I decided I am not making resolutions. Resolutions never stick. They last for a few days, weeks maybe, and then, well, the year is in full swing and they are long forgotten. I decided this year I am making commitments. I like the word commitment. It says that you are staying with something. You aren't giving up on it. My commitments for a better 2014:
1. Be a better person. Always a plus, right? This encompasses being a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, etc...If I am just a better, more positive person I believe each area of my life will improve.
2. Get fit. After having 2 kids my body needs to remember what it's like to be back in shape. I haven't totally lost my figure, but it definitely needs a little toning. I got a running double stroller for Christmas, so I have no excuse for not running (especially since I can take my kids along for the ride!). I also looked up some yoga classes at a local studio that I am going to try. My two goals for this: step out of my comfort zone and try something new (yoga!), and run 250 miles this year.
3. Eat healthier. I have decided I don't want to follow any eating programs, but I do want to eat healthier. I already eat a fairly healthy diet, but I could stand more fruits and veggies and less sugars and fats. I have already bookmarked some recipes from www.skinnytaste.com to try. There is even a meal planner function on the website.
4. Give a s*it. Ok, I really don't like typing cuss words, but this one needed a cuss word. Again, I will be blaming my kids for this, but I have really fallen out of caring what I look like. That's not to say I am a total slob; however, I haven't put much thought into what I wear or how I present myself. This is partially due to a severely limited wardrobe after my body changed from two pregnancies (see commitment #2 for my goals on changing my body back (as much as possible, my hips will never be the same...)). So, this goal revolves around putting some make-up on for work, popping my contacts in (I finally got some new ones), and wearing things that say, "hey, I give a s*it about how I look". This goal should be fairly easy to achieve because I am already doing some of these things.
5. Last one-- don't need too many commitments-- and that is to be above the negative. For serious. At work there is negativity all over the place. Why? Because things are changing and teachers be like "AHHHHH THIS SUCKS." But really? It's just change. And the change will become practice, and then...POOF! it will change again. Teaching is change, plain and simple. I know I easily fall into the trap of negativity and it is just no good. My goal-- do my thing. Be positive ray of sunshine that blinds all the naysayers and negative nellies.
So those are my commitments. I will keep them. None of this "maybe I will keep them" crap. I need a mix up in my life, a little change, a small adjustment to get me back on the track of feeling good, and strong, and positive, and these are the things I want to focus on (on which I want to focus, for the grammarians out there). I truly believe we should always strive to be better versions of ourselves, and these are my steps to a better Emily. How are you going to be a better version of yourself in 2014?
(Also, who wants to be my workout buddy?!?)
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Here's to you, 2013!
Our year in review! It has been a fantastic 2013. I know it's not quite over yet, but I wanted to get a jump on making the collages because they take some time. The biggest highlight of our year was welcoming Jackson into the world in February. He is brought so much joy to our lives! He is a little trouble maker with a killer smile and a happy personality. Watching him grow has been awesome!
Lily turned 2 this year. She transformed this year from a toddler to a kid. She is talking up a storm, singing, and dancing, and really just enjoying her life. She is curious about everything, and always has something crazy to say. She has had many big adjustments this year-- she became a big sister, got rid of her pacifier, and moved into a big girl bed (and she is currently learning how to use the potty). It's hard to believe she will be 3 in 2014! It seems like we were just welcoming her home!
I don't know what 2014 will have in store for us; however, whatever it may bring, I know this for certain: that we will face each joy, each sorrow, each change with strength and love.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Lily turned 2 this year. She transformed this year from a toddler to a kid. She is talking up a storm, singing, and dancing, and really just enjoying her life. She is curious about everything, and always has something crazy to say. She has had many big adjustments this year-- she became a big sister, got rid of her pacifier, and moved into a big girl bed (and she is currently learning how to use the potty). It's hard to believe she will be 3 in 2014! It seems like we were just welcoming her home!
I don't know what 2014 will have in store for us; however, whatever it may bring, I know this for certain: that we will face each joy, each sorrow, each change with strength and love.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Our Winter Break
Yes, I realize that break isn't over, but I feel the impending sense of school on the horizon, and, while I have some time, figured I would update about winter break. From the previous post, you can see that we had a lovely Christmas. Lily and Jack have more toys than a toy store and enough clothing to last them through adulthood. We saw both sides of the family, stayed up past our bedtime, and watched a lot of Charlie Brown Christmas (which is far better than the Caillou Christmas of last year).
