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According to “Daily Mile” I Have Five Friends February 14, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Exercise, My Handsome Husband, Thoughts , 1 comment so far

Hello!  I’m here!  Did you miss me?  :)  I missed you!  ALL OF YOU!  Happy Valentine’s Day!  (Hannah has been spending nine hours a day for the last few days making Valentine’s Day cards . . . NOT KIDDING.  Each one is a totally new concept, so as you can imagine, one Valentine takes about two hours to make, and I’ve had to make a few runs to the store for more craft supplies.)

Lately, my life has been extra full, and extra dull at the same time . . . not a good formula to get my blog on.

But, I’m back!

Did you notice the new widget on my sidebar?  Um.  Yeah . . . so I started running.  Sort of.  I felt so GUILTY sitting on the couch watching House Hunters International day after day, while my husband ran mile after mile.  It doesn’t help that he’s lost a total of . . . wait for it . . .

31 POUNDS!

I know what you are thinking!  WHERE IN THE WORLD DID HE HAVE 31 EXTRA POUNDS HANGING AROUND?

I’m not sure, it really is a conundrum.  His cheeks lost a bit (both sets!) and also his waist is all I can figure!

Not one to be left out, (Hello, did I not mention he lost weight while watching TV and movies?)  I decided to get my butt off the couch and enjoy my shows on the run.  As you can see, I don’t really run fast . . . but I’m getting my heart into shape, and soon, I will be picking up the pace.  As a little side note for any of you “runners” or “exercisers” out there, David just read a book by another doctor who was a runner and it was fascinating.  (To him of course, I didn’t actually read it. I’m just the messenger!)  This doctor stated that you should only exercise your heart between 50%-75% of your maximum heart rate.  So basically, my maximum heart rate is 187 (you take 220 minus your age to get your maximum heart rate, or you can get a more accurate maximum heart rate with a cardiac stress test) and I keep my average heart rate during my runs between 140 and 152.  This is well within the 50%-75% range.  Why is it important to exercise and keep your heart rate in this range?

BECAUSE YOU BURN FAT.

Hello.  SIGN.  ME.  UP.

Anything more (like if I were to have an average heart rate of 170 and up) and you burn up your glycogen reserve.  THAT MEANS YOU BURN ENERGY.  Please, do not sign me up for that one!

David talked me into signing up for Daily Mile, which is like a watered down version of facebook.  I have five friends on it.  TOTAL.   I know three of them personally, and two internet friends.

What I’m saying is . . . PLEASE JOIN ME!  I have no friends!  I mean, facebook tells me differently, but apparently, I have no exercise friends on Daily Mile!

And I would like to leave you with this last little nugget of info . . .

David came across this video about sugar (specifically fructose) and how it is “Pure, White, and Deadly.”  Even if you don’t think you’re eating sugar, you are!  IT IS IN EVERYTHING!  This lecture is so interesting, it held my attention for 30 minutes at one time, which is like 1/3 of the way through the video!

Enjoy!

This Week in Pictures February 7, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Family, Little Man Dallin, Parenthood, Princess Hannah, Thoughts , add a comment

Last week I mentioned the train show we went to as family.

Oh.  My.  It was kid heaven.  Dallin thought he’d hit the little boy jackpot . . . everywhere he turned, there were more trains!

This one was very intricate and make out of Legos.

OK, moving on . . .

I drove past this ice castle in Midway on my way to a food shoot.  OH.  My.  HECK.  It was incredible.  Amazing really!  I can’t wait to take the kids there and take pictures!  It looks like freezing cold temperatures are good for something!  ICE CASTLES!

OK, moving on to my darling, hilarious kids . . .

My parenting skills have gone on auto pilot since Hannah learned how how navigate www.sproutonline.com, www.nickjr.com, and www.starfall.com.  The motherly-older-sister in her guides Dallin online as they discover shapes, numbers, colors, and dinosaurs.

It’s pretty awesome really.  (I really should start paying her an allowance!)

Hannah takes her computer time so seriously, she asked us for her very own password to login.  A PASSWORD PEOPLE.

I was all, who in the heck is going to mess with your account?!  (She’s four!  Her account has software protection!)

Well, she is four and half and would like us to respect her request, so she is the proud owner of a password.   Need to log off, change users, shutdown the computer, or restart it?  Just ask Hannah, she can help you.  Want to find out what her password is?  Just ask her and she will give you a lecture on how you never ask what someone’s password is!  (Trust me, you never want a lecture from this kid!)  A few days ago I made Hannah take a “time out” from the computer and she acted like it was the WORST thing  that could ever happen to her.  EVER.

