Y Not?

2012 - Yesterday - I still have not read Mary Poppins, the book.

2013 - Youngin's - Still going through phases.......sigh.  And, thus concludes 2013. 

So, in 6 years, I've only made it completely through Once before?!  Wow.

X-use me

2012 - X-Ray - too perfect.  X would have been Friday's post, and 6 years later, i finally got the all clear from my orthopedic surgeon that my carpal tunnel is done and my incision is completely healed.

2013 - eXecellent Dinner - ahh, yes, my Monsoon Wedding themed dinner party.  Good times.  Too much work.

2015 - eXpress Yourself Through Poetry - perhaps not.  And...that concludes 2015 apparently.

W, Double Me

2012 - Winter - it's kind of bittersweet looking at this post.  I was anticipating the whirlwind of the holidays surrounding the delivery of a 3rd child; but that one wasn't meant to be.

2013 - Writing - i was thinking about this today.  I think this may be my last year of the blogger challenge, at least for a while.  I've found i just don't have the need to write right now.  Sometimes, it's therapeutic, but this year has been more of a homework assignment that I've set for myself. 

2015 - Wondering About Random Things - i do still wonder about random things; but now people have neatly put them into clever meme videos and i don't have to wonder if I'm the only one anymore.

Are V having fun yet?

2012 - Vision - ha ha ha ha ha!

2013 - Viewing Television - now the argument has gone beyond HD or SD, now it's 4K or 8K?

2014 - Visitors - I love people to come over!  This is also, apparently, as far as i made it in 2014, so no more look-backs for this year.

2015 - Very Relaxing - More about our little cabin and weekend away.  Did i mention they don't have vegetables in the mountains?

Are U Ready?

2012 - Unkempt - still a very strange word.

2013 - Using this post to promote - ahh, yes, my birthday box adventure.  i really do love this cause and i really need to get back to it, but i'm not sure i have the time just now.

2014 - Underwear - hmm...

2015 - Us - Aww!  our tiny house weekend in the mountains, in the rain, with no vegetables to be found except in the frozen section of the dollar general.  memories!

T, anyone?

2012 - Talking - the non-talker doesn't shut up now.  love that boy!

2013 - TV - i still don't watch much tv.  sigh.

2014 - Time - i use all my time!  no wasting here!

2015 - Taking a Moment - to be or not to be?  why are we here?

too much to dooooo!!!

S I am!

2012 - Saturday and Sunday - aww!  apparently, i announced i was prego that year.  I didn't end up carrying that one very long, but the memory is there. 

2013 - Scotland - Still in love with all my Scotland Peeps and WILL come back someday!!  I promise!!

2014 - Seasons - I did get all of my winter stuff down, finally, and spring decor is up!  yay me.

2015 - Spring Already - time to put some freaking seeds in the ground!

See ya laterz!

R You Ready?

2012 - Renovations - Well, the HVAC has been paid off, the garden boxes are in need a re-renovations and we DO have anew roof now.  Yippee!

2013 - Rockets - rocket launchers.  geez.  there's a memory.

2014 - Romance - i still think romance the everyday stuff, not huge gestures. 

2015 - Running Across Tarmacs - bet field trip that accidentally turned cool!

And here I am, Running off again!  too much life to inhabit!

Q-ing up!

2012 - Questionable Taste - dang, that was a bad.......awful.......hideous post.  i'm so sorry.

2013 - Quality - so, apparently 5 years ago, i was still figuring things out.  i'm not really sure i recognize myself in this post.  what on earth.

2014 - Qat and Qi - awesome words for scrabble or words with friends!!

2015 - Quieting the Mama Bear - ah, yes, my anti-guns rant.  yup, still me.

Gives PPPPPP a chance!

2012 - Painting with Crayons - still one of the coolest projects i ever did with the kids.  I really should do this again with mini-me.

2013 - Planting - It is about that time to get started, isn't it?  sigh.

2014 - Procrastination - I can't help it.  I'm pretty good at time management, until I'm not.  Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who sees 20 mins and doesn't think I'm late or nearly late, i think about what else i can do with it and then.......I'm late.  and sometimes i don't get everything done ahead of time enough. 

