Thankful 11-20

• 11/20 - Rest.
• 11/19 - Brainless (yet still entertaining) entertainment.
• 11/18 - Nights out
• 11/17 - Washer and Dryer
• 11/16 - I get paid to do something I enjoy.
• 11/15 - The girlie sleeping for 14 hours. She needed it.
• 11/14 - Yummy breakfast.
• 11/13 - Naps
• 11/12 - The end of soccer season.
• 11/11 - Those who fight for my freedoms.

Thankful 1-10

• 11/10 - Having nowhere to be and no school tomorrow.
• 11/9 - My calling. It helps me to stretch outside my comfort zone.
• 11/8 - That my kids have great friends.
• 11/7 - Bedtime.
• 11/6 - Quiet Sunday afternoons.
• 11/5 - Warm Socks.
• 11/4 - Spontanious shopping trips.
• 11/3 - The wonderful people who make up our "hearing loss support system".
• 11/2- An easy to please family.
• 11/1- Clean clothes to wear.

Disneyland

Yep there are lots of pictures. You can check out my facebook for even more. I could write a novel about our trip, but instead I'll give you the cliffsnotes version.

We had a BLAST!!! If we had the money, we'd go again tomorrow. We'll definitely go again, and probably for longer next time. Loved it!

Happy {belated} Halloween!

Harry, the puppy Doctor and Rapunzel all hope you had a happy and safe Halloween!

Hmmmmm......

It's a Wednesday night, and I'm at home. I've had only a small handful of free Wednesday nights in the last 2 years (26 Months actually). You know what that means right?

Yep, I got released from my Young Women calling. It's kind of bittersweet. I love, love, love working with those girls, and I love the Young Women program. Part of me thinks that I might need a post-YW support group...

My new position is the primary chorister (I get to do weekly singing time with the 3-11 year-olds). I'm actually really looking forward to it. It will be a new challenge for me, and should be a lot of fun! Truly, I've received that wonderful peace that comes with the confirmation that this is what is right for me right now. I firmly believe that change is good, and I'm looking forward to the new experiences that I can gain from this.

----------

School is going well. The boys are thankfully adjusting great to the new school, and I'm even getting used to the change too. After hearing that my favorite kindergarten teacher left our old school, I feel much better about going to the new school ; ).

----------

I got an iphone. I've had it for a whopping 5 hours, and so far...Yeah, still don't have a clue how to use it. Up to this point, the most I've ever paid for a phone is a whopping $9.95. Not kidding. I got a screaming deal on this one (it pays to buy the older model, after the new one comes out-and to have an upgrade credit on your account), but it still caused a small coronary when it came right down to it. I'm an eternal cheapskate. Maybe I'll even figure out how to blog on it.

----------

On a happier note, in exactly 1 week we're skipping town and heading to Disneyland! The kids can hardly wait, and I'm having a hard time containing my glee. We've waited forever to be able to take them, and it's still kind of crazy that it's finally happening.



Well I think that's about all I've got for now. Until next time...

School

I had some awesome 1st and 2nd day of school pictures. Of course, because they were awesome, somehow about half of them got lost when I was transferring them from my camera. GRRRRR!!!!

I got a couple at least.

First day of Kindergarten

2nd day of Kindergarten and Second grade

We finally started at the new school - we used a varience so the Bug could finish the year at the old school last year - and so far, they've come home happy everyday, saying they like school. Good sign.

They haven't raved about how many new friends they've made. I know that will take time. It's just hard as a parent to have to watch them face new (hard) experiences.

This new school has exceptional rankings (like #2 in the state) and lots of parent involvement, which is great.

I went to help at the 2nd grade picnic though(yep, they had a "welcome back to school" picnic for the 2nd graders) and I felt like the new kid too. It was hard to not fit in with all the "Chicky" moms. I felt like the outsider in some club, where I was the newbie from the other side of the tracks that no one wanted to talk to.

I hope this isn't how my kids are feeling.

I keep reminding myself that it is a really really good school, that we made the right choice, and that change is hard-just keep going. But a little part of me wants to run out tomorrow and re-register them at the old school where I know the teachers and staff, and procedures and the other kids, and where I feel more comfortable because that is where we've spent the last two years.

I'll get better right? I'm sure it will. I guess I'm just being reminded how hard it is to move, even when it's not very far away.

Have you Missed Me?

