micah time!

The other night, my mom (aka Gaga) kept Abigail and Jude for a sleepover!  Micah was upset that he didn't get to sleep there, so I had a sleepover with him here at the house!  He got to sleep with me and we told bedtime stories in bed.  His first story was about a queen named Mommy and a king named Micah.  And there was a big big big big monster. And knights.  And swords.

Here is his second story...

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Canker sores

My mouth is full of them. Ugh.

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Feeding time!

I just figured out how to upload directly from my phone, so I'm sharing some videos from a while ago.

This video is of my 89 year old grandma feeding my 8 month old nephew. Too sweet.

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Story time

Before Adam left, I recorded him reading to Annalie. She loves books, but I think velveteen rabbit might be a bit long for bedtime! ;-)

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4 kids

I have 4 kids. Look at them! Not 3 and a baby.

Adam left today for 2 weeks. He's doing infantry school! In the spirit of daddy, we ordered pizza and are watching a movie. (rainbow bright!)

they are so beautiful.

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Baby Einstein

We were sitting at the dinner table having lunch a couple days ago, and Adam and I were doing some geography with the kids while eating.  Here is how the conversation went...

Mommy: Abigail, how many continents are there?
Abigail:  7 (with a very pleased look on her face)
Mommy:  Good, Abbie!  Jude, can you name one of the continents?
Jude:  ASIA!!!!! (silly face)
Mommy:  Wow, Jude!  Very good! Abbie, can you name another continent?
Abigail: Africa! and Jude, Asia is the largest continent, too...
Mommy:  Very nice Abigail!
Daddy:  (just for kicks) Micah, can you name a continent?  Do you know the continent we live on?
Micah: ummmmmmmmmm.... North America!
Mommy and Daddy:  :-0  wow.  um, yes, Micah.  That's right!!!  We live on North America!


WHAT!?!?!  He's 3.  A young 3.  Jude's only 5 (a young 5) and Abigail is only 6!  Our kids are brainiacs.  Goes to show how much Micah listens during school with Abigail and Jude.

It's Been a While!

Sorry it's been so long.  I don't know how we cram so much into 24 hours, honestly.  Life is so busy.  But, I have a moment right now.  All kids are in bed and Adam's at work, so I feel like I can waste my time on the internet. :-)  

I'm not sure I've ever mentioned that I am a Starbuholic.  My dear friend Breann introduced me to their frappuccinos and have been hooked since.  If you don't go to Starbucks often, you should know that frappuccinos are about $5 each.  And I was going at least 3 times a week.  I began noticing my waist line was increasing and our bank account decreasing.  So, at the end of 2010 I decided to stop going.  forever.  I have to cut it off cold turkey or I'll never stop.  I'm following the 12 steps from overeaters annonomous. :-)

The 12 Steps of Overeaters Anonymous

1. We admitted we were powerless over food — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

So add that one to my new years resolutions, too.  So far, I'm doing really well with them all.  Not getting my cardio as often as I'd like, but I'm getting more than before, so that's good.  

Goodbye Caramel Brule Frappuccino.  You are greatly missed... 

Day 3

Well, I woke up earlier than normal this morning.  Got the kids ready to go early too!  Adam worked late last night, so I rushed out of the house to let him sleep in peace for a while longer.  We headed over to my friend Breann's house to do school and WORK  OUT!  Well, I got there and she wasn't feeling it.  She didn't want to work out this morning, she had some weird pain in her side.  So, she watched the kids and I went for a RUN!  Wow.  It's been a long time.  To start up in JANUARY is a mistake, but it's something.  I had a hard time breathing the cold air, but other than that it was pretty satisfying!  Then I did school with Abigail.  We reviewed/tested everything we had done last semester, and she has retained it all!  Finished that, watched a cooking show, then did school with Jude and Anika.  Abigail always does "school" with us- she loves to be the helper and sing songs.  Micah did school today, too!!  I'm so impressed how eager they are to learn.  Jude was begging me to do school- honestly, I wasn't going to do it today!  I'm so glad I did.  They love it so much!  Anika loves learning with her best friends around, too!  so sweet.

This morning I ate plain yogurt with raspberry nut muesli, and whole wheat pancakes after the run.  Drank lots of water.  Then, on the drive home, picked up Jack in the Box.  UUUUUUUUUUUUGH.  I feel gross again!  Why do I do this to myself?  Is it THAT much easier than making something at home?  (pretending I have something to make and my pantry isn't bare)

So, 3 out of 4 isn't  bad!  I journaled last night, , exercised, and was way organized with school!  The good food this morning is counteracted by the bad food this afternoon.  So, if I eat a good dinner, I think I will have succeeded.  Plus, I'm going to work tonight, where I will get a great workout again!  So, I think it's going to be a successful day.  :-)

New Year

I don't know what it is about a new year that makes you feel like you can make changes.  If I can't do it in July, chances are I'm not going to be able to do it in January.  BUT- I'm trying very hard.  Here are some "resolutions" I am making.  You can hold me accountable to them if you'd like!!

1. Eat better.  DUH!  My body feels gross.  I've been eating processed junk and it's showing.  Not only have I gained weight, but I feel nasty.  
2. Be better organized.  With homeschooling, teaching dance, leading bible study, and being a wife and mother of four, I don't utilize my time very well.  (take note that I am right now blogging INSTEAD of doing laundry.  oops- I'll do better tomorrow)
3. Journal.  My days go by so quickly, that I have neglected my long quiet moments with God.  I spend all day talking to Him.  I take advantage of every moment I can to be closer to Him.  But there's something that is special about the long quiet moments.  Journaling helps me make Him priority and allows me not to get distracted as easily.  
4. Exercise.  'nough said...

So, that's it.  I will keep you posted on how things are going.  I, most likely, will not be on here as often.  (hopefully I will be doing one of the above things instead)  But, this blog is very helpful for me.  So I will not forsake it. :-)