2015 - Post Game - once again,.......me........little league.........coach.......never.again.

O Boy!

2012 - Observation - Watched the space shuttle fly over my head on the back of a plane.  still a cool thing to remember!

2013 - Observations - take time to look; you'll find something funny!  i promise!

2014 - Orange - Orange is still the safest and most consistent flavor.  Once again, Mom was right!

2015 - Organizing Everything - Still not sure what i was thinking being the coach of a little league team!

O!  I'm soooooo far behind!!

N it to Win it

2012 - Nine New Neckties, Nightshirt, Nose - good book!

2013 - Nasty! - I could really use something nasty right now.  stressful day.  stressful week.  ack.

2014 - Nights - nights are getting better as the kids grow!  If you have itty-bitties, fear not, sleep will slowly return!

2015 - Naps - I'm still not sure about naps for me.  i fell asleep once last week in the middle of the day and everyone was worried!

Not really feeling a new N tonight.

Mmmmm....?

2012 - Managing - I want to scowl at this post.  In fact, I am.  I feel like mimicking my daughter "whatever!".  Just do your life, don't dramatize it!

2013 - Manipulating Preschool Energy - still attempting to raise my little tidy multitaskers.... and now there are 3!

2014 - Money - not enough.  it comes in, it goes out.  sigh.

2015 - this was a double post from the L (i combined L and M) and I've already praised myself for it. :)

L-lo? Can you hear me?

2012 - Little Sister - Wow!  A lot has changed over the last 6 years!  My little sister, who I'm praised for her travels and accomplishments and craftiness, is now a Mommy!!  My little mouse is now 9 months old and so wonderful!!!  Oh...and little sister is still important too! :)

2013 - Lotions - wear sunscreen! 

2014 - Love - Love is ......is.....all those things.

2015 - Letter to my kids - I still completely agree with all my advice points for my kids.  this is one I'd like to repost..Perhaps, below! :)



Dear Kids,

     Hello my babies; you will always be my babies.  There are so many things I want in life for you and so many things I really don't want for you and so many things I hope I can pass on to you.  Roll your eyes if you must, but at least consider what I have to say:

1.  Take time to look around.  Don't be the one in the car who didn't see the ducks or the helicopter or the flowers.  Always be aware of what's around you and take time to notice things without judgment.  Just look and see.

2.  Believe in something; even if that means you believe in non-belief.  Don't believe in just anything someone else tells you to believe, either, unless you really feel it, but remember, keep an open mind to other ideas anyway because, surprise, you just might be wrong. 

3.  Plant stuff.  Flowers, vegetables, ideas.  It's good for the sole and for the planet.

4.  It's pretty safe to say that the Golden Rule is universal and will always apply.

5.  Love who you love.  Don't ever be afraid to admit you love someone.  And remember, you live in a different time now and you don't have to hide your love.  Man, woman, black, white, rainbow, alien....doesn't matter.  If you love them, that's that.  In any case, your momma is going to throw one heck of a party!

6.  Bullies exist.  These are people afraid of something.  They want you to be afraid too so they aren't alone and they feel like the world is more even or that they have something to be powerful over.  Feel sorry for them, but don't put up with it.  Don't fight, though.  Tell someone in charge and tell your Mom and Dad.  Momma and Papa Bear will come out and handle it.

7.  We had you because we wanted you very much.  We had more than one of you because we wanted to give you a team.  You are each other's playmates and the only other people in the world who understand the craziness that are your parents.  You need each other.  Love each other.

8.  Get a credit card and lock it up. 

9.  Have dessert.  Not too much, but do enjoy the lovely flavors this world has to offer.

10.  You WILL do something beyond high school.  This was a promise from my parents to me and I pass it on to you.  You DO NOT have a choice to live in my house and do nothing.  College, military, trade school.  Pick one.  You're going.  It is my job to make sure you have the best foundation possible.  A high school diploma doesn't cut it, so start planning.  You can always come home, but that's only a temp solution!

and finally..

