If you don't like the weather in Wisconsin, just wait...

So, yesterday I mentioned that it was 42 degrees and rainy. The snow was melting and it was a generally yucky day. Me and my big mouth! Today we were blessed with minus 20 degree temperatures with the windchill. Too cold to snow, too cold for recess and too cold to go out.

Jim and I recently joined a gym. I lead an almost completely sedentary lifestyle and since I'm on the downward slope to 40 those pounds just keep packing on. Jim claims his weight gain is all my fault since I'm such a good cook, but those of you who know Jim and are familiar with his eating habits know that Jim can pack away several hamburgers, brats, sandwiches - whatever's on the table with very little encouragement from me. So, Jim still looks good, I look old and fat. I met with the personal trainer and as she was having me try out the machines she checked my heart rate and it was so high she restricted me to 30 minutes a day of "light" cardio. I like walking on the treadmill and riding the bike for now; she'll get me on a weight program when I attain some semblence of physical fitness. Getting older is tough. In my head I'm still that 23 year old, 125 pound bride that Jim could carry. I have like reverse anorexia. I look in the mirror and don't see the pounds - until recently. We'll see if I can get a routine going and get some of this off and try to be healthier.

No Excuses

I'm horrible at this. Apparently raising two very different kids, taking care of and loving my sweet hubby and cooking, cleaning, shopping and yes, working leave me very little time for keeping in touch.

I recently spoke to two friends of mine who moved away, far away, thousands of miles away. When they lived here I spoke with these women every day, cuddled their babies, laughed and cried with them and I hadn't spoken to them in over a year. The babies are in second grade and kindergarten and one friend has a baby I've never even met. How does this happen? How do we drift away from people who were once so very important? I still love these women, I miss them every day and I think of them all the time. But, I rarely pick up the phone, email or write - I wonder why? I hope to do better in the future letting the people who are important to me know it.

On another note, after 5 years of pretty consistent inactivity, Jim and I are back at church. It is a bit uncomfortable at times but familiar - like visiting your parents home as an adult. It is amazing to me how much, yet how little changes in the church. I'm glad to be back and I love the gospel, it will just take some time to get back in the groove.

I bring this up only because last night was our Ward Christmas dinner and Nativity. It was a good time with lots of people in attendance. The kids in the Nativity were darling; the food was good and of course the songs were beautiful. A nice evening.

Jim is sick. He has a horrible cold and he is trying hard not to complain but I can tell he is miserable... its rainy and wet here - (is it December or March?) and it was a great day to wrap presents and bake cookies.

Since I haven't posted all year, I'm putting up a slideshow with some pictures of the kids... another thing I'm hoping to get better at.

Scrapbooking, working and life

I'm scrapping on a pretty consistent basis. Considering I have 1200 Disney pictures, its a good feeling to be getting some layouts done and getting them into the albums. I'm also excited that I'm finally using supplies that have been sitting here for a long time.
Working a lot right now - working at St. Mary's about 30 hours a week and another 10-12 from home; I'm tired! But, at least I have a job now.
Life is always so busy - it seems as the kids are getting older we are busier. Sophie has cheer, Nic has Special Olympics and they both have school. The days fly by. I'm glad I have great photos to freeze time and remember these days before they fly by.

My Latest Layouts

2008 is here

New year, very busy! I hosted our family Christmas gathering this year and along with all the holiday craziness I've also been working a lot. We were lucky enough that Santa brought us a Wii and the kids have loved playing it.

Finally with the new year I have been finding time to scrapbook - it feels so good to have my creative release back again. Making a dent in my pictures and mountain of supplies feels good too.

so... where did those 3 months go?

So, I'm probably the worst blogger ever. My life is just so crazy sometimes. So, quick recap of the last 3 months...
Nicolas went to 2 more sleep away camps this summer and fell in love with his counselors at both camps. He started 7th grade at the beginning of September and is doing well. This year we hope he'll grow a lot academically because he's adjusted to the school he's in. Unfortunately, 6th grade was a transition year for him, not much growth because he needed to get used to being in middle school.
Sophie is Sophie. My nine year old going on 40. One new thing for Sophie this year is her participation in competitive cheerleading at Badger All Stars here in Madison. Its a great program and I already see her self confidence building. We'll be traveling to competitions, the first is October 19th in Peoria, IL.
Work at home has been slow, but I've taken a new position as an on-call coder at St. Mary's Hospital. It seems like a very good fit for us with the kids needing me home by 3 pm every day.
I turned 35 on August 17th - and to treat myself I finally bought my red convertible I've been wanting. Lucky me!
On August 23rd a tree fell on the house, crushing and destroying the master bedroom closet. Nice to get a big check for shopping, not so nice to have to deal with the water, the contractors and the mess. Just about done cleaning it up and I used the opportunity to move my laundry upstairs... woohoo!!

My nephew Kendric is smoking up the football field as the varsity captain at Monona Grove High School. We try to catch all his home games. He also made homecoming court!

My neice Alyssa is doing well with her baby Rhianna. Sophie's biggest complaint is that we don't get to see her enough.

My neice Chandra and her husband Nick welcomed their son, Wyatt to the world on October 2, 2007 after a crash c-section. Mom and baby are doing well and he looks a lot like his daddy.

I really want to try to keep up better... this really is a good way to keep everyone up to date on what's going on with us...

coming soon.... pictures of my awesome red car!