Scouts - Critter Care

This is my pet Rex Thomas. He is a blue tongue skink.

1a. These are the things I've done to take care of Rex for two weeks.

2a. I made a poster about my pet and the things I do with him. We made it into a video

3b. We watched these YouTube videos which talked about people that take care of animals.

One of the people in the video was a vet at the zoo here in Utah. A vet is a person that checks animals. They also protect animals. They get to help sick animals which would be really fun, but it would be stinky.

Another one was about an animal shelter. They protect animals that don't have homes. They feed and play with the animals and help them find new places to live.

I think all of these people studied animals when they were kids so they would know how to help. I know they also had to study about animals in college. But, most important, they had to work with animals so they would know what to do to take care of them. One guy in the video said he went to work at the zoo for just the summer, and then he got a job there for 17 years. Working with pets, especially my pet, is lots of fun.

Ma

This week this little dude started calling me "MA". It's so hilarious! I'm not sure where he picked it up from, but I love it! I hear him say it a billion times a day.

Ma, I'm hungry
Ma, I hate piano
Ma, I don't want to wear shoes
Ma, come look at this
Ma, when is Daddy going to come home
Ma, I'm ready to get out of the tub
Ma, Peter is being mean
Ma, I need a waffle
Ma, I don't want to go to church

I hope he never quits.

Missing Daddy

We've had some very low key days around here lately. We are on Christmas Holiday and most days I don't let the kids have screen time. So, they have to come up with creative things to do. A few days ago, Peter decided to dress up like Daddy. He did this around 11am and stayed dressed up until Brandon got home. He even hunched over like Brandon and complained about his back hurting. He would also walk around the house complaining that he was sweating - just like Brandon does. It was hilarious!

Scouts - Cyber Chip

Our Pet

Sometimes you do something that you never imagined doing. Yep, almost two weeks ago we got this little fellow. He is a blue tongued Merauke skink. It all happened so quickly, but I know it was meant to be. I mentioned to Brandon that I thought it might be time to look into a family pet. This was late on a Thursday night. On Friday & Saturday Brandon did a lot of intense research on the kind of pet that would be best for us. On Sunday, after church, we drove up to West Valley City and picked this guy up. He is 20 inches long and should grow about another foot before he is full grown. His name is Rex.

He has been absolutely fabulous. He eats veggies and canned chicken. He also likes blueberries and we've heard he can also eat dog food. He only eats twice a week and he loves to snuggle. It's been so much fun to see Brandon excited about this pet. He even built a special tile platform so that he can bask under his heating lamp. Rex is already a super spoiled lizard.

Hiking with the Homeschoolers

A few weeks ago we got out and hiked Big Springs in Provo Canyon. It was a cold morning and Peter found a mud puddle before we even got started. Thankfully it warmed up as we hike and pretty soon he was ditching his coat in a bunch of trees to retrieve later. Thank goodness for nature. I feel so blessed that the mountains are literally in our backyard.

He loves to pretend he is fishing

Racing to get back to the car

Scouts - Roaring Laughter

1. The things that make me laugh are:
Funny faces, funny things, funny shirts

2. Reading a tongue twister

3. I wrote my own Mad Lib. My friend Isaac Ames came up with different words for it.

4. I played the game Star Wars Loopin' Cheewie with my best friend Blake. That game always makes me laugh.

Scouts - Salmon run

1. We talked about the Buddy system and why there are lifeguards at the swimming pool. Blake Christensen is always my buddy.

2. We went swimming at the Provo Rec Center

3. We talked about boat safety. I've never been on a boat yet.

4. We talked about safety equipment needed for boating. I never knew you had to have the right size of oar for how tall you are.

7. I did the front crawl swim stroke while we were at the Rec Center.

8. I learned about, and named the 3 swimming ability groups for Boy Scouts. They were easy. 

When the Teacher gets sick

Mid-week I was slammed with the flu. Body aches and constant chills were the worst part of this sickness. It caught me completely unawares, and there were so many commitments that had to be renigged on.

