Summer wrap up....

Summer is winding down, my two girls start school in approx. 13 days I believe.... It's been an amazing summer! Laura and Rachel swam again this year.  Laura worked hard on the 7&8 year team, she's learning to love the butterfly stroke, and is excited for next year!  Rachel rocked it on the 6 and unders. She was the fastest in her group on the team, and came in 3rd in the city in both free and back at the City Meet.  She should have gotten 2nd in City, but the timers suck. If everyone at pool can clearly see she got 2nd and the times don't that tells me something is wrong...  Emily has had fun at the meets playing with her friends, and will be on the team next year.  She is currently in swim lessons but doing great!

We spent a great deal of time at the pool. We also took about 10 days and went to Hatteras and Duck, NC.  Beautiful weather and great relaxation.  Dave and I had a getaway to DC for a another National baseball game. We went to a lot of cookouts and just had a busy fun summer!

I am presently in back to school mode.  Trying to wrap up some shopping and get my house together.  My house seems to fall apart in the summer with us never being inside.

Looking into September we will be celebrating Emily's 5th bday, going camping, and playing some soccer!

Worst Blogger ever...

Oh man, when I signed into blogger today I couldn't believe how long it has been.  Yikes! If your looking for me you can always find me on Facebook posting pictures of our happenings.  It's just hard to find time to sit down and blog.

So what have we been up to, since about February?  We have stayed busy that's for sure! The older girls finished up swimming, I didn't put them in the Spring session, as baseball and tball started up, and I figured one sport is enough.  Baseball and T-ball are going well for everyone.  I was worried Laura wouldn't like being away from her sisters, but she is doing great!  She's on a team with some great kiddos, and is doing really well.

We took my parents to a major league baseball game in April- to see the Nationals.  We had a blast, and they have become our team! Dave and I have planned a trip just the two of us this June to see another game, and spend the night.  I found a great deal on Groupon for a sweet hotel, and I am counting down the days! (44 to be exact!).

Dave and I left our local gym Planet Fitness and bit the bullet for One Life.  I have no regrets! I was on the fence about it as Planet Fitness is close by, and it's hard to beat $10 a month, but we are super happy.  I am loving the classes, Dave is even doing classes too.  So far my favorite is Body Pump.  I also like the fact the membership gives you access to another gym (Crunch), and their express gym in City Center.  I have already been to all three.

I did a color run 5k (Color me RAD), it was a blast! Dave took the girls and watched, but next year we might do it as a family if they come back to the area.  Dave and I also signed up for a triathlon called Life's a Beach.  It's a slacker race, and not that hard to prepare for.  It's a 200mm swim, 5 mile beach cruiser race, and then a 2 mile run.

I have also become obsessed with running a half marathon. Let's get one thing straight, I have never ran more then a 5k, I feel pretty good when I do one , I can run the whole thing, but I am not setting records.  I know I need to build up, and want to start with doing a 10k.  I have been toying around with doing a 10k soon, there is a race the end of the month, but I don't think I will be ready in time....I am trying to run more when I work out, in a semi training type thing, but it's been hard.  With Dave's schedule, the kids, and me working it's hard to be able to take the time for the runs. All my runs lately have been on a tread mill which is super boring, but it's been raining all the time, and running in the rain sounds terrible to me.  Sorry, I am a wimp.  Also, my running shoes suck.  I plan to get some new ones for Mother's Day, but in the mean time I am trying to tough it out.

The older babies turn 6 and 7!

Some how the years have flown by and I am now the mother of a 7 year old, 6 year old and a 4 year old.  It seems just like yesterday I had three under three.  I have survived thus far...but you know what.  I am sooo lucky and blessed.  These girls are amazing.  Sure sometimes they do things that drive me batty, but they are good kids.

So Laura turned 7 on February 6th.  We had a family party, and she asked for a heart shaped cake, which I attempted to carve.  She seemed happy with it, hey, that's all that matters =)  She asked for some items for baseball which starts up soon, and one of those nice Speedo swim bags.  She also got a few charms for her Pandora charm bracelet, and a pearl for her add a pearl bracelet.

