He Is Risen!

This is actually a hard post for me to admit, but over 10 years ago I was going to college and in one of my History classes the teacher found out that I am a Mormon.  She seemed fascinated that she had a Mormon student and questioned me whenever she could.  She would make a point in her lecture, then stop, look around the room and say, "Where's my Mormon student?" before asking me a question.
One day she asked me a question that I knew the answer to, but she answered her own question before letting me respond and in a different way that I would have. So I was shocked by being put on the spot and the answer that she gave threw me off that I never got to give my answer and it still haunts me today thinking about my missed opportunity.  The question she asked was, "Why don't Mormons use the cross in their worship?".  I took poise to answer her right before she went into her own answer that some missionaries had shared with her.  Apparently this young man told her that it's like idolizing how Christ died, like if your mom was shot and killed you wouldn't have a picture of her and a gun.  I was so taken back by this answer, and she didn't give me the opportunity to contradict her, that I sat there as the lesson progressed not saying anything. I still feel like I lost the chance to not only change her thought, but now everyone in the classroom thinks this is the reason.  Well I may be over 10 years late, but I think Easter is a good time to set the record straight.

When Christ died for us that was just a piece of his wonderful gift to us.  He lived his life as the perfect example, he walked on water, he healed the sick and raised the dead!  He bled from every pore at the Garden of Gethsemane, each drop of blood representing our sins.  And then three days after he died he rose from the tomb, He lives again!  We worship the Living Christ, He is our Savior because he lives!  His dying was a part of the big picture and because of that we focus on ALL of Him...Life-Death-Resurrection.

If I could go back in time, this is what I would change my answer to.  I would have stopped the class just so I could clarify what we believe and the real reason we don't have the cross.  The cross represents His death, but He lives and that is why we don't use it. I understand why religions use this to symbolize Jesus Christ, this is my explanation as to why we don't, not because we don't worship Jesus, but because we embrace everything about Him.  He lives!

Winter Wonderland

 This isn't what it looks like right now, but this wasn't too long ago.  This is what has confined me to the hamster wheel in my basement.  It sure was cool when it first fell, especially when the snow covered everything, but after the novelty wore off...and the slush, we are all done with the cold weather.  There is supposed to be snow tonight, in fact we've already seen a few flurries, but I doubt it will be as thick as it was this day.  But you do have to admit, it sure is purdy!

A look at the backyard, I half expected to see a deer peeking through the trees.  Can't you just imagine a little Bambi action in those woods! So picturesque! The snow has been nice and a neat experience for the kids so I try not to complain too much in front of them.  They've wanted to live near snow for a long time, even though I'm getting the summer itch I try to enjoy this moment with my kids.  There's trade offs for everything in life.

Post Run Blues

I've been in a real funk lately and I realized that now my Half Marathon is over I'm feeling like something a drift at sea.  Like, okay that's over...now what?  I know I should just sign up for more races to keep me going, but I'm feeling like I need some downtime and also I'm discovering what it means to be a 'seasonal runner'.  I've heard the expression, but I've never lived anywhere with REAL seasons.  Here in Jersey though it's been cold and even snowing! I can't take my girls out in the stroller in this weather and I'm afraid to go alone because of the ice on the roads.  I could slip and bust my head open! I've been inside the majority of us being home from our trip to Florida, and I think I'm getting a little case of cabin fever.  But for some reason or another I feel like my soul is starting to stir and I'm ready to stretch! I had a powerful urge to get on my blog and start writing!  I've been wanting to write about our trip ever since we got back, but I just couldn't muster up the energy to do it.  Just thinking about all the pictures I have to go through made me want to take a nap!  But I'm ready now, so get ready for a plethora of pictures!

We started our vacation at Universal Studios.  I was really nervous about wearing my legs out with all the walking around, but we planned the day before the race as a rest day.  It was super fun, but next time I'm going to insist that we plan the theme parks for AFTER the race.  I was so stressed the whole time, and during the run I did get tired sooner than usual, but I managed to dig deep and sprint the last mile to the finish, so I guess I wasn't too bad off.

Spongebob was a MUST on our list of things to do.  Charlotte absolutely loves Spongebob!  Her first words were Mama, Dada and Spongebob..I kid you not!

