We have a baby boy, surprise!

Ok, he's not a baby anymore. And we adopted him in May! He is such a blessing!!! We are a family of five now.

I will be blogging our adoption story soon!

By the way, I might be blogging about another adoption story for our family if God is thinking like I'm thinking!

Drawing a Blank

It's harder than usual for me to get myself to blog. I feel like I can't because I have to leave a very important part of my life out for the time being. No fun! I'm bursting at the seams wanting to share the past eight months of my life.

Soooo, what can I share. I had a good dream that what I'm waiting for happened. Too bad I woke up, and I'm still waiting, tear...

Caleb is really enjoying orchestra, and looking forward to his upcoming concert. I can't believe I have a teenager, and often wonder how I will handle the years to come. Especially him heading out in to this scary world. Am I really this old?

Hunter is enjoying dance and piano. She is looking forward to dancing and playing for Christmas events. She is such a character. I know they say your kids shouldn't be treated as friends, but she's one of my best friends. I love having a girl's night out with her. If only she could keep her stuff picked up.

Michael is super busy. He is my best friend ever. So thoughtful, and caring.

That is all for now I guess.

Life is Good, Apparently So is Food

So, a lot of exciting things going on. They mostly revolve around three beautiful children, okay two children and one, eeeek, teenager. My Caleb turned thirteen today. I'm proud to say he is still respectful and loving even though his hormones changed quite a while ago, he's still Caleb! And yes I did say three! We have had a lot of changes in our life. They started March 16, 2010. It's a story I can't wait to share, but I have to. Soon I will elaborate. I was going to share a picture, but can't find it. I'll sneak it in later when Michael is awake to help me find it.

And, ummmm, I'm getting chubby! So, here in this public realm (of me, myself, and I, cuz no one reads this silly old blog that I never update, but have good intentions to start and fail over and over) I'm going to state that I'm going to lose 20 pounds. Really, no joke! Let's be ridiculous and set the goal as December 1st. What happened to the weeks of running 15-20 miles, now it's tough carrying the laundry up the basement stairs. Food, that darn food, it's so good...Also, sitting on the couch snuggling a baby, that's good too!

Happy New Year!

Wow, it's 2010... Hoping for good changes over the next year. Starting with our move. There is a good chance that we will be moving this weekend, yay! It seems kind of weird that I'm like, yay, it's gonna be 27 degrees next Sunday, thanks goodness it will be warm out. Iowa has deceived me in to thinking that's warm. Of course it is a lot better than the 3 degrees that it will be on Saturday.

I'm excited to start school tomorrow. The kids aren't, even homeschooled children complain. My question is: How can they complain? Fun field trips, four hours of school or so a day, start school around nine, some days wear pajamas(did I just type that...whoops), snacks and lunch when you want, vacation days as needed...I don't know...it seems like there are some things to make you feel lucky. But when you are a child you don't look on the upside, unless your a Duggar. I need to find out how the Duggars have such positive kids!

I almost have all their work graded. It was all checked, just not graded and recorded. They are doing awesome, I'm very proud of them. I'm anxious to get their ITBS reports back tomorrow. I know they are doing great , but it's just an extra confirmation that I'm not ruining them : P

Happy New Year...

I did it, woohoo!

So, I finally got up the nerve to try my first painting. I'm so excited, it actually turned out. I'm sure there are plenty of misplaced shadows, misguided light. But with my untrained eye, I think it looks pretty decent. I'm looking forward to painting another one. Thank you Bob Ross! Hopefully I relax and take time to enjoy the next one.


Still waiting on the house, so excited!

Have a Happy New Year!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What happened?!?

Christmas 2009 is over... How did that happen? Stinkin' Iowa! I hate snow, and I really hate Blizzards. I definitely need to remember Jesus is the reason for the season! Hello, Angie! Get it together!