Before Rachel's actual birthday, which was the 23rd, we had a friend party for Laura and Rachel's buddies.  They had some family friends, and some school friends come, and we had a party at the Ft. Eustis Aquatic center.  This went very well.  You don't have to be military to book it, it's extremely affordable (seriously the cheapest I have gotten away with in years), and it's like a mini water park inside.

We just had Rachel's family party yesterday on her real birthday.  She is now 6, and Rachel takes her birthday very seriously.  She wanted to be in charge of the entire day, and referred to herself in 3rd person all day ("the birthday girl wants to...") It was a riot.  She asked for a high school musical cake, so I printed a picture of the HS musical people and a picture of Rachel, laminated it, and then attached tooth picks to the back.

Rachel asked for pretty much everything Laura asked for, so she got a swim bag, some baseball things, etc etc.   We had a early birthday party with family, and then later on she wanted to go back to a paint your own pottery place in Port Warwick.  We just went to a birthday party there last weekend, so the girls go to pick up what they painted then, and they sat down and painted bowls that they want to use for their morning cereal.  The girls love going there, it is fun, but I feel like I need a Xanax the whole time as I am afraid something is going to break the whole time.

updates...

I am the worst blogger ever I know, but I still refuse to throw in the towel just yet.

So what's been happening since my last post?

1. My last grandmother died.  She was 95, and last year suffered a major stroke and had been living in a nursing home in bad shape.  It was a blessing that she didn't have to suffer anymore, but heart wrenching to see my grandfather grieve for her.  They were married 73 years.  She was the very definition of a grandmother, and will be missed greatly.

2. I survived returning to swim class.  Rachel apologized and apologized, and wrote the girl a letter, etc etc.  The mom apologized for losing it, and all is well.

3. Laura turned 7.  Can you believe it!? Where do the years go?!

4. The winter blues are getting to me, and I have to force myself to get off the couch and into the gym.  I need warmer weather.

5. I went to a board meeting at our pool to learn more about the pool happenings etc and next thing I know I become a board member, and I am in charge of hiring kids that run the concession stand and man the gate.

6. Swim booster meetings start up this month and I guess I will learn how involved that is.  Yes I am committing myself probably beyond my time, but it's for my kids, and our local pool which I have always loved. Remind me of this when I am stressed out.

The dark side of parenting...

So it's been a day.  Laura was up all last night crying over her ear hurting.  We figured it was either swimmers ear or an infection.  Regardless to the doctor she went, where it was confirmed to be a rather nasty infection.  So I stayed home, tried to baby her, and run the others to school and organize the house some more.

Later Rachel had swim practice, and I was taking a moment to relax and read a book.  It was the start of a new session today at swimming, and there were a few new kids.  A new girl after a little while got out of the pool and said she didn't want to swim anymore.  She was crying, and and just refusing to get back in.  I just kept reading, and then her dad arrived to watch, and he was trying to tell her to go in, and she held her ground.  Finally after they begged her to say what was wrong, she told them that a girl had told her she was a bad swimmer and didn't know how to swim right.  Guess who the mean girl was?  My daughter.  The mom got up and went to my daughter immediately and went off on her , I got up, and apologized and asked what had happened ( I didn't know what was said at that time), the mom hauled off and said that her daughter was excited all day to come, and then told me what my daughter had said.  I was embarrassed and upset, and apologized over and over, she stopped me and said for the future she didn't want my daughter to say one word to her daughter again.  I got Rachel out of the pool and of course I was flipping out inside, and Rachel was already crying.  She apologized to the girl, and I told her I was sorry to, and that she deserved to be the pool too.  The mom left with her, and I apologized to the dad who seemed to be easier on me about it, and said we would work it out.  I wasn't sure if I should leave right away with Rachel or what.  The other girl had left, and Rachel was saying she wanted to leave then too.  I still don't know if what I did was right or wrong, but after 5 minutes I made her get back in.  I figured Rachel was embarrassed and wanted to the easy way out, so I made her finish practice.  I talked to her coach, and told the coach that I was sorry, and asked them if they talked to the mom again if they would apologize again for me.  I also let the coach know if the girl didn't want to come back because of my child I would withdraw mine.  That may sound crazy, but if the girl wants to swim and is that upset by my daughter then I will do what's right.  The coach said they wouldn't let it come to that, and they would just separate them.

