Our family Christmas

Christmas is so much better when you have kids! Our boys were spoiled again this year and I'm happy to be able to say we could afford to do it. This has been a rough year on the economy and I am grateful we have made it through. The boys got so many presents it has taken us 2 days to unwrap them and most are still unplayed with. Eventually they will get to them.
We are spending this holiday season at home relaxing. While we miss our family and friends a great deal we needed a few weeks to relax, focus on each other, and recharge for another exciting year. Christmas was just us. We slept in (yes, the boys slept in to 7:30 am!) and stayed in our PJ's for most of the day. The weather was beautiful and we were able to head outside to play with Abby and Benjamin our neighbors for awhile. We even took an evening walk and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.
New Years will be an exciting time at our house. The Pananon's are coming! Our great friends Troy and Melissa are making the 12 hour trip from Maxwell AFB up to Enid to visit us for New Years. We have always loved them and are looking forward to beating them this year in a few games! We will host a small party that night and are looking forward to a great time.
Well, I hope to load some photos on my FB and Picasa account soon so everyone can see the boys in action but for now Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and thank you for making our lives so wonderful!

Life

Well, life has a way of changing your focus and it has done so to me recently. I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile but at the beginning of October I received a phone call telling me that my 38 year old cousin was murdered. We spent a few weeks in Oregon trying to pick up the pieces of this tragedy. He leaves behind a beautiful 13 year old daughter. It has been a rough time as my family has passed the stage of denial and moved into the anger stage. This will last longer than normal due to the circumstances. But, I am at peace with the experience - I think -
So, we are rapidly approaching the holidays and looking forward to time at home. No, not Oregon this year, or Washington. Just time at home in Oklahoma. We need to recharge for another year so we will do so with our friends here. We are planning a New Year's party as the Pananon's are planning to visit but everything else will be low key.
Work is outrageously busy for both Trace and I but our kids are well cared for thanks to my wonderful mom. The kids are doing fantastic with her and are busy with preschool and Kindermusik. Maxwell is walking and talking and...climbing. He leads with his head when falling so he spends a lot of time bruised but he's a curious little boy.
Hayden can write his name now although we are working on him doing it without prompt. He memorizes the letters and recognizes words but I wouldn't call it reading yet. He continues to be amazing in his verbal skills. Something I hope he maintains forever.
Trace and I enjoyed a great weekend. He took me taxiing in his T6! The spouse taxi event was Sunday and we went out for a spin. While it wasn't in the air, only on the ground, it was a nice opportunity to see what he does. I am in awe of his knowledge and don't appreciate it enough.
I am good. Work is busy which means I am still gainfully employed. I am just a few weeks away from finishing my master's classes and then all I need is that thesis with a signature on it!

My first bump in the road

I spent 2 full days in bed this past week. A major bump in the road for my training for the 15K...so do I postpone it? UGH! I just can't imagine how I can catch up. I missed 3 runs essentially. My Sunday run was supposed to be 6 miles and it was only 2. I wanted to take it easy so I didn't over do it.

Run Forrest Run!

So I have embarked on a journey to a 15K. Well, I'm mostly committed. There is a nagging fear that I don't have the time to train appropriately. I figure that I am committed to making the distance not a specific time. So heck, why not? Perseverance is a new found trait I possess. I have completed just over 4 miles at one time and a 3-mile run last night left me wanting more. So, I know the possibility is there. I just need to stay focused.
I'm training for the Tulsa Run (www.tulsarun.com). It's a little hilly but I will worry about that when I get there LOL!
Am I crazy? Possibly.

New Media

I attended an interesting seminar today on new media. As I listened to the speakers gathering information I found it interesting that a specific theme resonated. (Generally speaking) The younger generation of the audience understood it, used it, and were there for tips and techniques. The older generation felt like they didn't have time to do it as well, thought it was a fad, and listened but, weren't convinced they would adopt it quite yet. The age groups are not a surprise but the lack of interest or commitment was to me. Social media are here. They may be a fad but, they are a fad you can't afford to miss out on if your job is a PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATOR. Particularly if you communicate to anyone under 30, ever.
Overall, good seminar and I took home some ideas and new quotes to add to the wall. "When your name is mentioned at work do people say WOW or WHOA?"
More importantly, I learned to be careful what you say and where you say it. I followed some people on Twitter during the seminar and I'm not so sure they were aware I was following them.

Endings

Who likes endings? Not me! My mom is ending a 32 year career in education this week and will come to live with us and take care of our boys...I cannot imagine what 32 years is like because I haven't even lived that long. I know it will be a hard week for her but I am so grateful to her for joining us. My boys will love it and Trace and I are so grateful to her for committing to help us raise them. This will be the first time in 10 years that we have lived in the same state. The last time we lived in the same state I was 18 and graduating from high school.
Here's to big endings and new beginnings!

Life in the fast lane

As life finally begins to settle in I am enjoying my boys, my work, school, and life in general. Things are surely going to ramp up again soon as I am heading into a busy time of year but I am pausing to say thank you to everyone who has made my life what it is. I am so grateful for my husband who puts up with my crazy ideas, my mom who listens to them and doesn't judge (not always at least) and my kids who are along for the ride.
I've begun reading audiobooks during my commute. I know its not fair to say I'm reading them but I suppose I am listening and envisioning like I would when I read. Its a great time for me to catch up on some of that stuff that makes life an experience. The last one I read was Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella. Next on the list is Eckhart Tolle's New Earth, an Oprah selection. I'm thinking about starting a group where we can share our audiobooks...surely there are commuters out there like me?

