I am behind the times, and just watched this today. I had a conversation with a friend in which we were discussing the difficulities of being "mom" and how we felt like sometimes we just weren't doing a good job. I know for a fact she is a fantastic mother, and I hope I am doing ok, too. At the end of the day I often feel exhausted, and frequently question my ability to fill this heavy role I have taken on. Even more so now that we are going to welcome another one. The words of Elder Holland brought me great reassurance today, and I know the Lord hears my prayers. I hope you enjoy, and all you mothers take heart.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Tale of Two's
So I am officially a horrible blogger, but I decided that life is only going to get crazier so I need to start documenting it. The last couple of months have been filled with a lot of "two's." Bear with me as you read through - the end is worth it!
Turning Two
On Saturday, June 19th, our little Abby turned 2! She woke up the morning and must have gotten some memo that since she would be two, she had to act like it. She ushered in the "terrible two's" in perfect form with several temper tantrums just to make sure we knew she was in fact a toddler now! We celebrated her birthday down in Salt Lake on the 14th at my parent's house with all the family that was around.
Abby is OBSESSED (to put it lightly) with the Disney Princesses. We got her Princess cake (the chocolate one) from a local bakery up here two days before her party. It was DIVINE and everyone loved it. Abby was in love with the Princesses on it and kept waving her hand over it in admiration. I think it made her day. She still carries the little dolls around ALL the time. Her Aunt Aubrey brought the Cinderella cake for her to have all to herself.
She loved opening presents, and received more princess paraphernalia than she knew what to do with. She kept repeating, "Oh, Wow!!" every time she opened something. She was totally spoiled by her Aunts and Babaa's (and Mom & Dad). She is one lucky little girl!
Abby loved her party and talks about having a party all the time. And in her mind, every party must have cake and presents. I tend to agree.
Two Best Friends
Abby's two best friends from the last two years moved out of state at the beginning of June. We were able to do a little photo shoot with them before everyone got busy, and I am SO glad we did. Abby misses her little friends so much and I think I miss their moms even more! We were so blessed to have little girls the same age and move into our little area at the same time. We helped each other (through) quite a bit and became so close.
From One to Two
And finally, we found out back in March that we would be going from our little family of three to a family of four in late November. And yesterday we learned that our little babe is another girl! Abby has insisted all along that the baby in Mommy's belly is a "baby sister" or a "baby gurl". I guess she knew more than we did! She gives my belly kisses and tries to share her "mimi" and "snuggly" with the baby.
.Hand up by her face
Looking up at her chin, lips, and nose with hands up in front of her face.
Her tummy and legs, with her ankles crossed.
It's a girl!
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Spirit of Calm and Peace
Peter, Little A and I sat down after dinner tonight and turned on the Hope For Haiti Now broadcast. Little A was entranced by the music of Alicia Keys and sat motionless as she watched pictures flash across the screen. I was taken aback at her attentiveness. I limit what she is exposed to, but this was different somehow. I know she is far to young to comprehend any of what she sees, but I knew as I watched her look at the pictures and listen to the song, her little mind(conscience, spirit..?) could sense the sadness. I quietly explained to her in very simple terms what I could, and while I know at 19 months old, it likely meant very little to her, she seemed to grasp the sincerity of my words. My mother heart knew this is only the beginning of a lifetime of learning about the desperation in the world that surrounds us. Peter and I discussed the fact that we will have a great responsibility to help Little A and the rest of our children process the events of the world we live in.
As Little A and I sat down to go through the nightly bedtime routine, we opened the Book of Mormon to where we left off last night and as I started to read, I was touched at the timing of the verse that we were on. It was Mosiah 4:16:
I explained, as we often do, what that scripture meant in layman's terms. We then knealt down to say our nightly prayer. We have been helping her this week to say the words herself by whispering them to her and having her repeat them. Tonight I said most of it, but as I prayed for Haiti, I urged her to say the words "peace" and "succor", words she has never learned before. She repeated them, and I felt the Spirit strongly there with us.
We don't have much to give, and giving to Haiti has been in my thoughts constantly since the earthquake struck. The day it happened, Peter came home from work and we both had had the same thought during the day that we needed to give something. We decided to give what we could through the LDS Church's Humanitarian fund, but I still felt we needed to do more. As I thought about, I decided to clean out our closets and donate what clothing, shoes, and other items we had that we just didn't need. Little A had clothes that she outgrew before she ever wore that still had the tags on them. I had intended to send all of it to some charity that would distribute it, but quickly discovered that items (especially used) weren't wanted as much as money was. I finally decided that the best route was to give it to the Deseret Industries, where the money from the sales would filter back into the Humanitarian Fund, and to take the new clothing items to the Church's Humanitarian Center. It just feels like so little.
