Charity's Crazy Beautiful Life

We LOVE you!!

Valentine's Day was a few days ago, and after church I tortured my kids by making them take a few Valentine pictures for our blog. So we could say that we LOVE you all!

As a "sorry" of sorts, for being MIA for so long. As in months long! As in "too long" (says a certain Grandma).

What's been going on to cause us to disappear from blogland for so long? Well, we'll save that for another day. Today, I want to focus on the LOVE. That we LOVE you...

that we LOVE that you care enough to find out what's happening with us on our blog...

and that I LOVE that you've pressured me into blogging again.  I know that this blog is a good way for you to keep in touch. So here we are...sharing some Valentine LOVE! 

See ya soon! (And yeah, that's a promise!)
 

On the mend...Happy Thanksgiving!!

A busy time of year quickly turns into a chaotic time of year when your entire family gets sick. Each for a week. Consecutively. Equaling five weeks of sickness in one house. Yes, that's what happened here in the Zaleski abode. We were all on the mend right in time for Thanksgiving. Which ended up being very low key. Just the five of us. We cooked, we ate, we played board games...and we loved every minute of it!

Now, I'm busy catching up on all the Christmas planning, shopping, decorating...family photos, Christmas cards, etc. that are a part of this time of year. Add that I'm behind because of the before mentioned plague that swept through our home to the fact that I have to mail things much earlier because we're in Japan...which equals a busy few days for me! VERY busy. But I"ll take it. 'Cause the good news to that is that for the rest of December...I'll get to relax...and enjoy my Christmas countdown visiting beaches.

Beaches like this one where we had our family photos taken. Which you'll get to see more of after Christmas...te he he...I know, what a tease! But I can't ruin the surprise. All I can guarantee about these pictures is that in them there are cute kids, a handsome man, and they'll definitely make you want to come visit...SOON!

Ten on Tuesday

Why, hello there! Where have you been, dear lovelies? Oh, wait, it's bee ME that's been gone? Oh yeah, oops! I haven't posted in about a month. A month without posting. And really, I don't have much of a good excuse. But I'll try to fill you in on a few things that may give light to what's been keeping me away from my blog. Ten things, as a matter of fact...but before I do, I must let you know, that they are sort of, kind of...random!

1. My kids have started their fall activities. My two boys play football (5 nights a week), my daughter swims (4 days a week), they are all in scouts (cub scouts, boy scouts or girl scouts), my two still in Elementary school are doing Taiko drumming club on Thursday afternoons, my middleschooler is doing Middle School Youth Group after school on Tuesdays...and on Sundays we go to church and Sunday School. Now add in my weekly bible study and my weekly lunch with my friends and you can now see that my week is busy. I do have spare time. Not much of it, but it's there. And lately, I haven't been using it to blog. But that's over...I'm BACK!!

2. Two weekends ago I went on a women's retreat through my church. The retreat is called a Cursillo. I left Thursday afternoon and came home on Sunday evening. And wow! WOW, wow, WOW!!!! What an amazing time. I cannot wait to share more with you about my Cursillo, well, really, it's more like...more about me since Cursillo...but that will take more time. All I will share now is that GOD is good!

3. I'm still not unpacked. Well, yes I am. I'm still not settled and organized and I don't have my house the way I want it it yet. I've been here for almost four months...and my house still needs some TLC. It's bugging me! Really getting on my last nerve! I vowed to only go out to lunch once a week and to not visit a new store or a new beach until my house is done. I'm tired of not feeling settled!

4. My youngest got sick. Real sick. Colby got the flu and ran temps ranging from 100.9 to 104.2 for 7 days. Scared me. This was also during the same week that my husband had to work an exercise where he was gone for 14 hours of his day...and was busy eating, showering, and sleeping the other 10. So I spent most of that week cuddled with my boy...getting him water, cool clothes for his forehead, more Motrin or Tylenol, and praying that he'd get over what he had. He did. He's now well. And in about a week, we'll know what he had. Gotta love that system! If my hunch is right, though, it was the swine flu. Yuck!

5. For the past two days I have not been feeling well myself. I've slept about 36 hours in the last 48. I thought I was coming down with something...maybe what Colby had. But I'm not running a fever. I'm hoping it was just a case of exhaustion form being up with him day and night and still having to get up and be mom to my other two. I'm really hoping that's what it was and that my body isn't trying to combat something.

