Random Thought

I love having girls in the house. Maggie is getting older and her girlie hood is beginning to really shine. I have learned to revel in the good and I am trying to stop cringing at the bad. I love her so much!
Right now Maggie is with Kendal in her new tent reading to her. Reading real books with real words, how did she grow so fast?

GIRLS LIVE HERE

In a bloggy mood 3 of 3 Yeah Me!

Now I haven't been very wordy about this particular of my life this year. I have mostly kept it to myself besides a couple of posts here and there where I slipped some words in about it. But today is my one year mark and so I am dedicating this entire post and all of it's words to this my greatest accomplishment of 2009.

One year ago today I swallowed my pride (and a ton of other stuff obviously) and made the trek into the door of Weight Watchers. My expectations were not high I just really wanted something to jump start my weight loss. I was excited to see how the program fit into my life style and only required a little bit of walking.

The first half of the year I tracked, went to ALL of my meetings, did very moderated exercise and was encouraged by many and I lost 35 pounds. Crazy, I know!

I went in hoping to lose a little baby weight and came out weighing less than I did when I got married.

The last part of the year I tracked some days, went to some meetings, continued moderate exercise and was encouraged by all of the kind peeps telling me, "you look great" (thank you all, it helps)and I have maintained my weight loss for 6 months now. VERY EXCITING!

I don't want to cheat all of you out of the true weight loss story so here it is..

BEFORE

After

In a bloggy mood 2 of 3 Miserable Monday #23

Smiling is the second best thing

you can do with your mouth

- bumper sticker

Quote Johnbytheway- Some people are smiling on the inside, but they forget to tell their face. -end quote Isn't that funny! Now every time I see someone scowling I am going to think, I bet they are happy on the inside. Quote another bumper sticker- "Put a smile on your kisser, and someone may put a kiss on your smiler." -end quote. (Hey LB is this not the perfect Miserable Monday for you, my kissing man) Sorry for that, had to be done.

ANYWAY... I guess if you want to be miserable than you REALLY shouldn't smile, at all. I have to admit I am a reminder smiler, that is one that sometimes has to remind self to SMILE. However I love to smile, laugh, giggle, be silly and I love when funny witty things (that are nice) come flying out my smiler and make other people laugh and smile.

One of my favorite things is when I catch myself smiling at something the kids are doing or saying. Especially when it happens at times that I really don't feel like smiling. Kids are so darn funny sometimes. Just the other day during a totally not smiling moment, poor Toby was bleeding profusely from an injury on his ear. MY LB came home to help me out and while he was doctoring up the dogs ear are sweet little two year old proclaimed very matter of fact that, "Toby's dieing". MY LB in a somewhat annoyed voice said, "Toby is not dieing." She responded with, "Oh Toby's not dieing? Sorry so Sorry". I was smiling the entire time and when MY LB finally looked up at me to see my response he too began to smile. I LOVE KIDS!

However I don't want to cheat all of you that WANT to be miserable so here is the tip for you. Quote Johnbytheway- If you want to be miserable slump your shoulders, look at the ground, go to your unhappy place, and whatever you do, don't smile. - end quote.

In a bloggy mood- 1 of 3 Christmas

Oh I have had blog posts running through my head like sugar plums on Christmas Eve. I actually have an hour to sit down so watch out blogging world here is one of three blogs all posted on this bloggy day in December.

Guess what day I am thinking of:

It comes and goes way to fast

The set up is loads of fun but the take down is a CHORE

You clean for the day and dread the mess for days after

Kids love it, parents love it and I am pretty sure even grandparents love it

You eat and eat and eat thinking, it's just one day (or two or three)

You spend one whole day opening, twisting, tearing, putting batteries in, taking garbage out

ONE MORE CLUE....

It is one of the best darn days of the year.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve with the Mechams

Our traditional Gioza making and eating.

(This is a Grandpa went on a mission to Japan tradition)

Christmas Morning

Believe it or not I was a horrible picture taker and so we have very few pictures of the day. Shame on me!

Our family tried to be good at making gifts this year so I made aprons for our moms, MY LB made hot plates for our parents and great grandparents and the kids did some looming and made LOTS of pot holders. But that is definitely not all.

MY LB in his garage and I in my decorating realm, both worked together to create this fine house (it was mostly him).

After we opened our presents and enjoyed pancakes with coconut syrup from Leslie's clan we headed to Me-Ma and Pa-Pas house.
Once again I was bad at taking pictures maybe because we had so much fun. We opened gifts, ate, played games, ate, visited, ate, went to the Valley of Lights and ate one more time. What a great day!
I did get a picture of this great window display my mom painted, each reindeer has a picture of one of her grand kids faces in it. SO CUTE!
We arrived home late and to bed we all went. The next morning we were up early to play with our new toys.

I love Christmas

Do you think anyone will notice if I just leave everything up until next year?

Temple Lights

The Temple is always so beautiful but during Christmas time it especially glows.

On Monday we spent family night with Leslie's Clan. We went out to dinner, visited the Temple and enjoyed hot chocolate and dessert together. It was a great night!

If you haven't been to see the Temple yet here is the link for more information, Mesa Arizona Temple Lights.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Random Thought

HELP!!!

A week gone by?

The holidays get so busy I can't believe another week slipped by so quickly. This has been one crazy zippy week. Holiday shopping done, ward Christmas party, treats out, band concert, crochet beanies for teachers presents, kinder gingerbread houses made, projects getting finished up (some just started) and Christmas cards out. It is a miracle that I found time to do my FAVORITE thing of all. THRIFTING!!

I went to thrift alley (that is what I call it) with the money my mom and dad gave me for my birthday (and I had a birthday). I was going to use the money to buy me a new dog (and we got a new dog) and friend for our dog Toby BUT something happened that I will blog about another day (it's a good one).

Back to the thrifty lady story. I happened upon so many great deals that I just know I must of had a sign on me saying, "Watch out this girl has birthday money and she aims to SPEND." Despite my shopping companion (Kendal) and her desires to, "just go home mommy", I prevailed. I love a good thrifty day!

That was my week in a nut shell. And here are the nutty people in a picture-shell....

Santa at the Ward Christmas Party

Matthew on the Trumpet

Kinder Gingerbread Houses

AND MY BEST MOST PERFECT THRIFTY STORE FIND

Vintage Dress 5.00, black fabric belt .25

I have also been sewing up a storm. This cute

little Christmas dress for Maggie is a result. I also have

a great recycle project on the verge of completion (stay tuned).

And this last picture, well isn't she just so cute?

Have a great holiday week!