Biggest Loser

Many of you know that I am an "ex-heifer".  I really am not lying.  Today, I weigh about 80 pounds less than I did three years ago.

(Again, let me reaffirm, I love food.)

About two years ago, I was lucky enough to be determined and given the motivation to lose weight.  I did it mostly by following the Weight Watchers plan.

It was hard but I did it.

What is the problem now?  I am married and for some dumb reason... my fat is sticking to me like double sided sticky tape.

I have gained about 15 pounds since I started dating Ryan and it is really starting to bug the heebygeebies out of me.

While I was going to school and student teaching, I had felt like I had too much on my plate and I just couldn't seem to find the motivation to lose that lovely wedding weight.

However, I have now been given the motivation I need....

Biggest Loser - Family Edition.

My father in law (with the idea from my sister in law, Nanci) has created a competition within our immediate family.

It started yesterday and it goes for the next 8 weeks.  Anyone who competes in this challenge will receive $25 per pound lost during the competition!!!!  And the grand prize.... $1,000 in cash.

So to sum this post all up, I have found my long lost motivation.  Who wouldn't with this kind of money?!

My goal is to lose at least 25 pounds... and win... ;).

I will be sure to keep you all updated as the month rolls on.  I am going to need some cheerleaders by my side if I am going to win this thing.

Oh and Ryan is competing too.  I guess that is important to mention.  ;)

Ulrich

Please answer honestly....

I am not going to be offended.  Promise.

Raise your hand if the first time you looked at my last name, you really weren't sure how to say it.... ULLGRIIICKK. (I can hear some of you gagging trying to say it as we speak...)

Let me help you.

It's said... ul-rich.

I figured since this will be my last name forever now, I might as well look up it's meaning today.

This is what I found on www.thinkbabynames.com.

Side note... really interesting that I found this information on a baby name site.  Who names their baby Ulrich? Maybe the vikings?  I don't know...

Anyway, Ulrich means "noble, regal ruler, power of the wolf, or power of the home."

Random, I know... but that is what it means!!!

All kidding aside, I love my last name.  I am so proud to be an Ulrich.  It seems like whenever I say my name, someone knows an Ulrich and that makes me proud to be a part of this great family.  It's like I instantly gain a friend that I just barely met.  Plus, I have never heard anything bad said about an Ulrich.  Having this last name makes me very conscience to not do anything wrong to taint this great name.  I need to live up to the honor of having this last name.  

I love being an Ulrich.

That darn truck

Let me paint a picture for you.

Three things to remember:

1. Ryan and I live in a town home.  We have a 3X3 piece of grass for our front yard and then it is the road.  Our town home is squished in between two other homes.  There are 30+ town homes in the same block of our little development.

2. The window of the master bedroom is on the front of the house right on top of the garage.  Ryan and I's  headboard on our bed is in front of the window.  Basically meaning that we sleep with our heads right under the window.

3. When we all put out our garbage cans on Tuesday night, they are all pretty much next to each other.  Directly in front of our cute little house.

So on to my story now that I have set up the scenery...

It's early Wednesday morning and like always, Ryan and I sleep with our window open.  It is peaceful and quiet.  We are both sleeping soundly, wrapped in each others arms... until....

BAM!!

KLANK!!!

FLURP!!

BEEP! BEEP!

SMACK!

The darn garbage truck is emptying our garbage at 5am!!!

Remember the setting I took so long at the beginning of this post to set up?  Well that just means that since we live in such an enclosed community and all our garbages seem to be placed together right in front of our house, the noise basically blasts Ryan and I right out of our bed. And I mean literally... blast.  I am not really sure if it's because we are going from a deep peaceful sleep to a boisterous war zone or what.  But seriously, it has got to be the loudest noise I had ever encountered at 5am.

You would think that Ryan and I would remember to not sleep with the window open on the nights the garbage truck comes.   But alas, we forget every time and wake up ready to pummel the garbage man and his darn truck.

Did I mention?

I am now a Weber State graduate!!!  

It has taken me five loooonnnngggg years but....

I have my bachelor degree in elementary education.  

What a blessing.  Now I need to help Ryan get through school. :) 

It is great to start a new chapter in my life!  

Pay It Forward

Have you seen this movie?

Don't see it.

It's awful!!  Want to know why?  Because this little boy tries to change the world.  He comes up with a plan to drastically help 3 people.  Then those 3 people have to "pay it forward" and each help three people themselves.  Then when it starts to take off, more and more people will have to pay it forward and it will be a chain reaction.  A movement to change the world.  Sounds like a good movie, right?!

Wrong.

Here is the spoiler alert: The little boy (who started the "pay it forward" movement) dies trying to save his friend from being beat up by a gang.  He is stabbed and ends up dying in the hospital.  Can you believe it?!

I sobbed.

And sobbed.

And sobbed.

Then sobbed some more.

Ryan had no idea the kind of girl he married until he saw me break down over a movie.  A movie for heavens sake.

But I sobbed and I am still upset about this darn movie.

So to save the rest of you from a nervous break down and risk being seen as a lunatic for getting so emotional over a movie.  Don't watch this one.

It's not worth the puffy eyes.  Trust me.

Oh and FYI.... I also have been known to cry (and when I say cry, I mean sob) over Star Wars, Fox and The Hound, Karate Kid, and many others. :)

Born this way

No.... I am not going to blog about the Lady Gaga song "Born this way".  

I am no where near to being a Lady Gaga fan.  But... that is besides the point. 

Lately I have been thinking about my life.  And I have come to the conclusion that I was born to be a wife.  It is truly my calling in life.  I love it.  I love making dinner every night, I love decorating the house, I love doing little things for my husband, I love cleaning our house, I love making crafts to display, I love grocery shopping, and the list goes on and on.  

Everything that a wife is traditionally "supposed" to do.... I love it.  No lie.

Other things in life, I don't enjoy so much.  Good example... homework.  And please notice that it doesn't really have to do with being a wife.  ;) 

Basically, I was born this way.   I was born to be a wife.  I am glad I get to do it 24/7.  

P.S.  For those of you who believe I am in the "honeymoon stage", we will do a follow up post in one year from now.  That way you can still see that I am still the perfect wife. ;) 

Three months, one week, and four days

Three months, one week and four days... 

That is how long Ryan and I have now been married for. 

Can you believe it?  We are old timers! ;) 

I am thrilled that I get to spend eternity with him.  

He is everything I ever wanted and more.