I know it's a stretch, but, today I am grateful that my oven is fixed. Since we moved in, everything in the oven has gone wrong. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside-but not in a good way. Cupcakes were misshapen, cakes were crooked, cookies were disasterous. The home warranty people came out and fixed it. Hooray! I made brownies the same night and they were perfection. Whew.... I thought I lost my touch or something.
Now if we can get the dishwasher working right...........
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Husband
Of course the husband is always tops on my grateful list. But today, especially. Eric texted me this morning to tell me that a new Sonic opened in Vista. HOORAY! That is enough to be grateful.... but Jay took the afternoon off to go to Sonic with me and then the beach. He surfed, I read while sipping my Route 44 Diet Coke. The ocean does something to my psyche (spelling?). I am now so nice and relaxed and stress-free now. I love the husband and am so grateful for him! The list of why is long and extremely cheesy, so I'll spare you that:)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
bike helmets
Ahhhh, the bike helmet. Today I am grateful for this wonderful piece of foam and plastic because it saved me from yet another concussion. While I love my road bike, I seem to crash a lot.... and that I do not like. Before I became a 'roadie', I would have never been caught dead in a helmet. Bad hair, dorky lookin', etc. However, I now swear by the helmet. I have clipless pedals, which basically means that my bike shoes are attached to the pedal. When you stop, you have to clip your shoe out of the pedal by twisting your ankle and yanking. The bottom of the bike shoe is slick, so if you try to pedal while not clipped in, your foot is gonna slip right off. This contraption gets some getting use to. It took me about a month..... and a lot of falls. Now it's no problem (it's been almost 2 years I think), but... every once in a while something wacky happens and boom-I'm on the pavement again.
Today I went out for a ride with Jay (the 2nd ride since we moved here.... and he forced me to go-I was SO not in the mood). It's REALLY hilly around here. Really, really hilly. We had to stop at a stoplight. Okay, no problem. When the light turned green, I started to go but before I got my foot clipped in, I started to slow WAY down.... uh oh. The street was going uphill and I didn't have enough momentum and couldn't downstroke again and before I know it, in slow-mo, I was tipping over. Landed on my knee and wrist first (as usual) then the noggin. In the middle of the street! SO lame. SOOOOOOO lame.
Anyway, today I am grateful for bike helmets. I'm dingy enough these days without concussions to make it worse. Sheesh.
(Oh, and Holly-yes, I know I was suppose to be running, and if I had been running I wouldn't have this problem. However, I was in a mood and we're lucky I even left the house. I can hardly walk up these damn hills, let alone run up them. Can you tell I'm a little frustrated!!!!!
Today I went out for a ride with Jay (the 2nd ride since we moved here.... and he forced me to go-I was SO not in the mood). It's REALLY hilly around here. Really, really hilly. We had to stop at a stoplight. Okay, no problem. When the light turned green, I started to go but before I got my foot clipped in, I started to slow WAY down.... uh oh. The street was going uphill and I didn't have enough momentum and couldn't downstroke again and before I know it, in slow-mo, I was tipping over. Landed on my knee and wrist first (as usual) then the noggin. In the middle of the street! SO lame. SOOOOOOO lame.
Anyway, today I am grateful for bike helmets. I'm dingy enough these days without concussions to make it worse. Sheesh.
(Oh, and Holly-yes, I know I was suppose to be running, and if I had been running I wouldn't have this problem. However, I was in a mood and we're lucky I even left the house. I can hardly walk up these damn hills, let alone run up them. Can you tell I'm a little frustrated!!!!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friends
Today I am thankful for FRIENDS. Near and far, new and old. This particular category of friends includes family members who are also friends.....like sisters, my mom, cousins. You know who you are. You probably read my blog:)
Leaving my AZ friends & family network proved much harder than anticipated. I miss them and am thankful for them every day. I am so glad that I had a friend here already when we moved in. My good friend Kami is just 9 miles away, and is such a comfort to me. I have been very blessed to make new friends who have proved to 'have my back' already. Thank you, thank you, thank you! (I guess I'm also thankful for my big mouth:) My CA family-friends of my mom, Holly, Mary, and now Heidi have proved invaluable. I NEED them, and am SO grateful for them. I have reconnected with old friends and hope to renew some old friendships with more family. This network building stuff is hard work!, but so necessary for my mental well-being. It is taking a freaking village to raise my kids, so the more in my network the better.
