A Bug & Monday Check In

I had written a great post yesterday. I was just waiting for the perfect moment to take a few pics, go threw them, pick and upload. Suddenly the morning was afternoon and it was time to head off to a party. Off we went, posting waiting on the screen for me to get home.

We partied. It was an odd afternoon. Bryan and Klara refused to eat, and Klara threw a major fit. Screaming, crying, flopping on the group, the whole shebang. I was watched the snow fall outside the window thinking about the roads, and thinking we should go home as tired baby screamed at me, and flailed in my arms. Finally Goran did the 'go home sign' (every couple as one, right?) and we packed up the kids and buckled seat belts. The roads were slick, and even on the 400 highway things were slow. And they got slower. It was getting darker and the red brake lights got thicker. After about 5 minutes on the road we were stopped. Oh boy. This was not the worse of it.

As we were wondering what the hold up was, there was a wrenching noise from the very back.

"Bryan just threw up!" volunteered Angelina. Why did she sound almost excited?

We inched along, passed back Kleenex and listened to the poor boy wrench again and again. The roads were covered in snow. We were surrounded by others who were stuck, just like us. A police car passed on the shoulder, rushing somewhere off ahead of us.

I text a friend. She checked the government website and text back that they have closed the 400 highway due to collisions. We are inching along only to get off at the next exit. *sigh*

It gets worse.

Klara wrenched and joined Bryan in the party of sick. We were stuck. Other then knowing they are OK, breathing with no obstructions, we had no choice but continued the slow ride home and get them home for cuddles and baths. (But in the other order)

After an hour and half long ride, we pull into our beautifully snow covered street and I wondered why we didn't have this snow Christmas day. (Its normally a 20 minute drive)

It was an evening of bathing, washing, snuggles, milk, early tuck ins, and my tummy beginning to turn. My post was put aside.

The night saw the other 2 join the crowd of sick in the house.

Lots of long hot baths,

even sick she is cute

TV,  beside buckets, napping, ginger ale,

they luv that show but I don't get it...

I remember these days on the couch cuddled under the same blanket with sisters

crackers all day long....

and the washing machine going and going and going.

laundry all day long...and the now clean car seats

Check In
 
For my check in....hummmm....

I'm up .4 of a lb. I'm not devastated. I had a few to many cookies, and was 'sloppy' with my points. I worked out 6 times, and that felt good. I hoped it would all even out...but kinda knew it wouldn't.

I will be more diligent about points, and maybe not make cookies with week. Making cookies and having them in the house is to hard. I'm going to try to add in an hour work out on Thursday afternoon, and instead of 1/2 hour or 45 minute on Tuesday morning, make it and hour as well. I've done an hour the last 2 Sundays, and luv it. I'm going to keep that up. So that make 3 1 hour workouts, and 4, 30-45 minute work outs depending on which I choice. It feels good to move, and feel the muscles complaining. I know that means they are getting stronger, and leaner, and making me more shapely - in a different (more attractive) way then I was.

I'm a bit disappointed, not completely surprised, but certainly not discouraged. I lost 5.2lb in 4 weeks! That is great! If I can keep that up, I will be at my goal in another 16 weeks!! That's amazing!! Its not about perfection, its about continuing to move forward!

I will do this!

Does anyone want to run with me come March? I am thinking to change things up it might be nice and to run Sunday mornings......

I have not picture of me this week, but next week!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Wiegh-In Surprise and Weekend Goodness

Yes I was surprised with this mornings weigh in. I hadn't had a great week. I was dealing with some major stress in the beginning and tried some stupid things to deal with it. (1 of them was eating to much) That didn't work. I was only more stressed, and feeling physically awful. So Wednesday morning, I upped the exercised and started writing out my meal plan for the day. It felt better. I was able to think clearer. (Can you believe it?) And I worked hard and stuck to it. I did an extra workout Thursday afternoon, and another one Sunday morning. Can you get addicted to this?? Honestly, it feels so good. I luv moving, and mastering the moves, and feeling the adrenalin rushing through me for hours. I weighed myself through the week and had hoped fingers crossed I would at least be the same. But it proved well worth it this morning when I was a pound down!! Yeah!! Exercise and eating well IS the key! A total of 5.6lb in 3 weeks.

