LOVE

Time is flying by!  We have been so busy and we have done so much since January when I posted last.

JANUARY 30---Memphis turned 6!!!  He is getting so grown up.  Guess who has the same birthday as him?!?!?  His kindergarten teacher!  Memphis wanted to get her a rose (completely his idea) and then he took cupcakes to share with his class.  Memphis loves his teacher and has been enjoying school.

We went to his parent teacher conference and he is doing so well!  He can read and write (his handwriting is beautiful!)  He is so smart at Math.  Memphis also made a card for his teacher and told her that he loves her.  He is so sweet.  His favorite thing at school is computers.  I thought he would say PE with mommy ;) but he loves computers!

That night Memphis chose Chuck e Cheese and my cousin's son came with us.  It was fun!  After we got some pizza and went and spent the evening at my cousin's house.  What a great day!

On Sunday we had friends over for a Super Bowl party and we also had cake and ice cream so that Memphis could blow out his candles!

Memphis didn't have to go to the dr. for his well-check-up this year.  He is all done and caught up on his shots till Jr. High!!!  YAY!

Memphis got a lot of money this year (from grandparents, and great-grandparents, and an auntie) so we took Memphis to a big toy store and he chose a present.  He LOVES it!  It is a building kit that has a marble track and musical pieces that the marble hits as it travels along the track.  He spends hours every day building new ways for the marble to travel.  So cool!  THANKS EVERYONE!

Memphis' kindergarten class celebrated the 100th day of school.  After school that day he said he was all done with school and didn't have to go any more.  SORRY buddy but you have a lot more school ahead of you!

Memphis drew a picture of his daddy!

Danny and I got a babysitter and took advantage of the beautiful weather we were having one day in February.  It was 68 degrees---crazy warm for February in Utah!!!  We went golfing.  I was doing another round of 21 day fix so I wanted to get some exercise.  We decided to walk.  We walked 3 1/2 miles doing 9 holes!  After we went to dinner to a steakhouse and I found something healthy on the menu!

The next day the weather was beautiful again so we spent the day at the park.

The schools celebrated Valentines Day on Friday the 13th.  Memphis and Kayzee had fun at their school parties.  I even got surprised with a bunch of Valentine's from my students.  After school Danny's sister Emily who is currently attending Snow College drove up to stay with Memphis and Kayzee for the weekend.  So nice of her!  The kids had fun!

The reason Emily came to stay with the kids for the weekend was because Danny and I planned a weekend get away!  Saturday we were going to be golfing all day so Danny said I could pick everywhere we ate and he went clothes shopping with me!  He let me get new clothes (since I lost weight) and he said he enjoyed spending that time with me seeing me model my new clothes!  I don't think he would do it again though;)  After shopping we drove down to Cedar City.  On the way we stopped to get some Dairy Queen and then finally made it to Danny's brother's house.  We spent the weekend at his brother's house with his wife and also Danny's parents and one of his sisters came too.

Saturday we drove down to Mesquite, NV to go golfing at the CasaBlanca Golf Course.  Beautiful 85 degree weather!  Danny's brother's wife had some connections and we got to golf for free!  That night we went out to eat at Chili's and then Danny and I headed home.  Quick trip but it was so nice!

One day it got really quiet in our house and we couldn't find Kayzee.  Finally found her buried under big pillows fast asleep!

This last weekend was a date-filled weekend!

Friday after school Memphis and Daddy went on a daddy-son date to McDonald's and Bowling.
Kayzee and I went on a Mommy-daughter date to get frozen yogurt and we did our nails.

Friday night our ward offered free babysitting and had a dinner, dessert, trivia night for the adults.

Saturday afternoon Memphis and I went on a Mommy-son date to Pizza Pie Cafe because Memphis had a free buffet.
Daddy and Kayzee stayed home and played board games and barbies (best dad ever!)

Saturday night we had a family date shopping and playing games!
We got our tax-return and we also sold Danny's 4-wheeler!!!  (Sad day but we needed the money)  We used most of the money to pay off debt but we also went shopping and spoiled ourselves a little!
Danny bought a new playstation, Memphis got a new game, Kayzee got a ken doll, and I got a fitbit!

Love my fitbit!  Excited for it to help me reach my weight loss goals!  I also found out that I won the fitness challenge in the challenge group I was apart of for my first round of 21 day fix!  My hard work paid off in many ways!  YAY for free shakeology!

