S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. Night!

Another Saturday niiiii-iiiight!  Good thing you can't hear me singing it :)  I am at home with the kids tonight, while Justin is out with the boys (a well-deserved night, since I was gone Thursday night, Friday night and have book group tomorrow night). He went to Lucky's to watch the game with the boys, while I cuddled with the kids on the couch (well, Mason doesn't cuddle much these days but luckily Ella and Si still do). We watched the Buckeyes as they barely won - to stay undefeated!! 22 - 0 so far this season!  It's nice to have a lazy evening at home with the kids.


This past week, Silas went for his 5 year check-up.  He had to get 4 shots :(  Poor guy, he was very brave and didn't cry or flinch at all. As soon as the nurse left the room though he looked at me and almost started crying but then just said "oww, that really hurt!"  He got a green Popsicle out of the deal so that made him happy.  His arms both hurt during the day and he got a 102 degree temp that night but was fine by the next day. He's measuring in the 50 percentile for both height and weight.  He's 41 pounds and 43 & 3/4 inches.

Ella has so many (too many!) cute clothes.  She wore a skirt and leggings to school one chilly day this week..  After school I noticed that she just had the leggings on, no skirt.  When I asked Ella why she took her skirt off, she said told me, "because I can't kick Mason with it on!!!" while demonstrating how her leg would only kick so high because of the "dumb skirt".  That girl is going to give us a run for the money...

Ella also started her Clay Creations class at school this week.  It's an after school 1-hour class one day a week that is taught by the art teacher that she loves.  She always brings several cute projects home at the end of the session.  She loves art so much and she's really good at it...she must get that from her Daddy and grandparents, because I can't draw a recognizable thing!

We're continuing to work hard on our YOSP goals.  2 more days in January to make some progress.  The running is going well and we're both doing a great job of sticking to it!  Tomorrow I plan to get to the Y and I'm shooting to run 4.5 miles. I had to back off a little on pace and miles because I was having a lot of pain in my left leg/hip/knee.  I think I was doing too much too quickly and now it's feeling better. I think I can start working my way back up. It gives me so much more energy and especially motivation. Wish I had started a long time ago!

I found myself really missing Jim/Grandpa J this week.  He was on my mind a lot and I think it's just now really sinking in...it makes me sad to think about it...

Speaking of thinking, I think it's bedtime...I need to have a productive day tomorrow!! 

Precious Moment

It is so, so cold out right now.  When I woke up this morning the temperature read -3 degrees*.  Tonight it had "warmed" up to 18 degrees.  As I was tucking Silas in bed tonight, I layered about 4 blankets on him, getting him all snuggled in.
I kissed him good-night and said, "You are all snuggled in, nice and cozy.  You are a very lucky boy."
In his close-to-sleep, still baby voice he whispered, "I know mama, I am a lucky boy."

Lordy, how I love these kids!!

*I feel a bit like a sissy complaining about -3 degree temps when it was -47 in North Dakota and -27 in Minnesota today!

Snow Days and Luaus

The kids started the week with Monday out of school for MLK day.  We had a pretty lazy day at home.  My children would stay in their pajamas for days, weeks even, if I let them.  Silas played with his Legos a lot. I don't know why but I am amused when I see his Lego space plane with Woody and Chewbacca on it together.

On Wednesday night, I had to go to the school to pick up Si's Kindergarten registration pack.  I can't believe my baby will be heading to kindergarten.  Seems like just yesterday that he was grabbing and sucking on his toes.

So the kids now-a-days (and I remember Mason did this a time or two also) have this ritual that they do when they want a snow day.  They turn their pajamas inside out and backwards, and wear them to bed like that.  They also flush ice cubes down the toilet.  Apparently 6 is the magic number. 

Thursday is started snowing around 8am...and snowed and snowed all day.  I think we had 5 inches here. Ella had a ball walking home from school in all the snow.

And last night right after tucking the kids into bed, school was canceled.  So they had another lazy day at home!  The only reason that Ella got out of her pj's today is because she had a Girl Scout event in the evening. She went to a Paradise Island Luau and came home with a painted face and flowers in her hair.

While Ella was gone, Si had his friend, Carson, over.  They had fun playing Wii.  During MarioKart, Justin told the boys to come eat after their "race" was over.  Silas informed him "we're not racing...we're just driving to see who finishes first!"  Got it :)

YOSP - January Update - 2 weeks in

I plan to do a YOSP update at least once a month...I want to see my progress in writing!!

1. Get in better shape financially.

• I've updated to Quicken software since my "financial institution" decided to update their online banking and it's not compatible with MS Money and I wasn't too happy that they didn't tell me that before the transition! (Apparently I was the last person on earth to know that Microsoft is getting rid of Money).
• Have a meeting with a planner scheduled to help organize priorities, pay off debt plan and get a better handle on the business expenses for myself and Justin.  
• Ebaying unused items...$100+ so far in the last couple weeks :)
• Lots of juggling this month as the aftermath of the NY trips and Christmas hit the books.  We are using our Neat Receipt software and scanner to make sure that we are aware of what we spend the money on though.  It's very helpful to not only know that I spent $52 at Target but how much was necessity and how much was "oh, that is cute!"...

