OLW 2016

     As we embark on a New Year, I cannot help but reflect on the past year.  There were some very big milestones in my life and lots of craziness.  My life is very chaotic with a family, working, going to school and volunteering.  But as I of the chaotic life, I have realized that parts of my life are out of balance.  

     Of course I have resolutions of items that I would love to accomplish, but in order to do those things, I need to adjust my life.  There have been some years where I've chosen a word that I think about all year.  This year, my word chose me - BALANCE.  

     I want to ensure that whatever I am working on whether work, school or being with my family, they have the best of me.  And in order to do that, I must have balance.  I found this quote and I feel like it sums up what I need to do in order to achieve balance in my life.  

Time......

     I found this photo on Instagram and it sums up how I feel lately.  I have always been into photography and have albums full of photos.  When I was pregnant with my first child, my photography was put into high gear.  Photography then morphed into scrapbooking because they go hand in hand.  I enjoyed the time I would spend matching photos with paper and stickers.  Then, I would journal about the photo, how I felt, etc.  This continued as our family grew and I found time for it even with three toddlers running around.  When my youngest went to school, I had all these dreams of the time I would really be able to devote to scrapbooking.  That just did not come to be as I started volunteering in classrooms and enjoyed doing other things.  My crafting time would be in small spurts, usually when the kids were off from school and we weren't running around all the time.  Years went on in this way until I decided to go to school.  It's been three years and I cannot tell you the last time that I held photos in my hands and made a layout.  I still take tons of photos, but now they end up in folders on my computer waiting to be printed out. 

     I still cannot pass up some gorgeous supplies and kits in hopes that one day I will have time to create something.  I even went as far as buying into the stress-free way to scrapbook where you add photos and cards into pre-divided page protectors.  There are cute kits where you record your entire week and journal about your daily life and what happens in the small moments that no one else sees but you.  I have the kit, I took the time to take all the photos, now it's a matter of printing the photos and putting it all together. 

     Like the photo says, "I just want to make pretty things and get enough sleep" is what I really feel deep down.  I know all this coursework will lead me to a place where I will again be able to do those two things.  And I love my classes and learning new things, but there is still something wonderful about how good your body feels after several days of good sleep.  And there is something magical about creating a keepsake you can look back on.  I just need more time in my days........



Work Day

     You know your coworkers feel the same about surviving the day when your Starbucks order is bigger than anyone else's.  Since I take my oldest to zero hour at the high school, I go right by the Starbucks.    As everyone texted me his or her orders, I always feel bad for the girl taking my order.  And I feel bad for the people behind me because I know they want their morning coffee fix as well.  I know a lot of people feel that Starbucks is frivolous and expensive.  While I'm sure it does fit into those categories, for me, it's worth the money.  I cannot duplicate that same cup at home and having someone else make it for me is the icing on the cake.  

     The Starbucks here are only inside other stores like Target and Fry's.  I really wish that someone would open a stand-alone building with a drive-thru.  The one nice thing about going inside is I can also shop for other items as well.  While it really isn't a big deal to walk inside and get my coffee, there is something nice about sitting in my car in my slippers and not having to get out.  

    I also love when the seasons change because the covers on the cups change. My favorite one so far is the fall theme.  The other one I really like are the holiday cups.  In the end, it doesn't matter if I have to walk in or drive in my car; a nice, hot Starbucks is a nice comfort.

Another Race

     After all the years I've sat watching my kids race, it never gets old.  I love watching the anxious swimmers warm-up, always afraid that the water is going to be ice cold.  My view usually includes a gorgeous mountain backdrop.  This weekend, we had the added rain in the forecast.  Thankfully, it was very small amounts or rained for short periods of time.  

     Up until a year ago, it was just Victoria that I had to worry about dragging out of bed and driving over an hour to compete.  But now, Gabriel also swims.  It's a good thing they are older, throw clothes on and climb in the car.  Most of the time they pass out as soon as get out of the driveway and it's just me and the radio.  

     On Saturday, Victoria was not herself.  She added time to her events and just looked out of it.  I was very worried that she was getting sick.  Gabriel on the other hand dropped time from all his events.  He has improved so much in the year that he has been swimming competitively.  

     Victoria did much better on Sunday for her events.  I think that she just didn't get enough sleep before her races on Saturday.  She just amazes me because even after each lap, she still has enough energy to turn it on for the last leg home.  

