My Fairy To Do List

You know that beautiful to do list you make for the week while you're sitting at church, and of course listening to the inspiring lesson at the same time? Oh good, you do that too? Glad I am not alone!

Each week, my list looks quite similiar. I write out all of my kid things, house things, church things, work things, and then get to the part of the list that I love the most...My Projects. This is my Fairy Godmother portion of the list. Everything else is a little Cinderella-esque. Wash the dishes, sweep the floor, scrub down the inside of the van...but then, if I'm a good girl, and work hard to finish all of my other chores, then I can spend time on My Projects. As life goes, my weeks usually end up pretty full of real life...you know...homework, and chores, and sick kids, and sick me, and cooking, and chores, and errands and working out, and chores, and running kids to swim, soccer, tennis, kids' zumba, piano, spanish club, birthday parties, doctor's appointments, and preschool, and chores, and spending fabulous time talking with my great friend who is about to move, and certifying to be a Zumba Instructor (woohoo!), and chores, to the point that it would take a wave of a Fairy Godmother's wand to grant me the time to reach that magical part of my list that seems to reappear untouched every week.
That, as you may have guessed, is the part of my list where I jot down my goal to write and create fabulous posts for this little blog of mine at least three times a week. It is in that portion of the list that I remind myself with exclamation points to take beautiful pictures of the healthy recipes I promised my readers at least a month ago, and challenge myself to figure out how to unlock the recording of an awesome interview I did with a very inspirational woman so I can finally share it with you all. It is also the place I vow to offer my personalized graphic design services to you.
Perhaps, if I could sleep a little less...I could fit it all in. So that's my goal this week. Sleep less. Do more. We'll see how that works out.
Until then, I have a little sample of one of the things I can do for you.
Last month, my friend emailed me this list of words:
Go Lancers
Liberty Basketball
Team
Integrity
Selflessness
Industriousness
Pride
Passion
Work Hard
You must work like a champion to play here
She wanted something special to display at a basketball ceremony, and to give to her son's teammates. I took her list of the basketball team's core values, along with the instructions that the team colors are blue & red, and that no swirly girl fonts were allowed, and created this:

And wouldn't you know it? They loved it.

Would you like your very own personalized subway-style art? Would you like me to do it for you? Oh, you're a doll. Thanks! Email your words to me at: cumorah@jencotech.com. For $20 I'll send you a completed PDF & JPG file of your artwork. If you want me to print it for you...we'll have to chat.

I wish you all a selfless, passionate, industrious and Fairy Godmother blessed type of week!xoxo,Cumorah

Better Together

You know those scriptures that talk about how when you are ready to enter the fold of God, you desire to "bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort"?
Sometimes, I think we focus on doing all of that bearing, mourning and comforting to those outside of our home. Outside of our immediate family. Outside of our marriage.
Can I tell you how blessed I feel, that today, a day definitely outside of my "be strong, be happy, and love the life you live" norm, that my sweet husband was there to bear my burdens, to mourn with me, and to comfort me? He was a strength just when I needed him to be, and a sweet shoulder to let my tears fall on.
I am not really a panic type of crier. I tear up at babies being born, and sisters being married, and wipe my wet eyes when a friend shares her burdens, or my little girl talks about her love of the Savior, but I generally hold it together when my life's road gets bumpy. But, suffice it to say, today was a little out of the norm, and my man was there for me.
I was reminded in that moment, standing in our kitchen, with my head on his shoulder, and his arms wrapped around me, of the incredible blessings of marriage. We are two, different people, who have, as it turns out, very different strengths. Sometimes our differences might be mistaken as a weakness, but I will say, that I believe our forces combined make us great. We are better people because we have eachother. And I love that.
And I love him.
The end.

Valentine's Day, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

The following is my sweet husband’s definition of yesterday’s holiday, in his own, exact words: Last week he suggested that we celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday instead of Tuesday, the real day.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because everything will be half off the day after Valentine’s Day”
You can tell that he is truly a romantic, can’t you?

