Friend Makin Monday's

1. Favorite things about Spring: I love Spring and everything about it. I love the longer days, the warmer weather, and the looks of how everything starts growing again.

2. What I'm doing for Spring Break: I don't get a spring break how sad is that. The life of a working girl.

3. Favorite Spring flower: Tulips!!!! I don't really like to grow them, but I love the looks of them and the variety of colors. Reason I don't grow many of them.........winds in Grantsville, tulips just don't last very long here, and then you are stuck with just a green stem. I know I am WEIRD!!!!!

4. Do you have a garden? Yes

5. If so, what do you grow. Just about anything, we love to garden, and to see what we can grow. What we have grown is Tomatoes, Potatoes, Lettuce, Broccoli, Squash, Peppers, Mellons, Green Beans etc. What we not be growing this year is Squash (those DANG squash bugs love my plants to death EVERY YEAR).

6. Do you do Spring cleaning? I need to do more of it. I have a couple of rooms that need to be gutted out and changed.

7. What is your weather *really* like right now? It is chilly today, I think we got up into the 40's today. Partly Cloudy today too, it stormed this morning, but is suppose to be nice starting tomorrow. Let Spring begin!!!!
{Just b/c it's "officially" spring, doesn't mean that it feels like it for some of you}

8. Snapped any weather related photos lately? Share one with us!

This was taken in San Diego last August, the only other weather related pics I have is when it is cold and snowy. I am not going back to that for a few more months bring on the SUN!!!!!

9. What's your favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon? Take a walk around the neighborhood.

10. Favorite TV show right now? mmmmm let me think for a minute. I am loving a couple of new shows. I have taken a liking to Life Unexpected on the CW. It is really cute, check it out it is on Mondays at 7. My other favorite right now is The Good Wife on CBS. I am hooked, do I have to say any more? With my new schedule though it will have to be Tivo'd.

If you would like to follow this go to Amber's blog and check things out. She is a lot of fun, and has a ton of creative ideas. Here is the link http://amberfilkins.blogspot.com/

Update on the Weight Loss

A few of you have asked for updates regarding my weight loss. I am so pleased to say that since my last post I am down another 4 lbs, and that puts me at 16.4 lbs since August 2009, and I can not tell you how many inches I have lost, but my jeans say it all. YIPEE!!!!!

I know it seems that it has been slow, and I am just glad to be finally having success at the scale. A few of you have begin to notice, and that really excites me. I just have to remember that the slower it comes off the harder it will be to put back on.

As many of you know that I have struggled with Insulin Resistance for quite a few years now, and I can tell you that it is SO TOUGH having insulin resistance. I have had to change my way of thinking and actually find the right foods to eat, and the best exercise routine that works for me. The working out is tough, but I have found that I feel so much better doing it then without.

As for the eating part, I really watch my portions and make better choices as to what I eat. I have made the switch to eating Whole Grains, along with a variety of fruits and veggies. This has helped me so much, and totally makes me feel satisfied for a lot longer. Take a good look at your ingredients on your bread, crackers, cereal, etc. and if it doesn't say WHOLE WHEAT then toss it out. You don't have to do what I say, but if you are finding your self feeling hungry after a few hours of eating, it may be time to look at what you are taking in, do your homework too. There is a ton of information online so take a good look.
The only thing that I am really depriving myself of is SUGAR. I really have to watch what I take in because it does not do good things for my body, and takes longer to digest then other foods. I have found that sugar free candy isn't as bad as what it used to be. And if you are looking to make the switch, there is a very good variety nowadays. I can remember tasting sugar free candy when I was much younger, and can I say YUCK!!!!!! Whitman's has a good selection that you can find just about anywhere, and they are even endorsed by Weight Watchers if that matters, but I have found that Winco has a great sugar free selection.

Not that I am a diet guru or anything, but if you apply these skills you will have success. If any of you need a companion for workouts or whatever just call me. My work schedule is changing as of Monday (3/22), and will be free most early afternoons. I am really wanting to try a Zumba class at Golds. Does anyone know if they do that class out here? If they do please let me
know.

Grateful for the blessings in my life

Two years ago I had several of the hardest days of my life, as Shane and I said goodbye to our son Markham. We had been waiting so long for a child of our own, and was extremely hard when that was taken away from us. This lesson although hard was one of the most rewarding lessons I have ever learned.
Last year as the one year mark hit, I was sad and depressed and wanted nothing better then to just skip the day entirely. I kept waiting for those days to surface this year, but I can honestly say that those feelings never surfaced this year. Don't get me wrong I miss Markham every day, and it does still hurt, but I am truly blessed by my faith, and knowing that Shane and I will see our son again because we have an eternal family.
I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have of the gospel and how it brings me peace. I am so grateful for all the support and prayers that have been said on our behalf. I have a testimony of the gospel, and of how our Savior lived and died for each of us. He lives!!! This I know with all my heart, and I thank him everyday for all he has given me in this life. I truly am so grateful!!!!

Thanks again to all of you who have kept us in your prayers and thoughts. We love you all!!!!!

Ice Fishing Trip 2010

A few weeks ago Shane and I went to Flaming Gorge to do a little Ice Fishing. This is Shane's favorite fishing spot in Utah and Wyoming to fish, and he loves it. I have to agree the scenery is beautiful. I have loved taking family vacations there to fish, or to run the Green River. Always turns out to be a good time.

Winter at Flaming Gorge is a little different. WOW IS IT COLD!!!!! The weather was snowy and windy one day and beautiful and sunny the next day. The fishing was more than a little slow, but Shane caught a nice Mac (Lake Trout).



