My {heart} is full.

We had a special stake conference today, and while I expected a new stake presidency or new stake/ward boundaries to be announced, I was pleasantly surprised, and my heart is full.

The only talk I was able to take notes on, and really hear (it's tricky to hear everything when three boys are being less than reverent), was that by our stake president, Kay Christensen.  His message was simple and one our home desperately needed to hear.

He posed a question for us to think about:  "What are the things we do that strengthen our family?
Specifically, how can we pattern our homes after the temple?"

• Soft voices
• Appropriate music, movies, and reading material
• Activities:  Service to others
• Building relationships

Our home and the temple should be our favorite place to be.

It is better to be kind than to be right.  Sadly, entertainment has taken the place of communication...something even our 20 month old has started doing...(Kortlen knows 3 words (mama, mom!, and uhhhh!), and how to play on the iPod.)

He also asked the following questions...something to "Think on, Speak of, and Act on" :
1.  What do you want?
2.  What are you willing to do?
3.  How far are you willing to go?

My heart is full.  I needed a little reminder.

Randomness

I haven't fallen off the bandwagon, just fallen asleep.  I've been in a funk, and I'm trying to pull myself out of it...So for posterity's sake, here's a bunch of randomness and catching up:

Wednesday, Feb. 1st, my parents came up to celebrate my birthday...while we were waiting to meet them for some errands, I (on a whim) decided to go to the park.  Even though my kids refused to bring their coats, we all had a very nice time freezing and playing and laughing and running and swinging and giggling and freezing.  Yes, freezing.

Thursday, Feb 2nd, I had a very full and enjoyable day.  Ryan and I hit the gym (he did his own thing while I busted out the guns with my friends Karen & Cindy, doing Jillian's shred.), then we hurried home and got ready for the day.  I picked up Tanner from school, headed back to the gym to work and taught a gazillion 24 preschoolers about Groundhog Day (it was friend/sibling day, so we had extra kiddos), and lost my voice.  Ryan's parents came to celebrate with us, and we had a very nice visit, complete with cake, cake, and more cake.  When they left, we changed into our swim suits, headed BACK to the gym (for the third time, in case you lost track) and swam, swam, swam.  Every once in a while it's nice to just play in the water and wear yourself out.  After an hour of THAT family fun, we hurried home to fix the kids dinner, get cleaned up AGAIN, and made sure the boys were all asleep so we could pick up the sitter and leave at 7pm.  Lucky for us (and the sitter) they STAYED asleep, while Ryan and I enjoyed a prime rib dinner (courtesy of our stake presidency) at the district scout awards banquet.

Friday, Feb 3rd - I'm sure it was a nice day, but I honestly don't remember much of it.  It's all a blur.
***edited to add:  My dear friend, Stevie came to visit me!!!  And brought the CUTEST card over.  And her little guy got to play with my little guys.  It was so nice to just TALK.  It's been much too long!!  I also did my workout and took Tanner to his workout...and I skyped with my little sister for a hour at it was HILARIOUS!!!  Love it!!!

Today, Saturday, Feb 4th was certainly full to the brim.  Not only did I skip my spinning class, but I ate WAY more than I should have, and it's interesting that my body was protesting against all the sugar and calories...I know I wasn't bored (I was quite productive today!) so I must eat to procrastinate 'things'.

Today I (brace yourself): made breakfast, did the dishes, went to Home Depot with the kids to make the free craft (Heart Box), returned dvd's to the library, found treasures at the D.I., did 3 loads of laundry, made lunch, did dishes, facebooked, and fixed my fall wreath that was oh, so sad.  I'll post pictures later. Because I had the glue-gun out, I decided to fix my shoes.  And Taylors, and Kortlens.  I'm officially a member of the Poulsen Family, because I patched my shoes with an old sock and hot glue.  Thank you to my inspiring and thrifty father-in-law!!!  And to my grandmother, for her super-duty-circa 1970's glue gun complete with counter-top laminate glue sticks.  They totally made the project work.  New pair of Keens:  $110.00.  Inherited Glue-gun:  priceless.

Then I started cleaning my bathroom and scrubbed so hard on the black grout, that I actually REMOVED the silicone sealant on it and FINALLY got most of the black off...well, half of it...and bleached the heck out of it, while wiping down the walls and cleaning the toilet and everything else that goes along with cleaning a bathroom.  (I clean my bathroom weekly, but the mold trapped in the sealant has gotten horrid in the last 5 years...I'd had enough of it today!).  Somewhere in here the boys ate lunch...and Kortlen took a nap.