6. I have to sleep with a fan on. I haven't always. It started when we lived in humid Alabama and we had a ceiling fan in our bedroom. Now we live in humid Okinawa, Japan...but we don't have a ceiling fan in our bedroom. So we use a standup fan. And it drives Craig nuts!!! I'm sorry that it drives him nuts. I truly am. But I can't sleep without it (I get hot and sweaty, and yuck!) and really, I think he'd dislike my sleep deprived, grumpy butt more than he dislikes my fan. So I turn the fan on every night. Is this flawed logic? I don't think so.

7. It's been really rainy and windy here lately. Lots of it. I don't know if this is typical fall weather for Okinawa, or if it's because there have been Tropical Storms in our midst...but we've been missing the sun lately. My oldest actually got rained out on his Boy Scout camping trip last weekend. And they do everything in the rain here...so you know it was bad!

8. It's less than a week 'til Halloween and I'm so not ready. My kids don't have costumes done. We don't have one (nope, not one) decoration up. I haven't made goodies or treats for anyone. And...that's so not like me. I can't pinpoint why. Lots of other things going on, I guess. The rain and wind here makes it hard to put up decorations. There isn't a Target to go shop at for decorations and BOO supplies...or a good thrift store to find costume pieces at. It's my favorite time of year, and I'm at a loss. What can I say?

9. I didn't own a laptop until I bought one during my "PCS Purgatory" -- otherwise known as the five months it took me to get from Alabama to Japan. (If you'd like to read more about that go to the archives and read from February to July of this year.) In our old house, I used to sit in our computer room late at night and do my homework, watch tv online, or blog. Now, I sit on my laptop and do it. In bed. Why? Well, because I have one and I can. And the other really big reason. Here...I'm gonna let it out. I'm afraid. My house scares me and I don't like to be anywhere but in bed with my brave and protective husband after dark. There. I said it. I'm afraid of my new old house. I'm a chicken and scared of things that go bump in the night. Which means that when I blog at night, I do it from bed. And Craig sits up and looks over at me every once in a while when I'm typing and says, "are you going to bed YET?" Poor guy. He has to put up with my fan and my frantic, fraidy cat typing! Sheesh!

10. Which leads me to say that I'm missing you. My friends. My family. I'm in a great new land making great new friends and learning a great new culture. But there are still days. Many days sprinkled in where I miss my friends, my family, where I used to shop, where I used to eat.  This has been the hardest transition, the hardest move I've ever done. It hasn't been easy. I'm not complaining because there are so many great things, so many positives about living here. And I'm, by nature, a pretty optimistic person. But if I weren't, I could sure be dwelling in some negative right about now. And I just want to throw that out there because in the midst of moving here someone told me that it was for my convenience. And, although I'm getting more and more used to Japan everyday, I'm still missing you more and more every day. It's been almost a year since I knew we were moving here...and yep, still not convenient. Just wanted to throw that out there.

That's it folks. My ten for Tuesday. Tuesday my time, that is. Night!

Right Now

Right now it's almost midnight and I'm laying in bed, listening to my husband snore and the geckos chirp.

Right now I'm happy that we got so much accomplished today.  Kind of disappointed that we spent our holiday weekend doing house stuff. But...my home is really starting to feel like my home. And I'm happy and excited and want to hurry up and get it done so I can start doing even more fun things like...organizing my photos and labeling my fridge! (Yep, that's what I call fun!)

Right now I'm wondering who I know in the states that might be up this early on a Sunday morning. I miss talking to everyone! I'm HARDLY EVER on my phone any more. Can you believe that? (Those of you who know me well, can't, I know!)

Right now I am happy that I'm actually ahead of the game and have a real good grasp on the things I've got to do for Allyssa's b-day party next weekend. That's not usually the case. Usually I'm a procrastinator and everything is last minute. Yeah me!

Right now I can't believe that my baby girl is turning ten...TEN...T E N next weekend. Oh my! (Breathe!)

Right now I am realizing that I have ALOT of books. Craig and I have been building a book case/wall unit in our living room. It's been slow going (about a month so far) because we've had so many other things going on. But today we finally got it done minus the finishing touches. But done enough that I was able to put all my books on it. Which leads me back to my beginning thought, I have ALOT of books! (And I'll share pictures of our first build when the finishing touches are done. We aren't professional carpenters, but I'm happy with it. I'm happy we did it together. I'm happy we were able to do it together without causing another World War!)

Right now I'm wondering why I'm up so late. I've been going to bed early and getting up early since I've been here. Maybe it's the excitement of getting things done around here. Now I'm motivated and my mind is racing with more ideas. I love having ideas!

Right now I feel like a bad sister because I didn't call my sister, Kim, and it's her b-day. I did leave her a message on facebook and sent her a gift. Although, I think it'll be late. Kim, please know I thought about you several times and I LOVE you!!! One thing I really don't like about being here is the time difference to the states. Extremely inconvenient! Happy Birthday Kimmie!!

