It is Officially Fall!!

Lily's "Peaceable Kingdom."

I'm almost positive that I said this last year, but Fall is my absolute favorite season! The mornings this week have been cool and crisp. There's nothing better to me right now than lounging in sweats, reading a good book and drinking some hot coffee!

With the changes in season also comes the nasty FLU SEASON! We had the unfortunate event of the dreaded H1N1 flu strain come and visit my sweet Sophie and the good 'ol regular flu visit Matt. We are very blessed to have a wonderful Doctor who saw Sophie in the midst of a very bad fever and promptly prescribed her with TamiFlu. She was also very generous and took the precaution of prescribing the rest of the family with the meds. Within 24 hours, Sophie was right as rain. It's really amazing what modern medicine can do these days! Lily was pretty much the only one who got out of getting sick, which is surprizing since she's typically the first one to get sick. I was also lucky enough to get just a taste of the cold, only achy joints and lethargy, but I am feeling so much better now.

While I was feeling under the weather, Matt took the girls to Lily's school carnival. There was a cake walk, face painting, balloon animals, a "boo boo clinic" and bounce houses. They ate pizza and came home with cotton candy and overly frosted cookies! Sophie was so excited to have seen one of her school and gymnastics friends at Lily's school function. I was so sad to miss the fun.

Lily's school is is full force now and I am amazed to see how much she has learned. She was lucky enough to be picked out of a lottery to attend an arts based choice school. Just this week they had an art lesson and learned about Edward Hicks, an American artist known for his work titled, "The Peaceable Kingdom." They also got to dissect owl pellets to learn about what owls eat. They tore apart the furry pellets and chart out their findings. It was a little gross, but very cool!

The contents of a Barn Owl pellet.

Sophie has also enjoyed her school time. She sings songs and tells me everything about her day. She has made 2 very good friends, whom she talks about all the time and her teachers are nothing but the most patient, loving individuals. I am so happy that she has made the preschool transition very easily.

Well, it's so nice to see that Fall is starting to shape up quite nicely! Within the week the pumpkin patches will be open and the leaves will start changing colors. Time to savor the moment because next thing you know, Winter will be taking days and the nights will be filled with longer hours...

Here Comes the SUN!!

Wow! We had almost 8 straight days of rain and cloud cover over us and boy, am I glad that's over! I love the rain and the clouds, but I also need the sun to brighten my day. While life went on with school, karate, gymnastics and other activities, I took the week to reassess my priorities and with luck and the right timing in about 2 weeks I will be back on track.

Now that school is in full force, I have taken this opportunity to scale back on teaching Zumba Fitness classes so that I can be with the kids more in the afternoons. I am looking forward to picking the kids up from school and taking a little walk to the library or playing some basketball with them or even just plain going home and doing nothing at all! I feel that if I am able to do these things, then I should do it. There are many parents who are not able to spend as much time with their kids as they want because of other (just as important!) obligations. Truly my job is to be the best mom I can be and to enjoy them before they grow up and don't want me around as much!

We have also been very spoiled with having Lisa and Adam come over almost every weekend to play with the kids and play Rock Band and eat dinner with us. We are all very much enjoying our short time with them before they have to leave in a few weeks. I miss having my sisters so close to me. The Navy brings to us many, many wonderful friends, but they can never replace the comforting feeling of having family around. Lisa and Adam are also enjoying their time here and have gone on a few adventures discovering a new state.

As October approaches, I am feeling nostalgic. Not only is Fall my favorite season, but with it comes Fall Festivals, hay rides, pumpkin patches, Lily's birthday, Halloween and best of all, Thanksgiving! The rainy weather made me want to cook up some comfort food and read a good book or listen to some good music. Matt took the opportunity this weekend to make a movie with the girls which I will post later this week. It was fun to just relax over the weekend before the daily grind begins again. And with Sunday afternoon upon me, I must finish the laundry...