11.  Babies.  Here's the short story.....if you have sex, you will eventually get or get someone pregnant.  If you get pregnant, you better have a way to support that baby, because I've already done my time. Don't have a baby until the thought of mucus, puke, and other bodily fluids that YOU have to clean up doesn't totally disgust you.  Wait until you or the mom have the luxury of taking off 6-8 weeks to be with that baby and you know you have a job to go back to and some form of income still coming in.  Don't have to hide a pregnancy.  It's a very exciting time, make it the best it can be!

That's it (for now).

So, my babies, I love you and will always be in your corner, whether you want me there or not.  Live your life the best you can and learn a thing or two along the way!

Love, Mom

I'll be oh-K

2012 - keeping up appearances - I love that show and i still love to have a get-together
2013 - kids - yup, love them and yes, they still come back from Mimi and Papa's "wonky" :)
2014 - kids (again) - who will they be?  dunno........just trying to figure out who they are right now!
2015 - Keep going - i still have nightmares about coaching that little league team.  i managed to get a batting order done and most kids played most positions at some point and i kept the know-it-all-dads in check, but still......eek.

So, today I DO have a K for 2018!  Kindergarten registration opened for the next school year!  guess who's in the system now??  the youngest!  my mini-me!  she's so excited!  i'm excited!  Dad, is.....still feeling it.  It's been him and her during the day for the last 5 years.....poor guy.  Losing his sidekick.

I also have to throw in here that yesterday was 1 full year since my daughter's last fibril seizure (i think we're in the clear!) and today is 2 years since the wonderful Dr. Na cut me open and saved my life.  And.......I'm OFF tomorrow!  Volunteer Appreciate Breakfast at the kid's school.  I'm looking forward to it!  Ta-ta!

Nothing Clever for J

2012 - Jackson or Jenna - ah, yes, Jackson the biter.  Evie turned out to be a biter as well, but only her brothers.  If you have a biter, i PROMISE, it is a short-ish phase.  Just keep pushing better choices...and maybe a carrot.  If your kid is being bitten......sorry.  the other kid is not being taught to bite, i promise, maybe just rub some garlic on your kid?

2013 - Jelly Beans - i wanted jelly beans when i had Evie.  Interesting.  that never did happen.

2014 - reJuvenated - wow, my baby garden looked some nice......and the fence......the fence was in one piece.  funny how i said then that the fence was next......then well, then the HVAC went and then the roof needed help and then preschool tuition.......ack.  smh.  i'm planning to totally demolish my current boxes and do something new.  yep.  totally got it planned.

2015 - Jenna is Going to be Sore - My one and only 5k.  a color run.  that was fun.  I should think about doing that again.  ok, here we go........thinking about it...........still thinking.....

I'm starting to enjoy this looking back at the past years; it's like digging up a time capsule.  it's amazing how things change over just a short couple of years........or how fences continue to fall down (metaphor not intended.......well, maybe).

I Dare Ya!

2012 - Have no Idea - this seems to be a common theme for me during this challenge.  Random questions....hmm...  What is your favorite jello flavor?

2013 - Independent - My boys growing up.  Making decisions and snacks.  On this day in 2013 i was looking forward to Kindergarten registration for my oldest.......i'm now 2 days away from registration for the youngest and she wasn't even born when i posted in 2013.  Sigh.

2014 - Ice Cream - Apparently, I was on something.  Not sure what was wrong though in April of 2014 that would make me loopy.  We had ice cream tonight, actually.  We do every Tuesday night.  I'm the Cub Master and both my boys are in the pack and for keeping it together while Mom does all the 'stuff' i take them and their sister to Dunkin Donuts on Tuesday night for a treat.

2015 - Icky Icky Pool - still not much of a pool person, unless it's a private pool at a beach house overlooking the ocean.  125 days and counting!

I guess I encompasses a wide range of idle chatter.  :)

H ya gonna read this?

Ok, i admit, the title is bad. :)

2012 - Hospital Ah yes, the trip for boy #2 to get stitches.  gotta love memories. 

2013 - Hippie - I still aspire to hippie-dom; maybe someday i will be able to have a more self-sufficient life...once i can pay off all the debt i accumulated getting to it!

2014 - Hate - yup; totally still agree with myself.  Hate is a word to be reserved for the really important awful things; not everyday use.

