Tai Chi

I have always had a huge interest in Tai Chi. For anyone who doesn't know what Tai Chi is, it is is a Chinese martial art and you have probably seen it in movies with very slow, fluid movements. When I was overseas, my sister sent me a book about it, but it is hard to learn by reading a book. I tried it on my own and it faded out of my workout repertoire after a few months. I really became interested again and thought that a video would help, since I am such a visual person. Josh actually listened to my request and found a great beginner video for me and I tried it out this morning. I am so excited for my new workout adventure! It is great for me while I am pregnant because of all the breathing and slow movements. I finished today feeling invigorated and energized. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something new!

Delicious

I was so excited to make waffles with my new waffle maker this morning. They taste even better than they look!

Need a bigger tree

I think that when your presents start getting bigger than the tree...you need a bigger tree. Although in our case, we need a bigger house first, then a bigger tree.

Long Overdue

Right now I am listening to a variety of sounds...

1. My munchkins running around the island in the kitchen. The stomping of their feet would lead someone to believe that I have 10 children instead of just 2.
2. Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong" cd playing...I love this cd; this is my piece of mellow in my crazy, loud, chaotic world.
3. Our noisy dishwasher is threatening to overtake all of these things. When we do (if we ever) get a new house, I am spending good money on an expensive, QUIET dishwasher.
4. Joslynn has a jingly bell bracelet on...so it sounds like I have a kitty playing with a string toy of some kind.
5. The munchkins are actually playing nicely together. I better not spoil it, but it is nice to hear them laughing together.

I was sitting on the couch and finally felt the inspiration to update my blog...it's only been three and a half months...

6. Now the kids are taunting the "monster" that is in the dark in my bedroom. "You can't catch me booga-booga!" are the kinds of things I get to listen to...
7. Joslynn just turned her butt toward the "monster," she shook it back and forth and said, "Nah, nah, na boo boo, you can't catch me!"
8. I hear Jackson saying, "Mommy, I stuck!" I better go.

Seriously...I can't make this stuff up.

ABC's

As some of you may have seen on Facebook, I wrote that Jackson has recently started to spout off his ABC's; this took us by surprise because he has never even showed any interest in trying them, even in part, before. He is so stinkin' cute when he says them, so I tried to capture him on camera saying them. This is not the best footage since he was more interested in seeing it before I was finished. Tonight, he said them perfectly for my sister on the phone. I would have tried to take video again, but I was already changing his diaper and talking on the phone at the same time...if only I had octopus arms right?

Eat, Pray, Love

Tonight I was out to "dinner" (we'll get to that), and a movie with some friends at work. It was brought to my attention that I haven't been blogging lately.

"I don't know what's going on in your life," my friend said. I thought about it for a while and asked myself, 'Why haven't I been blogging?' Upon my arrival home, I have decided to resume my blogging.

EAT
Before I sat down to do some catching up, I had to heat up some left-over blueberry pancakes. They were delicious, by the way, for several reasons, of which I will share with you.

One, I love left-over pancakes. I don't know why, I just do.
Two, I can't concentrate when I am hungry.
Three, "dinner" didn't really fill me up.

Let me explain...I went to "dinner" tonight with my friends, but I showed up late because our babysitter couldn't be here any sooner, which was fine, but I was not at all impressed with the fact that a server never came to ask me if I wanted any food, or even a drink! So, I ate my $2 popcorn and slurped down my $2 soda at the movie. If you know me at all, you should already know that a measly little popcorn is not enough for me for the evening, so you should neither be surprised about the pancakes at 10:00 pm. I truly think the pancakes at 10:00 pm encompasses me and my "Eat, Pray, Love" attitude. I have always been this way...

For those of you who have not seen the movie (although anyone reading this was probably there), Julia Roberts' character takes a year to travel to Rome, India and Bali. Along the way, she vows to do just what the movie title says, eat, pray, love. There is a conversation in the movie where she is telling her friend that she is "going for it" by being open to trying food and loving it and not feeling an ounce of guilt because you may have a "muffin top." I think that I have always just 'gone for it' in the food department; I don't guilt myself over eating the foods I eat (although I probably should some days), but that is not me!!! I love to love food. I thoroughly enjoy it and I refuse to be guilted over it.

PRAY
Josh and I have just started going to church on a regular basis again. We used to go, although when he hurt his arm, and was out of commission for nine months, it was nearly impossible to have two small kids in church since he couldn't lift either of them. We became lazy and kept saying, "When are we going to go to church?" "Next week we'll go," we told ourselves. Next week always came and went and we started to sound like a broken record. We've been going again for about a month; I even brought the kids by myself when he was in Canada. It feels good to be back, definitely still a challenge, but good.

LOVE
This summer has been so fantastic for Josh and I. We had such great quality time together to reconnect. I think that the reason I am dreading the start of the school year is because I know I will miss him so much. Let's face it, once Sept. 7th rolls around, we may as well be two single people, living together, who share some children. Okay, okay...it's not that bad, but we rarely see each other or get to spend any kind of quality time together...not like during the summer. This summer we went away for three days for our anniversary, we went on dates together, exercised together, we talked and laughed and loved a lot this summer and I am just not ready to let that end yet.

