February!

 We are now hopefully coming to the end of winter and looking forward to spring.  This year has been a challenging one for me.  I am still trying to adjust to a new school and school climate, as well as tackle some personal goals.
 I still get frustrated and feel like I'm so different than the rest of the world at times.  Friendship is so important to me and it's hard to find people that are not "busy" and are genuine.  Relationships since college has been a huge transition and one I'm still getting used to.  I have lost people who for whatever reason were not able to be there for me when I was at my lowest and others I have had to walk away from for personal reasons,  grieving many who meant the world to me. I know at this time, I need to protect my heart and focus on my relationship with God and go to him when I'm feeling alone.
  I am also continuing with the bible study, Made to Crave, which I'm really enjoying.  God is working in my life and speaking through the study, scripture, and the present sermon series at our church.  I believe he is wanting me to rely on him fully and completely for my needs.  When I am tempted to run to food , he wants me to come to him to fulfill those yearnings.  I have learned a lot and continue to try and learn the lessons he is making clear to me.  I know he wants me to use this struggle to honor him.


One of the big things this month was having to register Tyler for Kindergarten!  I can't believe it is that time!  I know everybody says it, but it does just seem like yesterday I was holding him right after he was born.  He is super excited and I know he will do great, but I have a feeling it will be hard for me to adjust :) 


Gabby is doing great in fourth grade! This year has been an adjustment for both of us, and she is stepping up to the challenge.  I decided that I need to step back and let her take responsibility for her homework and grades. Instead of being a helicopter mom, I am now just the cheerleader! 

She just finished her second marking period.  The work is getting harder and she is still doing great.  She was awarded at her school assembly 3 awards for perfect attendance, honor roll and for writing.  She is also in chorus and band.  She is just like her mommy and loves music!  She drives her father crazy going around the house singing all the time! She is speeding a long on her flute too.  I love listening to her practice and can't believe how far she has come and that she is following in my footsteps.

Although, this year has been challenging and a year of adjustment for us all, I believe we have all grown.  I know I have a long way to go to reach many of my goals, but it's nice to feel I'm at least on the right track.

Winter!

      Since Christmas we have had a couple of snow storms. Days off, extra family time, and even enjoying the snow has been wonderful.  I have a feeling there will still be more coming! 
I celebrated my 38th birthday this month.  It was a great day.  Julio and I took the day and celebrated it together while enjoying each other's company.  He surprised me with a new laptop!
  Since my birthday I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish and do before I turn 40 in two years.  I know I want my life to look different in a lot of ways.  We have started to go to a new church which I hope will turn into a place we can feel comfortable and meet people while we mature in our faith.  I have also started a new online Bible study on the book, Made to Crave.  I'm in my second week and love it!  It is teaching me to satisfy my deepest desire with God and not food.  I am in week 2 of doing it and am finishing my first week of making some lifestyle changes.  I'm excited about what God is doing in my life.  I want to start truly living and this is one step in the right direction.  There are still days/nights that I struggle and life gets overwhelming, but I'm so thankful for my family and I know that I am empowered because I am a child of God and I want to live my life to the fullest by letting him take control  and relying on him completely. 

Happy New Year 2014

We have ended another year and looking forward to what God has in store for each of us as we begin 2014.

2014 ended with lots of excitement and memories to cherish.  We got our first snow and have had another storm since.  We have now got a total of 3 snow days!  I'm not sure if the the kids or I are more excited about not having school!

 Christmas is one of our favorite times of year.  We have lots of fun including the magic of Christmas as well as talking about the real reason for the season which is of course the birth of Jesus.  Our elf, Martin this year found new and crazy places to hide for the kids to find him each morning. We all enjoyed the extra days to relax and enjoy spending time as a family.




Tyler got to bring Howie-the classroom stuff animal home for the week.  He was super-excited.  He spent time hanging out with him and made sure he slept and cuddled with him each night.  We went out and bought him a Christmas present and Howie was so excited to open and find new PJ's for himself!

