My FIRST 4-mile RACE!!

I'm finally writing about my first race on Thanksgiving Day! (I was waiting to get some pictures in the right format so I can post them.)

So, a few days before the race, my BIL Cody decided to run with me. I was really excited to have a running partner for my first race! ( Hey, did I mention that this race was my very first?? ) I was able to get him all registered before it closed.

The morning of the race, it was sprinkling. I was worried that it was going to downpour on us but it thankfully didn't. Here's a picture of Cody and me right before the race...



I was pumped and ready to go. I don't think Cody was. He was really tired!

At the beginning of the race, there were tons of people around me and passing me. This, I knew was going to happen. I'm a pretty slow runner but it was still depressing when person after person would pass me. Cody was really nice to slow down for me and stick with my pace.

Here in this picture, it was at the beginning of the race and I was excited. Thank goodness Whitney was there to snap this picture!



See how excited it was? I'm all waving at the camera!

THEN, IT STARTED TO GET HARD! Cody and I weren't even halfway through the race when I saw people dashing to the finish line. My jaw dropped. I guess at that point I didn't realize that hard-core marathon runners were going to run this race too. But, why wouldn't they run the race? If you are one of the first 5 men or women, you win a turkey.

I tried to push that disappointment out of my mind and continue running. I needed to focus and not worry about what place I was going be in. After we reached the 2 1/2 mile point, I started feeling like I was going to die. I wanted to stop but Cody told me not to. He was a good running partner who was going to push me hard.

Here is another picture of the same location but a lap later...



Haha. Yeah. I'm not so pumped and excited here. Right before this picture was taken, I told Cody not to let me stop. Can you see how wet my pants were at the bottom? They were soaked and that didn't help my running either. So, right before we got to the 3 mile marker, I had to stop. I was going to die. Cody let out a grunt of disappointment when I stopped but I was pretty tired and I wanted to lie down on the sidewalk. I was happy that I ran that far distance in the race. I don't think I've ever run that long without stopping. GOOD FOR ME!

Right after we started running again, Troy was able to catch up to me to take a video. It was really awesome to see Ryan out there with me. He starte d running with us at that point and then he saw that I was holding Troy's Iphone. I was using it to track my pace, time, and distance. He wanted it then so we had to get Troy to take care of him. Here is a short video of me running and wanting to die!!!

About 3 1/2 miles into the race, I noticed that my left shoulder was starting to hurt. I was hoping that it wouldn't get worse but the pain didn't go away until after the race. I'm not looking forward to dealing with this pain here in the near future. I have a feeling that this isn't the first time I'm going to complain about my shoulder.

And now, for the final picture... Here is Cody and me crossing the finish line!!



It looks like I finished the race around 47 minutes. I was hoping to run the race in 45 minutes but I was a few off.

---

I asked my sister, Lindsey, earlier this week about my shoulder and how it was hurting during the race. She told me she had the same problem. She told me it was most likely due to the fact that we all have bad posture. She had to solve her problem by buying orthotics for her shoes. Great... I can't afford to get those!! I guess we'll have to see down the road when I train and run longer.

---

I am pretty excited and happy that I did this race. While I was running, I was thinking about how in the world I was going to make a 1/2 marathon! I think I can really crazy but I'm still going to work for it!!

Look what I did to my FIL's U of U Flags...



GO BYU!! I HOPE YOU WIN TODAY!!!

Testing, Testing! Is this thing on?!

I haven't been updating because everytime I sit down at the computer, either Ben or Ryan come to bother me. They just want to sit at the computer too like mom, I guess. Ben likes to come up and take my wireless mouse and run away!

My running...

I've been doing well with my running so far this month. I'm up to running Monday-Friday in the mornings. I am running about 3 miles a day. I think I need to change my running schedule though because I take the weekend off and it's too hard to start back up on Monday. Yesterday I only ran 2 miles. Today I needed to kick it in gear for my race next week so I ran 3.25 miles.

I can't believe that my first race is NEXT WEEK! Happy Thanksgiving to me!! I'm still not sure how I'm going to run 4 miles though. When I'm running in the mornings, I am usually thinking about how I can cut the run short because I'm so tired!