2. Get the house organized. 

• started cleaning out the basement - we sorted through 2 shelving racks full of unorganized stuff.  A lot of it was the Christmas decorations, but also some other holidays, found some old albums (CCR and Nielson Schmeilson for Justin, AC/DC and Thriller for me :)  We have pulled a ton of stuff already that can be donated, some to be stored away for once we finish the basement and lots that is just plain old garbage!
• sorted and downsized the maternity clothes from 7 totes down to 2!  Those 2 can either be donated or consigned.

  

• Cleaned out the master closet. What a mess!  You can see before (left) and after (right) in the pics :)

 

3. Health and fitness...get into better shape!

• We've been been going to the Y 3 times a week.
• I have increased my running from 0 miles 4 weeks ago to (on average) 3.5 to 4 miles. My max so far was 5.5 miles on Saturday.
• Justin and I bought new running shoes that will help decrease, or possibly even eliminate, the pain!!  My left leg/knee/hip/hamstring has been very sore since I started running and looking at the video of my form (that they took at the shoe store) it's no wonder! I run like a duck!
• When you are walking/running on a treadmill, and it shows you how many calories you are burning...and then you consider popping a Twix or KitKat into your month, you realize that it will take 45 minutes of running to burn off those calories. It really makes you think about "is it worth it?" and I'd rather save my calories for wine! (oh, and healthy food too).

4. Do more family activities. 

• We haven't done any "organized" activities but we've had some movie nights at home.
• Ella started indoor soccer this week  - I think she'll really enjoy it!
• Family Y time now that we're going regularly again!

5. Spent more time on our interests and hobbies. 

• Running has quickly become a new hobby!
• I know this sounds cliche...but I've given myself "permission" to enjoy more time for reading, blogging and photography (and now exercising as well).  I have a huge guilt complex when it comes to work because I work by the "billable hour".  So when I'm not working, I'm not getting paid. Changing my mindset has helped greatly.
• My friend, NetterB is doing a photo project - a weekly theme and posting of weekly photos.  I love the idea and have decide to do the same on my FotoBabble blog.  I did a Google search and decided to follow the themes posted on this site. I am 2 weeks behind but plan to catch up with the weekly themes tomorrow!

6. Decrease my anxiety about death, dying and cancer. 

• This seems to be taking care of itself...the more I workout and feel "healthy" the less I worry about it. 

7. Spend more time with my husband. 

• This has mainly consisted of quality "home organizing" time lately and going to the Y together.  

7b. No more kids, so I have to watch just how much time I'm spending with my husband. 

• So far, so good!

I feel pretty happy with the progress on my list so far.  If I could continue at this pace, I will definitely have a YOSP!!

Why it's Important to Take a Deep Breath and Wait 24 Hours

Monday was report card day for Mason.  I knew that grades weren't going to be at their best - traveling as much as we did and (all of us) not being on top of school work (or work work) during November and December...but imagine my surprise when my honor roll student came home with his grade card and had a big fat "F" in English!  I was shocked and royally PO'd!

I asked Mason how this happened...he wasn't sure...maybe missing an assignment? (he had turned in an assignment over Christmas break...maybe that was late?).  I took his phone, grounded him for the next 9 weeks...no working out at the gym with his friends, no driving temps anytime soon, no life basically. I lectured him, I may have even called him something along the lines of a "thug-head lazy butt" - I was not a happy camper.

I emailed his teacher the next morning.  I asked for all his grades for the 9 weeks and for a weekly update going forward on all his grades, how he's doing with homework, tests, etc. 

This is the email that I got back:

I don’t know what happened, Christa!?!?  Mason was excused from a few assignments due to the funeral and given extensions on others, but he did NOT fail –he received an 85% B for the 9 weeks. 

I have already contacted Guidance to correct this problem.  Mason is right where he should be on the research paper.  

To which my reply to his teacher was..."phew, that is great!  ...thank God I didn't kill him before getting your email!!"

Mason's response:  "am I still grounded??"

I have to admit, it was frightening to think that somehow something was going wrong or downhill fast with my teenager and I was apparently clueless.  Ella and Si are still at easier ages to discipline. It becomes much more difficult with a teenager. Sure, take the cell phone, take the fun stuff...but what really teaches the consequences of actions and decisions made at this age?  An "F" would have meant repeating the class, summer school, even not getting into a college that he might decide to go to down the road. How do Justin and I teach the importance of making good decisions at this age - because there are SOOO many times in young adulthood that a bad decision can have lifelong consequences. 
Luckily, this time it was a mistake - but hopefully a good lesson for both of us!!

