Hello :)

So, I stumbled across my blog on my phone the other day while I was waiting in the car for J. I thought it was really cool going back and seeing pics of the kids and reading about what we were doing back then. I decided that I wanted to blog again because it is like keeping a diary, a way to chronicle this time AND 'this time' is going by so very fast. I just wish I could freeze it, but I can't. My kids are getting bigger and I am getting older and there is NO stopping it! To catch us up. We bought a house. An older home - not super old but 23yrs.old. It's in an area I've always liked and I just love it! We have been remodeling it. We floored in a two story great room to create an upstairs game room, added a small bedroom, and a bunch of other things here and there. We are still working on it and hopefully will finish it up this summer. It's been a big year of volleyball and more volleyball. C started playing middle school VBall on a homeschool team and I was able to coach her team. She played her first season of club volleyball and I coached an older team. E played tackle football and decided that he doesn't think he likes it. He also played basketball and decided he loved that sport! (I prefer basketball to tackle football) E & C changed curriculumn and did Abeka Academy on DVD- so my teaching duties were greatly reduced this year. R went to public school. We decided each child should do a year of public. The twins did 2nd and R is doing 3rd. She is a stellar student, pulling high A's on every report card. I dont think we will do 3rd again with lil'c though. The testing just makes for a lame year. Lil'c is growing up way too fast. She likes to act like she is 13 or something. She has been the one child that has done everything my other kids never did at her age. I just LOVE her so much though. I am SO glad she is in our lives. Without her I think I would really be missing when the kids were small. I get to enjoy those amazing, funny, super cute years like never before and one more time because of her. She is smart, funny and beautiful! J & I are doing great! Marriage can be tough, but I have found this year to be the sweetest. We seem to be getting to a place where we understand what make eachother tic and what tics eachother off...HA ;)!(So we try to avoid the latter!) It only took 12 years. We also got a dog. A loveable Golden we named Max. He is a great addition to our family and the kids LOVE him. Oh,I also must mention that I finally got a tornado shelter - FEMA gave Tarrant Co a grant to help pay for residential storm shelters- so I was all over that rebate! (those of you who know me best, know how much that means to me) So, when those tornados hit N.Texas a few weeks back, we were tucked away in our shelter. Well, I think that pretty much sums it up! We are now wrapping up the school year and getting ready for summer fun!

2011

Happy New Year!! Merry Christmas!! Happy Thanksgiving!! etc..etc...

Been forever since I have been on this Blog. I actually forgot about it. Face book happened and then well..that's that. My husband mentioned my blog the other day. Apparently I did have a follower ;). Anyhow, maybe I will pick this blogging thing back up.

Long Time..

Been a long time since I have updated this thing...so, since I am bored, I thought "tonight" would be good. Part of the reason it has been so long is because my camera broke and I didn't have everything I needed for my new camera to upload pictures & it takes so long to do it from my phone. I finally purchased a card reader so I can now upload pics again (after J hooks it up for me).
Life's been good..busy. I have been working out a lot - it has become a sort of hobby, I think? If that can be a hobby :). I try to go to the gym at least 4 times a week, sometimes 5. I feel really bad if I don't make it, (maybe it has become an addiction?) j/k. I truly just think I need that sort of outlet for myself right now. Nothing beats a good kick in the rear at the gym! I am getting bored w/ my cardio. Still LOVE spin though. I really would love to go outside & just go for run. I think this summer may just be the summer I finally get my knee surgery. I really need to just suck it up and do it. I really wish I had a workout partner..but then again, it'd probably take me longer to workout.
The kids are doing wonderful. E & C are in college for kids, this is their last week. It has been a good experience for them. They have really enjoyed it and we will definitely go again next year. R & lil'c are doing great and so is J.
Hmm... That's about it for now - oh, I am about to be 35...yikes..35!!!!! I used to always say my thirties were going to rock, but now that I am here, I want my twenties back? I should just enjoy these thirties I suppose, because before I know it, the forties will be here! Where did the time go? when did I get so old? I think I am done after this birthday, thank-you :)

