Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas, surrounded by loved ones, and the New Year is off to a great start for you. I have successfully completed my first semester and quite honestly can't believe I got it all finished. We have spent the past two weeks since school got out working like crazy to get ready for round two of a wild school year. I have to keep telling myself that I only have to do one thing at a time and it will all get done. I am a bit more nervous about the spring semester, because the kids will all be in sports and much of that is going to fall in Sir Lancelot's lap. He has been amazing and supportive, but it can get old fast when the dinners are from the microwave. I think I will try to freeze some meals next week before my classes start. Hmmm...if anyone has any good recipes, please do share.
Among the craziness we have had a fun winter break. Lance's brother Todd, and his wife and daughter Deb and Kenzie spent a day with us last week. They live in Alaska, so we don't see them often, but they are super fun and we love them. Debbie totally gets Cade and he absolutely adores her. Todd is the cool Uncle who the boys idolize. They are sure he spends his free time wrangling moose and hunting polar bears with his bare hands.
We decided to head to Flagstaff on New Years Day and spend a few days playing in the snow. The first afternoon Cade collided with a girl and knocked himself silly. He doesn't remember it, but we keep telling him how awesome he was. We had to spend the rest of the night in the hotel keeping an eye on him, but it was fun to order pizza and just hang out. It seems I have been a bit obsessed with planes and trains lately. My kids only recently discovered the smashed penny phenomenon ,while taking our Christmas photos. Flagstaff is such a cool train town, so we hung out near the tracks for awhile also.
Lance has a few days off next week, so he has given himself a head start on painting all of my unfinished areas like bathrooms, the laundry room and the kitchen (which we have avoided due to all of the required taping). I love this man, he is always one step ahead of me checking off that to do list that tortures my brain.
I am a goal setter and list maker by nature (you should see my mom's planner), so the New Year always brings about a fresh start and renewed hope to use my time and energy wisely. I've decided to keep the ongoing resolution of simplifying my life (I have been working on it for a few years....it became part of a 5 year plan when I realized after year one that I am way more complicated that previously anticipated). My life may seem crazy at the moment, but getting my Masters is part of that plan. The other things on my list are spending more quality time with each of my kids alone. This is when they open up to me and I get to see and hear them as individuals. Last night I took Kai to the store with me by myself and we had a great conversation. I found out the things he was upset about and what he is proud of accomplishing. I also need to make my health a priority, because it usually gets put last on the list.
I have shot an insane amount of photos in the past few months of other families, weddings and my kids. Here are a few of Ashlyn that I love.
Ash made the school softball team and is playing catcher. She also plays third really well, but they want her to catch and she seems to be loving it. I think it looks painful, but she likes to be where the action is.
School starts again tomorrow and I am kind of looking forward to getting back to a routine. I work with amazing, beautiful kids who I miss and can't wait to listen to their tales of winter break. I love the adults I am working with and learn something each day. They are supportive, funny and incredible with the students. It is also fun for me, because I get to drop off and pick up my own kids and run into them occasionally. I will do my best to post each week and in a moment of over zealousness I have created a photo a day album for 2009. If you are doing the same leave me a comment, I would love to see yours. Thanks for your supportive comments these past few months, I appreciate all of my sweet friends and love to read your blogs.
Stay tuned...Kai has his first wiggly tooth...very exciting!
Wow, those are some GREAT sledding pics! Glad you have updated and made your way through your first semester of school. I think Rich is going back for his masters as well. He had his interview, just waiting to hear back. Your family is beautiful. I love all your pics!
Posted by: heather j | January 04, 2009 at 07:19 PM
OH MY STARS!!!! I'm so GLAD you are ALIVE!!!!! I was worried and sad....when I was counting/tallying you had 28 and then nada....broke my ♥ cuz you are one of my fav's........love the pic's of the kids...they are beautiful! Miss you soooooooo much! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Posted by: Kayola | January 04, 2009 at 07:33 PM
I love the pictures! Don't forget we need to schedule a senior pic day sometime this month or next or even the next. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments!
Keep in touch!
Posted by: Kat | January 05, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Happy New Year Gina! I'm glad you posted - I have missed seeing all of your great pictures.
Posted by: Jolene | January 05, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Wow, amazing pictures as usual. Ashlyn is absolutely beautiful, and I love the "catching air" picture. Now I wan't to take my kids out of school and go to flagstaff.
I'm so glad that you are making through school, you are an inspiration.
Posted by: Wendy | January 05, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Wow - those are some great photos! Where did you go in Flagstaff to sled?
Posted by: Sarinah | January 05, 2009 at 01:32 PM
You are so ambitious! Keep doing one thing after the other, and you're right, eventually it will all get done. That is how I survived the first year with the twins. One thing at a time. We sure miss you guys in the neighborhood, but are glad you aren't very far away. Hang in there!
Posted by: Alishia | January 19, 2009 at 12:25 AM
WAY cute pictures Gina. I wish that I had just a little of your talent. The pictures of Ashlyn are so amazing. I love the black and white with her blue eyes! She is so lucky someday she will look back and be glad that her mom made her take a million photos! Love them!! Hope school is well and that you got some new professors this semester!! :)
Posted by: Staci | January 22, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Hi Gina! I of course LOVE your pics - you are so talented! I don't know how you do it, mom, awesome Aide, student, wife, church work etc.... I'm SO impressed. Tell Lance that Landon would love help on his "list" too :) Hope your week is wonderful!
Posted by: Amy | February 01, 2009 at 10:07 PM
just thinkin' about ya....wanted you to know ♥ ya
Posted by: Kayola | March 12, 2009 at 01:35 PM