Be Prepared...

...for things to be prepared.  (alright be honest how many of you now have The Lion King song in your head?)  That actually doesn't have much of anything to do with this blog post that might get long winded as I have a lot running through my mind after my race today.  If you want the short version...too bad...there isn't one worth mentioning.  This was one of those races you have to have the full story or the short one sounds lame!

So to back up a few weeks or rather a year ago when I started training for this race.  I remember finishing last year, flying high with hopes of a better race this year.  In November I began my journey as a Spinning instructor which began my winter training for this race.  In January I put together my team and registered as an all woman's team.  In March I traded out our runner seeing how she would have been 32+ weeks along come race day for a male putting us in a MUCH MORE competitive bracket, but at that time I wasn't thinking winning, just having fun.  As I continued to train my times got faster and faster, my legs got stronger and stronger.  While I was training for this race I thought I would start to train for a Century Ride (100 miles) so my rides got a little slower, but lots longer with my longest ride 3 hours in May.  Then I started to slack on the long rides, but kept at my speed days and shorter rides.  Come June I knew my 100 mile ride wasn't going to happen this year (it will soon, I just couldn't prioritize the training this year), so all my training was spent on speed and this 25 mile ride.  Which brings me to a few weeks ago and my friend Alice.  Alice is an AMAZING athlete and equally amazing person.  She motivates and inspires me.  You see this smile on her face? Every race picture you see of her she has this smile (or bigger).  I asked her about her race and how she could still be smiling at mile #60 she said "oh Amy, if you could only be inside my head during a race..."  She then told me that she was writing her memoir about her latest race and would send it to me if I wanted to read it.  Curious, I said yes please.  So she sent it and I read it, and I was further inspired.  She doesn't run with ear buds, she rarely runs with other people (not many can keep up with her) to talk with so she has 100s of inspirational/spiritual songs memorized and she sings them, and she talks to God and that is where that smile comes from.   So a few weeks ago I started training a little differently for this race.  I continued with my physical training, and I started collecting my songs that would help me along the way.  I started preparing myself a little more spiritually.

this is Alice a few weeks ago she competed in the Sawtooth Relay, a 62 mile race usually run in teams of 6 people each running 2 legs of the race.  Alice ran it Solo and in 11 hours 09 minutes placing her second in the solo division and the only woman running solo. 

RACE DAY:  To say I was calm would be a LIE I was a nervous wreck!  After talking with my teammates and discussing training times we realized that we have a very good chance to be very competitive and even come home with a little potato trophy (I won one last year, but never received it :( so I was determined).  Our swimmer, Renee Cranney, got in the water at 8:00 and out in 20:36 I was out the gate and on my bike in 1:37 (lots better than last year) the first few miles are always a little too slow for me as we try to spread ourselves out and find us a good spot.  By the time I hit mile #3 I am settled in and ready to go.

The first song pops into my head immediately and isn't it appropriate that it would be "Put your shoulder to the wheel push along, do your duty with a heart full of song, we all have work, let no one shirk.  Put your shoulder to the wheel." I chuckled out loud and felt the rhythm of the song push me a little faster, a little stronger.

Leading up to my race I said many prayers pleading that my body and my bike would function as we had prepared.  So as I settled into the first few miles I started to talk with Heavenly Father, asking him to prompt me to inspire someone along the course.  We had a good little talk and I was happy.  I really felt that "Alice Smile" encompass me and life was good!  I rode along keeping my pace of the first straight away right around 18-19 MPH there is a slight incline here and that is exactly what I expected.  As we turned the corner onto our second straight away I felt a new energy soar through me and I was able to increased to 20-22 MPH for the majority of this street.  I spoke to other riders as I felt inspired to, I continued to talk with my Heavenly Father.  It was a beautiful morning for a ride, the cloud coverage was appreciated, the fields almost ready to harvest were a sight to behold.
Enters the second song into my head...

1. There is beauty all around
   When there's love at home;
   There is joy in ev'ry sound
   When there's love at home.
   Peace and plenty here abide,
   Smiling sweet on ev'ry side.
   Time doth softly, sweetly glide
   When there's love at home.
   Love at home, love at home;
   Time doth softly, sweetly glide
   When there's love at home.
2. Kindly heaven smiles above
   When there's love at home;
   All the world is filled with love
   When there's love at home.
   Sweeter sings the brooklet by;
   Brighter beams the azure sky.
   Oh, there's One who smiles on high
   When there's love at home.
   Love at home, love at home;
   Oh, there's One who smiles on high
   When there's love at home.

I thought about my family at home and how excited they were for me.  I couldn't wait to get home and tell them all about my race.  At mile 12.8 I came up on a lady that was struggling, I watched her posture slack further, I watched her pedals slow.  I felt inspired to ride with her for a minute and tell her that "you are more than half way done".  She smiled, corrected her posture, increased her speed, and said "really, are you serious?!  I CAN DO THIS!"  Her smile gave me a boost and we separated.

I turned onto the 3rd long straight away and again had a burst of new energy and speed and after a very slight hill increased to 23-24 MPH.  I was loving every second of this ride.  My legs felt strong, my bike felt smooth, the people around me were happy...and then...boom!  I rode over a bridge and I know the exact moment things changed.  The bridge was slightly raised and there was a hole right in front of me and I hit it just so.  I rode another 1/2 mile or so and asked the guy next to me if he thought my tire was flat.  He said "no, just a little low" I could handle that.  I stopped and pumped it up with my speedy CO2 cartridge.  I felt so high tech.  Said a little prayer, clinging to faith that it would hold, got back on my bike and rode a little further.  1 mile down the road, mile 15, there was nothing left of my tube.  It was shot.  I blew it out completely.  I was mad, frustrated, and felt betrayed.  How could I go from one extreme to the other in such a short period of time?!  I flagged down a race volunteer and asked them to help me change my tire...they responded with a "we can't, can we?"  I responded with a "yes, that is why they have you riding the course in a razor isn't it?!"  they responded with a well we better call and check... they received a chuckle from race head quarters and a "yes, that is your job!" so we got to work taking the tire off, replacing the tube, and then waiting foooorrrreeevvveeerrr, watching every other biker for miles behind catch and pass me, for a pump because they didn't think they needed to pack one, and I didn't have a spare CO2 cartridge.  I am VERY grateful for my little "pit crew".  My adrenaline was firing so much I am not sure I could have done it by myself!  We got it changed, we got it pumped.  I looked at the time noting that 25+ minutes had passed. 