So yeah....It's been a while. A little over two months-while.

All I can say, is that we were enjoying our Summer.

School starts again tomorrow(I think we must be the last people in the country that still aren't in school), and with it a return to routine, and likely more blog posts (the Grandparents are threatening to riot if I don't put up more pictures).

I'm not going to play catch-up. I'll fill you in on a few highlights, but trying to catch up on here tends to stress me out, so.....Not happening.

Go Ahead. Thank me!

Anyway, for the 1 or 2 of you left who still check our little corner of the internet, this is what has happened this summer.

• The Bugster turned 7. Complete with a trip to Red Robin with his friends and lots of Lego Harry Potter (and lots of other Legos too. I don't know why they even bother making other toys for kids this age.)
• The Husband and I had our 9th wedding anniversary. We celebrated by seeing Harry Potter (a few days early-it was awesome of course) and he bought me flowers. The sad thing is...I had to think for a minute about what we did. Hopefully 10 will prove to be less lackluster than 9.
• The Tano grandparents visited. We loved it.
• Cousin Andy also visited. We loved it. (Trying really hard to get him to move here)
• We completed a big chunk of our summer fun list. Didn't get everything, but then again I wasn't planning to.
• Bug started fall soccer. The husband is coaching. I'm playing team mom. It should be fun! Beef's soccer starts this weekend.
  
• We've spent lots of time just enjoying being a family. We've played, and relaxed and had adventures, visited with friends and just overall had a great time.

The kids are starting at a new school tomorrow (new for Bug, Kindergarten for Beef) and they both told me tonight they are excited for the morning. That is a really good sign. I've decided to take it easy this fall, I've cut back on my piano students so that I can spend more time being a Mom. I want to be in the kids' classrooms more, and have more quality time with them after school. I'll be doing pre-school music classes 1 morning a week, and that will make-up the income for what I dropped in piano students. Overall feeling good about things.

Now, I'm off to bed, so that I can get up early and get ready before the kiddos are up.

Summer, Finally!

Bug, on his last day of school with his teacher. He was trying really hard to smile through his tears. He's going to miss her, and his school a lot. I'm hoping that he likes the new school just as well.


We've been out of school for 1 week now. (It's about dang time!) It has been great. No real schedule and lots of fun. The boys finished swim classes this week, and my kids who last year wouldn't go near the water ("of course we don't want to go swimming Mom") are now certifiably "fish". I foresee lots of pool visits this summer.

A Good Investment

Hey...

Do you hear that?...

{ crickets chirping }

Yep, my house is quiet.

Where are they all you might ask?

In the back yard.



Money well spent.

Graduate!

It's official! My #2 little guy is a preschool graduate. He is so excited to go to Kindergarten, he's a little upset every time I remind him that he has to wait the whole summer first. Very cute. At his graduation the kids got to walk across the little "stage" and get their diploma. The teacher then announced where they were going to school, and what they wanted to be when they grew up. (The boy wants to "make Wii's" -so that he can make more video games for his brother to play)

Buggy finishes up first grade on Friday this week, and then we will finally get to enjoy summer. Hopefully our weather gets the memo, and complies.

Just for Fun

What we came home to after being out one evening. The babysitter said this is exactly how he fell asleep. Too funny!

Favorite Things

At least they make up for all the times they fight.

PSA

Why you never, ever play Wii Bowling without the wrist strap on.

Anyone want to buy my kids a new TV?....Yeah, me neither.

Can't Resist...

So, I totally can't resist a sale.
A really good sale.
At Gymboree.


Especially when the one who benefits from the sale is so dang cute.


Yep, she's spoiled.

Day 30

Something I learned about myself in the last 30 days:

Hmmm....Well first off, I've learned that apparently it takes me a lot more than 30 days to complete a "30 day" challenge.

But really, I think I've learned to prioritize. A former me might have taken this very seriously, and obsessed about getting a post in everyday and whatnot. I've found though, that there are other things that are more important, and even though I love this little blog, my kids and husband, and my life in the real world need to come first.

And they do.

Thanks for sticking with me through this. It was a lot of fun, and got me thinking. And now back to your (okay actually my) regularly scheduled programming!

See you soon!

Day 29

A photo of me as a child:

(Me and my Dad, circa 1983)

{And now...I'm caught up. This 30 day thing is harder than I thought.}

Day 28

My favorite musician and why:

Honestly and truly I could never pick a favorite musician more than I could pick a favorite child or type of food.