This morning wasn't so pleasant to run outside. We are in the middle in an inversion so the valley is being a soup bowl full of pollution. It's so gross!! Everytime a car or bus passed me, I had to cough and try to catch my breath. I feel like my lungs are black!! I think I might quit running outside for the rest of the week so the air can clean itself out by the weekend.

So, Troy had a bad experience with Ryan yesterday. Troy was putting Ryan in his carseat when Ryan was NOT willing to get in. Ryan decided to BITE Troy! Here's how the bite looks this morning!



OUCH!! That is a quarter in that picture to compare the size of the bruise.

Last night I decided to take some pictures of the boys while they were getting in the bath. Here are some of my favorite...



This last week, I also took some videos of Ryan singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and his ABCs.

Hope to update very soon!!

Hooray! Yay for me!! I DID IT!!

This morning, I threw out my training program and just RAN! I was suppose to walk for 1 minute and run for 5 for a total workout of 36 minutes this week. I still worked out for 36 today but I didn’t stop! I just ran and ran!! I’m really glad that I finally got to this point.

It sure wasn’t easy though. For the first 15 minutes of my run, it was hard and I was huffing and puffing. I just had to stop running for a minute to catch my breath. I then walked for 1 minute and then started back up again. I was very surprised at how easy it was after that to run. I ran for the rest of the time! This morning I think I ran a little under 3 miles. I’m not 100% how many miles I did because my tracker that I’m using is NOT accurate. Troy bought me an IPOD Nano a couple of years ago and he bought the Nike+ to go along with it. You have to insert a little sensor in your shoe and it tracks your time, pace, and miles. I don’t know what the matter with it is but it is NOT right! It tells me that I ran over 4 miles today and that my pace is about 8 miles per minute. I think I’m running about 12 miles per minute.

Now, one other thing that I’m struggling with… MUSIC!! I really need a great playlist with great upbeat music!! Here are some of my favorite songs to workout with…

• Funkytown!
• Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts
• I Will… by SheDaisy

Those are just a few to name. What is YOUR favorite workout song?? I need serious help with a playlist!!!

UGH! I really really need to update!!

It's 10 p.m. right now so this is going to be REALLY short!

I am still running and it's absolutely killing me! I don't know how I am still going. This week, I am running 4 minutes and walking 1 for a total of 30 minutes. I'm having to do this on my own now because poor Megan isn't feeling all that great! There is a strange little person growing inside of her that is making her sick! My thoughts and prayers are with you Megan! Just get through this horrible morning sickness!!

The boys are doing great these days. Ryan is singing ALOT. He started singing "The Hokey Pokey" today and it's hilarious! Little Benjamin is just a silly little character. He likes to follow me around the house holding his bear saying "Bear Bear!" I love to see him in the mornings when he wakes up because he sees me and says "MOMMY!" He's so adorable! Pictures to come!!

Holy Cow! I'm going to do it!

I am going to run a 4-mile race on Thanksgiving Day! I'm really excited about it. I really want to run this race without any stopping. Keep your fingers crossed!

I love PROGRESS!

This morning was the first time that I had a good conversation with Ryan. It was by far the longest conversation I've ever had with him...

Ryan: School today?
Me: No, not today Ryan.

Ryan: Grandpa today?
Me: No, sorry Ryan. Grandpa is working. We can play with Grandpa tomorrow.

Ryan: Church today?
Me: No, not today Ryan.

Me: You get to play with Mommy today!
Ryan: Waaaaaaaaaah!!

YEAH, I FEEL REALLY LOVED! My son hates playing with me!!

Me: Ryan, maybe we can go to the park today and swing.
Ryan: OK, Let's Go

Great progress huh??!!

---

This morning was the 2nd time I worked out with Megan. We did pretty good. I think I can get use to this... having a partner. It's MUCH nicer to talk to someone rather than having my music blaring in my ear and focusing so much on trying to make the next minute! Megan and I still have a lot of work to do but I'm really happy to have a great partner who already has shown so much dedication! Man Megan, we're going to be SKINNY by the time we're finished!! Yay for being SKINNY!!

