Introducing...

Yes, everyone, I want you to meet Voldermort.

Now, I'm sure you are thinking, why would you name a baby Voldermort, I will tell you why. Its not a baby, its a HUGE Cyst on my left overy. Much like the painful one I had back in October. Lucky me.

I have been having pain in my left side for about a week now, and I immediately knew it was a cyst, It felt like it did last time. Only this time it hurt a lot more. I finally couldn't take it anymore, and yesterday, while I stayed home from work because of the pain, The doctor ordered an ultrasound. That is what they found.

I just wanted you all to meet Voldermort. Don't get to comfortable with him, I'm hoping he will be gone soon!

Have a wonderful Day!

We're all in this together

It is really hard to think of a blog title when your blog post is not about anything in particular. Its even harder when your blog posts are song... So, the title will be the next song that plays on my iPad. What an adventure!!

I realized that I have gone a week without a post, therefor I felt compelled to update it. Nothing new in the Carter household. Rob and I did go on a date last Thursday. We went to a movie and Dinner (I LOVE PF Changs!!!) It was fun spending the whole day together. I didn't have to work, and Rob doesn't work Thursdays. (insert Random comment- The song for todays post is We're all in this together Graduation mix) from High school musical 3- Yes, I do have all 3 soundtracks- don't judge- he he he)

Rob and I are looking into vacations (this shouldn't really shock anyone) but we are looking at cruises, or possibly the Dominican Republic. We are still in the planning stage. We are gonna go with Robs Brother and his wife Katy, and I am SUPER excited! (although somewhat weird to go on a vacation that DOESN'T involve a baseball game or two.)

Work is still busy for me, and I am now doing 3 different jobs. It makes for an interesting 8+ hours a day, I usually never know what I'm doing that day until I get here in the morning. Good times.

I don't know what else to mention. life is pretty low key for us right now... have a good day!!

Photograph

Hello everyone! I have changed my photography blog address! Its the same blog, but it can now be found at:


www.be-you-tiful-photos.blogspot.com

I'm hoping to do even more this year. If you need pictures, let me know! I'm just getting started, so I am doing them for FREE! Please pass the word. Thanks!!

We Will Rock You

Last night, Rob and I went on an awesome date. We went to the Jazz vs Laker game. Rob found a "deal" on floor seats, and it was SUPER fun. Rob wanted to go downtown before I got off work, so he took Tracks, and I went straight to the arena when I was off. We got there a little before the arena opened, so we just hung out. I was super sad to find out that Camera's were not allowed, So I left my cameras in the car. When the doors opened, we went straight to our seats, and BOY WERE THEY AWESOME!We had floor seats. 2nd row. at the half court line. This was our view.

When we got to our seats, we were just in awe of the players warming up. Right away we saw Artest (I refuse to call him Metta World Piece) We watched and snapped pictures with our phones (Come to find out- I could have brought in my camera- they didnt even search my bag! and everyone else had them-boo!) After watching them for about 15 or so minutes, One of the ushers came up to us and said if we wanted to get dinner, we should go now, since it closed at 7. We went up to where we were directed to find dinner, since it was included in the price of our tickets. Now, I was expecting to be able to chose between pizza, Nacho's something like that. NO! it was prime rib! it was buffet style and I was very glad that it was yummy, because we were starving. When we were done with dinner, we went back to watch the game. we saw the last little bit of warmups










The game was awesome, at halftime, we went back upstairs to get some free snacks and then watched the rest of the game. It was a close game, and it even went into overtime, thanks to a Kobe Buzzer shot to tie the game.



It was an awesome game to watch, and even better since the Lakers sealed the night with a W!


One cool thing I wanted to add was that we got to sit next to Gail Miller. While sitting there and cheering for the Lakers felt a little weird, it was awesome seeing her at the game. I read Larry H. Millers Biography last year and truly loved it. It was awesome sitting by her.


Thank you Rob for an amazing date. I love you!

PS. Sorry about the super bad phone pictures- Next time we go I know better!

Im bringing sexy back

Well, not yet. but that is the goal!

I have always been little. I have never been over weight. And up until I got married, I was in great shape. I had my 6 pack, and nice legs, and what-not. Marriage has changed that. I don't blame Rob for it, I just think that priorities have changed. It used to be so easy to get off work and go to the gym for an hour. When I got married, I went home and made dinner, so it was on the table when Rob got home. Then it went to not cooking, and eating out more... Needless to say... Things have changed a little with my body... Don't get me wrong, I am okay with my body, but I'll be honest, I want my pre wedding body back, and by Golly, I will do it!!!


