So our little boy is now four and a half years old. These pictures were taken just before he turned four months. HE has been the most amazing blessing to us as he learns, grows and drools. From his laughing spells to his rolling spills, he is a constant moving bundle of joy! He is a side kick as I cook (thanks to the above baby carrier) clean and dance...yep we love to dance. Thanks to all the kind gifts from all those lovely women at my baby showers-he is also one of the best dressed babies around! Dang he's cute! I was asked by a friend, as I proudly showed off the near infinite array of baby Nathaniel pics, what my favorite thing was that he does. Response, after wanting to say the cliche -everything, was his razzing and babble. I just adore listen to him talk and then try to make me laugh with a tongue or lip razz, which I respond back to him in a razz-its our favorite game at the changing table. So more updates to come...July we were vacationing, hence the news gap. To see more pics facebook can always be the fix!

Happy FATHER'S DAY!! IT is officially our first father's day which we are celebrating to the fullest with our little son. Nathaniel is the most amazing miracle to have ever enter our lives...he has been so fun to get to know and love AND he is almost three months old. Time sure does race by. It felt like yesterday I was pregnant and wanting to wait a few more days to give birth. Now we have a real living person, full of smiles, coos, laughs and... so much to fills all those diapers. We are in the club parenthood, we even have the many accessories that come with it, and we could not be happier-or more busy. It's funny how two very involve individuals, with what seems like a million commitments to a million different groups or persons, could stop most of that and in caring for a child, feel even more busy than before. We'll be honest-this business is the best kind, the kind ones loves to wake up to and do over and over again. Most people laugh and say-you're in the honeymoon stage, everyone thinks that at first. All I can say is after waiting for so long to have one of our own, we never want to take this little guy for granted-nor the fun moments. This may help us forget quickly those not so good moments-which are many-and relish in the awesome fun ones .

Ultrasounds, healthy baby, about one more week....

The last time we were able to see our baby it was my birthday, we found out it was a boy, and it was wonderful! We shed some tears of joy as we learned we were going to have a healthy baby. As I went in today, two days before my "guess date" I was told that they would check my cervix and see how things looked. I was trying to be okay with it-but the last time I was checked it caused surges and bleeding and unpleasant muscle tension which I did not enjoy. I really didn't want it to set anything into motion. I told my midwife of my concern. Here I was, undressed, sitting on that wonderful table, trying to express my fears and concerns-all the while trying to be brave. He looked at me and asked, "Are you having contractions?" No "Do you want to know if you're dilated?" Not...really-not without contractions "You have a choice, you don't have to have your cervix checked" What-I have a choice? "Its your body, and pregnancy-you're not swelling, bleeding, or have contractions. You're in extreme health, and there have been no problems so far...I don't have to check you." Really? "Why don't we do an ultrasound instead to check your fluids and make sure everything there is okay and right" An ultrasound! YES!!!! I would love to see my baby again! That sounded like the best upgrade/trade ever! So today we saw our baby again, his face, spine, legs and hands. He moved and did a little show for us. It was amazing. Yes there were those tears of joy again. I feel so blessed for a midwife that reminded me that I do have a choice, that this is my pregnancy and I shouldn't give that up. Isn't that how life is...we conform to limits we are told are proper and sound instead of going with our gut, and following instincts that are powerful and true. This was a little silly experience-but the lesson was learned. We truly mold our destiny-grab our own wheel and drive in the direction we feel we need to journey to. Why do we choice to let other people take over so much? Soon I get to hold that baby in my arms! I am growing as much as he is! Wow this earth experience thing is one crazy adventure. I am so excited for what is to come...

Here are some more awesome photos done by the wonderful Amy Welsh~

two and a half weeks LEFT!!!

