proof...

Exactly one year ago, I made a committment to change. Dave and I had to have health assessments at his work for insurance purposes. We had one again yesterday, one year later.

Total cholesterol: 174-normal is 200, ideal is under 170. I'll get there. I was well over 200 last year.

HDL (the good fat): 63-ideal is over 60. Last year I was 39.

Triglycerides: 45-ideal is less than 150. I dropped 46 points.

Weight: x-42

BMI: dropped 7.7 points. I now fall at the bottom end of the normal range.

Body fat %: dropped 11 % points! Also at the bottom end of normal.

I was SO happy to see these results. This is what running has done for me. It works. I am a healthier and happier person. If you're still searching for that magic weight loss solution...this is it. Diet and excercise. Eat in moderation, and move your body. It feels REALLY good. I promise.

13 years...

13 years ago, Dave and I were sealed in the Washington DC temple. It was a happy, happy day. This quote comes to mind:

"Did I find you, did you find me, or were we given to eachother?"

I think we were given to eachother, by someone who knew just exactly what we needed. Dave is what I need. My very favorite person...ever.

seriously, mom?

Pretty much my Wednesday.

our december...

I'm alive. We're all alive. I don't have many pictures or words to prove it, but we are. This blog needs an update. I have felt really maxxed out lately. Stressed and overwhelmed with the season, and I don't like feeling that way. I wish it was simpler. No matter what I try, it doesn't seem to simplify. I want to have time to treasure my friends and family without having to worry about gifts, decorations, and all that jazz. I love all that jazz too, but it distracts me from what I treasure most...mainly the birth of my Savior. I HAVE decided to eliminate our big meal on Christmas day. Just to see how things flow without a turkey and the works. I love this time of year...mostly because of my children. They are happy and excited and that makes me feel good.

We were able to go to the Living Nativity about 2 weeks ago, just in time. The beautiful Provo Tabernacle is no longer, and I'm sad. I loved that building.

Uncomfortable benches, but a beautiful,sacred building.

On the outside steps. My 5 little treasures.

We had a Grinch Ward Christmas party. It was a blast! My kids really got into the WHO thing...with the exception of Margaret. There were tears (lots of them) trying to get the hair-do's just right, but it paid off. I love my ward. It is a family. I hate hearing people say that. It sounds so trite. Doesn't really matter...it's true.

Margaret went to TOWN on the egg nog. Best night sleep she's had in quite awhile.

Molly got to play the part of an angel at a YW activity last week. She was sad. The hanger hurt her head. Until she saw her reflection. It was a beautiful little program. When I came around the corner and saw Molly and her 2 other sunbeam friends as Mary and Joseph, standing in my friends garage, surrounded by straw...I was completely overcome with emotion. I felt the spirit and I really needed it. We were told by our Miamaid class president to make room for the Savior in our lives. Isn't that SO true. We are TOO busy. We have too much swirling around in our heads to hear the quiet whisperings of the spirit.

Last night we read our nativity story and placed all the pieces on the piano bench. The kids love it...and Margaret loved baby Jesus.

We did it! Tara and I ran 6.1 miles this morning in the crazy snow...and I loved it! It was quiet and peaceful. Not as cold as you would think. Not as wet either. Shoveling the driveway was, but not the run.

This is some serious snow. It hasn't stopped since the middle of the night 2 days ago. It's getting deep. And slippery.

Molly today. She is yummy. A smart, feisty, yummy little girl. She'll be 5 in 2 weeks. She's still my baby girl though.

Margie enjoying her hot chocolate in a sippy. She is a ball of joy lately. She is finally starting to talk. Kind of. She has so much personality. She makes all of us smile...nearly all the time. I am so grateful for her, and four my 4 older who adore her still. I am a lucky lady.

zzzzz...

This is how I found Molly asleep in my bed last night.

I really, truly could have melted.

one thing down...

Let me explain a few things here. First of all, I realize these pictures are less than fabulous. I don't care. Actually, I do, but I'm trying not to. I know...Margaret's face is REALLY chapped. I'm working on it. She's still pretty cute. On to the tree. We are not a themed tree sort of family. I think Dave's family may have been. Mine wasn't. My mom had all sorts of ornaments on our tree. Old ones from my grandparents, junky ones we'd made at school, lots and lots of ornaments. The tree was really full. I loved it so much. As you can see, ours is pretty random too. I like it that way. I DON'T like it against the banister, but until I can be sure Margaret won't climb up on the couch and topple to her death over the railing, it will have to do. I also don't like my banister, but that's another post for another day. We had to leave the bottom 2 rows of branches off the tree so it didn't hog up the entire room.

All that aside...I love our tree. I have the lights on all the time. I actually got mad at Dave last year one night when he turned them off. I explained that when I am making my nightly trip to the bathroom, I love to see the glow. I LOVE the glow. Not much can make me happier than all the lights out, watching a movie or listening to music, by the glow of the tree. I also love how excited my children get about decorating it. They are SO happy! They gab and laugh and giggle about each ornament. They all have a story, you see. So, it's not perfect, but for us...it's pretty darn close.

*Yep...Margaret is in her Halloween costume from last year. Whatever floats her boat. And don't even get me started on our nasty chandelier.

my last bit of gratitude...

As I mentioned the other day...aside from the church, it is my family that I hold the most dear. SO, let me just make a little list here. You are not going to believe this!

Mom, Dad, Lisa, Tony, David, Val, Arty, Gavin, Christy, Adam, Caroline, Rich, Michele, Dan, Quinn, Joel, Thelma, little Joel, Bennett, Matthew, Aaron, Sarah, Dave, Alex, Elizabeth, Emily, Molly, Margaret, Tracy, Rachel, Annie, Laura, Gunnar, Elsie, Charlotte, and Kay.

AND...

Pat, Bev, Kim, Randy, Melissa, Bromen, Chandler, John, Kara, Madelyn, Calvin, Adam, Ellinor, Kerri, Doug, Jenny, Danny, Jodi, Justin, Rachelle, Marissa, Brandon, Wendi, Tom, Emmaline, Daniel, Sammy, Sarah, Bob, Kelly, Brenna, Gabby, Mairenn, Bennett, Cindi, Brian, Benjamin, Ashlie, David, Emilie, Kami, Jason, Hali, Kora, Korbin, Hayden, Marci, JJ, Brandon, Lexi, Jason, Cassie, Steve, Christine, Caleb, Jared, Gracie, Jim, Stephanie, Hannah, Andrew, Kayden, Tom & Andrea. *(Don't have a picture of this whole group).

WHEW! Love them.