Our backyard

I've been promising pictures of our redone backyard for a long time, so here you have it.

[Drumroll, please....]

Here is Michael with a jack hammer tearing out our old, pitiful cement block.  He was really excited to do this project not only because he got to put in his dream patio, but because he got to use lots of big tools and machines.

Like this bobcat.  And Keagan being our little man's man was right there wherever his dad and all the tools were.  Here they are clearing away the rubble from the old patio and other places in the yard.  Notice the work gloves, work boots, and ear protection, just like his dad.

Then he framed out the new curved patio.  We can't have anything so plain as a rectangle one.  Where's the fun in that?

This is the cement truck with the "boom" that pumped the cement over the house and into the back yard.  Michael was fascinated with this one.  He said it made the job 100 times easier using that than having to wheelbarrow and shovel it back there!

Here is the work in progress.  One is smoothing the cement and the other is following behind doing the stamp work.  Michael was helping do the finishing work, but these guys were so efficient he ended up just being in the way.  So he made me proud and got lots of pictures!

Here is the finished product...almost!

And this is after Michael put the color wash and antiquing on it.  And of course he beautified it by adding huge pots and planting flowers.  No detail left undone.

Honey, you did a great job with our new patio!  And of course thanks to those who came and helped.  My brother Kimball was here as was our friend Matt.  Thanks guys! 

Let me clarify...

Michael was cut from the trip to Brazil, not from his job.  Thank heavens!   He actually got a promotion not too long ago from Events Coordinator to Events Manager.  His actual job hasn't changed (nor did his pay unfortunately) but he has a manager title, which is always a better thing for seniority.

Sorry for the confusion...and thanks for your concern!!

I'm bummed!

Well, Brazil is out.  The budget was cut, and in turn so was Michael.  We won't be going to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro after all.  =(

And I was going to be the hottest thing on the beach (you were right, Jessica).  I've lost 9 pounds so far, putting me at 115.  It's almost the least I've weighed since having kids.  After having Zander (and doing South Beach) I got down to 113, but then stayed pretty constant at 115 shortly after that.  So, I'm there again.  Go me!

Well, I did a rotation at the IMC hospital last Friday.  I was on the surgical transplant floor.  It was so interesting and so humbling!  It makes me realize how much I don't know.  This Friday, I'm going to do Head Start physicals for migrant workers children.  I'm pretty excited to do that.  Maybe I can practice my Spanish.

Well, I'm super busy at school right now doing preliminary papers to prepare us for our master's project we'll start next semester.  I hate doing research.  Can I just say that?  That's why I'm getting a degree as a clinician and not going into research.   And tomorrow I have to do a physical on a "patient" with a complaint of headaches.  I'll be videotaped and have to give a diagnosis and treatment plan at the end to a faculty member.  A little intimidating, yes.  

On that note, I need to go read up on all the things that can cause headaches!  Pray it's not a stroke!

Later. =)

Wacky Weather

So, outside right now there's lightning, thunder, rain.......and hail.  That's right.  It's June 9th and it's hailing, really hard, outside my window.  Welcome to Utah!  And in the time it's taken me to log in and type this, it's probably rained about an inch.  I kid you not.  It's coming down in huge pouring streams of rain.  And hail.  

That's it.  Hail.  In June.  Hee hee.   :)

Go me!

If you will refer to the graph on the left hand side of this page, you will see that I have been losing some weight.  Most of it was fairly easy, I had a baby and since then lost most of the baby weight.  I was, however, still 5-6 pounds more than my pre-pregnancy weight.  Last week it came to my attention that I may be able to accompany my husband to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he is going in August for a conference.  The hotel is right by the beach.  Now, I was sitting at 124 for a good 2 months, which is the few pounds higher than before Sadie.  Seeing as how I am barely 5' tall (on a good day) that means I still have a few pounds to lose before I am beach ready.  So two weeks ago Michael and I started doing the South Beach diet.  I love this diet, as much as you can love any diet.  It works very well for me.  I've done it before.  It's very healthy and isn't so much a diet as a change in eating habits, if you do it right.  So far, I've lost 6 pounds.  I'm aiming for 6-10 more which would put me down to about 110-113 which is about where I was before I had kids.  How great would that be!  Even if my body will never be the same (until I have plastic surgery to fix it, that is) my weight might be if I stay dedicated enough.  The though of a bikini and me and Michael is Brazil may be just the inspiration I need.  Wish me continued luck!!

Sadie's blessing

So, this last Sunday we blessed Sadie at church.  I got her a beautiful dress and we had a great family party at our house afterwards.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

Who doesn't love getting all dressed up?  I love the fluffy white dress and headband.  We even got matching bracelets for the occasion.  Thanks Mom!
This is us trying to take a family picture.  It gets increasingly hard to do that as Michael and I are now outnumbered.  AHHH!  That's a scary thought.

We are doing well.  Zander is playing soccer and loves it.  Keagan loves whatever Zander loves.  Sadie is adorable, as you can see.  And she loves her parents as she is now sleeping through the night.  Really she is so good all the time.  She hardly ever cries.  And when she's hungry or tired if we don't get to her fast enough, she just puts her fingers in her mouth and sucks on them until she goes to sleep.  She really is an angel.

I am coming to the end of my semester.  By Thursday (May 7) I'll be done with classes and the 4 tests I have left.  Then I get a whole week off before starting again.  Not the three I've had the last few semesters, but that's okay.

Michael has been home all month and it's been wonderful having him here.  He recently got a promotion at work and I'm very proud of him.  He works very hard at work and at home for our family.  My next post will be of our backyard that he has redone.  It's amazing!  Thanks Babe!

Random pictures

I have some fun things I want to share.
First, I went shopping with my sister a few weeks ago and bought a few new shirts to wear to clinic and then at the last minute we stopped at DSW. I found these beauties in the clearance section:

I've been looking for red shoes for a long time. These aren't the exact shade I wanted but I love the shoe, so I'm not complaining! In fact I feel smokin' hot when I wear them! =)

This was made for us by our friend (and our PA) Todd when Sadie was born:

What a talented man! And it matches her room perfect. It's embroidered, all the flowers and hearts and everything. The white is the frame and the green behind is the wall. Isn't it perfect? I love it.

I took this the other night. I put Sadie in the tub while the boys were in and they loved it!


And this is my new favorite picture of Sadie:

I know, it's something of a miracle to capture a smile with her only being 3 months old! I was lucky, and she loves me!

Okay, that's all. =)