My Last Quarter

Today I reached another milestone -- 175. That means I'm down 45 pounds with 25 more left to go.

I finally gave in and got rid of my fat pants, which I've been holding on to as a crutch. Now I'm sporting these Old Navy wonders that I picked up on the way to Peru. It feels good to be in a regular 14 again. Who would have thunk that would be so exciting?

I'm still running four times a week -- 14 miles total -- and loving it. I only wish I could be running outside where the leaves are changing and the weather is crisp. Japan is still in Typhoon season and that is not the least bit welcoming.

I've started a health group called Mormons on the Move. Basically we meet up once a week and discuss our progress, exchange recipes, offer support and keep each other motivated. Some members send me their weekly weigh-ins and other people just let me know how much they gained or lost so I can send out congrats to the group. It's hard to slack when the other members are counting on you to lead them and set an example. It's been just what I needed to stay on track.

As a group we are going to run a Christmas 5k, which is pretty impressive considering a good majority of the group has never run and we range in age from our 20s to the 50s. Each and every one of them inspire me every single time I see them. Seriously, they just radiate with happiness and success, You can't help but be impressed by them.

25 more pounds.... I can do it!

Owen's Big Day

Jeremy and I had the privilege to attend Owen's baptism on Friday. Mass was held in a small personalized chapel on Camp Zama. Owen was an absolute doll and barely made a peep. It was fun to meet Kristin's mom and brother (the Godparents).

The priest has hilarious. After the baptism, Jeremy and Father Paul had a super-long chitchat about all things Catholic. It was super interesting. Military chaplains have an extra-special spirit. The work they do is amazing. It's always an honor to hear them speak.

This week I attended Protestant bible study on Thursday, Mass on Friday and my regular LDS church on Sunday. Does that make me good for November?

Full Circle

Abby will never need drugs. She's got her own way to get dizzy and let loose. She refuses to spin on the carpet where it's much safer -- she's all about living on the edge. Rebel yell.

Boo Hoo.

It's amazing how fast Abby can go from happy to crying, albeit totally fake crying. Her drama cracks me up. I think it's the 80s mullet that makes it all worth it.

Boo, fakity-fake, hoo!

Run, Beth!

So glad Kristen bought Abby this popper :(

Sunday Notes

Abby loves daddy's ties. This one is no exception. She wore it the whole time daddy napped, which was a long time. Luckily she didn't draw on it with a pen. She's known all over the base for her mad doodling. Instead, she ripped the control key off Jeremy's keyboard. You can't have it all.

Abby started taking the sacrament while I was in Peru. It's always a joy to see her participating in the gospel, especially in something so important. However, she took the meeting down a notch when she belched after the water and bread. Ah, delicious. Next week's lesson: reverence.

Pumpkin Gospel

Here is a good FHE idea. A lady at my scripture study class gave us the idea and I found instructions online. I'm teaching the youth this month, so maybe we'll do it in class as well.

Theme: We become a new creation when Jesus comes into our hearts.

Supplies: Pumpkin, large bowl, newspapers, sharp knife, spoon, candle, matches, Bible

Activity: Cut an opening in the top of the pumpkin and have your kids pull out the seeds and scrape the inside of the pumpkin while you read Matthew 23:25-28 and Revelation 3:20

Ask: How is the stuff we pulled out of the pumpkin like sin in our hearts? (They’re both yucky, sticky…)

How is the way we cleaned out our pumpkin like the way Jesus cleans us out when we confess our sins?(Jesus scoops the yucky stuff out, etc)

Draw a happy face on your pumpkin, then carve it out. When your pumpkin has a happy face read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:10

Ask: How have we made this pumpkin a “new creation”? How do we become new creations when Jesus comes into our hearts?

Share: When Jesus comes into our hearts, we become new creations, just as our pumpkin has become a new creation. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Read aloud: Matthew 5:14-16. Then light a candle and place it inside the pumpkin. Turn off the room lights and have everyone stand or sit so they can see the light coming through the pumpkin’s face.
Discuss how God wants our light to shine before others. Read 2 Cor. 4:6

Ask: How is the way the candle light comes through the pumpkin like the way God wants our light to shine?

This can be a wonderful way to glorify God on this day and olders kids can help read scripture while the younger ones will have fun learning the Gospel in a way that will stick with them forever.

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The VanRobertsons

I'm officially a soccer mom! You can call us the VanRobertsons.

Check out our brand-spanking-new van that is currently being shipped to Berlin as we speak. Dual remote sliding doors, heated seats and an upgraded engine -- we'll be riding in style. This sweet ride is red, but ours is black. I had to draw the line at a GPS system (we can get an after-market one much cheaper) and a video monitor system (Abby will just have to look out the window to entertain herself). The economy's tanking, so we got almost 25% off this beauty.

Try not to be too jealous of our coolness. If come to Berlin I'll drive you around in my cougar-mom-mobile :P

Animal Farm

I love when I catch Abby playing quietly by herself. In this video I caught her doodling and humming. So cute!

Head and Shoulders

Abby started out as a sourpuss today, but was kind enough to show off her mad skills. She learned this number in nursery. I couldn't be prouder, unless she was able to find her knees, mouth and nose.

