Don't Take Your Friends Ice Skating

Holy cow, what a weekend we had! We were booked solid but it was so good!

Our friend Dennis planned a very last minute trip to Utah so we got to hang out with him! :) 

We started off our weekend with ice skating. It went really well until the very end...

We were doing only one lap more lap around because they were closing and the next thing I know Dennis 

is on the ground covered in ice. He makes it off the rink and when we get back to our apartment his ankle is swelling and 

he's hobbling around. We had a doctor look do a quick examination at the house and after he poked and 

prodded his conclusion was a really bad sprain. Ooops! Sorry Dennis!

Come to find out when Dennis went back to Connecticut he fractured his foot in 3 places and his hand! 

Next time Dennis comes to town, I think we'll skip the ice skating. 

The next morning we woke up and took pictures. Dennis wrote a book called,

"Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ"

and he wanted Andrew to take some pictures for his social media account and other purposes.

It's a wonder he got his shoe on and he was hobbling around as we dragged him everywhere. 

But I think they got some good shots even with the circumstances. 

One thing special that we were able to do was to go to the Provo City Center Temple. 

Dennis had a brother who died around 15 years ago and Dennis went to the temple for his brother on Saturday 

(to learn a little more you can click here). So grateful for temples and so blessed to live so close. 

I mean this one is walking distance from our apartment

(of course we didn't walk with Dennis' foot and all) but so happy to live where we do. 

This gospel is true and I feel so much peace inside the temple. 

I love knowing that God loves all of His children and He wants them all to have a chance to receive His gospel. 

I love knowing that there is more to life than just this life- that there is life after death made 

possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. 

I love learning more about my Savior. I love becoming closer to Him.

And I love the countless blessings the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to my life on a daily basis #blessed.

^And of course, brides are everywhere, so we needed one in our picture, haha^

We continued our downtown Provo tour at Hruskas Kolache which I highly recommend. 

It's the perfect place for breakfast! 

In the evening we went to Comedy Sportz which is one of the best outings there is. 

Dennis is someone who loves to laugh and is constantly upbeat with a smile on his face.

He loved it! If you're looking for clean comedy, this is the place! This was Andrew and mine's 3rd time this year alone!

On Sunday we headed up north to see one of the many sister missionaries who served in Dennis 

home ward give her homecoming talk. 

^Look at all the missionaries Dennis has worked with + more not even here.^

And don't you love his footware? He couldn't wear his shoes so Andrew lent him sandals to wear. 

We had such a good weekend with Dennis and we found out that he is my 8th cousin twice removed.

So we're related which is pretty cool no matter how distant we are. 

He tried funeral potatoes for the first time and I don't think I've ever seen someone more excited to try a new food.

It was crazy busy all weekend long but we enjoyed it just the same. 

Sorry we broke your foot Dennis, but thanks for partying with us anyways!

Oh, and Dennis' book is coming out August 13 THIS YEAR! 

He is having a book launch party that day and anyone is welcome to come!

It's happening in Provo and the tickets are F R E E! 

Yep. Free.

If you would like to come tickets are being "sold" here. 

Come, enjoy, and celebrate! 

I've Lost 50+ lbs. in Less Than 6 Months!

On February 17, 2019, I reached 50 lbs. of total weight lost since August 21, 2018 - that's in less than 6 months! I never thought this was possible, but am 1000% thrilled with the results! I feel great and am more confident about the way I look. It's pretty tough to keep this blue suit (my wedding suit) on these days. I am in desperate need of getting it tailored and downsized so I can actually wear it again - it's literally falling off of me!

I have remained very conscious of my eating - controlling my portion sizes and drinking a lot of water before every meal. I am exercising 6 days each week and am trying to go for walks on Sundays now to move that day as well.

Sunday the 17th, I was at 50 lbs. lost, then just two days later on Tuesday, February 19, I lost yet ANOTHER 2 LBS. and am now at 52 lbs. lost! I NEVER thought that I would be on the brink of breaking into the 150's again. I was 150 in high school. I'm going for it - let's see if in the next couple of months I can get back to my high school weight and pass the 60 lb. mark!

MORE PICS BELOW:

Called to the Work

I can’t believe it’s been four years since I came home from my mission! ✈️  
The time has gone by so fast and a lot has happened but it feels only like last year... at the most! 
My mission was a life changing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. My mission brought me closer to my Savior. 
It allowed me to see thousands of people the way Christ sees them- even if only for a moment. It taught me about Christlike love. 
I loved sharing the of gospel with others. I loved seeing others change their lives as they became closer to Christ. 
My mission brought so much goodness to my life and I am grateful for it everyday (not exaggerating). 
I will forever love My California ❤

Life 4 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Our clean and organized apartment. 

