101 Things I know...

A week ago today, Darrin received news that his closest friend's wife (Shauna) passed away suddendly (but not unexpectedly) early Sunday morning. So Darrin jumped on a plane to attend the viewing, funeral and spend some time with Chad (the friend/husband). When Darrin returned last night, he shared with me the events and words that were spoken at the funeral. One thing Shauna's sister shared was a list Shauna made when she found out that her time on Earth was limited. The list was called "101 Things I know..." As Darrin read me the list, it touched me so much that I thought I should make one of my own. So here it is...

101 Things I know…
1. I know that I have a Savior and Redeemer.
2. I know that I was born of divine Heavenly Parents.
3. I know that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and knows me.
4. I know that Satan wants me to forget my divine potential, my divine worth.
5. I know that I have righteous and wonderful parents, that I love dearly.
6. I love my husband and am so grateful for him. I love him; I love being with him; he’s my closest friend.
7. I love my children. They are truly blessed children with the sweetest and purest spirits.
8. I know that Heavenly Father blessed me with daughters so that I will love and appreciate my parents and what they have done for me.
9. I know that the Lord and our Heavenly Father have a plan for me, with my husband and with my children.
10. I know that our family is eternal.
11. I know that all three of my children were meant for me.
12. I know that childbirth is truly the miracle of life.
13. I know that a cell is a living organism and so life begins at conception.
14. I know of my faults and I have many.
15. I know I am impatient.
16. I know that patience is a virtue and those possessed of it have a spiritual gift.
17. I know that Darrin is more patient than I.
18. I love the rain. I love listening to the rain.
19. I know that we are supposed to find joy in this life.
20. I know that life has challenges, but those challenges help us to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and help us to become more like our Savior.
21. I know that when we serve others, we are serving our Heavenly Father.
22. I know that movie theatre popcorn and Diet Pepsi are not healthy for you, but I love them together any ways.
23. I know exercise is good for you and so run daily (to counter act my bad habits).
24. I know that I have been blessed with choice friends, who have enriched my life and hopefully I have been able to enrich theirs.
25. I believe in the words of my mother in law and that we are here on earth to be taught or to teach, just depends on the situation where we sit on the side of the table.
26. I know I always feel better after a really good cry.
27. I know I love falling asleep next to Darrin.
28. I know I love watching and kissing sleeping children.
29. I know that all things were created by God.
30. I know that our bodies are sacred.
31. I know that there are doctors who have been inspired to learn and discover medicine so that we can live healthier and longer lives.
32. Teachers are selfless, especially elementary school teachers.
33. I know that I have a better day if I kiss Darrin goodbye in the morning.
34. I know that I sleep better if Darrin and I kneel in prayer together at the end of the day.
35. I know that prayer is real.
36. I know that I have seen miracles.
37. I know a good hamburger when I see and smell one.
38. I know that the French and Belgians make better fries and chocolate.
39. I know that I love to laugh, real hard.
40. I know I love to hear my children laugh.
41. I love watching movies.
42. I know that I am a better wife and mother when I am able to spend alone time with Darrin.
43. I know that Darrin is the best man for me.
44. I know that Darrin came from goodly parents.
45. I know that Darrin’s parents set an example of how to live a good life, wonderful life, a happy life, and humble life.
46. I know that service makes us humble.
47. I know that I have a mother in law to make me more humble, more patient, more accepting of others.
48. I know that pain is irritating.
49. I know that I don’t like trials.
50. I know that I don’t like being out of control.
51. I know that I am not in control of my life.
52. I know that I don’t like seeing poverty.
53. I know I don’t like seeing others hurt: emotionally or physically.
54. I know I need more sleep, eat less sugar, smile more, yell less.
55. I know that there is something special about quiet mornings on a cold winter day.
56. I know that everyone likes the beauty fresh fallen snow.
57. I know that noble fir Christmas trees smell the best.
58. I know that Christmas music always brings the joyful season into our home.
59. I know that every child believes in Santa.
60. I know that deep down every adult has a hope for Santa.
61. I know that our Savior was resurrected on the third day and so we too can rise again and live with our families forever.
62. I know that the oceans were created so that I could smile, even on the dreariest day.
63. I know that Darrin wishes at times he could upgrade me like he can with his computer and cell phone.
64. I know that I need to appreciate my mother in law more.
65. I know Darrin loves his brothers and sister.
66. I know that they love him.
67. I know my brothers and sisters love me, as I love them.
68. I am grateful for my nieces and nephews.
69. I love fresh tomatoes in the summer.
70. I know that our forefathers were foreordained.
71. I know that America, The United States of America, is awesome and a choice land.
72. I know that freedom is an incredible blessing, but is not a right, but earned.
73. I know that I cry every time I hear or sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
74. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.
75. I know that we have a living Prophet and Apostles on the Earth today.
76. I believe in revelation.
77. I believe in personal revelation.
78. I know and am gaining a stronger testimony of The Book of Mormon the more I read it.
79. I know that Darrin snores.
80. I know that I drive Darrin crazy.
81. I know that I probably am crazy.
82. I know I love having the late night munchies with Darrin.
83. I know I always feel better after I cuddle with my children.
84. I know I love it when they fall asleep in my arms.
85. I know that taking bike rides as a family brings us closer together.
86. I know ice cream always makes a sad child happier.
87. I know I am happier with a Diet Coke/Pepsi in my hand.
88. I enjoy beautiful music.
89. I enjoy a really good meal.
90. I know that I enjoy fresh chips and salsa/pico de gallo.
91. I know my dad was given a second chance.
92. I know I love my dad.
93. I know that my mom is beautiful and has many wonderful talents.
94. I know that I can make great lemon bars and carmel corn.
95. I know that I need to worry less and laugh more.
96. I know that I am far from perfect and have many imperfections, but want to keep trying.
97. I know that I should spend more time with my children and less time cleaning.
98. I know that I don’t like to sew or quilt, but really cherish the things that have been made for me and my family.
99. I know that I need to be a little more kinder and less judgmental.
100. I know I need to be more like my Savior.
101. I know that I need to tell Darrin and my children I love them more.
I love you Darrin, Jack, Megan, and Surrey… Love, Aly (& Mom)