Fall is Here.
Another year
is coming to an end.
Summer's finished,
Summer's gone.
Winter's 'round the bend...
- Helen H. Moore -

Kids: They Keep Growing and Growing...

Sophie's first day of Pre-K was today and boy, was she ready!!

It was quite liberating to drop the little one off and spend the morning with Lily before she had to go to school. It was also quite alarming to get into the car and not have to buckle in a little one. It was so quiet driving away from the school...

One last big hug before charging into her classroom. She didn't even look back! (Sniff, sniff).

Sophie found her name on the bulletin board right away!

She wouldn't give me a decent smile, but the picture still turned out cute!!

First Day of School!

I'm so proud of my little (big) girl! She had a great first day of school. Kindergarden at a real public school is an exciting experience! Now she wants to ride the bus. I think we'll hold off on that! One step at a time...

Where Did Summer Go?

Ah! At last! It's the beginning of a new school year! But where did Summer go? Obviously by the lack of posting or updating the blog one could tell that we've been a busy bunch! Everyone knows how much I like making lists, so here's a list of what we did during our Summer vacation.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation:

1. Zumba (pfft, of course!)
2. Went to Phoenix to visit family
3. Taught the 2-4 year olds Sunday School at our church
4. Visited a new part of Oklahoma and explored the Alabaster Caverns
5. Became a year older (!!)
6. Had a nervous breakdown after realizing that I will have 2 kids in school this year
7. Sophie turned 3 years old (!!)
8. Watching the kids and their activities: piano, karate and gymnastics
9. Thinking about our next military move (TBD)
10. Eating frozen yogurt at Orange Tree

We had a fantastic, relaxing and sometimes hectic Summer. And now the end has come and it's back to school time. Not only am I relieved and excited but I am ready!! There's nothing like being able to spend quality time with the family. I'm looking forward to what this "New Year" has in store. I have watched my children and myself change and grow. It's amazing what a little balance can do for your mental and physical health. Even if it's just turning off the TV or computer to just sit with your family and really talk or read books together. It's easy for the unimportant things to take over and when they do, you see that the things that really matter start to suffer. I have used this Summer to try to reconnect, grow up, maintain and balance. Sure, the chaos will start all over again, but thus is the circle of life!

How did YOU spend your Summer vacation?

Happy 3rd Birthday Sophie!

Look at Sophie! She's three years old now! Hooray for little sister! I love you sweet girl!

So Much Catching Up!

Well, Summer is officially here and it has been months since I've updated! So many things, so little time...

End of the school year activities, various Zumba workshops, Lola visiting for 10 days and karate/gymnastics have kept us busy these days. It's great to be busy, but when you need the down time you cherish it! We've had days where we had nothing to do and it was great! We didn't have to be somewhere at some point in time; no appointments, no classes to teach... Once the day is over we get back into the daily grind.

The end of the school year brought upon us a huge leap in our parenting lives. Lily finished her last year of pre-K and will be going to Kindergarden next year. Sophie will now be entering the exciting life of a preschooler. I will be driving all around town carting the kids to school and their various activities as well as to my Zumba classes. I never thought the day would come where both the kids would be in school and I would actually have a little free time to myself. It's unreal! So I am enjoying this Summer with the kids, so that when this short break comes to an end we will be refreshed and ready to take on a new schedule.

If there is anything I have learned in becoming a Zumba instructor, it is discipline. I think with any job you learn how to adjust and enjoy. In the past couple of months, I have stepped up and received certificates in Zumba Basics 2, Zumba Gold and Zumba Toning. I am very proud of myself for having completed these workshops and I'm pleased to be able to share those programs with my students. Teaching fitness classes (or any class) is more than throwing together some good music and dancing. Every time I put together a playlist, I think of the people that come to my class and make sure that the music suits everyone from beginner to advanced. I learn the appropriate moves that go with the music and I make sure I can instruct new things the best I can. But I also make sure that Zumba doesn't intrude on my family life. This takes discipline and a lot of it! As much as I'm anxious to learn new music and moves, I also need to know when to stop and spend time with my family.

