New Plan

I can't believe it has been since July that I last posted on here. I am so sad that I didn't keep up with posting updates about the kids. I try so hard to keep our days full and fun, but that does leave little time to blog or journal. I took such pride in all the notes and records I have on AJ's first two years, and now I am coming to the realization that I barely have anything written down over the past two years (since Abby was born).

SO - moving on. I am not going to let myself feel bad about this anymore, but I am making a commitment to myself to write at least weekly some form of an update so I can remember all the sweet and funny moments that take place on a daily basis. If you are a friend and checking this site out and you realize it has been longer than a week since I last posted, you have my permission to scold me so I get back on track!

The past few weeks have been a bit of a blur. We have been getting ready for AJ's birthday party in a few weeks (his birthday is on Easter Sunday this year), a garage sale, and Easter all at once. It has been almost seven years since we have lived in our home, which meant we needed to refinance. Since we made the decision to stay here at least another seven years, we have also been motivated to fix up the house a little and to freshen it up. This means painting, re-organizing, etc. Financially we have had a few hiccups this month. Adam needed new brakes, I had several complications with my van that needed repairs, then I backed my van into Adams truck (parked in the road)! Our dryer had just died the week before and we are now waiting (and without our old ones) for a new washer/ dryer pair. We have been so fortunate to have great jobs - thank goodness we are both working full time!

We switched daycares last week. It was a very bittersweet decision. We really enjoyed Jenny and her family, but AJ will be attending preschool next year, and we found a wonderful lady, Ms. Kellie. She will be able to provide transportation one way from preschool, and Nana will be bringing AJ there. I can't believe he is signed up at preschool! The preschool he will go to will be housed at the elementary school where I work. I think I am more excited about this than he is! :)

My job is just perfect. I love the location, the teams who I work with, and the location! Previous years I needed to spend close to 60 hours per week to feel like I could not sink with paperwork, and this year 45 hours each week makes me feel like I am ahead of the game, or at least where I need to be. What a wonderful feeling that is! There are about forty days of school left at one school and 30 at the other (My position is split between a Private Catholic School and the public Elementary School. I still am able to work with students on the autism spectrum, which I love, but I also teach a variety of other needs grades K-8 in all academic areas. Ahhhh - it is so nice to look forward to going to work again!

AJ and Abby continue to be the greatest gift God could have ever given me. They make my life feel so complete and full, I honestly feel like bursting with love sometimes. My patience is tested mind you at times, but really they are such great kids! They love each other so much and over the past few months have really started to mutually reciprocated an interest and joy in playing together. (Abby used to just follow AJ around like a little puppy dog and he would get frustrated with this).

Abby is talking in complete sentences most of the time. I try to get video clips as often as I am able to - which is never enough. She is just a ray of sunshine and a true light in our lives. She is always smiling and seldom ever is upset. Abby loves to sing and listen to music, and amazingly enough she knows many songs in their entirety- including almost the full song of "Our God is Greater". Abby sings her ABC's (almost perfectly) and can count to about fifteen, usually without a mistake. Recently she has been starting to sleep in AJ's old firetruck bed. We are trying to sell it on craigslist so I can buy her a white/ girly bed, but I think she likes it extra just because she knows it used to be AJ. She is doing swimming lessons for the first time right now and adores the water. She loves to get dressed up, her fingernails painted, and to wear Adam's or my shoes. She is even starting to keep bows in her hair!

AJ continues to grow and mature at a rapid pace. He is my little negotiator - definitely a business-man in the making! If I give him a cookie, he can list ten good reasons why he should get a second one :) AJ loves the outdoors and would live outside if I let him. He loves riding his bike and scooter! He is doing swimming lessons with Abby, which is fun because Adam and I go in the water with the kids. We are also signed up for soccer and t-ball this summer :)

I have been working really hard to finally lose my baby weight. Since January I have lost 32 pounds, which sadly is only about half of what I hope to lose. My goal is to finish losing the next thirty pounds by Abby's birthday, which is what I have decided is how long I have to consider this baby weight :) I had joined a weight loss challenge class through the community education in Lakeville and won second place (I would have been first if I lost about half a pound more). The class really motivated me and taught me a lot about diet and nutrition. I have been going to the gym 3-7 times per week and am excited to participate in my first 5K next month.

Adam has been working so hard this past month - at work and on the home. I am so proud of him! He is such a wonderful father!

Okay, now I feel better - see you soon blog!