Thursday, January 16, 2014

Slip Sliddin' Away

A couple of weeks ago, we drove over to Pruess Lake. It was chilly, but sunny. Bryan and Isaac measured the ice. I think it was 8 inches. We could have walked across the lake, but the kids weren't that motivated. But, we had fun playing and walking on the ice and snow.....





Ava was a little ice ballerina…… showing us her mad dancing skills on the slippery surface.




There were large parts of the ice that looked really great for ice skating. I may try that this year :)













These cockleburs had a harder time trying to hitchhike on our socks, as they were stiff in the frozen earth…. or at least they were easier to avoid in the snow :)





On the drive back home, we saw a bald eagle…..


I would like to go back and see what the conditions are like now. Hopefully, this winter I will be able to post some photos of us again on the lake; with ice skates! 


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Come on, Come on, Get Happy!

I'm in a quest to get into shape after being pregnant. I found it more challenging around the holidays to be mindful about it. I'm not one of those women who want to miraculously look like super woman after 8 weeks of having a baby. It's nonsense. It took me a year to put on the weight and I have realistic expectations that it's going to take that long or more to lose it. I'm going to start out with targeting my trigger points that I've gained and obtaining my flexibility that I lost. We've launched back into making a conscious effort to stretch on a regular basis. It's nice when Bryan can do it with me. It's fun to see the kids take out the "Yoga Pretzel" cards and practice them. It's more motivating when there's a family support system.

Yoga toes
After all, stretching comes natural, right? We do it from birth…...


My first action in getting into shape post pregnancy would have been going to the chiropractor getting an adjustment after the delivery. That hasn't happened yet; but I plan to. It's important after that (literal) shift! 

 We are detoxing. Isaac had a nasty cough around Christmas. It seemed to linger on forever…. so we did some detoxing and blood purifying with the help of cupping therapy. Ava wanted to be cupped too. Kids accumulate toxins too.
Now, can someone do my back? 
lol


Looks brutal, but it's not. Cupping is getting much more publicity now days, since it's been a topic on various news stations and talk shows (including Dr. Oz and The Doctors). A lot of people are aware of what it is now. But, for those don't, I don't mind informing them. If you want to know more, just drop me a comment below :)
I've performed cupping for over a decade now and I've heard nothing but positive feedback and great results.



Watching Ava run around and jump rope with endless energy makes me wish I could bottle it up and sell it. She's an energy ball. It made me think about how I could feel more energized. Not to her extent, of course…. but more than I've felt the last year! Haha
Yoga and diet has helped with that. So has drinking more water and taking more steps throughout the day. More moving, less sitting.
We are aware that our society has a whole new set of problems due to our sedentary lifestyles (mostly due to the use of computers and gadgets). I believe it too because bodies are my business; and I've seen it on my massage table time after time over the years. We are not meant to sit as much as we do. If you listen to your body, it will tell you that. Or will eventually scream at you while you hold your low back in your hands in pain.


I guess I'm being more mindful about taking care of me as well as taking care of three kids. I know that if I make time for a little "me" time: yoga, walk, sit in the sun, eat some chocolate, laugh, blog, do a massage, or other things that I enjoy ~ I am filled with endorphins. I feel more energized, grounded, and motivated. Everyone knows that endorphins make people happy…….
cue smiley face :)

Where you find happiness, you find love…….


The best part about love and happiness? ……….  it's contagious!



Here's a smile to start your day.
Spread the word.….er, I mean the smile :)

Carpe Diem! 

Friday, January 10, 2014

New Company

My cousin, Hayley, was here from North Carolina with her parents. I think I've seen her one other time in my life. So, this is the first time the kids have got to know each other. Hayley is now 13 years old! She was able to spend a whole day hanging at our house playing with Isaac and Ava. The day got away with us.


Hayley looks much like her mom, Maureen. It was nice to connect with them again…….



Bryan got Mr. Candy, the corn snake, out for them to see.












You can tell how fond of snakes Maureen is…. just like grandma Hanks
lol





Willow was even enjoying the conversation! Or maybe it was because she was in grandma's hands :)


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Monday, January 6, 2014

Baby Face…...

……. you've got the prettiest little baby face
There isn't another one to take your place
Baby face
You got my heart a 'jumpin
You sure have started something

~ Benny Davis/Harry Akst

Willow has many expressions throughout the day. When she's awake, she doesn't miss a beat with what's going on. Her eyes are wide processing the moments happening around her. When she sleeps most of the day, I know she's in a growth spurt. Then, I swear she's bigger in 24 hours! lol
Here are some of the faces of our little girl:

Sleepyhead: 


"Pee" face:


"Good morning / talking to you" face:


"Pensive" face:


"Gas" face: 



"Poop" face: 


"Hungry" face: 


"Cross-eyed" face:


"Content / pacifier" face: 


"Giggle" face:



There's a lot to process and express when you are six weeks old!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Holiday Break

There have been days on this holiday break where the kids have been a little bored at times....then they resort to picking on each other to pass the time. Those are the not-so-fun moments. But, we've also taken advantage of the break and having some fun. We stayed in a motel a couple of nights and went swimming. We took the Frontrunner train and Trax from Provo to Salt Lake City and went to the Discovery Museum. That was an enjoyable little adventure. I didn't take any photos.

Our New Year's Eve was really low key. This is the first year that I didn't ring in the new year at some party. It was nice to cuddle under a blanket and watch a movie with the kids. It's going to be harder for me to remember to write 2014 on checks though.... lol

At times, the kids have had much stimulation on this holiday break.
This is about 10 minutes after Isaac strongly objected (mid-afternoon), "But I'm not tired, Mom!" 


Ha!