Dieting and this First Signs of Spring

It might not be such a good idea for me to write a post so late (HA HA it's 9:55 and that's late to me) but here goes.

New to me this week is a diet.  I found a new web resource on shape.com.  BTW I love the Shape Magazine.  I don't get any magazine subscriptions besides the Ensign but if I did Shape would be the first one.  I may sound all Liz Lemon-ish (30 Rock) but I love how the magazine promotes healthy body image and also just seems pretty down to Earth.  Well, shape.com has a virtual trainer that is almost exactly like the Weight Watcher's online tool at the old one that I used and the best part is that it is free.  I really wanted to see if I could become healthier without spending a lot of money on a program that I may not follow.  So, I started on Wednesday and I can say that while I hate having to restrict calories cause I love to eat, that this is the most straight forward diet I have ever been on.  I can't fail at this one unless I choose to.  (Which is why I like Weight Watchers too but I really don't want to pay for them.)  So if you check it out and sign up become my friend.  I am heavenleigh07.  Help me to lose the weight finally!

Also, lately the weather has been like this

and this

and we have been enjoying it.  I love Spring and I love warm weather.  Sometimes in the middle of the snowy Wasatch winter I wonder how I ever ended up here, but Spring makes me start loving where I'm planted.  And oh boy are we taking advantage of it.  We have been walking away, if it was a little warmer we would be biking but hey beggars can't be choosers.  We walked the Highland, Utah canyon mouth trail today and really enjoyed the sunshine and warm breeze.  Thank you Heavenly Father for giving us this small show of the glory of Spring!

BTW Ry and I are 2 for 2 on going to the temple each month so far this year.  I love the temple and I love the Spirit that I feel there.  I am so grateful that I am able to attend a place that the Spirit of the Lord rests so heavily.  It truly helped me to put somethings in perspective and also helped others to put me in my place for Heavenly Father (which was heartily unpleasant but needed).  I need to look at what I have and not let my recent setbacks define me or my abilities (wow how vague).

I hope that each of us face each day as the brand new gift and opportunity that it is.  I know that I will truly try. 

Looking forward to

I have been in an enormous funk lately. In short, my 2011 has been disappointing so far and our family has gone through some challenges that has really made us reevaluate a few things. I have been trying to deduce a way for me to buck up and stop the gray moods around our home. After hours of contemplation I realized that we need to to focus on being grateful on what we do have ( a recurring theme for this blog) and that while winter always brings our mood down that we should look forward to the things that will bring happiness.
Here are a two things I am ridiculously looking forward to: our friend's Valentines celebration

Found at http://maltaddict.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/what-are-you-doing-for-valentines-day/ using Google pics

and our annual family/ anniversary vacation to St. George!

Pic of Rory and Ry last year on a hike up Snow Canyon.

A bunch of my friends and I have planned a scavenger type hunt for for our menfolk. I love the idea but I think the girls are going to have much more fun than the boys. We have t shirts and clues and candy. The best part of event will be spending some time with some primo women. These woman are amazing in their own way and it will be fabulous way for us to celebrate Valentines day and the men are going to be fed a wonderful dinner afterward and there may be sometime for some cuddling and movie watching at the end. Thanks to Abby for spearheading this project and giving us direction to our celebration.

St. George is in less than 25 days! I adore St. George. It is my favorite place in Utah no competition. It's my oasis of Spring in the desert of Utah winter. I love St. George. It holds so many beautiful memories and I love that we get to go back every year.

I hope that each of you have some fun plans in the near future as well. Alas, I must get to work! Until next time!