I knew my time for winning was shot, but I wanted to finish strong.  I got back on my bike and for the rest of that straight away I averaged 23-24 MPH.  My thoughts started to race, not with songs of inspiration but of bitterness and negativity..."if only", "why me", "I prayed", "I sang", "am I not good enough"...I slowed down to 14 MPH and really just wanted to stop and cry.  The anger controlled my ride for about 3 miles.  I saw a gentleman up ahead struggling and I had every intention of passing him without saying a word, content to continue in my "woe is me" attitude.  Something happened when I looked over at him as I caught up to him.  I thought "What would Alice do?"  I KNOW she would not let this get her down, and neither would I.  I shoved my negative thoughts aside.  We only had 8 more miles and as I passed him I told him.  He replied with "yeah, eight too many!" I slowed my pace to match his for a minute and said "we are so close, let's just pick them off 1/2 mile at a time.  We are almost to the rollers, use the downhill ride to energize the uphill climb.  We CAN do this!!"  He smiled, I sped back up to 18-20 MPH.  I now had a head wind and it started to rain on me.  But I had a new determination to finish what I started, to speak to the other riders when inspired, I hit 27 MPH on one of the downhills.  I said a prayer of thanks and finished strong.

I rolled into the transition area in 1:39:15.  My goals were to finish in 1:15:XX, average 20 MPH and to hit a speed I have never hit (at least on that course).  I DID!   if you take off the 25 minutes of delay I rode it in 1:14:XX

Our poor runner had to leave out in a downpour, only to have the sun come out in full force at mile 4 of his 6.2.  He didn't get to run it as fast as his training runs said he should have, and I felt bad for that!  If only...

We didn't stick around for the awards ceremony, we went home instead.  I was still sooooo bummed and as I lay trying to rest I checked out our official times, not sure if I thought it would make me feel better or not.  With the times as is we finished 10th out of 20 in our division with a total time of 2:52:18,  36:14 minutes behind the lead.  Nope, that didn't make me feel better...so I took off the 25 minute delay (possible that it was longer I waited a few before texting my teammates) and then if we take the difference of the training time of our runner vs the race time with bad weather (at least 2 minutes) we finished in 2:24:XX and would have placed 3rd in our age division and 8th overall.  Nope, that didn't make me feel any better either.  So I started to analyze, to gripe, to complain. When the question "are my prayers not good enough?" "why didn't he protect my bike, and help it function properly?" came to mind I felt sudden peace and knowledge that my Heavenly Father did not give me a flat so he could sit back and laugh.  He does not give us trails for the fun of it.  There was/is a reason!  I may not ever know the exact reason, but I did find peace knowing that there was one, and hopefully I was able to help someone along the way.

I accepted the fact that I can do everything needed to be prepared, but things are always being prepared for me, and they are what will make me the strongest.  So my new mantra is "Be prepared for things to be prepared.".  My testimony that Heavenly Father hears my prayers, knows me personally and LOVES me unconditionally was strengthened on this race.  I will forever look at life a little differently.  I can say that I had a good race and look forward to the next one.  I WILL GET MY MEDAL!  and I plan on riding this course again, without delays before the season is over...

Top: My team...Bret Jones, Renee Cranney-sure hope they are willing to do it again next year!  It is hard to fathom the amount of bikes racked...there are about 1600 participants entered in the Spudman

Post race treat...there is NOTHING that tastes better than Chocolate Milk!  There was a guy I passed on my way to the car chugging from a gallon jug and I was soooo close to asking him for a swig.  I went and got my own instead. 

I Loved It...

...and very much caught the racing bug. I can't wait for the next one!!

So we started our morning off at 6:00 leaving Oakley.  Kaydee, Jen and I were all first timers to the Spudman and had enough nervous energy to power a small country.  Then to add the sight of 2300+ other athletes, and all their bikes, and equipment pretty much doubled our energy.  We were the second leg of the triathlon and were riding 25 miles.  It was the same course I got bit on just over a week ago and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about that.  Our swimmers started at 8:00 and we were kinda hoping that they would all get out of the water together so we could get on our bikes and ride it together, but of course that didn't happen.  Jen's swimmer got out at about 14 minuets, mine at about 23 minuets, and Kaydee's at about 24 minutes.  We then had to run down to our bikes and get out the gate.  My bike was at the very end, Kaydee's and Jen's about mid way and closer to the gate.  I assumed Kaydee wasn't too far behind me so I held back a little bit hoping that she would catch up.  When she didn't I started to worry that maybe her swimmer got lost...I caught up to Jen at about mile 18ish and she said Kaydee passed her way back.  So somewhere between the river and the gate Kaydee got out ahead of me.  Kaydee assumed I was in front of her, and I assumed I was too.  So she pushed hard to catch me and I held back a tiny bit to let her....darn!  We had a bit of a head wind on the first long stretch that wasn't too fun, but compared to the head wind we had on the last long stretch (the Declo rollers) it was a breeze.  That last stretched took everything I had.  You know it is more than a breeze when you are working hard on the downhill part of the roller and working 4x that on the uphills.   But we all made it, and despite it all I came in under 1:30 at 1:26:something.  I had a great time, I loved all the little race helpers, they were so nice and cheerful, had a great time riding with so many other bikers and can't wait to do it again!


 
somewhere in there is my swimmer...


