Day 91 [Week 8] {New Years Eve 2011}

Let us recap our chaotic year of 2011...

January 2011, we had a few *deaths* in our neighborhood and thought it best if we moved to keep Dylan and I out of that situation.  We started searching for a new home. My job at Bay West was making me crazy with an unruly office manager and ungrateful coworkers so I quit my job to save my sanity.  We started being beach bums early this year, and were spending every weekend and days off at the beach enjoying the sun and the sand a few drinks too!
February 2011, we were able to look at a few properties that we liked and hoped that by talking to our current landlord we would be able to get out of our lease.  Once off the lease we had to start cleaning and preparing the home for new tenants.  By the end of the month we had signed a lease on a property owned by an asshole of a polish man named RICHARD SIKORSKI.  I also started a new job at another crummy chiropractic office, turns out they are all ungrateful to their massage therapists.
March 2011, Dylan turned 3!!! We made amazing friends in our new next door neighbors and Rafal was working full time on a home renovation.  We bought baby chicks and a 4-Wheeler.
April 2011, Rafal celebrated his birthday and the very next day our home we were renting flooded with sewage and we were then homeless for a week and a half..
May 2011, An angel by the name of Michelle allowed our family to rent her empty one bedroom beach condo from them for as long as we needed and we moved to Indian Rocks Beach and enjoyed the "good life" for as long as we could.
June 2011, Rafal was offered a job he couldn't refuse which meant we needed to move closer to Clearwater, a 1.5hr commute was just too much!  We signed a lease at an apartment complex in Palm Harbor.
July 2011, I started discussing my school options and wanting to go back to college and Rafal was working 50+ hour weeks!
August 2011, I celebrated my golden birthday, with what still to this day I am calling my best birthday ever!  We spent a week on Anna Maria Island with my sister and her two boys and it was magical!
September 2011, we added a new member to our family, a four legged furry friend we call Marley.
October 2011, Dylan dressed up like spiderman for Halloween and mommy and daddy got to go out and dress up in our costumes as our FIRST Halloween spent together in 3 years!
November 2011, Uncle Ski & Momo had birthdays this month as well as a wonderful Thanksgiving too! Thanksgiving was spent with our dearest friends and family, Veronica and Darryl and their family at their beautiful home! 
December 2011, we visited Chattanooga, TN for a wonderful long weekend with Dominique and her boys at the Choo Choo Train Hotel!  And we found out we are expecting a NEW member of our family in August of 2012!!!

What a wonderfully CRAZY year we have had!! We moved not once, not twice, but THREE times!  We had to find new homes for our pets that we love so much, but gained another 6-7months later.  We have grown in our relationships and love like we never thought possible.  AND we are growing our family by one more.

Rafal & I both believe 2012 will be our best year yet....

Thank you God for your daily blessings in our lives, we are ever so thankful for your wisdom, and guidance!

Day 88 [Week 7 Day 4]

As I sit here and sip on my steaming hot cup of raspberry DECAF tea and honey, I can't help but think of how amazing the life I lead really truly is.  Ahhh... finally, the heat clicked on, I can feel it on my face, what a wonderful surprise, thank you God!  Its like 60 in the house tonight due to no AC or heat being left on while we were gone all day today.

My throat is sore from the cold air today out on the pontoon boat, but it is totally worth it, what a wonderful day with the Szmyglewsczy family!  We rented a pontoon boat and enjoyed a little fishing, it was delightful.

Now our beautiful little boy is off with Ms Crystal as we so dearly call her.... She sure has been a blessing, and is becoming a close family friend, I love it!  She has taken him off of my hands for the evening, while Kamil has taken Rafal off my hands as well.  I have a night free of distractions, just me tonight!! Woohoo!!

Had apple cider with my mommy at Starbucks until 11pm when they kicked us out, thats right, we closed Bux down tonight!  [haha]

Now I am home in my pregnancy pj's... you know the super NOT sexy ones, the ones I will never wear around Rafal but are RIDICULOUSLY comfy!!  Yep, those are what I am wearing tonight, along with those hideous panties that I would never normally be caught dead in, but they're comfy and i'm alone! SO BAM!

I sprayed the pillows with... mmmm... Rafal's nautica cologne, and now... mmmm... it smells like my sexy man in here [hehe]  I will have sweet dreams tonight in my big bed all alone!  Can't wait to hop in and watch a quick show before a full nights sleep!

Speaking of which, I am off you all.  Happy dreams tonight!

Day 86 [Week 7 Day 2]

So here we are, Monday after Christmas.  Remember as a child getting two weeks off of school and how magical those two weeks always turned out to be?  Maybe you were stuck with family and pretending to hate every minute of it, but deep down you knew you were thankful that people cared.  That your family loved you and cherished you.  So many don't get that comfort.  So many don't get kisses and hugs, let alone presents at the holidays.  So when you are feeling let down as an adult and remembering what Christmas used to be, know that you are still loved, no matter where you are and who you are with.  I love you!  God loves you!

My Christmas wasn't like years before, this year it honestly didn't feel like Christmas at all, but more or less a large intimate gathering of family and friends. Thirteen of us total on Christmas Eve enjoyed delicious food prepared by both a Polish family and a Brazilian family.  Not to mention the few American dishes thrown in there too, can't forget the potato salad!! It was an amazing sensation for your tongue, all of the different flavors combined wonderfully.  My favorite though, was the Beet Soup [barszcz czerwony], and floating in the soup were some handmade pierogi's, made by yours truly and Babcia.  They were spectacular!  Filled with wild mushrooms and cabbage, hands down the tastiest delight ever!  Lots of pie's and cake's were soon to follow, not to mention the overflowing of the vino!  I drank delicious SPARKLING White Grape Juice while everyone else indulged in the holiday booze!  Watching everyone loosen up and get sillier as the night wore on was so much fun!

As week 7 is well underway I have not too much new information to report other than our baby is now the size of a lentil!  Tiny little arms and legs are forming and by the end of this week there will be a baby heart beat in my belly!  Daddy is so excited it amazes me everyday.  Last night he got teary eyed talking about it to me, how amazing it is and how lucky he is that I am the mother of two children for him!  I feel blessed to know he feels so strongly about this, that he feels so much joy.

2012

Will be a year full of amazing things, and here is my main list of things to do... in a kind of spastic order!

Completing 50 Credit Hours towards my BS Degree!!

Purchasing our FIRST home!!

Having a HEALTHY and HAPPY baby girl... or boy!

Moving into a HOME!

Getting our urban farm started with chicks and goats!!

Getting an online job to supplement our income!!

Spending more time with immediate family, at least twice a month!!

Learning more patience and acceptance.

Learning a NEW Polish tradition every month!

I can't believe how wonderfully that all sounds as I type it out.  We are going to be having a baby soon and that still just blows my mind!  I can already see, even though no one else really can, a tiny teeny little pooch that will soon be a baby bump.  Its like the very beginning of telling my self to STOP sucking in.  SO now that I am finally coming to terms with it, there is a tiny little spot under my belly button that sticks out a little farther than the rest.  I am so excited!

So Far For Week 7::

Symptoms:

Lots of mood swings, and exhaustion.  I am always tired and get really cranky by about 10pm.

Cravings:

Nothing exactly specific as of yet, although I do love me some soup, and that's a new one! So I will say soup and jalapeno grilled cheese sammichs!

Fun Notes:

It is no longer a secret! Everyone knows about the future baby Ski <3

Everyone is VERY supportive and even excited about our next journey in life!

Rafal is more happy and excited than I ever anticipated and it just makes ME even more excited! 

