New Haircut!

Yes, I cut my hair...shorter than it's ever been! Maybe it is turning 30 and becoming more adventurous, or all the endorphins that are going to my brain from doing so much Pilates, or maybe it's having the husband home and out of work for 6 weeks, who knows? I needed a change and I love it!

Peace!

I don't know why, but I remember always thinking my parents bed was the most comfortable place in the entire house. Obviously, my kids think the same thing. They love to snuggle up in our bed and watch cartoons. It always cracks me up when they have to get all the way inside the bed, covers and all! These moments of peace usually end with Luke and Blake wrestling and pillow fighting on the bed, but they sure are cute while they lay there peacefully entranced in their show!

Taylor's Stories Of What We Like!

Taylor is very artistic and enjoys coloring and writing stories for all of the family to read. Having a kindergartner is so much fun. I have loved watching her grow and learn this year. It is really fun to watch her try to stretch out her words and sound them out. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what she wrote, but for the most part, I think, she does a really great job! Below is her most recent masterpiece that begins with a self-portrait of the author, Taylor.
Stories Of What We Like by Taylor

My mom likes to do Pilates. (Don't you love the ladies on the Pilates Mats?)

I went to the beach.

Blake was outside and he played.

We went to Disneyland.

Luke wanted to get a helicopter.

Nanu loves Valentines day.

Grandpa likes to drive fast. (She knows her grandpa very well.)

I would like to go see my cousin. (Doesn't Avery look cute in her bassinet?)

Dad likes to work out in the garage. (Yay! finally all of the computers and machines are out of my family room)

One Christmas we went to Sea World.

The End.

Letter To Me.

I am a huge country music fan! When I heard Brad Paisley's newest song, titled, "Letter To Me," I thought it would be fun to write my own version of a letter to me at 17.

If I could write a letter to me and send it back in time to myself at 17, first I would prove it by saying look in your top, right hand, drawer and you will find a stash of cash that you saved up from babysitting and never spent. Although dating someone for 6 months will feel like an eternity, and you will be heartbroken because you really liked him and, at 17, thought he might be "the one," you will find your heart will mend fast and you will find love again! You really have a lot going for you, at 17! Don't be afraid to take chances...try out for the vocal group (you'll love it) and continue cheer leading because you love it and you're good at it! When your friends convince you to dress in all black, to sneak onto the golf course, at night, to go ice-blocking...don't be afraid you'll get caught and get in trouble, just do it and have fun! While sitting in History class, ask the cute boy sitting next to you to go swing dancing with you...that one turns out really fun and better than you ever would have expected. When you decide to take your new boyfriend to a surprise look-out spot, don't blind fold him. Otherwise, with your horrible sense of direction, you will not remember how to get back to the car, when being chased by security guards, and he won't know the way either. Or, I guess, you could still blind fold him because that one actually turns out really fun and kind of cool. As a suggestion, you really should work on not being such an overly confident driver. When you come to the stop sign at Bastanchury and McCormick don't do a "California Stop" (not really stopping) otherwise you will end up with a big ticket, an angry dad, and an entire Saturday of traffic school. When you decide to make-out with your boyfriend, don't make-out on the family room couch, mom will catch your lip-lock and you will be so embarrassed! When you skip Seminary to go get donuts, don't go out the door that directly leads into the parking lot, otherwise you'll get caught. Although Friday and Saturday nights may feel like the best nights of your life, they are nowhere near what you have to look forward to. You should see your husband and three kids. You all have so much going for you and your kids are growing so fast. I guess I will see you in 13 years, when I look in the mirror and the reflection that looks back is no longer a girl, but a woman, wife, and mother of three. There is so much to look forward to; just have a little faith and you will see. This is my letter to me.

What is your letter to me?

Go Mitt!

As many of you know, Devon is very passionate about religion and politics. When you combine the two, it goes beyond passion and becomes an obsession! Since Devon is currently unemployed and at home (ALL DAY), my life has been bombarded with non-stop talk radio and fox news shows discussing the polls and candidates of the 2008 election. Devon has been following the Mitt campaign for over a year and was devastated when he lost the primary in Florida...you would have thought his dog died or something.

Last night, Devon felt like today was Christmas and couldn't sleep. In honor of this BIG day, he made us matching shirts to go vote in and insisted that I wear mine all day! Go Mitt!

Exercises That Will Kick Your Butt!!!

For years I have spent most of my time exercising either on the treadmill or the elliptical. I love the way I feel after a good cardio workout, however, I was never able to manage slimming down my waistline after having children on a good cardio workout alone. That is, until I discovered Pilates. Pilates is a conditioning routine that seeks to build flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk.

Since discovering this passion for Pilates and combining these exercises with my regular cardio routine; I have experienced much delight from the results and thought I would share a few of my favorite exercises that will trim down your waistline, tighten your abs, increase your flexibility, and shrink your back side.

To make this post more entertaining, in shape magazine fashion, I have added some not-so-beautiful-me pictures to help explain and show these moves in action. These moves are really that great--you'll be begging me for more (well, maybe not. At least they will jazz up your workout). To make this even more entertaining, I wanted to share with you (once again, in shape magazine fashion) my favorite playlist(at the end of the post) to go along with these moves...

Elbow Plank Hip Abduction

Layer 1:
1) Elbow Plank from top of head to knees making sure the elbows are directly underneath the shoulders and the belly button is pulled back toward the spine.
2) Hold for 15-20 seconds.

Layer 2:
1) Elbow Plank from top of head to toes. Again, make sure elbows are directly underneath the shoulders and belly button is pulled back toward the spine.
2) Hold for 15-20 seconds
Layer 3:
1) Maintain Elbow Plank from top of head to toes (keep stomach in tight and elbows under shoulders).
2) Lift right leg up (off floor) move away from the body and bring back in 8 times
3) Lift left leg up (off floor) move away from the body and bring back in 8 times.
Lower and stretch in child's pose, then repeat entire sequence.
Elbow Side Bend
Set yourself up sitting on your side, elbow under shoulder, hips stacked and knees bent.

Layer 1: (no picture)
1) Lift your pelvis up off the floor (elbow and lower leg supporting your body)
2) Lower back down
Repeat this sequence 4 times.

Layer 2: Add an arm and leg movement, top leg extends
1) Lift to side plank, arm reaching over head, top leg lifting upward
2) Lower
Repeat 4 times.

Layer 3: Add Hip extension
1) Lift yourself up into side plank
2) Top leg extends forward 8 times.
Lower and stretch and then repeat sequence on the other side. (Do both sides of your body twice).

I promise, these moves will make you sweat and you will see great results! Now, that I've shared a few of my favorite exercises...share yours! I am always looking for new exercises to try and would love to know how you stay in shape and what you enjoy doing!

On my playlist (to name a few): "Chasing Cars," snow patrol--"The Way I Am," ingrid michaelson--"Your body is a wonderland," john mayer--"Keep Holding On," avril lavigne.