Memorial Day 2015

We spend this Memorial Day with my family.  Richard graduates at the beginning of next week so we had a little dinner/get together with all of my siblings.  I can't believe that my parents have had all 6 of us graduate....am I old enough for this?

Anyway, before our dinner a few of us went on a four wheeler ride (that's just what we do on Memorial day).  We took the kids, and Lex did wonderful!  We put him in a baby holder/backpack and he seemed to enjoy it.

We stopped for food and the kids decided to be brave and follow Richard up this hill. He didn't know they were behind him. They acted like ducklings following his every step! It was cute and I was surprised they made it up the hill. 

 He helped them down!

We had some fun!

The kids were tuckered out!

Later at my parents the fun didn't stop. Wray and Anne Marie took the kiddos on some horse rides. 

The kids played with chalk and drew on themselves :)

Miss Nayvie was being so dang cute I had to take a picture!

How was your long weekend?

Diet Bet, Sweatin For Summer

As people may have noticed I have some baby weight left to lose.  I have been consistent with my exercise and what I eat(I struggle more here). I have been both patient and frustrated. It has been over 8 months and I have some weight/fitness goals I want to reach. 

First goal: I have never nursed a baby this long, I am excited that I have accomplished that. I basically gave up with my first two and am happy with myself for pushing though the toughness. Honestly, it hasn't been an easy road...but I feel so attached and bonded to Lex!

Some women say the weight falls off when they nurse, this is where my frustration comes in. My body doesn't seem to want to let go of my extra fat when I nurse.......but like I said above I am BLESSED that I get to nurse Lex. My goal is 12+ months. If we still are enjoying it I will go longer then 12 months *grin*. And for those who say when you nurse too long the baby pulls your shirt down in public, my reply is Lex already does that so.......

I have been in challenge groups, and they are great and mine tend to lose momentum after a week or two. It is hard to stay motivated if I'm being honest. 

I saw a girl I follow on IG doing a diet bet, I have heard of them but I was nervous to sign up because you have to lose 4% of your weight in 4 weeks. That doesn't seem like a lot but it is about 7 pounds for me, the most I have lost since Lex was born is 3 pounds in a month. But nothing motivates me like money I suppose, so that brings me to my

Second goal: Sometimes we need to do something that scares us. I signed up and am excited to push myself even more than normal. That means starting next week I have a goal of crushing 7 pounds in 4 weeks .  That is more than double the rate I'm use to...but I'm only out 30$ if I lose and I get it back plus more if I win. The more participants the bigger the pot if you at interested go here .

And I know weight isn't the most important thing, but it helps with my other goals because I have noticed the less I weigh the faster I become. 

Third and fourth goal: Run or participate in a 5k and a 10k this year. 

I did have a case of runners knee so the 3rd and 4th goal may not happen as fast as I would like but even if I walk them I will complete them this year. 

Do you have any goals this summer?

Have you ever participated in a diet bet, what was your experience ?

Kade's New Adventure

I honestly can't remember what or if I posted about this, looking quickly through the posts I can't see anything. Over a month and a half ago, Kade was offered a job at a place called PRB Oil. They are a gas station that delivers fuel to farmers. Our brother-in-law Jake (Trecia's husband) works for his dad who is a part owner. The offered to match Kade's wage to work in the store where they sell feed and parts. They told him if he decided to get his CDL he could deliver fuel and get a nice pay BUMP. I'm proud to brag that Kade studied and practiced driving and got his CDL with all the endorsements. 

He would probably be embarrassed to see that I posted this, but I am so excited. Some people actually pay to take a class to have an instructor help them learn to drive a semi but he just went for it and passed it. 

You rock Kade, love ya!

So, apart from that we are getting some small projects around the house done in hopes to sell it and buy a home in Blackfoot. Or somewhere closer. Our kitchen is currently half torn apart and will look amazing when this weekend is over!!!

We have to stain and poly the cabinets and put the upper ones in. And we haven't finished putting bead board on the other half if the kitchen. So still a lot to do but it feels brighter and better. I'm sure I will do a whole post on this later, it's exciting and I'm loving the new feel!

My husband has really been busy, I'm so blessed to have him!

Heavy Feelings

I feel like I haven't written as much as I would like. Mostly because I've been filled with different emotions. I've been trying to sort through things the last month and although life can be confusing it helps to have an understanding husband and comfort knowing God is over all. This is a heavy post; skip now if you need something more uplifting. :)

Around a month ago I had a cousin who ended his life. From what I understand he fought a long hard battle and I hope he has found his piece. The darkness can be so thick at times, and some people may never understand the fog, I myself have caught glimpses of the dark.  I find it very hurtful whenever people talk about suicide being selfish or cowardly, if you don't understand these heavy emotions please don't judge those who live with them. Fighting is how it should be describe, and it is EXHAUSTING. 

The battles I have fought are probably not even close in difficulty compared to other peoples.  I feel I understand a little and am very empathetic towards anyone who has ever felt the desire to end their pain and suffering. 

Suicide always raises questions and I often wish I would have done or said something to help. I don't want other family members or friends to ever feel alone or embarrassed by their emotions.  If talking about it would have saved one of my two handsome cousin's lives, I wish I would have spoken up.  I wish I would have known they were struggling.  I am sad to know, how sad they must have been.

At Riley's funeral the bishop spoke; it really stuck with me.  He talked about how Riley will have some things to work on in the after life; but not to judge and not to forget that we all do (have things we need to work on). Like Riley I must work on myself;  I don't know what is to come.   I took such comfort being reminded that I need to focus on myself and bettering myself; I am the only person I have any control over.

Right now my immediate family has been going through some hard emotions, I am being vague but I just need to get some of it out.  Maybe at a later date I will be able to talk about it more.  Change is hard and so is fighting; I feel right now that we are more divided that united, I hate it! My head has been really tied up with the roller coaster of it all., I take comfort in knowing there is an end somewhere and that we will all work it out, because in the end we are family!

Life is difficult sometimes, but only to see the greatness around us!