Revelations!

So out with friends the other night and one of them said..."If you put the worlds problems in a pile and you could choose any of them, most people would take back their own problems." I didn't really think about that until I got this email that said "Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime." So twice in 3 days I was reminded that my problems aren't that bad...and the funny thing, I didn't think my issues were that bad. Sure, there are days when negative takes over and everything seems horrid. But you know what, I know how to deal with the problems I have. I know how to fix the issues I've got. Ok, well, maybe not all the issues but I've got them all under control. I don't want to take on anyone else's issues or figure out another set of problems. So it is true, I would take my batch back out of the pile, and then following code I will learn my lesson from those issues.

There are days...either full of energy or not....they still go on.

So the exact definition of the word exhausted is drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired. Completely emptied of resources or properties... So explain please, why we as a society push so hard that we do this to ourselves?

My family and I went on vacation. Aside from when it was late I don't remember ever being tired, the whole week... We returned from vacation Sunday morning and ever since I don't think I haven't been not tired. I feel like I'm dying a slow miserable death and hoping that eventually I'll fall into a sleep induced abyss. Until then, I've had very short spurts of fabulously interrupted sleep and jumped back into my crazy schedule head first. Nothing like easing back into life right?

I don't have answers to why we push so hard. Because really, it doesn't matter if the laundry goes one more day or the dishes stay clean in the dishwasher an extra night but still we feel like we must get it 'all' done right?

Anyway, this is life. And we all go through it, whether it be in a coma zombie state or in such a mind that is full of inspiration and energy!

Happy New Year!

So the New Year has come and gone...with it I've heard many people mentioning their 'resolutions' and it prompted me thinking! I believe that we (as a country) dwell far too much on the negative sides of us and not enough on the positive aspects that we possess. Don't misunderstand, I'm proud of people recognizing their faults and making efforts to right those faults. However, doesn't everyone have faults? And isn't it easy to find those? Lets instead look at all the great things we accomplish each and every day. For some of us it might be as simple as getting out of bed on time or getting to work without having a meltdown. For others it may be bigger accomplishments like running a marathon or eating healthy for a meal. My idea to all of this is to focus more on the great aspects of ourselves.

Instead of saying that I shouldn't have acted so silly at that party, maybe we should say that I had fun at that party and I'm glad I was invited. Or instead of focusing on all the things we shouldn't have said or on the things we should have said but didn't, maybe we should focus on all the great things we offer! Or maybe our resolutions should be more positive focused...instead of saying I'm going to loose weight, we should say we are going have healthier meals or we are going to start an exercise program.

Don't misunderstand. I'm proud of all the people that realize they have issues and they are taking strides to correct that... one of lifes biggest lessons is that no one is perfect, all of us have faults. Maybe our question should be closer to am I happy with the person I am?

After living the previous 29 years in a very toe the line type of way I've discovered that it is ok to have fun and be silly sometimes. No one holds it against you and sometimes your a better person in the end. Don't get me wrong I still take things very seriously when it comes to being a good parent and other responsibilities but I've also realized that life is also about enjoying the moment and that it is ok to do that.

Good luck for the New Year! Keep in mind that no one is perfect, we all have flaws and issues and many times we are ok with those. Congratulations to those of you that are making strides to adjust your flaws and congratulations to those of you that are happy with who you are!

2010 Christmas Letter

So, last year I had the perfect solution! I would simply put my Christmas letter on facebook and not have the hassle of putting it into Christmas cards...Not give it to anyone that didn't care and be able to save a tree or two. So facebook, in their wisdom of changing stuff everyday has made it so I can't find my notes section, much less write in it...Good thing I have a blog, right?

Here goes...2010 has been good to us. We started the year off with a vacation to Palm Springs. The kids enjoyed it immensely...and I loved the short plane ride! We visited Los Angeles, almost getting run over in their crazy traffic, saw some of the desert, stayed close to the pool...It was a great vacation! Louis and I went to Vegas with some friends and we took a long weekend in Glenwood Springs with the kids. Those were nice trips as well and it was great to get out of town. Ever since I'm not sure if there has been a dull moment yet at my house!

