6 months later and finally over the burnout

Last week the weather has been warming up....somewhat....meaning its not below zero anymore....the snow is on its way out....unless we get more....which is a real possibility....considering we had shovelable snow last year in May.....but with the weather warming up.....and the great thaw happening...I have been getting the itch to start running again....almost 6 months to the date that I ran my marathon.....

These past 6 months it has allowed me time to healing physically and mentally....training and running a marathon is not only a huge time commitment....but it drains you.....and towards the end of training I was getting burnt out.....I think that was mostly due to it was August when I was in my high mileage weeks and everyone else was enjoying late night bonfires and drinking....and I really couldn't participate....or if I had run a 18 miler....I was asleep on their couch by 8pm (true story it did happen).....and not only all that....but it was hot as hell out in August....I would rather run in the cold any date over 100 degree heat with high humidity.....

So by the time Oct 6th came around I was ready to get it done and over with....to cross that line....and take a break.....

But now that it has been some time...I can getting the itch again....so I ran 3 miles on the treadmill on saturday morning....and it wasn't awful....but its amazing that even though I have been doing other work outs I am no where near my endurance that I used to have.....but while running on the treadmill I didn't hate it....or dread it....and I am sure once I can get outside I will be back to where I was mentally last year.....I was quiet sore that day and Sunday....but adding in the extra T25 lower focus may have been a mistake.....

I am thinking about running another half this summer....probably the red white and boom again....and really wanting to PR if I do did....I am going to give myself another couple weeks of adding running into the mix and see what happens.....this summer will be hectic enough with all the other life things we have going on....I do not want to over commit myself to much else than that!

Sydney Lee's 5th Birthday!

I can not believe it has been 5 years already.....the time has flown by in a blink of an eye....you entered this world at 12:28 in the morning....after 14 hours of labor....we were thinking we weren't going to see you until much later on March 10th.....but you had different plans and decided it was time to come into this world on your own terms and time.....

As I was looking back on your pictures from the last 5 years....its crazy to see how much you have grown and changed....I have been here for all of it....but it amazes me how much you went from this tiny squishy baby to my five year old little lady.....and that you will be going off to kindergarden next year.....something I am not 100% ready for......

You are our baby....our last child....when you were born you completed our family.....we have you and your brother...and that is enough for this mommy.....I am happy that you will always be my baby.....and you like to live up to that at times.....there are times you demand that you do it yourself....but then there are times that you are too tired and want to be carried......

You my little lady are a very caring, loving, independent, sassy and sometimes drama filled daughter....you are wanting to learn more things every day......you want to be like your brother and try to stay up later at night because its light out now......you love school and can not wait to go.....you love dance and are doing very well in it.....and have made a good friend in there as well.....you are doing awesome at swimming....you went from not wanting to put your face under water or jumping in.....to full on swimming without assistance.....we are so proud of you......each day I look at you I see my little baby I held in my arms 5 years ago....but I also see the woman you are growing into....and never loose your determination to do what you want......we are so proud of you........

5 years have come and gone in a blink of an eye

We had your friend birthday party and are so grateful for the friends you have in your life now.....they are like family to us

Sunday we went and got our nails done just you and me

Then we were actually able to go outside and play because it was nice and warm!!!

We love you......no matter how old you get you will always be my little lady....Happy 5th Birthday Sydney Lee!!

Love Mommy and Daddy!

8 years...wow has it gone by fast

I still can not believe it has been 8 years (yesterday) since you entered our lives....and made us first time parents....it seems like only yesterday you entered this world but it also seems like it was forever ago as well....

You were born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia at 9:02 pm on Thursday Feb 9, 2006 in what was a Virginia snow storm....nothing to compared to where we live now.... you weighed in at 8 pounds 2 oz and were 22 inches long......you had a full head of black hair....which proceeded to fall out shortly there after....