We moved back in August and I'm constantly telling Andrew how much I

love it! We have more living and storage space and a washer and dryer!

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Starting a new eating plan next week! 

Reading:

Crossed (Matched series) 

Job: 

Part time school in Special Education at the USU Orem Campus. 

Also working as a Special Education para educator at an elementary school.

Working On:

 Making a recipe binder. 

Actually I already made it, it's just putting all the recipes inside! 

aaaannnnnd training for a half marathon. 

Current Church Calling:

Compassionate Service Leader

How My Testimony Has Grown:

I hate to admit it but my scripture study had really fallen off the band wagon. 
I knew of the power, peace, and revelation it has previously brought to my life, but I was still struggling to 
dedicate the time to study them- not just read. When I was on my mission one thing I was looking forward to 
about coming was was spending more time reading the scriptures. But real life kicked in and it became hard! 
Without reading my scriptures I noticed a huge change in my life. 
I was more ornery and unhappy. That is not what I wanted for my life. 
I started making a bigger priority of reading the scriptures on my own and with Andrew. The difference that has made! 
Our marriage became stronger, we share more spiritual things together, I was happier and less likely to 
rash out irrationally (name the movie). 

The scriptures are really powerful as the words come from God. I need God in my life and without reading His word, 
it makes it difficult to receive revelation. I know the scriptures have been written for us and I needed them more than I realized. 
When I set aside time to read the scriptures there is a feeling that comes to our lives that cannot be duplicated by the world. 
I gave gained revelation for my live and have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the gospel. 
And the new Come Follow Me program that we have been doing this past month has only enhanced my scripture study time. 
I love it. It has brought me so me so much peace, joy, comfort, revelation, growth, love for others and my Savior. 
The power of the scriptures are unreal. 

I also want to share about how much I love President Nelson and how I know that he is the prophet on the earth today.
Not for one minute have I felt unsure (like I did when President Monson became the prophet).
I have felt so much power from President Nelson and I know there have been some changes but it's amazing how
those changes have changed my life for better, even in such a short amount of time. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior
and that He leads His church by giving us President Nelson to guide and help us grow.
I absolutely love this gospel. I love the growth it brings to my life and the fact that I can try again, over and over.
"Living after the manner of happiness," is the best way to grow closer to the Savior because
if there is no righteousness there is no happiness. 

Our Top 20{18}

I can't believe that 2018 is over and that we're halfway through January 2019!
Time goes by way too fast. I think it's a symptom of getting older. It boggles my mind. Seriously. 

I have loved looking back at our pictures this year and seeing the the memories
and moments that have been created. Some of them I didn't blog about, post on Instagram,
or write in my journal (because I'm so very far behind) and it's been fun reviewing the entire year. 

1. Andrew and I went to California! 

In our books California is always a good idea. This trip did not go as planned because I got the flu
and was miserable for a few days! But this made the top {18} because
#1 How can you not love CA? and
#2 We were walking through the Viet mall and Andrew reconnected with some people that he taught 10 years ago!
They moved away and Andrew never saw or heard from them again, but then there in the mall with
thousands of other people (99% of them Viet) they recognized each other and it was a happy reunion. 

2. Celebrated my mom's birthday

Random to be in my top {18} but this was one of the best times I've had celebrating a birthday.
It was all about my mom. We made her dinner, had her favorite drink, and her "cake"
was cinnamon roles because she could eat those every day.
I loved celebrating my mom and making her feel special and you could tell she
loved it and every surprise we gave her. 

3. Got airpods! 
Life changer!

Andrew surprised me with these on Easter and I don't know how lived before.

When I go to the gym I am doing weights, and burpees and a bunch of other stuff.

I would constantly need to take out my headphones to do the workout and my cord would constantly
tangle up and I would have to stop and fix it. 

My gym experience has changed and I love it! So grateful for these!
And for Andrew for surprising me!

4. Alyse got married

My freshman year roommate got married and I was able to be bridesmaid. 

She is a wonderful human being and I loved celebrating her day. 

5. Vegas with my parents

This is the most Vegas picture of all 4 of us I could find. We went to see WOW and the name says it all!
Totally recommend! We laughed a lot and partied hard on this trip!

6. Employee of the Year

I was awarded Employee of the Year in my school district and at the school I work at.