Without rambling further..... I am grateful for my friends, all of you.
Leaving my AZ friends & family network proved much harder than anticipated. I miss them and am thankful for them every day. I am so glad that I had a friend here already when we moved in. My good friend Kami is just 9 miles away, and is such a comfort to me. I have been very blessed to make new friends who have proved to 'have my back' already. Thank you, thank you, thank you! (I guess I'm also thankful for my big mouth:) My CA family-friends of my mom, Holly, Mary, and now Heidi have proved invaluable. I NEED them, and am SO grateful for them. I have reconnected with old friends and hope to renew some old friendships with more family. This network building stuff is hard work!, but so necessary for my mental well-being. It is taking a freaking village to raise my kids, so the more in my network the better.
Without rambling further..... I am grateful for my friends, all of you.
Monday, November 2, 2009
November = Giving Thanks
I am going to copy my sister, Julianne's idea from last year and post something I am thankful for each day in November. My attitude is pretty crappy lately and hopefully this will help turn my frown upside down and get me ready for the quickly approaching holidays.
November 1st (yesterday)
I am thankful for medicine. Lots of it. Excedrin Migraine to be exact. The spook-alley on my parent's street was AWESOME, but the strobe lights left me in pain the next morning. SO thankful for my meds:)
November 2nd (today)
I am thankful for Diet Coke. Yep. Silly, I know. But really, sometimes that's what it takes to get the job done. It's a Monday afterall, and I am truly, from the bottom of my heart, no kidding, seriously, SO thankful for my evil nectar. I happen to consider it part of my meds:)
Happy November, all! Give Thanks!
November 1st (yesterday)
I am thankful for medicine. Lots of it. Excedrin Migraine to be exact. The spook-alley on my parent's street was AWESOME, but the strobe lights left me in pain the next morning. SO thankful for my meds:)
November 2nd (today)
I am thankful for Diet Coke. Yep. Silly, I know. But really, sometimes that's what it takes to get the job done. It's a Monday afterall, and I am truly, from the bottom of my heart, no kidding, seriously, SO thankful for my evil nectar. I happen to consider it part of my meds:)
Happy November, all! Give Thanks!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Yikes!
It's been a month since my last post? Oops. Just remember that I hate September, it is always a super hard month for me...but now it's over and I can hopefully start being productive again. I have some pics to post in the next couple of days but I'll do a little fill in for now.
Eric turned 16 over the summer, and finished his Eagle Project two days before he was able to get his license. Hence, he is a licensed driver now. At first (ok, still) it was a little scary, but it is really nice having another driver. I don't have to drive to early morning seminary! WooHoo! The down side is that he gets lost A LOT. The gas bill is not fun. He had his Eagle Board of Review two days before we moved, so now we are just waiting for the paper to come in the mail, making it really official, and so we can plan the Court of Honor. He is loving his surf PE class and has straight A's! (that NEVER happened in AZ) It is a wonderful transformation that's happened over the kid and I just pray that it lasts:)
Bekah is still adjusting but is doing well. Impecable grades and cross country times that are improving each week make for a happy girl. The way that Math classes are set up here, in 8th grade, it's Algebra. Well, in AZ it's a year behind that. So, she's in Algebra having never taken Pre-Algebra. We are really proud of her. We is doing great because of all the hard work she is putting into it.
