A little late

Warning: Thoughts on a tragic event.

Last week I went to the information session for the school that Oliver will most likely go to in the fall.  It is a good school and I think that he'll be fine there.  

One of the very first things after the introduction of the principal was a discussion of safety during the school day.  For the most part, it was there are badges and the principal usually knows the people in the school and pretty much everybody will stop and ask you who/why you are there from a "friendly" standpoint.  But sitting there in the school library I just felt the magnitude of Newtown in a way that I hadn't before.  And I know that there has been plenty of real and virtual words that talk about it, but it hit home soo much clearer than before.  And my heart broke again for the teachers who risked their lives, the students and teachers who lost their lives, and the parents who will never watch their children go into second graders, tweens, adults.  And I almost started bawling right there.  

Intellectually, I know that Newtown is an isolated event.  I know that in the course of the 15 years that my sons will be part of the public school system, the only reason they will (most likely) on "lockdown" is because of over-zealous principals and police.  But I can imagine the fear and worry that some principals must have because of these events.  

May our children be safe.

Goals

My birthday was last month and I've adjust and add to my current 5 year plan.


Financial:

1.  A fully funded emergency fund.  I think we'll have one once Matt's bonus comes in from his new job.

2. Pay off my student loans.  At our current rate of repayment, we should be done by in about 3 years,

3. Increase  Matt's retirement contribution.

4.  When I go back to work, (assuming we don't need the money in the budget), use most of the money for retirement.

5.Start college funds for the kids.

6.  Have enough money for a decent cash car in 3-4 years.  

Fitness:

1. Run a 10k

2. Run a sub 30 5k

3. Run a half-marathon

4. Have abs again

5. Be at the weight I was when I go married.  That one isn't too hard, I've only got about 4lbs to go.  If I really work on my running and making sure that the crap food levels aren't too high, this one should be pretty easy.

Family Life:

1.  Get everybody sleeping in their own beds.

2. Find an activity that all of us are willing to do, and do it.  Bonus points if it is something outside.

3.  Settle into Seattle reasonably well.

4. See family and friends back in Atlanta regularly.

Lifestyle:

1. Continue blogging.

2. Find a pair of jeans that fit really really well.

3. Start crafting again.  The internet is way too interesting and I know I need to stop reading it on my phone after the kids go to bed.

4. Work towards a diet that is mostly fruit and vegetable with meat as flavoring and starches are lightly used.

5. Work on my sugar addiction.

Blah!

Mommy "Style":  

I didn't take a picture for yesterday.  I guess that I felt blah or something.  At any rate, I wore the shorts from Sunday and the peach/pink shirt that I've worn several times.

And here is today's

You know when I look at other women out and about, I think to myself wow I'm not really that plump.  I think that a several sizes smaller than I am.  And then, I see myself in any a mirror or in a reflection of door or these pictures, or even worse I look at pants; and then I wonder who in the hell is that fat lady.  Or when did I get so huge.  I know in the grand scheme of things that I'm not that fat.  But on days like today, I just feel plumb.

Accomplishment: I dropped of stuff at the preschool for Oliver and Phillip.  I've been hanging onto the forms for awhile.  And then I didn't buy a coffee this afternoon, have to stay on budget.  I really want to make this budget thing work.

Activities:   Yesterday, we went to a puppet show at the library.  Oliver and Phillip had a great time.  I've never heard Oliver laugh that much at anything.  Today, we went to the preschool, Old Navy and Target.  And managed to lose another toy of Phillip's.  Losing toys is getting frustrating.

Menu: Yesterday: Breakfast: oatmeal Lunch: left overs for me. hot dogs and berries for the kids.  Dinner:  Tri-tip roast with rice and Brussels sprouts.  I love Brussels sprouts.  Today: Breakfast: oatmeal. Lunch: Moes.  The kids had tacos, and I had a burrito.  Dinner: Spinach quiche and a side salad.  

A Long Day

Mommy "Style"  

 I'm getting better at posing and setting up a shot.  However, I do realize that I need to get a higher tripod or even a real one since I'm using my desk and a couple of books.  I wouldn't mind including my face but the current setup gives me a pinhead and makes my body look weirdly disproportionate.*      A better backdrop would be nice too.  Unfortunately, this house is a rental and all of the walls are flat paint and I have children.  I swear looking at the walls gives them stains.  I will never have a house with flat paint again.


Accomplishment: I paid bills.  Seriously, I'm not doing anything I'd put on the list of above and beyond regular daily stuff.

High/Low:  Low:  Phillip woke up at 5:30.  The rest of the family woke up at 6:15.  This is about 1 1/2 before our normal wake up time.  It hurt.  High:    Phillip pooped.  He didn't poop in the potty, BUT he did neatly pick up the mess, put it in the potty and tell me so I could disinfect the floor.  

Activities:  We went to the park and tie-dyed a t-shirt for each boy.  The shirts aren't done yet, but I'm hoping to get a picture tomorrow and post it.  After the park, I stopped by our old house.  It's for sale, under contract, but we decided to move before closing.  The house felt so empty and forlorn which it is.  I loved that house.  It was were I got married from, where I found out I was pregnant 3 times, brought home 3 amazing boys, and where so many happy memories were made.  In some ways, I miss that house soooooo much.  I like our new area, but I really miss our old house.

Menu: Breakfast: I had a cream cheese crossiant, the kids watermelon and 1/4 bagel.  Lunch: sandwiches with watermelon.  Dinner: Pork chops, oven roasted sweet potato, and corn on the cob.  

*At least, I think I have normally proportionate body.  Maybe I don't... and that's why the pictures look weird. Probably not though.  

Some extra cuteness