Awww, to be dancing again...

I was able to substitute dance tonight. It's the first time I've danced since the summer. It felt soooooooooooooo good. I taught the advanced Ballet. It was great. I had a full hour and a half to get in all I wanted. I was even a bit short on time-poor girls, I worked their little tails off.

I am not your traditional ballet teacher-I love doing ballet to more modern/classical music. Like instead of Beethoven, we danced to the soundtrack for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. It was great (a lot of Spanish sounding tempos). In terms of non-traditional ballet teaching, I certainly added my own "Cindy-isms" into our combinations. My true passion in dancing is Lyrical-so of course, I added a few moves in there (just to spice things up).

Awwww, even though I was just a sub tonight...it was fantastic. It was exactly what I needed. An hour and a half of me and the dance floor (plus a few aspiring dancers as well).

P.S. I AM SOOOOOOO SORE! Awwww, to be getting old.....

October is almost over...

How did this happen?!? I can't believe that this month flown by. We haven't done anything that would make the month go faster-maybe it's all that Halloween talk from the girls. Every day they are wanting to be something else for Fright Night! I found Ashlynn a Hawaiian girl outfit (complete with grass skirt, flower necklace, shell necklace, and fake bikini top) but she wants to be the CORPSE BRIDE again. For Ellyce, I found her an adorable little 1930's flapper costume with the fringe and sequins to boot...but no. She wants to be a Southern Belle like she was last year-but she wants me to make her a hat (since her costume didn't come with one like it showed on the picture). I found Jillian a Pocahontas costume but she has no clue as to who she is-so that of course is out of the question. She wants to wear the costume I found for Natalee which is a little ballerina outfit (had to have been the real thing for a dance recital-it is legit). Amazingly enough, it fits Jillian even though it is ridiculously small. Oh well. I guess ballerina it is. And as for Natalee, she'd be happy in whatever. Today for instance, she picked out a princess dress that we had in our dress up box. I think that will work out just fine. I have to stitch it up a bit from all the wear and tear on it, but she LOVES it.

I started school last Thursday. I am getting my Master's in Secondary Education so I can teach middle school or high school. I am hoping to teach English, but at this point, I JUST WANT TO TEACH. I am super excited. I figure I will be able to teach during the day then coach the dance team or something like that afterwards. It would allow me to do the two things I love-teach and dance. Oh the possibilities.

Well, the world keeps on spinning no matte how much we wish it'd slow down. So here is a premature goodbye to October. Adios.

On my way...

Last night I ran about a mile-it felt longer, but at least it wasn't PAINFUL. I felt pretty good running it. Now I know I can do more. One thing though, I cannot believe that there aren't very many street lights on our block (2...ONLY) which freaks me out at night especially when I have my headphones in. Never know the crazies that live on your street (well only some of them).

I think tonight I will ride my bike-I've decided Monday-Wednesday-Friday will be my running days. Riding my bike on my off days will be pretty fun-I love my bike (it looks so cute with the baby seat on the back-very pimpin'). My legs will be looking great in no time...gotta do those squats too though.

Next order of business is my arms-I need to get some 3 lb, 5 lb, and 10 lb weights. I know what to do-I just need to buy them first. Soup cans don't work-seriously, they don't. Push ups can be done easily-easier said than done, but no weights required. Tricept dips too-got a good ledge on my bed for those. It's on my list-I'm on my way folks. Here I come.

A little perspective...

So...there's nothing like a 5k to make you realize how OUT OF SHAPE you really are. I am feeling pain in places that I didn't know pain could exist. Worse than hurting physically, man...my pride took a hit. Deep down I thought, "Ahhh, it's just a 5k. I can do this, no problem." Having one of those mind over matter moments was like a nightmare. I couldn't believe how hard a 5k was.

To start off, I haven't "exercised" since about June. Yes, sad as I am to have to admit that, I have not. I have certainly thought about it, but haven't taken any measures to get my butt moving. To add to that, I have been eating badly. Like chips and dip (most everyday) bad. Like 2-4 Dr. Pepper's a day bad. Like candies and cookies past 8:00pm bad. You get it-BAD.

So as I was internally complaining about how much pain I feel after that run yesterday, I had to say (TO MYSELF): "It's your own fault"! And as much as I don't want to admit that I cannot rely on "good metabolism" genetics anymore, I am going to make a change.