I found a running buddy!!

I'm so happy that Megan came along and feels determined to be crazy with me! She came over to my neighborhood this morning and we worked out for about 20 minutes. We walked 4 minutes and then ran 2 minutes. We are slowly building up our endurance and soon we'll be running without stopping and having good conversations! I'm excited to get back into shape and have more energy! I just feel so tired all the time and I feel like I need a nap every other hour! I'm glad to start running with Megan because we can be in pain together and we can tell each other to keep going and don't stop! That's what I need. Encouragement.

I'm so C-R-A-Z-Y!!

OK, so you can totally call me crazy because 2 weeks ago, I would have NEVER thought of doing this! I started thinking this time last week that maybe it would be fun but I was still doubting it. So, by the end of this last week, I was totally convinced to do it.

I am going to run a 1/2 MARATHON in April 2009!!

I was starting to get a little pumped because my sister flew into town this last weekend to run the Logan, Utah Marathon. She ran 26.2 miles and I seriously don't know how she did it!! (She had a friend doing the marathon with her so I know that really helped!) And, this was her 2nd time doing it! She's crazy huh?! Well, I started getting excited to do it because I saw how in shape she is and I hate her for it! She's so skinny and she can fit into those really good looking jeans. I had to smack her butt a few times because it looked so good!

ANYWAY, getting back on subject and NOT talking about my sister's butt! I have a little running schedule that will build up my endurance but then I need to find another training schedule that will help me with the 1/2 marathon. What I was thinking to do was run a 5K in January and then my 1/2 Marathon is going to be at the beginning of April. Both my sisters have run marathons and they told me that they would try to come up here with me and run them with me! I'm so excited! The only thing I am lacking is a partner! I need someone to train with! I need someone who will meet me at 6 a.m. and run! I'm praying for one and I hope someone comes along who is determined as me. Pray for me or come run with me!! Either one!!

So, do you think I'm crazy? The funny thing is, I'm more excited to train and accomplish such a big task than getting excited about getting in shape! Is that strange?!

Take a look at this awesome picture that Troy took of us last night...

I sure do love my boys.

Time for another update!

I haven't updated in a while because when I put the boys down to bed, I've been reading "A Breaking Dawn"! I'm almost finished with it so then I might have more time to update more often...

First off...

Poor Little Larkin!

Larkin is my niece from Texas. She fell off the loveseat at my parents' house and broke her wrist!! This poor little girl has been through enough and she's not even 2 yet! This is her 2nd broken bone and she's already had 2 2nd degree burns!! She also got RSV as a baby. I sure do hope the rest of her life is accident free! I hope you feel better Larkin!!

---

In our neck of the woods, things have been a little stressful. Ryan finished his entire 20 week listening program for his autism a couple of weeks ago and I can tell that we need to start all over again! We are going to start the program on Monday and I hope it helps! I can tell that his focus is a little more off now and his energy level is getting a little out of hand at times. He has learned that hitting Benjamin is a little fun. Ryan likes to run back and forth between point A and B and hit Benjamin on the head in between. Benjamin, of course like his mother, is a dramatic little one and he comes running to me with a huge scowl on his face that he's been traumatized and rejected from his brother! At first I thought that was funny but it got old really fast. I'm getting sick of the hitting and crying. But, on the other hand, I'm really glad that I have this problem. This is a great problem to have because of Ryan and his development. He really has come a long way and I'm really proud of him.

So, Ryan has started back up with preschool this week! He started last Tuesday after Labor Day and here's a little taste of him before jumping on the super awesome bus...

After he got home, I was just dying to know how his first day was, but all he wanted was his chocolate milk. I better email his teacher to see how he did this week and to see if there were any particulars she has, if any. As for the potty training goes for him, he's doing really good! He is a natural now at going pee pee on the potty and he loves to get his potty candy afterwards. We're still working on the other part though. The only time he did it for me was the 2nd day of training and he never did it again. Oh well. I know he'll get it before he leaves for his mission. Here's another picture to throw at you when Ryan was in the shower tonight! Do you see how long his hair is???

