Books for 2012

What I've been reading..an update! Updated December 2012
For 2012 I planned to read 24 books in 12 months. Here is my list of what I wanted to read and what I did end up reading.

1. Girl that played with Fire    Good read!

2. The Double Bind  Horrible book

3. Unbroken  Amazing book!!!

4. Crazy Love; overwhelmed by a relentless God
5. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
6. Calm my anxious heart By Linda Dillow
7. Organized Simplicity

8. All 3 of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (1st and 2nd book awesome! 3rd book was slow and not that interesting.)

9. A new you by Friday Didn't finish, wasn't that good

10. The time of my life by Patrick Swayze

11. Kardashian Konfidential By the Kardashian's only part of it was good

12. Life is not a reality show by Kyle Richards I felt like this was geared towards single women. Some of the stories were good. I recommend this one only if you are looking for a man.

13. The Naked Truth by Danielle Staub

14. A new child by Friday Good book, hard to follow all the rules. Especially if you are a very busy family. Got some good tips though. I did not have new kids by Friday!!

15. 21 days to a more disciplined life

16. Sarah's Key  This was a very good read. I recommend this one for a book club as well.

17. The girl and the hornets nest Great book! He was an amazing writer. I highly recommend all 3

18. Firefly Lane Good Summer read. My first book by Kristin and I liked it.

19. Something blue, something borrowed series

Not on this list that I read:
50 Shades of Gray (all 3) Loved them all!
Gone Girl I really enjoyed this book, very different from any mystery I've ever read.
The Book Thief  I like this book, I cried! Good for book club as well.
Heaven in for real
Bared to you by Sylvia Day   Very close to 50 shades, I liked it. I'll finish the other 2 soon.
Sleeping Beauty By Anne Rice    awful book
As one with me    Not a great book but it was ok

I tried really hard to do 24 books, I came close but there is always next year!

NicaraguaAug2012 Cut03 YouTube 1080p MM

Here is the video from my mission trip. I cry everytime I watch it. I really miss everyone from the trip but mostly the girls at the orphanage.
I am in two very quick clips in the video, wish it was more but it's the message that counts. Pastor Earl does amazing things!
I do hope to go back. If you donated to this cause I am greatly appriciative and hope that you will give again so I can return!!
GOD BLESS!
Feel free to pass this video to everyone!

xoxo
-N

2 WEEKS!

OMG!! I am actually leaving in 2 weeks to Nicaragua!
I am caught up on all my shots and picked up my prescriptions.
Today I picked up my insect repellent with Deet in it, I made sure I had my passport copies.
Now I'm just trying to add up donations (still accepting till Tuesday morning ;)I'm so close to having the total amount, just need a bit more to cover airfare...Making sure I have the proper forms filled out, and the proper clothes to wear.
I have decided to do a final "fundraiser" if you will by holding my own garage sale. I plan on doing this next Friday. I hope people buy all my junk I mean treasures! It's been stacking up in my living room and my house looks like I'm a hoarder.
I am excited to go, I can't wait to meet all these children I've been fundraising for.
I hope to bond with my team and make life long friends.
I do hope to blog more in the coming week as I prepare to leave.

xoxo
-N

Like my Page

Many of you have either read my blog post, got a letter or email but I am going to Nicaragua in August. I have made an official page on Facebook to keep my friends and family posted on my adventure.
Go like it!
www.facebook.com/puertocabezamissiontrip

I will keep you posted on my fundraising efforts, pictures any news and especially after my mission trip I will post more pictures and stories.
I'm super excited!
Pass on the website ;)

xoxo
-N

1st Donation

Today I showed up at car pool and my girlfriend handed me a check! My very 1st donation to help the children in Nicaragua!
I was up from 3-4:30 am last night freaking out about the funds. I just kept praying. God is good!
I may cry every time I get a check.
 I love when people know that we are truly blessed and we shouldn't take it for granted.
Keep the donations coming, I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store!

If my letter from the previous blog post has touched your heart please, please re post on your blog. We can change the lives of hundreds of children!

xoxo
-N

Hints Revealed!

