TRAIN

I've realized over the last couple of weeks that I am really really REALLY loving the group 'Train'. I love their sound.

I went to one of their concerts a hundred years ago(they opened for Def Leppard, actually) and I like them then...but I love them now!


That's it...I just love Train.

IT'S A STRETCH BUT I'M GONNA DO IT

So many probably don't know this about me...but I've been subbing/teaching a Cardio Dance Groove class at one of our local Fitness Center's for the last few months. I was hired on as a sub for Zumba(which I am absolutely NOT trained in) with the intentions of teaching a cardio dance session when asked to sub.

Almost as soon as I was hired as a sub, I was given my own class on Saturdays...a Cardio Dance Groove for an hour and a 30 min CORE class. And now I have moved into subbing for other instructors as well. I have my first CARDIO CHAOS class that I am subbing this week. It's all cardio - no equipment, no weights, just cardo. It has been fun putting together a 60 minute full body workout using nothing but a persons own body weight. I really try to incorporate upper, lower, and core throughout the entire 60 minutes. I'm excited to see how the members like it.

THEN next week, I'm subbing a STRENGTH class which I am SUPER excited about. I love incorporating strength with cardio so this is right up my alley. My routine has a full 30 minutes of weight training with 15 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of core thrown in there in between. It's going to be fun!

This is the funnest part...I'm also subbing a pilates/yoga class. Now, I am completely unqualified for this. It has never been a strength for me to slow down and get a good "stretch". But I'm gonna do it. And between now and next week, by darn, I will become as qualified as I possibly can.

I'm loving this new adventure for me. It's definitely not a part-time job(not even close), but it's a few hours a week of exercise that I would be doing anyway...just getting paid for it.

And my final thoughts are these...I've learned a little something about myself. Though I lack confidence in a LOT of areas(and when I say a LOT of areas, I mean pretty much I lack full confidence), I am alive and driven when I am teaching these classes. I'm not your typical "perfect body" instructor. I'm not small and petite. And I worried that people wouldn't be receptive to me because of it(that's the lack of confidence coming through). Even some "friends" reactions to me telling them what I'm doing gave me that lack of confidence. But guess what?? I'm good at it! And I have GREAT ideas for fitness routines! And I'm STRONG-even beneath the extra warming layer(haha). So...back to what I learned. I stretched myself; I went out on a limb and I didn't fall off. And I've found a passion that I think has always been inside of me...I love instructing, I love teaching. Will it turn into a full-time or even part-time job??? I don't know, Probably not, and I'm not really worried about THAT right now...but look at the experience I'm getting. Look at the confidence that is creeping back inside of me.

So the next time you think "uh...well, I don't think I can do it." Just remember me teaching a pilates/yoga class and then go ahead and STRETCH!!

FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND

Brent is really big on Holiday's. Anyway he can celebrate he is totally game. In fact, in our family he created a few extra holidays for the couple of months that we didn't have any birthdays or national holidays. Anyway, so Father's Day was an entire weekend of FUN for him and our family.

We started the weekend with Dinner At Towers of the America's. If you haven't been down to it, you really should. The plaza is great, the view is pretty fun for the kids, and the food up on top is actually pretty good(a little over priced if you ask me, but I don't "fine dine" very often). 

After Dinner we walked around the plaza and then noticed they had FREE CONCERT FRIDAY going on right there by the tower. Tables were set up, a grill was out to cook up some yummy food(we had already eaten, obviously), they had a bouncy house for kids, and face painting. I think they have a different band every week(not really sure). 

SATURDAY was something new for the kiddo's. Dale Capener invited our family out to the lake...Lake Medina, that is. We had a few technical difficulties with the boat so we hung out on the dock and swam, played, and enjoyed the sun, some burgers and dogs afterwards, and of course S'mores to end the night. We had to leave a little early since Brent was so lucky to get the call to speak in church for Father's Day Sunday. LOL!! BTW...he did a great job.

SUNDAY was a great day despite him having to prepare two lessons; his talk and a primary lesson. We grilled up some steak and had a yummy summer dinner and enjoyed the couple of presents he got for being the kids' favorite daddy. All in all, a great weekend.

The kids really are lucky to have Brent for a dad. He works only to support the family. If he had it his way, HE would be the stay-at-home dad. They love playing "tickle monster" with him, going on trips/vacations, and just hanging out together. 

A NEW ADVENTURE

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and under-qualified. For many of my married years I have served in the Young Women's program. We lived in FOUR cities and I've served in FOUR cities. Advisor, counselor, Personal Progress, etc. And in every ward I have loved serving. There is a certain sweet spirit that comes from our teenage girls that is so contagious, it's hard not to love it.

In Pocatello I served for a short stint - almost not long enough to have many memories. In Boise I got to serve for long enough to really get to know the girls, to make fantastic relationships that I hope I will always keep. In Yuma I was with yet another wonderful group of youth and leaders that strengthened my testimony. And now in San Antonio I've experienced the same feelings again. We've had a large group of very strong testimonies and I've appreciated it greatly.

And now it's time to start a new adventure in my life. STILL with the young women but in a different capacity; one I've never been "ready" for. On Sunday I was set apart to be the Young Women's President of our newly divided ward. WE are the new ward. WE are starting from scratch, WE will create the youth program in the best possible way to integrate all the young men and women of our ward.

Instead of 33-35 girls, we have 10-13 girls. And I can honestly say that the last Sunday I taught my Beehive group of almost as many girls that we will have TOTAL, it was a very emotional, sad parting. Their strength, their devotion to the gospel, and their understanding of their true divinity has always been so evident. Every week they strengthen me, every week they amaze me, and every week I'm built up ready to conquer the seven days that follow.

