Bowling with the Monkeys

We took the kids bowling for the first time just a few weeks ago.  They had a blast.  It was so fun to watch them.  They keep asking when we are going again. Soon enough!  Soon enough!

Gotta LOVE bowling shoes!

Doing her happy dance.

Watching the ball roll slllloooowwwwwllllyy down the lane

Granny balls work just fine for this kid.

Enjoying their snacks.

The only downside to the whole day was that Riley hadn't felt very good all day.  He insisted that he was fine so we headed out.  The bowling alley also offers miniature golf. We bowled and then we went to play a round of miniature golf.  At hole 16 Riley threw up.  Poor little thing was so sad and had tried so hard to keep it quiet that he wasnt feeling well.  Needless to say we headed on home.  Gotta love the adventures of being a mom!

The Journey I take

There is a journey that each of us take. We wake up and decide the destination. Some days we are conscious of those decisions and other days the destinations come without our thinking about it. This is the story of one of the journey's that I take each day.  It is the journey of my weight.

May 10, 2003



I met and married my Prince Charming who loved me unconditionally. I always told him that I wanted to lose some weight. His reply was always the same, "You will when you are ready." That day came eleven months after I had our second child.  I stepped on a scale and I weighed MORE than when I had been 9 months pregnant with Riley. I also had to increase my pants size from a 16 to an 18.

This is three days after I began my journey @ 212 pounds





I decided that was IT. I wasn't going to buy bigger clothes. I wasn't going to be the mom who sat on the sidelines while her kids played in the park. I wasn't going to be the mom who didn't take her kids for walks because her knees hurt. I WAS going to be the mom who played with them, who ran around the yard. And so I found myself at the local Weight Watchers meeting.  That day a member received their Life Time award.  I told myself I would do that.  And I DID.

It was a slow journey. One that took a year. Over the course of that year I learned many things about myself.

 I learned that I didn't eat vegetables.

I learned that I ate when my kids ate (which isn't a good thing when you have two toddlers).

 I learned that I used cheese in everything.

 I learned that I was a compulsive eater.  

I learned that I liked fresh veggies.

I learned to control my portions.

I learned to say NO to foods that I truly didn't like.

 I learned that it was okay to throw away the leftover cake.

I learned that I liked to walk and to exercise.

I even learned that I liked to go to the gym. 

 I learned to change my mind set.

I learned to eat to live, not live to eat.

After two months I had lost almost 16 pounds. My clothes were fitting better and I had more energy but I still had a long way to go.

This is after 16 pounds were gone.

After a year I had reached my goal. I had lost 78 pounds and felt fabulous. I got my Life Time membership and I maintained my weight for three months. Then I became pregnant with our third child. Some of the weight came back but I made it back to goal after he was born. 





 

This is a journey that did not end there. Over the last year I have fluctuated in my weight. I became indifferent, lazy, and I gave in to the temptation of food again. I gained back 30 pounds and now am back at Weight Watchers. I am back down 16 pounds. The journey will not end here. This journey is a choice that I have to make everyday. It is the choice to be healthy. It is the choice to be happy with who I am. It is the choice to be me.  This journey does not define me, I define it.  I choose the steps that I take down this path, I choose the steps that I may take backwards.  But it is MY journey and I am in control.  I do not let the path direct my course, I choose the course of my path.







Miracles amidst our trials

Life brings those moments that make us want to scream ... it brings us the times that we wonder why things happen the way they do ... it brings us trials that we don't think we deserve.  But life also brings us miracles in those moments.

On May 4, 2012 we packed up the car and headed on our way to St George.  Richards' brother and his wife were going to be attending the temple and receiving their endowments on Saturday May 5, 2012, as well as being sealed for time and all eternity to each other and their sweet 3-month old.  The trip started out beautifully, the kids were excited that they were going to see Grandma and Grandpa Larson. We made it as far as Scipio and I was happy that Fillmore was just over the hill. 

 Half way!!! Finally!!!

And then ..... we all know what happens in Scipio!!!! Heading up the hill was great, I got stuck behind a semi - which is Miracle #1.  I was in the slow lane when my speed started dropping. and the check engine light came on.  Then my steering was gone.  I was able to pull over to the side and off of the road.  Miracle #2 - Richard and his dad were with me.  I took this trip about a month ago by myself with the kids.  I am so grateful that I had my husband with me on this trip. Richard popped the hood and found that the belt had come off.  Miracle #3 - we were right at the overpass at the top of the hill (it was downhill back to Scipio!) and Miracle #4 - Richard was able to back up to the off-ramp and then we were able to coast back into Scipio.