Dear Friends and Family,
 I have some exciting news to share with you!
This coming August, I will be joining several other families as we travel to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua where we will be working in an orphanage that is home to over 100 children who have been left orphaned due to the poverty and natural disasters of that area. Behind Haiti, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America. Three yeas ago Hurricane Felix devastated this area and today many villages still lay in ruin. With over 85% unemployment rate poverty is at historic highs. The need for adequate shelter for the children is desperately needed. During our time there we will engage with the children, listen to their stories, play and interact with them. It's our hope and desire to get to know each of the children and share the love of Christ with them through our words and actions.

In addition to spending time with the children we will be working on the construction of a new orphanage which when done will provide living accommodations for up to 120 children complete with dining hall, study area, kitchen and play area.

I am asking for your prayer for the entire trip. By praying for my safety you are actually helping spread the love of God to the hundreds of homeless children living in such oppression. In addition to prayer I would like to as you to partner with me by helping me raise the required $1800.00 for expenses for this trip and in addition we as a team need to raise $5,000 for construction materials. I would like to ask you to consider making a donation towards the expenses for this trip. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

If God places in your heart to help, please make out your check in any amount to Cherry Hills Church and mail it to me Nicole Craft at
10776 Towerbridge Circle
Highlands Ranch, CO 80130
I in return will send your checks to the church and they will send you a tax deductible receipt. Please write Nicaragua August 2012 on the memo line.

Thank you in advance for your donation, prayers and support!!
Please pass on this letter to anyone you know that loves to donate to special causes!

I will try and keep my donation amount progress in the margin. Thank you again!

xoxo
Nicole C

24 books in 12 months (Dec 2012)

What I've been reading..an update! Updated December 2012

1. Girl that played with Fire   Good read!
2. The Double Bind Horrible book
3. Unbroken Amazing book!!!
4. Crazy Love; overwhelmed by a relentless God
5. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
6. Calm my anxious heart By Linda Dillow
7. Organized Simplicity
8. All 3 of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (1st book awesome!)
9. A new you by Friday Didn't finish, wasn't that good
10. The time of my life by Patrick Swayze
11. Kardashian Konfidential By the Kardashian's only part of it was good
12. Life is not a reality show by Kyle Richards I felt like this was geared towards single women. Some of the stories were good. I recommend this one only if you are looking for a man.
13. The Naked Truth by Danielle Staub
14. A new child by Friday  Good book, hard to follow all the rules. Especially if you are a very busy family. Got some good tips though. I did not have new kids by Friday!!
15. 21 days to a more disciplined life
16. Sarah's Key
17. The girl and the hornets nest Great book! He was an amazing writer. I highly recommend all 3
18. Firefly Lane Good Summer read. My first book by Kristin and I liked it.
19. Something blue, something borrowed series

Not on this list that I read:
50 Shades of Gray (all 3)
Gone Girl
The Book Thief
Heaven in for real (halfway done)
As one with me
I tried really hard to do 24 books, I came close but there is always next year!

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Book vs. Movie

I finally watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie last night. I would have to say it was pretty disappointing. It was a very slow moving movie. It felt like a 4 hour movie. I didn't like who they cast as Mikael the investigator. Lisbeth was great. They really captured the details of the book very well. But I have to say the book is way better then the movie.

I've already read The girl who played with fire. Another great book I hope the movie can hold up to it. I hope it's better then Girl with Dragon Tattoo.
And there is my opinion!

xoxo
-N

P90X DONE!

YES, you read that right! P90X is DONE!!
First let's start with week 11...Really bad week! I physically cannot do lunges or squats without my knees cracking and being in so much pain. The only bad thing about that is it's the two best workouts for the legs/butt!
The only thing I pushed myself on was the arm weights this week. I went up from a 12 to 15 for the entire arm workout. Some of it was so hard. Glad I did it though. I skipped the Kenpo workout and ran sprint intervals instead. I really am missing my running.

Week 12!!! This week went fast but I did a lot of modifications. My knees are still really bad. Instead of the cardio workout I went to a new gym and worked out twice.

So for the results!!!

