Schools out! Summer is here!

Happy summer!!! Another successful year for all my boys! Congrats to Justin for finishing his degree and to my twins for their steller marks! To Evan for great marks and improved behaviors!!! I am blessed ! Here we are the whole gang, with one more to add to our family, Zoe! Finally a girl!!!!!

Turtles..

I Love turtles and have a little collection of various interesting turtles. I also have a tatoo of one on my foot..

This turtle I came acrross in a little pond in AZ...

My three boys,,,

Here Is Michael <> And Evan.. At Evan's communion. Justin was not there....

Glass Art.. Az..

These are glass pieces put together and placed throughout the Botanical Gardens in PX .Az..They are amazing ....

True Friends

True friends:

Hold your hands, in good and bad.

Hold your hair ,when needed.

Hold you tight when you are lost.

Call you anytime, day or night.

Tell you about silly things,

Tell you about the serious things too.

Trust you with your secrets.

You trust them with yours.

Eat chips with you and have a beer.

Go on a diet with you...

Might not agree with you.

But listens anyway.

Respects you...

Gets excited about any new venture.

Knows your pets names.

Never gets bored of your stories or dreams.

Laughs with you....

Loves you....

you know who you are,,,

Hum Ho...

That is about how I feel today. I didnt want to come on here, after over a months absence, and complain, but here I go. It is not that life isnt good ,it is actually pretty grand. All the boys are well, and doing so good in school. I have a University Graduate this month, and 2 honor roll boys, and one who is always full of love and spirit. That is not too shabby. No it is not that.

I feel hum drum, because my body does not want to keep up with my mind. It seems that every week I have some new ache or pain. I mean I have been dealing with chronic neck pain for years, and have coped pretty well, and accepted that fact that it is never going away. But once again, I am having leg issues, and back issues. I am just really tired of waking up and always being in pain.

I took everyone's advice and pretty much have cut my running in half . (Due to a lengthy ,hip problem , about 2years ago). I have done that and have taken up walking 5x a week,and I still go to the gym,participating in a boot camp, and some minor weight lifting. I will never give up exercise, but have modified it in many ways.

I guess my frustration is the fact that I try to do something 5-6 days a week, some sort of physical exercise. What do I have to show for that? Well a body that is in pain , and a 5 pound weight gain, that I can not seem to shake either.

I also have continual problems with my digestive system, and just recently caved ,and take a pill everyday. I actually feel better because of the pill.

At the moment , I am digging out my WW things and reevaluating my whole eating.

My goals are really to lose 5 pounds in a month but more that that to be fit without being in pain!!!

I have two races in 2 months , one is dualthon and the other a triathlon. Both are sprints. I want to do well in them and feel great about the accomplishment. I hope that this body will not fail me........and I hope my mind doesnt give up either.

WHEW!!

Well turning 40, has been exhausting!! In a great way though. Vegas was super fun, filled with lots of laughs, love, dancing, and drinking...

I have realized this past week, I am truly loved. It is a great feeling inside, when people tell you that, in many ways. I was spoiled by all my friends, and family,with cards, flowers, notes, gifts, and hugs. I am very lucky. I never knew turning 40 would be so wonderful!!... So thank you friends, family, and loved ones, for making me feel special!!!!

2 days! I am off to Sin City!

I am excited ,,,in two days I will be in Vegas! It is an early birthday present. Forty is only a week away.....

I am meeting my twin sister and her husband...Mikes family will be there too.

More than anything I am just glad to be getting away. Although the timing isnt great, since hockey playoffs start. But there never is a good time to get away around here. Thank goodness for my Mom and Dad, they will be looking after the kids.

I am hoping to get some shopping in, a few good meals, gambling and maybe a refreshment or two!! Oh and of course breakfast in bed..... no kids to eat it all!!!!

Just a post.... happiness...it is in us all....

Nothing really significant to post here. But it has been awhile since I have been on here.

Really I have been just thinking lately how content I am with life ,these days. Sure I still want to strangle the kids , when they wont listen. Or maybe even "run away" for a day or two.. Just to escape the daily grind...but when it is all said and done..LIFE IS GOOD..... I have not always been able to say that ...so it feels good to say it and feel it....

I owe this feeling to my awesome friends, family, husband, kids,god, faith, and so much more......

So today that is my post ,just that,,,, I have a good life and I am Happy!.....

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. " ~John Barrymore

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." ~Frederick Keonig

Just reflecting about my Big Brother

I am not sure why but today I am filled with thoughts of my older brother. He is 7 years older than me, and when I was younger was my everything. I odolized him more than any of my other siblings.

He was the one that I tried to impress and waited for his return, when he would go away to work.

I know why.... My Brother Jimmy ( later he made us call him Jim) always took time for me, and my twin sister. He would play football with us, walk with us, and laugh with us.

I remember going fishing with him, while he piggy backed me, and had Darlene , on his shoulders. I remember going rabbit snaring with him and loving every minute. Mostly because it was more time with him.

Jim did simple things with me, took me for car rides, and let me drive. Or took me for ice cream, and movies.

Later when I was groing up, he still helped me out when he could. With my car or came to visit me in University.

Now as we are both all grown, with kids of our own, we have little time to see eachother. It does make me sad but I know the love is still strong between us.

But today I just wante dto write about my Big Brother and how special he is too me... Thanks Jim for being a great brother...

The Scarf

Oh the scarf, the beautiful scarf.

With it's array of colors strewn throughout.

The warmth it gives me,

Nothing can compare.

I love when I wear it,

People stop and stare.

I will always be true to you,

My scarf.

No matter what,

With you I will never part!!!

Justin's Scarf... may you forever be around his neck,,,,,

Wow A Whole Month -- A New Year -2009

December was a full month of, friends ,family , fun, and sharing our good fortunes. Christmas was busy but worth every minute of stress. Sometimes I complain about all that there is to do , in preperation for Christmas, but when I look back, even just a few weeks later, I am so glad our family traditions are being carried on.

We ended our 2008, with the third annual Kimberly Ski trip. It is my immediate family, and Mikes sister and son. We have neighbors who also join in the fun. It was great to see my older son, hang out with all his little brothers, they will always have those great memories. I said to the kids, next year we will have to try something new. They all said NO!!! They really love this trip, so who am I to take it away, just because I want to be on a beach somewhere. So next year we will go again....

So 2009, is here, and in reflection , of 2008, I can't help but be so grateful for the life I have. I have a super family, and awesome friends. And health. It has been a hard year , for my sister, who has had heath issues almost the entire year, but am Thankful she is doing much better now.

So for 2009..... I will try to remember this great life.

Help others around me.

Thank God, for my good fortune.

Embrace my friends more.

Be patient with my kids ( this is not easy for me)

Love my husband more, not be so edgy with him.

Not be so hard on myself about my image.

Keep working out for my health.

Encourage my children to keep up the great work they already do.

Show my gratitude to my Mom and Dad.

And Have fun......

Of course there is more ,,,so much more...