Miracle #5 - there was a mechanic shop right off the freeway.  While they looked at the car I took the kids to the bathroom and got them treats at the convenience store.  We thought it was well and good.  The shop had a belt that they were going to put on and have us on our way ... however that wasn't the only issue.  The crankshaft pulley had gotten out of alignment.  And the two mechanics there weren't sure that they could fix it.  Miracle #6 - their boss knew how to do it.  Miracle #7 - I had stopped in Scipio before and knew that there was a park not far away.  I took the kids for a walk and they were able to play at the park for a good hour and a half.  The mechanic had to go to Silana to get the rubber grommet that was needed to fix the problem.  That was a twenty seven mile trip one way and here comes Miracle #8 - the store located in that small town had the very part that we needed, a part that they rarely, if ever,  have in stock.  What an amazing blessing.  The car was fixed and we once again headed on our way. 

A trip that should have taken us 4 1/2 hours took us 8 1/2 instead.  And I have never been so aware of the miracles that the Lord bestows upon my family and me.  Miracle # 9 - my kids prayers were answered.  While we were walking to the park I told the kids that we needed to say a prayer that the car would be able to get fixed so Mommy and Daddy could go to the Temple with their aunt and uncle.  My sweet Cyvanna spoke up and said, "Mommy, I already said three prayers, but another one wont hurt." She is so right!  After the car was fixed she told me, "Mommy, Heavenly Father answered our prayers." Once again, with her innocence and faith, she was right.  He always answers our prayers.  If that is the lesson that my family learned from this adventure then I am more than pleased with the trial!  Miracle #10 - my children's faith was bolstered and strengthened, and that is a miracle that I will always be grateful for.

We made it to the temple and had a glorious time serving in the House of the Lord with our family, witnessing their sealing as an eternal family unit.  The Spirit was so strong and I was so grateful for the trials that it took for us to get there.  It made the time so much sweeter. 



I know my Father lives.  I know He answers prayers. I know that in the midst of trials He gives us miracles ... if only we are open to recognizing them. 

May each of you recognize the miracles in your life.

Testimony

Here I sit, wide awake at 1:43 in the morning.  This is not a normal thing for me.  There are many many thoughts racing through my head tonight and I cannot seem to calm them. 

Sunday, April 22, was our ward conference.  We were privileged to listen to our Bishop and our Stake President, Mitch Shaw.  Our Bishop, Bishop Richter, spoke about standing in holy places and being prepared for the things to come. 

President Shaw stood up, and with tears in his eyes, spoke directly to a brother in our ward whose wife had passed on just the week before.  He told this brother that he loved him, that the Lord has a plan for each of us.  He proceeded to bare his testimony of our Savior, of the importance of being prepared for whatever the Lord has planned for us.  He spoke with conviction that he knew that our Savior lives.  He spoke of the life that comes after death and death being a natural part of progression. He spoke of not fearing death and embracing it when it comes, on accepting that the Lord is ready for us. 

Today, April 25, 2012, I learned that Mitch Shaw was killed in a construction accident on Monday April 23.  Did he know that he was about to be called home?  Did he know that he delivered his vibrant and enduring testimony that it would be the last time he administered in his calling as a Stake President here in this earthly life? Did he know that this would be the last testimony that he would bare in this earthly life?  Did he know that he would be going home to his Heavenly Father the very next day?  NO!  But he lived his life accordingly, and I know that angels attended him home.  I never met this man in person but I was blessed by him nonetheless.  He touched my life and my heart. 

I have pondered on why so many great men have been called home to heaven in the last 10 months, three that I know of.  Jared Despain - the husband of my dear friend Laura.  He was a flight instructor with a wonderful sense of humor, a selfless heart, and an abiding love for our Savior.  He leaves behind his beautiful wife and two young boys.  Nathan Blaylock - I never met this man - but I feel I know him through his wife Holly.  She paints an amazing man who was devoted to his family, to his country and to his God. He leaves behind a broken hearted wife, three adoring boys and a beautiful baby girl.  And now President Shaw - a man that surely could have done so much more here on this earth. He has two sweet daughters and a son that will miss him. Why has our Father called them home?  What work does He have for them?

The only answer is that it is something greater.  That there is a need for valiant servants on the other side of the veil.  I know that these men are hard at work. Their callings are not over.  They await their loved ones. 

The words to Come Come Ye Saints passed through my head, especially the fourth verse.

And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell-
All is well! All is well!

These men have obtained their rest and All is Well. To their families I give my prayers and my testimony that I know the Savior lives.  I know that He suffered in Gethsemane and that He hung upon the cross.  I know that He literally gave up His life for me, for you, for everyone.  I know that three days later He rose again, that we too may take up our bodies again after this life is over.  He ascended to His Father and what a happy day--- ALL IS WELL!!!





