Well, here I am 1.5 years later...
No sense in going waaaayyy back to then, but will try to touch the main thoughts of interest.
Divorce was final back in March...approaching a year soon. Things are good there. Matt and I have a great form of communication. No problem too big or small that neither of us can handle.
Kelsie is in 8th grade. She was on B honor roll and hoping for another round of honor roll this quarter. Math is a challenge for her, but she still seemed to keep her grade up enough to get the honor roll. She is thinking of doing track this spring...that would make me very happy to see her doing that. Of course she still does piano. She is on her 4th year, I think. She also does the percussion in band. Fun to see her excel in so many things. Lately we have been getting in some serious talks. I thought I would always be so nervous about these, but ya know, it really is natural for me. I can't believe how easy she is to talk to...and the best part of all of this.. SHE STILL LOVES ME!! So many teenagers have so much anger at their parents or don't have the closeness that I have with my kids...I love it.
Kasidie is in 6th grade. She also made the B honor roll. She opted to sit a year out of piano. I was hoping to get another year out of her, but didn't work. Their piano teacher is/was much more than just a piano teacher, she is someone the girls trust and thought of as a friend. She tried her legs and feet at Cross Country this year. She did AWESOME...I know running isn't really her thing and wants to do volleyball in 7th grade, but it was still great to see her active in something. On Tuesdays and Thursdays she visits the ROC (Rolf Olsen Center) here in town where kids can go to after school to hang out, play wii, time for homework, Tae Kwon Do, projects, etc. It's been a good thing for her.
I like having chats with the girls...in between the texting, facebooking, wii, visiting friends and having friends over and the every other week visits with their dad. Both have cell phones, which is not uncommon these days, so very easy to stay in touch while they are away. We have such a good time.
We have had a couple of new additions to the family since last blog...Donnie is the special person in my life. We met in the oddest of ways, both from different values, desires, religions, etc....but somehow the connection has worked. He is a landscaper and works with his dad in the family business...Lakedale Landscaping and Nursery. He has hopes of owning it one day. The kids truly have a good relationship with him. There isn't the constant fighting that sometimes can go on in a "step" parent relationship...he practically is a kid himself. I believe he was a godsend at the exact moment in my life when I needed someone to care for me. I believe I was at the right place and time for him as well...he was in a much needed lifestyle change. It proves that two opposites make a positive. Things are headed in a good direction...the kids are always asking when we are getting married...they practically beg us to. Donnie also likes to play darts and is on a league, he has a pontoon that we got use out of this last summer, and lately has been ice fishing. He got a new portable for Christmas.
The other addition is our Maltese dog, Avril. Oh does she bring some frustrations, but mostly joy. I love snuggling with her and love love LOVE it when she cocks her head at you when being talked to. She has potty training issues...and you would think at 1.5 years old she would have that mastered...but apparently not. Spoiled is what she is. Girls love her too.
Fatty and Shrimpy the cats are still lingering around here. Fat as ever. Eat more than I can keep up with and sleep all the time. I love their soft purr and rubs against the legs.
I still am doing daycare. Love it most days, others I wonder if I can just put my IPOD on and ignore the fighting. Wow...these cold days have left us copped inside. I am a whimp, even though some kids can tolerate the cold, I just plain can't. I'm happy where I am in life. Content to have my happy little family. December 28th I was able to witness another child be born. Melissa (the little girl that lived next door to us on Pine Street) had her 3rd. It is such an amazing experience to witness the birth of a child. I took some awesome pictures that I think will be treasured always.
These next 6 months will prove to be hectic and a real test of my patience and stress. We will be moving when school is out this summer. Not sure where...more than likely building. A couple of houses have become an option, but homeowners are asking too much in this market. If ya wanna sell, ya gotta drop the price.
This weekend I will be traveling to deerwood with some of my family members to a scrapbook retreat. It is nice to see some of my dads relatives. Since dad has died, we barely ever see anyone from that side. Thank goodness for facebook. I have most of my things packed. My ride, aka my sister, is picking me up around 6 tomorrow night. Looking forward to a weekend to get some stuff done.
Stay tuned for more to come...I'll let you know how the weekend goes.
