Changing in so many ways!

So I've totally slacked on the whole blog thing. I'm back and now I'm going to try and update in one post and then continue on. So 2012 came and went and now we're on to 2013 (mid year). Things have changed a lot! Ethan started school, and Eli's in Junior High. 
This was a picture from the first day of school! They've grown so much since then! Eli is almost as tall as me, his hands are officially bigger than mine and he wears the same size shoe as Miguel. Livi is also getting taller and cuter. Ethan is grower taller and only a size or two behind Livi in shoes.

Along with our kids all in school, now our whole family is. That's right, we all go to school everyday except Miguel and I both work in school. I started last October as a math teacher in the High School. I teach Algebra I and Geometry. I get to work with teenage boys everyday (I think it's preparing me for how I don't want my children to become). I made it through my last day of school and only have a work day tomorrow! This summer was much needed!!!! I didn't know how I was going to make it to Thanksgiving break and when it was done, I was ok to work again. Christmas came just in time before a melt down I thought I was going to have. Spring Break was a breath of fresh air and this last month and a half of school was sooo long. Anyone that gives a state assessment exam can empathize with me! I did get to go to prom with my husband, again. Well, this time I was a chaperon as opposed to the first time I was a student!

I have met some great teachers and made some good friends! I'm still trying to get into this whole working thing full time and finding out it pretty much sucks. Oh well, have to make the best of the situation! I've entered a new phase in my life and know it's going to take some time to get used to it. I'm growing up! Isn't this what every parent looks forward to---or spouse? I'm still learning how to juggle being mom, working full time (and then some), wife, cook, taxi, referee, and all the other things that I do. I'm learning that you can't plan enough for everything and that is the key to success---planning.

That brings me to my next point, planning on succeeding. So with all this new life changing experiences comes...get ready for it.....it's exciting....ok, maybe not that exciting............you guessed it.......weight gain. Sorry, I know that was anticlimactic but it was fun! So I'm back up to my heaviest weight and not happy with it. I put on at least 10 lbs. working and need to get rid of it. I've had some come to Jesus moments and finally admitted that my husband eats better than I do, even with all my fresh juices, protein shakes and homemade alternative uses with greek yogurt and applesauce! So, I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm not getting any younger....

neither is my sister for that matter (she just turned 40)! This is a picture of us on her birthday--I flew up and surprised her! I took her shopping all day while my mom and her husband got everything ready for her surprise party! That's besides the point. The point is, I'm done. I'm done with feeling bad about myself. I'm done with eating crap and then feeling crappy. I'm done with all of it. It's time to focus on me and feeling better. I feel good when I eat good. When I eat good, I workout more and it's a good thing. This summer I'm going to learn to cook some new foods (and hopefully teach my 13 yr. old son to cook too) and eat clean. I lost weight before when I ate clean and worked out. I know I can do it, i just have to DO IT! Nike was smart when they came up with that logo! So after eating Sonic today and feeling crappy (took a nap too--could be a side effect of school finishing today) I got my lazy arse up and went and did a body pump class that should make my legs pretty sore.

When I came home, I had 3/4 of a chicken breast and a small banana. I know the banana wasn't the best thing to eat at night (it was like 8:30) but it's a start in a new direction. I have no one to blame but me for where I've come. It's time to stop blaming and start doing!!! So....join me  on my journey. I am going to blog everyday about my successes and failures and all that goes on! Happy Summer!

School has come to an end----SUMMERTIME!

School has come to an end and so now summer has begun! Elijah completed the 4th grade,

Elijah and Mrs. Mize--his 4th gr. teacher

Alivia completed kindergarten,

Alivia and Mrs. Redburn-her kinder teacher

and Ethan finished his mother's day out! I can't believe how fast they are growing!

Ethan's last day of school with Mrs. Monique and Mrs. Diane--his teddy bear parade!