David turns 13 this week. He is a little beach bum. He goes almost every day with either Eric or Jay or both, and gets really mad when he can't go for one reason or another. He's getting really good at surfing. He's still himself....perfect grades, the cleanest room in the house, etc.... but is suffering from 'teenager dumb'. The symptoms of this are hard to put into words. This kid that has always been smart, lots of common sense...like a mini adult-is SO a teenager. He asks stupid questions, forgets what you told him 2 minutes ago, is clumsy, etc. We love him to pieces, despite this 'setback'. He makes me laugh every day. Last night we had the CA family over for dinner for a little party for David. It was the first party we've had in the new house. I think it went well:) We got some more stuff put away because people were coming over, so that was good. On Wednesday, David's actual b-day, I am taking him to Disneyland with my mom, Holly and Grady, and Mary. He is super-excited to not have to go to school on his birthday! I told you.... teenager all the way.
Jay is working his buns off, but like I said, goes to the beach daily. It is keeping him centered and grounded. He is happy and content. He is the Varsity Scout leader in our new ward and seems to be having a good time with that. It's basically just having fun with the 14-15 year old boys once a week. Last week they did Jiu Jitsu...everyone had a blast.
I am struggling, still. I miss my network of friends (Julianne, you're included in that:). I love the weather, our new house, being closer to the CA family. But I am lonely during the day. Especially when Jay is out of town. I have made friends, but not the kind that you can call up and go for a coke or go shopping with, etc. I know it will take time. Overall, it's good. My friend Kami is close by so that helps. I am the Activities Committee Chairman at church (I know!) and am nervous about how the first party will go (Christmas). I'm going to do a Christmas in Bethlehem kind of thing. Still, 300 people that I don't really know? Talk about intimidating! Oh! You're not gonna believe this one...my cousin Heidi talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon with her in May. THEN my sister Holly talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon with her in March! I can't believe I agreed! 13 miles?! Seriously! I SUCK at running. This is going to be interesting, to say the least. SO, in March I'll be running in Moab, UT with Holly (and hopefully Mary) for FSA (Families Supporting Adoption) and in May I'll be running with Heidi in Laguna Hills, CA. I'm going to have to throw in a couple of triathlons just so I can add the two sports that I don't suck at (swimming and biking) into the training mix. Wish me luck! And if you can.....join me! (hint, hint, Julianne)
Eric turned 16 over the summer, and finished his Eagle Project two days before he was able to get his license. Hence, he is a licensed driver now. At first (ok, still) it was a little scary, but it is really nice having another driver. I don't have to drive to early morning seminary! WooHoo! The down side is that he gets lost A LOT. The gas bill is not fun. He had his Eagle Board of Review two days before we moved, so now we are just waiting for the paper to come in the mail, making it really official, and so we can plan the Court of Honor. He is loving his surf PE class and has straight A's! (that NEVER happened in AZ) It is a wonderful transformation that's happened over the kid and I just pray that it lasts:)
Bekah is still adjusting but is doing well. Impecable grades and cross country times that are improving each week make for a happy girl. The way that Math classes are set up here, in 8th grade, it's Algebra. Well, in AZ it's a year behind that. So, she's in Algebra having never taken Pre-Algebra. We are really proud of her. We is doing great because of all the hard work she is putting into it.
David turns 13 this week. He is a little beach bum. He goes almost every day with either Eric or Jay or both, and gets really mad when he can't go for one reason or another. He's getting really good at surfing. He's still himself....perfect grades, the cleanest room in the house, etc.... but is suffering from 'teenager dumb'. The symptoms of this are hard to put into words. This kid that has always been smart, lots of common sense...like a mini adult-is SO a teenager. He asks stupid questions, forgets what you told him 2 minutes ago, is clumsy, etc. We love him to pieces, despite this 'setback'. He makes me laugh every day. Last night we had the CA family over for dinner for a little party for David. It was the first party we've had in the new house. I think it went well:) We got some more stuff put away because people were coming over, so that was good. On Wednesday, David's actual b-day, I am taking him to Disneyland with my mom, Holly and Grady, and Mary. He is super-excited to not have to go to school on his birthday! I told you.... teenager all the way.
