Such a Pretty Fat

One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life
Makes Her Ass Look Big
Such a Pretty Fat
Seriously, Another Memoir
or
Why Pie Is Not the Answer

is the title of the book I am currently reading
by Jen Lancaster

UPDATE: I have finished this book and it was absolutely hilarious! It's a must read for anyone who has ever dieted. I am on to another of her books. Next up: Bitter is the New Black

Pollyanna Complex

I keep getting bashed for my perkiness. I can't help it- this explains why:

*I watched Pollyanna repeatedly as a child

*I learned this song at 3yrs old and it stuck:
If you chance to meet a frown
Do not let it stay
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away

No one likes a frowny face
Change it to a smile
Make the world a better place
By smiling all the while.

* AND I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!

*Blame it on Disneyland. It really is the Happiest Place on Earth and I've been there a lot!

Simple Saturdays

I remember as a kid looking forward to Saturdays
*Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons
*Mickey Mouse Waffles
*Days at the park

That was pretty much it. Nowadays we fill our Saturdays with obligations and even though they are good things like soccer games, gymnastics, and birthday parties; it's refreshing to just take a day off and simplify. (Simplify. My motto for the last year, hee, hee, is it working?)

So this Saturday we stayed in our pjs for a good part of the morning, watched Hannah Montana, fried up some eggs, and did our chores. No other plans!

We set off for a family bike ride to the park. We played on the teeter-totter, jungle gym, and slides, then rode home into the sunset.

Undo..Part 2

So that last blog got a few comments/ questions so I feel I must explain further. For those of you who read it in email or Facebook only, you missed the whole YouTube video of the song. They were all lyrics to a song I love. You have to click on the link to the actual blog to see the video.

Unfortunately D, I am not that deep. I am horrible at sharing my feelings, especially those of a spiritual nature. I am always fearful to be labeled a "Jesus Freak" even though I kinda am. It's not a bad thing, is it? Which is why I didn't write more the first time. I thought the song spoke for my thoughts by its self...guess I thought wrong.

The reason this I love this song...
I was raised LDS (Mormon). My previous religion didn't really focus on God's grace as much as good works. Though it was there and I knew I would be forgiven when I messed up. I wasn't appreciative of the whole grace thing.

I didn't really get the GRACE thing until about a year ago. That no matter what, nor how many times I messed up, (the lyrics I've been here before, but here I am again) that I am still good with guy upstairs. Which is why I also sometimes feel like a hypocrite, asking for forgiveness than repeating the same mistake all over again. But it's such a relief knowing HE will be there to pick me up, undo what I've become and bring me back to a place of forgiveness and grace.

Whew..does that make sense now?

Undo..

To label me a hypocrite would be only scratching on the surface...

Turn me around
pick me up
Undo what I've become

Bring me back to the place of forgiveness and grace

GYMCAT

Saturday was Emily's first gymnastics meet since making on the Bronze Competitive Team at Gymcats. This was the kick-off meet for the season ~ a dress rehearsal of sorts. Up until now everyone received 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place and scores were not displayed. Scores are now there for all to see. It was still a great experience for her. She rotated through all four events

She scored an 8.0 on beam (her favorite event)

She scored a 7.5 on floor

She scored a 8.5 on vault

The last event: Bars. During her warm-up on bars she practiced her dismount and landed flat on her back, receiving gasps from the crowd, but up she popped, laughed it off, and pulled herslf right up on that bar again. She fell a second time, again flat on her back. Didn't laugh when she got up, but still muscled her way through the routine. She left with a four inch mat burn on her back and an ice pack. She scored 4.0 on bars, but we were so proud of her for still trying her best, even though she was hurting. Emily is a trooper.

Overall: 4th place

Next up:
Vegas Cup Feb. 8th
Cactus Cooler Feb. 22nd

Hurt. Feelin' Love & I Don't Mean Paula Cole's Song

My dad gave The Five Love Languages (by Gary Chapman) to Stephen and I shortly after we were married about 12 years ago. I'll admit it took about a year before I picked it up. It wasn't until it was on Oprah or something and kind of trendy did I even think about reading it. But once I did, I could feel the value of his work in our marriage and in my relationships with others. The premise of the book is that we all have primary love languages in how we feel loved by others.

The Five Love Languages are:

Quality Time
This is basically spending time together. Examples: doing something together, just sitting side by side watching a show, or even having an conversation (without distractions). And date nights.

