This Week in History

From youngest to oldest:

Ruby is really walking! We spent 3 hours in Urgent Care. She threw up 7 times this week, has a raging ear infection and a high temp on and offf since Tuesday. I held her for about 20 hours this week, she was so sad and lethargic. She's also talking more...uh oh, thank you, & hello! Ruby also loves to pat D's back when he is crying or sad...so sensitive she is. I also found her sitting in the dark in my little bathroom with the door closed...you guessed it, poopy diaper and all. I refuse to even think potty training right now, so stop showing me these little signs, Ruby-roo.!

Dylan watched an unhealthy amount of tv. He also has been a big helper with his sis & loves to snuggle lately. He wants to say all our family prayers and is super cute when he repeats scriptures. He loved having preschool at our house this week. He also is convinced he's faster than Elle, a girl in Kaleb's kindergarten class, who just so happens to look exactly like Elle on Legally Blonde.

K had a great bball game, is learning a lot & having fun. He made it to purple twice this week...the ultimate reward for good behavior in kindi, a trip to the treasure box and a sticker! He also started answering and obeying the first time, such a pleasant change. Kaleb taught his first FHE lesson by reading our picture book, I am a Child of God, and bearing his sweet testimony.

Ben asked me to be his girl & kissed me FOR THE FIRST TIME eleven years ago over President's Day weekend, a CRAZY road trip neither one of us will ever forget! He was also the STAR STUDENT at his appt. this week, and is a third of the way to his goal. Not bad for 2 months! Ben worked really hard this week, putting fires out at work, and burning both ends of the candle for a few days/nights in a row. So proud of my hottie boyfriend!

I hit my pre-baby-baby-baby weight FOR THE FIRST TIME (I'm loving this country song right now, btw) in 6 years. Sadly, things are just NOT the same, so just keep swimmin' I must! A little definition was uncovered in the area others know as abs...I normally call them my muffin top/koala pouch. Hoping to be done with these two gal pals of mine before we make it to Hawaii. I also devoured Peace Like a River, ordered 6 books from Thriftbooks, and rededicated myself to rereading Tom Sawyer.

A desert tortoise was spotted in the foothills of South Mountain. This is how we spent our Monday off for Presidents' Day together. I wonder what it was called back then? Regardless, it's been a monumental week around here!

Wordless Wednesday

Scripture Power!

The boys went to church today while us girls stayed home. Ruby's nose just won't stop a runnin' and I had an upset tummy. So when the boys came home from church SO EXCITED, I could hardly believe it. They were proud as puddin' to show off their gift from the Primary Presidency: their VERY OWN Book of Mormons. Kaleb immediately labeled the inside of each "Kaleb's Book of Mormon" and "Dylan's Book of Mormon." They were so stinkin' cute about it, it made me wonder, why hadn't I given them their own earlier? (In my defense I HAD thought about it, especially since Kaleb has started REALLY reading and we'd been having him read a verse or two during our family scripture study, but just hadn't done anything about it yet.) The rest of the day they kept asking to read them and anytime they'd catch me reading (Jacob Have I Loved) they'd say, Are you reading your Book of Mormon, Mom? Hmmm... Mom might need to work on that.



We also started learning a primary song each month during our nightly devotional. Last month we learned I Know My Heavenly Father Loves Me, and this month we're learning Scripture Power. Admittedly sometimes we just have to get the kids to bed and settle for family prayer, but I love it when we get all three in (song, scriptures, & prayer). I can really feel an increase in the Spirit in our home and love learning from the example of our sweet, innocent children. Life is SO good. We are SO blessed!

Wordless Wednesday

Taking Our Lives Back!

You know I love, love, love my kids, but for some time now (5 + years to be precise) I feel like they've been sucking the life out of me! All SAHM with young children can relate, so I won't elaborate. For months leading up to the new year, I knew it was time to make a change. It's also our 10 year anniversary in a few months, and so in my head I've dubbed this THE YEAR OF BEN & SARA. I need to be the girl I once was, the person my wonderful husband fell in love with, not the grumpy-always-tired-feeling-fat girl I've become.

The plan began on 12/26/10 with goals to go out at least once a month with my husband, and to spend more one on one time with my kids (so I don't feel guilty for the rest of my awesome plan). I am happy to report that we have been on two kidless dates out, and one kidless movie night in. SO FUN! I forgot how nice it was to relax, cuddle, and watch a movie without kids, laptops, and other distractions.

Then my birthday rolled around and we started our Fitness Challenge. We are almost 3 weeks in, and it's been such a HUGE blessing in my life! I have been sleeping for at least 7 hours (almost every night), exercising for an hour a day (almost every day), eating healthy foods, and drinking tons of water. I try to eat 3 fruits, 4 veggies, no processed/packaged snacks, no sweets, and no soda. I have lost several lbs. so far, have so much more energy, and have developed some really good habits. My hungriest time of day is always from 4 to dinner time, so now I pack the kids in the double stroller, K gets on his scooter, and I rollerblade them to the park. Hunger gone! Ben has also gone down a belt notch....woohoo!

(Rollerblading with the kids would've been a better picture, but I'm feelin' sassy tonight, & don't have any of me in my blading glory. Which btw, K told me today I needed knee & elbow guards...thx for the tip, son!)

I crave exercise now, the kind that has me dripping with sweat & pushing myself really hard. The kind I haven't had consistently since I was in high school. I'm lovin' it, and if Ruby girl has to fuss a little while in her highchair eating breakfast with her 3 yr old babysitter & the TV, so be it! If we're having fish for dinner or any other meat or veggie combo that the kids don't love, it's take it or leave it time, baby! We are taking our lives back...the year of Ben & Sara is in full swing and we are not backing down!

For a related, but much funnier view on parents taking their lives back, watch the 1/6/11 episode of The Middle. You'll laugh, I promise!