I had a long talk with Rachel about how what she said was hurtful, and how upset she made the other girl. Rachel can be a bit of a spit fire, but in school and other settings, her manners are always raved about by teachers.  Heck this December I got a email from the room mom saying how my daughter helped a fellow student who was upset, and how caring she is of the kids and their feelings.   Rachel knows she did wrong, and I really don't know why the heck she would do such a thing today.  I almost feel like printing that email and showing it to the mom, while screaming " I swear my child isn't always an ass!"

I of course don't like the way the other mom went to my four year old first to yell at her before talking to me, and I don't like how she doesn't want to work to make things better, and would rather my child not say a thing to her again.   If I could have it my way I would invite the girl on a outing or playdate to do something nice for her, but I don't think it's going that way.  Maybe next practice it will be better.  Lucky for me it's my husbands turn to take the kids to swimming as I work later that day,  so I have filled him in on everything and have asked him to try to talk to the parents.  I hope the girl comes back to the next practice and it's not a complete disaster.

I know kids will be kids, but I am upset that my daughter said something hurtful.   The girl was new and was trying something different and was being brave, and I hate that my daughter ruined today for her.  I just hope Rachel can learn from it, and that it doesn't happen again.

Brain dump post....

1. Dave turned 34 =)  I baked him an insane chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting by Paula Dean so you know it was out of control good and bad for you.
2. Sampson died.  He was a boxer that Dave and I bought out Senior year of college up at Ferrum.  He was a sweet dog, and lived out his later years with my parents, as they fed him better, and we were so caught up with the kids, he sorta just would up there.  Don't get me wrong a lot of it probably had to do with him getting upset being left alone a lot during the day, so he would destroy something of mine, and then I would go after him to punish him.  He had a good like, after being told twice before he was one years old he wouldn't make it.   When we first got him and took him to the vet he was very sick, and were told he would die.  He made it.  Then we were told he needed knee surgery which was insanely expensive, and our option was to do it or put him down.  He got the surgery.  Seems fitting after a rough beginning he went out peacefully in his sleep.
3. We got snow. Enough for the kiddos to enjoy some sledding and fun with friends.
4.  The girls are signed up for c- league and tball!  Rachel went back and forth between tball or soccer, and then as Dave went to sign up her sisters she changed her mind and said she wanted to do tball.  Makes it easier for us so that's fine!  They are doing 10 more weeks of swimming, and I wont be signing them up for the last session, as that will be in the middle of ball season, and they deserve a break before summer swimming starts up.
5. I have read 7 books this month which I know is just insane.  Just a lot of time inside in this cold weather, and reading at lunch breaks, or car pool lines.  I recently finished Defending Jacob, which was such a page turner, and The Fault in our Stars which was a heart tugger.
6. I need to get busy with birthday planning for the girls.  I don't have much to do for their friend party, but I need to get those invites out, and plan their individual family parties, which will probably be simply cake and ice cream.
7. Work is busy.
8. I found a little more time to work out in January which pretty much meant I have had to drag my butt out of bed early and get to the gym.  It's hard, but when I go I never regret it.
9. I have had a nasty cold these last few days, and I have been glad we got snow so I could stay inside in my pjs and just rest.
10. Emily had her first sleepover at a friends house with out her older sisters coming along, and she was so stinking excited!  She's growing up fast!

Goal progress....

We are at the half way point of January, and I am working hard to stick to my goals.  I have already read 5 book this year.  I am a bit of a speed reader, but I also make time for it in the morning, and I usually can be found reading during my lunch breaks.

