Thilltribe

the grass isn't greener

Jackpot

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When I met John, I sure hit the jackpot.

Over the years, he has continued to support everything I do. Even when I have a particularly wacky idea.

Today is my 47th birthday. Now, I love my birthday a lot. This is not a secret. 😉 I am not sure how he manages it but every year is better than the one before.

Today, he has given me a present every hour.

They have been thoughtful presents that also let me know that he listens to me.

  • I started the day with a note from each of my children.
  • We then proceeded to a family picture for work.
  • a scarf, gloves and headband
  • a chiropractor appointment
  • a bouquet of flowers
  • a massage
  • soda
  • a warm blanket

I am not sure what is coming next except dinner out is on the list. He really is incredible.

What you may not know is he does the grocery shopping, the meals, runs the kids everywhere, cleans the house and a myriad of other things. All the while maintaining a full time job and supporting my job.

A thank you seems so little for all that he does for me. So, I decided to write this post to help me remember all that he is doing.

I am grateful every day for picking up a pencil and writing him a letter. That letter has changed my life for the better.

He is an incredible blessing to me. I am also glad he gets me. He understands what I love and does his best to provide it.

I love you John. Thank you for another magical year.

 

Day 3 of 14

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Christmas break can seem long and lengthy for parents. Especially because with the change in routine, the crying and screaming usually commence.

Well, at our house we added in the stomach flu and some fevers into the mix. Now, on day 3, we are experiencing some really fun moments.

The kids are still trying to figure out our new routine and schedule but the crying is becoming less and  the coloring and drawing are happening more.

As a teacher, I love the down time from work. I still bought some border for my bulletin board. I am still doing some planning and organizing. I am still using Pinterest to look up ideas but, there is no hurry or rush. It is fun to do when I am not having a time crunch.

As a mom, every morning #thecaboose, asks me to stay home from work. Now, I can say “Okay”. He is so happy and so am I. No rushing and quickly getting up in the mornings. The break is so needed. I love the cuddles, the movies, the laughter and yes even the fighting. It does get tiring and frustrating hearing it a lot. But, it also means my kids are alive and well.

So…today is day 3 of break. Now, is when it feels like it is going way. to. fast.

Thanks to my amazing husband, the presents are bought and wrapped. He has done it all and there is nothing to do before Christmas except anticipate and relax. (and hope for some snow)

What are you doing on your 3rd day of break?

 

Currently

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 loving…John Thill now and forever
eating…hot fudge sundae
drinking…hot chocolate
watching…Hallmark Christmas Movies
going…to enjoy Christmas Vacation
reading…The tough kid book
texting…My grandson RYKER
playing…PAC MAN
working…kindergarten
stressing…about my to do list
celebrating…every single day
listening…Christmas Music
thanking…Heavenly Father for all of my blessings
buying…too many things
pinning…kindergarten ideas
planning…next school year
visiting…my husband
wondering…how I got lucky enough to live this life
feeling…contentment

Step into the light

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A friend made a comment a couple of weeks ago about how we are attracted to light.

I have been pondering over this thought since she said it.

Light, light, light. I see it all around me.

Light is hope, light is security and light is within us.

I seek out the light like an insect does. I am drawn to it. Whether it is in the sky, in a person or in the lights that dot the nighttime around our neighborhood. I have always loved Christmas Lights. What is not to love right? Especially when they are blanketed with snow. But, I have drawn to them for a different purpose this year…they are light.

This year I am pondering the Light of Christ. I am again drawn to the Light He provides. Too often I feel darkness encroaching upon my life. I am overwhelmed with children’s choices. I am drained by the filth all around. I get caught up in what is going wrong rather than right.

My heart and mind are often deceived by feelings of inadequacy and non existent self esteem. I often struggle to pull myself out of the black tar of injustice, depression, anger and perceived hurt. Sometimes, I feel there is nothing I am doing right or good enough. I feel like I am drowning in darkness.

Then, I know I am going to make it through when I see or feel a small glimmer of light. Too often we don’t allow ourselves the time we need to seek out that light.

The Light of Christ is always within us but we do have to work to feel and see it.

The adversary loves to distract us from our goal of having the light with us constantly. We are  consistently bombarded with things that detract from the goodness of the Lord.

When we do things that push us forward into the Light we have less cause for despair, anger and hurt. We instead are able to be focused and centered on that which is most important.

This is why we are drawn to the Light of those around us and the physical lights that help us to find our way in the darkness. If we continue to allow the small glimpses of Light to guide us, we will be able to enjoy more and more of the Light of Christ.

Regardless of religion, we all deserve to have light with us to guide us through the trials and hardships of life.