Shane and his only catch at the Gorge



This is a crack in the Ice. I thought that this picture was very cool, but creepy at the same time. No worries the Ice was over a foot thick in most spots.



This was another crack after the blizzard blew threw the area. I really wish that you could see how cool this crack was. The crack was on an angle, and looked very cool.



This is right as it started snowing



This was during the blizzard. The dark spot in the picture is the truck's window. It really was a total white out. Shane and Mike braved the storm out, I was safe and sound in the Ice tent.



This is my feet in my warm boots with Ice picks on the toes. The ice is very slippery and it almost got me a time or two. Thanks to the ice picks and good balance I survived. Shane on the other hand took a hard fall running to one of his poles that was going in. I think he was more mad that the fish got away then he was about falling. He was sore a couple of days later.



One of the only pictures that Shane got of me. I had the camera most of the time. I am a total camera hog.



This is one of the two fish that I caught at Current Creek. We took the LONG way home from the Gorge. So that I could actually catch something. Totally Shane's idea. I think he felt bad that I didn't catch a thing at the Gorge. It made for a great weekend though, glad that we went.

Don't let the weather mislead you. Ice fishing is really a ton of fun. Just remember to dress warm, and to not forget the sunscreen.

Working out is hard but it pays off

For the last week I have gotten a workout everyday, but one. Well today I found out just how much working out and dieting go hand in hand, and how beneficial they really can be.

I had my weekly weigh in this morning, and I was down 4 lbs. I was SUPER excited and couldn't believe it. My usual weigh in's would be about a pound or two, so now you can see why I was thrilled about four pounds.

I am not much into working out, but I think this just may have changed my mind. I am going to continue on getting up at the dreaded hour of 4:30 to work out.

Keep the positive comments coming, you don't know how much they have helped when that alarm goes off.

What??? I AM FINALLY WORKING OUT?

So I am a little scared to put this out there, but I have decided to give the Jillian Micheal's 30 day shred a try. I will be getting up around 4:30 am Monday thru Friday, and working out on Saturday's before I head to an 8:00 class every Saturday. I am giving myself a day off on Sunday's as that day is for resting. I know that this will be tough, but I can do this. I am hoping that with everybody's help on here, you guys will help to keep me on track.

I have big goals for 2010, and this is one of them. I know what to eat, and how much to eat, but the whole working out is another story. I know I need to do it, but in the evening things where just to hectic, and after working all day, it was really the last thing on my list to do when I got home. So I had to plan my workouts accordingly, so it is 4:30 am. Yikes!!!!! That in itself frightens me a little. I will keep things posted on a new blog that I will keep updated with my progress. Here is the link for any of you who want to follow my progress. http://nansdietdiary.blogspot.com/

What we've been up to since Christmas

I so wanted to start this year by keeping up on the blogging thing, and was actually going to attempt at posting something every week. I guess I can cross that one off of my list of resolutions. I am hoping to get back on track with my diet and also working out more. I am a late starter, but it will get done. No worries Nathan I will be ready for the 5K on the 24th of July. I put this out there, so you all can keep me motivated, and me how my progress is going. I expect you to ask away.

January has been long, and I am ready for it to be over. I started the month with an announcement at work that all full time employees were going to a flex-full time status, and the most hours that we would be working in a week would be 39 hours, and that all positions were open, and that we would have to post for the same job in order to keep it. I was a little nervous at first, and was so ready to jump on the train and take the severence package and leave, but after much fasting and prayer it was in my best interest to stay on. I do have to be grateful that I do still have a job. I do know that prayers are answered, and that we just have to be patient for the things that we want most in life.

Shane and I have been up to a few things since the first part of the year. We finally decided to paint our bedroom!!!!!! YEAH!!!!! I was so happy, as it has needed to be done for a VERY VERY long time. I do have to blame myself, as I have been going back and forth over the color selection. I am very pleased with the choice that I made, and I can't believe how much darker it has made our bedroom.

We have also celebrated my mom's, and Ryan's birthday this month. Shane finally got out on the last weekend of the duck hunt, and had a good time. He just wished that he would have had the opportunity to go a lot sooner than that. Stupid weather did not play in his favor this year. He also went Ice fishing, and he looks forward to many more trips. We are planning a trip to Flaming Gorge in February to go Ice fishing. It will be COLD, but it should be fun. Just pray I don't freeze and that I catch the biggest fish J/K.

I have been feeling very crafty lately and have had an itch for a while. Christmas had a lot to do with it too. I had a ton of fun this year making a few presents for Shane, Krysten and Aynsley. I started a scarf on New Years Eve, and finished it a few days later. Now I am on to making some Valentine's crafts for the house, and many more things, then I think some changes will be coming forward with our house. I am anxious to get our bathroom painted and decorated, and the main bathroom done too. I have a huge list this year, and I hoping that it will all get done. We shall see.

Along with all of that, I can not wait for SPRING/SUMMER and have been dreaming of it for a while. I am really looking forward to spending many days by the pool, basking in the sun, watching baseball, and even gardening. Oh I just CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!! I AM FILLED WITH SO MUCH EXCITEMENT THAT I CAN HARDLY STAND IT. It is so close, so for all of you suffering from the winter blues. Hang in there, in a few short weeks, we will be able to pull those dusty flip flops out. HOORAY!!!!!
Until that happens I will continue to dream of this..............



And this.........




And this.........



And this............