     I think that our favorite part is after the meet.  We get to stop at Eegee's before heading home.  We don't have one where we live, so any chance to get one we are there.  Lucky Wishbone is also one of my favorite places to eat.  If only I could have all these places at my fingertips. 

Technology Era

All the years I spent playing around on my parents' computer has prepared me for this digital age we live in. I could spend all day on the computer and love teaching kids all about it. But all this preparation could never have prepared me how to stay 10 steps ahead of my own kids. I want them to enjoy having all this information at their fingertips, but not at 11:30 at night. There are many days when I wish they wouldn't have so many options and had the non-digital age I grew up in. But then I realize that they must learn how to handle all this so they will have the tools to raise their own children. 

Softball

I was so against adding one more sport to our list. But my youngest kept insisting she wanted to play softball. Of course she loved it and took to it like a duck to water. It's been two years and she has grown into an amazing player. Our weekends now include hours of watching her so her thing on the field. 

Summer

What a year it's been. And by year I mean school year. There's been many ups and downs and all the while learning that I cannot plan as much as I would love to. I work at my kids' school and love every minute of it, but I think this was the hardest year yet, emotionally at least. I'm so glad I can close that book and reflect on how things can be better next year, but also to not worry about it. Summer started off with sleeping in which we all needed especially after date night ended at 1am lol. Today is about cleaning up and trying to get our minds and house ready for some purging so there can be relaxation. I'm looking forward to us being home together and slowing down just a little bit.

Being A Mom Is Tough!!!

I truly believed that as my kids got older, being a mom would get easier. Oh, how wrong was I!!!!  I love my children dearly and many times I look back and am amazed that God changed the plan I thought I had for myself.

On my very first date with my husband I told him I didn't want children and maybe a boyfriend. Just over a year later we were married and expecting our first child.  Soon after baby number 2 followed. We did our pro/con list and decided we were done. Again, God had other plans and our last bundle of joy was born.

I remember have a 3 year old wanting to read, 2 year old potty training and trying to nurse a new born all with tears streaming down my face. In those moments all I wanted was to speed up time. Now I've got one entering high school and two in jr high.  These three play every sport known to man and keep me employed as their taxi driver. They are also testing the waters in what they can get away with. Now my days are rushing everywhere, decoding data papers to see who created a Facebook account without permission and longing for the days when we would all take a nap together.

As my summer is quickly coming to an end and the new school year looms ahead, all I pray is that I'm equipped to lead them to become Godly men and women who are seeking God and prepared for the real world. And everyday I just want to freeze time where I can remember every smell and memory because I know this mom thing isn't going to get easier, and I need the good thoughts to get me through the hard days.

These are the smiles I want to memorize forever!

New Year

A New Year is something I look forward to. It means a clean slate, ideas for new goals and organization. Yet, it never goes as I've planned. The year ends up half over and I don't accomplish my list. This year I'm homely optimistic. There needs to be a change in all areas. Every area needs a makeover. But this time I plan to start small. Slow changes so there isn't any crash and burn incidents. We shall see how it goes.

Reflection & Moving Forward

As a new year is upon us, I can't help but to look back at the previous one. So much happens in one year and when you're in the middle of it all, it feels like time isn't moving. But before you know it, time has moved on.

2012 was probably one of the most challenging years I've been through in a long time. Yet, I learned that I can accomplish and endure more than I thought possible. Tony was gone for 8 months this past year. There were times I thought I was going to loose my mind. But we all survived and come out the other side stronger and hopefully a little wiser.

I also, found myself with new challenges at school. I've been a Kindergarten aide this semester and its been so much fun and stressful at the same time. Who knew the progress they make in a few short months. I can't wait to hear all about their Christmas break because I know they will have so crazy and funny stories. But, my time there is coming to a close as I will be moving down to the computer lab. I'm super excited and found where my passion is. And of course, my mom was right all along lol. I'll now be seeing every grade in the lab as well as helping teachers. I'm a bit scared that I can meet everyone's expectations, but also so excited. More planning is on the way on how to keep them entertained as well as creating a love for technology.

During all of this, I also decided to start classes. Things fells into place that i finally found what i want to be when I grow up lol. At the start of every semester, I freaked out a little over what was expected. But somehow, I completed each assignment and put everything I had into it. Two semesters done and came out with a 4.0. I'm still a bit shocked, but it's everything I did and didn't expect. Not only is it more expensive that I thought, but also harder and easy all at the same time.

So as the New Year is here, I'm excited for what is to come. And I know that whatever it is, we'll get through it and have memories and stories that will forever be in out hearts.