I'm Alive....and well

Anyone who knows me knows that I love music. I love all music, there is a song I love in just about every genre. I recently purchased the new Kenny Chesney CD and finally received it in the mail yesterday. I put the CD in my CD player at work first thing this morning. The music started playing and the first song really struck me. And ironically, it featured another artist I love, Dave Matthews, but never pictured singing with Kenny Chesney. We all go through things that alter our lives, but we get through them. I know you have heard this a million times, but Dennis is an absolutely amazing person. He has gone through a lot of things in his life and I know he didn't use to feel this way. But he always tells me that things could be a lot worse. This is so true! There is beauty to be found all around us. Whether it be the hills in San Francisco, the beaches in Florida, the lights in New York City, or the Mountains in Utah. There are people around us that love us unconditionally. We are alive and free to do as we please (within the law of course.) There is so much in life to be thankful for. I am going to stop adding up the pain and start living.

"So damn easy to say that life's so hard. Everbody's got their share of battle scars. As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars. That I'm alive and well."

*apology, you will have to pause the music at the bottom in order to hear the video*

Bowling with Tasha

We went to Cedar City a few weeks ago for our monthly visit with Tasha. It is always so great to see her. Yet, we find ourselves running into the same problem. What do you do in Cedar City? In the summertime there are festivals every weekend and various other fun things. But in the winter there is nothing. So we decided to go bowling. I have always loved bowling but have not been in years and cannot begin to tell you how horrible I am. We had a greasy hamburger and then bought two games. We had a lot of fun. Dennis was so upset the first game because he was not "warmed up". I have proof as to who won the first game.



Honestly, it does not matter what we do. Getting to spend time with Tasha is the best part.

The Beauty that is Turbo Kickbox

As some of you know I have started working out at the gym. I was very hesitant to start. I was perfectly happy sitting home watching tv. Then I realized that even though I lost all of this weight I did not look the way I wanted to. And the only way to fix that was to exercise. I can only hope to look and be as strong in the core as my mom and Lisa. So I thought about how I was going to do it and did not like the thought of getting up at 5 am and walking on the treadmill. So I remembered my sister saying...try the classes. She said she was a "class girl". She liked working out in that setting. I thought I was so not a "class girl". And dreaded the thought of working out after work. Isn't that the perfect time to go home and veg out? Well, a girlfriend from work and I decided one day...Let's do it! So we got the schedules and planned to go. When it came time to go I tried to get out of it and she told me I had to go. So I went and although I am sure I looked like a fool, so did 50% of the class! So the next day I was so sore I thought I would die, but we went back. And here we are weeks into it and loving every minute of it. Even when my girlfriend cannot make it, I still go. And let me just say that working out after work is perfect! You are dragging after work and you force yourself to the gym. After the workout you feel amazing and it gives you about 2 hours of energy to finish out the evening and accomplish all you set out to. Then you crash hard and sleep like a baby. So, back to the title...the beauty that is turbo kickbox. This class was recommended by none other than Ms. Schader. It is so hard, fast, intense...amazing! I love this class! It challenges me every single time. There are always new people so you are never the "new kid" after the first time. The instructors really drive you. It makes me feel so great! The other class I enjoy is Power Pump. This is primarily weight and strength training. I feel so strong after that class. And let me tell you before I started I had no bicep....none. Now I have a teeny tiny muscle growing. Why did I not start working out years ago??? And for the record I am now a "class girl".

A Dad and his Daughters

We have had the opportunity lately to see both of Dennis' daughters. This is a challenge since Marlene lives in Colorado and Tasha lives in Cedar City. Marlene was in town for a funeral and although we only saw her for less than 24 hours it was great! We also made it down to Cedar City to see Tasha, after a few months of not being able to make our monthly trip to Southern Utah. Dennis loves nothing more than seeing his girls!

Marlene got to go to church with us. She loved to see all our her friends from when she was here for the summer.



And Tasha stayed with us at our hotel and watched the Jazz game with Dennis. Finally a girl who will watch sporting events with him!