Where and how to you seek light? 

These little shoes

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In the morning, my husband and I “quick clean” our bedroom. It is our bedroom but it is also an informal family room. It has two couches and 2 recliners and since it is clean, my kids spend a significant amount of time up here.

Every morning, our room is full of kids shoes and socks.  Cups, bowls and food trash litter the floor. It is frustrating to say the very least. Well, a couple of days ago as we were cleaning, I saw my youngest shoes on the floor.  Instead of getting upset, I just looked at these tiny shoes for a moment. I thought of the hugs and kisses he gives me each and every day. I thought of the chubby hands of my baby. I reminisced about seeing him in the hospital for the first time. I thought about his baby smell and the joy he has brought into my life.

 

Then, I reflected on several of my friends who have lost a young child. My heart was bursting with love for them. I couldn’t imagine their grief, loss and pain.

It really made me think about the blessing my children are in my life. Do they drive me crazy? Well, yes they do. Do I get frustrated? Too often to count. Do I think about how different my life would be without them? Yes.  Do I cherish and love them despite their faults? Yes.

All of the sudden these little shoes took on a different meaning to me. They represented so much more than a pair of shoes I needed to clean up.

They are my reason for being. They are my mission in this life. They are the blessing I have of holding my sweet children every day. They are a reason for me to continually strive to do better. They are my eternal joy.

So, rather than pick the shoes up and toss them down the stairs. I picked them up and lovingly placed them in safer spot grateful that I had the opportunity to do so.

Cause you know what? They grow up. You begin to be less important in their lives. There will come a time that you will fight for their attention.

So, I decided I am going to be better and bask in their love and attention for as long as I can. I am going to cuddle more and argue less. I am going to cherish more and resent less. I am going to give more attention to where it is most deserved…to the little feet that are in my life.

You are doing better than you think

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Hey friends. I hope you know that you are doing better than you think.

You are amazing.

You are the person the people around you need. They don’t need me, they need you. They need your wisdom, your strength, your personality and your life experiences.

It is so interesting how we think other people have it better or easier than we do. The fact is, they don’t. They have it differently than you do.

We all have trials, we all have struggles, we all have something that is hard for us.

The trial is what makes us grow. It is what helps us to improve ourselves and our situation.

If things went well all the time, we wouldn’t progress in the way we need.

My life has been challenging. Some days I am excruciatingly exhausted. Some days I wonder if I am capable of handling all the pressure. Some days I wonder if I am good enough, strong enough and just enough.

I am and so are you. Slow progress is still progress.

I am enough.

I am doing better than I think I am.

Remember you are needed for what you can contribute to the people around you.

Not only are you enough, you are worth your best effort.

Smile. Find joy. Be grateful. Serve. Endure it well. You will have rest and you will be rewarded one day.

Have a wonderful week.

 

 

Plexus for the first 3 weeks!

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Plexus has been good to me. I am not about to promote some lose weight quickly scheme. As a matter of fact, I have lost a couple of pounds but not a dramatic loss.

Plexus is about balancing your internal body. It is optimizing the bacteria that is in your body to allow your body to work the right way.

This is what the Plexus Triplex does for you:

Benefits & Features

  • Clinically demonstrated weight loss system*
  • Promotes the growth of good gut microbes◊*
  • Increases Lactobacillus by 365 times and Bifidobacterium by 290 times- contributing to overall health◊*
  • Increases the metabolism enhancing Akkermansia by 250 times◊*
  • Supports healthy glucose metabolism*
  • Helps keep intestinal yeast in balance*
  • Helps support a healthy intestinal tract*
  • Helps improve natural response to imbalance*
  • Helps cleanse the gastrointestinal tract*
  • Reduces gas, bloating, and discomfort*
  • Helps promote regularity*
  • Helps remove harmful microbes and substances*
  • Supports your body’s natural detoxification processes*
  • Supports weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise*
  • Delivers 2 billion CFU per capsule+
  • No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
  • Gluten Free

It has made me fell more energetic even when I have only gotten a few hours of sleep. I have felt more calm. All of my sugar cravings have all but gone away. I have not had a desire to have a soda since I started drinking Plexus and my water intake has easily doubled.

Because it is back to school time, I have slacked off on my new exercise habit and my eating has been not as healthy (the school has bought our lunch this week). However, I don’t eat as much and the desire to have sugar or carbs has gone away.

I never thought I would tell you Plexus is amazing but that is what I am doing. I am not trying to sell you something. I am trying to inform you of how wonderful I feel inside and out.

