Sunscreen

Yes it is getting that time, and Yes I am getting preachy.

I read an article today about how sunscreen doesn't prevent skin cancer, and that you need to be in the sun, unprotected,  for so many hours each day to get your vitamin D... blah blah blah

Good think I was home alone because yelling "Bull Crap" out loud in public might be a little embarassing.

SPF 50 is a part of my daily regimen and will be probably forever.  I wonder if this article writer has ever worked in a Dermatologists office.  One week and he'd be whistling a different tune....just sayin.

Wear it, everyday. The End

Here's a pretty picture of skin cancer death

Here is a picture of how to not get what you see above.

Lifestyle Changes

So recently I've been dealing with a bunch of health problems, and seeing lots of doctors. (we'll leave the details out)  Part of the problem was that Tyler and I were living an unhealthy life! We didn't exercise regularly, and our diet was pretty bad.  So we decided, after being told I was on the road to diabetes, that it was time to shape up.  We started a new diet called the primal blueprint.  Its, in essence, a low carb low sugar diet (as the doctor ordered).  We LOVE it!  Yes it was hard to give up carbs at first, but we are doing great, feeling better, and losing weight.  There is a chicken bacon walnut salad that is to die for, and a cocnut chicken recipe that is sooo good.  Who knew I'd like eating healthy so much.  Yes, I do love an occasional ice cream cone, or cookie- and thats ok.  But we are making changes and are really happy about it. 

Memorial Day

(Above Pic- Grandma Lola Ruth and Grandpa Bill)

Memorial day has had me thinking about the people who are important to me. I feel very blessed.  I feel so lucky that I was able to be close to each of my grandparents.  My "grandma B" (Beverly Edvalson) and Cranpa Don (Donald Edvalson) were so much a part of my life.  Not only did I see them at least every other day for most of life, I was able to live with them for the last 7 years of their lives.  They became like second parents to me.
My "grandma Ruth" (Lola Ruth Anderson) and Grandpa Pill (William Anderson) didn't live quite as close, but were also a large part of my life. They were seen at least weekly and made appearances at the important event such as soccer games, recitals, etc.  Always there when needed.

Unlike some who see their grandparents on Holidays,  mine became a large part of my life.  Unfortunately three of the four have passed.  Losing them was extremely hard and I still struggle with it today.  I'm hoping Grandma Lola Ruth will stick around for the long haul.  I'd like my kids to meet her, she's a pretty special lady. 
Over the weekend I found myself looking back on all of the memories of my grandparents.  I looked through pictures and laughed about all the silly things we did together.  In a way, it was my perfect memorial of the one's I've loved and lost.  I still find myself looking to them and the things they taught me, when the moments in my life get tough. I hope they know how much I love them, and look forward to being with them again.  Luv U Grandma B, Cranpa Don, Grandma Ruth (still living) and Grampa Pill

FURNITURE!

yep, we bought some furniture...

on a whim...

just wanted to add a little to the house. 

Thanks to Natalie for the help finding our seating.  :) 

Tyler and I love the new addition-

our house is coming together a little bit at a time. 

Cheer Tryouts Follow UP

I am feeling much better about my choices for this team.  We have had only 2 practices and I am already impressed with the hard work ethic and talent we have.  I have high hopes for these girls.  Here are some pics from Tryouts.  And again, thanks to you all for the support after having to cut some girls- your words of encouragement really helped me through that time. 

Young Womens

I have never been the type to get super involved in church.  Sure I've had my share of callings throughout my life, but I very rarely go to activities and church events unless my calling requires me to be there.  Yes I have a testimony and Yes I love the church, my belief and love for the church has nothing to do with my minimal involvement.  Maybe it's my lack of confidence in the church, my feelings of inadequacy when it comes to teaching, sharing, or talking about gospel knowledge, that keeps me away.  Whatever the reason I have tended to stay out of the spotlight and on the back row when it comes to Sundays.  

Well, recently my incognito church attendance has changed. I was put into the Young Women's in my new ward.  My Feelings? Excitement because I have a love for girls that age (cheer has taught me to love teenagers, for whatever reason ), Fear of not fulfilling the need of the youth of the ward, and Stress about balancing my already busy life with now not only sunday attendance and preparation, but also a weekly activity as well as other events including... YW CAMP (I am sooo not a camper). 

