Marriage Monday: The First Priority

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"Those who enter into Marriage should be fully prepared to
establish their marriage as the first priority in their lives."
--James E. Faust

You can find my other Marriage Monday's here.

Reading Report 2

Jan 13-Jan 24

In the last week and half here's the latest bunch of books I've read. My favorites of these were Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden, The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder and Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (in that order).

Anyone read these yet? 

What'd you think?

Anything look like something you might pick up? 

As always you can find my goodreads list here, though I usually let the books percolate a while in my brain before I review/rate them.

Marriage Monday: Valentines Day Challenge

Valentines day is getting closer!

Do you celebrate? Do you have plans for this year? 

I found this last night over at Women Living Well and wanted to share it on my Marriage Monday post. I thought it was such a fun idea to use the next four weeks to increase our intentional interactions with your spouse. Go check it out, I'd love to hear if any of you are planning on doing it too!


You can find my other Marriage Monday's here.

Reading Report 1

Jan 1-Jan12: 

Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

What are you reading this week?

LeanMoms Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered. If you didn't win, check out LeanMoms.com for her free 6 week training program or for more information on the membership levels. (And check back here in a few weeks when I'll be giving away a 6 month membership!)

The winner of the 3-Month Program is....

Congrats Kimberly F! 

I'll email you, so keep an eye out for it.

What I read in 2012

A visual review of what I read last year.  In years past I've always had a theme to go along with my readings, (A-Z, local authors, fav genre, a set number to reach, etc). I toyed with a few ideas for this years theme but never specifically decided until about half way through the year.  I looked at what I was reading, and for me, it was stuff out of my comfort zone. Not my normal reads.

So 2012's theme ended up being 'the unexpected'. 

You can see my Goodreads list of 2012 here. You can see some of my thoughts on them there. I'm trying to catch up on my ratings and reviews, I like to let the book settle a little before I rate/review it. 

Or here's a quick glance in descending order: 

1. If You Ask Me by Betty White

2. The Sixty Eight Rooms by Marianne, Malone

3. Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch

4. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

5. Listening is an Act of Love by Dave Isay

6. The Final Piece by Maggi Myers

7. Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

8. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

9. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

10. Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

11. Battle Hymn of the Mother Tiger by Amy Chua

12. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

13. Reached by Ally Condie

14. My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall

15. The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

16. The Book Theif by Markus Zusak

17. The Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero by Matt Peterson

18. Olives Ocean by Kevin Henkes

19. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

20. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

21. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

22. How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

23. SuperFreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt

24. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

25. Mistletoe & Margaritas by Shannon Stacey

26. Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

27. The Pixar Touch by David A. Price

28. Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy

29. Belles by Jen Calonita

30. Objects of my Affection by Jill Smolinski

31. The Wedding Beat by Devan DeSipher

32. City Limits (also named Idle Playgrounds) by Sheralyn Pratt

33. The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt

34. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

35. I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

36. Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale

37. Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm

38. Notes from a Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick

39. 50 Jobs in 50 States by Daniel Seddiqui

40. Bright Blue Miracle by Becca Wilhite

41. Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

42. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesee Andrews

43. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

44. We Got To Play Baseball by Gregg Olson

45. What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

46. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

47. Playing the Field by Janette Rallison

48. The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher

49. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

50. The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

51. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben

52. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

53. Black Heart by Holly Black

54. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

55. Geek Charming by Robin Palmer

56. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

57. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

58. Maze Runner by James Dashner

59. Please Ignore Viera Dietz by A. S. King

60. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

61. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

62. I Believe in Jesus Too by Mark S. Nielsen

63. Grave Mercy by R. L. LaFevers

64. Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

65. Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

66. Girls Don't Fly by Kristen Chandler

67. When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

68.Olivia by Julie Wright

69. Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

70. Fireside by Susan Wiggs

71. A Little Bit Wicked by Kristin Chenoweth

72. Paranormalacy by Kiersten White

73. With a Name Like Love by Tess Hilimo

74. Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox

75. Disney War by James B. Stewart

76. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

77. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

78. This Time Together by Carol Burnett

79. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

80. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

81. How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

82. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohen

83. Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

84. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

85. Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

86.There You'll Find Me by Jenny B Jones

87. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

88. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

89. Trust Me by Rachel Hawthorne

90. Red Glove by Holly Black

91. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

92. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Have you read any of these books?

What did you think?

What was your favorite read of 2012?

Here's my reads in 2011.
Here's what I read in 2010. 

Marriage Monday: Schedule Marriage Building

With the new year comes the idea that many of us have a renewed sense of bettering ourselves. It's invigorating and exciting and with everyone doing it at the same time (though many of our goals may be different) it's fun to cheer each other on.