Right now I have to pee. (To much information? Sorry!)

Right now I think it's weird that I'm finally feeling at home here on Okinawa...and miss my family and friends back in the states more than ever -- and all in the same day!

Right now I'm thankful for how Colby made me and Craig laugh so hard we were crying tonight at the dinner table. That kid can really make us laugh!! And usually, it's not on purpose. I could write an entire book entitled "Colby's Antics".

Right now I'm nervous about enrolling in my Master's classes on the 14th. Me. A Master's Degree? Who would've thunk!?!

Right now I'm having a plato with my weight loss. Maybe that's because water aerobics ended a week ago and I have yet to figure out what I want to do instead. I need to get on that! I painted today. Alot!! I called it a workout. Craig (who thinks he's my very own personal trainer) didn't think that was very funny...or that it counted. I almost googled it to see how many calories you burn in hour to show him. Then I thought better of it.

Right now I wonder what Killian is up to this weekend. We'll call him tomorrow.

Right now I'm wondering if we'll ever find a cat (yes, Craig agreed to let us get a cat, can you believe it!?!) that "speaks" to us. I mean, I KNOW that we'll be looking for a long time if we're expecting a cat to sit up tall and say, "Excuse me, m'am, I'm hungry and lonely and in need of a good home. And you all look like a good family..." but we are expecting to get butterflies and giddies. Then again, we haven't been too overly diligent in our search. I guess when I get the house done I'll make that more of a priority.

Right now I know that my Daziel is a good kid!! (In case you don't have facebook - I'll share with you a status update I put on there this morning.) 7am: I'm asleep. My alarm didn't go off (or did I set it?). Church is at 8:30. Daziel walks in and nudges me gently. He says, "Mom, aren't we going to church?" LOVE it when my kids show a ♥ to serve the Lord!

Right now I'm going to turn off the computer and read myself to sleep... a book that I borrowed from a friend. Yes...I know...I've got the floor to ceiling book cases FULL of books downstairs and I'm reading a borrowed book.

Weekend Ramblings

1. The Typhoon came, went, and wasn't much more to us than rain and wind. And life went on on this island like there was never a mention of a typhoon. Actually, it kept going on like there was no mention of a typhoon the whole time there was mention of it. Funny little island I live on.

2. We had a busy weekend. Lots of Birthday parties. Four to be exact. And get this, I did not eat ONE piece of cake. Not one! Yes, I'm trying to be good. (Emphasis on the trying.) Well, unless you call the little strawberry cheescake cupcake....cake. I ate one of those. And they were SO stinkin' good. Which means, I should be very proud that I ONLY ate one, right?

3. I have been working out lately. Alot. And early. Even on wekends. NOT typical Charity behavior which means, yes, I am motivated. (Hey, if you lived on the land of beaches and beach bodies, you would be very motivated too!) I've been motivated like this before. So I say that I'm "back on the workout wagon". And it feels good. It's helping me to sleep better and feel better and be better. I can't wait 'til I can say it's helping me to look better! When I can, I'll definitely share pictures!

4. Allyssa went to Okuma (a military resort up North) this weekend with our neighbors -- who have two daughters her age named...Alyssa and Allison. They call themselves the Triple A Batteries. Too cute. She came home and let me just say...she needs to recharge her battery. She had a great time and is exhausted because of it. I'm glad she's already making such good friends!

5. I wrote out my goals of working out this week. And painting. And hanging pictures. And having a little time with my new friends. And spending time with my kids. And I'm hoping to get it all done. I feel motivated this week. Which is the opposite of last week where I wanted to get alot done, but ended up getting a whole lot of nothing finished. So I hope I can get alot accomplished this week. Wish me luck!

6. Daziel did a football camp last week. Four hours a night then four hours on Saturday. He'll do it again this week. It's tackle football, and much to Craig and I's surprise, he is LOVING it. (The camp was only for kids age 11-18 so Colby couldn't go.) He has actually asked us to sign him up for tackle football this year. And the motivation and excitement he has shown for this camp has made us agree to do it. So we'll be signing both Daziel and Colby up in the next few weeks. I've held out for as long as I could... now these testosterone pumping males in my family have won. I'm going over to the dark side and my boys are finally playing tackle football...ooohhh, I can't decide if I'm scared or excited. Probably a bit of both.