R's Birthday

I didn't post pictures of R's birthday and wanted to before I posted pic's for the twins. It was a great time; I love my little R, she is such a cutie 'pa'tutie! We went skating - always fun & such good exercise! For her, I stayed up all night working on a horse cake. She was quite pleased with they way it turned out, I am so glad! It turned out good for someone who had no idea what they were doing and decided to start at 10pm the night before! I am a nut- but I will do anything for my kids and I loved being able to do that for her. So, she is seven and beautiful and has such a sensitive, deep little soul. I have learned a lot from her and just love her so much. We are very blessed to have her in our family. She is my "Reesie Baby" and will always be that to me.




She is shy like me & gets embarrassed easily.

And that is what it was like the first year of their precious little lives...no just kidding! 10! Holy Macaroni - am I THAT old? Two 10yr olds. What an amazing, crazy time it has been. The twins are ten tomorrow and that day, along w/ the one that followed, will be etched in my memory forever. I am so proud of them! They both decided to sleep in the same room for their birthday week, stressed about the right present to get each other and have been singing "you said it's your birthday...it's my birthday too!" all week. Of course they made up their own version for the days leading up to it, telling everyone 'they' can actually truthfully sing that song :). I have their birthday breakfast ready, they get so excited planning their breakfast in bed and each year it seems to get more elaborate! It's great though and we have been doing it since they were 3, I just wish I had taken pictures of every single one..that would be cool to look back at. We have a fun evening planned at Medieval Times with all the grandparents going (minus my dad, wish he lived closer). They are so excited they can barely contain themselves!


Our little Family on E & C's 1st Birthday!
(don't we look exhausted, that first year was really just surviving! :) )

A Day With C

C is turning 10 this weekend, she is growing up way too fast! Today we spent the day together talking about grown-up girl things..I can't believe my daughter is getting so big! We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then strolled over to Barnes and Noble where we purchased a book I'd been eyeing. An American Girl Book for young girls on growing up. (which I give 2 thumbs up to!) Then we went and got a big girl hair cut (which for C consisted of layers and side bangs). After that, we sat near the pond at Bear Creek Park and fed the ducks. That park has some of the most beautiful and interesting ducks I have ever seen. I definitely will being going back with my camera one day. Anyhow, as we sat on the ground feeding them we had a goose hiss in our faces, we both jumped up so fast and got out of his way! It was a good laugh :). Then we sat on a bench and talked, & talked. It was a wonderful conversation. We wrapped up the day with a trip to the nail salon where she picked out a pretty shade of blue to have her fingers & toes painted. Blue..she really wanted red, but call me old fashioned, I do not like red for little girls and she is still my little girl and I'd like to keep her that way...but what a truly remarkable young lady she is growing up to be.

My Wonderful Husband

I just have to say, I am married to an amazing man, who really loves me! It is so nice to be married to a man who can look at you, w/ your crazy bed hair, tired eyes, un-made face (not that I ever wear that much make-up), mixed matched p.j.'s and find you beautiful. How is it that he is able to say those words to me and really, truly mean them? I don't mean that like it came out, I mean it like..you know, you are with the same person for the last 12 or so years and for him to be able to look at me and actually make me feel prettier than when I was younger, is really a great thing.
It is especially nice because I don't get out that much or get to put myself together and feel like a beautiful woman. I feel most often like a frumpy, home schooling mommy, that barely has time to herself.
It is just an awesome feeling, to know he feels that way about me. It is enough to make a girls heart soar and I love him for being able to make me feel like that.