I had promised the boys they could paint their heart box, so we did that, had a snack, cleaned the living room (pulling out furniture and vacuuming under/around, which is really not a big deal, since I do it once a month), the boys' bedroom (putting everything in it's place, including the 'too-small clothing pile' that was taking over the top of the dresser), and the kitchen.  We had to have some time-out moments in there, but for the most part, everyone helped and everyone did a good job. It was a treat to have Ryan home for dinner...and I hope it becomes a more regular thing around here.  We made dinner, ate it, and got bathed and the boys into bed...

...ALL before 7:15pm.

Yes, I'm quite proud of my accomplishments today.  It's not every day I can say that I did a-z and managed not to lose my head...or take another human's head off.  LOL!

I just downloaded the pictures from my new camera, and should download the owner's manual for said camera, since I'm totally lost (shouldn't be, but am).  Finished up the designs I've been asked to put together for our swim team and the region's winter championship shirt.  Not to mention the team towel design and 25 year anniversary shirt I'm designing, too.  I'm loving this new 'graphic design' phase I've been thrown into.

Now, if only I can get 4 lesson plans done and 'turned in' before 11, I just might sleep like a baby tonight.
***Didn't get the lesson plans done, but I got the couch cushions washed and put back together, and those 3 loads of laundry folded...YAY!

This Year {2012}

"This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”

-Howard W. Hunter

I Love this.  And I can love 2012, too.  It can be a wonderful year if I want it to be.

Ryan asked me what my resolutions were for this year, and I replied with a laundry list of things and then realized that if I work on ME, and try to be a better ME, then everything around me can be better, too, or at least appear to be.  So "be-gone" laundry list, and just BE BETTER, Deanna.

It's Monday!

...so as promised, a few more details.  :)  Sorry to make you all wait - got back from Rexburg and had to run off to swim team pictures...my children are screaming for attention and food, so this will be quick.

You can check out their awesomeness HERE. 

We got a job with Rocky Mountain Power (Thank you for the lead, Tim!!), as a meter reader...totally not the reason we went and got a master's degree, but we'll take it!  We are really excited for the much better income and stability, and a daddy that won't have to work Black Fridays, and during holidays, and from 5 am till 2 am every.single.day.  Tanner is already looking at 'for sale' signs in front of homes and making suggestions as to what we can and cannot afford.  (Somebody has big ears...probably got them from his mom.) Ryan will commute to Rexburg while we continue to save (at a much quicker rate, thankfully!) and look for a home between Idaho Falls and St. Anthony.  Somewhere on the outskirts of town, we're thinking.  But really, we have time on our side, and aren't in a hurry.  (if you know of any 3+ bdrm, 2 bth. 1 garage and between 1-3 acres in a reasonable price range, let us know!)

Regardless of Ryan's meeting today, we don't know much more than we did last Thursday.  Today, me and the boys helped wash windows and play at Grandma's house, while Ryan went and did some paperwork, went in for a drug screening, and had to have a background check.  When all of that goodness comes back proving that Ryan is a capable, drug-free and felon-free individual, he will have a start date.  We are praying within the next week we'll have that date and can put in two-weeks notice at our other jobs.  Sweetness! 

Knowing there's an end in sight and a brighter future within our reach is such a good feeling.  I've always known it's not going to stay like 'this', but just knowing that I can almost touch it is such a relief!  

So there you have it! Off to fix dinner, then bathe babies and throw a couple of Halloween Costumes together!!! 

Striving, ever striving

"We would do well to slow down a little...focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most."

For convenience, the link to the talk:  Of Things That Matter Most

"Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the World."

-President Dieiter F. Uchtdorf 

Just a little reminder for myself that I wanted to share.  Now I need to go wash my running makeup from my face and do the dishes.  ♥

I did it!

I did a 5K this morning...last minute decision, with my little sister, and little brother and his wife...we rocked it!  It was mostly fun, and I'm not terribly crippled yet...so I guess I survived.  LOL!

