All about the pebbles

You have heard about "getting a pebble" from my previous posts. I suppose now is a good time to explain what that means.

The pebble jar is mainly for motivation and also a little bit of friendly competition. The idea is that both Daniel and I have certain things we need to do to get a pebble everyday (mostly fitness related). Daniel is still working on goals similar to the ones I mentioned before, I am doing the updated 5 goals. Basically, if we do all those things that day, we put a pebble in the jar. When the jar is full, we will put $1 for every pebble toward a trip for our 10 year anniversary. We really want to go to South Africa, as it will be really close to his 10 year mission anniversary, and he has always wanted to take me there. It will be a lot of money. It almost seems impossible, but we think we can do it. If we can't afford a trip to South Africa, we will have a lot of money saved up for a fun trip! We also have a deal that who ever has the most pebbles gets a special prize. But we don't know what that is yet.

It worked well in the past. We started one last year and used the "money" we earned for a really nice date. Looser (Daniel) had to plan it. It worked really well for that, so we thought we'd do it long term. So far this year has been a little rocky. We get a pebble every now and then, but we haven't been consistent. A lot of our lack in motivation and even ability to get stuff done is due to stress. All Daniel and Josh's medical problems in the past 6 months, as well as Daniel is teaching his first class, and taking his last. We are hoping we will be able to be better. And we have been.

Although...I haven't gotten one pebble this week (since Monday). I've done all but one thing: GO TO BED ON TIME! How hard can it be? Apparently very hard! Although last night I was in bed, I just had a really bad migrane and wasn't able to sleep. And then there was a thunderstorm that started at about 1 and lasted till 3:30ish. It was the kind you can't sleep through because it's so bright and LOUD! (And you're worried the tornado siren is going to go off any minute.) Sigh...c'est la vie.

Dove Real Beauty Sketches

To all by beautiful sisters and mother, you are more beautiful than you think. I love you guys! 

Recipe

Sometime last week, we had butter rice with beans, salmon (Canned Salmon, I'm not rich enough for fresh salmon.), and salad. It was delish, but I made way too much rice so we had five cups of cooked butter rice sitting in our fridge. Another day last week, we had taco salad and had left over beans from that. Today I was trying to figure out what to make Erick for dinner and had some awesome insparation. This is what I came up with:

Rachel's Spanish Rice

In large pot add:
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 onion
Apox. 1. cup frozen corn (More or less depending on what you like)
A few shakes of Tony Chachere's Original Seasoning (Tony Chachere's in quite salty and kinda spicy, so it gives this meal a nice kick.)
Cook together until meat is browned.
Add 1 pk. taco seasoning, mix well.

To the meat mixture,  add:
Aprox. 5 cups cooked rice (I think in uncooked rice, this would equal 1 1/2 cups rice. I'm not sure though.)
1 can beans (I used the red beans that were leftovers, but I think black beans would add a nice color.)
1 small can tomato sauce
2 cups or more of shredded cheese (I used Monterey Jack) 
Salt and pepper to taste
A couple more shakes of Tony Chachere's if you wish.
Mix well and heat through.

Serve with fresh salad...or be unhealthy, like we were, and eat without any salad.

I think it would have been tasty with a bit of fresh cilantro and maybe some lime juice. Anyway, even without the cilantro and lime, Erick, Wren, and I all thought it was yummy.
 

  





 

Week 1 of the New ME!

So Mom asked for photos. Well, here they are! I am not in any way proud of the way I look, but in my mind I think I look much worse than I actually do. At least in these photos...that's encouraging. :)

Current Weight: 169
Last Weeks Weight: 169

Side view. 169 lbs

Front view. 169 lbs

Well, I didn't loose any weight this week, but I didn't gain any either. I feel like I did really well with exercise, but my sweet tooth got the better of me. Just FYI, I am going to revise my goals a bit. I had had those 11(!) goals since the beginning of the year, and I think it was stressing me out a bit. I am going to change the way I do things. Here are my new fitness goals *in order to get a pebble*

1. Exercise 50 minutes
2. 5 a day
3. Record food, and count calories (This will prevent me from having too much sugar better than saying "You can't have ANY sugar!" I just discovered that doesn't really work for me because I put on a "I already blew it because I ate some syrup without thinking, so I might as well have a cup of ice cream." True Story. But, if I am counting calories I either have to bust my butt off exercising to even out if I eat too much sugar, or not eat anything substantial for the day. I am thinking I will make the choice not to eat it because 1. I am a lazy human being, and 2. I LIKE REAL FOOD! ...hope this works better)
4. Drink enough (but not too much) water
5. Go to bed by 10, get up at 5:30 (The first few weeks will be hard until my body adjusts. I just have to keep working on it!)

My other goals: Scripture study/pondering, me time, and fresh air are all going well. In fact, the fresh air goal is pretty much irrelevant now that the weather is nice. I had to really work on it in the winter, but now it's not a problem. We are out at least 2x a day!

How are your goals going?

Stephanie

Just some thoughts...