Trek On

So who wants to hike one of these across-Europe trails with me?

Seriously, anybody in for a portion of one of them?

Bubbles Times Three

This video is pretty long, so only watch it if you're bored. I mostly posted it for the grandmas. They're all about long Abby videos.

Abby chasing bubbles around the yard...

This video is Abby trying to blow bubbles...

I love this video of Abby....

My Buddy Daniel

A few weeks ago I started an intensive scripture study of Daniel with an on-base organization called The Protestant Women of the Chapel. It is lead and staffed by the local Protestant members, but based on a 12-week program by Beth Moore, an evangelist with Living Proof Ministries. Basically we show up to watch a one-hour video and then have an hour discussion about what we saw and the homework we completed the previous week.

Yes, I'm still Mormon (and I plan to stay that way!); however there are plenty of true and wonderful truths to be learned from the righteous and faithful Christians around us, regardless of what church we attend on Sunday. The study so far has been no less than exceptional.

Plus they have a wonderful free daycare for the children while we study. Hallelujah.

I have grown to LOVE Daniel. I admire his bravery and integrity. What an amazing man. I am so happy to be getting this chance to get him know him better. I wish I had of introduced myself sooner.

Chocolate Baths

Two words: pudding and bathtub. Do rainy days get any better than this? The video at the end is especially fun.

Typhoon Melor

We had another typhoon the other day. It was like all the others -- nothing serious, just a lot of rain and some of our crap blown over. The trees on base took the brunt of the storm. We took the camera out to get some snapshots.

They posted this dramatic nonsense on my door the day of.

Here is Abby playing on some broken branches.
The bark on the inside of this trunk was so soft that we could peel it away with our hands. No wonder it broke.

They had already started cleaning these trees up before we got there.

I guess Abby can't wreck it any further. Might as well let her have fun.

She looks like a mountain climber in this photo. It made my heart swell a little.

Just hanging out in the midst of all the action.

I know you're wondering... Charlotte's is fine. Her web got pretty mangled, but she'll have it up and running soon. What a trooper.

Typhoon Tantrum

I caught Abby throwing a little tantrum on the way back from viewing the typhoon damage. Hilarious.

Kazoos

Abby loves to play her kazoo but she has some trouble making the sound. She thinks the problem is with the kazoo itself and not her lack of blowing. Gracie is thrilled she's learning to play, especially when she plays it right in her ear.

Thanks, Love

Here is the load of awesomeness Jeremy brought me back from Germany. The chocolates he bought in the birthplace of Mozart in Austria. The Kindle and $50 gift certificate were a total shock. I've been wanting one for about a year and was thrilled. It saved me wasting 10 pounds worth of books in my luggage. He also bought me a new camera that takes photo and video so that I can jazz up my blogs.

I brought Jeremy back a bookmark and two oven mitts from Peru.

I guess we're even.

Master Prayer

Ever since Abby learned to pray, she is all over it. She prays for anything and everything. Here she is praying before she mows down on some gushers. Her favorite part is the AMEN, which she shouts at the end. Don't ever say that kids can't learn things in primary. Thank heavens for Sister Doxey!

I love that Ainsley is looking at her like, "Seriously, this prayer thing is going overboard." She is just adorable.

Shopping and Airplanes

Abby loves to shop. She has learned to turn shopping into a rather noisy adventure. Whenever she gets out her cart I get out the Advil. At least Beth can hear her coming in time to run for her life.

She is also obsessed with airplanes. Usually she screams 'Josh' and 'airplane' and runs for the nearest window or door. The plane or helicopter is usually gone before she gets to see them. Good thing we live on a military base, because it's only about a minute wait until they rattle our windows again.

DADA!

This is what happens when Abby does not get enough sleep.

Over the Hill

These pictures are a few weeks old, but I thought they were fun so I posted them nonetheless. They were taken on Kirsten's 30th birthday. She was thrilled to be 'over the hill.'

Abby was all over the steak.

Then she was all over mom.

Grease stains. Oh joy!

Delicious!

I gave Kristen two dollars. She loved it. Don't spend it all in one place :)

Josh wrapped her presents like a pro.

Abby loves when Josh puts her in the drop zone.

She is not thrilled at all they are having a child. She wants them all to herself.

She's telling Owen to stay in there.

Abby loves to look at Kristen's belly and then check her own.

I love this photo because you can tell Abby is saying, 'WOW.'

Happy Birthday, Kristen!

My Busy Bee

Look who got her super sweet Halloween costume!

The wings make her batty. She runs around in circles and tries her hardest to shake them off. We're still working on our buzzing. I still have to rig her up some headgear before the big day.

My little busy bee. Too cute.

Seven Seconds

Abby loves bull riding just like Grandma Lewis. Here she shows how it's done.

First you sit on the back of your 'bull' and hold on to its 'horns.'

Then you say a quick prayer and give your bull a good luck hug.

Let the judges know you're ready with a whoop in the air.

Eventually your 'bull' will buck you off. Take it like a man; no tears.

Make sure your bull has all its teeth for the next ride.

Then take a nap.

Good girl, Gracie. We know you put up with a lot and we love you for it.