Tyler turned 4 this year...We have taken up soccer. I'm not sure he is in love with it yet, but we are making progress...The spring season he cried and would run away from the ball. In the fall he actually started scoring goals, kicking the ball, being a LITTLE bit aggressive...I was amazed at the difference a few months make. He is in his 2nd and final year of preschool. I can't believe the difference in that department either. I think overnight we went from not know anything to all kinds of new revelations. We are all eagerly awaiting Kindergarten and having both kids at the same school! Tyler still loves his tractors...we went to visit Great Grandma and Great Grandpa in May on the farm. I think Tyler could have sat on the tractor all day. Grandpa and him rode it around for hours. We have also continued with the private swim lessons. Tyler did make progress there as well...although not as much as I had hoped for. One day I'll have kids that know how to swim!

Brooke is still dancing. She would pick this hobby over anything I think. She loves to preform, be on stage and just dance. She has made lots of progress and keeps hounding me to start hip hop dance. I'm not too sure if mom is ready for that yet. Brooke also took up soccer this spring. At first she hated it...She is the smallest girl on the team and had a rather large learning curve! However, by the end of the season she loved the sport...she learned that there is a time and a place to be aggressive and to take the ball away from the other team and sometimes you have to make your own decisions. She turned out to be a great goalie, which is surprising because of her size! Over the summer Brooke participated in many camps, ones that she liked the most were at the Downtown Aquarium and one in South Boulder where she went rock climbing and hiking etc. She has asked to go to that again for more weeks. She also did swim lessons...yes we are still working on that situation. Like I said...one day! Brooke is in second grade this year and doing very well...Mom had to learn that Brooke knows how to work system and just do enough to get what she wants...We are still working on that situation.

Louis has been doing well. Again he is working a lot (which means the business is doing well right?), taking on more and more responsibilities at work. I love his work ethic but sometimes it interfers with our social calander. Recently he has mentioned that he feels like he might be missing out. However, when he does spend time with the family he devotes all of his attention to us. We love that part of it. I can't say he has a ton of hobbies...We did try the indoor skydiving adventure earlier this year. Louis did far better than I did. I guess he is a natural! He even said he would love to go again! Louis has been super supportive of some of my adventures this year...which is incredibly great for my mental status! He has taken on the task of cutting down some of our rather large pine trees in our backyard. That is still a work in progress I think he secretly loves demolition!

As for me, I turned 30...I'm not going lie I had some crazy ideas...going skydiving, traveling etc etc...At first I thought I would venture out of my comfort zone at least once a month...So I started off the year well trying sushi, indoor skydiving, going to Vegas. After awhile I decided that maybe I needed to not spend all my time worrying about not being in my comfort zone and just enjoy being 30. I did hike my first 14er which was amazing! I also joined a running club in August. I've got nothing but amazing results out of that! I ran the Rock-n-Roll marathon as a relay...my part was 8 miles and I averaged a little under 10 min miles. This year I'm looking forward to another 1/2 marathon...I think I have the confidence back after the whole foot debacle the last time. I also have a little group that has been forcing me to make it to the gym quite regularly. Although some mornings I wish they forgot the way to my house I've managed to get there and do the workout. Got to love peer pressure! I've enjoyed watching my kids grow, learn, mature and I've marveled at how quickly the time goes! I'm still working at Four To Go with my dad and brother. We have done well as a business, which is great and keeping me busy. I've had some great ideas I would love to implement but haven't yet had the time or the energy to deal with that. When the time is right everything will fall into place. I've also contiplated going back to school to get my masters degree. Not sure if I have the time for that and sometimes taking tests and writing papers sounds rather difficult. I have till April 1st to apply so we will see how that one goes!

