I found what I want!

Now I have to pick the size to order it in, the frame, and hang it, but should I keep the text, change the text, or remove it altogether? Home decor is NOT my thing, all of these questions might haunt me... What do you think?

Am I A Quitter?

I joined Weight Watchers yesterday, and I'm STOKED!

I was officially off of SUGAR for 3 months and I loved it! I kept my same exercise routing of 5X a week, but didn't do any other food modification other than no sugar. Keep in mind that ALL store bought bread, most crackers, cereals, dressings, all jarred sauces, deli meats, and of course treats, almost everything has sugar in it and I quit them all! I ate 3 pieces of carott cake for my birthday, but that was the only time I officially had ANY sugar (and it resulted in the worst headache I've had in ages!).

The results... I felt great, I slept well, I exercised with energy, I ate fruit when I craved sweets, I lost the 6 lbs. I gained over Christmastime, and I loved it. But since February, I haven't really lost any more weight. A bummer, but I swear my guts are the healthiest out there, really.

So my real goal is to have a healthy body, and I'm 6 lbs. above what most health guidelines say I should be right now. If a lifestyle without sugar isn't going to help me lose those pesky pounds, I needed to make a different change. My happy place, Weight Watchers is where I turned first.

Weight Watchers carries memories of having lost 75 lbs. after the boys were born, and a feeling of success that was celebrated by my whole group. I kept if off, learned how to maintain my weight, and then had two more babies. I love my girlies, but I'm not too thrilled with the 25 lbs. that has lingered there since their birth. My 2nd time doing Weight Watchers was while I was still nursing Jennie, and after many meetings, I gained and gained and gained. I visited my doc and found out that my thyroid had quit on me. I've been on meds for that for the last 3 years, but the psychological damage from doing my WW so religiously and not seeing any results has been severe. I didn't want to go back unless I was going to be successful like the first time.

Well, I'm ready! I'm the healthiest I've ever been, I have great eating and exercising habits, I'm surrounded by a kitchen full of great options, and people who want nothing but success for me. My thyroid is under control, and it's my time.

So then last night at dinner when I had a bite of Jennie's ice cream, the boys said, "Mom! You don't eat sugar!" I explained my situation and their first response was, "Oh, you quit." Well, I didn't quit! I'm just changing my focus. So, to all of you who made New Years Resolutions, have you quit? Did you change your focus? would you consider me a quitter?

I feel good about my choice, but the boys words are haunting me...

Temple Themed Resolutions

I will worship in the temple weekly (excluding vacations, sickness or temple closures... I'm hoping to make it 40 times).

I will treat my body like the temple it is (No sugar for a year, and exercise 4-5X per week excluding sickness, but including vacations).

I will make my home the temple it can be(...).

I have specific plans as to how I will achieve the first two goals. In fact I'm doing really well with the body thing, and I've been to the temple once and have plans in place for the rest of the month, but I would love any advice on how to make my home a temple. Where do I begin? Where would you begin?

2010 Photo Shoot

My favorite compliment

I guess I'm getting old, old enough to be seriously complimented when my almost 5 year old neighbor says,

"When I first met you, I didn't think you were a mom."

I asked what that meant, of course, because "Mom" is my favorite name and the proudest accomplishment of my life. She went on to say,

"I thought you were a sister or something."

I can't remember the last time I felt so flattered. Really.

So Many Firsts!

First time making my sisters AWESOME home made play dough.
First day Sophia didn't wince while I styled her hair around her 3 staples.
First day of preschool for Jennie.
First day of Dance for Sophia, (well in Idaho anyway).
First time I've ever asked one of my children to call me "Miss Sherrie"
First time Sophia shares a seat belt with her friend on the way home from dance.
First day Joseph came home from 3rd grade in a good mood.
First day of PACE for Dalton, (Idaho's accelerated program).
First day of real piano lessons for Dalton.
First time I've been complimented on how advanced Dalton is in piano.
First day Joseph takes a shower on the first time he's asked... EVER.
First time Jennie steals a popsicle right out of the neighbors deep freeze.
First call to the home owners insurance.
First flavorful nectarine of the season.

2 Mile Fun Run

Abraham, Abby, Katie, Me, Dalton, Taylor and not pictured Randy ran on the 4th weekend down in Prescott. We had fun, enjoyed each others company, and started another healthy tradition.

I didn't tell Abraham and Dalton about the race till the day before, and Abe was so cute. He "trained" by running around my Papa's driveway 12 times and was even nervous that night as he went to bed. He came in first from our family and wore his number for 2 full days.

Here's my favorite part, the brother run down... Andy (the oldest and fittest) placed in the 10K. Randy ran the 2 mile fun run with us, but somehow was behind us and then in front of us and then again behind till we realized he was taking short cuts every time he could see the trail ahead of him...all in the name of a good photo of course. And then there was Brad, eating a dilly bar at the finish line. Classic brothers.

Behind the scenes were my Papa, Lenora, Sally, Ben, Marielle, and the babies all working the set-up, after race eats, goodie bags, and take down of the whole race. I love working with my family.

