Real Cheese Anyone?

Okay, so I usually do not post about my pet peeves, but this one I wanted to post about.  Ryan and I went grocery shopping the other night at Walmart on our date night.  Yes, we have stooped to shopping at Walmart, but who cares when times are tough.  Anyways, we needed to buy cheese for a soup that I was making.  I wanted to buy the shredded kind to save some time and could not believe that it is even cheaper now than it used to be.  So, I picked up a bag of cheese and started reading the label.  Oh my gosh, they put fillers in our cheese now! I could not believe it.  Cheese is no longer real cheese, then I checked the "natural" kind, same thing.  Then, I decided to look at the blocks of cheese, only two kinds of block cheese were actually real cheese and of course they were expensive.  And people wonder why we all have so many health problems, seriously.  They are even corrupting our cheese.  So, moral of this story, please read what it is your food and actually educate yourself on what the strange ingredients are.  Thanks for listening!

Pirate Island Pizza

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to go to a new hot spot here in St. George called Pirate Island Pizza.  It is kind of like a Chuckie Cheese, but has a full menu and geared toward a little bit older crowd in someways.  There are no rides but the food was good and really reasonably priced.  So, if you live in Southern Utah check it out, if not they are opening one in Orem and Salt Lake soon!

This picture is of the Toddler Play area, which was lots of fun and even has a bridge to go across.

Ryan loved the shooting range!

Nineteen month old Taft!

This picture is actually a full size height boat, it is hard to see sorry.

The kids loved the real waterfall!

The skeleton talks to a parrot.  This is the entrance.

Rock In Roll Band

Alissa making her "shy" face as she calls it.

The Kindergarten teachers.  Miss Kayla(on the right) is Alissa's teacher.

Here is a side video(because I do not know how to flip it around) of Alissa dancing with Miss Jana.  Alissa's class had the opportunity to make instruments out of boxes and containers and they put a concert on for us.  The actual concert video wouldn't post on here, so if you want to see it leave your emails address and I can send it to you.  Alissa was being so super cutie and shy the whole time.  Her best friend Jenna got her loosened up a bit. 

Hawaii Here We Come

As many of you know we were planning to move to Gilbert, Arizona this month.  We were planning on Ryan attending ASU with his hopes in that getting him a job at BYU Hawaii eventually and moving our family to Hawaii.  I guess I kind of thought once we got to Arizona and got settled we would stay and hopefully be able to travel to Hawaii in the summers.  After awhile though, I have realized that this would not be enough for Ryan and that he was truly drawn to Hawaii.  While on our trip there in September we both felt very strongly that we would live there someday and Ryan even went as far to say that we would be there within a year.  Well, after many months of prayer and continuously relying upon the Lord, our plans have changed once again.  We are moving to Laie, Hawaii in about a month from now.  We currently do not have a job set up yet completely but have been networking and have lots of promises.  Now some would say we are totally crazy for this, but only we know in our hearts all that has happened and all that has led us to this point.  For this I am grateful.  I am especially thankful to have married a man who truly gives his life to the Lord and is dedicated to do what he wants for us to do, regardless of what it takes.  We are at such a good place right now as a family, and although we will be leaving most of our worldly possessions behind we are learning great lessons from this.  We do not know far enough in the future to plan farther than what we have right now but I feel that Ryan will work very hard to keep us in Laie permanently.  This truly will be an adventure and I am excited for what is to come.  We are very blessed to have Ryan's sister Aubrey, two sets of cousins and good friends locally there.  As for "Mema"(because most people ask) she will be moving there too eventually, not right away.  We are so thankful to get to have her as part of our family and extremely excited that she will come join us on our adventure.  We wish the best for all of you and hope to see you in Hawaii if you ever visit!

Healthy Mamas

This is from Amy who is a part of fun weight loss group I have been in.  I got second this last time.  I have lost 28 pounds since January 2.  If anyone is interested email Amy and sign up!