I met Katherine the night before, and have to say we made a good team (although truth be told, she kicked butt!) Team BDI #1 came in third in our division not bad!  It is good to have the first race under my belt.  I have huge goals for the next one. 

the end of the race...one of these days were are all going to get matching jerseys (Rayette was there to cheer us on, sad her injury is keeping her from riding with us-soon though!)

Clean Eating Complete...

...today marks one month of clean/sugar free eating. So my plan was to eat REAL foods, meaning lean meats, fruits, veggies, and whole grains. If I ate anything out of a package it had to be a short list of ingredients, no sugar in the first 5 if at all, and I had to be able pronounce and find all of the listed ingredients in a regular grocery store. No preservatives, no additives.

I learned a few things:
1) It is possible
2) After the first 1.5 weeks it isn't even that hard
3) Honey is a good substitute in most things and you can almost always just trade them straight up equally or 1/4 less honey, EXCEPT in cool aid, then you should start with a couple TBS and taste it as you add it, 1/4 cup is probably enough (of course I never added the full 1 cup sugar it called for either-I like tart)
4) Real foods don't have the addictive ingredients that other foods have (except maybe for that asparagus and cauliflower) and you are satisfied lots faster, meaning you stop eating sooner.
5) Real foods have amazing potential, you just have to learn to use them in extraordinary ways.
6) There are so many recipes online that really you could have something different for dinner every night for the next 5 years.
7) You can still have yummy treats.

I took on this challenge for a couple of reasons
1) it is on my bucket list (CHECK!)
2) my migraines have been coming more frequently and I heard that cutting out the sugar and processed foods can help

During the last month I had 1 migraine, but on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being a mean headache and 10 being the worst migraine I have ever had I would say it was about a 3 with my auras lasting only 2 hours or so. The month before I had 2 migraines I would have rated upwards of a 6-7 with my auras lasting 8-12 hours. So in short, yes I had a migraine, but when compared to others it was pretty minor. Was it the clean eating? I don't know, but it is worth looking into further and maybe making it more permanent.

Broil It...

...and you will never eat it any other way! Loving the cauliflower the other night so much I decided to try broiling asparagus...um yeah, I vow to never ever again boil it! Broiling it is soooooo the way to go! Lightly toss it in oil sprinkle with course sea salt and broil up until nice and crispy.



For movie night last night we had our every other week pizza and again, broiling it on a stone was the Italian way to do it! Bake your dough like you normally would (but plain) then add your toppings, and then broil it until the tomato (my favorite topping) and cheese are sizzling. Makes for a crispier crust but so worth it.



I love the way Colt talks, but my most favorite words he says are in this video "yeah" and "tamale" (as in hot tamale-his favorite treat) and we will give him one just so we can hear him say the word.

Clean Eating Movie Night...

...I knew tonight was going to be a challenge, because honestly this is the best night of the week to come to dinner. This is when we get creative, try new things and we don't often skimp on anything. We survived it and even had carmel popcorn as a treat, but let's start with dinner.
We made Manicotti with home made pasta (aka crespelle) this dinner was a little more involved tonight because I was not only making dinner for us tonight, but a dinner to freeze as well. I am not sure how it will freeze, ask me in a month or two when we rotate it out of the freezer.

We started with the pasta sauce. I used my go to pasta sauce recipe

Then we went to the filling (this was enough for 16 manacotti)
15 oz low fat ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 1/2 cup for the top)
1 egg
1 cup cooked spinach (squeeze all the water our-and chop it)
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
1 clove garlic (or 1 tsp garlic)
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
parm cheese for the top
mix it all together and set it aside

Now the Crespelle (some might call them crapes, as I imagine they are pretty similar) I found the recipe here Use whole grain flour for an even healthier version.

so my first crespelle ended up being scrapped into the garbage can, my second one is seen here on the right, but check out the ones that followed (funny enough the recipe says it will make 16 and sure enough I had 16 good ones in the end so don't worry it gives you two practice rounds)

check out that flip!! Here are a couple of my secrets
I used about 1/8 cup for each, I lightly greased my pan after every one, take your pan off the burner and hold it at a slight angle while pouring the batter, then start to roll the batter around making it big and thin, then add it back to the burner and cook until the pan lets go of it, then toss it (or if you are a chicken flip it)
DEVINE! Alright so my kids (besides Jacey) picked out every single piece of spinach so maybe next time I will just leave that out. Jacey devoured hers, Dax made a nice effort at his, and didn't complain once. Skye on the other had was a fight to take one single bite (without spinach in it) and Colt ended up eating a PB and honey sandwich, but too bad for them they get the dinner at least one more time, or maybe Greg, Jacey and I will enjoy it and they can have cold cereal. I really, really like this one!
Alright let's talk about sugar free carmel popcorn...oh buddy...yes please!
I found this on (none other than) the gracious pantry and it is simple, it is clean (other than the sticky fingers) and it was yum-o-lishious!!
take 6-8 cups air popped popcorn
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup peanut butter
bring your honey to a boil (in a pan of course) let it boil up 1 inch (I am not sure I got this part of the directions, I just let it boil for maybe 1 minute) remove from the heat and add in your PB. Whisk it all together and pour over the popcorn stir it with a spoon and let it cool.

it was a HIT, and as long as I share with the kids and Greg, not a bad little treat!!
Who said clean eating had to be tasteless and boring, not too mention treat free! Oh and today marks day 12 of being sugar free-I have to say I think I might like it...*gasp!*

I will do our movie reviews tomorrow, haven't watched our movie yet

Our Superbowl Party...

...which is soooo much more about the family than the game, but this year (thanks to nfl.com) we actually had the game on with sound until half time and then we muted it and watched AFV aka the funny shows until the kids went to bed. Because kick off was so close to the time we got home from church I didn't take a lot of phttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifictures of the prep work, but we always enjoy cooking together and everyone did their part.