Ward Christmas Party

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Santa visited our ward Christmas party this past weekend. Jack and Megan loved sitting on his lap and tell him everything they wanted for Christmas. Surrey, on the other hand, couldn't get off his lap fast enough.

I think it's pure irony that we teach our children to be afraid of strangers, in fact, to avoid them. We teach them to not allow others to touch or be cautious when it comes to personal space. But for some reason, we shove our children onto the lap of an old, huge, red, and fluffy man and share with him all your deepest desires...Hello child, go ahead sit on his lap and like it! ;)

I do like to believe that Santa represents all the good in humanity, the innocence and kindness that many have forgotten. I hope that I can instill those values in my children, but first, I need to keep them within myself. And tis the season to be Merry and Kind...

Merry Christmas!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas my trainer said to me... 11 minutes of arms and abs.

You mean again??? I guess my abs and arms are a lot flabbier than I realize. Granted I have noticed in the past year how much I have "aged." I guess I am truly getting older. I am no longer so critical of Botox and eye lifts, as I have in the past. It all makes a lot more sense to me.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

On the Tenth Day of Christmas my trainer said to me... drink 10 full glasses of water!

Ok, this one is totally easy peasy. Just may be visiting the Loo a little more often today.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

On the Ninth Day of Christmas my trainer said to me... run 9 miles...

On the Eighth day of Christmas...

On the Eighth day of Christmas, my trainer said to me... 8 hours of sleep.

This means I need to shut the tv off, brush my teeth, wash my face, etc... all before 9:30 to make this work. This is a good goal, because I am more than exhausted and really could get into a better routine of getting to bed earlier. Early to bed, early to rise...

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

On the Seventh day of Christmas, my trainer said to me... 7 ounces of lean protein.

This one shouldn't be too hard. Some days I seem to get plenty of protein and other days, definitely not enough. Fortunately with higher protein content of yogurt, protein shakes, lean poultry, I can fit 7 ounces in somewhere.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

On the Sixth day of Christmas my trainer said to me... 6 minutes of ABS!!!

I admit that I don't do a whole lot of abs, unless it I am forced to (meaning taking an actual weight training class or in an aerobics type video). Even then I sometimes skip out. So this one will be tough.

OK, a day later and my abs are sore and my rib cage hurts. I somehow believe that this is sort of good, but sort of not. It means that I actually exercised my core, but means how out of shape my abdominal muscles are. Need to make this more habitual and routine.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

On the Fifth day of Christmas my trainer said to me... 5 quick HILL-Y Miles...

This shouldn't be too bad, but definitely harder than 4 servings of vegetables. We'll see how much breath and leg wobbling I have once it's all through. Good challenge for me.

On Fourth Day of Christmas...

On the fourth day of Christmas my trainer said to me... 4 FULL servings of vegetables!

OK, this shouldn't be too bad. I need to organize myself a little better so that I get all my vegetables in today. I have been a little lax, hence the weight gain. I need to be more proactive, more aware of what I am eating and putting in my mouth. Want my fat ass to turn into a bad-ass!

On the Third Day of Christmas...

On the third day of Christmas my trainer said to me... 3 x 1 mile sprints!

This is going to hurt...and it did.