7. We're dog sitting a very fat, stinky, snorting, and hilarious English Bull Dog named Harley. We love him! He belongs to the same neighbors who took Allyssa to Okuma this weekend. Now they're heading off to Tokyo to do their school shopping. (Great idea! Maybe next year.) So Harley...he reminds me of a dog named Stella...who belongs to my good friend, Dee...which really makes me miss Dee. Note to self: give Dee a call this week!

8. I just found out that they offer DSLR Photography classes at our arts and crafts center on base. They tell you to bring your camera to class and they'll help show you how to use it...the right way! Which is so awesome because I am soooo NOT a "read the manual" type of girl. I can't learn that way. I have to be shown how to do something. And... since I've had my camera since March of last year, I think I should learn how to take it off of the manual settings!  So, as soon as I'm done painting, and hanging pictures, and building a wall unit, and all my other unfinished projects, I'll sign up for one. I can't wait! Maybe this class will help motivate me to get my long list of "to-do's" done!

9. That clock that I posted about last time on my side bar -- it's a flake. A liar. It is showing you YOUR time, not mine. I'll work on that. Someday. Maybe.

10. I've officially been in Japan...on Okinawa...for a month. It seems like much longer! And so far, so good...mostly. I wonder what the next month will bring. I can't wait to see...

Coming soon...day 5 and day 4

What a very long day. A very long two days!!

Today, things seemed to get worse and worse and worse before they got better. I'm tired. Well, actually, I'm exhausted! And I'll tell you all about it after I get a few zzzz's. But before I do, I must say that I'm glad I'm an optimist -- or today would have been really bad! Very, very bad!! I'm glad I look on the bright side, or I'd have an ulcer by now, for sure! I'm glad that even though today threw some lemons my way, I was able to make some lemonade. I like lemonade!

See ya real soon...

A move of convenience?

I had to take a break from my PCS Purgatory posts. I will get back to that soon.

I am planning on changing my blog picture and design soon. It's time. The picture that is on my banner at the top of this blog page is years old! Years, can you believe that? I'm not sure what has been holding me back, but it's long overdue. So, this evening I was browsing through pictures, trying to find a new one or two to use in my header. I wasn't successful and didn't find anything that caught my eye. What I did find (yes, I really need to spend more time organizing my digital photos) was a bunch of other precious pictures. I found the picture that you see above in the banner of this page -- and all of the other pictures that were taken on that day. 

These pictures were taken in the Fall of 2006. I can't believe they are almost three years old! They were taken by my good friend, Delphine. I was just getting to know her at the time. We volunteered together at our kids' school. She was artistic and had a good eye and was willing to come with me and my family (along with her awesome camera) and do a "photo shoot".  I knew she would be able to translate my vision of my family photos into something wonderful. 

 

This year, I wanted family photos that were different than our usual studio shots. And Delphine was so willing to help me out! You know, that's something that amazes me about military wives. We get to a new base. We don't know anyone. But we're willing to jump in, meet people, reach out our hands, open up our hearts, and do nice things for each other.

I was so very fortunate that during the four years that we lived in Montgomery -- while we were at Maxwell AFB -- that I was able to make so many great friends. Friends like Delphine.

I look at these pictures now and feel so blessed! Blessed that months after meeting me and my family, she was willing to tag along with us as we walked and talked, as we goofed around and spent family time...willing to document it. Our lives. Us being us. 

 

These pictures are some of my most favorite and treasured. And looking at them not only makes me miss the south, that base, the city of Montgomery...

 

but it makes me miss so much more.

I loved where I was at in my life in Montgomery. I had a wonderful group of friends that uplifted me and helped me to grow! I had a supportive and inspirational church family. 

 

I liked how I had my house decorated and organized. I loved my yard. I enjoyed my neighbors. I loved the school the kids were going to and the friends they had. We loved the activities they were involved in...their swim team, their scout troop, their ball league.

So, lately, during this whole moving mess -- I've been irked by something. Something was said to me about this move that just crawled under my skin. It was said that this move is for "our convenience". I don't think anything else has gotten to me more then when I was told that.

Now, are we moving because of my husband's career; is this move going to be beneficial to him in that way? Why, yes, it is. It's that very career and sacrifices that we, military families make, that help to ensure freedoms...even for those people who think our life is convenient.

 

Will we get to Japan and have great experiences there? Well, I sure do hope so! Will we have wonderful opportunities and make new, wonderful friends? I'm sure we will! Because we have to. That's a part of this military life that we live. But, that doesn't mean that it's easy. It doesn't mean it's always by choice. And in my opinion, it is never "convenient".

It's not convenient to explain to your children why we have to constantly move on. They get it, they try to understand...and we try our best to continue to be a close-knit family so that reality isn't as hard for them to endure. But it's still not convenient.

