Long time, No see.

I am pretty sure no one reads this anymore, but here goes nothing.
I turned 35 in April.  EEK! That number just screams at me... it screams, it's time to start taking care of yourself!!!
Keep in mind, I have been pretty active in my 30's.  I always say if I had been as active in my 20's as I am in my 30's, my child birth years would have been much easier.  But... I digress. 
In 2009, I ran my first half marathon.
In 2010, I ran my first Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas.
In 2011 I did my first Triathlon.

I have kept this up for the most part.  Since my first Half Marathon, I have done 4 more, with one more scheduled for tomorrow.
I have ran an additional Ragnar Relay, (The Wasatch Back) and it was a beast.
I have done 6 total triathlons since 2011. 

Other than that??? I have been pretty stinkin' sedentary.  Sure it looks good when I write down the races I have completed, but in all actuality, it was only taking care of myself in spurts.

I decided to do something about it. 4 weeks ago, I decided it was time.  Time to wake up.
Time to get out of bed bright and early.  Time to stop making excuses.  It was time to stop complaining and do something about it.  I have had a gym membership for about a year and a half, and there have been months that I haven't stepped foot in the gym.  What a waste of a perfect tool. 

I started on August 11.  I got my keister out of my warm bed at the dark hour of 5:00AM.  Oh that was tough.  I went to the gym.  I did it. I worked my legs, ran a bit, and came home.  Wow that day was a long one. Boy was I tired. I was in bed, snoozing by 10PM.  I couldn't keep my eyes open.  The next morning, I did it again.  I got up and worked my arms, rode the bike, and came home once again, I was tuckered out.  By the end of the week I had gone to the gym 4 times.  I was feeling good about myself.

The next week, I got a friend to come with me.  Oh how lovely it is to have a friend.  She too isn't a morning lover.  This week, things got easier.  I was waking up before my alarm. What? How is that possible?  I know, but truly, it happened.  I started waking up early early, unassisted.  Was it easy to go to the gym? No, but I was waking up.  That is a good sign.

Fast forward to this week.  It has now been 4 weeks of going to the gym quite regularly.  Usually 4 times a week, but sometimes only 3.  Have I lost weight?  Nope.  I think maybe 1 pound.  BUT, here is what I do notice.  1. I get up, and feel good at 4:55AM.  2.  I get stuff done the days I go to the gym.  House is cleaner, (not clean, but cleaner). 3.  My stomach is a little more firm.  Not six pack firm, but less pudgy for certain!  4.  I have less pudge under my arms.  5. I sleep like a baby! I am out for the night by 10:30, and I SLEEP!  It is amazing!  6. This is the biggest thing... I am happy!  I like going to exercise. It's almost sick! I love it.  I feel like something is missing the days I don't go. 

I am so curious to see how I will look if I keep this up for a year!

Good old Yeller...

I read this blog that was posted on Facebook about yelling, and it struck me, more like slapped me in the face. Let me start by saying, I am a self proclaimed hot head. I am not proud of it, but it is a part of me that is very dominant, I yell, more often than I care to admit.  This past week my sweetheart was in Connecticut for meetings about work. I was a single mom for a whopping  2.75 days. The first day proved to be more than I could handle. Handsome hadn't left yet, I was tuckered out because I hadn't slept well, I was stressed about my volunteer position with the baseball league, and I just wanted to go back to bed. I was getting Jake's lunch ready and for whatever reason Jake snapped at me, and I lost it. I flipped, lost control, and just ripped him to pieces. I am not proud off this at all, this is all for the admission of guilt. He went to school shortly after my blow up. I took the younger two for some errands. Something set me off again, and I lost it on them. I looked in my rear view and noticed my 6 year olds eyes. I could see his heartbreak, I was crushed.
Later that afternoon, Jake called me from school, he had a massive headache. He was so polite on the phone. I picked him up early and brant him home for Tylenol and some rest. I haven't stopped thinking of the events on Tuesday since that afternoon. Jake had the look of heartbreak in his eyes. It has made me realize a few things...

1. It is never a good thing to be a hot head.
2. Being upset or irritated is never reason to lose control in anger at my children.
3. My external pressures and stress are too much, and my priorities are skewed.
4. My kids are more Important than any phone call, email, or text message.