Reality is, when I get this sick school doesn't happen. Wednesday I spent the entire day in my bed. Boys happily played with each other along with lots of video game playing, and TV show watching. I think they ate goldfish crackers for both breakfast and lunch. No gymnastics for Peter that afternoon. I couldn't even stand up long enough for a shower.

Thursday was better and I got a shower in. I managed a few hours of feeling decent, so I gathered up our school books and my bedroom became our classroom.

Friday was an even better day and we got through most of our work (sorry, spelling. I tried so hard to get to you). Even though I felt much better it was still fun to snuggle under warm blankets while we learned about Galileo and how he used telescopes to study night skies. Although I consider our school week a failure, I cherish the time I got to slow down, rest, and just listen to everything happening around me.

I always come away with a profound sense of gratitude after being sick. I feel so blessed to have a healthy and strong body that can do almost everything I ask it to do.

 

Halloween

Since we started the month out with our family party, it seemed to take FOREVER to finally get around to Halloween night. The Sunday before we decided to carve pumpkins. This was the most successful year we've had. Luke was still pretty grossed out. It was hilarious. Peter & Brandon made a spider-man face on Peter's pumpkin.

Peter was lucky enough to be invited to go trick-or-treating with friends. So, he was gone for almost two hours. Luke went with Brandon and they were gone for a bit over an hour. They still got plenty of candy, and they had a wonderful night.

Aunt Amy completely surprised us by showing up and playing with the boys once they got home. She was here until 10pm because the boys were having so much fun with her and didn't want her to leave. It's been a fun tradition to have her come on Halloween the past several years. The boys absolutely love her. Uncle Morgan had to work, so he wasn't able to join us this year. 

Reading today

Today I decided to give the kids a break from their daily Pathway books. Instead, I had them read out loud to me. It was refreshing and so enjoyable.

I had Luke read me a Thanksgiving Day book that we have. It was so adorable! Thankfully he was willing to read it twice so I could record it the second time through. He still couldn't figure out the extra thick pages though. Too funny.

Peter received letters from Grandpa and Grandma (who live in Missouri) this week. I had him read their letters out loud to me. He did such a great job! Peter asked me why Grandma & Grandpa chose to write in so many different colors. I told him it was so he could read the letters easier. He seemed satisfied with my answer, until he noticed one of the colors fading. He said they probably did it because their pens kept running out of ink and they would have to switch.

A journey

A year ago in August I decided that it was time to start my weight loss journey. I made the decision to stop making excuses for the things I ate, the way I exercised, and the mental games I used to justify my actions.

Then, last December, Brandon bought me my first cell phone. I told myself if I ever was lucky enough to get a cell phone, I would use the app "My Fitness Pal"(the free version). So, on December 6th I downloaded the app and got started.

It's been quite the journey since that time. I've learned how to push through discomfort and pain. I've learned not to let fear and doubt bump me off the path. I've learned to crave my early morning routine. I've seen the success I wanted. More importantly though, I feel better - physically, and  mentally.

What I've done to loose the weight:

-Run
Actually, it's more like jogging, but whatever. It gets my heart rate up and makes me feel good. I get up at 5:15am three times a week and hit the pavement. It's been an eye opening experience. I feel closer to Heavenly Father when I see the sun come up in the morning (during the spring/summer months). A lot of mornings it's been my only time to talk with him. I also do a lot of thinking/pondering about school and lesson plans. It's been amazing!

-Yoga
I've been doing yoga for years now. Not much has changed except that my practice includes more advances poses. My body is amazing in what it can do. I've found that there is no limit to the possibilities with constant practice and many tiny steps. I also do yoga three times a week. I go to a class at the local library on Tuesday nights, and then roll out my mat at home on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.

