So here are some pics of the fam over the break as well as Kelsey playing basketball. Kelsey's best friend GiGi on NYE....
The one pic is of 4/5 brothers in Jeremy's family....They are in height order not birth order...that would be 4,2,6,and 7.....

Weekly Accountability

So today is the end of week 2 and the beginning of week #3 for me on BFL. I am happy to report that I lost 5 pounds this week. So that brings the total so far to 11 pounds. I was dragging last night at the gym lifting weights but I am looking forward to my aerobic activity this morning. I have been reminded that the endurance factor will be a big one to make it to my goal. But I am determined to make it to my goal by September 18th. I would like to run a 5K for my 40th birthday and get back to that person that could run and run....I think I had a lot more patience with the world when I did that....So here's to week 3 seeing more success and motivation....And if I pass on the yummy goodies, please support me instead of encouraging me that one little bite won't hurt....Thanks!

Here begins week #3

So my weigh in is tomorrow. I am hoping to still see good movement on the scale but I know at some point I will hit that muscle replacing fat stage....So I am just trying to keep a positive attitude. I know that if I rush it or get discouraged that I will just talk myself into failure. So I am happy to report that I did workout all 6 days last week. I forgot that swimming is harder than it looks! I still wake up every morning with sore body parts! Friday morning I could not move my arm! I am still shocked that I let myself get this out of shape, but I am excited to get back into shape. For me the hardest part is that in between stage of getting in shape and recovery. I want to go out and run and play soccer, basketball, or football with the kids. But my ankle isn't strong enough yet. But I am getting back into real shoes so by appearances  I should be able to do all of those things. Then I look lazy when I say no. But I don't want to spend another 5 months of this year in a cast or boot-so I am being very careful!
However, I must add that having more energy is so nice! I am sure it helps that we are having San Diego weather these days, but if I can beat some of these allergies than maybe I will be back to spending all of my free time outside! :)

It is nice as the kids get older that they have good friends. I am so grateful for good friends! We had some stay the night with us and I really enjoy them. Kyle's best friend, Drew even came to McAllen with us over the break and he and Kyle are good friends! I hope it stays that way all through high school and beyond....
Kelsey had Mia over and they had a lot of fun too. She has a couple of other good friends that they have fun together. It is a sweet experience as a parent to watch your kids grow up and be good kids. They still have some typical teenager traits.
It is hard to believe that in less than a month I will have TWO teenagers!!! Where does the time go? Kyle practiced driving in the neighborhood with Jeremy this weekend. Kyle was sooo excited! I am just dreading that insurance bill in a year!!! LOL
We played some driveway basketball too. Keira was making shots on the 10ft basket and hanging in there with the big kids. Kenna wasn't too sure about the chaos, but she was doing a good job dribbling and loved it when Jeremy lifted her up to dunk it!
So as we enjoy our holiday today, I look forward to another week of good healthy choices! I made some amazing barbacoa as well as a Thai beef noodle soup that were all lite recipes!!
I will post them if anyone wants them....As well as keep posting all of the ones I find that I try that are good!
Happy MLK day! Hope you have a good one!

The Land of Diet Cokes and Naps!!!

So, I know that they say being a mom is bliss, but there are days when that alternate universe filled with naps and diet coke with lime sounds pretty heavenly....I really can't complain since my littlest will be 5 in a month  but some days and for a lot of the past 15 years I think I would have loved an extended vacation here. I know I would have gotten bored and not progressed or grown as an adult but being the only child that I am-that peace and quiet sounds nice!
But alas it is time to get ready for some middle school girls basketball, a busy weekend-the last one before soccer starts again...We are back in full swing of the kids at AR as well as working out at home. So I guess you could say-this far off place will have to wait a few more years....kind of like a real far away vacation (LOL)! But I love my kids and enjoy spending time with them. I am loving the gym even though I was soo sore this morning I couldn't lift one of my arms! It is fun to see the progress I am making and I look forward to reaching my goal! So TGIF and have a great weekend!
But if anyone visits this new land-enjoy a diet coke with lime for me...and throw in some chips and salsa too! :)

Psych 101 According to that Crazy Mom

So I didi take several psych classes in college. You know for my useless degree in anthropology and history. It was fun back then-I only wish I had been a bit more responsible and gotten something useful...
Anyways....
I realized today that there is something truly rewarding about seeing your accomplishments. Not from a recognition standpoint. There was a study done with children that their inner praise held more weight than the outer when they were small. I think this is true for adults as well. It has been hard for me to say-ok-this is my time to go to the gym at a scheduled time every day based on appts and what not-but I have it in my phone and I have been each day. Of course I am walking around like I have been working out for 9 days now also-but that is a whole other post!
I think the lesson I have learned this week is I may not be the prettiest, or the skinniest or the one who can bust a move in the group classes-but I enjoy working out. I always have. Just somewhere along the way-I figured I had to grow up and not spend any of my time there. Now I know that I can spend some time there and still find the euphoria of working out. I am certainly no where close to being how strong I was in my 20's but I have 3 BFL challenges to get back to that or even pass it up! I have a goal that on my birthday I want to try a 20 session speed session at AR like my kids do. It will have been long enough since my achilles repair and I passionately love to run. And for some strange reason I think it would be totally fun-even though I am sure I will be dying!
It was also fun to help Kenna with gymnastics last night. I love spotting little kids and doing things like that. I hope that she continues to let me help her and teach her as she learns more and more tricks. Keira will let me help her too-but she loves her free time to play with her friends and enjoy the outdoors. I get to help a little with coaching her basketball team-so that will be a blast as well.

