Spring is here!!

Sophie has started soccer! She is SO excited to play on a team. She is used to playing in the backyard with daddy, so this is a new experience! She is playing with her two best buddies Madison and Olivia. It's SOO funny to watch the kids her age to kick the ball around and to try to be aggressive. Its hilarious to watch them run around, not really clear where to go!! I'm sure that more pictures are to come!

Other than that, spring is such fun with the kids! Even if its just getting out to the park for a picnic, kids think its the greatest day ever. Its nice to be able to meet someone else's expectations every once and a while! (even if it is a three year old!) We have been going on a lot of "field trips" now that the weather is warming up. We took the kids to Wheeler Farm last week. If you haven't been lately, you should! I forgot how much fun the farm is! The kids LOVED the animals (especially the turkeys!)

Graduation is quickly approaching for Katy! I cant even believe it!! Only five weeks until she is no longer in High School. She got her itinerary for her trip to Europe this week and let me tell you, I am super jealous. They are going on an amazing trip!!

I love spring because its like a clean start (with crabgrass). I love to garden, work on my flower beds and as crazy at it sounds, I love to cut the grass! I'm just looking forward to getting out there and making the yard my little outdoor haven. We have plans to put in our fence this year! I cant wait to have a bit more privacy! I just love spring!!

Buzz Buzz, go the bees!!

So March was lovely. Busy, busy, busy, but lovely none the less. I got the bathroom remodel most of the way done. Now I just have to save some $$ to do the tile and it will all be done. We celebrated Katy turning EIGHTEEN!! I cant believe it. Even though she is my sister, I feel like I'm losing a kid. I am so proud of her and the choices that she has made in her life. She is such a mature, wise and beautiful woman and an example to me what a daughter of God really is. I started crying at dinner on her birthday, and I didn't stop crying for 24 hours!!

Katy got her flight plans for Europe!! She leaves June 13th! I am so excited for her to set out on this adventure. I know that it will be a growing and learning experience for her. Not to mention, I am SUPER jealous and want to go!! She is equipped with her IPOD full of the tour info and a digital camera!

Duncan is walking! He has fully committed to walking (finally). He is still a tiny little squirt, so it looks kind of funny, but I'm so proud of him!! He is growing up so quickly and I wonder where do the days go?? He has started saying words. They are simple ones like mama, dada, no, yes, and such but its surreal to have TWO kids who are talking, walking and reminding me that I have to take advantage of every moment. Sophie is getting older and sassier as the days pass. Her new favorite phrases are "I'm SO over that" and "Pu-lees mom, I'm a big girl!" I don't know where the spunk comes from :) I blame Katy.

Ahhhh....the lovely hiccups of life

So yesterday after a scary time where Duncan was struggling to breath, we took him in to find out that he has both Croup and RSV- AGAIN!? I didn't think that they could get RSV twice. I was wrong. I guess since he got it once, his lungs are weak and they are more susceptible to respiratory viruses. After a round of steroids, he is feeling much better today.

I also found out that I have to start my entire presurgical diet all over again. The diet that I had done with my PCP was not detailed enough and thus my insurance threw it would and I have to start all over again. So this means that I am doing it through the clinic this time and its only three months rather than six. That's some silver lining. So, we are looking at the summer time now. Oh well. Such is life.

On the bright side....Katy's trip to Europe is approaching so quickly! I cant believe that in less than three months, she will be eighteen, graduated from high school and off to Europe. Its so surreal. She is my baby sis. She isn't supposed to be this grown up! At least I know that she is an awesome young woman with a strong head on her shoulders. Now what to do for a birthday party???

Coming or Going?!

So I thought that once the holidays were over, I would have an immense amount of time on my hands to do all of the things that I put off in November, December. WRONG! I swear, I cant tell if I am coming or going lately. Between daycare, housekeeping (I use that term very loosely). running errands, paying bills, trying to squeeze some family time in, exercise, church obligations, phew! I'm spinning! I know that its the blessing and curse of mother hood and as I sit here typing trying to gather my thoughts, I'm looking around asking myself, when the last time I dusted was. Hopeless!

On the upswing, Josh and I have found some great small moments with the kids lately. We took the kids to McDonald's and let them play at the play land. I don't think that I could ever get sick of watching the happy looks on their faces. I also did two miles in a record time for me!! I was thrilled! I am so happy that we got the treadmill. It was the best thing that we did for our health. I only have to do four miles on Saturday.....I'm honestly not so confident but I think that I can do it!?

I just am pondering how our mothers balanced it all? I never looked at my mother and said, wow- you are completely overwhelmed and incapable. I just have no idea how my mom did it all. But she did. I hope that my kids aren't thinking that I'm a freak because I cant handle it all. I'm sure they are though. Ah, and the scarring begins.

SOOO Tired

I dont know if its just the time of year, the fact that I chase five to seven kids around every day, or just being a mom in general but I have been SO tired lately. I feel like I just have no energy to get up and do what I need to do. On the up swing, I got my final letter of recommendation from my primary care physician for my surgery! I am so excited ( and terrified! ) I look forward to seeing what new changes will come in my life.

Duncan is taking steps. I wouldnt say that he is walking, but he is taking steps. I dont know if I am excited or scared! He is already a tazmanian devil without being THAT mobile! Heaven help me. Sophie is so awesome. She just gets more out going and funny every day!!

Nine to go!!

OK, so my weight loss has sloooowed down quite a bit, but I guess thats to be expected. On the upswing, I am loosing inches! Josh bought me a treadmill and I love, love, love it!! I love to work out but there has always been an excuse. Now its in the basement, not like I really have one now.

Things are just going, going, going right now and I love it but I am feeling the effects of it. I have been worn out the last two weekends and I have been sick with a cold and a stomach bug. If I am going to push myself this hard, I have to take care of myself equally and thats hard I find. So the daycare is in full effect and hoppin, but let me tell you, Pfew, they take it out of me some days. There isnt much fighting, that Sophie isnt involved in. She is kind of a stink like that. She doesnt like to share mommy. Who does?

New Year, New Begining

Happy New Year! It is New Years Day 2009- I cant even believe it. I remember my mom telling me how fast time goes by but I never really believed her- until now. Duncan celebrated his FIRST birthday! I cant believe he is already one. It makes me sad in a way. He is supposed to be my baby- and he isn't any more. He is growing and learning so fast! If only we could get him to gain some weight....The doctor told us at his 1 year check up that there is no such thing as a zero percentile, but if there was one, Duncan would be in it. SO- I really have to try to fatten him up. If only I could just donate some of mine to him.

I have really taken noticed to the fact that Sophie is very grown up and very smart. I need to embrace that and nurture that, but also ensure that she gets to be a kid. I don't want to be a mom that is throwing her into everything because I think she will do well in everything. Take it a day at a time. She is so anxious for preschool and daycare to start back up on Monday. I must admit, I am too! I love having the consistency in a day, a routine, the TV off. It just keeps me SOO busy!!

The New Year is a great time for reflection on the progress that we have made in the last year. Its a really good time to see if there are changes or goals that we need to make. There is a lot to reflect on for me this year. I really want to focus on being IN THE MOMENT for my family. I get so wrapped up in whats going on tomorrow, next week, next payday, that I forget to enjoy right now. I also want this to be the year that my health gets back on track- no matter what that looks like. I hate to call them resolutions, but I guess that's what they are. Anyway, I hope that the next twelve months are happy and healthy for all! Happy New Year!