So how am I feeling? I have to say that if you were to ask me how I was feeling a week or so ago...I would be stating the truth when I told you I was doing wonderfully, happy inside and out. I could not be feeling better. I had no issues to complain of and I was just enjoying the beautiful pregnant body/stage I was in. Then I had two weeks (just ending the second week now) that were so intense, I don't think that I have yet recovered. EVERYTHING came at a head during these two weeks: stake activities, praxis test for level two, conferences, HOA meetings, Hale theatre acting showcases, and orchestra drama/rehearsals just to name a few. "I'm just a girl who can't say no, I'm in a horrible fix!" This was the song that seemed to run though my mind as my own theme music these two weeks. To be honest, it was a lot, but I was helped so much through it all! Nick, other leaders, awesome parents/teachers and the Lord helped me succeed and stay sane. But now I am feeling...less than lovely. My ankles are swelling at night, I got my first stretch marks, baby boy is in my pelvis, he has completely dropped and that gives me leg cramps that hurt worse than...something that hurts so badly it takes your breath away,thanks goodness for my belly belt-I would not make it as a first grade teacher all day without this miracle worker! So I am now counting down. Two and a half more weeks. I just need to get my sub plans in order (easier said then done) and I will be ready with my birthing breathing (yea hypno-birthing) and handsome hubby/dula man to greet this awesome miracle named Nathaniel into our loving family. I am so excited I can't wait...but I will...two and a half more weeks.

So we took some couple shots of the "three" of us. Our dear friend Amy Welsh took these-isn't she amazing!!! We adore them! Enjoy...

36 weeks and 36 inches!

So...I am at 36 weeks today and measuring 36 inches!! Everything is normal and healthy. He's heart beat is 150, he has dropped and is head down. No breech birth for this baby! I felt the pre-labor surges last week, which I could feel my tummy exspanding at the bottom. Yep, he dropped. But no leaking or other surges after that. So I am doing really well. Well besides the brain not firing as it use to...or should! I am tired...but I think this will be the foreshadowing of the many weeks to come after Nathaniel is born. To be honest, I am SO EXCITED!!!! Not for the lack of sleep, but for the birth of this boy...to finally see him! In five weeks I will have conquered the biggest physical challenge of my life, be able to hold Nick and mine own little baby boy in our arms, and breast feeding (still nervous and trying to figure out about that last one)Holy feats of triumphs!

We finished my Hypono-Birthing classes this past week, and Nick and I are ready to go. We have all the items we think we need, or that the list given to us by the all powers that 'know' state we should have, and our baby room looks wonderful! I walk by the room and just stare at it sometimes...

Oh this baby is so loved!! Nick and I hum, sing and talk to him so much now...more so when he kicks me in the ribs, but I really think he responds in other positive ways as well. He is still the mover/dancer boy we have come to know. I am slowing down my exercise a bit, starting this week-as to not start any early labor. Adding more yoga and less Bum/Bum dance. I am eating my veggie diet, but I do find that since Valentine's Day I have been the biggest cheater! I have not craved things randomly but...when I see something...and then smell it...oh then I just want to eat it! Which makes a restaurant a very dangerous place at times -good thing I don't watch TV, or I would be in huge trouble! So I know that I have not written in almost two months-but now I have a goal to share pictures and update each sunday until the birth-day! Here comes the last stretch! Happy days on to the finished line!

Baby Showers!!!

Baby Showers!!! This is an ingenious idea-talk about the ultimate girls night. I love the chance to celebrate this amazing miracle and to celebrate it with such wonderful women! Each woman who came to my shower, has been an example and inspiration to me-and how blessed I now feeling with being able to share this intense transition with them! I have been blessed with several showers, each one in blue hues and with some of the cutest baby clothes and blankets I have ever seen! Blankets!! I never knew that we were blessed to know so many talented and skilled women! It's going to be so neat when we give Nathaniel a blanket and we can tell him who made made it and why they are important to our lives. Plus, those clothes are so darn cute!! My favorite part of the whole event is getting the advise and words of loving wisdom from these motherhood warriors. Food, laughter and stories were a constant through out, which made me feel like I was almost a part of a wonderful ceremony, a right of passage that, with their blessing, officially sent me off on the ship to parenthood. Another favorite part came after the showers. It was watching Nick open the gifts after they were brought home, and having the same "awes", "how cute", "so little" reactions as I gave! He would of fit right in with the rest of us-in a very man-ish way of course. My heart is full of so much gratitude for the wonderful women that hosted and came to these celebrations! I have gone to so many in the past, but to have one myself...I can still hardly believe it. I am so blessed!!

