Well, today Richard and I celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. He picked out the perfect card for me that made me cry- it was just what I needed to hear. We have had some hard times in the past years, but overall it has been a happy 17 years. I'm blessed to have someone who is so kind and a good dad to our kids. So here is to the next 17 years!! He got me some stuff from Bath and Body Works that I was checking out the last time we went to the mall. We also went out to eat.
The past few days Richard has been taking a motorcycle training class. He absolutely loved riding!!! He can now get his license; we just need to find the money for a motorcyle now!
Whitney is at it again: being a little saboteur. She loves to bake- which doesn't help dieting! Right now she has cakes in the oven! She was traumatized the other day by a visit to the Dr. It was just for a well visit. Being the independent girl that she is, she wanted to go into the Dr.'s by herself. I was just joking with her and told her if she had some lung disease or something, make sure I know. However, the Dr. did come out with 2 things that we need to check on with her. One is scoliosis, and the other is a mole that she should have checked out by a dermatologist. Whitney is like her mom- not a big fan of Dr.'s, so she wasn't pleased by the news. We will probably go to get her x-ray tomorrow to see if the scoliosis will require any intervention (I'm thinking no, but we'll see). She also has a dentist apt. on Tuesday- poor girl!
And so it goes..
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
September 21
MY new motto is "put one foot in front of the other". Being back in school has been an adjustment,so I'm trying to take one day at a time (sometime one class at a time.) I'm doing okay so far, but it is a lot and I'm trying to keep everything in balance.
We had plans to go to Darien Lake (amusement park) yesterday, but Jayna ended up being sick. I wasn't excited to go, but it would have been better than having a sick child.
Grocery shopping and freezer meals- any ideas??? I use to go grocery shopping every 2 weeks, but it got to a point that I would come home and not have enough freezer/refrigerator space for everything, plus the produce and stuff might not be so fresh when I was ready to use it. I'm going shopping now about every week, but I wonder if I spend more money that way. (hard to tell with the increase in food prices!) With school and everything I'd like to do some make ahead freezer meals- does anyone have ideas for any recipes or websites? I've done stuffed shells, pizzas, and meatballs before, but not too much else regularly. I'm thinking a few extra meals available for those crazy days would be nice, but looking for something healthy too.
Weight loss- I have kind of hit a plateau and am basically maintaining a weight loss of about 40 pounds- I know I have more to lose, but am finding it hard to keep at it. Hopefully I can maintain this loss and get more motivated in a bit. I'm still keeping the weight watchers online program.
Reading now- (mostly textbooks!), but have started reading The Long Walk The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz
And so it goes...
We had plans to go to Darien Lake (amusement park) yesterday, but Jayna ended up being sick. I wasn't excited to go, but it would have been better than having a sick child.
Grocery shopping and freezer meals- any ideas??? I use to go grocery shopping every 2 weeks, but it got to a point that I would come home and not have enough freezer/refrigerator space for everything, plus the produce and stuff might not be so fresh when I was ready to use it. I'm going shopping now about every week, but I wonder if I spend more money that way. (hard to tell with the increase in food prices!) With school and everything I'd like to do some make ahead freezer meals- does anyone have ideas for any recipes or websites? I've done stuffed shells, pizzas, and meatballs before, but not too much else regularly. I'm thinking a few extra meals available for those crazy days would be nice, but looking for something healthy too.
Weight loss- I have kind of hit a plateau and am basically maintaining a weight loss of about 40 pounds- I know I have more to lose, but am finding it hard to keep at it. Hopefully I can maintain this loss and get more motivated in a bit. I'm still keeping the weight watchers online program.
Reading now- (mostly textbooks!), but have started reading The Long Walk The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz
And so it goes...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
BACK TO SCHOOL !!
Phew!!! We all made it through the first days of school! Jayna started first grade and has 2 friends from our street in her class. It works out well that she is an early riser- she gets on the bus around 7:40. So far she seems happy. My complaint - although I don't let her know it, is that I wish they would let them play on the playground more, especially when the weather is so nice, and probably won't be for long. Out of the 4 days she's gone, I think she got to play on the playground once. They did play duck duck goose outside too, so maybe it's not terrible, but I believe down time and fun can lead to better learning!
Whitney and Andrew are both in the same middle school now. Most of Whitney's friends are on her "team", so that was a great relief to her. She seems to have had no problem from going to a few teachers to a bunch. This is all old hat to Andrew- who is now in 8th grade. So far, so good for him also.
I started college! I have 15 1/2 credits this semester. So far it looks like my anatomy and phsiology class and lab will be the things I really need to keep on top of. It was a bit overwhelming! Wednesday's I'm in class basically from 9-3:30. That's my long day- luckily the rest of the week my days are shorter. Occassionally I panic a bit- am I really going to be able to do this? However, other times I'm just excited about being able to learn stuff that will allow me to hopefully have a "real" job some day. I'm proud of myself for taking this step! I do have 2 occupational therapy courses this semester, hopefully that will give me a chance to be sure this is where I want to be.