We did a 'trial run' on Saturday (because I haven't gone running for about 2 years), which left me aching and dreading the 'race'...but looking at the moment (all forty-five minutes of it) it wasn't as bad as it could have been!  Despite the two inches of mud and gravel for 2.5 miles of it, I didn't die, and I didn't have to crawl across the finish line.

More updates and pictures when I can get home to my own computer.  :)

***I should clarify...I never said I ran the whole thing.  I ran the first 3/4 mile, than walked/jogged, mostly walked the rest. It was brutal...those muddy hills were hard...and there were a lot of them!!!***

Triathlon Training...

um....so I want to do a triathlon.  yes, I have something to prove.  and yes, this is the first I have seriously considered it.

Have you ever competed or participated in a tri?  I know a lot of my blogging friends run 5k's, half marathons, marathons, and crazy 24 hour races (that's you, Becky M.!!!)...and I hate running with a passion....but I'm loving biking and I used to be a fish.  No, really.  I used to spend 2-4 hours in the pool every day, and I really miss it.

I know it won't take too much time to condition in the water again...well, maybe a little bit of time...and I know I don't have the right kind of bike (I have a mountain bike, not a roadie)...and my gym shoes/running shoes are a good four years old...but they're still white, so I can still use them, right??

I've found some sites and articles and completely signed up for a Tri in Pocatello on the 23rd of July...but I didn't hit the 'complete' button for two reasons.  (i don't know 'how' to do a tri, and Ryan kinda laughed at me when I told him I'd be spending $40 on the registration fee...and then we added up all the other fees like a pool pass, new shoes, new tires, etc, etc, etc.)

Any suggestions???  Where do I start?  If I don't do it now, i'm afraid i'll never do it...

Inspiration

Please pause the music on my sidebar and enjoy this inspirational video...

**I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Relief Society Conference in my Stake this morning.  It. Was. Wonderful.  The only bad part was I didn't have my diaper bag, so I didn't have tissues, or a burp cloth, or ANYTHING to wipe my wet and teary face with.  LOL!  I learned a few things about myself, as well as what I can do better to improve my attitude and circumstances, if you will.  This "Mormon Message" was shared in the last class I could attend before slipping home to nurse Kortlen...and I felt like I couldn't hardly breathe both times I watched it...but I didn't want to bawl in the middle of all the women, so I just held it in.  My heart wants to burst.  With gratitude, with comfort, and with love.

I keep watching it over, and over, and over.  Part of what keeps drawing me in is President Ucktdorf's passionate voice, part of it is the beautiful and intense music.  But the most important and inspirational part to me is the meaningful message.  Guess it's just something I need to hear today.  Right now.

"President Dieter F. Uchtdorf invites us to rely on the Spirit and use our divinely inherited ability to create things of substance and beauty. "

Enjoy.



Hopefully my renewed drive to eliminate unnecessary distractions (good-bye Facebook, netflix, questionable movies, computer time and television) will allow me to be closer to the Spirit and I'll be able to be available to listen more closely to guidance and direction.

Hopefully my children will appreciate the new attitude and tone in our home.

Hopefully communication between all individuals in our home will improve.

And hopefully, we'll find the peace and balance we've been taught to invite into and create in our home.

Today before my mom left, she helped me hang a picture of Christ prominently in our living room.  We've never had a picture of Christ hanging where it's the first thing you see.  Thanks, mom!  (And thanks dad, for letting us climb on you on the couch to hang everything else.)  My next 'to-do' is to finish and print a picture of a Temple for our living room, our bedroom, and our boys' room.  I have big ideas...just need the weather to be nicer, and the paycheck to be bigger.

I also re-hung a document our church issued in 1995, called, "The Family:  A Proclamation to the World".  You can read the actual document, and about it, HERE.  It means so much to me and my little family.

Big changes.  Little changes.  Changes, period.  Change is good.  And these changes are for the better.  They're inspired, and maybe you'll find a little inspiration in them to improve your own life, if that's what it needs.  It's what our family needs right now.

_____________________

And yes.  I completely deleted myself from facebook.  Not just my friends this time. The best part?  I don't even feel a tiny bit bad about it.  LOL!  If you don't know how to get a hold of me by now, maybe we're not as close as I thought.  :)  And if you'd like to *be* a close friend, shoot me an email...maybe we can work something out.  In fact, I'm sure we can. 

Achieve a goal

It's something I strive to do every day.  Achieve a goal.  Any goal. It could be as simple as taking a shower, or as involved as reorganizing our food storage.