Lola was so wonderful and came to visit for 10 days while I used 2 of those weekend days to attend 2 different Zumba workshops. I am thankful to have such a supportive mother who would take time off to visit and take care of the kids, while I "did my thing!" We were able to show Lola our home church as well as where the kids take karate and gymnastics. For 3 of the days Lola was here the kids went to Vacation Bible School and I was happy to be able to spend time with my mom. Just the two of us and some coffee! It had been such a long time since I was able to just be with my mom without the kids interrupting or cleaning or dishes or laundry to do. It was fun and I was able to reconnect with my mom and really enjoy conversation. My mom is also a very bust lady, but I love the fact that she's involved in her work, community and church. I hope to be just like my mom when I'm her age!

We finally took the plunge and let Lily take karate classes. She's been begging for almost a year and from what her coaches say, she's a great listener and very strong. I'm hoping that this activity will stick because not only will it give her confidence, she will be able to take care of herself and the problems around her with thought. She is a very active kid and she need to move around.

Sophie is in a tumbling program and she's learning to enjoy it. She often times feels lost without her sister to guide her, but she does well. I've found that she's a bit scared to do things without guidance and will tell you straight out if she doesn't want to participate in something. She's very determined and strong willed, but it's time for her to start following directions and not get away with her "cuteness" all the time!!

Well, we're looking forward to what the rest of Summer has in store! If you don't hear from me in a couple of months, chalk it up to having FUN!!

Hello! My Name is Mom.

The hardest job I have ever had thus far is the job of being a mother. After 2 children, I have had the pleasure of seeing the best and the not-so-good sides of motherhood. The best being every single milestone of each child: crawling, walking, school... The not-so-good being: time out in the middle of Target, temper tantrums in the middle of restaurants (mom, not the kids), mom loosing her cool and using her "ugly voice."

Women take on the world the second they bring a child into the world. Your entire life changes. I would not have asked for anything more from God other than to be a good mom. This was His plan for me and even with all of the trying times, I wouldn't trade it for anything else! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Better Late Than Never

Well when I said that the new year was going to go off with a bang, I guess God really meant it! We have been so busy embarking on new things and enjoying a little time together. Matt has spent a lot of time on the road, so I have been both taking care of the household and enjoying teaching 2 Zumba Fitness classes around town. 

February brought a fun Dad and Big Sister dinner for Valentine's Day. Matt took Lily out for a delicious sushi dinner and they had a nice time spending some one on one quality time together. 

March brought us some much needed time spent with our families. We went to Phoenix to visit my family and to help my dad along with his recovery from surgery. It was a family reunion of sorts, as all of us sisters were able to visit AZ at the same time. With all of our rapidly changing schedules, we were all able to coordinate times and enjoy being together. All of the grandchildren were there and that greatly helped my dad through the recovery process. We got to go to the railroad park, play at the park and go for a lot of walks. It was very relaxing!

We also got to visit Matt's family in San Diego! The kids got to play with their cousin and enjoyed being back in California. Timing was on our side again as Matt's brother in law was home from work travel as well. Lily was excited to ask her grandma if she would take her to get her ears pierced. Lily had been waiting to ask grandma to do something special with her. She was a brave little girl and actually laughed when it was over! We played at the Wild Animal Park, saw some shows at Sea World and just enjoyed the beautiful San Diego weather!

The month of April brought on some crazy weather and Easter fun! Oklahoma is notorious for all sorts of weather patterns so I'm not lying when I say that we could have a gorgeous spring day in the mid 70's only to be under a tornado warning later on in the evening. We could have anything from a severe thunderstorm with golf ball size hail to just severe 60 mph wind gusts. And then the next day could bring a freeze warning with highs in the 30's. Yes, we could go from 70 degree weather to 30 degree weather in a matter of 24 hours! No wonder we have such bad allergies and colds here!

