Adam and Heather Hayes

I figured it is my turn to give everyone an update.

I made my goal of losing 30 lbs. I got back down to 175 which is about the weight I was when I graduated. I haven't been below 180 since before I got married, so I was very surprised to make the goal. I've been hovering around 175.5 and 177 for the past couple of weeks, so I didn't just "bounce" up after losing it either.

I rode my first horse last Friday. We went up to Daniel's house and I got my first ever chance to ride a horse. It was ok. They told me that trotting isn't the most enjoyable and that I should go gallup, but I'm not sure that I enjoyed that any more than trotting, but that could have just been because of how far down the stirrups were. (I have short legs and Daniel has really long legs.) All-in-all it was pretty fun. Darcy threatened that we should go for a trail ride. So we'll see how/when that happens.

T-ball. Heather finished her season (I'll let her tell you about that more herself.) But from my position as designated 3rd base coach, I thought her team did excellent. Heather was soooooo patient with the kids.

Erith and Tric were on her team and they did amazing. Tricity hit two home runs this season (which is pretty hard to do in T-ball.)

Erith keeps getting taller and her long legs kept her ahead of most anyone (even when I thought for sure that she would get out, she always beat them to the base... even if the ball was hit directly at the base she was running to.)

Overall Heather's team had a winning season and I am very proud of her and the girls. 

I've started painting again. I haven't painted in a lot of years, and I've never done oil painting. I did water color when I was in high school, but I haven't done anything since then. I convinced a very nice lady in my ward to teach me how to oil paint. I've been planning this for a while and had asked for oil painting equipment last year for Christmas, so I had most everything I needed to get going. I've completed two paintings so far, one an abstract picture based off of a Paul Klee painting that I really like. The second is a still life of a couple of bottles. I think I'm getting better and I'm really enjoying painting again. I had forgotten how much fun it can be.

Well there is my update. I'll get the pictures out here as soon as I can for people to see. Please let me know what you all think.

Well, we loved our vacation, but we brought home something we're not crazy about. 10 pounds each! (Adam and I)  So the day after we got back we each weighed, frowned, and decided we needed to make some serious changes.  I know it's boring to hear about other people's weight loss but, I figure the more people who know, the more you can all help us to stick to the plan.

Our Plan: To lose 30 pounds each by July 1st.  We've been at it 5 1/2 weeks so far and today I was down 18 pounds.  Adam is down 22.

We were eating over 3000 calories a day, we are cutting that in half, so 1500 calories a day.  And at least 6 hours of excercise a week.

We are hungry a lot, but it isn't taking as much too make us full now.  We've eaten out twice since we started and knowing we were eating 1500 calories in one meal was really hard to swallow.  That is a huge way to make a difference I think.  We ate out almost every meal for the week of vacation and those calories add up fast. 

Having our 2 lane highway ripped out while they make it a 4 lane plus turn lanes, has cut down on our going to town.  Which means saving money on gas and saving money and calories on eating out. 

These changes seem to be working for us, help us keep it up!

Erith and Tricity started school.  Erith is in first grade and Tricity is in kindergarten. 

Erith is so excited to go all day and eat lunch at school. 

Tricity is excited to go everyday and ride the bus. 

Viola is kind of lonely when they are gone. It has definately been quiet, sometimes too quiet... Two year olds definately know how to get into trouble.  She loves Clara so much, she appreciates her more when the older girls are gone.  Vi is talking a lot more now.  It's so good to be able to communicate with her.  I have never been a good guesser about what she wants when she's bawling.

She has also developed an obsession with books and wearing other people's shoes.  We read LOTS of books while the girls are at school.  She would have me read all day.  I have to eventually draw the line and say, "All done, mom has to get some other things done."

Clara can roll both ways now.  When she's really ambitious she rolls clear across the room.  She's four months old now and has started having an opinion on who holds her and how.  She is so sweet and beautiful, she smiles so much, it melts your heart. 

Adam's business is doing well despite the majorly slowed down economy around here and across the country.  He and his brother love working in the new office, complete with new furniture.  They both have plenty to keep them busy. 

Adam is done being a stake clerk at BYUI and just got called to be Assistant scoutmaster and deacon's quorem advisor.  (That's what he was when we moved from our old ward) So yea for Adam getting to know our ward finally, but it is definitely going to take more time on more days of the month than the last calling did. (Lessons on Sundays, mutual on Tuesdays, Flags every patriotic holiday, campouts almost every month, roundtable and other training)  It's okay though, I won't complain, it'll be nice to have him sit by me in sacrament meeting.

I'm just trying to lose weight, and do everything I used to do with four fast-growing kids!  I am amazed how many directions my four kids want to to go at the same time, while I'm trying to can green beans and do laundry and dishes.  So yes, my house is messier than it has ever been, yes, my garden is more like a weed patch, yes, bedtime is my favorite time of day, and yes I love every one of my four very different girls and I wouldn't trade a one of them for the world!

I got a new calling a couple weeks ago.  I am now the scout advancement AND committee chairman.  February is scout month, and I've been working tirelessly on the scout banquet I'm conducting and giving the advancements out at this Thursday night.  I'm very excited to be in scouts again!  I'm just a little stressed to learn and prepare for this big event so quickly.  Yes, you heard me right.  I LOVE scouting, I like to get away from the estrogen of my house and get my hands dirty with the boys.  Not that my new calling has much to do with dirt but, it's close enough.

Adam on the other hand, became our ward's Elder's Quorum President on Sunday.  He feels a bit more weight on his shoulders now.  He will do great.  He's wonderful, that's why I married him!