Wednesday I was able to go through the temple again with my mom and my sister. I haven't had a recommend for about five years. It was so wonderful and the only thing that would've made it better is if Dayne could go with me. He was watching the kids for me this time, but next time it will be him and I. The temple is such a warm and peaceful place to be. You don't want to have to leave once your there. I'm so grateful for the progress I have been making in my life. I feel so confident and good about myself. My weight loss is going good also. I'm learning so many things about myself. I always loose weight slow which is one of the obstacles I've faced in the past that gets me discouraged. This time is different! Something has changed in me. There is no looking back!!!

This is Parkers fourth year doing karate. He loves it! He, in our opinion is a natural at it. We have had him competing for two years. This Friday was his team tryout and he made the team again for another year. We look forward to watching him grow and work hard at a sport he loves. He is a green belt now and has a goal of becoming a Black Belt by the age of 12.

WE DID IT!!!!!!

Today we are one step closer to our dream of becoming an eternal family. Tonight Dayne and I went in and were able to get our temple recommends. We can now figure out which temple we want to be married in and set the date. I cannot express what this means to me. I have seen the Lords hand in so many things to get us here and it is very humbling. The Lord truly does listen to and answer our prayers. I cant wait to be sealed to my husband and children. I have faith in the temple covenants and I know that family can be eternal. I also know that when we have lost all hope that is when we need to pray harder for hope to return. Just 10 months ago I had lost all hope in this dream ever being a reality. I was perfectly content in what I had and grateful for my family and husband. Then a very special person reminded me that we should never loose hope.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I took this scripture to heart and really started having hope again and praying for our family to be able to be sealed. Now here we are and my heart is filled with joy.

I'm still rockin the diet with zero mistakes, but this week has been harder. I'm realizing just how much I turn to food to cheer me up or to unstress myself. I really want to be successful at this so I just keep pushing through. I'm super excited that my mom, sister, and niece are all doing this with me. I pray we will all be able to break these chains and realize we deserve so much more for ourselves. I have watched my Mom struggle with weight her entire life. She has gone way up and way down on this path. Now its so much harder for her to accomplish this goal because of her injuries, but I know she has it in her. I know my sister and I have it in us as well. We have fought through many tough obstacles throughout our lives. I will show myself and my family that when you put your mind to it and you partner with the Lord all things are possible. :)

Great weekend!!!

My baby was a crack up this weekend. After a horrible trip to the store, where he literally screamed his head off the entire time I was shopping. I took him home and gave him a nice nap. When he woke up we went to the IHOP. He thought he was so funny!! He was making all of us laugh our heads of with his silly faces. It was so dang cute.

I lost 4.4 lbs my first week on the new healthy lifestyle. WAHOO!! that feels awesome. I am excited and very proud of myself. I hope I can do just as wonderful this week.

A day of reflection and enlightenment

Even among a busy day of work, children, and school the Lord hears and answers our prayers. He loves us so personally and cares about each and every thought or concern we have. The Lord said "For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up." That is exactly how I felt today. I have been concerned about a matter important and personal to me. I have been on bended knee praying about this issue several times. Today an answer to this prayer literally and miraculously just fell into my lap. As I received the answer I realized just how much the Lord orchestrates intricate things in your life just for you, his child, that he loves so purely. The best part of feeling his love in your life is the perspective it gives you. You start to notice that you in return love more all around you. It's infectious and all consuming. I am very overwhelmed with gratitude to my savior and to the blessings and miracles I have in my life, and all around me.

My children are adorable. I know all mothers think that way about their kids, but it's true. Hunter loves dancing and anything with music. He loves to hand you a Wii remote so you can have a dance fest with him. Our family is really enjoying the Just Dance games on the Wii system. Its great exercise and a lot of fun. Hunter has the moves down and puts a smile on our face every time he gets going. I also enjoyed seeing Talon's face light up as he is learning how to read. He is reading full level 1 books and just loves showing off his skills. I love the look children get when they learn something so important in their lives, that gives them a new found freedom. Today Parker was a very loving and forgiving brother. Hunter has an issue with hitting or pushing away anything or anyone in his path. Today he hit Parker pretty hard with a plastic tube he found. Parker started to cry and Hunter was put in time-out. My heart melted as I saw Hunter realize what he had done and gave Parker this look of sorrow and then Parker's heart in return melted and went to Hunter with a hug. It was so special and a moment that Mom really wasn't needed. They taught, forgave, and healed each other on their own. These magical moments are what I live for.

Healthy life is rockin!!!! I feel wonderful and I can't wait for my weigh in tomorrow. I'm not expecting huge numbers because my body doesn't loose weight quickly, but any loss is wonderful. I'm excited to go grocery shopping tomorrow as well. I'm going to try two new healthy recipes each week. I'm out to prove to myself that healthy eating can also taste delicious.

New Year New Goals

This is the start of a new year and new goals. Everyone always sets the goal of loosing weight. This year it's my turn. I am a proud mom of three beautiful boys. I work at home doing data entry, I am a crossing guard, I take care of my paralyzed mother who lives with me, and I home school my kids. I am married to a hunk of a man and we have beeen married for 10 years. One big problem in our lovely life is that I'm unhealthy and unhappy with how I look. This is the year for change. Im not ashamed to put pictures of myself on here because I will no longer be that woman.

I am four days into my new healthy life and I feel great! I have been working out and eating healthy. One of the biggest changes in my life is water. I usually hook myself up to an IV of diet coke, but I have been drinking lots of water. GO ME!!! Im excited for each new goal. I love to live by the idea of "baby steps in all things and you will get there." Thats how im handling this change. My first goal is to loose 10lbs. Once I acheive this then I will celebrate and reward myself with something other than food. Im hopeful, and excited for this journey.

We have another very big goal in our family we are ready to acheive. Our family is going to get sealed in the Temple this year. We have waited for this day for a very long time. It is finally here!! The date hasn't been set, but we are ready. I am nervous and excited that this dream is finally coming true. Our family has been through many hurdles and we have stayed strong through all of them. It is because of our faith and our love for each other. God is good and he has blessed our family greatly.