I Did It! Lifetime Membership

I know I have blogged recently about reaching my goal weight and the 50 pound mark. But today I have made yet another step in my weight loss journey. Tonight I received my Lifetime Membership status and am at a 53.2 pound total weight loss. This is a HUGE milestone with the Weight Watchers program. With lifetime status you no longer have to pay a membership fee..woohoo! You only have to weigh in once a month...this would be cool, but I am still going to go every week. The class is only 30 min and I really benefit from it and checking in at the scale. The best part of achieving this status means I have reached my goal weight and maintained it for 6 weeks. This alone is a challenge. But, I was smart enough to reach my goal weight the week after Thanksgiving. Thus giving me the opportunity to maintain through the holidays! This was a huge challenge, but I did it!

Now, I just have to maintain it for life, but I know I can do it. I said before that the best part was reaching my goal and maintaining it. But that is not true. I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my mom, my sisters Lisa and Hayley, Dennis, and Peggy (my other weight watchers buddy who says I am her inspiration). My Mom and Lisa weren't able to make it to Weight Watchers tonight because of school commitments. P.S. they are both lifetime members. At the end of the class they gave me my award. They held up a beautiful bouqet of roses and said that even though my mom couldn't be there that she wanted me to know that she was proud of me and was there in spirit. My mom has been my rock. She has gone with me to Weight Watchers every week for 1 year. When I didn't want to do it anymore (which was pretty much every time I gained) she would not let me quit. Whenever I had a bad week, I would call Lisa for my pep-talk. She would always tell me how far I had come and that I was going to do better the next week. Hayley always cheered me on and was always there when I needed someone to commiserate with. And Dennis always told me that he loved me no matter what. But that I looked way hotter now! Thanks babe! I love you so much and couldn't have done it without you.



We always did "net weight" at Weight Watchers. We took "the teams" gains and losses and added it together. If we came out with any weight loss we looked at it as we all lost! This wasn't a "legal" weight watchers way, but it sure made us feel better those weeks we didn't quite lose what we wanted to.

Weight loss has been a huge challenge but worth every minute. Not only do I look better, but I feel amazing! Some have asked for before and after pictures. Those are to come. Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way. I could not have done it without you.

New Years and an Apostolic Blessing

I really need to get back on the ball. I am only now getting to posting about New Years. For New Years Eve we celebrated with Mom, Dad, Dennis, Myself, Lisa, and Bryan. The grandkids were here to but they went to bed about 7 pm so they don't count. We decided to play Phase 10. This game has a special place in our heart. We played it just about every night when we went to Cancun in June of 2006. After Cancun Lisa affectionately called it "Skip Lisa." So it was really fun to play it together as a family again.



While we were playing cards we put on the cable oldies music channel. The challenge was to try to guess either the artist or the song name. Let's just say that Lisa was a fierce competitor, but I won that game. Mom was the all out winner of Phase 10 though. Good job Mom! I asked Lisa to take a picture with me and this is the hairstyle she decided to go with.



At 11:50 we woke my dad up and poured the sparkling cider. You have to toast the new year with something bubbly. Since we don't drink champagne, Apple Cider was the next logical choice.



It was so nice to ring in the new year with some of the people I love most.



The Sunday after New Years was fast Sunday. I hadn't been feeling well and went in to church feeling tired and overall less than thrilled to be there. I sat down and looked on the stand. Sitting there was none other than Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.



His daughter lives in our ward and he and his wife were babysitting for the weekend. What an honor to have an apostle in our presence and the spirit was definitely felt there. I think it was one of the most spiritual fast and testimony meetings I have ever been to. After everyone had a chance to bear their testimony he got up and spoke to us. It was amazing! He concluded with an apostolic blessing for us for the new year. It really was the best way to start the new year. I could not have asked for more. So here's to a great 2009!

Don't Speak

You may wonder why I am blogging at 8:40 am on a Thursday. Especially since I should be at work and don't have internet access at work. Well, the reason is a wonderful little thing called Laryngitis. Yup, I cannot speak. I went to work this morning at 7 since I am the only one there for the first hour. Luckily I only had 13 calls. Whew! Once the other receptionist got there they decided to send me home. I am headed to the doctor in a few minutes. Typically Laryngitis is a viral infection, but because I have been sick it may be due to a bacterial infection. I guess we will find out. But for future reference it sucks to have Laryngitis when your job is to answer phones.