Then she asked me when she was going to get a REAL computer and she made sure I knew what a real computer was, “Mom, you know, like I need to get online and check Sprout.com and do my reading on Starfall, and I need to help Dallin with his letters.  So . . .I need a  REAL computer.  Mom, my pink computer that I got for Christmas last year is NOT real.  It just plays games and it is NOT real.  Mom!  Did you hear me?  I need a REAL computer!  Not a fake one!”

“OK, I think I got it, let me see, you want a REAL computer?”

Next up?  Self portraits.

Dallin really can’t stand waiting for his pictures on the LCD screen.  He thinks they should be there in real time, so as you can imagine, pictures are very frustrating to him.

But . . . we just figured out how to take self portraits on the iPhone where you can turn the camera around to see yourself before you snap the pic.

This is Dallin’s new favorite feature.  I have 235 more pictures just like this one.  :)

This is Hannah’s ballet class through the looking glass.  (She is in the very middle with the pony tail.)

Looks like all that stretching is working!

Lastly, I straightened my hair over the weekend.  I only do it like every five years, so as you can imagine, my kids were speechless when they saw me.  Seriously, SPEECHLESS.  They both wanted to touch it.  I sort of felt like a blond haired woman in Tokyo.

They were intrigued with my straight hair, but after looking at this picture, I think all they could see was my forehead.  Dang!  I need some bangs!

VFF Boots? January 21, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Thoughts , 8comments

Oh.  My.

There are no words that can possibly describe the expression on my face when David showed me the fall lineup for Vibram Fivefingers . . .

I can’t get over this boot.  It’s fashionable on the top and freezing on the bottom.

Remember, mittens are still warmer than gloves in the winter.  :)

Really, what can you say about this?

Kristina?  I know you LOVE VFF’s and are not creeped out by them at all, so do share!  :)

Schools Kill Creativity January 20, 2011

Posted by Emily in : School, Thoughts , 8comments

David sent me an email several weeks ago with a link to this video.  I didn’t watch it immediately because the clip is 20 minutes long, and let’s face it . . . 20 minutes is about 15 minutes longer than my attention span.

However, when I watched it a few days ago, I found myself immediately taking notes on the closest thing that resembled paper–a photo envelope.  This man brings up several interesting points and addresses many issues with the public school system.

Is now a good time to mention that I’m considering home schooling my kids?

Did I just open a can of worms?  :)

Yes, I’m considering all of our options: public school (100% positive this is not the option for us), charter school (she’s on a lottery list for a school), private school (we’ve narrowed it down to one school and it is pricey, YIKES!), K-12 which is an online charter school, and . . . home school.

There are so many options once you entertain them all, and I’ve been analyzing all the pros and cons for years.

Yes, YEARS. (Before we even knew if we would ever have children, David and I talked about home schooling.)

I have a big decision to make in a few months and I want to behave like an ostrich and stick my head in the sand, wishing all this decision making would just go away!   Can’t my kids just stay little FOREVER?!

I’ll post the pros and cons of each option (in my opinion of course) soon.  Maybe if I write it all out the answer will be clear to me.

Let’s Talk About Miss America, Shall We? January 17, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Beauty, Thoughts , 3comments

Did any of you watch Miss America this weekend?

I used to LOVE watching pageants.  Heck, I’ve competed in several!  Over the years (read: after my stint as Mrs. Dallas, and after competing for Mrs. Texas and receiving first runner-up) I’ve moved on.  National pageants are not on my radar very often, (except Miss Universe.  It is a must see!  Remember Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith slipping at Miss Universe!?  I had dinner with her once  in Atlanta when she was modeling for Jovani when she was about 16 . . . so I kind of feel like we go waaaayy back.)  but after reading a few facebook status updates regarding the Miss America Pageant, I thought, WHAT THE HECK.

I tuned into the pageant right after it started, so I didn’t miss much.  David even sat down next to me to watch it as well.  This is the point where I need to clarify something for him: he likes to hang out with me, (I mean, who doesn’t?!) he does not like watching pageants, EVER, so it was sort of a big deal.

I was happy Miss Nebraska won . . . the  youngest Miss America EVER.  DANG.  (It’s not like she has big shoes to fill or anything!)

Honestly, my favorite contestant was Miss Arkansas.  She was beautiful, poised, and INSANELY TALENTED.  I must admit, I cringed when they announced her talent as a “veltriquist singing act.”

OH.  MY.  I squeezed David’s arm a little too tight while I waited for the train wreck I imagined.

