Father's Day 2013

I have been blessed beyond measure by the men in my life!  I had the most incredible grandfather anyone could ask for - he was stern but loving and guided me through 30+ years of life.  How wonderfully blessed I was to have him teaching me for so long. 

When I was 9 years old my mother married my Daddy (Al) - he loved me unconditionally, provided me with hugs that were second to none and made me laugh often. 

My Dad is generous, kind (don't tell him I said so) and although ornery I know that he loves me.  I am truly blessed by him in my life as are his grandchildren. 

G'pa Harold in action with the grandkids!

Finally, I was blessed to marry a man that adores his children and makes parenting so much more fun and entertaining than it should be.  We laugh at most of the same things, sometimes I shake my head at what he laughs at but in the end I know that we are a team and I can tell him anything and everything (sometimes I think he'd prefer that I didn't feel that comfort).

In addition, Jason brought with him another wonderful father to my life, my fil (John) - he also has brought a lot of laughter into my life and brings a twinkle and a smile to my children's face just by being in the same room. 

Cartwheel :)

Summer Swim League -- Z made it!

This was Z's first year on the Summer Swim League.  After B&K went through it I always said that Z&A would follow suit, it is great exercise and it relieves my mommy mind when my kids are at the pool.  I know that they are stronger swimmers because of all of the practice they get.  It has taken us a little longer to get Z into it, he's never been a huge fan of putting his face in the water (even during a bath).  Today was his VERY first swim meet - it was the last one before the championship meet but it was in our subdivision and I think that made him feel a little better.  He had a great time and did a great job - so you know what that means?!  He got to pick what we had for lunch and that rockin' kid chose Subway!  Love him tons!!
Check out the pictorial proof.  Sadly I am not able to upload the video - I'm not giving up but it is not on this post.  Will continue to try - or check out FB.  

 

Documenting the Cat

Hobbes the cat has been in our family since we became a family.  He moved in to our home in July of 1994, 5 months after Jason made the greatest decision of his life (marrying me).  You can do the math I'm sure, but to expedite the process this cat is 19 years old!  I've noticed that lately he spends huge amounts of time in front of my pillows on the bed.  Normally not an issue if you don't have a problem with cat litter sprinkled on your sheets and an occasional sheet changing hairball issue.  However, today I felt challenged to document how much time he spends in this position. 

10am

11am (B bravely removed the pest from his perch)

11am (returning to perch)

12pm

5pm

9pm 

As you can see we missed a space of time there.  In order for this research to earn the Nobel Peace Prize I will need to spend more time following my subject.  Until then... isn't he a cutie?!

Epiphany

Three weeks ago I was talking to my favorite 15 year old and I had this epiphany.  I have worried, stressed, bounced up and down, and generally been consumed with my weight since I was the age of my eldest.  This was frightening and frustrating in the same moment.  I don't want to live with this hanging over me anymore.  I have had several really great moments in my life where I looked at myself and thought, yes I'm on my way but I've never felt like I really GOT there.  I'm ready to be there. 

This picture is from 2008 - one of the times when I felt like I was on my way.  

I am well on my way - eating better (still making mistakes here and there) but so much better AND I've been consistently going to boot camp at VRT Fitness.  In the last 13 days that they have been open I have been there 14 times.  I am so happy with the choices and decisions that I've been making and I'm ready to keep making them so that I can keep up with my family for  a very LONG time. 
Encouragement and positive peer pressure is greatly appreciated & accepted!  Thanks friends!

4 kids and a blog

I was looking back at my blog and realized how much it has changed, how much I have changed (some ways good, some ways not so good). 
I started this blog when A was born and I was a stay at home mom.  I had time on my hands, I had a clean house (although it was a constant job with Z&A home and underfoot).  I walked to school every day to pick up my kids, I wasn't worried about students knowing where I lived. 
Now I'm working and a lot of my blog posts include my personal favorite past time - sorting through grandma and grandpa's belongings.  I don't have a clean house, exercise is hard to find time for, I'm always running out of time and my blog does not have montages anymore, my picture taking has definitely become lax. 
Today I am walking down memory lane - hoping to find where I belong right now.  I feel a little lost at the moment.  I know I still want happy kids, to be healthy and have a clean house.  Somehow everything else has begun to interfere with those things.  I am going to post some pictures, so you know that we are all still here and the kids are growing and learning and then I'm going to go clean my bathroom, check the weather and possibly go for a walk.  

 B bowling with the youth at church

 Learning to ride a bike

 Reading her new Kindle

 Cute with our new curlers

A fun new "toy"

Sorry

I'm sorry to my blog followers - so long, so little chatter and so much to talk about!
B had a great football season on the JV football team and although K's team didn't win any games their team had a good time and learned a lot playing volleyball.  Now both kids are playing basketball and the games begin after Thanksgiving break.  It is going to be a great season!
Today B went hunting for the first time with his mentor from church, what a great experience!  We are so blessed by our church family.

We had our annual Wurstfest trip about a week ago and had a wonderful time.
Enjoy the pictures!

Z on drums

I tried to send this clip to family but it didn't go through to everyone.  Hopefully this will work instead.  Z is playing Country Roads by John Denver, his teacher Sean is singing and playing guitar.  I love listening to Z play the drums! Enjoy!