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So this is a great chance to have some Holiday laughs. In the video above are some of my dear family; Nick and I, my sisters Jill and Jess and my nephew Valin, Jess' son. I thought that this would be a great way to show some of the more important things during this commercialized season while still enjoying the creative thinking spurred by our capital system which can always be counted on for inventive concepts and novelties. I laugh every time.

Baby Boy Belly!

Weight is an interesting subject in our society. IT seems to be the white elephant in the room-not because of the size of the elephant, even though that is humorously a connection, but because of how it is talked or not talked about. As a female, while growing up in this image based culture, weight seems to be an ever present, thought of, compared, and tracked thing. It even helps us decide how stable a person's life is; "look how great she looks, taking care of herself, she's on top of things" or "she's let herself go, must be depressed, has too much to handle". Harsh as this seems to be, at least in the female world, the greeting or conclusion of, "you look great" is a cultural stamp of female approval on so many levels. And yet...weight is something we also know we can't talk about either. You never ask a female her weight. I've been in some conversations where weight has been discussed, and it was a bit of an awkward mess. Nor do you ever ask a female if she is pregnant. We all have our favorite awkward "Are you pregnant" stories flash through our minds. Adding to the mess is the comfy loose fitting outfits in style currently, which makes everyone seem first trimester-ish. So the elephant in the room for me STILL, is my pregnant belly.
I waited so long to become pregnant, that when I finally was, I wanted to yell it out on the house tops. But during the throwing up, exhausted, weak, headache, bi-polar food friend or foe stage, called the first trimester, you have NOTHING physical to show for this near torturous journey. You look bloated...because you are, and that is about it. Then when you enter feeling better, and bigger/ rounder bellied second trimester, you're so excited to say, "See, I am not crazy, there is a reason for the last three and a half months." That's what I thought would happen. For me that was not the case, it seems like I was shocking people when I told them I was pregnant, more so when I told them how far along I was. "Really? No way, you don't even look pregnant!"-if I had a nickle every time I heard that one. If I don't look pregnant then I look...fat? This was a frustrating situational daily occurrence for both parties I am sure. Most women my age, in the current culture I live in, are on there third child, and I am sure, according to everyone's point of reference I should look bigger. Plus everyone loves telling those awkward "Are you pregnant" stories, but no one wants to be in one.
But I am pregnant, and I have grown a belly, I just wanted the world to recognize this triumphant mile stone! My poor husband. I would come out in new maternity clothes and ask, "Do I look pregnant?" What an awful position I put him in. It only took one disappointed look of near tears to tell him to throw everything he has ever learned about what to tell women, and to currently respond, "You do look pregnant, our baby is getting bigger in that belly." Oh the confusion that caused. I still, after five months, nearly six, get people shocked that I am pregnant. I like to think that they are just following social norms and are being polite, but if I don't look pregnant, I don't enjoy the other alternative. I am about to eat this elephant in the room to leave no doubt that I am pregnant! So, to parade, brag and settle an ever bothersome current struggle, I have finally posted belly pictures.

Family, fun, friends and food!

November has been a bit of a bi-polar month for me. The time change in the fall has never settled well for my mind and body, and with being pregnant it was almost depressing. The fact that leaving the house for work and returning home were done in darkness, didn't add to my happy countenance or mood. The transition from being "off track" to going back to school, was also more difficult than I had anticipated. Three weeks of nothing but rest, breaks into a world of school, kids, trainings, and stress...I can see why my body didn't except the change as smoothly as I pushed it. I seemed to be in an isolating slump in which the cold change in the weather only added to my personal retreat.

