What Makes My World Go 'Round'

This morning I was doing my usual check into every one's blog and when I came across Chelsea's she mentioned how she's going to be using topics that another "blogger" has posted on her blog. I thought that this is a great idea as at times, life can be dull or boring and these topics can help fill the void :o)

So what makes my world go round??? First of all, I got to say my girls. Many times I think of what if Chris and I never fell into temptation.....then I wouldn't have Alyssa. I can't IMAGINE one second of my life without her. She has brought us so much joy that it brings me to tears thinking of my life without her. God works in mysterious ways and has turned a "sin" into one of life's greatest blessings. Then there's Brooklyn!! Oh, my Brooklyn....there's not one day that goes by that I don't burst into laughter from her antics. She has completed our family and too has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives that without her, our lives just wouldn't be the same. I am privileged to be able to stay at home and take care of my family and am so thankful for that. Being a mom is one of the most hardest jobs in the world, with no days off! But one of the most rewarding. I've been so fortunate to be able to be there when both my girls smiled for the first time, laughed, said their first word and took their first step. Now as they're a little older, I watch them figure out the things of the world, how things work. I love being the person they come to when they get hurt, when they need a hug or are proud of something they've accomplished. I couldn't imagine my life without my girls and they are big part of what makes my world go round!

Chris would have to be another big part of what makes my world go round! We have been married for 6 years in July but have been together for almost 8 and in that time we have been through alot. Somethings that many will not have to face and some that are typical in a marriage. He has been there though everything with me and to have a partner that I can rely on and know is there when ever I need him is a huge blessing and one I take for granted. I'm thankful for that when I got to push him off of me in the middle of the night (because I need my space!!), I have someone lying next to me who loves me and wants to be close to me. He works hard to make a good living for his family and so that I can stay home with our girls. Chris is an amazing father and is so proud of his girls. It takes a strong man to handle 2 daughters and a wife!! Without him, my life would not be complete!

Some other things that make my world go round would be the rest of my family. I am fortunate to be very close with my parents and my brothers and sister. They have impacted our lives in ways they will never know. I am also fortunate to have a great set of in-laws! I get along great with all of Chris' family and love them dearly. I hear of lots women that can't stand their mother in laws and I think "not me!!" Being so far away from all the Hanks' has been hard on us but we look forward to seeing them in July! My friends also have a special place in my world! I still have friends that I've had since I was 5!! I've noticed that when things get tough, you find out who you're real friends are and for those that are in my life (you know who you are), I am forever grateful for you and love you all!!

Then there's the silly things that are apart of my life.....scrap booking, diet pepsi, Backstreet Boys, chocolate (yes, even the sugar free chocolate is good), emails and music (maybe this one not so silly). I have played the piano now for almost 15 years and couldn't imagine my life without being able to play. It's a place where I can go and worship and just go into my own little world!! It at times can be my escape.

So I think that's it. There's probably things I've left out but this is getting long enough!! God has blessed my life greatly and I'm thankful to Him for all He's given us.

Worse driving roads EVER!

So I've been bragging my little heart out that we've been sitting outside, working on our tans, enjoying the hot, sunny weather down here. Well it's come back and bit the *ss big time!! Chris, Alyssa and I went to Reno yesterday to see the podiatrist for Alyssa and the weather was not too bad when we left. By the time we were leaving Reno it started to rain. Well as you get more north, the rain turned to snow. As we got closer to being home, the more I felt we weren't going to make it. On flat roads, it wouldn't have been that bad but between Fallon (our closest city, 2.5 hrs away from us, 1 hr from Reno) and us is a summit that climbs up a mountain 1000 feet and then goes back down. This is a very windy and steep climb and on the dry days, it's a slow drive. So with snow blowing at us, at night and at times we couldn't even see the road. I got us to the top of the summit then I had to pull over and Chris finished the rest of the drive. On our highways, they have small white posts with reflectors on the tops that at times, that was our way of knowing we were still on the road! I don't think I've ever prayed as hard as I did that night but God kept us safe. Alyssa slept through everything and once we got to the bottom, the snow turned back to rain and made it easier for us to get home. It added about another 30 minutes to our trip as we couldn't go faster than 20 miles/hour (Approx. 38 km/hr) through the summit. On a positive note, the snow has already melted here and I'm sure by tomorrow I'll be back to working on my tan but I think this time, I'll keep the bragging to myself :o)

In regards to Alyssa's feet, they're still there!! We had a fun time teasing her that the doctor would have to cut them off....yes we're mean parents!! But all she needs is some kiddy orthodics. These are a more generic orthodic that fits to a shoe size rather than having them custom made. As these cost $400, the doctor suggested we get the kiddy ones til her feet quit growing and then we can get the custom made ones. He also found that she has a bump on the back of her heel. It's a bone that we all have back there but should be laying perpendicular with the other foot/heel bones but Alyssa's is crooked. It doesn't bother her now but if starts to and if the orthodic doesn't correct it, then she would have to have surgery on it and shave the bone down. So we'll see how these orthodics do. They should be here next week.