Not So Fun Notes:

I wouldn't say its morning sickness exactly but I do tend to have some unpleasent stomach upsets through out my days.

I can't eat very much at any given time without feeling like I am making myself sick.  As in, two pieces of bread is about my limit before I feel too full.  BUT at the same time I eat more frequently, I would say its an every 2 hour kind of thing.  I need a small bowl of oatmeal or a granola bar throughout the day.   

Day 84 [Week 6 Day 4]

Today was, well... difficult to say the least.

Between these ridiculous pounding headaches and nausea, I just can't stand up for very long today.  Not a fun thing having to hold on to something when I get up, I feel super old all of a sudden!  Ahhh the joys of producing a baby.

Can't believe its almost the end of week 6, can't believe there is a baby growing in my belly, can't believe Rafal and I are about to celebrate our 5th Anniversary, 5 years completed, and on to the sixth!! WOW!

Day 83 [Week 6 Day 3]

Can't believe Christmas is only a few more days away... It got here so fast this year.  I am still in denial!

Here I am, well underway into my second month of pregnancy.  Cravings are at an all time HIGH but appetite is an all time low.  When I do eat, I maybe ingest 7 bites before I feel entirely too full to even think of consuming another.  In fact, I have lost a pound since my Friday doctors visit in week 5.  Which isn't uncommon, I remember I lost almost 10 pounds in my first 5 months with Dylan.  Although a plus side is my stomach isn't as upset as it was through Dylan's pregnancy.  I get dizzy, and light headed a lot.  I also am achey, I told Rafal last night they feel like 14 year old growing pains, I am just achey all over.  Even my fingers!!  I pee every 15 minutes which was fun on our 12 hour long road trip last weekend!! haha  NOT!

I am going to be painting my chalk board today and I couldn't be more excited to finally be getting it done.  I am going to splurge and get the chalk markers at Micheal's and not let Dylan use them, they are for me only!!

I wanted to sit down and blog about how we told my parents last weekend, but I am not feeling so up to par right now, I want to go lay down... So maybe next time.  Let's just say, it went wonderfully!  Everyone is very excited for our little girl to come in to this big world!

Day 76 [Week 5 Day 3]

Really? Has it only been 4 days?

A lot has happened in 4 days.. my body is changing so much, and I feel so weird all of the time, almost like I am drunk, my hormones are going so crazy I just feel loopy twenty four seven.

Worst part of growing a baby?  You can not take any medication when you are sick, and guess what?  I am getting sick.  Dylan has been sick all through last weekend, and I was up all night with him every night, so I guess it would seem pretty obvious that I would get sick. I feel like poop today, my nose is so stuffed AND running at the same time.  My throat is so sore it hurts to just swallow.  I am still cramping today, and was off and on all night.  The cramps kept waking me up. I just wish I could take some Nyquil and go back to bed!!

Rafal will hopefully have a shorter day at work today and we are supposed to go see Monique and Kamil tonight and enjoy some Christmas festivities, but I am not sure thats going to work out at this point.  I hurt just sitting here at the computer and I have to finish my Power Point presentation for my critical thinking class.... 

*sigh*

I am just sick and I am tired and I just want to lay in bed and drink hot tea and be snuggled.  I guess I am a big baby!

Two more days until I tell my family!! Speaking of which, Dylan's book should be getting delivered today!! Woohoo!!

"I'm a BIG brother!"

Day 74 [Week 5 Day 1]

Can't believe there is a baby in my belly.... Well at this point still a little ball of cells that are quickly forming IN TO said baby... Wow.  SO glad I took all those medical science classes in Massage School, I feel so smart about what is happening with and to my body!  Amazing miracles are happening as I type!

So we have decided to tell everyone on Thursday night in Tennessee, I bought Dylan a book called "I am a BIG Brother!" And I am going to wrap it up and have him "open" it with the family when every one is opening presents!  Then because my sister will be there, I am for certain he will take it either straight to her OR my mom to read it to him... and then let the excitement begin!!  I am so excited and nervous and happy and and and... wow, flood of emotions, I will probably cry!

I would like to take a trip down memory lane, and my pregnancy with Dylan... I had a pregnancy journal that I wrote in for him throughout the whole 9 months, but somewhere in the past 5years I lost it... Right after I gave birth I wasn't ever able to find it again.  SO I will try to remember a little bit about it.

I remember the day I found out I was pregnant, August 15th 2007.

I took a pee test at home and when it was positive I sat on our bedroom floor and cried while Rafal held me.  I immediately called and scheduled an appointment that day to go into Planned Parenthood.  Then I called my childhood friend Laura Martis, to confide my secret... I was in denial the whole way to the doctors.  And once I got there it really hit home.  I pee'd on another stick and yep, I was pregnant.  I was told there that I was 5 weeks along.  I called my mom crying and told her, and she too began to cry with me, and told me it was going to be OK and that she loved me so much.  She was going to call and tell my dad quick and then call me back.  That night they both came over with big hugs and lots of love telling me that every thing was going to turn out fine!

Two weeks before....

I was very ill, throwing up daily and just yuckie all around.  So Rafal took me to the Walk-In Clinic and they told me they thought I had strep-throat and that it was going around and they immediately put me on meds.  After I found out I was pregnant I was told we would have to wait until I was 8 weeks before a real OBGYN doctor would see us, so we went back to the same Walk-In Clinic to let them know and see if I really was sick or not.  Sure enough they looked at my paper work and said, "Oh these are all pregnancy symptoms! You probably weren't sick at all!!"

My Pregnancy with Dylan...

...was full of many up's and many down's, but I only want to talk about and remember the good parts today!  I remember KNOWING with out a doubt that my little pea pod was a boy from the moment we saw the two pink lines.  Rafal knew too, we just knew.  We were so excited, and very very nervous too.  I was sick every day, all day long until I was about 6months.  I actually lost about 10pounds in my first 6months due to lack of appetite.  I didn't start craving any thing that I can remember until that 6th month and ALL I wanted was foot long philly cheese steaks, all day, every day!!  As my pregnancy progressed we had about 4 false alarms, and I hear that is normal in a first pregnancy, I had no idea what anything was going to feel like.  BUT I will never forget the night I started to bleed, in January of 2008.  I went to pee and blood was every where! I was sure I had killed my baby, sounds awful I know, but that was the only thought in my head, oh my God, what did I do wrong?? How did I kill my beautiful baby?!  I was MORTIFIED! I called my mother hysterical, and she was in Tampa, about 45minutes away.  Rafal wasn't answering his phone and was no where to be found, so I called my best friend Holly.  Then it was a race against the clock to see who would get to me first Holly or my mom.  I honestly can't remember who picked me up, or even going to the hospital... All I remember next is being in the ER with a GIANT ultrasound wand INSIDE of me and then seeing his little body moving fine, his heart beat was fine, and everything was just perfect!  They told me that bleeding can be common throughout the whole pregnancy and not to worry.  I couldn't believe it, Thank you GOD!!!  Rafal showed up just at the end, and was able to see Dylan on the big screen too, it was amazing.  Then on March 14th he made his way into the world.  I only had to push about 3 times, and has a really easy and simple labor and delivery.  My sister was able to come to town to be in the room with me, and she was so mad that I had such an easy time!  :)  I believe I was just born to make babies! haha

So here I am, blogging about THIS pregnancy.  I am already craving things and thankfully it is all healthy... Strawberries, Grapes, Cantaloupe, Bagels and Yogurt!  Last night I had yummy spinach alfredo pizza, oh man was it good!  Bad news is, I am already suffering from getting sick at thoughts or sight of certain foods... in fact, all meats, ugh, I am gagging just typing that.  Walking through Publix last night, woooo that was interesting.  But, I made it through just fine and dandy, thankfully!

