My New Life

Oh how I love and admire this woman for sharing her thoughts and personal trials with all of us!

You can read Stephanie's thoughts on her blog.  It truly is inspirational!

Now I know..

Now I know why people on the Biggest Loser throw-up after working out with Jillian. I borrowed my sister's "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" workout DVD hosted by none other than the ever-so-lovely-but-you-can't-help-but-hate-her Jillian Michaels...and it seriously kicked my trash. After 7 repetitive circuit training stints in 40 short minutes, I was out of breath, my face was bright red and yes, I wanted to throw up. Naturally I thought back to all of the Biggest Loser episodes when I told Terrence, "They so overplay how hard Jillian trains the contestants. It can't be that hard. They just need to suck it up and quit the drama." But I am here to tell you that, oh yes, it is that hard.

You can torture yourself too by ordering your copy here. Its a great workout and totally worth it (and ,surprisingly enough, extremely affordable )!

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

I was perusing here when I found this video. It reminded me to be mindful and thankful for all of the tender mercies our Heavenly Father gives our little family on a daily basis.

Parenting 101

Every time I see this pillow it makes me laugh. Even though I know our Heavenly Father is perfect and loving , I sometime wonders if He sees what is going on down here on earth and says "Don't make me come down there!!!"

Baby Bribery

See Bicho do tummy time.

See Bicho laugh during tummy time.

Good, Bicho, good!

See Bicho build her neck and arm muscles.

What are you looking at Bicho?

???????

Hi my name is Rachel and I bribe my baby with Baby Einstein so she will lay on her tummy for extended periods of time. Oh well - it works!

On another note, everyone says that Bicho looks like her daddy. Personally, I think she looks like me. What says you?

(I know, I know. Improper English...)

Peluda

Peluda means hairy in Spanish. Bicho = Peluda. Time to trim the hair!

And guess who has some bottom teethies coming in?

A Sigh of Relief

(source unknown - if you know, please tell me so I can give them credit. Thanks!)

Today my dear friend from Concepcion, Chile was able to communicate with me via Facebook. Ever since I heard about the earthquake and the destruction in Chile, I have been praying for her and her family's well-being, as well as for all those who were suffering from the earthquake. From the pictures I saw, I knew Concepcion had been hit hard and on top of the devastating earthquake, a tsunami hit their city shortly after. I was afraid for my sweet Hna. Albornoz, who loved and cared for me so much as a missionary in Argentina. I would lay awake at night in my cozy bed wondering if they were living in the streets. When I tucked Bicho into bed at night, I cried wondering if my friend was laying her sweet daughter to sleep on the cold concrete.

So I breathed a sigh of relief today as she told me that her home was still intact, with minimal damage and they had enough food and water to last them until help comes. Then my beloved Albornoz began to recount how someone must remain at home to protect it at all times because of looters. She said the streets were full of violence, which frightened her. Tears streamed down my cheeks as she recounted how the school she worked at was destroyed by the earthquake and her husband's work place was swept to sea . She said "More hard times will come. Soon we all will be living deep in poverty and feel the quiet desperation that comes from not being able to find work or food in our destroyed city."

And that, my friends, has been laying heavy on my heart ever since. You see, I live in a land of bountiful opportunity. Opportunity that I mumble and grumble and complain about. I complain about living on an extremely tight budget while my husband starts out a new business, when my sweet friend wonders how she will make any money for food and shelter. I complain about having "nothing to eat", when my dear friend has no place to shop or grow food. Nevermind that there is a Wal-Mart down the street full of fresh food. Nevermind that I can sleep peacefully at night without the threat of looters or violence outside of my door.

So I counted my blessings. I asked the Lord to forgive my lack of faith and for being so ungrateful for the many blessings I have. I thanked Him for sending me a beautiful friend who is living on pure faith despite being surround by a world in chaos. You are being prayed for my dear, sweet Albornoz.

Personal Preparedness

Recently I have been feeling an urgency to get my rear in gear to get our 72 hour kits and food storage together. Not that I think anything bad is going to happen soon or that I will actually use it in the near future (although you never know!). I do believe it is my priviledge/responsibility as a wife/mother to ensure my family is prepared in case of a disaster - financial, health, medical or even a local (aka no water in the middle of the summer). Not being prepared (or even on the road to preparing) makes me anxious. And as the Lord has promised us..."If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

If you are anything like me, the thought of organizing food, water and 72 hour kits (oh and car kits!) is so overwhelming that you have no idea where to begin. Thank heavens for people who actually have it all together who have already done their food storeage/72 hour kit/car kits and are willing to share how they did it. Here are the blogs that have helped me out a bunch and I hope you can utilize them too!

http://www.iwillprepare.com/

(this website has EVERYTHING, including how to make pandemic kits in case of...well a pandemic. I love this site - which is actually written by a brother in our ward.)

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/

(this blog gives you the basics in rotating food storage, preparing 72 hour kits and car kits. And there is a recipe index for how to actually USE your food storage. Genius!)

http://www.preparingwisely.com/blog/

(this blog demonstrates how to use things you are to have in your 72 hour kits/car kits and reviews products, such as food storage supplies and solar ovens)

What ideas do you have about being personally prepared? Feel free to share!

Live Simply. Live Well.

I thought it would be fun if I started a blog about how I decorate my home on the cheap and frugal shopping tips or shops I use to save my family a dollar or two. Its nothing fancy and I can't promise that you will learn anything or even be inspired (most of the ideas I get from reading other peoples blogs, to whom I will ALWAYS give credit!). So come check it out and if you want, try some ideas out, and leave a comment! And - show me how your projects turn out!!

The blog address is http://www.livesimplylivewellaz.blogspot.com/.

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

I love our new blog header! It was simple (once I got the hang of it and Bicho took a nap) and fun to do. If I am motivated enough, I will change it out with different pictures for each season or holiday. But I must give credit where credit is due. I found Clover Lane while blog hopping one early morning when Bicho wouldn't go back to sleep and wanted to swing instead. She has a great tutorial on how to make your own collage/blog header that is unique to you and your family without paying someone else to do it (or buying an expensive computer program). I am so excited I found her! I  feel like I share many of her values and thoughts on family life. Isn't it like a breath of fresh air when you find another woman who values virtue, thrift and the sacred calling of being a mother? Visit her blog! You'll love it! And you'll learn how to make a fun header for your blog :)