WE ARE DOING A SUMMER-READY WEIGHT LOSS COMPETITION. IT IS GOING OFF OF BODY PERCENTAGE, NOT POUNDS LOST. LARGER GIRLS WILL HAVE MORE TO LOSE, SMALLER GIRLS WILL HAVE A LITTLE LESS, AND SO WE TAKE HOW MUCH YOU'VE LOST COMPARED TO WHERE YOU STARTED OUT AT, AND THEN WE KNOW WHAT PERCENT OF WEIGHT YOU HAVE LOST. YOU WILL WEIGH IN EVERY FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE NOON. THE COMPETITION LAST FOR 12 WEEKS....SO THE LAST DAY WILL BE MAY 29 WHICH ALLOWS US TO LOOK HOT RIGHT BEFORE BATHING SUIT SEASON. IN THE PAST WE HAVE SPLIT UP THE POT OF MONEY BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND, AND 3RD, BUT THIS TIME THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL. SO NOT ONLY BEING MOTIVATED TO LOOK HOT, YOU WILL BE MOTIVATED TO WIN THE WHOLE POT OF MONEY TO PAMPER YOURSELF AFTER ALL YOUR HARD WORK. IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF IT, JUST E-MAIL ME AT amylavonallred@yahoo.com AND WE WILL MAKE IT OFFICIAL. .....LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW AND HAVE FUN COMPETING TOGETHER

Priceless Garage Sale

Well, today we had the first of hopefully only two garage sales we will be having.  We are really trying to eliminate most of our belongings and keep only the things we really truly need.  Through all of this I am actually learning more than any money we have earned could be worth.  I have to admit selling our things and lots of our furniture has been very hard (especially because we are selling it below what it is worth)  I even had a few moments of emotional crisis where I couldn't help but feel sad and some tears, but as I watched the people getting our things I couldn't help but imagine how the buyers would use them, or how we were helping them by giving them such a deal in such a hard time. I realized as I got in house and sat down to no desk how thankful I was that I was still sitting in a room listening to my children's voices and watching my husband smile with his positive attitude.  It was then that I realized that this garage sale was more for me for than all of those people.  That part was just to help me get through the sale.  It was teach me about the realistic unimportance of material things.  I feel so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ to help remind me what is truly important in my life.  Also the blessings of the temple to help me get through times like this.  I have to say that I am also thankful for such a loving and supportive mother to help with support and be such a great example.  Ryan and I are truly starting a new family adventure here soon and I am so lucky to get to go on adventures with such a wonderful husband and children.  I hope to always remember the wonderful lessons of this Priceless Garage Sale.

Is Alissa There?

Well, today I had a totally new experience.  The phone rings and I pick it up to hear......"Is Alissa there?"  I have to admit I was totally thrown off, I tried asking who it was but she was being shy so I just handed it over. After a few minutes we learned that it was Molly from school.  They talked for awhile and then said good byes.  Within the next several hours we got four more calls from Molly.  I was so excited for Alissa because she was excited but at the same time I felt like our family time was being invaded on.  She is so little and I only get about four hours a day with her and Molly was using it.  I know sounds crazy but I wanted to share this for Alissa later on.  I can not believe how fast my "Baby Girl" is growing up!

The Perfect Date

Ryan and I had the most wonderful date last week.  It felt a lot like old times.  I think part of it was because all of children are all old enough now to go to their Mema's for the night and I do not feel like I have to worry.  On Saturday morning we woke up and went on a hike directly behind our house, no driving involved.  It was so fun and the bottom picture is our house from where we were standing.  Gotta love date nights!

Kenzie's Soccer

Well, Hurricane finally decided to do a 3&4 year old soccer team.  Where as in Texas, they were having practises every week and games on Saturdays by this age, Hurricane has had them do a parent-tot type class each week and they get to do one game at the end of the sessions.  Even though it is kind of boring, Kenzie LOVES it.  He can not wait for each week when soccer time comes.  He loves to run and play with Daddy too!  Kenzie is truly such a sweetie and it is really fun to watch him interact with others.  