My heart aches for Haiti, for the children without parents, and for the parents who have lost children, and for those that are just hanging on to life. The First Presidency of the Church released a statement today, and I found it especially poignant.
What are you feelings on the tragedy in Haiti? How are you helping your children understand it? What are you doing to help?
As Little A and I sat down to go through the nightly bedtime routine, we opened the Book of Mormon to where we left off last night and as I started to read, I was touched at the timing of the verse that we were on. It was Mosiah 4:16:
"And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your
succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need;
and you will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain
and turn him out to perish."
I explained, as we often do, what that scripture meant in layman's terms. We then knealt down to say our nightly prayer. We have been helping her this week to say the words herself by whispering them to her and having her repeat them. Tonight I said most of it, but as I prayed for Haiti, I urged her to say the words "peace" and "succor", words she has never learned before. She repeated them, and I felt the Spirit strongly there with us.
We don't have much to give, and giving to Haiti has been in my thoughts constantly since the earthquake struck. The day it happened, Peter came home from work and we both had had the same thought during the day that we needed to give something. We decided to give what we could through the LDS Church's Humanitarian fund, but I still felt we needed to do more. As I thought about, I decided to clean out our closets and donate what clothing, shoes, and other items we had that we just didn't need. Little A had clothes that she outgrew before she ever wore that still had the tags on them. I had intended to send all of it to some charity that would distribute it, but quickly discovered that items (especially used) weren't wanted as much as money was. I finally decided that the best route was to give it to the Deseret Industries, where the money from the sales would filter back into the Humanitarian Fund, and to take the new clothing items to the Church's Humanitarian Center. It just feels like so little.
My heart aches for Haiti, for the children without parents, and for the parents who have lost children, and for those that are just hanging on to life. The First Presidency of the Church released a statement today, and I found it especially poignant.
What are you feelings on the tragedy in Haiti? How are you helping your children understand it? What are you doing to help?
Monday, January 4, 2010
Open For Business!
My etsy shop is up and open for business! You can check it out at http://www.junepopdesign.etsy.com/ !
You can also visit my website devoted just to the items I am making at
I am so excited to get this started and think I have created a couple unique products that I love. Let me know if you are interested in something custom that you can't quite find in stores! I am hoping this will enable me to continue to enjoy staying at home with Little A and pursuing my creative talents.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Feeling Great *and Eating Well*
This week has been a huge success. It is amazing what a bit of positive thinking and determination will do. I lost a total of 5.5 lbs this past week. I now weigh less than I have since before I graduated over 2 years ago! It feels so good! And just losing the weight has proved motivation enough for me to keep up these new habits I am developing.
Now, what am I doing different? First of all, I am trying to stay focused, which has been the most important part. Second of all, diet and excercise. I sat down last Sunday night with an equation I found for figuring out the amount of calories I should be consuming to reach my optimum weight. I don't have it at hand, but my number worked out to 1400 calories. I also began the week by documenting everything I ate and when I ate it. I don't do anything drastic with the things I eat - I just try to consume healthy, natural, un-processed foods.
I also began walking/jogging the River Trail up the canyon every morning with Peter. It is approximately 4 miles round trip. We just put Little A in the jogging stroller and head out. I think we made it up there 4 days last week. We took Wednesday off, and I deep cleaned my (non-air conditioned) kitchen on Saturday.
TIP FOR THE WEEK:
While perusing other blogs, I found this great web-site (www.eatingwell.com) which has been an awesome tool. It has some good recipes which feature calorie and fat counts, and which you can bookmark into a menu planner. That same program allows you to track your food intake, similiar to the Weight Watchers site, only FREE! I have really enjoyed using it!
Now, what am I doing different? First of all, I am trying to stay focused, which has been the most important part. Second of all, diet and excercise. I sat down last Sunday night with an equation I found for figuring out the amount of calories I should be consuming to reach my optimum weight. I don't have it at hand, but my number worked out to 1400 calories. I also began the week by documenting everything I ate and when I ate it. I don't do anything drastic with the things I eat - I just try to consume healthy, natural, un-processed foods.