 This was Theo's MUST see, Ha! He loves the Simpson!  In fact his first words were Mama, Dada and DOH! Just kidding, but pretty darn close!  I teased him that when this show came out he could relate to Bart, getting into trouble just being a rebellious boy, but now that he is grown and a father he's more sympathetic to Homer!  Hahaha!  How life changes!

 Now that's a big fish...

 We also got to meet the Grinch...

 and the Cat in the Hat.  We had just gone on a fish ride reminiscent of the Dumbo ride at Disney World, but this ride the fish spit water at you, so that's why I look like a drowned cat!

 This was my MUST see!  I couldn't wait to get to Harry Potter World, and it didn't disappoint.  Unfortunately it didn't disappoint the thousands of other people trying to pack themselves in there!

 It was a frigid 81 degrees, hence the snow capped stores....*cough* sarcasm *cough*.  It was flipping hot! I wish the snow was for real.

 BUTTERBEER!!!

 I finally got my Butterbeer!  We got it icy, and boy was it gooooooood!  It almost reminded me of Cream Soda with some kind of vanilla-y foam on top.  Dang it, my mouth just started watering...guess it's time to go back for some more Butterbeer! ;)

 Hogwarts, what an impressive castle and the ride was amazing!  We didn't get to do the ride the first day because the line was already over an hour wait.  The next day when we arrived we went straight to Harry Potter World and got in line with only a 20 minute wait. By the time we came out it was already over an hour wait again.  It was too bad because I wanted to do it again, but it will have to wait until the next visit.

 We got to met Super heroes! Captain America was awesome, he was HUGE! But super friendly!

 We posed with Spiderman, they had a superficial backdrop which is why we are in the green.  The kids couldn't seem to get which camera to look at for some reason, this is the best pose out of 3.

 Finally to the race!  This is my corral coming up to the starting line, the blinding lights is the actual start.  There were tens of thousands of people there, it was crazy! But of course Disney made it great!

Here I am posing in front of the castle about to go through.  My time wasn't the best I'd done, like I said before we did a lot of walking so I was very conservative with my running.  But I know I could have done better because seriously, the last mile I just took off!  I felt so good at the end, like I could have kept going.  I've never felt that way after a Half.  Now I'm looking into doing more and even branching out from just doing Disney, but I have really let myself go this past month and this weather is not helping out one bit.  Come on warm weather!!!

FHE Football

Tonight's Family Home Evening lesson, Love God, Love Family and ROLL TIDE!

Ending 2012 in Style!

Apparently my New Year's resolution is to stop blogging, HA!  I have to admit after my last entry about the weight loss and that article I linked I kind of went into a funk.  I'm semi over it, I have this competition in my brain like the evil angel and the good angel.  Good angel is like, "Hey, it's not that bad, the battle isn't over, just keep doing your best and things will work out.", and the bad angel is like, "Screw this crap!  Where's the Nutella and a spoon!".  It's all about balance and I'm working on it.  Maybe that's the real resolution. 

 But while I'm working on that we celebrated the end of 2012 with a bang!  I got to do something I've been dying to do ever since we found out we were moving to Jersey....I went to Carlo's Bakery!!!

 I seriously was so excited we finally got to go here!  I didn't mind waiting in line in the freezing cold for over an hour, it was totally worth it to me!

That is Maddalena, Buddy's sister, working the front counter.  She seemed super nice and was even coming around the counter every now and then to take pictures.  This place was beyond PACKED!  By the time we got in there and made our order it was everything I could do to get my kids out safely while Theo paid for our purchase.  I didn't even get to the register!  And then to top it off the guy taking our order was super nice and asked where we were from, I told him Alabama, but Theo put in that we now live in Jersey because of the military, and he looks at me and says, "You know if you're military you can just walk in?  You don't have to wait in line, just show them your I.D. and come in.".  I think he saw my face fall, I didn't mind standing in line because I was just so excited to be there, but when he said that as I hung to a screaming Charlotte and my kids where freaking out, I did get a little perturbed.  But at least we know for next time.  Plus they were super nice to us when he found out we were military.  He hooked us up with a free Buddy ornament and gave us a sweet discount.  Then his sister shook Theo's hand when he went to pay and thanked him for his service!  They are beyond nice here and I can't wait to go back.  Also, the icing on the cake (pun intended) is that the food is really REALLY good!  I've had food that has been raved about on some show and been disappointed before, but not Carlo's!  We got 2 cannoli's and I have never had such a smooth ricotta cream before.  It was silky and divine!  Then we got this chocolate cake to split between me and Theo, I thought it was a chocolate cake with chocolate ganache on top, but it was a mousse cake with the ganache on top.  They actually shaped it like a cake and it held up!  There was this thin layer of cake on the bottom, but other than that the rest was creamy mousse, and oh my goodness was it good!  Now my mouth is watering, I can't wait o go back!  It's everything they make it out to be on the show.

