It's one of THOSE weeks!!

Yep, it's been one of THOSE weeks around here!

Let's see, where to start? Oh, how about Sunday? We went to church and then had hubby's brother and sister-in-law and their kids over (GO PACK GO!!) - LOVE having them here as all of the children like to play together and they pick up nicely before they leave. We also love the adult time and re-connecting with them over (ok, I wanted to say wine, because it sounds "right" - but....) beer and wine coolers - 'cause that's the way we roll! lol

Monday two more of my online classes started. I am sure that they will be fine, but lots of writing and posting (300 word min. posts) so it should be pretty interesting. I decided that I will likely go into school every Tuesday and make do the classes there - minus the distractions of sewing, cleaning, cooking, the phone, the two-year-old, etc!!

Somewhere inbetween Sunday and Monday I found out that my bff's uncle died. He lives in Mad-town and she lives in OR. She didn't figure she'd come home, although secretly, I harbored hope that she would. Well, God's grace is intense - and yes, she is coming home! She flies out this morning and I am picking her up at the airport tonight. It may be the only time that I get to see her....the rest of the weekend is pretty sketchy at best - she flies out of Mad-town Sunday morning - I've put it in God's hands - he knows best!

Our priest was due to come home last night - not sure if flights got delayed, but I watched all day yesterday and last night and he hasn't arrived yet. His father had passed (about 10 days or so into his trip) - so his time with family was precious, I'm sure. We have greatly missed him though and look forward to welcoming him home!

The rest of the week as been relatively uneventful - went to school on Thursday, stayed home and fixed a friend's coat yesterday (new zipper) as well as made her 8 neck warmers - it was a sewing day!!

Yesterday Hubby and Son went to our local (30 minute drive away) Catholic High School to check it out - he is in 6th grade this year, so we need to make the decision between that and the local public school. We are doing lots of praying now, as there ARE tuition costs, and of course: the driving to get him there!! God will show us the way, I am sure!

Tonight I'll make the drive to the airport, luckily it's only CWA, so much closer than the Twin Cities - the Son convinced me that since my bff is his godmother, he should come too. I think that we'll get some good bonding time and hey, who can refuse his logic??

Tomorrow I have my first "real" physical since high school. This was on my list of goals for the year and is a pretty easy one, but one that is easily put off as well. I figured since I am going to school to be an RN, not only should I lose weight, start eating better, etc (essentially, live the life that I will be preaching!!) but also get the satisfaction of seeing the "numbers" go down as well - because as you get fit, your numbers reflect it!

The Flu

The flu has been here - and is leaving and not coming back - we hope!! It's been a crazy week, with a child staying home from school -each one day, different days, except for the oldest - last week. All of seem to have had it to some level or degree, with me being down on Sunday night and all day Monday and Hubby coming home from work yesterday. Luckily, it seems to just be a 12-24 hour bug, so things are clearing up some!

School has started - we are starting to get into the swing of things again. I love learning and the challenges that it presents. My Abnormal Psych class looks to be interesting and I can't wait to see some of things I will learn! My other two classes (Gerontological Nursing and Intro to Critical Care Nursing) start on Monday, so I am excited for that too!

The son got his new bow. My brother bought a new hard case for his bow and passed his down to our son. My dad and brother went through their arrows and got them refletched and cut to Son's size - so he now has 8 practice arrows - and despite the temps only being in the single digits, he's outside practicing all the time!

The three middle girls are doing SO WELL in piano - one of these days I will figure out how to upload video ...the eldest daughter plays an awesome "Carol of the Bells" and "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" - I do NOT regret paying for this skill that they are learning, as I see them going far with it!

The baby continue to astounds me daily - she has had zero regressions in potty training and doesn't even wear a diaper to bed! We seem to have a new rhythm down where even though she doesn't take a nap (most days) anymore, she goes sleep no later than 7:30 and sleeps until about that same time in the morning! It's nice to be on a more "normal" schedule!