I really hope God opens a door that leads to Virginia Beach or San Diego...somewhere greener, somewhere warmer, up in the mountains, down by the ocean, where it doesn't matter, as long as we're goin' somewhere together, I've got a quarter, heads Carolina, tails Californiaaaa. Ok, that's a song, it does matter where I'm going, it needs to be coastal, warm, and no mountains... I'm ready for an adventure...

Speaking of moving, we should be moving in a couple of weeks. That's of course if everything goes as planned. Of course, it isn't where my dream move is, but it will work for now!

The kids seem to be happy with their gifts. I'm happy with mine. I received Bob Ross painting supplies. I love Bob Ross. It has been a huge dream of mine to paint since I was really young. Now I'm scared, what if I bomb? I don't have any talent. Not that I was given very many opportunities to develop any. I was raised by a single mom, she had to work hard to support us. Extras were not something either one of us experienced often. So, who knows, I could be the next Monet.

I'm really looking forward to getting back in shape. It's the one thing I have complete control over in my life. There are so many things I can't control, that keep stressing me out. Enough is enough. I will have success at something! Well, I do feel successful at being a mother, wife, and homeschooling my children. Those are the most important jobs I have. I would still like to do better at those jobs, too. Look out 2010, I'm on a mission, who knows what God has planned...

Catching Up and San Diego I Miss You

Well, I must once again admit I am not a great blogger. If I was following this blog, I would stop. Borrrrring, snore...please don't, I'll get better I promise : P

Here is some pictures from our Coco Key fun...


These are my friend's cute and cuddly twins, who just turned a year...

Hunter and Libby, my friends 6th child of 8. She rocks at the mom thing, and she homeschools too. She was one of my inspirations to start homeschooling.
We are still living with our in-laws. I've had two houses lined up, and both fell through. But that's what I get for sending my husband to check out the first one. He's not a detail person. Unless it has to do with computers, of course. So that mold festering all over the basement, well it must have been hidden that day. Needless to say that house was not up to my standards. Next house, landlady lied... made promises...broke promises...and luckily she wasn't smart enough to get our deposit before she broke them. So once again I'm on the hunt. I need to hurry, my MIL is fattening me up with her yummy cooking!

San Diego was beautiful, I wish I was there.


Michael always has a phone attached to his head, poor guy can't seem to figure out how to remove it...
Wow my legs kinda look big, but it makes me feel the sun again...
Why do I wish I was there you ask....


Snow storms are not my thing! Around a foot of snow dumped on Iowa. The only reason I can tolerate it: #1 It's pretty from inside my warm house #2 I haven't had to go outside in two days #3 I have to!

Stay warm my friends!

Goin' for a splash....

The kids and I are going to Coco Key Water Resort today, with some good friends. I'm going to try to get in the water with them. You see, I hate cold water, so I'm often a party pooper! Luckily they will have friends to play with if I chicken out. Besides, I will need to snuggle my friends beautiful twin babies!

Things are good with my dad he is making progress at the treatment center. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I just found out I have gained 12 pounds in a couple years, plus I had some to lose before I gained that. I'm going to kick my butt in gear, and get in shape. Just wait you'll see!


I also get to go to San Diego in November. It has to be my all time favorite place, and I've been to Cancun. Can't wait!!!!

Cold, rainy, and it's really gettin' me down...

Did I ever tell you my daughter is kinda funny...or gross...


She didn't kill it... I promise

Yes, she did find all these creepy crawlies in one day... she's the creepy crawly whisperer




Wish I could be a more consistent blogger, not that anyone reads this that I know of anyway. If you do thanks, sorry I'm so boring :0

Just feelin' kind of depressed today. Wondering why so many people get to have more babies and I don't. We have spent $6,000 down the drain trying to conceive for the last two years. Hopefully we will start our adoption in December, but I'm just feelin' low today. It feels like it's too big of a mountain to climb. I can't imagine how we will get $13-17,000 more saved up. We have a huge chunk saved up now, that will just get us started.

Spent last week putting my father in a homeless shelter while he is waiting to go to a different treatment center. Nothing like being called at 9 in the morning and being told your father is on a greyhound bus, and he wants picked up at 6 p.m. Over an hour away from where I live, when I had a million things going. But, hey, lets mess up another day of my life, who's counting anymore. I'm so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that is always there for me!




