Changes

Ah! A whole post about me.. that is scary.

2014 has been good for me.. lots of changes! I am not into the New Years resolution hype, but Its always easier to start over new with a FRESH new year.

This is not something I love to be open about. I'm a rather private person in nature and lets be honest, Its embarrassing to me. I was at a point in my life where I was not happy with myself. I was overweight, and I had high cholesterol! Im 25... that shouldn't be happening!! 

So with that wake up call.... I'm now on a journey. January 15th I started it. Not only did I drastically change my eating, but I started going to a Bootcamp 3 days a week and I am proud to say that I have lost 26 lbs, and 17" off my whole body! I still have a long way to go, but I see things happening for me. I see light at the end of the tunnel. Its small, but I see it. I've had some hard days. I have ended many a days with ice cream. I've caved and given in to my hormonal craziness, and I think thats OK! All in proportion! 

I must make a shout out to doTERRA on this journey I'm on. (Yea, I'm one of those oil weirdys.) So much of my success has been because of a few things I take on a daily basis. They've helped me tremendously on my hard days, as well as my good days!

Whew! I can't believe I just let all that out… the REAL deal will be if I ever have enough guts to share my before/after photos. ;) 

Maybe someday.

Another kinda BIG thing in my life is our decision to Homeschool (*gasp*) I am almost positive I've told everyone I know that I would NEVER do that. Never say never (#1 lesson you learn as a parent) So yea, I'm eating my words now. Nat has always been an advocate of HS, I on the other hand, as the one who would be the teacher, was not into it, and he respected that. Many a nights we would talk about it. We were needing to make a decision about this coming  year, and as I prayed for guidance and help, and a change of heart if I needed it, slowly I began to see things differently. I had just what I had been praying for, a change of heart! I began to see that this could actually be possible. 

Its like my eyes were opened to the wonderful benefits of schooling at home. Its such a different way of life, and there is SO much more to it than "school" (as I thought it would be)… its living life with your kids.. with a little sprinkle of school time. :) 

I am excited, nervous, scared, and freaked out! I am severely scared of damaging them for life! I read several places that that is a completely normal feeling to be feeling. That was relieving. We are gonna give it a year and see how it goes. See how my social butterfly handles being home.

Big changes, big changes!

Life these days.

 Its been awhile! Life kinda got busy.. but I am realizing how much I miss blogging!

I'm kinda too far gone to do a "catch up" on life. Ha! That could take awhile. So... I'll just give you the short version of life these days.

Madelynn is wrapping up kindergarten... 3 weeks until summer (can I get an Amen!!) ...and then she graduates, and on to real life!! Ha! I kid, I kid. I absolutely know, and admit that I am an outta control, have no clue what Im talking about, weirdo mom who cant believe my oldest is graduating Kinder. You can laugh. I laugh at myself when it comes to this stuff. Check back with me in about 12 years when she graduates high school and leaves me. Ahh!

We have been extremely proud of her this school year! This last 1/2 of the year, they actually get grades and awards as opposed to checks and letters. We were pretty dang proud that she made the Deans list 3rd quarter! 

She is reading like crazy! Reading everything in sight. We are enjoying her reading us bedtime stories now. :)

Oh and ddid I mention she is growing into a lovely young lady? She has a heart of gold… unless she is tired. She is a COMPLETELY different person when she is tired. ;)

Payton has enjoyed ballet this school year. I am SO glad we were able to get her back into ballet after a not so successful first time around. I am thinking its gonna be her thing. She loves it. She had a recital last week and it was the sweetest!! We loved finally getting to see what she's been working on every week!

Her sweet little class. 

She has also very much enjoyed going to "school" 2 days a week. I think it has been great for her socially. She is a little like her mama and doesn't handle people very well. (Ha!) She's gotten into the groove of things tho, and talk of leaving her teacher/classroom gives her anxiety. My heart breaks for her, as I know the feeling. We are praying that away.

My Lovely! 

Stetson.. oh Stetson. What would I do without that guy?!? More and more I am seeing that he is his dad's son, Nat Jr. is what I call him sometimes. He is goofy, loves to make everyone laugh, and just all around loved by everyone. He is a joy... and 100% boy. He loves to get dirty, loves to be outside... and he has severe allergies just like his daddy... that part, I could do without. It has been a bummer of a spring for him. It has taken a lot to get them under control, but, I think that we are almost there. It involved a Doctors visit which I wasn't thrilled about. But I felt desperate for him. We are praying, praying, praying those allergies away!!

This picture decries him oh so well. :)

Since Dec. Stetson has also been in "school" 2 days a week. (So.. do the math and that means I've been childless 2 days a week.. more on that later) It has been wonderful for him! He absolutely loves it. He even asked one of his teachers if she could come spend the night with him... He is quite the ladies man. ;) He's been caught holding a little girls hand at church, and he knows a pretty girl when he sees one. Lord, help us!

Just look at him, tho. 

Days with these 3 are perfect! Life is so different now. My BABY will be 4 in three months. That seems so foreign to me... but they keep growin and we keep lovin it. They spend 80% of their day outside. Riding bikes, scooters, skating, jumping on the trampoline and playing moms and dads, or puppies and kitties. I could get rid of every toy we own and they would never know it. I am glad for that.

and me.... Shall I just save this for a whole nother post??

I think I will...