**Just Finished: "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer- a really good read
And so it goes...
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Aug. 16-Nice days, socializing and more
Hi Everyone! Monday we had a nice day at Marineland. The kids and I have gone a few times (we have season passes), but this is the first time Richard was able to join us. It was really nice. Jayna and I both got our brave on and rode the roller coaster- she enjoyed it, I did not. We fed goldfish crackers to the bears and fish. You can buy food to feed them, but there are no signs saying not to feed other stuff, so we shared our snack with them. We watched the whale show and Jayna was disappointed that we didn't get as wet as last time. After marineland we went to the Hard Rock Cafe to eat. Richard especially thought Andrew would enjoy it because he is so into music and he did. It was very pricey and we probably wouldn't do it again, but it's nice to say we've done it.
Andrew is now with his cousin Conrad (and more family) enjoying the N.C. Beach. I think he'll have a great time. It is quieter here! I have a friend that has said that no matter how many children you have, taking just one of the mix, makes a big difference and I have found that to be true- no matter what child is gone, it just changes the dynamics for the day. I think Andrew will enjoy having another boy to hang around with, and probably the break from his mom too. He'll be coming home next Sunday.
Well I have been able to continue the tradition of taking the kids school shopping. I remember it being special when my mom took us, so I try to make it special for them. I take them one at a time and we just enjoy the day shopping and I take them out to eat - their choice of where- and let them get dessert or whatever, that we may not always do. I've taken Andrew and Whitney so far and will probably take Jayna this coming week. We gave Andrew and Whitney both a budget and told them what they needed to buy with it- after they got those things they could use any extra to buy other clothes, or a backpack or?? Since they had a certain amount of money to spend, Whitney especially was very cautious of how she spent it and opted for jeans closer to $20 instead of $40. Plus I think it made them more aware of how much things cost. It has been a nice day with the kids so far this year, I feel like it is one good parenting thing I do!
As you may know, Richard is not a very social person, and it can cause frustration because I would like to have more people over or do things with friends more ( with him, not just alone) He says we can, but I know it really stresses him out, which then stresses me out, and then we don't do anything. Anyhow, I got it in my head that I would like to have some kind of back to school/end of summer get-together. I had thought about having some of the families from the neighborhood that have kids over, and the other option was the kids inviting 2 families each of their friends- that is the option that has won. Which makes me a little more nervous because the friends Whitney wants to have over-seem to be in a different economic level then us, and although we like them fine and their daughters have been here often, and Whitney there, I just feel a little uncomfortable since it is not like we are great friends. And I plan on being pretty low-key - hot dogs on the grill and everyone bring a dish kind of thing. Plus nervous about the set up- do we have the food inside or out? To me out seems a little more relaxing, but if the kids are playing marshmallow guns, I don't really want the adults to be in the way?? We'll have the badminton net up, but I'm not sure if the grown ups will play or not and then worry about if everyone will socialize and such?? AHH!! If you have any ideas- let me know. I can't stress out on Richard that just makes it worse.
Richard had Friday off too and that was a nice relaxing day too.
Reading now: The Host by Stephanie Myer andThe Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason
Just Finished "Flirting with Pete" by Barbara Delinsky
And so it goes... Have a great day! Oh if interested you can now subscribe to my blog-check out the box on the side ( I think!)
Andrew is now with his cousin Conrad (and more family) enjoying the N.C. Beach. I think he'll have a great time. It is quieter here! I have a friend that has said that no matter how many children you have, taking just one of the mix, makes a big difference and I have found that to be true- no matter what child is gone, it just changes the dynamics for the day. I think Andrew will enjoy having another boy to hang around with, and probably the break from his mom too. He'll be coming home next Sunday.
Well I have been able to continue the tradition of taking the kids school shopping. I remember it being special when my mom took us, so I try to make it special for them. I take them one at a time and we just enjoy the day shopping and I take them out to eat - their choice of where- and let them get dessert or whatever, that we may not always do. I've taken Andrew and Whitney so far and will probably take Jayna this coming week. We gave Andrew and Whitney both a budget and told them what they needed to buy with it- after they got those things they could use any extra to buy other clothes, or a backpack or?? Since they had a certain amount of money to spend, Whitney especially was very cautious of how she spent it and opted for jeans closer to $20 instead of $40. Plus I think it made them more aware of how much things cost. It has been a nice day with the kids so far this year, I feel like it is one good parenting thing I do!
