Day Five - Final Detox Day

Friday, September 27 - Day Five

The day was filled with lots of stuff to do.

The boys and I went to a lap and sit reading at the library at 10. After that experience, I might go back but in a year or so. Max would have rather ran around at the park. We met with a lot of friends but it didn't encourage Max to sit down any more than if he's been alone!

Then, my visiting teachers came over with their kids. Benson and Max always have a lot of fun playing with their friends. My house ends up being a bigger mess then when they came but it's just a sign of too much fun had by all! :)

Nap time couldn't have come any sooner. We were all a little tired after the hustle of the morning.

As the boys slept I got the house cleaned up and got to enjoy a little reading time to myself...ahhhhhhhh

The boys woke up just before we were to head down the street to watch the annual Gridley HS parade of floats. It's homecoming week so each class builds a float and then they're judged at half-time by the crowd.

Tanner and Brady joined us for the second half of the parade which was a little tricky with Max and Brady, being the same age, trying to walk down the street :) The boys enjoyed it though and after we got home we had to get ready for Summer and Steve's Reception.

All in all, great experience!

Ending Weigh In - Libby 8lbs and Justin 7lbs!

Day Four Detox

Thursday, September 25 - Day Four

Well, we're surviving! Justin and I have declared that a 5 day detox will be it. We have a fast on Sunday and think that it will be healthier to eat a day before we fast being that be both have meetings 2 hours beforehand and then our regular 3 hour block...too long of a day to go without food or water after this detox. Justin's mind isn't focusing well and I am getting lightheaded as well, but it could be that the timing of this detox could have been a week later or earlier to have suited both of our schedules better.

Other than those two things, we feel pretty good. Still though, between 4 - 7 pm is killer. But after that, it's great!

As of this morning Justin and I have both lost 6lbs. My stomach looks flat and I like that! Justin doesn't have much to lose anywhere, but it's nice to have a companion to do this with.


So here's to a day and a half left! We can do it!!!!
If you are reading this Justin - YOU CAN DO IT!!!! JILY!

Day Three Report

Wednesday, September 24 - Day Three

Day three turned out to be the easiest to get through. We had a lot going on so that probably helped. However, I almost had a lapse when I took my boys and Angela's kids to Tanner's bday party. Amy was serving pizza! Ahhhh! It smelled more wonderful than ever. Even though I don't care for Sam's club pizza, the smell was addicting! The boys finished their pizza on the way home in the car. We had mutual at 6 so we hustled through the evening to get there in time. At the end of the night, and after a mere 4 mile hike with the YM and YW we were pooped! We reached our car and to our delight, it smelled like PIZZA! Had it not been for each other's support, Justin and I would have headed to the nearest restaurant for dinner.

We got home, bathed everyone and settled down to watch Project Runway (My choice) and feast on some ice cold watermelon! MMM...still pretty good though.

Love this site!

I found this site in a magazine and actually remember to check it out. It's called MYSHAPE.com You give your measurements,your "color", choose how you prefer your clothing to fit, pick your style and favorite brands and voilla pages of clothing to fit your style and a shape! I loved it. It was so much fun and a great excuse to find some new cute clothing for fall and winter. So excited! Check it out! www.myshape.com

Half way through Day Two Detox!

Tuesday, September 23 - Day Two

We woke up this morning not as hungry as we had imagined ourselves being. We enjoyed a fruit smoothie and began our day.

Justin reported at lunch and said he'd love to have a cheeseburger and fries but would sacrifice another day to the detox :) What a great husband.

I'm at home with the kids and food all day long. Today isn't as bad as yesterday. I've had my smoothie, a banana and a pear. For lunch I just had some veggie sticks and will continue to snack throughout the afternoon. I'm finding that just the smell of the boys snacks and meals are enjoyable and give me a little boost :) I love PB and it's their fav as well. It took my all not to lick my finger when I dropped some from the knife while preparing PB sandwiches. But I've made it through another meal and no cheats! Hooray for me! The boys though seem to be enjoying eating more fruit and veggies. They always want what I have and as you can see, no junk! Great habits are in the making!

I'm dying for salt so crackers and snack time are really hard. I've even resisted licking my fingers after getting the gold fish out of the bag...big step for me! I just wash my hand immediately and carry on with my busy work of distraction.

Day One weight 1XX. Day Two 1XX - 2LBS for Libby, 1XX - 1LB for Justin.

Not too much detoxification yet!

Stay tuned!

Day One - Cleansing/Detox Diet

Monday, September 22 - Day One

For the most part, us as a family are pretty healthy eaters. We do like to snack though and enjoy a treat every once in a while, but overall, I think we do well. We got the idea from Afton who has done this diet a couple of times.

Apparently,our bodies collect toxic substances throughout the years and can pack on undesired pounds and a lot of allergens that affect our internal organs. So we decided to take on the challenge. Seven days of strictly raw fruits and veggies. Doesn't sound too hard, right?

Monday morning was usual. I (Libby) got up for my spin class and Justin was up around 7:30. Justin headed for work with a banana and apple and I saved myself from breakfast and made a quick stop at Jamba Juice for a custom drink consisting of strawberries, banana and ice...mmmm...

