Blog Hopper

I think I am officially a Blog Hopper... if that can even be classified as a word or title. I love to click on the blogs of my friends and family and then click on the blogs of their friends and family. Then of course clicking on comments you see even more blogs. It has been my way of finding people that I have lost contact with. I love seeing the pictures and reading the words of people I haven't seen in 6, 8, or even 10 years.

So I must apologize if your family name appears under our "Friends & Family" list and you did not wish it so. Please please please let me know if you have problems with me adding your family to my blog. I just like having your link close at hand so I can check up on you and your family every once in awhile. If you know me currently or knew me or my husband at some point in your past then feel free to add us to your blog as well!

Am I the only blog hopper??? Please tell me there are more of my kind....

One Week til School Starts!

Isaac's first day will be next Wednesday. He is so excited (as am I!). Last night we were able to go to his school orientation and meet his teacher, Mrs. Christian. Isaac's really excited because she seems super nice. She's young too so I think she'll be able to handle all his energy pretty well. There are only 15 kids in Isaac's class which is a change from the 24 kids in his preschool class. Hopefully that means more one on one time with the teacher. As all the kids sat in their little chairs last night listening to their teacher, Doug and I looked around and laughed as we noticed Isaac was the giant of the classroom. There were even a few kids that actually looked half the size of Isaac. It made me question if we made the right decision putting him in E5 instead of Kindergarden. But Doug reminded me that he'll more then likely never get bullied because he's so much bigger and he'll more then likley be ahead of the class. So I guess we will see how the school year goes.

Isaac is especially excited that he gets to ride the bus to school. He was able to meet his bus driver last night and sit on the bus as well. He was amazed at how big the bus was (much bigger then the ones he has ridden on before). Of course I'm nervous as a mom sending my first kid off to school on a bus- but it's reassuring knowing the school is right around the corner and he won't be on the bus very long. Only 7 days to go....

23!!!

Today my sister in law AnnMarie gave birth to her 5th child, a little boy! I was able to be there for the entire birth and it was the most beautiful experience ever. I have gained so much new respect for AnnMarie- she was amazing. Pumped with Pitocin the last few hours, no epidural, no taring, and calm as a woman at a spa up until she hit 10cm. Little Joshua Lee Norton was born at 4:51pm weighing 9 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. He has a beautiful head of dark hair too. Watching AnnMarie has made me both excited and nervous for November to roll around... it's getting so close!

Are you wondering what the 23 means? Well, little Joshua is my 23rd nephew/niece. Amazing huh? There are 10 on the Mapley side: Tyler, Bailey, Chase, Brinley, Brooklyn, Ethan, Tatum, Chloe, Kennedy, and Grace. 13 on the Norton side: Jacob, Sam, Emma, Matthew, Jarod, Nathan, Jonathan, Grace, "Joshua", Sommer, Brandon, Olivia, and Logan. One more niece will be joining the Norton side sometime in October... the babies just keep on coming!

A Personal Battle

Since childhood I have consistently carried with me a bad habit: unhealthy eating. I have always favored junk food, candy, fast food, and desserts over the healthier choices such as fruits, vegetables, and baked meats. During my childhood and youth this problem did not phase me because I had an amazing metabolism that worked so quickly. I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and still mantain a very small physique (and that was also without much physical fitness).

When Doug and I married in December of 2002 I weighed roughly 120lbs, wore size 2 pants, and size small shirts. However something happened once I got pregnant with my son. My metabolism slowed down (I'm sure both due to age and pregnancy). I gained 47 pounds during that pregnancy (and my son was born a month early). I only lost about 15 of that before getting pregnant with my second child, Bella. During her pregnancy I really let myself go. I took on the attitude of many pregnant woman... "I'm pregnant- I'll eat whatever I want and lots of it!". This unwise decision led to the pregnancy weight gain of 56 pounds- most of that weight went straight to my butt and my thighs (I have millions of stretch marks to prove the quick growth of those areas).

After her birth I realized I was no longer a 19 year old with an amazing metabolism. It finally hit me that I had to eat healthy in order to maintain a healthy physique (or at least the physique I was so used to). So I joined Weight Watchers. I did so well at first- and shed so much weight. But of course I had my moments: gorging on weight watchers candies and ice cream treats. Eventually when I hit my "goal" (which was not my ultimate goal but merely a realistic goal) I started to stray from the plan and picked up my bad habits all over again.

