~Challenge--Easter~

The challenge today is to share my thoughts on Easter. As a faithful follower of Christ, Easter is very special to me. I can honestly say that I am always grateful for my Savior, and think about him every day throughout the year, but this time of the year gives me some added focus. I try to focus not only on His ressurrection, but also on His life--the wonderful example He showed us of unparalleled compassion and service, the miracles, the teachings, and the unfailing and unconditional love.

As far as celebrating the special day, DH and I go to church, of course--at which I sing in the choir. This Sunday, I also have the privilege of teaching an Easter lesson to the children. After church, we usually have family over for a turkey dinner (always my sister and her family) and sometimes others, as well. This year, we will have my sister and her family, my other sister and my brother (both now live in our basement apt.), my MIL, BIL, and SIL (DH's yongest two siblings). We might have a small egg hunt for my nephew, who is five. My niece is only 1 year and doesn't yet walk, so I don't think she will do much in the way of an egg hunt and my BIL is almost 13, so he is getting a little too old but I bet he will join in and have a little fun w/ my nephew. It should be a fun, special day, which I am so anticipating. I still need to buy the turkey and all the fixin's, though!

~Challenge--First thing that comes to mind~

1. Harry.... Connick, Jr.
2. Black.... white
3. Delicious... yummy
4. Funny... bone
5. Green... red
6. Ribbons... fibers
7. Internet... site
8. BBQ... chicken
9. People... kids
10. Quirky... fun

That was fun. It is almost 11:00 and I have still not made it to the gym; if I don't go soon, I will have to wait until after I give the three piano lessons this afternoon. I haven't done much this morning. I think I am feeling a little overwhelmed with my new church calling as Primary president (for those of you who aren't LDS, that means I am over the children's program at my church--Sunday school, activities, etc.). I just love the children so much and hope I can teach them what they need to know and, most importantly, instill the love of Christ in them. I feel very humbled that I am entrusted w/ this special calling but I am excited at the same time. Primary is so fun! Anyway, I really need to get the gym, so off I go. Have a great day!!

~Challenge--Fave Ice Cream~

Like my dad, I just love ice cream, so it's hard for me to choose just a few favorites, much less one! And I really shouldn't be thinking about ice cream, since I have been eating so well and losing weight. But here goes.

I usually don't go for fruit-flavored ice creams but anything else goes (and I do mean anything), especially anything w/ chocolate and/or nuts. I love Rocky Road, Choc. Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter cup, etc. If I had to pick one that I crave the most, though, it would be Cold Stone's Amaretto--plain, no mix-ins. I just love anything almond, the taste and the smell--yum! Well, I'm off to bed; I'll be dreaming of ice cream, I'm sure...

Hurts so good

Weight training w/ a personal fitness trainer. Tough but I love it! I am so terribly sore this first week. But I kind of like it because I am constantly reminded of the effort I am putting in and the progress I am making.I wonder if I will always be this sore. I signed up to work out w/ a personal trainer for a year! This first month, they will teach me all of the work-outs I need to know, then the rest of the months I will work out on my own, w/ help here and there from them, and have one full session w/ a trainer per month. I'm excited and cannot wait to see what I will look like and, most importantly, feel like by the end of the year! My main goal is to have my back and neck pain lessen and not worry about how my back will be if I get pregnant or adopt a baby. That truly is one of the things I worry about. As much as I want kids, the thought of having to hold a baby all the time really troubles me. I mean, I can't hold a niece or nephew for more than a couple of minutes w/o being in agony. SO, hopefully strengthening my whole body and my back will help that.

The personal trainer is also having me eat LOTS of protein--170 grams per day! It's actually challenging to get that much protein in. I have to really plan my meals and drink lots of protein shakes. All the meal planning will be harder for me to keep up than the working out.

It is storming here today--really windy and rainy. April showers, I guess. The wind bothers me because I have a phobia of a tree falling on the house or something--could be because lightning hit a tree when we were camping up in the mountains a few years ago and it came crashing down right where we were standing. If we hadn't run away so quickly, we would have been goners! The rain doesn't bother me, I just wish it didn't have to rain on the one day of the week I have to travel ~40 min. to teach piano lessons. Oh, well.

OK, off to eat some protein! :)

Whoa

I so suck at keeping a blog updated! It’s been 2 months since my last post. Here are some of the highlights of the last 2 months:

· I’ve lost 23 lbs. since mid-Jan

· I now have 10 piano students (aiming for 20)

· I bought lots of scrapbook goodies at the Provo Craft and Making Memories warehouse sales J

· I played basketball and racquet ball each a couple of times (something I wouldn’t have done before I lost some of this weight)

· I started a monthly scrapbook group at my house for the women at my church

· I got a membership at Gold’s Gym, instead of staying w/ the rec. center

· I started working out w/ a personal fitness trainer (I’m still sore from Friday!)

· LSU men and women made it to the Final Four (but the men just got stomped by UCLA tonight L ) I’m just still ecstatic that we beat Duke!! Hee hee!

I’m really excited as to what the next month will bring, especially in regards to working out w/ a personal trainer! I’m sure it will be challenging, yet rewarding. Wish me luck!