8 years later....you are closer to being as tall as me than being the squishy baby you once were....and I know it will happen sooner or later that you will pass me up in height....you resemble your father more than me....but you still have some of my traits in you....your hair color is all mine....even though you may have your father's skin tone....you still tan better than him....which is from me....and your attitude....well I will blame your father on that one....even though I know its mostly me......

This past year its been amazing to watch you grow and learn....the leaps and bounds you have made academically amazing me and your father....when we first put you in your new school you struggled with math at the end of last year....but since entering the second grade....you are now in the challenge group for math....meaning more homework....but that is good...that means you are smart....and doing exceptionally well with it if you need the extra sheet of harder math problems....you are taking after me when it comes to math....cuz lord knows english is not my strongest subject!....you can ask your dad all about the paper's, resumes, emails he has had to write for me.....

We started you up in swim lessons this past fall....and you are doing awesome at that.....you tested out of all the beginner levels and started in level 3....which you passed in your first attempt at it....and now you are in level 4...and man for only 30 minutes of class time they work you over....I have high expectations when it comes to swimming lessons...since your dad and I both used to swim competitively and I used to teach swim lessons myself.....but where you are now....they are doing a great job getting you to try as hard as you can to improve your skills....I love watching you every wednesday night.....you really enjoy it.....

Breyden you are our first born....we learned a lot from you along the way....you have taught us what unconditional love is from the moment we met.....you are a bright, eager to learn, independent little man....who is sassy at times....but loves nothing more than to hang out with his mom and especially his dad.....you are growing up into a little mini version of him....lord help us.....you have a big heart....but sometimes your sassiness gets in the way of that.....

Every year that you get older I know that the time you actually want to spend with us is slowly diminishing....someday soon it won't be cool to hangout with your parents anymore.....for now I will get what I can......

We love you and thank you for choosing us to be your parents!

Love your mom,

December and Christmas

I love Christmas time...I love having a tree up in the house....or two as we did this year....the holidays are all about family time for us....as much as we can sit down and enjoy atleast!!!

The kids made cookies with their daddy.....which they loved doing.....

There were many times were we just hung out as a family on the weekend....and didn't do much....this winter once it started it truly has not stopped....it has either been so cold that school has been cancelled or its been snowing.....so we have for the most part just hung out at home.....

Christmas this year did not go as planned...I was fortunate enough to be able to take 10 days off from work....while the kids were on break....Andrew was able to work from home during that time.....which thankfully he was home to help....Syd ended up getting sick on Christmas Eve and sick enough that we had to take her to the ER at 7pm on Christmas Eve in a snow storm....thankfully she had something that could be cleared up with antibiotics.....it took her the rest of the time we were off to get better....it was a long week....we didn't get home from our ER trip until 12:15am on Christmas Day....the kids were worried that Santa wouldn't come because they were not asleep.....thankfully they went straight to bed....and even more thankful is that my family was able to just come to us on Christmas Day....so we didn't have to move Syd again and she was able to just stay at home....and sleep as she needed......the rest of our time off was pretty much dedicated to her....and trying to get her better....

We did get one night out without the kids....but it ended up being a early night....so we could just hangout.....and New Year's Eve we went to our neighbors....it was a lot of fun....since most of us have been cooped up with this nasty winter.....

Overall December was relaxing....which is good....since we had no idea what was in store for us in January....

1 year later

Where to begin....well first its been quiet some time.....but thats another story....