Lily had her school Easter party last week and she and Sophie wore their Easter dresses that their Great Grandmother bought for them. They chose the same dress! I actually let them pick out their own dresses this year and they go with the same dress! I guess years of conditioning them to dress the same for special events stuck with them!

On Saturday, we went to our church Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Party! It was a perfect Spring day and our Children's Ministry Coordinator did a wonderful job of setting up crafts and games inside. She also set up a Bible walk that brought us through different "stations" where the kids learned what Easter was really about. We then closed with an Easter egg hunt outside the church grounds, on the field and in the preschool playground. We had a wonderful time! 

Now that things have settled down a bit, we are on the move again! I am looking forward to the Summer and preparing for the Fall where I will have 2 kids in school, instead of one. Time flies and sometimes we forget to stop and smell the flowers. I am thankful that I have been able to live life and be with my family instead of tying myself to a computer, checking my email and blogging or surfing the internet. We all need a little down time and I always see my blog as journaling and therapeutic, while keeping our family in touch with our goings on. But I am truly thankful to have been able to actually BE with my family, PRESENT in both mind and body these past few months. It's always nice to get back to the basics and rethink what's most important in life. Family, Friends and Memories!

The sunshine gleams so bright and warm,

The sky is blue and clear.

I run outdoors without a coat,

Spring is almost here!

Then before I know it,

Small clouds have blown together.

Till the sun just can't get through them,

And again, it's mitten weather!

A Snowy Morning

Bird footprints in the snow.

Stoney playing with her frozen dog toy.

A cold, but sunny morning!

All Work and No Play?

Well, we are in the thick of an ice storm and tomorrow will make day three. We have been enjoying many hours playing bowling and Super Mario Kart on the Wii and just snuggling up on the couch. 

BUT... as I approach day three, I am weary and nervous about how much more cabin fever we can take. I am hoping that we will be able to at least get out of the house and perhaps drive somewhere. Well, probably not. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed! 

Another Year, Another Resolution

"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long.

We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we're curious... 

And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

-Walt Disney-

Life is a constant learning experience. Life is also supposed to be fun! Last year I had a list of New Year's resolutions that I vowed to keep and for the most part, I actually kept them. Most went hand in hand with one another, but the main idea was overall self-improvement in order to become a better and maybe a more influential person to others. 

Upon moving to a new city, I immersed myself in meeting new people, discovering volunteering opportunities, re-discovering my faith in religion and learning something new. It took a whole year to do these things, but I guess New Year's Resolutions aren't supposed to be done in one day, right? 

This past New Year's was spent with a dear friend and neighbor with wild kids running around. We were pretty low key; we ate Pei Wei, drank chocolate martinis, snacked on baked brie... It was a lot of fun! The kids were so excited to have a sleep over and they just played and played until they finally  ran out of steam. After they were tucked in, my friend and I popped in the movie Mama Mia and proceeded to fall asleep in our chairs. Yes, it was a terrible movie (at least the first 30 minutes of it I can remember) and yes, we were exhausted. Imagine the whole year crashing down on you and all you want to do is to stay up until midnight to see the New Year's ball drop in the middle of Times Square. Neither of us could keep our eyes open, but in the end it was fine. Because although we were without our spouses, we had each other as such wonderful friends and I couldn't imagine life right now without our friendship. If it weren't for my New Year's resolution last year to be more social, then we probably wouldn't be as great of friends as we are today. 

Looking back, all in all it was a great year. A vast improvement! I could go into a whole synopsis, but I won't. Or maybe I will... I feel much better and secure with myself and really have a deeper sense of who I am as a person, a mother and a wife. I know very well that it's a work in progress and there will be some times that I will revert to my old wallflower self, but at least it's easier now to get myself out of those funks. I suppose that my New Year's resolution(s) for this year will be much more topical. Instead of looking inward, I'm going to look forward. And with all I was able to achieve this past year, I'm certain that I will be able to evolve and enjoy this year.

Happy New Year: 2009!