2015 - Hooray I'm off tomorrow - don't i wish?  But, tis Monday and tomorrow, but a Tuesday, and there are no days off for this girl until, well, Friday!  Ha ha!  countdown!

HAVE a good night!

G Wiz!

2012 - Graveyard - Interesting graveyard walking adventure in Dale City behind Hylton High School if you're interested.  And my talented sister showing off her food crafting skills.  I think i need to see those ducks again!

2013 - God Stuff - Wow.  I really can write on occasion.  Please read what I wrote then (especially if you are one of my UU peeps!)  I totally still agree with myself.  go me.

2014 - Grass - I hate grass.

2015 - Grass -  I'm sensing a theme here.  I still agree that grass is useless and not worth the effort!  Give me mulch and a garden!  please!

So, i've GIVEN up trying to keep up this year.  The challenge is doing what it should in forcing me to write, but i've got to be doing my regular stuff in order to have something to write about which doesn't always let me sit down every night and write!  Ah, well.  I was only 2 behind tonight!

F It

2012 - Fever - a 2 year old with a fever and making a bunny cake.  good times.  i sometimes miss when that was "busy"

2013 - Fine! - i was experimenting with letting my kids go outside and play (gasp!).  Funny, how you loosen up!  My kids are outside all the time now! 

2014 - Friends - I explore the 3 types of friends.  A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime.  I still keep these in mind when I part with people or when I find myself getting upset that i don't agree with someone completely or even when i start to get closer or have a moment with someone i didn't think i had much in common with. 

2015 - Faerie Garden - My second year of making a faerie garden.  I reflected on the demolish-ment of the previous year's houses.  This year.......well, this year.  i'd love to really make it lovely and perhaps i will try what i suggested and head over to the thrift store and see what kind of birdhouse i can dig up!

2016 - Fairly Successful Eggs - a followup favorite.  the naturally dyed eggs with leaves and pantyhose.  this was also my last post in the last time i attempted the blogger challenge.  That night, i got a sharp pain in my shoulder.  I waited until morning to go to the ER and it turned out i had a pericardia effusion, 2 days later, heart surgery.  I survived and that's all that matters, but alas, there will be no other reflections on 2016.

trying to think of something else on top of this to reflect the current life that i call mine.......and well, i guess i need to go ahead and get caught up on G and H.....that should give you some indication. 

Oh! FESTIVAL!  There's an F for today!  We went to the 5th Annual USA Science and Technology Festival this weekend.  All Day Saturday.  ALL. DAY.  And, didn't come close to seeing half!  Will need a better plan next time!

Egg-cellent!

2012 - Easter Eggs: one of my more ambitious years of Angry Bird eggs.  i love getting pinteresty!
2013 - Eaters: my boys were eating everything in the house and i was worried i was going to have another boy.  Nope, had a girl, but she can still put it away with the boys!
2014 - Eggs: I finally wrote down how to make hard boiled eggs according to my mother.  I had a habit of calling her, "you know that thing i never write down...." and she'd know exactly what i was talking about.  I have it down now. :)
2015 - Eggs and Dueling Peeps - this is the best!  there's a video too!  it's a tradition in our family to gets peeps (not to eat, silly person) but to battle.  you stick 2 peeps on a paper plate in the microwave and stick a toothpick into them near their little wing, then turn on the microwave.  they grow and battle each other.  it's hilarious!
2016 -Eggs : i guess this a common theme at this time of year.  I attempt naturally dyed eggs in 2016.  we used leaves and flowers to create prints and then wrapped them in pantyhose and boiled them in pots with onion peels and other natural color-making items.  they did ok.  my kids wanted to do this again last year and this year, but this i decided we were going to try the marbled eggs using shaving cream.  pics below!