Next year Alivia will be in 1st grade, Eli 5th grade and Ethan in pre-k (at Mother's Day Out program). Just trying to enjoy every minute with them; especially the sleep in late mornings (around 8 or 9 am) and the late nights!

Our summer consists of a lot of pool time, going to the library and trying to wear out the childrens' energy!

Here' to summer!

Day trip to Wimberley & Fort fun!

I've really been trying to enjoy every moment with my kids since time is not on my side. They all just keep getting older and wiser (ha!)! I've tried not being so high strung and just go with the flow and enjoy the simple things in life. Miguel had to go to a funeral in Wimberley so I thought it would be fun to make a day trip out of it and go see what the little tourist town is about! After we dropped Miguel off, we went back into town and went to a park. Majority of our time was spent there, where the kids threw sticks in the water! After much coaxing and promising to go to a candy store, we finally left the park!

ethan trying on hippie glasses in a toy/candy store!

We went to a toy/candy store and looked around. The kids wanted everything and so I told them we were going to get ice cream and if they didn't want that, then we could come back and they could get some candy. Let's just say, they were fine with getting ice cream. Since Miguel's funeral was very long, we had to kill more time. We drove down the mainstreet and found a middle school that had a playground. I read in the car (since it was cold and I only had a light sweatshirt on) for awhile while the kids played. After that, I got out and played tag with them for awhile! When everyone was thirsty and Livi was upset and Ethan had splinters in his hand, we decided to call it quits! We waited back at the park for Miguel and enjoyed a game of "Uno" on a blanket at the park! It was a great Saturday!

Eli fake sleeping in the fort!

Then, since the kids didn't have school on Monday, I thought it would be a good idea to build a fort for the kids and let them sleep in it! I remember using every encyclopedia in the house to hold the blankets down for our fort! We built a great fort, got all the kids in it and they had fun. It didn't take long for them to go to sleep, but let's just say, the night was not great!

Ethan in front of the fort!

Livi woke up a couple of times to switch from the couch, to my bed, to finally end up in her bed. Ethan and Eli woke me up at 3am b/c they were trying to fix the fort. At a little after 5am, I had had enough. I stormed into where the tent was to see both boys awake, playing the radio with every night light on, and and an extension added onto the fort.

getting their places ready in the fort

They both had to go to their own beds and warned them not to wake me up early! It started out good, but should have known it couldn't last long! We decided we'll try it again, in a few years!!

It's official...I'm ....

no, not pregnant. Whoever thought that should be shot, ok, not shot, but seriously?? I'M GRADUATING from college on Friday!!

This has been a very long journey that started when I was just 18, and now I'm 29. Now, all that time was not spent in school. I did take 5 years off to have 3 kids! After a lot of perserverance, patience, hard work, and tears, I will receive my bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Physics. After being in school so long, not sure what to do now! I guess enjoy my kids before they're all grown up and be a mom!

We'll see what's next for me! Any suggestions??

Summer turns into School Time!

(at the Rainforest Pyramid in Moody Gardens-Galveston)

So, the summer flew by, again. Don't you remember how time used to be so much slower when you were a child? Why is it that it gets faster and faster the older you get? We had a good summer. It went quickly because I was working about 60+ hours a week, for two months of it. I finally quit and was able to spend the last part of the summer with the kids.

(in Galveston at the Rainforest Cafe)

Alivia went into Kindergarten and Elijah started 4th grade today.

That left just me and Ethan. When I asked him what we should do today, he replied "let's play Bingo!" We never got around to Bingo, but we did have a blast at the jumpy place (indoor bounce house place).

(Ethan climbing on the school playground after we dropped the other kids off at school!)

I would say it was a good summer, but glad for school to start! I start school on Wednesday--I'm finishing my last class (2nd comp. science class) and will graduate in December from my very long college career. Ethan will go to Mother's Day Out program on T/Th and that leaves me to find some new freedom!! To another great school year!

Charlie's Angels, almost!