The boys had gymnastics and after the morning shuffle of all their classes we headed over to see if Justin was done with his patients. He was, so if was off to Jamba Juice again for lunch. We tried a couple other custom drinks consisting only of raw fruits which ended up tasting like mostly orange peels...mmm...and more mmmm....then headed to Sam's Club to buy our week of groceries. One hundred dollars later, we were ready to take on our week.

By evening we were both pretty tired and starving. We had chopped up some cucumbers, cilantro, red onion and tomatoes and marinated them in lemon and lime juice. Then tossed in some avocado and put in on a bed of lettuce. We were amazed that we couldn't eat the whole entire bowl we made for ourselves. We were dying for some fat of any kind by 7pm. We almost gave up. I'm lucky we have each other for motivation. We made it through the night and by 9:30 were fast asleep!

We'll see what the week brings....

Jordan's Farewell

Jordan had his farewell today. All the nieces and nephews sang I Hope They Call Me on a Mission and then we sang As Sister's in Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth Medley. Benson wasn't too thrilled during practice this morning but in the end, all the boys pulled through and sang really loud!

After sacrament meeting we headed to the park for a family picture since this will be the last family photo for the next 2 years with everyone present.

We had a birthday dinner for Tanner later in the afternoon. Chinese was the cuisine, request of T-Man himself. We had a fun time hanging out with family and relaxing after such a busy weekend.

I'm just happy it's Sunday evening and we're home relaxing....until tomorrow morning at 5am and our week will officially begin.

IT's HERE!!!

Please post, forward, talk about and support us in all our efforts to save traditional marriage and preserve our families!

With lots of love,
Justin, Libby, Benson and Max

Check out Elder Jordan Tolman's blog!

We've set up a blog for our very own Elder Tolman so that we can keep everyone up-to-date with his mission life. He's leaving in less than a month and we're all so excited and anxious for him.

Here's his blog!

http://elderjordantolman.blogspot.com/

Finish the Sentence...

I am...totally procrastinating today. My boys wanted to watch a movie and instead of doing something productive, here I sit, doing THIS!
I know...I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and family!
I want...for it to rain this weekend!
I have....a lot of things to do today.
I wish....for "world peace"
I hate....bad service in a restaurant.
I miss....my family in Oregon.
I feel...happy when Max uses new words like "pip pop" (flip flop)
I hear....Benson singing "Wheels on the Bus" while watching Holes.
I smell....my fall scented candles burning...mmmmm
I crave....Peanut Buster Parfaits from DQ too often!
I can't....wait for my kitchen to be fully finished!
I search....for ways to improve my life and help make my family happier. (This week is going very well.)
I wonder....how my hair will turn out after today's appointment
I regret....nothing.
I love....the sound of laughter.
I care....about what my house looks like.
I always....love the turn of the season.
I am....ME!
I believe....prayer is powerful!
I sing...all the time with my boys. Right now we're practicing "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission" for Jordan's farewell. Benson's got it down, Max just sings whatever comes out!
I fight....to keep the rules of the house consistent with both boys.
I write....on my new chalkboard everyday.
I lose....my mind occasionally :)
I listen...for children screaming, which usually means fighting.
I need....a date night with my husband to Sopa Thia.
I tag...whomever else wants to procrastinate for the next 20 minutes!

Have a wonderful day!

So Frustrated!!!

Logging into my email, my homepage had this plastered in the headlines -
Pitt donates money to battle gay marriage ban
AP - The mega-star gives $100,000 to defeat a November initiative on California's ballot.

Brad Pitt says ""Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8,"

I'm pretty sure some of his quote also fits towards pro-life, although he's pro-choice. Is he talking out of both sides of his mouth or is it just me? He thinks "everyone" has a a right to their life, but how about an unborn child. Apparently, an unborn child is a nobody!

I get so frustrated with some people and they skewed morals. How can it be one way and not the other? Augh! I'm just frustrated and fearful of what tomorrow will bring for my children and grandchildren. What kind of world will they be up against?

Very Important - PLEASE READ!

Proposition 8
on the California State General Election form

Originally named "California Marriage Protection Act" was renamed "Eliminates Right of Same-sex Couples to Marry" by Attorney General, Jerry Brown.

History on Prop 8 -

In March 2000 California voters overwhelmingly (by 61%) approved a state law providing that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

In May of 2008 the California Supreme Court overturned the vote of the people.

On November 4, 2008, Californians will vote on a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that will restore the March 2000 definition of marriage approved by the voters.

What will happen to Same-Sex Couples Rights?

In 2005 the state of California adopted legislation allowing for Domestic Partnerships. This permitted for same-sex couples to have equal rights and benefits as those with traditional marriages within the state.

So what's the problem?

Federally, same-sex partnerships are not recognized, so the tax benefits (federally) are not equal those within the bonds of traditional marriages.

But within the state are treated and benefited equally!

What will happen if this doesn't pass?

