39 OMG He's Almost 40!

January 22nd will be my baby's 39th birthday, I can't believe its almost here. When we got married, way back in 1998 I swear 40 looked so far off and now (sigh) it is just around the corner. Of course I am 1 year, 2 months and 27 days younger than him but still it is all happening so fast. He's definitely still the man I want to grow old with and spend the rest of my life with its just that 13 years ago growing old still seemed pretty far off. Todd's mom told me when I turned 32 that I was pushing 40 and I laughed at her because by her logic she was pushing 100 but now we really are pushing 40. Ahhhhh! I can tell I am not going to age gracefully or willfully. Most of the time we still act like we are in our 20's, we still like to party with our friends (but now we want to be in bed no latter than midnight or it takes 2 days to recover), we still like toys and doing active things. but sitting down and talking is good now too. We still look pretty good, (I hope) but it definitely takes more effort (and in my case money) than it used to. (Sigh again) I wish we could pick our favorite age and remain that forever. I would be 25 forever because I still looked good with no effort, I could stay up all night and still get through the next day. I was young but had been through enough to not be stupid anymore like in my teens and early 20's. Coincidentally that was when we got married and other than my kids being born it was the happiest time of my life. Oh well I think the fountain of youth is about as out of reach as winning the lottery but just so y'all know I ain't going down fighting (unless I fall and can't get up :).

Things I Will Miss

I have a really good lead on a job right now, probably the best lead/ chance I have had in over 1 and a half years and I am hopeful but trying really hard not to get my hopes up too high (sometimes it is crushing to not get it). I started thinking though of the last 2 1/2 years of "vacation" and there are definitely some things I will miss about being home so I am writing this poem in my head as I type. Forgive me if it doesn't come out right.

When I go back to work I will miss having alone time and reading lots of books.
I will miss school awards, spelling bees and class parties.
I will miss the alone time I have by myself to read or write or just sit and veg.
I will miss picking up my girls from school everyday and holding their hand while we walk to the car.
I will miss taking a shower at noon on those days it is 20 degrees outside and only 60 in the house.
I will miss games of Mario Cart after homework is done and having a good dinner ready at 5:30.
I will miss playing my I Pod at top volume and singing out loud because there is no one to hear.
I will miss a lot of stuff just off the top of my head and I am sure there is more that I just haven't said.
When i go back to work I will miss a lot but the time I've had with my kids, well I'll miss that the most.
CF 1-14-11

Something New

     Well today was Cheyanne's school conference which I am usually a pro at only this year we did something new. Cheyanne's middle school does what is called a student led conference. The students and teachers put together a packet of her work from last semester, her report card and they have a script telling them how to go over things with the parents. So at 9:30 this morning I went to the school gym and my child walked me through her packet and grades. We discussed her strengths and weaknesses and what she needs to improve on for the next semester. I think I prefer meeting with the actual teacher but I understand that this is difficult when they have 6 different periods and different teachers so it was still a good idea. I was impressed however with how Cheyanne handled it. I think her having to put it all together was a good thing and made her more aware of her responsibilities as a student and helped her see what she needs to work on. All in all her grades were pretty good, she had all A's and B's except for Math which has always been a struggle that was a C. She didn't make her pay point this quarter as her deal was to have nothing lower than a B- in any subject but she seems eager to work on it.
 

Cold

It is funny how there are different degrees to being cold. There are days when I am cold at 68 degrees and then there is the cold of the last few days where 40 degrees when the sun is shining is actually kind of nice. Today is one of those days that I think I am just going to be cold no matter what. I turned up the heater from 60 to 65, I am wearing a beanie cap in the house and my feet feel like they are going to fall off. Even the sun looked cold to me today so I snapped this picture and named it Cold Sunshine. It is kind of silly to personify a heavenly body but to me I think the sun is cold and needs some mittens. Anyways I just wanted to whine for a bit and now I am going to go read a book under the blanket on the couch and cuddle with the dogs. Hopefully I will thaw out.

Snow Day!

The first snow of 2011 is here and the girls get to stay home to enjoy it. Snowline School District is closed today due to inclement weather so it is our first snow day ever. The girls are soooo excited they have been waiting for the snow forever it seems like. It is not even 8:00 am and they are out the door, dressed like the kids in the old malt-o-meal commercials trying to build a snowman. I'm inside where its warm wishing Todd would make me a fire in the fireplace. I'll post some pictures of the girls enjoying their first snow day experience latter after I have gotten dressed and had some coffee :).

Happy 2011

 Cheyanne

 Heather

 Todd & me after riding around on the ATV

 Sunset from our house

 Cool cloud

 Heather & Cheyanne

Sunset from our house

I have mixed feelings on saying goodbye to 2010, on the one hand it was a pretty hard year money wise, job wise (for Todd) and I am glad to see it go with the hopes that 2011 will be even better. On the other hand we had some good things in 2010 that I am thankful for like moving up here to the middle of nowhere, the girls and us have made some new friends up here, we've had plenty of new positive experiences up here and of course the horses. 2011 just seems like it should shape up to be a little easier. Todd is waiting to hear back on a new job which will mean less stress for him and a little more money for us. We should hear back this week so please pray that it works out. We are pretty settled into our new life in the sticks now and enjoying dragging the property on the tractor, talking to the ladies at the post office when we go pick up our mail, the girls enjoy their new school and Cheyanne seems to be blossoming there academically speaking and socially. Heather is right on track to be on the Honor Roll again, really picking up music very easily and generally just seems to get "it". Todd and I have spent more time together talking and laughing again. It all just gives me hope that things will be okay again. So I'm ready 2011, ready for everything. I am posting some pictures of the girls and a few sunsets I took in the last couple of days. We are expecting snow today (90% chance) so i am keeping my fingers crossed that it shows up. It would be a perfect way to start our new year and end the girls and Todd's Christmas Break. Happy New Year everyone (Mom & Chris) I love ya! (If there is anyone else who reads this you have to let it show, just in case Happy New Year to you also).