P90X

Yes...we are doing it. For the next 90 days, we will be slaves to Tony Horton-in our own home-on our own television. There are 12 different workouts, including chest and back, plyometrics, shoulders and arms, yoga, legs and back, kenpo, stretch, core cynergistics, chest, shoulders and triceps, back and biceps, cardio, and...the AB RIPPER!

Before and after pictures are required, however, we have chosen NOT to post those! We Might (with a capital M) post the AFTER pictures...you'll just have to wait and see I guess!

Not only is this a hardcore workout program, but it is an INTENSE diet, which, IS NOT OPTIONAL. They pretty much tell you that on every page of the 200 page manual...therefore, I have learned, IT IS NOT OPTIONAL. So, this is what we will be eating... for the first month anyway. (Notice the massive bottle of Ibuprofen in the upper right corner!! I am sure that we will go through a FEW bottles of those!!!)

There are 3 phases(1 for each month) and you get to add more food in at each phase. I didn't put the meat that is included...and there is definitely MEAT included. The first 4 weeks, Cody has to eat SEVEN servings of protein, and I have to eat FIVE! That is sickening, honestly...but, they say it works! (By they I mean pretty much everyone that has tried it!)

So, wish us luck... we're gonna need it.

First Indoor Photo Shoot!

Click here to see my first indoor children's photo shoot!

Bad day...until

I had a bad day today, until I got these....

I love you hunny. I am so thankful for a husband who cares!

Seven Pounds

Tear. Tears. Lots of Tears. I don't even know what to say! This movie ended and I was still sobbing. I LOVED it! However, I don't think that I ever need to see it again. I would definitely recommend seeing it. Just be prepared to cry. And cry. And cry some more. (I know that was scatterbrained, but that is how I feel!)

Your Path Will Be Directed

This post is extremely long, however, I DO encourage you to read it. I think that no matter the situation that you may be in, this will lift you up and help you look forward to brighter days ahead.

This past year has been a challenging one for my family. We have lost loved ones and felt many pains of sorrow. I personally have struggled with my physical health, and many questions have been left unanswered. Through all of our trying times, we have had the blessing of family, friends, and the promises from the Lord to buoy us up. I am so thankful for the truths that I have in my life. I was given the book “Personal Promises from the Lord to You” by Matthew O. Richardson for my birthday, and have recently been reading from it with Cody. This message calmed many of my fears and uncertainties of the future for me and my family. It is so comforting to know that each of us have people in our lives as well as a loving Heavenly Father to turn to at all times.

  

Your Path Will Be Directed

 The book of Proverbs is considered a sampling of antidotes, experiences, and divine promises that are written by some of the wisest teachers of the time.  More than just catchy phrases, these are statements shared by those who knew the law of God well and provided testimony of practical application of these principles in everyday living. The lord’s promise to direct our path bolsters our confidence in him and enables us to endure difficult times as well as to enjoy the goodness of life. Joseph Smith Wrote, “An actual sure knowledge to any person, that the course of life which he pursues is according to the will of God, is essentially necessary to enable him to have that confidence in God without which no person can obtain eternal life. It was this that enabled the ancient saints to endure tall their afflictions and persecutions and to take joyfully the spoiling of their good, knowing (not merely believing) that they had a more enduring substance.”

Solomon is attributed by many to be the sage teacher of this particular proverb. To qualify for this promise, Solomon taught that we must “trust in the Lord with all thine hear; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” He also stated that we must “in all our (ways) acknowledge him”, “be not wise in our own eyes, “ and “depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Learning to trust in the Lord with all our hearts is not an easy task. We must not that this form of trust requires all of our hearts. We must trust in the Lord even when the Lord’s counsel is not convenient or does not makes sense to us. Wholehearted trust surpasses both our personal understanding and conventional wisdom. There will be times when the Lord directs us to paths that seem far too simple, too improbably, or downright foolish. As a result, we may not be able to see “how this is all going to work out” or we may feel that it “just doesn’t make any sense.” But remember Isaiah’s warming, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, an prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:21). Think of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who laughed to herself when she overheard heavenly messengers telling her husband that she would bear a child (Genesis 18:12). To think that she, a woman of ninety-one years, could bring forth a child was not only improbable according to her own wisdom and the wisdom of others, but it was outlandish. However, with a change of heart, Sarah did bring for Isaac and was filled with laughter of joy (Genesis 21:6). In many ways, I am certain we have all felt a certain kinship with Sarah. I can think of personal times when there was drought of divine direction and it seemed divine guidance may never come. As a result, doubt and fear began to set in. I also remember times when God’s promptings did come and they initially seemed so out-of-touch that I felt embarrassed to share the plan with anyone else. But like Sarah, with faith, time and a willingness to enact God’s plan, I too have been filled with joy and find myself laughing about the uncertainty of the past.

Trusting in God more than trusting in our own wisdom, habits, traditions, culture, and thoughts requires more than a dedicated efforts. The central core of this type of trust is an abiding sense of humility. Such humility was modeled in Gethsemane as the Savior humble declared, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Fortunately, a direct outgrowth of this type of humility is patience. This is necessary for while God’s promises will certainly be fulfilled, they will be fulfilled “in his own tie, and in his own way, and according to his own will” (D&C 88:68).

Solomon taught that this promise of divine direction is contingent upon our willingness to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways. He suggested that we acknowledge him by fearing him and departing from evil (Proverbs 3:7). Thus obedience to the Lord’s commandments is a natural requisite in trusting him and in recognizing him in all we do. It is also important to understand that as the Lord directs our paths, we must continually “confess his hand in all things” lest we offend him and kindle his wrath (D&C 59:21).