Still Waiting

Well Everyone, 

We are still waiting to hear from ASU and still waiting for more answers from the Lord.  We know he has a plan for us, but we are just waiting for it to happen in his time.  We are learning and growing everyday and feel so blessed for all we have in our lives. So, here is quick update in the mean time.

Alissa is still loving school! They go on field trips every month at least.  She has one favorite friend named Jenna and they actually get to play at each others houses.  She is not currently in dance or piano but misses them both and we work on piano sometimes together.  She is such a good big sister and really mothers her siblings.  I love how strong she is, she definitely knows what she wants in life.

Kenzie is not a little boy anymore is only about 2 inches shorter than Alissa, I bet it is not long before he passes her up.  He loves to play outside and is so good at playing by himself.  He gets to got to preschool two days a week and has so many stories to tell each week.  The other day i was late picking him up by about ten minutes and his teacher said he had been crying for his mommy to come.  It was very sweet.  He has such a loving heart and is sometimes too loving for Taft.  He is truly such a peacemaker and I am so glad he is in the middle.

Taft thinks he is the same age as the other two and always tries to keep up with them.  He usually does in most things.  He love to talk and today I caught him saying naked, it was quite funny because it just feels like such a big word for an 18 month old, but nevertheless he wants to be like his siblings.  He loves to read books and go for car rides!  His other favorite thing is to make apple juice with our juicer because he likes to put the apples in.  He is growing so fast and does not even feel like a baby anymore.  I would have to say the funniest part right now is all his facial expressions, he has too many to keep track of.

We are so lucky to have three wonderful children!

Ryan is in the process of relocating our family which is a lot of work.  He is such a hard worker and tried so hard to always follow what the Lord wants.  I feel very blessed to be guided by such a righteous, honest man.  He is currently taking a Jujitsu class two nights a week and loves going on adventure runs with his dad.  I love to look out in the back yard and see him up in the fort of the swing set right in the middle of a game with the kids.  He is so fun and they love to have him to play with.

As for me, I am just trying to learn and grow and pack.  I have so much I want to learn and do and hope to be able to do all of it.  I have to say I feel so rested to still not be pregnant and have some time to focus on feeling well enough to take care of the family I have here.  I am currently working on a few projects but we shall see how they play out.  I love to blog and chit and chat (as my mom would say) on Facebook.  Thanks to Katrina and Sonia for introducing me to it.  I am starting to make time to read again too which is lots of fun.

Well, that is a little update on our family.  Hopefully we will have more news soon about where our life is headed!   We hope you are all fantastic!

Running with Dad

This is Ryan.  

Staci asked me to write about going running with my Dad.  

The runs I do with my Dad are intense and very unconventional, even for a cross country runner.  Dad calls them adventure runs. These aren't runs that I'd take very many people on.  I always wish more people could come and see because there fun to do, we see incredible sites, and they'd be as fun to watch as a chase seen in a movie - (with a little of cut and paste to take out the slow parts).  However, I don't know many people outside of my dad that I could take with me on this kind of run.  It requires a lot of cross country, off the trail experience and a love of hills.  It also requires flexible and strong ankles, good eye-foot control, and phenomenal balance while traveling at a decent pace.  Finally it requires the ability to run for about 3 hours in that kind of condition.  Without out all of these abilities a person would get injured very easily.  For example: today, I twisted my ankle about 3 times due to bad eye-foot co-ordination  (twists are going to happen on a run like this -every step won't be perfect).  However, thanks to my ankle's strength, flexibility, and good cerebellar balance, I rolled with my ankle and rolled right out of the twist - in other words: no pain.  You could get hurt a lot of other ways too.  For example: I did a 10 foot jump (not the longest) down a steep incline and as I landed I slipped in the soft dirt for about 7 feet.  Now if you threw your weight around incorrectly you'd probably throw it right over a cliff while trying to do such a landing.  Due to experience, not only was this not a scary experience, it was a blast because I knew I had total control, and yet it was something out of a movie.  You could take a nasty fall while running down hill through rocky terrain at a 7 min. mile pace.  Scary because there's cactus and little lava rocks all over to fall on.  

