Ladybugs & Stinkbugs

So I'm sure you've been desperately wondering how my workout routine is going. Well, since you asked, I'll tell you!

=)

First of all, I am NOT making it at 6:45 every morning! Wasn't that a silly goal? Seriously, my goal is to make it before Jeremy goes to work (supposed to be 8), so that means I have to get up at an ungodly hour (I'm still not sure God is up before the sun...). Some days that happens, but others it doesn't. And you know what? It's okay.

I make it about three times a week, which is my minimum. I'd like to go every day, though, for several reasons.

#1: It's 45 minutes all to myself. I can talk if I want, but I don't have to. I can think.
#2: When my workout is done, I spend 15 minutes stretching - and it's the only time during the whole day I will hold still!
#3: It gets me moving. I love the feeling of knowing I've done something good for my body at least once during the day.
#4: Because I get so thirsty, I end up drinking a lot of water while I'm working out. And, if I workout in the morning, that starts my day off on a really good foot.

So, what about results? Other than more energy (which is always a plus), I actually lost 1 1/2 pounds, and 9 inches in the last month!!! Crazy good! I'm not actually trying to lose weight, and they did warn me that I might actually gain some (did you know that muscle weighs more than fat?), so that was a pretty cool deal.

Anyway, that's my update for this month. I'm sure in the months to come you will find out all you ever wanted to know (and more) about my workout routine!

This was the last night of Awana for the year. Andrew's no longer a Puggle - he'll be in Cubbies next year!! Matthew and Annie will still be in Sparks.

Anyway, here is a picture of "Granny" with a pie-face!

I'll be taking "School Pictures" later this week, but in the meantime I wanted to give you an update on our new school year.

"New School Year?" you're saying. "Isn't the school year ending?"

Well, for normal people, that is the truth. But we just can't seem to keep a "normal" schedule. (Not that we try very hard, but that's a story for a different post.) What with two months off when Little Bit was born, and two weeks off in January, and three weeks off in late April-early May, we ended up surprised that we finished the school year at all!!

Honestly, half-way through the year, when Annie could read, and Matthew knew addition facts through 10 and subtraction facts almost that far, I was done for all intents and purposes. We had accomplished everything I could have hoped for in Kindergarten and 1st grade.

So the kids were excited about starting their new grades. Matthew's in second and he will be learning studying sentences, multiplication, more "complicated" rules of reading, Government, and Science, along with a few other things. Annie's first grade year will go over phonics rules, addition and subtraction, history, a Bible catechism, Science, and Art. ("Stay tuned" for a post about their most recent art project!)

I'm looking forward to a good summer. Since all of our other activities slow down, we can actually accomplish more in less time during the summer, and then we can slow down a little bit during the fall months. It equalizes our schedules throughout the year, and it's one of the things that I love about homeschooling.

This is how hot it is out here!
:o)


The above video was sent to my blog via my cell phone...from the ball field! (Sorry, I just think that's really cool.) I know the quality isn't that great, but what that is, is Annie and Andrew slouched in their chairs like wilted flowers. The heat was so intense at the tee ball field today, it really made me glad that the season is over!!

Matthew had a great game...of course, he was sad that the season was over. He's already finagling to play in the fall season. Jeremy & I are thinking it over, but we are not sure if we want him to play during the fall season or the spring. We DID tell him he could only play one of them, though - not both! Since we will eventually have four kids wanting to be in different activities, we have no choice but to start limiting NOW.

Matthew loves it, though, and it will be a lot of fun to watch him progress. And, of course, I will keep you updated!

The Images of A Mom

4 YEARS OF AGE Y My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE Y My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE Y My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE Y Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either!
16 YEARS OF AGE Y Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE Y That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE Y Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE Y Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE Y Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE Y Wish I could talk it over with Mom...

This is video from Annie's recital. It is actually her dress rehearsal, since we weren't able to video the actual recital. They recorded it professionally, so our professional DVD is on the way.

Annie is on the front row for the first part of the routine, the last one on the right. Enjoy my little ballerina!



PS - Thanks, Peter, for shooting the video while I had my hands full with the baby!

Okay, so I love going and doing things and being busy and productive. I am the type of person who would rather be out, around people, doing stuff than staying at home. (Incidentally, my husband is exactly the opposite! He'd rather stay home any day of the week...)

BUT

I am GLAD that summer is finally here! Again, please don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the things that we do...Jeremy & I take commitments very seriously, and before we agree or sign up to do something, we want to make sure that we can do it well and with our whole hearts. For example, I love children's choir...I love adult choir...Jeremy loves the sound system...see what I mean? These are good things.

But everyone needs a time to rest and recuperate, especially after a very busy season. Which is what we have been through for the last two months. We have been going and going and going...like the Energizer Bunny. The house is a wreck! Laundry is out of control (have you ever heard "Mom, I don't have any clean underwear..."). The kitchen is...well...you get the point.

So we are taking a couple of weeks OFF. Not from school, though, because the kids are excited about starting their new grades (more on that later), but otherwise, we are doing only the bare minimum. It has been a nice week, being able to stay at home, relax, and enjoy each other. We even have a whole Saturday where we don't have to get up and be somewhere!!! It's amazing! =)

So, here's to hard work - and the relaxation that follows it!