I worked out 7 times last week.

I followed Weight Watchers points Wednesday-Sunday. I adjusted my points for breastfeeding and knocked off 2. 

Moving forward, slowly! 

I know I promised a picture of me every week. I don't know how realistic that it is since I am the one behind the camera....but I will try, and I have a picture for today :) (courtesy of Goran)

i luv this! cradling her smallness in my arms, nourishing her with the greatest gift I can give her.

The last few days have been a whirlwind of family, and togetherness, and watching them grow! Its the life I live, maybe nothing special to some, but to me it is everything. Each of these small people in my house, becoming more of there own, emerging, learning new things, sometimes getting along, and sometimes running and screaming from each other.

'learning new things'

'emerging'

But I luv spending time with them. Or just watching them learn, and listen, and follow instructions from someone else.

I luv these memories we are making for them. 

Sometimes, when Angelina's eyes are pooling with tears over school work, or Bryan is screaming at me because he doesn't want to go to bed, or Grace is crying because her feelings are hurt, or the baby is standing in yet another puddle of pee, the cookies are beeping, pasta is boiling over, and the laundry has followed me from room to room without getting folded all day, (all at once, and Goran is shaking his head with a luving smile) I wonder if I am doing anything right.

And then we skip all the morning work and go for coffee. Me and the wee ones. We order, and sit, and talk and drink. They interact together, sharing, and talking and laughing. Eyes shining, lips smiling, and my heart sings. Grace shyly compliments a woman on her new baby. Angelina holds the door open for an elderly gentleman.  Bryan reaches out for his small sisters hand. These are the times my eye fill with happy tears. My heart sometimes feels like it is going to explode with happiness and joy. 

i didn't stage this. I've been waiting for it to happen, and it did :)

I must be doing something right.

I read a quote this weekend that spoke to my heart. "Love Multiplies, Not Divides."

How amazing is that?

It has rained this morning, and the puddles are calling me and my 4. Schoolwork is done and cookies are baked (without getting burnt). Ah, but the laundry awaits and there are white paper circles all over the floor from the hole punch. And they will be here when we get back!

Hope your weekend was amazing, and your week ahead holds greatness waiting for you!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired by SouleMama

 

Snow!

We had great plans for the day. EVERYONE was excited. Me too!! Lots to keep wee ones busy and learning, and a visit with my momma - can it get any better?

Wait.

Are you ready?

This miserable system moved in bringing snow, and wind, and making roads treacherous. They were crushed. I was crushed.

This out first real snowfall of the wintry season.

Why today Mother Nature??

Some cried. I wanted to too. Instead I smiled and said, "We still can have a great day!"

We bundled up in snow pants, and hats and mitts, warm fuzzy boats, and scarves wrapped around faces.  The baby pointing at the door after the big kids were out trying to tell me to hurry. My beautiful growing little soul. You can see so much in her eyes. She is always pointing and grunting, and her eyes get bigger when she is trying to tell you something important. O Sweet Klara, start talking, and tell me all those things you want to say!

A walk, and some shoveling, and helping the neighbor as well, bonded us, lifted our spirits, and an hour and a  half later when we entered the house stomping, laughing, talking and smiling. O except that wee one, who so badly wanted to stay out and color with chalk.....because that is what everyone wants to do when its snowing...??

A warm hearty lunch, and they were busy crafting. Cutting, gluing, and drawing......Valentines!! Talking together, helping, giggling and laughing. Is there anything sweeter then the laughter of children?

I hope your Thursday turned out as great as ours!!

Monday with a Check In

Quick check in to start.