                                       Started                Finished

Arm weights                   10 lbs                   15-20 lbs
Standard push up             6..Knees 20         20 no knees at any given time
Military push up              1                             7
Wide fly PU                     10                        15
Decline push ups              0                          12
Dive Bomber                    5                          10
Plank hold                       30 sec                    1 min. 15 seconds

Strip Sets (8 reps of each lb) 15,12,10,8              20,15,12,10,8,5,2,1 1/2 lbs

Ab Ripper X                    10 of each             20-25 of most

Measurements:            Started                     Finished

Fat Mass                       32 lb                        26.21 lbs  (down 6.4)
Lean Mass                    130.79                     136.79      (up muscle 6.4)

% of Body Fat              20%                          16%

Overall I lost 9.1 inches all around my body. My Abs being the most!!! And 4% of my body fat!!

I feel fantastic and the strongest I've ever been. I still feel like I can do better with lean muscle. I plan on starting P90X2 next week. I am going to focus on balance and strength with fat burning. I'm going to step up my ab workout too. I'd like to have 6 pack abs by the end of this workout.

This week I went to a new gym and there focus is being in fat burning mode for 12-20 minutes. We did 26 minutes of sprint intervals on the treadmill. 3 minutes of rowing. Then TRX style workouts, sit ups, push ups incline on a step. Then back to rowing. I finished this entire 50 minute workout 1st out of all the people there.  I also stayed in the orange zone (fat burning) for 19 minutes each day!
I couldn't of done it without P90X!! I wasn't the skinniest one there either!
Muscle is the new Skinny!!

As a celebration (while doing measurements) my girlfriend Amanda has her own homemade blue moon beer, we had a few glasses! We couldn't stop smiling! We actually finished 12 weeks of one of the most hardest workouts!! I still can't even believe I did it. I have just come so far since 1 1/2 years ago. I can't wait to see what I can do and look like by summer.

Thank you to everyone for all the encouragement and support!

I do have before pictures, I'll try and have someone take after pictures and post them soon.

xoxo
-N

March Snowboarding

I moved to Colorado in 2002, and one of the first things I did was learn to snow ski. I loved to water ski and since we don't have lakes here to do that (well close enough to us) I needed to learn to snow ski. I'm no huge into being freezing cold and wearing uncomfortable shoes but I lived with skiers. We skied quite a bit and it was very scary for me. My method was to ride the lift up and just ski down as fast as I could. Sometimes I would throw myself down if I got scared or was just going to fast. I usually screamed a bit too.
I had kids shortly after learning to ski, so that was done. Rog and I swore we would take the kids up and teach them, they are now 6 and 8.
Well 10 years later I finally got back up to the hill. This time to learn to snowboard! I got a few pointers from a friend and hit the hill. It wasn't as scary as skiing at all. I learned in just 2 small runs. Granted I am no pro and I have yet to take a lift up to the top of the mountain. I am getting better though.
A friend and I took our kids up to Winter Park a few weeks ago and we decided to teach them to ski and snowboard.
DC put on a pair of ski's and rode the magic carpet ride up. We told him to just ski down and turn your feet to stop. I pushed him off and he was a natural. The kid went for like hours straight going up and down the mountain. By the end he was crouching down to make himself go faster. He loved it!

TC on the other hand, had a really crappy snowboard to getting in and out was more of a pain in my ass then I wish to explain. I finally just showed him how to snowboard without being strapped in. He still needs a lot of work and being in the mountains for hours isn't really his thing. He hates being freezing cold. He ended up having a total meltdown.
We left!
Here are some pictures and video's from our experience. Courtesy of my dear friend Amanda.

                                                  Waiting patiently to go on a run

                                                             Getting it done!

                                                                              US!

                                                            My longest run

                                                    2nd long run and I ate it 1/2 way down

                                                                  My baby on ski's

                                                           Tanner on his longest run

Here are the video's..I took these from my iphone, so don't mind quality and my horrible voice.

All signed up!

I just spent the last 30 minutes or so registering my boys. I am so freakin' excited I couldn't wait to post about it.My boys will be gone in June for a few days at camp IdRaHaJe (I'd Rather Have Jesus)!!!
They are going to have so much fun learning new things, making new friends and having the time of there lives!
Although the rules are no calling home! I'm a bit scared about that, we are only allowed to write letters and send emails.
We will spend more time when we get closer to June going over all the rules and filling out paperwork. But I just couldn't wait to get them signed up.
I pray they love it and that TC doesn't get any migraines while he's there. I also hope he learns to eat more variety of foods while he's there.
I'm not worried about DC, he is the most adventurous of the two boys. He's so like me!