Literally packing up a  house in Alabama and moving it to Japan -- yeah, soooo not convenient. The logistics of what to take, what to leave, what to give away...what to pack for the plane, how to even get all of us (kids, dog, 12 pieces of luggage) on the plane. Yep, you got it, not convenient.

But here's the thing.  Even though it's not convenient, we do it willingly. With an adventurous spirit and an eager attitude. Because we are optimistic and we try to make the best of the opportunities (good, bad, or ugly) that this military life throws our way. How else would we handle it? Kicking and screaming the whole way because Japan isn't where we wanted to go? Nope. Because that wouldn't do anybody any good -- we have to go to Japan. So we make the decision to do it willingly. However, willingly is different than convenient. 

Saying those goodbyes to our church, neighbors, classmates and teachers, sports teams, scout troops, and all the good friends we made? Good friends like Delphine? I'd say that is by far the most difficult thing about the military way of life.  Because goodbye's are not convenient.

Ten on Tuesday

1.  We were really only at Pensacola Beach in Florida for two days -- but then -- you know, life. I wish, as some of you thought, that we were really at the beach for a whole week! Oh, how I misled you.  But, oh, how that sounds like such a good idea!

2.  Colby is either a hit or a miss with organized, group photos.  He's either for it, or really, really against it.  I'm sure you can tell which one he was here.

3.  Sometimes, when the kids say "Mom, wanna help us..." it really means, "Mom, wanna do this for us", which was the case for this sandcastle.  They loved watching Kelly and I do all the work.  The funny thing, I think Kelly and I enjoyed it too. I haven't built a sandcastle in soo long!

4.  My kids learned how to do the Jelly Fish Shuffle.  And then, got kind of weirded out and scared to go in the water when we actually started seeing a few. 

5.  Colby told me the other day, "Mom, you should take a picture of my stomach.  Because it looks like Daddy's.  It has those six thingies."  I had to laugh, and tell him I wasn't taking a picture of his six pack abs.  But then, I found this...and can you believe him?  Only five!  Yikers!  I know, I know, I'll have a tough time in about ten years!

6.  All of the kiddos are getting so fit this summer.  I signed them up for the swim team on base.  They are having a blast!  We actually had our second swim meet tonight and they are all enjoying it SO very much!  And so am I! I love the water, I love to swim, and I love to take pictures of them doing what they love.  So, it's a good combination.  Be forewarned, I'm sure you'll hear more about this in the upcoming weeks!  Here's a picture of Daziel doing his freestyle -- can't you tell?  (Swim Meet Pictures are a little tricky, and I haven't mastered them...yet.)

7.  While Kelly was here, she was interested in doing all kinds of touristy type things.  Which was right down our alley, because in the three years we've lived in Montgomery, we have yet to do many of the fantastic, historic things this city has to offer.  So, we used the two weeks Miss Kelly was here to check off many of the things we wanted to do and see this summer. Like the Rosa Parks Museum, The Capital Building, and Old Alabama Town, just to name a few.  We'll definitely have a cool little scrapbook to show for these last two weeks!  Can you believe these are the same steps that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have A Dream" speech on?  I asked my kids that, and there were fascinated.

8.  We are nerds, and we are proud!  Not many kids would spend a good two weeks sprinkled with lots of sight seeing, museum hopping, and be excited about it.  By my kids were, and for that I'm thankful!  And very proud.  They learned alot in the last two weeks about the South and the history of this fantastic city that we call home - - for now.  We enjoyed it, are glad to have done it, and are happy to have shared it with Miss Kelly while she was here!

9.  I miss Craig!  I have spent the last two nights going through all the letters and cards and emails that we exchanged during the first six months we "knew" each other...before we actually met.  I think it started when Allyssa asked me how we met.  It's actually a pretty neat story.  I think I need to write it down so it'll be preserved.  And I'm so happy that Craig and I both saved those precious, first letters and notes and emails for times like now, when I need to hold onto those memories dearly and keep them close to my heart.

10.  I'm going to bed to finish another one of my summer reads.  Because its 10:45 and my summer wake-up time is 5:30.  The kids swim from 6:30-8:00 every morning.  I know, can you believe it?  Me, Charity, choosing to get up so early all summer long?   And I have been working on my summer book list and will share it with you, as well as my opinions on the ones I've devoured so far.

So from my quiet little house on a lovely, Tuesday summer's night...Good Night y'all!

