The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout for Kinect

After spending a hour (I am not joking) trying to find out how to use this game "The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout" for the Kinect Xbox 360.  I could make it work.  I even used it for a week.  However, I purchased this item because it has pictured an Exercise Ball.  I use mine for sitting, but I have never had a workout that uses it.  So, I was eager to get the Black Friday special disk.

Because we don't like to kill trees, there is NO MANUAL.  Even master Google couldn't lead me in the right direction.  One You Tube video had a different menu but nothing for the new version I have.

I decided to get help.  I ended up chatting with the Xbox support center.  They were nice, but they couldn't find the answer.  I ended up stumbling across the answer and I wanted other to find out.

As of now, I can only use the "equipment" (stability or exercise ball, bands) by selecting QUICK PLAY.  You can then select either FREE PLAY or CIRCUT TRAINING.  On the FREE PLAY, you can select the exercises that has a ball or bands icon next to the individual workout.

Or in the CIRCUT TRAINING you can select the menu button on the bottom that looks like a ball with a rope around it.  Then you can select your "equipment" ball or bands.  Then select continue at the bottom of the menu.  During the workout, Bob will ask you to get the equipment before starting the exercise.

It was well worth the wait because the exercises rock.

There may be other ways to use the equipment, but those are the two ways I found to use it.  Have Fun!

Winter Exercise

Last year, I was so glad to learn how to Skate Ski.  It is kinda like rollerblading on skis. Fast and Fun. However, we have NO SNOW.  I am not complaining. Creativity had to be implimented in keeping my heart in shape.

1)  Get a friend to explore trails.  No mud, no mosquitos.

2) Go to thick forested places or the Butte if it is windy to run.  *always use a face mask



3) Run with the beast ie. Willow the Great Dane.  She always wants to go for an adventure.

4) Watch and join in with James to fight the bad guys on Kung Foo on the Kinect.

5) Make friends with Annie Rowland and go where she tells you to go. Even if it is a frozen lake.  (nothing keeps her still)  *looks like snow, but it is a type of frost with a dusting of snow.

6) On Black Friday, purchase "The Biggest Loser- Ultimate Workout" and use it for the Kinect Xbox.

I am very thankful for the last one as the winds have been up to 50 mph.

rotten calendar makes for Fun

"These are a lot more fun with candy," replied Hannah.

Well, the background of the story was that I found some amazing advent calendar earlier this year and stored them.  However, after the long expectant day (December 1st) came, but the chocolate on day one was rotten.

You see for the past 6 years I have followed the Jesse Tree Advent Calendar.  I have done a mixture from different websites.  Ann Voskamp has one a free one.  I also like this one from the Reform Church Jesse Tree.

*I hand made each one by stitching and adding little things (shells).

*I also made a set by using a color printer and laminating the icons.  I glued them to a foam backing.

This year, I was about to go through the readings.  But, James suggested that we could skip this year.  Disappointed, but knowing that we are finishing up the bible in a year.  I submitted.

Now, I need to replace a chocolate advent calendar, but we live in Palmer.  I couldn't find one.  So, I got clever.  I remembered my Jesse Tree advent calendar.  So, I let the girls pick the days ornament.  They need to tell the family the story and the significance to Jesus' Birthday.  Then they get to pick out their favorite chocolate out of the basket.

Hence, Hannah's appropriate comment. "These are a lot more fun with candy," replied Hannah.

I love that they are teaching me and the traditions still stands.  

I wondered why?

Well, our month of writing has ended and the children are working on doing the finishing touches for their stories.  We have three different genres from three different students.  (Spy/Dancing Twin mystery), (Lego/Mini figure invention), (Horses looking for their Mother).

We have been doing movie nights for the children and their friends.  The last one was A Christmas Carol.  It concluded with a Bible study on the incarnation and what really changes ones heart. We also had a large Jungle Jam (thanks to Dave Williams introduction of this fun game).

Personally, I have been struggling.  I see people hurting around me.  Marriages crumble, children rebelling, pain abounding and death of loved ones.   As I have been praying for their healing, it has also became a wake up call on my own life.  You see, we have an anniversary coming up.  I was wanting to make ours amazing. I was on an endless search for the best thing for us (overnight, play, dinner etc.)  I was obsessed.  I found out quickly that it is right before James preaches. Ugh. Fret some more Ella.  I even was mad with James because of his "lack of planning" or that I thought he didn't want something special.  turmoil inside!  Then it was Sunday morning.  During my study on "Lord, Teach Me to Pray" by Arthur I was guided to this verse in response to asking for "Our daily bread" from the Lord's Prayer.

