Update: "Live with Less" Challenge

(Tulips are my FAVORITE flower, and to me represent a new start)

.

So the week is over and I would actually say that it was a really wonderful week. To be able to disconnect from all the Crazy things of life. For the past week I took on the "Live with Less" Challenge. The basic rules were: No more than 1 hour of TV, Computer use only for homework, No eating out, Conscious use of electricity, etc. I didn't really feel the challenge when it came to the whole eating out, and electricity abuse, because I don't necessarily abuse those items. The computer wasn't much of a challenge however there were ongoing projects that had to be worked on. I am the kinda person that usually has noise in the background. Its usually the TV - not really sure why I do it. I guess I have always done it, even growing up. So this week was wonderful, the TV stayed off. The weather was nice so the windows were open, and every once in awhile I would turn the radio on. The TV only turned on once Rob got home from work. (he didn't want to take on the challenge). So I would come in to watch my 1 hour of TV usually for American Idol, Survivor, (Reality TV - yes I am pretty sad). All in all I feel like this week was really good for me. It was a chance to "recharge". I don't know how much my life will really change from doing to this challenge. I guess I would say that it has definately made me aware of the "Time-wasting" activities that I get myself into. So I guess it was worth the effort spent. Just thought I would update for journaling purposes.

I Gottcha!!!

Almost...

Almost... Don't Give Up!!!

Okay Okay... I captured your Smile on Camera!

Our Tuesday Nights

Our Tuesday nights have been spent down at the softball fields. Rob and Troy (my brother) play on a team, only thing that stinks is that I am once again a spectator. But I am surviving, its been fun to watch the games. However, I would love to look into a co-ed or womens league so I could get back into the game - Maybe next year. It has been really a lot of fun to go and watch Rob play. (Did I say that already) He has been playing as the catcher (just like in Louisville). Karlee has been really a good cheerleader, however last nights game was a bit later than the games in the past, and so she pretty much slept through the whole game.

(Karlee thinks her dad is the best! - I do too)

Our Apostles

My good friend Cheryl sent me this video today. It is so fun to listen to. What a creative fun way to learn the names of our apostles, and a little something unique about each one. So anyhow I thought I would post this and it could be enjoyed by all. Hope you enjoy. (I have played it back a couple of times already.)

Knock, Knock. Who's There?

(Heather) Knock, Knock.

(Pagie) Who's there?

(Heather) Cows go.

(Paige) Cows go who?

(Heather) No silly, cows go MOOO!!!

(Paige) That's Hilarious!

(Had to steal this photo off my sister's blog - THANKS)

So my little 5 year old niece, Paige called Rob and I Sunday night and wanted to do 'knock knock jokes'. We had done knock knock jokes, a couple weeks ago, and she thought it was pretty fun. So last night she called and we (both Rob and I) were on the phone with her for probably 20-25 minutes telling jokes back and forth. So so cute. What a cutie... Last night phone call reminded me of a phone call that we had a couple of weeks ago, after one of her jokes she had told me, I told her that it was "just hilarious". She got super quite and said "What does hilarious mean?" "Oh just super funny", I told her. Anyhow last night reminded me the excitement of a child learning new things. Rob and I are seriously blessed with wonderfully entertaining nieces and nephews in our family.

"Live with Less" Challenge

Oprah's "Live with Less" Challenge. While I was working out I watched a recorded Oprah. Now I don't watch Oprah on a regular basis, but I do DVR them so if there is an episode that is interesting to me I can watch one. Anyhow on Thursday's show Oprah had two families that participated in a ''Live with Less'' challenge. These families did without the 'pleasures' of life for 1 full week. 'Pleasures meaning: TV, Computer, Video games, Eating Out, No water bottles, disposable plates, cups, etc., a high thermostat, long showers, and so on. I watched, thinking that some of these things would definately be a challenge for me, and then some would be no problem. The rules are 1 hour of TV daily, Computer use only for homework, Use a water bottle and use filtered water, 5 minute showers. I have thought about it and I am going to take on the challenge. I am going to take on the challenge. Today I will start this challenge.Wish me luck.

Here is the link to Oprah's "Live with Less" Challenge. Oprah had written a detailed letter to each family of the rules of the challenge.

DEAL or NO DEAL

Over the weekend Rob went to a Deal or No Deal show casting up North, along with 10,000 other people. (Thanks you Hayley who had sent an email earlier on in the week informing us all about the casting to take place.) So Rob talked his dad and brother to go along so they would have company while waiting in the long lines. (I heard that some people stood in line for almost 13 hours) They got to RC Willey’s (location for the casting) and waited in line. For those that make it thru to the end there are 2 levels. For the first level you have 20 seconds to tell who you are and why you want to be on the show. So they finally reached level one.

Level One
Rob: Hi, I’m Robert Weston, I just spent my entire life savings, and maxed out all my credit cards to adopt a beautiful baby girl this past February. To be on the show would be awesome, to win some money to pay off all my debt, to help pay for another adoption, and to buy a home.

And with that Rob made it to the next level. Sad to say that his dad and brother did not go on, but were nice enough to wait for him to give him a ride home. lol. So onto the next level. Again he had 20 seconds to share a funny or embarrassing story about himself. (and if you are part of my family you know automatically what story that is gonna be – that’s right the bathroom story)

Level Two
Rob: Hi, I’m Robert Weston, when I was dating my wife; I went home with her to meet her family. We had spent the day out on Lake Powell, it was January and extremely cold. When we returned to their home I took a shower to clean up, and to warm up. While in the shower, I slipped and to catch myself, I reached for the only thing in the shower – the shower curtain. So down I went shower curtain and all. On my graceful way down I hit the toilet seat and snapped it off the base. All the while the shower is still on, and water is going everywhere. I quickly put the shower curtain up, tried to fix the toilet seat as best I could and got out of the bathroom. I thought to myself, I am never coming back here again. After the shower, my (now) mother-in-law asked if everything was okay. (She had been in a room next to the bathroom and heard everything, all the ruckus.) I told her that everything was fine- as thought nothing had happened.