Here is my plan:

1. Eat Better-I have decided that eating better will be number one here. I am going off any soda (ANY) and drinking either water or milk. I am going to learn to LOVE vegetables. I am going to eat more fruit. I am going learn how to snack better. I am going to eat BETTER. Period.

2. Exercise Regularly (meaning at least 5-6x a week)-I have decided to come up with a great work out plan. I want to learn to ENJOY running-you know those people that actually like it, well, I want to be one of those people. I want to run 3 days a week. I've decided to just go for a run after my girls are in bed. I want to do some at-home weight training to tone my arms. I will come up with a good "boot camp style" program that I can do in the mornings (like lunges, pushups, situps, pilates, stretching...). I am going to exercise regularly. Period.

3. Enter another 5k and beat my previous time of 36 minutes (because that is just sad)-There is another 5k coming up on November 6th, and I am going to beat my time. My goal is run the 5k in 25 minutes. I CAN DO IT. Then once I've done that...I'll just keep going faster. (Run, Forest, RUUUNN!) Maybe I will win once (another bucket list goal of mine).

4. ONWARD AND UPWARD-5k isn't that much...how about a 10k, half marathon, full marathon...I will continue to train and get TONED up-look amazing for a mother with four girls. I want to keep doing more. I will eventually get back to teaching dance (hopefully SOONER than later).

So...like I said, there ain't nothing like a 5k to give you a little perspective on how OUT OF SHAPE you really are.

Its almost here...

Happy Fall everyone. I can just feel it in the air today. Possibly because its not 110 degrees out. Beloved fall.

The end is near...

I was truly expecting this to happen eventually. I mean how could it not!?!  But today I humored myself and just did the whole "double check" and sure enough...my first gray hair. Look close. It is definitely gray, no...its white. Good bye beautiful brown hello gorgeous gray (or wonderful white).

New Year's Resolutions Recap

At the beginning of the year, I posted a long (and I mean LONG) list of resolutions I wanted to accomplish this year. It is definitely more than halfway through 2011 and I'm not so sure I've been resolving much-at least some are certainly better than others on my list. Nothing that a little recap won't cure to get me back on track.

1. Learn something new: Ok so...I have started teaching myself how to play the guitar. BUT...I haven't picked it up in months. So to be fair, I have learned something new; I just haven't quite perfected it yet. That is completely fine-I at least know where it's at and that I can start over with the painful fingertips once more (I am prepared for the pain this time around). Besides, if I want to eventually teach my own daughters how to play the guitar, I think that I need to know how FIRST. Dedication and consistency, Cindy. Come on, you can do it.

2. Book of Mormon Challenge: We are doing pretty well as a family reading the Book of Mormon. However, we did NOT make our goal for finishing it by June. Ashlynn was baptized in June and I believe she knows her scriptures to be true, so if we keep at it she will be able to develop a deeper testimony of its principles. We are in Alma (which is great). The girls take turns reading a verse, so we do have to take it just a chapter a night. We have been pretty bad lately. We get busy at night and just hurry through the bedtime routine and forget to read most nights...but we will get back on track starting TONIGHT.

3. Charts: We have established chore charts for the girls and for myself (yes, even I need to remember what has to be done, plus it's easier to just have it written down so I don't forget the little stuff like dusting the fans). They each have to make their beds in the morning, put their toys and books away they had out that night, dirty clothes go in the laundry room, and they have to clean up the yard which they certainly don't mind because it's outside. Ashlynn, Ellyce, and Jillian are now in school so as for the homework well they do a great deal. I may seem like a mean mom for making them do extra work on Saturday morning, but they will thank me later (I hope). Even the potty charts have been going well-Jillian is getting better; she still has accidents but they are getting fewer and farther in between. Natalee (now 2 years old) is about 85% potty trained. She has accidents now and then too, but since I am reminding the two girls to go potty, they are doing pretty darn AWESOME.

