Oct. 8, 2009
How Time Flies ...
I can not even believe that it has been 6 months since I have blogged. In some ways I have missed it, and in other ways I have felt relieved. I am hoping to get back to it, but definitely will not be making it a daily habit. My life has become much too busy.
In the past six months, my oldest ds has traveled through Europe, gone to the Air Force Academy in Colorado for a summer program, and gone on church retreats. He has had his first girlfriend and gone through all the ups and downs brought on by that relationship. He is now a senior and going throught the process to get into the AFA.
My second oldest ds worked his first job (a life guard at our pool), made some new, non-church, friends, spent ALL his money, gone on many church retreats, and is now in his first year of confirmation classes (with a retreat this weekend).
My oldest dd participated in swim team over the summer and really enjoyed that. It was a long commitment, but she wants to do it again next year. She got to go on her first youth group retreat over the summer, a week long, as well as a week long Challenge retreat. She is in her second year of Challenge (a Catholic girls apostolic program) this year. She is in 6th grade and is making many new friends through our homeschool group and her first year in youth group at church.
My third ds didn't do a whole lot over the summer escept play with his friends. I think he got to do that more than ever before. He participated in a boys weapons camp (that I held) where he made bow and arrows, rubberband guns, catapults, and swords. He really enjoyed it (But it was the longest week of MY life
) He is in the 4th grade. He has not expressed an interest in playing any sport yet. Although my dh tried to get him to do martial arts and he decided not to. Not sure what will be his desire.
And of course, my baby, who is no longer a baby
. She turned 7 last month. She learned to swim this summer and how to ride her bike alone. She is truly joyful. She has decided that she wants to do swim team next year, as well. She is in a Little Flower Catholic Girls club with 4 other girls her age. Hopefully that will make her feel like she has something of her own.
My dh has not done much different. He works out at the gym 4 nights a week and runs with a friend on two nights. He went on a powerful men's retreat this summer, which I was surprised about. Him not being a retreat kind of guy. He has started what he calls a "jam' with the three younger children and their same age cousin. About once a month, he takes them all out for their "jam", which may include going to the $ theater, getting ice cream, going to 1/2 price books, etc... Whatever they do, it is just the 5 of them. they all seem to really ecjoy it.
As for me...oh where do I even start?!? I have been as busy as ever. Summer just flew by and it seemed like the kids were never here. Someone was always coming or going to retreat. Swim team lasted every day until the middle of June. This summer, unlike the last few, we went to the pool EVERY day. Because my ds was a lifeguard, the kids got to know the other life guards and they would often play with them in the pool when we went. I held two summer camps, Cookking Camp for my 7 yod and Weapons Camp for my 9yos. That pretty much took up our summer.
This fall I have taken on quite a full platter, not just a plate! I am teaching two days of homeschool classes - Tuesdays with 9 students from 9-5:30 and Wednesdays with 6 students from 9-2:30. I am really enjoying the Tuesday class. The Wednesday class is quite challenging (they are K age) Both classes take up ALOT of my time in preparation. I am also helping to get our homeschool group's First Friday activities back on track. I am in charge of the middle school group and the service projects each month. I am also leading Social Justice night for the middle school youth group once a month. I organized a Little Flower group for my youngest dd, but luckily the other moms want to lead, so i only have to lead every 5 weeks - YEAH! I am also very involved in helping the youth group with whatever they need help with. That includes their pancake breakfast every month. That is alot of work and currently their are only 2 of us moms who help out with it.
While most of you know that I began my vegetarian journey in January, I started on my vegan journey in June. It hasn't been that difficult, just it takes more thought and prepartion. I also kicked up my excersising routine this summer. A friend and I were supposed to participate in a triathalon sprint in September, but the event did not take place. We were also supposed to participate in a duathalon in November. However, the duathalon got moved to October and she can't participate that day. Soooo, I have been training by myself and will be competing THIS Sunday in the event. I picked up my packet today, so it is all official, no backing out now! I ahve been working really hard to get a good time, so I am jsut hoping to make a personal best time.
It seems that I have been so busy because the children always seem to have events on the same day. If you think having toddlers is difficult and time consuming - wait until they get older. The amount of running around required will make you feel liek a taxi driver. And my children are not involved in anything besides school and church. Imagine if they were in sports too!