I love black and white

Black and white photos have a timeless feel to them. I love capturing my babies' smiles with the classic look because they feel like the kind of picture you can have on display until they are 30 years old and it doesn't matter because their beautiful soul has been captured on film and preserved on print for years to come...

Top 10

I seem to have less and less to write about in the past months. Does this mean I really have no news going on in my life? On the contrary! We have been so busy with the everyday buzz of life, that I don't think I have taken the time to update nearly enough. While I don't have anything incredible or groundbreaking to share, here are the top 10 thoughts in my head tonight:

1. I am training for a triathlon. It is in less than a month. I am super excited and nervous at the same time. I have to admit that I am feeling great about my personal training. I love how I feel physically and mentally when I am training for some kind of event.

2. Josh and I ran the Earth Day 5K last weekend. It was fun. We had the munchkins with us and it felt pretty cool to zoom past hundreds of people while pushing 65+ pounds of kid and stroller. We finished in 30 minutes. Not bad if I do say so myself.

3. I have also committed to yet another physical testament. In August I am going to run in a race called Ragnar. It is a race from LaCrosse, WI to the Cities (~200miles) and I will run 3 different legs of the 36 leg race with a team of 12 strangers with the exception of my college roommate, she invited me onto the team, so I am really excited for something so new.

4. We continue to struggle selling the house. With, a disappointing, 6 days remaining on the "first time homebuyer" credit, we are feeling a little stressed and quite discouraged about selling our house soon. We dropped the price (again) about 2 (or so) weeks ago, and since then have not had a single showing. How frustrating!

5. After the news of our "dream house" selling, we started to revisit the idea of building. We returned to see the land we fell in love with last summer and found that our heart still skipped a beat with the thought of living there, so we are having house plans drawn up by an architect and we are chomping at the bit to see them.

6. I bought an ipod nano last weekend, and I am loving it. I just need to add music--a lot of music! Maybe I will ask for an iTunes gift card for Mother's day.

7. In anticipation of Joslynn's 3rd birthday we went shopping last weekend to look around. Our plan was to buy her a bike, and we were so excited that she showed so much interest, that we bought her bike early and we are amazed when we watch our baby girl riding her very own "big girl" bike. My, how the time flies!

8. We are needing to find a new daycare (in Sartell) and the thought of starting over with that process is already starting to stress me out a little bit.

9. I just completed another one of my masters classes and start a new one on Wednesday. I am surprised at how this process has flown by as well. Before you know it, I will have another degree and be moving up the pay scale (hopefully).

10. A lot of new adventures could be heading our way. I am thinking that with our luck, everything will happen at once. While I dread the thought of being any more busy, I secretly hope that all our wishes start to fall into place.

It's Like Dating

I know, I know...it's been a long time since my last post, but I am without a doubt an emotional writer, so I tend to write when I really have something on my mind. (As you can see, things were pretty dull upstairs for a while; time to clean out the cobwebs.)

Yesterday, I got a call. It was Josh. He told me that our dream house, that we have been fantasizing about for the past 7 months, the house we had planned to spend the next 30+ years in, the house we had already become emotionally attached to, had sold. I was kind of in shock.

First, I cried (which is why I was glad I was at home alone when he called). Then I took a hot shower and cried a little bit in there too.

'It's just a house.' I told myself. 'You shouldn't be so upset over something you never really had!' But I was.

I have concluded that buying/selling houses is like dating. You put yourself "on the market" by looking at houses and by trying to sell your own. You look and sort, and sift through the possibilities with a fine tooth comb. Is it big enough? (no pun intended) Will it suit my needs? Can I picture spending the rest of my life there?

Once you think you have those questions answered, you put in an offer, which is kind of like an engagement. You promise that the house will be yours forever just as soon as the time is right, but not all engagements make it to the next stage. The real commitment!

I was (am) very sad that I didn't get to (officially) promise to love and care for the house like I had planned, but as with many things in my life, it wasn't meant to be. "Everything happens for a reason," has been my motto for about the last decade of my life and I am trying to look at the situation in that way. It's just hard when I was prepared to start picking out china patterns together.

Now, here we are, single, available, vulnerable and back on the market in search of a new place that we will love even more. Tonight, we looked at four houses and I felt like I was cheating on the other house, but then I had to remind myself that it was no more. We are trying not to rush into anything too fast; we are totally on the rebound.

I bet you never knew that dating and house hunting were so closely related!

Took a little trip today...

Joslynn and I needed to get out of the house today so we decided to go on a little trip.

PhotoBooth will forever be my belly-laugh inspired friend.

Jammies

I was standing in front of the mirror the other day looking at my pajamas as I stood brushing my teeth.

'Hmmm. I wonder what other people wear to bed.'

This got me thinking about what I was currently wearing and made me wonder if I am in need of a "jammie-makeover."

I was wearing a large, v-neck, extra long, t-shirt that had been stretched out from my previous (very) pregnant belly. It is a plain, single colored, faded shade of red. Along with my plain-jane shirt, I was wearing a pair of simple, brown, cotton shorts.

'Man! I am such a loser!' I told myself.

