Re-cap of the week.

Sunday- Crazy busy with errands at the BX.  Skype with Mom.

Monday-T has doc appointment and gets a cortisone shot in each hand.

Tuesday-Fine Arts Night at Forester Elementary.

Wednesday- Writing tutoring for A lovebug.

Thursday- Last minute prep for A's Spring Party at School

Friday-T testing for Msgt.

This week has been slow in comparison to the last few weeks.  There has been room for me to breathe and not worry about getting ALL THE THINGS DONE RIGHT NOW! It's been nice.  Next week is Spring Break and I'm looking forward to it.

I've decided to do a Vlog series called "Cooking with Annika" or something to that effect because I think that it helps boost her self esteem and she so badly needs it right now.  She is beautiful and needs to be reminded of that especially during these next few critical years.

And that's all I've got on this end... Hoping that I'm feeling more inspired to continue blogging soon.  It's just been blah and MEH for me.  I don't know what I'm doing with this exactly.  Maybe I just need to start OVER and re-vamp it that way and abandon this URL forever.  I dunno.

Where did February go?

I'm sitting here thinking that February seems to be going on for a loooong time.  Then I realize that it's not February anymore.  It's now March. Wait. What? How did that happen? Life was crazy busy, illnesses attacked the family, schoolwork piled up, laundry piled up and the dust bunnies came for a visit.

We did some exploring in January/February, A lovebug got her report card, Lo lovebug transitioned to panties during the day and life progressed as usual.  I'm tired and depleted.  I don't know what I want to do with this blog.  I keep going back and forth between stopping the blog and keeping it up.  I just don't know.  It's a lot of work for me right now.  I'd like to get it to be a place for pics/updates/recipes/etc. but I'm lacking inspiration.

I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos, catching up on blogs that I follow, and finding recipes for A lovebug and I to do together.

I'm trying to get back into working out.  Eating better.  Losing the blubber.  That's a huge hurdle to jump.  I can do it.  I know that I can.

I'll post some pictures in the next couple of days.  I just feel awful about not updating in a month and a half.  Bad. No excuse. Get off my butt and move! Blahhhh.

I'm struggling with our life in Texas.  I mean, I'm glad that we are here and closer to family, but I REALLY miss my Hawaii framily. It hit me hard as the New Year started.

It'll get better.  It will.

Crud be gone!

I'm so ready for this bug to be gone.  It's not as bad as it could be and for that I'm thankful.  It's hanging on just enough to make it a nuisance. I'm tired.  I'm cranky.  I'm achy.  And, it seems like the little lovebugs are catching it too.

My motivation for cooking has been low this week.  My body is feeling it.  The family is feeling it.

I need to get mah mojo back!

Out with the old. In with the new.

The new year is off to a great start.  Life has been keeping us busy! I'm doing a little bit of Spring Cleaning and organizing.  I don't want to get rid of everything but we have a lot of stuff that we don't need/use.  I would rather not be wasteful!

We've started the transition to organic food.  Small steps so far but Rome wasn't built in a day! I'm buying within our budget and the transition to organic will take some time.  We started with organic almond milk.  Almond milk has almost completely phased out our dairy milk.  What a good feeling!  I like that the local grocery store, HEB, offers a good selection of organics!

I have not picked up my Canon at all this year.  I'm hoping to change that! I need to get updated pictures of the girls! They are growing up too quickly! Lo's still a tiny little peanut though her vocabulary is pretty advanced for her age.  Annika is back to school after the Winter Break and she's loving every minute of it.  She's taking on fourth grade like a champ! I'm so proud of her.

I'm determined to be consistent with menu planning this year.  I would like to see what difference it makes! I'm sure that it can't hurt!

All in all, life is pretty good right now.

I've resolved myself.

It's day five of the new year and I've finally made a list (albeit short) of resolutions.

1. I will have AT LEAST one date night per month with my hubby.  We didn't have many date nights at all last year.  In fact, I think that I can count on two hands how many times we went on an actual factual date.  I will be creative with those date nights.  They may not always require GOBS of money, but they will require that WE spend time together.  Building and maintaining our relationship is important.  Not just for our well-being, but, for our kids to learn how important it is to put your spouse ahead of your children. I'm not up for a debate on that, so, I'm leaving it there.

2. I will strive to be a better parent.  I'm sure that I don't have to repeat myself, but, 2012 was a HORRIBLE year.  I failed in many ways as a parent; I know that I'm always learning, but, I'd like to make sure that I do the little things that I missed out on last year.

3. I will read 40 books this year.  That is sixteen more than I aspired to read last year.  As of today, I've read two.  I think that I've got a pretty good start.

4. I would like to lose twenty-five pounds.  As much as it pains me to say this, I've gained weight.  More than I intended to. Who really intends to gain weight anyway? 2012 was not kind to me.  And, for the first time in my life, I became an emotional eater.  I would like to change that.  I want to enjoy food and feel guilt-free.  If I can make my goal, I'd like to do a pin-up photo session for my hubby.  I'll buy a sexy new swimsuit.  I'll rock that body.

5. I will experiment with cooking.  Healthy foods. Kid-friendly foods.  It doesn't matter.  I'm going to amp it up this year! Be prepared!

6. I will NOT sweat the small things.  Life happens.

7. I will expand my spiritual journey.  I want to end this crisis of faith.

If I don't meet each resolution, I'm not going to beat myself up over it. As I said in #6, life happens!

Resolutions.

The new year is upon us and I haven't made my resolutions yet.  I don't know that I've really narrowed it down.  There is the usual: weight loss, be a better person, spend more time with my kids.  Right now, I just don't have the energy to make a formal resolution.  And, I don't have the energy to rehash the previous year.  It's been a tough one; I pray that 2013 is a better one.  It can't be much worse.

So, I'll continue my day of relaxation with the family and write my resolutions tomorrow.  Maybe.

Joy in the journey.

I don't know why I'm feeling the "funk" lately.  Perhaps it's related to the phases of PCS.  This was explained to me on an internet forum that I am active in.

Here's how one Navy brat explained it:

Phase 1- the beginning, no friends and awkward outings. Feeling very left out like I won't find a place here.

Phase 2- finally fitting in! Feeling comfortable and running into people while out and chatting. Have usually found my "best friend" by now. I find one everywhere I move.

Phase 3- nearing our end of the tour. Getting moody and antsy and depressed at having to be ripped away from friends yet again. Ready to rip the band aid off and move already! Especially since I'm usually the last of the friend circle to move

There is a lot of truth to this.  Right now, I'm in the first phase.  We've been in San Antonio for three months.  I'm not entirely friendless, but, I don't have a close-knit group of girlfriends like I had in Hawaii.  I am feeling left out and like I don't have a place to belong.

This summer I was in the third phase and I'm not sure which was is worse.  Both phases cause feelings of angst.  What I had to realize that my feelings were okay to have but it is NOT okay to stay "stuck" in any one phase.  You've got to get out there and do something.  Make your own destiny.  You must choose to find the joy in your journey.  If you don't, you won't ever move forward.

Life lessons are hard.  Nobody said it would be easy.  They did say it would be worth it.

So.  Here I am.  Finding joy in the journey.