I also encourage my boys to do the same.  It can be simple, complex, easy, hard, monotonous, or new; but it must be something.

Tanner and I set a goal in September to practice the piano every day for 20 minutes.  We also have set a goal for Tanner to learn to swim by the end of May.  This might be more on the part of my desire for him to have some sort of musical education and get some energy out while learning a valuable skill, but still.  A goal is a goal.  The first one has been more of a challenge, and to be frank, we haven't practiced since January.  But Tanner is making great progress on the second one!

Tanner started swimming with the Idaho Falls Swim Team at the beginning of March.  We have an amazing coach, who is much more patient than yours truly.  In fact, I had the awesome experience of swimming in a Western Zone meet in Hawaii in 2001, with coach Denise, known lovingly by Tanner as "Coach A'nise".  She is simply amazing with children and has Tanner wrapped around her little finger.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we are up and out the door by 7:25 am so we can be to the pool, dressed, and ready to go.  He 'swims' from 7:35-8:20, and I'm loving EVERY minute of it.

A recent goal has been for Tanner to 'go underwater' and be completely submerged without having a tizzy fit.  Together, Tanner and I made a chart, and even bought a Lego set as incentive.  For two weeks, Denise and I have been building up his confidence...and you know what?  It has paid off.

Today, Tanner achieved an awesome goal.  He was my brave and courageous little boy that went under water THREE times!!!

He earned himself a Lego set, and has been playing with it since we got home.  In case you can't do the math, that's about 10 hours.  The boy has barely stopped long enough to go to the bathroom, and eat  meals.

Check out the 278 13 pictures I got this morning.

That is the face of 'sound effects'. 

Luggage truck driver dude with a mullet.  No kidding.
 Legos have come a long way in the last 20 years! 

He figured out how to 'read' the 'distructions' and
put each creation together WITHOUT my help!

Yes, he built this ALL. BY. HIMSELF.
I did a little staging, but he put it all together!

"Cargo plane about to crash land!"

"Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr."

"Engines have power!"

"Safe landing....everybody off!"

The 'distruction' book had more pictures than instructions,
so he took EVERYTHING apart, and made new creations for seven hours.

Showing Taylor the tool that takes apart the Legos.  

Where were these little tools when I was a kid?
 I was the designated 'Lego Biter' to get them apart for my brothers. 

Taylor was pretty amused, but was good not to touch anything...

...only when Tanner said it was "okay" did he dare get close to it!

Today has been a beautiful day.  Tanner and I haven't fought AT ALL, and neither have Tanner and Taylor.  Come to think of it, it's been quite nice and quiet!  Taylor watch Tangled 3 times, and Kortlen played with the cardboard lid to a paperbox while I cleaned and did laundry.  (Don't worry, tomorrow will be MUCH different.  They're gonna have to EARN their 'free' time!  But it was nice while it lasted.  LOL!)

Now, if I could find something that could keep Taylor's attention BESIDES a movie, we'd be accomplishing yet another goal.

P.S.  Anybody have a box of Legos that you're tired of stepping over or your kids are tired of playing with??? I'd be willing to buy them and take them off your hands for you!!!

{to do}

I am actually excited by my {to-do} list this week.  I've been in a sort of down-n-out funk for the last few weeks, but I am determined to not be a downer for everyone who has to be around me.

This week I get to:

...have a few kids over to play most the day because their mom is on bed-rest.  I'm very excited to have them come, because my kids will usually do better with someone else to play with.  Plus, I usually feel better by serving...it's like a sweet elixir to raise my spirits in a most wholesome way.

...get to make my first funeral potato casserole for a funeral!  I know this sounds silly, but I am excited to be able to help with this!  The 'regular help' is all gone for spring break, so now's my chance! I just have to make it and drop it off...but I'm so thankful that I CAN help, and am ABLE to.

...organize and de-clutter.  Hopefully in preparation for a move! (nothing in the works other than numerous applications, but if I'm ready for 'that day', then it'll be less stressful, right???)  There are seven large totes full of seasonal clothing in our garage, all belonging to children who live in this household.  There is NO reason that three little boys under the age of five should have seven totes of clothes.  So, it is my BEST intention to go through them THIS WEEK!  And either sell or donate that which was rarely worn and probably won't be worn.  If anything, group them into the correct sizes and seasons.

