We had our third cheerleading competition today and it was fun. The girls are all getting along nicely and having a blast.
We took lots of pictures to pass the time (these comps can be lonnnggggg). The girls took 2nd place (out of 2 teams!), but they won the Spirit Award for bringing the most canned food to donate to the food bank. We thought that was a pretty good accomplishment considering most of the teams there were more than double our size.
Overall cheerleading has been a good experience for my girls. We have 2 more comps to go and then we're off until #2 starts cheering for football in August. I am helping to plan the banquet in April so that should keep me busy!
I am wondering when everyone writes because you will very rarely ever read any posts I write in the evening (if you are reading this then I just contradicted myself!). In the evening I am either deliriously rambling on about nothing or I'm way. too. deep. and. serious. about. the. meaning. of. life. I also tend to have double the amount of grammatical errors and misspelled words at night. I have not figured out if it is because I am tired or if it is because it is dark outside. I'm also slightly more prone to anxiety in the evening. The quiet of the house seems to mock me, "Girl...you've got some serious problems to figure out before you go to sleep". Thankfully, I'm usually exhausted enough to ignore the nagging thoughts and I'm able to fall asleep.
So, that would explain why I only post a few times a week on average since the better posts are produced in the morning. There is something about a fresh, hot caffeine-filled cup of Joe that awakens my bloggity senses and I can usually put two sentences together and form a thought. And, it is invigorating to wake up and be given another day on the planet to live out the adventure we call life.
See, another reason I don't blog at night...I sound like a cheesy commercial.
How about you? Do you have a favorite time of day to articulate your thoughts on the blogosphere? Or, is this just an example of one of those annoying, rambling posts about nothing and you never really notice or care what time of day you write? It's okay...you can be honest!
It's been an emotional few weeks of life. Without getting into details, I have just been stressed out to the max and my body is feeling it. I have been so stressed it leaves me with no appetite or the exact opposite: I'll eat a donut...mindlessly....and, then have another one later in the day when I realize I skipped lunch. Nothing terribly earth shattering....some hurtful things happening with family members. Some school issues with a harsh middle school teacher. Girl drama. Sick children. Facebook deactivation.
Let's just say I've been fighting off a "victim" mentality.
I also have been struggling with horrible headaches, even before the major stresses rolled around. One right after the other. I finally promised The Husband I'd go to the doctor (and, he's going today for these horrible nose bleeds he has been having). I was given a script for migraine medication and told I need to cut back on the caffeine. I admitted to 3-5 cups per day, but honestly, it is more like 7 or 8 per day. Coffee, tea and Diet Coke. So, I figured if she thought I should cut back from 3-5, I REALLY better cut back from 7-8!
And, I have not been exercising during all of this. It is a miracle I managed to get in the shower most days. Exercise was last on my list. That hasn't really helped because I know exercise is a major stress buster. I just talked myself out of it most days because migraines and stress leave me worn out and tired. It's easier to sit on the couch and read. Or, sleep.
Since it had been nearly a month since "Big Mama" checked in on Wii Fit I'm sure I could be down much more than 2.2 pounds, but I'm trying to remain positive. At least I lost weight over the last month, rather then gained it!
Poor #3 is home sick with bronchitis so that means an unexpected day off work. I'm not complaining because I've got lots to catch up on....
* 3 missing library books (they are going to name a wing of the library after me since I've invested at least 1.2 bazillion dollars there in late fees and lost items since obtaining a library card ten years ago).
* invitations to #1's surprise birthday party....I'll stop there because Miss Nosy Pants reads this blog on a regular basis.
* a doctor's appointment for me regarding re-occurring horrible headaches and I can't seem to figure out why (maybe some sort of winter disease and the doctor will instruct me to move to the Caribbean and live on a yacht in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle??).
* finish the dreaded. task. of. filing. my. taxes.
* work on the monthly PTO newsletter. This is one of those things that was more fun in the beginning of the school year when things were fresh and new. Now, it is starting to be a drag. Does anyone read it anyway? Can it just be summer vacation for Heaven's sake??!
* get the windshield fixed on The Husband's SUV so we can go have it inspected. A month late. At least the windshield people will come to us to make the repairs in my driveway. I wish I could get the grocery store people and my hair stylist to do that, too. I'd even let her do my hair in the driveway.
I'm sure there are more things to do that aren't coming to mind until I consume my third cup of coffee. As for right now, I better get #2 up for school or this day is going to start off crazy! Or shall I say, "crazier"?
I've been having some fun being snarky vocal over at P4Moms...if you have not added this site to your reader, you should. It's a great way to stay updated and get a kick out of the comments! And, leave a few comments yourself...it helps blow off some steam if you are as frustrated as I am over the so-called "stimulus bill".
