Things on my mind......

Today the kids, my mom and I saw Despicable Me and it was cute.  The kids had a great time and were glued to the movie screen.  LOL.   Of course eating their popcorn too.  Then it was off to Caputo's for some delicious and fresh lunch meat, homemade cheese, fruits, veggies etc.  The kids are now napping.  I have some minor errands to run in about an hour and a date with one of my BEST adult friends in the world.  Susan.  Many do not know here, but she is one of my bff's that I have met as an adult, so she does not hang with my other friends and I. 

Last Friday Jimmy had his first official successful sleep over at his friends house.  Patrick and Andrew, they are all great kids and their family is one of our VERY close family friends since Rich and I moved to IL from NJ over 8 yrs ago.  Friday we are going out with our other good friends.  My friend Michelle is playing hooky from work and her two girls who are the same ages as mine....We are going to the Children's Museum in Naperville, swimming etc. 

This past Saturday night we had a DELICIOUS family dinner at Wildfire with my parents, brother, GG and us.  We had celebrated Michael and my bdays.  Then I was off to my friend Michelle's house to hang and LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH for 4 hours.  One of the very best laughs I have had in I can't remember how long.  Eyes watering, stomach hurting, coughing for air, and exhausted when I was done.  The kind of laughing that when you go home and days later are still laughing about the story you shared together. 

Earlier in the summer Rich, Jimmy, Paul, Andrew and Patrick had the annual boys sleep over on the Laskosz's boat.  They are docked at the Abby in Lake Geneva.  I also got to enjoy time with Laura having some drinks, and eating some great Mexican food.  Sharing stories, laughing and sharing heart felt stories as well.  I don't know what I would do without Laura.  She is one of the sweetest warmest people I know....  LOL, kind of like a fresh Krispy Kreme Donut.  YA never forget it.  EVER.

Then there was the day with the Cano's.  Lourdes came over with the kiddos for us to go swimming, eat great food made by my mom and I enjoyed meeting her son.  Lo and I also took the dogs and the kids to explore Pop Pop's garden, and to check out the lake.  The dogs went for a dip and Buddy looked like a lazy hippo after awhile lol.  One thing Lourdes and I have.......  We have know one another since 1st grade.  I sat in front of her in class.  We sat in my room talking and reading magazines like we have known each other and doing the same things we have done since grade school.   Cackling at old stories....  SO MANY GREAT STORIES.

Then there was visiting the Gatto's.  Jimmy still can't stop talking about wanting to play hockey again like Dominick.  He thinks Dommy is one of the most talented kids he has ever met.  So cute and sweet.  In fact, he just asked me again today when we are going to go to one of Dominick's hockey games....  Hopefully this week if they are still playing.  Jimmy really looks up to Dommy.  Dommy's twin sister Delaney is like a guardian angel to Maggie.  She plays with her, is patient with her and dresses her up. Then there is John Patrick and Joey.  AKA batch #2.  Her second set of twins.  SO CUTE and SO sweet.  They are a TRIP to watch.  They are Colleen's extra legs and arms.  I of course get to have total comfort hanging out with Colleen, their mommy, an my old college roommate.  We have a million stories, and a million memories until this day.  Kid stories, family stories, and stories of being crazy and fancy free in college. 

I have so many more stories that I will tell about our trip.  Seeing the Gassmann's, Mikec's, Wadington's, my cousin's, and many more others.  In the mean time...  My dad is doing ok from his last stroke in the beginning of July.  Good and bad days.  I worry about him.  Rich is super busy with work, but got to enjoy some time with his friends as well.

ME....I dread going back to TX.  NOT because of any other reason then that I will miss my family and friends in IL, worry about my dad, and the life I have here.  I have met some of the most wonderful friends in Katy, I don't want to sell that short at all.  TX is just not for me, I just don't feel like it is home. 