Let's start with dessert...this recipe (again) starts from The Gracious Pantry and I have to say I LOVED them, they were so super moist (unlike the cupcakes) full of flavor and oooey-gooey-ness! I think they had more of a cake-like consistency but when they are that yummy who cares what you call them!!
The Brownies
here is her recipe (with my alterations)

Slow Cooker Brownies (I did not make them in the slow cooker-just the oven)
Makes 32 brownies (ha! I guess I didn't cut them small enough)

Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
½ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup apple sauce, unsweetened
2 medium, ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup honey
4 egg whites (I just used 2 whole eggs)
6 ounces unsweetened Baker’s Chocolate (I used 6 oz of dark choc chips melted and another 2 oz unmelted)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (I used canola oil-didn't have coconut)
½ cup walnuts (optional-I topped with coconut instead)
Olive oil in an oil sprayer

I mostly followed her directions combining all the dry stuff (plus 2 oz choc chips) in one bowl and all the moist in another bowl, slowly melting the chocolate (6oz) in the microwave, and then combining it all together. I foil lined a 9x9 pan (next time I will do a bigger one so my brownies aren't so thick) I baked them at 325 for probably 30 min. (sorry I don't really know) you will know they are done when a knife comes out of the center clean (you of course have to poke the knife in there-don't expect the knife to come out clean like a turkey timer)

I will be making these ones again!!
we kept it mostly simple this year with hoagies, fruit and veggies (we did buy the kids some candy, but forgot to get it out...they didn't even notice!) We filled our tummies for sure!
we had to do a little rearranging so we could see the computer screen. Don't mind the messy desk, it always looks like that.

Update On Our Cleanliness...

...don't worry, I wont mention our hygiene (other than just now) in this post. Our first week of eating clean (well, the kids only mostly-they haven't crossed over completely) is nearing an end and I thought I would put some of our favorites, some tips and tricks, and some reminders for next time we make certain things...

Let's first talk about Colt's clean birthday dessert
The cupcakes (muffins): came from the gracious pantry. I copied and pasted her recipe (with my alterations)

1-1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. black pepper (I omitted this, I wasn't feeling brave)
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup grain sweetened chocolate chips
2 egg whites (just used one whole egg)
1/2 cup agave or honey (used honey)
1/4 cup safflower or avocado oil (used applesauce)
1/2 cup unsweetened almond, soy or rice milk (used cow's milk and increased to 3/4 cup)

Optional
2 tsp. peanut butter per muffin (didn't add)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line your muffin tin with muffin/cupcake papers

basically you add all your dry ingredients together and all your wet ingredients together and then combine them. They were full of flavor, but they were pretty darn dry, partly because they might have been 2-3 min. overcooked, but the batter alone was dry to start with. Next time I will make them with 1 tsp vanilla, at least 1/4 cup more applesauce and maybe even another extra 1/4 milk. I will make these again because I think cooked correctly and with a few adjustments they could be darn good! They would also be good with a banana or two.

My ice cream (this is where the kids and Greg drew the clean eating line-they missed out!)
Banana Chocolate Ice Cream: also came from The Gracious Pantry (have I mentioned I am addicted to reading her blog...fun stuff...and after eating this I can't wait to try all her other ice cream recipes) You can find her recipe by clicking on the link. I made it exactly as written (with the addition of the dark chocolate chips on top) I was surprised at the consistency, it resembled soft serve ice cream. The flavor was satisfying and in the end there is no sugar or fat in this little treat. I was making something similar but just mashing the bananas with a fork...this way is much better!
Zucchini Chips:
breaded with parm cheese and panko bread crumbs-delish! My only tip with these ones is to be sure to eat them hot. They aren't as good cooled off.
I think the hardest part about this challenge is involving Colt and Skye's lunches. It is so easy to just throw a package of top romen on the stove, throw in some chicken nuggets and call it good. I do like being creative with their lunches and they seem to eat so much better when I am. This is their PB and honey lunch with cheese, carrots, and strawberries...
Lettuce Wrapped Burgers: I really never have been a fan of the bun:burger ration and always feel like I am eating more bread then burger so this was my solution. I have fallen in LOVE with huge lettuce leaves, they make excellent buns, taco shells and wraps.
Oven Baked Fries: this is how we always make our fries so I have perfected them! I REFUSE to fall to the silly notion that good Idaho russet potatoes are bad for me.
so I am going to let you in on my secret to the PERFECT fry. First, scrub your potatoes clean (dirt will ruin it every time!) second, cut your potatoes evenly (invest in a potato cutter), let your potatoes rest in COLD water for at least 10 minutes, in the fridge for an hour is best just make sure they are fully covered in water. This removes a lot of the starch from the potato (see the white milky water?) Third, carefully scoop out the fries and pat them dry. Lastly in the prep stage put your potatoes in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 5 minutes, toss them around and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Dump them onto a lightly greased pan and cook at 425 for 15 minutes. Open the oven door ONLY after 15 minutes and toss them with a spatula. Place them back in the oven for another 10-15 min. only opening the door when your gut tells you they are done.
Chicken Nuggets: we have been making these for years now too, but it only recently dawned on me to cook a bunch at a time and freeze them for lunches. After they are cooked they freeze wonderfully and cook up perfectly...much better than the processed kind.
We make ours with panko bread crumbs, garlic, and onion seasonings. I also have a yummy Cajun seasoning that has no processed ingredients that I love on the fries and the chicken, but the kids think it is too spicy so I have to save it for my pieces only.



Over all I did really well, and I am looking forward to the challenge of the superbowl tomorrow. I promised the family home made hoagies and I intend to stick to my plan, I am even making brownies....yum!

Clean Eatin'...

