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!