Day 91 Conference

What a wonderful day!  I love general conference weekend!  I love the relaxed feeling of no traveling to the church and being able to just be us.  I love having the boys mow the lawn for the first time this season(even if it should have been mowed sooner).  I love having sandwiches for lunch and dinner.  I love having the men leave and having girl time.  I love hearing from Jessica and her experience of being in the conference center for the first session of conference.  But what I love most is hearing conference and the prophet speak the the words of Christ to us in the latter days.  I love feeling the spirit testify of the truth of what is spoken.  I love hearing how many members there are and numbers of missionaries and how the gospel is spreading!  I love to feel the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us and the guidance He gives to us to help us through our trials.  It's just a wonderful time to listen and absorb the spirit!

Day 90 Weigh In

At the beginning of this week I set a goal for my weight loss I felt that I could accomplish but would also be a challenge for me.  I worked out everyday at least once and some days I put in an extra walk in the evening.  I also tracked my food intake each day.  As I was walking my mile and a quarter to my weight watchers meeting I thought about everything I had done that week and that no matter what the scale said I had done everything I could to  have lost the 2.6 lbs I needed to make my goal of having lost a total of 30 lbs so far.  So I was happy with what ever the scale would say and with what I had done to accomplish it.  For the first time in forever I wore a large t-shirt down from a 2X.  So happy!
Lost 2.8 lbs week 13
Total lost for the 13 weeks 30.2 lbs
Next weeks goal to be in Onederland. 
Happy Dance!

Day 89

Papers Papers Papers!   Willy has been doing several projects for classes this week.  This has been a challenge for him!  He is learning that it hard when you wait until the end to finish them in the best way .  He has also found out that it takes time to write a good paper.  As he turns them in tomorrow I hope that he will think about how far he has come with writing but also how much better he could do if he would start when the assignments are given.  I'm glad that Spring Break starts after school on Friday!

Day 88

I enjoyed watching this cardinal through our front window.  It would fly back and forth gathering small twigs from this small japanese maple to our bigger trees in the back.  Then it would stop and get a worm and then go back.  It stopped and looked at me through the window for a while and then finally moved on.  I took this photo through the window so it isn't as crisp as it would be if  I had been outside.  However, I probably wouldn't have gotten a shot at all if I had been outside.  To me it was fascinating to watch.

Day 87

Busy Busy Busy is how I would describe this day!   I ran from activity to activity and from store to store.  It was all worth the run around for a wonderful evening with the cub scouts at the Blue and Gold dinner.  The Chili was super and the boys were great!  I loved the skits!  Hats off to all the Cubs and their families and the wonderful cub committee! 

Day 86 V Tech

 Emily received her acceptance to Virginia Tech!  She has wanted to go to Virginia Tech since she started high school.  I'm so excited that she got in.  Now she has a big choice to make BYU Idaho or Virginia Tech.  I'm sure she will be weighing the pros and cons of each school.  I'm so glad she has a choice even if it is a tough one.  Congratulations Emily!  We are so proud of you and all the hard work you have put into high school.  You are one super chic!  I know you will change the world!

Day 85 Pants Madness

Some days weird things happen and you really shouldn't tell the world about them, but today I'm giving away a family secret in hopes that if everyone knows it will stop.  Ever since the kids were small Bill has goofed around by depantsing the kids especially when they are in their pajamas.  It's kind of this joke.  Well, today after church Willy and Lydia put on their pajamas.  And the games began as dinner dishes started.  It was somewhat humorous then Austin does a no no Emily is in a elastisized skirt and He follows through with the joke runs into the bathroom and then Bill starts laughing out loud with tears streaming down his face.  His face becomes bright red and he can't stop laughing. He blocks the bathroom door and Austin vows never to come out again.  Bill is just laughing too crazy so Austin trys to get away, but he knows he has gone over the line of game.   It's crazy but here is to hoping this silly game ends.  Please encourage Bill to stop the pants madness.  I promise the rest will follow.

Day 84

Lately, I have been watching old episodes of the Biggest Loser.  I turn it on when I work out on the elliptical.  I guess I watch it to distract me from what I am doing and to inspire me to keep going.  It's interesting to see how the drama enfolds and how they decide who to send home.  I also love that it makes me cry.  It's interesting to see that each person comes to a place where they have to deal with something so they can turn the emotional corner and see themselves in a new light.  I just find this an interesting thing that occurs with each contestant and know the feeling of have having something more inside me that is so afraid of coming out.   There is more to me then what I share, but my fears hold it all in check.  Will I ever be able to do what I fear?

