A New Start!

I finally have time for blogging again! I have missed this creative outlet and hope to stay in the moment and post the important things in my life.    I have missed some very special and wonderful events in my blog so, I will try to recap the past year and a half and then begin again!

I believe I stopped posting when my youngest child announced his engagement and had asked if they could have their reception in our back yard!  I was in school and about to enlist on a big project so I scaled down many things in my life so I could make it all work.

Alex and KarLee were married in July of 2012 in the St. George temple follows by a celebration of their marriage in our yard a few days later.  We love KarLee and feel like she has a wonderful place in our family!

Brady and Rachel decided  in January of 2013 that they would try for Law School.  Brady took the test and was accepted to Pepperdine University of Law in Malabo California.  They moved in with us in May of 2013 while they worked and saved for school.  They found out they were expecting our first grandchild in May and we couldn't have been happier.  They moved to California in August and took a piece of my joy with them!

John and I took a few trips to California in 2013 as well as some fun weekends in St. George visiting Alex and KarLee.

Jameson Brady Cox joined our family on January 31st of 2013, making a great end to 2013 and a wonderful beginning to 2014!  I am a Nana and couldn't be happier!!


Now onto the New Year and new Blog start!!

Graditude

"Gratitude lights up what is already there. You don't necessarily have anything more or different, but suddenly you actually see what is. And because you can see, you no longer take it for granted. You're just standing in your yard, but suddenly you realize, Oh, there's the first flower of spring struggling to emerge from the snow; Oh, there's a deer emerging from the scrub brush; Oh, there's the measuring cup you've been looking for that your daughter was using to make mud pies. It's just your ordinary old backyard, but suddenly you are filled with happiness, thankfulness and joy." ~excerpted from Attitudes of Gratitude, how to receive and give joy every day of your life, by M. J. Ryan


Today I am grateful for the flowers blooming in my yard. I have one a flower garden right out my front door that is a perennial garden which means during the winter not much goes on so I wait for the adjustment of the sun in the spring time that brings my little garden to life, it is just one of those little things that make me happy. Holding babies is another thing that makes me deliriously happy, I am grateful for a job that lets me hold babies!! I tend to live an ordinary life but in that ordinary life many things bring a smile to my face, the way my husband makes me feel when he walks into the room is one, a phone call from a friend in another, even rainy days bring a smile to my face because I know what happens after the rain, my grass is greener and the air is fresher!! Gratitude is a wonderful antidote for negativity. I love the following quote: “Ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.” –Henry B. Eyring

Easter Sunday

Today I am grateful to be home with some of my family for Easter Sunday. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that our Savior lives again and that we also can live again. I know that we are each apart of a great whole, something bigger that each of us individually yet not complete without each other. I know that we need to work each and everyday to give back to that which we have been given. We need to serve each other we need to give to the poor, cloth the naked and feed the hungry. I know that I get selfish and forget this principle at times, I know that I can do better at having more charity, sacrifice more for others and look out for my brothers and sisters more. I am grateful for this time of year in that it reminds of the responsibility I have to show my gratitude for all my Savior did for me by serving and helping others. It is my goal to strive to more fully understand my part of the whole and live so that I can be apart of our Heavenly Fathers kingdom.

Journal Entry

I am down 3lbs!! I have had a crazy work scheduled including a night 12 hour shift, so I feel like my body clock has been thrown off as well as my workout schedule. This morning I did a pilotes workout and had a kifer shake for breakfast. I am getting ready to work in the yard today and get lots of needed sunshine!! I will post some pictures later!

New Job

I am loving my new job. I started in the mom/baby unit at Logan Regional Hospital a couple of weeks ago and I have totally loved it!!

I take care of both mom and baby, doing rounds every two hours as well as putting in caths and taking them out. I also get to take out IV's and do testing on babies. On my down time you will find me in the nursery holding, feeding and rocking babies!! I am up to my ears with babies and I am loving every minuet of it!!

Journal Entry

Days 4-8....This is harder that I thought it was going to be. I guess I will only be posting on the days that I don't work because jotting in my journal is the last thing on my mind when I drag my tired body home!! I have been doing well at work drinking my protein shake which seem to give me plenty of energy for the day. I have also been taking a salad and healthy snacks.