So the chaos of sports and 4 kids begins again on Tuesday. Part of me can't wait to be crazy busy and doing all of these neat and fun things-but part of me has enjoyed the time off to just get things done and hang out with the family. It is fun to get to see your kids turn into teenagers and watch how they change in some ways and not others. I always learn something new from each one of them.

Now to just figure out the best way to plan Kelsey's 13th birthday party. Then a week later another birthday party for Kenna. I am so excited to have a photography session scheduled with KELSEY CALL photography!! I think they will turn out so cute and give me new pics to hang on my walls! Then this August once Kyle is 15-I am planning a family shoot with Kelsey so that I can get some new family pics with me close to my goal weight up on the wall!

Well, I am off to make dinner...chicken and zucchini pasta....Yum! Bathing Suit season here I come.....

The land of many makeover recipes and some just plain yummy ones

Chiptole makeover rice recipe

In my rice cooker I will add 

1 c short grain brown rice

juice of 1/2 lime

2 c water

1/2 tsp olive oil

Place  rice, water, and oil  into the rice cooker. Set on white rice settings.  While it is cooking in another bowl combine 3 TBSP fresh chopped cilantro, lime juice and 1/2 ts oil. When rice is done mix rice with the cilantro mixture. 

Enjoy...

The brown rice adds fiber as well as fewer calories....

Meatball Muffins

by Amanda K Brann on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:47am

This is enough to feed my family of 6.

1 ts olive oil

3/4 minced onion

1/2 c shredded carrots

1 bell pepper, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 ts dried oregano

1/2 c ketchup, low sugar

1 1/2 pounds of extra lean ground turkey or beef or chicken. (I used my homegrown organic grass fed beef)

1 c bread crumbs

2 TBS dijon mustard

1 ts worcestershire sauce

1/4 ts ground pepper

2 large eggs

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Heat olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, carrots, and bell pepper. Saute until soft-then add oregano and garlic. Remove from heat and let cool. Meanwhile in a large bowl-place the meat, bread crumbs, eggs, ketchup, dijon mustard, pepper, and worcestershire sauce. Mix well with fingers. Add the veggie mix to meat. Form into large meatball. Place into giant muffin tins that have been coated with cooking spray. Top with low sugar ketchup..

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. This would be good with any sides or as a leftover for lunch! It smelled so good when it was baking!!!

Black Bean Avocado Grilled Chicken Salad

by Amanda K Brann on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:40am

Serves my family of 6

1 ts olive oil

1 1/2 ts chili powder

1 1/2 ts cumin

1 ts crushed red pepper (I would have loved this but omitted so my little ones would eat it)

(I used my favorite Santa Fe seasonings Desert Blend for all of this)

4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

1 1/2 cups of black beans, drained and rinsed

Avocado-smashed or diced depending on how you like it in your salad

1 1/2 cups of frozen corn, thawed

6-8 cups of your favorite salad mix. I used romaine and baby spinach

1 TBS of your favorite fat free dressing (I used salsa_fat free and tasty!)

Place olive oil in pan and saute chicken breasts until brown on the outside with just a little bit of pink left on the inside. Add of of your seasonings. Can add salt and pepper to taste here, if you want to...Once chhicken in cooked throughly, add the black beans and cook for another 3 minutes. Add corn and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat. Assemble salad bowls-salad mix, meat mixture, avaocado, salsa

This counts for a protein and a carb on body for life. It is sooo filling and sooo good!!! I made it in under 45 minutes!!!

Cafe Rio pork recipe makeover only 200 calories per serving....

by Amanda K Brann on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:31am

So I have to add that I have never had this famous salad, rice, thing....but I love the ingredients in this recipe that add so much flavor and are different from the original recipe that I have seen that is out there....I just put it in the crockpot and it smelled sooo good!!! I can't wait to see how it turns out! I will serve it in a burrito bowl with Cilantro lime brown rice, lettuce, low fat cheese, and pico or salsa and avocado...depending on whose dish it is...

Marinade:

2.5 lbs pork loin, all fat trimmed

6 oz Coke Zero

1/4 c UNPACKED brown sugar

1/4 c water

Adobo seasoning to smell....(it is by Goya)

Marinate this in a plastic bag for a few hours or overnight.

Place in crockpot with marinade and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Remove pork from crockpot, discard any liquid, and shrerd meat with two forks.

Place shredded pork back into crockpot. In another bowl combine 

8oz Coke Zero

6 oz can diced green chilies

8 oz tomato sauce

1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce

garlic powder to taste

cumin to taste

chiptole chili powder to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1/3 c UNPACKED brown sugar

Pour over shredded pork and mix well. Cover and cover on high for 1 1/2 hr more.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Amanda K Brann on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 11:00am

2 sticks softened unsalted butter

2 c turbinado sugar (or you can use 1 c white sugar and 1 c of brown)

2 large eggs

2 ts vanilla (for best flavor only Mexican vanilla will do )

2 c pumpkin puree (if you want to know how to do this just ask) or 1 can of pumpkin if not using fresh

2 1/2 c unbleached flour

2 ts baking soda

1/2 ts salt

2 ts sweet spices from Santa Fe seasonings company (my favorite)-just ask

(or you can use pumpkin pie spices to taste)

1/2 bag of mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I prefer parchment paper but if you have none then grease two cookie sheets.