I do most of my reading on my iPad or utilize the local library.  If you have a ipad or another device you can read epub format books I, I strongly encourage you to check out tueble.com .  It's a website with a crazy amount of free books.  Not that I have ever done this... I am just saying....

This year I have read the Carrie Diaries ( I know nothing profound or educational, but they were fun reads), and a few other fun books.

I am staying steady with the gym, and workouts at home on days I can't get to the gym.

I am working on stressing less.  I returned to work after a long break and so far I have not lost my marbles yet.

I have been trying to declutter when able and work on trying to get in a cleaning pattern.  Still a work on progress with that.  With kids you can't be do but so much, and let's face it they are always behind me making a mess =).

We are staying busy with swimming club with Laura and Rachel, and this month Emily is doing lessons through the Parks and Rec.  She is having a blast.  This means we have swimming every day of the week except weekends for now, but hey.  It's all about the kids and they love it!

I am busy planning Laura and Rachel's birthday party.  We booked the aquatic center at Ft. Eustis which they are super excited about.

Let's hope my goal progress continues!

More Vinyl Adventures....

I have had so much fun with my vinyl Silhouette machine!  I even got a new one for Christmas since mine was pretty much ancient...  I got the Silhouette cameo, and it's AMAZING. While I was decluttering and dechristmasing the house, I took back my craft room.  I used to scrap and stuff in it , but it's been quite a while since it became anything more then a storage room....

I set up my machine and lap top in there, and I am determined to spend maybe an hour a week or so doing something fun in there.

So... what vinyl projects have I been up to?  Well I made all of the teacher gifts for all 100,000 of the girls teachers.  They were similar to this one I made for us, but the teachers had polka dots, and most of them got solid white soaps dispensers.

I made several things for birthday parties that we went to, and at Christmas time I helped a few people out with personalizing Christmas gifts....

I also made a few car monograms for myself, and the another lady bought three...

I made zombie stickers for my husband, brother in law, some people bought some, and then I put one of my dad's present which was an ammo  box

With my newest machine I made a decal to put above the kiddos art area in the hallway, and a cup for my husband to use to watch the big game with...

It's been a ton of fun creating!

Goals for the New Year!

Taking a look back at last year's goals I set for myself, I didn't do too bad.  I had two goals mainly, 1. to continue working out regularly, which I did a good job of.  There were a few weeks where I didn't go at all, but I am continuing to maintain a healthier lifestyle, and have kept the weight off.  I wont beat myself up for not going to the gym every where this past year because let's face it, the times I didn't go during the week, I was busy with family/kid activities such as swim team stuff, or doing other things.  I still did great!

I kinda sorta set another goal of doing a 8k. I didn't lol.  When it came time to sign up for the race in April, I just didn't think I could do it without stopping to walk.    So I did the 5k instead.  I like the idea of being a runner, but I think a 5k is about my limit, and I am ok with that.  I am doing another race in April, and it's just a 5k =)

My second set in stone goal was to read 25 books this year.  I read 29, which I thought was awesome as I did not read much this fall or winter.  I have a goodreads.com account and I kept track of the books I read there which helped monitor if I met my goal or not.  Some of my favorite books from this past year included Gone Girl, Still Alice, 11/22/1963, The 50 Shades of Grey books (hangs head in shame),  Dark Places, and Sharp Objects, OH and of course the Hunger Games series.   Those were good too!

Soooo..... goals for this year.....  I would like set similar goals such, as to maintain keeping the weight off, with working out regularly, etc.  I would love to read at least 25 books again this year too.  I thought about increasing the goal since I beat it, but 25 is still  a great number to aim for.  I think for my third goal, I would like to run my house hold more smoothly. With the girls staying busy with school and swimming, I feel like my house has been disorganized this year, and I am always behind on cleaning and laundry.  I know there are more important things besides cleaning all day, and I don't want to take time away from my family, but I feel I need to get strict with sticking to a cleaning schedule, which would end spending an entire weekend doing laundry and cleaning.  I am researching different ideas, and I have thought about Fly Lady, but I really really, don't want to shine my damn sink every day.  No offense. =)  If I find a good system I will let you know. =)  I also want this home organization to encompass better meal planning.