Anyway couldn't wait to tell you.
And yes, my life is that sad that on St. Patrick's Day (my fave holiday) that's what I thought of doing at 8pm! (don't worry I had my green beer ;) ).

xoxo
-N

Week 10 Done!

I am so freakin' glad week 10 is done! This week was harder for me then the last 10.
I'm old

My knees hurt

My ass cheeks are sore

It's hot out....it's hot inside and I wish I was outside!

It's repetitive

I'm a little unmotivated

I had to workout alone

I worked all week long

Still had to clean/chores, laundry, carpool, coupons, grocery shop, library, (much more) and still do a freakin' 60 minute hard core workout!

Last night was pretty much my suckish workout I have ever done. I didn't do chin up (no bar) so I did like a million push up, crunches and planks to make up for it. That took out every other ounce of energy I had left in me. I quit the video with 20 minutes left.

I'm OK with that.

Today my ass isn't as sore

My knees didn't click or hurt

I got to be with my freakin' awesome friends who keep me motivated

Today I started week 11!

It rocked! It was all push ups and chin/pull ups. I filled out one whole sheet! That's 11 weeks done of Chest and Back!!
I went from barely doing 1 push up to doing 15 at a time.
More progress later!

I am so freakin' excited I am almost done. With the weather being so nice, I just want to get out and run!

Until next week!

xoxo
-N

Chicken Enchiladas

This is a good for you Chicken Enchilada recipe. I got this from Body for Life cookbook. Everyone in the family dug into this batch. The boys all ate before me and I was left with only 1 small enchilada. Definitely making this one again.

Chicken Enchilada

4 portions chicken
4 green onions chopped
2 Tbs cilantro
1 jalapeno
3 small cans green enchilada sauce
8 corn tortillas
1 cup fat free cheese
2 c. lettuce
1/2 c. salsa
1 tomato diced
1 can olives

Cook and shred chicken. Cook on med high heat green onions, cilantro and jalapenos. Saute for 2 minutes. Add shredded chicken and 1 can enchilada sauce. Cook 5 minutes. Pour 2 cans enchilada sauce in med. bowl and microwave til warm. Dip each tortilla in sauce and fill with chicken mixture. Roll and place seem down in baking dish.
Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. bake about 15 minutes. Serve warm and top with sour cream, lettuce, tomato and olives.

Yummy!

Sorry no picutres ;(

xoxo
-N

Hint #3

Monday I received my passport! I feel so official now. On Monday I also turned in my application. I asked a bunch of questions. I was told that someone would be in touch with me soon.

A little story...
I woke up super early one morning and couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to do my quiet time with the Lord and also read the bible (my 1 year plan). One of the scriptures I was reading I wanted more in depth definition for so I went looking. Then dug deeper.

I read James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

or KJV
to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

This spoke to me like you wouldn't believe it gave me goose bumps. I went to bible study this particular Wed. morning and the women speaker also spoke of James 1:27. Bumps all over again.


For those of you that have been told what I'm doing keep quiet. The reveal will be soon!!

Anyone have a guess?

xoxo
-N

P90X Week 9 DONE!

Really not sure where week 9 went. It was a breeze, so routine now that I don't even remember what we did. I know Monday is always Leg day and now it's Wed. and I feel so sore still. I had to do fast sprints on the treadmill last night just to get my legs moving and of course so I don't lose my speed ;)
I was supposed to do Kenpo yesterday but my day was so long and I was so exhausted the only thing I could muster was sprints for about 15 min. There was going to be no 60 min. workout from me.
We skipped Yoga (cause who likes that) and did Core instead, loving it.
My only regret so far is that I didn't follow the nutrition plan for P90X or change much of my eating habits.
Darn sweets!! I have no will power over my sweet tooth. I missed Lent this year and I was going to give up sweets again. So know I have to figure out when to start up another strict diet.
With only 2 weeks left I will be taking a few days off for recovery, regroup, and plan.
I do hope by April 1st I will be very strict on all my stuff and getter done!