Beat butter until smooth, beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Slowly mix in the pumpkin until blended. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking soda, and salt, and spices. Slowly beat into the butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. 

My cookie scoop broke so I had to spoon them onto the cookie sheet, but I would use a cookie scoop to scoop onto the cookie sheet. 

Bake for 13-17 minutes depending on  your oven. They are done when light brown on the edges. Cookies will be light and airy with a cookie yet cakey texture. They are not dense at all. If you would like a denser pumpkin cookie I do have a denser recipe, but this is one I really enjoy and so do the kids! 

My personal touches try to make it a little better for you by changing some quality ingredients but not changing the richness of the cookie. Applesauce will change the texture of it if you trade out the butter so watch the bake times. 

Enjoy!!!

For all of the requests I have gotten for my brisket recipe- here it is:

3 lbs of brisket

1 ts onion powder

1 ts garlic powder

1 ts celery powder

1/2 ts black pepper

1/2 ts sea salt

1/4c worcestershire sauce

1/2 c bbq sauce (we prefer sweet baby ray's)

liquid smoke

Place meat in bag and rub dry spices on meat on both sides.cover just barely in liquid smoke. Put in fridge overnight for best flavor or if there is not time for just an hour or two. Take out and place in foil lined pan. Add salt and worcestershire sauce. Cover with foil and place in oven that been preheated to 275. Cook for 4-6 hours or until tender. Remove from oven and top with BBQ sauce. Cover and place bake in oven for 30-45 minutes. Take out and Enjoy!

This is very moist and falls apart. Great for when you want to do an inside brisket. I got it from my grandmother. For everyone that has asked me for it-ENJOY!

So here are some of my recipes....I have a ton more! If anyone out these in cyberland wants me to post them-please let me know....

Week #2-The things I have learned so far in 2012

So I guess I should wait for tomorrow to start posting numbers since that will be the official beginning of week 2 but I was so excited to see on the scale that I had already lost 5.5 pounds on Saturday. I think the even better thing to me is this time feels so much different then the times before. It feels like a new journey back to me. I have been wife, mom, teacher's helper, PTA helper, coach, taxi driver, chef, etc. that somewhere along the way  I lost who I was. I will admit it. I can accept that. I became Kyle, Kelsey, Keira, and Kenna's mom. I thought when I grew  up that is all that I could be. But I have learned over the years that I can be whoever I want to be. I can still have dreams and accomplish them. I will be 45 one day any way so why not try to get that second degree in nursing and pursue one of my hobbies-medicine. I love science. I always have. Only now I have to confidence that maybe I won't be a total failure at it.

Jeremy's grandmother, June, used to always say that she loved every moment of her kids' lives. She enjoyed some more than others and was glad when other stages were over, but she enjoyed the stages while she was there. As Kenna gets close to kindergarten and Kyle gets close to starting high school-I realize that I finally understand what she meant.
Snuggling a newborn baby is like a daily opportunity to feel the hand of God in your arms every time they fall asleep in your arms. Watching them take that first step to you is knowing your whole life is a bout to change-whether this is your first baby or your last....When the sweet babble turns to babble that all can understand, a whole new world opens up. When you reach the point of realizing that you will never have to buy diapers again..(now that is a pay raise!) When you stop having to wipe bottoms-that will truly be graduation! Watching them learn to read and becoming confident at it. I could go on and on....but I think you get the picture. I have tried to treasure each precious moment that I have with each of my kids. I am not always the best at it. Being an only child and grandchild-the chaos of four kids gets to me sometimes and I think I was absolutely insane!!! Other days when I realize that Kelsey and Kyle will be gone in 5 years-I think I would not know what to do if I was "all done" with having kids at home already.
But my road is nowhere near coming to an end. I am ok with that too. I have watched how life is a gift that we must always cherish and hold dear. Our Father in Heaven gave it to us and only He knows how many breaths we will take here on this earth. Only He knows if my children will outlive me or if I will outlive any of them. It is hard to accept that time in the Lord's eyes is not simply linear....We want what we want and in the time period that we want it in. The Lord's will and what He is trying to teach us-well-those that are more humble and tender hearted than me-learn this lesson a lot easier....

So, as I run around being about my children's business on the Lord's time hoping to represent Him in my actions, words, and love....I realize that the material things of life in the end stay here. The accomplishments don't last forever and the legacy that I leave is what will follow me for generations to come.....Have I taught them that prayer is the key to a relationship with our Heavenly Father....Have I been a good example that when I see a need-I try to meet it....A kind word is worth more than being right...and singing and dancing are just a lot of fun.

Mostly, I hope 2012 brings us closer as a family. We all go so many different directions. We all have our own dreams and desires-but I hope that we will take the time to just create good memories with each other. Whether that be singing together on the Wii, dancing to Just dance, playing board games, or riding bikes, watching and supporting one another in all that we do, a family vacation here or there that doesn't revolve around sports. These are the things I hope for this year.
Enya (Keira's classmate who died of Liver cancer in less than 90 days) taught me that we must treasure all that we love each day. As the quote I read recently said-what if the only things you had tomorrow were the things  you thanked him for today. "Tatay Joel" had to say goodbye to his precious daughter last week. All he wanted was more time....I want to make sure each day I enjoy the time I have as the greatest blessing the Lord has given me.....
Yes, I have my weight loss goals that I have imposed on my family. That by September 18, 2012 I will weigh 135. I will run a 5K before the end of the year. I will try to find a buddy who will do a triathlon with me and my mountain bike...But in the end I just want to be a good mom with good kids....A good wife who learns that it is better to be humble and kind than right....A woman who learns to become a nurse and help others....