I finished round 2 of 21 day fix and lost 2 pounds.  Didn't do as well as round 1 because Valentines day fell in the middle but I didn't gain any!  I also love my fit bit and it helped me lose those 2 pounds.  Now I am excited to feel healthy and fit again with round 3!  Seriously love how I feel when I eat healthy and do the awesome workouts.  I planned my first week and prepped my food so I am ready to rock this round!

Funny---Kayzee picked out the ken doll to go with her princess barbies and on the way home from the store Kayzee kept saying she loved her ken doll.  Memphis got confused and thought she was saying kindle.  He got so mad and said, "That's not a kindle.  It doesn't have any games on it!"

Funnier---I decided to listen to Memphis saying his prayers last night (just curious because he doesn't usually let us).  Here is what he said, "Please bless that our house can be painted purple with pink windows but that the inside can stay the same.  And please bless that when I get out a toy to play with it can clean up all by itself."  Kids are the best!

Funniest---(Memphis after singing along with his good night song) "Wow I sang that song so good and I sang every word.  Maybe I shouldn't go to the fire station and be a fire fighter after all like I thought I should be when I grow up.  Instead I should be in a rock concert and sing that song with a strobe light behind me.  It would be so awesome.  And then I would be older and my teeth would get loose from singing so much they would fall out and the tooth fairy would bring me lots of dollar bills.  Or books!!!  I think I would rather have books!

New Year New Me!

We had a wonderful start to the new year.  We celebrated with Danny's family up in Brigham City.  We stayed at his grandparents house and his parents came along with some of his brothers and sisters and their families.  It was a full house but it was a lot of fun.  Family is the best!

We helped one of his sisters move in to her new house in Odgen with her little family.  It's nice being closer to them so our kids can play.  Cousins are fun!  Then we spent New Year's Eve playing lots of games.  The next day a bunch went over to the church to play basketball and I took the kids sledding.  What is up with this Utah winter?  We have had hardly any snow.  Sledding was still fun though!

Kayzee loves her Elsa Anna Dress...thanks grandma Thorpe!

 Me and my hilarious sister in laws!  Love you Mary and Emily!

 Sledding!

 We loved pushing each other down the hill

 I love my kids.  We have so much fun together!

 I bought these for New Years and forgot them.  So as soon as we got home we had to try them out:)

I have two callings now.  I am back to playing the piano in relief society.  I was not too excited about that one because I just finished playing for the relief society for the last THREE YEARS!!!!!  They released me for a year and then called me back to it.  When I asked them why I was doing the same calling again they said they didn't remember me playing before.  REALLY?  Oh well, it's easy cause I can play anything so I just have to show up.  No work involved.

My other calling is Activity Days with the 8 year old girls.  I usually don't like callings with kids because I teach kids all week but this calling I LOVE!  It is a little more work;) but it is FUN!  The girls are so great!  Here is one of our activities we did.  January is a new year so we talked about different goals they could set like spiritual, personal, physical, family etc.  We also talked about setting attainable goals and always setting new ones to keep growing.  We then made these cute frames with paper behind the glass so they could write their goals and then erase them with a dry erase marker to set new goals.  They turned out so cute.  My partner did most of this creative process.  She is fabulous!

Speaking of setting new goals...

I have been thinking a lot about my health and trying to take better care of myself.  For those of you who know me well and have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I have tried many different weight loss programs and diets and none seem to hook me and keep me motivated.  Well no longer.  I finally found a program that taught me better eating habits and included workouts.  I saw results from Day 1 and that was another reason I was hooked.  Another teacher I work with did the program and she looks amazing!  I talked to her about it a lot and finally bought it for Christmas.  Best present ever!  It's called 21 day fix.  

I don't have a lot of time to go into details but it's basically portion control but they help guide you with the food groups and what to put in the containers.  It takes a lot of preplanning meals but I loved it.  I am a very picky eater but this was doable.  It also included 7 workouts.  I LOVE the workouts.  They are killer but amazing!  

I get a free coach by buying the program and she told me to take before and after pictures.  I am going to post them here but it is really hard for me.  I have never really shared my exact weight with people before but I am gaining the confidence to just be proud of myself and I really do feel so good! And I am definitely sticking with this program till I lose the 100 lbs I need to lose!  

Here is me back in Jan of 2012.  I was at my heaviest.  I just had two kids close together and a very stressful life.  I EAT MY STRESS.   

Then I got sick and couldn't eat food without being up all night sick so I lost 50 lbs.  I maintained that 50 lbs lost for a year and figured out my health problems and knew it was time to lose another 50 lbs. 

Here I am Day 1 (Jan 3, 2015) of the 21 day fix program.