In other news... we went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch a few weeks ago. Love that place! School is going swimmingly. I've made it two months living with my in-laws, one month to go. If only we could find a place to rent that was decent, and in a safe part of town. I'm running again! Yay!!!! Not losing any weight, but I'm just going to keep pluggin' away.

Have a good weekend!

First Day of School

We had an awesome first day of school! We actually just finished our first week, but I am a blog writing slacker!!! This is our first year using Total Language Plus. Caleb is doing a study with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Hunter's study is with the Courage of Sarah Noble. We had homemade waffles for breakfast. My kids were bright eyed and bushy tailed!





Actually, not so much, but they did pep up a bit!


We are driving to Des Moines on Monday afternoons until we move back. The kids are still taking gymnastics, and Hunter is still taking piano lessons there. We didn't want to drop everything since we will be moving back in three months. We jetted to Des Moines after finishing school. We had an afternoon field trip at Living History Farms. It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful start to the school year!

Every time we go he has to have an ice cold sarsaparilla!

And every time we have lunch there, Hunter has to have nachos (fake orange cheese substance), yummmy!

Hunter and her best friend had fun slopping the hogs. The hogs noshed on onion peel, and the tops of gourds.

Caleb has been waiting all summer to get the chance to mow their yard, at last he has accomplished his dream!

After a fun-filled day like this, you ask, what was the best part of the day? Both kids answer, gym class. I kicked their butts by having them run around the block, doing chin-ups at the park, 50 jumping jacks, 25 squat jumps, 20 bench push-ups, 20 tricep dips, frog hops back to the house. Of course Hunter did about half of most of our workout. Caleb did beat me on the push-ups and tricep dips. I need to start lifting weights again.

All in all, a pretty great week!
Angelic

Beach Fun...

Hunter and I went to the lake today! It was so windy!!! We had a lot of fun though. We enjoyed our picnic on the beach. Sand just adds some texture, and chips teeth, no biggie. We had a sand sculpture competition. I made a turtle, that was kinda cool, for me anyway. Hunter was a bit distracted by... well...everything...as usual. She started quite a few sculptures and castles. She went in the freezing cold water. "I'm just gonna put my toes in," she said. Hunter never just puts her toes in. She couldn't help it that the waves were so big and inviting. I still have sand in my hair...and possibly my teeth! Caleb was at a friend's house...in case you were wondering.

Well, I haven't been running much the past two weeks. I've injured my knee and I will find out more at the doctor tomorrow. I'm very disappointed. Hopefully I get good news. I doubt it though. I ran two miles tonight. Each mile I ran a little over two minutes slower than usual. Still had too much pain. I ran 50 miles last month, 36 miles the month before, I'm not sure what I ran the 2 months before that. Enough that's for sure! Oh well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Blessings to you!
Angelic

Run, run, run...

I'm so excited! I just finished a challenge for the month of April to run 50 miles. I use Nike+ and you can sign up to do challenges with other people on the internet. I placed 31 out of 77. I run about a 10 min mile now. I would like to see that get better soon. I'm going to buy some new shoes maybe that will help!

I ran in the rain last Saturday and it felt so good. Thank you to the guy who wouldn't get off the treadmill at our apartment gym. Unfortunately I hurt my knee a little. Then on Tuesday I ran a 5k and my knee hurt so bad afterwards. I've put ice on it some and skipped running yesterday, but today was my last day to finish. So I went out there and it barely hurt at all.

I've lost maybe another pound I can't remember what I weighed the last time I blogged , but I weigh 128 now. I've lost a whole 5 pounds in four months. Better than nothing I guess.

We finish school in 2 weeks, woo hoo! We just finished enrichment classes today, big woo hoo! They really made my year stressful. Caleb finished orchestra last week. We just got done with spring recitals, and their gymnastics meet. The school year is slowly winding down. I'm so ready.