Little Benjamin is doing really well. He is just a sweet spirit in this house. He worships Ryan and loves to say his name over and over again. Some of the things he likes to do that drive me insane are the following: hitting the charger (wall wart) for my swiffer against my mirrors in the kitchen, throws his food that I just made him on the floor, dumps the honey buzzers (honeycombs) out of the bowl I give him in the living room, plays in the toilet after Ryan went pee pee, and my favorite, he follows me around the house 24/7!! I can't even go to the bathroom in peace! *sigh* "This too shall pass... This too shall pass..." If I keep telling myself this, I can find my center of relaxation.

Here's Benjamin tonight after drinking from his sippy cup. He just can't keep that milk off his chin!

Anyway, I better get to bed if I'm going to survive tomorrow! Have a great weekend everyone!!

Wow! I am BLESSED!

Our potty training is going so well!! Ryan is infatuated with the potty now so he can get his potty candy (M&Ms). He goes pee pee very well but we're still working on the other stuff. I knew this was going to be a hard concept for him but he hasn't had any accidents as of yet! I think Ryan thinks it's not good to go without the diaper on and I keep reassuring him that you do both in the potty, not just the pee pee. Anyway... I guess that's more information than you wanted to know!

Ryan also was really funny yesterday. We went outside to swing at the park and we heard a police siren. He kept saying, "Fire truck! Where are you?" over and over again. It was so funny. I had to keep telling him that the fire truck went to its house and it had to go home.

Another funny thing last night. When Ryan was still in the bath and Benjamin was in bed, I took off on my scooter for a little bit to get out of the house. When Ryan got out of the tub, he looked everywhere for me. He was really searching hard. He finally went into the living room where Troy was and he looked out the window and said, "Where's Mommy?" Troy was trying to distract him by suggesting them going to read some books but Ryan refused. He wanted mommy to read books to him.

I know this probably doesn't sound like a big deal to most of you but this is HUGE for Ryan. He is progressing so well these past couple of weeks that it's astonishing! I am so grateful! And... throw in the potty training and that's down right impossible!! Like I said before, I am BLESSED!!

NEW ACCOMPLISHMENT TODAY!!!

Ryan went poo poo in the potty this morning!!! Can you believe it??!! I am so lucky to have it this easy! I better have it easy though from all the stuff I've been through!!

GUESS WHAT??!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!

RYAN WENT PEE PEE IN THE POTTY TODAY AT 1:01 P.M. I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!

I'm addicted...

There are lots of things that I've been addicted to lately and one of those things are SLEEP! Troy has been spoiling me this past week while he was working at his parents house. He'd take Ryan and I would take Benjamin home for an afternoon nap. So, what would any other mother do while their cute little child slept? I probably should have got on my treadmill or did something productive. But, that would have been a good choice. My bed was just calling my name. I was able to sleep and take nice, comforting naps. Ahhh. Now, that's heaven!

Some other things I've been addicted to? TWILIGHT! I just finished reading the 2nd book, New Moon, and I'm about to start the 3rd. I already watched the 2 movie trailers HERE and I read the first chapter of Midnight Sun (Edward's perspective). I sure do hope that Stephanie Meyer finishes Midnight Sun. That's going to be a really good book!

Another addiction... Another cross stitching project! My Aunt Diane (Sara's Mom) let me borrow a pattern of a really super cute cross stitch she did. It's all the seasons with cute buttons on them. I can't wait to start but I just have to get away for a while so I can go shopping for the material and thread. Things have been a little crazy because Troy's been busy with this, that, and the other.

---

So, a couple of weeks ago, I had an urge to make something for myself. I decided to make a cute little jumper I can wear for church. I bought the pattern and fabric and with my MIL's wonderful help, here's what I came up with!!

Here's a close-up of the fabric...

I'm pretty proud of myself that I was able to do it. I'm really grateful for my MIL who had the patience to help me with it! Thanks Marianne!!

