Photo A Day April 14th - How You Feel Today

LOVED!

Photo A Day April 13th - Something You Found

I found SNOW IN APRIL!!

Okay I'll admit it I took these pictures last night.  But they were just to gorgeous not to share.  We had the most beautiful snowfall yesterday.  With the biggest, fluffiest snowflakes I'd ever seen.

Friday Weigh In

Curse you mini eggs!  Why do you need to be so delicious and so plentiful.  I did pretty good with my eating this week (but I didn't keep track - boo!) except for the mini eggs.  I found myself eating them by the handful.  I also didn't exercise like I should have.  I was tired this week.  I'm sure it was because I wasn't eating properly and I was still trying to get rid of this cold.  I plan on jumping on my treadmill right after I write this and get myself back on track.

When I weighed this morning I wasn't surprised that I've gained ...

1 lb

No more excuses.  This week I will track my food, drink lots of water and exercise 5 days.  Plus, the mini eggs are all gone.  Whew!



The Best Present

The "Easter Bunny" brought the boys the best present this year.  I wish she/he (I'm not sure which the Easter Bunny is) would have brought them years ago.  I don't even need to remind them to brush their teeth!

Gotta love the spinbrush!

Photo A Day April 12th - Stairs

This is the staircase in my home going to the second floor.  I think the railings are really pretty.  I love the cherry wood and the style of spindles.  Now if only we had the money to change the carpet.  Someday it will be stunning!

Photo A Day April 11th - Where You Ate Breakfast

I ate breakfast at home on the kitchen island this morning.  I made Bowen's favorite so I decided to have a good start to my day and join him.  French toast, pear slices, and a glass of orange juice.

Photo A Day April 10th - Cold

It is always nice to enjoy a "cold" drink while teaching.  My break is almost over - back at it for a couple more hours.

Photo A Day April 9th - Younger You

I know I'm a day late but yesterdays photo assignment was younger you.  So here are a few pictures of a younger me!!

Me as a baby

With my brother Dave

Probably a birthday party of mine at Little Bow Park

With my sweet niece Cora

Where do the years go?

An Amazing Talent

For those of you that don't know my husband is an amazing artist.  One of my favorite pictures in our home is of a woman's back that Jason drew years ago. 


Sorry for the reflection - it is behind glass.

His portraits are some of the best I've ever seen.



Jason's latest work was a commissioned painting of four dogs.  He got a referral from another artist that he knows.  He was given pictures of the dogs as well as the basic idea of what they wanted the picture to look like.  He drew a basic sketch on canvas and emailed a photo to the girl to get her approval.  After she gave the go ahead he got to work painting.  I must admit I was a bit nervous that she wanted a painting, as most of the art that I've seen Jason produce have been pencil or charcoal pieces.  I should have known better - I've come to realize that there isn't much Jason can't do.

I hope the receiver of the painting will enjoy it in her home.  I'm so proud of Jason.  He's an amazing man in so many ways.  How lucky am I?

Photo A Day April 8th - Inside Your Wallet

Here is the inside of my wallet.  Full of receipts, debit, credit cards, AHC cards, driver's license etc.  No cash, and a bunch of coins.  I like my wallet.  It has lots of space for everything, is very pretty, fits well in my purses.  The only problem is the coin compartment has a big hole in the bottom of it.  Everytime I get my wallet out to pay for something I drop coins all over the floor.  It's very annoying!

Photo A Day April 7th - Shadow

Today's photo was shadow.  Here is a picture of Ashton's shadow while hunting for easter eggs today.  It was a bit overcast when we started, but eventually the sun came out and I was able to get this shot.

We invited some friends over for a barbecue and easter egg hunt today.  When they first arrived the kids decorated their bags.

Then it was time to go in the backyard for the easter egg hunt.  They each had 12 eggs filled with candy to find.



Bowen's cheeks full of candy!!

Then we had a yummy barbecue.  Burgers, hotdogs, chips, Laura brought 2 delicious salads.  For dessert we had icecream and sugar cookies.  I left some plain so the kids could decorate them.



The kids had a great time together.  It was nice enough that they could play outside and I'm sure they will all crash tonight.  We were glad Brent and Laura and the kids were able to come over today.  I enjoyed getting to know them better.

Photo A Day April 6th - Lunch

The photo assignment today was lunch.  Usually on a Friday I eat my lunch alone after I take Bowen to the kindergarten bus.  As today is Good Friday my usual lonely lunch was with my family instead.  We had Bowen's favorite today - grilled cheese sandwiches, with pear slices.  Ashton of course needs to be the odd man out - he had nutella wraps.  It was a rare treat to be able to have lunch with my family on a weekday.

I hope you got to have lunch with your family today.  Happy Easter everyone!!

Friday Weigh In

I'm back!!  After not weighing in last Friday I was really nervous to weigh in today.  I hadn't had a very good week.  Before my last cold was even completely gone another one reared its ugly head and I was feeling yucky!  I only exercised twice and for not as long as I'd have liked.  I was careful with my eating but did not officially track.  So like I said - I was nervous!  So I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on the scale this morning and found I had lost ...

