M&M&M&M&M&....

I have seen a lot of M's lately like My Mom, Movies, M&M's, Marbles, Markers...

However, there have been a few M's I could do with out. For starters my mom having had breast cancer at the early age of 42 has always caused me to be really cautious about my health. So at the my yearly checkup this year they requested a Mamogram, a very thorough Mamography with ultrasound and all because there was a small Mass I was concerned about. After getting the results, Mastectomy is one M I have thankfully avoided.

Now it is My Man bringing in more M's into the picture. First came the Morning he woke up with numb hands and feet. Followed by Many Medical exams which have revealed nothing but talk of More tests, MRI's, M.S. and Many More scary things. We are hoping for some sort of weird virus we have heard about or some other less scary M word, but for now we get to wait, with hope of tender Mercies and a few less M's, at least the bad ones.

More Money, that's an M I am sure we would all like to see.

Biggest Loser Contest

I am putting together a Biggest Loser Contest for anyone who wants to join. I just really need some motivation right now to lose weight and reach a healthier milestone and thought that I would extend the invitation to some women I love! I have done this in the past and it was a major motivator and inspiration for me. Hopefully it can be for others too. Here are the rules. If you would like to join me for some healthy competition let me know!

* Contest begins Thurs., Feb. 17th and ends Thurs., April 28th = 10 weeks!

* Donate $20 to the contest fund.

* 1st place gets 60% of the fund, 2nd - 30%, and 3rd - 10% of the fund. (Can anyone say, new cloths???)

* First weigh in Feb. 17th. First thing in the AM. NO food, drink etc. before weighing in! Weigh in with no cloths or with the same cloths you plan on wearing at the final weigh in. Everyone is on your honor!

* Only healthy, natural weight loss methods allowed. This means just healthy eating and exercise, no pills, shots or potions.

* Starting/ending weight will NOT be broadcast. Just percentages lost will be posted each week.

I hope you will join me in my quest for better health, just in time for swim suit season! The last time I held this contest the winner took home $500. So think about the new wardrobe and body you could have just in time for summer!

Join me! And feel free to invite a friend! Let me know ASAP if you are interested!

Dates may change a bit as I am rounding up more participants to make the prize as motivating as possible!

Mr. Roger's Neighborhood

Growing up I loved to watch Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. It seems I was not the only one learning about being a good neighbor. My mind has been thinking about neighbors lately. It always amazes me the way neighbors can step in and strengthen you with little acts of kindness. Aside from the definitions of proximity, in the dictionary a neighbor is described as this, "Any person in need of one's help or kindness." I think of the many things that my neighbors have done for us lately and my heart swells. I immediately think of the girls in my ward that drove Neeley to school every day of kindergarten without letting me be a part of the carpool, or the "vegetable fairies" that left sacks of fresh garden vegetables on our doorstep, the fresh bread, dinner while moving, help with the kiddos, girls night out, chocolate waffles, sharing a recipe, lending canning supplies, dropping off a can of pumpkin after we had talked about not being able to find any on the shelves at the store, letting the kids play on their swing set and the list goes on. Each, a seemingly little thing I am sure to the giver, but to the receiver, everything. It is amazing how a little act can bring feelings of gratitude, love, belonging, safety and community. The more places I live, the more I realize there is goodness all around us. Thank you neighbors for your selfless giving, your giving without thought of what might come back, giving to a person in need of help or kindness. I only hope I can be as good of a neighbor as I have been a witness of!

Terrible 2's a thing of the past?

Having Lilah around our house is fun but a little interesting. She brings a dynamic that makes us want to laugh at times but can also make us want to cry. Being two has certainly lasted a long time for her. She began the terror when she was just old enough to crawl. Through the last few months we have seen her mature and this past month, her 3rd birthday was certainly a welcome milestone. We know we are not out of the woods yet, but her mature speech and loving attitude brings us hope.

Lilah had an eventful birthday that started out with cake for breakfast. If you know Lilah, you know that treats are her driving force. In fact it is the cause of most contention. Just today Jeremy told her at least 3 times to stay out of some candy. Not five seconds later she was running away with a fist full of the stuff.

Since Grandma Greyhair was in the hospital our birthday dinner included just Grandma and Grandpa Marlene and Bruce. When they asked us what she wanted we told them that we had so many girl toys that they should get her something different like a remote control car. When she opened it, she had the funniest look on her face as she sat there frozen, looking at the box. After a few minutes she looked up and said, "I didn't want a boy toy, Grandma!" But she quickly warmed up to the idea when she discovered it was a great "ride" for her barbies.

A few days later she got to celebrate her birthday all over again with cousins and once more with Grandma and Grandpa Greyhair. She is on top of the world with her new scooter just like her sisters.

Lilah, we love you. Terrible 2's and all. Your spunk keeps us on our toes and develops our much needed patience. Happy Birthday!