Well, I guess that is a good update to start off my renewed blogging commitment. I will be back - much sooner this time
In the past six months, my oldest ds has traveled through Europe, gone to the Air Force Academy in Colorado for a summer program, and gone on church retreats. He has had his first girlfriend and gone through all the ups and downs brought on by that relationship. He is now a senior and going throught the process to get into the AFA.
My second oldest ds worked his first job (a life guard at our pool), made some new, non-church, friends, spent ALL his money, gone on many church retreats, and is now in his first year of confirmation classes (with a retreat this weekend).
My oldest dd participated in swim team over the summer and really enjoyed that. It was a long commitment, but she wants to do it again next year. She got to go on her first youth group retreat over the summer, a week long, as well as a week long Challenge retreat. She is in her second year of Challenge (a Catholic girls apostolic program) this year. She is in 6th grade and is making many new friends through our homeschool group and her first year in youth group at church.
My third ds didn't do a whole lot over the summer escept play with his friends. I think he got to do that more than ever before. He participated in a boys weapons camp (that I held) where he made bow and arrows, rubberband guns, catapults, and swords. He really enjoyed it (But it was the longest week of MY life
) He is in the 4th grade. He has not expressed an interest in playing any sport yet. Although my dh tried to get him to do martial arts and he decided not to. Not sure what will be his desire. And of course, my baby, who is no longer a baby
. She turned 7 last month. She learned to swim this summer and how to ride her bike alone. She is truly joyful. She has decided that she wants to do swim team next year, as well. She is in a Little Flower Catholic Girls club with 4 other girls her age. Hopefully that will make her feel like she has something of her own.My dh has not done much different. He works out at the gym 4 nights a week and runs with a friend on two nights. He went on a powerful men's retreat this summer, which I was surprised about. Him not being a retreat kind of guy. He has started what he calls a "jam' with the three younger children and their same age cousin. About once a month, he takes them all out for their "jam", which may include going to the $ theater, getting ice cream, going to 1/2 price books, etc... Whatever they do, it is just the 5 of them. they all seem to really ecjoy it.
As for me...oh where do I even start?!? I have been as busy as ever. Summer just flew by and it seemed like the kids were never here. Someone was always coming or going to retreat. Swim team lasted every day until the middle of June. This summer, unlike the last few, we went to the pool EVERY day. Because my ds was a lifeguard, the kids got to know the other life guards and they would often play with them in the pool when we went. I held two summer camps, Cookking Camp for my 7 yod and Weapons Camp for my 9yos. That pretty much took up our summer.
This fall I have taken on quite a full platter, not just a plate! I am teaching two days of homeschool classes - Tuesdays with 9 students from 9-5:30 and Wednesdays with 6 students from 9-2:30. I am really enjoying the Tuesday class. The Wednesday class is quite challenging (they are K age) Both classes take up ALOT of my time in preparation. I am also helping to get our homeschool group's First Friday activities back on track. I am in charge of the middle school group and the service projects each month. I am also leading Social Justice night for the middle school youth group once a month. I organized a Little Flower group for my youngest dd, but luckily the other moms want to lead, so i only have to lead every 5 weeks - YEAH! I am also very involved in helping the youth group with whatever they need help with. That includes their pancake breakfast every month. That is alot of work and currently their are only 2 of us moms who help out with it.
While most of you know that I began my vegetarian journey in January, I started on my vegan journey in June. It hasn't been that difficult, just it takes more thought and prepartion. I also kicked up my excersising routine this summer. A friend and I were supposed to participate in a triathalon sprint in September, but the event did not take place. We were also supposed to participate in a duathalon in November. However, the duathalon got moved to October and she can't participate that day. Soooo, I have been training by myself and will be competing THIS Sunday in the event. I picked up my packet today, so it is all official, no backing out now! I ahve been working really hard to get a good time, so I am jsut hoping to make a personal best time.
It seems that I have been so busy because the children always seem to have events on the same day. If you think having toddlers is difficult and time consuming - wait until they get older. The amount of running around required will make you feel liek a taxi driver. And my children are not involved in anything besides school and church. Imagine if they were in sports too!
Well, I guess that is a good update to start off my renewed blogging commitment. I will be back - much sooner this time