Thanksgiving 2013

What a celebration!

We kicked off the holiday celebrating Phineous -- happy 12th birthday!

Steak, bread and cheese, Ducks jersey, football, laughing, late night shopping...

We spent our time in Sun River with good friends... Beer butt chicken for dinner!

We learned how to put Charly's harness on right -- what a difference it makes!

Daisy and baby girl explored.

I'm thankful for...

* My family and their sense of self

* good friends

* a beautiful, warm space

* a job I love

 
 
 
 

This is a day for...

& making a big breakfast 
& reading blogs & laundry 
& napping 
& cursing around the yard 
& anticipation of the big kid finally coming home 
& a day to get her, at home with the family -- just being.

30lbs -- gone!

2012 found me feeling terrible... Still. I couldn't sleep, I felt terrible about myself, my clothes didn't fit, etc. professionally, my life was falling into place, however, personally I felt bad -- really bad. In August I found myself looking for answers... Should I do something drastic -- hog, diet oils? Something had to give! While vacationing for 2 weeks in Wisconsin and feeling even worse about my whale-like appearance I started researching solutions. I came across an old friend who had become a health coach for Take Shape for Life (TSFL)... I was skeptical! We spent time messaging each other, I did more research, we talked on the phone (all from the porch overlooking a gorgeous lake in WI). I knew I had to do something and I was "so far gone" I knew I need some results to happen quickly as I wasn't strong enough to wait around. I also knew that I needed to learn about my triggers, but first I needed some results! I still wasn't ready to take the plunge... But then the phone rang. I was offered a full-time job. I was ecstatic, yet felt completely torn. So happy with the turn of my professional life and miserable with myself. How could I inspire students when I felt so terrible? I decided to give TSFL a try... What could it hurt for a month? The hardest part was waiting for my food to arrive...... It arrived about 5 days before I started my new job and I plunged into the program with gusto. Within 5 days I'd lost 5 pounds... I can do this! I won't lie I have had many ups and downs and my coach is ready to ring my neck with my lack of homework I've completed (zero). The first 2 months were easy... It was just what I needed... I'd started a new job and was teaching 4 college classes all while my boss was on medical leave... I didn't have time to think. It's still an easy program, but as the holidays hit I found myself struggling... You can't hide your issues... You must deal with them.... And I still haven't dove that. I need to work thru the homework as I know there are discoveries waiting for me. For today, I celebrate the success... 30lbs, but more importantly the feeling of being me!

Chapter 2013, page 1

Happy New Year! Just like everyone else, I'm stunned that we've reached 2013! What a year -- I don't think I can even begin to recap -- Baby Girl: Tried softball (played awesome) Played soccer Enjoyed 2 weeks in Wisconsin swimming Began 3rd grad Loved on her puppy daily Phineous: Rocked the pitching mound, basketball court and soccer field Helped his Math is Cool team take 1st place Read more Learned to cut the grass Enjoyed his friends Pepe: Another successful soccer season... Helped his team with their first undefeated season Graduated from Elementary school Found girls Began middle school First knee injury Learned lessons regarding friendship Big Joe: Traveled Works tirelessly Learned to start the washing machine Discovered the joy of running three kids to practice on the same night Relaxed in Wisconsin Cheered his kids on tirelessly from the sidelines Mama: Taught first class as an adjunct professor Worked a three-month medical leave at the University Taught 4 more courses Took full-time job at University and taught 4 more classes (thus Big Joe learning his new skills) while new boss was on medical leave -- whirlwind! Cheered my babies on from the sidelines... So incredibly proud of each f them and their accomplishments Impressed endlessly with my husband and his unending ding willingness to step in as I adjusted to my new world ** decided to start feeling healthy -- lost 30lbs! (More on this!) Sitting and reflecting today and I'm feeling incredibly blessed and in love with my family. Cheers 2013!

And then it was done...

It's the last full day of school.

My 6th grader is moving on... to middle school.

My 4th grader will be in 5th grade...

My baby with be in 3rd grade...

My last day of my 3-month full-time working job is Friday... And I have mixed emotions.

How and When did this happen?!?!?

They are so tired this morning, they are barely moving.  (I am so tired I'm barely moving.)

Fun Friday

* slept in
* getting kids off to school
* good luck to Phinneous at his Math is Cool competition
* one little girl upset that she'll have to "redo her hair!" because she needs a shower
* headed to work
* lunch date
* an idea for dinner!
* happy dogs
* garbage is out
* dishwasher unloaded and loaded
Still so much more to do... Happy Friday... Make it fun!

Working Mom

Full-time, working Mom.

Many challenges...

Many joys...

A few frustrations...

Enjoying time...

Letting the little things go...


