Hey everyone! Do you ever just feel down? Feel like you just want to sit down and do nothing? Need some energy? Feel like you want to quit this diet? Well, the best thing that I have found to boost my mood is this recipe:
Read scriptures daily for at least 5 minutes
Pray daily
Exercise!!
That's right. Exercise. It boosts your mood almost instantly. When added to a routine daily scripture study and prayer it can really pull you out of the blues. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment while boosting your metabolism! Isn't that nice! If you aren't exercising already you need to start out slow or you will not feel very good. Start out with 15 minutes a day for 2 or 3 days a week and very gradually work your way up to 30 minutes. Then you can add a day or two a week. Once you reach about 5 days a week at 30 minutes a day you will begin to see a great change not only in your mood but also in your body!
Added bonus: A closer relationship with our Father in Heaven! This will help you to remember that you are His Daughter and He loves you very much. I think we all need to remember that!
Have you had your mood boosted today?
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Twelves years ago today
This day marks our 12th Wedding anniversary. I think back on all the years and everything that has happened and I think...WOW!!! 12 years and five kids later. Look where we are now.
Todd spent a week in Panama translating for the medics who were teaching a class. He had a lot of fun and came home with a blistering sunburn on his face.
Meanwhile back at the home of the Cantwell's...
I was missing Todd and worrying, fearing and so forth. Have you ever been so terrified that you might lose the one person in life who means the most to you? Well, that's what I was doing. To put it lightly. I spent many a moment in the scriptures and on my knees. Finally after a very long and stressful week as I was pondering the peaceful feelings that I had from praying a thought came to me that I should check my patriarchal blessing. There is was...Why didn't I think of it sooner? I thought maybe that this was a test. How much would I let Satan tempt me to fear and worry? Well, As I read this one small portion I felt at peace again. We will serve a couples Mission together when our children are grown! I am truly grateful for the learning experience and for the time on my knees in humble prayer. I am grateful that I have my wonderful husband. This experience made me look at life in a completely different way. Every moment is precious. My words are kinder. I notice the little things and appreciate their great worth. For example: Todd holding Alyssa on his knees and making silly noises to get her to giggle. Or Todd rolling around on the floor with the boys wrestling. Or Todd getting up in the middle of the night to take the baby so I can sleep. I have a gem of a husband. My knight in shining armor! So, with all these things running through my head that I adored about Todd I sat down and wrote him a letter of appreciation! How often we forget that we need to voice our feelings for our Eternal Companions. I know I do. He is my best friend. I want to pick up the phone and tell him about every little joy, when he is away.
Sunday came and Todd came on the long journey home. He was thrilled about all of the compliments that he received on his Spanish speaking abilities. He and the others were able to go to a beach on an island off the coast of Panama. The temperatures were anywhere from 85 to 100 degrees. Someone forgot the sunscreen! His nose is bubbled over with blisters, and his forehead is peeling. He is glad to be at home. But he wishes he could explore some more. He is having a hard time remembering that he isn't in Panama anymore and talks to people in Spanish. That has provoked some interesting looks from people at work and at the gas station!
Coming up this weekend Alyssa turns 4 months old and on Monday Colin turns 5 years old. Pretty awesome!
Todd brought me home a dozen red roses today. They are my favorite flower and we can rarely afford this kind of a luxury, but he had extra spending money from his trip and used it to surprise me. How sweet!!
Then the stinky old cat knocked to roses down (which he likes to eat) and the vase broke. Bummer. Alex asked me who was going to go get a new vase. And I said, "No one."
Alex seemed perplexed, "But why not?"
I answered, "Well, we don't need one. We can make due."
He watched me dig out a plastic cup and begin arranging the flower in it.
"Oh", he said with enlightenment. "You can use a cup!"
So, I think after 12 years I am in love with my husband more today than I ever thought possible when we started out. Isn't love grand!!! That's why I love romance novels!!!
Todd spent a week in Panama translating for the medics who were teaching a class. He had a lot of fun and came home with a blistering sunburn on his face.
Meanwhile back at the home of the Cantwell's...
