2 months out.

Today is 2 months out of surgery.

Things are still going well.

I even made it through my first big FOOD holiday without any real problems. 

So here I was last month.

from the front

and here I am this month

last month from the side

This month from the side

I am down a total of 34.6 pounds from the date of my surgery. For two months out I guess that is not to bad. I have not done my measurements yet this month, but I am going to try and do it tonight. I am glad to see the number going down on the scale, I just wish that my brain would catch up with it. I know that other people that have had this surgery can relate to this, but when I look in the mirror, I have a very hard time seeing the weight going away. Everyone keeps saying they can see it, but I can not. I have heard this is pretty common with people that have had this surgery and will not always be this way. A friend of mine said usually around the 6 month mark your brain finally kicks in and you can start to see a real change in yourself. Right now I am just enjoying seeing the numbers go down on the scale, my clothes fitting looser and feeling better in general!

A wise man once said.....

Kael...Sigh

Kael decided to go on a little drawing spree with a black sharpie today. He drew a treasure map on the bathroom counter....I know, I am wondering the same thing...WHY?? But in the process of him being on his little spree, my shoes got hit. 

At least the gesture was kind of sweet! 

That was what I told myself as I was scrubbing the counter trying to get the sharpie off!

Birthday Weekend FUN!!

Well this Birthday was AWESOME!!

I was totally spoiled by my friends and hubby.

and most of it was a surprise....which i really loved. 

my friends Trisha and Becca bought me this shirt. 

i LOVE IT!

I have wanted one for a while...

So huge thanks for that!

Then they treated me to a pedicure!!

 I love this place!!

We had such a good time laughing and chatting. 

It was wonderful. 

 Who doesn't love pretty toes!

I know I do.

After we got our toes done, we went to dinner. 

It was such a good night. 

I was so thankful to them. 

The next day Garran surprised me with a day all planned out. 

He set up the sitter and everything. 

(I know ladies, SWOON RIGHT!!)

We dropped the kids off around 10:30 with a couple from church and then we were on our way.

 We decided to go to lunch first. 

It was so nice being able to just sit and talk and laugh. 

I love hanging out with Garran.

After lunch we went shopping to get a few things. I found two cute skirts that I was really happy with. 

After we looked around for a while, we headed to the movies. 

I know the picture is horrible, but I was documenting our day together. 

After the movies, it was time to go get the kiddos. 

I was so happy the whole day. 

It was great!!

It was a wonderful 32nd Birthday!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Every year on my birthday, Garran lets me put up the Christmas decorations. 

It is kind of one of my birthday presents. 

I just love the way the house looks all done up with lights and festive things!

So here are a few shots from around the house.

 Our manger set. I upgraded the trees from the originals. They were pretty old and beat up.

 Our christmas tree. I love how tall it is, I just wish it was a little wider. 

It worked well for the place we lived when we bought it, but now we could use a different one. We will have to see. Maybe next year. 

 I love this countdown. I guess Garran had the exact same one growing up. I have slowly started collecting everyone in my family's christmas decorations. I love it. 

 The kids like this little thing because it lights up!

And this 8 Foot Frosty...Well I put this bad boy up all by myself in the dark. 

I love it!!

I can't wait for Thanksgiving this week and then Christmas with lots of FAMILY and LOTS of FUN!!

32

Today I am 32!

Birthday weekend pictures and post to come!

It's not over yet. We still have to get through today!!

Happy Happy Birthday to ME!

close, but not exactly

tonight Cullan and Kael went and found their dad to ask him something. I heard Cullan correct Kael over what ever he had said to Garran. Then as they were headed back upstairs I hear Kael say to Cullan, "I was just trying to Syrup him up!!". Close my dear... I think what you mean is "Butter him up!".

getting ready!

Two friends of mine are going to take me out for my birthday tonight. 

It was such a nice surprise. 

My one friend Trisha got me this shirt. 

Can I just say that I LOVE IT!!

So I was getting ready to go out and had just gotten dressed and wanted to get a quick picture before I forgot. 

So True!!

This shirt is definitely going to get some mileage from me!!

Thanks Trisha!!

plans change

tonight i was supposed to go to a relief society dinner at church and then help with a service project. Unfortunately  last night Briea started throwing up and it is spreading through our house. 

Now Cullan is sick and Kael says his stomach hurts. 

So while I sit in the living room surrounded by sick kiddos and trash cans, I decided to work on something. 

So I decided to try these. I had seen them on pinterest before. 

They are button bracelets.

I made one for the each of the girls, and then the boys wanted one too. 

So I made theirs with more of boy colors. 

Now I am back to playing nurse until Garran gets home. 

I am seriously hoping this is a 24 hour bug!

Young Women in Excellence

Last night we had our Young Women in Excellence at church.

We as a presidency thought it would be fun to do a movie themed evening. 

So we named it the Emma Smith Awards. 

We had each girl talk about one of the Values from personal progress and then our YW president spoke as well as the bishop. 