---

Alright, here are some pictures of the boys and how adorable they are!

Ryan is doing really well these days. We started a music therapy program back in April and this week is the LAST WEEK! I can't believe that it has been 20 weeks that we did this program. Ryan is talking more and he likes to sing Old MacDonald Farm, Itsy Bitsy Spider and ABC's.

Here's BENJAMIN!!

He is unbelievable! He is just a ray of sunshine in this family! I'm really enjoying this little boy and I can't wait until he starts talking more. Benjamin had another CT scan not too long ago to see how things are checking out in his huge head of his. Back in December when he had a CT scan a couple of days after his surgery, they did notice that he has enlarged ventricles in his head. We did another CT scan now so we can see if the swelling went down. According to my doctor, they have gone done a little. I asked him by how much percentage wise but he wasn't sure. He was going to get back to me but he never called me back. (This doctor we have for the boys is not scoring any points with me lately. Ugh!) We have an appointment with the neurosurgeon who operated on Benjamin for a follow-up next week. I'm sure everything is just fine for Benjamin because he is developing so well and his skills are right on.

Here's another update!

I guess I'm stuck in that rut where I don't update all that often. That makes me sad. I wish that I could sit down all the time and update all I wanted. I wish Ryan would let his mommy BE when he sees me at the computer. Most of the time when he sees me sitting here, he grabs the arm of my chair and swings me around so I'm facing him and not the computer. He needs lots of attention from me! More on Ryan later though...

Things have been a little crazy physically and emotionally on us this summer. Physically? Troy has been working his little 'you-know-what' off these last couple of months so he can make a living and get his company off the ground. He's been complaining lately how his muscles in his back are killing him and lots of times his arms and legs are pretty sore too. In July, (whoa! It's August already?) they hired a marketing company to help get ours off the ground. This company is trying to do a total makeover for us. First things first... a new name for the company. The current name for the company is Lake City Productions. Now, they want to change it to BRIO. Yeah... that's right. BRIO? It's still not clicking with me but I'm sure I'll get use to it. Troy put it this way... "when you think of the word AVIS, what do you think of?" A car rental place right? OK, how about Quiznos? A sandwich place? But what does Avis and Quiznos really mean? Nothing. That's what. So, BRIO means entertainment, excitement...stuff like that. So, BRIO it is! In the coming months, they will come up with all the business cards and stationary along with some important tactics that will help get more business. Let's keep those fingers crossed! And... please! More prayers!!

I've been trying to keep myself busy but most of the time, I'm pulled away from what I like to do to take care of the boys. That's motherhood for you, right? I love my boys but I can't wait until they are a little more independent! All last week, my MIL came over after work to help me with my latest project. I made a JUMPER for myself to wear to church! I love it! I'm working on taking pictures of it but my camera broke last month! I'm pretty bummed about it because I'm missing all my opportunities to video the boys, especially Ryan. I really need to video him because of all the progress he's making.

Ryan is doing better and better just about every week. I think the biggest improvement he's making is the fact that he likes me to read to him and he memorizes the books. He's starting to use some of the words he reads in the correct usage. A couple of weeks ago, we had an appointment with the health department's phyic and we are looking into the possibility that Ryan has ADHD along with a minor detection of the Autism. I was really overwhelmed that day because I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. I've been asking myself alot lately, "Why do I have to deal with this? How come Ryan can't talk fluently?" His progress is very slow but I'm thankful that there is progress in the first place.

Little Ben is a little ball of energy! He's such a joy! He's learning so much these days and he's enjoying his playtime with Ryan. He's already saying alot of words. He can say mama, dad, milk, cracker, bye bye, and night night. This morning, I taught him that a duck says QUACK QUACK and a sheep says BAAAAAA. He likes to play BOO with me when he's in the tub or when he's getting out of bed. He bends his knees and then pops back up and says BOO! We went to a doctors appointment last week for Ben and we had to schedule another CT Scan for Ben this week. This is a follow up scan for the doctors who operated on him back in December. I think they just want to monitor Ben for about 2 years after the surgery. Remember I mentioned that back in January, they were worried about his ventricles in his head? I think they want to double check on those to see if the swelling went down. I personally think Ben is doing just wonderful. He's progressing developmentally perfect and he's not showing any signs of hydrocephalus. It's just another test to take more of our money away from us!!