I should say that as much as I disagree with our new president and his posse, I am praying for them and our country. With that being said, I still feel free to disagree and be somewhat vocal about it....I'm still clinging to my guns, Bible and first amendment!
We kicked off our long weekend with some girly-girl time. Details can be found in my last post!
#1 and her friend chillin' in Build-A-Bear after shopping all the cool, trendy shops, including Abercrombie & Fitch with their PG-13 rated advertising materials (#1 and I agreed they would not get any of our money to support their smut!).
This is the gang at the indoor playground located by the Food Court. Not pictured is the 3-year old little boy I yelled at who kept chasing #3 around and hitting and punching her. His mom? No where to be seen during his entire reign of terror; although there was a lady on her cell phone that could have been her.
Waiting in the 30-minute line at Empty-Your Wallet Build-A-Bear.
Poor #1 was so sick she didn't even buy anything...she just wanted to go home; although she looks pretty excited here and went out roller skating that night!
Of course, we had to make a tent with the air mattress!
And, we had pink, chocolate chip pancakes in honor of Valentine's Day.
That evening, we prepared a family Valentine Feast with bruscetta, French Dip Sandwiches, deviled eggs, chocolate-dipped strawberries and lots of other "munchies". The Husband and I put the kids to bed and watched Fireproof. I would HIGHLY recommended that movie if you haven't seen it, yet.
Right now we are getting ready to head out to Park City Center for lunch and a day at one of my favorite malls with my girls and 4 of their friends. Eating, shopping, then back here for pizza and a sleepover....what girlie-girl fun! My mini-van will be filled to capacity and you'll probably hear us blaring our Hannah Montana CDs from about 2 miles away!
I'm excited because Park City has a bunch of stores we don't have here and I received my Kohl's 30% off coupon just in time! I estimate the mall damage at a mere $50 per hour if things go well. Plus, I want to get a little something for my special Valentine! :-)
It's been awhile since I've posted...and, it has a lot to do with re-evaluating my priorities. I also have temporarily deactivated my facebook account. It's a long story that can best be summed up as a choice to invest in the face to face relationships inside my home versus looking at yet another picture from 1980-something that conjures up memories of a girl who was lost and living a life outside of God's perfect will.
It is in this season that The Husband and I have focused more on our marriage, including making it a priority to pray together everyday. We haven't always done that on a consistent basis. We pray individually and as a family, but not very much as a couple. You know, marriage and parenthood are 24/7 responsibilities and I don't mean that in a burdensome kind of way. I know that I need to be more in tune with what my family needs from me. That's when I realize the "extras" need to go on the back burner for awhile. And, it is an honor to lay it down for the people I love.
I got stuck in the icy slush on my driveway last week. There I sat spinning my wheels. I could not move forward. I could not pull out. Part of my van was still in the road. I sat there listening to my tires spin, not sure what to do. I realized I could not leave my van in that spot, even though MOST of it was in the driveway.
Welcome to the parable of my life right now. I've been spinning my wheels lately and not going very far. I'm not interested in going back, but I don't seem to be making much progress moving forward. I have this head knowledge of Christ's love for me that somehow has a hard time penetrating my heart. While the gift of His love is free for all to receive it still costs something. I must spend time pursuing Him to know of this precious love....trying to do this during a time when I feel pulled in so many directions can be just like spinning the wheels on the icy driveway.
Well, I got out of my van and started to shovel away the ice that was in the way. It wasn't difficult, but it took me several attempts. And, I got a little messy. Sort of like how I need to clear away the things that hold me back from a more intimate relationship with Christ.
Interestingly enough, I was finally able to pull back out of the driveway and then on my next attempt I was ready. I pulled in from the other direction, gunned it and made it into the driveway. Perhaps in His infinite affections for us, He is the God of second chances (and, third, etc...) Who wants us to back up and evaluate where we went wrong, so we don't go there again.
But, He doesn't leave us stuck there.
I don't know about you, but I want to live each day in complete and total submission of His will. I'll only know what that is if I spend the time getting to know Him better.
We had our third cheerleading competition today and it was fun. The girls are all getting along nicely and having a blast.
We took lots of pictures to pass the time (these comps can be lonnnggggg). The girls took 2nd place (out of 2 teams!), but they won the Spirit Award for bringing the most canned food to donate to the food bank. We thought that was a pretty good accomplishment considering most of the teams there were more than double our size.
Overall cheerleading has been a good experience for my girls. We have 2 more comps to go and then we're off until #2 starts cheering for football in August. I am helping to plan the banquet in April so that should keep me busy!