I had gone early to help set up, but had to take some helpers with me. 

Ayla found this little bit of garland left over and decided to wear it as a crown. 

 This is my friend's son Andrew that I watch during the day. He feel asleep and was no help at all setting up!! :oP

 We decided to have it in the gym. Here is a panoramic view. I took this early so I probably should have waited so you could see the complete package.

 We had movie candy, sparkling cider and popcorn at each table. Like I said this was early so it was not completely put together.

 Our podium. We had trophies for our Elect Ladies, as well as pictures of Emma and a scripture that went with it.

 We also had a table set up for the girls to bring things in that highlighted some fo hte things they had worked on that applied to personal progress.

 Sariah- She spoke on knowledge and her table showed all of the music she has learned and her photography!

 Allison displayed all sorts of things. She really enjoys threatere and apinting!

Kael.

I stole this out of Garran's sketch book last night. 

I just loved it. 

Kael looks so sweet and innocent!

Married...And Daddy's not Happy

Today Garran and I went to pick up Briea from preschool. 

She came out happy and bubbly as usual. 

When she got in the van, she announced to us that while at school she had gotten married. 

I guess she decided to marry a little boy named Cody. 

When Garran heard this he kind of grumbled under his breath.

Then, from the back of the van we hear her say in a giggle..."I kissed him on the cheek!!". 

To which Garran let out another grumble!

Then she proudly showed us a picture. 

This is Briea and Cody getting married. 

I know Garran grumbles partly to be funny but also because I know the idea of some boy around his little girl...not matter the age puts him on edge! I think that is pretty typical of any father. All though he did tell Briea that he needed to meet this Cody kid next time he takes her to school! LOL

the future.

sigh.

I am having an off day today.

The last couple weeks have left me feeling anxious and unsure.

I hate feeling like this.

I know that I have done nothing but say how excited I am about Garran being done with school.

But, now that it is actually approaching (faster and faster it seems), I am feeling anxious. Almost like I have to let go of my security blanket. 

Garran has been in school since we got married. That is almost 9 years of school, marriage, kids and life. 

I know how to do school. As much as I hate it, I know how to do it. 

I know how to survive in this life. I know what to expect. Now come May...My world is going to be in a tale spin. 

We are entering a new phase with lots of different choices and decisions. I have to be honest. Having an husband graduating with the job market like it currently is....well lets just say that it does not make sleeping at night easy. 

He is so talented. Everyone he has ever met in his field has had nothing but positive things to say about his work...and he has met some big name artist. But all of that does not equal a job. 

He has great work. He has great references...But if he does not have a job to send it to...Well what do you do. 

I know that I don't want to stay where we are now. There is nothing here. Every summer we struggle to find just a summer job... I mean forget trying to find a full time job. 

But where do we go...What do we do? We have been throwing around all sorts of ideas on what to do...where to go...it just makes me sick. 

I don't know how many people know that I am a planner...but I am. 

I hate not being able to plan things out or know what is going to be coming at me. I hate not knowing what we will be doing in 6-7 months. Where we will be living...if and where Garran will have a job. 

Did I mention I feel sick to my stomach when I think about this to much. 

Well I do. 

I have been praying Garran can find something. That some business will have an opening or that some school will need his amazing skills to teach their students. 

But for now, I guess I just have to focus on today...So I will pick the boys up in a little while, fold laundry, zumba and work on some other stuff. 

Day by day right??

jeans

I'm finally back in REGULAR jeans!! 

I am so excited. 

I can't wait to be down more sizes but I love being in regular jeans!!

woo hoo

ps. excuse the morning hair. I had not done it yet. 

Have I mentioned....

Have I mentioned that I miss soda. 

I mean I really miss soda. 

I miss drinking it, even though I know it is not good for me. 

I am struggling with drinking water, juice and milk. 

I just miss having the variety. 

However, I don't miss it enough to have changed what I have done.

I am so grateful every time I get on that scale and see the numbers go down. 

I had a check up for my thyroid the other day. 

My pulse is down by 20 points, or whatever you call it. It used to rest in the 90's and now it rest in the 70's. 

My blood pressure which has always been good. It usually hangs around 110/70 something. When I went to the doctor the other day, I had Briea walking, Ayla in a stroller, and Andrew who is 5 months in a back pack. We had been shopping all morning and when they took my blood pressure it was 90/ 70 something. I like the idea that I am getting healthier. I am enjoying working out more. My body does not hurt the way it used to. It also is easier to move. I guess I never realized how all that weight affected my movements. But it did. 

So while I miss soda...It's ok. 

To quote some very wise words, form a very wise man...

"I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"

Family Pictures 2012

A couple weekends ago, my friend Becca took some family pictures for us. 

Here are just a few that I thought I would share. 

Since this is Garrans last year of school (WOO HOO!) We decided to go with the school THEME!

Thanks so much Rebecca Borg Photography!

Our Christmas Card should be fun this year with all the wonderful pictures we got!!