Dreams and Reality....

Tomorrow is graduation for my BSW!  I have worked so hard for this moment.  I am so glad my amazing husband, kids, parents, siblings and friends have supported my desire to go back to school.  

It has been hard to not have much time for things other than school that has been my biggest sacrifice.  But ONE more year and will have my MSW and I will get my life back!!

I really owe so much to my family!!  I missed out on a lot of activities and long for the day when I can not have to worry about school work.

Its funny how dreams work when your a parent.  Your dreams and hopes for your kids are huge but when the time comes for them to graduate high school or join the Air Force or start driving reality hits.  You are happy for them but the REALITY can be selfish.  I want my kids to stay young...it's hard to think of them moving on in life with out you. I have to trust we raised them good to be self sufficient and successful.

Now for an update on my New Life Revelation...(not revolution this time but a revelation!)

NO POP!! It has been about a week and a half and I am doing AWESOME!!  No cravings for it yet.
CUT BACK the sweets. I can not tell a lie, I have had some some not a lot.
I have lost 5 YES 5 pounds since starting my medication.  Oh Yea!

So here is where the revelation part comes in....
I have read a lot about Hyperthyroidism. The reality is that this will never go away.  So I will need medication my whole life which I totally detest.   I do not want to be dependent on medication to live a healthy life.

Dr. Oz has a great clip on how this affect weight and some possible signs if you may have it. I suggest watching this. The video on this is really good.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/hypothyroidism-why-youre-not-losing-weight

Another great link is:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353

WHEW!! What a week


No soda for a week.  Yep, thats right.  It is Zipfizz and water for this girl.  (My idea of water is Cascade Ice)
I feel better and SO proud of myself for not drinking pop.  


I spent the afternoon at Red Butte, part of my plan to get out doors more.  Thanks to my awesome hubby for getting us the annual pass so we can go up any time.  


I just hope all the medication kicks in soon- I want my old self back so bad. Let me rephrase, I want my YOUNG self back.  


It is so amazing and wonderful but very hard to see a change in season.  I was thinking today how soon my son will be graduating and talking about moving out and getting ready for the AirForce.   (holding the tears in)   It is so nice to see them grow and be independent but SO hard to let go of them.  And with my daughter driving soon....AHHH!  When did my babies grow up?

It has been forever since I have blogged, never been faithful to it.  BUT part of my new life revolution is to write about my challenges and successes!

For a long time (by long I mean 10+ years) I have been telling my doctor(s), I am unusually tired, along with weird weight gain and other issues. (We all know when there is something in our body that's not right) They all said exercise more and eat a high fiber breakfast!  What- Are you kidding me!  For so long, I never felt they took my concerns serious.

Well I found this amazing doctor who actually spent about an hour listening to my concerns.  She ordered some test and WALA....they found the problem.  Hypo-Thyroidism, low iron count and pre-diabetic.   SHOCK!

So along with the new medication that will get my body back on track. I decided to start a new life revolution!

First Step- Give up diet soda!!  This is so hard because working the graveyard shift- I need that caffeine. That is what makes me nice to those I work with :) Oh yea- It also tastes AMAZING!!  I am on day 2 with no pop.  No cravings for it yet.   The good part of this is I am drinking SO much more water.

Second Step- Get off my butt and exercise.  Again with constantly being tired from the thyroid and working graveyards AND going to school full time, it was hard to find the time and energy to do this.
I now realize that it is sooo important for my health.   My energy should return soon but I am still going to make it a point to get out and exercise once a day!  Even if that means park far away on campus and walk to class.

Third Step- Find a way to manage stress.  With my masters program starting soon, 16 credit hours, plus practicum, plus regular job. I need to make stress release a priority. (maybe my new exercise will help --lightbulb moment)

Fourth Step- Eat healthy!!! Plain and simple.

I'll be honest- I know I may sneak in a dessert here or there, or a pop. But that is what this blog is for- so I can recognize my weaknesses, ( I am human after all) and my strengths.

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN.....