The weight continues to come off and the exercise is progressing - about 2 days a week now - still a little sporadic, but I'm hoping that with warmer weather that I can get outside more!

We are still missing our priest - another few weeks and he should be back. While I understand that we are fortunate to have priests in the area that can come and say Sunday masses, it will be nice to have him home and to get back in the swing of things and be "normal."

Dean's list ....and then some!

I got my letter yesterday - not only did I make the Dean's list - but.....I am "part of a very elite group that received a 4.00." Yes, I am proud: a 35 year-old mom with five kids, a hubby, a house, 2 dogs...etc., etc......and I maintained a 4.00 average. Whew! Now, I have my books bought/borrowed for next semester and hopefully can maintain this GPA!

We are working well on cleaning and purging - this morning's agenda includes the closet under the basement (and yes, this is JUST as ominous as it sounds) - it's time to put away Christmas totes and organize the rest of the clothing totes that are down there.

Weight loss is going well. Down 3 pounds (and some change) since the first of the year. It continues to be a struggle, but I know that it wont happen overnight.

Hubby is liking his new job well enough. Most of the people he works with are competent (which is good, you just never know - SO MANY people have little to no work ethic's these days!) and his bosses are kind. I am relieved to know that he doesn't dread going in!

Tonight my brother is coming over to pick up my son and go to pick up his first "real" bow. Now, he has never had any "play" bows - but this is the first "man" bow - set up with legal pulling limits, etc. He is purchasing it from his own money and thrilled to be getting it. It was at our local sports store and was up for sale by my third cousin. He went from $175 to $90 for him! Needless to say, the day will not go fast enough for our 12 year old son!

On a downer....we received a call from India Monday morning: Father's dad had passed away that morning. I am sure that he will be staying there for a few more weeks to help his family and to tie up as many loose ends as possible. We all miss him terribly, but keep him and his family in our prayers, as we personally know what a hard time he is going through.

New Year, New Goals

So, here they are....my new goals:

• Lose a minimum of another 20 pounds (I did this last year, and would like to see more!)
• Get a full physical
• Exercise 3 times a week (on the way....enrolled in Zumba already, wishing my SIL would too!)
• Save $4000 - now that Hubby's job is stable, I would like to see at least this much in savings...after paying off our "bank of mom and dad" loans, lol!
• Straight A's (again, this semester - and Dean's List too!)
• Attend one weekly Mass - we attend Mass on Sundays, no if's and's or butt's - so now I would like to attend a weekly Mass too - the kids go every Wed, but I would like to go as well and keep doing it through the summer.
• Start a better prayer regimen - right now, this is a little sporadic and I would like it to be more consistent.
• More family time - even if it means JUST our family, sitting down and playing a game or watching a movie - the kids are growing too fast - next year "the baby boy" is starting Jr. High!!
• More fresh fruits and veggies....we lag a little in this area and need to round it out
• Purge more often - I am a saver by nature, but would like to get a little more organized, which means a little more purging!

I may add to my list....but these are my goals - thanks to a good friend in a nearby town for all of the support and love and tears to help us both make it through these tough times!

2 Surgeries + 2 Appts =

PERFECT legs!! (not really, but they WILL feel better!)

Ah yes.....it was time. I have more than a few bulging veins in my legs - and they are only getting worse. One in particular made me nervous because it was sooo close to the surface - if it would get touched wrong, it could burst. In talking with my PCP, she agreed and sent me to see a specialist. He, in turn said I was too young to be experiencing such bad legs and said I should do them both.

Sooo, on the third and seventeenth of January, I will get them done. Just in time for the new semester to start and crack back down on the books.

I think that I am most excited about the fact that I can drive myself there AND home - it's a (fairly) simple laser procedure. The next day is already back to "normal" activities and they re-check in two days to make sure all is well.

I feel blessed to live 20 minutes from such a fantastic medical facility!