Now I am going to go fix Dylan and I a bagel with strawberry cream cheese and some yummy grapes!

We really believe we are having a girl, just like we knew Dylan was a boy... We both really like the name Sopheya, which means "wisdom".  Perfect!  We both see her being a beautiful blonde baby :)  How exciting!

Sopheya Alicia

Day 72 - Four Weeks

Now, IF you are following my blog and physically know me, you HAVE TO KEEP THIS A SECRET!! No one will be told until Christmas of our exciting new venture, in to mommy-hood, the SECOND time around!!

My parents won't know, facebook won't know, no one will know until Xmas, so please don't ruin the fun family surprise :) Luckily none of my family members are following my blog... SO I can post all I want on here!

So last night, I pee'd on a stick, and sho nuff... two pink lines!! I was so excited I could hardly wait to tell Rafal...

 (the lines aren't as visible in the picture as they are in real life.. but they're there!)

If you know us at all, you would know that we have been TRYING since April 2009

Which is a very long, long, long time when you so desperately want to add a new member to your family

Never-the-less, God has blessed us again, and I want to blog it all... so please join the ride!

Week 4:

Our little bundle of happiness is about the size of a poppy seed!!

My progesterone levels are skyrocketing and slowing down how my body breaks down my food, I am officially gaining weight for two and have been for the past 4 weeks, NO WONDER my "big" pants are getting tighter these days.

Tonight or Tomorrow I will be making a cute chalkboard to record my weekly up's and down's...

And this weekend we will HOPEFULLY be taking some "expecting" pictures to send out as our announcements! 

-rafal and i have been trying for so long that all i feel is true excitement. dylan our first little was a blessing in disquise, and i was unable to really let myself enjoy the 9months until he was here. something I regret, but know now and understand the who, what, when, where, and whys of the whole situation. this time around i have my little man dylan here in (almost) four year old form to help me make the best of this pregnancy. i couldn't be happier, and it still doesn't feel real. 3 positive tests later though.... i am heading to a doctor this afternoon to get it confirmed! i have been so tired lately, and already been having to pee every 20minutes (at least it feels like it!)-

I think for telling our family I am going to buy some cute little baby shirts that say "Babys First Christmas 2012" And give them to Nana & Papa, Nini, Bacia i dziadek, and MomoSki <3

Or maybe just our announcement photos??

I only found out last night and I lost sleep thinking about him/her... although we BOTH think SHE will be a beautifully healthy happy smiling baby girl <3

Day 70

...It just hit me that I am a college student, like a REAL college student.  As I sit here and write my final essay on leadership, I can't help but notice the excitement building in me.  I am ready to start an internship and a dinky bartending part time job to get me through the gas prices to and from my internship.  I am excited for Dylan to start big boy school soon.  I will be able to intern and work during the day time while he is at school, and continue my education in the evenings.

God is so good.  I can feel the wheels of change turning and preparing me for my amazing life that is still unraveling.

Notre Dame?  I think so.  One day soon.

Day 66

After finishing up some last minute homework, I started the batch of dough for Dylan's Christmas cookies, they are setting up in the fridge and will be ready about 3pm to roll and cut out!  He is so excited.  I have Christmas music playing on Pandora with my Justin Beiber Holiday station.  I do NOT have Beiber fever, but I DO love this album for Christmas!

We put up our Christmas tree, and she (yes, she) is gorgeous and still standing tall and beautifully.  We added our Angel to the top last night and she is just as fabulous as ever too!  We are so blessed this holiday season.

I still have a big Leadership report due in two weeks that I am going to work on for a little bit this afternoon, but I wanted to mention how proud I am of myself, I am taking 2 classes right now and I am ridding on A's and hopefully will get those to HIGH A's in the next two weeks!! Wish me luck!!

I will be an Architect before we know it!

In other news, about a week ago Rafal brought home a bag of crocheting stuff from a move job he did, it was a hook and 3 big rolls of white yarn.  Heres the thing, I had just been talking to a friend about how I would love to learn how to crochet and make things, well thank you God for helping me to manifest all the things I want.  So last night I finished my first ever scarf.....

How fabulous is that?? Now I am working on a headband with a flower :)  It is so exciting making things that are useable LOL

As well as making your own clothing, making your own money is a plus, and speaking of making money... We bought another storage unit this past Monday afternoon, for $400 and were surprised by ALL the goodies hidden in the way back that we didn't even see when bidding!  So we went to Paul and goto ur own 10x30' Storage Unit to fill with stuff for our store one day :)  I have a workshop now!! To do all my painting and sanding and refinishing!  My first project is a large wooden table, I will be painting in in a pottery barn kind of way, distressed black... It will be amazing!!  I can't wait to start the process, maybe this Tuesday?  Yes!!

Going to go work on my headband and watch Christmas movies with my three and a half year old who will be four years old in only three months and a few days!! HOLY MOLY!!

Day 59

I can't believe it has been 11 days since I last found the time to write, and technically, I don't have time to write right now even, but I want to remember yesterday forever... So I am going to blog about it!

In fact, lets just start at Thanksgiving, because that too was a wonderful day.  It was filled with lots and lots of good friends and tons of delicious food!  We slept in that day and started with a cute little Dylan waking us up asking us what today was. We then went on to explain how today was Thanksgiving!  I had been teaching him all about it since Halloween and now the day of eating with friends and family and giving thanks was finally here.  We started the morning with coffee and Christmas music, followed by lots and lots of dancing!  Showers were taken and clothes were put on and it was time to fix the salad and head to Veronica & Darryl's wonderful home.  On the way to their home I had Rafal stop at the store so that I could get her a bouquet of rose's to thank her for her lovely hospitality, and to my surprise she absolutely loved them!  If I knew that by spending a few extra dollars a week I could make someone as happy as I felt she had become, well, I would buy everyone flowers all of the time!  Her smile was priceless, I am so blessed shes my fairy best friend!  The whole day was filled with wonderful people and even more smiling faces.

 Above is a lovely family picture, oh and Dylan!  He is part of their family by default, you want Sara and Rafal? Well that comes with a little side of Dylan.. [hehe] From left to right up there is Caleb, Maria, Darryl, Dylan, Veronica, and Jacob.  Veronica's two boys are growing up so fast, they have only been apart of our lives since about Spring 2010, and even since then they have grown up!

 Dylan found a bunch or oranges in the ground under the orange tree in their front yard, and he was loving it!  They were balls to play with from God, not the store.  The men folk kept throwing them across the street, see the dumpster in the background?  Rafal only made one, but tried at least 20 times! [haha]

Darryl and his bunny fingers!  He is so silly!  These are my best friends, seriously.  I love Rafal, Darryl and Veronica so much for being such a happy part of my life, I can't imagine where I would be today, had I never met them.

So we spent most of the day at Veronica's beautiful home, which she had festively decorated to fit the Thanksgiving theme!  She had made beautiful creations from dollar tree finds, she is amazing!  There was so much food, and we all ate until we were stuffed.  Rafal, Dylan and I ran home to meet up with Dylan's Nana and Papa for about an hour.  They brought by the cookie ingredients, for the cookies I am making for my little brother Hank in the Navy <3  Dylan wanted to watch some footage from Christmas 2010, so we put that on while the Grandparents were here and that was lovely!  After Nana & Papa headed on their way we went back to Veronica's for dessert! Let's just say..

...it was delicious!

