WOOHOO!!!!!

I am so excited! As of today I weigh less than I have in 8 years!!!!!! Can you believe it! I can barely believe it!! I have lost 81 lbs! Even though it has been SOOO hard, it has been SO worth it. I don't know if anyone can understand how hard it is unless you have had your own "addiction" or bad habit you have tried for years to change. Putting it that way, more of you can probably understand than I first thought. I think we all have our own vices, unfortunately mine was just more apparent to the public and easier for so many to pass judgement on.

So, here's a big THANK YOU to all of my friends and relatives who have accepted me for who I am on the inside. For all my innocent, yet embarrassing moments, my sometimes serious side, my quirky sense of humor and my ability to laugh at myself and (mostly) others. THANK YOU for never judging or making fun. To those of you, you are my HERO'S!

My dinner...

Dear Tanner,
Thank you for always looking out for me and always wanting to be the one who dishes out my dinner plate. You keep me right on track...although I think you need to check your 1 cup measurement again! But, on the other hand, maybe I should let you dish up the food for all my meals because I think I might be loosing faster.
Love,
Aunt Shelley


My cute nephew Tanner (13) gets true joy out of fixing my plate for dinner knowing I can't eat much after my surgery. He likes to see how small he can make things.

Notice that this plate is almost the size of the post-it note. And if you are wondering what's on the napkin, it is my dessert. A bite of cake!

Thanks again for looking out for me Tanner!!

Triple D

Yes, that is what I said, and that is what I meant. But, not the way most of you are thinking - get your minds out of the gutter. The triple D that I am talking about is Degenerative Disk Disease (aka Triple D). Yes, that would be the crap storm (according to Reba) I am weathering this week. Reba is smart. I am changing my life's motto to a quote from Reba's show that I have mentioned several times here before. "Sometimes life is just one crap storm after another!"

The doctor knows that I have at least 2 herniated disks and found a few other problems that he won't be able to identify until we do the MRI. I spent all morning in the ER because it was my doctors day off and I hurt so much I could barely breathe! But, I did get to come home!!! I hate staying in that hospital. It's terrible that I am 31 and I am terrified of going there because of how horribly I have been treated. But they gave me some muscle relaxers and pain medicine. Now I can actually walk but I am still very uncomfortable.

Now, it has taken me about 50 minutes to write this so I think it is a sign that I need to go to bed. I hope this is readable!

Embarrassing moments at church!

There is nothing like having an amazing day at church only for it to end by standing up and your slip falling off. Luckily my last meeting was Relief Society. But, I was on the front row. If this is any indication of the week I am going to have, I'm staying in bed. See ya, next Sunday! :0)

Starting fresh!

In this new time of my life I am starting fresh. Not like New Years Resolution time, more like life has taken on a whole new meaning for me and my heart has changed. I can't think of the quote my Aunt Ann always says, but it goes something like when you put God first in your life everything that is good will stay and everything that is not important will fall out of your life. I have noticed that happening with me.

With the t.v. shows I watch, the entertainment magazine addiction I have, even the music I listen too (I am more interested in church CD's or 91.5 rather than the regular fun music I have). Now, this isn't all the time, but maybe 50/50. I have started ordering my favorite t.v. shows on DVDs instead of watching some of the thing that are on regular t.v.

I have new scriptures that I am going to start marking in a way that is meaningful to me. I want to dive into the Book of Mormon and really learn it!! I got some ideas from a great friend of mine on how to do this. I'm going to start scripture chains, writing down all the characters in the Book of Mormon so I know exactly who they are and what they did, I have a Book of Mormon that I am marking in a very cool way by topics.

I am so grateful for new and fresh starts!

Utah or Bust!!!

GIRLS WEEKEND!!!!!

Last weekend my cousin Lanette and I went to Utah to destress and get away from our/my problems. My mom and I were supposed to go, but she couldn't leave work so she was selfless enough to want me to still go and take a GREAT friend. By the way mom, we are still taking a vacation!!!!

Lanette and I started our weekend my stopping in Logan so I could see some of my old college roommates Lisa and Alyssa and my friend Kim. It was so fun to get together with them. We had a great time catching up and remembering the "good ol' days" at USU!