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe that Christmas is over!  We had a lot of fun this year, and enjoyed time with our family.  I felt pretty prepared this year, and tried to keep things simple and not stress so much.  I did a pretty good job not stressing for the most part ;).

I have enjoyed spending time with the girls and husband, it was great to have him home so much this Christmas.  I sure do love that man!  Santa brought two pet Guinea pigs, we are enjoying them so far, and they seem like pretty cool pets!

 A few pictures from Christmas and other time over the holidays.......

Day 15 a day later...

Yesterday I was thankful I was able to get my family Christmas Town tickets to Busch Gardens.  The last two years I was able to score some for $5 during special deals, but this year they announced they would not have that, and the best deal was a buy one for half off get one free (still a great deal).  It was a limited offer on Wednesday, and I tried for hours, but their website was wonky and wouldn't complete my order.  I was sad as with a family of 5 I don't feel like it's wise spending a lot on an outing that close to Christmas at full price, especially since mine usually only last an hour or two outside in the cold there.

Luckily the next day they extended the offer and I was able to get out tickets!  I know we will have a great time together as a family!

Thankfulness catch up...

I am sooo behind.... sorry about that.   I am going to do a quick catch up.  I have been crazy stick with apparently food poisoning from eating chicken wings at a restaurant.  You just don't even want to know what my poor daughter and I went through these last few days.

Day 7: I am thankful for my job.  It's not perfect, and it drives me crazy, but the bottom line is, I am thankful to have one, and I am thankful to work with good people.

Day 8: I am thankful for coffee.  Sometimes a coffee break, or just having one in the morning on my way to work is just what I need to relax, and wake up.

Day 9: I am thankful for new tires for my cars.  Both of my cars needed them, and let's face it they are not cheap, and I am thankful my hubby took care of getting them put on to keep us all safe.

Day 10: I am thankful for the new shop near my house called Clothes Mentor.  This is a great consignment shop that recently openend and I love it!  I got a dress from there that I wore to my husbands police awards dinner, some great Stella and Dot jewelry,  some jeans, and a few other odds and ends.  Great prices!  I also took a few of my own items in and got cash on the spot and was pleased with what they gave me.  I love a bargain!

Day 11: I am grateful that my children have such great friends.  On November 11th we went to two fun birthday parties for some sweet kiddos that my kids play with .  I love seeing my children laughing and playing with their buds.  Sometimes I feel like all we do is go to birthday parties, but it's a blessing that my children have so many good friends.

Day 12:  I am thankful for a new hair product I got when I got my hair done last week called Crack.  It puts Moroccan Oil to shame, and that was my great love for the longest time.  Great product and an appropriate name.

Day 13: I am thankful that all of my girls have great teachers this year.  We have usually been very lucky in this area,  but last year we had a doozy of an experience with my youngest that has me all kinds of amped up still.  So thankful that our children are in great hands this year.

Day 14:  I am thankful that my older children go to St. Andrews.  This school is just amazing.  The teachers and staff are so caring.  A little girl in 5th grade lost her father to cancer this fall, and the care that the school took in comforting this little girl and her family was just amazing.   For the funeral they did a half day so the faculty could attend.  Where else would that happen at???  I love everything that this school stands for, and for what they are teaching out kids.

Day 6 of Thankfulness...

Today I am thankful for the right to vote!    We all rocked the vote in my family!  Go Romney!!!

Day five of Thankfulness

Today I am thankful for my children.   I have three beautiful, healthy girls.  I never in my life pictured myself having three kids, but I would not change it for the world.   Shoot, I even worried that I would never be able to have children, and then look who was pregnant for basically three years straight.....  The happiest days of my life were the days that each of them were born.  There is no love, like the love for a child.  Being a mom is tough, but it's also the most amazing job in the world.  I am so proud of them, and just want to do what's best for them.  I panic and stress over the smallest things, but it's all for them, and me just caring about how it could impact them.   My children hold me together without even knowing it.  When I am down, and think I can't go on, they are what makes me.  You just don't know unconditional love, until you look in your child's eyes.

