A Year in Review!

I've decide to try something different this year, and recap my year, month by month.

January

I started out January strong, with lots of plans to lose weight, declutter, and be more productive in my day-to-day life. I did great for a few weeks, and then Gairod got offered a job in B.C. for a month. I really struggled with Gairod being away, and I got off track with my eating and exercising. I tried to distract myself with homeschool plans, and started looking into Year Round schooling.

February

 February was a depressing month. Gairod was still gone, and the weather was crappy. Sage took her first steps while Daddy was away, but at least I got them on video! Just before Valentines day, I slipped on some ice and hit my head. I ended up with a major concussion, and it was a very scary ordeal! Gairod finally came home, and we had to readjust after having him away for so long. Things finally started to get back to normal, and I started to pull out of the funk that was Jan/Feb!

March

Winter dragged on through March. We had our first experience with stitches, when Kadance fell and split open her chin! I didn't post a lot in March, as not much happened. We continued on with daily life, and not-so-patiently waited for Spring! :)

April

April was a fairly low-key month. Jade mostly finished up grade 3, and I continued doing preschool stuff with the triplets. We took the kids bowling for the first time, and they had a blast!

May

At the beginning of May, I revealed that in mid-April I had started a new workout routine. I also did more decluttering and organizing. Despite being vigilant with my exercise routine, I did NOT see the weightloss I was hoping for, due to my lack of dietary changes. It did show me however, that I AM capable of change! After a busy month, we looked forward to, and enjoyed a 4-day vacation at the lake!

June

In June I continued my quest towards "simple living" and decluttering. I also stepped up my exercising, and made some major dietary changes. Gairod had to go out of town for work again, but only for 2 weeks this time, and it didn't seem so bad. My dieting and exercising paid off, and I was able to actually lose some weight in June!

July

I only posted once in July, because the kids and I spent the month at the lake. I continued my exercising and dieting, and continued to lose weight. The triplets learned how to ride bikes without training wheels, and we had a very scary, very damaging, hail storm. We spent lots of time at the beach, hiking, and fishing. It was overall a great month! :)

August

August was another low-key month. As I started to become happier with my life, I decided that I was content to be done having babies, and start moving on and enjoying life with 5 kids. Gairod found out that he was accepted to start training in September, with the Calgary Fire Department, after a 6 month application process. We enjoyed the rest of our summer, and started gearing up to get back to homeschooling!

September

 September was a busy month. The kids and I started back to school, while Gairod took a quick vacation to Vancouver Island. While he was gone, his welding truck was stolen from a dealership in Airdrie, where it was supposed to be getting the hail damage fixed. They took ALL his welding stuff, and ruined the truck. Gairod started his CFD training, which turned out to be harder than we had anticipated. I had to quit running, as my leg started to bug me, and it just hurt too much. I continued to diet, and managed to reach my first weightloss goal, and my baby girl turned 2!

October

October was kind of hard. Gairod and I were both stressed over the intensity of his CFD training, and the loss of his truck and welding stuff (which we are STILL not settled on). I also came to the realization that a close friend and I weren't as close as we used to be. I did some more reorganizing, which always makes me feel better! :) Our hot tub was delivered, and I tried once again to refocus and simplify our life. I was able to get away for a weekend with a couple of close friends, and I came back feeling refreshed, and ready for some Halloween fun! :)

November

I decided to put up our Christmas tree very early this year, at the beginning of November! I was happy with that decision, especially since I spent the next few weeks busy with sick kids. I started thinking about next school year, and debated whether or not to start Kindergarten with the triplets in January, or wait until September. I ultimately decided we will wait until September.

December

Training started to get easier for Gairod, and I decided to take a break from my diet, and just try to maintain my weightloss until after Christmas. On December 15th, Gairod graduated from CFD training, and became a probationary firefighter! We continued to prepare for Christmas, and started trying to get used to our new life. I made more decluttering plans, and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!

So there you have it, my 2011 in a nutshell! It started off a bit rough, but ended quite well. I feel like I really grew as a person this year, and really started to find what truly makes me happy. I am looking forward to more personal growth in 2012, and will be back tomorrow to share some of my goals with you! :)

Christmas!

