Where is Becky?

I am back to blogging!   Have you missed me? 

My plan is in the next couple of days is to recap what I have been doing since the beginning for 2012.   I will provide you with the highlights of each month.  

I have been gone so long that I couldn't remember my password to blogspot.   I had to reset a new one.    LOL!  

It is good to be back! 

To all my readers, hold on tight, keep your pants on as I will soon be back with highlights to share. 

Love Becky

Not in the Mood

(I couldn't get this picture to move down to the bottom of my blog post where it belongs. Vicki, Sharyll and I with Cecret Lake behind us)

I haven't been in the mood to blog. 2011 will go down in history as the year of the fewest posts. You can count all of my posts on one hand. Maybe one of my goals for 2012 will be to blog more often.

It's not that I don't get out and have fun, I do! It's not that I dont live a good & blessed life, I do! I think I haven't been in the mood because I feel my life can be boring at times. I pretty much do the same thing day in and day out. Who wants to read about that? Not me!

2011 has definetly had its challenges for me. I am looking forward to what 2012 has in store for me. However I choose to remain optomistic about my future.

When life throws me lemons, I try very hard to make lemonade. I think for the most part I make pretty tasty lemondae. However because I am human, there are moments when it's hard to swallow the tartness of my lemonade. During those moments of tartness I tend to hold back and keep to myself. I fear that if I were to share everything about my life in such a public forum I wouldn't be creating healthy barriers for myself and it would cause me to be very vunerable. Does anyone else feel the same way at times?

Enought about that, let me share with you one of my highlights from 2011:

In August, I went on my annual P.O.W (Pretty Outstanding Women) Camping Trip with Vickie & Sharyll. We started this camping trip in 2004 and have been going strong ever since. I look forward to it every year. I was extra excited about this year because I was able to accomplish one of my goals following weight loss surgery. I hiked to the top of Cecret Lake which is a huge accomplishment for me. In 2004 I went with the group of ladies to hike Cecret Lake but wasn't able to get very far because of my weight. The most satisfying moment for me was when I reached the top knowing that I did it and was able to enjoy the experience. I had Vicki record my excitement from accomplishing my goal. Enjoy the video:

More pictures & blogging to come later. That's all for now!

Alive & Well

Were you beginning to wonder if I dropped off the face of the earth because of how long it has been since I have blogged? Well no worries, all is well in "Berry" land. I just wasn't in the mood to blog about my humdrum life over the last 5 monthhs.

Life has been crazy over the last couple of weeks. My great uncle on my mothers side passed away at 94. That same weekend my dad and step mom found a close family friend had died unexpectantly at her home. She was only 52 years old. She didn't have any family here in Utah. We were like her family. Her next of kin was a brother who lives out of state but they hadn't talked for over 20 years. He drove in to Utah to take care We spent a good portion of a week going through her house trying to find a will or life insurance policy. We coudln't find either. It broke my heart that everything she worked for in her life didn't amount to anything because we couldn't find the important papers. I learned that none of us know when we are going to die so we should prepare now so that our family and friends can give us a proper closure to our life. Our family friend will be missed and was loved by many.

On a much lighter note I was glad to have a 4 day weekend over the 4th of July to relax an recover from the craziness we just experienced. My good friend, Deedre' invited me up to her parents cabin over the 4th. We attended the Oakley Rodeo on Friday night. I have lived in Utah all my life and have never been to a rodeo. Deedre' told me the best rodeo in town is the Oakley rodeo. It was amazing! I can't wait to go again.

We planned to go hiking on Saturday up by Mirror lake in the Uintahs but nothing was open because of all the snow we still had in the mountains. I couldn't believe it myself take a look at the picture below.

Since we couldn't go hiking we spent the better part of the day laying around reading good books and just chillin. It's exactly what I needed. I feel refreshed and rejuvanted.

Can you Believe It?

I finally updated my blog! Please don't pass out from shock because of this occasion. I am alive & well.

The last time I posted it was November so let me update you on what I have been doing since then.

December

I had a nice & relaxing Christmas with my family & friends. I kept everything simple this year. I didn't bake or send out Christmas cards. I cut back on my Christmas shopping and kept it very minimal. I have to say I really enjoyed my holiday. It was nice to let go some of the added pressures I put on myself to have a perfect Christmas. It was lovely to just enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

We had a health scare with my dad. I got a call from my brother who lives in South Carolina. My dad's work didn't have anyway to get a hold of me so they called my brother. They found my dad passed out by his car at work. They didn't know what happened but he was taken by ambulance. The doctors are still running tests to figure out what happened. He just went in for an MRI & EEG of his head last week. His neurologist believes he had a seizure. He hasn't had another one since so we hope all is well.

January

I started the new year off feeling optomistic about what 2011 had in store for me. I decided not to set any New Years Resolutions. Instead I decided to focus on the goals I already have set to live a more well balanced life in all areas: physical, spiritual, financial & mental.

It was a very busy month at my work. It's about the only month we can work a lot of overtime. I signed up for as much overtime as I could. I would arrive to work at 6am and leave at 6pm. In one two week period I worked 109 hours total. I treated my overtime as my part time job. Working this overtime brought me one step closure to attaining my goal to getting out of debt.

I had a guy hit on me at church but I didn't know that he was. After telling my best friend what he said, she was the one who informed me that he was hitting on me. I am so clueless when it comes to these things. It was flattering.

February

I did my first 5K for 2011. It was titled Run for Love. The 5k was to help a family raise money to help pay adoption expenses for their second child. My good friend Michelle Jensen asked me if I would do it with her. She has always wanted to do a 5k and we thought it would be fun to do it together. It was cold but we had a blast anyways.