1 year ago plus a couple weeks our family was rocked to its core...besides me facing a spinal fusion surgery....Andrew then was laid off....not something we were even prepared for....our world was shaken up and turned upside down....to say the least

We had no idea how we were going to make it....or how we were going to pay for insurance to stay on cobra....so I could have my surgery and not to lapse since I needed the surgery and did not want to have issues with a pre-existing condition.....besides all those things we had no idea how we would keep it from our kids....so they would not have to worry about grown up things....and further more it was right before thanksgiving the standard kick off to the holiday season.... we wanted to try to make christmas stay as much the same as possible....even though we were scared shitless about having to pay for basic needs yet alone christmas presents for the kids.....I remember just a week before all this happened to us looking at a website to help out people who were so much more in need than we were at the time....and trying to figure out a way that we could pay it forward.....cuz I never once thought we would be in that type of situation

So last thanksgiving was not a joyous holiday....we were not thankful for the hand that we were dealt or the financial catastrophe that we could face in the coming weeks....yes we were beyond thankful for our family and friends that helped out in more ways than one....without them we would have not have made it through that time....but we did not want to be dependent on anyone.....but we had to swallow our pride and just move forward.....

Last thanksgiving was not relaxing.....we didn't take time out to just hang out as a family of 4....it was spent more with trying to figure out how we were going to survive....schedule my surgery as soon as possible....and hope that Andrew would find something quickly....all the while trying to not take out stress out on each other.....

1 year later our life has changed drastically.....we are beyond thankful that Andrew's unemployment did not last months....it was only 4 weeks....and it was the best birthday present anyone could have given me....since that was his first day!!!

1 year later our thanksgiving this year was nothing like last year....yes we have worries and stress....but it is not the same as what we were facing a year ago....even though we were not able to celebrate thanksgiving with all of the family due to illnesses....we made the best of it as we could......and we were fortunate enough to have two full days of downtime with the kids and each other......where we were able to watch movies, make cookies, have a tea party, play games....and just be a family....something that was pushed to the side last year......

I am thankful this year for everything that we have been given....because I know what the other side looks like....

So What! Wednesday

Its's been a couple weeks, but it's that time again.....I am linking up again with Life After I Dew  to vent (aka bitch) about on So What!  Wednesday:

• My marathon is now over....it feels completely strange that its done...I am so glad I did it and I am glad its over....but its crazy I have been partially training for a year...and really training for the past 6 months....and now I have to figure out what's next
• During my training I figured I was a one and out for running a marathon...its a shit ton of work, time and pain....but 5 days post race....this lady has decided I will be running another (yes I am addicted)....I will not do one next year for two reasons...one the husband has mentioned he wants to possibly train for it (and we both can't train for a marathon with young kids) and two I want a summer to enjoy.....but 2015 you can bet I will put myself through the training again
• Last week the husband and I came up with a term for our daughter to describe her two very distinct personalities.....we came up with it on our way to get her from preschool and we were wondering who which Sydney we were going to pick up....either pretty piddy or shitty piddy.....trust me those nicknames fit her to a T
• My mom bought Syd a new coat....I can't take her seriously when she wears it....its a zebra patterned over sized pea coat.....she truly looks like a pimp waiting for her bitches and hoes....she is just missing the cane and hat with a feather
• I am not going to make it through puberty with my son....he got some cologne as a gift a while ago and he has decided to start using it.....worst smell ever.....and it must be a man thing to bathe themselves in it after a shower....I literally gag at night going into his room
• I couldn't be inactive any longer this morning....its been 10 days....I popped in a Shaun T dvd and go all sweaty....and holy shit I forgot how hard those videos are....but I also realized how much I enjoyed them!!

That's my crazy life in a nutshell....What are you saying SO What! to this week!

26.2 miles complete!!!

The TC Marathon has finally come and gone....26.2 miles complete....its really weird that its all over...as I was sitting on the couch on Sunday afternoon it just hit me that it was over....not the fact that I had just ran 26.2 miles a few hours earlier and was still physically not able to move normally....but just sitting there on the couch it hit me.....after a year of training and it was done!