Both kids enjoyed presents from each other, from Santa and from us.  Gabby was surprised this year when she got a "real" camera!  This allowed her to use all her wonderful creativity with her scrapbook kit which she also got.  Some of her other favorites were dolls from the movie "Frozen" and an artist DS game.


Tyler got a new game system-the leapster GS, lots of Ninja Turtle stuff and was in shock when he got his very own scooter!  

 Throughout the holiday season, we also do some special activities together as a family.  One of these was getting tickets to ride the Holiday Lights Train at the Wilmington Railroad.  We even took pop-pop along!

Another highlight was seeing Disney on Ice!  Both kids loved it!

I"m looking forward to my birthday this month and Spring that is right around the corner!

 As I enter into 2014, I have a lot of goals set for myself I"m sure just like any other person.  As the year ended, I'm still finding myself struggling at times with depression how it has affected things in my life the last year or two, some of which is a direct result of my choices and others a result of other peoples choices.  Although, it is a new year, I want to put the past behind me and move on, I find myself still struggling with hurt and maybe even bitterness from people that have left me or backed away for various reasons.  I know God is with me and is working in my life.  He has never left me.  I am excited about our family starting to attend a new church where I can continue to learn about his word and grow closer to him.  God has answered my prayers by bringing someone into my life while others were on their way out.  She has been such  a blessing and her friendship is one of the best things that have happened to me in a long time.I thank God for her everyday.

Holiday Season!

We are in one of our favorite parts of the year.  Lots of things to do and family memories!  October is one the kids favorite months with all the fall activities.  One of the things we always do is the Fantasy Trail every year.  It is a nature trail filled with their favorite characters from books and movies that just happen to also give out candy.  This year they decided to go with the Power Rangers theme.  We went trick or treating once again with good friends of ours and one of Gabby's friends she has known since preschool.  They kids love to pick their pumpkins and decorate them.  This year Gabby's pumpkin was a cat and Tyler's was dressed up as Darth Vader!

Tyler for the second year had a special project to do for Thanksgiving.  They had to disguise a Turkey!  Last year Daddy and him made an incredible Spider-man Turkey.  This year he wanted Batman.  Thanks to the creativity of daddy- they worked as a team to make it happen!

 

This is a big year for Gabby!  She turned 10 on November 13th.  Hard to believe that my oldest is now 10!  Yes, as everybody says, seems like it was just yesterday we were getting her room ready and bringing her home from the hospital after a rough labor and delivery!  She is a very smart and special girl.  Couldn't be more proud! She decided to have another Jazzercise Birthday party.  It was a night-time disco ball Costume party.  As always her and all her friends had a blast dancing to her favorite songs and playing her favorite games. 

Tyler went on his first field trip with his preschool to the pumpkin patch on a real school bus!  He had a blast and was so happy that daddy got to go with him!

Can't believe that Gabby is in Fourth Grade!  Mommy have started this year giving her more Independence especially with her homework and she is doing great!  She was honored at an assembly with two awards for Perfect Attendance and Honor Roll.  When we got her report card, we were so happy to see Straight A's in all your subjects and related art classes.  Smart Girl! Hope the year continues to go as well as it has been and she can continue to be as successful as she can be.

On Nov 23rd, Middletown had the Victorian Stroll.  As usual Gabby and jazzercise participated in the parade and rocked it out.  My girl has rhythm and I love watching her dance!


I am slowly getting used to my new job placement and getting to know all the kids.  There has been several rough days, but I get up and refocus.  I know I need to focus on God, providing for my family, and doing what I need to do for my own family.  Part of that is to continue to eat healthy and exercise so I can continue to be healthier to be a better mom and wife. 




This Thanksgiving we spent it with our neighbors Katelynn and Ryan Scott who have been such a blessing in our lives! Our friendship means the world to me and excited to see how it grows in the coming year!

