Devil's Den

This past Saturday, Lance and I completed our first open water dive for our scuba diving certification. Thus far, we have only had "closed water" dives (aka-- a deep swimming pool).

We went with our instructor and some friends to a place called Devil's Den-- about an hour and a half north of Tampa. It was gorgeous. I didn't have my camera on me-- but found some stock photos of the place online. It was a bit ominous-- there was a thunder storm rumbling in the distance. as we descended a long, narrow staircase to access the spring.


After we geared up (including a wet suit 'cause it is 72 degrees year-round-- brrrrr!), we were descending about 20 feet underwater and I am thinking-- "why do I want to be scuba certified again? My two worst fears are the dark and deep water." But it was so peaceful and gorgeous underwater. I can't wait to do our final dive for the certification-- a boat dive in the Gulf of Mexico.

Here is a picture of the inside of Devil's Den:
I'll be sure to get pictures next time (although me in a wetsuit is not the most beautiful vision in the world...)

My New Favorite Picture

Loosen Up the Purse Strings

Lance and I moved away from Utah when I was six months pregnant with Zoie (2004). I remember that before we left, my friend Valli gave me a blue "whale" hooded towel for our impending baby.

Looking back through baby pictures of Zoie and Tobin-- I have realized that we are still using that baby towel as our primary means of drying off after the bath.

Zoie- 2005

Tobin- 2007
Chase- 2010

Is that gross? I can only imagine the horrors that poor "Whaley" has seen. Its not as if baby towels are expensive. And I have received several as baby gifts since then. I guess there is just something about that six year-old whale towel...

Absence Makes the Heart Grow... Hungry

I am a foodie. I love food-- I especially love really, super unhealthy food. Despite this obsession (or perhaps as a result of this obsession), I have pretty much been on a diet since November 15th, 2009. Low carb, low fat, low calorie, blah blah blah.

At the beginning of April, Lance and I began a new way of eating. It is not so much a diet as a "lifestyle change"-- healthy eating (a little fruit, lots of protein and vegetables, only "good" carbohydrates, etc.) We are being pretty strict on it for about 90 days-- after that we may allow the occasional pizza to slip into the diet, the occasional splurge on date night.

At the top of my splurge list:

Isn't she beautiful? The Monte Cristo from Bennigan's. A ham and cheese sandwich, battered, deep-fried, sprinkled in powdered sugar and then dipped in jam. Don't judge me-- everyone has that special food that makes their heart palpitate and mouth salivate. (Can you tell that today is a difficult day for me diet-wise?)

For Me

I just had to share a couple of fun surprises I got yesterday.

1. Our Magnolia tree had its first blossom of the year yesterday morning. I know this sounds lame, but Magnolia trees don't blossom very often and their flowers are gorgeous. We planted our Magnolia tree in the front yard a few years back and we love it. I, of course, decided that the blossom is a Mother's Day gift from Mother Nature to me. So, thank you Mother Nature.

2. My ring. Lance gave me a ring with our children's names engraved on it. I am so in love with it. He got it from this website. I couldn't get a great picture of mine (due to my chubby "man hands") so I am also including a picture from their website.
Other fun treats included dozens of homemade cards from Zoie, breakfast in bed, and a long Sunday nap. I love Mother's Day!

Favorite Quotes

I came across a page of quotes from Marjorie Hinckley on Goodreads.com. I just love her. I thought I would share a few of my favorites here:

• "We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

• "I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

(That one is my favorite. Nothing annoys me more than wives who perpetually complain about their husbands. "Don't be a whiner", ladies.)

• "Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

And of course...

• "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

The Hinckleys were amazing people. I love reading President Hinckley's talks and books about Sister Hinckley's life experiences.

To The Moms

Here are some thoughts on our favorite Moms...

Lori- Lance's Mom:

Anytime the girls share Mother-In-Law horror stories, I stay silent. I don't have a single story. Lori has always been so welcoming and accepting of me. She is so talented, but has never made me feel bad or self-conscious about my short-comings in the domestic arena. She is a fabulous cook, a talented quilter, and is so artistic and crafty that she ran her own framing business out of her home for over twenty years.
Lori spends her time on that which is most important-- her family and friends and humanitarian aid. I have never seen her get caught up in distractions like materialism. She is unbelievably easy to talk to. She even finds ways to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ while living smack dab in the middle of Utah. She has raised five GOOD kids. She is awesome and such a great example to all of us.

Our Favorite Things about Lori:

Zoie: I love going grocery shopping with "Utah Grandma" and love playing with her.
Tobin: I like eating pancakes with her
Lance: She is a saint for putting up with me and Collin (my brother). I owe her more than I can say-- cause I turned out amazing.

Ellen- My Mom:

I have written about my Mom before on this blog. She is just one of the most amazing people that I know. She is fun and enthusiastic and hilarious. Now that I am older and raising my own family, I have so much respect for her. She managed to raise four crazy (not always good) kids without yelling or threatening. She made it look easy-- somehow. She is always happy and laughing and has always been that way. She created the happiest of homes for us to grow up in.
Once we were grown, she left everything behind and moved to a funny little European country to teach the gospel. She loves my Dad so much. I still have so much to learn from her on how to be a great Mom and wife. She comes home in two months and I can't wait!

Our Favorite Things about Ellen:

Zoie: She is beautiful

Tobin: I like to play with her and go shopping with her

Lance: She gets me-- always laughs at my jokes (and isn't that what's really important?) Best Mother-in-law ever!

Happy Mother's Day!

Just In Case You Were Wondering...

Lately, I have just been posting pictures-- no meaty substance. So today, I will just post some random thoughts and updates (still no substance, mind you).

• Potty training is going quite well-- though we are still working on "two-sies". Any advice is appreciated and welcomed.
• Last night, I overheard Tobin tell Zoie, "You are the most wonderfulest girl ever." He is such a sweet boy-- I honestly don't know where he got that trait from (and I swear I have taught him better grammar than that!)

• On Saturday, Lance and I had an entire "kid free" day. We went to Busch Gardens. We arrived at 9 am, rode our favorite four rides and were back at our car by 10:30-- just as hordes of tourists were stampeding the entrance. Poor saps. It was so hot. I love having Busch Gardens/water park passes. We spent the remainder of the day napping, working out and watching CSI reruns. It was heaven.

• I hated the book, "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold. So what possessed me to rent the movie? I hated it, too. Shocker.
• Speaking of bad books, Danielle Steele (once a favorite of mine) is absolutely un-readable. She is officially the WORST WRITER EVER! And yet, I continue to find myself perusing the "S" shelf in the library.

• After a year and a half, I am still LOVING my church calling as Primary Counselor. I am so lucky.

• Not a day goes by that I don't think to myself- "I absolutely love my car".
• I am considering petitioning locally for an anti-abortion initiative to be put on the state ballot next year. I would love to have the people of this state decide whether abortion should be legal in Florida-- not the federal courts. I am pleased that Mississippi got it on their ballot for next year.

• My parents get back from their (3 year) mission in roughly two months. I don't know who is most excited-- me or the kids.
• Zoie is taking swim lessons and is the best in her class. I swam competitively at her age and am so excited for her to learn.

Just a glimpse into the devious mind of a Mom/Mormon/wife/Republican/avid reader/Floridian/daughter, etc...