There are lots of musicians (in lots of different genres) that I love.

Yes I know it's a short post, but if you'd like some more details (or my ipod playlist) feel free to let me know.

Day 27

A picture of my family:


I know you've probably seen enough of these, but I can't help it. They're cute.

As for the extended family...

Here's my Husband's side:
And as for my side...Well just imagine something similar, with even more people.

The last time we had a family picture take with everyone was, hmmmm....12 1/2 years ago. And even then, one of my brother's families had to be photo-shopped in because they weren't able to be there at the same time as everyone else.

We tend to not enjoy having our pictures taken.

Here's me and my siblings and parents though. This was taken 2 years ago at my parent's 50th anniversary party. I think there were plans to gather all of our families (that were there - my middle brother's wife and kids weren't able to make it) and get a picture but it just never happened.

Like I said, not so much with the family pictures.

Day 26

How others perceive me:

I'm not sure about this one. My fear is that other view me as stuck-up, or dumb. Truthfully, I'm painfully shy, to the point of near anti-social behaviors.

Those who know me hopfully think I'm a little funny with a healthy dose of crazy (good crazy though hopefully), and probably rather insecure too. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Day 25

10 things I want to do before I die:

1. Go to Hawii.
2. Get my Master's Degree.
3. Go to some kind of cool Rock Concert (I've never been to one).
4. Celebrate My 50th Anniversary with my husband.
5. Learn to play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on the Piano.
6. Travel through Europe.
7. Meet my Grandkids.
8. Grow my hair long enough to cut it off and donate it.
9. Be a better person.
10. Be able to help others more.
    

Day 24

The last random act of kindness I encountered:

I'd have to go with kid #1. For as much as he complains, he is quite frequently (much to my surprise, still) really kind to his siblings. He will often get to choose treats at school, and rather than get something for himself, he'll pick something that he knows Beefy, or The Sister would like. He lets Beefy snuggle with him every night, and will read to both of them, even when he'd rather be doing something else. I could learn a thing or two from him.

Day 23

The last thing that made me cry?

I can't really remember, but it was probably something stupid like a sappy TV commercial, or a sappy moment during a show.

Yeah, I'm cool like that.

Day 22

Talk about the cuteness of my Pet:

Okay, the funny thing with this one...I'm SOOOO not an animal person. The only "pet" I'll even allow in my house, are my son's fish (which I refuse to take care of, other than the occasional feeding which usually triggers my gag reflex).

But, I have kids that are pretty cute. And that is good enough for me.

Day 21

Explain How I got My Scars:

Well, my most prominent scar (ant truthfully, the only one I know the origin of) is one that no-one will ever see. It is about 4 1/2 inches long and runs along my lower abdomen. It's my C-section scar.

It's the way all 3 of my kids came into this world, and I am grateful for it. I know many people have many strong opinions about this type of delivery, but truthfully-it was my only option and I have truly been blessed with easy recoveries and the ability to heal well.

As for my other scars, well your guess is as good as mine. I bruise and scar easy so there is always something healing on me. The nice thing is...They usually fade over time.

Day 20

Any Regrets?

I'd like to think that I don't have many. For the most part, the things I do regret are small in comparison to the the things I gave them up for. But, for the challenge's sake... I have 3. Here we go.

1. I wish that I would have kept teaching when we moved to Washington. I took a break for a few years after the move, and it has been more difficult to get back to it. (On the other hand though, I've learned a lot, and I feel like as I've aged (eek) I've matured and become better able to see what is of benefit for my students.
2. I wish that I'd have put more effort into my studies in college. I got my degree, but I could have done better with my grades. Granted I was married for 3/4 of my college career and was a Mom too for the last year, but I feel like when I go back for my master's I will definitely be more focused on pulling better grades and getting more out of what I learn.
3. I wish that I had found an orchestra/band to keep playing with once I left College. Even after I wasn't a "Music Major" anymore, I played with the community orchestra and had a great time. I haven't played/taught drums since right after Beefy was born. I really do miss it.
   

Day 19

My Favorite Quote:

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual [tolerance], and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey-delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

-Jenkins Lloyd Jones
(Emphasis Added)

Day 18

A picture of me 10 years ago.
This is me, 10 years ago exactly (almost to the day - I think my high school graduation might have been on the 22nd). PHS class of 2001.

