14/365

January 14th

POTD:

My Kiara posing. Gotta love those eyes!

WOTD: (lots of definitions, just listing a few)

act: To perform; to execute; to do.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

~Aristotle
“Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.”
~Charles F. Kettering

So far, I am procrastination. Trying for the opposite this year (does anyone have a good word for that?).

13/365

January 13th

POTD:

It has been really cold here. This is what's left of my rose bush.

WOTD:

explore: To seek for or after; to strive to attain by search; to look wisely and carefully for; to search through or into; to penetrate or range over for discovery; to examine thoroughly; as, to explore new countries and to explore the depths of science.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover".
~ Mark Twain

I'm definitely striving for better things this year and examining my life. Here's me sailing away...

Michele

12/365

OK, I'm doing some catching up. I have been taking pictures, but with Rickey travelling, I ran out of time to do my daily posts.

POTD:

My lovely shoes. Started working out this week for the Biggest Losers Club contest. At least I can wear 2 of them. For those who don't know, I spent a year in an air cast and another 6 months in a hard cast after my foot was pinned together. It is really great to be able to exercise again.

WOTD:

step: measure; any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal; shift or move by taking a step; footstep: the distance covered by a step; steps - the course along which a person has walked or is walking in; To move forward or backward one frame at a time.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase".

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away".

~Henry David Thoreau

Alright - I swear that this list was totally random and I don't even look at it until time to update the blog. So shoes and step? Coincidence, right? Obviously I am taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle and also to better document my life. I like the part about "the course along which a person has walked or is walking in". And also "one frame at a time". It sums up pretty well what I am trying to do with Project365. BTW - I am taking my first step, but it is definitely to the beat of a different drum. Here's to our drums~

Michele

11/365

January 11th,
Boy, it's really cold here this week. I woke up to a frost-covered scene. I am so glad we're in the country now and can wake up to these incredible views everyday.

WOTD:
sparkle: A small spark or gleaming particle; A glittering quality; Brilliant animation; vivacity; Emission of gas bubbles; effervescence; To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash.
"People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within".

~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Love the connection again with the picture. Totally random too! I printed out the list on January 1st using random generator. I take the pictures before I have a chance to do the WOTD too. Interesting.

10/365

January 10th,
Our church sponsored a skating day. Abby and Haleigh met us there and all of the kids had a great time! Jacob gave up on the skates early and led his sister around the rink for awhile.

WOTD:

centered:Being at or placed in the center; Having a specified center; Self-confident, goal-oriented, and well-balanced
"A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe".

~ Wayne Dyer
Love the well-balanced part in conjunction with the skating day. :)

9/365

January 9th:
Biggest Loser Club weigh-in day at work. Ugh! There's days that I really dread this grungy old scale. Ironic word of the day, don't you think? Well, here's to a new start to this year!

WOTD:

results: The consequence of a particular action, operation, or course; an outcome; A favorable or concrete outcome or effect.

"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results".

~Wade Boggs

8/365

January 8th:
My friend Kimmie's new baby Stephen:

WOTD:
transcend: To pass beyond the limits of; To be greater than, as in intensity or power, surpass; To exist above and independent of
"Just what future the Designer of the universe has provided for the souls of men I do not know, I cannot prove. But I find that the whole order of Nature confirms my confidence that, if it is not like our noblest hopes and dreams, it will transcend them".
~Henry Norris Russell

7/365

January 7th:

Stayed home with Kiara today. She seems to be fine, but her continuing stomach troubles are concerning me. I have a doctor's appointment set up later this month to find out.
So, we vegged most of the day and then ran to town for a few things. Got a Panormous from Pizza Hut (mmmm) and picked up Raving Rabbids TV Party (see last posting). The kids and I had a blast!
POTD:
WOTD:
fearless - oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them; invulnerable to fear or intimidation
"The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism and become a fearless is mother is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly - indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection".
~Arianna Huffington
Sooooo appropriate! ~Supermom!

6/365

January 6th:

Didn't get to post this last night because Kiara was sick. Spent the day at home with all 3.

Last night we went over to Michelle's to open presents with Abby and Haleigh. Check out her new blog. Her pictures are incredible.

The kids played Raving Rabbids TV Party on the Wii. It is really cool. Michelle has the balance board, and it has a game you play with your butt. The kids loved it. Michelle and I played the dance game. It's a good thing no one was videotaping us. We ended up using some of the kids Christmas money to buy it tonight. We got to play it for about an hour. I love the games that you dance to or play the instruments. My arms are really sore about now.

