Let's Exercise!

Duncan and I have been working out alot to get ready for out Hawaii trip! (95 days y'all) we are so very excited....I have purchased what is called "ChaLEAN Extreme" Which is killer! I have told you about "Turbo Jam" well the lady who does those videos also does this video set. It's very comparable to "P90X" Which is our next purchase.....

Anywho yesterday I had the day off, and was able to get my workout in for the day. So Duncan came home from work and began to workout. The video pretty much speaks for itself. (Sorry for all the booty shackin, if you know Duncan very well I think you will all crack up laughing!)

ENjoy!

The Count Down BEGINS! 110 DAYS!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New year! We certainly had lots of fun family time. A quick update, Duncan's Grandma passed away which was very hard on me and his family. She went very peacefully which was very nice. We will all miss you Grandma Higgins.

Duncan just started his FINAL SEMESTER OF SCHOOL! He is graduating this spring and I am so proud of the cutie for working so hard. I am transfering do a different office for work. It's bittersweet but it will be for the best for my family and schedule. I am way excited for the new adventures in that office, but will miss greatly the people from my old office.

As part of Dunc's graduation gift we decided instead of going to Disneyland ( TEAR TEAr funny thing we almost went to Disneyland over New Year's eve...random I know! But we almost went) we decided that we would do another adventure. Most likely our last adventure before the Little Duncan's and Dunckina's come.

Have you been able to guess where we are goin yet?

TO HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Duncan has never been there and it's just an amazing place! I am very excited to go back to my "other home" well I guess I should say that Disneyland is my other home, but hey this is my "other, other" home. LOL

We are planning on going snorkling at Haunmana (spell) Bay

Going to See Pearl Harbor and the punch bowl (where all the soldiers were laid to rest after the attack)

And of cours the PCC!!!! (Polyinesian (spell) Culture Center)

There will be lots of sun bathing, seeing the temple and just having great time with one another. This will be our celebration for our 2 year anniversary as well, even we are not going on our anniversary. We are so excited!!! Thanks Duncan for graduating so we can go on this trip!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Is it that time of year ALREADY??? I cannot believe Christmas is pretty much on FRIDAY!! That is nuts! I finally got all my Christmas shopping done for the season, and had WAY TO MUCH fun shopping for the cutie boy. This year will be our first REAL CHRISTMAS TOGETHER!!!

Last year Dunc had to work, I got stuck in the snow that crazy christmas night had to have my dad come and bail me out. The year before that Dunc and I were dating he went up to Canada...it's was so hard. But I am so excited to have our first real Christmas together.

I just wanted to let everyone know how much I love this time of year but more importantly what it truely represents to me. My Savior. He lived so I can have an example to follow, he died so I can be like him. I know that he lives, I know that he loves me, I know that the book of mormon is true because I have prayed about it and have received my own personal testimony of it. I know that without my savior I would not be able to make it back to my heavenly father. At times I feel far away from my Heavenly Father, but I know that he is ALWAYS there for me even when I think I am alone.

I love my dear husband with all my heart, we actually were talking the other day and it seems that life has kinda got a little down for us which is normal. But I know that I will always love him and things are only going to go up from here. I will always remember that day when I was sealed to him for time and all eternity, I know that we were supposed to be together. It's funny to think because when were talking about getting married 2 years ago, it was like no big deal for us. It was like "So hey should we get married?" and we were like "Ya" ha ha, but I will always remember the day when I knew that I would be with Duncan the rest of my life. When I knew that he was the one that was going to help me get to the celestial kingdom. I love you Duncan!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE Sure luv ya!

The Stress of Living In two places at once & Elder Carlson

Elder Blake Carlson has left, he is there right now at the MTC. What a wonderful experience it has been. I just hope he is adjusting well, and all will go smoothly for him. I am very proud of my little bro for going on a mission. He will be GREAT!!!

Now the ugly news, as many of you know we have had the great opportunity to live a home while a older couple went on their mission. AWESOME, you would think but it was actually HORRIBLE! I will never EVER EVER EVER recommend this for ANYONE. If you are not married and think this is the route for you. Please pray about it! SERIOUSLY. I dont think we did as a couple before we made the rash decision to move into this home.

We have learned alot about ourselves about people and how to take care of a home and yard which we are very grateful. But the backlash that we have received has not been so pleasant. Duncan and I worked really hard in this home and tried are very best and all we really received was negativity and we were not doing a good job. We had spies in the ward, I was asked one Sunday from one of the Relief Society Presidency if I was a new to the ward when I had been there over a year.