We had a GREAT Christmas!! Family and friends came over on the 24th, for an appetizer dinner and visiting. When we got up Christmas morning, we did our traditional open stockings, have a bacon and eggs breakfast, then open presents.

After all the presents were opened, Gairod took the kids in the hot tub, while I tidied things up a bit. Then we all got showered and dressed, and headed into my parents house. We opened more presents and ate some more, before heading to my Aunt's house for Christmas dinner.

On Boxing Day, we celebrated with Gairod's family. We all went over to his brother's house, for dinner and presents.

Over all it was a really good Christmas. It didn't seem too stressful, we enjoyed time with family and friends, and I was happy that Gairod didn't have to work. The kids got WAY too much stuff, as usual, so I am now trying to find somewhere to put it all!

Decluttering One Area a Month!

I recently read this post at Steady Mom, and I decided I want to try it! If you have read my blog for any amount of time, you know that I am constantly trying to declutter, and simplify my home. I tend to jump from one area to another, never really finishing any one room. I like the idea of "Once a month decluttering".

I am going to call it "Decluttering one area a month", as I think that describes it better. I have also decided to divide my house into 6 areas, instead of 12, and I intend to deep clean, as well as declutter. So, theoretically, every area of my house will get a deep clean/decluttering twice a year.

The areas I have divided my house into are:

- Kitchen
- Living Room
- Girls Bedroom/Boys Bedroom
- Our Bedroom
- Bathroom/Linen Closet/Entryways
- Jade Bedroom/Basement

I like the idea of having a whole month to tackle an area, so that if I am lacking motivation, or if we are really busy, I still have a realistic chance at getting it done!

If I get an area done ahead of schedule, I will simply move onto the next area early, giving me more time to tackle that area! :)

I always find that after Christmas, I am antsy to go through my whole house, so this will help me to do it in a more organized fashion. :)

I haven't really decided what order I will do the areas in, I think I will just play it by ear, and see how it goes. I have decided that I will start in the kitchen though. My kitchen is one of my bigger areas, but it is also one that I usually avoid doing, as it is such a big job. Having all of January to do it though, makes it seem so much more manageable! :)

Five Things for Friday!

Darn! I was hoping to actually get this posted on Friday this week! lol! Oh well, here it is, a day late - AGAIN! :)

{1}

I can't believe it's almost here!!! When I was a kid, we always called December 23rd, "Christmas Eve, Eve"! LOL!

I've been thinking about it the past few days, and I think that now, as an adult, I actually enjoy the lead up to, and anticipation of Christmas, better then Christmas day itself! I think Christmas Eve is my favorite day. For us, it's always a busy, yet low-key day. We usually have family over for an appetizer dinner, so the day is spent cleaning the house, finishing up all the last minute stuff, and trying to keep over-excited kids under control! I like the happy/excited vibe that seems to fill the air! :)

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas day too, but its always very overstimulating, for kids AND adults! I also kind of feel like Christmas day is the beginning of the end. It's a long busy day, but before you know it, it's over. Christmas Eve always seems to be so much more calm and relaxing.

{2}

I mentioned before that I have been taking a break from dieting. Well, I am starting to gear up for phase 2! I have managed to maintain my 40lb weight loss, even though I have been eating more than my share of goodies lately! 

I will start back at it on January 2nd, and I am hoping to be able to lose another 40lbs by the end of June. That gives me 6 months. I know that the second 40 will be a lot harder than the first 40, but I am determined to do it!

{3}

I kind of wish it wasn't Christmas time, but only because I am in SUCH a decluttering mood!! I have a new decluttering plan, that I am excited to start in January! I will tell you more about it in another post :)

{4}

I moved the change table out, and put a new shelf in the girls room. We are going to start keeping some of their toys in their room. I am hoping that this will cut down on the toys that always seem to be scattered across the living room! I will take pictures and post them next week.