My cousin Holly Blackham came home from her mission in Nashville TN. She is like a second sister. My mom babysat Holly from the time she was a little baby to when she started school. It is so good to have her home. She served a wonderful mission and was a great missionary.

I went to the dentist in February and he informed me that I had 6 cavities and needed 3 crowns. I no longer eat candy so I thought the cavitites would go away. No fair! Maybe I should start eating candy again.

March

The month is going strong but not much to blog about yet for this month yet. I am enjoying the warmer temperatures that we are having. I have spring fever. I can't wait for it to be here.

I want my blog go private so if you want to be added to the list of viewers please send me your email and I will add you. You can email me at idautberry@gmail.com or just post a comment on my blog.

Daily Gratitude

Since I didn't get a chance to post yesterday about what I am thankful for I have to post two different things today.

I am thankful for my primary children & the hugs they gave me yesterday when I went to watch their primary program. I was so sad leaving my primary children when I moved home. It was so good to return to my old family ward to visit my primary class & the many friends I made in the Wells Ward.

Today, I am thankful for good health. I am grateful that I made the decision to gain a healthier lifestyle. I love the new & improved Becky. I love being able to do new things & find the extra engery to pursue new goals. I can't wait for the day when I can run an entire 5K. My life is truly blessed.

Cornucopia of Things

What makes up a family?

I used to think that a family could only consist of a mother, father, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles & grand parents that are blood related. My thoughts on this matter have changed as I have gotten older.

A family to me consists of people who may or may not be related that come together to provide unconditional love & support for each other.

A few years ago one of my step moms friends passed away at a very young age. This friend had a son who was 17 when his mom passed away. My step mom & dad became legal guardians for this young man. He came to live with them for awhile. This young man has since gotten married and had a daughter of his own. This young man, his wife and daughter are not related to me but they are very much my family. My dad & step mom act as grandparents to this young mans daughter.

It is nice to know that we are all able to adapt & create our own support systems whether we are related or not. As long as we care for each other, love each other & are there to help each other through everything we experience then become my family. The reason why I share all of this with you is to introduce you to others who make up my family but that I am not related to.

Wheeler Farm

Last Saturday my dad, step mom, Christina and I went to Wheeler Farm. Christina is the daughter of the young man they had legal guardianship of.

Christina is at the fun stage of learning about her animals & what kind of noises they make. We thought it would be fun for her to see the animals in person. As we pulled up to the cows, Christina "moo"ed without us telling her to. Everyone around us started laughing. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. When we got really close to the cow Christina started crying, she was afraid of the cow. We tried to get a picture of her by the cows but she became so interested in the cows tha she wouldn't turn around for the picture.

Here are some more pictures of my family and me at Wheeler Farm:

Feeding the ducks & geese

Earlier Christina had a fear of cows well I can relate to how she felt. I have always had a fear of geese. I am afraid they are going to attach or chase after me. So while Christina was feeding the ducks a group of geese came up behind us. Here is a video clip of me being afraid of the geese:

It was a crazy Saturday at Wheeler Farm. Everywhere we turned there was a photographer taking someones family portraits, engagement pictures, and bridals. It was hilarious to say the least. Every where we turned a photographer was having someone pose. I do have to agree Wheeler Farm made a great back drop for pictures. It was out of control to say the least. I wish I would have grabbed my camera to take pictures of others taking pictures. It would have made a good blog post.

My Life Currently:

On to other things. Life is going pretty good I can't complain. I have been living at home with my dad and step mom since August and its going very well. When I moved home I decided to start attending the older singles ward for those who are ages 31 to 45. This has been a huge adjustment from attending a family ward but I have enjoyed it thoroughly. They have me playing the organ once a month and being on the mingle committee. I have enjoyed getting to know other people who can relate to what its like to be 34 and single. I don't think any of us thought we would be single this late in life, but we make the best of every situation and live our lives to the fullest. There is blessings in all things.

Weight Loss Update:

I have lost a total of 203 pounds. I wouldn't of never thought this was possible. I am enjoying every minute of this new life. I would like to lose another 70 pounds to get to my goal weight. Why is it that we allow ourselves to get derailed from things that matter most to us? I think for me the hardest thing wasn't loosing the weight its going to be maintaining the weight loss. That is why I want to get as close to my goal weight as I can. I know I have what it takes to do it, its just reminding myself daily of what my goal is.

More Changes:

Since I have made so many changes physically I thought why not try to grow my hair out as well. I was getting tired of my same hairdo. I haven't had long hair since I was in elementary school. I am thinking about growing it out to an A-line. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can grow my hair out faster? It will be fun to see what becomes of this process. I am hoping I have the patience I need to grown my hair out.

T H A N K S G I V I N G:

I am excited that Thanksgiving is fast approaching. I look forward to the time we get to spend with family & friends surrounded by good food. The last two years I got to prepare the bird and have everyone come over to my duplex. Now that I no longer live at the duplex we will be having Thanksgiving dinner at Dad & Peggys. It makes for an interesting day because of how small the house is. We seem to always find away to set the table so everyone can fit around it. We tend to have to move some furniture out in the garage to make it happen but its for a good cause. I can't wait to help my step mom with all the preperation & food making. It should be for a busy, eventful & fun filled day.

One of my friends has been posting on her blog one thing she is thanksful for everyday. I really liked this idea and might copy her. My plan is to blog about one thing that I am grateful for everyday until December 1st. I think it will be fun to share with all of my readers and it will help me come to realize how blessed my life is.

So today I am thankful for my family. I love them and appreciate all that they do for me.

Blog Ideas

As you can clearly see I haven't blogged in awhile. That's because I'm not sure what to blog about. I'm sure I will think of something.

I thought about sharing my daily life, my weight loss goals & achievements but I feel that is all I blog about latetly. Maybe I will change it up a little. Stay tuned!