"He loves me the way I am, He's my strength when I stand, He is my King and my Father, I am His daughter..."

Body for Life Challenge

So I have decided that it is time for a change...I am going to change the status quo and get up early to get lunches made for everyone, make sure I cook more at home and we eat out less. I have entered myself into the body for life challenge. Not because I really think I will win  but because it is a challenge worth doing!
So today is day 1....here it goes....Hopefully by day 84 I will be willing to post all of my before and after pictures!!!Until I reach day 252 which will hopefully be a new me at my goal weight!!! Here goes my new adventure as the quote says, "Life begins when you put  yourself in the uncomfortable!"

Just a few pics from July-Sept.

And so it begins anew...

So I realized sadly, that I let 2011 slip by with 4 posts....last year at this time Jeremy was still in the hospital very sick and I was not looking forward to the year...I guess I was right-it was a rough year. But I believe that it can only go up from here!
I have my goals and plans for this new year. I realized that these pictures of my kids are way outdated and I need to start posting more.
So, I guess for one I will write more about my crazy, busy, messy life. But most of all I learned one thing this past year....what a true friend is and what it means....
As the year went on a lot of people would make the comment to me-Again? Something is wrong again? And there were just a few who would be at my doorstep, willing to help me get through it all. I treasure these people and the lifesavers that they were for me. I am grateful that God put them in my life to let me know He was helping me.
I am grateful for my little family that is quickly growing up...I only have Kyle for another 4 1/2 years before he leaves home. Yet it seems like just yesterday I was chasing him down the street with him in just a diaper. He is such a wonderful young man. He has such a kind heart. He has good friends and he wants to keep his standards. He is a joker so if you don't know him-you might think he was serious in all that comes out of his mouth. But he is a treasure and a jewel. I will miss him and I plan to spend as much time as he will let me in the next few years.
Kelsey will be 13 in a month and she keeps growing up and up. She brings so much joy and peace into  our house and between her and Kyle I feel so blessed to be called mom. She is all that I ever wanted to be but was not. I love watching her grow into a beautiful confident young woman.
Keira will be 8 this year and be baptized in March. She is starting to come out of her shell and I am excited that she finally wants to take piano lessons. I know that she will love music and I love watching her play basketball. Upward sports are such a great thing! I wish all youth sports were so uplifting and inspiring! She is reading and is a math wiz like her dad!
Kenna will be 5 next month. She has taught me more than I think I ever wanted to know about life! She has grown up so much and is gaining confidence in all that she does. It is so nice to watch her not be afraid of the world like she once was. It has been hard and time consuming and some days I just want to run away...but I know she will succeed in kindergarten in August! I will miss the SPARK program most come the fall because I have been with these wonderful ladies for 3 years now. I can't thank them enough for hanging in there with me and helping Kenna find her social courage.
Jeremy is healthy and working hard at his job. He does have a few late nights but for the most part we could not ask for a better schedule! His boss said she wishes she had 10 Jeremy's so although he doesn't like me to brag on him-I am proud of all that he does in his career, at home to help me, and all of the coaching!! He gave up coaching Kyle's baseball team and is now coaching Keira's basketball team. Hopefully when she plays soccer I will get the chance to coach again also. :)
As for me, I have learned that depending on someone doesn't make you weak. It helps you to get to know people who turn into great friends. I never thought my achilles would rupture and this whole 6-8 month process would be this tough. But I am grateful to Dr. Miller, Lake Houston PT, and my family for helping me get though it all! They have eaten way too many sandwiches and ramen noodles this year! But they never complained! They helped keep the house clean along with help from my friends!! They kept us from getting too behind in laundry! I got to go to Kansas and see my little sister in law and her family! It was a treat for me and I loved the week we were there! I hope to do it again soon! I got to see my brother in law and his family over Christmas after several years and it seemed like no time had  passed (expect that our kids are older now)
I came to realize that even when we get emotionally attached to something-it doesn't mean that our kids are too.
I learned that the stress we put upon ourselves is generally that of our own making. We waste a lot of time and energy on things that are not in our control. But when we take a leap of faith, we are rewarded with windows that are wide open.
Most of all, I am grateful for free agency. I have the power to choose. I know the Lord believes I can make choices that will help me get to where I need to be. I may not be perfect. I may struggle. But I can live my life after the pattern he left me and treat others around me as He would.
So here is to a year of happiness and success. To go back to school, to lose weight, to be in the shape that I want to be, to sing more, to dance more, to laugh more, but most of all to love the life I have and not take one moment for granted....

Really? God must have a sense of humor!

So I was hoping to avoid any sort of true craziness this month. After all it is my birthday month...But no, I think every month this year something major is going to happen each month!
So Sunday night my stomach started to hurt. It got really bad and went into my back. I figured I just needed some rest so I rested on the couch. By midnight I was miserable and finally gave in to the idea of going to the ER. Well, it turns out I have a gall bladder full of gall stones and all of those tummy aches for the past 2-3 years have been just that. One is blocking the duct-so that is why it hurts so bad.
So anyway....I get to have another surgery asap. I never thought this would be us-but-geez! It makes me want to just stay in bed just o miss another crisis! LOL!
But at least I can say we get to see family next month and I look forward to that! Kids are good and I just have to get through this-before Kyle has his surgery-but I really am beginning to believe God has a sense of humor!!