The toys that have emerged as the favorites (at least, for today):
For Lily: Fisher Price Click-Clack horses castle, a Melissa and Doug house with keys and doorbells, puzzles, her Play-Doh ice cream maker, a Melissa and Doug stamp set, and her drum/music set
For Jack: sensory balls, Fisher Price Cars track, Fisher Price Dog plush, and anything he can chew
We have seen the Symphony of Lights, visited the Train Garden (Lily loved this), had fun at a Christmas party, ate a lot of delicious food (crab cakes, shrimp, pastas, roast beef, cookies, cakes, etc...), and enjoyed family time. All-in-all, a very successful Christmas. I can't wait until next year!
In other news, Lily used the potty today...for the WHOLE day! Yes! You read correctly! She peed AND pooped on the potty with only one half accident. How can an accident be half? Well, she saw she was peeing, asked Grammy what she was doing, Grammy told her she was peeing, she got up, and finished on the potty. She did need new clothing, but it was her only accident. She seems excited about wearing big girl underwear, so I am hoping that by the end of the break she will be fully potty trained.
Also, Lily and Jack have become siblings who interact, and it's basically the cutest thing ever. Jack finds his sister extremely hilarious and constantly laughs at her. She has taken to treating him like a puppy and runs around saying, "come on Jackson! Follow me!" And he does. He crawls just as fast as he can, and she changes direction and he turns and crawls toward her. She hugs him, says "I love you!", and kisses him. When he pulls up on furniture she tells him to be careful. It is so cute.
Jack has been changing a lot over break. He is finally, really, sitting up very well. He is always army crawling into places he shouldn't be. He pulls up on the furniture and is cruising around the room. He can even stand by himself for a few seconds. I think walking might come sooner than I anticipated! He also has 8 teeth. By this age, Lily had 0. Crazy!
Anyway, that is our break so far. I am sure we will have more adventures over the next four days. Also, I need to grade or plan or something. Crap.
The toys that have emerged as the favorites (at least, for today):
For Lily: Fisher Price Click-Clack horses castle, a Melissa and Doug house with keys and doorbells, puzzles, her Play-Doh ice cream maker, a Melissa and Doug stamp set, and her drum/music set
For Jack: sensory balls, Fisher Price Cars track, Fisher Price Dog plush, and anything he can chew
We have seen the Symphony of Lights, visited the Train Garden (Lily loved this), had fun at a Christmas party, ate a lot of delicious food (crab cakes, shrimp, pastas, roast beef, cookies, cakes, etc...), and enjoyed family time. All-in-all, a very successful Christmas. I can't wait until next year!
In other news, Lily used the potty today...for the WHOLE day! Yes! You read correctly! She peed AND pooped on the potty with only one half accident. How can an accident be half? Well, she saw she was peeing, asked Grammy what she was doing, Grammy told her she was peeing, she got up, and finished on the potty. She did need new clothing, but it was her only accident. She seems excited about wearing big girl underwear, so I am hoping that by the end of the break she will be fully potty trained.
Also, Lily and Jack have become siblings who interact, and it's basically the cutest thing ever. Jack finds his sister extremely hilarious and constantly laughs at her. She has taken to treating him like a puppy and runs around saying, "come on Jackson! Follow me!" And he does. He crawls just as fast as he can, and she changes direction and he turns and crawls toward her. She hugs him, says "I love you!", and kisses him. When he pulls up on furniture she tells him to be careful. It is so cute.
Jack has been changing a lot over break. He is finally, really, sitting up very well. He is always army crawling into places he shouldn't be. He pulls up on the furniture and is cruising around the room. He can even stand by himself for a few seconds. I think walking might come sooner than I anticipated! He also has 8 teeth. By this age, Lily had 0. Crazy!
Anyway, that is our break so far. I am sure we will have more adventures over the next four days. Also, I need to grade or plan or something. Crap.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Lily at 30 months!
She's 30 months old...so she is officially 2.5 years old...and this month Lily loves...
1. ...making arts and crafts.
2. ...turning basically any stick and surface into drums.
3. ...french fries.
4. ...being a ballerina.
5. ...wearing her ballerina flats (and not her sneakers).
6. ...talking! Girlfriend has a million things to say lately.
7. ...all things Christmas (except Santa, he is scary).
8. ...snow.
9. ...Charlie Brown Christmas (she can recite many of the Snoopy scenes...).
10. ...and, of course, mama and dada!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Where Santa Lives
For most little kids Santa lives in the North Pole. A magical workshop sits in the middle of a snowy plain. Stars shine, Christmas lights adorn every evergreen tree, and snow is always lightly falling. At some point in each of our lives, Santa becomes less and less real. He fades away, a distant memory from our idyllic childhood fantasy of Old St. Nick.