Confusion

All is good in Katy.  No complaints about Katy, the neighborhood, our church, friends or anything in genereal.  OK, maybe the electrical bill lol, or taxes.

My REALISTIC complaint is, is that I miss home.  I miss living in Chicago.  I have a beautiful home, great friends, and all a person could want.  What is wrong with me I wonder???!!!  My kids are happy.  Jimmy cries a lot more than Maggie about living in IL.  He wants to go by his friends, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles etc.  I can understand that.

What is comes down to is family.  We have friends in both places and could not ask for better friends if we put effort in and tried.  They are top notch!!  Nothing less.  Our home is beautiful and what is considered our dream home.  However, it is a home.  I would give it up to live near family and get a smaller home in a cute town with good schools in an instant!  Just give me the go and I would. 

I would visit TX often, just as I do IL.  However, I am waking up now, because this is all one big dream........

Back to reality.....

The kids are great and adjusting well.  Jimmy graduates preschool this week and is so excited.  Jimmy and Maggie both have their end of the year Spring Programs and parties.  It is hot outside, so we go out mornings or later in the evenings.  Makes it much easier.  Jimmy is in swim lessons and both of the kids will be in Summer Slam at CrossPoint for 2 weeks.  Then it is off to IL for a month and a half.  We are all so excited.  Rich and I will also be celebrating our 7 yr anniversary.  Life is not easy but I could not imagine going through it without Rich.  We are unique, funny, and love to laugh.  For me that is perfect.  I love you Rich.

Good Times!!!! They are here!

So Friday my grandmother GG came into town with my mom.  We are all so excited that they are here!!!  The weather is fantastic as well.  My mom and GG took Jimmy to see "To to Train a Dragon" in 3D today.  They all had a great time.  I took a nap and Rich took Maggie to the YMCA so I could nap a little longer and get some stuff done around the house.  My sinuses are a big pain, but the nap helped a ton!!!  Then tonight my mom, GG, and I went to a delish place called La Finca .  DIVINE!  After that we went on  long walk at the Beach Club.  Then it was off to TCBY to indulge in some fantastic frozen yogurt.  Ahhhh, life is good.  BUT then it got better, I got home and found out that I won an i pod shuffle from the Crazy 8 store for signing up for their contest!!!!  YAY, I never win things.  I am so excited. 

Maggie and Jimmy were in HEAVEN that Grandma made her famous pancakes for breakfast.  We all stuffed ourselves to the point that we could barely move lol.  YUM.  Nothing like home cooking....From your mom.

Buddy and Daisy always want to be laying near or sleeping with GG.  Too cute.  Tomorrow we hope to head to the beach for the day after church. 


Later this week my mother in law comes in late Thurs and leaves early on Sunday.  She will be able to see Jimmy play a Tball game , which will be great.   Then we have many other plans as well.  Maybe even the beach as well.  We shall see.  She is going to eat the kids up!!!  They have grown so much since her last visit. 

Jimmy signed up for Griffin Elementary for school next year.  YAY.  He is super excited, and I am for him. 

Ok, I am exhaused and going to bed.

Peace, and talk to you all soon.
Michele

Shake this

Today it's sunny and beautiful outside.  The birds are chirping and the sounds of Spring are in the air.  So far the banging and pounding of the house being built next door have stopped.  They have also taken down the "available" sign.  Maybe a nice young couple with 2 kids my kids age bought it.  Wouldn't that be nice!  I am also getting ready for my family from IL to come and visit.  My cousin Jen (Jimmy's Godmother), her hubby Andy, and 1 yr old daughter Cam will be here on Sunday afternoon.  Monday my cousin Danielle (Maggie's Godmother) arrives on Monday morning.  We have plans throughout the week to go on a picnic, to the beach, possibly to the zoo, the parks, and various other things.  I can't wait to just have the feeling of home (Chicago) in my house!!!  I can't seem to shake this missing home thing.  I know that the weather is better here, much better.  I also know that everyone has their own schedules in IL, but I still miss home.  Seems that about after a month of not seeing my IL  friends and family, I feel sad and lonely.  I always feel bad about saying that because I have met great people here too, and that does not mean I like them any less.  I may not feel as bad if Rich did not have to travel so much.  I know it is a part of what he does for a living.  It always has been.  However, this is more travel then usual.  Laying in bed or sitting in the family room by myself  3 or 4 nights in a row can suck.  I don't mind 2, but 4 sucks.  Looking at a computer or talking on the phone is not the same as having physical body here.  So, with that being said, I need to shake this!!!  I am counting the days until Summer in IL.