Time flies and I just hang on for dear life mostly

So I was surprised to find it had been 6 months since I have come over to the blogging world. I am just finding that I post on FB more bc it is easy from my phone and I am rarely at the computer anymore. And well this has been quite the year...I have figured out that every month except May we have either had a surgery or a major ER visit. It has been frustrating and humbling all at the same time. I am a pretty independent person so asking for help has been hard. I have to confess that I am glad to almost be totally mobile again so I won't feel so guilty about not getting things done like I want to.
So just to write it all down...
Dec-Jan-Jeremy in hospital for 13 days
Feb-Jeremy rushed to hospital for an emergency appendix surgery, etc. stayed for 4 days
March-Kyle had surgery for a birth defect known as tarsal coalition
April-
May-I had surgery for a partially torn achilles
June-Jeremy had a bout of diverticulitis and Kelsey was rushed to the ER in Alabama for a concussion and heat stroke so we drove to alabama to make sure she was ok!
July-I ruptured my achilles
August-I had surgery with a cadaver achilles tendon to fix it and begin the process of 7 weeks of no weight bearing in a cast with crutches.
September-Kyle has been to the ER twice with a broken finger and hurt elbow believed to be broken. Thankfully the elbow was not broken! The last week of September he puts me in a walking boot to my knee.
October-Kyle had a midfoot ankle sprain, 3 weeks after that I get to move to a short boot and start 3 times a week at PT, go see the Chiropractor bc I am so off balance now having been in a boot or crutched since May.
November 3-Kyle will have surgery to fix the left ankle that has tarsal coalition and I should be getting my two shoes back for the first time since July!
December-surgery on my right foot to fix the several larger bone spurs in my right ankle!

Not to mention the asthma, allergy flare ups, ear infections and sinus infections the weather has brought!

Now don't get me wrong-I think one of the greatest lessons I have learned have been my gratitude for each day, for good health, for kid's that are so responsible and helpful, for kids that get a long so well. It has brought us closer together as a family. I am grateful for that.
But as I know many of you in the blogging world read this-you have brought me dinner or helped with the kids and I am so thankful. I know life is busy and I appreciate all that you did for me and all that you helped me keep my house in survival mode! It means a lot to me and I don't think I can ever thank you all enough!
I also even have learned to appreciate to just watch and enjoy the kids. I am still competitive and I still expect great things out of my kiddos, but I don't want the time to go by so fast that we don't have great memories together. I love knowing their friends and it made my day when a friend said-you know all about teenager things-that is sooo cool! You are one cool mom! I have to confess-that made my day. Then  another time-I saw a kid write-yeah-I love your mom too! It just makes me said how fast time is going to go-and all of these big kids will be in college!

Kyle is an amazing kid. He is so athletic, strong, confident, smart, handsome, and has such a sweet tender heart. I love the fact that on Sundays when we get to church that he lets Kenna snuggle on him and plays with her all the time. It is neat to see their bond even if he is 10 years older than her!
Kelsey is such a wonderful girl. She helps so much with the girls when I am down and she is growing up soo fast. She is beautiful, funny, and has so many gifts and talents-most days I just stand in awe that God would give me a daughter like her to raise.
Keira is the "I've got it all together " kid. It is that time in 2nd grade where education starts to click. She HATES to miss school! She just loves to learn and doesn't want to  miss a thing! She loves being social and I am positive she will be my most social butterfly-Class president, head cheerleader, best dressed.....not just because she has all of those traits but because she has such a tender heart that she will be kind to all!
Kenna has really blossomed. She still struggles with anxiety and social situations, but she has come so far! She is actually looking forward to kindergarten next year and I never thought I would see that day! I am so grateful for Spark and how amazing those teacher are! I love going-even if it takes up part of the day. I will miss them next year since I have been blessed to spend the past 3 school years in their classroom! I may have to sneak in and go just to go! LOL!!!!
Jeremy is working hard at work and I am so proud of all that he has accomplished this year even with all of his health struggles. He provides for us, spends time with us, helps around the house and even let's us have dogs when he is not a big dog person.
I love him so much and I am so glad that he puts up with me each day.
So off to another busy weekend of baseball, soccer, babysitting, birthday parties, and friends.  I will post pictures soon-that is my goal!
Time does fly by but the journey and it's challenges have helped me see-
"I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me"
Thankfully the Lord doesn't give up on us-ever....His peace will carry me through whatever that trial may be....

The Chinese mothering style article

So there was an article in Time magazine about a woman who was Chinese and raised her daughters in that cultural mindset. Her husband is American. It was an interesting article in that she stated so we praise mediocrity in this country now and that is why we are behind in education. We praise the "losers". Everyone wins. No one is cut from the team, no one is allowed to fail in school.

Yet America strives to win it all. While I am not like the mom in the article that stands over her 7 yr old and says no dinner or going to bed until you have that scale right on the violin. If I know they have the ability and talent-then expectations are a good thing and I would have to agree with this mom. I may get knocked for saying that-but structure and discipline helps us all to find success later in life. It gives us the ability to get up on time bc we are committed to what we do. It helps us see that when we work hard at something there are tangible results. I am far from perfect-but someone once told me that they thought that the dad picked friends based on habits and hobbies. While I have no idea, his daughter has excelled in her area of skill.