I have done a lot of thinking this week. I need to do better. My kids deserve a better , more focused mom. So, I have made some big decisions. The first is that after this month, (baseball is over) I am going to be MOM! I have turned in my resignation to my position itch the snack bar of our baseball league. I have told the mom I tend for that I am going to stop babysitting and just focus on my little people.  I need to do better, I need to stop yelling, and I really need to cut back on the external pressures that are on me. This is day 1 of my big change.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday! We had a beautiful morning reflecting on our Savior, and his amazing sacrifice for us.  We followed through the day visiting our amazing family! We went to Grandma Sue's for Lunch and a Easter Egg hunt. After Grandma Sue's, we headed off to Grandma Martie's for lots of good food, and candy filled eggs! We had a lot of fun with family! My kids have some pretty amazing cousins!
Jake and Joe were excited to find brand new ties in their easter baskets at our house!  Courtney got a dress that was made by Mommy! Here are some pictures of our day!

                                         Courtney Said, "Pretty Daddy!"

                                                      Traditional Picture of all the N Cousins!

Jake's Big Day and Big Decision!

Jake turned the age of 8 this past spring. How blessed we are to have such a beautiful boy in our house!  Jakester is the fun loving kid in our house! He is very compassionate! He is a great friend to many! Here are some important facts of Jake...
1. He is reading like a champ! His favorite books are "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series.
2. He loves to ride his bike. He has had his bike for just over 2 years, and I am probably not exaggerating to say he has ridden his bike over 100 miles.
3. He loves Soccer! This Spring was his first season playing formal soccer and he did FANTASTIC!
4. His favorite buddies are Zack & Greyson and Jayden.
5. He loves to read the scriptures with Dad! His favorite scripture story is Daniel and the Lions Den.
6. Jake excels in Math. He knows about 90% of his multiplication tables.
7. Red Enchiladas (beef) are a sure fire way to put a big smile on his face!
8. Jake loves to take care of Magellan. Whenever we go for walks, it is Jake with the leash. He and Magellan are very close to one another!
9. Jake has a very special bond with Dad and Grandpa!
10. Jake loves to go to the cabin at Bear Lake.
11. Jake has an amazing faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jake has been counting down the months, weeks and days until he was able to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! What a special day! The Spirit was very strong that day, and I knew that Jake had made this choice on his own. He was so excited to make that commitment. He mentioned during that day that he was perfectly clean! As his parents it was a great experience to see the brightness in his countenance! I am so proud of him. We had a small get together/luncheon for him. He was so happy that all of his grandparents were there! He loves seeing them all at the same time! He loved having his Aunt Heidi, cousin Torrie and his special friends Jayden and Ashton came too, it really made him feel special to have them there.

Jake is an amazing kid and we are so grateful for him! He teaches us all lessons everyday. We love you Jacob Strevell!

Ladies And Gents, we have a 2 Year old!

Our little Sister Sue has officially turned two! I love this age! She is so much fun!

• She is a big fan of shoes. Not her shoes, but her brothers stinky sneakers. (hopefully this changes soon!)
• Baby Dolls are a big deal to her. HUGE!
• She is a very independent little girl. She likes to go down stairs BY HERSELF, if you help her, you will infuriate her.
• She loves ice. When we go to the gas station she loves to take some of my ice out of my coke.
• Suckers are a favorite treat.
• She will eat pickles.
• She announces when she needs a diaper change. I think potty training is in the 6 month horizon.
• Justin is her hero. Daddy makes the world a better place. All he has to do is walk in the room and her face lights up.
• She likes to carry a purse, a diaper bag, or her baby dolls.
• She is beginning to talk a bunch. Just today she said "I wanna samich" and "I wanna tookie pease."

She is a beautiful young girl and she makes us smile daily. Her brothers adore her and they will do anything to make her smile. We are so grateful to have her in our family. We are very lucky to have three beautiful, healthy kiddos!

Baby dolls are a big deal to her. BIG!

Jake-isms

Being a mom has it's perks. One of which is hearing the one liners from the kids. Lately, Jake has been rather witty. Lastnight he got into trouble for yelling at me. As a consequence, he was told that he was not allowed to play the Wii for the remainder of the night. About an hour later, I walk into our great room and he is playing Mario Brothers on the Wii. I said to him,

"Ummm, Jake, I said no Wii for the rest of the night."

Jake replies, "Mom, it's opposite day, that means I can still play!"

I really tried not to laugh, but wasn't successful.

Tonight I was preparing supper. As I was finishing up getting the food ready, Jake says to me,

"Mom, you are the best Mom in the whole universe!"

I replied, "Oh, thank you Jake that was really sweet!"

He says, "No one else thinks so, but I do!"

Wow, I am feeling the love!

Joey's Birthday Party

Here is a video taken of Joey's Birthday Party...with some modifications and music!