2 WEEKS left, pray for me to finish this strong! I cannot wait to share my results!

xoxo
-N

March Goals

March Goals:

Personal:
Snowboard
Consign boys old stuff
Organize stuff to goodwill or for garage sale
Finish up P90X
Start new fitness regimen

Kids:
Teach them another chore to help around the house
Work on tattle tailing

Kitchen:
Something green

February Goals:

Personal:
Continue P90x workouts
Continue learning to Snowboard
Bible Study
Work
Still fit in Volunteering
Get Passport
Kitchen:
Red Velvet cupcakes with Butter cream Icing
Something new
Start menu/meal planning again

Kids:
Get them reading chapter books

Books:
Unbroken..into March
Bible..Ongoing

P90X Week 8 Done!

Yep, only 4 weeks to go!! I needed a recovery week badly. We got several inches of snow on Thursday so I was out shoveling, on top of my workouts my knees and back have been on fire!
We had our horrible Yoga sessions, I've learned to just sit and relax on the moves I hate, or that hurt my back. We also did Core Synergenics which I love. It's a lot of push ups, planks and jumping. All stuff that's good for getting a better core. Which is mostly my main problem. Isn't that all women's problem that are working out to lose weight?!? We all want stomach to go first and it seems like it's always the last.
I used to hate jumping jacks, squat jumps and all that, but now I can do them really well, so I like them. Well when I have a good support sports bra on. Else that's just a whole Lotta bouncing!
My best accomplishment for this week was that I can hold a plank for 1 minute and 5 seconds. I'm so excited!

Today was around 60 degrees so I got out and ran. It felt good! Even though I haven't run in forever I feel like a new runner.
Looking forward the last 4 weeks of P90X and see my accomplishments in a whole.

xoxo
-N

24 Books in 2012

I would like to read a minimum of 24 books this year. Which should be no problem. Here is what I really want to read.

1. Girl that played with Fire
2. The Double Bind
3. Unbroken
4. Crazy Love; overwhelmed by a relentless God
5. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
6. Calm my anxious heart By Linda Dillow
7. Organized Simplicity
8. All 3 of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
9. A new you by Friday
10. The time of my life by Patrick Swayze
11. Kardashian Konfidential By the Kardashian's
12. Life is not a reality show by Kyle Richards
13. The Naked Truth by Danielle Staub
14. A new child by Friday
15. 21 days to a more disciplined life
16. Sarah's Key
17. The girl and the hornets nest
18. Firefly Lane
19. Something blue, something borrowed series

I'm only listing 19 cause some of these are series.

If you have read any of these and suggest that I Don't, let me know.

xoxo
-N

Quinoa & Black Beans

I recently discovered Quinoa. So many people talked about and I finally tried it. I got Bob's Red Mill Organic Whole Grain Quinoa. The first time we ate it we cooked it like rice and added celery, and carrots. It was so good.
For our dinner last night I made Quinoa with black beans and other yummy stuff. It was a small portion and it filled us up good. I'll be making it again.

Quinoa and Black Beans
4 servings

1/2 Tsp Vegetable Oil
1/2 Onion chopped
1 tsp Garlic
1/4 cup uncooked Quinoa
1/2 C. Vegetable broth ( I used Chk broth)
1/2 tsp Cumin
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 Cup Corn
1/2 Can Black Beans drained and rinsed
3 TBSP chopped Cilantro

Heat oil in skillet, add onion and garlic. Mix Quinoa and vegetable broth into onions. Season with cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in Corn (if frozen simmer 5 min.) Mix in black beans and cilantro. Simmer until heated through.
Serve and Enjoy!
So easy and delish!

Recipe found through google then on allrecipes.com

xoxo
-N

P90X week 7 Complete

Yes! Week 7 finally done.  I feel so tired. My body just needs a break already! My knees are quite sore. Not sure if it's from all the jumps but they need a break.
I gave it my all in week 7, I am tired of my muffin top and baby pouch. I am determined to get in a pair of flattering jeans, a bikini by summer and the right fitting bra!
I do need to do the 3 ab workouts each week, we have really been lax about that. It's so hard to keep your legs in the air after doing 200 lunges!
 By the end of this 12 week workout I just need to be satisfied with all the work that I've done. I just wish I could be more self disaplined with my eating like I am with my workouts.
Since I haven't seen the full results I'm already planning on my next fitness challenge.
I am happy that I'm in the best shape of my life and I am doing moves I never thought I could and back to being flexable.
Can't wait to come back and say week 8 complete! I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

xoxo
-N