January in Instagram

I risked my iPhone for this pic. #splashmountain



All my kids! Happy new year Magic Kingdom style!



Loved meeting Mary Poppins. She told Owen, "get those filthy fingers out of you mouth!" In a proper British accent.



We made it at Epcot until 2:00. Then came the rain. And it hasn't let up. The kids all napped for 2 hours an have played quietly. Maybe the rain was just what we needed!



The 8th and final day at Disney!!! We had so much fun! Now for the last ride- there's no wait and the ride lasts 17 hours!!



"Mom, here's my business card. Just scan the bar code for all the details." He's only seven.



Catherine is 12 today!



Owen's new line. "Mom, can I be your best friend?" It really means can I sit on your lap and commandeer your iPhone.







Trent is FINALLY getting to see frozen. Kids have seen it JUST a few times!! #3D



We are working through our Christmas puzzles. We just finished this 750 piece puzzle. Now on to the 3000 piece one from my brother



Having never attempted a 3000 piece puzzle, I started with a plan. All pieces are separated on trays by shape. Edge is assembled. Now to work section by section. What I need are local puzzle fans to come over this week and help. Open invitation. Seriously



So far I'm on track with this 3000 piece puzzle. (The goal is 200 pieces a day- so it will be done in 2 weeks). There are a surprising number of life lessons where a 3000 piece puzzle is a good metaphor. I'll spare you the deep thoughts by Jamie handy



Me and Madelyn at Ghost!!

The big 3000 piece puzzle

We finally finished it.  It felt like a long 10 days!!!  We didn't even lose a piece.  Thanks Uncle Shad for sending it to us for Christmas.

Life lessons to be learned doing a huge puzzle
1.  have a plan
2.  set reasonable goals (200 pieces a day)
3.  it's always more fun to do things with friends
4.  your family will always be there when things get hard
5.  don't discount anyone -- even little Owen found pieces
6.  different people have different skill sets in life

Adam's basketball team

Adam is playing his first season of basketball this year. He loves it. Running with a ball in his hands for hours on end is really his thing. He is working on learning to dribble the ball (one hand at a time) and be agressive. He has some work to do there. But he is having fun and improving each week.

My silly birthday tradition

I started this blog in 2006 (on the last day of the year) and spent most of 2007 learning the ropes of blogging and photos.  A year later, I decided to do a happy birthday to me post (Jan 7, 2008).  I have now done the post every year since 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and now today.

I have used these birthday posts to really be honest and open and own my life.  I post my weight.  One year I posted my hair with my undyed roots.  And I can really say that it has made a significant difference in my life.  I am a real person, with real flaws.  I'm proud of who I am.  I'm comfortable in my own skin.  I don't care if you know what I weigh.  I don't care if you know all my hair is gray.  I know what I want out of life and I know how to be happy.  I spend my life living it for me, for the things I want for me and my family.

I weighed myself this morning (after not weighing myself all the holidays and just returning back from 8 days at Disney world) and the scale read 146.  The same weight as last year!!!  I celebrated by eating toffee.

I went back to the gym after the kids headed back to their first day of school.  After weeks of being the household social director it felt good to send the kids on the bus, check Owen into the child care and go do what I wanted for the first time in a while.

My zumba class sang me Happy Birthday.  My friend and I wore the EXACT same outfit to the gym today.  (seriously!!!)

I spent the morning on the phone and online catching up and reconnecting with friends and family.

I went to lunch with close friends.  I had the best laugh ever when one of my friends took me seriously when I said that for my birthday I wanted a lip sync video like jimmy fallon's lip sync offs.  She showed up at the door with a disk in hand (so I wouldn't post it, obviously she knows me well) and we watched it.

I drove my kids to all their activities and had all the piano lessons.  Trent had a work thing tonight and had to go to the Mavericks game so I got to spend time working on one of my goals for the year (get my Spanish back up to speed).  (I'm using the duolingo app and website and so far, I am amazed at how much I enjoy practicing.

Trent came home with 2 bouquets of flowers and we shared a cupcake that another friend had dropped by.

I finally posted my instagram video showing me dancing with Owen at Disneyworld, because although I look stupid, I LOVED being there and dancing with my kids!!!!  (the older girls might have been a tad embarrassed by my)

More than anything I am just so grateful for all the wonderful relationships I have in my life.  Friends near and far, new and life long, young and old.  Ever since my mom died, I have just come to appreciate each day and enjoy it to the fullest.  I have give up on worry and guilt.  I don't have any place for them.  I LOVE getting older and wouldn't have it any other way.  38 years old today.  So glad for each and every year and hoping for 38 more healthy years.  (or even more!!!!)