Kindergarten Visitation

My little boy had a 2 hour Kindergarten visitation today. The whole family took him to Cottonwood Elementary. The same elementary school I was teaching at May 2005, just a few weeks before I went into premature labor. There were several friendly familiar faces for me this morning, but I still had a pit in my stomach. No familiar faces for Nathan. He didn't have much to say afterwards except that he had fun. I'm honestly not ready for this milestone.

Art Class

Yesterday was my last art class. I missed more than %50 due to sick kids, family plans, canceled babysitters, relay runs. I really had so much fun when I got to go. I teased that I needed a beta blocker before class. I dared not let my eyes stray to another student's work. I learned a great deal about value and color. I wish I could go back and retake all the classes I missed.

This is the acrylic I've been working on. Still a long way from finished.

A few of my favorite things...

These aren't in any particular order. But I needed a little reminder today of just how lucky I am.

Nathan shaking his bottom.

Eric and the boys holding me down to tickle my feet. I'm extremely ticklish and I laugh so hard I lose my breath.

Watching Zachary run.

An unexpected text or email from a friend.

Watching something funny on TV in my bed late at night.

Paint. The smell, the colors, on canvas, on my fingers, on my hands and half way up my arm.

Black coffee early in the morning.

Laughing and sweating with Carrie during a particularly hard workout.

Cooking something healthy for my family.

Going out with friends and just letting go.

Learning to sail through trial and error.

The smell of lavender.

Being outside in the sunshine.

New lip gloss.

Getting my sons out of bed in the morning because are always excited to see me.

Being needed.

Whispers in my ear.

Skin on skin. An embrace, a touch, Eskimo kisses, holding hands ...

Bob Marley on outdoor speakers.

Finding a sunspot on my cozy bed.

Driving fast with the windows down and the music loud.

Making others feel happy.

Special?

Zach decided to wake up earlier than usual this morning. I have a 7:30 policy. So I turned the monitor down a little and tried to get a little more sleep. He was talking, but not crying.

At 7:35, I hear Nathan crooning, "Mommy my light is green." and Zach screeching. Apparently, I had fallen back to sleep. I opened my bedroom door and Zach is standing just outside his bedroom. He is screaming "Momma, Momma, Momma".

Luckily, I still have the crib tent that went in Nathan's bed shortly after his 2nd birthday. I just have to use it a bit earlier than I planned.

good grief

I started cleaning out my art spaces. Amazed to find 20 random baskets, 15 frames, and old art from 15 years ago. Like this oil pastel I did in college sometime. Good Grief!

Have less

I'm feeling the need to purge. I want to live leaner. If I don't love it, I don't want it anymore. I want to clean out closets and drawers and the garage and storage.

Who's with me?

This is what I'm thinking... First, gathering up all the stuff in my house I don't love including decorations I'm over, toys the boys never touch, random under utilized furniture, etc. Second, putting out in my driveway and attempt to sell it to a new home. Somewhere it will all be appreciated. Third, making arrangements for AM Vets to come pick it all up and tow it away. AM Vets will give it to people who need it.

I want to replace quantity with quality. I want to fit all my stuff on a boat and sail for months homeschooling my boys. I want to teach Nathan to better appreciate the things he has. I want to value people, time, and experiences over stuff.

Who wants to have a purge party?

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/10/15/want-to-save-the-environment-buy-less-stuff/

http://www.43things.com/things/view/64621/own-less-stuff

http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/saving/2008/07/24/how-to-want-less-stuff.aspx

hitting the pavement

A few weeks ago I got a random text from my friend, Carrie. She was going out on a limb to ask if I wanted to be on her Brew to Brew team. The Brew to Brew is a relay type run from KC to Lawrence, Kansas. Teams of 5 run a total of 44 miles. I was familiar with the run and my initial response was "uggg". Then five minutes later I found myself texting her back WTF. As long as nobody cares how slowly I run my parts, why not.

Two days later, I got on the treadmill and ran for an hour. It wasn't as hard as I imagined it would be, but my body was super sore. Then I had to take two weeks off because the dermatologist removed a scary mole on my back. She said no vigorous exercise until the stitches come out. (I almost waited for the stitches to come out.)

Finally, yesterday, I went running outside for the first time in 2 years. I went for a 4 mile run with Carrie. It was great. My back and legs were really talking to me the last 1/2 mile, but I managed to sprint right at the end. Today, other than the tiniest twinge of pain in my knees I feel fabulous. Looking forward to outside runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Brew to Brew is April 11th. I think I will be ready!