Treading in the Deep End with a New Camera

 

*No, this isn't a recent picture taken with a new camera.  It's a picture of Killian from last summer - who was flopping around in the deep end after this.  I just like it.*

After reading my last post, I've had several concerned inquiries as to my mental health.  Yeah, that's it.  You all think I've gone nutso.  And I'd like to reassure you all that, no... folks, I really haven't just fallen off the deep end.  Not me.  Nope, no falling as of lately.  The truth is, I fell quite some time ago.  Off the deep end that is.  I've been there, swimming, treading water for quite some time, and frankly, I thought you all were a aware that I can be - um - well - a little CRAZY!  You know me.  But, I suppose my mom, my children, my husband and my future grandchildren would like me to apologize and say sorry if yesterday's quiz was a little offensive to some of you.  But, ahem -- Craig -- you really shouldn't get offended by stuff like this.  Remember, you are the one who calls me back into the bathroom after taking, what you call, "an impressive dump", and yes, I know that you do this in the privacy of our own home and don't publicize it to the world honey, but do you really think "the world" is reading my little ole' blog? 

So, yes, on my blog...I share loads (te he he, still referring to yesterday) of pictures and stories of my kiddos, some tidbits about motherhood, family life, cooking, PTO blathering, and a gross out story every once in a while.  I promise, every time I do a gross story like yesterday, I'll warn you.  Okay, so I lied.  I will normally be sweet and nice and reflective and add some cute pictures in here and there, and them WHAM BAM, add a gross out story just to mix it up, through you off.  And really, I like to just make you fall of your computer chair as you're reading.  Yep, that's me. I've got a bit of a mean streak in me! 

So if my TMI was a little Too Much Information for ya, TE HE HE, HA HA HA, my plan worked.  Sweet!!  You know me, y'all, all about breaking the rules.  Just be happy that my TMI episode happened yesterday and not today. 

Why is that?  Why not today, you ask?  Well...because....(drum role please) my husband ROCKS and bought me a brand new camera!!!  One I've been pining over for years (decades it seems).  Remember, I posted about wanting it last Mother's Day, in this post?  So, Craig surprised me after work today.  He took me to Circuit City, where they were having a camera sale, and had me choose my camera!  He offered to buy that exact camera, in fact.  And a couple memory cards.  And a photo bag.  And the extended warranty.  Wowza!  For all of you who know my husband and his frugal tendencies, you will know that tonight he was being extremely generous and making a true gesture from his heart!  And what did I decide to go and do? I changed it up.  I didn't get a Canon Rebel.  The camera I've been pining over for a few years.  Nope.  Because I've been researching and looking around at friend's cameras and what they do.  And really evaluating why I want a new camera, what I want it to do, and what I like.  And I decided on a Nikon D40 Camera Kit - pretty much the same camera as the Canon, but by Nikon.  I just liked the features better.  And, it felt right in my hands.  And I think that matters.  I mean, your hands are the ones that will be holding the camera, after all.  (No worries, people, settle down.  Yes, of course, I accepted all the other offers Craig was generously giving tonight.)  So my dear Nikon, baby, we have a date tomorrow! 

The battery is still charging, and I haven't gotten to take one single photo, but I know I'll be in love and shooting loads and loads and loads (there I go with that toilet talk again, he he) of pictures all day tomorrow.  So, I add all of this to say you should be thanking your lucky stars I didn't have my new camera yesterday.  Because surely you wouldn't have wanted a photo of that lovely bathroom incidence, now would you?  Because from here on out, I will be taking pictures and pictures and more pictures of just about everything.  Even when I'm treading water in the deep end! 

What's new in the New Year...

A laundry list of ramblings from the Zaleski abode...

1*  Trying to remember to take lots of pictures while we have Killian here.  It never fails, the time I look forward to, the time time we enjoy so much - Killian being here and us ALL being together - is the time I have my camera out the least. I am always just trying to have fun and relax and enjoy the time with him and not make him feel...you know...under a camerascope. But I would also like MORE pictures of ALL of my kids.  So I have been making a conscious effort to take more pictures since we DO have him here.  And here is one I got the other day.  I was up early(gasp!!! I know!!!), looking out the window and saw fog, and had an idea for a picture....and here is what I got.  Leave it to Colby!  But I still LOVE IT!!  It's SOOO telling of the dynamics of my children right now! I think I'm actually going to blow it up big. These were taken at the park that is across the street from us...that I can see out my computer room window...nice view.  A little later after a bowl of cereal and some tickles, I was able to get a nice little "photo shoot" in, and Colby even joined in. (I'll post throughout so you have something to look at while I ramble.  I'm in the mood to ramble.)

