quick little update

We made it through our first week of school - success! I'm feeling much better now. I guess I didn't realize how anxious I was about Macy starting. She has made a friend - Elizabeth - who she talks about a lot and wants to invite over for a sleepover sometime soon. She doesn't talk much about any of the other kids but I'm sure that just takes time. I can only compare it to what I remember of Kindergarten and the small-town experience I had. Things will be much different for her and I have to keep that in mind.

Nicholas and Stephen did great at Parents Day Out. And on the days they were home, there was a strange calm over the house without Macy's energy. Nick spent a lot of time playing with his motorcycles by himself and Stephen finds lots to keep him busy. Their calmness allows me to get stuff done and, inbetween chores, I find myself sitting down and playing with them or just watching them - it's nice. We do miss Macy, but she is better off now being able to express her creativity and use up her energy with peers.

Mike and the rest of the ETMC crew are preparing for Hurricane Gustav. They have sent crews (including Levi) down south to Houston and San Antonio to help with hospital evacutations and whatnot. Tyler is sister city to Beaumont and we are already hosting many evacuees from that area. Ol' Gustav may just come right over Tyler as a category 1, as well. That means 70-95 mph winds. I guess we can say goodbye to our patio canopy... and remind me to park the van in the garage, will ya.

As for me - I have an audition for Zumba Instructor at the YMCA next Saturday. If all goes well I will get certified in Ft. Worth on the 28th of this month and then start in teaching my own classes shortly thereafter. I'm very excited about this new venture.

first day of school 2008

Macy started Kindergarten Monday and Nick's first day of "Parents Day Out" was today. Macy did great yesterday and woke up excited to go again today. Contrary to how Nick looks in this picture, he was thrilled to be at his new "school" and I had not problems dropping him off. It was Stephen and I on our own to the Y this morning...

detox

The YMCA child care is closed all this next week so I have been trying to think of something healthy to do at home, sans exercise. I have decided to try some sort of detox, God help me. I have just started doing some research on the proper way to do this and think I may have found something from the Natural Health website called a 7-day Detoux. Lots of liquids, fruits and vegetables... wish me luck!

the comeback

As I was school shopping with Macy today, we made the obligatory stop at Walmart. Macy and I were having a wonderful time, just walking along, when we came upon Old Ms. Free Sample who was handing out microscopic slivers of the Atkins Diet Bars. Macy wanted a "treat" so she walked up to the table. Ms. Sample immediately snapped at me, "I wouldn't let my child eat this." To which I asked rather nicely, "Why?" "Well, they're diet bars, they'll stifle her appetite!!" I looked at her, said, "Oh," grabbed a sliver and handed it to Macy as we walked away. I was flabbergasted at the what had just happened and it took me a few minutes to cool down. Eventually, though, I began thinking of all the things I should have said, like, "are you this rude to everyone?" or the practical know it all approach, "I beg to differ, these bars are full of protein and low in carbs - you should know a little more about your product before you start handing out samples." Well, I'm not really good at comebacks, as you can see, but I really wished I had said something besides my measly little "oh." I even turned around to walk back in her direction at one point, but thought better of it and just kept on shopping. I had to smile, though, when I compared this situation with that of one of my favorite episodes of Seinfeld - the Jerk Store. So I guess all was not lost - I got a chuckle and a good story for my neglected blog.

By the way, I am doing most of my posting on the 29Gifts website. The link entitled "my giving challenge" is on the right hand side of this page. Come on... join me!

why i love grandma

I missed my aunt Linda's 40th Birthday bash this weekend, but sweet grandma tied one on for me... (dramatazation. grandmother in above picture is not actually drinking beer. She's just holding the bottles to look cool and fit in.)

2008 olympics

Last night's opening ceremonies was the coolest thing I've ever seen. I think I may have to root for the Chinese this year:)

thursday, bloody thursday

Looking back over my personal notes and journals I'm noticing a pattern in my life. Thursdays are bad for me. Thursdays I fall off the healthy wagon (ie: eat worse and lose zest for working out), I want/need to be alone, I am not as patient with the kids and I am most prone to cry. I'm not sure why but I've begun pondering this newfound realization. I'm sure it's quite a simple explanation and hopefully a quick fix.

So now, with this preface I will go on to say that yesterday wasn't the best of days but today I'm feeling much better. I'm tired but I think I'm worn out from going from 30 to 60 in my workout routine over the last two weeks. I literally went from working out twice a week to seven times. I've lost a couple pounds, my clothes are feeling better and people are noticing so yes, yes, yes... this is great! Also, the kids are loving the new activities their mornings at the YMCA bring them. The staff loves them and Macy has a new found admirer in little Kyle who, according to his mom, talks about her non-stop during the day. awwww!

***Plug for the 29 Day Giving Challenge. This thing is going to be big, ya'll. Look for a book and documentary to come out of it for Cami in the future. You go girl!!!

peace via yoga

As we were finishing up Yoga this morning in the "corpse" pose, the instructor asked us to all go to that place of relaxation. We have all heard this before and usually images of beaches and water are conjured up. Today, though, I concentrated on what this REALLY meant for ME. What came to mind was me, sitting on the roof of our small farm house that was situated on top of a hill overlooking the town we grew up in. I was sitting there wrapped in a sweater for the cool breeze, my knees pulled up to my chin, and was watching the cars drive by on the dirt road at the bottom of the hill. All of a sudden, I could see my dad standing in the pasture in front of me, looking at cattle. He turned around, saw me, smiled and motioned for me to join him. I went to him and we stood there, his arm around me, both of us looking out over the beautiful land. He looked down at me, smiled and kissed the top of my head. As I lay there, tears mixing with the sweat rolling down my face, I realized that that one, peaceful moment from my imagination was the one moment I have missed and have been looking for my entire life. Through no ones fault, my dad died before I had this moment that I'm positive is vital to every little girl. A moment of complete love and acceptance from the most important mortal man in your life. And the knowledge to appreciate it as it happens. This... Is... Peace.

Maybe there is something to this Yoga thing after all...

lilly little love miriovsky

Welcome to the newest member of the family. After 14 days of going to bed like a "good girl" Macy was rewarded with a kitten. Something she has been hoping and praying for for quite some time. She has named her Lilly Little Love Miriovsky. I have passed along to my children the need to give all things middle names. Lilly gets two - go figure. Nicholas was rewarded for his good behavior with two goldfish. One for himself and one for little bro, Stevo. Nick took the liberty of naming the fish PowerRanger Bob and Roger Ron. Just call 'em Bob and Roger for short.

to health!

Officially joined the Whitehouse Y this week and began the following schedule: Monday - Toning/Pilates/Zumba, Tuesday - Yoga, Wednesday - Pilates, Thursday - Yoga/Zumba, Friday - Toning. Each day I also try to do 30 minutes on the eliptical. The kids come along and hang out in the child care room and are doing great with it. I've already made some friends of other S-A-H Mommies who are there every morning. It's a nice couple hours for myself and I feel great. Yay for me. Exception: Wednesday was a bad day... a baaaad day. Mommy crabby. Friday - Hello Ms. Monthly Cycle... you bitch, you slut, you whore!

Tuesday night I resumed my second session with Bridges to Life Prison Restorative Justice Program. A whole new group of men to mold into respectible citizens. Eight out of the 12 are in on Murder charges so these stories should be really interesting once we get into them. First night, though, my co-facilitator, Shelley, and I introduced ourselves and spoke a lot about being open, honest and CONFIDENTIAL. Our hopes for them... simply, peace and hope for their futures.

PS - It's August!!!!! Macy Kindergarten countdown: T minus 24 days. Sadcitement!