The good news!!!  I got my CT scan results back from my sinuses.  I have a lot of swelling but no polyps!  YEAH!!  I also got back the results from my blood test for allergies.  I am allergic to several trees, brumuda grass, and very badly to ragweed.  The doctor said, I need to be sure to have my epi pen for when ragweed blooms.  I need to stay in those weekends.  She thinks that my infections are due to allergies.  So, no surgery needed.  Whoo hoo.  Just allergy shots.  I am really happy about that. 

Jimmy and Maggie are getting up from their naps now and ready to play, play dough outside, and get ready for our picnic at the park later.  I am going to bring the bounce house out too.  They are living large.  Yesterday we went to two parks and got frozen custard with the Harmond's.   

I will keep you updated about our family visit.  I can't wait!

Tetering.

Hmmmm.  Just one of those not sure how you are feeling days.  Happy I am in TX with good weather, but also sad, because I miss home too.  Certain things I miss are hanging out with my old friends that I have know forever and being able to talk about whatever.  Laugh, cry, chill, hanging in your draggy clothes etc.  I miss the comforting  part of being with a bff.  Knowing you are not judged and that your kids are not judged.  Life is just good.  I am really missing my friends from IL.  I want to have a fire pit and hang out with Dave Matthew's Band playing in the background and eating smores and sharing old stories.  Watching our kids playing and having fun.  I miss the simple things.  I miss being able to go to my parents, aunts and uncles, or cousin's houses to just say hi and stay for dinner.  I miss the little things.  The most important things....  FRIENDS and FAMILY.   Things some how just seem more simple when my friends and family are around.  This Easter we will be solo this year.  I was hoping my parents could come down to visit, but they can't.  So, Rich , the kids and I may just take a trip to the Moody Gardens or something to enjoy some time of celebrating Jesus and being surprised by the Easter Bunny. 

With all of this being said.  I do have to say I have met a handful of new pepole.  One I think is my guardian angel watching over me and my family.  One I have me makes me some how want to be organized and totally independant.  I have also met another great genuine person that just makes my life somehow not seem so nuts.  I do the same for her.  We lean on one another, and trust and respect both of our opinions.  I am starting to make or should I say figure out some of the people I have met her could be life long friends.  Which is great.  I don't want a bunch of random friends.  I want a few close friends.  That I can laugh, cry, be cranky, anal or whatever and they still love me for me.  I love all of my friend for their quirks too. 

This blog is a lot of random talk, I know, but bare with me.  I am very tired and took some medicine that makes me sleepy sometimes.  Just know this....  As much as I miss home.  I have also met some great friends and guardian angels on my adventure though TX..

Goals

So, today I have thought about a few things.  One of the main things being, well, my health.  I NEED to try my very best to be healthy.  Losing weight is great, but only if it is for the right reasons.  I decided my reasons would be mainly, besides myself, for my family.  Here are my goals....oh, and please chime in for any tips.  I am totally open minded to any and everything.