Piano Lessons

I have awesome kids. I know everyone says that, but really, these guys are so great! E & C are giving me piano lessons. E is my piano teacher and C is my piano tutor. I have lessons 1x per week and tutor 2x a week. It is so much fun being the "student" and letting them take the lead and teach me. I think that this is one of the best things we have done together. Each of them has their own teaching style and the are really good at it. E is very patient, he watches me and shows me what the notes mean and where to place my fingers. C is so organized and has made me my own folder and helps me w/ my tempo. I get stickers from both of them, it is so cute! I am enjoying it so much and I'm learning something :). (I am able to play by ear and have never really been able to read music, so they are really helping me with that.) It's fun, it will definitely bring us closer. I really feel it is good for them to be able to share and teach me something, instead of it always being the other way around. Plus they get such a kick out of it! I need to find something that R can teach me so she doesn't feel left out.

A lot of rambling or ranting or babbling .:)

I worked out today w/ my 'new' trainer. It had been about 2+ months since I last worked out. My last trainer moved to FL to pursue a music career, I am actually glad about that, we had a language barrier; it was hard to talk to him. Anyhow, did a bell workout. I am suppose to be very sore tomorrow...I don't see it happening. I did not feel anywhere near as fatigued as after a work out on the weights. We shall see. In the past I would not be able to move my arms for a couple days after I worked out. So, I don't know. One thing I do know is that I really NEED to workout. I am much happier after a good sweat. Two months was too long. I am ready to break out of my "hermit" tendencies, at least to go to the gym. It probably isn't very healthy for me to confine myself to my house :).
It has been a weird couple of weeks. J decided we should start a couples devotional together, since we can't go to church w/ each other and to help us w/ our relationship. I am so blessed to have a man who takes that kind of initiative in my life. We started last Monday & it was good -But then we went on and fought the entire week. I'm talking mean, hateful fights. Why does that have to happen?
It all ended up fine and it was good to get some things out into the open, also a little hard. We just have to keep moving forward. I am so glad he loves me so much; I am not always very nice. I am so glad we have Christ as our Rock. I don't know how people can keep it together without Him.
(As I sit here, my lower back is starting to feel a little tight..hmmm..maybe, I will feel this workout)
I think I shall swim tomorrow. I'm getting a little bored w/ the elliptical. I am not a friend of the stair climber and the spin class is running too late. My kids are STARVING when we stay that late :) ! I just really need to get my surgery over with so I can run! I look on with envy at the people I see jogging along side the road. I want to do that! I have an awesome park I could run through, but I can't. One DAY...I will run again! :).
Calories, I do not like counting calories. It's been about 2 weeks.
I do however, like the 'new' food and have incorporated it back into all of our dinner meals- kids aren't always a fan of it. I just really want to eat a big huge juicy hamburger. I also would like a banana split, which sounds wonderful. I am not sure I will ever be the same; now that I am aware of my caloric need and how many calories my favorite foods have in them. I also had NO IDEA about portion sizes. I have been weighing our meat and boy have we been over doing it. I had to keep cutting down the size of our salmon; I couldn't believe how small it was when I was done. When we move I am going to buy new plates, and they will all be smaller. I do have a new favorite snack though.. Wasu cracker w/ Smart Balance Omega 3 creamy peanut butter..YUM! It's all-good though, I have lost 6 or seven more lbs. Hopefully, I will soon be at pre lil'c weight! My goodness, if I didn’t love food sooo much, I wouldn't have this problem :)! Really it is carbs, I am a carbaholic..I am, I crave carbs, esp. when I am pregnant and sick!
I think I am done..nothing else to say today.
Going to Home school day at the zoo this week, I am looking forward to that, even though I said I didn't think I'd go back to the zoo because I felt sorry for the elephants (and really all the animals). I am such a "big" talker, just this one last time....you know, for lil'c :) .

Evening Snow Fun!

J & the kids built a 2nd snowman in the front yard!



Looks like a happy snowman!

Snow Day!

What a morning we have had! Today we were awakened with Breakfast in Bed from the kids. C had planned the whole surprise for us, calling on Grandma Chewy to help her go shop for the things she needed. It was so incredibly sweet of her to want to do such a nice thing for us. They all worked together getting it ready and were able to pull it off w/o us even knowing! They also made us Valentines and read them to us while we ate our breakfast. After that, we headed outside to build a snowman and have a good old fashion snowball fight! This is the best snow! We must have spent an hour out there, even lil'c. Everyone had cold hands and wet clothes, so we had to warm up w/ some hot cocoa and marshmallows! YUMM what a completely great morning and what wonderful kids I have!