The 2017-2018 was a really hard school year. We started the school year with only 2 staff members in
the classroom (plus a signing aide, thank goodness or we would have died).
We needed two more people but we didn't have them till about October. Tears were definitely shed.
But we worked it out and ended with a great year! 

(and yes, that is my maiden name. still have not legally changed it...🙈)

7. Celebrated 2 years of marriage

8. Ryan got home from his mission in Germany!

He left shortly after Andrew and I were married and it was fun to welcome him home.

I also did his Homecoming video. It's by no means professional, but I enjoyed putting it together just the same. 

9. Bear Lake with Andrew's family
This was our first Earl vacation with all 7 of us being there!

10. I finished my 25 before 26 goal

I read 25 books before I turned 26. I kept going and it went to 26 for 26. 

I loved doing my personal challenge! 

11. Bought my American flag dress

I have wanted something that says, "America" for the 4th of July for THE LONGEST TIME! 

I found it and I love it. Random, but I've been looking this for years! 

12. Andrew got accepted into Grad school at UVU

13. We moved!
We are loving our new place! It's basically a dream. 

14. Dennis got endowed!

Our friend Dennis got baptized a year ago and Andrew was able to fly out to
Connecticut for his endowment.

We are so proud of Dennis and his example to us!
He has changed and the light he brings is contagious!

15. Went to Arches National Park

Beautiful. And we were in better shape from the last time we went.
The difference that makes.

16. Went to Denver to see friends + the Denver Temple
Our friends moved to Denver this year and we went to visit them and explore their new city.
Plus, we were able to visit the Denver Temple where my parents were married. ❤

17. Went to the Christmas Jazz Game

18. Really happy with our fitness goals and progress! 
Andrew lost 42 pounds this year! I didn't loose quite that much but I am really proud with the progress
I have been making and how much my body can do! It's been fun to to do this together!

2018 was quite the year! A lot of improvements have been made and we've had a lot of fun doing it all, along with a lot of hard work.
We have some fun things happening for 2019 and to say we are excited for some of them is an understatement!
2018, we loved you and we're excited for all the 2019 memories and experiences we're going to have!

Here's our Top 20{16}

and our Top 20{17}.

Our Christmas Card to You :)

Merry CHRISTmas! 

I'm so excited to celebrate! 

If you did not receive a physical copy but would like one next year, message me and I'll put you in our address book :) 

I like to add a personal update but didn't really have time this year, you know... school. Hopefully in future years I 

won't be referring you to the blog. haha. 

Andrew's 42 in 2018

42 LBS. IN JUST OVER 3 MONTHS AND & 11 DAYS (102 days)! If you had asked me in January, I never thought I would be here by December and never thought I WOULD or COULD actually lose this much weight.

---------------------------------

All through high school I was a constant 150 lbs. Then combine my freshman year of college with my two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Anaheim, California where I came to love Vietnamese food and I returned home in June 2010 at 185 lbs. However, within 6 months (December 2010), I dropped 25 lbs. and was back around 160 lbs. I have slowly gone up since then. I hung around 170 lbs. for a couple years then found myself at 180 lbs. I hit 190 lbs. and bought myself a gym pass to increase my exercise from basketball once or twice a week to much more frequently.

Then in February 2015, Audrey and I met and started dating. I maintained my exercise pretty well and actually was successful in dropping 10 lbs. and was back to 180 lbs. I maintained for a while, especially while she was at school - we dated apart for 8 months while she was in school at Utah State University in Logan and I was in Provo working at Qivana. I was at the gym everyday. It was during this time that I last remember wearing my black suit (pictured above) at the Qivana company Christmas party in December 2015 and again in January 2016. By this point, I wore it because I liked it, but the pants started to get tight on my legs and the jacket became too small to button up, so I would wear it without buttoning.

Then we got engaged in January 2016 and my workouts fell to the side. I still played basketball each week, but I let the gym pass expire and I stopped going. That 10 lbs. quickly came back by our wedding that summer. Audrey and I both got new VASA gym passes in November 2016. Shortly after, on December 29, I logged 205 lbs. This time however, I was not seeing the same success I had seen before.

My weight just fluctuated around 205 lbs. and even increased! I was drinking Qivana protein shakes each day for breakfast. I had seen many other people experience weight loss with these meal replacement shakes, but they did not seem to be working for me. At the beginning of March 2017, Qivana merged with Zija International and my life became too busy for the gym and now I was working in Lehi instead of Provo. That made it a lot more difficult to get to the gym every day with traffic and the time it took to get home.