CONS: (Its always easier to start with Cons, get depressed, and then add the Pro's to bring up some self esteem)

*I CAN NOT run out in the cold. I used to love running. I ran all the time at the gym back in my single days. I tried running this past Sunday night, and I thought I was going to die. my lungs burned, and I thought I was going to throw up. -Not a pleasant feeling- AND, I ran around my block. It was .7 miles, and I thought it was A LOT further than that. So I was a little discouraged with the distance I was able to endure (this has been the butt of many jokes at my house. Especially by Rob)

*My husband is a slave driver! last night, he asked if I had done any exercises, and I said no. He then said I had to do 100 squats and 100 push ups (at least he let me do the girl ones! he he) It took a good 40 or so minutes to do this. I felt good after, but sometimes the pressure makes me want to stop (don't worry- I'm determined enough to not quit)

*Eating healthy is kind of a pain in the butt! I went to the grocery store on Saturday, and it took me longer than normal (and I HATE grocery shopping) It takes longer to compare and find the healthier foods, AND it costs so much more!

PROS:

*I'm enjoying watching what I eat. I have a lot of different snack options to eat while at work, so I'm not getting tired of things. Its also making me eat 3 meals a day (for the most part) I am now no longer skipping Breakfast, which makes me less hungry throughout the day, and I'm not snacking as much. In my fitness plan, I'm allowed 1200 Calories. I think I have only exceed that goal once in the week I have been doing this. Most of the time, I am way under. But I'm eating the right kinds of snacks (trail mix, laughing cow and crackers, fruit and veggies) so I'm not as hungry as I used to be if I ate a bag of chips in the middle of the day. So I'm eating better, and less. I just need to work on hitting my calorie goal, and not fall short everyday- I'm just not that hungry!

*My husband is a slave driver! (yes- its a pro and a con) last night, he asked if I had done any exercises, and I said no. He then said I had to do 100 squats and 100 push ups (at least he let me do the girl ones! he he) It took a good 40 or so minutes to do this. I felt good after, but sometimes the pressure makes me want to stop (don't worry- I'm determined enough to not quit) I want to prove to him that I can keep on doing this. despite the pain my muscles are going through, or the burning in my lungs. I didn't realize HOW competitive I was until I started this.

*I'm feeling better! I'm sleeping better! and I have more energy throughout the day! Despite the fact that Some days I cant walk, or lift my arms, I'm feeling mentally good about the changes I have made. I still wish I could do more cardio, I know that I cant just jump into things, and it will take time.

*I have a good support system. I have an app on my iPhone, iPad, and can update on the website. It is the myfitnesspal app, and I LOVE IT. It allows you to track everything. Foods eaten, water intake, exercise done etc (It even finds calories in foods from restaurants, or you can add your own recipes and it will break it down into servings- it really is AMAZING). The other thing I love about it, is that you can have friends on it, and you support each other. Its also super easy to use!

GOALS:

*So, As stated at the beginning, I want to get my pre wedding body back. I want to hit my goal by March 26, 2012 (I figure that will be 2 years of wedding bliss- why not have that as my goal to get my body back!)

*I want to keep up these healthy habits long after I hit my goal- I want this to continue to be a lifestyle. I wont want to lose any more weight, but by then I would like to tone more, Be able to run more, eat healthier, etc.

*I want to do more Cardio. I don't know how exactly I will do this, since running outside is not really an option in the cold and the inversion. Hopefully by the end of this week I will have a defiant plan.

*I want to get pregnant. I have been telling myself this from the beginning- maybe I cant get pregnant because I'm not eating right. I don't know if this could be scientifically proven, but its an AMAZING incentive to me. (I think of having a baby when I want to splurge, or not exercise- it does WONDERS)

If anybody is looking to get into shape, or keep up a healthy lifestyle. I really do recommend this app. Its free on iPhone/Droids/iPads, as well as the website. If you do join, go ahead and add me as a friend. Cartersgal. We can motivate each other and I bet you will love it too!

Concrete Angels

This past weekend, and today (As well as other times-but it really hit me this weekend) the cruelty and injustice that takes place in our world has been thrust into the spotlight. I know that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and that he knows what he is doing, but right now, I just see the injustices.

