I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet:

Back Yard Clean up Phase 1

Who needs a hot tub in the Vegas Heat anyway?

Emma likes to help her dad. Plus she LOVES tools already.

Taking a load to the dump.

Come, Ye Thankful People

Ok, other half of the Thank-a-mony:

16. I'm grateful for movie nights at home with my Shane.

17. I'm glad for new cute little boots for Emma.

18. Paper plates make my life a little easier, and I'm grateful.

19. I'm thankful for sign language it makes me very happy; it's a shame that BYU's funding was pulled, otherwise I'd be an interpreter.

20. Seeing Emma happy makes me grateful. I'm glad to see her learning how to sing, dance, put on shoes and more.

21. Gum, I'm a chewing addict and I'm grateful for gum on the stressful days so I don't shove food into my mouth every 15 minutes.

22. I'm thankful for lotion.

23. I'm glad for Shane's logic. He is full of reason and facts, but I'm also grateful for his ability to listen to my emotional side.

24. I'm grateful for hair ties.

25. I'm so thankful for our own house! We can choose to do something and do it, no worries about a landlord or the property not being ours.

26. I'm grateful for nail polish, especially when it includes a pedicure.

27. My new 4-Runner-Maleficent-is about the only car that could cure my heartache for Anakin. I'm grateful to have such a humbling vehicle to call my own, what a gift from my awesome husband. She's so named due to the evil need to have her. I'd happily keep Anakin if the tranny was more reliable.

28. I'm grateful for the Restored Gospel-to have a living Prophet just like in the past.

29. Surprise flowers, I'm thankful for the flowers Shane brings me on occasions that are ordinary as well as special.

30. The LAST one...there are still so many things I could say: like sparkles, colors, boxes and shoes, my Mac, cute picture frames, family game nights, or central air. But for my last post I am grateful that my belt needs to be cinched a little tighter, especially during the holidays.

Viva, oh Viva Las Vegas:

I had some great friends come down from Salt Lake last weekend. It was a short trip but really great to see them. It's always nice to remember that I have friends. I had the pleasure to chat with Carlie, see how good Jeffrey treats her, and show them both around the strip.

Anyway amidst the muck there was some beauty and fresh air to be had.

The Bellagio was in full form with their lights and fountain, plus we went to checkout the Autumn decor (they change for each season in their garden room).

Thank You, Thank You, Thank God for you the Wind Beneath my Wings:

I've loved seeing other people post a thank-a-mony everyday. I knew I wouldn't post everyday so I thought I'd split the month in half:

In no particular order:

1. I'm grateful for 70 degrees and sunny weather in November.

2. I'm grateful for the rare moments when the house is clean, dishes put away, laundry done and folded, desks cleared, projects finished, and baby in bed all in one day.

3. I love how happy video chat makes me, conversations are uplifting and it's the closest I come to seeing my family often.

4. I'm grateful for high speed internet, it allows me to work more efficiently and surf 5 other sites all at the same time.

5. I'm thankful for pictures. I stalk people's blogs just to see the pictures. I love the memories and recap of life in the moment no matter how simple.

An old acquaintance of mine started her own site for photography and I said I'd give her a shout out, check it out-

marissalynnphotography

6. I'm grateful for crafts. I LOVE paper, I love color and designs and how artistic something as simple as a card can be.

7. Earrings. I'm thankful for earrings, it's my favorite jewelry. Plus I'm grateful to start wearing earrings again, Emma is almost trustworthy and is rather gentle now.

8. I'm thankful for the ocean. It's my favorite place to be outdoors. I love how time stops for me when I step out on the sand to see the waves roll in and out. I love the treasures, shells, and rocks you can find (even if they always look the same).

9. I'm grateful for my little family. Sure I don't see my husband as much as I'd like but 24 hours a day wouldn't be enough, that's why I married him in the temple. And Emma, we get on each others nerves at least once a day but she is a crack-up and my pride and joy.

10. I'm thankful for my 4-runner. I love feeling safe, free to come and go, high off the ground, having space enough for groceries, and knowing it was a gift just for me from my hubby.

11. I'm grateful when Emma takes a nap.

12. I'm thankful for chocolate, anything from a cheap waxy Hershey bar to a $20 delicacy on a dessert menu.

13. Camping brings me great joy, a little hiking, a little camp fire (or a big one), a little hobo dinner, and sitting around away from electricity watching the stars and talking.

14. I'm grateful for swimming, I don't actually care for heights, and swimming is the closest thing I can relate to when it comes to the desire to fly. Swimming makes you feel 50 pounds lighter, agile and flexible, fast and coordinated-I love it.

15. I'm grateful for chapstick.

And just because, here are a couple more pictures of us at the park on Sunday.

Peanut, Peanut Butter (and jelly)

Emma's first PB&J.

She was really hamming it up for the camera, cheesy grin, 'see-food' and the works.

She likes it!

This is my 50th post! Not bad for starting a blog in March

McDonalds, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut:

It's update time on my health goals and latest and greatest info (for anybody who might actually read this)

I met with Dr. E again and she was happy with my results and how well things are going for me. I've lost 1/3 of the necessary weight-which is significant! Naturally the first month you loose a lot, I expect weight loss to slow down these next 3+ months. In fact Dr E. has instructed me on very specific workouts, which will elongate muscles changing my body shape even if I start loosing only 1 pound a week (which is healthy and normal just FYI).

I've moved into what I call stage 3: which includes more foods and more options. Some of my favorite new flavors include whipped cream cheese, Kashi cereal, dried fruit, and get this Fast Food...

I was given instructions on how to eat out, literally I've been given instructions on how to best eat at McDonald's and the like. For those of you who are wondering how in tarnation to eat at McDonald's if placed in such a precarious situation here are two suggestions-

1. Fresh Chicken Salads (chicken must be baked or grilled)

2. QuarterPounder (without cheese, mayo, ketchup and lose the top bun)

I think you get the picture, it's not easily done but for special occasions or when you're on the road I've earned the right to eat at Taco Bell and Wendy's and even Chili's or Applebee's.

I finally got to use a birthday gift which was a gift card to Olive Garden-let me tell you it was a treat!

Anyway, the point to this jabber is to update success and make mention that even 'dieting' doesn't have to be forever, just make sure you get off the couch every now and then...

Disclaimer: Emma bean was the cutest chubby baby, and there is NOTHING wrong with a little chub at that age. I mean no bad humor or future harassment with a photo like this, simply a little smile for my readers.

Rubber Ducky I'm Awfully Fond of You:

Spending most of my life in Eugene Oregon I'd say I've got webbed feet. Sure we don't own a TV and can't watch the games first hand but that doesn't mean we don't follow.

Anyway, Emma has been collecting more and more rubber ducks. She carries them all around the house, throws them in the tub, takes them outside, and stuffs them in cups and bowls. Take a gander at these cute pics - Go Ducks!