We've all do it. Standing in lines. Long, short, straight, curved.

I guess I never really though much about standing in lines due to my public school experiences. Had to stand in line to go out to recess, then stand in another line to go back in. Stand in line to sharpen pencils or to go to another class, to go to the bathroom. Then there was the lunch lines... yuck!

Now I'm older and I still stand in lines. Grocery lines, DMV lines, movies, concerts and the all so ever fun, pot-lucks!

I guess one thing I have failed to teach my children... so my hubby thinks, is our kids standing in lines. They stand in lines with me all the time... at the credit union, the store, DMV, potlucks...

We were at a "company picnic" this week and my husband noticed that our seven year old cut in line to get his food. Oh well. Sometimes "life learning" from standing in lines with mom doesn't always work... especially when food is involved!

Things are slowing down for me. Summer is over and the fall weather in the mountains is getting cooler which means I'll be slowing down for the winter.  Well, not quite slowing down, but I won't be traveling and playing in the dirt as much.

I'm thinking about winter. I love winter. I love cool, crisp mornings. I love waking up to seeing fresh powder (snow) on the ground. I enjoy getting into snowball fights with my kids and giving them an occasional "white washing" with the cold flakey bliss. I look forward to making homeade hot chocolate for my hubby and kids when they come in from making snowmen.

I plan on doing more crochet and knitting projects this winter. I've started making little Christmas gifts.

I want to bake more bread this winter. I was watching the news a few nights ago and they mentioned our natural gas prices will go up again. *sigh* Baking helps keep the home warm and smelling nice. It is comfort at its best.

I want to use the fireplace more. We have a bunch of wood that we need to burn. Fire in the fireplace oooh, I could make bread in a dutch oven in the fireplace. Yummo!

I plan on sewing some curtains out of flannel or fleece to help keep it warmer in the home too.

Winter means getting the flannel sheets out. I love having my body nice and warm when I go to bed, but my face cold.

What are your plans for winter?

My grandpa passed away this week. He was fighting lung cancer that was caused from him having to work with asbestos.

I am praising the Lord that I was able to see him back in June/July this year. We had a good time together. The Lord's timing was perfect in me being able to go see him and for that, I am very grateful.

My Grandpa, also a WWII veteran lived a wonderful life. The stories and memories I have of him will continue to live on. Through the years my grandfather would write down his stories of him and my grandma and he'd send them to me. What a neat heritage to be able to sit down and read about his life that he shared with my grandma.

My grandpa spoiled me. I was his Princess. He'd buy me things that I wanted while we walked the flea markets. He took me to museums which were often followed by a game or two of put-put golf. He taught me a lot about gold prospecting, rockhounding and metal detecting. He gave me great advice when I was being taught by my dad how to use a rifle and a pistol. He gave me great gardening tips and even encouraged me a few times to become a bee keeper.

He was a kind, gentle man. He loved life. He loved adventure which in his eyes was a good treasure hunt or a gold prospecting trip.

He didn't want to have a memorial service, instead he wanted all that knew him to celebrate his life in their own way. I think for me I will go gold panning at one of his favorite places.

I will miss you, Grandpa. May my life be as wonderful and fulfilled as your was.

What a busy summer this has been. Since the end of June it has felt like non-stop. We get home, unpack, then a few days later repack for another adventure. It's been wonderful, but I feel tired. Thankfully, I have three weeks of hanging out at home before another fun trip or two.  This weeks focus has been laundry and cleaning the long neglected house.

Next week we'll work on getting back into the home schooling routine.  We've had a fun summer full of outdoor learning but now it's time to get back to the basic "R's".

I am back from vacation/ not so vacation. I was visiting my grandfather who isn't doing very well.

Bullhead City, AZ got up to 118 degrees. Thank God for my dads pool! We also visited my in-laws in Mayer, AZ.

Hoover Dam was 110 degrees when we were there.