The race itself had its highs and lows....and man those lows were hard....mostly mentally hard....trying to tell yourself you can do this when your body really just wants to be done....around mile 15/16 it got challenging for me....when you start thinking of the amount you have left it can be overwhelming to know that there is still 10-11 miles left....the way I handled the full marathon was to take it one water stop at a time...instead of thinking about 1 mile of 26 and so on.....also I was burning through my fuel a lot faster than I have planned.....running out of fuel or water is not something to play around with....once you let it go too far...its not something you can just play catch up on....thank god for the cliff shot area at mile 17....when I was at mile 21-23 they were rough too....you just hit "the wall" as its referred to.....you have run farther than you normally run in a training long run....and you just have to keep telling yourself there is only a few miles left and you've come this far....you can finish it now....

The highs were awesome....starting the race....the excitement and nervousness in the air....listening to the Star Spangled Banner right before the start is amazing....once you are start and seeing all the people there cheering anyone and everyone on is great!!!....I ran with a pace group....best thing decision ever....our pace leader was awesome....she instructed us that every water stop was a 30 sec walking break to make sure we got re-hydrated....there was also lots of funny stories that were told the entire time we were out there...she kept encouraging us the whole way....and especially towards the end when it got hard.....when we would come up to a larger cheer zone most everyone would shout...."here comes the 4:45 group...you're doing awesome".....also seeing people I knew out there on the course helped me immensely....not even knowing it they were at places along the course that I really needed it....seeing two neighbors at mile 16....helped me get out of my funk and push through those 5 miles....and then hearing my name at mile 22....seeing my kids, husband and another set of neighbors at mile 23 really turned it around for me....it gave me enough mentally to just run and get it over with....and finally seeing my parents about a half a mile from the finish.....and for all the people who followed me online and all the text and facebook messages that I received too....I can not say thank you enough for that....I am truly grateful for all your support!!!.....the finally high was crossing that finish line....knowing that I accomplished what I set out to do a year ago.....

My ultimate goal was the just finish this one....but I really wanted to be under 5 hrs....my official finish time was 4:42:10....I am so happy with my time....yes do I wish I was faster of course I do....but I was 18 minutes faster than 5 hrs....I finished it with only walking at the water stops.....overall it was a great experience!....I am happy I did it!

Pre-Race the kids saying good-bye

The starting line

The finish line....the Capital never looked so good

My finisher metal

I haven't fully decided if I am one and out....or if I will do another one in the future...I know I will not be doing one next year....I want a summer that I can enjoy a bit more than I did this past year....the husband has also expressed interest in possibly wanting to do the TC Marathon next year and both of us can not train for one at the same time until the kids are older....I know next year I want to do a couple halfs....halfs seem like a cake walk compared to a full.....so I honestly don't know yet if I will run another full....we will just have to see!

My Tiny Dancer

This year Syd is back in dance....this is technically her third year....last year she only did it for a few  months until "shit hit the fan" with Andrew getting laid off and honestly the place she was at was not a great fit for her....it was too large....she was just another number in the class and I don't even know if her teachers knew who she was even after a couple months...so unlike our experience at our first studio in Isanti....but thanks to a referral we are at a much better place....

She is doing so well...her first year she was only 2 and she did awesome for a 2 year old...last year she refused to really even participate....mostly because the teachers never got to even know her name....this year she is coming out of her shell....which I love watching....

Most people don't know how extremely shy she can be when put in a new situation or around people she doesn't know....she is just like me....being shy is hard....taking the first step to just say "hi" are hard....even as an adult....for a 4 yr old....its just easier to not do anything or hide behind mommy's leg....but once the teacher makes a connection with her.....she's golden....this is why I love where we are now....for one the class is small....which is perfect...and the teachers the first day made it fun and got to know her.....ever since then she has participated and loves going to dance

Yesterday I was able to watch her for a bit from the hallway and I was so surprised at how far she has come....I know I have told her daddy I keep thinking she is younger than she actually is....I just have this mindset that she is my baby....which she is....but I sometime forget that she is closer to 5 now and that she is growing up every day...and wanting to do more things on her own and is becoming more independent.....seeing her dance and becoming a flower and grow up was so precious....I am glad I was able to take a video of it....she is coming into her own....and I am so thankful that I get to witness it every day!