All I can hope for is, that I raise happy, confident children, who know without a doubt that their mom and dad love them, and would give them the world if I could.

Day Four of Thankfulness....

Today I am thankful for the fact that my husband, myself, and children are healthy.  I stress about their every move.  Get worried over anything, but the fact is we are so lucky to have our health.  Even though in the winter it feels like someone always has a cold, ear ache, fever, cough, etc etc, we are still in good health.  I feel for the family who have had to have battles serious illnesses, or live with every day chronic illnesses.  Makes everything seem so small.

Day three of Thankfulness....

Today I am thankful for my amazing husband.  We have been married for 9 years this past September, and have been together since December 2000, when we starting dating in college.  Dave is an amazing father and husband.  He is always there for myself the kiddos.  He coaches them in sports when he's able (coaching tball is no easy feat.  I rather do manual labor then do that), he arranges his schedule to make it or at least give every effort to make it to school conferences, activities, etc.   He even puts up with me which I know isn't easy.  I can be terribly selfish, needy, and demanding, and he deals with it, and brings me back to reality when I need it.  He just completes me, and my girls are so lucky to have such a loving daddy.

Day 2

Today I am thankful for my parents.  They help out so much with the girls when we are working, and spoil them silly.  My girls are so lucky that we live so close to them (next door =) ).  My mom acts as a carpool driver for the kids for school most days, runs Emily to her speech therapy,  and anything else that goes on during working hours so we can pay the bills and put food on the table =)   We couldn't do it without their help!

30 days of Thankfulness...

My friend Grace is doing a 30 days of Thankful on her blog and invited others to play along.
Click here to check out her blog!  I think this would be great for me, as I really need this.  Life gets so crazy and overwhelming, and we all need to slow down and focus on what really matters.  Also, it seems like these days everyone skips over Thanksgiving just goes from Halloween straight to Christmas.  I want to slow time down a little, and enjoy every moment of the season.

For Day 1 I am thankful for my close friend Polly.  She has three kiddos just like myself, and she's just one of those people who is accepting and real, and never judges anyone.  I don't have to stress if she or her family is coming by about cleaning my house, and our families really enjoy hanging out and enjoying each others company.

(Polly normally isn't dressed up like a vampire, but hey it was Halloween)

Another reason her friendship sticks out with me is because she helped talk me "down" Tuesday evening.  I have been super stressed lately, the last week I was trying my best to get everything done, attempt to be a super mom and have a pumpkin party for my kids, run everyone to their needed appointments, while being overwhelmed with work, and attempting to get ready for a hurricane.  I also knew I had a UTI, but kept trying to deal with it or put off, or tell myself it was in my head.  Not the best thing to do.  I would up at Urgent Care Sunday, and it turned into a kidney infection as I let it go on way too long.  Not a good thing to do.  Despite putting my own health at risk, I was feeling exhausted but accomplished, and so at the end of my work day Tuesday, when I find out that a coworker was mad that I wasn't at work on Friday, on a schedule day off of mine that I needed to be off to take my daughter to an eye specialist let's just say I lost it.  I felt like I had busted my butt all week with work, went beyond the call of duty on several things, and still couldn't make everyone happy.  I bawled at work.  I walked to my car still crying and drove my hour commute home still ballistic. Polly called me, and talked some sense into me.  She helped by telling me that I am a awesome mom, and proof that I was so upset and cared enough to be upset was just another reason why I am an awesome mom and worker.  After talking to her I felt so much better, and was able to clearly examine the situation, and realize I did nothing wrong and just need to continue to take care of what's important and just ignore the others.  Not rocket science, but when your a stress ball like me, I found the talk pretty encouraging considering how bonkers I was feeling.  Friendships are super important, and for hers I am thankful!