Interesting

Someone sent me this...

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cloud aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg.
The Phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are. the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid does notraed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a whlohe. amzanig huh! Yaeh and I awlyas thoghut slpeling was ipmortantt!

Best Ever Cookie Recipe!

Almond Cookies
1/2 Cup butter
1 Cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 salt
1 3/4 cup flour
milk
1/2 Cup sliced almonds

Cream butter, sugar and egg. Add almond extract, baking powder, salt and flour and mix. Shape into balls and press into cookie shape. Brush with milk and sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 325 for 12-14 minutes.

Almond Icing

3 to 4 teaspoons milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 almond extract

mix together and smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

*You can skip the brushing with milk and almonds. (my kids like it better without the almonds on top)

AHHH! Viruses...Yuck

Can any type of virus be good? You can get the flu virus, a cold virus...but yesterday.... I got a computer virus.....totally screwed up my computer! 24 hrs later and I am still trying to fix the problem....What I don't understand is why people create viruses to begin with...are people really that cruel? Do they really hate society enough to punish people who have done nothing to them?
Yes I am upset.... My final for my computer class is on my computer and I don't want to spend another 5 hrs creating another presentation. AHHH!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I thought I would write about what I am thankful for.
I am so thankful for my loving husband. He is amazing and works so hard for us and really puts up with a lot and rarely complains about it. He knows how to make me laugh and I love that.
I am so thankful for my kids. They give hope, love, frustration but again love and hope. I look to my kids and see their potential and how they have changed my life. I love them so much!
I am so thankful that my family is so close. I have a great relationship with my parents, sisters, cousins and grandparents. I am so lucky to have them all in my life.
I am so thankful to be able to work from home. I am so glad I have a job that I can work while my kids are at school!
I am so thankful for education. I am so glad I decided to go back to college. I love learning.
I am so thankful for friends. I have the best friends ever.
I am so thankful for a stable home and employment in this time of our bad economy. I would like to trade in the SUV, but hey when you don't have a car payment it is hard to give that up.
I am so thankful to be able to travel. To experience new things with friends and family. Thanks T for a great time at Sea world with the girls!!
I am thankful for good health.
I am thankful for the challenges in life. With out those we will never find out how strong we are. That may sound weird but to go back to school was scary, but I did it!
I am so thankful to be able to reconnect with old friends!
And I am so thankful it is not my week to pick up after the dog!!! LOL

Seriously People!

I have 2 major pet peeves. For those of you who know me you know my number one is I hate to be late and I think it is very inconsiderate to make people wait for you. My second, which was really annoying today is when people don't respect your space. Sea world brought some animals to my work today. It was very popular and there was a long line. while I was standing in line with Sammy the people right behind me kept bumping into me. Then they would go on the side of me and the daughter would not care I was there and push up against me and the baby would kick me. Come on people... are you just annoying or do you really not care that you keep bumping into people. When I wait in a line I respect people's space and keep a distance between me and the people in the front...it is basic courtesy. But these people!!! Ahhh!! I kept moving up to get out of their way and they would scoot closer and they were talking so loud and were in everyone else's business. Normally I would have said something but I work with this people. The people in front of me kept noticing what these people were doing so they were nice enough to move up a little but again when I move up so do the people behind me. Sorry to ranting I am really bugged at the moment.

My Love.

I just have to say how much I love Ken. He is so amazing. To start off, he works so hard for our family. He works from 7 am-9 pm ( don't worry that schedule shouldn't last too much longer), He is an administrator with Granite Peaks then he teaches at a turn about school on Friday evening and Sat. mornings. He is does so much for our family and I hope he know how much I appreciate and love him.
But the best part is him...... he makes me laugh every day. He will do silly things or say silly things. He knows how to make me laugh and I love that. I am totally in love with him.
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
e e cummings (1894 - 1962)

Football, Utah style. Cold!!!!

WE WON!!

Helmet Hair! Wow! He really didn't want me to take his picture but I was so proud of him I couldn't resist even with helmet hair!