Today I returned to my spinning class and it kicked my behind!! And I remember why I have such a love / hate relationship with this class. Hate the beginning yet I love the way I feel after!!
I have been pretty consistent with the protein shake for breakfast, salad of some kind for lunch and a light dinner.

All in all I feel great and have a ton of energy!!

Journal Entry

Day 3 Journal Entry---Feeling energetic today. I know that exercise is an important part of the day and when I get up and get in done in the morning hours even better!!

Breakfast-- smoothie
Lunch--none
Dinner-- soup and salad
Strength training for exercise

Journal Entry

Day 1----Me and my bike reunited today after a long winter!! I have a long way to go. Ended the season last year with 14 mile ride............started today with a 4 mile ride!! Always feels good to get active and outside again. I kept up spinning for most of the winter but my membership ran out about a month ago and I admit I have been stagnate for the majority of those four weeks. I have to remember this when you don use it you sure loose it!!

For the past couple of years I have been working on getting healthy after a few years of bad health. I have have changed my diet to a 60% raw food diet. I can really tell a difference in my mental focus, energy and stamina. It sure makes a difference to get the inflammation out of your body. This year my goal is weight loss. So I decided to keep a journal of my activity to help me stay focused on this goal. Your comments and encouragement will be greatly appreciated and if any want to join me on this journey.........join in!! You can check out my fanatical food blog for recipes and ideas if you are just getting started.

Day 1 Journal
Green drink for Breakfast
Protein smoothie for Lunch
Roasted chicken, potatoes,carrots and a green salad
32 oz of water
Probiotics
Rode my bike 4 miles

Happy Birthday to my VALENTINE!! 27 years ago I sent a valentine Birthday card to this sweet man.............and he answered back!! My life has been so wonderful every day since. We wrote letters for six months then we met and dated for six months and then we got engaged for six months and we have been happily married for almost 26 years!! Thanks honey for all the spice and adventure you add to my life.
Love, me

Yes that is what I seem to be doing a lot of lately MOVING!! I guess I think if I keep moving I won't sink!! I have finished up my associates degree and have made all the requirement to get into the nursing program and now I spend my days filling out applications and getting references filled out. I am enjoying my work in home-care and am hoping to get a job at the hospital in labor and delivery. I was hoping to do a catch up post, yet i feel so far behind that the overwhelming task keeps preventing me form blogging at all...........so I decided to just start writing a hopefully a little at a time we will be up to date!! Part of my new year goals is to get back on track with my eating plan, so John and I began a cleanse this week and I already feel so much better! I also posted some new desert recipes in my fanatical eating tab. Come join me on a new year of healthy living and positive thoughts! SEE you soon!

Hang with ME!!

My blog is soooo pitiful!! Hang with me my faithful bloggers and I promise after finals week I will do a big catch up!!

Stationery card

Celebrate The Season Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for unique, personalized Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Highlights from women's conference fall 2011

Sister Julie B. Beck- "I am grateful that one of the Lord’s primary purposes in organizing Relief Society was to give the women the responsibility to help prepare “for the greater blessings of the priesthood found in the ordinances and covenants of the temple.”

Sister Silvia H. Allred- "The scriptural declaration “Charity never faileth” became the motto of Relief Society because it embraces these teachings and the charge that the Prophet Joseph Smith had given the Relief Society sisters to “relieve the poor” and to “save souls.”

Sister Barbara Thompson- "Once again, “Lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.” Keeping covenants is true joy and happiness. This is comfort and peace. This is protection from the evils of the world. Keeping our covenants will help us in times of trial."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf- "Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."

To watch the conference, go here.
Oh, and check this very handsome photo of my hero Dieter Uchtdorf...oh yeah.

To read about the awesome photo, go here.

Little things

Started my day off at 5:30am! And did I mention that today is SUNDAY!! Oh how I miss having a day of rest! Life just seems so crazy at the moment. I start every day at 5:00am. Then I either go to school or go to work. On the days I am home I am usually canning and drying food to preserve it for winter, because I can't seem to bring myself not to after so many years of building up my food storage this time of year. I hope I live through the next few months! Breaks usually helps me to refocus and get going again.