Day 83 Weigh in Friday

This last while I have learned some things about me.  I feel like I have been able to come to grips with food.  The choice about what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat.  That I really do have a choice of what I put into my body.  Food really doesn't speak to me and say,  "You have to eat me ".  I can throw away the chips that the are put on the tray.  I can leave the bread in the bread basket, and I can throw away half of a main course because the portion size is to big.  I can also choose to have a piece of cake and still be on track.  What I eat is up to me.  I make the choice, and I have the consequence of the choice.  I know this may sound a little crazy, but I feel empowered because I can now wrap my mind around it and make the choices count for me.  I see it as a change in my relationship with food.
Weight loss for this week 1.4 lbs
Total weight loss 27.4 lbs for 11 weeks

Day 82 Thoughts

I have been thinking about growing up and changing.  Changing or maybe better said is being changed.  I've been blessed with five unique children.  Each with their own abilities, strengths, weaknesses, attributes, and challenges.  I love seeing each them develop in steps.  They each have learned at different paces and with different cognitive abilities. For some of them they have had to conquer giants to learn to speak clearly and to read.  Some giants have had to be conquered with small steps other children had the sling of David and they conquered reading with one stones throw.   It's amazing that one's gift is anther's challenge.  As a mother I have wondered how did I get five so unique individuals and how am I suppose to help each of them find who they are and what they are to do.   When the challenges come and I ask what I am to do now, I get the answer from the One that knows them best.  He gives me the guidance and teaches me and changes me into what He needs me to be for them.  They then can change into what they are to be and learn in their own way, what Heavenly Father has for them to do and be.  I think that I still have so much changing to do to be as good as my kids.  For I learn so much from them.  Thanks so much for teaching me how to be your mother, Jessica, Emily, Willy, Austin and Lydia!

Day 81

Lydia was so excited that Emily said she would help her with her homework.  She told me that Emily would help her with her homework and then she could help Emily with hers.  I think it is so neat that Lydia thinks she can help Emily with her homework.  That is one really smart first grader and one really smart senior.  Lydia did really good and Emily was pretty patient with Lydia!  It's going to be so sad for Lydia that Emily and her friends won't be around next year to help her with her homework and play games with her. 

Day 80

I have been having the kids help me get the flower beds weeded and ready for new plants. I am really excited about getting some day lilies for the borders and some cone flowers and daisies in the center. I have just a few more areas to clean first and then the fun begins with planting and arranging plants in pots. I just love to see things grow. I'm looking forward to busy summer in the garden..

Day 79 Faces

Austin and Emily are working hard to get the dishes done before Bill gets home from work so we can have family home evening. However it may be FHE without Bill he has to work late tonight.

Notice how happy Willy and Lydia are outside playing in the beautiful spring weather. I hope they will get dishes done before the sky is all the way dark. But they are having way too much fun.

Day 78 Presidential Confusion

I love some of the things kids say. Today in sharing time we talked about some of the messages that the apostles and prophet shared with us during October conference. I sat by a four year old boy. He was active as most four year olds are. When Sister Gregory said president Monson the young boy in a not so reverent voice looked at me and said "Why does everyone hate President Obama?" so I quietly whispered to him President Obama is the president of our country and President Monson is the president or prophet of the church. He said, "Yes I know, but why does everyone hate President Obama?" He repeated it again in a not so quiet voice. I then replied, as I heard the sister behind me giggle, " I guess you'll have to ask your parents. I'm sure they will have an answer for you." Now I've been in visioning an interesting conversation started by a four year old about a president that no one likes in primary.

Day 77 Self Satisfaction

There are so many things that are done each day for which no one receives rewards are prizes. Many tasks like laundry, dishes, picking up, dusting, vacuuming, are many of the mundane tasks that aren't noticed or rewarded. Today I asked Austin if he knew how to work, at the time we were weeding the flower bed, and he said yes. Of course he was having a hard time doing the weeding or sticking to it for more than five minutes. In my mind I was thinking of the paper route I did everyday after school rain or shine, sick or well, homework or no homework, the papers were delivered. There was no getting out of it. I'm perplexed about how to teach that to my children. After we finished one of the flower beds and the boys had to get ready for the multi stake youth mini conference I was happy with the results of the efforts we had put into the now weed free flower bed. I asked Austin and Willy how they felt about how it looked they shrugged their shoulders and said it was OK or fine. There wasn't that feeling of self satisfaction I had felt. I thought about how that feeling isn't there and how work is suppose to build the self esteem. Sometimes when we are trying to work together and they are grumbling and don't want to do it, I wonder if the instant rewards they get takes away that feeling of personal satisfaction of a job well done. Well, I like rewards that I have worked for like my 10% key chain and my 25 lb reward from weight watchers. But the personal satisfaction is far more important then the reward. But my question is how do I help teach these two things how to work hard over a period of time and that the reward is in a job well done.