{5}

Well, when I started this post it was December 23rd, and now it is the 24th, Christmas Eve! I have most everything cleaned and prepared, with only a few things left to finish up before our families come over this afternoon. I am feeling very calm, and not stressed, about the busy hours and days ahead - just the way I like it! Merry Christmas! :)

Santa!

Today I took the kids to the mall to see Santa! We've seen Santa one other time this year, at the town Christmas party, but we didn't get the kids picture taken then. Sage did NOT like Santa at the town party. She was whimpering as we walked up to him, and she flat out refused to sit on his lap. She even said to him "I no like you!"

That was a few weeks ago. Since then, we have really been talking up Santa. We talk daily about how he is a nice man, and he brings you presents, and there is no reason to be afraid of him.

This morning, when I told the kids we were going to go see Santa today, Sage was excited, until I told her she could sit on his lap, and get her picture taken. Then she didn't like it anymore, and she kept saying "No Santa lap! No Santa lap!" So I told her that she didn't have to sit on his lap, Jade could hold her standing beside Santa for a picture. She liked this idea MUCH better!

When we got to the mall and actually saw Santa from the line-up, Sage started to whimper a bit. I took her out of her stroller, and told her everything was fine, Santa is nice, and she didn't have to sit on his lap.

When we walked up to Santa, I was holding Sage, and the triplets were excitedly talking to him. I handed Sage to Jade, because I thought they were going to take the picture right away. Well, the triplets were still taking, and Sage was getting heavy, so Jade set her down for a minute. Right away, Sage started climbing up the stool, and right into Santa's lap!!! I couldn't believe it!! For a girl who was SO scared, she definitely got over her fear quickly!! LOL!

Five Things for Friday!

Okay, so it is technically Saturday now, but I did start this post on Friday! I was tired, and didn't get a chance to finish it until today.

{1}

Yesterday was Gairod's CFD graduation! It hasn't really sunk in yet, for either of us, that he is actually a firefighter now!! He found out on Wednesday that he will be working "D" shift, so he doesn't have to work this Christmas! YAY! His first shift is on Tuesday Dec 20th. I love knowing, well in advance, exactly when he will be working. It's gonna make it SO much easier to plan things! :)

{2}

Only one more week until Christmas. HOW did that happen?!?! Today I finished up my wrapping, so I am officially ready for Christmas! :) We will be hosting both our families for Christmas Eve. We traditionally have everyone over, and just have a casual, appetizer dinner. It's low key, yet a nice way to spend Christmas Eve with family! :)

{3}

I have decided NOT to start Kindergarten with the triplets in January, I will wait until September. I don't feel ready. I have all of their Kindergarten stuff, but I still need to go through it, make lesson plans, etc. December is just too busy of a month to throw school planning and prepping in as well. We will continue doing preschool for now :)

{4}

Over the past few weeks, Sage's intellectual growth has exploded! She is spitting out full sentences (which are sometimes easier to understand then Cole's!), she is learning colours, counting, and more! She amazes me everyday with how much she knows and understands. I am LOVING this age, and wish I could keep her at 2 forever! ♥

{5}

Is it bad if I admit that I am already getting anxious trying to figure out where we are going to put all of the new stuff that I know the kids will get for Christmas?! I love the look of a tree surrounded by gifts, but as soon as they are all open I start to stress about what to do with them all!! LOL! 



He Did It!!

After a 6 month application process (in which people were eliminated every step of the way!), and 13 weeks of training and testing (where MORE people were eliminated!), today, Gairod graduates, and officially becomes a Calgary Fire Fighter! :)

I am SO proud of all his hard work, and SO happy that it has all paid off!

We now move into our next phase of change. Gairod starts work on Tuesday. He will be working a 4 days on, 4 days off schedule. Each 4 days on consists of two 10 hour day shifts, and two 14 hour night shifts. It will definitely be an adjustment for our family, getting used to this schedule, but this is where the flexibility of homeschooling will benefit us!! We will have more opportunities to do family things during the week, and when Gairod is working all weekend, the kids and I can do school if we want!

I am excited for the new opportunities this job will offer our family, and I can't wait to start this new phase in our life! :)

Five Things for Friday!