And here I am 21 days later...I lost a total of 11 lbs and 6 inches!!!  I actually lost 9 lbs the first 9 days.  That is the fast results I was talking about...I maintained my weight the 2nd week and then doing two workouts a day for a week I lost another 2 lbs.  AWESOME! 

I have seriously been so much happier every day.  Also before I started the program my IBS-D symptoms would flare up at least once a week.  Since I started the program more than 21 days ago, I have not been sick at all!!!  Eating healthy and taking care of myself is what my body needed!  

I can do exercises I have never been able to do before (like push-ups!)  I have muscles I never knew I had.  And the reasoning behind the program is that it takes 21 days to form a habit.  It's so true for me.  Now that I have completed 1 round of the program I am going to take a week off and then do it again.  I was planning this week out and I automatically planned healthy meals and figured out what workouts I wanted to do.  I actually want to workout and I don't go to bed without doing one!  Eating healthy feels so good and it has helped me fight cravings.  I have not had carbonated drinks since Jan 1 and I have not craved them either!  I have made desserts during this program because we went to different dinner parties but I literally had enough self control I only had one bite every time!  On Sunday to celebrate my success I made a dessert Danny has been craving.  I decided to eat a whole piece and it made me feel sick.  I will stick to one bite from now on.  That seems to satisfy my craving of chocolate.  And I have not craved or wanted fast food at all!  It sounds so disgusting.  Healthy habits are the best!

Danny has been a huge support through all this.  He does the workouts with me when he is not too tired:) and he is always giving positive compliments to help me get through.  He eats the healthy meals with me too!  

My kids have been my biggest supporters.  Memphis likes to remind me to get my workout in:)  One night I was not in the mood to workout.  Memphis grabbed my weights and said, "Come on Mom, let's do this!"  My kids work out with me at their own cute little levels and they are trying new healthy foods.  We are going to be one healthy family!

My kids are awesome!

Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me and helped me through.  Your compliments are the best thing!  I have the worst self-esteem but I have the best family and friends and your words stick in my head to help me through each day.  Here's to a healthier new year!  Life is great:)

A Very Merry Christmas

December was FUN!  Christmas is always a fun holiday when you have little kids:)

On December 10 we celebrated the day we met 7 years ago.  Our neighbor friends offered to watch the kids while we went out to eat.  When we met we went to Arctic Circle that night so we did that again.  We also had talked in Danny's truck till like 4am so we just parked and ate in the car while we talked.  It was nice to just get away and spend time together even if it wasn't for very long.  After we went and picked up the kids and when we were getting in the car I pulled the car door closed on Memphis' finger.  At first I didn't know what was going on I just heard Memphis screaming at the top of his lungs and then I looked and saw his hand stuck in the door.  So so so Sorry MEMPHIS!  It was banged up bad and purple so we just put this finger brace on and gave him some tylenol and had him go to sleep because it didn't look broken.  In the morning he came in and handed me the brace and said his finger was all better and he could move it.  YAY!

Danny and I also had our work parties.  Danny's was at a bowling alley in Provo and they had Costa Vida for dinner.  Good food and fun bowling.  My work party was at the golf course in Saratoga.  They catered Good Wood BBQ.  Good company and good food.  Danny and I both love our jobs:)

For family night one night we made gingerbread houses.  My mom had found a kit with four different houses so we each picked one and decorated it.

Kayzee's

 Memphis'

 Mine

 Danny's

 My school does a Christmas Sing every year where each grade level sings two songs.  On Thursday the 18th each grade level performs for parents.  I didn't get the chance to go watch Memphis because I was teaching health in all my classes classrooms.  On Friday the 19th they had a school wide Christmas Sing so all the students could perform for each other.  I was excited to watch Memphis but I was so sick:(  I had been up all night with my IBS-D symptoms.  (I was doing so good with not getting sick as often and then it just hit me and I was so mad).  Stupid Panda Express!  I made it to school and I sat in the corner quickly typing sub plans because I had a sub coming.  My friend the music teacher grabbed my phone and ran over to Memphis and took pictures of him for me.  She is so nice.  She also video taped him singing but he is hard to see.  He did such a good job and he later performed them for Danny and I so we could both see him.  He sang the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas song and When Santa comes to town.  It was also pajama day at school that is why he is in pj's:)

 On that Friday the  19th after the Christmas Sing I went home and slept.  Then we waited for Memphis and Kayzee to get done with their school parties, I took a bunch of drugs to stop my IBS symptoms and we drove down to Blanding to spend the weekend with Danny's family.  We like having Christmas at home but we wanted to see the Royer clan so we made the trip down.  We made it in record time 4 hours and 30 minutes.  We did not stop the whole way down.  Great gas mileage and great traveling kids and Danny willing to drive the whole time made the trip easy.  We stayed in Blanding till Tuesday.  We had fun playing games, ping pong, singing, laughing, eating yummy food, playing outside, reading, napping, etc.  We went to church with them and enjoyed a Christmas program that Danny's sisters sang in.  We also had a mini Christmas with them so we could open each other's presents.  Love my Royer family!