First Day of Preschool

Yesterday was Sydney's first day of preschool.....we had orientation last week and I was little nervous about this year....she has developed a bad case of being shy around people she doesn't know....mostly adults....which is a good thing....but also a hindrance....especially for dance or possibly school....when she is in her super shy mode she will not say a word, nor will she do anything but sit and pick at her nails....because she is so nervous....but thankfully orientation went well....once she got there and saw some of her friends....and the teachers made it a point of getting to know her and talk with her.....they were able to break the shell and she was her normal self.....this is one reason why I love her school....we had a great experience with them last year....her teachers actually liked being there.....and really loved teaching and playing with the kids....and the director made you feel at home!  Even though its a drive for me since we moved....I am glad we made the decision to stay there.....

So this year Syd I hope you enjoy your school as much as you did last year....I hope you make new friends and keep building on the existing friends you had from last year.....I love hearing your stories when I pick you up about all the things you learned, played and of course ate!  I hope you learn as much as you can this year.....cuz next year is going to be a big year for both of us.....this is our last year of preschool and next year you will be off on the big yellow bus with your brother....I also hope you grow socially and learn about taking turns and sharing.....both of which you are mostly okay with....you are the second child for sure.....but you are also stubborn....which we will blame on your daddy......




Syd you are our last baby and you are growing up way too quickly at times.....I can not wait to hear and see all the new things you get to do this year.....you are making leaps and bounds in your learning....and I am just thankful I get to be here to watch you take each step along your journey!

Time alone with my daughter

Since Breyden is now in school once again every day all day....its just Syd and I running this joint....well mostly her running it.....I forgot how quiet it is to only have one kid in the house.....these past three months have been filled with lots of noise and battles....both big and small....mostly small ones all day long.....but it also has been filled with their laughter and chaos of running around the house like crazy people.....one things for certain it has not been quiet.....not like it is now

But now that he is gone and its just Syd and I....it's eerily quiet....she's not a loud kid to begin with....thank god or I might lose my mind having two loud/outspoken kids....the first few days of school you could tell she was sad and lonely that he was not here with her.....her playmate was gone....and so was the person she could annoy the hell out of.....cuz let's be honest the younger sibling is really good at pushing the older sibling's buttons all the damn time.....and she is a professional....I think her record for pissing him off is 10 minutes from getting up and out of bed.....but now she is left to her own devices.....which I think is good for her.....I want her to learn to be independent from her brother.....to be her own person.....to not always follow his lead.....but to take charge and make her own path in life.....

I am glad that I get some alone time with her....Breyden had his alone time prior to her being born....granted he probably doesn't remember any of it.....but it happened nonetheless.....so it is now Syd's turn to have mom all to herself.....this is our 3rd and last year of alone time.....as of next year I will be a mom of two kids in school full time....one in kindergarden and the other in 3rd grade.....for now I will savor the time I have with my last baby......since she still likes to be referred as that.....because I know all too well how quickly they grow in a blink of an eye!

My Big 2nd Grader

Its the beginning of the school year!!!  The summer literally flew by....and now I am a mom of a 2nd grader....where has the time gone?!

What I wish for you this year.....I want you love your class and teacher....I want you to make new friends...since this is still a new school for you....you were only in it for the last 2 months last year.....but it made a world of difference switching you....and we have no regrets in doing that......I want you to continue on learning and loving it too....now that you can read....its crazy watching you look at the world in a whole new light....I also want you to learn to how not to talk over people....and learn the art of conversation....I know this will come with time....but it something you need to work on.....I also want you to take some of your "first born" habits and calm them down a bit....you are a leader but you don't have to be the boss at everything....let others take over that role and you will learn even more that way....and you will make more friends as well!