This was one of our away games in Oakley. Small, Small town. It was 27 degrees and snowing.

Zack has really enjoyed football! Go Huskies!

Neighborhood Halloween fun!

Each year our family starts passing around our " Halloween ghost" . I love halloween and it is so fun to pass treats on the friends and neighbors. I found this cute poem from http://www.dhalloween.com/

Here is the cute poem you can use. Remember to give them this poem, a picture of a ghost, which we usually print from Microsoft clip art and a treat. Have fun !

Late last night, we left you a treat, the tradition is fun,one we hope you’ll repeat.
Take the ghost and pin it on your door, to let others know,you need ghosted no more.
Now it’s your duty to pass on the surprise, to another family, we must advise.
Gather some treats and deliver them soon, within two nights,under the light of the moon.
Include a ghost with each package you give, along with this poem for the tradition to live.

Cruise 2007

You can only change today.

Life is hectic. With school, football, work,kids, there are days I feel I can not get everything done. I just had a yard sale and now am in the mood to totally re-organize and de-junk everything. Yet to be done, but the desire is there and when there is time it will be done. It also inspired me to change me. Change my habits, change my thinking. change my life! but that is the hard part. My teacher in the drug and alcohol class I am taking (for school, not for a problem) said in reference to quitting an addiction " you can never stop tomorrow, because tomorrow will always be tomorrow. you can only change or quit today" . That applies to so many things. You need to make changes today. That will be my new motto. You can only change today!

Stop domestic violence!

Today we went to our final day of court. I was there to support my sister against her Ex-husband, who repeatedly violates his protective order. Today was the day he got sentenced! He got 45 days in jail. It should have been alot more. In his mind he had not done anything wrong. He can not see that what he does is wrong and that is the problem. So today was our day. He tried to talk his way out of it but luckily the judge did not go for it. What I am hoping is that his time in jail will affect him. I am hoping he will evaluate his life and make some serious changes.
The District Attorney was absolutly amazing!

Football

Zach is # 67.

Back To School!!

It is that time of year again. Zach started 9th grade. I can't believe he is that old!!! I can't believe I am that old. LOL! Sammy started 6th grade. Ken started his new job with Granite School District and I am started my new classes for fall. I am excited for them.

Summer Update!

We have started the busy part of summer. Zach has started football. He has practice Mon-Sat for 2-3 hours a day. Sammy will be starting cheerleading soon. I am almost done with my Sociology class. YEAH!!!!! It has actually been a really interesting class. I am enjoying it. Ken got a new job. He is sooooo excited about it.

Me and my friend Teresa at Seaworld.

Me and Sammy at SeaWorld.

The girls at Belmont Park.

Morgan and Molly at La Jolla Beach.

La Jolla

Sammy at the La Jolla Beach.

Sammy and the fish

Sammy and the star fish! We had our neighbor paint a whale on Sammy's cast for Sea World.

Close up

We had breakfast with Shamu at Sea World it was so fun. They have the whales come up right by you while you are eating. You eat right next to the whale tank.

The Fog

This is a picture from our wonderful relaxing trip to San Diego. This view was from our balcony and the fog was so thick.

Whew!

I am soooooo glad I am done with my Anatomy and Physiology class. It was soooo hard but very interesting. I came through the class with an A! Yeah! It has been so rewarding going back to school. I never enjoyed it this much in high school. LOL. Anyway I am really enjoying it. I start my sociology class tomorrow.

What a stressfull day! Poor little Sammy was jumping on a tramp at a friends house and fell off and broke her arm. She was so brave though! She has a splint on and gets a cast on next week.

Our Dog Wanda!

Wanda is our cute puppy! To explain her name, our cat's name is Cosmo and we thought it would be cute to name her Wanda from the cartoon Fairly Odd Parents!

The small dog is ours...The big one is my father in law's. It was so funny to watch the St. Bernard and the Pomeranian play together. Our dog was the one in charge it was hilarious.

Zach got his Eagle at 13! we are so proud of him