Man, I looked a lot younger and skinnier back then....

Goodbye Old Friend

This is what my husband came home with on Tuesday...




It didn't exactly make my day.

Thankfully, above all else - he is okay. The next good thing is that it wasn't his fault. He was rear-ended by a truck on his way home from work.

He took it in yesterday, and the insurance totaled it. No shock there. It's 14 years old, and wasn't a very high end car to begin with. His parents bought it outright for him right after his mission, and in the 10 years (yes, 10 - he's had that car 6 months longer than he's known me) we've put a whopping $500 into it (minus gas and oil changes). It was a great little car - even if the color was rather unfortunate.

We're getting more than half of what they originally paid for it back from the insurance. We haven't figured out what we are going to do yet (we have a few options) but I will keep you posted when we make a decision. I do know one thing for sure though, we are not a one car family-so we'd better figure something out soon.

Day 17

A you tube video:




Really, just watch it. It will make you smile.

Day 16

A letter to someone who has hurt me lately:

To the busted-up trampoline frame that lives in my sister's driveway:

A week ago, when you fell on my toe...it hurt. Now, a week later - it still hurts.



That wasn't very nice.

That is all.

-Kim

Day 15

Picture of something I ate today:


Yep, those are sour patch kids. Yep, it's a picture from the internet. Yep, it was that kind of day.

On Your Birthday.

Dear Beefy,

You turned 5 today. Where did that time go? As I've been trying to think of what to write for your birthday, I've looked over the last few years and it doesn't seem like it was that long ago when you were just a baby.

I look at you now and see not my little roly-poly toddler, but a very much grown-up big kid. It makes me cry and smile all at the same time.

You've been looking forward to your birthday for weeks now. When we asked you what you wanted to do you absolutely insisted on a birthday party with your friends, and Little Caesars pizza for dinner. It wasn't my first choice, but after seeing how happy it made you - how could I resist.

For the last few mornings you'd come into my room asking if it was your birthday yet. It was so great to watch your whole face light up today when you realized it was finally here. I forgot what it is to be so excited for a birthday.

I've loved watching you grow and progress this last year. Because of all of the things we've faced with you in your short life, I feel so very happy to see in you a healthy, active, and vibrant little boy. You truly are a miracle and I'm so grateful for you.

Happy Birthday my Beefy! I Love You.

Mommy

Day 14

Someone who fascinates me and why:

Hmmmm. This one is tough, only because usually when I'm "fascinated" by some one it's meant sarcastically, and it's for all the wrong reasons. So, we're going to modify this one a bit.

There are many people I think are interesting, and many people that I admire.

I heard once that it is easier to love someone when you know their story. I agree. I love learning people's stories. That is usually what I find fascinating. Because everyone, even boring-old-me, has a story to tell.

Back With a Bang!

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you have to jump back into the hustle and bustle of life after a vacation. I got home Friday night, and had half of Saturday to get my house back in order before real life took over again.

Don't get me wrong...I loved the 10 days away, I had plenty of down time and it was fantastic to have a break, but they were exhausting in their own right, and I need more than half a day to recuperate.

After a busy Saturday and Sunday, this morning we signed closing papers on the old house! Finally!!! We can breathe a huge sigh of relief now that gigantic burden has been lifted. Making the decision to sell the house was very difficult but the peace that has come with it has been such a confirmation that we did the right thing, and a huge blessing.

Also, today is #2's 5th birthday! I can't believe my Beefy is already a 5-year-old. It was so weird registering him for Kindergarten a few weeks ago, and realizing that I'm not really a Mom of little kids anymore. There is still the sister - but I have to school-age kids now. When did that happen?...

Anyway, it's good to be home.

Vacation

We're in Utah right now for a wedding. I sillily thought that I'd be able to keep up posting while here...yeah right.

So, You will be returned to you regularly scheduled programming (and maybe even some new stuff) as soon as I get home. See you soon!

Day 13

Good Looking Famous Guys:

Surprisingly, this was rather difficult. Not to say I don't think any famous guys are nice to look at, its just that certain guys are nice to look at in certain situations, and other times...not so much. So, anyway - I had a hard time filling the spots definitively. Therefore: My standbys




What can I say...I've got a thing for accents I guess.

But of course my favorite hot guy (even if he's not famous) will always be this one.