From this I have learned how Satan can play with our emotions our hearts. Can I forgive them for the treatment we received in the home. Certainly. Will it take sometime yes. My heart knows what is right cause I know that the only way that I can feel my love from my heavenly is when I am humble. I will admit it right now I am feeling very prideful and want to say a few choice words back. But I know that is not what Heavenly father wants me to do. I have noticed that since feeling this way, my distance from my Heavenly Father has been great. Shame on me. What a better gift then full communication with my Heavenly Father who can really help me during my anxiety attacks. How grateful I am for him and the constant love he has for me and the success that couple missionary. Cause they are doing good work and are good people. The working relationship that we had was not the best.

So there I gave my two bits....I feel alot better now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Shall we walk up the Icy hill in heels???

Well my little bro is about to leave us for his mission. Yesterday was his farewell which went very well. I enjoyed good food and GREAT company!!!!! We also had out annual gift exchange this year since before Blake left on his Mission this week. Natalie made me this very very cute purse that I am loving and getting many compliments on. Thanks nat!!!

So since it was such a nice day yesterday, easy to somewhat relax of course something funny happened to Duncan and I....OF COURSE!

I had forgotten some "change of clothes" to get out of my sunday clothes after the meeting. So I was able to borrow some clothing from my family. Well it was time for us to go home....and it snowed....it snowed bad. We leave on a hill and it's a big hill. So Dunc and I try to start driving up this hill. Yep could not get up the hill. Come to find out the "icer" or whatever you want to call it on the plow broke and our poor landlords were having to hand "ice" this crazy hill. But needless to say Duncan and I had to park our car and walk up this very ICY hill...and the kicker is this.....

I WAS WEARING HEELS!!! I think I was gripping Duncan so hard....I was pretty much just slidding up this hill while Duncan was pushing me up.....it's hilairous to think about now... We were just laughing, when the situation could of been very stressfull.

LOL So Duncan had to drive me down to my car this morning so I could get into it. Thank goodness it did not snow even more! YAY!

To my Squeak the Geek....

I came home today from Beauty school to find out that my dear sweet kitten past on. Now Squeak when he was little like to meow ALOT....I would have him sleep with me and that is all he would ever do! So that is how he got his name. Squeak had a little white gotee (spell) and crossed eyes. My mom says that he fit my "goofy" personality. I love him so much. He would always sleep next to me in my bed growing up, keep me warm, he knew when I was sick or sad. I am such a bad owner because there was a moment when I was holding him and he jumped/fell out of my hands and poor thing broke his leg. I remember he was having to walk on it cause we were not sure if he did or not. I had went to dance camp and pleaded with my parental units to take him to the vet. Being the great parents that they are, did. I had broken his leg.....He had a nice huge pin sticking out of his leg for some time. But in NO TIME he was squeaker again. Squeaker also like to run into bumpers. I dont know if it was his crossed eyes or his reflection, but he was certainly very attracted to himself or something cause he kept running into that car bumper. Squeaker is also not the cat with 9 lives, more like a cat that had 100 lives. He was hit by a car, lived......got into SO many cat fights that we thought his injuries were going to kill him...nope still lived. There towards the end we thought he had was sick with something..... nope, he did not want to leave us. But sadly tonight my dear kitten that I had gotten in 7th grade left our family. He was a good/goofy cat. And we all sure loved him....
Love you SQUEEK THE GEEK!!!!

Gettin Fit.... Just a little Bit!!!

Oh my quest of my maintain-ing, and not gaining I would say it has been interesting. I have been wanting to eat everything in my path. I have been having cravings that I have not had before. Well I have, but not for a long time.....And no people, I am not pregnant. So here are some tips I am going to share with you with food substitutions and exercise....;-)

If you are wanting Heavy Cream use: Evaporated skim milk or evaporated whole milk (undiluted)

If you are wanting Baking chocolate use: Cocoa powder (3 tablspoons) w/ vegetable oil ( 1 tablespoon)

If you are wanting to margarine or butter base frosting use: Marshmallow creme

If you are wanting to use oil in baking-light colored cakes and muffins use: Applesauce or fruit puree in equal amounts.
Now there are TONS of substitutions for food, and these are just a few!!!

Exercise baby!