1. I can give great advice, but suck at taking it.  I am stubborn, and need to do things when I am ready and on my time.  So, with that being said, my first goal is to get healthy.  I am finally going to try and walk my walk.  I am not perfect, but I promise myself to try my best.  The best is all I expect from my kids and everyone I know.  Why should I be any different.  I owe it to myself and my family.
2. Lower my cholestrol, and possibly get off cholestrol meds.
3. Keep my sugars at healthy levels, so I never have to struggle with diabetes like my dad and other family members on my dad's side of the family do.
4. Keep a healthy liver.
5. Lose weight, in a healthy way.  A change in lifestyle.  A realistic change that I can stick with.
6. Exercise...  For energy, stress relief, help sleep better, and to help all of the above.
7. Try to drink more green tea, instead of coffee.  I still enjoy my Starbucks, but that needs to be a treat.
8. Set rewards for when I achieve each milestone on my "GET HEALTHY" journey.  Things such as a trip for Rich and I or a friend and I to Vail or Washington State after I lose my goal weight and get to where the doctor wants me with my blood work.  The little rewards would be after each 5 lbs a manicure or to have a day at Boarders to lounge and read whatever I feel like, with no kids, just along time.  And, I can buy a book on my way out.  10 lbs goals can be manicure and pedicures, or a new pair of shoes.  
9. What I will do to get fit, besides try my best....Go to the gym.  Go to Spin class, after I get a more comfy bike seat lol.  Enjoy a body pump class after I am fully healed from my surgery.  I still get very swollen and have pain when working out.
10. Walk outside more often, even after the gym to get fresh air.  The kids and I love walking to the park etc.
11. Try and take the proper steps to exercising.  I get very frustrated with my abdomen getting so swollen after work outs, and then hurting for a day.  For instance, I go into the gym looking good, and come out looking totally bloated from not being fully recovered inside yet.  
12. I have to allow myself to say it is ok, to do half of a class, until I am fully recovered, and add a little more every week.  Also, to allow myself to try new things such as water aerobics or swimming laps.
13. All in all, I want to take control of my health.  Not meds to control my health.  My synthroid is here for life.  Hypothyroidism does not disappear.
14. Keep reminding myself, even though it takes more work and efforts to lose weight due to my thyorid, that I still stick to it.  
15. I really really want to try yoga.  Anyone who knows me lol, knows I need yoga.  So, one of these days, I just need to try it, and stop saying, I need to try it.

Each day is a different part of our journey.  I need to enjoy my journey, so I can always have the good memories and stories to share with my kids, my friends, and family.  It is what makes life interesting, and we all know, I do not lead a dull life lol.

I ask that you please pray for me, that I can stick this out, and reach my goals.  I really want this, but need a lot of encouragement and support.  I love health advice, good recipes, tips, and anything homeopathic I am open to.  I have not done it yet, but I hope to get more into eating organic foods.  I hope to update you on my GET HEALTHY for me journey.  Let me know if you want to join my me in my adventure, let me know. 

Testing Testing 123.....

Is there anybody out there????  I am just curious to see if anyone reads my blogs.  If not, it's a great life joural.  That means YAY for you, you get to read my life story.  LOL.  Aren't you lucky.....

Today it is 65 degrees and sunny, what more can you ask for in Feb?  Rich is working from home and the kids are napping.  Ahhhhh.....

Today one of my good friends and her kiddos came over to play and have lunch.  It was nice.  The kids all play great together and our families both get along.

Rich made some delish homemade sweet potato fries for us.  We ate as if we had not been fed in days lol.  mmmmmmm. Later we plan on going to the park down the street to get some energy out etc.  Jimmy and Maggie need to run, run, run.  Maggie keeps asking me to take her to dance and soccer.  I am going to look into signing her up.  Jimmy is looking forward to Tball.  The kids are both starting swim lessons next week.

I just talked to my dad and he is exhausted, they are working him hard at rehab he says.  This is a good thing.  I am glad they are working him hard, so he can feel good for summer.  My mom and brother are well. 

Ok, off to look at BP healthcare options with Rich.  Oh the joy....  LOL.  I am sick of all the hospital bills etc, however, we have great healtcare, so I can't complain too much.