Seas The Day

Mama and Papa Nelson made this whole Lake Powell trip possible, I think they enjoyed themselves too.


Joseph enjoyed the sun a little too much resulting in sun poisoning. It didn't stop him for long though, not this kid.


The kiddos enjoyed cousins, boat rides and...


tubing.


The beach didn't disappoint either. Ice cream? Or bucket of sand?


Isn't my nephew so stinkin' cute!


The captain!


With 3 huge flat screen TV's, the B word (bored) was never spoken.


Cousins! Cousins! Cousins!


Inside was just as enjoyable as the outside, especially for the little ones.


Thank goodness for life jackets!


These girls love their daddy.


I may have married a pirate.


I skied, tubed, and enjoyed my whole family the whole time. Thank you Mama and Papa, and Thank you Brad and Lenora.

I'm Cold!

It's snowing. Huge. Fat. Flakes. (read Fat as the bad word it is!) I think that this isn't so bad really except that I'm cold today.

Our ward had a preparedness meeting to discuss the real danger here in Idaho, and it's a winter storm. Could I have been a pioneer? Thanks to Doug's Mom, we're doing pretty good on quilts, but if any of the AZ folk who will NEVER use them wants to contribute one of theirs to our store, I'd take 'em.

The real bummer is creating a happy home for Doug, (who grew up in Hot, Hot Mesa) when I myself feel cold. I've pulled him through this winter with my happiness for this home, and my gratitude for how hard he's working to provide for us, and I've turned every cold night into a snuggly warm time. But I'm cold.

I hear President Monson telling me, "Trust in the Lord." Okay, so I'll snap out of it now and trust that this snow has a purpose in MAY and I'll make chili for dinner tonight, and I'll wear an extra layer of clothes and my socks all day too.

I'm grateful for my home, and space heaters, and an operable oven, and food to cook, and hot water from the tap, and sweaters, and gloves, and kids who don't seem to notice the weather at all.

Can I quit sugar?

I'm thinking about it, and I don't mean all carbs or anything too drastic, just the refined stuff. I'd still have fruit, honey, molasses and real maple I think. I've been working out consistently for 10 weeks now and I'm enjoying my new energy, and some visible muscles in my arms, but the number on the scale hasn't budged. The Nelsons are getting together on my brother Brad's houseboat in the middle of June, and I think I'll cut sugar out till then... can I do it? Have you done it?

The best birthday ever...

I enjoyed my little family, I enjoyed a peaceful soak in my new super deep adult sized tub, I enjoyed shopping for 3 new sweaters to help me better handle these seriously cold Idaho winters, I enjoyed my new cookbook from Lewis, and my new salad spinner from Doug, I enjoyed a great game of chess with Dalton, and a terrible game of Mario Kart Wii with Joe. I enjoyed Sophia's excitement for my birthday all day long, and I even enjoyed her disappointment when it was all over Sunday morning :) I had a wonderful birthday, and I enjoyed it all!

Friendship is the Best Gift

D&C 121:9 "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

Pictured: Bradeigh, Nancy, Rachel, Me, Julie, Haley, Kristl, Becky, Michelle.
Not Pictured: Mandy, Shellie, Jenny, Maggie, Lindsay, Jeni, Jennifer, and Annette.

I'm pretty sure I couldn't name all the women from the University 1st Stake who have made my life better, but from our shared courtyard, I'll never forget Teresa, Tracey, Kimbur, and Lisa. You are all so great!



Pictured: Janelle, Me, Wendi, Jen, Debbie, Tina, Linda, Camille, and Kammie.
Not Pictured: Belinda, Erin, Kathy, and I'm sure I missed someone else, forgive me.

I've loved my bookclub for over 10 years now, and I'm pretty sure I'll come back at least once a year... a girls gotta read!

My eyes are broken

Spring!

I haven't blogged in forever, and I'm a little crazy. The combination manifests itself in this photo of a mother goat eating the placenta that, just minutes ago sustained the life of her two kid goats. I'm pretty sure that these two kids were so new that the farmers who tend to these animals weren't even aware that they had been born. Joe was disgusted, Dalton was relieved when I told him that human mothers don't do this, Sophia and I were enthralled. She asked and I was able to explain that the mother needs the nutrients from the placenta to make the best milk for her kids and to help her recover from delivery. Sophia also noticed that the mother goat only took two breaks from chewing and only to lick her kids clean. I explained that, this is how animal mothers show their love, it's like when I kiss her goodnight. We enjoyed the little lambs, piglets, chicks, calf's, and kids that were everywhere. Many of the mother animals were still pregnant, and I think that going in a few weeks will be the peak of baby animal season. Later that evening when I put Sophia to bed, she licked me lovingly. This might have been my favorite FHE lesson/activity ever.

When I'm a single mom...

I'll blog,
figure out how to use my camera,
figure out how to put music onto my mp3 player,
organize my files,
clean under the bed,
read,
and until then, I'm spending every last second I can with Doug before his 10 week internship. I'm missing him before he's even gone.