The POTD is mine and Michelle's kids:

WOTD:

diligence:

conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation; the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

(from thefreedictionary.com)

"If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance".

~Samuel Johnson

5/365

Ugh! Back to work. Not that I don't love my job most days, but 1) I get to not only drag myself out of bed (not a morning person!), but 3 kids that got to sleep in for 2 weeks as well and 2) with the economy and reduced manufacturing, it is getting pretty depressing at work. A lot of people have been laid off with the possibility of more to come. So we stay on our toes and hope that we make it through another week. I pray that sales improve and we can get back to where we were last year at this time.

Today's picture is what greeted me this morning.

WOTD:

complete, adj.

1 a: having all necessary parts, elements, or steps
b: having all four sets of floral organs of a subject or predicate : including modifiers, complements, or objects
2: brought to an end : concluded
3: highly proficient
4 a: fully carried out : thorough
b: total, absolute
5 of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult 6 of a metric space : having the property that every Cauchy sequence of elements converges to a limit in the space

2 quotes today:

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”
Flora Edwards

“To understand anything is to find in it something which is our own, and it is the discovery of ourselves outside us which makes us glad. This relation of understanding is partial, but the relation of love is complete. In love the sense of difference”
Rabindranath Tagore

I won't pretend to understand what the metric space one is about. I like to think I am capable of being highly proficient. To fully carry out is definitely a main focus of mine this year. This was actually one of the words I had considered. Completing circles is an incredible and deep thought. Going to think on that one. Till tomorrow-

~Michele

4/365

Kinda boring picture, but it's what we did all day. We finally got the old closet tore down in the girls room and had to replace a couple of pieces of drywall. Rickey even got a cable outlet installed so the girls can have a tv in their room now. r

WTOD:

renaissance
Noun
a renewal of interest or creativity in an area

renaissance or renascence
noun rebirth, revival, restoration, renewal, awakening, resurrection, regeneration, resurgence, reappearance, new dawn, re-emergence, reawakening, new birth
hc_thes()
Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2005, 2006

"Great effort is required to arrest decay and restore vigor. One must exercise proper deliberation, plan carefully before making a move, and be alert in guarding against relapse following a renaissance."

~Horace

Guess there is a theme developing. I like the thought of renewal and awakening. I am not quite trying to emerge as a person, but restore and re-emerge as a better person, with a resurgence of energy and ability to complete my tasks. I wonder what tomorrow's word will bring.

~Michele

3/365

In addition to this huge undertaking of Project 365, I have found an additional project: One Word. Check it out: http://aliedwards.typepad.com/.

So, to choose one word to focus on this year. Hmm... haven't picked one out yet, but there is an awesome list out there. I think us women are blessed to be able to evaulate ourselves like this. Nothing personal guys, but I don't think most men get this deep with their personal emotions. And to have communities like this to be able to grow as a human is incredible.

I can't decide what word to pick. I want something that gives me focus and a goal. I have done a lot of self-acualization and realization. I know who I am and basically what I want out of life. I am confident. I need to organize my life, but my biggest problem is procrastination. I need to un-procrastinate more and complete the wonderful projects that I have going on. I also need to simplify my life as much as possible.

I have made a wordle http://www.wordle.net/ of the list of words on Ali's blog so far. I had to combine a few, but it's an incredible list. Feel free to use as needed, just credit wordle if you do use it. This list of words is such an amazing summary of me and probably most women. As I read through the comments on Ali's page, I was surprised how many hit home. Who I was, who I am, and who I hope to be. In lieu of a yearly word, I have decided (yes I am crazy) that I will pick one word a day to focus on (yes, there are 365 of them). Today's word is HOME. Very appropriate, seeing as 1. I am home until Monday, 2. We are cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, 3. I got to go home last week and visit with my family up North.

Definition from thefreedictionary.com

Home n.
1. A place where one lives; a residence.
2. The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment.
3. A dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it; a household.
4. a. An environment offering security and happiness. b. A valued place regarded as a refuge or place of origin.
5. The place, such as a country or town, where one was born or has lived for a long period.
6. The native habitat, as of a plant or animal.
7. The place where something is discovered, founded, developed, or promoted; a source.
8. A headquarters; a home base.

And a quote:
What is home?“A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it!” -Anon.

I think that sums it up for me. By the way, the wordle is my pic of the day as I spent several hours reading Ali's blog and making the pics. I will upload a link tomorrow with the wordles I made and the full list of words.
Till tomorrow~Michele

2/365

Day 2 picture:
My girls in their Hannah Montana costumes that Grandma got them. They won't be this little much longer!