I also began walking/jogging the River Trail up the canyon every morning with Peter. It is approximately 4 miles round trip. We just put Little A in the jogging stroller and head out. I think we made it up there 4 days last week. We took Wednesday off, and I deep cleaned my (non-air conditioned) kitchen on Saturday.
TIP FOR THE WEEK:
While perusing other blogs, I found this great web-site (www.eatingwell.com) which has been an awesome tool. It has some good recipes which feature calorie and fat counts, and which you can bookmark into a menu planner. That same program allows you to track your food intake, similiar to the Weight Watchers site, only FREE! I have really enjoyed using it!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Selfish
I am struggling to find the words to express my thoughts tonight. Peter and I just returned a few days ago from a week-long trip to Jackson, WY. As I mentioned in a former post, last week was the week I wanted to attain my weight loss goals.
I didn't make it.
It is no surprise to me. It is a dissappointing feeling to know I didn't reach a goal I so badly wanted. But the truth is, I didn't want it bad enough. I want you to know I have not quit, I have not failed. I am losing weight. I haven't gained back any of the weight I have lost, and I weigh less than I have almost 2 years. And I am proud of that. It is extremely frustrating to be where I am at right now, but I do feel I am making progress.
But I came to a realization last weekend. This goal wasn't set for the right reasons. The process wasn't taking place for me. The goal was set to make others happy, to prove something to those I love. I was doing it for Peter, for my daughter, for my family. Those are worthy things, and I realize that, but they were not appropriate reasons for me to lose the weight. In order for me to find the motivation, I have to do this FOR ME. That sounds selfish. It feels selfish. But it also feels right.
I stayed up one night while we were in Jackson talking with my brother and his wife about my husband's school and career choices. Jeremy made the comment that whatever Peter wants to do, he has to be selfish about it in order to make sure he achieves it. He made the comment that it sounds terrible, but in order to accomplish something very important to you, you have to do whatever it takes to make it happen and do the best job you can if you truly want to be happy with what you are doing. And when you are happy doing what you want to be doing, everything else will work out. (Sorry if I butchered this, Jer.) Your family will be happy because you are happy with your choices, you will be successful because you are proud with what you are accomplishing. As I sat here tonight, I realized that this applies to me.
I am going to be selfish. I am going to do what I need to do to lose this weight. I am going to take myself into consideration first. It sounds awful, but as I begin to accomplish this goal for myself, I will become happier, in turn resulting in me becoming a better mother, a better wife, a better woman. I have already started, and it feels different this time. I can feel the success and happiness starting to run through my vines.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
SimplyBe: A Giveaway
I found this photographer (www.simplybephoto.com) through the family I tend for. She takes beautiful photos and I am itching to get some done for Little A. She has a giveaway going on through the weekend. Check her out! You'll get sucked in by the photos and understand where I am coming from! I think she could capture Little A's Baby Blues wonderfully.
Post Edit: The link for the photographer was hijacked somehow and was taking people to a weird site. Hopefully it works correctly now.
Post Edit: The link for the photographer was hijacked somehow and was taking people to a weird site. Hopefully it works correctly now.
My two loves
Friday, June 5, 2009
A Work In Progress
Well, believe it or not, I did not drop off the face of the earth. I am lousy at following through with things, I will get that out on the table right now. I am determined not to "belly-flop" though, consider me mid-dive.
I have officially lost all the baby weight which is a wonderful feeling. I gained back most of the weight I lost, but have managed to lose it all plus a few more pounds (about 11-12 pounds total) in the last two and a half weeks. If I keep my focus, I am able to progress. I am so dissappointed in myself, though, for all the time wasted. I have a million reasons why it hasn't happened like I planned. Some are legitimate reasons and some are just excuses. But I am working on it.
I wish I had more self-discipline. I am learning everyday of new weaknesses I posess, or I guess I should say I am starting to recognize existing weaknesses. I want so badly to overcome each and every one of them immediately and become this perfect, strong woman. It has been a great struggle this past week or so to realize that that is not going to happen as quickly as I would like.
I don't know that I have ever been so tired, er, exhausted, in my entire life. There have certainly been times when I have felt worn down and burned out, but there has generally always been a respite following them. Right now, I see no respite in sight. I love being a mother with every fiber of my being. It is truly the role I feel most qualified to play in life. Everyone tells you how tired you will be, but I don't know if it is a concept one can even comprehend until they find themselves here, carrying this mantle that is motherhood. I was not, am not, prepared for the strain of sleepless night after sleepless night. It is taking a toll on me. Little A has had double ear infections followed by teething followed by more double ear infections followed by more teething, for the last 4 months. She sleeps so well during the day for her naps and is the picture of pleasantness, but nighttime rolls around and she is up consistently two to three times a night. Add to that the fact that my husband works a swing shift, and my nights are shot. I wake up around 6:30 am and lay in a fog for an hour.
