A Deep Breath Before I Go Back Under

Well, I feel like I have about a week before things get crazy again. I have about one month before my semester is over and then I will have THREE WEEKS where the kids are in school and I AM NOT!!! I will be a real mommy, who can play Hungry Hungry Hippos whenever I am needed. I will read books that have NOTHING to do with education, classrooms or teaching a child how to read!!!

But I have added something to my already hectic schedule. I don't even know why I am sharing this, other than that if I tell people, maybe I will feel held more accountable (although I have no idea who really reads this...). For the first time in my 33 years I have started a DIET. Well, they don't want you to call it a diet. It is called "living" aka Weight Watchers. I have been thinking and pondering about this for awhile and I made the plunge.

I have slowly put on weight the past THIRTEEN years. But the thing that pushed me over the edge is BEER. Michael taught me how to drink good beer and well I enjoy it. We have gone to Taco Mac at least every other week for a date. Between the queso and the beer, it all went straight to my hips.

So, I really think I can do this. It is regimented and organized and it's a PLAN. Whenever the doctor would say "Eat right and excercise" I always felt like I needed more.

So I may never update anyone on my "diet", but I felt like I needed to get it out there. I have made it through one weekend without any major pitfalls, and unfortunately no beer. But I'm not starving or having a really hard time, so I can do this...right???

Head Above Water

I promise I'm still here, but I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water right now!!! The thing about getting a degree in education is that it is not really rocket science, but there are lots of projects that require a lot of work. So I am in the middle of those right now. I have laundry piled up really high and I'm just not sure when my next break will be!! I will be done the beginning of May, so there is an end in sight, but there is just a lot in between. I have LOTS of cute pictures to share from the boys soccer games and Easter...so I will post soon!!!

Our Born Perfomer

Carter and I love a song that he sings at preschool called "Tiny Tim". Maizy ate his stuffed turtle so I got him a turtle puppet just like Ms. Nancy's, his music teacher from school. He absolutely loves it! He even let me video him singing the song!! You may have to turn the music down at the bottome of the blog to hear him singing it...

Rock On

Zack had his debut in the Kindergarten program last Thursday night. Zack is not what you would call a "performer". He knows he has to be up there, but I know in his mind he is thinking about all of the other things he would rather be doing...not unlike his father. I just had to share a picture with you that we got right before the performance began...what a stud!

For Tricia

I have been following for the last few months an amazing journey of an amazing family. I have them linked on the side (Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth). Through their blog I was linked to another blog where this mother encouraged all other blogging mommies to make a list of the things we can't wait for Tricia to experience with her little one. Check out the post here.

Somedays I feel like I can't remember what it was like when they were little bitty but then there are times like yesterday as I was cleaning out the linen closet, I came across ALL of Zack's blankies. Just putting them up to my face and breathing in the smell of them and feeling the texture of them brought memories flooding back to me, here are some of mine...

• Going to the grocery store and having little old ladies ooh and aah over your sweet baby.
• Walking into their room before you go to sleep just to watch them sleep (I still do this)
• In the morning when you go to get them and they have the happiest look on their face because there is no one in the world they would rather start their day with than you.
• BATHTIME!!!!!
• The smell of them after bathtime!
• The first Christmas they actually "get" the whole Santa Claus deal.
• The first time they bring you flowers, even if they are weeds.
• Whenever they get hurt they only want you.
• The first time they get on a school bus (heartbreaking)
• Feeling the need to hose them down after they have been playing outside.
• Hearing your child read on their own for the first time.
• Hearing your child sing "Jesus Loves Me" all by themselves
• Good night prayers
• All of the deep conversations you will have about life. i.e. Who made the streets? What does our dog do in Heaven all day?
• Laughter, more importantly belly laughter

Tricia, I have to stop my list. My heart is so heavy right now... I know that you too will one day have your own list. Gwyneth is going to do some things that are going to seem so simple to anyone else, but to you, her mother, they are seem heart wrenchingly wonderful. I feel so blessed to be able to "be in on" your story. Your complete surrender to the will of God is amazing, and I think of you and your wonderful family everyday. Know that you are being prayed for by me and my two little boys every night. Thank you for sharing with us...

Does it get any cuter???

So here I sit at my desk working on some school stuff. The kids are out playing, Michael's got the grill going...beautiful Sunday. And then the doorbell rings. Who could that be?? My sweet Carter is at the door with a little bitty flower for ME!!!

Guilt

This title could mean a lot of things for a lot of mothers. Today my guilt has a specific meaning. Sitting on my desk in front of me is a "mission card". This "mission card" is for a program at my son's school called Rocket Readers and every month when this "mission card" comes home a wave of guilt comes over me. On this card I am to record 16 different books that I read to my kindergartner over the month. Then 5 of these books Zack should name a character in the story and name their favorite part of the story. If they turn it in they get their name and picture on the wall outside of the library and if they do it all year that get to be a part of a special breakfast. Doesn't that sound wonderful??? Hmmm.
I have never turned one in. I tried the first month, but then it got accidentally thrown away. You might think I am against participating because I don't want to read to my children, but if you know me you know that I read to my children almost EVERY night. They love story time and now that Zack is reading he takes part in it too. So what is the problem you ask? That is just ONE more thing for me to do. Zack is too young to take care of this himself. That might be the ONE thing to throw me over the edge!!!!
So yesterday at a PTA event I was talking to some other mom's and they were astonished that we don't do Rocket Readers. They went on and on about how it is so important for us to do this...blah blah blah. I hate it when other people make me feel like an inferior parent. Try dealing with going to school full time, being a mommy to two little ones, taking care of the house, have a husband that works long hours, is unavailable to help during the week, taking care of a crazy yellow lab and reading and keeping up with this blog and others!!!! That one piece of paper may be the one thing that is keeping me from being committed!!! MOVE OVER BRITNEY!!!
Okay, I'm okay, I'm really okay. So it's okay that I don't do Rocket Readers, right??