BUT . . .

That girl is talented!  She can sing (amazing), yodel (even more amazing!  I would know . . . ), and talk very clearly through her teeth!  YIKES!  She needs to go on America’s got Talent!  I had goose bumps while she performed!  AMAZING.

Oh, look, I found a video clip for you all to enjoy!

She had my vote for Miss America!

I was really excited to see two of the contestant dance on point . . . their costumes were beautiful (especially the red one) but sadly, they just don’t match up to the professional performances I’ve become accustomed to seeing, so they both fell short in my opinion.  VERY SHORT.

And last, let’s talk about Miss Delaware.

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

Her wigs are AMAZING.  I’m starting to think alopecia isn’t such a bad thing . . . you never have a bad hair day, and your time getting ready is cut in HALF when you don’t have to style your hair!

She was beautiful and confident and I was glad to see her as a semi-finalist.

Mark your calendars to watch Miss Universe in May!

My Achilles Heel January 13, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Thoughts , 5comments

Have you ever tried Hershey’s Bliss with the raspberry meltaway center?

DON’T.

Once you start, you will NOT stop! Each chocolate is a like a velvet truffle melting away in your mouth and you’ll only want more, and MORE, and MORE.

This is my new favorite candy.  It might even trump HI-CHEW, which, as you all know, is the greatest candy in the whole wide world!

Trust me, I’m doing you a favor.  Your waistlines will thank me later.

Funny Internet Finds January 11, 2011

Posted by Emily in : My Handsome Husband, Thoughts , 11comments

David came across a “life expectancy calculator” online this weekend.  He answered all the questions and guess what?  His life expectancy is 97 years old.

I was super impressed.  :)

I was curious what my life expectancy would be after learning of his long, long, life, so I filled out all the questions as well.

Guess what my life expectancy is?

105 years old.

HELLO.  DID YOU READ THAT?!

105 years!  I seriously don’t know how it’s possible that I am projected to outlive David . . . he’s the one who runs a 10k every night on the treadmill!  I’m super pleased with the two miles I run every other day!  (I know you are all curious now too . . . go check out your life expectancy here!)

David also found this funny video of Saba from 1937 . . . seriously, this island we once called home has changed A LOT in the last 70 years!  You must watch it, especially if you are a current or former Saban.  It is hilarious and it’s not meant to be funny!

Oh, how I love a good chuckle.  :)

Schooled by My Four Year Old January 5, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Parenthood, Princess Hannah, Thoughts , 9comments

After every studio shoot, Hannah requests that I take her picture.  It doesn’t matter how late it is, how sick she is, what she is wearing, or how messy her hair is . . .

A few days ago after a bridal shoot, Hannah grabbed this dress from her wardrobe and added a white cardigan to make it “mostly white” so she could also be photographed in a “wedding dress.”  She then copied the bride’s poses, like she always does after everybody’s shoot.

She is such a sass and entirely too observant for her own good (or maybe for my own good).  The other night I was putting her to bed and while she was picking out book for me to read to her, I put a little piece of candy cane in my mouth.

I knew it was a mistake as soon as that hard candy hit my mouth, but what was I to do?  Spit out a perfectly good piece of candy?  No!  Obviously not!

I concealed the mysterious small piece of candy quite well up until I sang Hannah her good night song and gave her a kiss on the check.

Bad move.

Instantly, she sat up and said, “MOMMY!  What is that smell?  It smells good . . .”  Her eyes were wide and searching around the dimly lit room.   For a moment, I thought about denying the smell, acting oblivious and confused, but decided to take the honest route.

“Honey, I’m eating a piece of candy cane.”

“Let me see mommy.  Open your mouth.  Is is it blue?”

WHAT THE HECK?!  Is this child clairvoyant or just keeping major tabs on me?  She then looked at me with her big brown eyes and with a stern voice said, “MOMMY!  Are you eating the candy cane Rosie gave me!?”

OK, honestly, I was caught RED HANDED.  Roles completely reversed, I realized I had behaved like a child, eating a piece of her candy without permission and she was ready to lay down the LAW.

This child can give lectures like a pro, so you never, never, ever want her to give you a lecture.

But . . . there I was, ready for the lecture of a lifetime . . .

“MOMMY!  YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO ASK!  THAT WAS MY CANDY!  ROSIE GAVE IT TO ME (OK, in my defense, she got it like two weeks ago and saw it once.  ONCE!) AND THAT IS NOT NICE!  YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT MY CANDY WITHOUT ASKING!  NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER!  MOMMY!  WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!”