But did some way HOLIDAY!! Yea! Off to the Wheelers we go! So on the 23rd we left in our little car for our eight hour adventure drive to enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with my dear family. I am still undecided if I enjoy traveling as a pregnant person. Restroom stops were often, but not for me...Jilly took that role, and as long as I had food...emphasis on the need to have food and beverage, I was good to go. Except for the swelling and bloating...yea that was not a favorite outcome.

Thanksgiving was a blast with my family! We are so funny-it I do say so myself! We were all there, Jess and her beautiful and active family, my loving and giving parents (expressing love by giving of time and food...so much food/love was given that weekend), my Grandpa, for which it was such a treat to have him to talk to and laugh with and Jilly, whose pop culture conscious updated us on the latest movies. We enjoyed each others company, ate wonderful food, we laughed and joked together, ate more wonderful food, we played games and watched the Muppet movie, ate even more wonderful food, debated and discussed, ate much more wonderful food, we even had a fun girls night, eating out at a great restaurant. One neat activity came on Friday when we took the first, non wedding prompted family photo. It was on the stage (how perfectly fitting) and we had a a fun time sitting, smiling, and looking smashing.

I was just happy to look pregnant! I prayed that I would have something to show for my five month journey. Some of my family wont see me till after the baby is born and by then the "cute baby belly" comments will no longer be appreciated. So it was nice to have a tummy, even though a side view is much better then the one showed in this photo. I do think that I took "eating for two" too far. I gained...well lets just say it added up to more than a pound per day during the visit. I hope that most of it was the baby, but my joyous eating habits suggest otherwise. I don't feel guilty in saying I enjoyed every tasteful minute of it. Each day I felt so blessed to be with my Wheeler clan. Just being with those you love and miss can bring so much happiness and joy. I know that sounded like a hallmark card, but the truth of the statement was personally experienced and is currently being missed at the present moment. Now I can't wait till Christmas when we can see the Romriell clan!!

It's a miracle! It's a BOY!!!!

If the Romriell's were to use some words to describe them individually and as a couple, anyone who knows us would mostly agree on words like; friendly, open, social and you can do the rest. We have, for the past four months, went against our norm, and held onto a little secret.

There is reason for this method. We have been married for five wonderful years!! Some of the best, happiness moments have come from this sweet and loving half a decade, but there have been struggles, some of the hardest we have ever faced. The toughest was trying to create a little family of our own. After five years, and through miscarries, shots, pills and tests, we came to the conclusion that adoption was the only option for us, and we were at complete and joyful peace with this fact.

Then a miracle. There are many factors that contributed to this, the Lord being first, detoxing and health choices being next and then a guided change in vocation, all helped to set the scene for the best news we have kept to ourselves...EVER!

So we decided not to tell anyone until after the first trimester, our families were told (Nick is still going to tell some of his siblings), close friends, and those that lived near, friends and co-workers that were sure something was up. But it was hard not to shout it on the roof tops!!! We agreed that upon knowing the gender we would then tell everyone and share our joyful news with those friends not so close. So we are sorry that at 19 weeks some of you are just now learning about our miracle news for the first time, but we do want to thank you for your continued prayers and support! We are so excited about having a little boy! Now you can add a few new words to describe us, individually and as a couple: happy and proud parents!!! More posts and pictures to come!!!

The kids have arrived!

