Snow Days

Today is Thursday, January 7. We are on day two of snow days. We were suppose to be back at school on Wednesday - but the snow is flying, the winds are blowing, and the wind chill is dropping. We have already used up the four built in days for our snow days. I have no idea what the plan will be now for making up today and (most likely) tomorrow.

The kids are doing well. They are actually getting along well. It's so nice to have older kids who can get up and make their own breakfasts......they are loving the new monopoly game (electronic banking with credit cards), their DS's, and computers.

Jeff and I have a healthy eating habit started. Today I went to the store for more fruits and veggies. It's nice to see the kids excited for snap peas and yogurt. I purchased some apple cinnamon granola today. A sweet treat for me!

Ma and Pa Primmer will be here this weekend. Shadow will be joining them and spending the week. We can't wait for 'our dog' to get here. Ma and Pa will be heading to Arizona for a week of vacation with Aunt Jo and Uncle Tom.

Truly we've been a bit lazy....but it's been nice!

signs of love

I've been married for over 17 years and have known Jeff for over 20. It's rare that he brings flowers, asks me out on a 'date', opens the car door for me....etc. However, today he showed me a sign of his love in the simplest way.

My van has been acting weird the past 3 days. Every time I start it up the radio is on an AM station and the clock starts at noon. I first thought Jeff was driving the van and switched the station on his 'talk radio'....no big deal (didn't even realize the clock thing until today......). This morning was a bit different. I go to start up the van and it doesn't want to turn over very nicely....weird, since the van has been in the garage and not exposed too much to the cold. The radio was on the AM station...weird, since Jeff didn't drive my van yesterday or this morning. The clock was at noon (just realized)....AND the words "LOW BATTERY" are on the radio display.

So I start on my way to my dr. appointment and call Jeff....just to let him know the weirdness of it all. I can tell he's in his truck when he answers. I ask him where he's at.....and find out he's returning to Omaha from a quick meeting in Lincoln. I tell him about the van and he offers to come home to be available to pick me up, if my battery dies. I think about his offer. Now, I don't like putting him out - or have him go out of his way - so normally I'd say "No, don't worry about it." Today was different. Something (God?) made my say "Yes, I'd like you to head over this way". Again it's so unlike him to offer and so unlike me to accept.

I, then, suggest that he drops his truck off at the clinic and pick the van up and buy me a new battery.....which he does. By the time I'm out of my appointment my new battery has been installed, paid for, and hubby is putting 'heet' in my gas tank. We meet up at our local Walmart and exchange vehicles.

Signs of love.....
I love this man!!!

Resolutions

So, what are your resolutions for the new year?

Every year I claim I will lose weight and not bite my nails. Today in church Pastor Mike made me reflect on what are and ARE NOT the temptations that get me off track.

1. Time - NOPE we all have the same 24 hours in a day.
2. Facilities / equipment - NOPE we have a Y membership.
3. Kids - Nope they are old enough to be home for an hour solo.

So what is it? How can I adjust to continue on my goal?
1. Sometimes I'm tried........so how can I fix that? 1. Get up earlier 2. Go to bed earlier
2. Chocolate is yummy..........have a small 'snack' size / 100 calorie treat
3. Sometimes I just don't WANT to.......find a way to be motivated to go

What motivates you? I could use some words of wisdom! Going to the Y isn't a habit for me yet...I'd like it to be.

Happy New Year 2010

I had a long chat with my BFF Starla. She told/suggested me that I should blog more often...so perhaps that's a goal...we'll see how well I do. Ha!

We had an awesome Christmas Vacation. We got to visit both sets of Grandparents and family. There was a huge storm expected in Omaha on Wednesday, Dec. 23....so we changed our original plans to take the van, with the cat, and leave on Wed....and (instead) took the truck (4X4) - left the cat at home with my friend / neighbor checking in on Mr. Whiskers - and left Tuesday the 22nd right after school.

We had no travel / weather problems at all!

We spent a week in Wisconsin and had a blast. However, we did need to head home. We knew there was a lot of snow....so I called my friend / co-worker's husband (who has a snow plow business) and hired him to take care of our driveway. We are so glad we did. The drifts were about 4 feet high. I'll try to get some pics up later.....

Jeff and I are on an "improve yourself" kick. We are pushing the fruit and veggies, reading the bible/devotional book, and - YES - exercising! I actually went to the Y after a long absence. The kids LOVED swimming in the pool. I got a good 40 min walk on the treadmill. I want to build up my endurance and then move on to weights.

Jackson and I had some fun time together on New Years Eve. We got the materials ready for a small NYE party. Jackson picked out some good snacks. Strawberries, raspberries, cheese, jalapano poppers. We had the Dukart boys over for a play date - and Jenna was at their house playing with Anna....so when it came time for the kid switch we invited Julie and Darrin over for some 'snacks' and drinks. We had a great visit and the kids loved it too. Could be a new tradition!

Today Jeff decided to insulate the garage and sheet rock it. I have no idea where he gets his energy from sometime. However, both boys were on board with that big project...so Jenna and I took on one of our own. We cleaned (vacuumed / dusted) the living room and rearranged things a bit. As I was finishing up, Jenna started taking down the decorations from the Christmas tree. That will be our project for tomorrow...the 'fireplace' room.

As I said earlier, I had a great chat with my BFF Starla. I miss her.....she is great at pumping me up to be my very best. Wether it's getting healthier or de-cluttering my house...she is a positive force! I'm thankful for that!

OH OH OH OH....one last thing.....We have made plans to go to Alaska this summer! We'll be going with my parents. We have our tickets and the RV...now just to make the plans! The kids, Ma & Pa, and I will be there 3 weeks....Jeff can only take one week off. We all leave June 17. I'm so excited!

Have a wonderful 2010!