Hunter once again has a caterpillar. This time it has cocooned, which made her quite joyful.

Have a good weekend,
Angie

Princess Tea with My Princess

Hunter and I went to the Princess Tea at our church this morning. It was quite elaborate. I'm sure I will have to kick it up a notch for our at home tea parties. Hunter's expectations will be set a lot higher from now on. We noshed on chicken salad w/ wheat pitas, fruit kabobs, gingerbread w/ lemon curd for topping, dark chocolate tiara pops, and olives(yum). Hunter had to partake of plain old Lipton tea, which she would prefer anyway, because some of the exotic loose teas had nuts. Of course she used who knows how many sugar cubes. She was amazed by them. She was quite fond of the cream also. She will drink tea lightly sugared, but goes wild if the options available. Hunter was very pleased to have her best friend and her friend's mother join us.



We went back for a visit with our family yesterday. My mom's puppy is so cute! She raised her puppy from a few days old after the mom was hit by a car : ( She recently let her raccoon she also raised go back to the wild. And has since acquired a baby dairy bull. I suppose that is what he is. He is also mighty cute and is still bottle feeding. She always has something new going on at the farm.

I'm still exercising away. I'm trying to run 3-4 times a week and take some spin classes if I get to it. I've also been weight training. I'm hoping to get off my rear and go run right now.

Have a good weekend!
Angie

It's A Lazy Saturday

My house is mostly clean. It's freezing cold outside. I feel like we should do something fun, but don't know what to do. This apartment has a tendency to make me feel trapped. Hunter feels the need to go shopping for some new underwear : )

I suppose we will bum around the house and be lazy today. Maybe play some boardgames or something.

I am going to go run today. Unfortunately on a boring treadmill. I would much rather run outside, but am not much for freezing. I lost that three pounds again it would be nice to keep it off. I'm trying to lose fifteen. Hopefully before I get pregnant, if I ever get pregnant.

God Bless~
Angie

Exercise...grrr

I've been working out so hard for two months. Trying to lose the stinkin' weight I put on over the last nine months. I've lost about 2-3 pounds finally. So I ran like 20 some miles last week, and took a spin class. Ate somewhat good, more healthy than not. Then I gain my weight I've lost back in a week. It's not even that time of the month. What is up with that, I'm so grrrr......... I want to be skinny, and strong. I can run five miles, kinda fast, for such short stubby legs. Why can't I lose weight???

Spring Break is almost over...tear...sniff. I suppose I'm ready to get back to the schoolwork grindstone. We've got about 40 days left. I can't wait!!! How can I be burnt out and excited for next year at the same time?

I'm so ready for some more of the nice weather we've been having to come back and stick around. I could sit on the beach of the lake we go to and pretend I'm at the ocean all day. Just lay there and read a book while the kids dig in the sand. It's wonderful!!!

The kids went skating with some friends yesterday. Hunter won the limbo, I'll skip the video of her winning because I'm talking very loud in it and you probably like your ear drums how they are.


We lost Hunter's hamster Violet for like the fifth time the other night. Once again we found her. Thank goodness, cuz Hunter was quite upset. Vi's her bff!

Trying to see if a widget I found will work.

Brrrr...it's cold out there!!!

Why do I live in Iowa. It was -17 with a windchill of -37 this morning. All the kids in public school were told yesterday that they have no school because of the miserable cold. So Tub goes to church last night and the leaders say who doesn't have school tomorrow and all the kids cheer and squeal, except Tub. Which probably went unnoticed by everyone except Tub since there are 60 kids or more. He tells me this story when we're leaving in the car. I felt so sad for him. I remember how exciting snow days were. I never give them snow days. There's no snow blocking them in their bedroom, so what do we need them for. We take breaks here and there. Now I realize that they are missing out on that joy of hearing snow day. I just figure finishing around May 1st is exciting enough, but it isn't. So today the kids had a snow day, or cold day. They're lovin' it. I still feel bad he missed out on cheering with the church kids. Hopefully I made up for it.

