It's been a while. Let's catch up!

So... I've neglected the blog.  I'll try to catch up here.  :)

December 2010

Our Christmas Card picture :)

 January 2011

Backyard fun

Snow Day!!

February  2011

Girl Scouts World Thinking Day (Turkey)

March 2011

Decades Dance at SCE

The boy ate a whole bag of broccoli!

April 2011

Spring Break in FL

Easter Morning at UUCA

Relay for Life (Rockdale County)

May 2011

Abby and her 1st grade teacher on a field trip.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving. :)

November 2010

Yesterday marks one year since my Grandpa passed away. I can't believe it's been a year. It still seems like he'll call at any minute, or that I'll get a newspaper clipping from him in the mail. My mom called and sang me Happy Birthday on the phone on my birthday (well, she tried to sing a week early, actually)- and that's sweet... but it's his job. I think regularly as I'm watching Alex, how much they would enjoy one another- I can totally picture grandpa sitting at the dining room table with Alex on his knee, singing and doing his Donald Duck impersonation. I have a vision of him hugging Abby, SO proud of his granddaughter as a new Girl Scout. Then I remember. He's not there. Hell, the TABLE isn't even there any more. I have to keep reminding myself that he's here-there-wherever- he's watching us, and I know that he's singing to Alex and laughing with him. I know he's proud of Abby and all she does. I just miss him so much.

Abby's doing wonderfully in first grade. All "threes and fours" on her report card (that means she is 'meeting' or 'exceeding' expectations for first graders in ALL areas). We started up a Girl Scout troop and Abby is a Daisy Scout. She's loving it and so am I (as a leader of course- I SO have volunteer-itis). We're both making friends and learning a lot. <3

Alex is growing like a weed. He's up to 30 pounds at 14 months old! He's wearing mostly 24month size clothes. He has yet to walk, that lug. He says "Ah-ee" for Abby- ALL THE TIME. LOL He says Dah/Dadadada for Chas. He says Ewee for Kelly. He says EEEE for kitty and leaf and tree. Cutest is "MOO" for moon. <3 Not sure if he says anything for me. He says "mamamama" but it seems random. He says "oooh-eee" and I think maybe that's for me sometimes? Anyway, it's fun to listen to him. :)

Thanksgiving this week, then three more weeks of school before Christmas break. Where does time go??

Better.

I'm feeling much better.

It's November, and while I am thankful year round, this month brings my gratitude to the forefront of my mind...

I am so very grateful for my loving husband and absolutely wonderful kids. I am one lucky mama.

I feel.

I feel sad. I feel disappointed. I feel lonely. I feel ugly. I feel incompetent.

I know I'm a good mom to my kids- because I focus all the energy and strength I have on them.

But I feel like such a failure everywhere else.

Sept 12th Update

We've been busy busy. :)

Here are a few pictures to document. :) More on FB, of course.





Besides that we've been busy at school. I've joined the Relay for Life Committee and we went to the Back to School Dance, where I chaperoned and Abby danced like crazy. Abby presented an idea for the school's Fall Carnival to the PTA and will now be in charge of the "Cake Walk". She's taking dance classes again, and they are going pretty well so far- same studio, new teacher and new classmates. Tomorrow we're going to a meeting about joining Girl Scouts (Abby would be a Daisy). I'm excited about it. :) Life is good.

I joined the "Shoal Creek Elementary Biggest Loser" competition. I'm not in the right mind set yet, but at least I'm THINKING about what's going in my mouth. Now just to LIMIT it. I've made far too many excuses about why I'm not doing the right thing, and truth is- I don't know the reason. But it has to change. My plantar fasciitis is back full force- it hurts to walk most days, and I have no choice in the matter at this point. My choice of shoes makes no difference, and I know that the only way to fix it is to lose the weight. *sigh* I know I can do it... I just need to DO it.

Catching up...

OK, so a friend of mine was teasing me for NOT blogging all summer- what can I say, I do better when I'm on a schedule and in a routine!! :)

So, to catch up:
We had a super busy summer- lots of fun!! We went to museums, playdates, farms, parks, beaches, and grandma's houses. :)

My big girl turned five, had an awesome birthday party, and danced her heart out in a very cool recital.

My boy went from bump on a log to motor-scooter, crawling ALL OVER THE PLACE. Chubbers holds his spot in the 95th percentile. Yes, looks like my 8 pound 35 weeker is staying at the top of the charts! Can't believe my baby is ONE YEAR OLD!!

Abby started kindergarten, and after 3 days was splitting her time between K and 1st grade. Two weeks of this and she's now a full time first grader. My barely 5 year old, a first grader. WOW! Doesn't time go fast enough as it is?? So super proud of her though!

I'm teaching at a new school (new to me, that is). I'm happy to be back in an elementary school, excited to be in the same building with Abby, and thrilled at the camaraderie of the folks I am working with. The energy in this building is FABULOUS! I couldn't be happier. :)

I've blogged a lot about my journey to healthy... well, I must say that the train has derailed. I find it easier for me to control my eating when other parts of my life are out of control (like, I can control this one thing, KWIM?)... Well, things are going well, and I'm having trouble pulling the healthy thing back together. I'm embarrassed to say that I've gained back most of what I lost over the last year. :( I'm happy at work and in my family life right now, and it's hard to convince me to go to the gym, when I'm so looking forward to rehashing the day with my hubby, helping Abby with her homework, and snuggling with my baby. Miss an hour+ of this at the gym? :( I know I *SHOULD*... I know I *CAN*... Just gotta get there. *sigh*

If you've read this far, GOOD FOR YOU - and THANKS!! <3