First off it's been said over and over you need to "Find out what kind and how much physical activity you need."
How do you do it? It's is totally your choice. I like to find activities that are easy and fun but more important- something that I can do and not kill myself. I try to do physical activities for at least 30 minutes at a time. But hey maybe only 10 is good for you right now, and that is great. Just increase as you go, because you continue to do it at only 10 minutes a day, honestly you wont see those results that you are looking for. We all need to increase physical activity and limit those yummy fatty foods. Sounds easy IT's NOT! I know!
Why should you be physically active?
"Physical activity can make you feel stronger and more alive. It is a fun way to be with your family or friends. It also helps you improve your health."
Start maybe working out 3 days a week do that for a month, and gradually increase your numbers! You CAN DO IT!
That is how you are going to be able to build your physical activity, it's by increasing and trying a little more a day. But do it at your pace...something that makes you feel comfortable.
Now that we can be more active in our lives, how do we tell which activities are moderate level or the vigorous level?....well dont worry I got you covered!!!!
Moderate Actitives
Meaning: I can talk while I do them, but I cant sing.
Ballroom and line dancing, Biking on level ground or a few hills, Canoeing, General gardening (raking, trimming shrubs), Sports where you catch and throw (baseball, softball, volleyball), Tennis, Walking briskly, Water aerobics and any low moderate workout video (pilates, strength training)
Vigorous Activities
Meaning: I can only say a few words without stopping to catch my breath.
Aerobic Dance, Biking faster than 10 miles per hour, fast dancing, hiking uphill, jumping rope, Martial arts, Race walking, jogging or running, Sports with a lot of running (basketball, hockey, soccer) swimming fast or swimming laps, tennis
and there are great classes at the local gyms....like BODY COMBAT, BODY ATTACK, BODY PUMP, TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING. Also Tae bo & Turbo Jam are KILLER workouts and super fun!
Start today and decide that you are going to make a lifestyle change, not start a diet, but a LIFESTYLE!!!!

And BYU WINS!!!!!

Well they did it!!!!! And the question is did I actually watch the game? Mmmmmmm....nope. How could I? I have major panic attacks watching any "special sporting" event. I surprised that I could watch the Real soccer game. But I am very excited to go to work on Monday wearing my BYU gear, well Dunc's, I dont have any anymore. But GO COUGS!!!!!! I can be a BYU fan again, you did not let me down. Please dont do it again!!!!

REAL SOCCER CHAMPS BABY!

Just wanted to tell EVERYONE that my boys won...yup they won the
THE MLS CUP!!!!!!
REAL SALT LAKE ARE THE CHAMPS BABY!!!
So now I am going to blurb a little bit about Utah sports, and how much this means to me as a fan of a Utah Sport.
BYU, Utah Jazz.....disappoint...seriously think about it, Okay if you are Utah fan there is different story BUT Still you didnt get the right media support even after they did very well. But for me as a BYU fan and Jazz fan I have not had any real success. Does that make sense? Utah Jazz they have been to the NBA Finals, but didn't take home the big award. BYU especially now have not really hacked it. Although there record is very good, being a Utah team you have to be perfect in order to be considered for a BCS bowl WHICH IS LAME I THINK. Let's go to playoff's people...every other sport is doing it ! Stupid BCS.
But Real Salt Lake did it. I knew they had the talent, I knew that they could do it ( just like the Jazz but they seem to not care about winning at all, or pull through) Real did not crack under pressure (like max Hall likes to do in very important games)
I just appreciate that Real brought something home for the State of Utah. We have the talent, and they believed in each other that they could do it! GO REAL!!! WAH-WHOOOOOO!!!!!

Honey!!! PLEASE WAKE UP!

Yesterday, I was so proud of myself for getting up and moving, to get to work ON TIME. (I work in the morning at 6:00 or 6:30 am...if I am at work by 6:00 I get an hour lunch, or 6:30 and 30 minute lunch) I was trying to get to work at 6:00 am. My work lets us have an extra 30 minutes three days a week to go and work out. So I usually use my hour lunch and extra 30 minutes to go and work out at the gym. Which was my plan this fine morning.

I get all my stuff pulled together, get my breakfast, grab my gym bag, lock the door behind me and shut the door......Da, dum da dum......Silly me I forgot something. I had forgotten my keys to my car. Luckily for me Dunc was still upstairs still sleeping. I thought "he would be able to totally hear me!" Nope people...Dunc sleeps like a LOG I found out! I start calling him over and over again-No answer-

So I start knocking on the door, trying not to wake my new neighbors, still no answer. I then start banging and ringing the door bell. I did this for like 10-15 minutes. My neighbor came out not because I was knocking so loudly, but because he had to go to work. Phew!

I was starting to get to SO frustrated cause I could of been to work by now and ON TIME, but here I was locked out of my house......I finally, out of an act of desperation, starting just knocking on the door so that EVERYONE could hear me. Duncan FINALLY answered the phone said that he would be down....and luckily so did my neighbor's wife...who was not to happy!

Now isn't that a great way to start your day???