Yesterday, Friday, started with Rafal working, we were all so bummed that he had to be at work on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Dylan and I didn't get much sleep the night before, so we slept in until about 11am.  Within minutes of waking up I got a message from Rafal saying he had 3 short bookshelves and did I want them or not.  Do I want them?? Of course I want them!!  So, I looked around the room, wondering where I could fit them and I realized something... I could make a built in behind our sofa along our red wall.  I prayed they would fit there and messaged Rafal back saying to bring them.  Then, I got to work on moving my computer desk and all my school stuff to my bedroom, to make room for the Christmas tree we get every year on Black Friday.

[Last year, we won't go in to too much detail, but let's just say... Rafal and I were having an "off" month, and weren't exactly getting along, so buying the tree last year didnt happen exactly as planned LOL]

So I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more.  Then "beep", my computer buzzed and I knew Rafal had sent me another message.  He said "I got you a table, but no chairs, its in crummy shape, but its a table!" and I knew instantly it was my dream table.  Boy, was I ever right!!  I dreamed of this table for months, just kept on visualizing, and here it is!  It is a fabulous drop-sides pedestal table!  The pedestal is a worn out white and the top is a beautiful honey wood!  It is more than I could've wished for!  When he got home I couldn't stop smiling!  I have a dining table!!! Not to mention, God listened to my prayers and those short book shelves?  Well they fit perfectly behind the couch along that wall, almost as though they were meant for that spot all along!  Our home is becoming so beautiful!  We are thrilled at the idea of eventually buying a home and moving all of this into it!  How fabulous that will be!

SO-

After Rafal got home, we decided to go get a Christmas tree!! So Dylan and I got dressed and we headed on our way.  But, we got side tracked at the most amazing thrift store we've ever been too.  Because on Black Friday, everything in their whole store was half off!  We got some amazing finds!!  Spent $38 and made out like bandits!  I even sucked it up and looked for bigger jean sizes... I don't feel like I look like I wear a size 9??? I am still so thin in the waste, but my thighs and butt just keep growing!  I blame Rafal on a weekly basis, he likes big booty women and before him, I never had a booty, its like how I manifest a table, he manifests a booty on his woman! Grr!  [haha]  Once we left the thrift store we were back on the road for  a  tree.  We stopped at a random tree tent and were blown away by the expensive prices! $72 for a 6" Douglas Fir?? Ok, thats great it was cut down yesterday, but $72, really?  No way!  We always get our trees for about $25 at Lowes!  So, off we went in search of our tree, next we stopped at Home Depot and found our lovely lovely tree.  She cost us $33, which was more than Rafal wanted to spend, but isn't she lovely?

This is my men cutting off the wrapping on the tree after they got it standing up perfectly straight, and yes that's Charlie Brown on the TV!!

Now that it is lit they started adding the ornaments, one at a time... which was funny.  Dylan had the whole bottom row decorated 4 ornaments deep!  We had to rearrange a little!

We really have to get a fancy tree skirt now, she's naked and you can see all her.. insides! [haha]  Dylan did such a great job putting on the ornaments.

What a wonderful moment for any mommy... watching her two favorite people in the whole world decorate her most favorite Christmas tree in the whole world.  As they decorated I cooked dinner and smiled the whole time.

And here she is, Christmas Tree 2011, isn't she lovely??  The most beautiful tree I have ever seen, seriously.  It is perfectly tall for our space and perfectly wide enough to fit in the small corner.  It is just magical.

After the tree was up and Dylan had a bath and went to bed, Rafal & I started baking cookies.  Last night was by far the most romantic and silly night I have ever had with Rafal.  I love him so much!  With our Justin Beiber Holiday Pandora station on in the background we got to mixing and pouring and and and... making a mess!  We slow danced and snuggled in our PJs in the kitchen while the first batch was in the oven.  My cheeks were hurting I was smiling so big.  We just held each other and kissed, and it was a perfect evening.  After about an hour of baking we put everything away, and I am finishing up the cookies this morning.  After baking we watched a lovely movie in bed and snuggled before finally falling asleep at about 2am.

Yesterday couldn't have been a more perfect day.  I think that every day should be just as lovely.  Kissing in parking lots is romantic, but kissing barefoot in your own kitchen with Christmas music playing and the smell of cookies filling the air is priceless.  I am so blessed.

Day 48

Last night a few things hit me like a ton of bricks, one being...

My soul needs ME to take care of my vessel, my body, THIS body.. the better I can learn to keep this machine running, the more years I will have on this planet Earth, and the more opportunities I will have to better the population.  That being said, people need to eat to survive, and that is what I am going to do.  SO many people these days eat, just to.. well, eat.  I am very guilty of this.  Body, I swear to start taking better care of you and make some drastic changes so that you can stay healthy for me!

Every sickness is caused from dis-ease in the body, and we all do it to ourselves.

I have to help teach Dylan NOW how to take care of himself, I need to start teaching him now about caring for your body the best we can.

I wish I could control my ego already too, but I know my ego is very controlling and large and that one may take a little more time.

Day 44

I am unsure as to what is better than waking up with your three year old snuggled into your chest, smiling at you as you open your eyes... Its a cold windy day out today and as I sit here doing homework I am enjoying the next best things in my day, a bowl of fruit and cream oatmeal and a hot cup of black coffee.  Today is going to be an amazing day.  I am sure you think "OK, but she says that every day!" and you are right, every day is an amazing day, but each and every day is a little bit better than the day before.  It's another blessing and gift from our God.  An amazing gift at that, could you imagine not waking up to this beautiful day?  Instead waking up elsewhere, in a country not as free as ours, or where women can't have a mind of their own.  Every day is a blessing.  Even when little things are going wrong, I wish everyone could now how good we all have it.  Even the homeless in our country have it good.  There aren't too many other countries with homeless shelters that feed and house you.  As well as pan handling, you make quite a bit of spending cash on the sides of these busy roads.

The moral of my blog today is, please be thankful for everything you have.  Even if your power got shut off, or your in the process of getting evicted.  You live in America (well hopefully you do if you are reading this) and that alone is a blessing to be thankful for.

Amen, Universe. ;)

Just a little something I found today...

"To think. Two people are born. Born on different days, in different years, in different towns. Born to different parents, different families. Two separate personalities. Two separate experiences. She dreamed of him her whole life. He dreamed of her. A faceless ideal, to an age old desire. Is it fate to believe, when their lives collide? Like two atoms who have spent year after year circling the atmosphere, searching for their complete likeness. Is it fate to believe that these two strangers happen to be at the exact same place, at the exact same time? Or, is it merely, pure coincidence; the right place, at the right time, with the right chemistry? Destiny or not, these two people met. Their two hearts and their two souls spontaneously collided, completely unaware that their dreams just caught up to them. And somewhere along their separate journeys, these two people became exactly who they needed to be for that one moment in time. That one moment that fated the rest of their lives, to become one heart and one soul. It's an interesting thing. To think."

I couldn't have written any thing more perfect for Rafal & I.

Day 41

Well today I feel so much better! I bet its partly because I got a surprise visit from my Fairy Best Friend last night!! I was so excited to see her, and it was pretty awesome that Rafal ran around cleaning the house before they came over too! :)  Now my house isn't so cluttered and I feel much better, almost like I can breath :)

Veronica let me wear a ton of her crystals while she was here last night, they made me feel so clean and energized, and then Darryl did some energy work on me, it felt like it lasted about 10minutes and it changed me! I felt my head rocking back and forth on its own a few times.  I just chanted "I am open to receive" over and over again throughout the whole session.  So, wish me luck!

