Day 2 and Goodbye Mustache March!

So today went really well with the boot camp. We worked on arms which was hard but not nearly as hard as legs. I am so stinkin sore. I just might become addicted to ibuprofin. Tomorrow we are working on legs again so that should be interesting because I can barely stand up.

This month Ryan decided to join in the mustache march ritual(thanks a lot Topher). He had a lot of fun with it, doing differant styles, etc. It was fun while it lasted but I am sure glad its over. Ah, he is handsome no matter what. Love ya baby!

Day 1

So I was a total basket case all day long. I was so nervous and just was needed a lot of pep talks. I hate the unknown. So I got to boot camp a little early because I knew that I needed to sign some papers,etc. I walk up to the door and... it was locked no one was there. Ahh! It took all of my courage to come this far. So I went and sat in my car and thought well maybe I'm not as fat as I think, I can maybe go to the rec center, or maybe I will buy an eliptical trainer. Then I look up and see the number to call if you have any questions. So I called and the lady said she would be there in five minutes. A few minutes later this super skinny cute girl unlocks the door and goes in. I am thinking um I need some encouraging words, so I called Ryan. He told me I could do and that I would be fine. OK, still feeling nervous I called my friend Natalie-no answer. So I think if I can just get my butt out of this car we can do it. I did it ya, I got out of my car. That ended up being the easy part. Today we worked on legs. We started out on the tredmill then we did lots of reps for leg workouts. Ouchie!! I am not in shape at all. Who knew that kneeling down and then standing up again 15 times would be so hard. That was the hardest thing I did today. Oh and I forgot to add we had to do this all with a 30 pound backpack on. You only have to have the backpack on the first week so hopefully I won't die this week. My legs are super sore but not as sore as I thought they would be, nothing a little lortab won't fix...j/k...maybe. This will be one of the hardest physical things I have ever done but I can do it.!! Thanks for the encouragement it helped alot!!

Okay here we go.....

So Ryan and I are having our 10 year wedding anniversary this year!!! I can't believe it TEN YEARS!! So we have decided to go on a cruise. I am super excited but also in much need of losing some weight before we go. I have contemplated several methods and I have decided on this...boot camp for U -www.boot-camp4u.com. I am so super nervous because it is totally going to kick my trash. I am so out of shape. I have heard it is the hardest thing but I know that I can do it. I am going to document daily. I need some help and some encouraging words from all of you. I want to look super sexy for the cruise. My goal is to lose 20lbs before the cruise which is in 6 weeks. Hopefully it can be more. We will see....

Update on Daxtonius

When Daxton was in the hospital Ryan gave him a warrior name...Daxtonius Parkerius!! Doesn't that sound manly? Well my little man is doing awesome. He has gained one whole pound!! Yeh for Daxton. He is almost sitting up all by him self, he sits up for a couple of seconds without me holding him up. He is definatly progressing in that area. His throwing up is at a minimun unless I am in a hurry to get somewhere and then it is completly acceptible for his little body to get rid of every ounce of food that is in his stomach. It is so much fun(sarcasm). Last week we had an appointment for Daxton to get his button put in. For the last 2 months he has had a tube coming out of his stomach now he has a little button. It was a simple procedure but it was super sad. His stomach hurt for several days following the button placement.

I had someone ask me if Daxton is really doing as well as I say he is. Yes!! He will forever be on medicine for his heart. We are dealing with developemental delays. But all things in perspective he is doing amazing. He is here with us. I find that every day, every smile, every giggle, every snuggle is another miracle. For where we were six months ago to now, yes my Daxtonius is doing Awesome!!

My sister flew in from Italy for two weeks to be with my Grandma. We had a lot of fun while we were her. I got to meet my new neice. It was so fun to see her as a mommy. While she was her we got together with the family and built paper rockets and launched them off in the church parking lot. The kids loved it. I only had a blanket for Daxton and it was getting cold so we resulted in putting him in this bunny suit to keep him warm. It was pretty hilarious. He reminded me of "Christmas Story" Ryan didn't find it amusing at all, oh well!