I am also very excited about my weight loss!! I am in a smaller dress size!!! My clothes I wear now are baggy but I wasn't sure if I had lost enough to go down a dress size. But low and behold, I tried a skort and a blouse on in Walmart in a smaller size and it fits!! The skort is a little tight but I got it on and can sit in it so it came home with me!!! It's soooo nice to the rewards of all my hard work pay off. I have about 25 pounds to go to reach my goal and maybe another 10 but we'll see!! Thank you to all of you that have encouraged me along the way, it totally helps!! I'll post of picture of me in my "skinny" clothes soon :o)

Nascar, weather and weightloss!

So this weekend, Chris went to Vegas to go to Nascar. He had a fun time and the weather was awesome. The tickets were free (Catepillar gave the mine at whack and Norm took some for his friends) which always makes it more fun. He said though that if he had to pay for them next year, he probably wouldn't go. Just as boring live as it is on tv :o) There was lots to do and see before the race which was more enjoyable. They were able to meet the driver of the CAT car and went down into the pit. It was a long day....not a lot of Vegas touring, but he had a good time.

The weather here the past few days have been AWESOME!!! It has been in the 80-90's. Which is mid to high 20's Celsius. We planted some grass seed this afternoon. Unfortunately living in the desert, grass doesn't grow naturally. We put some down last fall but it's all patchy so Chris put down 2 bags and if that doesn't take, we're putting gravel everywhere! So hopefully in a couple weeks we'll see somethin'! Our backyard is huge and also has no grass and I think it'll stay that way. Because we have to pay for water, it would too expensive to water both front and back. And in the back yard we have the swing set, pool and trampoline. So that covers a good portion and if we have a good lawn in the front then the girls have a place to slip and slide!!

My good friend Rebekah has asked about my secrets for my weight loss so I thought I would fill you in! I go to the weight room 5 mornings a week and go on either the elliptical walker or treadmill for 30 minutes. I also have cut back on sugar and carbs and have quit eating past 7:00 pm. I've tried to keep it realistic so that I can keep with it forever. That's why I still have bread and pasta, just low carb and I still have chocolate, it's just sugar free. Starting April, I'll be hitting the pool and swimming laps so hopefully some more will come off. Just trying to make healthier decisions and all in moderation!! Here's a picture of me today. Please notice the tan and the outfit!! Hahaha :o)

Joining the 21st Century

Well I thought it would be about time that we joined everyone on this blogging journey and share with you what's been going on in our lives! We've been in the USA now for just over 6 months and have been enjoying it quit a bit. Being only 4 hours from Vegas and 4 hours from Reno, we've made quit a few trips to the big cities. We prefer Reno for shopping and doctor appointments and Vegas for when we want to "do something fun!!" It's pretty crazy and a little stressful with kids but we are going there for spring break!

I'm staying busy at home. I've been hard at losing weight finally too. I've hit about the 30 lb loss mark and it feels great but still have a long way to go. I can't believe I've stayed this dedicated but once you see the results, you wanna keep going! I've been involved with the church quite a bit too. I play piano every Sunday, go to a ladies bible study once a week, ladies luncheon once a month, craft group twice a month and joined the ladies ministry team and we're planning to go to Lake Tahoe in April for a ladies retreat. I'm really looking forward to that. It's nice to get away from the hectic life of a mother and wife and bond with other women in Christ! It's so nice to be in a church that's not struggling and has a strong ladies ministry. The girls love going to Sunday School and Kids Club once a week too!

Alyssa is doing awesome in "first grade" (it's not grade one down here!!). She loves being the helper and frequently gets rewards for her good behaviour (obviously taking after her mother!!) She has started tumbling 2 days a week for six weeks and goes to Girl Scouts once a week. She starts Little League (t-ball) soon and is looking forward to that. She's following in her grandma and mom's footsteps and has picked up card making and scrap booking. She's getting quite good at the cards and puts her mom to shame. She's a bit of a perfectionist and gets frustrated when something doesn't happen "just right!!" We've made an appointment for her too with a podiatrist in Reno. Her ankles/arches are falling quite a bit inward and has worried me for the past few years so I figured it was about time we do something about it before it gets worse. Other than that, she's doing great!! Here she is enjoying her afghan made for her by grandma Mary!!

Brooklyn is doing great too! She has started going to daycare twice a week for preschool and craft day. Preschool is 3 days a week but I'm not ready for her to be gone that long! She is just as happy staying at home with me. She plays so well by herself that I sometimes forget she's home!! She has a little group of friends and LOVES her Sunday School teacher "Jennifa" (Jennifer-the pastors wife). We had a little scare with her health wise. There was a horrible cold and virus, RSV, going around and we thought she might have it so she had chest xrays and nasal swabs done but luckily they came back negative. It was just a really bad cold. It was so bad that the first night she was up all night wheezing and freaking me out. But now we're all healthy and doing fine. Here's Brooklyn also enjoying her afghan!

And oh yeah, there's Chris!! He's doing good. He's liking work more and has already received 2 raises in the six months he's been there so he's really been enjoying the pay checks!! It's so nice to not be living pay check to pay check anymore. He's been itching to get on the golf course here. It's only closed for one month out of the year but hasn't found a golf buddy yet and golfing with me isn't much fun for him!! He's gone to Vegas this weekend with my parents and Norm Ladoucuer to see the Nascar races.

We're heading back up north for the July 1st hoopla and we're all looking forward to that. We haven't been home since we left in August so we're all anxious to see friends and family!! Well I think this is a big enough update. I'll try and keep the information current on us so you can have a peek into our lives!!