When did that happen?

So, I spent my day off cleaning out my clothes. I have clothes of many different sizes and they were all together. I got tired of digging through clothes I can't wear to get find something. I decided to separate my clothes according to size so that (hopefully) as I lose weight I can go to the next smaller size without going through all my clothes again.

Okay, a little back story here... Whenever I decide I am going to lose weight I have a size in mind that I want to get to. It is by no means the size of my "ideal" weight but it is where I remember looking a certain way. And it is a size that doesn't require going to a special section of the store.

When I was separating sizes I found several pairs of jeans that were in "the" size. What? When I found the first pair, I thought maybe I bought them as inspiration and never wore them. Then as I found more, I remembered. I wore these. I was actually at the size that I always want to, at least, get to and let it slip away. Why!!!

Why do we do that to ourselves? Why do we work so hard to obtain something we want so badly and then just let it slip away?

I joined Weight Watchers last night. Lets see how it goes.

Wow, it's been a while

I almost forgot I had a blog. These days Facebook consumes the time I have to keep in touch with friends. It's easy. I'm lazy. And in that short space for updates, I don't pour out all my life's secrets (which I have been compelled to do here, lol).

This morning I remembered a blog that I used to love to read but could not remember the name of it so I logged in to my blog to link to theirs and was shocked to see that the last time I blogged was about Dakota's birth. (I can't even begin to tell you how absolutely in love I am with that little guy!) Maybe I will start blogging again, not that I did it a whole lot before. But this time it may be a bit different. I used to write about what I though people wanted to see. I am a complex person, surprise! If I find my way back here, I am gonna write about whatever I feel like. Beauty, GOD, weight loss (hopefully!), my kids. Life. All encompassing life. If you want to read, go ahead. If not, that's okay too. I really want to make 2011 about making me happy, which will make everyone around me happier. So, on that note, I am gonna go clean my closet.

Happiness and clean closets,
Kari

Meet Dakota

My nephew arrived today at 11:29 am after an unscheduled c-section. He was due June 22nd but he didn't want to wait(I tried to talk him into coming before we went on vacation. We leave Friday). Dora's water broke yesterday morning but nothing was happening so they started her on pitocin but Dakota didn't like that. His heart rate kept dropping. Dora started running a fever this morning and Dakota seemed to be under some stress so the doctor decided it would be better to just get him out of there. It all went so fast. It seemed like it was no time after my brother went back into the delivery room till he was out again holding this beautiful little baby in his arms. When I left the hospital around 3, Dakota was still on oxygen and his momma still hadn't held him. I feel for her. The first thing you want to do after hearing your baby cry is hold him. I took a video of him crying to show her. I am in awe people! He's just so darn adorable! I am taking the kids back tomorrow to see their little cousin so more pics will come.

Here is a pic of Ash after field day. I missed it to be at the hospital and I feel terrible. It was her last field day since she is moving on to Middle School next year.They had a face painter there. I think whoever it was did an awesome job!

Empty Nest

Ashley took this picture yesterday of our guests. I don't know how they had been right outside our window and we didn't see them until they got this big. I think they look like they are about ready to leave the nest, but what do I know? I'm just glad that we are able to enjoy them for now.

Okay, I didn't see this post headed in this direction but the "bird leaving nest" thing got me to thinking. These next two weeks are huge milestones in my kids' lives. Ashley is almost done with 5th grade. No more elementary. Awards night is Thursday (our last one) and 5th Grade Brunch is Friday (our last one). Where did all the time go? It seems like yesterday we were attending Tyler's 5th Grade Brunch and I was so worried about him going to middle school. Ashley has been in her school for 7 years. Preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 thru 5. It will be sad to say goodbye to all the teachers that have helped mold my kids into the wonderful people they are. Tyler has awards during school next Tuesday and then on the last day of school, it's 8th Grade Day! That is when the 8th graders (that are not in ISS!) get to go bowling, see a movie, eat pizza, etc. and hopefully get one day uniform free! I've know some of these kids since Tyler was in 2nd grade! It's just so hard to get my head around where we are in our lives right now. I'm trying. Mental note, buy tissue for upcoming events.