Go to my website and check it out.  http://shopmyplexus.com/caycethill

Just a FYI: it is cheaper to become an ambassador and buy the welcome kit. You won’t be pressured to sell…just experience the good health.

Bottoms up! 

Day 1 and 2 Plexus

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So, I am just letting you know I have taken Plexus for 2 days now. It has been great so far. I have felt a lot more energetic and happy.

My kids have really stretched my patience and things haven’t gone perfectly but overall, I would say my general disposition is calm.

I have used the bathroom a bit more. (TMI, I am sure but hey honesty is important)

Now, the true devotee will not be too concerned with the financial aspect. I am a bit concerned with the pricing. That has always been my biggest argument for not buying it earlier. I have friends that have been selling and telling me about it for years. (I couldn’t chose who to buy from so I went with a stranger…bad friend alert. 🙁 )

I have been a seeker of weight loss for years. I have been on LA Weightless, Weight watchers, beach body, Medifast, HCG I am sure there are a few more in there. They have all worked really well for me. I am a believer in whatever you follow through with will work for you.

I have always been most concerned with losing weight.

Now, I am most concerned with good health and longevity in my weight loss. I want to change my outlook on exercise and food. This is why I chose Plexus.

Keep in mind, as I post about this, I have been running 3 times a week for 30 minutes using the C25K app. I am on my 3rd week. I have also incorporated eating berries and cheese for breakfast. I am really trying to take this slow and steady.

I found that it was cheaper (when buying Plexus) to become an ambassador. It is $34.95 a year to receive the wholesale price. You save on average (wholesale) about $10 per product. You also receive a one time welcome kit for $99 with 3 (yes, I said 3) products. In that one order, you already make back your $34.95. So, anyway if you are interested in checking this product out…here is my website link http://shopmyplexus.com/caycethill

Let me know what you think.

Here we go…

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I just posted my current photos on my Facebook group. Wow! That was hard.

I actually started in June by stopping soda. I have since picked up my bad habit again but I am stopping it as well.

Then, I started running. the first week it was intervals of 2 minutes walking 60 seconds running. Week 2 was 90 seconds running. week 3 is jog for 90 sec walk for 90 sec jog for 3 min walk for 3 min two repetitions.  (a bit nervous about it).

I am going to try and incorporate some small steps to help me reach my goal.

I sure hope you can join me on my journey. But first, I hope you will find the strength to get up, get moving and set your own goals.

Post your picture(if you are comfortable with that) and your goals. 🙂

I really believe together we are stronger.

I have made a big mistake…

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I know, “what a surprise!” Right? Wrong!

I make way too many mistakes. However, I am going to own up to this one right now.

Okay, we have all seen the pictures. the fat shaming, the “no excuses”, the “what is your excuse”, the thin shaming etc..

I have been guilty of all of them. I am jealous of thin people and it makes me believe that I am not as good as they are. I also feel like it is easier for some people to be more fit and thin than others.

For the other, I have made my excuses.

  1. I have 20 kids
  2. They have so many issues (my kids)
  3. Some days, I feel like I can barely keep my head above water
  4. I am older
  5. After the day I have had, I deserve a special treat.
  6. No one understands the pressure of a large family
  7. Not to mention the secondary trauma I have endured
  8. After teaching kindergarten all day, then coming home to my other full time job. I deserve a break/rest/netflix binge.
  9. It has never been easy for me
  10. There will be time to get healthy later
  11. well, you can imagine the rest….

So, the thought occurred to me (on more than one occasion) that women who are healthy and fit work their tails off to be so. They eat healthy most of the time. They exercise. they work on their spiritual side. They realize they are worth the time and effort needed to be healthy.

So last week, I started again. I ran 3 times this week. I made my excuses then I made up my mind. I am worth it. I feel better. It really doesn’t take that long.

If I want a healthy body, I have to work for it. Just because someone is thin it doesn’t equate to happy or healthy.

I need to be the best me I can be and exercise is going to get me there.

So, I am sorry to all of you for judging or criticizing (in my mind) the hard work and effort you have expended to be healthy.

I am going to work on my body at the same time I work on my brain.

So Monday morning, I will be tying my running shoes and putting in my headphones as I continue to show up and do the work.

PS I was completely mortified by this picture I took last night.This is my husband John in the purple,then  Marissa(Former Miss Utah) and Kyle Van Noy(New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion and former BYU Cougar) and me.

I had no idea I had gotten so big. I thought I looked okay last night. So folks, this is what I am working with.

All I see is a super wide girl and I was pretty embarrassed to take a picture with this cute group. So, I am continuing to be done with soda and I am going to stop enjoying the treats that come with so many excuses. 🙂

What is your story?

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