Summer Fun

It's HOT. It's summer time, so, I am doing my very best to not complain and embrace it....so far, so good. Might get harder to keep this cheery disposition as the temp increases and the kids start fighting.

Yesterday was fantastic. It was a friend's birthday, so we went out to their campsite at the lake and spent the afternoon there. Little kids everywhere, playing in the water, laying out in the sun, and a delicious meal with everyone. We really loved it ( though I was missing the Littlest, as she's at Gramma and Grampa's).

Some of the kiddos there were cousins. It reminded me of our summer vacations to my Gramma's, spent with my own cousins. We didn't always get along, but I do have some fond memories for sure.

My kids don't have that.They have 2 little cousins that live on the other side of the country, and we have never met them. (I keep buying the lottery tickets in the hopes we'll be able to fund a trip out East....no luck so far). Hopefully, one day, we'll make it out there. I'd love for my kids to get together with that side of the family and get to know them...heck, I'd like to as well!

So, I am very thankful for friends that welcome us and let us be a part of their lives, and for letting us make some of their summer memories our own.

Screaming Meemies are Back

Oh boy, I have been a negligent blogger. This is supposed to be a place to write about our lives, yet, life gets in the way.
I'm not even sure when, or what I wrote when last I stopped by.
Let's start over friends. Let's call it a new day and pick things up as if we'd never been apart. Deal?

The school year is nearly over. The kids are so looking forward to Summer break. I am as well. Hubby might even get some leave over the break, which would be very nice. He's had a tasking every summer since we moved here., 

Behn and the grade 5's had their big Operetta presentation last week. Made this mama proud to be sure. This 2nd born son of ours has spent years standing still and staring out at the audience during group performances. To see him not just participate, but, to do so with a little verve and vigour....well, I'll be honest, it brought a little tear to my eye. All of a sudden he is so big. 

Jacob's Spring Concert for band is tonight. We nearly forgot about it. For some reason, we all thought it was next month, oops. Never fear, I found his white shirt, and I will attempt tp iron it for him this afternoon. I'm really looking forward to hearing them play tonight, being a former band geek myself. It's amazing how much they have improved since last year when they started out. 

Asher and Sihdney have no big performances or presentations at the moment. Sihdney says she's very excited to hear the music tonight, Asher shrugged his shoulders.....let's hop he can hold it together for the entire length of the concert tonight.....

***You can also find me over at my more fitness related blog RunBarefootMama .***

Military Families get what???

Folks, I feel need to set the record straight.

Perhaps, you'll read this, and, at the end, you'll say "That's it?" or, "So?"

I know I'll feel better, and, isn't that what my blog is all about....making me feel better?  ;)

We are a military family. I grew up in a military family. I tell you this, just so you know I have some knowledge of this "lifestyle".

Over the years, I have heard so many ridiculous things that civilian peeps think we, as military families, get. 

These are my top 3 favourites:

#1. Members of our military makes loads of money.

Not true, especially when they first start out. Things were real tight when we were first married...like, when hubby was away, I ate a lot of cup-a-soup & popcorn to save on the groceries. We did ok, and we're doing a lot better now, but, rich we'll never be.

What members do get, are great medical benefits, as do their families if they have one. 

#2. Military Families Get Free Housing

Ummmm, nope. Not even close. Members and their families that live in PMQ's (Private Married Quarters), pay the same as anyone on civvy street. What you don't know, is that members don't pay rent...they pay something called "shelter charges", so they aren't covered my the "Landlord/tenant Act", no matter what province they're in, or how bad the house may be. ( I should tell you here, our family now owns a house & we no longer live in PMQ's)

There are some newer houses now, but, not many. Most of the homes are old, and need serious upgrades. We've lived in houses that were in such poor condition, no one but a military family would be allowed to live in them. We've even been in homes that were condemned. 

#3. Military Families Get Free Childcare 

Again....nope. Hahhaha....oh, that one makes me laugh, especially with our 4 kids. 

In recent years, the MFRC's ( Military Family Resource Center) have offered 1-3 hours a week of Deployment care if your spouse is deployed. This is on their time, at their discretion, not whenever or wherever you feel like it. It's helpful, but not what I would call free childcare.

I worked ( briefly) for a store in our town last year. With my hubby being in the field, busy with work, and tasked for more craziness in the summer, our oldest was spending a lot of time caring for his siblings. I decided a minimum wage job was not worth all this hassle, so, told them I would have to quit.

The district manager was angry. I could hear her while she was talking to my manager on the phone. She was under the mistaken impression that I could just get free care for my kids so I could come to work. No my dear, no. Like anyone else, it's my job to care for my kids, not the military's.

Being a military family is a different life to be sure. I don't think it's any harder than anyone else's, we just have our unique struggles, like everyone else. 

"If the military had wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one!"

                                                                                  ~unknown

***All info here is garnered from my own experiences.***

Glumminess Begone!

Last week of school before Christmas break....it really is the week that usually sucks the spirit right out of me.
....so tired of "the usual"....
This year, I'm too busy. No more time to feel blah, no Christmas glumminess( new word, let's give it a chance.)

So, tomorrow, I will go to the gym. (Would love some more workout gear from HERE .)
I'm going to work hard, sweat a lot, and feel great .
Then, I will come home, and bake some sweet Christmas treats.
I will remember to smile when I want to grimace, and laugh when I feel irritated.

....need a laugh ( if you're all grown-up), check out this link: Right Here  ( Warning: the word vagina is mentioned...a lot).
*** my thanks to Delusional Mom for sharing this gem.***

Also, check out Strong is the New Skinny.....I find her inspirational.

WTH, Halfway Through December?