Life has been as busy as ever, but I still managed to get in some paintball action with my friend, Shonna! We 'work' together at school, but really hang out all day! She invited me to go play paintball with her and her family and a bunch of people I didn't know, and I was all over that! If you haven't ever tried, you should. IT's Totally FUN! If it wasn't so expensive, it would be my new hobby!





Besides school, working, being a wife/mom, things are good. Eli's doing well in school, loves scouts and still likes to tease his siblings! Livi is growing up, learning her alphabet (Thanks Mrs. Bonnie & Mrs. Denise) and becoming a pro on her bike! Ethan is my last child for a reason--precious, but has no fear! After all, he's just trying to keep up with Eli and Livi. He likes to do anything that involves running, jumping, kicking or throwing. He's all boy to put it simply. Miguel is as busy as ever! He started club volleyball and that takes him away on weekends! It's a good thing he still loves it!

Ethan and Livi with Marge's dog, Guiness. No, Livi's not homeless, and yes, she did pick out her own outfit and brush her own hair!

UPDATES!!! HALLOWEEN 2008

We had a great time for Halloween this year! We went to the Trunk-or-Treat at church on the Wednesday before Halloween. This worked out well, because Eli got sick on the actual Halloween night!

Miguel was dressed as a coach, who would have thought? This is him in action--sitting in the trunk of our van handing out candy!

Eli, a.k.a. Mr. Incredible, was kind (mostly) to take Ethan, a.k.a. Tigger, around to all the cars and teach him how to load up on the candy!Althought Livi, a.k.a. Sunshine Bear had a lot of fun, apparently it was painful to take this picture!!This was the actual Halloween night! Livi was Sunshine Bear, I was a clown (check out the long rainbow eyelashes I had--they were fun!) and Ethan was a dinosaur! We had a good time going house to house. Eli stayed home, since he was sick, and passed out candy.

Still Going STRONG!!

Ok, life has really taken over and I haven't been able to post everything I've wanted to such as: 3rd Annual Sisters' Weekend, Halloween Pictures, and just life in general since my last post over a month ago. Well, things are pretty much same old, same old here, but a little lighter. You may ask yourself, 'Self, what does she mean by 'a little lighter?' ' Well, I'm proud to boast, I mean, admit, I've been doing boot camp for 6 MONTHS. Yes, you read that right. SIX MONTHS of waking up when most people are still sleeping,

(if I was sleeping, I'd love to sleep in this bed!!!)

when most sane people are taking advantage of the darkness outside and sleeping in their cozy, comfortable beds. Not me! I'd rather be out in the 30 degree weather, running around a dark park shouting out boot camp songs and stopping every 100 yards doing some insane exercise the instructors think is a good idea! Why you might ask yourself? Because I've spent too many days regretting being overweight and not happy with myself.

So, I've come to a simple explanation. You have 2 choices:

1. Complain about your life (or something you aren't happy about) or

2. Do something about it.

Before you know it, it's been six months, and you could still be complaining and thinking you might start changing tomorrow, or be a little better off than you were six months earlier. It's up to you. For me, I picked the first option for way to long, and it got me further away from where I wanted to be. So, I decided insanity (isn't insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? ) wasn't for me anymore.

After six months of boot camp, I can proudly say that I have lost 14% body fat and am down about 22 lbs. My weight now is... (c'mon, you really think I'd put that on the web? for real, people!) The numbers on the scale don't show how healthy I'm becoming. And, there are some more benefits to eating healthier and exercising.

I have learned:

1. Don't have to have dessert every day

2. Don't have to have chocolate after every meal (or between meals)

3. Can eat smaller portions

4. Can stick to something!!! (that's a big one for me!)

5. I am not only making myself healthier, but I'm setting an example to my family!!!

So, I wish you well on your quest to complete something. Remember, you never know what tomorrow will bring, and if tomorrow will ever come!!!

Just some precious kids!

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I'd post some pictures of my kids! They're having fun in school, soccer, piano, and just being kids!