While I know that he is not, and never will be a gushingly romantic guy, and while I have come to the understanding that he will never, on this day in mid-February, sweep me off my feet and plan a date and arrange a babysitter and gaze into my brown eyes over a candle-lit dinner while we talk about all of the amazing, fabulous things that make me, me…I think a little part of me will never give up hope that it could possibly, maybe, just maybe, one of these years, happen.

I knew this would not be that magical year. He had a city league basketball game, and an indoor soccer league game scheduled for Valentine’s night. Really? Who schedules city league sports games on Valentine ’s Day. Oh, that’s right, a guy! I had come to grips with this. I suggested that we at least go out to lunch for V-day, which he agreed to. Though, while I was pinning down my boys at the doctor’s office for their shots that morning, he called to see if it would be ok if he invited another couple to join us on our lunch date. Apparently his friend had just invited him out to lunch. He didn’t want to have tell his friend no, so the obvious solution in his cute little mind was to just invite his friend and his wife to tag along with us.

While I really like these friends, I was a little bewildered that my sweet husband would want to include them on our Valentine’s date. So I gave that idea the old heave ho.

While we were at lunch {with our adorable third wheel} An obnoxiously rude woman sitting two tables away was profaning left and right about the horrible service. She did not look like the type of person who was accustomed to lavish service, yet she hollered and stomped her feet and threw around the F word like it was going out of style until she finished her meal, licked her plate clean, and then demanded her money back because it was so bleepin’ terrible.
It kind of ruined any atmosphere this place had going for it. Not Sweet Husband’s fault, just not exactly a great time.

After a heart pizza dinner, the kids and I cheered Daddy on in a victorious soccer game {it really is a treat to watch such a fantastic player play, and be able to claim him as our own!}, but while he was off winning the league basketball championship, and I was putting the kids to bed, and then doing dishes, and then folding laundry while I watched a couple mushy, V-Day themed TV shows all ALONE, I let those lonely, wistful, girly feelings creep in that make me wish that my man cared about stuff like dumb, romantic, made up holidays.

But alas, I will have to resign myself to be happy with a guy who cares about things like providing for his family, and taking care of my car, and doing ALL of the yard work, and shoveling our enormous driveway so I can safely leave the house amidst a snowstorm, and making time to attend all of our children’s parent teacher conferences with me, and massaging my quads after a particularly hard work out, and doing his home teaching, and showing his kids tricks on the trampoline, and dancing with me at church dances because he knows I love it, and telling his babies incredible bedtime stories, and making sure those babies have all thoroughly brushed their teeth before they get to hear those incredible bedtime stories, and offering to play Boggle with me when I’ve had an exceptionally bad day, and singing sweet country songs to me even though he’s not exactly a singer, and you know, all the really amazing, charming, thoughtful things he does every. single. day. I sure do love that man - even if he does loathe one of my very favorite holidays. And, really, he's kind of adorable, isn't he?

I do hope you had a good Valentine's Day, but I hope you have a better, every other day of the year with your significant other. Here's to real, day in, day out, snow shoveling love!

Just a taste of my Testimony

I go to church. Every Sunday. For 3 hours. {Well, honestly, I'm usually a snitch late, so we'll make that 2.75 hours}

I do this among other reasons because 1. I am a believer 2. being a part of a community to which I feel responsible helps me be a more loving, more selfless person and 3. I want my children to learn the same values and principles that I did as a child & youth, and the good people at church help me in that quest.

I am not here to debate theology. I believe God truly loves ALL people, not a select few that belong to a certain sect, and that he gives knowledge to ALL people. I will say that I am happy with the life I have chosen. I am happy with the life I am trying to give to my babies. I am happy that I have felt God's love and light in my life.