Its 9am, and dishes are already done and I am about to start my Insanity Day 16.  Its been exactly one week since I had to take my break, and now I am SO ready to start back up again!

Bring it on!

Day 40

Hectic lately? Oh yes.

I am in a funk today, and I just don't want to do anything... I think there's a lot of negative energy attacking me or something?  This is SO not like me.  I want to go lay in bed and not even read a fun book, I just want to lay there.  I feel so bad for Dylan today, because, well, I suck. [haha] I don't want to do my school work, I don't want to workout, I don't want to even blog... BUT I felt that I had to do something productive, so here I am, explaining to all of you how bummed out I am today.

Maybe I should fill you in on the last 6 days??

Lots of little frustrations in our household, not with each other, just about monies, which I hear is super common these days.  I read in a book the other day the number one cause of divorce these days is the economical worries.  Well that is NOT going to happen to us.  I read through a few Dave Ramsey books over the weekend, and Rafal and I came up with a simple and hopefully very effective plan.  I think I need to go get a job, like the midnight shift at McDonalds or something, so that I can be helping to save.  Maybe 3 nights a week?  I don't think that would be so consuming?  I could be very wrong though, considering I am still a full time mom from like 7am-9pm.  Then I would go to a job from 11pm-5am?  Hmph.  Maybe that is an awful idea, but hey, I am glad I wrote it out so that I could think about it better.

My body feels so, blah today... *sigh*

Usually I am Miss Motivator, but not feeling it right now.. Some one share some motivation with me?

Day 34

What a GORGEOUS Florida day we are having.. These are the kinds of days worth living in Florida for!  It is 72 Degrees without a cloud in the sky and a nice warm breeze.  Windows and doors are wide open today.  I am still sickly but I am not going to let this cold get me down.

Yesterday was my "off" day with Insanity.  Today is Day 15, which means two things:

1. I am a QUARTER of the way there!!!
2. Fit Test #2!!

So I will get to see not only that I AM improving BUT exactly HOW MUCH I am improving! I can already tell it is quite a difference, not only in my overall physical well being but even mentally, I am much more confident and I can feel that as I walk around places, I don't worry about what I look like anymore.  It is almost like I know I am doing the work I need to to be healthy so I must already BE healthy!  I am healthy, although I do want to get this Shakeology stuff every one keeps talking about.  It has over 70 ingredients and is said to be the most important meal in your day!  I would love to get it, but it isn't cheap.  I know and understand that it replaces a meal a day for 30days so $100 shouldn't seem so steep, but when you use food stamps for a lot of your groceries, $100 is difficult to just come up with.  Now, if they had a pay as you go program where they just send a week at a time like Jenny Craig [haha] ok ok ok I am just kidding about that last part, but I guess in retrospect it would be nice, right?   Do you take Food Stamps??

In other news, school is.... school.  I am not going to let it get to me, but I am letting it get to me.  I don't want to stress about it, that will only cause MORE stress.  SO I will just tackle it head on... and BAM conquer yet again.  I can do this.

I am smart.
I can do this.

YES I CAN!  :)

Day 32

I almost made todays headline as "Day 31" until I realized it is already 12:45am... *sigh*

I can't sleep tonight.  I am frustrated.  We have been having visitors ever since we bought those storage units, and I just put two and two together.  Last night was an active haunting night, a picture was actually thrown off the wall.  Rafal saw it and I heard it, I knew where he was in the bathroom, and I know he was too far away to have had anything to do with it.  Marley has been growling at sounds that I think only I heard.  Whispers and what not.  Last night Marley had me on edge with his "friends".  Then I was woken up in the early hours after sunrise today to the feel of someone touching my thigh, like a small child trying to shake you awake...

My son stayed the night at the babysitters last night.

I don't feel like its bad, I just feel uncomfortable, almost like there's a pervert window watching... Ugh.

I am going to go lay down and snuggle up to Rafal, he always makes me feel a little more safe.

DAY 30

WOW! Can't believe it has already been a month since I started changing and bettering myself!  I took it one day at a time and here we are on Day 30!!!!

Just finished my Day 12 Workout with Shaun and the Bodybuilders team on Insanity: Cardio, Power & Resistance... I feel as though I may be sick, I pushed it today, I pushed it HARD.

Here is a Day 12 Shot::

 

In other news, we carved a pumpkin last night...

 

 

We only did one of the three we got, daddy has been working a lot lately so we haven't had the chance and I still want Rafal & I to carve our pumpkins together <3  It is a family tradition!!

Tonight Dylan is going to stay at our amazing babysitters house and I couldn't be more excited.  I love my little mini breaks.

It is Saturday everyone, be safe out there this weekend and enjoy!!!!

Day 29

Today is Week 2: Day 4: Cardio Recovery

Thank goodness!  I woke up this morning and was like “Oww, I don’t think I can workout today” And even though I know I still would’ve I don’t know if I would’ve pushed myself to do my best.  BUT Cardio Recovery is a little less intense and its only 30minutes instead of 45minutes.

This morning is finally a cool morning.  Two weeks ago we had a cold front that teased me with the thoughts of ~winter~ but alas, it is back to hot.  Yesterday was a perfect beach day; it was like 85 and hardcore sunny.  We like to go to the beach at the beginning of the season and the end of the season rather than in the middle of July when it’s like you roast.  It must have rained last night, the ground is damp outside, and you can still feel the moisture in the air :)

My drink of choice this morning is tea, and golly is it yummy.  I love hot tea on a morning like this.  Today I am going to try to do something awesome, but what I am not sure.  I cannot believe that it is already Friday that 28^th!! Where this week went I am unsure!

Last night when Rafal came home from work he surprised Dylan and I with a date to Chili’s :) So… we didn’t get to carve pumpkins, but we did enjoy a fun family date and a few margaritas too!  I tried a blackberry margarita, and. Oh. My. Gossssh. It was amazing. I need the recipe; I want to make those all the time!

Today Rafal has a huge job that’s taking them to Jupiter, which is a city in South Florida.  It sure sounds funny though “I love you baby, off to Jupiter for the day!” [haha] Makes me giggle!  Ohhhh a cold breeze just shot through the house, I love it!

Day 28

I just gutted a pumpkin. Eww.
[haha]

I actually don't mind at all, it is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.  I love carving pumpkins.  Going to gut three in the next hour and then tonight after dinner the Ski family will be carving our very own!  I will post before and after pictures for your visual enjoyment! :)

Today was the mark of my first week of college being completed!  I turned in my Memoir last night and finished a test on chapters 2, 3, and 6 too!  It feels good to already have all of this weeks work done already.  I strive to continue such hard work through the rest of my college career.  I don't want to be one of those people that wait until the last minute and then have to study 20hours straight one night.  Time management my friends, it works wonders, and even if you say you can't do it... Your wrong! You can!! Any one can!  In fact, here's an idea.  For the next 2 or 3 days I want you to jot down what you are doing every 15minutes, how did you spend the last 15 minutes?  Then at the end of every day look back over that list and see what you could have done differently, or better even to give you the most for your time.  Time is the only thing we can't get back.  When its spent... thats it, it is gone forever.  Try it out, check it out, my life is changing and so can yours!

For instance, I want to check my Facebook right now, but I know that isn't something that needs to be done right now.  If at the end of the day I have gotten everything done that I set out to do today then, I will make a space for some "free" time.  I try to update my FB a few times a day to let my "fans" know when I have completed an exercise, or a project of some kind.  I didn't realize I had so many readers, and now that you are all beginning to contact me and let me know your reading, I will strive to give you more information!