As a parent, I have been faced with the enormous task of playing Santa. I want my children to believe in the reality of Santa Claus, and possibility that magic does exist in our world. It is no easy task. Making sure I don't slip up when I talk about presents; trying to have our little elf run around keeping tabs on the behaviors of the kids (ok, that part is fun...); making sure we write a letter; planning out the feast of cookies and milk to leave of Christmas Eve (also, making sure we have cookies in the house for Christmas Eve...)...there is a lot of careful attention and planning that happens to make Santa work. Lily has already told us she wants bubbles, a Jessie doll (Toy Story), a car, and some dinos. All of this things are hiding in the basement in a suitcase. This year is the first year she really, truly understands that Santa will come, and that he will leave presents under the tree. She told us she only wants "2 presents" and that they should be "blue presents". She will get more than two, and I am not sure that they will be blue, but I know she will be very happy on Christmas morning.
So, as I was saying, at some point, Santa no longer lives in the North Pole. I know, at some point, I will need to face the questions of Santa's reality because Lily and Jack won't believe anymore. I realize that. If they are like my brother, their skepticism will begin at age 3, when, like Tim, they will say that Santa should leave the presents on the front porch because strangers are not allowed in the house (and why would we want a stranger in the house anyway?).
This question, though, is an enormous one. Where does Santa live? Is he real? I think, after careful research, I have an answer.
No, Santa isn't any one real person. That is what makes him so magical. Santa is bigger than just one being. He is bigger than you or me. Santa is so big because he lives in our hearts. He lives in the hearts of mommies and daddies everywhere. It's a magic that lets us know that miracles are possible, that love is transcending, and that goodness will prevail. It is a love that goes beyond presents, and toys, and decorations. It gives people hope. It tells them that things will be ok. It reminds them that love always wins. That is what makes Santa's magic.
And, I do have proof of this magic.
It lives in every home on Christmas morning.
It lives in the hearts of a high school's faculty, staff, and students as they prepare gifts for families that cannot afford to buy their own gifts for the holiday.
It lives in the hearts of this airline staff, who pulled off their own Christmas miracle.
I know that Santa is real. Maybe not the real of living in the North Pole, but real in many other ways. I know he exists when I hear Lily's laughter. When she declares, "Merry Christmas, everybody! Ho, ho, ho!" in her "deep" Santa voice. I know he's real when Jack's face lights up with wonder at the snow, or the Christmas lights. He is real.
I hope everyone finds Santa's magic this holiday season. For teachers, I am sure these past two days have done just that.
As a parent, I have been faced with the enormous task of playing Santa. I want my children to believe in the reality of Santa Claus, and possibility that magic does exist in our world. It is no easy task. Making sure I don't slip up when I talk about presents; trying to have our little elf run around keeping tabs on the behaviors of the kids (ok, that part is fun...); making sure we write a letter; planning out the feast of cookies and milk to leave of Christmas Eve (also, making sure we have cookies in the house for Christmas Eve...)...there is a lot of careful attention and planning that happens to make Santa work. Lily has already told us she wants bubbles, a Jessie doll (Toy Story), a car, and some dinos. All of this things are hiding in the basement in a suitcase. This year is the first year she really, truly understands that Santa will come, and that he will leave presents under the tree. She told us she only wants "2 presents" and that they should be "blue presents". She will get more than two, and I am not sure that they will be blue, but I know she will be very happy on Christmas morning.
So, as I was saying, at some point, Santa no longer lives in the North Pole. I know, at some point, I will need to face the questions of Santa's reality because Lily and Jack won't believe anymore. I realize that. If they are like my brother, their skepticism will begin at age 3, when, like Tim, they will say that Santa should leave the presents on the front porch because strangers are not allowed in the house (and why would we want a stranger in the house anyway?).
This question, though, is an enormous one. Where does Santa live? Is he real? I think, after careful research, I have an answer.
No, Santa isn't any one real person. That is what makes him so magical. Santa is bigger than just one being. He is bigger than you or me. Santa is so big because he lives in our hearts. He lives in the hearts of mommies and daddies everywhere. It's a magic that lets us know that miracles are possible, that love is transcending, and that goodness will prevail. It is a love that goes beyond presents, and toys, and decorations. It gives people hope. It tells them that things will be ok. It reminds them that love always wins. That is what makes Santa's magic.
And, I do have proof of this magic.
It lives in every home on Christmas morning.
It lives in the hearts of a high school's faculty, staff, and students as they prepare gifts for families that cannot afford to buy their own gifts for the holiday.
It lives in the hearts of this airline staff, who pulled off their own Christmas miracle.
I know that Santa is real. Maybe not the real of living in the North Pole, but real in many other ways. I know he exists when I hear Lily's laughter. When she declares, "Merry Christmas, everybody! Ho, ho, ho!" in her "deep" Santa voice. I know he's real when Jack's face lights up with wonder at the snow, or the Christmas lights. He is real.
I hope everyone finds Santa's magic this holiday season. For teachers, I am sure these past two days have done just that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)