PLAYING CATCH UP

I decided that I have put off blogging long enough, and that I had better update my blog or it will turn into a overly daunting task that gets put too far on the back burner like my scrapbook. Things have been both busy, but great all at the same time. Here is a quick update on our family. The summer flew by. We enjoyed a lot of time at the waterpark, and just playing with friends. We went camping a few times, and took a fun little vacation up to Lake Tahoe for a getaway with many of the Lindsey cousins. We enjoyed swimming at the time share, playing at the beach, and being with family. Grandma and Grandpa Lindsey invited Davy and Danny to stay a week with them at their house and then they brought them back to Utah. They both had a great time with their grandparents and cousins, and can't wait to stay with them again.
In August Ryan's Dad's Allstate business changed owners, and I have since retired from the insurance business. I am now a health coach for a great company called Take Shape For Life. I have always wanted a job in the health and fitness field but there truly isn't many out there besides teaching at a gym, or being a trainer or nutritionist. I am able to work from home, it takes very little of my time, and it is very rewarding. I am blessed to see peoples lives change for the better. My parents have been on the plan for 3 weeks now, and are doing great. My dad is off of his blood pressure medicine, and they are both feeling great. The thing I love about the company is that not only do my clients see fast results (3-5 pnds/wk), their health increases dramatically, and they learn healthy habits to be able to keep the weight off forever. It has truly been like taking a continual college course in health for me as I continue to learn about optimal health. I am excited to see what the future holds, and the lives that I will be able to help to improve.
It is now December, and I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit. I do love Christmas, but I long for simpler times. It is not that I don't like giving, or serving others, I just hate the commercialized version of Christmas. The feeling that you have to buy gifts for everyone (most of them with little meaning). I love when I can give a practical or meaningful gift. I don't love searching for toys/presents for my kids when they really don't need or want anything.
We keep things pretty simple at our home for Christmas. The kids get a few presents, and then get spoiled by their grandparents but we try not to buy things that will just junk up the house. I would be all in favor of going back to little house on the prairie times during the Christmas season. To focus Christ's birth, and being with family would be so much more meaningful. I do wish you all a very merry Christmas. My wish for you is that you are with the ones you love this season, and grow closer to our savior Jesus Christ.