The summer has ended as the excited faces of first graders rush into my classroom with new clothes, backpacks and lunchboxes ready to learn and have adventure in any form they can. What a wonderful age these students are! They are full of the spirit of all things are possible and anything can be turned into a game, toy or a dramatic play. This age has an added bonus because they are more independent workers then the kindergartners that I am use to these three past years. I adore my class! I have ten boys and ten girls-how ideal is that! All my students are so excited to learn (they had great kindergarten teachers). This week has mostly been focused on the rules and procedures in the classroom, school and neighborhood. I have a good chunk of older students (students that are the oldest siblings) They tend to be the very obedient and independent students. I have a few middles, they tend to be the best peace makers. But then I have a good chunk of youngest students, which tend to be the more needy and demanding students, but are better then the single child which often are more demanding and bossy, and tend not to play well with others. Now for my friends that are parents I want to put a disclaimer that this is the general not the always-and I would rather have a class full of all kinds then only one because that makes for a better classroom! But this does help explain the dynamics of my classroom. I love my class-its only a week and I love them. I have been so tired lately, and the Lord has helped me so much with added energy and memory! I had all of their names memorized before the first day. I am sure that is helped that almost all the names were American names instead of Greek, but it was an added blessing none the less. All the parents are so laid back as well, which is quite the change from what I am use to. I am used to very business like, demanding parents-not all but a good amount. The parents here, are so happy to be apart of school and to help whenever they can. So I am very excited for this upcoming year and for all the adventure that we are going to have!

A snob no more

Change, it is the ever present condition in our lives. The weather changes (right now I hear thunder-odd, I didn't see a cloud a moment ago) time changes, our bodies go through changes-our skin has a new outside every six weeks! The best change in our lives though, and this is my personal experience, is the change that happens to ourselves, our character. To change and improve has to be one of the most exciting things about this life! I do love a good paradigm shift! So lately I realized that I have gone through one. It was most likely taught to me through a studious example-my mother.

I remember back in the middle school phase of life-a phase that I try not to look back on too often-and I see my five foot frame (things have not changed too much-I know)wanting to wear name brand clothes and turn myself into the most hip walking billboard around! I mentally told myself that certain clothes brought certain happiness-and I wished that I could afford all the happiness my pre-working early teen self could afford. Then came the tough lessons of gratitude and money conservation as my mother took me to stores like wal-mart, shop-ko or worst the DI (desert industries). I gleamed so much during those hard years, which the young women program aided me as I completed values like divine nature and individual worth. My mother, with her costume designing experience also taught me what type of clothes were made for my body type, skin type and personality type. So I learned that one could look great-even without the high price.

But I am a cloth snob no more. It seems so funny to look back and see how silly and shallow my thought process was. MY friends would laugh at such a contrasting comparison. For I have found a new love in which I have turned into its advocate. There is a store here called Savers that I adore and purchase all my clothes at! You see, each Monday they have a 99 cent day, plus each week there is a color tag that is 50% of the already cheap price! I get great quality clothes (ones that the previous owner paid 100s for) for 5 dollars!-where can you get that! Now you may say-wow you much have a ton of cloths pack in your closet at these prices...the answer is no. We have a Romriell rule where if you buy something new then you need to give something old away in an exchange. Which works out great because Savors gives you a 20% discount coupon on clothes you donate! Yes this feeds my addiction to this store even further-they are so clever like that! You must follow rules that fit your body, skin and personality type!! That is key to thrift shopping! IF you need help I have sites, books or pointers! Another blessing that comes as a bi-product of cheap prices, is how often we can get new clothes. This works out perfectly as we continue to choose a more healthy lifestyle. The better and more constant we are the tighter we get and the more lose the clothes become-resulting in a shopping trip. There are many shades in this thrift addiction: garage sales, online classifieds, home fabrics, winco, Ross, farmers market and the lists go on! I suggest baby steps, compare prices and quality and then see how you feel. But if you are into quality clothes for fractions of the cost-head to your nearest thrift store(I am a walking billboard-things don't change too much)-you might start an addiction yourself! I just had to pass on this part of my life-becaue of the joy it brings to others!

Where has my summer gone?