We are starting to get ready for the Christmas season and enjoying it as a family.  It's always a nice season with time off from work, kids off from school, and time for us to relax and just enjoy time together.

Great Start!

So happy to report we are all off to a great start to the new school year! Many positive changes are happening and I couldn't be happier.

 I am at a new school this year.  The change has been much needed and a pleasant one.  I am loving having my own room and building a rapport with a new group of kids.  The staff and principal are very nice and I enjoy working with them.  I think this is going to be a great year! 

 

 

 The kids new favorite thing is participating in the Lowe's Build and Grow program.  They love doing it with pop-pop.  Right after we went to see the Planes movie, they were able to build their favorite plane from the movie.  I have a feeling we will be going to more in the future!

 Both kids were super excited to start a new school year and in a new room.  Gabby started Fourth grade and Tyler started his last year of preschool.  Gabby loves her teacher and is already off to an awesome start!  She has been picked with three other kids to be a part of an advanced group where they will go to for part of the day.  I'm very happy that they see Gabby's potential and want to challenge her while allowing her to grow.  She seems very encouraged already!  At home, we are working hard on learning/reviewing her multiplication tables.
 In fourth grade she has had the opportunity to join the band.   She is  starting the flute in a few weeks! There is also a chorus that will be starting which is right up her alley!  She came home the other day after music class and started singing every word to the Star Spangled Banner!  There are days she just amazes me!

Tyler is doing well in preschool as well.  He is growing so fast!  He can wrote his name and were slowly working on him tying his shoes.  He is still a mama's boy and tends to be my cuddlier.  I love his hugs and kisses everyday before I go to work. 

I have changed a lot in my life as well.  There has been a lot of positive results.  I am eating healthy and paying close attention to portion control.  I am also exercising 3 times a week. I have lost 12 pounds this past month. Today, I have started to train for a possible 5 K in November.  Gabby may be joining a running club at school where their goal is a 5 K.  I thought it would be cool to try and do it with her and support her.  I found an app that is called couch potato to 5 K! I know this won't be easy, but I"m going to give it my best shot! In any case, the added exercise will help with my goals of changing my lifestyle.
Looking forward to what is in store down the road for all of us.  We are entering one my favorite times of the year and all the fun activities we do...definitely will have more to post next month!

New School Year + New Beginning= Changes!

It has been about 4 months since my last post.  I was glad for the school year to end and summer to arrive!  I had a great summer and of course as expected went by way too fast! I was able to have some time to myself, time with the kids and things for us to do as a family.  I took day trips by myself and got to take and do a lot of stuff with the kids. 

In June, as a family we got to go to the Sight and Sound Theatre for the first time.  We took Julio and my dad for Father's day.  It was such an amazing experience.  Both kids enjoyed it and we can't wait to go back again...hopefully to see Jonah when it is playing.

July, we kicked summer off running!  Gabby was able to have some new experiences like having swim lessons and learning to sew.  She made a dress and a shirt/shorts outfit with Ms. Kim.  We are grateful to have Ms. Kim for Gabby as a positive role model and mentor in her life. 

Tyler also had an exciting summer learning to ride his new "big boy" bike and writing his name.  He is super excited to be going into his last year of preschool!


 The highlight of July is always the Delaware State Fair.  It's something we all look forward to.  We love the pig races, circus and the rides!

The rest of the month we took day trips to the Brandywine zoo for an Exotic Bird Presentation, the Cowboy monkey rodeo at the BlueRocks and getting to ride the go-carts for the first time at Rehobeth.  July is our favorite month by far!

Two of my favorite things this summer was that I got a new car and a new kitten.  Both orange!  The car is a 2013 Dodge Dart!  I love it! 

Our kitten, we named Simba since her sister is Nala.  Both kids came up with the name and agreed, so Simba it was!  We are having fun loving and playing with her.  She is a great addition to our family!

