Vala's pumpkin patch

The kids didn't have school today so the families from our ward in our school district went to the BEST. Pumpkin. Patch. EVER!!

We got there right at 9 and left at 3 and still didn't get to do everything.  It was so fun!!!

day 4

I have done really well. I fell off the bandwagon on Thursday when the kids wanted to go to Cherry Berry after school.

It is definitely an addiction.  I feel myself craving and obsessing over it. I am sure it won't last too much longer, but needless to say, I want me some sugar.

I am not doing this as a diet. I am not going low carb.  This is more than wanting to lose weight.  It is about regaining control over something I have been powerless to live without.  It started with pop, then caffeine, and now sugar. 

I want to feel better. I don't want to be a slave to anything.

a must read for every mom with boys.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2432591/Experiment-convinced-online-porn-pernicious-threat-facing-children-today-By-ex-lads-mag-editor-MARTIN-DAUBNEY.html

I am putting this on the blog because I know I am going to want to reference this in the future. 

I need rehab

I have become super aware of my addiction to all things yummy. 

I decided to start looking at sugar the same way I look at beer, drugs, cigs, and porn.  It must be avoided at all costs.  I am simply an addict to it.  It controls my thoughts to a point that I am absolutely embarrassed by.  I think about food WAY to often. 

Today is day 1.  My name is Tessie and I am an addict. 

I'm jonesing something bad.  I just need a little.  NO, I can't even have a little.  Its seriously that bad.  I can't control myself around it.  I'm hoping the withdrawal doesn't make me too crazy.  Guess we will find out. 

While I'm detoxing, forgive me for my crabby, short tempered, attitude.  I promise it won't last forever (God willing) and I will be a better, healthier, happier me in a few weeks.

End of day 1- It took a lot of mental concentration to be that aware of what I was eating.  I don't really put that much thought into it and I can see that it is going to be take a heightened level of awareness to do this.  But I'm committed.  Boy-this sucks.  

Vegas

 Ben and I took our very first trip sans kids.  He had a convention in Vegas this week so we went out for the weekend before.  It was the first time we left the kids.  We flew out on Friday and by Saturday night, I was missing my babes.  But we still managed to have a good time.  We got to see lots of friends and we ate great food.  Can't ask for more than that right?

 

 There was a great candy store in the Fashion Show mall.  It had super duper sized everything.  Savannah would have loved the Reeses, but it would have melted by the time we got it home. 

 

 check out these tootsie pops!!

 Silly Ben. 

But this was probably the best part!!!

after our trip

 I took Hunter's stitches out all by myself.  It's healing up pretty well!! 

The kids have wanted me to drive Ben's truck when we go pick up the kids.  They kinda love it.

why i love church

I have come to the conclusion that I need church the way women need chocolate.  The way teens need to text.  The way men need sex.  The way bugs need to bite.  Its a necessary part of my life.  I am a better person when I go.  I am a kinder mom, more sensitive wife, better friend and most importantly- a more peaceful person when I go to church.

I personally have NEVER thought that church was only for perfect people.  I don't know any perfect people.  I know great people, but not perfect. 

This quote spoke to my soul today.   If you can't read the pic it says, " The church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings.  The church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father."  Elder  Joseph B. Wirthlin

Couldn't have said it better myself.

slip of the tongue??

At the gym...needed a tampon. Saw a group of women in the locker room, approached them and blurted out, " do any of you ladies have a CONDOM I could use?" I don't know how that word came out of my mouth, I wanted to DIE! —

We all had a good laugh at my expense and then went our separate ways.  Seriously??  So embarrassing.

checking the air in her tires

first of many

I wish I knew exactly what happened, but I wasn't there.  Hunter was on the tramp with Savannah and the next thing I hear is screaming.  Ben brings Hunter in, bleeding from his chin and mouth.  He took a Big bite out of the inside of his cheek and then split open his chin.  I took him to the urgent care where he was taken really good care of.

 

They put some numbing medicine on it so he wouldn't feel the stitches.  No shots though, thank goodness.

While we waited for the numbing cream to work, they brought in a small DVD player so we could watch Cars. 

3 stitches later and we headed home.  On a positive  note, LOOK at those LIPS!  He was surprisingly good during the whole ordeal and was good when the doctors told him to lay still.

 

I am sure this is only the first of many stories like this, bless his heart.

hot date

Hunter and I had a short date this afternoon.  Nothing great, but it was fun for us and it was so nice to spend some one on one time with him. 

pockets

Ellorie is OBSESSED with pockets!  She only has 3 outfits with pockets and she wears them 5 of the 7 days of the week. 

soccer

Hunter is playing soccer this fall.  He is kinda crazy about wearing soccer socks and shin guards.  Is he headed to practice?  Nope, we are running errands.  Silly boy.

Progress- Hunter

This is what Hunter looked like after the second day of school.  It is still a challenge to get him through the door, but once he's there, he's doing great.  He is all smiles when I pick him up.  I'm so proud of him. Its been a lot of adjustments for this little man and he is doing well.  Not only is he adjusting to school, but also attending primary by himself, and soccer. 

next project

Ben made the egress window well bigger to let in more light.  It makes a huge difference.  So much more natural light for the soon to be finished basement. 

I love a man who's good with his hands.  Ben is an all around handy man, and a good one at that.

My girls

 I love that they love each other.  Ellorie absolutely adores Savannah and I think I can safely say, Savannah is equally smitten. 

Girls and dirt

Hunter's first day of Preschool

He looks like he could throw up.  He was exactly 100% excited and 100% distraught at the same time.  He wants to have these experiences, but he DOES not want to do them without me. 

We walked in, the teacher swept him up, I kissed him and left.  I sat in the parking lot making sure he wasn't going to come running out after me.  Then I went to the gym. 

When I picked him up, Ms. Gretchen mouthed the following to me.  "I need to visit with you before you go."  That should have been my first clue.  She said after I left he cried and wouldn't  stay in the class room, so Shauna Cooper walked him around the building.  When they headed back to the class room, Hunter didn't/wouldn't go back in.  He parked himself under the easel outside the classroom.  They had to actually lift the easel off him and physically take him into class.  He wanted nothing to do with what the class was doing.  He didn't want to have snack, nothing.  UNTIL...recess.  He played on the playground with the kids and when it was time to line up, he was good to go.  He followed directions, he interacted with the class and he was just fine after that. 

It had to be on his terms.  HE had to decide it was okay for him to engage.  Hopefully it won't be this hard on Friday. 

After school, we had a picnic on the front porch with his two favorite foods.  Macaroni and cheese and hot dogs.  And a Dr. Pepper. 

Here's to better days.