Making The Cut

I bought this book, by Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser) to help me get to my final weight goal (pre-Lil'c weight). I actually want to also be more toned and muscular than I was before I got pregnant with her. I plan on starting tomorrow and have been reading thru it. It is a 30day diet and fitness program. To "drop your last 10-20lbs once and for all" it claims. I really think she is pretty awesome, she seems to know what she is talking about and I love her on the Biggest Loser! This book cracks me up, the way she talks...so not like me. First off it is dedicated to the “Inner Bada** living inside of all of us”. Do "I" have one of those? LOL, I am so not like that! :) She also says stuff about getting "ripped" and how “H-E double hockey sticks, YES this book is for you”! Although I am a completely different woman than she is and I have slightly different goals, I think it will be a fun 30days and hopefully I will drop those last lbs!! I am not blessed unfortunately to just drop weight, I never had to be concerned about it before kids and well pregnancy is just not great for me, I gain like an elephant. So EVERY lb that I lose I have to work my butt off for and it is not easy or fast, but I learned to appreciate working hard for that and it feels good to accomplish it. So, I was reading over the physical test I am suppose to take to see if I am even ready to do her 30 day plan. One of the tests is to see how many push-ups you can do in a minute- I HATE push-ups, it was something I would always whine about under my breath when my trainer had me do it. It has been 2mos. since I worked out; I hope I can do at least one! Also, my trainer let me do 'girl' push-ups, but Jillian says "Girly push-ups? I don't want to even hear it-toughen up or go buy someone else’s book!" Yikes, she is all about kickin' your butt! - But I kind of like that… maybe I really do have an inner bada** in me! J/k. We shall see I guess, when in 30days I am RIPPED! (For real, I may have bought the wrong book)

It's Official!!

I just got the call -J is checked out!  YEA! Not that we didn't expect it, but you never know...He had to meet with the chief and get his final check ride.

 He Passed, I am so happy, relieved and proud; all rolled into one! It is a tough field to work in, I am just glad he is happy.  It is a little hard to believe that we have finally finished. :)

Photo Session

Most of you know I love photography, something I have always liked and really wish I hadn't dropped in college :). Today I had the privilege of shooting a good friend of mines newborn baby, one week old! I have never photographed a newborn, except my own and that is really not that fun because I am so tired and in pain. This was fun though and what a cute little baby! Makes me want another. Seems easy, someone else carries it for 9mos and then I can just love on it once it is here! Anyhow, I really enjoyed this! I had J climb up into the attic and get down all my stuff, I charged up my camera, set up my backdrops and crossed my fingers! My camera is 7yrs old and way behind the times, but it kept its act together and we made it thru the session. Here are some of the pictures.

Check Out Time!