You may ask, what prompted this....as I watched Keira in a different class tonight in gymnastics I realized that when our kids learn a skill and we want them to progress-we must do our part. She was too busy goofing off in the other class because she had too much free time. This make up class gave her no free time and she worked hard and progressed thru skills I did not know she even had the strength for. When she was skipping the lunges-I pointed it out to her and she stepped up and did them all out. Expectations.....kids will rise above them....

hopefully in the end I don't screw up my kids-but when they succeed at something they have been trying so hard at-the smile on their face is so worth it! the lesson they learn when they lose helps them to work harder for the next time....

I am glad I had the chance to be a mom...it maybe hard like 5 doctor's appointments in one day today, etc. But the lessons I have learned from them are priceless.

My thoughts on that article about the blogs

So I am going to try and return to the blogging world....not sure if that will be successful...I am just now catching up to my life...not in cyberspace...

I hear the life a a mormon mommy is pretty and fun and glamourous...

Can I have that life?

I will be 39 this year and mine has never been the way these mormon mommy blogs are described...My life is not a gap commercial-my girls are not always perfectly dressed with perfect hair. My husband is usually in baseball clothes when he gets home from work, and well my son is a walking hollister ad-but that is his doing not mine. My daughter is an athlete who likes ponytails and tennis shoes and dirt. She takes nothing from the mean girls at school and has the sweetest side to her that I love.

My seven year old will be a fashion designer one day-and I love her style and creativity...

And that bear...well we will see.....

Does anyone not like to read-hey my life is normal and kids are normal and when it gets hard-I know I will get through this because someone before me did something just like it....

I can take courage in that....

I am inspired by that...those women I know who work so hard day in and day out to raise their families while their husbands work hard to support them while they are working away from the home a lot. I know it is hard. I know it is exhausting. But the world does not give an praise for that....

There is no break for a woman who stays home and raises kids and her husband is working out of town or long hours...her job NEVER ends.

The housework never ends....Those that have jobs as well-it is even harder. These woman are the ones that hold our society together and are setting an example for the next generation. To not be weak but to be strong and kind hearted all at the same time. It is across all spectrums that I find these woman. So to them I pay tribute today. Life is not always beautiful.... but it is a beautiful ride.....

Wow, Where does the time go??

So here I sit on December 31, 2010...

I have watched November come and go. Another Thanksgiving come and go. It was fun to have a small Thanksgiving here at home with just us. Although it seemed to be missing something with no one extra to share it with. Although it has been a hard year for us in a lot of ways-we have been blessed in other ways. Thanksgiving is always better sharing your blessings with others....

The kids finished their sports' seasons on top and each started a new training program at a place called Athletic Republic. The head trainer, Travis is a great guy who pushes them hard but believes in them so much. It is really neat. Plus they are all Christian and it is important to them to instill good values and self esteem into the kids that walk thru their doors so I think that is really cool. I have enjoyed the time we spend there almost more than their actual sports some days....

I have learned hard lessons too. People are only out for themselves and their kids in the sports world. So the friends we have that are still our friends years later-I truly cherish. These are the people that have realized that there is more to life than sports and I appreciate them a lot.

I also learned that people I thought were my friends really aren't and that has been a sad lesson as well. But I have learned that this past year in more than just sports. I have learned that is true in a lot of things. True friends are hard to come by. Most are fair weather friends.

It has been a sweet fall for me homeschooling Kelsey and I will miss her when she goes back to school next week. I know she is ready, but it has been so much fun to get to know her and I will miss that each day.

It has also been fun to see Kyle make the B basketball team. He is not a ball player so this was icing on the cake and it is just a lot of fun to go watch him play. He has his little "middle school girlfriend" that he likes to say came from being the A team QB. I am just proud of his all A report cards and good choices and funny personality. All of the teachers adore him and all of his friends parents adore him. I adore his girlfriend and her parents so it is fun seeing the group of kids all hang out with each other and watch them all grow up and "go out" with each other, etc.

Keira has had an AWESOME first grade teacher in Mrs. Black. Thankfully the trend held true and all the kids have had wonderful first grade teachers. Mrs. Black has been so kind and wonderful to Keira and helped her come out of her shell and grow and progress in her learning and I can't thank her enough. I really appreciate her and wish I could do more to help her. but the principal won't let us in. It has been great for Keira and I wish she did not have to leave her class....

Kenna started her second year at SPARK. It has been a wonderful year so far. Lori and Melissa are wonderful and I could not ask for better teachers who love Kenna and have helped her come out of her shell. She is still shy and a hard nut to crack but once she is cracked-man is she a fireball!!! I think she is gonna wear me out!!!

Jeremy has been working hard at work and has completed many projects and been commended by his boss and his boss' boss this year. He was assigned even more projects just recently. He has his gall bladder removed and a hernia repaired in October. Then just two weeks ago found out that he needed a colon resection. So on Monday he had his colon resectioned. So for the first time since December 31, 1995-Jeremy and I will spend New Year's Eve apart...because he is still in the hospital due to complications of recovering....We hope he will come home on Sunday or Monday. Most of all we hope that all of the diverticulitis will not come back and bother him anymore!!! But I will miss him tonight.....

My year has been a busy one keeping up with everyone. I had been doing great with the running but then have been fighting this unknown sinus, allergy, asthma, bronchitis, etc. infection since August. It has my doctor stumped but we are trying the allergy shots now-I survived the RUSH treatments without an ER visit so maybe that will help-I hope so-I want my life back without steriods, and more steriods and more medicine. I want to be able to breathe again without coughing or chest tightness or losing my voice every month.