I need to find a solution. The looming thought of weaning Little A has been on the forefront of my mind lately. It breaks my heart, but I know that in order to lose the weight I need to lose it is going to have to take place. It also might help her sleep through the night better. But she WILL NOT take formula or milk. This is foreign territory for me, and I am at a loss.
That is how I feel right now... at a loss.
I apologize for the length of this post, and the fact that it is likely not coherent. But I feel like things are sorted out a little better in my head...and isn't that the point?
I have officially lost all the baby weight which is a wonderful feeling. I gained back most of the weight I lost, but have managed to lose it all plus a few more pounds (about 11-12 pounds total) in the last two and a half weeks. If I keep my focus, I am able to progress. I am so dissappointed in myself, though, for all the time wasted. I have a million reasons why it hasn't happened like I planned. Some are legitimate reasons and some are just excuses. But I am working on it.
I wish I had more self-discipline. I am learning everyday of new weaknesses I posess, or I guess I should say I am starting to recognize existing weaknesses. I want so badly to overcome each and every one of them immediately and become this perfect, strong woman. It has been a great struggle this past week or so to realize that that is not going to happen as quickly as I would like.
I don't know that I have ever been so tired, er, exhausted, in my entire life. There have certainly been times when I have felt worn down and burned out, but there has generally always been a respite following them. Right now, I see no respite in sight. I love being a mother with every fiber of my being. It is truly the role I feel most qualified to play in life. Everyone tells you how tired you will be, but I don't know if it is a concept one can even comprehend until they find themselves here, carrying this mantle that is motherhood. I was not, am not, prepared for the strain of sleepless night after sleepless night. It is taking a toll on me. Little A has had double ear infections followed by teething followed by more double ear infections followed by more teething, for the last 4 months. She sleeps so well during the day for her naps and is the picture of pleasantness, but nighttime rolls around and she is up consistently two to three times a night. Add to that the fact that my husband works a swing shift, and my nights are shot. I wake up around 6:30 am and lay in a fog for an hour.
I need to find a solution. The looming thought of weaning Little A has been on the forefront of my mind lately. It breaks my heart, but I know that in order to lose the weight I need to lose it is going to have to take place. It also might help her sleep through the night better. But she WILL NOT take formula or milk. This is foreign territory for me, and I am at a loss.
That is how I feel right now... at a loss.
I apologize for the length of this post, and the fact that it is likely not coherent. But I feel like things are sorted out a little better in my head...and isn't that the point?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Weigh In & Playlist
Sorry I am getting this posted so late. Folding what felt like 50 loads of laundry (I am pretty bad, I wait until we are on our last pair of underwear to do the laundry. I really hate it!) all morning and taking care of 2 babies all afternoon slowed me down a bit today.
The results for Week 4:
Pounds lost: -1
Inches lost: -1" total
Waist: -.5''
Hips: -.5''
Chest: I am no longer going to measure this. Where I am nursing it is impossible to get an accurate number.
I am fitting into clothes I haven't worn since the first month or two of my pregnancy, and some from before that. It is satisfying. I know it is not a large number, but I am ok with it.
Now for the playlist!! Thanks for your suggestions. I think I included all I could find and download. Oh, and Mel, I am a sucker for some good '80's music, but my tastes are a little more "synthesized", I think.
The results for Week 4:
Pounds lost: -1
Inches lost: -1" total
Waist: -.5''
Hips: -.5''
Chest: I am no longer going to measure this. Where I am nursing it is impossible to get an accurate number.
I am fitting into clothes I haven't worn since the first month or two of my pregnancy, and some from before that. It is satisfying. I know it is not a large number, but I am ok with it.
Now for the playlist!! Thanks for your suggestions. I think I included all I could find and download. Oh, and Mel, I am a sucker for some good '80's music, but my tastes are a little more "synthesized", I think.
The Playlist is off to the right ===========> And you can listen to most of the songs at the bottom of the page. Check it out!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Come. Read. Comment.
Regardless of what the Blogger Role says, this blog has been updated more recently than 3 months ago. This post is simply to make it appear as more recently updated, because no one (except Hilary) is reading my blog. LAME!