Fortunatley I did not pack on the pounds like I did while pregnant. However I remain much "thicker" then I'd like to be and of course what's most important to me now- how unhealthy my insides are. I want to be a healthy eater. I want to be toned and in shape- not necessarily a little twig that weighs nothing but simply healthy. Of course I'd also love to look similar to what I did on my wedding day as well. I think that's only normal though- everyone wants to look like they did at their thinnest adulthood weight. My current weight may seem perfect to some but for me I know what I was and what I can be and therefore that is what I desire.

I'm entering my 7th month of this pregnancy and I've gained roughly 20 pounds to date. Not so bad considering my past pregnancy weight gains. But it's the last two months of my pregnancies that I lose it and the pounds rack up. So I've decided to take on a challenge from my older sister Tonia. Although she may disagree she is the epitomy of health. She goes to the gym several times a week, watches what she eats, participates in plenty of physical activity and looks amazing! With that said I figured she would be the perfect coach for me to get back to where I'd like to be.

The challenge begins September 1st and along with this challenge I intend to also include healthy eating and phsyical fitness (even after the baby is born). Ready for the challenge: I will be giving up fried foods, soda pop, and the most heartbreaking one... chocolate- all of these for an entire YEAR. Some of you think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. I'm sure I'll have my moments but I've got to start somewhere right? I need to take control of myself and my body- I'm only 25 but some days I feel like I'm over 50. So wish me luck on this crazy endeavor. I'll be sure to post concerning my "personal battle". I feel as though the "real fight" will begin in January after I hit the 6 week post partum mark and can start kicking butt in the gym. In the mean time I figured I better get the good habits started now before those crazy unhealthy holidays arrive!

Tag Your It!

I am: Tenille
I know: my family will be together forever
I want: a long tropical relaxing vacation!
I have: the most beautiful family
I wish: I could jump to November
I hate: the fact that I'm addicted to junk food and love to snack... horrible horrible habit
I miss: Grandpa Mapley- his silly comments always brought laughter into the room
I fear: losing my children or husband
I feel: exhausted, drained, tired, huge, and so very ready for school to start for Isaac
I hear: my kids playing
I smell: a very unclean house- should've cleaned before blogging!
I crave: oh a little bit of everything- a ranch salad from Big Boy with eggs, cheese, & ham
I search: for ways of making my family life a little better, a little more stable, a little more organized
I wonder: what this new little baby will look like, will he have the same hyper personalities as my first two or will he be my quiet reserved child (like Doug was as a kid... hiding in cupboards)
I regret: being mean to my hubby when he didn't deserve it
I love: Doug, Isaac, Bella, and little unborn Carter
I care: about everyone else's happiness- sometimes forgetting about my own
I always: watch way too much tv- just to unwind during my day
I am not: fulfilling my role as wife and mother to the best of my abilities. I know I can do so much better and intend to start doing so
I believe: children follow or examples and not our words
I dance: ummmm never! I'm a horrible dancer and to be quite honest don't enjoy it the slightest bit
I sing: usually only during church (sacrament meeting hymns). I do miss singing solos and duets... I need to do that more often.
I fight: with myself. My emotions are controlling me way too much with this pregnancy
I write: on paper? it's rare and I need to do it more often. I used to be great about journaling
I lose: the fight to refrain from eating junk food
I win: during almost every argument between Doug and I. He gives in way to easily and just knows he's better off to let me win (or let me think I win)
I never: eat seafood- gag me!
I listen: -yeah this one has me stumped.... sorry
I am scared: of someone trying to snatch away my beautiful kids
I need: more time to sleep, Bella out of our bed so I can sleep, Isaac to sleep through the night again without getting "scared" or "hot" or "cold", my kids to sleep in past 7.... and on and on and on....
I am happy about: where my life has ended up. I am so very blessed to be surrounded by family both immediate and extended, to have the gospel and be actively involved in the Gospel, to have a husband who loves me unconditionally, and to have 2 and half children who are absolutley amazing. I am blessed

I TAG: Tonia, Trina, & Kristin!

Lapeer Days Festival

This weekend Trina & I took the kids to the Lapeer Days Festival. Something that was an annual family event during our childhood. The kids had lots of fun, especially Isaac. This was totally Isaac's environment. He loves the loud music, the hyped up atmosphere and crazy rides. The kids were able to get their faces painted by Wowie the Clown. Isaac chose a scarey monster face (after I finally convinced him not to go with a red devil face).

Bella (with my assistance) chose something extra girly- a butterfly!

