Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Fall

Fall is officially here- we turned the heater on this morning. Love it! Also an indication, one child is home sick with a cold. Not fun but par for the course.

I'm so looking forward to taking the kids to the pumpkin patch this year. For once in their lives, it won't be a hot and humid day like it was every year in Tennessee. They are both old enough to really have fun with it now and to "get it". Now I need to find a good one around here!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

November

I have so many fun things to look forward to in November. Thanksgiving, a visit with my sister and her family, the kids getting to see their dad, my daughter turning 3 and Breaking Dawn 1 in theaters.

Is it November yet??

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Oops

I got a call this afternoon from the school bus garage...the bus driver was waiting for me to go get my son. I totally spaced that every Wednesday is early release (for teacher work time). I felt so awful! We live about a block away from the bus stop but I was so frazzled, I just ran out, got my daughter in the car and drove down to get him. After apologizing numerous times to him and the bus driver we left for home.

In other news....

I'm kinda excited for dessert tonight. I am surprising the kids with homemade ice cream that we get to make...in bags! How cool is that? I am using this recipe that I found on Pinterest. I can't wait to see how it turns out and what the kids think! We are on a bit of a roll in the creativity department here. Yesterday at my daughter's home visit (she attends Head Start) we learned how to make our own play dough. That was a huge hit! The recipe we used was given to us by her teacher and it is:
1-2 cups of flour
1/2 cup salt
1 package Kool-Aid
3 tbsp salad oil
1 cup boiling water

Start with one cup of flour and add to it, once you mix the rest of the ingredients, as needed. It was fun to make it with the kids and see them get so excited about it.


So now you have recipes for ice cream and play dough to try also. :) Aren't you glad I blogged today? ha!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Weight

I did something very freeing this week! I donated all the clothes that were one, two, or three sizes too small for me....you know the ones, we all have them. They sit in your closet just waiting for you to fit into. Well, I got rid of mine this week. So good!!
Earlier this year I did the whole counting calories thing and I lost 11lbs. It was fun-while it lasted. I honestly do not have the motivation to stick with it. And I'm ok with that. I like me how I am. Finally! I also realized this week that I gained back some of those pounds. At first I was a little discouraged but then I realized I don't really care. ha!

My friend put this quote up on Pinterest (have you seen Pinterest? I'm obsessed) this week and I love it!

"Is fat really the worst thing a human being can be? Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow, vain, boring, evil or cruel? Not to me." J.K. Rowling

Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to continue feeling fabulous in my jeans I got last winter. :)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Moving On



One year ago today my entire world got turned upside down with one sentence, "I want a divorce". In the first days and hours after this announcement it seemed like my life was over. What was I going to do with myself and my two small children? How could he do this to us?

It didn't take me long to realize that this was a blessing. Sure it sucked to pack up my entire house and move my kids and I cross country, move in with my parents and try to make a life for us. I had tough times emotionally, still do every now and then. I don't have all the answers for my kids when they are sad about missing their dad or why he isn't with us. More understanding on their part will come with age. They are thriving here, though. We all are.

I thought, briefly, about dating. Then I realized it's not for me. I am so in love with my life right now. I love the dynamic I have with my kids and parents. I love that we live with my parents and they are supportive in my decisions. I am beyond blessed by them and my family and friends, every day.

More than all of that, I am completely thankful that I have a God who loves me for me. He has been the constant in my life and my decisions the past year and I owe everything to Him. Stepping out in faith is much much bigger and harder than it sounds. Do I struggle with letting go of my own life? If you know me personally, you know the answer is a firm YES. But, every time I have just given up everything to God, he has blessed me for it. Knowing that I have His love, understanding and grace is all that I need to know that I am ok. My kids are ok. We're all ok. It may not always seem like it, but it is.

This year has flown by. I did not think it would go so fast or be so fulfilling. I had no idea that I could be a strong, single mom and actually really love it. I didn't really think I could be friends with my ex-husband, but I am. There are much bigger things happening in my life and all around me to be caught up in the past and the wrongs done to me or my kids. I do my very best to live each day for what it is and do the best I can for my kids and myself. And really, what more can you ask for?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

School

I'm a student again after a twelve year break...yep, twelve years. I am excited to start this new chapter in my life. It makes me feel good that I am finally doing something good for me and ultimately good for my kids. Maybe I should have gone back before now. I don't think I would have appreciated this opportunity if I had, though. I think, like everything else, God's timing is perfect for this season in my life.

I am now officially a student working to finishing her Associates Degree in General Studies. Once I finish it, I will be a college graduate. That is something I truly did not think I would ever be. I have 29 credits to go. I am happy to say that 20 year old me was smart and finished all the required classes way back when. Now I have the luxury of choosing all electives to finish off my degree. I am looking forward to a variety of courses to help point me in the right direction for what I want to pursue after I earn my Associates. As of right now, I am clueless other than wanting to do something I enjoy but also something that would benefit my kids and I. I have time to figure it out, thankfully.

My classes start September 26th and I am so looking forward to them. I am taking Music Appreciation and Western Civilization. Both classes stood out to me in the course book so I am looking forward to seeing if they are as interesting as they sound. I opted to do all online classes so I would be free to continue working with both my children's schools as well as stay active in my church programs.

My life is about to become very crazy but I really enjoy that kind of structure. It balances me out I think.