I have started telling more and more people about my desk at home, and the more people I tell, the more feedback I get about how awesome it is.  SO I want to share it with you guys too!  I have post it notes and index cards all over the place tapped to the wall, the monitor, the lamp and even my notebooks.  Every single one of them states some kind of affirmation, whether its "You are smart!" or "You can do this!!!" and because most of my stay at home work involves the computer and its desk I am sitting here a few hours every day.  Which means I see and read this continuously throughout my every day life.  It has been close to two weeks since I started posting the little notes around, and I feel a huge difference.

I am confident! I am funny! I am stronger than I have ever been and it is truly an amazing feeling!

Day 26

Today has been a most eventful day and we never had to leave the apartment.  Rafal had work today, a big day of two jobs which is always a plus... I worked out and did Day 8: Cardio Power & Resistance, it felt so good, but at the same time it was the first day since I started that half way through I started doubting myself.  I have to get rid of the doubt.

I am strong.  I am talented.  I am persistent.  I can do this.

I struggled through it, but finished and actually I feel like I did a LOT more this time than on Day 3 when I did the same workout.  The butt kicks were higher, the knee kicks were higher, but I still have not gotten the needed muscles for the traveling pushups.  Time will tell and the muscles will grow.  This is a truly neat program though, doing the same things days apart shows me how much it really is working.  Before Dylan (BD) I was pretty athletic not to mention a habit of mine was constantly sucking it, aka tightening my core.  I was constantly doing that, to the point where my doctor yelled at me when I was 5months pregnant.  The gyno said, you are going to hurt your son if you don't relax your stomach muscles.  It was so drilled in to my subconscious that I had no idea I was even doing it.  So it took some time for me to "let go" and stop holding on to that skinny me.  Here I am 3.5 years later, and I had forgotten how to suck in my core, seriously, I know this may sound silly especially to some one who hasn't given birth.  But truly, I think and I KNOW that those stomach muscles had lost their ability.  In the past week I have been able to revert into my ways of keeping my core tight and man oh man am I impressed.  It will probably take another week before its second nature again, but I notice it allllll the time now and then I tighten and feel great!  I can feel all of my muscles coming together and working hard to achieve a healthier new Sara :)

I wrote my memoirs today, about my car accident from 2003.  I am not sure if I want to post it online or not though.  I changed names and a few details but I am just not sure if it's something I am OK with sharing yet.  It was and still is an iffy situation in my heart.

Rafal and Rob are cleaning out the storage units right now, finishing up sweeping them out.  They should be home soon.

I baked bread today, 4 tiny little loaves so that Rafal can take one to work with him tomorrow and the nest day, if he doesn't eat them all tonight :)

My new phone came in the mail today at my mom's house, so I hope to go pick it up tomorrow.  Part of me truly enjoys not having a phone, no one can contact me! haha  The important people have my email and we correspond via GMail and that is good enough for me.  Not to mention Facebook :)

Tonight Dylan and I encountered a *spirit* of some kind.  We were both sitting at the computer talking about school when a little windup music box in the kitchen started playing its music.  It didn't play for 5 or 10 seconds but for an entire minute.  Dylan was saying "Daddy is that you?", but daddy was at work.  I felt like it was a grandma, maybe shes a grandmother to a family in our building and was just stopping through?  It was a nice pleasant cheery feeling that I got from the presence we both felt.  Odd at the same time though that she chose the music box that she did.  We have others throughout our home, but this one doesn't have a turn knob on the bottom, its missing, so we've never heard it play.  Dylan and I just smiled and I told him to say thank you to whoever it was for blessing us with the opportunity to listen to the music.  I am a crazy hippie I know!  :)

Day 24

Tonight Rafal, Dylan and I will be carving our pumpkins that we got last week.  I cant wait!!  I love this time of year, and the pumpkins are so fun!!

I pride myself in my creative pumpkins, and this year I am still not sure what I want to carve. Something special that's all I know.

The weather is beautiful today and we will be spending the whole second half of the day outdoors.  Sundays are my favorite days.  Lazy and relaxing.

I am feeling so frustrated today though and it is eating away at my good mood.  I keep saying I won't let it.  BUT I am so quick to snap this morning.  Dylan is making me cooky... I am not sure why though.  He just likes to test us and I am sick of it.  I despise yelling at him, in fact I hate it... I feel horrible when I have to yell at him.  But when I say "Don't touch that" 7 times and he just does it any ways I have to raise my voice to get his attention and I really really don't like doing that.  I would love to hire the perfect parenting nanny to come help us for a week to get us to start being more consistent.  Rafal and I were raised in very different homes and he and I don't see eye to eye on raising Dylan.  Which makes it even more difficult for me.  I feel like we aren't always a "team" which to me is VERY important.  We should always look like a team to Dylan.  Ugh.  Ok enough complaining for today.  If any one has any good advice on parenting a hot headed bad tempered 3.5 year old, please by all  means give us some good words of wisdom.

In other news!  Tomorrow is officially my FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE!!!  Wish me luck!!

Day 23

Can't believe I am sitting here looking at the calendar and that it is already October 22nd.  When did that happen?  No seriously... what the heck.  These days are flying by just like a fast train!!

It's cold again today, we woke up to a 40degree house, brrr!! Let me tell you, I threw that heat on QUICK, as soon as me feet touched the floor I was zooming through the house to the thermostat.  Now with the warmth flowing through the air it feels so nice, just a pleasant feeling... You know, cozy. I love a cozy kind of day.

So, last night was Day 4: Insanity Challenge: Cardio Recovery.  Rafal skipped out on Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance the night I did it, so he made up for it and did that one TOO last night.  So now he's back on track with me.  Monday will be our first off day, and honestly I don't know if I can handle an off day, I love this feeling so much.. its like a drug and I don't know if I can go a day without it!

Jack Johnson is playing in the background of my daily life, and it really is right now too: How could we have known? Ill tell them its not so hard to tell....  I love a good dose of JJ bright and early on a gorgeous day like today.  Dylan wants to go to the park, so I told him when daddy gets home from work we will.

My coffee tastes better today than lately, not sure what that means, maybe that I usually suck at making coffee??  Who knows.  It is just delicious and thats all that matters.

Last night we had a lovely impromptu dinner date with my folks, and it was magical!  We just met at the mall and enjoyed some food court food and Dylan and Nana rode on the marry-go-round and it made me SO happy to see my mom so happy!!

We ALL deserve happiness, ya know?  If there is ever a moment that you don't believe that for yourself.. I am sorry... YOU deserve to be happy!  Tell yourself that over and over again :)

Day 22

I have a sister, and she is the most amazing, intelligent, funny, hardworking, gorgeous woman I know.  She can put a smile on anyone's face and I am blessed to call her MINE :)

I state this random fact, because to me, this is not random at all.  In fact, I am sitting here in the cold morning air smelling my coffee brewing wearing a really nice and warm deep blue sweater that my sister gave to me when I saw her this past August.  I love hand-me-downs, they are the best thing ever.  So sitting here wearing this sweater it brought back some nice smiles and memories of her last trip to Florida with her amazing boys.

Had to share my warm fuzzies of the AM!

Speaking of warm, its the first time this season I have turned the heat on... and it is stinky!! Dylan was running around hollering because of the smell.  He is such a goof ball.

Last night was a hardcore workout and we planned on getting up this AM and doing Day 4 Insanity but lets just say, when the alarm went off and I felt the cold air on my toes I snuggled up next to Rafal and didn't want to move!  Which isn't a good thing, but it was so warm next to him.  In fact we laid there for so long in the warmth that he was almost late to work!