4. Reading: I absolutely love my NOOK color and I believe I've read about 10 books so far this year. Not bad, but I can read more. I want to read the classics-like Pride and Prejudice; Romeo and Juliet; Count of Monte Cristo...you get it. The girls and I have read about 7 books total thus far...Ramona Quimby is a favorite of theirs (and mine). Ashlynn has to do book reports that are of the more advanced levels in reading which is good. We are reading IDA B. right now and it is really cute. Next we will be reading Soul Surfer (the true story of Bethany Hamilton-Ashlynn's IDOL). I have to tell you though-lately I am exhausted and don't read to the girls at night. I do make them sit in their beds and read for about 20 minutes. For Ellyce and Jillian, they are just looking at pictures, but Ashlynn is doing great. She's read on her own 2 Junie B. Jones books and 2 Roald Dahl books. She gets super excited that she's reading all by herself. I know we can all do better.

5. Prayers: Not my strong point. I would set my alarm and just snooze it and go back to sleep. I say prayers with the girls for meals and for our ni-night prayer, but I have been terrible at saying my personal prayers. I pray mostly in my heart for strength to get through another day-or to say thank you for getting me through my day, but they are very inconsistent prayers and probably not as sincere or heart-felt as I could make them. I will do BETTER.

6. Speak more softly and be more patient: Well, this one comes in waves. It's my own personal roller coaster ride. Some days are better than others, which if you were to ask anyone else in this world if they've ever raised their voices or were impatient they would say yes. If not, then I need your calm spirit. I tend to get so worked up over the dumbest things-why? I don't know. They don't mean anything in the great eternal realm of things-but I am only human and I get too emotionally attached to situations and whatnot. I get impatient with my girls and with my husband for silly things-once again, I can do BETTER.

7. Preach my Gospel Manual study: I am still at chapter 3. So....I'll get on that.

8. Eating healthy: We go through tons of fruit and vegetables but I'd be lying if I said that I have a serving of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. The girls get their intake well enough-me...I don't as much. I need to plan better the meals to where we have either a fruit or a veggie for each meal. If I just put it in the plans, it'll get done.

9. Family Home Evenings: Sometimes we don't have a lesson, but we will be together as a family. We do enjoy watching the America's Funniest Home Videos and we will sit down together and laugh together. Sometimes we will sing our primary songs. Sometimes we will play outside. I figure as long as we are together-that's what matters. A lesson is important too-I can be better at that too.

10. Temple: Once a month hasn't really happened, but I have gone a few times and it's been wonderful. One night I even got to go clean the temple after hours. It was a very spiritual experience because I realized that the Lord's house has to be cleaned too-and what great people work there each night to keep it clean. Great experience.

11. Date Nights: Well, I wish we could go out more, but paying for a babysitter is ridiculous. We go out when we can or we'll just have a date night in. I like that because it's FREE and we can be all comfy cozy on our very own couch and watch a movie together. It's great.

12. QUALITY Family Time: We really want our girls to enjoy nature and camping and hiking so we have taken them a few times to hike and camp. It's so much fun. They are still little to where they sometimes whine about certain things but really, they do pretty well on our hiking excursions for being little. My husband takes the girls out on hikes for their little date nights and that is wonderful-they absolutely love spending time outdoors but more importantly with their daddy.

13. Fulfill my Church Calling: I feel that I have done well in this. I love being in Primary. Sharing times are getting better. We have meetings more often and we each have a greater love for the children in our primary. We think about them, we pray for them and their families, we desire that they strengthen their testimonies of the Gospel. It is amazing to see how well they've done this year so far. We just had our Primary program and the vast majority of our kids had their parts MEMORIZED. I would say a small few did not, so that is really saying something. The songs were sung with vigor and vim...as it says in one of their primary songs. I was truly PROUD of them-they made my testimony grow because of their sweet spirits and their love for our Savior.

14. Tithing: My husband always remembers. We haven't given our girls any allowances so we haven't really gone down that road yet. We'd better get on it though.

15. Stay HOME more: We do pretty well at this, but sometimes I get so antsy and want to get out of the house, but when I do we just go to walmart and spend money. I CAN DO BETTER!

16. Maintaining the House: Well, over the past couple of months we've encountered the joys of owning our own home...our water heater isn't working so well and our heating element in the dryer went out. Our lawn was pretty patchy (but it looks great now); we have a few holes in the walls that still need to be patched up...the list goes on and on, but that's normal. We have to prioritize what needs fixing and what can wait.

17. Journal/blogging: Well, if you're reading this, it's been the first post in MONTHS. So now that we have a new computer, I think that posting on my blog and our family blog will be more fun. My tiny laptop was fine, but this killer computer is so much more convenient to just sit and enjoy some ME time on the computer...so once again. I will do better.

