year 34...

So, I've been doing updates on Nate...but how about me?  This year I feel I was productive (other than raising a 2 year old).  Here are some highlights:

1. month-long vacation with Ry and Nate to Florida and Nate's first trip to Disney.  We even snuck in our first multi-day away from Nate, and he did great!  loved loved loved all the time with my boys!
2. have become good at priest's 25th anniversary parties - helped coordinate one for our pastor in September and Fr. Mike in July.  And now planning our parish's 25th anniversary in January!
3. finally working on getting in shape - started Stroller Strides in October.  Have loved meeting all the great women and their kiddos...and I feel myself getting stronger!
4. dealt in with break-in #2.  Sadness that people feel that they need our stuff...but glad to have Ryan here to protect us and feel secure!!
5. handled with grace Ry's forced vacation, i.e. layoff.  Only lasted 2 months, and I feel that I did a great job managing the finances I am in charge of, and helped Ryan transition to working from home.
6. Created a new soul, now in heaven.  One day we will meet you little Oliver Walter.
7. Welcomed Justin and Danielle back into our home for almost 3 months!  While waiting for their house to be built they have lived this summer in our guest room.  Nate has enjoyed the extra attention and I have loved having them here to chat with!
8. Took a little vacation with my mom and Nate to set-up Tessa in her new house.  Had some wonderful mom and sister time!!  Enjoyed having her here in Austin for 2 whole years!   It was great!!
9. Had a great time at our first ever family reunion on my mom's side.  Wonderful to see Nate interact with his cousins, and nice to not have to cook for a week!
10. And the day before my birthday...sent in the check...and paid off the house!  Best gift Ry could ever have given me!

and here are my top 12 photos!

 

 

 

for the Law & Order fan...

I have recently found Law & Order:  UK.  Really!  It is awesome, although I have to watch with tivo, since i usually have to repeat what they are saying (I'm not up on my British English).

Since I have seen probably every episode of Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: LA, and most of Law & Order: SVU.

Now I can watch NEW episodes, with wigs!!

Fr. Isidore!

Last week we celebrated 25 years of priestly service of our pastor, Fr. Isidore.  I helped with the planning and we had a great time!  I came on a little late, but it was a fun time organizing an event again and meeting many new people at our church.  I was happy to be done (the reason for the wine in my hand...:-)  It was a fun evening of memories of Fr. Isidore, fellowship, dancing, and a couple glasses of wine).  Just had to share some photos of the event (especially me sporting my new 'do)!

 

working momma...

I don't know how working moms do it!  Or stay at home working ones!

About 4 weeks ago I found out that our priest was having his 25th anniversary celebration of his priesthood.  I offered to assist and literally have been helping a couple to several hours a day!  Really!  All those little details to make it look flawless don't come easy.

And it has made me wonder how moms who work do it.  These past couple weeks I have been "too tired" and we have gone out to eat or just scrambled on what to eat.  I haven't done a real housecleaning and Nate may have watched a little to much tv.

I'm glad my "working life" is coming to an end tonight.  I don't know if I could handle it anymore!

Thank you Ryan that I do not have to do this every day!  Maybe I needed this to help drill into myself how blessed I am to run errands with Nate, go grocery shopping, clean the house and just play!

the Olympics...

okay, I think I'm going through withdrawal.... where is my snowboard motorcross?  ice-dancing?  downhill skiing? moguls?  sadness, it is over.  I tivo'ed almost all of it (other than curling, I can't figure that one out).  Olympics during the day, primetime and late night.  Now what?  oh the sadness... 2 years 4 months until the summer Olympics in London.

FYI, in case I win the lottery or someone wants to get me a super duper gift, I would love to go to the Olympics one day.  Maybe we will have to take a vacation to the training center in Colorado (hint hint Ryan).  My husband does know me well, though.  This is what he got me for Valentine's day!

Biggest Loser workshop

This past weekend I went to my biggest loser workshop.  It was down in Buda (about 45 minutes South) and started at 7:30 am.  I didn't want to be late, so I was out of the house at 6:30!