Reading with Grandpa

 and Grandma

 Danny's sisters are TALENTED!  While we were there they wrote and composed a Christmas song on the guitar.  They are so good!

 Memphis' gifts

 Kayzee's gifts

 When we got home on the 23rd we didn't have any food in the house so I braved Wal Mart.  What a mad house!  I hate crowds and I am usually well prepared before Christmas but since we were out of town I had to go.  Never doing that again.

Christmas Eve Danny had to work in the morning and then when he got home he and Memphis decided to go fishing.  Memphis was reeling them in!  He did it all by himself and he got 3.  Kayzee and I stayed home and painted our nails.

 For dinner we had our Christmas Eve tradition of soup, crackers and cheese.

 By Candlelight!

 We were going to read the Christmas Story about Jesus' birth but Memphis told us the entire story all by himself.  He didn't leave anyone out.  We asked him where he learned it so well and he said Primary!  Memphis and Kayzee also opened one present from their Great Grandparents Astle---new pajamas!  So cute Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

 Once we got the kids in bed Memphis kept saying his tummy hurt and he wanted a bowl.  Then he threw up and fell fast asleep.  I thought that was the end of it but about 20 minutes later Kayzee woke up and threw up all over her bed.  So I was up late washing bedding and her new jammies.  They both slept the rest of the night and have been fine ever since.  Weird.

CHRISTMAS MORNING SANTA CAME!

 When my mom and dad had visited for Thankgsiving they brought up some more of my stuff that was still at their house.  They brought my old k'nex that I use to build.  Memphis was in awe.  He wanted us to build the roller coaster and ball factory for several days but there was too many pieces missing.  So we knew that buying him his own k'nex roller coaster would be a perfect gift for him.  It was a little too hard for him to do by himself so I built most of it but I was totally ok with that.  I use to love building mine.

 In the stuff my parent's brought up I found some of my barbies and Kayzee loved playing with them. Whenever we asked Kayzee what she wanted for Christmas she kept saying princess stuff so I found princess barbies.  PERFECT!

Memphis was our Santa this year and he passed out all the gifts.  He did well reading who they were to and from.

Family gifts

 Danny's gifts

 Memphis such a sweet boy

 Kayzee spoiled!

 Me

 Memphis and Kayzee did well taking turns with all of us opening gifts.  Memphis also got a k'nex kit to build small things like motorcycles.  He is doing well building those on his own.

 Danny's

 Kayzee so excited for all her gifts.

 Mine:)

 Thanks Auntie Sheesha for the Elsa dress!

 Thank you GRANDPARENTS for spoiling Memphis and Kayzee and Danny and I.  We are so loved and blessed.  Memphis and Kayzee kept saying they wished they could hug you all.  We called and talked to my parents and Memphis and Kayzee had fun talking to their grandparents:)

We also woke up to another Christmas present...a white Christmas!  Memphis was so excited.  He loves snow!

I also got the 21 day fix program.  I start Jan 3 so wish me luck!  I am excited to try it.  Here's to a healthy new year!

Danny got these during a black friday week long special but they are his Christmas present.  New irons!

 The k'nex roller coaster

 Playing in the snow, sledding down our front yard into the street

 My mom always finds cute clothes for my kids during the holidays.  Here is their Christmas outfits.

 Danny and I also got ourselves a new bed for Christmas!  Much needed.  My parents gave us money for Christmas to help us out and we sold Danny's truck so a new bed was finally bought.  It arrived yesterday and we both slept so good!!!  The place we bought the bed from gave us free sheets and they are the nicest sheets we have ever had.  Danny and I were worried we wouldn't agree on a bed because I like super soft and he likes a harder bed but we found this one and we both knew it was perfect for us.  It's a hybrid---combination coil, memory foam, pillow top.  HEAVENLY!

 Last night Danny and Memphis went out and played in the snow some more.  Danny drove his four wheeler with Memphis' in his sled tied behind.  So much fun!  What a great holiday we have had.

Happy New Year everyone.  Can we believe it's going to be 2015????