Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014
Asha Turned Seven
Our fearless and bold Asha had a birthday. This year has been a good year for Asha. She enrolled in Hip Hop Dance classes and really enjoyed them. She was also interested in gymnastics and so she did a class this year as well. After 10 months she announced that she would rather do gymnastics than Hip Hop because, "I can do flips AND dance in gymnastics!". We were really proud of her progress and her determination.
This year was her first year at school all day. Lunch times were interesting as she would rather visit than eat, but she managed to finish her lunch most of the time. Her teacher and lunch supervisors were always entertained by her antics and huge personality. She is definitely one of a kind.
This year was the first year she had a friends birthday party. Asha was thrilled to be able to do that. Last year we were in Delaware, the years before that we have had family parties. I planned a scavenger hunt which was SO fun now that Asha can read, a painting project and a simple lunch. You could tell Asha felt very special to host her friends.
The next day the grand parents and one set of great grandparents came over for dinner and ice cream cake. Asha seems to be the child that though she has spent more birthdays outside the country, has had the most grandparents attend her birth or birthday. Go figure!
We love you very much Asha and are continually blessed by having you in our family.
This year was her first year at school all day. Lunch times were interesting as she would rather visit than eat, but she managed to finish her lunch most of the time. Her teacher and lunch supervisors were always entertained by her antics and huge personality. She is definitely one of a kind.
This year was the first year she had a friends birthday party. Asha was thrilled to be able to do that. Last year we were in Delaware, the years before that we have had family parties. I planned a scavenger hunt which was SO fun now that Asha can read, a painting project and a simple lunch. You could tell Asha felt very special to host her friends.
The next day the grand parents and one set of great grandparents came over for dinner and ice cream cake. Asha seems to be the child that though she has spent more birthdays outside the country, has had the most grandparents attend her birth or birthday. Go figure!
We love you very much Asha and are continually blessed by having you in our family.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Health Journey
I haven't talked much about it, but over the last few months I realized that I needed to make some changes in my lifestyle. After Easter I felt awful. Tired, lethargic, upset stomach, wasn't sleeping much, consuming way too much coffee and sweets....I've been going to Zumba, and I love it but I knew I needed to make a change in other aspects of my life.
For the month of June I did a detox and cleanse; a weight loss and exercise challenge to help me get back on track. I cut out caffeine and eliminated the majority of sweets and processed foods. Oh, I tell you I was an uber crank those first few days! It was horrible, and I'm not going to lie that I thought of quitting many times.
I also started to see a counsellor who has been amazing. My work atmosphere has had its toll on me and over the last few months I have been on a path of discernment. What should I do? What have I been called to? What is best for my family? What is best for me? Right now I haven't heard any words from heaven screaming down at me, but I have heard God's voice telling me to be still and wait. So in that time, I decided I needed a place where I could share and receive some guidance. Carl has been an invaluable support, but I realized that he can't be my counsellor.
After a few weeks of counselling and getting my food intake in check, I started to feel better. I was sleeping more soundly, feeling more alert and well and I was noticing a change in my body. I was excited that clothes that once didn't fit, or I was too self-conscious to wear because they were too tight, started to make an appearance in my regular wardrobe.
My co-worker loaned me a book that gave me some great inspiration on eating healthy and loving life. I'm feeling motivated like I haven't felt before. I want to be healthy, not just skinny, and I want to feel like my life is enjoyable and not about a long list of things I can't eat. I also wanted to be a in a place where life was a peaceful and joyful experience; not like things are perfect, gosh my children are still messy and screaming and there is always laundry to do. But I wanted to have a better outlook on life and be able to have joy regardless of what was swirling around me.
So in a month, I lost 9 pounds and 25 inches off my body. I'm pretty proud of myself and feeling like things are slowly getting into a healthier place.
For the month of June I did a detox and cleanse; a weight loss and exercise challenge to help me get back on track. I cut out caffeine and eliminated the majority of sweets and processed foods. Oh, I tell you I was an uber crank those first few days! It was horrible, and I'm not going to lie that I thought of quitting many times.
I also started to see a counsellor who has been amazing. My work atmosphere has had its toll on me and over the last few months I have been on a path of discernment. What should I do? What have I been called to? What is best for my family? What is best for me? Right now I haven't heard any words from heaven screaming down at me, but I have heard God's voice telling me to be still and wait. So in that time, I decided I needed a place where I could share and receive some guidance. Carl has been an invaluable support, but I realized that he can't be my counsellor.
After a few weeks of counselling and getting my food intake in check, I started to feel better. I was sleeping more soundly, feeling more alert and well and I was noticing a change in my body. I was excited that clothes that once didn't fit, or I was too self-conscious to wear because they were too tight, started to make an appearance in my regular wardrobe.
My co-worker loaned me a book that gave me some great inspiration on eating healthy and loving life. I'm feeling motivated like I haven't felt before. I want to be healthy, not just skinny, and I want to feel like my life is enjoyable and not about a long list of things I can't eat. I also wanted to be a in a place where life was a peaceful and joyful experience; not like things are perfect, gosh my children are still messy and screaming and there is always laundry to do. But I wanted to have a better outlook on life and be able to have joy regardless of what was swirling around me.
So in a month, I lost 9 pounds and 25 inches off my body. I'm pretty proud of myself and feeling like things are slowly getting into a healthier place.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Gym Wind-Up and Goodbyes
Kezia trains many hours at the gym throughout the year and has made some fabulous friends. Every year they have a wind-up and this year they were saying goodbye to a team mate who was moving to B.C. Kezia is going to miss Ashley a great deal, but thanks to technology and the fact that Kezia has grown up saying goodbye to many dear friends, it may make it easier. But it's still hard. Glad that they could have an awesome, goofy time together!
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Jo-Jo Plays Football
Joel was looking for a spring sport and we thought he might enjoy American Football. Something different than soccer! We missed the deadline for flag football, so tackle it was. It was a 2 month camp set up to be preparation for pre-season or for those that hadn't played together.
He quite enjoyed it. Although it was hard to convince him to tackle and take down the other players. He learned well from our persistent lessons in his early years. When he was younger, we had to keep him from wrestling and pounding every playmate to the ground. Despite the change in mindset that yes, you can tackle other kids without hurting them, Joel learned a lot and we were proud of him.
He quite enjoyed it. Although it was hard to convince him to tackle and take down the other players. He learned well from our persistent lessons in his early years. When he was younger, we had to keep him from wrestling and pounding every playmate to the ground. Despite the change in mindset that yes, you can tackle other kids without hurting them, Joel learned a lot and we were proud of him.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
Been a While
I haven't blogged for quite some time. June was a very busy month and as soon as all the wind-up activities were finished and school was out, I sort of crashed. Now that we have been on a summer schedule for the last few weeks, I feel my energy returning. Have you been curious to what we've been up to?
Stay tuned.......
Stay tuned.......
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