We're Back! January 1-12, 2013

Ok, So it has been way too long. I have learned so much about myself in the last year. Some of it is not so nice to see but I can also say that God is changing me. I have been away from my blog for a year and a half now and it was not a computer issue but a "me" issue. I have an "all or nothing" type personality and that came in the way of something I enjoyed doing, blogging. A wise friend told me, "don't lose what you could have, trying to get what things to be perfect." I didn't listen. I thought I could catch up on the missing posts to my blog from the original computer virus. But in the process of ignoring this friend's advice, I got exactly what she had warned me of. Rather than missing the 4 months I had missed a year and 4 months.

As I said, the Lord is opening my eyes in so many ways. Silly enough, this blog is one reminder that I am not ever going to be that "perfect" person. I will not lie and say that I will not try to capture those special moments of 2011/2012, but I will try my best not to fall behind on the now. We have to live in this moment not in the moments of the past. So without further adeau...

January 1, 2013
The whole family walked down to our local park, toating sleds to go sledding. I was quite a walk but we all made it, including the dog.

January 2
After staying up until midnight on New Year's Eve, then getting back into the swing of school, I figured I would let Kamden watch a show after his first day back to school from break. This is how he decided to watch his show, upside down.



He eventually turned upright to this sweet face, and no, he is not sucking his thumb. He just has his finger near his mouth. He gave up that thumb when he was less than a year, but some days I miss that phase. I can't get enough of that gentle little face with his "momma's kiss" on his hairline, though.

 It is hard to get pics of Dustin. But with my new lens (Thanks Adam) I can stand far away and he doesn't necessarily know. He is getting better at letting me capture that handsome face.



 

FINALLY, we were able to get Skylar back into gymnastics. She took from November 2011-Now off. We pulled her out of FB because we did not have the funding or the time to commit to 2-3 days per week for 1.5 hours each day. That is what she was being asked to do in being part of team. So we dropped her down to an advanced class and she was not getting enough for her ability. It was at that point that we thought we would take the winter off. Well, the winter turned into 2 winters. With the Olympics showcasing the gymnastics girls, we knew this girl was going to want to eat and breath gymnastics again. And sure enough, after mommy getting her up at 10:00 at night to watch the girls, Skylar was quick to be found living upside down. We have made the switch to a new gym and are hopeful that there will be enough to keep her enjoying the sport again. The coaches and owner of the gym have already spotted her talent and are keeping their eyes open to the possibilities of where they can move her to, as to be in a class more her skill not her age. I am just as excited to have her back, as she is to be back.





 

January 3

We are so excited and blessed to have had our heater break a week before Thanksgiving. It has forced us to explore an alternate heat. We went out Black Friday and bought a pellet stove. What a great thing for our damp, cold house. Kamden clearly likes getting dressed in front of the stove. (I like to write new messages in the soot on the window. This time "Sky" got the hello.)



 



January 4

After coaching basketball, we went to the Take Apart night in the cafeteria. I couldn't resist taking this picture of the day (with my cell) to capture the event. The kids got to take apart an old cd changer. Motors, screws, wheels, lights, boards, you name it, they pulled it out.

 

January 5

Eatting and sleeping basketball. Dustin asked if he could stay Friday night and Saturday past his normal practice and game to watch other levels of play. Though we lost our game by 1 point in the last 3 seconds of the game, he quickly moved on to being the scorekeeper for the 2 games on Saturday. Nothing like hitting a giant annoying buzzer when you are 9! He was praised by the rec. director for how close he pays attention to the game and calls. Good job.

 

January 6

Skylar was a tiny bit under the weather so Kasda and I decided we would take the day with her this time. She got to watch princess movies that usually get passed over on family movie night (part of having 2 brothers). I got some extra laundry and quiet time with Skylar.

Kasda showing Adam what she learned for the day, "I think they call this relaxing." Adam wondering what we're looking at:)

January 7

Dustin heard me doing my wii based fitness test while he was in bed last night so he decided that the kids were going to set up a profile and join in in the workout. This is them "chopping wood". See exercise can be fun...to some extent. I have a long way to go and a little bit of time to do it in before the Warrior Dash in September. Let's go mommy!

January 8

Dustin was invited to a UCONN men's basketball game. He got back late but with as tired as he was, it was so nice to hear my 9 year old ask, "Can you please tuck me in?" I walked in to find that he had covered himself fine, he just likes that closing to his day.

Had my first day of subbing at the school today. I am so excited to be a part of the group and since I spend so much of my time and efforts into helping with the school, I figured it was time to help those staff members who thought I was already a part of the staff, and decided to become a small part of it, officially. Now they are confused on which days I am on the clock and which I am volunteering.

January 9
Skylar has been getting a challenge list for her spelling words again this year. We made a point to make sure her words followed the same rule as her classmates so that they are studying the same concept. These are her words in second grade. This is the second time I had to look up one to learn what it meant. I am learning along with her. Gesticulate...to move or make gestures. Ohh, that makes sence. The first one I learned this year was Lackadaisical...to be lazy. I was saying it wrong in the few times I ever used the word.

January 10
Since Dustin had his first Christmas, I have been adding his handprints to a tree skirt. As the other two came along I added them to our mix. I was so proud of my consistency until I realized that I hadn't added anyone to 2011. So I hand over my "mother of the year" trophy that was given to me on Monday;) At first I was so disappointed and unsure of how to move forward. Then I decided to show my human side and agree that I don't have to be perfect, just move forward. So I made a point to show myself the missing year by changing the highlighted color of each child.

January 11
Although I am not a big fan of electronic devices...I was so willing to capture this rare moment of all three children smiling in the same picture without being coorsed.

January 12
Kasda will do anything for popcorn. As soon as you poor the seeds into the pan, she runs from where she is and awaits a stray popper. Noone can compete with her staredown.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16