Soccer

I can't believe I thought I was mostly caught up but I didn't mention a thing about summer soccer!! It was Owen's first year and he totally rocked it!

He scored lots of goals and had a lot of fun with his friends Coleman, Spencer and Brigham. Matthais played soccer too but I didn't get any pictures. What a great mom huh? Luckily he will play in the spring too and I'll take lots of pictures then! He switched to playing goalie this year and had a really good time!

Shakespeare Competition team

I have always enjoyed watching my kids find the things they are passionate about. For Millie, it's dance. For Matthais it's drama. Last year he won the award in drama for 7th grade. This year he earned a spot on the Shakespeare completion team. It's been fun to watch him learn and grown and it's fun to watch him perform. Before they headed down to compete they did a "night of goodwill" and performed their entries. Matthais was in King Lear and played the part of the Duke of Burgandy.

It was a great group of kids and the ensemble Matthais was in place third. They had a lot of fun and it was a great experience for him. Today he is auditioning for Joseph and the Technicolor dream coat. It's been fun listening to him practice his song. Wish him good luck!

The Autism Walk

Way back in like July, I mentioned on facebook about doing the autism walk. I had a HUGE response of people who commented that they would LOVE to do it with me. I got really excited, signed up to make a team and the watched as the whole plan started to fizzle. In the end I had one team member who came to the walk (my sister) and together we raised $320 (she raised $300 of it).  When I finally created the team and people were no longer interested, I no longer became interested either and became a bad team leader. The walk was on my birthday and the day was freezing cold but my sister and I bundled up and headed to the Rio Tinto stadium. They had some great informational booths and lots of activities. It's really a family event and I'm happy to know that. When If I do it again, I will bring the whole family. After, my sister took me out to breakfast. It was my 36th birthday after all! And it really was the beginning of a great day!

Another month gone by

And I still haven't posted. I wish I could say I've been too busy re-inventing myself, losing weight and organizing my life. If I did, it would only be partially true. I have been busy organizing my home and it's slowly, but surely coming together. We decided to get rid of our barely used toy room and move Millie down to that room. Then we moved Owen into Millie's room. Now we are back to the kids each having their own room. This was a huge undertaking as I had to find a new home for the toys (a lot went to DI) and I had to paint the pink walls blue. I felt like we were living in chaos for several weeks. It didn't help that Adam was out of town when I started and we had a family vacation schedule the next week. It was certainly a time of great stress for me. Now, the rooms are done (well, for now. 3 bedrooms still need paint but that will wait), the toys have found there places and I am on to other projects. It is a slow process but oh so rewarding!

I turned 36 a few weeks ago and I am the same weight today that I was then. I am ok with that though. I am anxious to get this weight off but considering I went out for at least one meal for the entire week of my birthday (thanks to my wonderful friends and family) and we had a family vacation (eating out EVERY meal!) I am just happy I didn't gain 10lbs. Today I am refocused and ready to go. Anytime I get discouraged I remind myself of Elder Uchtdorf's talk....

God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.
In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.

I don't have to become perfect overnight as long as I am continually trying. And I am so it's time to stop punishing myself all the time.

Anyway, that's an update on THAT since I'm sure everyone was wondering! Now it's on to bigger, better, FUNNER things!! I have a 14 year old now! And we surprised the kids with a Disneyland trip! It was amazing! So stay tuned, I will be posting lots of pictures soon!

Ch ch ch changes...

I've felt for awhile I've needed to overhaul my life. Nothing drastic but I've fallen in to bad habits. To be blunt, I am L~A~Z~Y. I generally take the easy way out of things. No wonder I am 50lbs over weight and my house is always in disarray. I'm turning *gasp* 36 in a few weeks and I don't want to continue into my late 30's a fat, disorganized slob. I am working on becoming the person I know I am inside. Don't worry, I'm not being to hard on myself. I'm just, currently, not living up to my full potential! My weight loss blog has been resurrected (again), I'm getting up at 6 am to exercise (yawn), My house is getting organized (one D.I. bag at a time), I'm reading the Book of Mormon (already to Jacob)  and I am starting to feel like ME again!! Yay for change right? I'll keep you updated on the whole weight loss thing but if you want to follow weekly send me your email for an invite!!

P.S. I got a new calling last week. I am so excited to be serving as the Mia Maid advisor! This is my first time to be fully immersed in the young women's program (camp didn't really count, it was over way too quickly!) and I'm a little nervous. Wish me luck!!

I need YOUR help!

Not that many people read this anymore but if you do, if you're out there, it's time to come out of the wood work and give me some advice.

The kids have been back in school for nearly a month now and I am still struggling to find a routine and get something accomplished during the day. You'd think after nearly 17 years of marriage and 14 years of motherhood I might have something figured out. Nope. I've tried lots of systems, flylady, motivated moms, and my favorite, the 15 minute timer. Right now nothing is getting me where I'd like to be and I, quite literally, walk in circles all day long. So, here is where I need some help. How do you get it done during the day? What is your system? What is your secret? And I know that we all struggle with this on one level or another but I've seen some of your houses and I struggle way more. :)

Help a girl out?

Lagoon 2011

Also while Matthais was at scout camp (he always claims that we CHOOSE to have lots of fun when he's gone) we went to Marketstar's day at lagoon. It was a different feel without Matthais. He'd gone earlier in the summer with some friends so we didn't feel too bad for him!

Funny thing about this shirt. My brother made two of these last year just before our Lagoon trip. I have Ian wear one of them when we're going to be in public and he might not handle it well. He put it on backward this day but it didn't matter, it served it's purpose. We had several people comment on it and people seemed to be much more understanding. In one line he was having a total meltdown. The lady in front of me commented on the shirt and we sat and talked for a minute (she was a special education teacher). Ian continued to have his little melt down and behind me I hear "What a BRAT!" followed by "SHHHHH, he has AUTISM!"  It was awesome!!