Ethan snuck in my room and fell asleep. He looks like such a big kid! My baby is already 3!

Livi was at Tara's birthday party at a dance studio. She had a lot of fun!!

Eli (and Alayna) swimming in the pool the last week before school started!

They're getting older and older by the day! Eli's already 8 1/2, Livi's 4 1/2, and Ethan just turned 3!

"Having children makes you mature more quickly – for each of their years you age by two!"

-Stuart Macfarlane

BEST WEEK EVER!

Since I'm such a great mom (there's sarcasm in my writing, but you can't hear it!) I decided we'd have the best week ever before school started. There's really 2 reasons why I did it: first, because I've been lame all summer and we haven't really done anything, and secondly, I wanted to make sure Eli had something to write about when he went back to school. If we did it too early in the summer, they'd forget. So, why not do it the week before school and they totally remember? I made them take pictures as proof of our fun!

Monday: we went to Olypmic Hills Gymnastics where they have open gym for toddlers! Ethan and Livi love it (Eli is a super big helper!)

Tuesday: we went to the mall and ate lunch (I did a bunch of errands) and the kids got a cookie!

Wednesday: we went to Goin' Bananas (our neighbor, Katie, came with us!)

Thursday: we went to Gattitown. Kids even got to play some games (I didn't just pretend they were playing!)

Friday: we went swimming and had a lunch at the pool!

On top of the fun things we did all week, I reminded the kids frequently we were having "The best week, ever!" I sang the song to them (changed the words from 'best day ever' to 'best week ever.' It's from Spongebob--any of you who have watched this with their kids know what I'm talking about!)

SUMMER FUN!

I decided since I'm such a lame mom, to do something fun with the kids today. I thought it might be fun, but ended up being torturous to me! We went to the free movie at Westgate and saw....Mr. Bean's Holiday. Ok, I've never seen Mr. Bean, but I thought he was hilarious in Rat Race so I didn't think it would be that bad....boy, was I wrong. Eli really liked it. Livi kept asking when we were going to see Stuart Little 2 (that was the other option for the free movie), and Ethan...well, let's just say he's 2. The popcorn we had lasted Ethan about 5 minutes, and the cookies lasted about 2, so the rest of the movie he was pretty bored. He ran down the stairs once and Eli caught him. We went to the restroom twice just to kill time! My advice: See a movie that will catch a 2 yr.old's attention, bring enough snacks for an hour and don't go by yourself with 3 kids!

We then joined Miguel for some lunch at Chick-Fil-A and the kids got to play. We headed home for nap time. It finally rained really good this afternoon--thank the Lord! I figured since I'm being a good mom today, I could continue that and do something different. Instead of our gourmet dinner of grilled ham and cheese at the table, I thought we'd have an indoor picnic. The kids really liked it! I made little name cards for the kids and set out their plates. I asked them to all wash their hands and then wait for me in the bathroom. The kids were great! They waited just outside the bathroom in a line from youngest to oldest. I told them we were going on an adventure---an indoor picnic!

After posing for the camera a couple of times (first time I used the timer) we all cleaned up and got ready for bed! I'd have to say that today was a success!!! (besides Eli being grounded and Ethan in time-out for the rest of the night for climbing on the piano, AGAIN!)

Still Staying Strong!

I've been going to boot camp for almost 4 weeks. I have not missed a day yet, and I truly enjoy it! It's been really hard, I've been really sore, but I've lost a couple pounds and have definitely gained muscle! The hardest part for me, is eating right. I'm on a strict 1500 calorie diet and have to break down what I eat, and how many grams it contains of protein, carbs, fat and calories. It's been a total pain to do that, but it sure helps me not want to eat junk so I don't have to write it down in my food journal! Anyways, if anyone is interested, I'd highly recommend it! It's at the Buda City Park and they have 4 different times they do it everyday (it's an hour long). I've been going to the 5:30am class. Yes, that means I get up about 5am and then go work out for an hour! If I just can't get up in the morning, I'll go to the 6pm or 7pm class! Wish me luck! You might not recognize me the next time you see me with my big guns! (aka--biceps)

Just when you think things can't get any worse.....that's when the bugs come in!