We were also able to stop in and visit with Grandma and Grandpa who were working at the EMS station. The kids had fun with Andy the Ambulance and Sparky the Firehouse Dog (for those pictures you can view the Anderson Family Blog or the Mapley Family Blog).

Right now Isaac wants to be a police man when he grows up (along with a super hero and a dad). He also would like to have a police man birthday party next month. We were excited to capture this cute photo with a local law enforcement member.

Bella was excited that she could ride so many rides. Here she enjoyed the merry go round with Aunt Trina and Chloe.

Isaac on the otherhand prefers rides that go fast and are crazy. As you can see Tatum wasn't enjoying the ride near as much as Isaac. He kept smiling, laughing, and screaming with joy. He was in heaven!

Isaac & Bella rode on a little truck ride with Tatum and Chloe. Slow ride- but still fun

This was Bella's first time on a horse. At first she wasn't so sure and didn't want to get on. Once I had her pet the horse and talk to it she was okay and loved the ride so much she refused to get off at the end. Her horses name was Peanut.

Isaac was able to ride the biggest horse there. His horse was named Ginger. Overall we had a great time and look forward to going back again next year. If you'd like to see more pictures (my computer is too slow to upload lots) then you can view them at Trina's blog (Anderson Family) or the Mapley Family blog. Enjoy!

Canada Trip & Family Beach Day Slides

Well I finally uploaded some more pictures (thanks to the use of Trina's computer!). All though it was hard for me to narrow them down so I just put a few slides on the side (couldn't get them to post here). The first one is of our Canada trip from July. My oldest sister Tonia was able to bring her family home for the summer (for the first time in 5 years). During that time we were able to go to Canada with them and visit Niagara Falls. We had lots of fun site seeing and spending time with family.

The second slide is of a recent day at the beach (which ended up including over half the Mapley Family). I had too much fun taking pictures and chose not to get in the water. Trina tried that plan but James managed to get her in anyhow. Everyone had lots of fun that day, especially the kids. I feel so blessed to be so close to family. I know there are many families who do not have the connection that we do and that is so sad to me. Tonia we miss you and your family!

Bitter Sweet

This past Sunday, as I sat in sacrament meeting tears rolled down my cheeks. After almost 2 years in the young women's organization (1 year and 3 months of that as yw president)- I was released. For those of my blog readers who are not LDS (Mormon): I am no longer running the female youth group at my church. As many of you know I put my heart and soul into that calling. I loved working with the youth with every inch of my being. I bonded with each and every girl and built great relationships with each of them. I had so much fun being their leader. I have this horrible habit of putting 110% into my callings. With young womens I did that and more.

I never really had a functioning presidency and that was always difficult on each of us that served the young women. However this past summer was rough. My sister in law and dearest friend Rachael was released as my 1st counselor because of family issues she needed to tend to at home (sweet 7 year old daughter diagnosed severe epileptic). Once I lost her, I felt as though I lost my rock and backbone. So roughly a month ago I asked to be released this fall before I have the baby. However I was surprised a week ago Sunday to learn they would be releasing me a few months before I had expected. I was saddened, shocked, and just unsure what to think.

However, now that I no longer have that responsibility on my shoulders I am finally beginning to realize why I was released so soon. My little family has sadly been neglected the last few years and they need me so much. Each day that passes the bitterness of the release leaves and the sweetness enters in. I'm excited to reorganize my home life instead of organizing the young women's program! I have yet to recieve my next calling and I'm learning to enjoy that fact that right now, I can be 100% ... no I mean 110% devoted to my family.

Roughly 3 Months To Go!

It's 10 weeks since the last belly shot was posted. Here I am at 26 weeks. Surprisingly I don't feel "big" like I did with my other two. But of course I have roughly 14 weeks yet to go and that's when the pounds pack on and the belly takes a similar shape of a giant beach ball. Carter is a wiggle worm. He loves to kick and stretch in ways that sometimes make me cringe from the slight pain it causes. Yesterday Isaac was able to feel him kick for the first time. Isaac had his hands on my belly during sacrament and little Carter decided it was time to kick... Isaac's face lit up, he was so excited and happy. I don't think this whole pregnancy thing is as real for Bella. Sometimes she looks at my belly button and says "baby coming out"... yes that means my belly button has begun to poke. I'm sad to report that I'm already feeling uncomfortable. That has to be impossible considering I still have a long 3 months ahead of me! We're all so excited to meet little Carter though and for the time being I'll enjoy the fact I only have 2 kids to take care of right now.