Okay, so all of your goals have been fabulous!  I have been trying to stick with the ones I made, but I'm not perfect!  So, sometimes it's hard for me to always have a smile on my face...and I hate it when that happens.  Other times though, I am super happy all the time, and it's just awesome!  Well it seems like it's been a little harder for me to be happy all the time, and so I was just wondering if you guys had any advice for me.  I feel like when I am more fervent in the spiritual side of my life, I am so much happier.  On the other hand, it can be challenging for me to always do the best I can, and make more time for spiritual things. (Don't get me wrong, I don't slack off and not read scriptures or go to institute everyday... :)  I just feel like sometimes I can't absorb what I'm reading or learning, and it kinda worries me sometimes.  Anyways, I just wanted to ask you pro and wonderful girls that I have as my sisters and mom. 
Was it just me, or did a bunch of talks during conference talk about Christ being the Center of our lives and home?  Well, I just found a lot of comfort and help when I heard that again, and again, and again!  Maybe I need to make Christ more the center of my life.  I know that when I do make Him a priority and the center in my life, I am much more peaceful and happy.  It's really amazing what our Savior can do for and to our lives!  Well, it is a new goal of mine, to rely more on Christ, and focus more on Him every single day, and in every aspect of my life. 
I love all of you SOOOO much, and thank you all for your amazing example to me.  I don't know what I would do without you guys..I mean women, as my stalwart examples!  Have a wonderful day!  I love you all!
Love, Johannah

So, I was going to wait until the end of the semester, but I couldn't wait any longer. I been wanting to start these goals and thought I might as well post. 

PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH/KNOW!!!

-          Study scriptures daily

·         I have not been as good as I should be with scripture study. I really can tell the difference when I have versus not studying and need to add spiritual strength to my life.

-          Personal prayer (every morning)

·         I need to be better at remembering to pray in the morning and not sleeping in until the limit to where I am rushing out the door and forget to pray.

-          Workout daily (3 Cardio/2 strength)

·         I have been awful the last 3 months! Here I am graduating in a health degree and am literally dying on my behind. I know what it feels like to exercise every day and have the added energy and happiness that comes with it. What I mean by ‘practice what I preach’ is that I have had clients and had the opportunity to help other people or give advice, while I am sitting here, not doing what I am telling them to do. It has been hard to find time, with school and having a new baby. LIFE IS BUSY! If I have a mindset of not exercising because I simply don’t have enough time??? Uh……I would never exercise in my life again! My life is probably just going to continue to get busier and I HAVE to MAKE the time, Whether that means waking up earlier or going to bed later.

-          Learn something new each week and teach someone else about it

·         I am not going to lie, I am kind of sad that I won’t be in school anymore! You know the saying ‘great and dreadful day’? Yeah. That’s my life right now. I am SUPER excited to finally be done and free, but at the same time I am realizing that I am going to miss learning, more specifically, miss learning new things pertaining to my major. UH…Why stop right?

-          Go to bed at a decent time (workout though! Even if it’s just 10 minutes)

·         Hmmm…..We’ll see how this goes =)

-          Smile!!!

·         I decided to add this to my list, because when I consciously have ‘smile’ going through my brain, I have a better day, I feel better about myself and work better with those around me. I don’t want people to see me and think I’m mean or such a serious person, just cause I’m not smiling.

Jessicas goals!(:

I thought of some goals that i think i need to set for myself. And i also think this is a super good idea because now i can't(or won't) stop keeping them cause i am accountable to my four fabulous sisters :) I am way excited! :)    Okay, so my goals are....

1. Make my bed every morning BEFORE i get ready for seminary.
2.Do all my school per day that i need to and try to  maintain a good average.
3. Exercise for at least 45 min. a day( 15 minutes 3 times a day or something.)
4. Practice the music i need to so i can play for the choir etc...good.
5.Eat less sugar, and junk food and (like Johannah) put more whole wheat into the things i cook.
6. Get to sleep at 9:30 every night except Sundays,Tuesday,Friday, and maybe Saturdays.Wake up at 4,4:30, or 5:00 for seminary.
7. Have a positive attitude and outreach to others and try to finish personal progress before the year is over, so i can work on my third time through.



1. When i  don't make my bed when i get up it doesnt get done until that night so i can go to sleep in a made bed. It's hard for me to feel and get organized for my day or anything when i don't start it out doing the simple thing. :) plus it makes me fell so goo when i make my bed , especially when my room is clean!:)

2. Eye am tirerd of tryeeng to ketchup on mi graids espeaclly inn mi eanglish. jk;)  I am tired of trying to catch up on my school work, i am getting good grades but i don't think i am learning as much as i need to because they are open book tests so its easier to look in the book for the answer instead of really learning about it. I still learn some and study some but not enough. I have a good average usually in the 90s but i want a 4.0 gpa so i can maybe go to....SVU (southern Virginia University)

3. I love to exercise and i need to exercise, might not be so good at that or most of my goals this week or the next week cause we will be traveling alot. BUT! i intend to keep them!!:)

4. I am the assistant ward pianist so when the WP isn't there then i play the piano which includes choir, musical numbers, sacrament meeting an so forth. Plus i am supposed  to play two duets this May and June with one of the young men in our ward, and i am playing two songs for girls camp practice and they are so confusing sometimes!(: I hate it when i am in choir and keep messing up. "Know what i mean?";)

5. I think you guys are all probably working on the same thing or similar to this so i don't think i need to explain it.

6.Um.....all those who have shared a room with me should now how late i usually stay up, and if you don't that is probably a good thing;) i just need to go to bed earlier because i have to fight sleep for like two hours in the middle of school every day because i am so tired. I need to work on that. And for the days i wouldn't be doing it would be because of mostly church things, and Fridays are Fridays.

7. I love being positive it is so fun!:) I got my interview with the bishop on Tuesday for pp and now i am starting again. I have to get four at least....remember???!!!