So although I am shocked by how fast time has gone by-I am not sad to see 2010 end. I hope that 2011 is better and not so hard. I look forward to better health for Jeremy and for me. I look forward to better times and more peace. Yes, I know where to find it. Sometimes just hard to b e still when you are always coughing..... :)

May the New year bring happiness to all.....

Can't believe it is almost November!

Well I guess it is true the older you get the faster time flies! Jeremy had surgery at the beginning of October and it feels like the month went by in the blink of an eye! I am getting into a crazy routine of Kelsey's homeschool stuff in the morning and Kenna's preschool Spark stuff in the afternoon and then Keira and Kyle come home and it is one to homework and sports practices. So I don't mean to be anti-social just having four kids to keep up with has become very time consuming. But I do enjoy it. I am sick of pollen this fall. It has been a lot worse for me than in the past and I am ready to be done with feeling bad every other week it feels like. But hopefully there will be a break in a high pollen count soon! I don't sit down to the computer much with having an iphone other than when I am doing school work for Kelsey so the blog is pretty much neglected but I thought I would take the time to record a little bit of the fall here.

Soccer for Kelsey has gone really well. She has played great all season and at ODP she has done great. Try outs are in January and I think she may have a shot at playing up. She is going to Athletic Republic for PE and that has really helped her and her speed and agility is amazing. I am amazed at the things they can do to help those kids learn to use their bodies with the proper mechanics!!!! It is so worth the time and money! The owners were telling me that none of the other ARs were getting the results that they were-these guys here in Humble are taking almost .9 seconds off of the 40 yd dash. That is huge! In six weeks! But you can see it in one session in how the kids body movement changes. I just think it is neat to watch. But I am a nerd like that.

She is doing great in her school work at home but she misses her friends at school and has dreams of doing EVERYTHING so she has decided to go back to school in January, I think. So she can be a cheerleader, in athletics, drama, and honors classes and soccer. I think it is really neat to see her blossom and grow up. Hard to let her grow up-you want them to stay little but amazing to watch them blossom!

Kyle has made just as amazing of a transformation this fall as well! He has grown into this handsome young man! He is maturing into the leader I always knew he was. He is in athletics and decided that he wanted to try out for 7th grade QB. Well we thought having never really played that he would end up on the B or C team, but he worked so hard he has earned the job of the A team QB and had led the team all year. He has three more games and they are playing great. They get better each week and he is really just showing what maturity he has that even when he had an very painful ingrown toenail-he still got up every morning at 6am and practiced until we got it taken out. He is still playing tournament baseball as well and has become a powerful hitter on the big field. He had an amazing tournament this weekend with his bat and some great catches in centerfield. He pitched a little and did well but we don't want to stress his arm too much. But he is also making straight As!!!! I just think this is so great with his ADD and all that he is doing is such a huge accomplishment for him and I couldn't be more impressed with his choices. He is taller than me and I am sure that he will be sprouting even more!

Keira has slowly gotten into the first grade groove. She is settling in and as I have gotten to know the teacher better I am very grateful for her. It has been such a busy fall that I have been worried about her-and I not too sure about the new school administration yet, but I know she is surrounded by a good teacher and good specials teachers so I hope that makes for a good day and we will be able to catch her up from the disaster called kindergarten.....We are still straying to find an activity that she enjoys and wants to stick with for more than a day....It has been a challenge!

Kenna has done great at Spark and I owe a lot to Lori and Melissa! They have really pulled her out of her shyness and she is improving every day! She is talking to people more and interacting and I couldn't be happier! She wasn't scared of the same things she was scared of last year so I can't say enough wonderful things about the SPARK program!!

Lastly,

In the past two weeks I have had my friends lose their friends suddenly as well as a friend lose his dad. This made me realize that I wanted to make sure that I had written down that I am grateful for my friends and all that they do for me. They brighten my day and are there for me when I need something. They know me well enough to know when I am faking it and when I am good. They know when I really need help. They know my kids and my husband's sarcastic wit and aren't offended by it. They accept me as I am. If I lost them suddenly I would miss them terribly, but I hope that I tell them how much I love them and appreciate them often. I know I would see them again on the other side....

I am grateful to the Lord for all of the blessings in my life and for all of the many wonderful things He has given me. I never lose sight of that ever. My children are my four greatest blessings and to watch them grow into these wonderful people is amazing.....It is my greatest gift from the Lord....after the Atonement of course...

Two weeks almost done!

Well I have a ton to do today but I figured I would jot down a few thoughts...

We have survived almost two weeks of school. Kelsey and I still like each other. Kenna is still happy. Kyle LOVES football and seems to be doing ok in all honors classes with good teachers. However, Keira is still having a hard time and I wish I could figure out how to help her. She had such a rough year last year and I had hoped that it would get better but she is still not wanting to go to school. It just breaks my heart. She is such a sweet spunky spirit. She shouldn't have that much anxiety about school.

We are headed to Austin this weekend for a soccer tourney so it will be fun in two ways from a totally selfish standpoint...

1. All of the other kids get to be with grandma and grandpa for the weekend. This is much needed time with them and I know all parties involved will be in heaven! Thanks mom and dad!

2. It will be nice to spend time with just Kelsey. When you have more than one kid this doesn't happen very often. So I am grateful for these opportunities...