Well, next time I update (which will be soon I hope), I'll be including pictures of my dress and of the boys! They have changed so much in the last couple of months! Until then!

Alright...

Just FYI, I did NOT win the competition. I'm pretty bummed about it. But, I am happy that I made the Top 10.

Yay! I made the Top 10 in the recording competition!! Wow!!

I get to be in a choir for the CD in September, I get $100, and I get a free CD. We find out on Monday who actually wins the competition but I probably won't win it. I just wanted to make the top 10! I'll keep you posted...

Trip to Houston
Happy Early 60th Birthday Daddy!!

But first, I'd like to share with you something very special. I just went into a recording studio for a vocal competition. I sang a song called Firm in the Faith. Take a little listen...




We had a blast in Houston this last week! Although it was hot and humid (ick!), it was still a great trip to visit with mom and dad, all the siblings, and the grandkids. I haven't pulled myself to sit down and blog about it because I know this is going to be lengthy with pictures!! Here we go...

We all went down there to surprise dad with a big 60th birthday! His birthday isn't until next month but this was the only time all the siblings could get together. Here is the shot that my parents really wanted during this trip...



This is a picture of all the 14 grandchildren! Cute huh?! I love it!!

So, we threw this surprise party for dad and he is really into ARMY stuff. He served in the army when we were all little kids. Some of the things he did in the army was jump out of airplanes and drive tanks!! Here is a picture of his cake!!





That's a pretty awesome cake huh?! A good friend in the ward made it for dad. Here are pictures of his decorations. We also dressed the grandkids in camo.





Then it was time for dad to show up... hehehehe



SURPRISE!!! It was a good time!

During the party, I made dad a slideshow all old pictures of him, pictures of the kids, and then pictures of the grandkids. After we finished the slideshow, all the kids went outside for a pinata!



After all the kids broke it open and gathered all the candy, they had fun eating it... especially Ryan...



Benjamin also liked the Oreos...



Here are some random pictures of the party...



Um... Benjamin sometimes like to balance on his head. It's pretty rare that he does this so we snapped a shot of it.



After the party was done, it was time to relax at Grandma's and Grandpa's house. This is the next day...



I really love that picture of Ben in the swing because that is the swing that all the grandkids swing in. And Ben got to do it too!!

On our last day there, we went down to Galveston and sat on the beach for a little bit. It started raining so we ran into the beach house that my sister rented for a couple of days. Man, Troy and I did NOT want to leave! It was nice and relaxing to sit there on the deck of the beach house and let the wind blow in your hair.

I need to POST!!

Benjamin is still doing well with his attempts to stand and walk. He hasn't really made any new progress but he's trying! But, something else is emerging out of little Benjamin. He's getting a little ATTITUDE! He's a little stinker lately!! His personality is coming out more and I catch myself saying, "Benjamin! You are a little stinker!" I want my sweet little baby back!! HELP!

Ryan is doing really really good! He is still listening to his music therapy program. Next week, we'll be half done with it! Tonight, Ryan amazed us by reading some of his book that he makes me read to him all the time. It's called I love you through and through. It's a cute book and I'm glad Ryan is taking a liking to reading! Here he is reading...



In other news...

I am still trying to work out 5 times a week. I walk / run almost 4 miles each time. Then when I get home, I do some other exercises and stretching. I haven't seen any results yet but this is my 3rd week into my exercising. I have to remind myself to be patient. But as many of you know, that word is NOT in my vocabulary!

Um, let's see... Troy and I got new callings in our ward. We are the brand new Nursery C workers! Last week was our first time and I was bored out of my mind! We are suppose to have 5 kids and 2 of them showed up. We also have Benjamin in there because we have to keep him with us. Ryan is in another group so we don't have him. I sure do hope this calling gets a little more exciting or else I might as well bring a book or my cross stitching with me!!

