8-16-07

Hey Bradley:

How are you, my love? Are you working hard and learning lots? I hope so. I think about you every minute of the day and can't wait to get a letter in the mail from you.

Today I want to tell you about my exercise plan that I have been formulating. Here's what I've got so far and it's been working out great! I get up every weekday morning around 6 or 6:30 with Maren and feed her then do my yoga. Then I get in my walking clothes and read my scriptures and eat breakfast. This way I'm all ready to go before Jane is even awake. Then once Jane wakes up around 8 or 8:30 I feed her breakfast and get her dressed then we go for our walk on the beach with both girls. Sometimes I go alone and sometimes mom and/or James and/or Sara come with me. I walk to North Beach and back, then on the way back up the hill (I walk all the way up the hill and around instead of taking the stairs) we stop at Linda Lane park so that Jane can get out of the stroller and play for awhile which she really loves. She especially loves the swing and I've gotten some cute pictures of her in it. Anyway, then I shower and get ready for my day once Jane is down for a nap. Then we have our day and once the girls are in bed for the night I do my hand weight work out for my arms and an ab work out while I watch a show (my Dad is getting me into Lost). Then I do a different yoga work out and write you a letter and then go to bed. I guess that wasn't just my exercise plan, that was more my general schedule. There's a lot of other stuff in there like reading, running errands with my dad, playing with the girls, etc. As far as eating goes I'm just trying to eat really healthy (which is quite easy because my parents buy tons of fruits and vegetables and everything my mom cooks is pretty healthy). I'm not doing any specific diet, I'm just trying to eat really well so that my body feels good, and focus more on the exercise and toning my body. So far I'm sore, but it all feels so good and I'm excited to be establishing all of these great habits. I hope I can keep it up once I'm not living here. I forgot one thing with my exercise plan. I'm going to do the ball and band DVD workout (with the big exercise ball, my mom has one) after my walk on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm also going to do it on Saturdays. I've made a deal with my mom that Saturdays are my sleep in days so she'll take the girls and then I'll get up when I want and do my ball and band work out and then cleaning for her. Ok, I think that's it. So what do you think?

Next, I want to give you the notes that people wrote during Maren's blessing. Here's a basic compilation from the four different sets of notes that were taken during the blessing:

Maren's Blessing, 7-29-07, Lindorf Family Reunion in Virgina.
-Maren Kristina Ellertson
-Your body and mind will be strong and healthy.
-Throughout your life you will listen to your parents who are raising you the best they can.
-Know that they want the best for you to be the most happy.
-You will have a strong testimony and you will grow and learn.
-Realize that your Heavenly Father loves you and has great plans for you.
-You will have a desire to follow the commandments.
-You will have a desire to partake of the blessings He has in store.
-Someday perhaps you will serve a mission or you will help others in many different ways.
-You will be happy with the one who takes you to the temple and marries you.
-Bless you to know of the love your family/parents has for you.
-You have a strong family and they are a great support system.
-Bless you with all of the other blessings you stand in need of...with all of the things your Heavenly Father has in store for you.

The girls had a good day today. Jane is learning how to throw little tantrums/fits and it's pretty funny to watch. They are never very loud or long, but she kind of throws her head back and and arches her back and cries a little bit. You know though, with her it's all about distraction so she usually gets over it pretty fast as soon as you can get her thinking about something else. She also, just in the last couple of days, really figured out the word "no" and she uses it correctly. Luckily, when she says it, she still says very nice and cute and she kind of shakes her head at the same time so it's pretty adorable. She hasn't figured out how to yell it at me or anything, I think that's when it stops being cute. She seemed to be feeling a lot better today so hopefully the sickness has passed. She took a 5 hour nap today, if you can believe it; she slept from 11 am to 4 pm. What a crazy head! Still no walking, but maybe she'll start soon.

There isn't much to update you on Maren today. She just doesn't change much or do as many things that are easy to tell you about, but I'll do my best. She didn't sleep through the night last night, she got up at 2 am and then again at 6 am. She was very happy all day today and did well on our walk. I'm still nursing a little bit, but her appetite is huge and she is having a lot of formula, I think she's hitting a growth spurt. She has been have blow outs pretty frequently. I'm not sure what that is about, maybe the diaper brand or just because she's eating so much, who knows. She's so beautiful and I'll send you lots of pictures!

I was able to go to Camp Pendleton yesterday to try and get my military ID. I wasn't successful because to get on DEARS I need to show them our marriage certificate and all of our SS cards and birth certificates. I didn't bring any of that with me because I didn't think I would need it since the National Guard already has copies of everything. But DEARS is just a general military program so they need their own copies. Anyway, I'm going to have Steph go over to the house and hunt down the stuff for me and probably mail it here. But I also need power of attorney from you, and the lady on base in the ID center said that you should "ask your DI" about that and I'm not sure what that means. Anyway, if you get a chance soon can you get as much information about this as possible. I was hoping this would be simple, but it looks like it's not going to be that simple. I think the girls and I are covered on Medicaid through the end of August, but we need to get on this as soon as we can. I know your busy, but just let me know if and when you can find out anything. I'm guessing the power of attorney thing is a form you can get from "your DI" that you sign giving me the power to make decisions for our family since your the military man, not me.

Anyway, I started over in the Book of Mormon again in my personal studies. I read a really great verse in 1st Nephi (chapter 1 verse 20) this morning. "...the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." If you are ever feeling discouraged out there at boot camp, go to the Lord and to your scriptures and you will find comfort and counsel. He will deliver us and I know this to be true! I really missed you today, but know that we are doing really well here and even though I'm sad to not be with you I'm happy and I am oh so proud of you and everything you are doing. Stay strong and work hard. Know that our Heavenly Father loves you and that your girl is in California loving you more than ever. Lots of love and encouragement!

Love - Your Jessa Bear

P.S. I still haven't found the perfect laptop for us yet, but I'm looking every day. More on that later...