Whole Foods/Organic Foods

I recently joined a whole foods club where people come together to order food that is local, organic, environmentally friendly, etc. The purpose of the organization is broad in that it is not only to encourage healthy living and eating but also to discuss cooking techniques and partially for homemakers to focus on keeping their families well fed and educated.

I joined the group not because I am a homemaker interested in some of these topics but because I share the common bond of being a mom with them. I'm interested in making our lives healthier in a number of aspects and this group gives me the opportunity to do this.

Max was diagnosed with a CCAM when he was in utero. That diagnosis has since been turned over but an area of his lungs continues to be compromised. A recent visit to a Pediatric Pulmonologist led us down a path of clearing out our lives as much as possible. We now use green cleaners on everything from laundry and dishes to our floors and mirrors. We also have instituted changes in our eating habits which we hope to increase by joining this group.

Organic and locally grown foods are available everywhere. Its finding them that is tricky. But, a group of minds are better than one. While I can't say I will be the most involved member it is a great opportunity for me to live a better life and I'm grateful for that.

Adoption

Adoption is something I've been considering for a very long time. Its something I would LOVE to do. But, there are ups and downs to adopting. The experience can be different for everyone. I am attracted to adopting a child that needs a home. I am attracted to sharing my love with a new person whether they are my DNA or not, they are my child. But I worry about the effect of it on the boys, and the child we would adopt.

My husband has been warming up to the idea over the past few years. And now, as we make the decision on what will be our final child I find myself battling between adopted or natural. Will I always yearn for one more pregnancy? Or will I always yearn to have the opportunity to choose my child?

To have more or not to have more...

So when and how do you decide this? As you know I have 2 boys...and I want a big family. But, I'm beginning to feel like two is big! No, really, I want to give them everything I can so do I have more or do I not? The decision doesn't have to be made now I suppose. I can pack away the maternity clothes and the baby clothes as we grow out of them but this is an internal dilemma I've been having for awhile. It almost takes away from my being able to enjoy Maxwell. I need to stop thinking about it and let life happen...right? It's that easy isn't it? :)

Are you as busy and stressed out as I am?

I'm looking for a social network. One where we are all busy, stressed out, and not afraid to say it. One where we don't judge because you only stayed home half the day when your kids were sick. One where you packed those sick kids up and brought them to work for just a little bit because you are COMPLETELY out of vacation/sick/personal leave due to cold and flu season.

I'm looking for a friend who doesn't stay home with their kids. And who doesn't hang out with people who do. They are few and far between for me now. I find myself saying things to stay at home moms who quip right back about their relaxed lifestyle. I get it...I just don't want it.

I'm tired, pretty much all the time. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my job because my kids are sick again and I'm convinced I don't do enough for them. I'm afraid I'll never get promoted. And I need a friend who is just as busy and stressed out as I am...any takers?

12:30 to 2 a.m.

This is the time that really makes you a mom I think. The times when you're up convinced you will teach your child to sleep through the night and stop feeding so often. You know he doesn't need it and after discussions with your doctor the time to stop it is now. Its only at 2 am that you read the news you would normally skip, or write on your blog. But its times like this that create "war stories" for the future. You share these moments with all moms.
With our first son we ended up using the Ferber method when he was a year old. He never slept through the night before then and it was wearing on us. He was typically up twice a night on average. Our second was a great sleeper at first but the more his routine is messed with the worse it becomes. He began sleeping through the night at 8 weeks old. Then a trip to his grandparents ruined it. Once he was finally sleeping through the night again the Thanksgiving holiday was hosted at our house and he had to sleep in his pack n play...ruined it. Now, he's up once a night every night and tonight he's up a few times already. His father fed him while we were visiting family so he would go back to sleep. Now he thinks he can just eat all night long. So, we're back to the Ferber method. 5 minutes, then 10, then 15....it makes for a long night but its quiet right now...maybe it will work for us again?

The holidays

I always work myself up for the holidays. I happen to think my birthday is the most important day of the year. Christmas is second to that only because it means I get to see everyone I love (usually) and I get the day off. This year was special as we got to show off our newest addition Maxwell to our family. Its also the last time we will likely see our family for quite awhile as we only travel every other year.
And it was a let down. I'm not trying to be a bummer here but it was. Traveling with 2 kids on an airplane was ok. Getting there wasn't too bad. But keeping up with different time zones, new sleep schedules, or not sleeping at all was terrible. Add in the fact that I had to live out of a suitcase for 2 weeks and it got worse. Plus, all my old friends were missing in action. We all emailed and talked big about meeting up for coffee or something but when it came time I made phone calls, sent emails, and not one showed up. In fact, the one friend I did see I had to drop in on. Its not always like this but perhaps this year we have officially begun growing apart. Maybe next year we won't even bother emailing...if this is the case how will we plan our 10 year reunion?!?
Anyway, the kids enjoyed it. We took 2 extra suitcases home full of gifts and our house is overwhelmed with toys again. They loved playing with family, spending extra time with mom and dad and seeing new friends. It was worth it for them. It always will be in the end right?
On another note a good friend gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Dec. 27th...welcome to the world Erin!