...so last week I mentioned, ever so briefly, that my family was going to start a new challenge. Really it is mostly for my sake, I am tired of migraines and we are going to test a theory. We are going to eat CLEAN. I am not about to go full force throw out all processed foods, I hate waste, but we are dramatically reducing the amount of processed foods we now buy to zilch. We will still eat whole grain pasta and bread (that one is easy since that is all I ever buy) but we will eliminate white sugar and white flour if it falls in the first 5 ingredients. Before you start to think oh great next she will be raising her own chickens, and goats, rest assured, I have friends that are willing to do that for me and I will just buy their eggs from them :)

I am excited about this new challenge and for now we are going to aim for 4 weeks, and see what we think at the end of the month. The kids haven't been told that we are making changes, but I am really curious to see if it helps Skye too. We are going to incorporate our snack drawer in the fridge again. We did this when Jacey was little but then stopped for what ever reason. We fill the bottom drawer of the fridge with snacks the kids can eat whenever they want (actually I think I remember why we stopped, it got expensive letting the kids eat whenever they wanted too) we might have to limit it to 2 snack times a day. The snacks will be fruits veggies, whole grains and milk products that fall within "clean".

I knew the number one problem I would have would be desserts for Family Home Evening so I did some searching and came across this blog...The Gracious Pantry... and tried her Peanut Butter Cookies. OH MY GOODNESS-yum-o! No, they can't be labeled as "healthy", there is still about 145 calories per cookie, but they are clean! No sugar, whole grain flour, add a little dark chocolate and you are set. I so can't wait to try her strawberry ice cream.


1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey-I am considering getting my own hives...honey is my go to for everything!
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup peanuts (optional-we substituted dark chocolate)
mix it all together (I just used a spatula) scoop it out, squish them down (they don't flatten or spread when cooked) and bake at 350* for about 10-15 min. depending on how flat you made them. Just make sure they are not dough-y




Oh and ps) this will also fall under my no sugar for one month bucket list item...whoo!

Get OUT!!!

Who would have thought, frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and almonds would be so delicious, and yet so okay to eat. I would never in a million years say it could replace my ice cream, but it is a good healthier substitute for my non free days. I used one banana and about 1/2 tsp cocoa powder mushed it all together and froze it.

Oh speaking of bananas this one is really good too! 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 banana, a 1 TBS chopped nuts, 1 TBS honey and a shake of cinnamon (not with sugar)...AMAZINGLY yummy!! Again it would never replace a good ice cream sunday, but again a good substitute.

I am still on my healthier lifestyle kick and I don't want to jinx myself, but it is going pretty well, I bought me a new swimsuit for my classes and I think I need a smaller bottoms. Today I couldn't figure out why I was in such a slump until I realized I didn't wake up at 5:00 am to go workout...go figure, I think I might like this exercise stuff again!

You know the best part about my plan is that I get one free day a week...BRING ON THANKSGIVING!!

Bucket List Item #64 Complete...

see Wonderworks in Florida

Not only did I see the upside down building, but Cares and Grant bought us tickets to see and play inside. I honestly would have been fine with just the outside attraction, but the inside was a BLAST and I wished every second that Greg and the kids were with me. When you first walk in it looks like most upside down buildings look, but once you walk through the counter the real fun begins. I think we played on the dizzy bridge (not it's technical name, but a good enough description) for a good 10 min. we were being CRAZY silly and having a blast...how fun to get to the other side and find out that there is a camera in there and a screen to watch others. The inside was filled with fun little facts, experiences, games, challenges, and fun. For example I now know just how cold the water was that the people on the Titanic had to sit in for who knows how long before they were rescued (or died). I also know what a 5.3 earthquake feals like. I beat Crystal in shadow air hockey. Played a piano with my feet. Saw Carrie and Grant lay on a bed of nails (word of caution...only do it if you have minimal skin showing). Played with HUGE bubbles I actually got one up and over my head down to my shoulders before it popped.

oh yeah I was an astronaut for a few seconds as well...
and apparently my nose shines as much as Rudolf's

There was 4 floors of FUN ending on the forth floor basement (remember the building is upside down) and a 4D roller coaster. Such fun! Thanks guys for entertaining my need to see this crazy place.

Bucket List Item #36 Complete...

photograph a great moment in history.

On Friday August 5, 2011 at 12:25 pm "A spacecraft named Juno (after Jupiter’s wife in Roman mythology)...[launched]...from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, embarking on a five-year trip. On July 4, 2016, as determined by planetary mechanics, not American patriotism, Juno will pull into orbit around Jupiter and spend a year there, making scientific observations of gravity, magnetic fields and the wetness of the Jovian atmosphere.

And then scientists may learn more of the secrets of Jupiter, which has twice as much mass as the rest of the planets in the solar system combined.
...
Juno will travel along a squashed elliptical orbit, swooping to within 3,100 miles of the cloud tops. Over the course of 33 orbits during the mission, Juno will get a global view of the interior. Unlike Galileo’s orbit, Juno’s will pass over Jupiter’s north and south poles, allowing the first close-up looks at the bright auroras there.

To survive the intense radiation around Jupiter, its instruments are housed inside a titanium vault. Eventually, the radiation will destroy the electronics and the craft will be sent crashing into the planet.

The gravity and magnetic field measurements could provide evidence of metallic hydrogen — at the crushing pressures inside Jupiter, hydrogen is expected turn into a liquid metal — and a core of heavier elements.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Dr. Bolton revealed that Juno would be carrying a commemorative plaque of Galileo Galilei, the scientist who first looked at Jupiter through a telescope, as well as three aluminum Lego figures: of Galileo, Juno and Jupiter carrying his thunderbolts."

and we were there to see it. I was so sad Greg was not there with me because no doubt he would have been able to tell me more about the launch, saving me from having to google it. It was amazing and we will have to go back with Greg!

NASA-

looks like I could use a lens cleaning :)

So What's Next...