I was missing Todd and worrying, fearing and so forth. Have you ever been so terrified that you might lose the one person in life who means the most to you? Well, that's what I was doing. To put it lightly. I spent many a moment in the scriptures and on my knees. Finally after a very long and stressful week as I was pondering the peaceful feelings that I had from praying a thought came to me that I should check my patriarchal blessing. There is was...Why didn't I think of it sooner? I thought maybe that this was a test. How much would I let Satan tempt me to fear and worry? Well, As I read this one small portion I felt at peace again. We will serve a couples Mission together when our children are grown! I am truly grateful for the learning experience and for the time on my knees in humble prayer. I am grateful that I have my wonderful husband. This experience made me look at life in a completely different way. Every moment is precious. My words are kinder. I notice the little things and appreciate their great worth. For example: Todd holding Alyssa on his knees and making silly noises to get her to giggle. Or Todd rolling around on the floor with the boys wrestling. Or Todd getting up in the middle of the night to take the baby so I can sleep. I have a gem of a husband. My knight in shining armor! So, with all these things running through my head that I adored about Todd I sat down and wrote him a letter of appreciation! How often we forget that we need to voice our feelings for our Eternal Companions. I know I do. He is my best friend. I want to pick up the phone and tell him about every little joy, when he is away.
Sunday came and Todd came on the long journey home. He was thrilled about all of the compliments that he received on his Spanish speaking abilities. He and the others were able to go to a beach on an island off the coast of Panama. The temperatures were anywhere from 85 to 100 degrees. Someone forgot the sunscreen! His nose is bubbled over with blisters, and his forehead is peeling. He is glad to be at home. But he wishes he could explore some more. He is having a hard time remembering that he isn't in Panama anymore and talks to people in Spanish. That has provoked some interesting looks from people at work and at the gas station!
Coming up this weekend Alyssa turns 4 months old and on Monday Colin turns 5 years old. Pretty awesome!
Todd brought me home a dozen red roses today. They are my favorite flower and we can rarely afford this kind of a luxury, but he had extra spending money from his trip and used it to surprise me. How sweet!!
Then the stinky old cat knocked to roses down (which he likes to eat) and the vase broke. Bummer. Alex asked me who was going to go get a new vase. And I said, "No one."
Alex seemed perplexed, "But why not?"
I answered, "Well, we don't need one. We can make due."
He watched me dig out a plastic cup and begin arranging the flower in it.
"Oh", he said with enlightenment. "You can use a cup!"
So, I think after 12 years I am in love with my husband more today than I ever thought possible when we started out. Isn't love grand!!! That's why I love romance novels!!!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Finally!
I am such a procrastinator! Hence I have a lot that could be getting done! I finally ordered and put up our 20x30 family picture. Yeah! I love seeing it up one the wall. It is an easy way to count my blessings on a crazy day! My family is such a joy to me. I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven who saw fit to send me 4 cute boys and one adorable girl. I couldn't be happier!
I have all the pictures now so that I can send out a family newsletter, but I forgot to get the pictures of the boys done! Ha! And I didn't make the baby announcement. So, this week while Todd is in Panama I will work on pictures to send to everyone. It is my joy! I love it. I wish I had more minutes in my day though!
Time to get exercising! Gotta get day number 5 in for this week. I hope you each have a fabulous weekend!
I have all the pictures now so that I can send out a family newsletter, but I forgot to get the pictures of the boys done! Ha! And I didn't make the baby announcement. So, this week while Todd is in Panama I will work on pictures to send to everyone. It is my joy! I love it. I wish I had more minutes in my day though!
Time to get exercising! Gotta get day number 5 in for this week. I hope you each have a fabulous weekend!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Pictures
Another one of my obsessions! I love taking pictures. I think my kids get a little tired of me pulling out the camera! But, oh well! I even leave it on the piano in the living room now because you never know when the baby might do something ultra cute, or the boys might be silly or something that you just don't want to miss.
I've been working on uploading pictures to the computer, making discs for family, and uploading them to the internet to share with friends and family. I am trying to stay on top of it so that everyone will be able to see new photos of our kids each week. I have all of January on the computer now! Hurray!
TJ came home yesterday with a mock news paper that he had made. On the front page was an article he wrote about how he had received 100% on his science bench mark test. That is a big deal. He gave me the news paper to read first. My reaction, "Really? You got 100%? That's awesome TJ!" He always does pretty well, but never a perfect score until now. I am so proud of him! So, he got a reward...M&M's. Alex now wanted a reward too, so we gave him a job to do. He wasn't happy. He wanted an easy job. I asked him to empty all the small trash cans into the kitchen one for me. There are 2 upstairs and 3 downstairs. It took him a little bit and he was a little frustrated, but he did it and got his M&M's too! They are such good kids! Colin earned his M&M's by sharing really nicely with a friend, in order to help all the kids stay happy while I was baby sitting. Max earned his M&M's by completing 2 book reports. That is really hard for him to do. He hates them. We usually have a lot of screaming when he needs to do them. This time, he did a great job and there was almost no yelling! Yeah M&M's! Now, normally I don't bribe my kids, but it worked this time! And I don't usually use candy, but I thought a special treat might help once in a while.