I beginning to feel like the pathetic girl at the outcast table.
I beginning to feel like the pathetic girl at the outcast table.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Weigh-In
Week 3 Results:
Pounds lost : 2
Inches lost: 1" total
Hips: 0"
Waist: .5"
Chest: .5"
Simply stated, progress is rewarding! I was down four pounds at one point midweek, but a birthday dinner with the in-laws took care of two of those for me. Like Peter has said - this is probably more sustainable than large amounts lost one week and none the next.
Ok, so my goal for this week (besides losing some more L B's) is to come up with a decent workout playlist. It is amazing how something so silly can make or break your enegry level, and quite frankly, my list sucks right now. I am sending out my plea to blogdom! Help me save my playlist!! Leave me 3+ songs (artist and title) down there in the comment section that you love to work out to. I will publish my finalized list once I have one that I feel I can listen to for more than one session.
Pounds lost : 2
Inches lost: 1" total
Hips: 0"
Waist: .5"
Chest: .5"
Simply stated, progress is rewarding! I was down four pounds at one point midweek, but a birthday dinner with the in-laws took care of two of those for me. Like Peter has said - this is probably more sustainable than large amounts lost one week and none the next.
Ok, so my goal for this week (besides losing some more L B's) is to come up with a decent workout playlist. It is amazing how something so silly can make or break your enegry level, and quite frankly, my list sucks right now. I am sending out my plea to blogdom! Help me save my playlist!! Leave me 3+ songs (artist and title) down there in the comment section that you love to work out to. I will publish my finalized list once I have one that I feel I can listen to for more than one session.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
It's 6 AM? Really?
She did it! She finally slept through the night again!! I thought the day would never come.
Hallelujah!
After 2 months of getting up at 2:30 AM or 3 AM and then again at 6 AM, Little A decided it just wasn't worth waking from sugar-plum land last night. I heard her talking to her self this morning, rolled over to see the clock (expecting it to read some unholy hour yet again) and laid there in stunned shock to see it was 6 AM. I fed her, and she decided to go right back to sleep for another 2 hours!!
Prayers have been answered, and the world quite possibly could be coming to an end.
Note: Not an actual photo of last night's miraculous events.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Weigh-In
Let's just get this out on the table:
Week 2 Results:
Pounds lost : 0 (But at least it wasn't a gain.)
Inches lost*: 1.5" total
Hips: 0"
Waist: 1"
Chest: .5"
I am disappointed, but not surprised. I let too many things interfere this past week like the weather, a child who decided sleeping at night was not her cup of tea, and the risidual soreness from a few Pilates workouts. The excercising is not a problem, as long as I get it done. I really enjoy my workouts, and they provide some much-appreciated solo time that is so rare as a new mom.
I try to only buy healthy foods and make most everything from scratch. I avoid prepackaged, easy-to-prepare, death-in-a-box meals. We live on skim milk, wheat bread, lean chicken breasts and 96% lean ground beef in this household, a carry-over from growing up in the house of a post-heart bypass patient. Now, don't get me wrong, there are occasional treats here and there, and our Sundays are usually days of gratifying meals with family and friends, but we by no means live on junk food here. Even if we wanted to, we simply couldn't afford it.
I feel like I am eating pretty healthy. I try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables everyday, and I drink (I have slacked in the last 3 days or so) close to 120 oz (!) of water. So why am I struggling ? Could it possibly be that I am not consuming enough calories?? Being a nursing mom, I am wondering if this is a possibility.
I need to find my zone regarding this whole process. Once I do, I think things will progress better. But I feel like I am moving ahead rather blindly.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Weigh-In
I have been dreading this all day. Why did I agree to do this?? Oh yeah, because I want to fit into this:
and to have arms that look like this again:
and to have arms that look like this again:And so, my results for Week 1:
Pounds lost : 1
Inches lost*: 3" total
Hips: 1"
Waist: 1"
Chest: 1"
*I measured about 3 weeks ago, so this is not the result of 1 weeks work, I don't think.
I will admit, I was quite disappointed this morning by the low loss. I really worked hard last week. I will definitely be giving it a little more this next week. This is working, though. The fact that I have decided to regularly post about the journey has made me think twice about what I do, and motivates me to try harder for a larger number of pounds off next week. Even if that means scraping ice off of the car in 5*F weather at 7 AM, while wearing capris in order to drive to the gym while my husband and daughter sleep warmly under their covers.
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