YES with this story and Robs winning charm he was moved to the final level. He had the producers laughing as well as his competitors. The shows producer talked to Rob one on one, he asked a few questions and then Rob was able to ask a few questions. Rob was told that he has been selected to be in a Show Selecting Pool. We have tried to figure out with the number of people that showed up to the casting, that possibly it is a pool of 300 to 500 people. Rob is pretty excited and yet very reserved because really what are the odds… it is kind of a long shot. But it would be pretty exciting. He can get a phone call within the next two months for the first show, or in the next four months for the second show. We’ll keep ya’ll updated with this fun news…

Smiles caught on camera!

Weekend with the Westons

This weekend we were able to go up to see Grandma and Grandpa Weston up north. We had such a fun time. Karlee had yet another wonderful baby shower. (This should be the final shower) She got lots and lots of good stuff, cute cute clothes, and she was such a trooper. She was passed around the whole time. It was so much fun. I hadn't seen so many people for almost close to 4 years. Fun to catch up! Karlee really is a good baby, she only cries when she is tired, hungry, or has a poopy diaper. Rob and I got super super lucky!!! Thanks again for a wonderful weekend.

(Karlee with Grandma Laurel)

(Karlee with Grandpa Dan)

A week filled with Prayers

Alyia Jayde is Home!!!

Our beautiful niece Alyia Jayde (14months) was Life Flighted to Primary Children's Hospital on Saturday with a collapsed lung and possible pneumonia. Saturday morning Rob and I had gone over to my brothers home (Troy) because his baby girl wasn't feeling/breathing well. In the early afternoon my brother and his wife ended up taking her to Insta-Care, they immediately sent her to the ER. At the ER they were told that the hospital was not equipped to help Alyia, and that they would have to send her to Primary Children's Hospital up in Salt Lake City. Once at PCH she was fighting for her life. She had a scope surgery done, cardiogram, and many many more tests. I can't even think of all the other stuff this poor little girl had to endure. My brother said that the doctors were great, and that PCH was so nice and everyone there was very helpful. Many prayers were said on her behalf. Alyia began recovering day by day. She was up at PCH for 1 week. The doctors released her with no known reason for this to have happened. They said that she could possibly be allergic to something, but no one knows. She is now home with her mom, dad, and big brother. We are so blessed that this little angel is in our family we love her so much.

Thank goodness to texting, because honestly... thats how we got most all our updates. One of my most treasured text messages from my brother Troy that I had received was a picture of little Alyia with her eyes open, and the text that read: She's opened her eyes and is glad to see Mom... All I have to say is that many prayers have been answered this week. I do have to agree with Hayley... We do have a pretty awesome family. We are the kinda family that steps in when the moment is needed.

Another Milestone - 2 months old!

Karlee has reached yet another 'milestone' she is 2 months old. She is getting much, much bigger, although still looks skinny. We will find out next week just where she is hiding her weight. (If I could just have that luck) Her goopey eye has finally healed, which both mom and Karlee are happy about. Her eye would get so bad that when I would go to clean it, she would just cry - as to say 'Please, Please don't do this again.' She has just started to smile, however just not as easily. It is pretty priceless when she does smile.

(Karlee has her daddy wrapped around her finger)

(Excellent Father/Daughter moments captured - don't ya think)

General Conference 2008

Oh how I love General Conference. There are so many wonderful things that are said, and so many new challenges that are extended. I especially loved listening to our prophets voice. I could truly see the mantel being placed on President Thomas S. Monson. At the start of conference I thought to myself - Wow what hard shoes to fill and questioned if I could I see President Monson as our prophet, without thinking of President Hinckley? - I can say that yes I was able to look at President Monson, and I know that he is a prophet of God. He is going to be a wonderful prophet. I loved being able to hear about their families, and how much they loved them and the many sacrifices that they have all made to be an apostle of the Lord. I love being able to watch and listen to conference I always feel so energized to do better, to be better.

Celebrating Karlee in Page

Last night we had a fun party to celebrate Karlee' adoption. My special friend Louise was nice enough to host the party at her home. There were so many wonderful people, of whom have been in a part of my life from childhood, to highschool, and now. I was truly overwhelmed by the love that I felt, I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. Everyone there last night has had a special part in Karlee's adoption process. I never thought that moving from Kentucky to Utah would have been so difficult. Everyone in Kentucky had felt like my family. Most everyone knowing our adoption situation, understanding all our ups and downs. Then moving to Utah, and having the adoption just a few months to go, people didn't know our heartaches, and celebrations. My mom would tell me how everyone in Page, was so excited for us, and people would ask my mom and dad how the adoption process was going, and then when we got Karlee, everyone wanted to know how she was doing and when we were coming home. Here in Utah, very few people had made much of our adoption, let alone when we brought Karlee home. I do have two sweet neighbors, whom brought in meals. So my friends in Page it was very important that we were able to celebrate Karlee.

Looks Who's having a Birthday!

So today is my birthday. Can't believe that its the big 33rd. Yep almost reaching my mid-thrities. Ouch! Just kidden... I had a really great birthday. I was at my parents home and my dad made me crepes for breakfast (Just like when I was little). My dear friend Louise threw me a baby shower tonight, and my mom surprised me with a birthday cake... The only thing that could have made it more perfect would have been to have Rob there with us. Everyone Thanks for all the phone calls, and thanks for a Great day!