I am grateful for the little moments that are getting me through. I really like my job and the people I am getting to know and serve. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to rely on someone else to do everyday things for you. My job has given me a new perspective of how much people need someone to care. Caring and serving others really helps to fill my cup. Sunday dinner with my family also rejuvenates me. I love to cook yummy food for my family, I love dinner time conversations and I love to have laughter in our home.

These are the little things that keep me going.

I

25 year Anniniversary

I wrote the following post in June and was waiting to figure out John's new bloggie to post some pictures from our Salt Lake get-a-way celebration. But we recently got back from a trip to San Fransisco to finish our 25th year celebration so I didn't want to wait any longer to post.
Twenty Five Years of Wed-id BLISS! NOT!! Okay well maybe!!


Well........ if I painted that kind of picture grandchildren that will be reading this one day, will have high expectations of marriage and not be able to live up to it!! ( my children know better because they live with us) So lets just say after twenty five years of married life, I have learned, laughed, loved and lived!! I am grateful everyday for the opportunity of being married to my best friend. A best friend is someone who sees your imperfections and loves you anyway, someone who forgives easily and loves unconditionally. I love having someone to share my dreams with and someone to share my fears with. Marriage is hard it takes work and dedication, it take a forgiving heart and a sense of humor, it is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. I have learned many Christ like attributes that only marriage can teach and I am grateful everyday for opportunity to learn and grow with my sweet hubby John. :)

As I have been reminiscing over the past twenty five years of my life as a married women I came up with some great and wonderful memories.............

• Our first date!
• The first time he held my hand!
• Our first kiss!!
• How he looked at me as we knelt across an alter and committed to each other for Eternity.
• Our honeymoon
• Chasing me around or first apartment!
• How he held me when we learned of our unborn baby's stillbirth.
• His gentle and loving words as a new father at our babies funeral.
• How he held my hand,wiped my brow and kissed my lips at the birth of each our four children.
• Seeing him hold a tiny baby in his arms as if it might break
  
• Getting up nights with our children.
• Being so proud of each and every advancement our little ones would make
  
• Family vacations
• Teaching our children to ride their bikes together
  
• Dancing in the rain
• Making love under the stars!
• Caring for me when sick
• Sending me off to Hawaii for an American Mother convention while he stayed behind with the children
• Date nights
• Building me a home
• Rubbing my tired feet at the end of a long day!
• Going to the movies
• Concerts in the park
• Waiting up with me past a teen's curfew
• Holding me when I cry
• Setting goals and dreaming dreams with me
• Watching him coach a child
• Watching him lead and teach a child, a young women, a young man
  
• Working hard to provide for me
• Washing dishes along side me
• Snuggling in bed on a cold winter night
• Laughing
• Loosing our dad's with in five days of each other.
• The wedding day of our first son
• Supporting me and loving me as I go back to school.
• Learning to cook, so you can have a meal on the table when I get home after a long day
• Praying with me
• Holding my hand in Church
• Encouraging me to keep going even when I don't think I can get back up
  
• That look in your eye
• The way you kiss my neck
• Dreaming Dreams with me

And the list goes on..............and on as we begin creating the next 25 years together!!

The following are some picture from our California trip. We had a hard time deciding what we could do to celebrate with me in Summer semester. The weekend of our Anniversary John planned a fun over night get-away to Salt Lake. He reserved us a room at the Marriott downtown, they brought us complementary desert for our celebration! We had a romantic dinner at an Indian restaurant followed by a concert in the park. It was a fun and relaxing retreat! Then between summer semester and fall we took off to northern California not really having a plan just to drive and have a chance to talk see a new part of the country. We spent our first in at Lake Tahoe, it was our first time there and I don't think it will be our last! We fell in love with the beautiful lake and surrounding area. The rest of our trip we stayed in Oakland California across the bay from San Fransisco. We took our bikes and spent time on them touring San Fransisco. Fisherman's wharf, where we ate crab and yummy sour dough. WE rode our bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge and through China town. We ate a romantic dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant. And rode through Golden State Park. We certainly did our share of riding but it was a great way to get around. We really do love to travel and see fun places. It is also great to have alone time with my sweetie!!
Lake Tahoe