I've been working on uploading pictures to the computer, making discs for family, and uploading them to the internet to share with friends and family. I am trying to stay on top of it so that everyone will be able to see new photos of our kids each week. I have all of January on the computer now! Hurray!
TJ came home yesterday with a mock news paper that he had made. On the front page was an article he wrote about how he had received 100% on his science bench mark test. That is a big deal. He gave me the news paper to read first. My reaction, "Really? You got 100%? That's awesome TJ!" He always does pretty well, but never a perfect score until now. I am so proud of him! So, he got a reward...M&M's. Alex now wanted a reward too, so we gave him a job to do. He wasn't happy. He wanted an easy job. I asked him to empty all the small trash cans into the kitchen one for me. There are 2 upstairs and 3 downstairs. It took him a little bit and he was a little frustrated, but he did it and got his M&M's too! They are such good kids! Colin earned his M&M's by sharing really nicely with a friend, in order to help all the kids stay happy while I was baby sitting. Max earned his M&M's by completing 2 book reports. That is really hard for him to do. He hates them. We usually have a lot of screaming when he needs to do them. This time, he did a great job and there was almost no yelling! Yeah M&M's! Now, normally I don't bribe my kids, but it worked this time! And I don't usually use candy, but I thought a special treat might help once in a while.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Who knew?
Who knew that when I started this blog that the comments left for me would be so uplifting? I just thought it would be cool to share with friends and family what is going on in our lives. Low and behold I get uplifted by the thoughts and feelings of my wonderful friends and family. What a blessing to me! Thank you for loving us!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A good ending to a day!
Thursday morning I woke after having very little sleep and forced myself out of bed at 6:45am. By the time I had TJ and Alex out of bed and was finished with making Max's lunch I actually had some energy. I decided not to take the time for a nap. Kids got off to school fairly easily, which was a nice blessing that morning. I fed Alyssa and made sure she was happy in the swing and started my exercise. Now, for any of you who know me well you know that I am a bit obsessive about some things. I have tried to make sure I lose my pregnancy weight each time I have another little one. With TJ it was pretty easy and I was back to my high school weight in a few months. With Alex, I gained a LOT more, so I worked out for 4 months and lost the weight. It was still easy at that age. But then I didn't work out any more. Max came and I can't even remember how long it took. My goal by then was not as low though. High school weight would just be too thin after 3 babies. I didn't gain much that time because we were packing our house and getting ready to move to Kansas City. Then Colin came and I exercised some but wasn't doing it a lot. When Colin was 9 months old my knee started swelling. This had happened before when we were in Maine. There was no obvious cause so the doctors couldn't tell me what to do to prevent it. Well, I tried to just deal with it and then I couldn't walk. I couldn't deal with that. So, I stopped nursing and went on an anti-inflammatory. In about three months time my knee began swelling again. I was still taking the anti-inflammatory too. I prayed that I would find a way to help my knee. I found two solutions that came to me: one was that I needed to work out on a regular basis, and two was that I needed to start on some decent multi vitamins. Once I started taking my new vitamins and working out my knee was back to normal size in 4 days. No drugs. Anyway, since that time I have been kind of obsessed with working out and taking my vitamins. I feel better, have more energy, sleep much better and lose weight. I hoped that when I got pregnant this time, with Alyssa, I would be able to work out throughout the pregnancy, but I was not able to. I tried to go walking with some friends from church and I would end up in pain for the next couple of days. So, I gained about 40 pounds. Not horrible, but not the best either. The kicker is that now I am over 30 years old. I was 28 when I had Colin. It wasn’t too hard to lose the weight. I am 33 now and struggling with how in the world to make this weight go away. Yes, I know she is only 3 months old, but I am noticing a huge difference in how fast you can, or can’t, shed pounds once you reach your 30's. Yikes! My goals are much different now. If I ever dropped back to high school weight, 125, I would look sickly. So, I have a healthy goal set for my height and age. So, I work out 5 days a week for 30 minutes each day. Sometimes I even get in a 6th day. Yah, I’m a little obsessed!
This week I noticed a large amount of cardinals on our brown back lawn. They stand out distinctly against the dead grass. It was so neat to watch them, bright red males and brownish females, as they fluttered around our yard from the trees, to the ground, to the deck. Once they were startled they seemed to take flight simultaneously. It was a neat sight. It has happened several times this week and I count myself blessed. I feel like the nature in our small back yard is a blessing sent from a loving Father in Heaven who knows of my love of His creations. You just don’t get to see a lot of it around here. So, it is a bright spot in my day when I do.
I taught a lesson today in church, which I don’t do very often. It was on the topic of Love One Another. I prepared. I prayed for the guidance of the spirit. It was a hard lesson to teach. I struggled through it. It makes me appreciate the days when it goes smoothly! Don’t you wish all days could run smoothly? But then how strong would be truly be? So, I am grateful for the trial of today and I learned a lot.