Being reprimanded by my daughter is not on the top of my favorite list, so as I began to apologize, she stopped me.  She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and and started counting, “One, two, three, four, five, six . . .” until she reached ten (something she learned from Fairy Mary on Tinkerbell) and then she said, “OK, I’m calm now.  It’s OK.  I forgive you.  Mommy, all you had to do was ask and I would have given it to you.”

And with that, I was schooled by my four year old.

That’ll teach me to never sneak her candy again and get caught!  :)

This sassy little thing has been fighting a bad cold (isn’t everyone in Utah?) and last week I took her to the Doctor to get a Strep test done.  I took her to a clinic we don’t visit very often, so as I was half listening to her questions in the car (and trying to answering them), I was actively looking for the clinic.

You see, the problem with national chains, stores, and Insta-care Clinics is they ALL LOOK ALIKE.  That is obviously necessary for brand recognition nationwide, but very problematic for a gypsy like me.  Eventually, EVERY intersection looks the same, and EVERY national chain looks the same.  Just when you think the business you are looking for is on the next corner, you reach the corner and realize the intersection you envisioned belongs in Texas, or Kansas, or New York.  Then you feel like a lost idiot, with a child in the backseat, asking too many questions that require an IQ higher than 120.

When I failed at both finding our destination, and answering important four year old questions, Hannah asked me, “Are you lost mommy?” I told her I was just looking really hard for the Doctor’s office but couldn’t find it.

Brace yourself for this next part because this is the part of Hannah I wish I could bottle up and freeze FOREVER.   She said, “Mommy, did you get distracted because you were thinking about how much you love me?”

“Of course honey.  That is exactly why I can’t find the clinic.”

Oh my.  I want that kind of innocence.  That is 100% self esteem right there folks.  How can I preserve that forever?!

2011 FINALLY Arrived January 3, 2011

Posted by Emily in : Thoughts , 5comments

We had a nice, quiet evening as we rang in the new year drinking Welch’s Sparkling Grape Juice™ and watching Persuasion by Jane Austen.  The temperature outside was in the teens, so we were glad we didn’t have any big outdoor plans.

Although, I would like to spend New Year’s Eve at Times Square sometime.  Just once even.  It’s on my bucket list, but most certainly not on David’s list, so we’ll see if/how/when that ever happens.  :)

As the end of a year closes and a new one begins, I find myself reflecting on my past and future.  Things I want to do differently, behaviors and situations I want to change, and ways in which I want to improve myself as a person, a mother, and a wife.  This can be daunting, depressing, and exciting at the same time as I look forward to a future that is not yet written, full of hope.

I’m happy to see the “2010 chapter” in my life close.  Like the opening line of A Tale of Two Cities, “It was best of times, it was the worst of times . . . ” and honestly, I think I would be happy with a very uneventful, mundane year.  :)

The high points for 2010:

I’ll spare the low points because even I don’t need to be reminded of them. As I start out 2011, I have set several personal goals for this year, but since they are personal, I’ll leave them that way and share a few that are not so personal:

So, there you have it.  Out with the old, in with the new.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Family Christmas Party December 30, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas, Family, Thoughts, Utah , 2comments

This year, my family rented a big cabin up in Aspen Grove (it’s just above Sundance for those of you not familiar with Provo Canyon . . . Sundance as in Robert Redford and the Sundance Film Festival) for our family Christmas Party.  It was a one big sleepover with lots of fun things to do . . .

We didn’t sleep over though . . .  it was the night of Hannah’s performance in the Nutcracker, so my little family didn’t join the party until the morning.

Honestly though, it sounded like no one got much sleep in the big cabin with lots, and lots of bodies.  (He! He!)

We braved a big snow storm to get to the party.  It was a “chains or 4-wheel drive required” kind of drive.

It didn’t stop snowing ALL DAY LONG.  The kids didn’t care though, Hannah LOVED sledding!  (And do you think I was responsible and brought my camera?  No.  Pics courtesy of  the iPhone.)

This hill is really quite long and steep.  I heard through the “Probst family grapevine” that my nieces and nephews (the older ones, like eight and up) were up until 1:00 AM sledding on that hill.

Oh.  My.  No wonder no one got any sleep!

I know it’s practically impossible to tell in this picture, but those little ant size dots on the snow are skiers at Sundance.

David and both let out a sigh when we saw them, skiing on fresh snow.

Seriously, we haven’t skied in 12 years.

TWELVE.

Not that I was a big ski bum or anything, but it is fun.

We had a lovely family party and it’s nice to have some of my family nearby to share the holidays with!