Honeymoon in Savannah, GA

I got to fly out to visit with my husband before he went overseas and we got to visit a beautiful area: Savannah.

First Stop in my Vacation

Here I am at my 10th High School Reunion- had some fun catching up with friends...

This is a story of a man who asked out a woman [they looked a lot like the people in the picture above but skinnier, girl had shorter hair, and the boy had longer hair] and they dated until they fell in love with one another. The PG rating of the next part of the story is that their love spilled out and made kids.



Thing Two and Thing One

and I now get to celebrate a little holiday today: Mother's Day so Happy Mother's Day to the mother in your life... And a special thanks to my husband and boys for allowing me to be the coolest mom that I am!



In other news: today was my last day at work and I will miss my kiddos there *sniffles* but it will be nice to have Sundays with my family...

A real person writes this blog...

Here I am on St. Paddy's Day with Cyrus. Solomon took the picture and has trouble with half way clicking to auto focus and then clicking to take the picture but maybe the out-of-focus makes me look prettier. You can see my hair getting pretty long and staying naturally wavy... Anyways just thought I would let you know what I look like in case you are having a hard time picturing the person who writes this blog :)

One Word for 2009

Over on capture.create [or more specifically the post here about it] there is a challenge to come up with a word for the new year to give focus to one's resolutions and path of journey for the year... I was inspired by many of the comments and wanted to join in...

My word is:



seize   /siz/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [seez] Show IPA Pronunciation
verb, seized, seiz⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp: to seize a weapon.
2. to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely: to seize an idea.
3. to take possession of by force or at will: to seize enemy ships.
4. to capture; take into custody.
5. to take advantage of promptly: to seize an opportunity.

The following also comes to mind:

Carpe Diem "Seize the Day"

[and a mental review of the movie: Dead Poets Society...]

And being a Newsies' fan, I'll share with you the lyrics of a song that ties in well with my theme for 2009:

Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Arise and seize the day!

Now is the time to seize the day
(Now is the time to seize the day)
Send out the call and join the fray
(Send out the call and join the fray)

Wrongs will be righted
if we're united
Let us seize the day!

Friends of the friendless seize the day
(Friends of the friendless seize the day)
Raise up the torch and light the way
(Raise up the torch and light the way)

Proud and defiant
We'll slay the giant
Let us seize the day
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son
One for all and all for one!

Open the gates and seize the day
(Open the gates and seize the day)
Don't be afraid and don't delay
(don't be afraid and don't delay)

Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son!
One for all and all for one!

and one more quote from the band, Avenged Sevenfold:

Seize the day, or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty, and cold without you here, too many people to Ache over

I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
These streets we travel on will undergo our same lost past

I'll like to sieze each day- capturing moments with my family, myself, creating, learning, and purposely doing each day instead of just going with the flow...

Happy Birthday to Me!

I celebrated my birthday [December 10th] by going to the Art Museum with the boys followed by dinner at Red Robin [exciting right].
Then we had a family dinner out Friday night at the Berlin Inn Restaurant which was quite tasty german food. The downside is that the Friday night traffic in December made a 15 minute trip [normally] to the restaurant took an hour [not joking at all] but thankfully the boys took a quick nap in the car [about an half hour each].

I had received my birthday present early. Dan and the boys picked out a beautiful camera for me- a Nikon P80!!!!

and he got a deal going shopping on the Saturday after Black Friday. Got me some neat accessories too such as a tripod so we could take our "official Christmas family photo":

and that was the reason why I got it early but what would I have to brag about for my "official" birthday blog post?

Raise your tea cup or whatever you drink while you browse online and *cheers* to my 28th year!

Food

I was thinking about blogging and how my devotion to food really should have its own blog so I have started a food blog: Fluttering In the Kitchen which is where I'll be posting my weekly menus, favorite recipes and cookbooks, food blogs that I follow, and anything else related to food/eating. It also gives me an opportunity to do a blog with Wordpress which I love.
Hope to see some of my readers over there especially as I continue to add entries to my food blog.

My promotion!

I have been working in a church's nursery caring for young children for almost two years now when I applied and got a promotion. With a little pay raise which is always nice especially when I really like my job, I got an awesome new job title:
Assistant Director of the Nursery!
Doesn't that look pretty on my resume?!

Makes me happy.

Camera

It has been difficult staying motivated to post in my blog without using pictures that we take. I really, really miss my camera but maybe it is time for bigger and better things... After some researching I have my eye on a Nikon D40, or D50, or even a D60... A thing of beauty. So when my little check from college comes my way- I won't be buying a laptop so I can school anywhere- I'll be getting a camera so I can show you my kids and general life. Snapping away should have me feeling better again :)



Isn't it purty?!!!

My Inner Geek is very happy!