...prepare to be spiritually fed and uplifted.  A friend linked to THIS SITE in preparation for this weekend.  WHAT is this weekend???  It's the 181st General Conference for our Church, where we get to hear the inspired words of our Prophet, leaders and those who have been asked to talk to anyone who will listen.  You don't have to be a member to hear what is said, or feel of the wonderful Spirit of Christ and His teachings.  It's held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, but is broadcast throughout the world via internet and satellite.  If we can't get it on the tv, we'll watch and listen to it at byutv.org or at lds.org.  Join us! (Need a little something to keep kiddos both young and old occupied?  Check THIS out.  :)  )

...love on my husband, who is rarely home anymore.  He's working so hard for his little family; we are SO  excited that he gets to have both Saturday AND Sunday off this weekend!  I plan to make some delicious gluten free meals so he can enjoy himself as much as we will.  I also plan to let him have some daddy-son time.  *giggle*  And maybe a nap each day.

...get in some needle & thread therapy with some freshly dyed muslin.  It's been hanging on a kitchen chair for a week now, and I can't wait to sink my hands into some quick stitching!!!

...and maybe even clean my kitchen.  Like the kind of clean I did the day before Kortlen finally came...the kind that results in cupboards being emptied, wiped clean, and reorganized, complete with some new food storage!  It shouldn't be too bad, where I just did it eight months ago, but still, that was eight months ago and it desperately needs to be done again!

"If there is a task to do, do it with a smile!  Do more than you are asked to do and go the second mile."  A song my mother would frequently sing when we were dragging our feet at anything...so I hope to be able to do my tasks with a smile and go a second mile to boot!

A New Year {2011}, a new me

Making Changes....

...to be a better me.
A better wife.
A better mother.
A better daughter and sister.
A better person, one moment at a time.

This morning Ryan asked me what my New Year's Resolutions were.

My reply, which I have thought about for a few weeks now, was "To be a better person". That's it. I think he was expecting me to outline some complicated list a mile long, which is something I do every year...then tape it to the bedroom wall, where it reminds me where I'm falling short.

Yes, I want to lose weight, exercise every day, read my scriptures and to my kids every day, have a spotless home and dinner on the table when Ryan get's home from work, complete a million different projects, some important, some selfish. But ultimately, I want to be a better me.

I want to be the daughter of God that I know He knows I am. I know I cannot be perfect every day. I know that every moment won't be ideal. But I know that I want to make the effort to be a better me.

I still have a 'list' of sorts, but it's more of a routine I hope to follow to accomplish my goal of being a better person.

I liked this short clip that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has, and the simple message of moving forward.  Not dwelling on the 'past', but looking forward to the future.  I am grateful for the knowledge of the Atonement in my life, so that for those moments that are imperfect, I can repent, and move onward, and focus on enjoying life, not just enduring it.

I'm excited to talk to Tanner's Joy School friends on Tuesday about goal making and accomplishing those goals.  I've been thinking about what kind of goals I can help my children set.  Like learning to tie their own shoes, trying one new food a week (this will most likely consist of vegetables and fruits we regularly offer, but they haven't touched!), saying "I Love You", or "I'm Sorry", or "How can I help you?" more.

I am excited to feel uplifted by regular scripture study, gratitude during my prayers, peace in my heart even if a situation I find myself in less than ideal.

So, here's to a brand new year, with wonderful and cherished memories in 2010, and exciting and learning experiences in 2011.

Happy New Year!

{untitled}

{Today can be a good day if I want it to be.  It is up to me.}

Sorry - just needed to give myself a pep-talk.  :) 

{Congratulations, Graduate!}

This weekend, we attended two graduation ceremonies for Ryan.  As I was starting to grumble during the second ceremony on Saturday, I realized that these events were a significant part to this wonderful accomplishment. 

We had sitters for our boys for both ceremonies, and in hindsight, wish we would have brought them to at least one...so they could see their daddy walk...but then again, it was really nice to not have to worry about them being too loud our antsy...I somehow think nobody would have survived either experience.  *chuckle*

Friday, May 7th:  Ryan was hooded as a Master in Training and Development in Idaho State University's College of Technology with the Degree of Human Resource Training and Development.  A mouthful, I know. The ceremony was relatively short, and considerably comfortable at the Stephen's Performing Art's Center...they had padded seats, and I had Ryan's iTouch to keep me busy.  :)  Really though, it was a nice one and a half hour ceremony. 