If you watch the news, or read the newspaper, or go to MSN.com or any other website, you hear stories everyday about a child dying due to neglect from a parent, caregiver, anybody really. Harm to a child from the hand of someone a child depends completely and solely on for their care. How is that right? and how are some parents not receiving the harshest power of the law? My cousin told me a TERRIBLE story on Friday evening about this. I saw a story on the news today about another infant. HOW CAN A MOTHER/PARENT do something so barbaric to their own child, there own flesh and blood! Now, I'm not saying I have all the answers, and that the parents did not have some kind of outside factor contributing up to their actions. But that is not the point I'm trying to make. My point is not how can a parent do that to their own child. My point is, How can women get pregnant when this is the end result? That is where I find the injustice.

I know several women, AMAZING women. STRONG women, LOVING women, who cant get pregnant. I know couples that have been trying for YEARS to have a baby, and Cant. Or they have had to go through the pain and heartache of burying a child. Loving parents who would do/have done everything they can to bring a baby into this world, and give that baby all the love possible, and do everything to make that baby happy... who cant.

It breaks my heart knowing an amazing couple cant have kids, and then I hear a story of a parents neglect resulting in them ending that precious gifts life!

I wish there would be an end to this, yet I know there never will be. I know those special angel children knew what they were signing up for, yet I feel like society is so robbed of a precious child, because of a parents horrific choices.

I realize that I am a little emotional about the subject, due to having some difficulty trying to conceive, but I would feel like this even if I wasn't. Even if Rob and I were able to get pregnant at the drop of a hat, I would still be so mad at the injustice of a parent harming a child.

Sorry for the Rant, I just had to get it off my chest....

New Day

Im not one for new years resolutions, I have a hard time keeping them. However, In the spirit of the new year, I am going to set some anyway. However, I am considering them Goals to accomplish this year, rather then new years resolutions. Maybe I will be able to accomplish some of them If this is the case!

*I want to get in better shape. I want to lose the weight I've gained since getting married. I want to be more disciplined in my eating habits, and exercise regulary. I realize this will probably kill me at first, but I think its a worthwile goal.

*I want to Read the book of Mormon this year. I have done it several time with the aid of my ward growing up, where we would read the BOM from one conference to another, as well as do a long list of other things. If we did this, we were rewarded with a "extravaganza" I did this every year growing up. I have done it several times since, but I dont read on a normal basis. My goal is to get into the habit of reading my scriptures more. My sister in law had a breakdown for the year, to read the BOM, Old Test. and D&C in a year. Ive strarted doing this, and i am hopeful that I will be able to complete it. The breakdown is at:


http://www.motivatedmamas.net/2011/12/scripture-reading-schedule.html?spref=bl

*I would like to go on another big trip with Rob this year. We have been talking about New York this summer. I hope we can do something. With our schedules, its sometimes hard to spend as much time together as I would like. I hope a vacation is in the cards for us.

*I would like to be able to start our family this year!

* I would like to become more "domestic" I want to do more crafts, cook more, and bake more.

* I want to get into Photography even more! I had a lot of oppertunities for photography at the end of 2011, and I hope I can do it even more. I love photography. I love how creative it can be. So if you need pictures, let me know!

*I want to become more organized.

I cant think of anything else at the moment, although I know there are several other things I want to accomplish, but they are escaping me at this time. I hope everyone has had a good year so far, and they accomplish everything they want to in 2012!

Celebrate

I wanted to post a list of things that happened in 2011 to serve as a reminder of the year we just finished.

* Rob got accepted to the police academy and graduated with flying colors.

* I started a great new job with an amazing new appraisal management company, and I am loving it.

* We celebrated our 1 year wedding anneversary!

* We were able to go to California for 2 weeks. We got to see some of Robs family, as well as cross off the remaining California baseball stadiums.

* We were able to go accross the country to Boston. It was one of the funnest trips we've gone on, and one of our favorite baseballs games we have ever been to.

*We were able to go to Colorado and go to a Rockies game and spend a weekend with Robs family.

* I underwent surgery to remove my gaulbladder it was one of the best things I did.

* We moved twice this year, We are finally at a place that we LOVE!

* We had many additions to our family in the form of neices and nephews.

*I started to have a relationship with my dad. It took almost 4 years to do this. Im glad I have taken this step, and He and his wife Rebecca have been a great blessing in our lives.

I cant believe the year has gone by, but I am excited to look forward to this next year and the adventures and blessings it will bring us!