I've learned...

* grocery shop on the weekend
* do MASSIVE laundry on the weekend
* get the kids to help
* make lunches the night before {darn... forgot that again!}


All in all, we are transitioning with out too much difficulty.

The Countdown

Only 1 week, 3 days left until I'm working full-time.  I've been "in the office" a lot, but I still have the flexibility to not be there every second... it's hit me that this is going to be a huge test of will.  We've been preparing for it and everyone is trying to do their part, but this is BIG.

I'm very excited and I can do the job, but still in the back of my mind I wonder if I'm doing what's best... the house is a little messy, the kids are a little tired, my patience is a little less, but all in all my goal was to do this to gain exposure to continued teaching at the college level...... and I have accomplished that.  I'm booked with classes through next Spring and I am very grateful.

So, if you stop by my desk is a mess, the dogs are happy to have an extra pat, the kids are busy doing homework, Joe is cooking and I'm surviving!

Lent

It's that time of year again... time to remember, to sacrifice...

I've been thinking a lot about Lent... do I really need to give something up or can I just work on myself.  I've been wrestling around with this and finally decided that to give something up and sacrifice is working on myself.

So, officially, I'm giving up bread.  The sacrifice will be difficult as right now it seems to be the ONLY thing I could possibly eat... however it will help me work on my will power and hopefully my health.

Blast from the Past!

It's a snow day... I sat down at the computer {the one I don't use often} and started looking at pictures.  I came across these and I just sat in amazement.  This was the first time I let the boys go down a BIG ride by themselves... the were 8 and 6 {respectively}.  Look at how little they look.  They loved it... I remember this day vividly... the entire time thinking and wondering if I'd done the right thing.  I stood in line with them until I had to let them be on their own and then I headed to the viewing area.  Listening to them scream all the way down the drop was scary... the smiles and joy on their faces... PRICELESS!

Week 1 -- FAIL

So much for my daily list... but I'm not giving up... I'm determined to make it happen.  Now if everyone would give me some time to implement my new system all would be grand.  HA!  With family, work and Bike First! commitments I was lucky this week to hang on for the ride.  I've "rejected" 3 teaching assignments for today in order to spend some time on my home duties (should the Christmas tree come down yet?)

Here's to another week of TRYING!

It's the first week of January... have you heard?

The first week of January always brings about change... get organized, lose weight, etc. And it's no different around here.  Some major changes need to happen.  Our life is full, and we love it like that, but we are at a point with the ages of our kids to help teach more responsibility.  If we can get organized together, it will help them in so many areas of their lives as they grow (physically, mentally and emotionally).  Normally, I'm a pretty organized person, yet, lately my house/garage seems to prove otherwise... yikes!

I'm aiming to do a project a day... I found a great site with a free printable that is keeping me focused (for the moment). I'd love to share it with you, but I can't find it... even with pinterest, I can't find it.  This is what I'm talking about... organization.  I think it's saved on my other computer... frustrating!

This week's organization help:
Sunday:: Think about who you want to be this year
Monday:: Set up a donation station
Tuesday:: Declutter the top of your cabinets and dust
Wednesday:: Declutter the top shelf of one of your cabinets
Thursday:: Go through your spices to discard expired and old ones
Friday:: Put all your cans together on a shelf
Saturday:: Go through your freezer to let go of old, freezer burned food

Simple and focused... just what I need.

So along with organizing this blog may become all about weight loss... it's that time of year to!

I found a blog I'm really enjoying and exploring daily... I can't do it all at once, but I'm incorporating ideas daily.  I want my kids to understand the importance of food and how it makes them feel and move.  I didn't ever learn this and I've paid for it.  Most of 2011 I felt yucky (for a very technical term)... I've realized that I'm the only one that can help myself so I'm starting in the food department.... one day at a time...  I also love visiting this blog for inspiration.

Simple & focused... I think I just found my 2012 motto!

My Night

I snore... or so I'm told.

Over the last 6 months I've become increasingly tired (and I'm always tired, so this is bad).  I'm not rested.  My poor husband complained quietly and now loudly.  It was time to do something.

Last night I headed in to the doctor's office for a sleep study.  Kind of crazy to show up at the doctor's office at 8:30 at night! 

I was led to the "Spirit Lake" room where I was met with a cozy bed, pillows and tv.  Lying across the bed were a MASS of wires.  It took about 30 minutes for the technician, Natassia, to hook me up.  She then told me to sleep normally... yay, right... with all of these wires. 

Surprisingly enough, I fell asleep quickly... I was tired, had dealt with a headache all day, hosted a party the night before and run like a crazy person all day.

Imagine that this is me!  I wanted to take a photo of myself, but I chickened out!