August is the month that always goes by so fast.  Although it was a great summer, I am anxious for a new school year and a new beginning which is much needed!  I am at a new school this year full-time with my own classroom. I'm hoping it will be a good change and a chance at a new beginning.

I am still dealing with depression and some days the loneliness is unbearable.  Unfortunately if I"m being honest I can say I feel this way because I have lost hope in people and struggling with where God is in all this. This is a time in my life, where I feel really alone and in some aspects I really am.  I'm hoping I can work through this even if it is all by myself. 

 I"m also excited about getting back to my good habits of healthy eating and exercise and reaching my goals I have set for myself.  I definitely will be blogging more on my progress and all the changes I will be making. I feel it really is time to focus on myself and start the journey of loving myself again...because in the end, I am all I really have.

 

April

The end of March and the beginning of April has been eventful.  Spring Break was so enjoyable!  I was able to spend some great family quality time with Julio and the kids as well as time to myself.  It was nice to have a break and get some extra rest. We started the break celebrating Easter.  This year for the first time we took the kids on the Easter Bunny Express at the Wilmington Railroad.  It was a nice family day.  Tyler loved riding on the train and both kids enjoyed seeing the Easter Bunny and getting a huge chocolate Bunny Treat!

 

The kids were excited to get up Easter morning to see what the Easter Bunny had brought them.  We started the morning reading the Resurrection Story of Jesus before coming downstairs.  The kids loved their laloopsy and spiderman baskets with special toys and treats! I believe their favorite was the bubbles which they often just blow in the house!

Another highlight of Easter Morning was being able to dress up in their special clothes.  Tyler had a special outfit and Gabby had a dress that a friend had made just for her.  They thought they were a real prince and princess!

The first weekend in April we celebrated Tyler's Birthday.  He would be turning 4 on April 8th.  Hard to realize my baby is growing up!  He is definitely a joy.  Not a day goes by that he doesn't do something or say something that makes me smile or chuckle.  He's truly a blessing! 
It is a tradition that we do something special with each of them for their birthday so they get individualized mommy/daddy time.  Tyler's wish was Chucky Cheese while Gabby spent special time with one of her good friends. We ALL actually had a blast.  We had so much fun playing the games with him and I sat back and just smiled watching Julio and him playing the boy" games.  It was nice to have that time together.  Definitely another memory to remember down the road as he grows up. 

On his birthday,he woke up and asked me right away, My birthday is TODAY?  Im four TODAY?  :) He  took Birthday ice cream cups to share with his friends and teachers.  We got him a special balloon and sash to wear to make him feel extra special.  He had a lot of fun and couldn't wait to get home and get to his presents! 
His birthday ended up being a power ranger birthday.  He got some of his favorites and a real power ranger sword that even lights up!

We ended the night with a cake that Gabby help me make.  He loved blowing out the candles that spelled his name. The next day he was little sad when he woke up and stated...it's not my birthday anymore...Guess all good things have to come to an end!

If you have read previous posts, you know that I have gone through another rough time the past couple of months.  It's been really difficult.  There were days it was very hard to function and do everything I have to do from getting through a day of work and coming home and handling everything that needs to be done at home.  I went to the doctor right before Spring break and doctor recommended two different medications.  Although I didn't have much hope, since they haven't provided much relief in the past, after 3 weeks I have started to feel much better. I just hope it continues.  Although I hate the idea of medication, I will do whatever I can so I can enjoy all the blessings God has put in my life.  Now I'm hoping to put back in my healthy habits like working out 3 times a week that I was doing before my setback.  Either way, Summer is right around the corner which is something to look forward to!

 

Julio and I are excited to be looking forward to celebrating our 11th Anniversary the end of this month.  There is not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for him.  I love him so much and it will be wonderful to take our annual trip to the Poconos and go away for a night to celebrate our love and focus on just us!