Life As I Know It

All we are is dust in the wind in a million different directions

I made the comment the other day that my family is rarely all home together these days, we'll except to sleep.

So what's been going on this week?

• Healthy eating

I am on a 1200 calories or less diet. I eat a lot of salad and drink a lot of green smoothies or Shakeology.

The kids think that a lot of what I drink looks like vomit or baby excrement. I guess I can see their point.

I have been trying to hit 500 calories or more a day in exercise. I think I need to up that to 750-1000.

I have lost 7 lbs so far. I have 54 to go.

• Soccer, soccer, and more soccer

Ryan plays indoor soccer on Tuesday night in a over 35 men's league - he will sometimes play 2-3

games a night. Zack and the twins had their final games of the season in their respective leagues on

Wednesday and Thursday. Zack's team had games both nights and closed out the season very

strongly with a 2 game total of 12 goals which launched them to the top spot in their division. They

were singing We Are The Champions in celebration Thursday night. Super proud of those boys!

They have been only together as a new team for one season as an independent team. Beating

established clubs is a big deal and they have worked really hard to get there. The goal is to continue

to improve and eventually move into the gold division.

Next up for the boys is a tournament in AZ on Memorial Day weekend. Ryan is coaching the twins and

their team this weekend in AZ for a tournament. They lost their 1st game because they were matched with

a team 3 years older? Ridiculous! 8th and 9th graders against juniors in high school? Not so evenly

matched. The girls won their 2nd game 2-1. Sydney scored both goals. The girls celebrated their win

last night. They have one more game later this morning before they head home.

• Crafting maybe?

I rarely craft or make anything these days unless it is for a client. This week I got the

opportunity to help Madison make a photo collage frame as a gift for her distance coaches.

I taught little dude how to use a Cricut and helped him print pictures for his wax museum project. They

are not allowed to assemble them at home, but since we usually have project boards floating around the

house, Zack used one to lay out and plan his design.

Madison and I also went to a craft night activity for my ward but since we were late, ended up not crafting

and instead just chatting. Hopefully I will get a chance to sit down and actually complete the crafts and not

add them to my huge stash of unfinished projects in my overflowing craft closet (once upon a time I used to

be cr8v - Ha Ha!)

• Fathers and sons camp out only with Uncle Dave and Cousin Seth

Since Ryan is out of town, coaching the twins' team in a tournament in AZ, and Uncle Dave's ward was

holding their campout on a holiday weekend, Uncle Dave and cousin Seth went to our annual Father and

Sons ward campout. Zack and Seth set up their own tent and I am not sure all the activities they did but

they must have had fun because they passed out cold on the way home from exhaustion. I asked for

pictures but this is all I got since Dave's phone died.

• Dates with half my kids

From time to time, I like to take the opportunity, when it arises, to have some one-on-one time with each of

my kids, doing something fun and chatting. Friday night, Madison and I went out to dinner for pho, went to

crafting night, and went to try out the Galaxy theater with the super comfy reclining seats. We saw the new

Star Trek movie. It was amazeballs!

 

On Saturday, Zack and I worked on his project in between my sessions and then went out to Outback

for dinner.

• Graduated yet another Cub Scout

I have been the wolf den leader in my ward for quite awhile. This week, another Cub Scout turned 9 and

moved up to Bears. I have lost track of how many I have had the opportunity to lead but I think I am on my

4th round of boys graduating. I am hoping the boys have learned something from their time in our den.

• Camp brainstorming

I am currently what they call double-dipped (I have 2 callings) and am also serving as assistant camp

director. I have been trying to come up with some ideas that don't suck and drip with lame sauce for a camp

T-shirt design, decor to dress up our campsite, a ward craft, and daily devotional handouts. Let's just say it

is a work in progress. Almost ready to throw in towel a little bit and resort to Pinterest. Was hoping to come

up with a fun new idea or two or three or four. Hopefully inspiration will strike soon!

• She shoots again

I had 3 shoots this week which is closer to what I want to be doing - optimally I want to be doing 4 per week.

I have been averaging 1-2. I have spending countless hours learning though. Did you know I spend copious

amounts of time seeking out inspiration and studying photography? I am very passionate about my work

and am continually refining it.

• Not sleeping. Again.

The brain just refuses to shut off.

Until next time, blessings!

 

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Testing 1,2,3

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Random 2 am Thoughts

 

1. It has been 7 months and 2 weeks since my last blog post. It didn't phase me til I got a warning notice that my account had been suspended. Are blogs dead? Do people still read them? Very very few people do and very few people still write. My lack of posting has not been for lack of something to say or write, but more so because I feel I have been in a funk and most of my energy has been directed into trying to keep up with mybusy family and my work.

2. Friendship. I have very few people who I can say are genuinely my friends and who have my back. I realized this even more so when I turned 40 and my sister-in-law was asking who I'd want to celebrate with. To be honest, I could not name very many people. It had been pointed out to me that certain people were not really friends because friends don't treat you or your family poorly. It really made me sad to finally realize this. I have a handful of really good people in my life and for those few I am thankful.

3. Life moves too quickly. My oldest graduates in a few short weeks and then it is off to college. My twins are starting high school next year. My son starts jr. High. My time with them at home is quickly winding down and it makes me crave the time when they were all small. Raising teenagers and a soon to be teenager has been eye-opening and a bit tough. They are growing so fast and becoming more and more independent. It makes me proud and to be frank, freaks me out a little.

4. I have been 4 weeks soda free now. I also am on a low calorie diet and exercising, working to lose all the weight I have gained in my many months of funk.

5. I still photograph people. It is what I do and am very passionate about. I have been very busy learning and educating myself to be better.

6. The kids are all very busy. Between sports, school, church stuff, and other things, there is very little down time. Ryan also. Work, coaching soccer, playing soccer, community involvement, and his church calling keep him on the go. I cannot wait for summer vacation.

7. Travel - hopefully Chicago twice, San Francisco again, Mexico, Utah, Florida and next year Brazil! 3 of these are work/play trips. I hope to also maybe do a fun road trip with the kids. Travel is something I very much want to do as opportunities arise.

8. Pictures. I have LOTS of them to post. It is my intent NOT to share my work here anymore. If you want to see it, check out my website or go visit my photography Facebook page. I will be updating galleries and making lots of changes (yet again) soon. From now on, just personal stuff and family stories here.

9. Walks and one on one time. I have been walking in the evenings. Sometimes by myself and sometimes with a friend. Tonight I had the opportunity to walk with my oldest daughter. We talked for 2 hrs and then went out for smoothies. I enjoy the one on one time with her.

10. If you still blog, let me know. I noticed many don't anymore but for those of you who do, that I know you still do, I still read and enjoy catching up on your stories and life happenings.

Good night!

 

 

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