How did that happen?

Wow.  April already.  Really?
So much for blogging more.
Life has a way of taking over for me.  And by life, I mean my two kids and husband. 
They like, need things. 
But it has been a happy absence. 
I ran a fundraiser for my daughter's PTO, enjoyed spring break at my mom's house, my son turned 5 and we have been making plans for our 10 year anniversary this summer.
Also, I found out I have a brother.  My dad never knew about him and he found me and my sisters about 3 months ago.  It has been fun getting to know him.  It is sad he will never get to know who his father was, but my sisters and I are trying hard to make up for that.
So besides that lifetime movie of the week moment, things are simple for me here in Texas.
To which I am grateful.

New Year, of course

Life took over.  What can I say?  I got lazy.  That is probably the truth. 
The lure of one liners and obscure references of twitter swallowed me in.  I have two kids remember. And one is a kindergartner now.  And I am a room mom.  And joined PTO!
But anyway, life is goodish.
My babies are thriving.  The husband and I will celebrate 10 years this summer.  And I completed my first 5k, which happened to be the Zombie Run For Your Lives 5k. I jumped mud hills, crossed a balance beam over freezing water, climbed a thorny hill and dodged "zombies.  And totally enjoyed my free beer at the end.  And by free, I mean the beer built into the ungodly expensive admission ticket.
So it was  a great summer.  And fall.  I went to Italy!  My first overseas experience.  But I won't give details.  No reason people should feel jealous on the first day of a new year.
Ok.  I'm gonna blog more.  Promise.  Well, maybe.
But if you really need a little of me, head over to ourjourneyinfitness.wordpress.com .
The hubs and I are trying our hand at getting fit and at the same time putting our journey in writing for all to judge.

SUMMER!

My summer has officially started.
Alivia had her first dance recital, which went perfect!, and school is done as of last Wednesday.  At least for my kids.
We have nothing to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And let me tell you, this is a great feeling.
Oh!  And Jackson is FINALLY potty trained.  I was having nightmares of changing his diaper at 10 years old.
So basically, my life is perfect.
And it's summer.
And I am going to make all the recipes I have "pinned".
And I am going to buy bug repellent.  We had no winter here and the bug forecast is scary.
And I am going to get tan.
And I am going to sweat.
And I am going to complain about it being 104 degrees.
And I am going to drink beer by the baby pool.
Oh yes, I am going to enjoy summer. 

                                                             FAMILY PHOTO 2012

Creative Parenting

We all remember what a "handful" my son Jackson is. Right?
Timeouts don't work.
Spankings are nothing to him.
Take away his favorite toy, he says he doesn't care and laughs in my face.
He's not even 4 yet. I've given serious thought to boarding school. I'm just not sure of the financial logistics unless I become a drug runner. And well, that's never a good idea.
So I introduced wall sits. Anyone who has worked out knows these. Also referred to as an "Iron Chair" by some.
Anyhoo, they suck. And when your four, they really suck.

About a month ago I was at a breaking point. The kids were yelling/kicking/hitting/spitting. And it wasn't even 8 am yet. I had just gotten back from boot camp and thought that making them suffer through a body weight muscle building exercise might just work. (You should know that my boot camp is almost always solely and completely and horribly filled with body weight muscle building exercises. Which I openly have a love/hate relationship with.)
IT WORKED!!!
Alivia, who honestly is hardly ever bad, has been perfect since with the threat of more wall sits looming over her.
And Jackson, well, he is still Jackson, but a Jackson who pays attention a little more and acts downright frightful a little less.
I told some other moms about this and they were excited. "Oh, that is such creative parenting." For real, I just want them to stop being bad.

Coffee

I just realized that all I really need is coffee.
If I can have my morning coffee in peace, I mean real peace, then I'm good for the day.
No kid interruptions, husband needing something, cats fighting or whining for food, phone calls (from anyone!).
Just a 20 minute window of peace. With a huge cup of coffee.

That it may be

A new year?
Wouldn't' be complete without the obligatory Happy New Year! and this is what I have planned this year blog.
Honestly, I got nothing.
Ok, I guess that is not true. I do have plans for Valentine's Day already made, but if they fall through . . . then nothing.
I made no resolutions or goals.
Not by decision but just how it happens I am taking one day at a time. Not thinking of what I must be doing but what I want to be doing. This moment. Lucky for you I wanted to blog. ;)
Normally, this "fly by the seat of my pants" behavior would cause me anxiety. (People have plans. Who am I not to have one? That kind of thinking.)
My year was tough. I'd say more than I can handle, but I'm sitting here healthy.
So I am ok with my contentment in spite of being goal less.
I am going to live with this calm, happy feeling. (There's my resolution!)
And of course, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

On to the next one

Thanksgiving over.
Last game between A&M and t.u. done, complete with heartbreak.
Rocked my daughter's 5th birthday party .
Playroom reorganized and toys in bag to donate in prep of the nightmare that is Christmas.
Pumpkin center piece trashed.
House (I'm gonna clean that as soon as I'm done here)
On to the next one . . .