Timing

It just so turns out that I can't teach ballet, be a mother, baby sit twice a week, work at Old Navy, prepare for a half marathon, feed my family, ace all of my classes, and keep a blog going. Surprise!
I had the idea for this blog back in October and then decided to wait to start it because I was going to start school again.  And then for a week or so I thought the whole school thing wasn't going to work out, so I decided I would start the blog after all.  And then 12 hrs after writing my first post I signed up for classes, and 24 hrs later went to my first class of the semester.  And there I was, I knew school was the priority but I was too prideful to not keep posting on my blog after the first post so I decided to do both.  And now I have taken my first chemistry test and physics test of the semester and have realized that I need to put about 10 more hours a week into my studies and the only place I can take that time from is by not posting on my blog. Blah, I hate this feeling of letting something go, but I guess I'm not letting it go I'm just putting it on hold.  If I get super caught up on my studies I will post here and there, and then in April when my classes are done I'll go full throttle on the blog. Thank you to those of you who view my blog and who have supported me. It's been fun, and I'll be back!!

Spiritual Sunday: The Choice

My Chemistry teacher shared a quote last week in class by Boyd K Packer, It said,

The crucial test of life, I repeat, does not center in the choice between fame and obscurity, nor between wealth and poverty. The greatest decision of life is between good and evil.

We may foolishly bring unhappiness and trouble, even suffering upon ourselves. These are not always to be regarded as penalties imposed by a displeased Creator. They are part of the lessons of life, part of the test.

Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of age.

Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury.

All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect.

I found this very inspirational and decided to do some research and find the talk that it was given in. I discovered that it was from a General Conference talk in 1980 entitled "The Choice".  I listened to the talk and I loved it.  Hopefully it can inspire you the same way it inspired me..

Watch the video and/or read the talk HERE

Fitness Friday: Training for a Triathlon

So you want to do a triathlon? Well I think you should, and I have found a great way to prepare for a sprint triathlon (5k, 12-15 mile bike, 300-500 meter swim).  I use a hand dandy little app called First Time Triathlon.  This particular app is for an android, but I'm sure there are great ones for the Iphone too, I'm also sure there are many other training apps that will do the job.  But if you don't want to do more research just use this one! It is $4.99 but I think it is well worth it.  It follows a 3 month training program, and helps you keep a good balance between all three events. It only requires about 1-2 hrs a day, that's one or two episodes of your favorite TV show that I know you can sacrifice, or watch while you are on the treadmill or a stationary bike! Pair this with the triathlon's Jordan and I are hosting once a month (join our event HERE, we are going to create a group soon) and you will be so ready to compete in a race this summer! Why should you do this, because it gives you something to work towards.  Its much more fun to work out if you have an end goal in mind. If a triathlon doesn't interest you Jordan and I are also preparing for a half marathon in April and next week I'll share how we are preparing for that.  I am always open to answering any questions you have about getting involved in triathlons.  And remember you are more capable than you think you are!

Thankful Thursday: My Water Bottle

I used to have a wonderful water bottle that I got from TJ Maxx. It went with me everywhere, was the perfect size, and had a straw.  Then right before Christmas I left it at the gym and never saw it again :( So when Jordan asked what I wanted for Christmas I said a water bottle! Well Jordan came through and got me a pink camel back water bottle with a straw.  It goes with me everywhere.  And it is the best gift Jordan could have given me, because I think of him every time I use it, its more useful than jewelry and still reminds me of Jordan's love.
Do you have a water bottle? If not you should get one.  Take your time picking one out, make sure it fits you perfectly.  And use it!

Need some convincing to stay hydrated? Read THIS.  "Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles remove waste so that they can work efficiently"

What to Wear Wednesday: Oversized Cardigan

Yes I am wearing white denim.. To be honest I don't even really know if white denim is still in or if it is appropriate for the winter, but I like this outfit a lot.  Those of you who have more fashion knowledge I would love to hear what you think about white denim! But lets get to the focus of this outfit which is the oversized cardigan, I am in love! It is so comfortable and so warm and provides a nice dynamic to many outfits. If you don't have one I highly recommend getting one!

