Wow! December already?! What the...?!

20 days to Christmas.
Yes, you hear me right.
TWENTY DAYS.
Are you done shopping? Because I am NOT. This year has been different for us in so many ways.
And getting back on track has been a challenge all on its own.
Changes are good they say, well some changes just plan suck.

So, in the holiday spirit, I am trying to lose 15 pounds by Christmas. I am watching the calorie intake and trying to get in as much calorie burning time as possible. Where am I in my goal so far... well, I have only 15 more pounds to lose! LOL!! Yeah, it isnt looking to good. HOWEVER, my FAVORITE JEANS finally got a hole worn into them, and not in a good place. So, do I spend money on another pair or do I work harder on the weight so I can ACTUALLY wear the huge tot of jeans and pants I have in the basement? I am going for weight lose.
PLUS- In 6 months and 22 days, I turn 30. So, I WANT TO LOSE THE WEIGHT!!
The goal is 50 lbs by that day.

Also on my goals list... A full marathon BEFORE my 30th birthday.

On the family front,
BigGirl is playing basketball now. It is so fun to see you learn, and yet so hard to not want to jump in a teach her when she makes a mistake. (But I dont. Good mommy, keep your big butt on that bleacher during practice)

LittleMan is still struggling with potty training, and is needing to get a bigger bed (those tall genes he gets from his daddy are annoying sometimes, will when money is concerned.)

We have the tree up, but we dont have the swingset up yet. My poor kiddos.

The Hubby is still working the job he started in August, he is just trying to make it through this first year, which is learning EVERYTHING. We are keeping our fingers crossed for that bonus this winter.

Me, well, I am on the verge of a NEW path very soon. More to come when it is confirmed. :)

Until then, I am still here, I am not dead. I have goals that I am determined to meet. And I am thinking about actually having a birthday party this year. THEMED AND ALL. More on that as it progresses too

ON A SIDE NOTE---
My great friend, Gunn, ran her FIRST HALF MARATHON THIS WEEKEND!!!
Las Vegas Rock and Roll!!
3:12:13
YEAH BABY!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK SEXY LADY!!!

And the winner is........

...... #19 Kristen at runningwhat? CONGRATS KRISTEN!! Email me your info and I will get this in the mail asap!!!! (kirstendyan@yahoo.com)

Thank you to all that entered!! I have another great giveaway coming very soon!!!

Right after I get The Hubby through his College Graduation next week, and BigGirl through the end of Kindergarten, and myself through the end of Softball season!!! Much more "fun" me coming, and less "stressed" me around the corner!!! And many new races, faces, and news this season!!!

Also, I will be taking any donations you feel like sending to me for the China Volunteer Trip I am taking this summer to show love to orphaned children. Just email me for my address. All donations are TAX DEDUCTABLE when checks are written to "Bring Me Hope". I will collect them and get them off in lue of my travel expenses. A giveaway will be given to a random donating submission on July 1st.
 Learn more about that HERE. 
I have $3250 to raise by July 1st!!! Please, Help me help the lives of others.

Somedays I wish.....

It is Sunday night- my kids are in bed (half hour early since we are time adjusting), the hubby and I just folded and pick away 3 loads of laundry (there in one more left), the dogs are relaxing inside, the basement is clean from another weekend of playtime, the backyard is clean of doggie doo-doo, the house is "phicked up" (no- I did NOT say clean), I have 4 new books by the bed and one from the library (5 total but only 4 left to read).... do you see where this is going yet?
We are 2 weeks into Softball season, the BigGirl has 12(?) weeks before summer break, the Hubby has 10(?) weeks before college graduation (and hopefully a J.O.B. again), LittleMan is being SO DIFFICULT with potty training (he will be 3 yrs in June), we are getting closer a a Big Wonderful decision (more to come soon!!), and Oh yeah- It is RACING SEASON TOO!!

Oh the brain (but not registered yet) are Emma Creek Womens 5K in April, Easter Sun Run in April (10K), OKC Memorial in May (half), Wichita RiverRun in June (10K), Warrior Dash KC in July ("3.1 HELLISH MILES"), what is missing...... MORE HALF's and a Tri Sprint! That is what my goal list says right?! What is standing in my way.... oh STRESS and LIFE.

So here I am on a Sunday night- wondering "what happened to my weekend?", "What happened to my sanity?", "What happened to my life?". I want MORE, I want serenity! I WANT is more like I NEED!!

So, looking around at everything I need to do/say/try- life would be easier as a "house mommy". But then my sanity might be the only problem-- oh that is where the hubby and my running comes in!!!
I have 1 year and 3 months before my 20s are gone.....

What! Where! Who! Huh?! Left? Right? WHAT?

Ok, life has been INSANE!

(example above-- mommy's theory, little man is to crawl through tunnel.

Cason's theory, "look mommy, i can do that too. HI!!")

Softball started, missed mom2mom this week (totally blow my mind, mainly since I didn't have "pick her Shana" in the back of my mind), Dallas run is a week from sunday (still dont feel ready- but will be bucking it up anyway), Cody is doing great in school, kids are funnier than ever. I just feel like breathing is by "Option only" right now.

Trying to Stay Smiling...

Ok, so with the economy how it is now, and us already being 1 job sort in our house, and my job about to been out the door too,

HOW EXACTLY DOES ONE STAY SMILING?

Well, honestly, I don't know. I play with my kids, I encourage my husband and I pray for help constantly. And still, here I am, awaiting a sign, a miracle, something. I tell myself that this happens for a reason.

My ideas with that are: Maybe it is a sign that I DO need to change careers/ areas of business.

So, I had been toying with the idea of teaching. But I am left with 2 doorways there.

#1: If I want to teach high school, that will require me to go back to school, again. More money, and more time away from my kids.

#2: If I decide to teach College, I can start right now. Althouth I will eventually need to go back to school for my Masters to grow in that field, and that is more money again. Also, it could include MORE time being part of Boards and such.

Now, both of these have matching +'s: I would have MORE time at home with my kids. And I would actually really enjoy myself.

Coaching at the Highschool this past year has been WONDERFUL!! I haven't been happier in a job ever. Even with the minimal pay, the interaction with that level of kids is great!

So, here we are again, still undecided. I did go on and apply at HCC for teaching AND a Career Coordinator position. Maybe one of those will work out. And I have kept applying at other places that have HR openings so that I am covering all my basis. I may only have a couple months before my position is completely eliminated.

When there is a will, there is a way. Right?