Merry Christmas!!!! Not sure how Merry I'm feeling, but, I'll play along.

(villabloggera.com)

...............don't get me wrong, I do love Christmas. Shiny lights and ornaments, the excitement of the kiddos, seeing friends and family.....yet, somehow, I always feel a slight sense of....blah. Pretty sure that's a technical term there too folks. I'm a good little Army Wife, I soldier on, knowing that in no time, I will be caught up in this festive season.

There has been plenty going on around here since my last post.

• Fabulous Running Buddy and I completed a "Try a Tri" (15 k on the stationary bike, 5k run on the treadmill&500m swim in the pool). Why, you may ask......was it a race? Nope. We just did it to see if we could.
• In November, Running Buddy decided to join a 90 Miles in November challenge, so, of course, I tagged along. It was a great challenge, would definitely do it again.
• At the end of November, we completed a Sprint Tri ( well, in distance). This time, 20k on the spin bike, 5k on the treadmill, and 1000m in the pool. Why? Well, we wanted to be sure we had enough mileage for the challenge, and, well, to see if we could. We could, we did, and we did it in less than 2 hours.                                                                                         school-clipart.com
• In non-fitness related news.....the kids are doing so well! We were so pleased with their first round of report cards. Each of my kids have their own strengths, and they really shined  through this term.

Seems my life mostly revolves around my fitness goals right now.....and will again in 2012.

• Commence training for a half marathon in January
• Start the winter round of our weight-loss competition
• Sign-up for Zumba! (We're going to our 3rd class tonight, love it)

One could read my blog and think I've become obsessive about this whole fitness thing...maybe I have. I don't feel that way though.
Taking care of myself has opened a lot of doors for me. I've met new people, made friends, stepped out of my comfort zone.
Taking care of myself .....it's leading by example for my kiddos.

I would like to say I'll blog more often, but, I'd hate to make myself a liar. Maybe I'll feel inspired over the next days and weeks, maybe I'll be too busy running!

October 1st, new month, barely into Fall. 


Highlights since my last post:

*Kids are back to school. Oldest is doing great in gr.8. Not loving that the teachers give actual homework......like they sign it at the end of class! ( Wait until gr. 10 my son). Son #2 is liking school ( I nearly didn't write that, as I am scared to jinx things). He has a fantastic woman teaching him, sadly, only until February, when the regular teacher teacher returns from Maternity Leave. Oldest has had her before, so, fingers crossed for the best. Son #3 has his first male teacher. So far so good, and, as always, e is loving school. Littlest is struggling the teeniest bit. Her teacher has trouble understanding her with the whole Dyspraxia thingy. She is resuming Speech Therapy, and I hope all is well in a very short time for her....and that Mrs. Gr2 will try to be patient and make an effort to work with her, and not just wait for our Littlest to talk like a "normal girl".....Mrs. Gr2's words, not mine.

*My Running Buddy and I officially completed the "C25K" program a week ago. This is a HUGE accomplishment for both of us. To celebrate, we ran 5.2 KM last Saturday morning. My very sweet buddy presented me with a certificate in honour of the occassion. :) In hindsight, I should have got her flowers or something. She is the reason I kept ( and keep) running. It's too easy to quit when I'm only letting myself down. She pushed me to do better, and I thank her for it.

* Running Buddy and I ran our first official race on September 10th.It was a 4K trail Run....so, not just a race, not just 4K.....but, a trail run folks. I always thought the prairies we so flat.....I stand corrected.
It was an amazing experience. To be running with what I would consider "real" runners. Now, we have the bibs to prove we ARE real runners! (Me on your right, fabulous Running Buddy on the left)

We also wore our Vibram Five Fingers , and we were the only one out of 65 runners that did. 

Running Buddy and I are about to commence the "Gateway to 8K" training program now. Wish us luck!

*Hubby worked all summer, and got his leave after Summer Holidays were done. If he had to report to work with an essay on what he did on his leave, it would be: "I Crammed all my Honey-Do projects into a Couple Weeks"

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

*Last weekend, we went to our friend's home for a big family meal, and took advantage of the turning leaves and beautiful property. It was soooooooo hot, like, in the mid 30'sC, and so, so windy, as only a hot prairie wind can be. I'll leave you with one of my favourite shots. Happy Weekend!

Timing....all about Timing

Blogging after midnight......probably a bad idea.....I mean, really, shouldn't all good Mommies be in bed? Not this Mommy......I have a horrible habit of staying up later and enjoying my alone time....totally not what I was going to bang out on my keyboard when I logged in.....

............so................

A few milestones have come and gone this summer:

~Oldest son turned 13  **sniff sniff** I look at him, and I just can't wrap my head around it. He was a baby a second ago, I swear. I know, most Moms feel like this at some point, so at least I'm in good company.

~Youngest son turned 9....not yet 13, but, inching closer.

~ the 3 year anniversary of us moving here has come and gone. It's feeling like a real home, and that's a good feeling. Even more exciting for me personally....I HAVE LIVED IN THIS ONE HOUSE FOR OVER 3 YEARS!  It's the longest I've resided in one home in my adult life.

~In a few short days, we will mark the 3rd anniversary of the loss of a friend....my friend's husband, father of her girls. He died in Afghanistan, and he is missed

~ I have started C25K again....in fact, tomorrow is Day 2 of Week 4. I've never made it past this point. The difference this time is that I am doing it with a fantastic buddy, and we' registered to run our first race (4K) on September 10th! (Very exciting).

Time has marched along, sometimes so slowly I could have screamed in frustration, sometime so quickly things are a blur.

However, at this moment, I think we're heading in the right direction.