I can push Lydia and Brigham in my stroller, and today I ran it, and I burned over 1300 calories on it, so I am ready to win this competition, and hopefully writing down my weekly progress will help me stay motivated, I do have a slight advantage because I'm nursing, 500 of my calories I eat are for Brigham!!!!