2008 the ups and the downs

2008 was the year...
I started with a small list of goals:
1. take a picture a day for 365 days.
2. loose weight.
3. organize junk drawers.
4. study gospel manuals.

2008 was the year...
I ended with
1. an unfinished photo project.
2. weight gain.
3. junk drawers still full of junk.
4. gospel manual studies collecting dust.

the moral: new years resolutions are not my thing.

the upside of 2008:

- a daughter realizing her dream of starting kindergarten.
- a son getting baptized
- a husband graduating college.
- a little boy graduating to a toddler bed and converting to the English language (as opposed to his native tongue of Calebese)
- a mom discovering the Internet and her love of blogging
- a family of 5 evening things out by starting to become a family of six
(gender yet to be determined)

2008 was a pretty good year... vomit, fatness, insane college courses, and all.
But I am willing to bet that 2009 is going to be even better.

Birthday girl

Six years ago, my daughter came to brighten up my world.
Since day one she has made me laugh.
Made me cry.
Made me sing.
Made me learn.
Made me grow.
Made me happy.
She is a light that doesn't dim,
a star that will always shine.

Happy Birthday, Lilo.
Six looks good on you.

the better view

Shortly after our little Hailey was born almost 6 years ago to the day, Brian decided it was time to take on college. I was, as usual, the loving and helpful support that you all know me to be. At first it was a class or two, just what we could work around school. After a year or so we realized that it would take 10 years to graduate at the rate we were going. So we made major changes; (i.e. sell our home, and move in with parents, work part time and be broke...) and as time went on, the pressure increased the time with Brian decreased and my wonderful supportiveness (yes, I am aware that this is not a word, but this is my blog and I make the rules) turned to grumpy complaints. I could hardly imagine the day when we operated like other families; the light at the end of the tunnel was there, I was sure it was, but we were too far to see.
Recently that light has been in view and we have been clinging to it as a family. We have made all sorts of statements that begin with, "When dad is done with school...".
Tuesday, wonderful Tuesday of this week, we stepped into the light. Brian took his last final. He made his last drive from Provo. He sold his last book. He is done with school.
That sounds really nice. I would like to say that again.
Brian is done with school.
We celebrated in a style with dinner out to an expensive fancy restaurant and weekend getaway to a fancy hotel/spa where we pampered ourselves with massages and other spa treatments. We ended the festivities with a shopping spree from all the money we have growing on our money tree in the back yard.
Then I woke up.
We actually celebrated by me attending mutual and Brian hanging out with the kids. Then I came home and we ate a late night dinner and watched people loose massive amounts of weight. (biggest loser finale). We are so cool.
As lack luster as our celebration was, it was real and it was good. As a family, we are enjoying the better view of life with a father and a husband. We could really get used to this. And I think we will.

This too shall pass...

It did. It passed. Well kind of. I just thought it was post worthy: I have not thrown up in four days. I have wanted to, and I have come close, but four days, people. I am back in the land of the living.

I feel like I just won the super bowl.

And I am going to Disneyland.


(PS... if you are near some wood please knock on it.)

Tired

I have slacked a little on the blog this week. It's all this Christmas merriment and activities that just seem to have me running all different directions. But today I told myself, I am staying home, letting myself sit on the couch, feel sick, and finish some blankets I am making for the kids. Why? Because I am plain tired.

I am tired of shopping.
I know I shopped mostly online this year, but there are some things I still have to brave the crowds for, and I am not a fan of crowds. Or shopping that can't be done in 30 minutes or less.

I am tired of strawberry shortcake.
Surprisingly, my overload isn't coming from Hailey, but from Caleb. The child wants to watch her every day and shake his little booty to the music, and I AM NOT KIDDING. It was funny, until I went to bed singing strawberry shortcake songs and found myself telling the kids as they brushed their teeth that they did a "berry good job!" and that they are "berry special!" and on and on...

I am tired of showering with company.
Seriously, I am looking forward to next week when Brian's Saturday class is done and I can shower alone at least once in the week. With the door shut. The ENTIRE time. Sounds like Heaven...

I am tired of being a referee.
A lot of preparation takes place around this house for December. There is something for my kids to look forward to every day. Being the naive person I am, I think every year, if I am creative enough, happy enough, and organized enough, we will just have a merry little home all month long. Not perfect, just like, scream free. Or fist fight free. Or whine free. Or all of the above. Alas, it is never the case. And I find myself sending someone to their room and someone is inevitably pouting or tattling. Welcome to motherhood.

I am tired of being pregnant.
I know it is like, in the rule book that you are not allowed to complain until you are at least in your seventh month, but being that this go around was unexpected, I am calling in an exception. I don't know how people enjoy pregnancy. I truly believe it is here to make me miserable, but also to make me fully appreciate my children. You have to walk in the depths of despair to fully appreciate the light, or something like that. Anyway, I am anxiously awaiting May.

SIGH. Thanks for the vent session. Now's your chance: what are you tired of? Come on, let it out... you'll feel much better, I promise.