Hey, remember me?

Well, hello there. It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm still here. Don't worry about that. I've just been a little busy.

You see, a few days before the last posting, Pat and I found out we were pregnant. Seeing as this was our third positive pregnancy test in the past year, we didn't want to get our hopes up too high. Fortunately, this pregnancy went full-term, and we were blessed with Murphy Patrick on December 19th, 2010. He is absolutely adorable. His laugh and smile are a highlight of my day! And I am so calmed by the scent and warmth of him. I wish I could smuggle him with me everywhere I go...but I cannot. I have to share that I absolutely love being a mom. I was so afraid I would fail at it, but it seems thing just come naturally, Thank Goodnes!

There are days I may complain becuase I am tired, but when it all comes down to it, I enjoy putting the men in my life first (by men, I mean the 20 week old one, the fuzzy four-legged one, and the one I've been in love with since 1998). I am learning now, though, that there are times were I really need to put myself first, or I get pretty blue. For example, I am getting my hair cut tomorrrow (finally); my last hair cut was in the middle of October. I also need to set aside time to work out, whether it is on the Wii, with weights in the basement, or my preferred mode, running outside. Not only do I need that "me time," but I need that time to let out any frustrations I may have from home or work. Also, I really thought I would have this post-preggo weight gone by now, but I'm learning the 9 months to gain it, 9 months to lose it is pretty realistic. Although I love my smile in the pictures I see lately, below the waist is kind of hard for me to look at. I worked really hard to lose quite a bit of weight about a year and a half ago, and to see a portion of it back on my body is tough. I do not regret the gain; it was more than worth it, and an understandable gain, but I am ready to get back to the body I was proud of. It is just going to take time, and I am not patient.

Between keeping Murphy happy, and keeping things kind of caught up at home (laundry, providing healthy dinners, basic cleaning up and I do mean basic, and at least 4 hours of sleep a night), it seems that my personal needs get put aside. I wish there were enough hours in the day to provide me with enough time to feel like I can play the role of mother, wife, teacher, friend, sister, and daughter well...but lately I feel like it's too much to balance. Will something give? Or will I finally figure out the juggling act? My hope is for the latter...

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall..

I've noticed a change in myself lately. I've been lingered a little longer while looking at myself in a mirror. It doesn't matter if I'm getting ready or just passing a mirror on my way out of the bathroom. Regardless of where or when, I stop to admire myself rather than criticize myself. I'm liking my reflection for the first time in years, and it's nice. Don't call me vain! This is a step in the right direction that should be congratulated rather than criticised.





Now...where did I put that mirror in my desk? Time for more admiring (just kidding!).

image from http://media.80stees.com

License to be Happy :)

So, last week (Tuesday I believe), I found myself pulling into the parking lot to the Government Center. My driver's license was one month away from expiration, so I figured might as well just get the whole experience over with. I carefully chose an outfit that brought me happy memories and made sure my face was freshly powdered. In the past, I have nearly hated my license pictures. My last one from four years ago gave the impression that I had four chins for example and no neck (you think I'm exaggerating...). I avoided looking at it each time I had to pull it out of Kitty (my affectionately and appropriately named card carrier). This is Kitty:

Anyway, I had the nicest lady walk me through the paper work and picture taking experience. She complimented me on how I looked and how natural my smile was. I actually felt good about the whole process for once! What really made my day was the fact that I didn't feel guilty when writing in my weight. That was a first for me. I left hoping the 6-8 weeks for my new plastic card would go by quickly.

Last night when I brought in the mail, I was shocked to find my license already there! I ripped open that envelope with the excitement you would expect from a former me (okay, may not that former) on Christmas morning. And guess what! I liked the picture. Woo Hoo! I have one chin and a neck. Who could be happier? ;)

Wall Talkers!

It's that time of year again. The time of year where Saturday's don't mean sleeping in. Saturday's now mean listening to high schools speak on various topics or present various pieces of literature...and I LOVE it! I'm not coaching (again) this year, but that's okay. That will happen again in time, and I'm enjoying having a choice. I'm really enjoying the freedom of judging. Last weekend was the first meet of the season, and it was also K-M's first meet EVER. I was in the tab room, and it was a nice way to start the season. I'll be judging most of the weekends in Feb and March which is going to be fun (and will be earning us a little $$ too). I'm really excited that Pat will be judging many of the meets with me. Speech season always gets me all nostalgic thinking about how our relationship started. When I'm judging at meets that we competed at together in high school, I can almost see shadows of our former selves walking down the hallways hand-in-hand, and it's nice...all warm-and-fuzzy feeling.

Okay, enough with the sappiness. I know. I just can't help it...

Other than that, things are going well. I'm back on track with working out and tracking which means I'm losing weight again. Woo hoo! School is going well, although my new prep this quarter has me frantically throwing things together at times. Dax has been awesome for both comfort and warmth lately.

Overall, life is good. Pat's been really active with the home brewing which is beneficial for me. We are outside geocaching when our calendar and the weather allow. My 29th birthday is quickly approaching which as me a little anxious, but with my birthday comes Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland which I am ECSTATIC for.

Yup, that about covers it.