I also have been thinking about why is it most of us are motivated by things that HAVE to get done instead of by desire? It seems that mentality of checking off my list is how many live their personal, professional and spiritual lives. Why is that? It is the very few who stop and can see and feel beyond. Keeping up with the "Jone's" really doesn't matter if you are drowning in debt or you end up divorced. Pushing your kids in whatever it is to the point that they don't like you anymore causes a void that you can never get back. Yet too much freedom and being their too much BFF causes just as much harm. It is a balancing act that is so hard to find and manage. But as my kids get older and I watch all of these parents around me-I am so grateful for the ones who have gone before and have great kids.

I am grateful for the adults who take the time to get to know my kids and give them their unique perspective on life. I think that is probably the greatest gift my grandmother gave to me. She always told me to keep an open mind because you never know what somebody can teach you. I am realizing that there are lots of great "things" I could have accomplished but most of all I hope my kids grow up to be good, honest, loving people who value a hard day's work.

I want all of their dreams to come true....Professional athlete, olympic athlete, marine biologist, vet, coach, etc. I hope that they will learn with commitment and humility they can become leaders and find great success.

So I have set my own goal to run a half marathon in March and by my 40th bday run a marathon. I don't know that I will ever have the time by then to get all of those miles in each week for the marathon, but I know I can do the half. So I am set to do it and I am excited. I am soo sore right now, but I am excited (yet tired) when the alarm goes off at 4:50am to get up and run. I can knock out 2 miles right now and I look forward to when I can run more regularly. Maybe I will try a few races in between...I was fast back in the day...So

happy fall as LAbor Day weekend approaches. I look forward to a new adventure.

first day of school

well I am a teacher now too...

It is almost midnight and I am already behind

The morning sun is soon to shine

My sleep will be not too much

in these months of books and stuff.

Hope my KEEIraboo

comes to love school

that teachers cherish

not letting her perish

My baby boy may be the QB

I may have high anxiety!!!

He had a great day with

teachers he likes..

I hope that it stays

and seventh grade

is not a hike...

Kenna will see a new Spark or two

Mrs. Gregory and a few new

faces that will hopefully delight

She will learn her days of the week

and maybe even change the song by a tweak..

As for me I will learn if a teacher I am cut out to be

A testing ground this will prove of me

I hope I make it

I am excited to try

But man, these nights are gonna fly by....

Reflections of the Sun.....

So as I have been absent from the blogging world for a while I have learned a lot about myself and the world around me....

I have remembered how much I love to be outside even if it is really really hot. I love getting a tan in May that lasts all summer long and taking the kids swimming. I love that I had the chance to coach again in June and look forward to doing it again in December and April. I am not sure that I am doing a good job at being the mom of a teenager but I am doing my best to raise a good boy that will become a good man one day. I love the sound of happy screaming children at odd hours of the day running around my house because as my title suggests-I do fly by the seat of my pants....however, I love even more after all of that screaming the silence of a quiet house at the end of a day that is clean and organized. I have gotten so much better as the kids have gotten older at cutting the clutter monster down to size and I look forward to chopping it into tiny pieces once and for all!!!

I have watched Kyle sit on the bench for almost three months supporting his team as his elbow healed and sat as he went through PT all summer so he could play in the world series with his team...

I have been given good friends these past few months that have taught me that true friends love us no matter what. They listen, and talk and laugh and love. They will tell us like it is and even if we are wrong they let us know. They stand up for us. They help us out. They love our kids-even the hard one that no one ever really wants....If we call or text in tears at 2am-she'll answer with what took you so long. Those few friends I have found these last few months and I am so grateful for them.

I had the privilege of spending time with not only Jeremy's family this summer but to also see my mom married to a great guy. I feel very blessed to have all of these wonderful things this summer. The trials that life brings sometimes seem suffocating but I am grateful that even when it feels like there is not strength to make it through that over the years the Lord has helped me.

In three days I will have been married for 15 years...how time flies! I am grateful for the dedication and commitment that Jeremy has for me and the love and affection that he has shown me over the years. We have walked a journey that has taken us over mountains and valleys and canyons and raging rapids and hot deserts and grassy plains and thick forests and sandy beaches to vast oceans. But we have also seen beautiful horizons and colorful sunrises and poignant sunsets....Thank you Jeremy for this life that I would not trade for another. I have learned things I would have learned no where else....I love you always!!!!

Thank You Kelsey Call Photography and I am back in the blogging world!

so we took these pictures at the end of May but I have been off of the blog since I got the iphone. I am so grateful for all of the blessings in my life. As we have had the summer to stay busy and spend time together it makes me grateful for all of the wonderful experiences that these kids get to have. We saw Grandma and Grandpa over memorial day. We saw Grandma Kip and Tony get married in a beautiful ceremony and spend time with them as well. It was a special treat that we got to spend time with my Uncle Dave. Then we were able to have my nephew fly down from Utah for 10 days and we played and had fun. Poor Jeremy has been working so hard and we have missed him so much but we really appreciate all that he does for us each and every day. HE gets up at the crack of dawn and works until the sun goes down, coaches Kyle's baseball team, and plays with the girls. I think he has set a record for going swimming this summer with us even with his crazy schedule! so thanks J! We love you lots!!!! You are the best!!! I am sad to see the summer come to a close but as crazy as it sounds I am a little excited to get back in to the swing of things and even more excited to start watching Kyle play football for TMS. It will be a fun filled busy fall! But I know that the Lord has blessed me with a good life and I am grateful for it.