Writer's Block

I can't think of much to say right now.  I don't have anything profound to say.  Even our daily lives are fairly mundane and not filled with too much excitement, which is fine, it just doesn't give me much to write about.  Last week I started jogging again after not having jogged for 2 1/2 weeks being sick.  I'm trying to catch up to my running routine to be on schedule for the 1/2 marathon in May.  On Wednesday last week, I subbed again.  I subbed for grades 5 & 6.  I really enjoyed it.  I miss teaching and hope that I can go back to it someday in some capacity.  Sam & Simon had dental visits on Thursday.  It was Simon's first visit to the dentist.  He did pretty well; he let her polish one tooth.  Maybe we can hope for more on the next visit.  On Thursday evening Jeff took Daniel to a basketball game.  It was Gonzaga against Portland State.  Gonzaga won, they were happy.  The boys had follow-up ear exams on Friday.  Their ears checked out as healed from their infections, so that is good.  They also had flu shots.  Sam & Simon took theirs bravely; Daniel, not as much.  On Saturday I got to spend some time catching up with my good friend Hannah who was visiting from out of town.  Her husband, Ryan, who is also friends with Jeff, took the kids on a hike.  It was cold, but sunny, so it made for a nice hike.  Although, I think they were a bit tired when all was done. 

Simon

Getting his tooth polished

Feeling Better (Normal)

It always amazes me how much I take my health for granted until I get sick.  And then I am so thankful for getting better (and hopefully not getting sick again).  This past week I was up and down with feeling better.  I would have a good day and then a bad day.  I subbed last Wednesday and while I did pretty good throughout the day, by that evening, I was exhausted and had to go to bed early.  I was resting every afternoon when the boys were napping.  I was trying to do a little cleaning each day just so the house wouldn't go another week without being cleaned.  But it's the little things I appreciate too.  For example, we went out to dinner last week.  I know to some that might not seem like a big deal, but for me to just get out of the house and enjoy a dinner out with my little family felt somehow normal again.  By last Friday I finally felt like I was turning a corner and beginning to beat this 2 1/2 week illness.  I went to church on Saturday, again, not that outrageous of an idea, but it helped me feel normal again.  I even went for a short jog on Sunday, and that was nice, to feel like maybe I could ease back into jogging again.  This morning I did preschool with Sam again and took him to Kindermusik.  Again, another thing we hadn't done since before we all got sick, so it was nice to be doing our normal activities.  I hope you are staying healthy and well, and have a wonderful week!

Simon Enjoying Sabbath School

Being Nurturing

Yes, It's 2013!

The end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 has been such a blur.  We got sick, the whole family.  It has been an uphill battle.  It started with Daniel and Sam the middle of December.  Then, we thought they were getting better.  But Daniel got sick again on Christmas day.  He was on the sofa for 3 days.  Then I got sick.  I was in bed for 3 days.  During that time my parents arrived, hoping to spend some quality time with all of us.  But they ended up just taking care of the boys while I was sick...and then of course they got sick.  They spent about 3 days of their time here with us in bed as well. I felt so bad getting them sick.  Jeff got sick too, but not quite as badly as we did.  Then, Daniel and Sam got ear infections too, as we rang in the new year.  We are now improving.  But we are still coughing and blowing our noses several times a day.  I just want us all to be well again.  This sick stuff is just not fun. 

So I haven't had a chance to properly update my Resolutions for 2013.  Here they are:

1.  Run in at least 6 races this year.
2.  Donate at least 1 bag of items a month to charity (hopefully more than 1).
3.  Keep on blogging, ideally once a week.
4.  Spend more quality time with Jeff, perhaps a weekend away now and then.

Good luck in 2013!

When we weren't sick we were trying to have some fun!

End of Year Update

Here it is, the end of 2012.  I thought I'd take a look once again at my New Year's Resolutions and see how I did.  Here's a review of the resolutions:

1.  Run in at least 5 races this year
2.  Make a new recipe each week
3.  Update this blog more than once a month

1.  I'm happy to report that with the Jingle Bell run I did earlier this month, I was able to complete 5 races this year.  I ran in the Shamrock Run, the Bridges to Brews, Bloomsday, Hippie Chick and the Jingle Bell Run. 
2.  I did not make this happen this past year.  I'm not sure I even made it 1/4 way through 2012.  I found that I just didn't have the time to put into trying new recipes, and I would forget to look and get the proper ingredients needed each week.
3.  I think I was able to update this blog more than once a month.  So I guess #3 was a success.  Some months were better than others.

It's now time to start thinking about some resolutions for 2013.  I've got some ideas.  I'll be posting them in 2013.

Zoo Lights

One of our favorite holiday traditions is going to the Oregon Zoo and seeing the "zoo lights" that are displayed at Christmas time.  We went a couple of weeks ago.  We walked around and looked at all of the lights.  They are such a pretty display.  One option is also to ride the zoo train and look at all the lights.  But this time we just walked.  Maybe next time we'll take the train. 

All of the Boys in Front of the Penguin Lights

Sam on a Statue

Simon on a Statue

Daniel with a Monkey

Keeping Warm with Hot Chocolate

Some of the Lights

In Front of a Totem Pole

More Boys and Lights

Daniel's Recital

Last Sunday, Daniel had his first piano recital.  I've been so proud of him since he has started taking piano lessons.  He has really enjoyed learning how to play the piano, and he learns his songs so quickly.  Many of his songs he puts to memory rather quickly, too.  Sometimes he even makes "variations" of his songs.  I'm eager to watch him grow musically and see what becomes of him.  As for his recital, he wasn't nervous at all.  He did a great job!

Waiting to perform, a bit sheepish, I suppose

Focused

Kids Sleeping

I've always loved pictures of my kids (or any kids) sleeping.  They look so peaceful. Here are a couple of recent pictures of Sam and Simon.  I also tried to show a comparison of Sam with now and when he was about 2 weeks old.  His profile looks the same to me now as when he was a baby.

Simon

Sam, Now

Sam, Then