IT seems like, where I live, the nymphs in charge of seasons missed forwarding the "Spring" memo and then felt like they had to make up for lost time by sending the summer memo in all "heated" caps. We have had a LONG, cold winter and then after what seemd like two weeks of storms, followed the heat of summer. IT is almost mid July! Where did spring go?, Is the shocked response from my accustomed to four seasons body. Then I ask, Spring? What about summer-it's almost gone! Where is summer going!? I know that this sounds like a personal problem in which my body and mind are in a state of conflict and confusion...and it is. I have yet to step into a swim suit so I can step into a pool. This two step process is necessary, I never take one without the other. SO I better get a steppn'! For soon the few weeks of storms will hit again acting like a fall season and then we will be back to winter.Maybe I am just feeling restless, needing to get out of the country or something. We were so spoiled last summer with Aruba! But with Nick's test, Girl's Camp and visits to family...the vacation possibility seemed to be squeezed out of our adventure loving schedule. If anyone has any adventure plans, please let us know! Also as another thought, if you read this blog, but your blog is not posted in the Friend's Blog located on the side of this blog, please post your address in the comment box, or send me an invite...again. I miss reading your thoughts and want to! Ending thought; the person who invented air conditioning-brilliant! They are one of my summer heroes...the electric company however is NOT!

Our Lives currently...

This summer has allowed us to really take the time to come out of the "busy" shell and enter a more clam and social life. Since I became of age during the social media outbreaking, I now feel like it is my duty to use all social networks and say hello to our friends and family by way of letting the populace know what is new with our lives...yes I am becoming more social but I am sorry to say nothing much has changes in our little Romriell family-I am still a teacher, but I am currently teaching first grade. Also I felt like it was time to go public, so I am teaching at a public school in my own portable...I am not sure what that means but I can't wait to find out. I am still teaching acting for teens on the weekends as well as violin and cello lessons. Also I am trying to learn Spanish with hopes that this go around proves more effective then the two years at college and one year in high school. Fingers crossed o buenas suerte para mi.
Nick is still in school. One year down and so many more to go...but he received a job next year as a grader which will help with the tuition and hopefully result in great teacher references. He also works part time as a on call pick up man for the mortuary. Yep, it is a bit of a different job but it's ideal for a student. We are planning another vacation, we are unsure where, but we'll let you know (Spanish speaking to help me out it-but that could be foreign or right down the street, so we are still deciding) we are still in our little colorful condo, I am the HOA president currently and the other board members have just been elected so I am excited for the new change and hopefully the energy they will bring.
We are very active in our church, which we call a ward, and have been blessed to serve so many people. I am serving in the ward as the first counselor of the young women. The church has an awesome program that teach young women the importance of service, self worth, family and goal setting. So I get to help them with their goals and testimonies. It really is an honor, plus at the stake level I am the Beehive leader. SO I plan events and spiritual experiences for girls in servel different wards ages 12-13. They are a blast and I love them all. I am not alone, I have five other leaders that help me out each Wednesday (that's the day we meet as leaders and youth)-more moments on that will find its way to this blog I am sure.
Nick as been blessed to lead the high priest or the really mature men in our ward. He has two men that help him with that calling because it keeps him busy making sure the families and service projects are met. He loves this new challenge and is doing very well with the change. This ward has been so wonderful to us, and we really feel that living here has refined and molded us in so many ways. We have made so many friendships and have learned from so many people. And we are still learning. Which means there will be more posts in the future I am sure. I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July, and we hope your summer gets even better from here! Adios

