Week at a glance

Lots of fun and exciting things going on this last week.

 Here's a few fun things at a glance:

1. Our favorite summer dinner has been grilled fish on the BBQ with herbs from my garden and fresh slices of lemon. 2. First day of school this week for both kids. 3. We are getting back in the swing of things with our after school routines. 4. With the kids home from their Dad's for the summer, it's back to chores also. They are loving fewer chores with another person around to help out. 5. I've always wanted to make my own salsa! I bought two bags of tomatoes from the farmer down the street and it turned out delicious! 6. Just being having fun and being silly. 

Purple Belt

Thursday night, Jackson was promoted from an Orange Belt to Purple Belt. Which means he will be sparing at the next tournament, along with doing forms. Sparing has always been the part Jackson was nervous about, but he's doing great with what he's learned so far.

At the promotion, the students got to show off some moves the have been working on. Jackson performed the First Chuck Form using his nun-chucks along with attacking and self defense moves. After proudly receiving their new belts, they were adorned during a special ceremony which celebrated their dedication and determination to keep moving forward.

Great job Jackson, Congratulations!

Thankful Thurdsay

Of the many blessings I have; I am thankful for:

• Summer rain storms that cool everything down
• Something unexpected to brighten my day (like the note Rusty left in my purse after I had gone to bed)
• Solar power - We finally put the lights in the yard that I bough a year or two ago
• Jackson's dedication to karate
• Ashleigh staying drama free - especially compared to what her friends are going though
• Milk and dunking cookies into it
• The two bags of tomatoes I bought from the farmer down the street - yum!
• The new candles I bought this week - Fresh Bamboo & Cherry Blossom, they both make my house smell amazing
• Tea - organic green tea, early gray & constant comment - such a great way to start or end my day
• A safe place to live

Rise & Shine

Ahh, mornings. Birds chirping.

 The sun peaking over the mountains.

 Don't we all feel like this when our alarm goes off in the morning? I know I do.

NOT!

 I think it's more like this little guy most mornings.

 It's ok buddy, I know how you feel.

I need a magic remedy to change from a night owl to a morning person. Staying up until midnight and getting up at 6:30 am is catching up to me. It's not as simple as going to bed early when your natural sleep pattern is to stay up late. The sleep deficit is growing and I don't have time to be tired.

So far, I've decided I need something to look forward to when I get out of bed in the morning so it's not such a dreaded affair.  I am willing to bribe myself. Maybe some good coffee or tea or something delicious for breakfast.

 I figure, getting up early to visit with Ashleigh as she gets ready for school doesn't have much merit to it if I am half asleep and wishing I would just go back to bed. I'm going to leave you with some inspiring morning pictures and you can leave me any suggestions you might have.

 

Namaste

2011 - 2012

 First day of school

Both kids had a good first day! Ashleigh is in 8th grade this year and Jackson is 3rd. Thanks to everyone who texted/called the kids to wish them good luck or to ask how their first day went.

Ashleigh was happy to have friends in every one of her classes and have the same lunch as her.  She is taking multiple honors classes so she will have her hands full this year. (First therm classes: Science, Math, Spanish, Health, Art, Drama, English, History)

Jackson likes school so he's been ready to go back for about a month now. After breakfast, we were talking about how he wants to do his hair for the first day and he told me, "I just want it straight. I don't want to be a chick magnet" Hahaha. He was pretty excited this morning. In fact, he could hardly even sleep last night, I was worried about him being tired today because of it, but he was fine. Although, he fell asleep in about three minutes tonight!

Late

It feels like the whole world is sleeping and it's just us. 

Nothing else maters right now but what's in our family room.

 Listening to music that washes the stress of the day away. Speaks to me. Relaxing. 

Rusty & the kids are playing a game. 

The kids are taking turns & Ashleigh is making a friendship bracelet between turns. 

I'm spent. It was a long day. But I don't want to go to bed yet...I don't want to miss this. 

Smiles. Laughter. Just simply enjoying each other's company. 

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have; I am thankful for:

• Love
• Summer grilling on the BBQ
• Bug spray (apparently it's spider season)
• When I look at the clock and it's earlier than I thought it was
• The Mac Rusty bought because I get to use it
• Shooting stars
• Only waking up a couple times during the night; curses for being such a light sleeper
• Projects not taking as long as I thought
• All the help around the house; I actually had time to finish the book I've been wanting to read & about to start a new one
• Jackson being so excited to start school on Monday and Ashleigh's ambition to take all advanced/honors classes this year