My First Fondant Cake...oh, and Livy turned 7! :)

Ta Da! Okay, I know it's nothing special, but learning how to do fondant is an accomplishment in and of itself for me. I've never really liked cooking, but I've discovered I really do enjoy "creating" through baking. You Tube has taught me a lot lately....from how to hit a forehand ground stroke in tennis (I'm getting pretty good), to how to make a fondant cake. I'm so glad people broadcast themselves. :)

I've started looking forward to getting to do a fun cake for my kids' birthday. Again, I'm no professional, but Olivia told me today, "That's the most beautiful cake I've ever seen!"

It's for her, from me, and that makes it special for both of us.

Here she is with her cousins.

Here she is being given the appropriate attention for her liking.

Getting ready to make a wish. (she wouldn't tell me, but I always have to ask. :))

Happy birthday Olivia.

Biggest Loser--You Want In?

Biggest Loser is one of the coolest shows ever.

There is real motivation and real change because it is a very real experience.

There are so many people that could benefit from that show and only a handful of people that will ever actually get to go on it. So I've been trying to think of a way to bring it closer to home and my sister keeps saying she wants to do one, so here's what I've come up with.

BIGGEST LOSER BLOG VERSION

(this is just for fun, not affiliated with the real Biggest Loser in any way)

Who Can Be a Contestant?: Anybody. If you live in Arizona it's better, but even if you live out of state, you can be in. You don't have to know me. So tell friends or family that might be interested.

What Does It Cost?: $20. I'm not getting anything out of this, I'm just hosting it. So everybody puts $20 in the pot and the Biggest Loser wins the pot. The more people in, the bigger the pot. Bring your $20 to the first weigh in, or if you are out of state you will need to mail it in.

When Does It Start?: We will be starting on January 16th with the first weigh in. (decide quickly)

When Does It End?: May 15th.

How Does It Work?: If you live in AZ we will take pictures (girls in sports bras, guys with shirts off) on January 16th and do our first weigh in. If you live out of state you will need to email me your pictures and weight, taken that day. This is scary, I know. But it is one of the things that will contribute most to your change. No more hiding. I will then post all the contestant pictures and their starting weight on my blog.

Weekly Weigh In's: You will need to submit your weight once a week. Weigh on the same scale at the same time each week. Depending on how many contestants we have I may post the stats weekly or monthly on the blog.

The Finale, May 15th: Everyone will submit their final weight and pictures that day and a winner will be determined from the highest percentage of body fat lost.

So if you're tired of feeling the way you feel or aren't happy with the way you look you might want to hop on board. Plus I know some place that you can find really great workouts. :)

Real change requires real effort and real experience.

Make it real.

sheROX 2010--Are you in?

Last year at this time I started a little group of women on training for their very first triathlon. It was the Danskin sheROX triathlon at Tempe Town Lake, and it was awesome! I have to say it was and still is my favorite triathlon.

Here is my top ten list of why this triathlon was/is so great:

1. Open water swim. I thought I would hate this. I was even a little nervous about it. Turns out there was nothing to be nervous about, the lake water wasn't nearly as disgusting as I thought it would be and it is SOOOOOO much better than a pool swim where you are on top of people (or underneath) all the time. Plus it just made the experience so much more real. Loved it.

2. Blaring music and big crowd. Nothing makes you feel more cool than getting out of your open water swim as Justin Timberlake's Sexxy Back blasts over the speakers and a huge crowd of people cheer you on as you run to transition. Super cool. Totally felt like a rock star. :)

3. Packet Pick-up. This is what you do the night before the race. You go pick up your race number and a bag of goodies, usually energy bar samples, drink mixes and other such things. We also got our caps, looked at the course, and got a glimpse of the transition area. It was especially fun because all us ladies went together. Way fun.

4. The Race Course. While the bike course was definitely harder than others I have done, due to some hills, it is definitely my favorite because it's interesting. You get to go over the Mill Avenue bridge, there's water all around, and big airplanes flying overhead because the airport is very close. It's a fun ride, run and swim. Great course.

5. It's All About the Women. I'm not usually the "girl power" type. It's never really been my thing. But there is something so empowering about this huge group of all women getting together, in every different shape, size and fitness level you can think of, and doing their best to complete this race. And even though it's a competition there is kindness and camaraderie all around. I loved this aspect of the triathlon. Girls rule! :)

6. Medals. When you cross the finish line at this triathlon they immediately place a medal around your neck. Not all triathlons do this. Some only give medals to the first 3 or 5 places. Not this one....everyone that finishes gets a medal put around their neck. And they should. To complete this triathlon is a great feat. When you finish they recognize your accomplishment.