Day 76 Blooming

Yesterday Lydia asked me to take her picture in front of out weeping cherry tree that is right outside our front door. I tried but the batteries were both dead so today we took a picture. Notice the beautiful blooms! She is truly a beautiful bloom. Lydia has three loose teeth and can't wait to lose them. Unfortunately she won't let anyone touch them. They will probably hang there for along time unless something accidental happens to change their future.

Day 75 Food

I guess I'm a little hungry tonight. I went up and went to bed and was almost asleep when I realized the dog hadn't gone to the bathroom. So I decided she needed to go out. That's when I noticed that Emily's light was still on, so I encouraged her to go to sleep. That's when she asked me if I had done the blog today. Even though I am tired I thought "I've been doing this for 70 something days and I can't miss now. So now I'm here trying to concentrate on writing but I'm thinking about food. Actually not the vegetables in the picture but the blonde brownies Emily made for Seminary tomorrow. Thank heavens the brownies will all be gone before I get up for breakfast! Now the dog is whining and does want that potty break I originally had set out to do. Now the night tasks are complete and I am really going to bed this time! Enjoy Friday!

Day 74 Beautiful Spring

I enjoyed the beautiful day and wanted to share the beautiful view of all the flowers and blossoms. I have to give credit to our neighbor down the street for the flowers. He keeps such a wonderful yard! I am grateful for the wonderful world we live in.

This is a Magnolia blossom. I love the pink color which changes to white as the sun bleaches it.

The daffodils are in abundance with dark orange centers, light centers, and yellow centers with white outer petals. I've never seen so many different types and sizes of daffodils and so many huddled together in one garden. I so enjoy seeing this sight every morning and afternoon when I pick up Lydia at the bus stop.

Blossoms on an ornamental cherry tree. Popcorn, the primary kids would say! I love it Spring!

Day 73 Spring Cleaning Begins

Today was so beautiful. I went through the house opening all the windows. So the smell and cleanness of Spring could enter in. Then the cleaning bug came in and whispered now is the time to clean. So I cleaned Lydia's room. I went through all the drawers and the closet and got rid of everything she didn't or couldn't wear any more. I love the way her room looks and feels. It encourages me to start on my room and other places in the house. I love the feeling of Spring!!!!

Day 72 Change Your Default Future!

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If you think about your future and if nothing happens to change it what will it be like? Where will you be? Who will you be with? What type of job will you have? Where will you live? What kind of car will you drive? These are tough questions to ask yourself. If you like where you are and what you are doing then stick to what you are doing. If you don't like what you see in your future say, "Hell No" and then change you future by changing today. This is the conversation we had with one of our children. To help him see what his future may look like if he doesn't get serious about school. If you look forward or back you will find that the choices you have are because of the education received or not received. And yes Willy Math, Social Studies, English and all your other classes will effect your future. I say to him as well as to myself and to any reader think about your future if you don't like it change it. It is your future and you can change it!

See this video by Dave Logan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z3r9dw_Jso&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Day 71

This morning, I did something I have never done before, or I can't remember doing before, I sent the kids to church without me. I hadn't slept most of the night and had experienced the wonderful effects of food poisoning or a stomach bug. It is so nice to have another driver. Bill had left earlier for meetings so the kids could still attend and I could get over the sick feelings. I hope the kids were well behaved in sacrament meeting, because some weeks they get giggling or talking so much they disturb others. But I'm in full confidence that they were good. I missed church but I didn't want to have a....... you know what I'm talking about at church. Well this evening I have been feeling better and hope to have a better day tomorrow.

Day 70

Hey its, Em. My mom is sick today so I am doing the blog for her.

Here are some of today's happenings:

• I went to a dance audition for our areas youth celebration event. (I found out that I am not meant to dance ballet, but I can handle a Mexican hat type dance much better)
• While I was out, the family did amazing work on cleaning the basement.

• I had possibly my last basketball game of my youth basketball career. :( We didn't win, but its okay! I do it for fun not to win.
• After sending everyone to bed Lydia and Dad sat down to write a talk for Primary together. Dad needed a lot of help! Just kidding!!!!

Day 69 10%

This morning I felt a little anxious as I entered the Weight Watchers building. I wanted so much to make my 10% percent goal. As I stepped off the scale and the gal announced that I had lost 4 lbs and had made my goal with a pound to spare my spirits soared. My total weight loss for nine weeks is 24 lbs. I'm so glad little by little I will get where I want to be my next little goal is to have a 1 as my first number of my weight. Emily and I are going to sign up for a 5 K race at the end of May. I can't wait to get my first 5 K t-shirt. I think I see a change from 9 weeks ago!