1/365

I am going to try to complete project 365. Basically it is taking 1 photo of your everyday life for 365 days. For more information, go to:
http://beckyhiggins.com/blog/
http://ikeagoddess.blogspot.com/
There are a ton of others taking part in this, so google it or go to flickr.
This ought to get me posting more often too ( just for you Lisa :) )

Here is my day one picture:
My beautiful children frosted this lovely cake for New Year's. It was delicious!

I'm dreaming of a white(?) Christmas...

Since I don't get a chance to post often, I get the wonderful opportunity to summarize the last two weeks in this post. So bear with me family and friends :)
Every year our work sponsors Breakfast with Santa. Here's the picture that I took at the Christmas tree. This is the goofy version of the Christmas cards we made this year (if you didn't get yours yet, look for it soon!) Next is opening presents at Rickey's mom's. For those who don't know, we have 4 grandchildren (from kid #1) in addition to our 5. Bubby was at his dad's this day, so he is missing from the pics. We had both sets of twins (ours and Derek's), Katie, and Jacob. Tell me we're not in trouble in a few years... 5 teenage girls and 2 teenage boys!

Next is off to mom's for Christmas. Lots of family visits and photo ops.
This is Brianna's expression opening Santa's gifts (a DS game and stylus). They didn't open the DS's yet, so it didn't completely dawn on them yet. Here is the actual discovery... Jacob playing with his Optimus Prime (or is it Rickey playing?)

My brother Brian with Kyan... Kyan with Jacob. This is what 5th percentile looks like compared to 95th percentile. They were due on the same day, but Kyan is three weeks older. My rocker Brianna with the Hannah Montana guitar (like Guitar Hero).

And my posers...

Jacob steering the reindeer in Mom's front yard. My stepfather George made all of the figures in the yard by hand. Next stop is Dad's house. Jacob got some one on one time with Dad and Kiara is showing off her talents again.

Saturday the 27th brought 70 degree weather. Where is my white Christmas? We've missed out on quite a bit of snow at Christmas, but it's always cold when we go up North. Dad was next door working on broken plumbing, so we got some extra time with him.
Some pictures by my lake... So hundreds of miles and a hugh box of toys later, we are back and doing some winter cleaning to get ready to get back to the grind. Hopefully 2009 will bring good health and fortune to us all. Happy New Year!
~Michele

Check this out!

My co-worker sent this to me. Just enough to really make me want to go back now (as if I need convincing).


Get yours here: http://www.sun7news.com/

Michele

October was Disney Month!

Let me preface this posting by saying that we LOVE everything Disney. :)

We started out this month by going to Florida. We stayed at this awesome condo just a few miles from the parks. It had an incredible playground and pools. The whole place was decorated Disney. Awesome!

My brother, his girlfriend, and my two nieces came down with us. It was great for the kids to see each other. I didn't tell mine that they were coming, so it was a super surprise for them. I had to bribe them to go to sleep because they didn't want to miss a thing!

Our first park was Magic Kingdom (of course)! There's just something about seeing Cinderella's castle as you walk into the park. We used TourguideMike's suggestions to get around the park and avoid lines. After some trouble finding the lady with our tickets (long story), so we saved so much time using his touring guide. The longest ride we waited for was Splash Mountain for about 10 minutes. We were even able to ride some of the rides a couple times since we beat the crowds. Jacob was 39 1/2 inches, so I had to put some inserts inside of his shoes to hit the 40" height requirement for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. He just squeaked by. It was well worth it though. We had a blast!
We didn't get any Year of a Million Dreams prizes (bummer!), but we had some special experiences with the cast members. When we went to the Winnie the Pooh ride, my kids started talking to the cast member at the beginning of the line. She made us Honarary Residents of the 100 Acre Woods for the day. Too cool! We even got an autographed picture of Pooh and his friends.

One of our last rides was Pirates of the Carribean. Here's a few pictures for mom (couldn't find Johnny Dep, so hopefully these are ok):

MK closed early that day because of the Halloween parties, so we headed over to Epcot (or Epacot as Kiara calls it). We hit the activities in Spaceship Earth and then started looking for a spot to watch Illuminations. In Mexico, one of the cast members gave the girls a special certificate for doing the Mexican Hat Toss. Illuminations was so cool! On the way back to the parking lot, we were able to ride in the front of the monorail with the driver. Another special card! Too cool!