18. Reading my patriarchal blessing more often: I keep it in my church bag and I do read it often. There are amazing blessings that are given to me and will be given to me if I will "ask in sincerity and righteousness". I am learning patience in the art of rearing children and I have learned so much by working in the Primary organization in our church. I am truly grateful for the blessings that were bestowed upon me.

19. Who am I? I am certainly learning who I am and what I can become. I can be better at studying my scriptures and preparing my sharing times more diligently. I have been blessed to come to earth at this time where there is so much knowledge readily available to me to which I can be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better daughter of both my earthly parents and my heavenly parents as well. I find opportunities to share with my daughters the truths found in the scriptures and from our modern day prophets. I know who I am and what my purpose is here on earth.

20. Charity: When I have the time, I try my best to help serve others. There are so many opportunities to serve the people around me. I try to keep in touch with friends and family members. I know I can still be better.

21. Read my Resolutions often: Hmmm...as I stated at the beginning of this post, I haven't been doing so well at remembering my resolutions, but I am starting now (RIGHT NOW) and will keep at them. I still have 3 months to meet my goals...so watch out world. Here I come.

Oh so early to be cleaning the toilets...

There's nothing like having a Playdate to make you clean your house! I have been up since 6:30 cleaning the bathrooms. Ridiculous I tell you...I need to figure out how to manage my time more wisely especially when it comes to everyday cleaning versus "hurry up and clean the house because someone is coming over" type of cleaning! Maybe I should get a dry erase board...Yeah. I will try that.

Summer camp at home...

The girls love to build forts so one Thursday, with the help of my dearest friend, Liz...we put up a fort. Now for those of you not familiar with how we make our forts here at the Jones household, we staple (yes, with a staple gun) extra blankets to the ceiling. Silly but easy and it pleases everyone. So the girls are enjoying their little fort this afternoon...they are too funny!

Grateful for...

Two things today: I am grateful for tylenol and it's amazing headache-be-gone healing powers. I had a crappy headache to match the crappy weather outside (windy and rainy). So thank you tylenol. And two...all star weekend. I love the slam dunk contest. Who knew I would love watching sports!?! I remember getting paid to watch football with my dad growing up and now I watch it for FREE!!! Turns out you can "aquire a taste for things"!!!

New app

I find technology sometimes exhausting but today it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I can now post randomness from my phone. Thanks to the Blogger app...and android. You guys are great. So in accordance with my gratitude resolution for this particular blog, I say today that I am truly thankful for smart techy people and for technology in general. 

2011 New Year's Resolution Time...

Yes, for those of you who have continued to follow this blog, you will not be too surprised to know that I haven't forgotten you--just the blog. And since this is the dawning of a new year, I have decided I am going to do my best to keep up with my writing. I figure perhaps this can be a gratitude blog. I have realized that in the time I've been "not-blogging", I have fallen into the "I want what I don't have" type of mentality when in reality, I have soooo sooo much to be thankful for. So throughout this year, I will dedicate this blogging to my gratitude in all the big and little packages it comes in.

But first things first, I will share with you my new year's resolutions for 2011 (all of which are in no particular order-just the order of "DO THEM THIS YEAR"). So if I start the "not-blogging" again, any of you can give me a little nudge...And off we go on the road to a happier me (and possibly everyone else around me):