So, out of my own critique of my bed-time attire, I am dying to find out what everyone else heads off to dream-land in. Do you wear formal pajamas that have a matching top and bottom? Do you mis-match? Do you wear pants, shorts, shirts, night-gowns? Or perhaps you wear something a little less comfortable...if you know what I mean? If you feel inclined to share, please answer my poll or feel free to respond with something I have not included.

Sweet dreams!

Strange

Is it strange that I just heard a helicopter over my classroom, as I sat working at my desk, and felt a sense of calm? I think it just might be...

An Amazing Find

I was on my merry way to my parent's house with the kids this morning and as I turn off the highway, just about to turn onto their road, I spotted something!

'That looked like a $100 bill!' I said to myself. I drove over it, but then my brain quickly reviewed the mental picture of what I thought to be Benjamin Franklin's sweet face.

I slowed down, put the van in reverse, "Mommy will be right back" I told the kids. I stepped out into the frigid cold and walked toward the treasure sight.

'It can't be...' I said to myself.

As I approached, I couldn't believe my eyes. Three beautiful Benjamin's were laying on the frozen ground. At first I couldn't believe it, then I thought, 'They must be fake,' but with a closer look they seem legit.

THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

I feel kind of guilty because that means that someone lost this much money, but this amazing find couldn't have come at a better time.

I have a lot to say!

Hey all,

My mommy has been helping keep track of my words that I know and so we thought we would share them with all of you, because surprisingly, I know more words than everyone thought I did! Here they are...

1. Mommy (Although I haven't said that as much lately because Daddy brainwashed me to say Daddy; now I just call Mommy, Daddy).
2. Daddy
3. Joslynn (sounds like Jos-yinn)
4. Lily (girl @ daycare)
5. Jodi (daycare)
6. Mindy (daycare)
7. Booboo (bear)
8. Moosie (He's my new snuggle-buddy)
9. Eat
10. Please
11. Thank-you
12. Potty
13. Car
14. Choo-choo
15. Owie
16. Kitty
17. Puppy
18. Horsie (hee-hee)
19. Duckie
20. Hippo
21. Book
22. Moon
23. Blankie
24. Orange
25. Apple
26. Manna (banana)
27. Pizza
28. Noodles
29. Milk
30. Water
31. Cookie
32. Cracker
33. More
34. Snack
35. Hello
36. Hi
37. Bye-bye
38. Sock
39. Boot
40. Hot
41. Cold
42. Baby
43. Poopie
44. Chair
45. Up
46. Down
47. Open
48. Door
49. Movie
50. Belly
51. Pretzel
52. Truck
53. Tractor
54. Fishy
55. Monkey
56. Piggy
57. Moo moo (cow)
58. Star
59. Muffin
60. Shark
61. Stuck
62. Flower
63. Nose
64. Coat
65. Hat
66. Alligator (doesn't sound perfect)
67. Frog
68. Cock-a-doodoo (crocadile)
69. Tree
70. Bottle
71. Spoon
72. Done
73. Teeth
74. Hug
75. Auntie
76. Picture
77. Eye
78. Bowl
79. Me
80. Doctor
81. Ball

Those are the ones we have actually had a chance to write down...but we know there are more. I am learning so much, so fast, that Mommy and Daddy can't even keep up.

Worst Mom In the World

Here I was, going on and on about how I need to pay better attention to what is going on in my life, and I went and did something horrible tonight. To make an extremely long story short...got a call for a house showing, cleaned and straightened up like mad, had a "challenging" trip with the kids to the grocery store to get out of the house, pulled into the garage, turned the van off and Joslynn just hopped right out of her car seat. I hadn't buckled her in!! I was so frazzled from my 'flight of the bumble-bee' evening that I didn't even pay attention to the precious cargo that I was carrying.

I'm such a hypocrite.

Things Unnoticed

I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, although I was thinking today that there is one that crossed my mind that is actually worth trying to carry out. I think I need to try and pay closer attention. To what? you ask... Well,...anything! My children, and what it is that they are really saying. My husband, my students,...myself. This topic crossed my mind today as I noticed that nobody noticed my new glasses. Now, I am not trying to be completely self-absorbed thinking that the whole world should notice my new glasses, on the contrary. It's just that today I noticed that one of my students didn't have his glasses on, so I asked him, "Did you get contacts?" He gave his sweet, modest smile and nodded. I told him he looked very nice. I think he really appreciated the fact that I noticed. This is what prompted me to think about noticing things in the first place.

As I picked up my children from daycare, I was zipping Jack's coat as another dad was coming in to pick up his daughter. In the "drop-off area" there is a calendar hung that has pictures of the children from daycare. The dad asked his little girl, "Who's that?" as he pointed to a picture of his smiling child. She responded with, "Daddy!" He corrected her saying, "No, silly, that's you!" But what I don't think he understood is that she thought he said, "Who's hat?" Because she was wearing her daddy's hat in the picture. So, she was right on, and probably confused after the fact.

Obviously, I am trying to be the best person I can be, but I think we all need to step outside ourselves for a little while and get some perspective.

Isn't it amazing the clarity that comes from a fantastic break from work?