You my son are big hearted, caring young man.....who definitely has an attitude to follow it up with....you most certainly know how to piss your dad or I off....watching you grow and learn new things never cease to amaze us....your father and I are very proud of you and love you so much.....and we can not wait to see what this next year has in store for you!

Last Week of Summer!

Its the last week of summer....I can't believe its that time again....don't get me wrong I am happy for school to start back up again....what I am not ready for is the crazy morning routine of getting at least one kid ready for the bus, if not two.....nor I am ready for the homework part of it with Breyden!  I hate homework.....really hate it!

I am looking forward to the break from the kids....its been a great summer, but they are ready to go back to school....both of them....they are ready for the routine that school brings....they are ready to be around kids their own age....mostly Breyden.....they are need of extended break from each other....and so I am.....I am over breaking up fights between them daily....if not numerous times a day...I am ready to go back to either it just being me for a couple hours or me and Syd......I love both my kids, but they need the space to learn and grow on their own....and keep becoming the individuals that they are.....

This summer has been full of fun times and memories....the kids have played and enjoyed their time here at home.....they have driven me batty on some days.....but they have also made me laugh too!  It has been a great summer!

But its time to switch gears and get back into school mode....we only have one week left of the summer....and I am ready for school to start next tuesday....so I can try to get my sanity back!.....I am not holding my breathe on that one!....but one can only hope!

Pros vs Cons of working from home

This coming December will be the 5 year mark that I left my clinic job and switched to working from home....there are times that I miss the clinic atmosphere and the social interaction I got with my co-workers.....but for the most part working from home is awesome....and I don't know how I would ever handle having to go back into a real workplace that is not in my home.....

But when you tell people that you work from home they think its all sunshine and roses, for the most part its awesome and I would not change it for the world.....but as with everything there is a downside....here's the good and the bad of working from home:

Pro: Not having to commute to work, sitting in shitty ass traffic for sometimes hours on end
Con: Sometimes I feel like I never actually leave my work

Pro: No more daycare
Con: No more daycare....working with kids can be compared to walking a tight rope without a net....some days are good....some days are just plain shitty

Pro: Not having to get ready first thing in the morning
Con: Sometimes I don't take a shower until the afternoon, and I feel like live in my pajamas

Pro: Not having to wear make up or do my hair on a daily basis
Con: When I do actually wear it and do my hair the husband asks who I got ready for

Pro: I don't have to worry about wearing anything that is considered business casual....even though I normally used to wear scrubs to work
Con: I have a shit ton of nice clothes.....you should see my closet and I even buy more all the time, but I seem to fall back on only wearing comfy clothes....i.e. sweats or pajamas

Pro: I don't have to leave the house on a daily basis
Con: This past week I actually didn't leave the house for 4 straight days.....that may have been a little too long

Pro: I don't have to worry about packing a lunch
Con: Take out is non-existent, and having the fridge 10 feet away can lead to lots of snacking!

Pro: I don't have to deal with any drama in the "office"
Con: Sometimes my drama is my kids and the lack of adult interaction can make ya feel a little crazy and boxed in....and it can get real quiet here when the kids are in school....or not home!

I am very grateful for being able to work from home....and I wouldn't trade it for a thing.....but there are days that I would love to head in the office to feel like a "normal" person every once in a while!....but I know two seconds at the office I would want to head right back home to my office!

Weekend Fun!

This past weekend and a couple days prior were a lot of fun....for us adults and for the kids....it seems it took us most of the summer.....but the kids have finally found a herd of kids to play with....and when I say herd....I mean herd......it can vary from 3-10 plus kids at a time.....but it was so fun watching them play over the course of 5 days.....even the big girls would be willing to hang out with the small ones....and play duck, duck, grey duck....tag.....bike races.....and softball......there were a handful of late nights for my kids.....but you know they had a good time when they come in the house ready to pass out and need a shower or bare minimum a feet washing because they are that dirty!!!