Jay is working his buns off, but like I said, goes to the beach daily. It is keeping him centered and grounded. He is happy and content. He is the Varsity Scout leader in our new ward and seems to be having a good time with that. It's basically just having fun with the 14-15 year old boys once a week. Last week they did Jiu Jitsu...everyone had a blast.
I am struggling, still. I miss my network of friends (Julianne, you're included in that:). I love the weather, our new house, being closer to the CA family. But I am lonely during the day. Especially when Jay is out of town. I have made friends, but not the kind that you can call up and go for a coke or go shopping with, etc. I know it will take time. Overall, it's good. My friend Kami is close by so that helps. I am the Activities Committee Chairman at church (I know!) and am nervous about how the first party will go (Christmas). I'm going to do a Christmas in Bethlehem kind of thing. Still, 300 people that I don't really know? Talk about intimidating! Oh! You're not gonna believe this one...my cousin Heidi talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon with her in May. THEN my sister Holly talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon with her in March! I can't believe I agreed! 13 miles?! Seriously! I SUCK at running. This is going to be interesting, to say the least. SO, in March I'll be running in Moab, UT with Holly (and hopefully Mary) for FSA (Families Supporting Adoption) and in May I'll be running with Heidi in Laguna Hills, CA. I'm going to have to throw in a couple of triathlons just so I can add the two sports that I don't suck at (swimming and biking) into the training mix. Wish me luck! And if you can.....join me! (hint, hint, Julianne)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Best Day of the Year
Ah, the first day of school. For me, it's better than Christmas. Today was the first quiet day I've had to myself in 3 1/2 months! While I do love my little darlings with all my heart, I really, really, really look forward to school. Today was a total treat. Jay is out of town, so our annual breakfast date is postponed until Friday. Instead, I came home and took a nap. A good long one, guilt-free. Then I treated myself to lunch, ALONE, and went and got a mani-pedi. SO needed. I may have let a moan slip out while the nice little Vietnamese lady massaged my feet and calves. By then it was time to pick up Eric (2:30), so the peace and quiet was over for the day. But guess what? Tomorrow I get peace and quiet again! I may clean and unpack tomorrow. Unless something better comes my way. Hey, it's like summer vaca for me now (at least til Friday when Jay comes home).
In the last week, we did NO unpacking whatsoever. We went to the beach, Sea World, the beach, Sea World again, and more times to the beach. I swept up a week's worth of sand off my floors today, and let's just say that it could have weighted down a small punching bag. Oh well.
I don't want my AZ friends to think that life is a total beach, so I'll gripe a little. It has been HOT. Not AZ hot, but humid and very warm (85-90), making for hot in the house without a/c, trouble sleeping hot. Two nights ago I was still up at 3:00 and got up and sat in front of the open bedroom window, wondering why I was so sweaty. There was no breeze-the air was stifling and damp. I just sat there and waited for a little bit of air movement. Since Jay is in AZ this week, he said he turned down the a/c in his hotel room and slept really well. I had 3 hours of sleep last night, due to insomnia, the heat, and no hubby in bed.
Anyway.........yeah for schedules, routine, and peace and quiet!
In the last week, we did NO unpacking whatsoever. We went to the beach, Sea World, the beach, Sea World again, and more times to the beach. I swept up a week's worth of sand off my floors today, and let's just say that it could have weighted down a small punching bag. Oh well.
I don't want my AZ friends to think that life is a total beach, so I'll gripe a little. It has been HOT. Not AZ hot, but humid and very warm (85-90), making for hot in the house without a/c, trouble sleeping hot. Two nights ago I was still up at 3:00 and got up and sat in front of the open bedroom window, wondering why I was so sweaty. There was no breeze-the air was stifling and damp. I just sat there and waited for a little bit of air movement. Since Jay is in AZ this week, he said he turned down the a/c in his hotel room and slept really well. I had 3 hours of sleep last night, due to insomnia, the heat, and no hubby in bed.
Anyway.........yeah for schedules, routine, and peace and quiet!
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