Grand Canyon was beautiful and a nice cool 80 degrees! I did some pushups overlooking the Canyon. =)

Weight-loss so far....... 30 pounds and 33.5 inches are gone!!

Journey - process of development. A gradual passing from one state to another... from innocence to mature awareness.

We've all been on journey's and have gone through seasons. Praise God for them so we can grow.

Of course my latest journey has been weight-loss. Who would of known that it is more of a mental journey on the path to huge weight-loss. The past five months have been hard, but I have learned a LOT.

I have learned to think and eat like an athlete. I have learned that I enjoy a good challenge. Pushing myself is quite a rush. I learned how lazy I used to be! Oh my word! Even though I was busy before I still was not at par due to lack of energy.

My family is benefiting from all this too. They enjoy long walks with me. They like to exercise with me. The other day my son asked me to help him gain muscle. His words after feeling my triceps and my tummy, "Mom, I want muscles like you!" Aaaaaah, music to my ears! Granted there is still flab on my arms and on my tummy, but underneath I've got a six pack, baby! Doing almost 1,000 crunches, push-ups, 1/2 get-ups, squats and other exersices per week is paying off.

I feel stong, I feel good, I feel healthy. I still have a ways to go to reach my goal, but this time next year I will be half the woman I am today. =)

I took tears to get to where I am today. Tears of frustration. One night in prayer I asked the Lord to help me and to plant the desire to physically become the woman He wants me to be. That night He planted new desires, new energy and new motivation in me. It is to God that gets the glory everytime I sweat!

Loss so far - 22 lbs. 30 inches.

Life, 'tis a lovely gift.

It's been a rockin' year so far! I'm doing things that I thought I wouldn't do. Learning at home is awesome! It all is just getting better!

I have had to cut some things out of my life lately due to not having the time for them, like reading other people's blogs on a regular basis and even posting on my blog. I have always enjoyed blogging and I don't plan on stopping, I just need to log on and get it done.

I'm looking forward to this summer and fall. This is the time of year that things get real busy for us. Camping, hiking, rockhounding, gold prospecting. Al Fresco, Baby!  I have a lot lined up already. I'm looking forward to it! The only "glitch" would be the gas prices.

Give Glory to Christ in all things!

I am rejoicing today! I have lost 20 pounds as of today. Oh, I'm siked. I'm losing weight the hard way and naturally! Tons of exercise, calories in - calories out. I still have a ways to go, but goodness it feels great to be 20 pounds less! My hubbs told me today that when I reach my goal weight that he'll take me on a nice vacation! 

Sweet!!

I'll post more later. The homeschooling front has been wonderful, busy and blessed.

I learned this week how motivation is contagious!

Back in December I was so un-motivated! It really stank and I was tired of it. I prayed and sought ways to overcome! I did, back in January. Nothin' compares to discipline, hard work, exercise and soap to get you movin'!

The motivation, the drive that I have has carried on to my kids. Oh, what joy!! The past two days my children have gotten most of their learning done, the stuff that doesn't require me to help them that much, like math, handwriting done without me prodding them. In fact, my oldest has been getting up before I do and does his math. Total shocker! I'm proud of him!

I can only hope and pray that this lasts with the kids. I know I want to stay driven!

I've been out of pocket. I think this week I'll be back to normal postings again.

On the learning front: Aside from our "normal" stuff, we have slowly been doing a bird unit together. I think in a week or two a nice trip to the zoo would be nice... or to a local bird sanctuary. We have been a bit lax with learning the past two weeks because of the sickies that have been passed around the family. Families share a lot, I just wish sickness wasn't one of them!

Weight loss front: So far I have lost 18 pounds and 25 3/4 inches.

Today's exercise: BL Powersulpt and Mr. D's challenge.

Mr. D's Challenge this week is 15 min. BRISK cardio, 3 min. rest., 3 circuits of the following- 30 squats, 30 crunches, 30 tricep dips, 30 step-ups, 30 push-ups, 30 flutter kicks. Then 15 more min. cardio (80% effort) and finally 10 min. cool down.