My two most favorite movies from when I was a young girl were: Disney's Sleeping Beauty and Red Sonja [that fantastic 1985 classic B movie click here to see the trailer on You Tube]. I LOVE Red Sonja. I haven't watch the movie in years but I have red the comics that feature her which means my Inner Geek is growing up right... So moving on to fantastic news: Red Sonja is being made into a movie slated for 2010 release!!!!
So exciting right... [Well I am excited]
Here are two online articles about the upcoming movie that has Rose McGowan playing the lead woman-warrior:

http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b144622_rose_mcgowan_wield_red_sonjas_sword.html

Hmmm I probably should expose my kids to this wonderful childhood movie of mine and see what they think. They both like superheroes- especially Cyrus.
I really hope the new version rocks and appeals to my more grown-up Geekiness!

College

So I started my very first day of college- I am attending University of Phoenix Online campus. So far so good... I will be doing two courses every 9 weeks- whew! Right now I am working on my AA in Business then I will work on my Bachelor of Science in Business/Accounting. Kind of exciting and scary right now... The kids liked the movie so I could log in with my counselor on the phone in case I have any trouble and time spent doing some exploring of the syllabus and my first assignment of checking in. [Don't worry I won't make the tv a regular babysitter!]

I joined a gym

I got another Mother's Day gift from my friend, E, which I used for a great special at 24 Hour Fitness to finally join a gym so I can get back into shape and be healthy. The weather is yuckier this year than the average year and so getting out to walk hasn't been as possible- plus the kids slow me down and they really are too big and old for a double stroller. So joining a gym is the perfect fit for us and at this deal: $24 to join and $24 a month in membership fees was way too good to pass up. Sadly this deal is no longer going but keep an eye and ear out for the next deal that can fit your budget!
Thank you E! I am very happy with my gym- already been 2 times this week and will be going tomorrow and Saturday!

New Skill

I have just taught myself how to knit.
I am using a website: Knitting Help and a book: Stitch 'n bitch [The Knitter's Handbook] by Debbie Stoller
Check out my beginning skill:









Knitting is a great activity to be productive while watching television.

Busy Bee?

So I came across this link to a blog that had an excellent quiz: Too Busy Quiz, which is funny coming after my wishful thinking/post of sleeping/napping almost 16 hours a day!

Too Busy Test
Give yourself one point for each statement that you identify with:

I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up at work.
I feel as though I am constantly trying to catch up with personal responsibilities.
My life feels out of balance.
My breathing right now is shallow.
I am regularly late to appointments and scheduled activities.
There's rarely a break in my schedule.
My shoulders are not relaxed right now.
I eat lunch at my desk at least once per week.
I sometimes work straight through lunch.
I have not had a vacation longer than seven days in the last year.
A seven day vacation? I have never had one of those.
I have not gotten together with friends for fun and conversation in over a month.
Keeping up with household chores is a struggle because of time constraints.
I am dissatisfied with the amount of quality time I am able to spend with my spouse or significant other.
I am dissatisfied with the amount of quality time I am able to spend with my child.
I don't take time to exercise.
I resent the things I do for family or friends because I have little or no time for myself.
The fuel light in my car has come on at some point in the last two months because I have not had time to fill it up.
My mail is piled up because I haven't had time to open or sort it.
I have missed paying a bill on time in the last three months because I was too busy to notice the due date had passed.
I sometimes run out of socks, jeans, or other laundry items because I haven't had time to do the laundry.
I don't have time to write thank-you notes.
My to-do list rarely gets completely checked off for the day.
I work late more than once per week.
At least once per week, I skip meals because I am too busy.

Now total your points up:
1-5 Points- Busy
Your schedule is challenging at times, but you are managing to get by. A few small changes will make a big difference towards helping you to take complete control of your time.

6-10 Points- Too Busy
Either life is becoming increasingly too busy for you, or you've been managing to get by but are starting to lose control. By taking action over these next 28 days, you can finally take charge of your schedule and decrease the stress that has been building.

11-16 Points- Too Busy & Frustrated
Life has been hectic for awhile and if you don't slow down soon and become more intentional about where and how you focus your time, you will soon burn out. It is essential that you begin to take steps now so you can get your life back.

17-25 Points- Out of Control
From the author, "I understand. I've been there. And it's possible for you to transform how you live so that your schedule is aligned with what's most important to you. It may require some big changes, but remember that change is about making choices."