P90X

So as many of you know, Nick and I have been on the "off and on" roller coaster ride of the famous P90X. You may of seen those info-mercials that promise huge results in as little as 90 days. Then you are "wow"ed by those transformation pictures that blow your mind and make you think...maybe...just maybe you can have that change too. Well, we started it over a year ago, and after months or rounds of this program, which we believe very highly of, we have learned three important things-which of course seem to be three principles that thread through any successful life. We are still trying to master these simple but near impossible concepts and the better we do the better our results come even through out the whole of our lives.
One: consistency! This is powerful! We start off strong and then....well, life happens...days and then weeks pass and we have found ourselves several times wiping the dust off these videos and starting over again. This is where the on and off part of our healthy roller coaster comes in. But as is true in every aspect of our lives, when we are consistent, and try our hardest to have a "daily" attitude, we make gains that help us get even closer to our short and long term goals.
Two: Goals! We have found that when we just do something, to go through the motions as it were, not having a goal or a desired end result, we miss out on several essential helps: motivation, destination, and commitment. Goals help us measure our success and push us to achieve more. Goals give us guide lines and help us work out the details on how to truly reach them. Goals are ...awesome and they bring a strtength and power into our lives needed to accomplish anything we set our minds to!
Three: Give 100% and push to the max. This sounds funny but it connects into the ever powerful concept of living in the present and giving your all in the moment that you are living. Talk about a way to actually reach your potential in not just the physical aspect but in your whole life. What a full life we would be living if this was truly followed. Give and push yourself to reach the best you can be. This often times is hard to do when life and the world seems to be pushing against you as well, but we have found that when we are consistent with this concept, results are fast and powerful.
I seem to be over using the word powerful, but I think it is the best word to describe the feeling felt when these concepts are in full action because it's the feeling that comes when you take your own life by your hands and instead of allowing the circumstances in your life to act on you you are acting for yourself! You are in charge and are your full agent of choice, choosing to act rather then be acted upon...that is power. So we are not perfect, and we are still learning and struggling, but as we look back on this year, there is a slim smile of satisfaction on the growth we have achieved so far.

So tell me, what is the power that comes from food. Besides the basic response of how it gives us energy to survive, live and grow...lets be honest, we are FAR from that basic definition in our evolved world. In the culture that I am engulfed in, food has become more than a basic eat and live relationship. Food is a power, a presence, a life, an existence and even to some a God. Not only are there food and options for food everywhere you go from bookstores/libraries, gas stations/pit-stops, fast food chains, restaurants, but I even get offered food from the empanedas lady who sells them in the wal-mart parking lot. We must not forget the ever beloved food network and channel, where we are able to watch how to cook, cook offs, cake offs, cupcake wars and not to leave out the awesome competitions of the iron chef and chopped. Food finds its way into every social event no matter how big or small. I don't think there is a place where you can escape the temptations and seductions of this basic energy source. We have not even swam the deep waters of food and its connection to our mental and emotional state. Thoughts that run though my head, "I am (fill in the blank with any emotion-I choose sad)I need chocolate, ice cream...something salty, greasy or fat". Or "I did really well today, I need a reward...Mimi's cafe is still open..." Or, "lets do something fun...what restaurant do you want to try next?" Or "date night...zupas!" (that was just yesterday). Half the fun of traveling to new places comes from trying different foods! When Nick and I went to Aruba it could simply be summarized as beach and food (gelato-ice cream really). So I ask, what is it about food that makes it so influential, so interesting, so important to us. I believe that if some alien came form another planet and saw how we treated food...I would have to wonder at the report they would write after their visit. When people move to the neighborhood they give food, someone dies, they give food, births, they give food, sickness, they give food. Food seems to be a main staple of our express of charity. But it is SOOOOO good! So everyone, whether or not you agree with this post about food-it doesn't matter because in a few minutes I am sure you will start to crave something and then try as hard as you can to make, get, or buy that fulfilling food. I will just wish everyone happy eating...and if you have any good reciepes...please share them.

Up and down...life is like that

So here it is...another flat tire. This is twice in one month. The first one could have been deadly. I was driving on the express way, going 60 mph talking to my handsome hubby. The one light-which I have never seen red, turned red-causing me to stop and as my light turned green I ended my conversation with nick and tried to climb to my original speed...then bang, my car pulled to the right, both hands were on the wheel as I gained control. Lucky, I had two hands and that I was at a low speed, or it could have ended not as nicely. Nick was surprised at the phone call he received with only a few second interlude. So I am on the side of the express way...teacher slacks and all...trying to change my tire. Laughable really. I know I had done it at some young women or relief society event a few times in my life...right? Well, God is in the details of our lives. As the sun lowered and darkness seemed to spread as quickly as my stress and panic; here came a truck with a couple in it, the husband who happens to work at discount tires. Five minutes and the dirty deed was done. My lovely friend and visiting teacher companion came to my aid and followed me home as I drove my big car over the weakening donut. Well a similar scene was played yesterday and today. My back tire, I guess, felt neglected and wanted attention, negative attention, so it too went flat. This time it picked up a lonely nail and became intimate friends with it. A horrible hole resulted. SO God sent me another guy, who works at the Saint Sophia Church who changed the tire (I didn't even try). Then my beautiful school Secretary followed me to the tire store, and my Principal drove be back to pick up my car with its new tire. What would I do with out the kindness of strangers and the powerful women in my life?