7. Organization. This is by far the most well organized triathlon I have ever participated in. This might not seem like too big of a deal, but when you've been in several highly unorganized race events, then you start to appreciate how very important this aspect is. The course is clearly defined, there are plenty of people to help and answer questions, and everyone seems like they know what they are doing. Very good.

8. Friendly Volunteers. Again, unless you have had the opposite experience, you don't realize how important this is. This is a large event which requires a lot of people to keep it running. It's easy for these people to get stressed and start yelling at participants. I've had this happen at several other events, but not any at this one. All the volunteers were very friendly, helpful and informative. It makes your whole experience better.

9. Family Support. There was a large amount of family support out for this and the nice thing about this triathlon is that there is plenty of room for all that family support. Lots of good places to watch from and even a little water park play area for the kids to play while their mom shows everyone what she's made of. Having family and friends there to cheer you on is the best! ***plus we had a sweet after party!***

10. Crossing the Finish Line. This was BY FAR the best part of this triathlon. Not me crossing, I mean watching all three of my sisters and my cousin cross the finish line. And every single one of them did it. All the way. Even Allyson who got 2, yes 2, flat tires. Can I be a proud mama of my own sisters and cousin? I sure felt like it. I know where they all started. I know what they all sacrificed to get there. I know how hard it was--and therefore how sweet it was to complete it.

And you know what? They are going to do it again! (at least my sister's are--how 'bout you Wendy?)

If you've ever wanted to do something like this, do it.

Crossing that finish line will make every moment of training and sacrifice worth it.

Quit watching other people accomplish things.

It's your turn.

Our Sloth

We've got a sloth at our house.

Not this kind.

But this kind.

Except ours looks like this.

Morgan has decided she wants to be a sloth lately.

"Pretend there's a little sloth getting in the tub." she'll say as she's taking a bath. "Pretend there's a little sloth climbing on your bed." , etc.

Really? A sloth? What kid pretends to be a sloth?

Morgan, that's who. :)

Pride Doesn't Pay

Prayer works.

How do I know? Because I was too prideful to do it at first.

A couple days ago I needed to return the library books.

I could find all but 2.

I pulled out Owen's bed, searched all underneath and to the side and found one of them.

"See", I thought smugly to myself, "I don't need to pray to find these, I can do it on my own."

But the other one I could not find anywhere! (and in case you haven't heard, I don't live in a mansion).

But I was in a grumpy mood and I didn't want to pray.

So as the weekend progressed and my heart softened and I felt more humble last night I prayed to find the book.

Well what do you know....first thing this morning Owen comes in and says, "Mom! I found the book!"

"Where?" I asked curiously.

"Under my bed!"

No way. I looked there...10 times!

But I hadn't prayed because I didn't feel like it.

Lesson learned.

Little Miss Morgan

I don't really have anything to say, but I hate having that picture of the mating flies up, so I've gotta say something. BTW, the first thing Shane says to me when he sees the fly picture is, "You know they are mating right?"

So this is it. My Morgan is three and trying to figure out how to handle herself with all the emotions that run through a 3-year old girls little body. She does a lot of whining, crying, screaming, etc. It's rough...for everyone.

So today she told me, "I'm learning to be nice. I don't want to be bad anymore." Nearly melted my heart, even if she didn't magically change today, I know it's in there.

Love you Morgan!

For the Love of Flies

We've had an overabundance of flies in our house lately.

It's unfortunate.

Today Owen and Morgan were admiring all the flies in our window sill when Owen shouted out, "Mom, there's a fly on top of a dead fly. That's so funny."

I came in for a closer look and I said to Owen, "Uh oh, that fly isn't dead. I know what they are trying to do....they are trying to make baby flies!"

Dang flies trying to get it on in my house!

"Oh no!" Owen cried, "Then there will be baby flies EVERYWHERE!"

My fear exactly.

He then explained to our dog that the flies were trying to make baby flies and that the situation was indeed dire.

I tried really hard to kill the two that were tangoing, but those dang things can fly while "in the act".

And quite well at that.

I missed them over and over again and then I lost them.

No wonder we've had so many flies in our house....it's a veritable love-fest in here.

(at least for flies). :)