January 1

Today didn't really feel like a New Year's Day. With church in the morning and lunch at my parents' house, it just felt, odd. Like a regular Sunday really, not the typical lazing around all day New Year's.

But the Christmas decorations came down. Like any good New Year's Day. And though the kids were sad about it, especially the sight of the bare tree standing in the living room, it must be done. We did get it up early this year so I don't feel quite as bad as I might have other years.

and I am practicing trying to use my new camera. One of my goals for the New Year is to learn how to really use it. And use it!

I started my 365 Photo Project. With practice shots of the kids eating frosted mini wheats at supper. (yeah, we eat cold cereal every Sunday night for supper...so I don't win Mother of the Year award...)

and we got Bea's room re-organized and cleaned up. Which is quite a feat in itself.

So I guess it was a good enough day.

I feel like I should say more but it's late and I'm tired, so once again, Happy 2012.

Goodbye 2011

I haven't been blogging much lately. Been busy with Christmas and stress and life and all that. My goal in 2012 (well one of them but who am I kidding? I have the same handful of goals every year) is to blog regularly. Every day record something. Even just a few snippets of our day, maybe progress, maybe not. But something to remember later.

So on that note, on the last day of 2011, we:

slept in. A lot. All 4 kids were up til almost midnight last night watching Episode 4 of Start Wars and were all wiped out. So we slept in. We're talking 10:30 plus. Amazingly wonderful.

went to a friend's birthday party (left all 4 kids there while they played party games and had cake), then the Mailman and I

went shopping. Bought new running shoes, and a few new clothing items--that are not 100% black or gray or brown. I'm trying to branch out.

had dinner at my mother in laws. Late Christmas. Ham and meatloaf. With ice cream cake for my sister in law's birthday.

bought a TV Guardian. We have wanted one for a long time but didn't want to pay big bucks for one. Finally found one for $15 on Craigslist, an hour from our house but saved a bundle of money. But a 2 hour drive with 4 squirrely kids on New Year's Eve? not so much fun.

took the kids to see a Walkway of Lights. Last day of the year, last day for the lights display to be open. It was fun and exciting and cold. and pretty much dead. Apparently a Christmas lights display at 10 p.m. on a cold, rainy New Year's Eve is not considered a hotspot.

came home, made popcorn and watched old home videos for a bit, snuggled up on the couch with all 4 kids in their footie pajamas.

got in a bit of an argument with the Mailman right before midnight. So that wasn't a highlight of the day but what can you do?

watched the ball drop while the kids blew their little horn thingamabobs and hugged each other.

Perfect. How could 2012 get any better than this?

Halloween and Other News

I've already decided today's kind of a wash. Between the preschool party at 10:30, the elementary kids' parties at 1:45 (and yes, I'm room mom for the 1st grader so my presence is necessary), and of course, Trick or Treating tonight, I'm thinking I'll be lucky to get one load of laundry completed.

And as for that losing weight goal I have (I started to type had, as if it was a thing of the past! Pftt..), well, Halloween is not really the best time to try to make that happen. Because sometimes the kids just get more candy than they can possibly handle, right? I wouldn't want them to overload and get sick. It's my duty as a parent to help them out a little.

Especially if there are Reese Cups and Twix bars in the bags. Smarties, Pixie Stix, eh...I can resist. But the premium chocolate is what kills me every time.

So those are my thoughts on Halloween, and candy, as it were.

My scale battery died this weekend, which is probably a good thing. Because honestly I'm sure the truth would hurt right now. I'm back on the wagon (or is off the wagon...I'm never sure), as far as trying. I had a few bingey days last week which leads me to wonder what happens, why do I feel like eating piece after piece of toast and butter and grape jelly. At least the toast is whole wheat---I'm getting my fiber, if nothing else!

But I do need to start tracking again. And I do need to run again, but that blasted knee...ick. It is still hurting, which is definitely putting a damper on my ability to exercise in any form or fashion. So binging just seems appropriate after days of lethargy and inactivitiy.

So...........moving on.......

I did make considerable progress on our bedroom--which, without a doubt, has been the Number 1 Most Neglected Room in our House. 

Tomorrow is a new day, a new month, and the start of a new week (well, technically today is but just ignore that fact since I'm getting absolutely nothing done today on the homefront. At the moment Bea. is retelling every single moment of her morning at preschool, including "walking down the stairs carrying my pencils in a basket." So clearly today will not be all that productive). Wow, end parens, I guess.

and as is probably obvious, I'm having a few formatting issues. Just ignore that too. :-D

(So now that I have restored my former formatting.............I'm finished. I'm not super tech-savvy, so perhaps on my next post I'll get it worked out. )

My current list looks overwhelming to me, and I have a feeling perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew. Add to this the kids' busy schedule--they have tech week for a play this week and shows all next weekend, and tonight is Halloween. But I did make progress this weekend so I'm starting with a fairly clean slate. And I'm not bugged and overwhelmed and in a pit right now so as long as the good attitude and motivation keep up, I'm good.

Right?

Fifteen years and counting

I can't say that he and I have had a perfect marriage. We have argued more times than I would like, definitely, and I have gotten annoyed more times than I should have, for sure. But 15 years ago today, we made a commitment, and I have not regretted it. Not for long, anyway. ;-)

There have been a few angry and frustrated times I've felt like what have I done? And that first year was sort of hard, we had a lot of growing up to do.

(oh, who am I kidding? we still have a lot of growing up to do)

but I love the man and he is a great father and a great husband and loves God and works so hard for us. And I have him. I don't have to wonder who I'll end up with or worry I'll be lonely. And with him I never have to wonder if he'll be faithful because I just know.

(and it helps that he makes me laugh like no one else ever could, and he brings me flowers just because I "deserve" them, and he doesn't like obnoxious music or annoying sports like wrestling or racing)

So it's been a sort of crazy, chaotic sort of 15 years, with 4 kids thrown into the mix, and all that we've been through.

But I'm grateful for him. And blessed by him in so many ways. And looking forward to the next chapter of our lives together.