It's a Balaclava Charlie Brown

- and other things I've learned this year - 2010 a year in review.

1. I learned that a dog can be housebroken.
2. I learned a child is a little more difficult.
3. I learned that a boy can easily do a 180 from one school year to the next for which I am extremely grateful.
4. I learned that dogs have butts and other familiar body parts the same as humans.
5. I learned that Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights celebrated around the same time as Christmas and a symbol associated with it is a swastika.. yeah.. learned that the hard way and from a 7 year old, but still it's something I learned.:)
6. I learned that those all in one hat/mouth covered/scarf thingy's are called balaclavas. And I learned this after searching for one in stores for over 2 weeks so I can run in the cold air without killing my lungs.
7. I also learned they sell out at Christmas time and you can only find them in random ski shops online after Christmas.
8. I learned that my body CAN run for 3 miles and not die afterwards.
9. I learned that a healthy family relationship isn't solely centered on the family.
10. I learned that my husband does not want to be me. Not for a day and not for a week. And that is why he spoils me.
11. I learned that I can see my Mother almost every day and still love her dearly.
12. I learned that I am extremely grateful for my three children because when I am old and gray I will hopefully have loads of family to visit with on holidays.
13. I also learned that I prefer to be home with my kids than not home even if they drive me bonky when I'm with them.
14. I learned that I have an awesome job. And I am grateful for the work. Even if it sucks when I have to work when loads of other people are off.. namely my husband.
15. I learned that I LOVE the rush I get from helping others.
16. I also learned that I love taking pictures of my kids just as much now as I did when they were babies.
17. I learned that some dreams DO come true.
18. I learned that the minivan can hit 90 easily on the turnpike and still be in eco drive which saves on gas.

19. And I know I don't need to have any resolutions in order to do something I want to do.

Happy New Year everyone.. I hope you've learned a few things as well in 2010.

A Rushed Update

Since I am about a week away from Christmas I don't have the time or energy to post a full, thought evoking blog so I'll bring you up to date with photos. :)

I'll be back shortly after Christmas to go over the year and look ahead to the new year.







On that note.. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night..

The New Me.

I haven't been this in shape since before I had Aedan. And even then I had gained weight from all the fertility meds and stress I was dealing with. After 6 months of weight loss, watching how much food I'm putting in my body, and walking and/ or running a bit, I have surpassed my weight loss goal and am only 3.5 pounds away from my bonus goal. I don't diet. So don't get me wrong. I am certainly not starving myself. I still snack at 10 pm if I want. I eat what I want.. I just don't do it alot. :)

If this sounds like I am tooting my own horn then so be it. Toot toot. I haven't been in size 4 jeans since Chloe was about 1. I can finally get all my super cute jeans back on my body and not worry about the button shooting off and taking someone's eye out in the process. The down side? Some of my other super cute stuff is a tad bit large. And that really stinks.

I feel great. I am thinner and smoke free. It's gonna be a great year.

As the lyrics go

"it's my party and I'll cry if I want to..." It's truly been one of those days. Pretty much sucks and I can't wait for the day to be over. Usually how days like this go anymore.

That's alot to say.

I was browsing the old blog posts and noticed I posted 117 times in 2009. WOW. I had alot to say I guess. Because there is no way I'm getting close to that this year. Oh well. There is always next year.

My Birthday Boy

About ten years ago Jim and I decided we'd like to to have kids and began the long, fun, exciting and sometimes extremely heartbreaking journey that ended with a screaming baby boy named Aedan. On this day 7 years ago my life was changed forever more. I was finally a Mother. I couldn't contain my joy it flowed out of me in my tears of joy first when the Dr told me I was pregnant and then again when she told me "it's a boy!". I would never be the same from that moment on, and I couldn't have been happier. I'd sit there in the hospital bed with him all by ourselves and snuggle with him and think "He's all mine". I still do on some days when he looks at me with that certain goofy grin or surprises me with some interesting fact that I figured he could never have known.

He's my first born. My only son. My Aedan. Happy 7th Birthday to my Monkka Monkey, my Boog. I hope you continue to explore and crave more knowledge. Stay funny and silly and always look for the fun stuff.

I must be nuts.. certifiable.

The boy wanted a "Friend" party this year for his birthday. We've been putting this off simply because he hadn't really had that many friends close to home and we were trying to avoid the expense. Well this year he has lots of friends. Unavoidable. That is not so much my problem.

My problem is this. I am up to me ears in plans. Plans for the Friend Party. Plans for the Family party that is to take place 2 weeks PRIOR to the friend party. The family party is a combined birthday party for Aedan and Chloe just for family. Nothing major. Dinner, cake and ice cream and no theme per say.

Have I mentioned I HATE planning parties? I despise it. No I take that back.. I love planning them when I have time and loads of money to do it. None of which I have at the moment. I just quickly wrote up the menu for the family party. Anyone hear the words "you get what you get and you don't get upset" lately?

Luckily the Friend party will be at Bounce U so all I need to do is cake and party bag. But I'm working with a Lego Star Wars theme and wouldn't you know it.. there is no party supply on earth for a Lego Star Wars Theme. So I am making EVERYTHING from scratch. Invites, because the ones they give you at Bounce U just aren't enough and handcrafted *themed* party bags for the little ingrates.

The kids at the family party get halloween candy bags because it's the day before halloween and I have a bunch already stuffed for Aedan's class and was just given a note that certain parents are responsible for certain things for his party and I am not one of those parents.. wel la di da. Suck it. I send in the pencils and call it a day. But I digress.

I Hate parties. Oh and then I am having company on Halloween.. just my sister and her family to trick or treat but it's a big deal here so we'll have food and drinks and it's like a block party.. so there's more planning of sorts.

I really need to get my ass in gear. Hell. At least I got 1 menu written up.