Gifts
It is what it is. Examples: a picture drawn by a child, a cup of coffee, etc. Gifts are thoughtful no matter how small. Also, presentation counts.

Words of Affirmation
These people are very sensitive about what is said to them and take everything to heart. Saying things like "You can do it!", "You look great today", "Great job", or "I love you" is extremely important to them. It could be in a note or verbally. They pour over the words in a card too.

Physical Touch
Self-explanatory. Examples: HUGS!, holding hands, putting an arm over a shoulder, and other things too.

Acts of Service
Also self-explanatory, but could be simple things like making the bed, helping with a chore, or making a meal.

Most people have a primary and secondary love language. For those of you who don't know, my love languages are Quality Time and Gifts.

{HERE'S MY POINT ALREADY}
Quality time is my primary love language. So when my mom calls me up and asks if I want to go shopping with her...My love tank is filled up. Family game nights and movies nights = LOVE. Holiday get together with my whole family there = buckets of love. When my girlfriends come over to scrapbook with me, I feel surrounded by love. When people cancel plans with me, my love tank is depleted. I irrationally feel that they chose something else over me. I am a backup plan and am not a priority. Quality time is NOT sitting in a room together not interacting and doing separate activities. It must be interactive - which even includes chatting on Facebook or video calls with my grandma.

My secondary language is gifts. It is embarrassing and sounds materialistic but it is soooo true. So when Stephen surprises me with a cup of coffee when I wake up, I awake with a smile on my face. When I go on those quality time shopping trips with my mom and she buys me a trinket, that love tank is completely full (Mom, this does not mean I am asking for a shopping trip & presents...it's an example LOL) When Emily draws a picture for me, I feel overwhelming joy. When H spends ten times longer making my present look pretty cuz she knows about my love language, I feel so blessed to have such an awesome friend! NOTE TO ALL- my birthday is approaching. Kidding. . . maybe?


I also have The Five Love Languages of Children and will soon buy the teenage version as well. FYI:
Stephen's love languages: Physical touch and words
Alexa's: Physical touch and quality time (games are so important)
Emily's: Words and physical touch (she loves to cuddle)

Your own love language is often the way you show love to others also. Learning to use another person's love language is hard for some of us who have a different ones. I would love to know what yours are! Let me know in comments.

Find Out Who Your Friends Are

Brrrrrr. Ouch.

Where can you go ice skating outside in Vegas one asks?

There is a floating ice rink at Montelago Village in Lake Las Vegas. It's smaller and colder than one would expect. The ice is sadly in need of the Zamboni (sp?), but all in all good times where to be had.

Emily is ice skating for the very first time (she doesn't even roller skate yet)

Lexi is almost as tall as Grandma Kathy.

P.S. The bigger you are, the harder you fall (not from my own personal experience, of course)

Reminiscing

On Dec 31st, we stay up way later than we want to, kiss, drink a "cup (or more) of kindness" watch some fireworks, and sing of the good ole days with our dearest friends and family from the past year.

This song brings tears to my eyes every year - even though I've never really understood half of the words or just mumbled up some of my own while singing (don't we all do that?) Oh, also the lead guy is hot! SO CLICK ON PLAY AND reminisce with me of days of auld lang syne

TRIPS

Remember the Alamo (see previous post)
Mexican Cruise (with the kids)
Women's Retreat
Sisters as friends in Yosemite
Women's Retreat
Our close encounter with death by giant fallen icicle
Ripped up shorts from Slide Rock after too many jello shots the night before

NEW FRIENDS TO LIGHT UP OUR LIVES
Baby Taylor
Beth
Kris

GOOD TIMES WITH OLD FRIENDS

Facebook (or crackbook)
Twilight mania
Monday Night GGs
NKOTB Concert
Scrapbooking
"Virgin" Drinks with preggers

PRICELESS MOMENTS

Alexa's winning assist in soccer for MVP
The time Alexa said "I get lost in her eyes"
My baptism
Emily's missing two front teeth
A Snow Day in Las Vegas!!!
Emily's 1st place win at Gymnastics
Wii, Rock band, & Guitar Hero competitions
Stephen's 1st attempt at sushi
Nana's 90th Birthday - She was Fabulous!

If there is anything I forgot... please add it in the comments!