San Fransisco
Peri 39



Golden Gate Bridge





Oakland BridgeGolden Gate Park
Oakland LDS Temple

Biking

I have a new love/hate relationship with my bike. I started riding my bike a couple of years ago when I had to give up walking with my friends, do to my leg and back injury. My bike helped me feel like I could exercise again which gave me a good feeling. I don't ever want to be sedentary, I enjoy exercising. For the past couple years I have not push myself in my riding, riding is hard and it takes a lot of muscle strength. I was happy that I could ride around Mantua Lake twice at one time ( 8 miles). I rode my bike all the way through November last year and was sad when the weather turned and I could no longer ride. I then decided to take a spinning class to keep riding through the winter months, I had no idea what I was in for! I soon learned that spinning was for the high end cycler, which I was not. The first class I took,I could only stand on my spinning bike for 30 seconds at a time because of the leg strength you need to endure. I did however last the entire 1 hour class, and made a commitment to myself that I was going to conquer this challenging class. I have stuck with the class now for nine months and I have seen a great improvement in my road bike endurance because of the strength I have gained. I have now worked up to 20 miles on my bike!! Yahoo!! And I can keep up with the best of them in spin class!! I feel empowered and it is a great feeling be active and healthy. To be totally honest I still hate the first 5 miles, or first 20 min of spin class, but the last 15 miles and the rest of spin class the adrenalin kicks in and I love the feeling of working hard!! It also has helped me realize that I can accomplish the goals I place before myself, when I am going up tough hills on my bike it helps me realize that the tough hills I am going through in life can also be conquered. So last year my goal was to make it around Mantua Lake twice a total of 8 miles and I did it. This year my goal is to make it around Bear Lake a total of 50 miles!! Results yet to come!!

catch up

I so need to catch up on my much neglected blog and I am not sure where to begin. I forgot all about posting Brady's graduation from Utah State University in May. I am so proud of him and this accomplishment. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in broad cast journalism. I know he worked hard and hat a ton of fun with college life. Now that he is married and no longer a "Bachelor" he would like to go on and get a law degree!! He is planning on taking the LSTAT this fall.

Summer has gone by really fast! And in some ways I feel I missed it all together, I have been taking classes and it has really been hard on me, I am set on my goal and I know that part of that is sacrifice so I sacrificed my summer for school!! I did have a few moments of peace and quiet and some relaxation at Tony's grove, some summer concerts and a romantic get away with John for our 25th wedding anniversary. We had a fourth of July picnic and fireworks in the park. So all in all it was a fun summer............and I have two weeks left of it and I have PLANS!! The following are some pictures from summer.

I'm back!!

I'm Back!! It seems like this summer semester did me under. It totally occupied every bit of mind space I had available. I have so many things to blog about and soon as I get my bloggie uploaded I will begin. See you soon :)

"Gratitude lights up what is already there. You don't necessarily have anything more or different, but suddenly you actually see what is. And because you can see, you no longer take it for granted.
You're just standing in your yard, but suddenly you realize, Oh, there's the first flower of spring struggling to emerge from the snow; Oh, there's a deer emerging from the scrub brush; Oh, there's the measuring cup you've been looking for that your daughter was using to make mud pies. It's just your ordinary old backyard, but suddenly you are filled with happiness, thankfulness and joy."

~excerpted from Attitudes of Gratitude, how to receive and give joy every day of your life, by M. J. Ryan

To Always Remember Him

We can put Christ at the center of our lives and become one with Him as He is one with the Father. We can begin by stripping everything out of our lives and then putting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the center.

We do so by always remembering Him—particularly through three important actions: first, seeking to know and follow His will; second, recognizing and accepting our obligation to answer to Christ for every thought, word, and action; and third, living with faith and without fear so that we can always look to the Savior for the help we need.

To learn more, read or listen to Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s message from the April 2011 Ensign and Liahona, “To Always Remember Him.”