 

Back in a Groove

We're back to work, back to school and pretty much back in the groove of a scheduled life.  It feels good to get back into a routine, though the kids have been difficult to get up on the morning.  Ella has growled at me a lot when I wake her up, throws the covers over her head...I can't imagine what she's going to be like as a teen.  It's like she's trying to make up for all that sleeping she wouldn't do when she was a baby.

We got to see our friends, the Bulls, this past week.  It was great to see them "live" and not just online.  The kids got to watch movies and play Wii together. Gavin taught us a few words in Japanese :)

Ella has been on a reading kick...she brought a chapter book home from school this week, and instead of asking me to read it with her, she grabbed a reading chair and blanket and snuggled in.  I love it.  It reminds me of me when I was a kid.  I was all about the Nancy Drew books (which are all still in a box in the basement).  The problem is that she sits and reads the entire chapter book in an evening and doesn't want to stop for dinner, bath, bed, etc.

As for myself, I've been putting a  lot of thought into what I really want to get accomplished in this YOSP (Year of Significant Progress in case you forgot). I could probably list about 50 things that I'd like to do...but I'm trying to keep it realistic and have chosen the areas of highest priority to concentrate on:

1. Get in better shape financially.  This has been a goal for a long time and we've gotten better.  But not good enough.  This also includes things like update will, take care of necessary estate planning type stuff, etc.  I don't want to have to worry about this kind of stuff if a crisis hits.

2. Get the house organized. I love our house, but the clutter and lack of "a place for everything" is killing me.  My goal is to get the basement cleared out, finished space for our offices and a place for the kids (and adults) to hang out.  It also includes moving the laundry room to the basement and making the 1st floor laundry room more of a "mudroom" for coats, shoes, book bags, and some extra pantry room area. This is a tall order but a top priority for 2011!

3. Health and fitness...get into better shape! This has been needed for awhile now.  Over the last couple years I had totally stopped making time for regular exercise. So, regular exercise, watching what I eat and drink more closely and participating in events (like the Warrior Dash and some 5k's) to keep me motivated.  I also want to get new tires for my bike that hasn't been touched in the last 5+ years!

4. Do more family activities. This is partly related to #3.  We had so much fun ice skating over break and going to the zoo and to see the Globetrotters and The Nutcracker.  I want to make sure we're doing this type of stuff more often. A variety of healthy activities, fun, church, volunteer, cultural, travel...exposure to much more for the kids.

5. Spend more time on our interests and hobbies. For me, this is photography, blogging and reading.  I want to work on my photography skills more this year.  I didn't do much in this regard last year.  Blogging is also really important to me.  When Grandpa J passed away and I saw all the family papers and pictures that he had held on to...that was cool. But very unorganized.  Blogging is my journaling and scrapbooking rolled into one.  It's important to me that I have it to look back on and more importantly, that the kids can look back at this and remember what our daily family life was like in these captured moments.  Part of this goal is also to finally start making an annual book out of the blog.

6. Decrease my anxiety about death, dying and cancer. It's everywhere and it's all part of life, so I had better get  used to that.  The last 3+ years have been bad news after bad news on the cancer front. It has consumed my thoughts sporadically in an unhealthy way. Fear. Fear that another loved one, or my kids or even I would be next. I'd love to think and believe that the worst is over, but who knows?  So I had better learn to deal with it.

7. Spend more time with my husband. I am very blessed to have a husband that I love and adore and love to spent time with.  Over the last few months we've gotten to sneak out for a dinner or shopping, just the two of us (thanks to Mason who doesn't mind staying home with the little ones from time to time).  It's great to connect as husband and wife, and not just as parents.  I'd like to do that more.

7b. No more kids, so I have to watch just how much time I'm spending with my husband. This one has been kinda tough for me to swallow.  When we tried last year for a 4th and then miscarried, it really left me longing for one more beautiful babe.  But when we look at where we are now, where our kids are at now (and how old I am now!), it just makes more sense to let the fat lady sing. I know without a doubt that I will always wish we had had one more.  But when I look at goals 1-7 above, I know it's the right decision for our family. As my wise friend, DZ, told me...You gotta be done sometime...I just need to learn to accept that now!

So this year...I/we had better make some progress on all these fronts. Significant progress!!  It can be overwhelming to look at this list and wonder where I will find the time to make these things happen but my mind keeps coming  back to this quote from Storypeople:

"Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life."

Happy 2011!!!

2011 - that seems impossible!!  It was a perfect 1st day of the year, lazing on the couch while watching football all day in pajamas (well, me anyway). And Amanda is here spending the day with us before she heads home to NY tomorrow.
I can't say that I'm sad to see 2010 go.  It was not an easy year. I'm really looking for a fresh start with 2011.  And we've got some exciting things to look forward to (like some friends and family having babies!!).  I decided that 2011 will be our Year of Significant Progress.  We have had too many things on the To Do list for too long.  I want this to be the year that we get some of these things done!  So I hope to be able to share the things on our YOSP list and what we manage to achieve.

But for now, I am going to go enjoy the last hour of the first day of 2011 :)

A Happy and Blessed 2011 to all!!