The next day, we started at Epcot with my brother, his girlfriend, and all of the kids. The truck was sputtering and jerking the whole 5 miles to the park. Wasn't sure we were going to make it or if the truck would start on the way home. More praying and prayers answered! Made it and started. Again following TGM, we went to Soarin' first. Had to wait 20 minutes, but it was well worth it. It was a 60-minute wait by the time we got off the ride, so excellent timing. Next we did a character meet and greet with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. Waited forever, but the kids enjoyed it. Got a lot of pictures here (BTW, I am not in any of these because we don't have our photopass cd back yet. Will post some later):

Ate lunch and then went over to test track. It was AWESOME! We had Fastpasses, so no waiting! Whoo hoo! (Thanks again TGM!). My brother and clan went over to Hollywood Studios, and we headed to the World Showcase. We got passports for the kids and proceeded to go "around the world". In Morocco, the girls learned how to bellydance and got another special certificate! We managed to get through all of the countries.

We were exhausted at this point, but we really wanted to get back to Magic Kingdom to see the Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks. So we trudged over to the monorail and it felt soooo good to sit down for a few. It started raining just about that time. Keep in mind that this was the only night we could see the parade or fireworks as the next 3 nights had Halloween parties. We started praying that it would stop long enough.

When we got to MK, the rain stopped for a few minutes. We made it through the gates and onto one of the covered porches where we watched it last time we went. The parade started and then the floodgates opened up. Luckily we were under cover. The parade never stopped, and we prayed again that it would stop raining so we could see the fireworks. Because of the rain, a lot of people started leaving early. By the time the parade was over, it had stopped raining. We got a decent seat for the fireworks and had a great end to a very long day.

Slept in on Thursday. Checked online and found a posting with a similar problem to ours with the truck. The posting had a picture of one of the vacuum hoses. Rickey checked and there was a split in the underside of the hose. We never would have found it without the picture (thank you God!). Went in search of an auto parts store to find a hose. Drove about 15 miles before we found a Pep Boys. The service sucked. Very unfriendly. But, the part was $2.00. Whoo hoo! Put some dry gas in just in case. Hit Wal-mart (did you expect any less from me?) and one of the discount shops for souveniers. Ate at Outback (love Wallabee Darned's)! Then of course had to finish the girls' costumes.

Friday was another sleep in day. Swam some. Went to MK for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It was so neat. Loved the decorations and how the whole park changes for the party. There are a max of 50,000 tickets sold for these, so the crowd levels were a lot smaller. Met a guy named Addison on our Addison's birthday. He thought this was neat too and gave the kids a treat from the shop next door. Grabbed some dinner and then went to meet characters. We saw Aurora and Cinderella, but no Beauty. Brianna was crushed. Saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We danced with Donald. Super cool fireworks display. Check out the kids' reactions:And to prove that Kiara is related to my mom, check out her pose with Alice's Walrus:
So, less than two weeks after we get back, the girls have a girl scout trip to see Disney on Ice. Talk about merchandising. The kids wanted more stuff, but I discouraged them seeing as we just got back from Disney World. A snow cone in a cup was $12. Times 3 is $36. For flavored ice! And I thought Disney World was expensive. It was cool getting to relive some of our recent memories. Jacob loved the huge Ursala from the Little Mermaid and the giant croc from Peter Pan.

And, unfortunately we are back in the real world. Kiara is playing basketball. Brianna is cheerleading. Gymnastics is on hold as our current place is moving to a new location. We aren't going to do Odyssey of the Mind this year. We are changing to Destination Imagination. Check it out if you get a chance. It looks so much more organized. I hope we have a great team.

As for me, I am trying not to go crazy. I am still an Awana leader at Church and leading the preschool choir. We have our first performance in December. They are doing great in class, but singing in front of an audience is a whole other story.

So, done for now and back to reality...

A day in the park

Again, another posting in honor of Lisa. She just asked me if my next post was going to be titled "First day of 3rd grade". Ouch! It's only been a month and a half. Really? Has it gone by that fast already? Less than a month until Florida. Need to win the lottery between now and then. Well, here's a quick pic of yesterday of hubby and the kids at the "Reever" as Jacob calls it.

Found a 5-leaf clover Saturday. Is this good luck or bad? Internet says that it is 1 in 100,000 chance of finding one. Found 2 4-leaf clovers in the past 2 months too. Hit no numbers on the lottery. Oh, well.

Hope to get another post or two in before vacation. Till then~