I have seen various weekly "Friday" posts on different blogs, and I have decided to try doing them myself! :)

So here are my "Five Things for Friday":

{1}

We have been dealing with the stomach flu in our house, for the past 2 days. Kadance woke up at 12am Wednesday night/Thursday morning, and projectile vomited all over the doorway to her bedroom. THAT was fun to clean up. Within about half an hour, both Cole and Hayden had started vomiting too. I got NO sleep that night. I was literally up at least every half hour, with one of the three throwing up. The puking ended by 10am, but they all just layed around on the couch, feeling crappy all day. Last night was good, but then this morning Cole and Hayden started throwing up again. I am HOPING that this will pass quickly, and that NO ONE else in our house will get it!

{2}

I am on an organizing kick again. I tend to cycle through stages of purging, cleaning, re-organizing and being lazy! lol! I have a few new ideas for toys, and I am hoping to get them all purged and re-organized before Christmas! :)

{3}

I have 12 (yes, I said 12) books on my night table right now, either waiting to be, or in the process of being, read. They are a mixture of fiction and non-fiction, some of them have been borrowed, some of them I have recently (or not so recently) bought.

Since the Spring, I have been doing really good with reading every night (or almost every night), even if only a few pages. The last few weeks though, I seem to have missed more days then I have read. Time to get to bed earlier, and get back to reading!

{4}

Next Thursday, is Gairod's graduation from CFD training! When he first stared back in September, 13 weeks seemed like a LONG time - I can't believe it has passed so quickly!! I am SO proud of him! He has worked very hard, and I am excited for the new opportunities this career change will provide for our family! ♥

{5}

A few weeks ago, I decided to take a break from my weight loss, for the holiday season. I have managed to just "maintain" my weight for the past several weeks, gaining a pound one week, and losing a pound the next week. I will start back at losing weight in January! :)



Does it Matter??

I have been thinking a lot lately, about what really matters in my life.

Maybe it's the time of year that is quickly approaching, or maybe it's the fact that I am getting older, and maturing. Whatever the reason, I have been realizing lately, that I can't do everything I want to do, or everything that I think I should do. But I am also realizing that time is passing by faster than I would like to admit, and before I know it, I will be old, my kids will be grown, and I won't have any time left.

So, I am trying to step back, decide what is really important to me, and focus more of my energy into a few things that really matter (to me), instead of spreading myself too thin, and trying to do "everything".

If you remember back in the Fall, in this post, I talked about wanting to simplify, and get back to the basics of homeschooling. Spending time with my kids is important to me. Putting my kids in 83 activities is NOT important to me.

Gymnastics just ended, and Swimming lessons is almost done. I have happily decided to NOT re-register the kids for either activity over the winter months. We WILL continue to go to the pool and swim most Friday afternoons, but we will not be tied into lessons. That way if the weather is crappy, or if a friend wants to get together, we are free to change our plans. We will probably do another session or two of swimming lessons in the Spring, but for now, we are taking a break. 

I just feel like I am done trying to impress other people, or do what is "expected" of me. It's my life, and I only get to live it once. I don't want to have any regrets. I don't want to get to the end, and have a long list of things that I "wish I would have done", or "wish I had the time to do". If it's important to me, I need to find the time to do it. If it's NOT important to me, I am not going to waste my time doing it.

I realize that this is kind of a weird and random post. I don't know what it is, but I just feel different lately. I feel happy and content with my life, and I feel in control of my future. I don't really know how else to explain it.

Snow!

It's December 5th, and we have already had a few BIG dumps of snow! I hate it, but of course the kids LOVE it! lol! :)

Sage played outside in the snow for the first time ever! She really liked it (which surprised me!), and I had to drag her back inside!

I know I have been terrible at updating my blog lately, but that's just because I have been so busy!

I have my Christmas cards all done and mailed out, my gifts almost all bought, my baking almost all done, and I got a good chunk of gifts wrapped yesterday!

I have a few things that I really want to post about, so I am hoping to find the time for that soon! :)