Dad does the down hill cross country running part so much better than I do.

Truly, my Dad is one of the only people I can think of that I feel comfortable doing this with, where I don't need to worry about him.

Well today we decided to make it interesting by going deer hunting - or more like deer herding.   In Africa they jog behind the animals.  the animal will sprint ahead of the tribal hunters and then rest.  The runners just keep jogging.  What happens is the runners are able to jog for a long time, but the poor animal gets tired of doing wind sprints (sprint, rest, sprint, rest).  Eventually the animal collapses and the runners just take out a knife and slit the animals throat.  No struggle, no guns, - just a nice morning jog. 

So one of the mountains we frequently run/climb/scamper all over happens to have a ton of deer that call it home.  We didn't bring a knife or anything, but we wanted to try and just herd the deer all over the mountain.  We started out chasing one right off the bat.  Then there were 2, then 15, and then 30 deer.  

We realized something.  This would be a lot easier if we were on the flat plains of Africa.  The deer in the mountains were so elusive, but we managed to stay on top of them.  They would bound out of sight and down into a  ravine.  There are so many ravines on the mountain. that the deer could duck into any of them and hide.  This makes keeping track of them challenging and a lot of luck is needed since they camouflage so nicely with their surroundings.  The other thing is that we were basically doing hill sprints, which is not quite the way we were supposed to be doing this run based on the African hunting method.  Nevertheless, we enjoyed chasing them to all corners of the mountain. Before it was time to go home 2.5 hours later.  To finish out the workout we had a blast jumping in and out of the fingers of the mountain.

Some mountains have these finger like projections that are steep at first and create a series of ravines.  Well, we were on a side of the mountain. we hadn't been on before and there were these long, and extremely steep hills jutting out in rows away from the mountain.  We needed to get back down so there was one safe option - traverse.  By going mostly along side the mountain. we could gradually drop down.  The dirt here was really soft so it made for amazingly safe landings.  We could drop down 15ft or so onto a very steep, and very soft incline.  We had so much fun going down this way.  It was like running sideways on a wall and then throwing your body into the air and flying.  It was nice because with the soft dirt we didn't have to worry about the landing, you could just throw your body in the air, pretend you're flying, and then when you land rely on your body's balancing reflexes to make for a controlled landing.  

The other thing I like about these runs is the need to use our arms and hands to scramble up a hill.  This allows for a more upper body and core workout then we typically get with just running.

The best part of these runs though is getting to talk to my Dad.  I always enjoy and learn from his example and his perspectives.

Seriously though - everyone needs to try this type of run- when they're ready.  It is sooooo much fun to bounce, run, and slide all over a mountain.  It's like a roller coaster ride that they serve healthy endorphins on.

Well, that's probably too detailed a description for most people.  Sorry, I Love talking about working out, but especially this kind of work out.

Memories August 2007

Well here are a few pictures that my friend Melissa took for us clear back in August of 2007.  We lost the disc and just found it while packing.  If you want to see more go to my facebook photo.  I am so glad we found these!