I know the Lord doesn't give us callings that we can not handle, and that I'll be blessed to make it all work.  I am just hoping that I can provide for these girls what is needed to lead them to a healthy adulthood.   I hope the Lord knew, when he inspired whoever to give me this calling, all the time he'd have to spend listening to my prayers of fear, concern, and thanks for putting me with this group of young women.  All I can do is put my trust where it is belongs and follow what the spirit tells me.  I just have a strong feeling that I wasn't put in this calling to teach these girls, but that I was put here because those girls have something to teach me. 

Dream Crusher

Today was cheer tryouts. It is probably my least favorite day of cheer, next to the big parents meeting when we talk about money :(.   We had a good turn out, and I am really excited about the potential that each of the girls had.  So what is so hard? 

The cutting.  I hate cutting people,  It has ruined my entire day.   I hate it because I think it makes them feel like they are "not good enough," when most of the time it is lack of experience.  I don't want to ever make anyone feel discouraged, and I always give them an opportunity to tryout again after some practice on their part.  But, I can't help but feel like I have dashed someone's dreams. That their self-esteem has been diminished because of me.  As much as I hope they take it as encouragement to work harder, I know that the majority of them will just decide to quit, and stop trying. 

I hate cutting people.  :(  It makes me sad.

Hopefully, the team will do well and be successful.  Hopefully we will see improvement with the girls, as athletes and as people.  I will have Hope..... tomorrow.  Today I will just be sad.  Today I feel like a dream crusher. 

To the Weather Haters

Dear Weather Haters:

I realize that here in cache valley, it has been crappy weather.  Yes, it has snowed and rained in May.  And you are right, we all wish it was warm.  If you have lived here for less than one year than you have every right to be upset.  If this is not your first spring here, then you should probably knock off the complaining

Crappy weather in Cache Valley is not new.  It has snowed and rained in April, May, and even June for YEARS.  In fact, my parents went snow sledding on their Graduation day from high school.  Yes, 27 years ago, it snowed in June.  Wet, cold springs come with living in Cache Valley.  So please stop acting like this is a new thing, and that you are soooo surprised it is snowing.

So you are upset with the weather,  here are some options for you.
1. Complain, let the weather that you can't change upset you, and ruin your entire day.  Let the bad weather make you grouchy and ruin the day for everyone around you. Be loud and upset about how you "cant' believe its snowing AGAIN!," and that "you though it was supposed to be spring."  Let all the people around you have to deal with your bad attitude.  Spread it around, make everyone else upset. 
2. Move-  if you can't handle it, just go somewhere else.
3. Get over it, shut your mouth, and be happy that we are getting some precipitation in this desert.  How nice it will be to not have to monitor our lawn watering.

This is how I feel all you Haters.

Super Cross!

My dad and Tyler Love Motorcycles, Motocross, Supercross- if it has two wheels and an engine, they love it.  So when Supercross comes to Utah you better believe we are there, rain or shine... literally.  Last year we went and it rained a little bit.  And... it was freezing.  So this year, we came prepared with ponchos, tarps, the whole bit.  And it was a good thing,  it poured rain, and even hailed and snowed sometimes.  It was quite the adventure, but really fun.  The boys love the races- and I liked the little kid who sat behind me and screamed YAHHHHHH over and over again.  I laughed so hard.  After we drove home wet and slept off the night, Dad made an awesome breakfast so we could watch the races in our jammies at his house, it was pretty dang fun if you ask me.  Anywho- here are the pics of the trip. 

BLOGGING! and Sea World

So I didn't have my camera for a while- and... I was super busy.  So my apologies for not posting about  our crazy life.  So although there was no blogging for a few months, that doesn't mean that our life was boring.  The following 5 posts are my update from the last two months.  Enjoy

Here are Seaworld Highlights from the Trip to Cali the family took.  More details are in the Beach Highlights post-  but here are some pics from sea world. 

We got to pet the Dolphins- pretty cool stuff

The cute "Sea Lions Live" show

The Killer Whale show as cool- expect that the trainers didn't get in the water (because of the incident a while ago) so they did tricks and whatever, but we were all a little sad the trainers didn't ride the whales. 

I LOVE Penguins!!

\

This Pets show was pretty cute! they had adopted all of these pets from shelters, and trained them to do super cute things.  One of my favorite parts of the Sea World trip

We stopped by the San Diego Temple on our way back to Anaheim. We ran into two different people that we knew. Its amazing how the church keeps people connected.

And I just like this picture of Tyler- I think its funny-  this was at seaworld too