Veteran's Day Program

It's not hard to figure out which one is Melissa. She has found her place in the front row just like her mother. I really enjoyed watching her in this program. It's her first real program in front of the school and she did an awesome job. I love the Veterans Day program and the feeling of patriotism it brings to watch these kids sing and honor those who have fought for our freedom. I love that this school does this every year and hope they continue to do it every year. What a great tradition!!

Halloween

This Halloween was full of fun parties, costume changes and CRAZY HAIR!!! I don't think I've ratted my hair that many times in a short amount of time ever. We had a great time though, at all the parties, and I thought Melissa was an AWESOME Pippi Longstocking! Mom did an amazing job on my June Cleaver hair, and I loved having an excuse to rat my hair really crazy and spray fun colors in it. I loved being a pirate this year. It was exciting to wear fun costumes and be comfortable in them. We had so much fun this year!! I didn't even steal any of Melissa's candy...so happy!!

October 21st

5 years...it's been 5 years. It seems like yesterday...and felt like yesterday. It was a very hard day for me. I still had to go to school and take a test, I worked out like crazy and took Melissa to the cemetery after school. She doesn't quite understand yet what that day really means yet. She had a hard time understanding why I was so upset that day, and decided she should push my buttons. I ended the day sitting on the couch alone because I just sent her to bed.
We had a good conversation about being sensitive to people's feelings, especially those painful feelings. I think she will eventually get it, but it is hard for a 6 year old to just get it. I love that going to the cemetery is such a treat for her though. It's our bonding time, she gets to bring things to her dad and talk to him. She loves it. She plays, she talks to him, we eat snacks together, she brings him things she makes or finds just to share it with him. This year, she left him a lady bug in a jar and wrote all sorts of things on a pumpkin for him. Every time we go to the store and she sees flower displays she begs to buy some so we can take them to her dad. I'm glad going there is such a positive experience.

Catch up!!

Wow...did not realize how fast time has gone since August, you are all probably DYING to see what I've been up to...or not. (-: It seems like as soon as a semester starts, I don't breath until it is over and some things just get put off, like my poor blog. Sorry to neglect you. I will do my best to recap the last 2 months the best I can.

I have been hiking, running, working my butt off this last couple of months and seeing some great results. I know that is the only way I have energy to do what I need to do. It's been a very busy couple of months. I've done 2 5K races in the last couple of months that were a LOT of fun. 

This was a great group of ladies to do my first 5K with. The DIVA'S!!

Madisyn and I did the Barber to Boise race in October. That one was a lot of fun!!

Besides all my running, the semester has been really busy. I've been busy with cub scouts, activities committee, school (Heaven help me get through poetry writing and education foundations), Getting Melissa going well in school, and work. It feels like I need more than 24 hours in a day to get it all done. I have a lot more active in the singles activities and believe it or not, went on a date for the first time since Joe. It only took me 5 years to take that step, but I did it. The 5 year mark was on the 21st of October and I think it was the hardest year for me yet. I have such great support though. I am so lucky to have found the friends I've found in the last year that understand what I'm going through. It's been a long road,  and will continue to be a long road, but I know I'm not alone in what I go through. 

Just for an update for the fun of it: Weightloss since August 1st-- 25 lbs.