2*  I am going along with Ali Edwards and her idea to choose a word for the year.  Want to join in?  If you live close, you'll be getting an invite within the next week because I'll be hosting a New Years Party, of sorts, where we'll be making something fun with our "words".  If you don't live close, still choose a word and have fun with it.  Basically, it's a word that you want to represent your year.  A word you can take with you, go back to, and use to remind you of what your intentions for the year are.  My word for the year is Purpose. I chose this word because I want to be more intentional.  I want to make better choices, and make them with purpose, on purpose, with a purpose in mind. I want to read my bible every day, learn to crochet (again), learn to play the piano, work on my Spanish, Scrapbook more, Graduate from School and cook more home cooked healthy meals.  I want to eat out less, play more board games, read more books- by that I mean novels, not text books.  I want to walk my dog more, sit in silence once a day, pray the rosary more often, finish my commitments with the PTO with vigor, and gusto, and success and then move on.  I want to read more to my children, and have more date nights with my husband, and watch more movies, I NEED to watch more movies, it's part of being American to know movie lines...Delphine, Jamie, Janna - I'm working on it just SO you can have a conversation and not have to stop mid laughter and look at the clueless look on my face and fill me in.  I even want to watch more KID movies (I know, huge!), I want to call my sisters more, email my far away friends more, and keep in touch better with my cousins and aunts. I want to send presents on time, study while the kids are at school instead of while they're in bed, and I want to have more evenings while my husband is on the computer playing with his DJ music and we're all in this kitchen/computer room(s) of our house, listening to music and dancing and laughing and having fun.  I want to journal more, walk more, and go to the gym more.  I want to talk to my husband more.  And I want to do it ALL with Purpose. I want to live in the moment and appreciate it.  And make good choices.  And this sounds alot like a list of, ummmn, New Year's resolutions.  But you see, they're not.  Because Resolutions are made to be broken, and this, my friends, is a list of goals that I will achieve, on purpose!  Maybe not ALL of them will be done in 2008, but they WILL be done!

3* We have been playing alot of games lately.  Every day we've been fitting in a few board games, the last few days it's been:  Blokus, Cranium Conga, Yahtzee, Mad Gab...and a few fun outside games that we had a blast with...Cosmic Catch (thanks Aunt Kimmie!) and Hyper Dash.  Games, but not necessarily "board" games, unless you count your driveway as the board.  We've been loving it!  Love Christmas break for this!  We're actually going to incorporate our Family Game Night back into our week after the break now that my classes will all be online and I'll be here in the evenings.

4*  It's actually been getting cold here lately.  Really...for Alabama, anyways.  My kids have been jumping on their trampoline like crazy, and it's funny, they get all dressed up in hats and gloves.  So NOT what we're used to here.  Our lows have been in the 20's.  I'm LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5*  Daziel has been Frog Sitting.  Yes, one of his best friends in school, Tre,  went out of town for the holiday.  And Tre has a little frog, Frogger, that he's raised from a tadpole.  So he asked Daziel to frog sit while he was away so Frogger wouldn't croak.  (te he he...get it?)  So, Daz, being the kid that he is, said he would be glad to frog sit.  Since the last day of school we've had a frog here.  It's been sitting on the boys' dresser, and I forget about it most of the time.  But Daz has dutifully fed it daily and taken care of it.  Well, what else do you do for a frog besides feed it?  Stare at it, maybe?  Talk to it? I dunno.  We say goodbye to Frogger in the morning.  And I think Daz is such a good friend to frog sit for Tre for so long!!!  I think it's so cute that they're at the age where they do these kinds of things for each other!

6*  I have been watching ALOT of movies at home lately.   Some I've seen before, many I have not.  I'm not a huge movie goer, watcher.  Ok all of you who ask "how do you do it all?"  It's because I never take the time to read a book, or watch a movie.  And I always wonder "how does she have the time to read a book, or watch that movie".  Balance I suppose.  And don't forget, the grass is always greener...  So I fill my breaks with lots of movies.  Over the break I've watched Legally Blonde, Legally Blonde 2, Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jone's the Edge of Reason, Love Actually, Monster's Ball (hadn't seen this one, didn't care for it, but now I've "seen it"), The Nannie Diaries (read this book a year or so ago, loved the book.  Good movie too.  Read the book, first, though.)  I think that's it.  Besides the ones we've seen in the theater.  But I DO intend to watch a few more.  The next on my list are Spanglish, Memoirs of a Geisha, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook and Stepmom.