It started with a VIP reception with some of the contestants.  2 were from season 2 (before I watched - ryan and pete), one from season 4 (david), 2 from season 7 (sione and filipe), and 3 from season 8 (liz, dena and tracey).  The stuck together for a bit, but eventually walked around to meet us fans.  A few I wasn't really a fan of during the show, and didn't really want to meet them.  I think my perceptions of them were right too... I met sione and filipe - who were great!  Just like the show!  There were my favorites.

I also met Dena, and we discussed the hardships of the contestants being away from their families.

There were fitness workshops - bootcamp, towelmoves, yogalates, skinny mini, and zumba.  There were also cooking, roll away pain and fat myth workshops too.  We only got to pick 5, so I did the bootcamp, towelmoves, cooking, skinny mini and roll away pain.

The workshops were good, and there was a variety of people there - from the super fit to those getting started with their fitness goals.  I feel that in all I probably worked out hard core for 1 1/2 hours!

The best part was talking to the contestants (most did fit my preconception of them) and the panel they had at lunch.  People asked them everything from how long they worked-out a day (4 hours with trainer, 2-4 hours of homework a day), did they do their own cooking (yes), did they get paid ($50/day for earlier seasons, $100/day for later ones), and how they felt about the show (positive how it helped them).  Being on the show did affect their families (how they changed their way of eating, etc.) and they did have a hard time returning back home (no clothes fit, dropped by the show - no trainers, $$, etc.).

It was a great day.  I returned home just in time to head back out to pick up Tessa from the airport at 5:30. We got home, Ry made a super dinner of white chili, and I fell dead asleep at 8 pm!  And didn't get up until 8:30 am on Sunday.  Seriously, it has been since way before Nate was born that I have been able to sleep 12 1/2 hours!

Now to figure out how to work out this week!!

20 lbs!

I did it!  I have finally lost 20 lbs since I started Weight Watchers last April.  About 10 months.  The first couple months were great, since I was breast-feeding and all.  But through weaning, 2 miscarriages, the holidays, finding time to work out, etc. that last 5 has taken awhile.  But I did it!  I'm now almost 10 pounds under when I got pregnant with Nate!

To celebrate I'm going to the Biggest Loser workshop tomorrow.  Pictures to come!  A whole day, alone, to discuss nutrition and fitness, as well as see some of my favorite contestants.  I'm sure blessed with a husband who encouraged me to go and will  be home with Nate for this day-long event!

The Biggest Loser

For the last few years, I have loved watching the Biggest Loser.  I love to see people change their lives, and that of their friends and community.

I got an email from groupon today.  The Biggest Loser is coming to Buda for their Work Out Like a Loser workshop and I got a VIP ticket for the price of a regular ticket.  A day-long workshop, and chance to meet the contestants, VIP seating, VIP parking, etc.  I can't wait!

swine flu?

Tonight I had a little emotional breakdown. No, nothing to go see a professional about, but it did come to light how my life has really changed in 15 months.

I've had a little cough, been tired and just run down. I'm super afraid of getting the swine flu. I know that it can be cured and all, but all these stories of people dying from it scare me to death. I am scared to leave my son without a mother. I know, kinda morbid. But 2 years ago, I wouldn't have been this way. But here I am, someone's mother. Someone depends on me.

2 years ago this month my friend Dawn died. All of a sudden. Without any warning. And her daughter was about the same age Nate is now.

I guess that is the real reason. I'm not afraid of dying - God, heaven, all that good stuff. I'm afraid of leaving those behind. Missing out on it all. Leaving behind my wonderful huband, son, family and friends.

So maybe I'll be a little more paranoid about this h1n1. I'll wash my hands, watch my symptoms, warn my husband of my little outbursts. If it helps me stay around for the little man in my life, it is worth it.

let's just hope tomorrow is better.

today...

I'm having a great birthday. Nate spent time with friends at the baby-sitting co-op, lunch with my hubby (who brought flowers), a napping son so I can check my email, swimming lessons in a hour and dinner of my choice. Could the day be any better?

I did it!

Yes, I did! I now officially weigh less than I did when I got pregnant! yea! I'm a fan of weight watchers and it has worked! Thanks to Kathy, Jenn and Ryan for all their help!

So, the next time I see you, you will see less of me! Whoop!