It is important to consider Solomon’s experience regarding this divine promise. When he trusted the Lord with all his heart and lived righteously, his paths were directed in ways that led to unprecedented talent, wisdom, and favor with the Lord. Although his methods seemed a bit unconventional at the time, the outcomes proved to be providential. Unfortunately, in his latter years, Solomon “turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God” (1 Kings 11:4). As a result, he directed his own paths-according to his own ways-which ultimately led to ruin.

If we can muster the courage to keep God’s commandments tour very best ability, we ill begin to see God’s hand in our lives and qualify for companionship with the Holy Ghost. As we feel the spirit, we learn to recognize the Shepherd’s voice and his methods. This builds confidence and trust in him. So the next time you are prompted in ways that defy your own desires, wisdom, logic, or design, you can proceed with confidence. You have trod this path before and, with faith, you begin to recognize familiar landmarks from your previous journey. You recognize the Lord’s voice as it encourages you to go forward, you remember how he brings about his might works, and you recognize his patterns and understand his methods. When we allow Christ to direct our paths, we can feel a calm assurance as we forsake our own wisdom and embrace his. We may even face the crossroads that will require us to emulate the Savior in saying, “not my will, but thine be done” As we trust in him and embrace righteousness, we too with laugh with joy like Sarah and reflect gratefully that we didn’t trade his way for ours.

 

Winterholler Photography

Well, it is official...the Winterholler Photography blog is up and running. Yes, there is only one family on the blog as of yet...but LOTS of pictures! I hope this will give you a taste of the photos that I have taken so far. I am trying to improve my skills each day and hope to become a great family photographer. I have a passion for children and I am excited to catch their precious moments on film.

CLICK HERE to go to Winterholler Photography.

Questions answered

I left a few of you with some questions after my Christmas post. I thought I would take a minute to clear them up...

#1 What is a Mandoline?

A mandoline is a professional food slicer (shown above). You can slice anything from oranges to potatoes to onions. I put a picture below of the 1/4 inch sliced potatoes that I made tonight. 

It makes my food prep so much easier. You can vary the thickness of your slices, which is definitely an added bonus...not to  mention the fact that they al cook evenly because they are the same thickness!

#2 What is a silpat?

Silpat is a silicone nonstick baking mat. It is microwave, oven and freezer safe. You can place it inside of your cookie sheets in order to prevent the bottoms burning....not to mention that you do not have to clean the pan! No PAM is necessary...it takes about 10 seconds to clean, what a beautiful invention! I also use it often when making biscuits, or rolling sugar cookies. You are able to use less flour and keep your cookies tender. You can find Silpats online or at any baking store, for as little as $13.00. It will be a $13.00 well spent!

#3 Photoshoots

I would be honored to take pictures of all of your beautiful kids! If you are in Billings, you will unfortunately have to wait until late April. If you are in Utah, feel free to contact me at chelseawinterholler{at}yahoo{dot}com. (And if you are in Burley...hmm....we will have to figure SOMETHING out!) I will soon have a blog up and running of shoots I have recently done. I am a work in progress, and hope to improve dramatically in the next few months and years!

Christmas Low Down

Christmas was so great for us this year. We are so blessed to have such wonderful parents and siblings to be surrounded by. I don't know what I did to deserve such amazing people in my life. We are constantly given love and compassion from each one of our family members. It is such a blessing to have people that you can love unconditionally, as well as feel that love from them. I hope that each person in my family knows their importance to me and the example that they have shown me. I love you all so much and I am so sad that we don't get to see eachother very often.

We had a busy, yet lazy Christmas Vacation. We bounced back and forth between houses much easier this year than last. I think we have our schedule figured out! (I hope by next year I can chill out even more and not consider it a SCHEDULE!) We went to movies, ate pizza like 6 times in 2 weeks, played games (Dad kicked our butt even though he was absent half of the game), watched our fair share of sports center, caught up with friends and family, laughed, cried, and loved. 

The thing that I was very most excited about this year was the present that we gave our mothers. We made wordles for them...thanks for the idea Ashley Wray! It brought tears to both of their eyes, I hope that they can cherish those gifts and know how much we love them.

The second exciting thing was my present from Cody and Laurel. I got a professional camera!

I am so excited to have it! The only condition that Cody gave me is not to take pictures of HIM! I am not sure if I will be able to follow through with that one! I have not put my camera down since I got it, and I have already done 2 photo shoots. My goal is to become a infants/children's photographer! Cody is an amazing editor, and I am taking classes and want to excel in this area. I am excited for what lies ahead in the photo business for us!

My other favorite present was all of my cooking stuff! My mom got me a Mandoline, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! As does Cody! (it is on the right hand side).

I also got a silpat from Laurel and I already made some delicious cookies using it. I got a bread knife, too! Which sounds totally lame, but I really wanted one! 

Bert also got me a cast iron pan...so expect some fried foods to start showing up on my food blog! I still have some money for kitchen stuff left and hope to find a few more things that I just can't live without!

Cody made out well with a drill, some Gel Keyanos, and gift card after gift card(most of them for ITunes!). We both made out very well!

I had to post these pictures of my dad and my nephew Ian. Uncle Nate got Ian some books on Komatsu tractors, etc. for Christmas. Honestly, every 30 minutes or so Ian would go grab his Komatsu books and find Grandpa Jim to quiz him! He honestly knows almost all of the names of the machinery...it is crazy! He is going to grow up and be just like Uncle NATE!