Totally different subject... Ashley wants to go camping. I do not camp. (Why? Long story. Dad made us live in a bus in the woods for about 6 months. Sold everything we owned. Didn't go to school, took baths in a stream, used an outhouse...) So she asked the other day when we were at Meijer if we could buy a tent. I told her we bought a tent once and it almost sent me into therapy so we had to take it back. She laughed at me in one of those "Mom, please!" kind of tones and I told her that my main purpose in life is to not have her go to therapy as an adult because of something I did or didn't do while she is a child. She reassured me that I was doing a wonderful job but... just to make sure, I should probably take her camping. I think I just gave her tons of bargaining power!

A month

It has been almost a month since my last blog. I'm pathetic, I know. I've taken pictures but then I don't have any words to go along with them so I've just stayed silent.

So, what's been going on...nothing. Well, obviously things happen everyday but nothing exciting. My mind has been full of conversations I've had with myself but nothing I need to bother y'all with.

This is all I can come up with. I am truly thankful that it has been non eventful around here. I'd rather have nothing to talk about than tons of drama. I do not handle drama well.
We saw a rainbow.

Ashley's boyfriend broke up with her, then rubbed it in her face that he has a new girlfriend already. I was a little snippy with him for a while. They are trying to "just be friends" right now. I don't know how I feel about that.

My car was broke for a while. My hubby and a few hired hands got it all fixed up. Not sure if I should take it on long trips though, it has well over 100,000 miles on it.

Next week is Teacher/Staff Appreciation week. I am the PTO president for Tyler's school. I am trying to plan something special for everyday. We could all use a pick me up these days.

My momma's birthday is Saturday and Mother's Day is next Sunday. I have NO idea what do do for those days. What are you doing for your mom's for Mother's Day?
I completely adore this kitty. He has been the best pet, companion while I've been off work. He wakes me every morning with lots of purring and love then sometime in the middle of the day (whenever I sit down and relax) he climbs on my lap and falls asleep. He is just adorable and mischievous. I am so glad my hubby decide I needed the company.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wrong, just wrong

What's wrong with this picture? EVERYTHING!!! Snow. In April. Seriously?

Ashley's Birthday

Wow, I really didn't mean to wait until almost a week after Ashley's birthday to post this. I got caught up in some books and have done nothing but escape into another world. I needed that. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy reading and temporarly leaving my reality. I guess it's my drug of choice, no hangover.

Okay, on to Ashley's birthday. She decided to have a party here and invite about 15 friends, with a sleepover. WHAT!!!!????? I agreed, temporary insanity. Luckily for me, only one girl showed up for the sleepover and three other friends for the party.

Those other friends were all boys, should I be worried?

My first reaction to not having 20 people in my house was not relief. I had a ton of food. I totally underestimated the appitite of 5 eleven year olds... not much food left at all. What was left, the girls cleaned up while they stayed up till 6am.

Ashley's boyfriend brought her roses. So sweet. (My mom radar totally went off, don't get me wrong. I'm watching him!)

The next day I had to go to a funeral that completely drained me, especially after staying up ALL night. It was an especially emotional service. It was my mom's mother in law. The pastor grew up in the same neighborhood and was friends with all the kids. There were a lot of personal stories. Okay, this is sad, moving on...

When I got home, Ashley's boyfriend and Tori, the girl that slept over (scratch that, the girl that helped Ash keep me up all night) were ready to go to the movies. We went to see Monsters vs. Aliens. I would love to tell you it was a good movie but honestly, I was in a daze through most of it. The kids seemed to enjoy it. I seriously have never seen anyone go back for a popcorn refill, they did! Okay, birthday party (check), sleepover (check), movie (check), so now everyone will go home...nope. The kids stayed and stayed. I was exhausted people! I finally caught Ashley alone and told her to politely get rid of everyone so I could try to sneak in a nap. She was not happy with me but complied. Whew! Okay, enough rambling. Here are some pictures. Hope y'all had a good spring break!
Billy made sure his flowers were part of the "table scape". They really are beautiful.
Cupcake treeGrandma Zook. She is actually my son's grandma but she loves us all like family. I feel the same about her.

Tyler helping put out the sparklers. I really think he just wanted to show off in front of Ashley's friends. HA!
Me, a mom of a 14 yr. old and an 11 yr. old. Where has the time gone?