I'm sad to be "divided" from a lot of those girls. But my heart feels so blessed to have kept and gained the ones we have. I'm truly in for a treat. The time of my life. Most the last week I have walked around in circles in a daze and I'm sure I will continue that circle for the next how many years. But I have to be honest with myself....I'm ready. I'm excited. I WANT to be a part of their lives and I WANT them to be a part of mine.

So, with that being said...I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and under-qualified. But if the scriptures are true, and I know they are, the LORD qualifies those He calls. And so my prayers are heartfelt and full.

I'm ready to serve! Let's go for it!!

SUMMER FUN HAS BEGUN

We've already had two GREAT weekends! From here on out it will be a little more quiet on the weekends until we head WEST!!.

Memorial Weekend was a HIT out on the Guadalupe River. We went with friends, the Clark's and Capener's and stayed on some private property. Some beautiful country, I'll tell ya, just northeast of us(I'm guessing at the direction cuz if you know me, you know I don't know north south east west).

Together we had 5 adults and 11 kids, no fighting, no crying, no serious injuries, no snake bites, no wild animal scares. But we did have tons and tons of fun, good food, great swimming, nice conversation, and best of all fantastic memories!

Dale Capener with Jace, Kyle, Cody, and Charlie(you gotta say his name with a british accent)

 Our Family...the clarks weren't back from church yet so I didn't get a family pic. That's right!!! We all went to church :)

 The rope swing was the hit of the weekend. The kids probably went off that thing 50 times each. I think

Brian jumped about 100 times.

 What a good looking group of kids, right! Four plus four plus three equals 11 KIDDOS! So much fun!!!

 Da DADS....

Cabe, Brent, Dale

 Da MOMS...

Me, Sandi

Super fun!!! Loved every minute! Well, almost every minute. There were the few minutes that I was hiking through thistles to get to the bathroom that weren't so fun. But on the positive note - THERE WERE BATHROOMS!!

NOW...On to the next weekend...THE BEACH!!! We went to North Padre Island, down there in Corpus Christi. It's not to far, but the beach was beautiful. We hadn't been to this particular spot before. Loved it! Nice soft sand, beautiful waves and color, picnic tables with pergolas. This time we met up with the Clark's, the Clark's, The Evans, and the Roundy's(and yes, I meant to type "the Clark's" twice).

I couldn't help it! I couldn't resist!!! Those are two of the finest looking bunz i've ever seen! Thanks Sandi and Cabe for digging in the sand and the exact WRONG time(right time for me, but now your butts are famous)

 The kids spent the afternoon boogie boarding, jumping waves, digging in the sand, and eating treats. 

 Shanda and Dan Evans

 Gunnar and Brittney Clark - Gunner and Cabe are brothers, both Anesthesiologist too.

 Sandi and Cabe Clark

 Me and Brent

 I was having the time of my life playing with the kids!! haha...okay, in reality I posed for that pic because I am NEVER in the pictures. But I did have the time of my life out in the ocean. Usually I am a beach sitter but this time I was out in the water with the rest of them. Loved it!

 And with that many "boys" there was sure to be a game of football to break out. It was fun to watch them all - all dads and sons. 

 A glimpse of what the girls did a LOT of the day. They all played so well with each other; all the kids, I mean.

Being so far away from family, it has been nice to meet some really nice friends and acquaintances that we can make memories with. This was a great weekend. And one that I would love have a sequel too. AND THE MORE THE MERRIER!!! Come one...COME ALL!!!

PRESCHOOL GRADUATION

And we've reached another milestone. All three kids are officially elementary students. Brian graduated from his preschool on Tuesday. They had a great little program set up for the parents to ooooo and ahhhhh over our kiddos.

Brian attended a preschool sponsored by a Christian church. I felt like he learned some great basic principles from the bible, he learned to write all his letters better, social skills, and some manners. And as hard as it is to accept all my kids growing up and being in school FULL TIME next year, I'm actually quite excited for Brian to dive in. He is so so soooo ready.

My handsome graduate!!

 They had a cute table set up with a cupcake, and cup or goodies for all the graduates...I felt a little bad for all the siblings that came to support because there were no cupcakes for them. But it was a great gesture.

 They really took time to make a cute setup for the graduation. Funny thing though....

 The church that Brian attends preschool at is currently studying Samson. Therefore, their main sanctuary has two floor-to-ceiling posters of one of the main stories about Samson...the fact that he took a jawbone of an "ass" and fought with it. Kind of awkward for 5 year olds but in the preschool director's defense, she did a great job covering up a center stage picture of Samson. Anyway...I thought it was good for a funny memory.

 My boy, all grown up and cute - no, handsome.

 Pretty much his whole class. I think I got them all in this shot.

 During the awards ceremony, Brian was awarded the "Sweetest" award. All the parents sighed. I thought it was cute too. But when he's in high school....that won't be cute. haha And that is his teacher, Ms. Brianna handing him his award.

 Congratulations Brian!!! So proud of how much you are learning and growing.

 Here's the kiddo's shaking it with their favorite song...Boom Chaka Laka. I've got video of it, but so far I'm not smart enough to get the video off my camera(it doesn't download with the pictures...I don't get it).

 Samuel...one of Brian's BFF's.

 Ms. Julie was Brian's teacher at the beginning of the year. She accepted another job midway through the year, that's when Ms. Brianna came.