In my church {yes, I'm a Mormon} we have this little thing called Testimony Meeting. On the first Sunday of each month, during our regular church services, the entire Sacrament Meeting{after the passing & partaking of the sacrament} is open to anyone who might feel prompted to share their testimony with the other members of the congregation. People leave their comfortable seats in the pews {or if you're like me you're usually in the hard metal overflow chairs in the back} make their way to the front of the chapel, step up to the microphone, and share their personal, faith promoting experiences and beliefs.

Would you like a teensy glimpse into how this works? Oh, good. I thought you did. :) Yesterday was one such Sunday. And yesterday, my heart was full. And yesterday, I found myself in front of the microphone wondering if what I had to say was at all important. But there I was, and there was no turning back. The following is what I said. {Mind you, I did not write this down beforehand, so this transcript is from memory of what stumbled out of my mouth...but I think it's pretty close.}

My name is Cumorah McOmber, and the testimony I would like to share today is a simple one. It is that Christ lives and loves us. When I say “us”, I don’t mean merely us - the Cordera Ward. I don’t mean just us – The Mormons. I mean all of us. Humankind. He loves all of us. Everyone. He and His Father have given us the tools to be happy and find joy in this life. They give us opportunities to see their hand in life all around us. I have witnessed these things in several ways this month.

I have felt the power of the Priesthood as my husband and father gave my daughter who was suffering, and in pain, a blessing of comfort and healing before she went in for surgery.
I have seen Their tender mercies as I was given the opportunity to snuggle up with my Granny on her bed and sit and chat and hug and kiss her just two weeks before her unexpected death.
I have felt comfort and peace as we gathered together to celebrate her amazing, uplifting and inspiring life, and felt joy in the knowledge and testimony I have of eternal families and the Plan of Salvation, knowing that she has joined the other half of her dynamic duo, my Grandpa who is equally amazing. I felt for those in attendance who do not share that same testimony, who were pained and sorrowed at her passing. That is a sorrowful thing, to not believe in the eternities, and that life and love continue on. That is a sorrowful thing.

I have seen Their great compassion and love for all of us, as I have spoken with my sister about her trials with depression, and how she was given hope and encouragement in the knowledge that even a prophet of God, George Albert Smith, who’s teachings we are studying in Relief Society and Elders’ Quorum this year, suffered through the same thing. I have witnessed that the Lord loves us and looks after us all, even through our struggles.

And just this morning, when I learned that my father was to be called as Bishop of his ward today, the Spirit spoke to me, acknowledging that “Yes! Of course! This is where he is meant to be, and what he is supposed to be doing.” The Spirit spoke to me. What a precious gift.
You know, sometimes, as a mom, as a parent, I get nervous that I am doing it wrong. I look to my dad, a man who never raised his voice to me, who was gentle, and kind, but whose quiet words “I am disappointed” were crushing beyond belief, and I believe that is what the Savior and His Father must be like. They are gentle, and kind, and oh, I do not want to disappoint them. Luckily, they have given us the tools we need to live our lives well here, and they surround us with their love. We are given the opportunity to share that love and be a blessing on their behalf with everyone around us. I have had those opportunities, and I have been a recipient of those blessings, which strengthen my testimony that Christ truly lives. That I have a Heavenly Father. And that they love me, just as they do all of “us”.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Slim Down Series - #2

So a couple weeks ago, I was in the ladies room at the gym and encountered an advertisment that looked very similiar to this: If they were trying to get me to go home right after my workout and eat an entire stack of cookies by myself, their advertisement was extremely effective. If, on the other hand, they were attempting to lure me to their cafe to buy their shake mix. They failed. Bigtime. There should be a rule about posting pictures of delicous looking cookies at the gym. Their ad should have looked a little more like this:
Now that might have given me the urge to sample their fruit protein shake...which I know they carry...instead of giving me a hankering for dessert. Pictures of greasy, flat cookies at the gym? Sure. Plump, scrumptious, cookies? Heavens no. I get enough temptation in the comforts of my own home, I certainly don't need it at the gym too!
As a mama, I think one of the trickiest parts of trying to eat healthy {I won't say 'diet' because that sounds too much like something you do for a few days and then quit} is preparing yummy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for my kids - that they will actually eat - and having to prepare completely different, healthier things for me. Little Cal's PB&J on white bread with the crust cut off, sounds like heaven when I'm eating dry tuna and pickles for lunch.
I have found though, that if I have my healthy food prepared ahead of time, or even if I have a 'go to' healthy food list written down, it is much easier to thwart the temptation to sneak PB&J's or french toast smothered in butter & syrup & powdered sugar off my chitlins' plates.