They just finished making goop. Last night Tub got a video game he's been waiting for and he's been breaking it in today.

I hope this is our last "Cold Day!!!!"

Time flies...

Sorry....time has flown by. Evidently I'm not a great blogger. I will try to start blogging more often.

We've cut out one activity. I've also tried to be more crafty in order to avoid wasting time and backtracking. It seems to be helping somewhat.

I'm not getting to the gym as much as I should. I've gained nine pounds since March of 08. Five of those are pounds I lost in Feb - Mar of 08. I don't know what I'm doing, but it's not working. I feel more fit over the past few months. I've been taking a kickboxing class twice a week, and trying to run a few times a week. I usually miss the running. I eat too much : {

Grunt and I had a tea party this evening. Tub joined us. Of course he chose to partake in hot cocoa. Grunt informed him that he should just use a tad bit of milk from the creamer. She has been using all kinds of old fashioned vocab lately. Tub does this also. It's very cute.

The kids have a gymnastics meet coming up. It's basically like a recital. There's no judging and they all receive awards. They also have Iowa Basic Skills Testing this week. I always enjoyed these. It is Grunts first time. She's kind of a wild thing, we'll see how she does. I'm guessing she'll make designs with the dots. Not that she wouldn't know the answers. She'd just rather be doing something artsy than testing. She already knows shes smart as can be, why does she need a test to tell her : )

Go, Go, Go

It seems like that is all we do anymore. Our schedule is starting to really concern me. It seems like we're never home. We're almost always out doing somethinng enriching for the kids. It just really cuts into our actual sit down school time. We get our work done, but it's so rushed. It's never in the mornings. Something's got to give, I just don't know what. It will probably be me. Meltdown for the mom. Just kidding, I hope : )

We did get our new curriculum. It is amazing! Now I have to figure out how to make time for it. This curriculum is more time consuming then what we have used in the past.

Grunt found a praying Mantis Tuesday. Thank goodness she let it go a day later. We left on an errand right after she let it go. When we got home it was still here. Crazy bug! Luckily she was unsuccessful at imprisoning it again. It flew off to the wide, blue yonder. Yeah me!!!

Our upstairs neighbors, with a very large dog that stomps around at 1 in the morning, started moving out today. They are actually still in the process of stomping around upstairs, and moving stuff out at 11:30 pm. Hello! I'm kind of nervous, who knows, the next people could be worse. I think I'd rather stick with what I know. I'll probably end up wishing the big dog was back. He is very cute!!!

We are going to a hockey game tomorrow. The Iowa Chops or something. Never heard of it. I don't know if I'm looking forward to it or not. Tub is, Grunt says she hates hockey. She's so funny!

Finally....I get to blog...

I'm somewhat challenged in the tech world. My husband is the exact opposite. I've been begging for a blog for a while now, and tonight he surprised me with my very own blog and e-mail address. I can't wait to figure out how to post pictures, and content that will hopefully not bore people to tears. My guess is there will be a lot of tears, bad grammar, and poor writing. So forgive me in advance : )

Grunt's friend's family invited us to their church today. Grunt was very happy to go to SS and church with one of her favorite friends. She declared it our new church. Lucky for her we also felt it was a good fit for us. We'll probably visit for a while longer then decide. After church hopping for three months, we're ready to put some roots down.

Grunt got her wish today and took her dad to see the fairy house she built at the park yesterday. It was still standing, and a squirrel was frolicking around it. I will add a pic later. Grunt also found a teeny tiny woolly bear caterpillar. Fortunately for me it had passed on. Somehow I end up reminding her to feed and water bugs, as if we don't have enough going on. Grunt is the caterpillar queen. We had just managed to get her to release ten caterpillars before we left home. I was in the process of planting the idea to let her three woolly bears live in the fairy house at the park. She wasn't buying into the plan. Oh well.

We had a nice game of Wii bowling and Tub of course won. He is the game bandit. Grrr.

Looking forward to the arrival of our new Sonlight curriculum this week. Hopefully tomorrow.