I had a good week, staying on my Weight Watchers Points, and exercising 5 days for 30-45 minutes in the a.m. I was discouraged as I weighed myself every morning only to watch the scale creep up a point of a pound each day. I know there is fluctuations in weight throughout the week, but weighing in every day keeps me accountable to what I am eating. I just need to keep in mind that the weekly weigh in each Monday shows the weight loss!  So today did show a weight loss of 1.8lb over the last week. That is a total of 4.6lb in the last 2 weeks. I am getting there!
I also downloaded a weight tracker app on my phone. I like punching in my weight losses and see the graph coming down.
I feel good and the adrenaline kick I get in the morning still lasts all day :)  Usually in the afternoon I get cold. I mean really cold. I hoped in the shower a few times to warm up, and that was useful as it gave me a boast of energy to get me through the crazy dinner hour!

The Rest

Over the weekend I was reminded of my blessings. I was reminded how my choices in life have guided my path in life and also how they affect those in my life.  I am grateful for the support in tough times that got me through, and the guidance that lead to good choices so I can be where I am now.  I am safe. Emotionally, physically, and mentally. Among all the other blessing in my life, those are so easily overlooked and taken for granted. Because I take the good things for granted, and after awhile it becomes the standard and I forget that it is not like that for everyone.

Although my heart is heavy for those who are not safe, my heart is filled with love and gratitude this morning. I kiss my husband goodbye as he heads off to a new job. I watch as he closes the front door behind him and heads off into the still dark morning to work hard so we can have this life we have. As each of my wee ones get up, arms outstretched for pick ups, I snuggle my face into shoulders, and  slip my arms around tiny waists to breath in their sleepy bed scent. O I am blessed. Beyond what I could have ever dreamed of when I was young.

Favorite Pics over the Last Week

Angelina leading the pudding making.

a friend came over the play. the music (Raffi) was playing they were all singing, helping out baby, and coloring together. it was lovely!

nursing her baby at breakfast, well because everyone does

his new favorite piece of clothing, overalls like Paka

Bob jumped up for a cuddle while she did school work!

 and 2 to show what a wee bit of work can do....(my dream is coming true!)

top empty doors off for refinishing

top done! (new handles) and now bottom is removed for refinishing. all things in good time. its coming!

Tell me about your weekend! What are you grateful for this Monday morning?

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired my SouleMama

  

Accept

Today accepting was easy. As school work was completed quickly, as laughter rang clear, and things flowed well. The baby said "Help me!" this morning, asking me to help her get dressed. She chattered "Bob Bob Bob," as she brought me the cats food dish and squealed with glee to bring it back to him and have him come running. Grace seemed to need extra hugs and cuddles today, which was easy too. Little agenda and lots of time, made a cuddle on the couch cozy and sweet, and extra hugs nice for both of us. Angelina supervised and led the children in making pudding. Pouring, stirring, and mixing. Taking turns, and delegating to each in turn. She finished off with a lid and popped it in the fridge. And it was good!! Bryan, my son. O, his concentration grows, he plays with his little sister, and is getting the hang of cleaning up and putting away.

Accepting was easy. Gratitude came easy. I accepted they all went to bed late, with hugs and kisses and "Sweet dreams"

A blurp from our day.



Now that they are in bed, I miss them <3

For Me

I'm trying to take care of me this year. Yep, thats right! Dedicated time to me every day. Exercising and eating right! I've hit the new year off with a bang, 5 days of arobic workout the first week, and I was pretty happy with the way I ate all week. We had a birthday party, and despite a extra piece of cake (or 2) I was still down when I hit the scale today.

My goal is to do aerobic workouts 5 days a week. The only way this works is getting up before the kids. It worked last week. I'm tired some days and don't feel like it, but once I'm up and moving, and the blood is pounding, I feel good. The kick lasts all day! I have noticed I have more energy, I feel better about myself and have a more positive outlook.

This needs to go hand in hand with good eating of course! I've got all the Weight Watchers stuff, and have been very successful in the past with it. Lots of veggies, and less cake. That's what it comes down too!