1. Learn something NEW: learn to play the guitar; crocheting; story writing; tech stuff...
2. Book of Mormon Challenge: Read at least one verse a day (personal study and with the girls); Study what we are reading (study guides); Pray about the things we are reading/learning (Testimony Building opportunity)--GOAL DATE: June 21, 2011 (Read the whole Book of Mormon with the girls before Ashlynn turns 8). MAKE IT A PRIORITY
3. Chore charts; Meal plans; homework schedules; preschool worksheets; ORGANIZATION
--Chores: done daily; specific chores for girls; work together (teaching/learning opportunity)
--Meals: budget; eat healthier; buy in BULK
--Homework: extra homework; workbooks during the summer time; additional reading for Ashlynn; Read to the girls every night (1 chapter a night; read from Book of Mormon too)
--Preschool: letters/numbers recognition; writing practice; preparation for kindergarten (Ellyce)
--ORGANIZE: word for the year is MINIMIZE (do we really need it?); go through each room-clean; organize; label; store;
--CONSISTENCY: discipline; schedules; be motivated-now is the time to teach proper values and to show them how to choose the right
**Be strong; be honest; be prayerful; be humble; be loving...
4. Read at least 30 minutes a day--use my NOOK...enjoy the classics (or try to). Keep a journal of all the books I read and the ones I want to...
5. Personal Prayers-EVERY MORNING; set alarm; Be specific in my prayers-be thoughtful; be honest; be sincere; be grateful...MAKE IT A PRIORITY
6. Speak more softly: be patient; be understanding;be loving; be open/honest with my feelings; be strong (stand for what I KNOW is RIGHT)...
7.Preach my Gospel: read, study, and pray as I go through the manual; strengthen my own testimony and share it with others; be an example to friends and family members; Be done with the manual by DEC. 2nd.
8. Drink more water and less soda-eat more fruits and vegetables; meal plans-always have a fruit/veggie with a meal. Do NOT eat out-unless for a special occasion (teach proper manners at home and if we are out)
9. Family Home evenings: be consistent; plan ahead; share a quick lesson; find scriptures to go along with the stories/principles taught; print off coloring pages for the girls; play games; sing songs; MAKE IT A PRIORITY-MAKE IT FUN!
10. Temple Attendance: date night; try to go at least once a month. MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
11. Date nights: 2x's a month (or more); be creative (and frugal); TALK; MAKE IT A PRIORITY
12. QUALITY TIME as a family (and friends)-what if most important? WHAT and WHO are valuable to me? Knowing this, spend more time on the people that matter the most and the things that matter
--Date nights with each daughter: know them and let them know how special they are to us
13. Fulfill my Church Calling: primary president-get to know our primary children and our teachers; be available as much as possible to help those in our primary (counselors/secretary); get to know my counselors better; be prayerful and remember to ask God to bless our primary children; Search ponder and pray about sharing time lessons--continually work on my own personal testimony while helping our primary children develop their own; be creative and fun; be observant to their needs...
14. TITHING: teach the girls
15. STAY HOME MORE: avoid over-scheduling the girls' days; do more at home (homeschooling for girls-Ellyce prepared for kindergarten in August); LESS or NO TV! Chore charts; schooling curriculum (preschool); weekly grocery shopping trips (avoid impulse buys); play outside more-QUALITY TIME with the girls; 1 day a week play dates.
16. Maintain house: save money for bigger purchases like furniture or appliances; keep each room as organized as possible (MINIMIZE); home decor'; no more junk piles (if we don't use it or have already read it-magazines-then get rid of it); paint the laundry room; repaint our room; organize garage and closets (possible shelving units for closets-utilize the space; no more dressers for the girls)
17. Write in my journal/maintain my personal blog: daily writing in small black journal; write in the big one for personal scripture study and preach my gospel lessons and ensign talks or whatever else...testimony building studying;
--be specific: ask questions and pray to know the answers
--pray before I begin studying (maintain a spiritual atmosphere)
--Learn and study the scriptures/principles-teach the girls EVERY CHANCE I GET!!!
18.Read my Patriarchal blessing often: There are blessings in there and goals that I can achieve-know what they are so that I can work towards them
19. Be sincere and honest-get to know myself and the woman/daughter of God/wife/mother that I am becoming (or can potentially become); say my true feelings-don't be a chameleon; be firm in my beliefs/testimony; teach the girls how to stand up for what they know is right...
20. Get lost in service: serve others; send out birthday cards; thank you cards; thinking of you cards; let other know that I truly care for them; call or text family members more often--or friends who have moved...
--serve my husband always: find ways to be more helpful to him and show him through acts of service my love for him
--serve my daughter always: put their needs FIRST (doesn't matter if I don't feel like doing something-do it for them; show them how to serve others also.
21. Read these resolutions often; work hard; PUT IN THE EFFORT IN ORDER TO GET THE RESULTS. Pray for the help I need to accomplish these goals and do not procrastinate...DO IT NOW!

Yes, this year I think I have doubled my resolutions. I guess I have a lot of things I really want to do-even more so, I need to do them! I think that I can be a pretty awesome person if I have the right mindset to do so...I will be the best darn mom, wife, friend, daughter, neighbor, and whatever else...I CAN DO IT! So here's to 2011 new year's resolutions!