The most aaaaaaaaaaaamazing birthday EVER

Yes, legit, the BEST birthday I have EVER had.  I don't remember much from my childhood birthdays (my parents always made us our favorite meal, cake, and gifts, but nothing extraordinary especially because my birthday is always near Thanksgiving).

As an adult my birthdays have been less than exciting.  Cody has been around for some, as well as not being around for others.  Like last year, the big 3-0, he was away in TX, so I spent it at my parents and it was just another birthday. 

I specifically told him to NOT buy me a thing.  I don't like money to be spent on me, when we can take care of other things.  Does he listen?  NO!!!!!  When the kids came downstairs with a gift, I gave him the dirtiest look and he said it took me 10 minutes to say thank you.  I liked it, ok LOVED it, BUT the money.  Yuck, yuck, yuck!  He bought me this amazing running watch, one that I had mentioned I would like some day, not now, some day. 

The day was supposed to be a normal Wednesday, I was teaching my fitness class, but just had to bring one extra kiddo due to there being no school.  It was 8:25, and in walked Cody from work.  He said he forgot his wallet and something else.  He started my van, and didn't leave the house until after I left with the kiddos.

I walk into the community center to see it all decorated in our themed colors for class (orange and yellow) and am already in awe of these amazing ladies.  I turn around and I see Cody in his work out gear, I'm like what the heck is going on.  He has to work, or at least that is what he told me.  He comes in with some balloons and a bag that is from all the ladies who take the class.  Once the majority of the women arrived, I was forced to open up the bag (which I do not like opening things in front of people, plus I am not a receiver, I would rather give).  I open the card and there is an insane amount of money in the card, and I quickly close it.  What in the world?!!!  They told me how much they appreciated me teaching this class for free and wanted to give back to me to help pay for my certification (which more than covered the cost).  Straight tears of gratitude.  And one more amazing gift of footie jammies, which is a long standing joke in our group.

To top it all off, Cody stayed for the work out (which he has NEVER done).

It was a day where I was loved beyond any way I could imagine, and even more humbled.

Birthday eve

The night before another birthday for me has approached.  The year of 30 truly turned out to be the year of me, and it was not the plan.  In the past year I have finally put myself first, and wow, what a difference that has happened.  

In the past year I have grown a more loving, encouraging, and positive perspective.  Looking back I can see how much of a negative space I was in.  I found the right people at the right time of my life and it has been such the turn around.  It is true that we often behave in similar ways as the company we keep.  I found honest, family first, Christian, fit women who have changed my perspective on soooooo much.  I am humbled to have found them, to have been welcomed, encouraged, loved, and supported in a time I did not even know that I needed.  

I have had a closed off attitude to God and religion, and just recently (like a couple months ago) started opening back up and realizing that I don't have to practice in the way I was raised, and that it is so much more than I ever thought.  My heart is open and I am learning (slowly, but learning). 

By putting myself first, I have been a much better person all around, especially as a mother and a wife.  I have learned to let go of some of the guilt I created, and accept this life I live is MINE.  I need to do the things that make me happy, something I haven't always allowed myself to do.  

Tomorrow, I don't want anything, or expect anything, but I will celebrate this past year and hope this upcoming year will be another year full of happiness.  

Waiting for news

Today is the waiting game.  I am waiting for an email to see if passed the second and final part of the group fitness exam.

And...we are waiting to see if the Army will amend Cody's orders so we can fly as a family to Korea, vs him arriving first and then they send me and the three kiddos.

Waiting stinks....I am ready to get this planning going full speed ahead.

Two months?!

Wow, just wow....I had NO idea it has been two straight months since my last blog entry.  It can simply be explained that I have spent the last two months with my head in books, notecards, videos, and study guides prepping for my fitness exam.  I did not allow myself any free time.  If I wasn't teaching my fitness class, working out, being mom, wife, etc, I was studying.

I don't know where this blog needs to go....need to figure it out.  I have missed so many of the blogs I have followed for years and am trying to get back into it.  As well, as I have missed this place to just write.

I have taken part one of my fitness exam (I passed) and I have one more section tomorrow to take and then I can free my mind on studying and allow myself some freedom.

School year 2013 Week 1

Addyson had been pretty leery about heading off to school.  She said she just wanted to stay home with mommy and daddy, and had a couple nights here and there where she cried if we even talked about going to school.  But, the morning of her first day of 1st grade she jumped out of bed and was ready to go.  She has a new to the school teacher this year, is sitting in a desk (vs. a table), which for some reason tugged on my heart.  With one plus week under her belt, she has declared she likes first grade, she likes her teacher, and has been ready to go every single day.  Let's just hope her excitement continues.

The twins are in separate classes, and Eligh is supposed to start 15 minutes before Kinsley and end 15 minutes earlier than Kinsley.  A few days into the week the teachers have worked out a system.  Kinsley goes to Eligh's class 15 minutes early with him, and one of the teachers walks her down to her class when they start, and then Eligh goes to Kinsley's class for an extra 15 minutes at the end of the day.  Kinsley does NOT like going to Eligh's class, and we have been doing this for almost a week.  She wants to go straight to her class, and at times takes a little nudge to get her in there.  At the end of the day they are both super excited to see mommy and talk my ear off about all they have done, who they played with, what snack they had, and have developed a little competition with trying to get the best rating of the day.  Green is perfect and then it goes to blue, pink, and purple if you are just going above and beyond being good.  So far, they have both received greens or above, and both look forward to going to school each afternoon.  Just like Addyson, I hope their excitement continues as the year progresses.  

Prepping for back to school

• Back packs for the twins have been purchased
• Supplies are ready
• Meeting for the twins accomplished
• Meet the teacher night tonight and  tomorrow
• New tennis shoes for the twins purchased
• First day of school outfits ready to be worn
• Trial run of bed times and early wake ups has begun
• Five more days to go 

Have your littles started school?  How did you prep?  Are you prepping?  

Summer Picture Run Down