Where has the time gone...and I have a first grader!

My last posting was December 22nd, and my how things have changed in the past almost 8 month. I will highlight 10 things to catch up here on my blog, although most everyone who reads this I talk to on a regular basis, but hey! why not share anyway

1. Josh and I have found our way back to each other to reconcile our marriage and our family. Anyone who knows me, knows this was my prayer for a year and a half. It's one of those things where you just don't know why it all happened, but I learned a lot about myself and became a stronger person. Maybe I'll blog about my discoveries of myself in another post. It's a constant work in progress, but we love each other and want to be together to and are working toward the same goals. Again...a whole blog in itself

2. Made the move to Grove City! Bought a sweet little house in old Grove City, just a quick walk to downtown GC. We love it here! There were hesitations- mostly Josh's drive to work and my drive to work (in Marysville still), but now that we are here, it's really no big deal. We are close to family and that's nice for visiting and hanging out...and sharing babysitting. Moving in mid April made me have concerns about switching schools for Nat at the end of the year, but everything just fell in to place. In fact that would be my motto for making the move to GC. Everything just fell into place. This is where we are meant to be.

3. Natalie finshed Kindergarten at JC Sommers with her cousin and best bud Gracie. She played soccer in late spring and LOVED every second of it.

4. Summer arrived and we took our annual Boyd/Smith/Foltz vacation to Duck, NC. This year we added the Waugh and Reale families! We saw the wild horses on the beach, expereienced karoke Stryker style thanks to Andy Reale, and discovered Duck Donuts. I never thought a donut could be so devine. We had a beautiful house and private pool just steps away from the beach. Great vacation!

5. We had to find a new home for Charlie. He was not adjusting well to the move and needing more time than we had available to give him. He went to live with Aunt Kathy and uncle Chuck in Dayton. We can visit him whenever we choose and get updates frequently. He's adjusted well...finally

6. Although I am kinda at a standstill, I have lost 30 pounds! I have started to get myself back in gear, so I can continue. We joined the Ymca for the pool in the summer, but I have taken a liking to using the gym there too. Erin, Josh, sometimes Nic and Jeremy and myself had our booties kicked at bootcamp with Jodi. What a workout!

7. Yard work is hard work and never ending. We had a lot to do in the new yard and have alot to do still. We will tackle a couple new projects next spring. I am now working on decorating the inside and doing a few minor things, changing my style a bit. I'm going for the vintage and ecletic feel. It's coming along


8. Natalie starts first grade! She loves it and does so well! She's making friends and really enjoying herself, while discovering such a unique and cool style and personality. This kid is hilarious too! She has started Hip Hop dance class, after realizing her serious interest and love for dancing. She's pretty good! She also started Tae Kwon Do. We just have one class in but so far, so good! She has also taken an interest in basketball, so maybe we will dip into that this winter. I think we have a little athlete on our hands! I love it!



9. We celebrated Natalie's 6th birthday with her girls, pirate style. We began the weekend with a sleepover at our house with MiMi and the gals. Shopping on Saturday and party on Sunday. Her Bday is August 30th, which was a Tuesday, so we took her to her request of HOJ, the to graeter's for ice cream with Mimi, Poppie, Uncle Nic, aunt ne ne, gracie shiloh and coop. I love celebrating her birthday!

10. It's been a busy summer and start of school year. We are taking a trip to Florida next week for a few days. We plan on going to the OSU/Miami game on the 17th. Hoping for a few days of relaxation. I need it. Maybe there will be news when we return?!

So that's it, a brief run down of the past 8 months! I love to blog. I must make more time for it. Now that things seem to be slowing down, I will get back to it.

By the way, I just completed the book, The Help. Great read! Ready to see the movie.

Interesting book

Natalie and I read a book at the doctor's office called "Moose with the loose poops". An interesting way to bring bathroom humor to little ones. The jury is still out on this one, however we did get quite a chuckle while reading it.

CHECK IT

www.drhippo.com/books/the-moose-with-loose-poops/index.shtml

Kissing Hands

From the book, Kissing Hands comes this picture. Natalie and I love this book, as we find a small similarity with it. Its about a child raccoon named Chester. Chester must go to school and leave his mother, toys, books, friends and all the comforts of home for a child's life before school. Mama raccoon, comforts him by kissing the palm of his hand and assuring him that whenever he misses her, all he has to do is hold that hand against his cheek and he will feel the warnth and love of his mama. He finds happiness and strength in her idea. As he leaves for school, he returns the love by kissing her hand. As he runs off, she immediately holds her hand to her cheek.  

We first read this book in preschool, but it sure plays a part in many things we go through.

What I am reading

Since about 2 weeks after my divorce, I began searching for books to read, books of devotions, and websites. Everything I picked up was "how to be the wife he needs", or "steps to fixing your marriage". Ok, not exactly what I was searching for. I mean really! I read these types of books when the marriage was struggling. I. was. past. that. I needed something modern, to help me after the divorce. After reading through book summaries that made me feel like I was horrible, I finally found two books by Kristin Armstrong -the ex-wife of Lance Armstrong. The first one I read is called Work in Progress and unfinished Woman's guide to Grace. LOVE. IT! It is a must read for any woman. It's not just about getting through a divorce, but going through Life being a woman of GRACE. In the midst of reading that I began the second. Happily Ever After, is a daily devotional directed towards that year after going through the divorce. I am a little slow moving through it, as when I get busy, I skip a day or so.  I have journaled some of the devotions. I would like to share them in blog-world. Her words opened my eyes to step out of my box and not feel sorry for myself, but to live this life how I was meant to live it. She was very encouraging.