Are you ready?

There comes a time... often for me... when I get discouraged.

Right now I don't feel healthy.  I'm doing some things to help myself {and my family}, but it can be a slow process, especially this time of year.

I found this blog {it is now in my blog roll} which has re-inspired me.  It just makes sense!

97. health... my cousin just had brain surgery... she's doing great, but something like that really makes you think about your life.
96. my growing children, particularly this new pre-teen phase... woah!
95. my ability to be independent and get things accomplished
94. my dependence... I can't quite do it all
93.  our puppy... she is just too cute and fun

92.  my big dog... you can't beat a gigantic snuggler

Living in the moment...

I've realized that I need to better about living in the moment and enjoying each moment as it happens.

For example... Fall is my favorite season and.it's.gone.

How did I celebrate it? (Besides celebrating Thanksgiving.)

Did I embrace the beautiful changing colors of the leaves?

Did I enjoy the texture, the chill, the sun breaks, the crinkling leaves?

The big answer is... no.

So, now that Winter is almost upon us and Christmas is rapidly approaching I'm realizing that I'm not living the experience. 

Living Today... my countdown...
100. I stood back to admire our Christmas tree.
99.  I watched proudly (and cramped) as my son sang in his Winter concert (and cracked his knuckles the entire time).
98.  The warmth of the pellet stove.

A day of snuggling

It has been a long few weeks... transitioning to working a lot more and looking at working even more. Yesterday was filled with snuggles, movies, jammies, puppy love, etc.  It was just what the family needed.

A lovely Friday morning

Finally a few minutes at home to just BE... linger, waste time on the computer, listen to the quiet.  Oh, how I've needed this.  It's been a couple of weeks of just go, go, go...

I do have to work today, and grocery shop, and run the vacuum through the house and tackle two more bathrooms, but I needed this morning for an hour to just BE.

Enjoy your weekend!

Missing in Action ?!?!!

No, not missing, just missing from my blog.  It has been a whirlwind of adventures and I'm trying to enjoy (and keep my sanity) with each and everyone!

Fall soccer has ended, basketball has begun, indoor soccer is in swing and the list goes on and on. 

I've found some new challenges at the University in writing a new undergraduate level class as well as preparing to teach two classes in January.  Social studies boards, tutoring, supervising... not to mention being a MOM!

The kids are doing great... we have a preteen which is making life interesting and a 10 year birthday rapidly approaching.

They always ask to do more, and while we welcome new opportunities (Mad Science, Swimming, Piano) it's important to keep life in check.

We "squeezed in" the pumpkin patch between soccer games.

Wishing I had more time... time to foster and develop friendships further, time to clean my house better, time to craft, time to attend bible study... this is my life in this moment... and I love it!

And they've finally settled in...

It's been one of those afternoons/evenings... everyone picking... a few too loud... one wanting quiet.  We headed to the park (practice of course), with our intention to come home and get things done, it was apparent that they all needed to stay and play and run. 

So we did.

Upon on arrival at home the picking continued, the too loud and one wanting it quiet. 

Husband is traveling, again.

Missed my bible study, again.

But now, their bellies are full and they've all retired to their beds to read.

All is quiet, finally.

In this season...

This is a season for us... FALL SOCCER.  It is all we do and we love it... sadly, my posts end up with the same photo "look".  We've had our ups and downs with wins and losses, but in the end my kids continue to grow and grow in all ways.

Joey has been picked as one of the captains for the fall season... he's working very hard.

Joey's team photos (I took these!)

 They are learning how to lead... sometimes the are successful and other times they are not.  All of my children are learning responsibility... what a lesson.  It's is a constant battle... some days I feel like I'VE FAILED.  Other days, I feel like I've done my job. 

Daisy playing at the soccer game... she is the life of the party!

I'm getting prepared to host my little sisters baby shower... she's due with her first baby in December. It's hard for me to believe that she's having a baby... she's been married for 10 years, but my first memories of her are visiting her in the hospital when she was born.  There is only 4 years between us, so I was little, but I remember pressing my face up against the glass to get a peak at my new baby sister and then I saw my mom walking down the hall to see us... she was in a robe and slippers (in those days we weren't allowed to go back to her hospital room.)

Emmi playing goalie.

 My baby girl is growing up... reading Junie B. Jones, enjoying her friends, making new friends, joking with her coaches, etc.  It is so much fun to watch her come into her own.  She REALLY wanted to try an afternoon program at school, Mad Science, so she's taken it on and LOVES it.  I love watching her try new things... the other night she came down in her version of a karate outfit and asked if she could take karate classes.  She also wants to begin piano lessons... I'm sure her life will continue to be full!

Showing her skills.