Feelin' Good

It's weigh in day again! And this one was much better than last week. I lost 3.8 lbs this week! (I think it helped that we just had Fast Sunday :) ). Anyway, that brings my total loss to 9 lbs!!! Which also means that I've lost over 5% of my total weight!

I've noticed this last week that I can tell when I am really hungry and when I'm just hungry because I'm bored or stressed. I've noticed too that I just don't get hungry as often as I used to. I definitely think my stomach has shrunk because I'm eating smaller portions and not snacking constantly. Sweets haven't really been a temptation, though I have indulged a few times.

I feel SO good. Physically I feel healthier and I just feel a lot better about myself. My biggest pair of jeans is now too big, and all my jeans that were a little too tight now fit just right. In fact, I felt so good this week that I let myself go swimsuit shopping today. And I actually found something I liked that I thought I looked good in, which is no small miracle.

This week's loss- 3.8 lbs
Total loss- 9 lbs

16 lbs to go!

Jellyfish Hunting

Emma has really been into jellyfish lately. I don't know how it started, but she draws jellyfish, has imaginary jellyfish friends, and my favorite, goes jellyfish hunting. It always starts in my room. We have to jump on the bed so the jellyfish don't get us. Then we race around the bed trying to see how many jellyfish we find all around the room. Sometimes we jump down onto the floor and bounce on top of them. I love seeing her imagination at work. And I may be biased, but I think she's an awesome artist too!

Notice she even drew a fish with the jellyfish (third from the right).

Only .6 Today

Today's weigh in was a bit of a bummer. Only .6 pounds lost this week. I did splurge on sweets a couple of times...darn that sweet tooth! But I am getting better at controlling the cravings. And on a positive note, I've passed the 5 pound mark! Woohoo!

Today's loss- .6 lbs
Total loss- 5.2 lbs

Only 19.8 lbs to go!

Watching Our Garden Grow

So we did it...we planted our first garden! We have a garden spot along the back of our house that was overgrown with weeds. I started weeding earlier this week and then today Jon and I tackled the rest of the weeds while the kids were napping.

Look at all that gorgeous dirt!

Next, up went the fence to keep out wild animals and children...since this just happens to be their favorite digging spot...sorry kids. At the far end, we have a box with potatoes planted in it. Supposedly it makes it easier to pick the potatoes because you can take the front off the box and pull the potatoes out that way.

After a run to Home Depot this is what we ended up with-blueberries, strawberries, 3 kinds of tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, carrots, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, and two kinds of sunflowers.

We set everything in the garden to get an idea of where to plant and then began the planting. Emma was SO excited to help.

Everything's planted except the strawberries and tomatoes

And it's all finished!

We can't wait to see what comes of it!

Four Pounds

That's how much weight I lost this week! Well, 4.6 lbs to be exact. I am SO excited and so much more motivated to keep losing more weight.

Jon's employer started a health and wellness program where they reimburse a portion of the cost of any health or wellness things we do. They also started a Weight Watchers group at the same time so I figured I'd go for it. We weighed in for the first time last week and then again today and it was definitely encouraging to see the numbers.

I LOVE to eat...a lot. And I have almost no self control when it comes to food, especially sweets. So I was skeptical. But I have been surprised at how easy it has been to eat healthy and stay on track, knowing that I have to weigh in again and be accountable to someone. Which is also why I'm writing this.

I am going to "check in" on the blog every week after I weigh in so I have the extra accountability and support. So you can look forward to these posts every Tuesday (or you can just skip over them). And feel free to share any weight loss tips, healthy recipes or snack ideas, and encouragement :).

Weight loss goal- 25 lbs
Today's loss- 4 lbs

Say What?

We were eating dinner tonight and Emma didn't like it (spinach, mushrooms, and pasta). After poking around at her food, she said, "Mom, did you know Joseph Smith was a prophet and he didn't like his food. And the princes threw Joseph into the Lion's Grove but they didn't eat him."

What??? Who knew?

This does give me hope that maybe, just maybe she's at least half listening in Primary and when we read scriptures.

Have I Mentioned Lately

that I love California? Specifically, where we live in California. Seriously, the weather can't be beat. No snow, never super cold, and pretty mild temperatures in the summer. I love that we can spend the "winter" months like this.

And I love all the blooms on the trees in our yard.

And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE having a backyard. I think my kids spend more time out there than they do inside.
Emma climbed up this tree all by herself and then yelled for me to take a picture.

A few weeks ago the kids wanted to go swimming. I filled the pool, and they proceeded to pour the water from the pool into a hole in our yard. Then the swimming began. Go figure! And yes, it is disgusting...but a kid's gonna do what a kid's gonna do. And as long as they didn't drink it I was okay with that.

Brotherly Sisterly Love

This progression of pictures makes me laugh.

We start with Matthew, playing happily in the playhouse.

Enter Emma...he hears her and grows serious.

She goes into the playhouse and the fight over the one working stove knob ensues. (Notice that Matthew wasn't even playing with it before)

Lots of screaming on Matthew's part and laughing on Emma's part.

Caught and given the choice of playing nicely or going inside...

It sure does make me especially grateful for times like this

and this.

While I was taking a shower, Emma got cups and spoons and filled them up at the sink. Then they sat here eating their water one spoonful at a time. A little tea party of sorts. It was cute!

It makes me so happy to see them play together. Fights and all, I enjoy seeing their relationship develop and hope that over the years there are more friendly moments than fights.

Bubbles!

I bought a bubble machine recently with some gift cards that we had. The kids have loved it! Definitely a fun way to spend a nice afternoon.

This one cracks me up!

My Very Best Friend

Emma was playing in the backyard last week when she found this worm. She picked him up and yelled for me to come see her worm. I went and saw him and then told her she should probably put him back in the dirt so he could eat. She drew her hands up against her chest and cried, No Mom, he's my VERY best friend! I need to put him in the bug cage so I can keep him forever because he's my Very best friend! She finally agreed to let him go but requested a picture first. She totally takes after Jon!

Water Dog Lake

This is the first of (hopefully) a few more catch up posts.

A few weeks ago Jon's dad and sisters came out for a visit. While I went and got a massage (Jon's Christmas present to me...thank you Jon!) everybody else went on a hike. Jon had heard about Water Dog Lake Park and wanted to check it out. They started down the trail

and then saw the lake...though I think mud hole is a more appropriate description. :) Yeah, it was a little bit of a letdown.

But they continued their hike and enjoyed the beautiful day.

Emma walked the whole way, so she needed to take a little rest in the shade.

Thanks for coming out guys!