Monday Monday

O, the sun shines, the kitchen is well on its way, we are all healthy (do sniffles count?) and a great visit is planned for today. Its beautiful and wonderful. The raw, pureness of joy. Its here. My soul sings, the kids smile and laugh. 

As the morning tics on and I have only a few minutes here and there to quickly jot down my thoughts.

Last week was long as Klara continued to struggle with aftermath effects of the flu. Although the kids and I recovered in a day, Goran was the last to get it, and it took him longer to recover. Because Klara's small body is having such a hard time we got some milk from a friend, and I started fenugreek to build my own supply again. We were definitely on the way to weening, but being up during the night crying, and the low pees, I knew she needed me to do something. She in on the mend again, playing, peeing and sleeping mostly threw the night again. The healing power of mothers milk!

The weekend was a whirlwind! The kitchen made great progress as my mom and dad came for the day.

While the men worked, my mom and a I entertained the kids. A trip to the mall, a walk in the fantastic weather , and a snuggle up with popcorn and a movie to end the afternoon.

Sunday was more quiet, but Goran continued with the kitchen, and the kids and I took advantage of the weather again with long trips/walks outside in the sunshine.

green grass in February

The day has passed, and the the sun has dipped away. Street lights lightemed my way home, with 2 sleeping quietly, and 2 anticipating getting home, where Daddy and warm beds waits.

We went off to visit one of my besties today. Helping. Watching children, wiping tears, giving hugs, sharing my thoughts, listening, drying dishes, and rounding up kids for one last hug. I luv it. I luv the smiles, the giving, and easy sharing. I believe relationships is one of the most meaningful things in this life. Today rang true to that.

Mondays Check In

 I feel great! I put on a pair of pants, and wore them with easy. Jeans I couldn't wear a month ago. My weight went done .4lb. I was hoping for more, but am expecting things to go quickly in the next week or 2 as I continue to work out, and choose healthy things to eat. The working out feels great. Adding an afternoon once or twice a week is great too! The walking with the kids over the weekend felt amazing too! My energy is up and my body feels stronger and more limber then it has in years.

I was going to say 

'self portrait taken with iphone '

but that is quit obvious!

Happy Monday! Hope your day has been fantastic! Stay tuned for the next post in the next few days!

{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

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!!