I am still working on many different projects right now and it's keeping my busy. I'm really happy about that because I need to have a project to be motivated and happy. I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm finished with these projects!!

Until next time...

Happy Memorial Day 2008!

Today Benjamin is 13 months old and guess what he did?! He took 2 STEPS!! Yay!!

What a weekend!

Last week and the weekend were pretty eventful! All of Troy's family came into town because his poor dear grandma finally passed on and is now happier than ever with her sweetheart in heaven. We had a nice big family reunion! On Saturday, we had the funeral and then afterwards, everyone got together over at the Anderson home to visit and have fun on the big waterslide! The big and little kids had fun on the slide and spraying each other with waterguns. Here are some pictures of Ryan having fun on the slide. After a couple times down the slide, he got cold and so they opened the hot tub to warm up the small kids.

Ben and I didn't get a chance to be there at the beginning of the get-together because Ben needed another nap. Poor little Ben has been sick with a bug. He started throwing up on Wednesday night and then all his food started going right through him. I think starting today I'm seeing a little improvement. Other than that, Ben is doing well. He's not quite walking yet but he just uses anything he can to walk... or he just crawls around. Here's Ben last week on Mother's Day.

He's so sweet in that picture.


Ryan is doing really good this past month! You wouldn't recognize him if you saw him! He's saying his colors and he likes to line up his cars while counting them. Troy got him to say his whole name last night. He's really funny when he says it. It sounds really cute.

Now my little motivation story that will help me start working out now. When I went to church this last Sunday, some guy in the ward asked me if I was pregnant!! Can you believe that?! I just went home instead of going to Relief Society and I just cried and cried. I was in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Starting yesterday, I am working out and I won't stop until I get to my goal weight. Help me please!!!

My belated Birthday post... a week late.

The day before my birthday, I was at Walmart getting some stuff and I found a "Backyardigans" kite. I decided to get it for the boys to see how they liked it. That evening, we played with it outside but I think Daddy had more fun with it since he built a Lego motor to wheel the string in and out.


Ryan did like to watch the kite get really high in the air though. But, Daddy just hogged it the whole time.

My birthday was on the 30th and I turned 28! I had a nice day! I did have to take Benjamin to the doctor for his 1 year checkup and for his shots. That wasn't all that great and fun. But, when I got home, this is what I found on the kitchen table...


My visiting teachers came over while I was gone and they gave me a cake, Ghiradeli chocolates, and tulips! Troy gave me that card and inside it said that he got me unlimited texting on my phone! So, if anyone wants to text me, I'd love to hear from you!

That afternoon, I was able to drop Ryan off at Troy's work while Ben and I went shopping at one of my favorite stores... New York & Company! Here's the outfit that I bought... or some of it.


I also got some khaki pants. I didn't have any for some reason so I'm glad that I got those! That evening, the Anderson family and I went to Wingers! Yum Yum!! While we were there, my MIL gave me a nice cross-stitching present. She gave me all these great tools that make life easier to cross-stitch! I had a good birthday!


Now the things that we're dealing with...

Ryan has decided a couple of weeks ago that he is too big to take any more naps! What am I going to do?! I still put Ryan in his room just *in case* he falls asleep but most of the time, he turns his room into a huge disaster. Yesterday, his room looked like a tornado blew threw everything! Those dang tornados!!

One of the nice things that I've been happy about this month is the fact that Ryan has been going to pre-school and then Ben goes down for his morning naps! Oh no! What am I suppose to do with all that kid-free time?! I've been soaking it all up by playing on the computer, singing, and cleaning up around the house. Now, I don't get EVERY morning to myself... just Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings. It's really nice though. I don't remember the last time I got a break like that! I'm sad though because Ryan will most likely get the whole summer off and I'm back to where I was before. Come on Fall!!!

Since I have had all this time to myself, I've still been focusing my time on singing and working on new projects.. you know, my cross-stitching! But, since yesterday, I'm really super excited for new project coming up. I met this girl who is a good song writer and we're going to get together and hopefully come up with a new CD that I might be able to sell in stores! Can you believe that?! I hope that it will turn out!! Will anyone buy my new CD if I make one?!

