We Found the Pause Button!

It's been a long time since I've updated my blog. We got sucked into the summer vortex of swimming pools and junk food. Then school started and life has been progressing at break-neck speed since then.

Then, fall break hit and brought everything to a crashing halt--thank heavens. We headed to the Sand Dunes for some much needed R&R (rest and riding). I spent some serious bonding time with my 4-wheeler. Raymond even taught me how to jump; what a rush!!!

The weather was perfect. The company (our friends the Wiggins, Pearts, and Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) was pleasant. The food was exceptional. The stars were amazing. It was a little piece of heaven in a gigantic sand pit.

Southern California

Here are some pictures from our Southern Cali trip. It was so much fun. We spent two full weeks playing in every theme park in the area, plus we visited the beach and played in Vegas on the way there and back. I have more pictures posted in facebook if you're interested. I'm grateful I have a job that allows me to take off for long periods of time in the summer and play with my kids. These are some good memories.

Stop the Birthdays!

I don't really hate birthdays. I think they are great. But my girls have just turned 9 and 5. They are no longer babies, toddlers, or anything of the sort. Whitney will be in kindergarten and Hayley will be in 4th grade. This is just too much for my little brain to handle. I've moved on to a new stage in life, but I'm not sure how to handle it.

Thank heaven for little girls

I love this picture of Hayley and Whitney dancing. I feel so blessed to have two little princesses in my family. They are the love of my life.

Crazy Mom Moment

This is Whitney making snow angels--in April. But that's not the crazy moment. The crazy moment came the next day when I turned in Whitney's kindergarten registration papers. It seems so crazy that she is this old. What happened to my chubby little baby who couldn't roll over because she was shaped like Buddah?
It use to be that after work my life was full of playing with a little baby and supervising a very active toddler. Now, it is not uncommon for both my daughters to want to go play at a friend's house when I come home from work. So, I find myself in an interesting position: alone. What do I do with myself? I know many of you are thinking: Miriam, you are crazy. You take a nap, read a book, do something you want to do. But, I find myself completely at a loss. I'm not sure how to feel about my girls not needing me every second of every day. It's a very strange, somewhat uncomfortable feeling. I'm sure it will be divine once I adjust. It's just really crazy right now.

Bragging Rights

February 19, 2009: Today, Raymond received the "Spirit of Peace" award at Pleasant Grove High School. We've been celebrating Freedom Week and the student body chooses Pleasant Grove citizens to honor as part of their assembly. They choose people who use their lives to serve their community. Raymond received his award with Senator Orrin Hatch! Needless to say, this was a very proud moment for me. Who would've thought he would share a stage and receive the same award as Senator Hatch? So, although the hours are lousy and Raymond has to put up with the "scum" of the earth, I am proud that he is a police officer. It is a very noble and selfless job, and I think he does a pretty good darn job at it.

My 2009 Challenge to Myself

I decided this year to write my husband a love note each day for the entire year. I decided to do this for several reasons. First, I really wanted him to know how much I love and appreciate him. Second, it is hard to always recall the little things I want to say when I'm writing him a card for a special occasion. So, I decided to spend a few minutes every night thinking about the little things he does and then write him a note.

So far, I haven't missed a day. There's been a few times when I had to write two at once, but so far he has 30 little love notes from me. I have noticed several positive things coming from this. Because I am identifying all the little things that he does, he tries to consistently do those little things. I feel that he has a new sense of appreciation for me as well. It's kind of a neat thing. I would challenge all married people out there to try this little experiment as well.

Hayley's biopsy

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. Hayley had the biopsy on her tongue Wednesday morning. She was so brave. She didn't even go under general anesthesia. I held her foot during the whole procedure so she knew I was there. I watched the whole procedure and got a little light-headed watching the doctor put three rounds of shots into her tongue. The best news from this procedure was that he didn't hit her nerve and she didn't need stitches. She is healing really fast.
Then, Friday evening we got the call form the doctor. Her biopsy came back negative for cancer. I have never been so thrilled to hear anything in my whole life. The growth on her tongue is not cancerous. It may continue to grow and eventually have to be removed, but the scary part is over. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers. I am grateful for family and friends who fasted and prayed for Hayley.

The Biggest Loser Contest

My family has decided to have a biggest loser contest. I am way excited to be doing this with my family. I have needed to shed pounds since the birth of my last baby. She's four years old and so I don't have an excuse for any of the extra pounds I'm carrying. I decided to make a proclamation of my participation in this contest by posting my goals on my blog. If anyone out there wants to join in on the fun, just let me know.
Goal #1: Lose 20 pounds by June 1, 2009
Goal #2: Drink at least 60 oz of water each day
Goal #3: Give myself one free day where I don't care what I eat
Goal #4: No sugary treats during the week.
Goal #5: Eat more whole grains
Goal #6: If I drink soda, only 12 oz a day and only diet soda.
Goal #7: 45 minutes of exercise on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Goal #8: Eat at least one serving of vegatables a day (pathetic I know, but I hate veggies)