...I got to enjoy my first FREE Tuesday night in 6 months and tonight is my first FREE Thursday night in as many months. It was kinda weird, what was it that I used to do? I got in such a rhythm going to class that I felt a little lost. No fears though the lost feeling only lasted a brief moment before the joy of doing nothing in particular set in. Of course this is me we are talking about and so that joy will soon be filled with another project (actually the project started Tuesday night).
I am always told that I have LONG SKINNY fingers and while this is true every time someone mentions it, it is only a reminder that they are actually quite fat-at least for me they are. You see it has been about 4 years since I have been able to wear my wedding ring comfortably. Halfway through my pregnancy with Skye I had to take it off in fear that it would get terribly stuck like it did with Jacey. So my next goal is to wear my wedding ring again...
The proof that my fingers aren't indeed long and skinny, yet!

So, since I didn't really want to add "loose weight in my fingers" to my bucket list I am currently back in the running mode. I am starting a 5K training program and hopefully in a few months I will be able to cross off my sub 25 minute 5K goal. Currently the fastest 5K I have run was 25:08 and so the competition with myself begins. Tuesday was my first day and I have to say it went pretty dang good, even if it was raining and FREEZING cold outside. Hopefully with the running and the eating more cleanly the ring will fit soon and then I will be able to tell a certain sister "I told you so" since she currently doesn't believe me that I can loose weight in my fingers.

So instead of chips here is my new addiction...I have always liked artichokes, but I only ever buy them in the jar and only ever the hearts. Bountiful Baskets gave me a full one and so it was steamed with lemons and ate with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Honestly at first I found it quiet tedious to scrape every leaf of it's goodness, but then I found myself going back again and again. It was more addicting than a potato chip. It was fun to eat and satisfied my interest.

the very inside...so pretty! Warning, in case you didn't know these purple leaves are POKEY and hurt, I suggest cutting the heart away from them and the fuzz on the inside and throwing them away.
and then there is Colton dipping his graham cracker in applesauce...he likes to dip as much as I do.

I feel so bad for everyone that doesn't get to live with this silly little boy he makes me laugh! Today all the kids were outside playing and he had all my attention and boy did he ham it up...I really really wanted to get the camera out, but he knows what that is and wants to come watch the screen instead of preform when it is out. Maybe one day I will catch his true silliness on camera...until then I guess you will just have to take my word for it or come play with us!

Hi, My Name Is Amy...

...and I AM an EMT!!
That is right I am done...no more school, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks (even if they are nonthreatening!)

I had my hands on skills test today and after 5 hours and 6 stations I passed all 6 on the first try. On Wednesday I could have honestly said I am set and ready to go, no questions asked, but after spending Thursday and Friday in bed not being able to form a complete thought I started to panic just a bit. A HUGE thank you to my wonderful husband for being a worthy priesthood holder and being able to reassure and set my mind and body to ease.

You know the absolute best part of the entire day was driving up in front of the house and having 3 kids come running full speed, big ol' grins, to hug me! They didn't even ask me if I passed. Then #4 came out with his daddy and hugged me too...awe what sweet kids I have, and what a wonderful daddy they have!

So bucket list item #2 CHECK!!
On to the next adventure.

Time Is Going By...

...so much faster than I. We were driving home from a quick trip to Utah to see my newest nephew be blessed. In the back seat Skye and Jacey were having the cutest conversation about how fun it would be to walk outside and climb up onto the clouds. Dax and Colt were playing in the middle seat laughing at each others goofiness and this song started to play. "Time is going by so much faster than I"



It was just one of those moments that everything was as it should be. I felt guilty because right before it started to play I was stressing about my first of three finals coming up this week and wanting to put on my headphones and tune out everything but my books. After listening to this song and listening to the cuteness that is my kids I shut the books and enjoyed the rest of the trip and the kids cheerful banter, and I got to thinking.

I remember when Jacey was just tiny saying something like "Oh I can't wait until she sleeps through the night." or "I wish she was old enough to enjoy ________ more." and it dawned on me that I was slowly but surely wishing her life to pass more quickly. I made a pact with myself, that very moment, that I would refrain from wishing past a certain phase in my child's development (this becomes especially hard during the years 2-4 then the terrible side shines through) but for the most part I feel I have made a real effort to enjoy every moment and up 'til now I don't feel like I have made my life so busy that I don't get to enjoy the small moments.

BUT!!! I keep catching myself making comments in my head such as "If I can make it past this week things will slow down a bit" or "once this first test is over I will be able to relax and not worry so much about the next 2" or "Oh I can't wait until this month and the first week of next month is over" and it is true! I will finish school in less than one month. I cannot believe how fast the months have gone. I cannot believe how much I have learned. As crazy as it sounds, I cannot wait to finish so that I can set and achieve yet another bucket list goal. (of which, the first one is to revamp my bucket list). I even had the CRAZY thought of applying for more scholarships so that I can continue on with my education...but we will see how that goes AFTER I get past these finals.

Sick Day...

...and while the sick rests and recuperates I thought I would revamp my bucket list and see what I can do about crossing something off. Since I wrote it, my ambitions have changed slightly and I agree saying that I want to visit every state was lame, instead I am going to visit a specific landmark in every state...eventually...so I am researching and taking any/all suggestions. In the meantime though I thought I would put this one out there for your consideration and thought...and while you are thinking about it, please remember I am very serious about completing this list. I am not just writing this to fulfill my daily post.