Everything pictured is from Old Navy, surprise, surprise!

Tasty Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

I know I'm doing two soup posts in a row, what can I say, I love soup!! Chicken Tortilla soup is my second favorite soup, so I'll take any chance I get to make it.  So here it is...unfortunately I was missing some ingredients and had to send Jordan to the store, I got impatient waiting for him and took the pictures before I had the ingredients. So I only have two pictures that will actually be worth using. But I will certainly answer any questions if you leave them in the comment section!

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked shredded chicken (I used half of a rotisserie chicken from Costco, it was easy and only $4.99!)
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 onion diced
1 tsp garlic
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cans chicken broth
1 8oz package cream cheese (or 1 cup sour cream) both are optional
1 8 oz can green enchilada sauce
1 can black beans
1 cup frozen corn
1 lime
Salt to taste

Saute the onions and garlic in 1 Tbs vegetable oil until onions become translucent.  Add chicken, taco seasoning, and water and saute for about 3 more minutes.  Add all of the remaining ingredients, except for the cream cheese and lime.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 min.  You will then add the cream cheese if desired.  The cream cheese has a hard time incorporating, so you will want to soften it in the microwave and then mix it with 1 cup of the soup to make it nice and smooth.  Once there are no lumps in the cream cheese mixture you can then add it to the rest of the soup.  Add lime juice to enhance the flavor, as much or as little as you like, I like a lot!
Serve with cheese and tortilla chips. YUM!

Mommy Monday: Rice

I got the idea to play with rice on pinterest and I'm so glad I tried it out! Toddlers love the texture of it and also love to transfer it from one place to another.  I would suggest not letting them play with it on a table because it makes a bigger mess when it falls to the floor. Also if you can do it on a hard floor rather than carpet then you can just sweep up the rice and let your child play with it again.  Try it out!

Spiritual Sunday: Potty Training

So we started potty training Norah on Thursday and it has been quite the adventure.  I will share in a future post on "Mommy Monday" exactly how we accomplished it, but right now I just want to share what I learned.  Potty training has been a spiritual experience, I know it sounds ridiculous but it is true.  Norah has a real fear of not wearing a diaper and of sitting on the potty.  The 1st day consisted of Norah laying around and pouting all day, holding on to her private for dear life.  It was as if her world was ending!  It has definitely been a struggle and I'm sure will continue to be a struggle for sometime.  To help myself gain more patience I tried putting myself in her shoes and tried to think about what must be going on in her head.  I figured she was probably thinking, "I love diapers, life is so easy with diapers. I am happy and comfortable with diapers, WHY ARE MY PARENTS DOING THIS TO ME!?!? It doesn't make since.  I just want to wear a diaper and not ever have to sit on a potty!"  I started to feel really sympathetic towards Norah and no matter how hard I tried I could not communicate the knowledge that I had to her.  The knowledge that it is not normal to wear a diaper for the rest of your life, and that life is so much better when you can use a potty.  Norah can not understand this, she can not see the long term goal, all she can see is what is happening in the moment.  And in a couple of years she will finally realize the advantage of not wearing diapers.  So here is the real life application.  Metaphorically speaking Heavenly Father is trying to potty train us! He gives us challenges because he knows what is best for us in the long run and sometimes we fight and fight against his will for us because we can not see the big picture.  "I love where I am right now, life is so easy like this. I am happy and comfortable with the way things are, WHY IS GOD DOING THIS TO ME!?!? It doesn't make since.  I just want to stay how I am and not ever have to change[ sit on a potty]!" We get comfortable with how things are and we forget that we need to be progressing, and that is when Heavenly Father reminds us. He say something like, "Looks like you need to learn patience so I'll send you a stubborn daughter." And when we endure the challenge we come out better than we started.
This video tells an inspirational story that applies to what I am trying to get across.  I love the amazing eternal perspective that the boy keeps to overcome his sorrows.  Its also important to remember that we are not alone in our trials and that God is always there to guide us and comfort us.