Good-bye and Honor

We said farewell to Lucy, our best dog ever, yesterday. Sam cried when we got home. Funny thing is, he was the one child I was concerned with the LEAST! I thought for sure Sis would be the hardest hit. Even today, she's fine. Sam has made a few comments...."Lucy was good." and "I miss her."

I have realized that......I am NOT a dog person. Don't get me wrong, they are cute and fun but to live with one is a complete difference. We will not be getting another dog until my husband doesn't have to work every day.......I'll enjoy them at someone else's home!

Now, moving to honor. I would like to give honor and respect to all the persons who have served or are serving in America's military. Without them, we would not have voice or life. Even if some choose to raise their voice in opposition to them, this is a privilege THEY have fought and died for! GOD BLESS OUR HERO'S!

Nothin' Better

Ben playing fetch with our soon-to-be-adopted-dog, Lucy.
Zach and I playing war. We have our 'war' faces on!

Joey's closest to Es.
Joey's on the right.
Ben took this one! I love it!
Zach's in the middle.

This past week has been busy.

Ben and I celebrated our anniversary by getting away to the mountains for two nights (Ben's Mom, Nadine, stayed with the kids. Thanks Mom!). The cabin we stayed at boasted of a wonderful hot tub. It WAS hot and clean (Yea! For all who don't know, I love hot tubs so this was a major selling or rather renting point)......too clean! There was so much chlorine that my skin got terribly dried out. In spite, we had a great time of peace, quite and reflection. We took stock of our relationship. We also talked about how we are doing parenting. I love conversing with my Husband. He is so wise and his point of view is truly refreshing.

We also went to the beach for two nights with the kids (Thanks Steve and Kathy!). We had a great time playing cards, board games and putting puzzles together.

There is nothing better than laughing with Ben AND the kids at the same time.

Can anyone say.......LAUNDRY!!!!!!

Tag-a-long

Goals are great, but the one downfall of them is this; trying to surpass it or reach it again!
As mentioned, I passed my running goal. The next day I got on the treadmill and walked 60 min. to give myself a break. The day after that (48 hours after passing my goal)I got back on the treadmill with the purpose to reach the new 2.5 mile record. I totally and completely could not do it! Not only that, but I could only huff and puff out 0.9 miles! Ahhhhhh! That was completely frustrating for me. And then to realize later that same day that I had kinda hurt my shin (not a total shin splint) and I developed a blister under one of my big toe callouses!
It's fun to reach goals, but some of the results from reaching those goals aren't so pleasant! I know, I know, my body just need to just get used to my new goal, but that's hard to accept sometimes.
Hurry up body and acclimate!

2.5

Well, I passed my running goal. For the past few weeks I've been conditioning myself by run 2 miles, straight....no breaks or stopping to catch breath.
This morning, I broke my record! I ran 2.5 miles (again, no breaks)! Yea! I walked a tenth of a mile to start then .13 miles to cool down for a grand total of 2.73 miles in 30 min. and 30 sec.!!!
I can do anything! Okay, probably not ANYTHING, and there are some things I just won't do. I do feel powerful though.
So far I haven't lost anything more, but my jeans are loose! I'm definitely building muscle, so it won't reflect on the scale just yet. I was indulging the first half of the week (due to Mother's day) but now I'm back on track with no sweets!!!!

How Much is Nine Years?

Ben and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary yesterday. I remember when we had been married half a year and I felt like a conqueror of some magnificent height. I love him like no one else on this planet.

We've been through highs and lows; sad and happy times.

God has given grace and mercy to us and I wanted to say "Thank you Heavenly Father. You are good." And thanks to my completely wonderful Husband. I love you more than ever.

Okay, the pictures are hilarious and SAD!!! We don't have any recent, good, professional (or even semi-professional!) photos of us together. This summer maybe?Hopefully!

Hats Off

Okay, we should all know that it's Mother's Day tomorrow. This is a time when I reflect on my children and the children of friends.
I am completely blessed to have fabulous friends that are also amazing mothers. I also have two amazing mom's, Vonny and Nadine.
I've been made aware, recently, of comparing. I used to compare myself in a bad way to other mom's or families. Example:Wow those kids have so much of the Bible memorized, my kids don't have that much memorized.....or those kids have better manners than mine or..........you get the idea.
But recently, I've noticed that when I notice a difference, this pushes me to change something that may need to be changed. So, I guess it's not comparing as much as motivating.
All of that to say, this post is dedicated to all the Mama's I know who motivate me!