One thing I should say before I give you my little list, is this: my healthy eating plan is not scientific. It is based on what works for me that I have found through trial and error, and from reading lots and lots of diet plans. The rule of thumb that works for me is to: Eat one portion {about the size of your fist} of protein, one portion of smart carb {like a fruit, or whole wheat, or red potatoes - no white carbs}, and as many vegetables as you want for every meal, and drink lots & lots of water.
Here is my go to list of super simple, real things to throw together or stock your fridge with. No frills. No Salmon with chutney. Just real, every day, healthy eats:
BREAKFAST:

Green Smoothie Protein Shake ~ Look for this recipe in a future post

Cottage Cheese

Scrambled egg & egg whites with turkey, green onions and red peppers

Plain oatmeal with a snitch of vanilla & cinnamon
Whole wheat Sandwich Thin {half} with almond butter

And last, but certainly not least, Homemade 'Lara' Balls

LUNCH:
Open faced turkey sandwich

I take a whole wheat round sandwich thin, add mustard, then stack with mesquite smoked turkey, tomatoes, and green onions and microwave for 15 seconds (just so it gets a little juicy) and add sprouts to the top. Delish.
Plain tuna with chopped pickles {I can only hack this probably once a week}
Crockpot shredded chicken salad ~ Look for this recipe in a future post
Black Bean & Corn Salsa ~ Look for this recipe in a future post
DINNER:
No noodle Turkey Lasagna ~ Look for this recipe in a future post
Grilled Chicken with Fruit Salsa ~ Look for this recipe in a future post
White Bean Chicken Soup ~ Look for this recipe in a future post
Shredded Chicken & Black Bean tacos on whole wheat tortilla
SNACKS:
Lara Bars/Homemade 'Lara' Balls
Almonds
Turkey Jerky
Chewable Vitamin C {sweet enough to pass for dessert in a bind!}
Fruit
Whole Peas
Carrots
and Extra Mint Chocolate Chip Gum

Heaven bless the people at Wrigley's for conjuring up this 5 calorie dessert. Love it. Here's to a healthier 2012 version of you! Look for more simple, everyday, healthy recipes in upcoming posts, and remember, YOU CAN DO ANTYHING!

Slim Down Series - #1

Did you happen, like over 40% of US adults, to make a goal to lose weight this year? I have made that goal several times before. Of course I have ~ I am a woman. I have had four babies. I have stretch marks and a closet-full of clothes that range in size from 2-16. Anyone with me here?
While I don't ever plan on being a 2 again {there is something to be said for the phrase 'birthing hips'} I am also ready, after two years of chasing my goal, to toss the bigger jeans for good.
That's right, I said TWO years. Sometimes a one year resolution to lose weight & get healthy just isn't long enough. It sure is easy to get sucked in by the before & after pictures on a weight loss protein bar or shake mix box and hope that the contents will immediately do the same thing for you. But in reality, it takes consistency and time.

After my last baby, I was seriously stuck in the weight department. I always gain lots, and I mean like 70 pound lots, with each pregnancy, but was able to work out and eat smart to lose most of it after the first three babies. But that fourth one. Whew! I tell ya. It was a different story. My usual after baby weight-loss routine did next to nothing for that post-fourth-baby-body.