So in the ended I have felt a little flat this week. School work is getting Nick stressed, and worried. I have more issues with my bank and school is getting me down as well as the need for the change that I am hoping for. What a spiritual high from General Conference-then comes the trials...and they are not bad trials, they are just all at once it seems. But we have so many blessings...I thank heavenly father for them everyday in Spanish in our couple prayers. Exciting things are happening...and these little bumps in the road will flatten us at times, but God always sends us ways to get back up on our feet again.

SO I thought that I would update with a few fun photos from...February. Yep that is right, March is almost over and I am giving you February. Should I feel guilty...no...life is what I make of it and right now I am making...will with all the spare time that I allow myself to have, updates on our lives in moments, snap-shots or spotlights (reason for the new title change). Some fun moments: Seuss Day! So as you can tell from the pictures I as thing one. What a blast! All my students dressed up in their favorite book character and for a week we held "specials" where we were able to give extra care to our students. I taught all the students several songs from Seussical the Musical, which they performed that Friday. Rock stars, they all want to be rock stars-American Idol what have you done? So it was a loud performance-maybe not all in the same key...but...they were cute. Nick even celebrated by letting me read to him his first Seuss book. I am sure he has read or have had read some Seuss book before now, but he claims he hasn't. So he even got into the spirit-"couldn't help it when my wife is running around all in red with blue hair". Another fun moment came in Valentine's Day. We ate at Braza Grill. Okay, let me just say that Nick and I have been trying to eat healthy as of late and trying to prevent the genetic diseases that are seemingly awaiting us sometime down the road. We are veggie and fruit 'aholics' and are eating meat sparingly. So...here comes the night of all you can eat MEAT! The night started off wonderfully with a live acoustic guitar player and a fruity drink...then it went all down hill from there. Nick and I pride ourselves at never discriminating against anyone or thing-meat included this life motto and we dare each other to never turn the stick to red. You can imagine the end of the night. If not, let me help you. We were sweating, sweating meat and we were so scared to move from our seats when we were done, in fear of a digestion eruption, so we stayed there, eyes closed, telling out stomachs to let all the consumed food to pass through. As we finally got up, and thanked our host, he gave us one look and with his look of concern asked if we found everything to be okay, "We found it to be a little too good". What a night! Why do we put ourselves through this? Was it really worth the pain, sweat, tears and pounds. Well...that is still to be determined. After we left the restaurant we looked at each other and could not stop laughing...we looked ridiculous, so then we decided to dance off the meat outside of our favorite store, Barnes and Nobles. We giggled the whole time as we danced or more like waddled like stuff turkeys.
I had to put this picture in of Boston eating my chicken! IT made my week. This is a rooster that Nick had collected when he was in his collecting chickens phase (hence the reason we have the theme of roosters in our kitchen-not by choice but by necessity, where else were we to put all those rooster?)One thing that we dislike about being away from family is missing our nieces and nephews growing up. Seeing this picture made me not only laugh and realize I have one of the cutest nieces in the world, but that in little ways I can still be in their lives. So there you go, an update on some fun moments. More to come...sooner then later.
Nick and

life has flown by...

So here's a few pictures that I figured out how to post from my phone. . We don't have the internet at home in attempt to save money. So blogging has become difficult as a result. If anyone has figured out how to blog from their phones please let me know. So here is a fall picture stating that the season was too short and is missed. ..plus its my favorite season so why shouldn't it be spotlightes? Then one picture represents the Christmas season. Then the other is for me ready to make a huge change in my life in several areas in my life. So enjoy. More to come. ..hopefully.