OK... I need some help with this new challenge. Troy told me that he would reward me with something I'd like if I started working out and lose the weight I've gained since I was pregnant with Ben. I probably need to lose about 15 pounds now and I would really like something nice to work for and to motivate me. My motivation right now is TOTAL NON-EXSISTANT and I need something to help nudge me in the right direction. Any suggestions? I might get a shopping spree or something like that. I suggested to Troy that I get a new car but I guess that's a little too much of a reward for us to afford right now. Please help!!

Promised Birthday Pictures!

Last week, we tried to take the boys to Kiddie Kandids (a child photography company) in the mall and our session DID NOT work out at all! Ryan and Ben would not cooperate and Troy and I were frustrated by the time we left. We were trying to get some cute pictures of the boys but we were also trying to get a nice family picture.

Instead, this last Saturday on Ben's birthday, we tried getting some of our own with Troy's nice camera. Here's what we came up with...


Pretty good huh?! I do wish we could have taken a better one of Ryan but he's just at that age where it's going to be hard no matter what. Oh well. Maybe a couple more years.

The boys had a pretty good birthday party on Saturday. We just had family over and it was really good to sit back and relax to visit. Ryan had fun running around with 2 balloons tied to his back belt loops. He just ran back and forth and liked the fact that those balloons kept following him. It was funny. Benjamin was content watching everyone interact with each other and play with his new toys he got. By the time the party was over, he was definitely ready to hit the hay! That poor little boy was T-I-R-E-D!

I'm glad that the boys had a good party! I just hope that tomorrow we can have fun celebrating MY BIRTHDAY! I am going to be 28 tomorrow. I have 2 more years to live it up in my 20's. I'm not sure how I'm going to react in 2 years when I officially turn 30. I might have a mental breakdown. I guess we'll have to see.

So, what's been going on here lately in the Anderson household? Ryan is doing well in his 2nd week at pre-school. He is now taking the bus and he is doing alright with the bus rides. I think the only problem he's having on the bus is that he won't keep his seatbelt on. The aids on the bus are getting challenged with Ryan's disobedience and they have to keep him sitting down. The bus driver told me this morning that Ryan has to learn sometime and I guess this is the time. I wish I could take the bus with him and help out but I can't. I have Ben to take care of.

Right after Ryan leaves on the bus and I put Ben down for his nap, I have some free time! My goodness! It's kind of scary to have that time to myself. I'm not use to it at all!! I get pretty sad when Ryan first leaves and I think about how he's doing. For a minute, I want him to come back and keep me company. Then, I start getting busy with other stuff.

Right now, I am trying to focus on singing. I have the opportunity to be in a singing competition in June and I need to practice that song. I'm excited to compete and I hope I do well. I will get a copy of the song after I sing it and I can post it here when I am finished. I am also focusing on other songs to keep my voice exercised. I'm pretty excited to have the chance to go into another recording studio with a person that knows Troy through his business. He has a recording studio and he likes to record in his spare time. That would be great if I can put a CD together. I would like that!!

I have also been keeping busy with other hobbies... like cross-stitching. Yeah, I'm still doing it and I'm just about finished with another project before I start yet another one. It's pretty addicting and I like to relax at the end of the day with that cross-stitch.

MY BABY BOY BENJAMIN IS ONE TODAY!

I can't believe how time flies! This is Benjamin ONE year ago today...

What a sweet, precious little boy! Benjamin sure had a pretty eventful first year of his life. He's has 2 CT scans, 1 MRI, and a big huge surgery on his head. If he thinks this is what life is going to be like for the rest of the time he's here, I think he's ready to call it quits. I love you Ben! Here he is this morning when he woke up...

Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

My little first born is 3 years old today!!! Oh. My. Goodness.

Here's Ryan 3 years ago...

He was 5 lb 13 oz when he was born and look at him now!!!

I love you Ryan! Happy Birthday son!!