I don't know anyone who has had a better week than this past week! Just when I think my life can't get anything more into it, that's when the bugs come! This past week was a very hectic one, including a test in modern physics, homework due in fourier series class, miguel leaving to go out of town and having a babysitter come relieve my other babysitter, having to drive to Houston by myself (after just taking Ethan to the Dr. to get shots), helping my sister move in, trying to get my kids to nap, trying to get my kids to go to bed, and then finding out that Livi has lice. Yes, the parasite that lives in your hair. Ethan had it too. They both only had nits (which are the eggs and can't be spread). After disinfecting my mom's house, learning that I had lice too, my sister went to my other sister's house to pick up Eli. His head was pretty nasty with the lice. So, my sister brought him over to my mom's, I shaved his head and then put lice shampoo on him. I did this only after my sister put the shampoo on me, my brother shaved Ethan's hair, I cut livi's hair and put shampoo on them. Then, I had to comb thru literally each strand of her hair and pull out the nits with my fingernails (they are really hard to get off). As if that wasn't enough, then my mom and I got into a really big argument and I had only slept 3 hours the night before! After sleeping Saturday night and dreaming all about parasites and what I was going to have to do when I got home, we headed home. That's when the real fun began! I had to wash everyone's bedding, vacuum the house, the furniture, disinfect brushes and combs (did I mention Miguel was in Reno this whole time?), unpack the car, call Eli's teacher, look for nits in the kids' head and somehow get some sleep? I think that Eli brought it home to everyone from school (which is usually what happens). Miguel didn't get it--probably b/c he's at work most of the time and out of town when all hell breaks loose!
And that's it for my horrible,terrible,no good, very bad week!
Hope yours was better!

(by the way, if anyone needs some knowledge about lice, I have a lot I could share with you!)

I DID IT!

It's taken me so long to post an update from my half marathon because I have to admit me and my sister both forgot to bring our cameras. I know. I always do that. I have this great camera and I forget to use it. Anyways, I'll tell you I finished in under 3 hrs. (which isn't great, but hey, at least I finished)! And I was 18 out of 27 in my age group! And guess what, I think I'm going to do it again. I need to train during the week more and I'd love to train with someone. So, if you're up for running 13.1 miles on sand, let me know!!! It was a great feeling of accomplishment (after all the pain went away and I had a medal)!!!

Good Laugh Courtesy of my Kids!

So we're having our normal Sunday evening dinner, Macaroni & Cheese, and the kids are all watching the Backyardigans from the table. I've seen this one episode more times than any human, or adult should, so I'm singing along with it. As I'm singing and dancing to 'Racing Day, it's Racing Day..." my 3 yr. old makes a nice comment.

Livi: Mom, I see your boobs dancing!

Me: (I have nothing to respond to this other than laughing--that's some good parenting skills if I do say so myself)!

then my 7-yr. old sees what a good laugh that I gave his sister so he chimes in with: Mom, look, my nipples are dancing (as he shakes his bare chest).

I guess that's when I had so step in and be the adult. So I told them: Ok, we're done with this.

Moral of the story: Either I shouldn't wear v-necks or maybe I need to get a new bra. I like the latter one---Victoria Secret, here I come with my dancing boobs!

Procrastination is my friend!

What better thing to do than everything else than what I really need to be doing? Did you follow? I figure since I really should be doing homework, why not catch up on my email, blog stalking and ice cream eating? Who wouldn't want to surf the web when you could be figuring out problems about particles colliding at certain speeds close to c? Does anyone know what 'c' stands for? Anyways, I thought it would be a good time to type another post.