So all in all we are doing well. My Grandma is home from the hospital. We are enjoying every moment that she is allowed to stay with us. This has been a very hard couple of weeks and will continue to be a rough road for me and my family. But I do know that we will be carried through these days with the love of my Savior.

Lets Party!!!

There is a benefit concert for a beautiful musician Paul Cardall. Paul is currently waiting on the heart transplant list. I don't know if you have listened to any of Pauls music but it is so beautiful and peaceful. I just purchased 3 of his cd's and I love them. They definatly bring the spirit into our home.


The concert is April 6th. Peter Brienholt, Kurt Bestor and Ryan Shupp and the RubberBand will be playing. After high school my friends and I were Peter Brienholt groupies. We had so much fun going to all of his concerts. It was awesome. So lets get together a gynormous girls(and boys-i guess) night out and go have fun and do some good, all in one night!

You can go to http://www.livingforeden.com/ for more info. Eden is his daugther you can also check out his blog I have a link on my sidebar to it. If your interested in purchasing any cd's you can buy them on his blog or go to Amazon, that is where I got mine.

The best person I know

My grandmother, Betty Jo, went in to the hospital last week because of pneumonia, after some tests we now know that she has extensive lung and bone cancer. She has never smoked a day in her life. This has been a devestating blow to our family. I can truly say with no reservation that she is the best person I know. I have never, not once, heard her say a bad thing about anyone. She is always trying to find the best in everyone. She is a very talented musician. She plays the piano beautifully and has passed that gift on to me and the rest of her grandchildren. She has the most infectious laugh, she loves to giggle. Her and my grandpa have the kind of love and relationship that most only dream of. I love her and we will fight in this battle together, whatever the outcome.

Refreshed....

Nothing like a few days of personal torment to get you focused on the important things in life and make your relationships stronger. Maybe that is why we are given the challenges we are. Thank you everyone for your concern. It does feel good to vent and let emotions out there. I am normally not one to ask "Why?" Because honestly it doesn't change anything we are still left to deal with the same situation. So I will let that "why" go in the void and have faith that in the next life maybe we can have answers. I know that my Savior suffered for all of us and never asked "why". He suffered because he loves us, all of us!

On another note I have recently been following the blog of Paul Cardell, he was born with the same condition as Dax, he has had multiple surgerys and is now 35 years old and awaiting a heart transplant. He has a wife and a beautiful little girl. He is a amazingly gifted musician and has numerous CD's that are so peaceful and inviting. This past week the Deseret News did a article about him and his wait, I found it very insightful. It is amazing to read others transplant journey it is like reading my thoughts and emotions. What an amazing gift and sacrifice. Check out the article it is very insightful. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705288890,00.html
You can also follow his blog and help pray for his new heart.http://www.mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/

Why?

Why do we have to suffer so much because of other peoples choices? All my life I have had to suffer the consequences of other peoples actions. And I am tired maybe if I start deliberately making bad choices then I can suffer my own consequences, I wonder if that hurts less or worse?
Don't ask I am just venting......

We love you Gracie!!

Yesterday was a very sobering day for many. We are mourning with the Gledhill family as they have said goodbye to their sweet eternal angel Gracie. Gracie most definatly had a mission in this life. She has touched countless lives with her fight and her beautiful grace. I had a friend call me yesterday telling me how much Grace and her family have inspired her for the better. She wants for her and her family to be better, to be an eternal family. To Michelle, Tom and your sweet little ones, we are praying for you, that the comfort and beauty of the Savior will rest upon you now and in the weeks and months to come. You have touched our lives, you have stayed strong in the fight and have taught us to be better people. Gracie will never be forgotten!!

This quote has helped me and given me some insight into the passing of little ones.

“The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.” -Joseph Smith