After Logan, I made Lanette Drive because I am scared of heavy traffic, coming from a town that doesn't even have a stop light. She isn't posing for this picture, this is actually how she looked when she drove for the next 3 days :0) Through the drive we listened to the homemade CD's entitled "Road Trip" volumes 1, 2, and 3. Then, took a great trip down memory lane listening to a CD an old roommate made for me called "Children of the 80's." where we were entertained my Vanilla Ice, The Back Street Boys etc., and great theme song from our favorite t.v. shows. Smurfs, Rainbow Bright, Full House, Charles in Charge and about 15 others reminded us how safe t.v. used to be.

I was so excited when we got to the hotel. As we were "going up" (the elevator spoke to us) on the elevator to the 11th floor, this was the view outside our door! Unbelievable!!!

Call me crazy, but one of the things I was most excited for was the hot tub at the hotel. The thought of sitting in there every single night after a long day of walking, shopping and sightseeing. Letting the stress of life melt away in the bliss of the bubbling hot water was the most relaxing thought I'd had in months. So naturally after we put our bags in our room, we went looking for the hot tub. This is what we found.

So not fair!!!

Then we went to the Gateway Mall. It was as great as everyone said it would be, but I don't think I would ever want to go again. The best part was that I got together with a friend from high school who I hadn't seen in 13 or so years. It was so fun!! I am so mad I forgot to get a picture though. We went to a frozen yogurt shop and had a great time reminiscing of the past and catching up on the present. Thanks for a great night Morgan!!!

That night, instead of relaxing in the hot tub :( luckily I was inspired to buy back up destress/super hero masks! With our destress/super hero masks, popcorn, candy, a soft comfy bed and a great movie our night was great!!!

I don't know why I can't turn pictures anymore, but just tilt your head.
(I seriously need to learn how to pose, I felt as awkward as I look! Feel free to giggle, I am.)

Sunday morning we went to Music and the Spoken Word which was completely amazing!!! We sat front row just off to the side. Singing with the MoTab was a children's choir from China and they were and so cute!! Then throughout different times of the production Chinese adults came out in fun costumes and played some traditional Chinese music. I have always wanted to go to this and it didn't disappoint!! Plus Richard G. Scott was there and it was fun to see him.
The cute children's choir.

After Music and the Spoken Word we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for church. That building has such an amazing spirit in it all the time, but to go there on a Sunday for Church made the spirit even stronger. It was so cool!

Then we went sightseeing on Temple Square.
This is my favorite spot!!!
It is so peaceful!

Again, just tilt your head.

Flowers are in bloom on Temple Square...it is so beautiful!!

I have wanted to see the Joseph Smith movie for so long and I was more than excited to be able to see it on that day. I absolutely love everything about Joseph Smith. I think he is one of the most fascinating people to study and I have so many books about his life and all the things he went through...anyway I love Joseph Smith. So, we got into the theater, had perfect seats and the movie started, then I woke up!!! I slept through almost the entire movie!!! I caught a glimpse here and there during my head bobs but I can't remember a single thing. I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT!!! That will be a good excuse to go back REALLY SOON!!

Monday, our last day, we decided to go to Park City and do some shopping. We found amazing deals and had a great time. How can you not have a great time when the cool stuff you want is 60-75% off!!!

Lanette, thank you so much for coming with me! It couldn't have been better!! I don't know what I would have done without you! Plus you taught me the ins and outs of bargain hunting (it may take a few extra hours, :0) but it definitely pays off!!) Next time lets go somewhere with a beach, call ahead to make sure the hot tub works and maybe we can brave it for 4 days :0)

Awesome thought

Last week a great neighbor came over and

gave us this tile.

Of course my mom and I each took our time bawling

because we loved the saying so much.

What a peaceful and joyful thought!

A lesson in modesty!

Zoe has some major problems when it comes

to modesty. Her favorite relaxed/sleeping position

is laying on her back with her

arms and legs wide open.

Zoe and I have talked about this and it just doesn't

sink into her cute little head.

As she was laying here I called her name and

she actually looked up.

I think this behavior is going to warrant

Zoe having to wear cute kitty clothing...

...or maybe not.

Bong

A few weeks ago my sister went to the Philippines.

Her in-laws are serving as mission

presidents there.

When they heard of my dads death LeAnn went to a

man named Bong

that makes a living carving wood

and she asked him to make this for

our family. An amazing thing about Bong is that he lives in

a mud hut that is super tiny with 8 other people.

I don't know if he is a member or not, but I

do know that he is an amazing man.

(Diana, I hope I got the story right)