Next week J checks out and will be a CPC - "Certified Professional Controller". I think it is so funny that people actually think an Air Traffic Controller is someone who stands in front of the plane waving those lighted sticks, leading the plane into the terminal. It makes me laugh. J works at the Fort Worth Center, he deals with enroute traffic. He sits in a "cave" and controls traffic that flies over East/Southeast TX, part of Louisiana & Arkansas. So, if you are ever flying over those area's and happen to enter his airspace, do not fear, you are in good hands!
I am very excited and happy for him. He has worked so hard and come a really long way. I am always amazed at his dedication and the hard work he puts in. He never gives up and does everything he sets out to do. He is not afraid of anything. I truly admire all those qualities about him. I am such a self-doubter, super shy and always worried about other people. It is amazing that we ended up together. (I think we just compliment each other perfectly.)
Anyhow, this journey truly began in 2001, with him going back to college to raise his GPA. He then went on to get 2 degrees, we all moved to MN for a year, lived apart 2 separate times for a total of 6mos & eventually ended up coming back here. Since being assigned Fort Worth Center, it has taken him 3 yrs. to complete training at the facility, which is good, avg. training time can be anywhere from 2-6yrs. I could never do what he does, just listening to him talk about everything that goes into separating planes is overwhelming and a little scary. I am amazed at everything he has to know and how he has to process the information and spit out this dialog & quickly, w/o really much room, if any, for error. I think about that and all the training he put in, I really respect what he does because he is easily watching over thousands of lives as the planes pass thru his airspace. Definitely a responsibility I would not want, but one he takes on so well.
I want to thank all of our family out there who has supported us and believed in us throughout this long journey. Thank-you so much to my sweet friend Julie and my mother in-law; who both came many times & spent the night w/ me when I was alone and lonely. My mom & Rob for all your help and advice, w/o you he wouldn't even be in this field. The Amazing Cooper Family, who accepted us (basically strangers) into your lives & home. You showered us w/ Christ's love and made our stay in MN so wonderful. Thank-you to all our parents who helped us out financially, for letting us stay with you while we have been in between homes, for helping us move many, many times, for watching our kids and especially for your prayers.
God has blessed us with an amazing support group, & I LOVE ALL of you sooo very much! I am glad we are finally done!!

Congratulations J, I am so proud of you!

If You Were to Walk into My House Right Now

If you were to come over unannounced, right now...
you would hardly be able to make it past the front door mat w/o tripping over someones shoes. Then if you happened to make it past the shoes there is a good possibility you might just slip on a jacket that was tossed on the ground. If you looked to the left you'd see a school room w/ newspaper covering the floor, broken crayons, backpacks, pencils, and desks loaded w/ books. Next to that, the formal living room, w/ piled up boxes of Christmas decorations & piano books sprawled around. If you were brave or curious enough to keep on walking, you'd come upon the family room, which would look like a bomb went off, sending clothes and toys flying every which way. That just might shock you enough to turn around and head for the front door but you wouldn't be able to miss the kitchen..w/ dishes, cereal boxes & mail all over the place. Then, you'd be stopped in your tracks when our rabbit, hopping around on her mats, came up to greet you.
I often find myself apologizing to J about our house or joking about how he's married to "some crazy woman" and "what does she do all day..geez!" He is a very forgiving man and we have a good laugh.
Ideally, and I am an idealist (not a good thing)- I'd love to have the house perfect, all the laundry done, dinner on the table every night and be all dressed up and smiling when he walked through the door- BUT really, is that possible? I wonder is there a lady out there who is able to pull that off and if so, what is her secret?
Anyhow, my house does get clean & that is my job today (because I CAN NOT stand it anymore). I always tell myself, "I am not going to let the house get out of hand again" .. but it happens and often at that, MORE often than I like. That must just be life or motherhood. There will come a time, when the jackets aren't on the ground and there is no shoe obstacle; toy and clothes bombs will be unheard of AND I am sure I will miss it.
Then, maybe I WILL be that lady with the clean house....at least until the grand kids come over! :)

To: J ... From: C

Thanks for showing 'new' interest in me :)!
not sure yet if I am comfortable with it...