My first Mom, Vonny~raising 5 kids on a shoe-string budget while smiling.
My second Mom, Nadine~raising the amazing, powerful man that I married.
Stephanie~Transitioning to the stay-at-home-mom status and dreaming BIG.
Anna~Smiling, crying and praising through the worst year of her life....and training her children to do the same. Lisa is proud of you.
Allison~Raising and training her princesses while 95% of the time feeling yucky. You Rock!
Heather~Breaking through this terrible year with the prize of a beautiful, strong Son that your Mom is proud of. She is proud of you.
Kristi~Mother of two Singles and Triplets......God bless you. Enough said!
Brigit~Mother, wife to my brother and homeschooler to SIX! God bless you. Again, enough said!
Betina~Surviving this past year.
Tina~Soooo cute and funny! Thanks for making me laugh!
And to the rest of my Sisters and Sisters in Christ~Thank you for all the support and prayers. I love you all!

There would be no way I could be who I am without all of you. You have shaped me and I have, in turn, shaped my Children. And my Children (as well as yours) WILL change this world. So, through encouraging and supporting me, you have changed the future and thus the world.
Hats off to you all!

No 'Girly' Coffee for Me

For a few years I've tried to make myself someone I'm not. And now, I think I'm strong enough to come out of the closet and confess.

I am not a frilly, fancy espresso drinker. There, I've come out with it! It feels sooooo good to finally get that off my chest!

I do not enjoy mocha's, lattes or even iced coffees. Give me a nice, strong, steaming cup of black Joe, and it's like a warm hug. Granted, I think that Starbucks rocks at making the best straight coffee around. (http://www.starbucks.com/)

Honestly for a while, I felt guilty that I didn't enjoy the pleasure of an espresso. Even while ordering my Plain Jane at the Starbucks counter, I feel strange when they ask if I want them to leave room for cream in my cup. I understand that others enjoy the cream, but the reason I order it black is so that it remains that way!

So take me or leave me, I'll take my coffee unmessed with and black......with no room for cream!

Favorite Wall

I just finished my black and white wall.......I love it! The kids and I made the hand prints (It took three times to re-do Zach's {lower left}!) I was frustrated at first that they didn't match, but, as Ben stated, each one sort of matches the child's personality!

I will eventually switch out the currant photo with a b&w of the kids. What my friend said it true, it is so satisfying!

It's Hard to Have Kids Sometimes

We had a great day yesterday. The kids painted while I made fresh play dough.

As we were preparing to paint, a multitude of messes occurred. And, with out getting frustrated (I've been working really hard not to freak out about stuff.), I helped clean up and re-organize.

I was walking away from the table to get a rag when Es (7 1/2) said "It's hard to have kids sometimes." I said "Yeah it is. But it's also lots of fun." Sam (6 1/2) then chimed in "Yeah, cause you can wrestle with them!" Funny thing is; I'm not even the one that wrestles with them! But that time with Ben is unanimously the favorite activity of all the kids. Thanks for beeing a great Dad, Ben!

Anyway, just a little snap shot of my day. Hope your week-end is fabulous!

The picture was taken day before yesterday. The heroes were protecting Cinderella, hence their tough expressions! Sam-Batman, Zach-Robin, Joey-Superman. Consequently they are their favorite characters.

Yea!

We've accomplished a whole year of academics via home school!!!!! (In all accuracy, Sis and Sam have just a few lessons of Arithmetic to finish.)
Sis will be in third grade next year. Sam already started third (Oops! I ment to say second grade!) grade, but he's got to finish the majority of it. And Zach and Joe started Kindy (They aren't required to start untill this comming fall. They were just ready for it.), so they just need to complete it.

I think we might just try and occasionally do some work, really lackadaisical, through the summer.

I'm proud of the kids! I think it was harder for them to get used to Teacher Mama (Grrrrrr! I was kinda pushy and grouchy at times.) than anything else.

To treat us, Ben's taking us out to dinner next week. I'd rather go someplace peaceful, but we'll probably go to a pizza/game place so the kids can enjoy the treat to the fullest!