 

D Day of D

2012 - Ding Dong The Witch is Dead - Mikey was very matter of fact about his favorite movie back then.  I should ask him what it is now....one sec....Harry Potter, of course.
2013 - Doesn't have a Clue - Prego brain has taken over and I really didn't have a clue.  Wonder what my excuse would be tonight...hmmm
2014 - Dinner - You gotta show up for dinner.  It's the tie that binds!  I'm still in agreement with myself.
2015 - Destination - Apparently, i had a plan to calm things down and get things done....HA HA HA HA HA!!  At first glance, i thought maybe i had been talking about Destination Imagination, but no.  However, this I guess I could.  My boys are on a team that a friend and I coach.  This year we actually made it to States.  First time in 4 years and now we are waiting to see if we get chosen in the lottery to attend Globals.  If we do.......stay tuned, fundraising efforts will be on the way!!
2016 - Dandelions - wow.....i was reaching on this one.  However, that does remind me that the kids need to go pick ours to feed to the rabbits.

So, this year......Destination Imagination and Dandelions.  My takeaways.

Btw, did you know that today is...
National Film Score Day *
National Chocolate Mousse DayWorld Party DayNational Find a Rainbow DayNational Tweed DaySAAM Day of Action (Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action)
Enjoy!

C You C Me

2012 - Christmas - i'd have to say i still agree that the preparations and all of the lead-up activities of the holidays are almost better than the actual days themselves


2013 - Cookies - cookies? really?  slow year.
2014 - Church - I re-tell my many-times-retold story of my faith journey.  I could update this post with our most recent move to our new church in Fredericksburg.  I have a feeling this a forever home for us.  
2015 - Candy Wrapper Creativity - this post, i have to say, is a favorite, well, at least the project described is.  i should so that again!
2016 - Cuts My boys got haircuts and I watched them grow up a bit


So...C.....I dunno....crazy, crap, cacology (there's a new word for you.  It means bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation).  i'm sure most of us could be accused of this from time to time!
Ok, i promise i will do better tomorrow with D!

And Then There was B

B through the years and me being judgy of myself....

2012 - Boys (.'they' say there is woman's work and men's work.......well unless your respective hoo-
hoos are performing the work, i don't see how possessing one or the other uniquely qualifies you to only accomplish one type of work.)
2013 - Busy (I talk too much)
2014 - Babies (decent advice, but i sound like a cliche)
2015 - Basic (apparently, i didn't have time to dye eggs all pinteresty)
and
2016 - Boyfriends and Bul-go-gi - i saw a movie and decided i should be a better girlfriend to my guy.........ummm....

Found a common trend along the B path....apparently, i'm more often a day late with B than on time.  What does that say about me?  Boys and Busy.  No more babies.  And...in keeping with my history, i have evidently nothing significant to say with B.  Sorry, yall.

A is for the all the A things!

I'm going to attempt the blogger challenge once again....the last time I did this, I only made it a small portion of the way through because i was struck down with some pretty big issues.  I was thinking about where I wanted to go this year other than just getting back in the habit of blogging.  Crazy idea.....I'm looking back the past years that I've done this and wanted to see if I still agree with myself on whatever I came up with then.....so....

in 2012 - Anniversary
In 2013 - April
in 2014 - Adult
in 2015 - Anniversary
in 2016 - Adulting and Acceptance

Are we seeing a pattern here?

Well, April is still true enough.  Today is not only the first day of April and April Fool's Day, but also Easter.  First Easter on my own.  DH had to work and family lives are busy busy, so......i cooked a meal on my own (currently waiting for DH to get home so we can eat it).  Actually, pulled out my wedding china!  First time, EVER! 

Anniversary, still true.  13 years tomorrow!  Love you, babe!

Adulting......well.......I'm still in that range.....now on the other side of the 30's.  In 2016, i described the health issues associated with 2 clots in my lungs.......well, what you don't know is that a little over a week later i was in the hospital again with a severe pain in my shoulder and it was a pericardia effusion.  I ended up with a Pericardia Window surgery.  I now have an exclamation point on my chest and I am thankful every single day for it.  For the hands that healed me, for the family and friends who supported me and my people.  Adulting has a new meaning when the opportunity could have been taken away from me.  I'm committed to living my exclamation point!  May not be in the extreme fashion you may imagine, but in the little things that would have mortified me in past years.  I jumped into the deep end of a pool with my kids....bathing suit and extra weight and all.  I climbed to the top of a blow up water slide and went down it in my clothes in front of my entire Cub Scout Pack of boys.  Those are just a few odd examples, but they were significant to me.  Everyday, I'm saying yes and doing it.  I'll rest someday!