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!