We are looking forward to the upcoming challenges, journeys and excitement that the new year has in store for us! And we look forward to hearing from everyone!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Funding Preschools

Of course at the beginning of the school year I'm excited to have the kids back in school, under instruction and under control again, so when I got hit with the raise in tuition I calmly told myself it was worth it. After all Tyler will get that much more out of school. So the school year goes on and they have more fundraisers, which of course I donate to, sell for etc. Thinking that if I do this it will save me money in the end. Now I get a letter home that says the school won't be providing snack for my kid anymore, they can't afford it. However, by law the kids have to have snack so now it is up to the parents to provide snack. At first I was fine with it, that way I can control what Tyler is having, make sure he is getting something he likes and is somewhat nutritious etc etc. But now that my brain has taken over I'm wondering what the extra money every month that I spend is going towards, where exactly is the fundraising money going and how come they can't afford snack anymore. After all, in the five years that I've had kids going to this school I've not only paid less than I am now but I provided a lot less support as well. All of conclusions are coming back to the director. Who, I'm sure, as a person is a fine person. However, as a preschool director she is not fine. The school is at capacity, and yes I know there are kids that are going tuition free because of one situation or another but still there are plenty of kids paying. And I know they are getting education funds from both the state and the county, and although that may have dropped it is not gone. So where is exactly is this money going? And guess what, since this is a preschool they are not required to disclose this information...

So now that frustration has taken over it is leading me to resistance. I don't want to send snack, whether is be just for my kid or for the whole class...I don't want that responsibility put on me because that is the schools job. Again what is my tuition going for. And also this will show the parents that donate nothing at all...they don't have to because they are on assistance. Nothing like having it thrown in my face that I have to help out those that refuse to get a job. I don't want to have to pick a snack off of their list because it follows nutrition guidelines and takes into account allergies in the classroom. I don't want to provide stuff for the pain in the neck kids that have made me even prouder and thankful for my well behaved kids. I don't want to pay the extra tuition and I certainly don't want to participate in another fundraiser.

Guess what is going to happen in the end? I'm going to cave, because that is who I am. I don't want to watch my kids go without, I don't want to be the stubborn one who causes problems. And I don't want Tyler known around school because he has a crazy mom. I just don't agree with the whole situation...Can you say count down until I'm done with this school? It is a good thing that the teachers are excellent, that Tyler is learning amazing amounts and that there is only 5 months left of this school year and 4 more tuition payments...And, just know, there won't be anymore agreeing to and selling for their fundraisers.

So for now I'll take a deep breath. I'll ignore their letter until it is thrown in my face that it is my turn to donate a snack. And I'll grudgingly pick one off of their list so that I don't get yelled at, or worse send a kid to the emergency room. And maybe in May when I won't have to deal with the school again, I'll find the most unhealthy deep fried sugar loaded snack I can find and send an abundance of it. Just as my way of saying thank you.

The wisdom of a 4 year old!

My conversation with Tyler (my 4 year old) on our drive to work...

Tyler: "Hey mom, it's a good thing we don't live in Aurora."

Me: "What?"

Tyler: "It's a good thing we don't live in Aurora."

Me: "Why?"

Tyler: "Because on the traffic just now they always say how bad the traffic is in Aurora and that would be a long time to get to work then."

Wow, I guess he is listening and comprehending far more than I ever dreamed. Pretty soon he will be able to spell and then I'll have to learn another language to keep secrets.

Can I loose my 'mom' card?

You know, on the radio you hear people talk about loosing their 'man' card because of something they did or said or believe. My question, can you loose your 'mom' card and if so would someone please take mine?

I realized this morning that I totally forgot I was supposed to volunteer in Brooke's class this morning. In fact when I realized it is when I would have been getting done. How bad of a mom am I? Aren't I the one that is supposed to keep all of that straight? All the scheduling and activities and meetings and this and that? And today I totally failed that situation so at this point I just beg you to take away the 'mom' card, that way I won't feel so guilty and I won't have to deal with all the scheduling anymore!