As you may know, Richard is not a very social person, and it can cause frustration because I would like to have more people over or do things with friends more ( with him, not just alone) He says we can, but I know it really stresses him out, which then stresses me out, and then we don't do anything. Anyhow, I got it in my head that I would like to have some kind of back to school/end of summer get-together. I had thought about having some of the families from the neighborhood that have kids over, and the other option was the kids inviting 2 families each of their friends- that is the option that has won. Which makes me a little more nervous because the friends Whitney wants to have over-seem to be in a different economic level then us, and although we like them fine and their daughters have been here often, and Whitney there, I just feel a little uncomfortable since it is not like we are great friends. And I plan on being pretty low-key - hot dogs on the grill and everyone bring a dish kind of thing. Plus nervous about the set up- do we have the food inside or out? To me out seems a little more relaxing, but if the kids are playing marshmallow guns, I don't really want the adults to be in the way?? We'll have the badminton net up, but I'm not sure if the grown ups will play or not and then worry about if everyone will socialize and such?? AHH!! If you have any ideas- let me know. I can't stress out on Richard that just makes it worse.
Richard had Friday off too and that was a nice relaxing day too.
Reading now: The Host by Stephanie Myer andThe Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason
Just Finished "Flirting with Pete" by Barbara Delinsky
And so it goes... Have a great day! Oh if interested you can now subscribe to my blog-check out the box on the side ( I think!)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Toning
Whoa- nothing lets you know you need to tone your body like shopping for a swim suit! UGGhH!
And so it goes..
And so it goes..
Monday, August 4, 2008
Aug. 4- summer
Well, life is always changing, huh? I quit my job today. It just wasn't the right position for me unfortunately. I think I could work with the developmentally disabled population fine, but there were issues with the people working there and just stuff that didn't feel right. I prayed about it and really felt it was best to quit, that the stress of it just wasn't worth it. It was a little hard to accept, I was really hoping it would look good later on a resume, and also give me some money while I'm attending college. But took the leap of faith.
Went to wal-mart tonight and the girls went together to pay for about 1/2 of a slip and slide and I pitched in the rest (Okay, the whole thing was like $7.54). They seemed to have fun on it tonight. Can you believe that Whitney had never been on a slip and slide - that surprised me. Jayna was at a birthday party this weekend and they had one there, so when she saw one she was interested. She is still enjoying swim lessons.
Whitney had a friend over today and Jayna went down the street to a friends house where she did more swimming. Although I put some sun lotion on her before she went, her back looks burnt. Andrew has mostly been hanging around the house watching tv and playing video games, he also spends his time playing his bass guitar. Have been working on getting him a new bass teacher, as his had to quit. Looks like we might not start again until mid- Sept. They've also made marshmallow guns that he and Whitney like to play with.
Richard's parents were suppose to be coming soon, but his Dad ended up in the hospital again. He's home now, but has MRSA, and isnt' feeling very well, so they're not coming. Richard was disappointed. He has been very busy lately.
Hit 40 pounds at my last official weigh in - YAY! Summer has been hard for me- I think with the kids being home and making food for them and they're always asking for a snack, plus maybe the stress of that too. So I haven't lost as much as I'd hope to this summer, but still working at it. Richard has lost around 65 pounds or so, and his mom and brother have also started the program. I've also stopped taking medication for high blood pressure and seem to be doing okay with that. Unfortunately the weight loss hasn't helped my high cholesterol much.
And so it goes...
Went to wal-mart tonight and the girls went together to pay for about 1/2 of a slip and slide and I pitched in the rest (Okay, the whole thing was like $7.54). They seemed to have fun on it tonight. Can you believe that Whitney had never been on a slip and slide - that surprised me. Jayna was at a birthday party this weekend and they had one there, so when she saw one she was interested. She is still enjoying swim lessons.
Whitney had a friend over today and Jayna went down the street to a friends house where she did more swimming. Although I put some sun lotion on her before she went, her back looks burnt. Andrew has mostly been hanging around the house watching tv and playing video games, he also spends his time playing his bass guitar. Have been working on getting him a new bass teacher, as his had to quit. Looks like we might not start again until mid- Sept. They've also made marshmallow guns that he and Whitney like to play with.
Richard's parents were suppose to be coming soon, but his Dad ended up in the hospital again. He's home now, but has MRSA, and isnt' feeling very well, so they're not coming. Richard was disappointed. He has been very busy lately.
Hit 40 pounds at my last official weigh in - YAY! Summer has been hard for me- I think with the kids being home and making food for them and they're always asking for a snack, plus maybe the stress of that too. So I haven't lost as much as I'd hope to this summer, but still working at it. Richard has lost around 65 pounds or so, and his mom and brother have also started the program. I've also stopped taking medication for high blood pressure and seem to be doing okay with that. Unfortunately the weight loss hasn't helped my high cholesterol much.
And so it goes...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Andrew's thoughts on laundry /July 28
I was in Andrew's room the other day (generally a very messy place to be)and saw that he had shirts sticking out of what was his underwear/jammy drawer and I mentioned that they didn't belong there. He said he doesn't do "drawers" anymore (ie. one for shirts, one for pants), and that if he is lucky that he will find all the items he needs for the day in 1 drawer.
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