Easter

This Easter brought a wave of gratitude for our Savior.  I am so grateful for the sacrifice that He made for us to allow us to rise again after our death.  He literally had to give up his life - He chose to die for us.  He chose to suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane and He chose to take His body again.  What amazing choices those were, what love He has for each of us, what hope He has that we will all return to live with him. 

In our home we choose to celebrate the commercial side of Easter on Saturday, reserving Sunday for a more reverent worship of our Savior and a greater concentration on the meaning of Easter.  This year the Easter Bunny came while we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa Larson.  We got home from Saint George on Saturday afternoon and the Easter Bunny had visited the kids.  Later that day my sister came over with her kids and we had a great easter egg hunt. 

 It's hard work, finding all of those eggs!

 Look Mom --- it has my name on it!!!!!!!

 My beautiful niece and my sister

 My darling nephews...

Sunday dawned a glorious day, a bit nippy but clear skies and sunny.  The kids were so anxious to get into their new Easter outfits.  They all looked amazing.  We had a wonderful Church meeting and then came home to a scrumptious dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, easter-egg braid bread, deviled eggs and fresh veggies. 

 Goofing around

 Ahhh, those wonderful moments when they love each other unconditionally!

 He won't give me a regular smile, this is him and his "cheeeeeese"

 Handome boy - with a REAL tie - not a zipper tie or a clip on tie - he thought he was hot stuff!

 Doesn't Cale look like he could be posing for a magazine photo shoot?  Handome little man!

 Our feast!!!!!



Birthdays

Birthdays in our home are a season of celebration.  Our kids brithdays are all within a month of each other.

The celebration begins February 4th.  Cale turned an amazing three years old this year.  He is generally a really fun child.  Just like any other three year old - he has to do things on his own.  He wants to be little sometimes and other times he is a "big boy".  It just depends on what it is Mom and Dad are asking him to do.

.

This little munchkin got the cake of his dreams.  His two favorite things are orange and cars.  I put the two together to make a winning combination!

Even with a dirty face who couldn't love this three year old!!!

Next birthday that we have is Riley on March 8.  He turned 6 this year.  He and Cyvanna are the same age for three days.  He thought it was pretty cool to be the same age as his big sister.  This is one little boy that LOVES Transformers. His party was fun even if only a few of his friends were able to come.  He had a wonderful Optimus Prime piniata, and cake too.  The best part about it -- Grandma Larson was able to be here for his party!

 Silly boy was so excited to stuff this Piniata.  There was plenty of candy to go around!

 Mom had a hard time with this cake but he thought it was AMAZING - and that is all that matters.

 Along with his bike he got a helmet (no need to tell you that it was a Transformers one!) and lots of BattleBot Transformers.  Every gift he got from his friends were BattleBots - we had one happy little boy!

Making his Birthday wish.

Our final birthday was three days later (the parties were a week apart). Cyvanna turned 7.  In one year she will be getting baptized.  Of course she wanted to have a Princess party - so we did.  The girls came dressed up in their finest, they made crowns out headbands and foam crowns, they watched Tangled, ate a Princess Cake and destroyed a Princess Castle piniata and had fun.

 Our pretty princess cake and the pink castle piniata.

 The princesses all dressed up!!!

 Using all her Princess Power to hit that castle (It never did break! Daddy kind of took care of getting it open for the girls!)

 Cyvanna also got a bike for her birthday - complete with the Disney Princess helmet - now she and Riley can ride around safely and fashionably.

I wasn't sure how to put the candles on the cake and had enough batter left from baking it to make seven mini cupcakes - perfect for her seven candles. 

So - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Springer kids --- until next year!  As a mom I have to admit that it is kind of nice to get them over with all at one time of the year - even if it is a little stressful.  I am so grateful for my healthy happy beautiful children.







Christmas

I know that I am a little late on getting this updated but please forgive me. 

We moved in December and had Christmas in our new home.

We didn't get the internet until about two months ago - and yes, I should have updated before this, but .....

Anyway!

We spent our Christmas Eve at Temple Square (which we will NEVER do again) We will choose another day to go enjoy the glorious lights.  It was cold, crowded, and the kids just wanted to get back on the train and go home. 



Richard and I enjoyed the immensity of the project and the added beatuy that the millions of lights bring to an already incredible place.  When I worked at the Church Office Building the ground crew would begin hanging lights long before Christmas season.  If I remember right they begin their intricate and amazing hanging of lights in October.  Months literally go into the decorating of Temple Square.



And it is an experience to be cherished, even if it was cold and crowded!