-Food Journal
My Fitness Pal App to the rescue. If it goes in my mouth, it's recorded in the app. I've been blown away by the things I've found that provide very fleeting nutrition. For example, a hamburger bun. Do they really taste all that great? No, they don't. Most of the time I don't eat them. I've also learned not to care what other people think when they see I'm not eating a particular food. It's so refreshing.

-Recording Water
My goal is to drink 77 oz. every day. Most of the time, I drink at least 100 more ounces then that. I don't find myself in the bathroom more frequently then I was before and I now crave water. Weirdest thing ever. I love it!

-No chocolate
Years ago I made a goal to eliminate chocolate from my diet. It's taken this many years to get to the point where I can do it. There are only 2 things I really struggle with resisting. 1) when Peter makes fudge brownies 2) when I make homemade snickers. Those two things make me so weak (and prove I'm still mortal, darn).

These things, done consistently, have resulted in a 50 pound weight loss. I'm to the point that I don't want to lose anymore - I just want to maintain what I have lost.

I want to emphasize that weight loss is a very personal journey. What works for one person isn't going to work for you. I've had SO MANY people ask me what I've done to lose the weight. I typically say exercise and keeping a food journal, but it goes so much deeper then just those two things. It's about becoming healthy on the inside, outside, and all around.

August 2016

Sept 2017

Battle Creek Falls

Every time I take the boys on this hike, I wonder why I don't go more often. Seriously, the beauty is amazing. Why don't I go more often?

We were lucky to have another homeschool family join us for the journey (I get so nervous hiking alone), and it was super fun to get to know them. She was sweet enough to take a picture of the boys and I together. I seriously wonder what this hike is like in the winter. I think this year we will try it. I imagine it's just as stunning as it was today.

Idaho Falls

I have a cousin that recently moved to Idaho Falls. His wife is fabulous and I feel like we would make super awesome neighbors. One of my New Year's Goals was to make it up to Idaho for a visit. We finally made it there this past weekend.

Idaho Falls is not an amazing destination spot, but it was wonderful just to spend time away from the house in a different city (and state)! I got to attend a temple session, we went to 2 museums, did more shopping then was good for our wallet, and ate out. In other words = Glorious.

The hotel we stayed in was one of those extended hotel places. I was amazed with the size of the room. Two queens, plus a fold out couch. It also had a dishwasher, huge freezer/fridge, microwave, and dishes (even a colander and a casserole dish). If we ever go back we are staying there again. I loved it.

We also made it to the famous Reed's Dairy for a grilled cheese sandwich and ice-cream. It was fun to see the working farm in back of the building. Those Idaho Farmers know how to do it and make it super tasty too. 

Thomas Family Halloween Party

We host an annual Thomas side Halloween Party. This time, I decided to really dress up. I worked on this costume for a few weeks, and I think it turned out perfect. I ordered the dress from Walmart, but of course, it was made in China. So.....it wasn't long enough for a 5'7" American lady. I fixed it by whipping together a very quick underskirt made of tulle.

Then, I knew I wanted to buy some high heels (I don't own a single pair), but I didn't want to spend much money. We got lucky and the day the boys and I went they had this Size 11 Wide pair for only $8. They will forever be in my closet now.

Peter was going to be Professor Quirrel from Harry Potter, but once we got out the costume box from the shed he decided that he wanted to be Jack Sparrow instead. You can't tell from this picture, but he cut his hair to accommodate your ability to see the scar on his forehead. I still haven't decided what to do about fixing it. It looks fine as long as he has gel in it, but he doesn't often let me add gel to his hair.

Luke was easy, as always. He wanted to be a skeleton. I already had the bones and the sweat suit. The only problem is that the stitches come apart really fast with all his moving/dancing/jumping around. Oh well, we just have to make it through Halloween night.

We had a simple dinner and then mostly chatted the night away. For some reason, we didn't plan to do as many things as we have in the past. I guess it's what we all needed because everyone had a marvelous time regardless.