I love the cool weather this time of year.  I can't believe Halloween is approaching so quickly and then it will be Thanksgiving before we know it!  Holy cow!

Quote of the day:
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.  Watch your words, they become actions.  Watch your actions, they become habits.  Watch your habits, they become character.  Watch your character, it becomes your destiny." -Frank Outlaw

Day 21 - Continued

Here I sit with the sliding glass door wide open and the cold chill of the 45degree air is blowing through my damp hair and I love it.  After an intense 45-minute workout of Insanity Day 3: Cardio Power & Resistance, I need this cool air.  In fact, I finished that workout almost an hour ago and I am still trying to catch my breath and cool down.  Tonight was freaking NUTS to say the least. 

I was so pumped up and ready to go, and about 5minutes in to it I realized something, I am already stronger than I was just yesterday, I am jumping a little bit higher,I am squating a little bit lower, and even more impressive I did over 30 push-up's tonight in total.

Even in basic training back in 2004 I don't think I did this many push-ups with this little strain.  Now, don't get me wrong, it hurt like hell, and I was grunting REALLY loud to get it done, but I did.  I got it done.

I got it done.  Day 3.  Wow.  I am impressed with myself.

In school news today I found out that my first writing assignment will be a 5-page memoir, and I am so excited to get more details so I can start right away!  I love to write.  I always have, and probably always will.

My dinner wasn't the best dinner I have ever made tonight, Rafal ate it all, but I didn't... and now I want some much earned ice cream!!

Good night.  See you bright and early for Day 4: Cardio Recovery!

Day 21

The cold, 60-degree air, is brushing itself against my back this morning.  I am sitting at the computer with my back facing the sliding glass door, and I have it wide open allowing the crisp autumn air to flow on in.  It is a beautiful morning.  Took Marley out for his AM walk and after we were downstairs I thought to myself that I should've grabbed a scarf!  I love a chilly morning this time of year.

My coffee is smelling so good sitting here next to me on my desk, I can see the aroma swirling out of the cup in the steam and its just making me melt even more.  Perfect day for coffee you ask?  Oh yeah, no day beats a day like today.

I got up early this morning eager with anticipation for doing the Insanity Day 3 workout, but never-the-less something came up and we have decided to postpone it until this evening.  Rafal said I could do it without him if I really wanted to, but I don't want to, he's my partner in this, and if something comes up and he can't do it.. I will wait until he can.

Last night we laid in bed talking about dreams, not the kind you have in your sleep... the waking one's where you think about your future.  That was interesting and always is these days.  We are so different and yet so the same its amazing to me.  We spoke of our dreams of having land and a large home with a larger family.  Let me rephrase that, I spoke of MY dreams of having land and a large home with a larger family and he just kind of agreed.  I wonder what that says?  He says he wants a farm and to be self-sufficient with his family.  He wants to get all Rambo and get a ton of bad ass guns and archery supplies and just live off the land in the mountains.  That sounds like fun to me.  We're weird aren't we?  Most 20-something's are planning parties and things like that and were planning... a farm?  [haha]

Yesterday was Day 2 of school, and I worked on my first assignment in my Composition class, it went very well I might add.  Today going to start Chapter 2 in Critical Thinking and see how that goes.  School doesn't actually start until next week, but I am an overachiever, and I have my books and the syllabus so why not get some of it done while I can so I am not in such a big rush.

Mmmm... coffee.. you are so strong.  I love you.

One more thing world- I wanted to share with you that Rafal did not have a single cigarette yesterday.   When I asked him about it he said "I could go get some if I wanted to, but I don't want to, I wonder how long I can go before I need another smoke?"  I too wonder, will this be a permanent change?  And.... how amazing if he was just able to quit cold turkey eh?  I am proud of him for trying and thats what counts.

Enjoy your day!

Day 20

Last night I started college... I started my Problem Solving and Critical Thinking class by reading Chapter 1 and answering the end of chapter questions.  It was 33 pages, and I was not expecting so much reading.  Even though it seemed like a lot, I got it finished.

Rafal and I did our body test when I started getting stressed with homework, yes it was late, but who cares.  We kicked its butt, and it kicked our butts too!  We both felt really good after wards and then Rafal and I laid in bed for about an hour just talking about all kinds of fun stuff.  He remembered through the workout when he used to workout for Judo and how much fun he used to have doing Judo.  I love hearing his stories, he has so many amazing ones!  I think we were asleep by about 2am...

Then up at 5:30am, I got up, turned the alarm off and as I was brushing my teeth I heard a Dylan voice in my bedroom.  Sure enough Dylan had woken up, what was he doing up so early?  It was like maybe he felt us getting up too? Who knows!  I made a healthy shake for Rafal and I and woke him up.  He got up and we got started on the Day 2 workout.  The Plyometric Cardio Cicuit.  HOLY SHIT.  Excuse my language.  It was tough.  But we did it!!  And now that I am already done with my hardcore workout for the day I feel so energized and ready for the day.  Going to try to write an article today, not sure what about, maybe the fact that ALL these children keep going missing... Ugh its disgusting.

Going to start a pot of coffee, Rafal is at work all day today for the first day in over a week and a half.  Dylan and I will miss him today, we have gotten so used to his humor and company throughout the days.  I love you Rafal <3

Coffee, School Work, Examiner and then an appointment with a Daycare at 10am... cross your fingers, he would only go for short days, but it would be just enough for me to get school work done!

Here are our hysterical BEFORE pictures:

Don't judge me! haha

Day 19

Ugh, talk about a long weekend.  Not to mention an even longer week.  Rafal and I woke up today thinking it was Wednesday... when did that happen?  It's only Tuesday, Sara, geeze.

We had a rough weekend, to say the least.  With food poisoning and losing my cell phone at the top of the crappy list, we were glad when Monday rolled around.

Monday brought rejuvenation and rearranging.  Lots of cleaning got done at the Ski house as well as lots of moving things around.  Our whole house has got a fresh new look and it sure makes us feel "peppy"!

Today, which is Tuesday, brought about more cleaning and a need for exercise, so Rafal and I have decided to start the Insanity workout by Beachbody, the people who came up the P90X workout.

Tonight I will post our dorky before pictures for you to all giggle at.  BUT come Day 63 when we finish the whole program you won't be giggling at our after pictures ;)  hehe

Day 15

Looking over school stuff.  This semester starts on October 24th and will last 8 weeks with my next semester starting on January 2nd.

A lot of people keep asking me why I choose DeVry University since some of its course work isn't accredited.  I wanted to assure the worriers, that the program I am studying IS accredited.  I am studying for my Bachelors Degree in Multimedia Design and Development with a concentration in Web Design and Development. I couldn't be happier OR more excited.

Now that I have explained that I want to tell you why I chose them instead of say, SPC or HCC.  I found out while continuing my education in Massage Therapy that my brain learns differently than most.  As we all know, every single one of us learns differently, but to feel accomplished my brain works overtime for a few weeks and then slacks for a few weeks and continues on a cycle.  I found while attending Sun State Academy that the Two-Weeks on and Two-Weeks off theory that they put into affect is exactly what my brain needs to stay focused.  So instead of going to school at SPC and studying English 101 from August-December and having a few mental breakdowns in that time frame, I chose DeVry because they are on an 8-Week semester program.  So every 8-Weeks I will start 2 new classes.  And I personally love that idea.  

On October 24th I will begin English & Critical Thinking/Problem Solving.  Then in January I will begin Intro to Business &  Computer Applications for Business.  With 8-week courses I am able to fit 5-6 "Semesters" in to just one year, rather than only 2-Semesters a year.  That is how I will be able to graduate so much quicker than most attempting their Bachelors.