1 lb



My total down so far is 11.5 pounds.  I am grateful I went down today because it has given me the motivation to not completely lose control this easter weekend.  Instead of just focusing on food we've decided to have some friends over to have an easter egg hunt with the boys on Saturday, and since we're having hamburgers (not one of my favorites) I'm confident I should be able to eat within my points.  Easter Sunday may be a different story but I'm going to do my best.

My cold is feeling a little better this morning so I'm planning on getting back on my treadmill this next week.  I need to act on this momentum and see where it will take me.  Happy Easter!

Photo A Day April 5th - Tiny

I have always liked miniatures.  I'd been meaning to go to the miniatures museum in Cardston and had never gone and then it closed down.  It has reopened in Nanton and I plan to check it out this summer.  Anyone who knows me well also knows that I love dolls.  I still have my cabbage patch doll (Hope Marie) with her adoption papers and original diaper.  I've collected several porcelain dolls.  They are all currently in storage at my mom's farm.  My plan was to decorate a little girls' nursery with them.  Plans don't always work out - life is funny that way.  One doll I do have on display is this little sweetie.  She is a miniature porcelain Little Bo Peep Madame Alexander doll.  I don't remember who gave her to me - if it is someone reading my blog please remind me!!

To put in perspective just how tiny she is, here she is beside my Precious Moments collection.

Now to figure out what to do with all my other dolls!

Photo A Day April 4th - Someone Who Makes You Happy

  

I'm sorry my picture is late tonight, but I had to wait for my husband to get home from work.  He is definitely someone who makes me happy!  I wasn't sure if I should take a picture of Jason after he kissed me goodbye when he left at 5:40 a.m. for work this morning.  Or this evening when he came home and made supper while I was teaching piano.  Or a picture of my sweet hubby as he left to take Ashton to cubs and then went back to work. 

I've had a pretty blessed life.  I've always been happy!  I had a happy childhood, I enjoyed my single years (I had a few more of them than I would have preferred), but I had lots of great friends and did lots of wonderful things - I don't regret those years.  But I must say I've been my happiest since I married my fabulous husband.  We've had some tough times, haven't we all, but I can honestly say I've always been happy.

I couldn't talk about being happy without mentioning my sweet boys.  They are a joy in my life, and can lift my spirit and put a smile on my face.  Thanks for making me happy!

Photo A Day April 3rd - Mail

I grew up on a farm in Champion so we had to drive into town to get our mail from the post office.  When I moved to Lethbridge after graduating from high school it was such a treat to have my mail brought right to my apartment building.  Then Jason and I bought our first house - a townhouse in the SW.  I was so excited that my mail came right to my front door.  I am easily pleased!  A few years ago we bought the house we are in now in Douglas Glen.  This neighbourhood does not have front door mail delivery.  In fact, we don't even have a mailbox which seems a bit weird.  As you first drive into Douglas Glen there are 3 big mail boxes we all go too.  So after ___ years I'm back to getting our mail from the "post office".  Sadly today we didn't get any mail.  At least it wasn't full of bills!

Photo A Day April 2nd - Colour

I love red!!  I have red dishes, red dining room chairs, a red chair in my living room, a red throw rug, red in paintings, red candles, a red teapot, a red kitchen aid, red napkins, a red Wii, a red camera, red clothes - get the idea.  Ooohh!  I almost forgot a redheaded husband (even though he is in denial), and a redheaded son.  I love red!!  One of my favorite red pieces is a beautiful decorative vase.  Jason bought it for me a couple of years ago for our 9th wedding anniversary.  (One of the traditional gifts for a 9th Wedding Anniversary is pottery).  Hooray for red!

Photo A Day April 1st - Your Reflection

Today's photo was of your reflection.  This is me after a lazy day at home, not doing my hair, but I did throw on a little makeup (your welcome).  My reflection is in my favorite mirror in the house.  I love the shape of it and the design.  It hangs over my favorite little cabinet as you come in our front door.  It was an inexpensive Ikea find - I love those!

Hawaiian Haystacks

I made one of Jason's favorite dinners tonight.  I like it too - plus it is super easy.  I'm sure everyone has had hawaiian haystacks, but if you haven't you need to try.

Hawaiian Haystacks

Chicken, roasted and shredded

Gravy

Rice

Diced celery, tomatoes, green onion

Tidbit pineapple

Chow mein noodles

Soy sauce

(any other toppings you might like)

Put rice on your plate, top with all your favorite toppings and smother with gravy.  Yummy!!

Of course, today was also April 1st.  I could hear the boys downstairs this morning, discussing something intently.  I overheard something about "when they open the fridge ....".  So when I came downstairs they immediately asked for me to make them chocolate milk.  Usually Ashton just makes his own so I knew something was up.  So I opened the fridge door and an empty smartie box fell on the floor, and they yelled April Fools.  The boys thought they were hilarious, they had even put a pair of toenail clippers in the box so it would be louder when it hit the floor.  They giggled for the longest time.

It has been a great conference weekend.  Mom came up last night and we surprised her and took her to the Hunger Games.  The movie was awesome and I can't wait for the next one.  Then we spent a lazy day today enjoying each others' company and watching conference.  The talks were wonderful and was the spiritual lift I was needing.  I look forward to getting my May Ensign and reading the talks all over again.