Why do kids say the darndest things? I think I figured it out. I think they say it to make us realize that we are the idiots, not them. Tonight my daughter asked me: "Why did you yell at Eli?" I replied, 'Because he wasn't listening to me.' Then I thought about it some more and realized. If I'm yelling at him, how can I even notice if he's listening to me. Better yet, why would he listen to me yell? If I were him, I'd probably want to cover my ears or leave the room. So, I'm going to try a different approach. I'm going to try and NOT yell at my kids. I know. This is totally foreign to me and who knows, it might even work! Wish me luck!

Gala Fun!

So I wanted to go to a 'Thanksgiving Gala' Miguel's school was putting on for numerous reasons, such as:

1. I have never been to a Gala and don't even know what it means

2. It was at the TDS ranch and wanted to see what it looked like

3. It was an opportunity for Miguel and I to spend some time together (always a plus!)

4. There was going to be really good food, and we didn't have to pay for it!

It was an experience I'll never forget! We had a great time. We drove out to the ranch and this is only a small taste of what I got to see!

this was one of the first pictures---yes, those are zebras.

don't know what this is--but I had to slow down so it could run right in front of me!

this is what I saw as I pulled up to the gala and turned around. YES--that's a giraffe. And there was also a longhorn right in front of it!

it looked like something straight out of Africa. I really liked this picture, I might even frame it!

Who knew that something so beautiful could exsist right behind the landfill? Anyways, after checking in, Miguel and I headed over to the skeet shooting. Neither one of us had shot a gun before, so we thought we'd try it. I went first.

Yes, that's me with a 20 gauge shotgun (i think that's what it was). Check out the sunset behind the guy.

this was part of my problem--i wasn't leaning into the gun. I did get 2 out of the 8 skeet! I know what I want for Christmas now!

Next, it was Miguel's turn!

he's getting some pointers first! I guess it worked b/c he got 4 out of 8 skeet. His gun was bigger than mine!

After some good old shootin', we headin indoors to see what some people were bidding on for the auction. All the proceeds benefit the school, Regents School of Austin. Some of the things up for auction were: a chance to go in a jet and fly Mach 1, a ski boat, trip for your family to a private island on a lake, a trip somewhere on a private jet with 2 pilots for a couple of days, and then there were some things like a few cheerleaders coming to your daughters party and teaching them some cheers. To say the least, we were rubbing elbows with some very wealthy people, and totally out of our league, but it was fun and adventurous! After the great food, I split so I could go have some fun at Natalie's 30th roller skating birthday party! After a fun time on the skates again (I think the last time I roller skated is when I was 12) the night was still young! Sam and I headed down to sixth street to listen to some good music. We ended up at Pete's Piano bar and stayed there and listened to some amazing musicians!! It was fun b/c you could request songs and then everyone sang along with them! I didn't get home until sometime after 1am and learned why mom's don't go and hang out late! It took me a few days to recover, but it was so much fun!

STill HeRe

I'm still alive, just barely being able to keep up with everything! We set out on a family adventure this past weekend. I drove to Fort Wort with the kids on Friday afternoon and came back on Saturday afternoon. It was cut short due to a volleyball loss. Yes, Miguel's volleyball team lost unfortunately, and we came back early. They made it to the final four in the state play-offs, but lost the first game and it's single elimination. As Miguel put it, "It wasn't their year." They won state last year, but it wasn't meant to be this year.

(this was last year after they won state----hence, the big volleyball trophy)

Well, it was 8 hours well, ok not well, but spent in the car. I would advise any other mothers traveling by themselves with children, don't go during nap time like I did. It backfired on me. I left about 12:30 thinking the kids would sleep since that's their normal nap time. Livi took a power nap until Ethan woke her up (I think it was seriously like 10 min). Ethan fell asleep about 20 minutes before we got to the game. Oh well, we had an adventure!





Now it's off to the next adventure---studying for my Physics test on Tuesday, writing my lab for Physics due Wednesday, and studying for my Deterministic Operations Research test on Wednesday!!! Wish me luck! I'll be back after that's over with!