May I throw a suggestion into the ring? Schedule, plan and/or calendar a handful of times throughout the year where you'll actually sit down (at least you, with your spouse would be ideal) and do something to be better your marriage. Build it up. Whatever it may be. Twelve times, that's only once a month!


Here's something to help get you started.
(I realize this says Utah, but really anyone can access this.)

If you live in Utah, you can request one free hard copy here,
or anyone can access it by clicking on the above picture.

You can find my other Marriage Monday's here.

LeanMoms.com (Membership Giveaway!)

I keep thinking I need to blog about my continued effort in getting fit and being healthier. So chalk that up to a goal this year. You might remember my earlier posts about my weight loss, (part1, part2, part3). I finished off 2012 with a bang and really enjoyed the programs I did that kept me motivated to workout hard every day. 

I've been wanting to weight lift for SO long. What held me back though was not knowing enough about it. I knew a handful of moves and machines but I felt like, when I heard my friends talk 'today I did shoulders, today I did triceps and biceps' I didnt know enough moves specific to muscle groups that I felt I was being effective when I tried the machines.

I've seen LeanMoms around and when I did some research into the program I knew this was what I had been hoping to find! I needed to learn proper form, exercises and combinations. This is it! I want to get sculpted!

My initial review:

I started earlier this week and I AM HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE!!! I'm doing the at-home program and I've been so impressed with the set up. Lacy includes a detailed worksheet of the exercises for each day, PLUS a how-to video of each move. You're given access to the program upfront so you have all the information you need before you start so you can get comfortable and knowledgeable before trying it out.

I've poured over this information and there is variety and consistency so I think you'll love it as much as me! There is also a do-able meal plan. For me that is huge. I've always shied away from meal plans because I'm crazy picky but so far I've been really excited that I can handle this one! On top of that there is a great online support group that you can be involved in as much or as little as you want. Everyone is at different stages so it's nice to ask for clarification or suggestions but also throw in my two cents every now and then.

(Click the above image to go to the website 
to learn even more and sign up!)

More specific information:

Leanmoms.com is an online strength training and body sculpting program created specifically for busy women and mothers. Each level is a comprehensive 12-week program designed to help you learn proper strength training and nutrition for a female body to yield great results.

Instead of a fad diet that promises quick (but not lasting) results, LeanMoms gives women the necessary tools to make long-lasting healthy lifestyle changes to help them feel better about themselves, be stronger and more active for their children, and have a lean, sculpted body they can be proud of.

The LeanMoms program teaches you how to exercise with effective strength training schedules and instructional videos,  and how to eat right with full, detailed meal plans that tell you what to eat, when to eat it, and how much of it to eat. This type of program is ideal for the busy mother, because it’s much less expensive than hiring a trainer and can be done on your own schedule—either at the gym or at home.

Lacy, the CEO and founder of LeanMoms, and all the other LeanMoms clients will be cheering you on along the way in the private LeanMoms Facebook group, on group calls, and motivational emails. The private Facebook group is like tapping into a fountain of fitness and nutrition gold. The level of support you receive is like nothing you've experienced before. It's hard to fail when you have this kind of support.

LeanMoms.Com offers three different membership packages to accommodate women at every level.

The Molly 3-Month Membership ($67) includes:

• Access to LeanMoms Member’s site

• Full, detailed meal plan and shopping lists. 

• Soft to Sculpted Level 1 Complete Workout 

• Support and healthy advice via e-mail and social media posts from LeanMoms coaches.

• Set of recorded downloadable calls to aid you in your success.

The Sophie 6-Month Membership ($147) includes:

• Access to LeanMoms Member’s Site

• Soft to Sculpted Level 1 Complete Workout Program

• Meal plan and shopping lists

• Access to private Facebook group

• Free access to regular group calls

• Weightloss Meditation Program

The Savannah One-Year VIP Membership ($197) includes:

• Access to LeanMoms Member’s site

• Soft to Sculpted Level 1 and Level 2 Complete Workout Programs

• Level 1 and Level 2 Meal Plans

• Access to Private Facebook group

• Free access to group calls

• NEW weekly workout options and recipes

• Weightloss Meditation Program

• Exclusive discounts and gyms, spas, and other businesses partnered with LeanMoms

• 10% discount on any LeanMoms merchandise

• 50% discount on any LeanMom live events

Giveaway:

LeanMoms.com is offering The Molly-a 3 month ($67) membership to one of you lucky Cranberryfries readers for FREE!!!

Yay! We can do it together!!

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