18 Months Old!

Well, my baby is no longer a baby,  Taft is officially 18 months old and it went by way too fast!  This is the longest I have gone without being pregnant already and I am actually really enjoying just enjoying my kids!  I had to post this picture because it says a lot about Taft.  Taft is totally a Daddy's boy right now!  He LOVES to be with Daddy and the minute Daddy goes to leaves he runs after him to catch him before he leaves, he can usually even keep him back for awhile, it has almost become a game.  He also always loves to be dirty because he hates his face wiped unless he can do it himself, which means it does not get very clean, as you can see, so I have to make a game out of it.  Taft is seriously just one of the kids now, his favorite thing is books.  He could look at books all day long and loves to take in each new word.  He already know well over forty different types of animals and can probably say at least 100 words.  He talks in sentences too and loves to attempt to put Mommy in her place.  He even thinks he is in charge of the other kids.  It is really fun to watch how well Kenzie and him play and how much he loves to snuggles Alissa!  He loves to tell me no and when he has to go potty.  He loves to dance and can already sing a ton of songs.  He also sings the songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  When we went to Arizona in January we watched movies in the car and now whenever we get in the car he says, Moobie, because he wants to watch a movie.  Lately we have been learning people in the family and it has been great to see him learn all of the names of the extended family, he even knows his Aunts, Uncles and cousins names now.  If I had not had Alissa before him, I would be extremly suprised right now.  Sometimes, I think it is hard to believe unless you see it.  I am so thankful to get to have his spunky, moody, loving personality in our family!  

Leaving Our Lives In His Hands

This may seem a bit personal, but at this time in our lives we are going through a lot of changes.  It almost feels as though we are starting over again with no absolute sureties of which direction to go. Ryan is looking for a new job and we are still waiting on ASU to get back to us about the Masters Degree Program.  We are supposed to be moving in a few weeks and the job we had hoped for is no longer available due to the hold in hiring for The Gilbert Arizona Police Department.  At this time we truly are learning a lot of things, but I have to say what I am learning the most is that no matter how in control of your life you think you are, you are wrong.  We are literally at a point where we will be putting all of our trust in the Lord to guide us the direction he wants for our family.  As I look at the temporal changes we are coming upon, the best things are still here, my husband and my children and the gospel.  I am being taught that these are all that really matter anyways.  So, for now we are still packing and praying.  Ryan is still working on his online business and hoping to sell more books in the mean time.  We hope that you are all doing well in this hard economic time.  

What It Is Like To Have An Amazing Mom!

Yes I know strange to post a picture of half eaten food but let me explain.  Ryan and I have now been eating raw for over 30 days and sometimes really wish we had more time to prepare raw meals.  I have been so tired of the same foods and talked about wanting something different.  Leave it to my mom who is the most wonderful woman in the world, she got the Carol Alt book out and brought us this Saturday Night.  It is a raw lasagna that some parts of took ten hours to soak.  As soon as she brought it we could not even wait to dive in it smelled so good.  Now obviously it didn't taste exactly like lasagna and the cheese looking stuff is actually shredded zucchini I believe, but I just have to say it was soo yummy!  She is such a wonderful person and always so thoughtful.  So if anyone would like the recipe, let me know!

Moving On!

Well I finally found my camera so if you scroll down a bit the pictures start in December!  We have some news though, The Garner family will be moving to Gilbert, Arizona in March.  We are really excited for this change but will definitely miss the family we are leaving here in Utah.  We are looking onward though, and hoping for new adventures for our family!

Memorable Moment

As we were driving in the car to Alissa's school on Monday this is the conversation we had.

Alissa: Mom, mom, did you know that there was this mean guy in heaven who was so mean he didn't get a body. 

Mom:  Well, yes I do know this story, but there is more to it than that sweetie.

Alissa: No mom no, he was so mean that he didn't get a body Jesus didn't give him one.  So, he is sad and tries to possess our bodies.

Mom:  Well, what happened is that in the premortal existence Jesus and Satan or Lucifer were both there and they both wanted different things for us.  Jesus wanted us to have choices and Lucifer wanted us to be controlled. Lucifer wanted to give all the glory to himself and Jesus wanted to give the glory to Heavenly Father. Lucifer was so upset that he didn't win that he decided to try and rule our bodies because he would never have one of his own.

Alissa: (cutting me off) Yes mom that is right that was his name and that is just not right.  Everyone should get a body and if he doesn't get a body, I am gonna share my body and give him mine. (she is pretty upset at this point)

Mom: Well Alissa, that was Satan's choice.  He made his own choice just as we can make our own choices.