I love newborn giggles! Aaah…the joy! I was being silly while holding Alyssa on my lap and she started giggling each time I put her feet onto my cheeks. A giggle from a child is so contagious and so healing. It makes you feel good!
Colin, so sweet, still gets to stay up a little later with us in the evening because he doesn’t have to be up early for school. He begs for a snack. When we have already said no to the cookies and hot chocolate and the tears begin to fill his pretty blue eyes my heart just melts. But, I have to stick to what I told him, right? Okay. So, I consult with Todd and we determine that the soup Colin had for supper was not filling enough and he can have some crackers. I didn’t cave. But I gave him a better option. It can be so hard to stick to what you tell your kids. I know sometimes I want to just give in, but that won’t teach them anything except that if you keep pushing Mom’s buttons she will give in.
It is a good ending to this day! I am grateful for learning moments, for tender mercies of the Lord, phone calls from my Mom and sister, warm hugs and kisses from my kids and husband and most especially for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. Have a great day!
This week I noticed a large amount of cardinals on our brown back lawn. They stand out distinctly against the dead grass. It was so neat to watch them, bright red males and brownish females, as they fluttered around our yard from the trees, to the ground, to the deck. Once they were startled they seemed to take flight simultaneously. It was a neat sight. It has happened several times this week and I count myself blessed. I feel like the nature in our small back yard is a blessing sent from a loving Father in Heaven who knows of my love of His creations. You just don’t get to see a lot of it around here. So, it is a bright spot in my day when I do.
I taught a lesson today in church, which I don’t do very often. It was on the topic of Love One Another. I prepared. I prayed for the guidance of the spirit. It was a hard lesson to teach. I struggled through it. It makes me appreciate the days when it goes smoothly! Don’t you wish all days could run smoothly? But then how strong would be truly be? So, I am grateful for the trial of today and I learned a lot.
I love newborn giggles! Aaah…the joy! I was being silly while holding Alyssa on my lap and she started giggling each time I put her feet onto my cheeks. A giggle from a child is so contagious and so healing. It makes you feel good!
Colin, so sweet, still gets to stay up a little later with us in the evening because he doesn’t have to be up early for school. He begs for a snack. When we have already said no to the cookies and hot chocolate and the tears begin to fill his pretty blue eyes my heart just melts. But, I have to stick to what I told him, right? Okay. So, I consult with Todd and we determine that the soup Colin had for supper was not filling enough and he can have some crackers. I didn’t cave. But I gave him a better option. It can be so hard to stick to what you tell your kids. I know sometimes I want to just give in, but that won’t teach them anything except that if you keep pushing Mom’s buttons she will give in.
It is a good ending to this day! I am grateful for learning moments, for tender mercies of the Lord, phone calls from my Mom and sister, warm hugs and kisses from my kids and husband and most especially for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. Have a great day!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
One Step At A Time
I have spent many an hour at the computer yesterday just working on our Relief Society newsletter and other items. Needless to say I was a little fried when I got done yesterday. As I was driving to get Colin to school I was listening to my thoughts as they rolled around in my brain. Something clicked and I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to be an awesome Mother. No yelling at my children when I am frustrated, always taking the time with them, etc, etc, etc. I was determined.
I picked up Colin and was getting him into the car and noticed that I was a little snippy with him. Great! That was a fabulous start! I realized how very hard it is to be the kind of person I truly want to be. I am not a terrible person, but I want to be so much better. Don't we all?
I know that when I am tired I am a little less pleasant with my family. After 12 years of marriage I finally have that figured out. So, my determination to be a fabulous Mother, all at once no less, was a little hasty. I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time. One moment at a time. One day at a time.
I got a little more sleep last night and am able to be more pleasant today. Oh how I long to be that perfect Mother. Probably when my kids are all adults I will have it figured out. Maybe!! So, I am determined today to do better than I did yesterday. One step at a time. Line upon line!
I picked up Colin and was getting him into the car and noticed that I was a little snippy with him. Great! That was a fabulous start! I realized how very hard it is to be the kind of person I truly want to be. I am not a terrible person, but I want to be so much better. Don't we all?
I know that when I am tired I am a little less pleasant with my family. After 12 years of marriage I finally have that figured out. So, my determination to be a fabulous Mother, all at once no less, was a little hasty. I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time. One moment at a time. One day at a time.
I got a little more sleep last night and am able to be more pleasant today. Oh how I long to be that perfect Mother. Probably when my kids are all adults I will have it figured out. Maybe!! So, I am determined today to do better than I did yesterday. One step at a time. Line upon line!
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