I thought about making another blog for this, but decided not to. I'm a mom of 4. I want people to see if I can do this, with 4 kids, homeschooling, and on a limited budget, then you can too!

I will check in every Monday. I will usually incorporate my check in with a Monday post.  

So last week I worked out 5 days in the early am and walked most days with the kids about 20minutes. I stuck to the WW most days, accept Saturday. I was down 2.8lb this am. One step in the right direction!

trying to post a pic each week!

Six

For my dearest sweet Grace turned 6 yesterday. The excitement was there! Twinkling in her eyes, slipping across her shy smile, and overall glowing off her face! She greeted the day with a smile and lapped up the hugs and kissed and happy birthdays. From all around her family! Her breakfast of choice would not have been my choice and I think I sensed a hint of rebellion in her eyes as she ate. (Either was lunch my choice, - Kraft dinner - but has hubby said, if that's the treat of choice, they are being fed GOOD food other wise!)

A trip with daddy to the store, and guests arriving just for her!  O the shyness, the hand holding and the way she looked for security.

How my Grace has grown in the past year! She is swimming, and reading, and dancing. She can concentrate forever, and as she is reading up on babies in the Baby Encyclopedia I think she knows more about babies then I do!

First's. She had some first's this year. First ballet lesson, sleep over for Saint Nick at Nana and Paka's, and the first time dealing with death of some one she luved. (Nana's dog Amber and our loss of our unborn baby.) All of these things she learned leaps and bounds, asked all the right questions, and nodded her understanding during explanation. She smiled and rocked the baby of a dear friend to sleep, and continues to carry her real baby around that she got for her birthday last year. Introducing her to friends and family taking her to bed, and 'nursing' her.

she was so proud

 She has energy and a thirst for knowledge. I didn't 'teach' her to read in the traditional way. I exposed her to books, and some simple alphabet games. Her thirst for knowledge got her there. Reading ANY picture book from the library, and any words she finds in public, on my iphone, and in instructions. 

Oh my Grace. I take pictures, and lock away these years in my heart. It goes by so fast, and the more I try to hang on, the faster it goes. You change and grow. Compassion, slyness, kindness, and sweetness. All wrapped into one.

Happy Birthday my Girl!! Momma luves you!!

the luv of sisters

cousins!

cake time

trying to get a picture of the wee ones together....-not so much!

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Linked from Soule Mama

Accept (ing)

New Years week has been one filled with routine. It was a bit tough to get into it. My poor boy was lost on Monday when everyone went to their jobs, and felt lonely and like he had no one to play with. But by today, 4 days later, everyone fell into the routine right after breakfast. The girls quickly found there places with books open at the table, and Bryn found his place at the picnic table drawing his pics. Klara found a quiet spot to read a book we had read the night before. The house was quiet and I was able to do the breakfast  dishes without interruption. And once the work was done, the girls bounced down from their chairs and Bryan waited patiently to play. Klara followed behind and slipped down the steps backward to join the play.

"ROAH" she says in her wee voice.

I treasure these moments in my heart.

look at those people he is drawing!

I am so so thankful for routine.

Accept

From One Word Three Sixty Five I have picked MY word for 2012. I have linked the site and and will link my blog to it too.

But my word. Accept. I am accepting, I am trying and learning and reminding myself to accept. Accept what I can do.

Accept that I will try as hard as I can  but sometimes I will fail. Accept that sometimes I will succeed!

Accept the hard times, because them make the good time better!

I will stop fighting the things I can't do, and accept the things I can do.

I can be a good mom. I can be a good teacher. I can be a good friend. I can be a good daughter. I can luv, and laugh, and try, and move forward. Accepting. My word for 2012.

I will try to post once a week about my journey through accepting.

Celebrating

A wee celebration for my dear Grace as she turns 6 on Saturday. Celebrating with friends that can't be here on Saturday. The shy smile she gets when the attention is on her. She is happy and excited, but keeps it inside, except the smile.

that sweet smile

 Whats your word of the year?