James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

It was like a huge beam knocked me off my feet.  I get so self-sufficient and independence I never SUBMIT to God and ask for His Will.  It is all about me and my pleasures.  

Don't get me wrong, planning is not a sin but I was driven and not seeking or asking God for our marriage or anniversary. I was self absorb and inner struggle of making it work.  Not ONCE, praying.  

Lord, teach me to pray for your Daily Bread daily. Amen

Palmer Fire

What really matters?

We were just enjoying our crazy day.  Woke up late.  We had our Bible Time, speed school, finishing up our novels, Respiratory Science speeches/lab/Jeopardy in a co-op, Chess club for Max, Robotics for Max, Bronwyn and Hannah doing little lady factory (Christmas goodies).

Then as I am packing up for Battle of the Books, James calls and tells me that their is a fire nearby our subdivision.  He was just going home from work early to tend to the dog, etc.

The fire actually just came from an accident and flew into our subdivision.  So, we left to help James pack up a few things (if we had time).

On the way, the children were stressed when they saw the smoke. We have 30 to 50 mph winds and NO SNOW.  It has been dry and blustery.  I reminded them that we will be fine. But, Bronwyn was concerned about her neighbor friends who don't know Jesus.  And then I reminded her that they would still be in school.  But, we did say a prayer for all the people to be safe.

We left at the time that Cedar Hills was being closed.  We had a nice soup and homemade bread at Nonna's and Uppa's home (Max and Donna Embree).  We had so many calls for people offering to help.

Thankfully, we were able to return after 8pm.  When the kids and James returned, Max said,"Before we do anything, we need to thank the Lord." So, we huddled in the kitchen and thanked our Savior.

Please pray as two firemen were taken to the hospital.  They did an amazing job.  

As I was looking at my quiet time journal for the day my response for Psalm 134: PRAISE THE LORD.

1Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

3May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion

Max's Birthday 11 years old!

Saturday Day:  We take Max out Skate Skiing for the first time.  Yes, we have NO SNOW, but the frost on the lake is amazingly thick, so we got some laps done.  Max is still learning. I really can't believe how he made his body into a human pretzel.  Fun.

Saturday Night:
Since we live in Palmer, we are starting to start having traditions here.  One amazing tradition is a firework display for Max's Birthday.  Lots of time, money and planning takes place and it just happens to be the same weekend as Max's Birthday.  It actually for a guy named Stan.  I have heard it was because of his soberity or maybe it is just his birthday.  But, it is such a good fireworks display.

Sunday:
Worship after bacon breakfast with the Bacons!  Love them.  Quote from Drew, "Wow, it is like we are at our second home, " as he walked into the room.

Make your own Pizza!  Then out to the fields.  They played some kind of tag, it was beautiful and 17F degrees!  They all came in played some games, and sang.  We prayed for him and ate cake and goodies.  He is such a tender soul.  He loved all of his gifts.  We ran to the pool (forgetting their party gifts-sorry you can get them later).

2 hours of swimming, tag, laps, and super soaker.  I think they all 19 of them had fun.

Thank you for sharing your children.

National Novel Writing Month

We are off and started.  All three children began their novels today.  This is the third year of joining people all over the world who take the month of November to write a novel.  In October, the children completed their Amazing free Workbooks (they claim it as non-lame workbooks).  It really sets the stage for the novel by having the students answer questions to really "know" their characters.  The crucial element that the students complete is the story roller-coaster.  It sets the stage of where the novel is going and adds some rising action to the story.

Crazy, this year, I am writing one as well.

After the first day of writing...

"Easy, fun! I feel like I know my characters better this year, " says Hannah.

"Great, amazing, fun.  I think I will work on it in my spare time.  I think my subject is funner." Max explains.

Bronwyn is writing for the first time.  The two years, she has been dictating to me.  "I thought it was a real good time to eat candy and write."

This is also the first year the kids went trick-or-treating around the streets of Palmer.  We had 68 kids come by this year.  James took to the pumpkin carving.

Bronwyn: Arctic explorer with snow suit, head lamp, telescope, and a huge snowshoe strapped to her back.
Max: Clone
Hannah: Cow girl, but was more like Hermine from Harry potter as her hair went flying!
Ella: Zulu woman
James: Clone

Willow: a cow