I was even a good wife and brought a towel and my iron to press his gown, given to him an hour before the ceremony....can you tell I like things neat and orderly?  He was the only one there who didn't have creases in his gown and hood.  He was also with the few who wore suits.  He looked very handsome and professional!

pictured above:  Dr. Tom Jackson, Graduate School Dean, Ryan, Dr. Robert Croker, department chair, Dr. Rita Kalody, who pretty much spent all of April spending time with Ryan to perfect his Research Project paper and Defense.  She's a saint in my book. 

Those who came to support me and my sweet husband included: 

My brother Reed (poor kid was sick, though), my mom (my dad was in charge of and in attendance at the 2010 Scout Jamboral in Blackfoot...don't know what is worse:  freezing with a bunch of scouts or sweating in a room full of graduates) and myself.  Sorry for the gomer picture dear - Your mom only took one, and this was it.  :)

Ryan's parents, Ken & Edytha, his brother Mitch (who inspired Ryan to obtain his Master's...Ryan and Mitch are they only two in their family to earn Master's degrees) and his two daughters Rylee and Savannah, and his brother Gary.  Not pictured is Gary's wife, Valerie, who came later with her son Seth. 

(Now that I see myself in these pictures, I see why that woman at work a few days ago thought I was going to have a baby right then and there...I have put on SO much baby weight!  *sigh*)

Significance behind the hooding:  In the 13th century, one who became a master in his discipline was presented before a council to have his head shaved, then hooded to keep warm.  This particular costuming, the hood and robe, are representative of this age old tradition, of distinguishing between students, teachers, and so on...you'll notice his professors in the previous hooding picture have velvet stripes on their sleeves...this is because they have their doctorate degrees, and are qualified to teach the teacher.  

Thank heavens they didn't have the cosmetology graduates (or anyone, for that matter) shave all the Master Students' heads!  Each college is represented by a different color, so on Saturday it was fun to see all the many colored hoods and tassels.

Saturday, May 8th:  Ryan was given his diploma (okay, just the cover) during the university-wide commencement exercises at ISU's Holt Arena.  Sitting in hard chairs for three hours is not a good idea for a pregnant woman who will deliver her baby in 9 weeks.  (Especially when the individuals from other graduates' families were climbing over and around her for those three hours...I counted two teenage girls climbing out of their seats seven times.  sheesh!) 

We were there early to get seats and for Ryan to get in respective line...we took the opportunity to get pictures BEFORE the event...

My mother-in-law was surprised that they didn't have an opening prayer...I just chuckled and told her we weren't at BYU-Idaho any more.  :)  They did sing the national anthem, though, and it was pretty neat to hear all the graduates and their families singing in honor of our country, and our freedom. 

Ryan was presented with his diploma within the first hour...then we patiently and respectfully sat through the next hour and a half, visiting quietly and clapping for those we knew (Tanner's Primary Teacher, another sister in our ward, and two cousins of Ryan's also graduated with various degrees). 

I sent the following message via text to Ryan shortly after he walked (10:30 am), "Baby's coming.  Let's go eat."  We debated on using that excuse for the next hour, but thought better of it, and stayed...and sat...and got climbed over...and watched mindlessly as 2,232 (no kidding) graduates walked across the stage...I have no pictures of Ryan actually walking, unless you can count blurs of black and orange...we were so far back in the stadium, that I couldn't see his face even. 

As it neared lunch time, and as I got antsy and my mom and mother- and father-in-law grew antsy, we debated on leaving early.  A series of texts back and forth between Ryan and I confirmed that we were just as awful as those leaving early...we made a break for it.   

We enjoyed a very un-crowded dinner at Texas Roadhouse with our parents, and as we were leaving around 1:30 pm, we saw quite a few families of graduates walking in to get their lunch.  Poor souls...had to endure a full three hours of commencement exercises.  Mwahahah!

All in all, it was a fabulous two days worth of celebrations...and a long discussion on the way home about how long Ryan had to wait to start on his Doctorate Degree.  And if I would like to or want to earn my Masters...and what was next...and how the job market is...and what our future holds...I could go on and on...