 Here's part of the herd doing their bike races some night last week.....for the most part the kids would over take the backyards....which have become communal property shared between four houses....which is awesome....Andrew and I used to always talk about how we wanted a fence in our next house....yea I have rethought that now....and love the fact that it seems to be a shared living area for the kids to play in.....and sometimes for the adults to sit back and chill in

Friday we decided to go to the MN Zoo with the kids....hell we have a seasons pass and need to go more than once to make it worth it.....so off we went....one of the neighbor girls decided to join us....and it was alot of fun....all three kids did great....the weather was perfect....and when we got home the herd picked up right where they left off....and the adults all banded together in a drive way to hang out!  There may have been tequila shots that night.....which seems to be the signature welcome to the club drink!

 

Here are the kids looking at the monkeys....our first stop at the zoo!

On Saturday was our first (hopefully more in the coming years) annual block party in the neighborhood.....they had a bounce house for the kids....free hot dogs and burgers for the kids and adults.....from noon on.....we took the kids down earlier in the afternoon for a little bit to make sure they got sometime in the bounce house...I wasn't sure how busy it would get later on in the day when the potluck began.....they had fun!!!.......and were nice and hot and tired when we got back home....

After we chilled out for a bit all the families and kids got together and proceeded to go back down to the party....and there is no better way to transport your beer, dish to pass, chairs and sister who refuses to walk more than 10 feet than child labor.....that was an awesome idea that was thought up the night before!!

They even had the Bayport Fire Department stop by.....Breyden was in 7th heaven....there is nothing more that he loves than firetrucks.....he just stood there and stared as it set up....and then began to tell the fireman everything he knew about the trucks....I am sure he talked their damn ear off....he even was able to hold the fire hose and water the prairie....he would not move from his spot until they were done and gone....he did not want to miss a thing!!

After it was time to return home from the block party and put our dirty/tired kids to bed.....we  resumed the normal activity of setting up in another driveway for more adult bonding/drinking time.....that night was a late one.....but I am so glad that I stayed for it.....

Sunday was a lazy day for us.....the kids were tired....and so were we.....there may have been a group nap with Syd and movie watching later on!

This past weekend was so much fun....I am glad we were home to enjoy it.....our kids were able to form bonds with kids in the neighborhood....we were able to just hang out and kick back and relax.....there were so many laughs....memories....and now a shit ton of inside jokes from those nights.......and more plans for future hang outs!

This is what I wanted when we moved....I wanted a place where it felt like home....where my kids had friends to hang out with.....and we had adults to spend time with as well.....something that was easy and just come naturally!







We've have had a great summer.....but these past 5 days will go down in the books!  I am thankfully for where we are now....it wasn't the path I had planned out over a year ago, but it has worked out to even be better than what I thought it could be!!!

Moving Forward

This past year has been a proving point for me in so many ways....but mostly in relationships whether they are with friends or family....new or old....distance between people will either re-enforce what was already there...or it will fade away like so many things do

I have found myself in this situation too many times to count since I turned  21 and moved away to VAB from MN and back again 8 years later....it took a lot of work to keep the friendship of a handful of people from each place moving forward but we did it....we both made the effort to keep it going....we both were invested to learn what was going on in our lives....and if we were not separated by hundreds of miles we made the effort to see each other.....

But the flip side of the coin is that distance or just plain not trying can and will dissolve any form of relationship all to quickly.....it gets old being the one to always have to do the driving.....and assuming that we have to make the all the effort of just being there.....or being the one to always have to adjust our schedule to make it work and not seeing that done on the other side.....to me it doesn't matter if its a friend or family....it should just work....and not be work.....if it ends up being work....especially if there is guilt added to it....it is no longer fun....and its not something I want to be around.....

Even though people come and go in our lives all the time.....I am thankful for the few that have stuck around....they now who they are....and I am forever grateful to have you all in my and my kids lives....I love each one of you!!