I scored an eleven
[My work is SAHM and the babysitting/nursery work I do]

I am good about giving myself breaks even at the expense of not crossing off everything on my to-do list. I am dissatisfied with how my home looks but I know what it'll take and doing that isn't too bad although I haven't done it yet. A big improvement for me was a resolution that I made with myself just after Solomon was born was to be on time or early for appointments and scheduled activities and I have done really, really well on this. Now if I can get my volunteer work done before the deadline- that would be the best. I have already started taking steps to improve this area. I love the quality time question- it is an area that I have been improving slowly since September last year. Although I feel that I gave up my time in writing letters/calling family and friends to make sure I have breaks or as I justify it as quality time with myself and for quality time with my family so I need to give something else up to make this all balance out and yet I don't feel that my life is out of balance right now [probably helps that I don't think beyond this week otherwise I would be "Out of Control"! I can relate to the Too Busy and Frustrated feeling- around the first week of each month I have that so it is a good thing that I am taking this test mid-month.

Anyone else care to share what score you got?

Q & A

What is the best part about your life right now?

Hot cup of tea, sleeping boys in the other room, and finding peace about not completing something I need to get done [tonight]... My first day of homeschooling went well and I still had time to play with the boys, go to an appointment, and clean parts of my home! It is a super day! Being mom is the best part overall even when Cyrus is easily prone to crying as he was today, it only meant more cuddles with him and a nap for sure tomorrow. That there seems to be a tomorrow to improve and make better than today.

What do you think the best part about the near future will be?

The sun. I miss your rays of light, warmth on my body, and those carefree days of summer [Spring is just not going well yet so we'll skip ahead to Summer...] when we can picnic in the park after playing in the playground, that I can wear my lovely assortment of skirts and feel so pretty, and my poor plants will be thriving or that I'll be attending 2-3 Farmer Markets a week instead...

What are you most afraid of?

This is a difficult question- I am not really afraid of much- I suppose I know that things can always be worst and better so why fear it. I do hate heights now [having two children has helped that fear fester] and of course it was a lot of fun to find out when riding a tram several feet above the ground in a little box- I had to give my kids to other people to watch out for while I mildly panicked! I did go back down which was a little easier than going up.

What are you a little worried about?

Doing it all! I have prioritize my list so it is not so overwhelming and I try not to beat myself up about the last 3 things or so not done on my list...

What do you dream of?

Well in my far fetch dream I win the Powerball: I would buy a house with history, take the kids and travel the US and the World, have a wonderful gal cleaning my home, and give back to the community.
My someday dreams are a better camera and taking some Photography classes- get back in touch with my wild and creative self. Finally studying ASL [American Sign Language] all the way to possibly getting an interpreter certificate. Of course watching my kids become upstanding men, citizens of the world, following their dreams, boyfriends/husbands, and fathers.
For now I am going to work on learning to knit and mothering/teaching my boys.

What questions do you have?

Can I ever do enough?
Will Dan take the boys out so I have an hour to myself this weekend?
Will it ever be warm and sunny?
What should I plan for our wedding anniversary?
Am I crazy?

What skills can you share?

I am really finding my peace and stride as a mother- my confidence that allows me to tell my kids "Bring it on!" because I can deal with it well. I am hoping to share my enthusiasm as a mother with others.
My volunteering skills are getting used as next year [starting Summer to beginning of school] I will be President of a MOMS Club chapter [can you believe that I was nominated by 3 people- oh the love!], Publicity [otherwise know as "Paper Girl"] in my MOPS group, return to the fundraising committee at O School, where Cyrus will be attending Preschool and I will be playing in the classroom periodically, and doing more with Oregon Food Bank. I would love to walk for Komen's Race for Cure but I need to join and use a gym first.
I have some skills in the kitchen as there are requests for "more please" and "you are the best cook"
I love to read- I would imagine after reading thousands of books that I am pretty skillful at reading...
It is hard for me to know what is a skill verses a nurtured talent... I often wonder if I have any talents left undiscovered and what they are?

Addiction

I probably go to Trader Joe's for most of my food- I adore that place. I probably should work there so maybe I can get sick of it but after trying one box of the Candy Cane Joe-Joe's [yes you read that right- I ate ONE box by myself] I am hoplessly addicted. Then I behaved after my sugar induced coma with a very sick stomach- I did feel better after sleeping through the night, having eggs and hearty toast for breakfast, vegetable soup for lunch, baked chicken with vegetables then I ate another box- this time Dan helped me. You are incapable of stopping at 4 or even 10 cookies and reading the label while eating doesn't stop me nor anyone else for that matter. So I will be thankful when it sells out [Trader Joe's employees have promised me] and the holiday cookies are gone then I will work off those sugary, minty, chocolately, candy cane bits, cream and a crunch in the same bit, goooey goodness- well ummmm now that I am thinking about it- there is another box in the kitchen..... So do not buy a box or make sure you have to share with 5 other people so your portion will be shorter than a box of holiday cheer!

My Birthday

Thank you everyone for your calls and items in the mail- I love them all. I had a very nice birthday! Next week, I will have my sushi dinner [also a date with Dan] and a movie [I Am Legend] so I am looking forward to continuing the good times.

Much Love,

Monica