Thank you, mom and dad, and to Ryan's parents, to siblings, to baby sitters, to friends, to family, to teachers, and to our loving Heavenly Father for support and encouraging words.  :)  We couldn't have done it without you all.

Congratulations, Graduate.  

You Did It!!!  

And we couldn't be more proud of you.  

♥ XOXO ♥

I love the way...

...my four year old, Tanner, thinks.

Tonight as Ryan was putting Taylor to bed, Tanner was sitting on my lap while I watched "The Biggest Looser".  It's a reality competition show, where people who are morbidly obese, compete to see who can loose the most weight in a certain amount of time; all while under the discretion of physicians, professional personal trainers, and the scrutiny of national television viewers. 

At one point, Tanner said, "Mom?  I don't wanna get big and fat."  I replied, "Then we need to eat healthy, like eating our vegetables and fruits.  That also means we can't have lots of cake and ice cream and candy and stuff."  "Oh," said Tanner.  I could tell the little wheels in his head were turning.  He also seemed genuinely concerned for the contestants on the show. 

A few minutes later, towards the end of the episode, as the contestants are weighing in, I casually mentioned to Ryan, "Dear, don't ever let me get to that point!"  I don't care if the world knows how much I weigh.  And just to prove it, I currently weigh 162 pounds.  Exactly what I weighed the morning before delivering Tanner, four years ago.  On the flip side, I can't imagine being in nothing but a pair of shorts and a sports bra on national television, with everyone staring at every ounce of fat on my bones...the appearance and the emotions would be a little much for me.

In response to my comment to Ryan, this is the conversation that Tanner and I had:

Tanner:  "Mom, I promise I won't ever let you get like that."
Me:  "Thanks, Tanner."
Tanner: "Just promise me you'll eat your vegetables."
Me: "Okay....if you promise me you'll eat yours."
Tanner: "Yeah, mom.  I promise.  'Cause I don't wanna get big and fat."

He didn't say "big and fat" in a demeaning way, but with almost a scared tone to his voice.  I think my four year old is sincerely afraid to get "big and fat".  That in and of itself, scares me.  

I will never cease to be amazed at what my son picks up, good and bad.  The fact that he knows it is unhealthy to be obese, and doesn't want to end up like that hit me hard.  Looks like my weight lifting routine just became a little more permanent.  It also appears that the money I was setting aside for a haircut will now go towards a morning or evening water aerobics class.  I cannot afford to let myself go, and I cannot afford to let my son down.  

I love you, Tanner!  Keep reminding me, and we'll stay healthy, together!

10 for 2010

"Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits."  ~Author Unknown

I usually find myself in this situation....but I am determined to make some goals that are attainable... reasonable... and something I'd have to try hard at to fail.  :)

Saw this splendid idea, and thought I'd share ten goals for two-thousand-ten... in no specific order:


Goal #1  Read from The Book of Mormon...for more time than I spend on Facebook.

Goal #2  Not grumble about something trivial or which I have no control over.

Goal #3  Read one book each day to my children.

Goal #4  Balance my checkbook after every transaction.

Goal #5  Not let a moment go by where I feel prompted to do something nice for somebody else, even if it's not on my agenda.

Goal #6  Love my calling in scouts, and each boy for who they are.

Goal #7  Take two classes to maintain my teaching certificate.

Goal #8  Put more time and effort into prayer than on my hair.

Goal #9  I will not turn on the computer until my family and spiritual needs are taken care of.

Goal #10  Promptly put away the laundry after it is folded. 

Some of these are very measurable, some are not, but all of them are things I am re-committing to accomplish.

May your goals be accomplished as well!

__________

"When I was a Boy Scout, we played a game when new Scouts joined the troop.  We lined up chairs in a pattern, creating an obstacle course through which the new Scouts, blindfolded, were supposed to maneuver.  The Scoutmaster gave them a few moments to study the pattern before our adventure began.  But as soon as the victims were blindfolded, the rest of us quietly removed the chairs.  I think life is like this game.  Perhaps we spend our lives avoiding obstacles we have created for ourselves and in reality exist only in our minds.  We're afraid to apply for that job, take violin lessons, learn a foreign language, call an old friend, write our Congressman - whatever it is that we would really like to do but don't because of personal obstacles.  Don't avoid any chairs until you run smack into one.  And if you do, at least you'll have a place to sit down."  

~Pierce Vincent Eckhart