A Fly on the Wall

Oh what I would give to be a fly on the wall in another home school moms house. I wonder, does it take as long? Do they get into the same deep discussions that we do? Is there a lot of 'rabbit chasing' going on? Is the baby screaming "mom, mom, mom" over the gate, even though daddy is right there to meet her every need? Is the mom fully dressed? Are the breakfast dishes from yesterday still in the sink? Has the baby spent the day in her PJ's? Does it take them all day and does the mom just want to veg for a few minutes after assigning the final lesson for the day?
I love home school. It is great to be able to learn together, to discuss history and choices and consequences to actions and sing and recite and laugh and cry and play together. To study God's word, to explore new places and cultures through great literature. To know that YOU taught your kids to read and introduced them to the great world of knowledge that books hold.
It is a wonderful accomplishment -but as my kids get older, I am realizing that it is one that comes with a lot of sacrifice. Yet, without sacrifice, how can great things come? I am not the type of person that would tell you to home school, thinking that it is the only way. It definitely is something I feel called to do for my family. That being said, it would be easier to send them off to school, let someone else teach them, influence them. Strangers at that, whom I barely know. I just can't do that and even though they hold a teaching degree that doesn't mean they are more capable of teaching my children than I am. I can't imagine a "more" important job than what I am doing. I cannot imagine giving the best of myself to other people, over my children/my family. Most people don't understand, most people disagree....Most people say they could 'never teach their child'. They say 'we just clash, we aren't a good mix, I am not disciplined' ..I never would argue that w/ anyone..however, I do find that sad. I cannot imagine, my children looking at anyone else for the direction and tools they need to become adults capable of contributing to society. I don't understand that. Hear me when I say that, I am not saying that they do not need others to help shape them, but shouldn't I, we be the primary teacher (s)?
My neighbor really wants me to home school her child, something I would never do. Guess, it just has me thinking. She talked a lot about the problems she has w/ her school, etc.. I just listened. My father is a public school teacher w/ a masters degree in World History. I have much respect for teachers and would never speak ill about them..so I just listened...

Planning & More Planning

Finished planning for this year and the next, as far as school goes. I have to say it was a little overwhelming. Why two years at once..I am an overachiever, what can I say? No, just kidding :)! I just got started and decided to keep on going. This week we start Co-op, I will be teaching 2 classes. I lost my little first graders (which I was a little bummed about) and now I will be teaching Science and Art to
2ND-4Th graders. I had no idea that when I signed up to teach that, I'd have to drop R's class. Well, it was fun while it lasted and the twins are way excited to have me as a teacher. Go figure, they can choose anyone/class and they choose me! I am flattered don't get me wrong, but seriously aren't they sick of me? Now, I am pretty cool and fun to be around so I guess I understand way they'd choose me ;)- I really think it is great & we do have a lot of fun together! The third class they chose was American Revolution..they both chose this over Lego's & An American Girl class - I am quite proud of that! The teacher that taught them in Human Anatomy is teaching the class and they really liked her, so that's good.
So, here we go..Semester 2. I hope this one will not be AS crazy busy as the last. We dropped sewing and have no sports Y E T .. I am not liking 3 kids in 4 or 5 different sports. I am fighting that as much as I can while trying to still be submissive to what J wants. His schedule changes every year and so we will also be trying to work around that. I think it will be a little better. His days off will be in the middle of the week, but he will also have to work weekend nights, (when we'd normally be able to go on a date :( )- I forgot he will also have to work Sunday mornings..arghh, so that will stink as far as church..
Too much to think about, I have tired head.
That's enough blabbing from me, I better hit the sack so I can be fresh for school tomorrow!

Pajama Mama

I think "sometimes" Pajamas are okay..even if you do wear them for a whole week..as long as you are showering and being productive..what's the hurt in that, right?
So, to start off the new year I challenged myself to see how many consecutive days I could remain in my PJ's & not leave the house. As my good friend pointed out to me this morning -"It is important to try & be the best at whatever you are doing" so, my goal of being the #1pajama mama was a good goal indeed. I completed it with 5days. Had to end it today because I have to take my kids to Piano. I ALMOST rationalized staying home because I hate having to drag poor lil'c & R out in this single digit weather to sit in a car for an hour while we wait. So alas, my challenge ends and I will be getting dressed, with make-up (well maybe not)& all that jazz and venture out into this cold weather. I wouldn't dare leave in my Jammie's, what if something happened? There I would be, in my pj's, with everyone looking on..nope can't do that. I'd have taken a picture for you to see, but nah I am just way too shy for that. Plus I seriously have, some serious 'flock of seagulls' (as J says) hair going on. Not a particularly good look for me, but funny non the less. :) . One other reason I am ending my challenge is because J started calling me 'Pajama Mama' and told me to 'snap out of it'.. no respect for the goal I set for myself, he just couldn't see it through my eyes ;). I had a good run though; I better go get dressed.