Wellness Wednesday: Fill Your Love Tank

Sorry this is a day late!

I started reading this book called "The 5 Love Languages"by Gary Chapman. It's pretty popular so I'm sure you have heard of it. It is kind of a marriage self-help book. It's written on the basis that everyone has a love language and that you don't always have the same as your spouse/partner. So a lot of the time you may be speaking the wrong "love language" to your spouse and that may be why they are not happy. The book has a test in the back so you can figure out what your love language is.  Casey and I both took the test and were kind of surprised by the results. Your love language can definitely change when you have kids. For example mine is "Quality Time and Words of affirmation". Casey's was "Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation". One of my favorite parts of the book is in the beginning of the when it talks about how everyone is born with a empty"love tank".

"Child psychologists affirm that every child has certain basic emotional needs that must be met if he is to emotionally stable. Among these emotional needs, none is more basic than the need for love and affection, the need to sense that he or she belongs and is wanted. With an adequate supply of affection, the child will likely develop into a responsible adult. Without that love, he or she will be emotionally and socially challenged. 

I liked the metaphor the first time I heard it: "Inside every child is an emotional tank waiting to be filled with love. When a child really feels loved, he will develop normally, but when the love tank is empty, the child will misbehave. Much of the misbehavior of children is motivated by the cravings of an empty 'love tank'". "

I love this because it can be applied to both adults and children. It can help us see the innocence in our spouse when we realize that they may be acting out because their "love tank" may be running on empty. This is where knowing their "love language can really help". And with raising children this makes it seem kind of easy because all we need to do is love them and kiss them to death!! That's easy. Who doesn't want to fill their child's love tank all day everyday?

A Weekend Getaway to Arizona

This last weekend Casey's work took us on a little retreat to Scottsdale, AZ. His team met their quota last quarter and this was their reward! I'll take it! It was our first time leaving Chase so as you can imagine we had mixed feelings. He is getting so much easier to take care of and so much fun too! So I was a little sad leaving him. Luckily my mom flew up to watch him for the weekend and she was beyond excited (first grandchild). 

Our itinerary included a golf/spa day, a nice dinner, hanging out at the pool, shopping, room service breakfast (my first time), hiking, and our first NFL game! It was definitely a nice break to be just with Casey although pumping was not my favorite. But I did get to save all my milk (TSA lets you bring back as much as you want!). Needless to say we had lots of fun but we were pretty happy to get back to our little babe! 

 Who doesn't love a good hotel robe?

 Hiking Pinnacle Peak

 Such good pizza! Thanks Sara for the recommendation

 Sprinkle Cupcakes!

Just living the dream!

First time ordering breakfast room service! So amazing 

 Our first NFL game together! Arizona Cardinals

Chase didn't seem to miss us. He went to his first BYU football game and apparently loved it! 

Painting Pumpkins!

Last week we got some friends together for a little chili and pumpkin painting. It was lots of fun to see everyone and their little ones! I've kind of decided that I like pumpkin painting more than carving. It's not as messy. I do miss roasting and eating the pumpkin seeds though :( 

My sister and I went to Hee Haw farms earlier that day to pick out some pumpkins

 Guess whose pumpkin this is?!?!

Wellness Wednesday: Healthy Harvest Chili

I found this recipe in People Magazine a while back and I have made it a couple times since. It's so easy and so delicious! I just throw all the ingredients in the Crock Pot on low for a couple of hours after I saute the onions and turkey. Casey loves this and it makes great leftovers. 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, undrained
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, undrained
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (11 oz) can whole kernel corn, undrained
• 1 (1 oz) package dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 (1 1/4 oz) package spicy taco seasoning

DIRECTIONS

• 1. Heat oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Heat onion, stirring occasionally, until

  browned, 8-9 minutes.
• 2. Add turkey and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, 4-5 minutes.
• 3. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid thicken, 20 minute. (or put in Crock Pot on low for 3-5 hours). 

 After you add the TURKEY and ONIONS to the crock pot all you do is just put the rest of the ingredients on top. 

 Stir it all together and let it cook!

I added some shredded cheese on top and made some muffins!

7 Month-old Baby Chase

I haven't really done posts like this about Chase but it's not too late to start right? The other day I wanted to take pictures of Chase so I went to get my nice digital SLR and I could not find the charger! Then I thought I would take some film pictures because I found my Nikon SLR and of course the battery was dead! Mom fail :( So I just had to use my little point and shoot. But at least they are better than iphone pictures! 

Here is a little update on Chase:

-still has 2 bottom teeth

-so close to crawling!

-loves doing downward dog

-rocks back and forth on on fours

-lunges forward and gets what he wants

-can sit up on his own

-wants to feed himself

-loves finger foods

-smiles at everyone- friendliest baby

-likes to talk really loud and sing

-loves to give kiss and hugs

Sneak Peak of Our First Family Pictures!

We just had our family pictures taken last week by Jessie O'neal and I LOVE how they turned out! You never know with a baby but Chase was amazing and so smiley the whole time. We have all the proofs and now we just need to pick the ones we want. It's going to be so hard cause I love all of them! Here are a few of my favorites: 

Wellness Wedneday: My Favorite 10-Minute Arm Workout

This is great to do when you don't have a lot of time. It works your biceps and triceps.  I kind of hate my arms so I try to do some kind of arm workout everyday. All you need is 5 lb dumbbells and 2 or 3 lbs as well. 

Enjoy!

A Cousin Filled Weekend!

Yes my parents came into town again! My cousin Colby had his baptism on Saturday and BYU also had their homecoming football game. So they had some good reasons to come to Utah (besides just seeing us). Plus it's so beautiful right now with all the colors changing! And now that there is a flight from LAX ---> Provo Airport,  it makes it very convenient (and affordable). 

We had lots of fun just hanging out with family and enjoying the beautiful Utah fall weather!

 For some reason I love the view of the back of Chase's head...his little ears sticking out hah

 Chase and his 2nd cousin Crew

 My mom and her nephew Colby who got baptized!

 Chase and Aunt Mac!

 Drive up the canyon to check out property in Heber

 Future 2nd homesite for my parents? That would be ammmmaazzzing! Crossing my fingers :)

 Chase playing with his cousin Griff

 Chase and Grammmy!