No Excuses

So I've been sick all year pretty much, and I'm almost out of the thick of sick for good. The tonsils are healing, but the scabs haven't fallen off yet, (which is when the pain officially hits the fan). I'm not yet bored with baby food peaches, chocolate pudding, or Jell-o but I've cried twice from frustration at not being able to communicate what I meant to, through pencil, grunt or otherwise. I do like that Joseph has to read everything he wants to hear from me, and I like looking at my scribbles of half conversation at the end of the day. I love how generous my friends and neighbors have been. I know that even amid the excitedness of having Grant Morgan Nelson (my brother's firstborn) join our family, my family has been able to extend their love to me as well. I can't talk but a few short words, but If you have a story to tell me, or are dying to just gab away, right now, I'm your girl. I'm high most of the time too, so if I do end up commenting on whatever you've just blessed my ears with, forgive the sloppy, confusing reply.

Firsts of 2009

I washed, dried, folded and put away 7 loads of laundry in one day.

I slept through Sophia painting the TV, kitchen counter, and bathroom floor with sparkly red nail polish.

She also was able to enjoy half of a can of frozen apple juice concentrate during my slumber.

I taught Jennie to say, "Obama" and on her own she uses it in the context of "O-crap". Side note: I wish success upon our New President, and I am proud to be an American.

I nearly developed carpal tunnel from making 240 or so crepes.

I learned that when the Killers ask, "Are we human, or are we dancer?" I'm dancer.

I McGuivered a diaper out of a pair of 3T underwear and a winged maxi-pad from our cars emergency kit in the dentists parking lot.

I ate almost an entire carrot cake, almost all by myself.

I had the 3rd or 4th installment of the SEX talk with Dalton, and the 2nd one with Joseph.

I broke my camera all the way.

I fed my family RAMEN for dinner. Maybe you're in the camp that says, "way to go Sherrie for being the sole food provider for over 10 years without serving the cheap deliciousness even once for dinner." Maybe you're in the camp that says, "shame on any homemaker disgracing her table with that cheap shameful load of MSG." Either way, it was a hit with the kids, and I'll not be ashamed to include $20 whole dollars worth of this pre-packaged dinner in our food storage.

I memorized all the words to "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

I'm 32!

I like water, and cake, and public radio, and family, and socks, and citrus, and laughing, and down comforters, and fresh skunk scent, and freckles, and pedicures, and friends, and clean laundry, and good advertising, and being outdoors, and Scrabble, and pretty things, and bread, and avocados, and Jerusalem, and friends, and reading, and organizing, and flossing, and Bombay House, and smart people, and rubbing feet, and sunsets, and s'mores, and roller coasters, and dreaming, and swimming...

The New Years/Anniversary/Christmas Cruise to Mexico!

Handed down to my mother (Abuella) was two mink stoles. Since mink isn't worn anymore, and she is always looking for ways to carry on the love from past generations to the next one, she had them made into teddy bears for her granddaughters. Sophia and Jennie both have one to cherish originally from Grammy Nelson, and Mrs. "D". Abuella also loves her grandsons!


Andy helped me with my kids the whole time, at meals, at sea, on the stairs, everywhere. Thank You Andy, you're a great uncle. Here's one of Sophias new favorite people on earth! She and Arianna hit it off! Thank goodness for family!


This incredible Pacific beach was refreshing, warm, salty, clear, and just perfect, can I say perfect again. Perfect.


Doug and I, but mostly Ocean, aahhhh, the Pacific Ocean! Dalton and Abby seemed inseparable on this trip. Hannah and Abraham were nearby most of the time too.


The cousins all buried Joseph. Aunt Yvonne buried Sophia. This sand was the perfect escape from the warm December sun of Cabo.




Jennie loved the perfectly granular nature of this Mexican sand. I loved the girls new Mexican sundresses!


The streets of Cabo,(the drummer is seriously no more than 6 years old). Doug and I with Cabo in back.


Carnival towel art. We loved all of their creations!


Um...is there an appropriate title for this one? The Crawfords in Ensanada. That's our ship in the background!


Thank you Mama and Papa for planning, sharing, giving, and loving all for us. This trip was beyond generous! We felt your love every moment! We made memories, fell in love with Mexico, and you raised the bar for my student poor kididdles! Thank you. Thank you! Thank YOU!

Christmas Highlights

Grandma "C" makes jammies for all of the Crawfords... I think she made 40 pair this year!
>

Got the books he wanted, and his favorite author is... Roald Dahl! That's my boy. A sledding tube in Arizona? Nope, we'll have to wait till we're home in Utah to use this one!


Must have come from Santa, mom would never buy a bow and arrow! Waffle maker, yeah!


A music box, Disney princess dress-ups, and Disney princess dolls, doesn't she look happy!


Jennie won't have to steal Sophia's silky anymore. A baby doll all her own.


Hungry Hungry Hippo with Madison (Doug's niece). Me kicking Doug's tail at the Wii.


"Say Harley" (Doug's niece). Aunt Becky (Doug's sister).


Thank you Mike and Stacie for letting us take over your home this Christmas! Special thanks to Nik for letting us take over your room. We had a great time, and made some fabulous memories.