 My Hannah popsickle.  Look at those gorgeous creations behind her.  We started out small this trip, but I'm coming back for those babies!

Then we headed into the city, because seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center is the 2nd thing I've wanted to see since finding out we were going to Jersey.

Time Square

We had planned to park and walk around, but it was just WAY too packed so there was no way I was willing to get out just to see what I could see perfectly well from my heated car seat, and I was completely okay with that.

 The Tree!

Radio City Music Hall

 

Grand Central Station with the Empire State Building in the background.

Then we road around Central Park, it looks just like I thought it would!  I can't wait to spend more time there.  That's my other resolution, to spend more time in New York City this year.  Sounds like a plan to me!

Coast Guard Santa

 Santa came and visited us at Theo's work.  He came in on a helicopter, he's got style!

I think they are a little excited, Ha!

 Coming in for a landing!

 It's Him!  It's really him!!!

 I had to keep calling my kids back so they wouldn't run out onto the tarmac.

 Charlotte was impressed!

They filled a helicopter with gifts for the kids and Santa's helper passed them out while the kids got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him if they have been bad or good.

 Charlotte isn't impressed anymore, she didn't want to have anything to do with him.

 My shy Miriam.

 Emma had to really think of what the right answer would be.

 Hannah waited the longest, so she was like, just give me my present fat man! LOL!

Tobie didn't get left out either, he said he wasn't going to sit on his lap, but we see who won out in the end.

It was a fun afternoon, and the kids were super excited that they got to see Santa and even more happy that they got gifts! 

Snaggletooth

 Miriam was looking pretty rough!  Her top front teeth had spread W...A...Y out to make room for her adult teeth to come in.  I guess that was a good thing, but then they came back together in the middle and crossed over one another as if knowing their time was almost over and they were clinging to each other for dear life!  Finally one came out, but the other wasn't going to go so easily.  Another week later and Miriam came home from school declaring the tooth was ready! 

 And with one quick YANK! the tooth was out!  I can't help staring at her, it's so funny looking, but such an improvement than one tooth hanging sideways right smack dab in the middle.  I just hope that it doesn't take a really long time for her new teeth to come in, there is plenty O' room and I don't want those other teeth to start meandering in the front zone.

Tonight I made another discovery, pulled pork tasted delicious on pizza!  We made pulled pork sandwiches yesterday and we always end up with lots of meat left over, and usually by the 3 day of eating left overs we are so over it and it just go to waste.  Well, Theo got the idea to put it on the pizza and I thought that would work if we used the BBQ sauce in place of the pizza sauce we normally use.  Oh my, this stuff was seriously so good!  It was hard limiting myself to just one piece!

That brings me to the Accountability Project, I went to the Dietician today and what I heard wasn't as positive as I was hoping.  The good news is that I am doing everything right!  She looked over my food journals, discussed eating habits and exercising routine and everything looks good.  The bad news is I got the fat gene and therefore may never be thin.  She told me that there is lots of science that is yet to be done as to why the body does what it does when it comes to their bodies, and all bodies are different.  She printed out this article for me to read which  basically says if you have the fat gene your body works against you loosing weight.  It's not all bad, it does say that if you are working at it like I am then you just don't get super fat.  I could just throw my hands up, and say screw it and gorge, but then where would I be?  I prefer to eat right, and have the ability to run for miles.  So I'll keep up my routine and continue to try and find my way in the world of food, but from what I'm reading this is going to be a long drawn out process that is going to take years just for the upkeep.  I'm not liking the idea of keeping up with this project for the rest of my life.  So for now I'm ending my project, I was hoping for a more concrete plan, but she just assured me I'm already on the right path, so I'm just going to putter along and hopefully one day I'll be at the weight where I will be happy.