By summer 2018, I saw my weight peak at a point higher than I had ever been before. I knew I had gained weight because I could not wear many of my clothes anymore. I was wearing bigger pants and couldn't even zip up or button my old jeans anymore - some of them I couldn't even get up my legs (like my black suit pants I wore when I met Audrey). My stomach was becoming more visible and my face we very full. It was embarrassing. I plateaued and peaked soon after a started a new job at Synergy WorldWide.

(Here is my photo from the first day of work at Synergy at the end of February 2018)

August 2017 -- 211 lbs.
September 2017 -- 212 lbs.
May 5, 2018 -- 213.4 lbs.

Then the pain came. I think it started in March 2018. About once a month, I would wake up in the middle of the night with intense, radiating, internal pain stabbing through the right side of my abdomen. After a few hours the pain would subside with Ibuprofen and heat. Sometimes, the pain lingered throughout the day for a bit. One day I was late to work because of it. Another time, I was uncomfortable all day and another time, it happened after work but went away and I played basketball that night. At first, I assumed it was muscle spasms. Though I started to wonder what was wrong with me.

It happened in July 2018 and here's how I enjoyed my birthday....

Finally, the pain occurred THREE times in ONE week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday/Saturday (longest yet). That was enough, I decided to go in for a physical on July 31st.

The blood work came back showing that I had elevated:

• Liver enzymes: AST & ALT - these are supposed to be between 0 - 45. Mine were at 250 and 900+
• Biliruben
• Total Cholesterol
• Triglycerides

Now that we knew something was definitely wrong, they sent me to undergo an ultrasound on August 7th. Then a couple days later, I received a phone call while at work with the diagnosis that I had several small gallstones in the neck of my gallbladder. I had been experiencing gallbladder attacks and was referred to visit a General Surgeon on August 16th. The surgeon did not comfort me - surgery was really my only option. Avoiding surgery was to tempt fate. They offered to get me in the next day, but I was not ready for that. I postponed two weeks to make the decision and come to peace about it.

We were praying for a sign that surgery was the right thing for me to do. Audrey and I went to the temple. I had surgery scheduled for Friday, August 31st and throughout that week, I noticed a distinct difference in the way I felt. There was a constant discomfort in my abdomen the entire week and I just did not feel very good. That was the best sign and confirmation I could have aside from having another severe pain attack.

I did have surgery early in the morning on August 31st. I walked out of the surgical center and went to the grocery store with Audrey. I was up and around that day since it had been a laparoscopic surgery with only four tiny incisions. I went to a wedding reception that night. It felt like I had done the most intense ab workout ever.

Within two and a half weeks, I was playing basketball again and I had lost 15 lbs.! I did a follow-up blood test on September 12th and my liver enzyme levels had nearly returned to normal. Then October 5th, I did another blood test and my cholesterol had dropped more than 75 points and was back in the normal healthy range. The surgery fixed everything!

August 31st - 213 lbs.

September 15th - 195 lbs.

October 7th - 188 lbs.

October 28th - 183 lbs.

November 25th - 177 lbs.

December 11th - 171 lbs.

I have found success by drinking a lot of water at the beginning of meals, by eating smaller portions, and by being active. No special program. While I have been eating whatever I want, I am being more conscious of what and how much I am consuming. I have tried to avoid eating foods that are high in fats and calories. I still eat these foods if I feel they are worth it, but I just eat less of them. When eating out, I share with Audrey or eat half or less of what I used to, and save the rest for another meal later. For example, I would always eat a full Cafe Rio salad and still be hungry. Now I'm filled by the time I eat half of it. I have made an effort to eat more vegetables and fruits while avoiding snack foods. I am saving money while being healthier.

As for activity, I work a 9-5 desk job, but try to walk one mile during lunch. I play a couple hours of full-court basketball at least once a week and on the other days have done a mixture of walking, running, and cycling at the gym. Overall, I'm moving more. I have a goal to reach 10,000 steps every day, but often find that I exceed 15,000 steps in a day. It really does matter what we put into our bodies and how much we move. I'm excited to keep going! 

I'm happy to share more about what I've done if anyone is curious or wants some ideas to try!

TAKEAWAYS:
-I love food! I have learned that I can still eat whatever I want, I just eat less of it and save the rest to eat later.
-Drink tons of water! I have only touched soda twice since the end of August and had a very small amount each time. I've only had 2 small Gatorades in that time as well. I've had juice a handful of times - orange, apple, grape - but I limit myself to a small cup or 1 glass.
-Exercise can be just moving - it doesn't have to be training for a marathon - I have played basketball once per week, walk, jog, and stationary bike. That's it. I haven't done any weight training.