Alissa: Well, then I am going to give him my body and go back to heaven and ask for another body and then come back to our family again as a baby.

Mom: Alissa it is very nice of you to want to share but we would miss you too much and that would really change the plan our Heavenly Father has for things.

Alissa: Well I am gonna do it you will see.  

Mom: Okay sweetie whatever you say

Literally everyday since then she goes around telling everyone that she is gonna give the sad guy her body.  Oh, the things they say.  That was the basic conversation and it really actually made very proud of all she is learning about the gospel and that she does want to share.

Garners Going Raw!

So I am sorry I have not posted in a few weeks. Here are a few highlights:

- Ryan has been finishing up all of his application stuff to apply to the Master's Program at ASU in Arizona.  The deadline is January 15th so we should here soon.

-Taft got the first stitches in the family this week, after falling on a choo choo train.  

-Alissa started dance and school again.  

-Kenzie decided he doesn't want to go to school because he wants to stay home with Mommy(which is fine with me).  

-Alissa and Kenzie were signed up for city soccer and start in a few weeks.

As for the greatest change, our family is transitioning to a raw diet.  What this means is that we do not eat any cooked food, well if it is cooked over 110%(which includes anything with a stove or microwave, we do not eat it)  Raw foodists say that at lest 80% of your diet has to be raw to be considered raw, but we are aiming for 95-100%.  This transition has started with Ryan and I.  We having been eating like this for ten days and have definitely been detoxing.  Ryan doesn't feel too different because he always ate pretty healthy, but I am going through huge changes.  So far, I have lost 16 pounds and still feel pretty sick, but I know my body is healing.  The kids are transitioning slower because I want to get us in the habit first.  We will not be putting them on an all raw diet, but high raw.  I am really excited for this change and we are committed for six months.   

My camera has been dead so, hopefully I can post pictures soon!  Hope everyone is well and having a great new year.

6th Wedding Anniversary!

So, I haven't posted about our great Arizona vacation yet. But, we had a great Anniversary, my mom watched our kids for us on Saturday night so we could go to the temple.  We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed sleeping in till nine o'clock!  I wanted to share the greatest six things that I feel are important in the last six years for our family.

1.January 2, 2003-  Ryan and I were married and began our lives together as the Ryan and Staci Garner Family.  I can not think of a better way to start a new year than to begin our family. We were so excited on this day to finally become a couple.  I feel blessed to still remember the way I felt that day.

2.October 29, 2003- On this special day at 2:29 in the morning our sweet little angel Alissa was born.  I will never forget how wonderful it felt to finally hold her after six hours of waiting for her and Ryan to come back to the hospital room.  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful spirited little sweetheart in my life. 

3.January 2, 2004- On this day our little family was sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  I feel so blessed that Alissa was able to be there for this experience. This was such an amazing day and I feel so thankful to know that I can be with my family for eternity.

4.June 3, 2005- At 3:21pm we were blessed with our first son MacKenzie Layne Garner.  He had a hard time getting here, but we are so glad we have been blessed by him in our family.  Kenzie was born at home and delivered into his amazing fathers arms.  This was an absolutely incredible experience. He is such a sweet boy!

5.August 7, 2007- Ryan Taft was born on his Grandma's birthday in front of a crowd of about 25 people.  His birth was definitely a miracle to our family and I was so blessed to be able to deliver him without a c-section.  I like to joke that since he was breech he wanted to stay close to his mothers heart.  He has been such a joy in our lives and always can bring a smile to our faces!

6. January 2 2003-January 2 2009- I would have to say that my one of the six greatest things that has happened for us would be the amount of love, patience, kindness and blessings the Lord has poured out upon our family.  We have been so incredibly blessed that there is not enough time in the world to share our many opportunities and joys.  For this, we thank our Heavenly Father for what he has given us. I am so excited that as time continues on, we continue to learn and grow each day.  I can not help but be excited to see what each new year brings! 

Fun at the Park with Family!