Day 68 Bill and I take a Hike

Bill and I took a rare opportunity and went hiking on a trail near Bull Run. In Idaho I think we could call a run a creek or a small river. We enjoyed an hour and twenty minutes alone with nature. We weren't interrupted one time by our children.

The trail had areas that were muddy but logs were laid out as stepping stones. We both commented that Austin would not like this hike. The terrain was up and down. We ended at an area with Polo fields. Which we didn't know was played all that much around here. It was so nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful afternoon together. I love it when Bill takes the day off work and we get to spend it together.

Day 67 Kite Flying

It was a beautiful warm windy day so after school I took Lydia and Austin to fly kites at the local park. It was wonderful to get out and enjoy the March weather.

Austin struggled with the smaller older kites but when he got the large butterfly kite he really got it to go high. I love the feeling you get when you are flying a kite so I try not to pass up a day when kiting is possible! I hope that the kids will remember the time we have spent together flying kites, even if some of the times have been frustrating and some have been successful. I'm grateful for an excuse to play in the sunshine!

Day 66 Bubbles

Bubbles can still entertain Lydia. It was a sunny afternoon a little on the cold side Willy blew Bubbles and Lydia chased them. Her eyes full of joy and energy. She was so happy to have play time doing something she totally wanted to do. It was nice to have the kids home today because of teacher work day!

I love the head band! A country cowgirl with a hat and polka dotted skirt a totally Lydia outfit!

Day 65: Em

As a senior in High School, I, Emily Ward am happy to announce...

Seniors RULE... but there are a few classes I will miss (not to mention people)

One such class is my Engineering class. My teacher Mr. Schmitke is awesome. I have taken one of his classes every year and have loved ALL of them. This year I am taking both Engineering and Architectural Drafting and Design. In Engineering we get the opportunity to design and build our own penny launchers (a.k.a catapult). For this project we are given limit supplies such as select pieces of wood, screw eyes, paper clips, dowel rods, pipe cleaner (my group used for decorations), and rubber bands. The task was to design a catapult on the technical drafting program AutoCad and then using the plans build, the catapult.

Our design was simple and small. We focused a lot on making sure the release was one handed, as required, and creating a stable base.

Well after all of our hard work (20 something days) we had our SHOOT OFF today.

The goal of the SHOOT OFF is to get the penny into the coffee mug 15 feet away. The mug is at the center of a giant bulls eye. Each group launches ten times and the closer that you get to the cup the higher your grade. May I just mention that the grade that our group had to beat was an 87% and we received a............... drum role please............................................99%

Our pennies hit the ten all but 1 time (where it was on the border of 9 and 10). I believe that we got the highest grade in the class. What makes it even more awesome is that we are the ONLY GIRLS in the class. (So we named our catapult LAS CHICAS!!)

My wonderful partner Kat and my buddy Vivian who came to witness the launch.

The next challenge is to see who can get the penny to fling the furthest. I think that we are going to win that too, because we had enough extra wood to make another arm for our catapult, but longer. It should be great!!!!

My other favorite class is Architectural Drafting and Design. In this class we use our previous knowledge (from Architecture 1, also one of Mr. Schmitke's classes), to design and build a model house. My Partners (Kat, same as partner above, and Karol), and I have spent the entire school year so far designing and building our house. We haven't decided on a name for it yet, but here are some pictures of it.

We also have to finish roofing and siding, as well as any other task Mr.Schmitke thinks of to give us. We also want to put people and homemade furnishings. We are also 3 of the 4 girls in this class. HEHE!

Until next time... SENIORS RULE!!! -EM

Day 64 Wonderful Sunday

It's been a wonderful day! I have been so blessed to feel the Spirit today. I just love that feeling when you are teaching and the spirit testifies of the truth and you point it out and the spirit feels even stronger. It's like the feeling sticks and you hate it to leave. That's the way it felt today in primary as we listened to the prophet, president Monson in video clips today!

It was sad to see Uncle Norvel and Aunt Karen leave today. They have some cool things to do on the itinerary and hope that they have a wonderful time in DC tomorrow. Lydia sure loved playing Yamslam with them. It was like she found another set of grandparents

Day 63 Visitors

It's so wonderful to have visitors! It seems like forever since we have had family visit from Idaho. Tonight my Aunt Karen and Uncle Norvel came to stay with us over night. They are taking a tour of this part of the country before they return home to Idaho from their mission to Texas. I loved catching up on what is happening with their children. It was wonderful to hear a mission story or two. I love seeing how happy they are. I'm so glad that they are here. Tomorrow I promise a picture.

Day 62 Spring

Beautiful morning that changes into a rainy day. The cherry blossoms are out and the daffodils are blooming. This morning I could hear many types of birds singing. It just felt so good to feel the sun! I enjoyed it while it lasted!