***

In other news, today is the first day Rafal has had work all week, since Saturday of last week.  Having him home has been nice, but I missed my routine more than anything.  When he is home I slack off because I want to spend time with him.  But then the dishes pile up, laundry starts getting out of control, and my articles/blog get neglected.

So here I sit drinking my coffee... Thinking about how I will get Dylan enrolled in Head Start this up coming week so that he can be in school while I too am in school.  Wow, what a huge help that would be.

Last night I was expressing my concerns that I don't know if we will be able to go to my best friends wedding in November, I am so sad.  Rafal saw how upset I was about it and started looking for cheap tickets, he said he really wants me to be able to go even if he can't because of work.  That made me so happy to know he knows how happy I would be to go.  She lives in NC and I could take a Greyhound for about $100 which isn't too bad.  I really want Rafal to be able to go with me, we used to go on adventures all the time in our early days, and lately... not so much.  I mean we have a 3.5yr old son, not too many adventures we can go on with a little guy.  

Gonna try to come up with an article today...

Day 14

What if I were to tell you that I always knew I was destined for greatness?  What if I told you that ever since my brain can remember I have been telling people,

"I will be a millionaire one day, I just don't know when or how yet."

I have been saying that forever.  You know what else I have been saying since I can rememeber?

"I will be building homes for the homeless and underprivileged families in old rundown hotels one day."

Do you know me?  Are we friends?  If we are friends you know that I am pursuing a DEEP dream of becoming an Architect.  It is a deep seeded need that I am trying to fulfill.  The best part?

  I AM FULFILLING IT RIGHT NOW!

I don't know where, how, or even why I have felt this way my whole life but I have.  Watching this new series, Oprah's Lifeclass, has truly helped me to take those next steps forward.

When I was in 7th grade we had a speaker come to our school and Holly and I laughed for years about what the speaker had to say.  He was teaching us affirmations, and at the time we didn't even know what an affirmation was.  He was having us all stand up, a school auditorium full of us, and having us say out loud "I like myself".  Well Holly and I thought it was hysterical... at the time.  But through the years that phrase has stuck with me.  If there was a way to contact that young man who taught us that I would, and I would thank him.

I like myself.  I love myself.  I am a being worthy of love, and respect.  Abundance is on its way.  Life is good today, and everyday.  I love my life.

Affirmations are amazing, and I want to start teaching my son the awesomeness of it!

Day 13

After watching the second episode in Oprah's Lifeclass series last night I can't help but notice all my issues, and I would like to try and fix them, but WOW is this going to be hard.  I mean, this morning alone, and I have only been up for about 2hours, I have wanted to scream more times than not.  Last nights class was all about anger and what it really is, so now I am getting angry and trying to dig deep.  Why am I really mad that Dylan won't behave so I can write an article?  Because he is bothering me while Rafal is sleeping in the other room?  Wow.  I dug deep and found it out.  So the REAL issue is that I am up getting stuff done and I am mad that Rafal gets to sleep in?  That doesn't make much sense seeing as Rafal gets up more times than not at 6am for work.  Maybe its underlying jealousy that he gets days to lay around and I do not? That sounds more believable.  [haha too funny]

Trying to dissect every feeling might get old sooner than I thought.  Its only 10am and I am ready to give it up! [just kidding of course]

This coffee is amazing today, although the 85degree heat streaming through my slider isn't exactly what I wanted to wake up to.  I was hoping for more or less a beautiful cool 75 and breezy. 

Yesterday I finally finished the sofa tables last coat of paint.  I will post pictures tomorrow, I would call it an Espresso color, a deep hue of brown, its gorgeous.

As my patience is wearing thin I should probably sign off for the day, I got two articles done this morning and I guess that is better than none. 

Day 11

Good morning Monday, I am still in my writers block and getting very frustrated about it all of a sudden.  I guess I can only be a certain kind of creative on a certain kind of day.  As of late, my creative side is on a painting kick, and I am refinishing everything within arms reach :) Got the hutch down the other day, and its in the living room taking up space, maybe I should just get a storage unit already to start my collection for my store.  That is the best idea I have ever had.  One day it will be a reality, but while Dylan is still so young it is hard for us to get too much done.  As he gets bigger things will get easier.  I hope.  [haha]

Yesterday was spent in the rain, at a thrift store that I love dearly.  "Last Chance: Thirft Shop"  Best one ever.  I would know, I am a hardcore thirfter. Yesterday all "Miscellaneous" objects were half-off and that means everything in the store besides the clothing! So we spent $21, and if you only saw how much stuff we got you'd flip out.  Daddy got Dylan some new books, AWESOME books might I add. They ended up being like .25cents!  Good pick daddy!  I got some new baking pans and what nots.. I love that place.

My coffee this AM is enticing me... but its warm in our home this morning, lately its been cold, with a nice Fall chill in the air. 

Today I hope to take Marley outside to a nice big park and let him play.  I think he will do great, he has come SO far since we first got him, we think he is finally settled into our home and our hearts!  Hes a beautiful dog, and he has definitely made himself at home, that's for sure.

I painted a large tree per Dylan's request on his walls in his room:

Yes, that is a music note on his wall too, he originally asked me for a "Rock and Roll" room, so on the other walls are guitars and more music notes, but alas, his mind was changed.  I love the "Giving Tree" it is SO peaceful, who knew painting a large tree could make a room feel so much more magical.  I want to sit on the floor under his tree and read a book!  Its awesome.  I am going to paint another one behind his bunk bed so its like he's in a tree house.  I am still unsure of how I will cover up the music note without some obviously ugly clouds [haha] so any ideas would be great!  I will probably just cover it up with primer and white paint after I sand down the edges.  Dylan has always had a cool room to intrigue his little baby mind, and keep that imagination working overtime!  He is so brilliant.  I am so proud of my little monkey.

Off to snuggle with my main squeeze before he leaves for another long work week.

Day 10

Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day...

It is pouring outside, and it has been since we first woke up, and that was two hours ago.  I love the rain, except when we had outdoor plans today.  We were going to go kayaking, and now, I think we will stay in side.

I painted a cute wine hutch yesterday..

I have way too much fun re-vamping ugly furniture.  Next is a sofa table.  I put the cute wine rack on Craigslist for $50 or best offer, and some one will probably buy it for $30-$40, which would be a huge profit, considering I got it for free.  See, I work from home, between my articles, and my paintings and my furniture I have lots of goods to be sold!

Going to go make a pot of coffee and get on the next project...

Day 7

Day two on the whole "Hoe-Down" thing from T-Tapp.  I hurt today.  Yesterday Dylan and I "dance-ercised" for about 30minutes, I did about 5minutes of Hoe-downs and then just cardio for the other 25minutes, and I am exhausted and sore today! Must be working!!

Today feels like a lazy day, I fell off the wagon, [lol] I am out of my routine and I don't like it.

Laundry still gets done, food gets cooked and dishes still get done, but its not the same when I don't get up at 7am and start my REAL day.  Today I slept until Dylan woke me up at 8am... Which is OK, but I am a little mad at myself.

In other news- Steve Jobs died yesterday.  He IS one of the greatest men to have ever lived in our lifetime and I hope everyone can respect that.  He will be missed.... God bless him!

Last night we met my parents at George's Breakfast Station in Tarpon Springs for dinner and then we drove to Howard Park to see the sunset.. it was gorgeous.

This is a shot I took in the side view mirror of the sky behind us... Beautiful right??