My little "big" girl

My little T, growing up so fast. You know the stage where kids say very insightful things, and very factual things, not trying to offend or hurt anyone, but obviously just realizing and commenting on things within the world - as they see it? Well, here are a list of insightful and funny things recently said by my daughter.

1. Mommy, you should tell your work that you are busy with your family and never go back. (AMEN! ;-)

2. Everyone is different, like you have dark brown hair Mommy, but we love you anyway.

3. Ga-Ga, your tummy is big, my tummy is small.

4. Since babies are born 2 at a time, where does the other baby go when families only have one?

5. Can I be nocturnal so I can play with Peeps kitty while everyone sleeps at night?

6. I don't want C to be alone, so I should be with him in his preschool class.

7. Ga-Ga, when you were little, where did you and Grampa live?

Oh, kids say the darndest things!!

Engrossed in the Vikings vs. Ravens game today - the Vikes pulled it out at the end!!!! WOO-HOO!

Well, still workin on making healthy choices, just one meal/snack/etc...at a time. Some days it's pretty easy and it feels great and I desire to exercise and everything. Then, there are days like today and I just want to eat. I'm hungry and I want to snack and I want to eat good tasting food. I think I am PMS'n, so no wonder. 18.5 pounds down...will keep on truckin. It's a lifestyle - about moderation and balance and not just about the moment. I can do this...I really can.
Anyhow, on the kid front, C has his IEP next week and then he's going to start school the very next day - SDC (Special Day Class). He'll go all day, from like 9:00 - 3:30. That's a long day, but I understand that for autistic kids, the reinforcement is huge, the routine, schedule, etc...
It's really weird, I know that kids eventually grow up and go to school and their parents don't accompany them, but now being a parent, it's a bizarre thought to me that my kids will go and have this life - completely separate from me - and experience things and build relationships and try to navigate the world WITHOUT me. It's very odd and I think what if some thing's bothering them, or I can tell something hurt their feelings, or what if some other kid is mean, or what if no one is friendly to them....it kills me to think they'll have to deal with all of this WITHOUT me or T. I know, I know...we all did it, but being a parent now, it just doesn't seem right!!!!
On another note, the Vikings (football team - became loyal fan through marriage) are currently 6-0 and doing great - they may go all the way to the Superbowl and I promised T a long time ago that if they ever go, we'd try and get tix. I better start savin my money! Here is little T and C, rootin for the Vikes!

Positive Change

Well I can't believe it's October already. The only thing exciting is that Pa's Pumpkin Patch should be opening soon and the kids LOVE the rides and fun stuff at Pa's. About a month ago, I decided to start making healthier choices regarding what I eat and just take it one day at a time, making the best choice at the moment. I also decided to drink tons of water each day because my body really feels better when I do. As a result, I've lost 14 pounds!! I am so excited and I have A LOT of weight to lose, but that is not my focus and I am not going to rush it. I want to be healthy and I want to have energy for my kiddos, so I will keep pressing forward and try to make good, healthy choices. I won't deprive myself, just try as much as possible to eat healthy. As a result, I pray the weight will just keep falling off. Eventually, I will start to exercise also, and that will help me feel better.

So, I will keep posting here as my journey continues. Healthier lifestyle, it's you and me babe!! ;-)

Race 4 the Cure!

Today, T ran the Susan G. Koeman Race for the Cure 5K. I was so proud of her. She and a friend both signed up and trained a bit and they did great! It was so emotional, seeing all of the breast cancer survivors and watching them cross the finish line as well. Today, we raced for T's mom, our good friend Carol, our good friend Jody and our good friend Mary. It's amazing if you really think about the stats...1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Over and over today, we heard stories today and the main theme was early detection and early treatment. God bless all of the women who have already walked this journey, and those that still will. We WILL find a cure!

Redding Vacation 2009 - A Total Blast!!

What fun we had in Redding. We drove all night Thurs night, arriving around 8:15am Friday morning. My Aunt and Uncle have a beautiful home in a gorgeous forest of a neighborhood. We had breakfast and decided to go out on the lake. The kids loved it. We tubed, and drove the boat around, rode a jet ski (the entire family, including the kiddos), took an early evening boat ride and had fun times hangin at the house in the jacuzzi and beautiful surroundings. Little C was in heaven because every single room at my Aunt's house had a fan, and he is obsessed with fans - loves them! Little T had fun with Auntie as they both put curlers in their hair at night. (of course Auntie would keep hers in all night and little T took hers out after about 5 minutes.) T went kayaking in the early morning and I LOVED rockin the jet ski around the lake at 45 miles per hour. I even survived as I flipped it (on accident) 3 times! oops! I got a little crazy - but had the time of my life! We will hopefully plan a yearly trip to visit...and the kids were awesome road trip companions. I especially loved when they woke up at 2am and we all had french fries from McDonalds (which NEVER happens) and then sang and laughed...that made it an offical family road trip for sure! We're back home, tan and rested. Thanks to my Aunt and Uncle for being so gracious! A great time was had by all!

1st Road Trip

Well, we're off...to hit the road for the next 9-10 hours. We're going to Redding to stay with my Aunt and play at Lake Shasta. I can't wait...the boat, sea-do, sun, ect...also she has tree frogs and fishies in the pond and the kids are gonna love it! Now, we've done the airplane thing 3 times and we're pros, but...not the open road. This is our 1st family road trip. The last time we went anywhere in the car together, it was Big Bear and the kids were about 1 1/2 and they both got car sick and threw up all over within 5 seconds of each other. I cried...what a bad mommy I was, not thinking that my babies could get car sick and just hailin it up the mountain. So, this time it's long and flat driving, so that won't be an issue. We are driving all night and hopefully the kids are going to sleep. It will be dark and we'll be on the freeway, so chances are good...but you just never know. Vacation here we come...I'll post more when we return!