7*  Our high for tomorrow is 53, the low 31, and Craig is taking my kids camping. Yes, I know for years you've thought he was a bit on the crazy side, and that has just been affirmed.  But the kids are ecstatic!  Even though it's going to be cold.  They keep telling me that "we'll have lots of layers and socks and blankets...and a campfire".  Go forth and freeze have fun, I've told them.  I plan to stay snug and cozy in my bed and watch a few of the above mentioned movies, and maybe even read a few chapters out of a book, thank you very much.

8*  I start my online classes Monday, the 7th, Craig's Birthday!  Really NOT looking forward to that, I've REALLY been enjoying my break SO much!  But I guess I am looking forward to knocking a few more classes out, and getting closer to the goal.  Killian starts back on the 7th too, so Craig will be driving him home on Sunday.  Daz, Allyssa and Colby start back on the 8th.  Actually wishing we all had a longer break.  I've really been enjoying my kiddos.  Can't wait for summer break and more time with them!

9*  I just looked online at my grade point average with last terms classes added to it.  Well first, let me explain a few things.  You see, I've had a few terms where my grades have not been all that hot.  My first one, when Daz was a baby, and I was so young, and...not so pretty.  Last fall, when I was over committed, overstressed, and overtired...not that great either.  So, those couple of of "not so hot" grades on my transcript dropped my GPA down a bit, and I've really been trying to pull it back up so I can graduate with honors.  And I'm happy to announce that as of now, my GPA is back to a 3.44.  And as of now, I will be graduating With Honors (Cum Laude).  Wish I could be walking with Magna or Suma, but Cum Laude it will be for me.  (How you walk at graduation = what your GPA is at a semester prior to graduation; which was the end of this semester for me.)  But, considering all that I have going on, I think this is a HUGE accomplishment!  Oooohhh, and talking about "walking" and "graduation" gets me kind of giddy!!!

10*  Have you been watching Project Runway?  I caught a marathon yesterday on Bravo.  Wowza, lovin' it!!!  Can't wait for all the shows to be back from break; Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and can't wait for Lost to be back on.  It's been a while.  I was starting to think that Lost got Lost.  How about the show with Carrie Ann Inaba, the female judge off of Dancing With the Stars, and Drew Lachey (former winner of that show - and one of my favs)...Dance War?  Not so sure what I think about it, but I'll try it out to see.  ER came back on tonight, have been a fan of it for years!  And I am really loving Samantha Who?

11*  Craig was super motivated and on the ball and took down all of our outside Christmas decorations on the 1st.  I still have not taken the indoor stuff down yet.  Not in the mood.  It's a chore.  Still enjoying it.  It's so much work for so little time.  But I think I'll do it tomorrow.

12*Our "Family Christmas Pictures" got taken today, so Zaleski New Year's Cards (yes, with letters and pictures) and gifts should be out the door by Monday.  Yippee!!!!!!!

13*  Mom, I think Killian may be as tall as you by the time you get here in May. 

14*  I actually scrapbooked a page the other night.  A Christmas 2000 page.  I'll be doing more and more.  Thankful to have a space, and supplies, and pictures... Glad to have this form of keeping track of our memories.

15*  So...this is kind of what we've been up to.  Pretty much.  In a nutshell.  Through my eyes.  In my words.  You get to witness a little bit of my Crazy, Beautiful Life...and oh how beautiful it is!

         

What a Saturday!

Which is why I didn't blog yesterday...so, let me fill you in.  A busy Saturday.  I got up and went to my friend Lisa's (she works with Craig) college graduation while Craig took the kids to a Breakfast with Angels at the church.  Then, out to do some needed shopping for things the kids need at school this week.  Then, took Daz to a Birthday party.  After that, it was home to get ready for Craig's work Christmas party.  Most spouses dread this type of event.  But I was actually looking forward to it.  Especially because I just ended my finals week and I needed to really "let my hair down" a bit. So it was great because...  First, there was free daycare on sight.  Second, we really get along with several different couples that Craig works with.  So I was looking forward to hanging out with them.  Third, it was in the basement of their building (now called the "Underground" te he he) and Craig and Juan were DJing, so I figured we'd have a few drinks, and good music, and fun the way WE like to have it.  And...for entertainment, they had planned skits.  And oh was it a riot!  Fun.  Funny.  And we had a blast!  Stayed there until 1:30am and laughed and danced...my legs hurt from getting "low, low, low, low".  A prelude to New Years Eve, I guess...

And we had a busy Sunday too.  But I'm too tired to download pictures, so I'll fill you in on that more tomorrow.  But one thing first, I took Daziel and Allyssa to the movie August Rush this afternoon and we all really enjoyed it if you're looking for a good movie to go see.