He was born in the summer of 2009. As you can see below, I hadn't lost much at two months out (check out those thighs - yipes!) But I was determined to change. I hired an amazing personal trainer, and with her guidance lost about 35 pounds in 2010. And then, I was stuck again. I was working out and eating relatively well, but couldn't get those pounds to move. I switched gyms, discovered Zumba, designed a weekly workout routine filled with interval, weight and cardio training for myself, and found healthy recipes that I actually enjoy eating. By being consistent with those things, I lost my last 20 pounds in 2011, and am currently at a happy & healthy weight/size! {disregard the seriously cheesball, trying to be a model, sassy face in my 2011 pic - I was posing for my photographer friend's portfolio and got a little carried away!} My fitness goals for 2012 are aimed at firming, toning, and ditching the skirted swimsuit!

The moral of my slimming down story, is that it takes time. It seriously took me a whole two years to achieve my initial goal I made in 2009. But I did it, and would love to share a few little things that were helpful for me...just in case there are any of you that are working on that too!
Today, I'll give you my first tip: Schedule Your Workouts and Keep a Log
Hopefully you can click on this picture and print it out larger at home, or else you will have to write really, really small!
On Monday mornings (Sunday is my rest day so I never plan workouts or an eating plan for that day) I get up early and plan out my workouts for the week. I schedule around our family calendar for the week so I don't run in to giving up the class I was banking on for a doctor's appointment instead. Of course, those things are bound to happen no matter how much you plan...which is why there's also a Workout Record section as well. This is where you have to be honest with yourself and report what exercise you actually accomplished for the day. I like to write down the "when" so I can get a better feel for what time to plan my workouts in the future based on what worked the weeks before. My trainer taught me that in order to lose the amount of fat I wanted, I had to do at least 5 hours of cardio a week, with weight & strength training on top of it, so I planned accordingly.

The Eating Plan is a little trickier for me. I love food. Especially cookies, and bread, and cinnamon rolls, and pasta. You know, all the super healthy things. So, it was a long road to incorporate healthier choices and cut back (I won't say eliminate because that would be fibbing) on all those delicious carbs. I found if I made a meal plan for the week, especially for lunch and dinner - that I would be much more prepared to make and eat healthier meals. I'll be sharing some of my go to recipes in the next post! And, when I kept myself accountable and recorded what I really ate as opposed to what I was planning on eating, I made significantly better choices.

I'll be back soon with my tips on preparing snacks and meals ahead of time so you are ready to eat healthy whenever hunger strikes you!
Remember what Granny says..."You can do anything!"

You Can do ANYTHING

When you attend the funeral of someone you adore and admire, who has lived a long, full, beautiful life... there are a few tender things that happen.

1. You cry as you explain heaven to your 4 old boy.

2. You swap stories of your cherished childhood memories of Granny with your cousins for hours.

3. You tap your toes, and wipe your eyes as your aunt, cousin and uncle perform a beautiful rendition of I'll Fly Away...one I'm sure Granny loved as much as we did.

4. You are inspired to live a fuller, more adventurous life after listening to your dad's perfect talk recounting Gran's life that was packed with travel, music, dancing, waterskiing, teaching, painting, crafting, life-long learning, sparkly jewelry, service and loving mothering.

{Basket for Grace ~ one of my favorite paintings by Granny}

5. You wonder how she was able to do all of these amazing things while being a fifth grade teacher and a mom to four children.

6. You make 3 promises to yourself: a.To learn how to play the guitar this year, b. To live your life outdoors more often, and c. To never, ever stop being excited by your blessed life, and the beautiful world around you.

7. You design a sign of Granny's inspiring wisdom to hang in your home...and it looks a little something like this:

8. You hug your babies, you kiss your brother, you hold your sisters' hands, you cry on your dad's shoulder, and you vow to make your life a little better, a little grander, a little sweeter, a little more like hers.

The end.

If you'd like to read more about my sweet Granny's life, jump here to read the accounts my brilliant sister wrote.