In some countries, TEMPLE MARRIAGES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED. A civil marriage must be performed first and then a couple can go to the temple to be sealed. All ministers of the state, who are in authority to marry must be willing to marry same-sex couples, if not, can and will be prosecuted, fined and/or placed in jail.

Same-sex "marriages" will be taught in our schools as early as 1st Grade!!!

Adoption agencies that do not allow for same-sex couples to adopt will have to close down and will eventually cease to exist because they will be "discriminating" against those who choose to be in a gay marriage.

No church or teacher of any kind (from pulpit or in a class room) will be able to teach that marriage is between a Man and Woman! This would be considered a hate crime.

Our very own Proclamation to the World will be considered discrimination.

THIS PROPOSITION MUST PASS!!!!

Our children are the ones who will be faced with the torrential downpouring of more evil to come and have to face a world where families are fired upon each and every day by those who seek to destroy us.

We are blessed and cursed with media, including the Internet during this time on the earth - as much filth as there is bombarding our lives each day, good can come of this.

Those in favor of Proposition 8 are trying to raise money for National Air time to inform Californians of this amendment to the State Constitution. Unfortunately, many Fortune 500 companys are against us and have donated much more monies for their own cause.

We need money before all the air time is taken up by the opposing side.

We have joined a coalition that has been going door to door raising awareness and holding meetings in our homes.

I have come up with another idea on how to help this cause.

For most of the population, it is those of the youngest generation who are at a crossroads and don't know which way to go. I thought that producing a commercial to be spread over email and YOUTUBE would be a fast, easy, and inexpensive way of getting out the right information.

Our opponents have made stickers that read "SAVE MARRIAGE, VOTE NO ON 8". Deceit is all around us. We must be well informed and educated or we'll be blindsided.

This coming week I will be sending out and uploading my commercial via email and YOUTUBE - please send this out to everyone you know!!! California has historically led the way of the Nation, please don't let this issue go unnoticed!

For more information on this proposition, please visit www.protectmarriage.com

Down by the River

This was one of the first Saturdays that we've had that was free from plans. We got up fairly early and decided to take the boys to the river before it got too hot. It's September and where I come from that means fall, but not here. This past week has been above 100 degrees!!! CRAZY. I love the fall but around here, it comes around October.

The boys had a lot of fun throwing rocks into the river. Max was a little more cautious than Benson, which is exact opposite of their norm, so Max tended to stay up on the rocks while Benson was down in the water the entire time.

At one point we heard a "THUD" and saw that Max had thrown a rock, golf ball size, and it had hit Benson in the head. Justin and I had a hard time not giggling at the sound that it made. It was pretty apparent that it was a firm throw, sort of the sound that you would get throwing a rock at a ripe watermelon and then having it bounce off. Benson shrugged it off pretty fast and was back to his search for skipping rocks. Needless to say, Benson moved to the other side of the beach to protect himself from Max!

The rest of our Saturday was spent hanging out at home and playing inside, away from the heat.

Day after first day of school....

Benson woke up this morning wanting to go back to school, however, we only go one day a week this year so I guess that mommy school will have to be in session more than one day a week to compensate the yearning for learning.

When we went to pick Benson up from school, he ran out to greet us and about knocked me over with excitement. He had a blast and couldn't stop talking about the day's events. He learned about the letter "A" and the number "1". He sang the Teasing Mr. Alligator song into the night. He also "learned" his name is Benson. hahahah And he said that it starts with "B" (I'm positive that he knew most of this stuff before going, but his "teacher taught him this at school", so says Benson!) heheheh

Needless to say, he had a great day and a lot of fun. He loves to be social and enjoys being independent. I guess that comes with the birth order and a lot of MOM in him.

Benson's First Day of School

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Getting ready for school! / Max's first haircut

Tonight was a moment to be remember. It's Max's first haircut - oh, what a handsome little boy he is now. The sweet baby is now a boy. My heart is sinking. And to sink it even more is Benson. His first day of school is tomorrow. He got a haircut to prepare himself to look as handsome as he can for all the girls in his class. They both did a great job while Jenny cut their hair. Jenny has been my stylist for years and had done Benson's first cut just 3 years ago. The boys love her and sit so well for her. We'll put up more pictures in the morning of Benson's first day. Bittersweet!

Our Family Picture

So, after taking thousands of photos this summer for other peoples weddings, reunions, birthdays, graduations, etc, I realized that our family had not had our picture done since really last fall and that is was time for a new one. Well, Benson is a cheese ball and loves to sit for a pic but Max on the other hand doesn't like to sit still for any length of time unless otherwise distracted. So my attempt was to try and snap a shot of us on Memorial day down at Afton's house turned out successful but not without any stresses. We drove around looking for a spot around the golf course but the sun was so harsh during the afternoon hour. And being a relatively new area, the landscaping is too new for any great shaded areas. We ended up back at the house and there was a great big chair perfect for our shot. Well, we got one...finally....a family photo where the boys are looking toward the camera, you can see our faces without weird shadows and Justin and I are not looking in distress or trying to coerce the boys into looking at the camera. Thanks to April who pushed the button for us and Aly for jumping up and down above the camera to get the boys' attention! Ahhhhhh....we've completed the task, at least for now!