4) Professionally photograph a wedding for free to a very deserving couple

The wedding I shoot for free has to be for someone who truly deserves it, and will cherish it forever! I am not talking "we were just going to have Uncle Henry take some snaps since we can't really afford a real photographer, but since you are going to do it for free we will just have you do it." Nope! This has to be a monumental experience for me and for them. We are talking a love story that will bring tears to your eyes and goose bumps to your skin years from now. We are talking true blue, warm fuzzy, service! I don't expect this wedding to take place this year, but it could. Who knows this couple might not even be a couple yet, they very well could be in elementary school still, but I know they are out there and I know this could be an AMAZING experience for all involved. So here is where you come in...I will probably not find them on my own. I want all of you lovely readers to help me find them. I want the couple to be someone you know, someone you love, and someone that will truly, truly appreciate the gift! If you think you know that person please feel free to send me their story, but please don't take it personally if I don't think they are my couple...I have pretty high expectations!

Spread the word, spread the love!

45 Inches Lighter...

...and I get to cross another item off of my bucket list, and it was free to boot! Thanks to Great Clips for helping us donate to Locks of Love.

you will have to excuse the style as this was taken after a LONG day in Twin playing. I LOVE the girls cuts, and am still thinking about mine. I am sure I will miss my long hair as I no longer can just pull it up and run, but really I have had short hair more of my marriage than not so I am sure it will be fine. This morning I whimsically decided that today was the day and didn't think much past that. It is after all just hair and it will grow back and, YAY, I won't have to worry about my hair all over the house since the pregnancy thickness is starting to thin out badly!

More Twin fun to come tomorrow I think we are all so worn out and ready for bed!

What I Say Does Stick...

...occasionally. Yesterday Jacey was quick to inform me that we would have a new president today. I asked her why this one might be a little more special than the others which lead to a pretty in depth (as in depth as this non history buff could take it) discussion about MLK, the Civil Rights, our freedom schools back then, drinking fountains back then, streets back then and so on. I really didn't think very much of it was sinking in, but she was acting interested so I kept going with as much as I could remember from school. Well this morning before school she *educated* Greg about MLK and The Civil Rights and everything else (almost in the exact order) we had talked about the night before. I was simply AMAZED and I think it caught Greg a little off guard too. She even remembered the years (which I had to look up to make sure I had them right).

Well thanks to Jacey I witnessed history today and so did she. We were watching the pre Inauguration show while we were getting her ready and she was watching with such intensity. When I told her that it was time to catch the bus she declared "BUT I haven't seen him put his hand on the bible yet!". She made me promise that I would record it for her. The second she walked into the house she asked me if I had remembered. I was a meany and made her do her homework first, but she got to watch it and it was all she thought it would be. She even watched the 30 min. before and his speech after. I have to say I am a little awed with her interest in it all...and hope that he lives up to his promises. I am very hopeful!

you think I can cross #36 off my life list with this one

an off topic tid bit...out of more than 2 million people there was not a single arrest during the events today...amazing!

Jacey Votes For...

...today Jacey walks into the house and says "mom I have a VERY important paper for you!" She then pulls out a flier "Weekly Reader" with VOTE spelled across the page. She opens it up and shows me Obama's picture and says "Mom, this guy wants girls to marry girls and boys to marry boys." and then pointing to McCain she says "he wants boys to marry girls and girls to marry boys. So who do you vote for Mom?" I of course pointed to McCain and then asked her who she votes for and she agreed. Can I just tell you how off guard she caught me...if I had had liquid in my mouth it would have been sprayed all over her...seriously...me writing this does not do her seriousness and properness (of a 6 year old) justice.

Then she said "So Mom are you going to go vote?" how could I tell her that no, I was not planning on it...now before you start to lash out on me for being unpatriotic remember it is my right and privilege as an American to choose not to vote...but I could not tell her no so I will be voting today (if they will let me...not registered...and with a Utah drivers license still).

It is sad to me that we have to teach our kids about this stuff. I didn't hear about gays and lesbians (or in our house when the kids are around g&l's) until at least jr. high, and then I probably didn't really understand it until high school. She is in first grade and is already learning about it. I am not sure how I feel about what she learned today.

My To Do List...

...I have to have one of these every single day or else I will not do anything-if dishes is not on the list they sit in the sink-if lunch is not on there we don't eat (okay just kidding my stomach reminds me of that one). I love to check off my list, but I love even more to be able to throw it away at the end of the day without having to carry anything over to the next day.

I was thinking today...There is so much that I would love to do and I have mentioned a few of the things to Greg, but realized if I don't have them in an actual list I am not going to do them. So today I came up with a 101 Things to Do in My Life. I put it in ABC order so that I didn't have to worry about which one I would do first.

So here is my Life’s To Do list (in no particular order)...they will turn this color when I have completed them

1) Go On a Church History Trip
2) Become a First Responder or EMT
3) Be a Mentor for a New Photographer- I have been doing lots of this 2008 if anyone else is interested please just ask!
4) Professionally photograph a wedding for free to a very deserving couple
5) Color my hair Out of a Box
6) Run a Sub 25:00 5K
7) Completely Finish a Project Before I Start another One-I made Jacey's baptism dress all by myself from start to finish, and because I was so stressed I didn't dare start anything else before it was done. It didn't turn out 100% perfect, but I was proud of it. 
8) Create an Award Winning Photograph
9) Donate hair to Locks of Love
10) Donate Plasma Until I Have Earned Enough for a Family Trip
11) Earn a Master's Degree
12) Eat at a Restaurant by Myself
13) Eat Sushi
14) Write and Publish a Book
15) Donate my time to help children in need
16) Go 48 Hours without the Computer-not counting vacations
17) Go a Whole Week Without turning on the TV
18) Go Back Packing In Zion's
19) Go on a Date in a Limo
20) Have a Sugar Free Month- I completed this 2/24/12.  I commited to a 21 day detox which is sugar free on steriods I will update that when I complete it on 10/17/13
21) Go to a Movie by Myself
22) Go to Disneyland
23) Have Food Storage for a Year
24) Complete a full-blown pullup-I have NEVER been able to do this and really want to!
25) Learn a second Language Fluently
26) Learn About Politics and Vote
27) Learn How to Do Genealogy
28) Learn to Drive a Stick
29) Live Abroad
30) Live off My Land for One Week
31) Own a Successful Business
32) Paint and Print a Family Picture that I LOVE
33) Certify in Diving
34) Participate in a Trail Race
35) Take my Family Back to Italy
36) Photograph a Great Moment in History not sure I will count this one, but we will use it as a place saver just in case**update 2010 given the way this presidency is going I am not going to call it a GREAT moment...I will have to find another one.....This one is better :) Although I did not photograph it my family was sitting in front of the TV in our cabin in Bear Lake when Pres. Monson announced that the missionary ages would change.  Boys to 18 and girls to 19...amazing moment!
37) Pick up a Random Person's Tab at a Restaurant
38) Place all the Countries on a Map
39) Place all the States and Capitals on a map
40) Plant a Tree at Every House I Live In (starting here at Grandma's 06/08 I planted an apple tree with my Bears)
41) Read the Book of Mormon, OT, NT, PGP, D&C cover to cover
42) Ride In a Hot Air Balloon
43) Re-Do My Wedding Pictures
44) Register to Vote I did this in 2008 thanks to Jacey for getting me there, but if I get summoned for jury duty I will blame her and tell Greg I TOLD YOU SO! 
45) Ride in a helicopter
46) Save a Life-I was really hoping that this one would get crossed off my list after I died and donated my organs, but I am relieved that I was educated enough to help my little nephew Kayson 7/24/08 when he had a drowning accident at the pool. Now it is my goal to get him back in the pool and to have fun!  I have since done this many times (or so I like to thinks) since becoming an EMT.  My true calling in life, and passion...even above photography!
47) Participate in a Triathlon I did the bike portion of the Spudman in Burley on 7/28/12 LOVED it!  My team (Me and a girl I met the day before Kathryn) took 3rd in our division.  I rode in 1:24 minutes...sad that half of the ride I was holding back waiting for Kaydee to catch up...she somehow got in front of me.  Next year I have bigger/better goals for myself, and maybe the next year I will do the whole thing!  I participated again in 2013 and had an amazing experience although the race did not go as I would have hoped...
48) Serve a Mission with Greg
49) Serve on the City Council
50) Drive on Route 66-this one was pretty much covered on our road trip 2013 not too mention the yummy food at a diner!
51) Sky Dive
52) Take a Class to Learn a New Talent
53) Teach a Class at the Local Community Center-03/10/09 finished up my first of hopefully many classes taught at the Oakley City Fire House. It was a beginners photography class and I have a lot of interest in more classes so we will give it another go soon. My first class was only 3 students, but they were very eager to learn and we had lots of fun!
54) Update My Blog for 365 Consecutive Days-done from 1/1/08-1/1/09 and continuing. It is a great journal for me and a way to remember the tiny day to day things 
55) Visit a Place my Ancestors Lived
56) See The Statue Of Liberty in Birmingham Alabama
57) See the sun @ midnight in Alaska
58) Mine for Diamonds in Arkansas
59) Cross The Golden Gate Bridge in California
60) Visit Canada
61) Watch money be made in Colorado-we tried, but it was closed :( we did have fun here though!
62) Go paddling in Connecticut
63) Ride the ferry in Delaware
64) See Wonderworks in Florida
65) Play in the tree house at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Georgia
66) Walk on the volcanoes in Hawaii
67) Take the stairs to the top of the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) in Chicago, Illinois
68) Visit the Amish in Indiana
69) Walk along the Mormon Trail Iowa
70) See a hail storm in Kansas-yup we did that! 
71) See Kentucky Horse Park and Race Tracks in Kentucky
72) Take a Riverboat Cruise in Louisiana
73) See the Lighthouses of Maine
74) See the camera used on Apollo 11 in Maryland
75) Eat at Larsen's Fish Market on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
76) Dance with a life-size video of an African ceremony in Michigan
77) Shop at the Mall Of America in Minnesota
78) Tour the river in Mississippi
79) Visit the Kansas City Public Library in Missouri
80) See the Montana side of Yellowstone
81) See the Snake River Falls in Nebraska
82) Visit New Hampshire in the Fall
83) Pretend to be a student at Princeton in New Jersey
84) Photograph COLOR in New Mexico-HA!  There wasn't a lot of anything in NM...we did go through Rosewell, but again...kinda disappointed I was totally expecting tourist town USA...not so, more like Logan
85) Visit New York (again) and do all the tourist things!
86) Visit Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
87) See Mount Rushmore in North Dakota
88) See the Basket Building in Ohio
89) Ride the Roller coaster Highway in Tulsa, Oklahoma didn't make it through Tulsa, but we did see the damage of a tornado...and happened to be in OK the same time Pres Obama was-yippee :(
90) Visit Oregon
91) Visit Pennsylvania
92) Visit Rhode Island
93) Visit South Carolina
94) Visit South Dakota
95) See some Texas Longhorns in Texas (since they can be found here in Idaho as well) and let me tell you...the longhorns were not the most exciting thing we saw in Texas that is for sure!  We went to see the Allred's and had a wonderful time seeing LOTS of fun/new things
96) Visit Vermont
97) Visit Virginia
98) Visit Washington
99) Visit West Virginia
100) Visit Wisconsin
101) Where the size 6 jeans I bought before I got pregnant with Dax

What is on yours? If any of ours match lets do them together (except the ones I have to do by myself)

PS) my Blog is in need of some serious loving-I really want to know who reads this am a curious person! If you are reading this leave a comment-yes I am asking you to feed my email addiction. Give me a reason to check it!

No pictures today sorry-it has been a dark day and the kids (and myself) are not feeling the greatest I think the Flu Bug is hitting us-and to be honest I didn't make a list today and therefore did not do anything but hang out with the kids-oh and go to scouts. So if you want pictures you will have to take the left-overs (scroll down)