Ease up a little, mama...

Alright...so the word "simple" is definitely not the one that I'd choose to describe anatomy and physiology. It's effing hard, people...but I really am doing my best to take it all one step at a time, while keeping my potential panic attacks at bay. It's a lot to absorb and some nights it just makes me straight up bitchy, but Evan is a trooper and is rolling with me like he always does. He pours my coffee in the "Don't Stop Believing" mug, every morning. Good man. I adore the guy...I really do. And my little guys...they inspire me.

86 yo...and that's a good solid B+. I'm not gonna lie...I wanted to, at least, hit 90 but four points away isn't really all that bad. I'm cutting myself some slack, considering that this is the first quiz I've taken in 20 years...and I'll throw in the full time mama, wife, 40 hour a week job as a reminder...just for good measure. Not bad Jenny girl...not bad at all.

Miles, on the other hand, is an academic powerhouse this year. High honors twice. I NEVER brought home a report card like that. The kid has a serious case of responsibility and self discipline and I can only hope that it'll rub off on me.

And this little skeeter is battling a wicked cold...last night was ugly. No sleep for mama and Sam. He was still bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning though. Me...not so much. Two cups of coffee helped.

Even when he's sick, he's still the happiest little guy I know.

Sammy did a little coloring while I made a and p flashcards.

Study sesh with the Skeeter...

...and Kiko.

BK drive thru and the car wash makes Sammy really happy.

And off we go, bright and shiny. This shot makes it look like it's winter here but it's really not and I find that totally creepy. How about a little snow already!

Finishing off a low key day with a vapor bath and, as always, a smile.

My cinematic motivator for the day. I am completely overwhelmed with school right now and I'm trying so hard to keep this all in perspective...focus on my end goal...helping people through physical therapy. This movie is amazing and at the end, they show clips of children and adults who are handi-capable or who have lost limbs, swimming with this incredible little dolphin. It makes me cry every time and inspires me. Super sappy...it is...I know, but it's good to find little reminders and encouragement in unexpected places.

Back to work.
Happy weekend!

Early bird...

So this little country mouse is currently hanging out in the big apple...work trip...and I've been up since 4:30 am. I'm not all that surprised...I don't sleep well when I'm away from home and my men, which isn't very often, so I'll rally. I'm definitely a fan of NYC. It's loads of fun to visit (especially with my mom) and I am always overwhelmed with the big-ness...and reminded that I am a small town gal at heart and always will be. I'm soaking it all in, but will be looking forward to hopping on the train that's headed for home this afternoon. Below...some snaps of the week in review.

Monday was my first day of school. I found this full coffee mug waiting for me when I headed out to work and Evan must have told me half a dozen times, how proud he is of me. I married an amazing man.

My Monday night class was good...surreal is actually the best word to describe it though. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't flash back to feeling like the awkward dork that I was 20 years ago in college. And there were several moments when I was listening to my professor, thinking to myself...no way in hell am I absorbing any of what this guy is saying right now. Wednesday night class was good though. I felt a little more settled and I definitely absorbed. My first quiz is on Monday (Miles finds a great deal of amusement in this)...this class is going to be lots of memorization, but I have already surprised myself with what I've been able to remember.
Go team Jenny!

A snippet of my back to school playlist...there's a lot of Glee involved. Some of these songs pertain directly to my new adventure and some just make me really happy. I'm all about keeping things positive and encouraging and I just know that it's going to be a good day when I walk into work after listening to The Warblers sing Raise Your Glass. I also find extreme motivation in Brittany S Pierce's version of Run The World. Agreed...I am a big Gleek.

My study buddies.

M started skiing last week and let's just say that the kid is hooked. We may very well have created a monster. The other night he was doing homework...he let out a big sigh and said "I just want to go skiing all day, every day and I'm stuck in school". I love that he has found a winter time niche. M has a poker face like no teenager I've ever met and when I see him beaming with a smile that runs from ear to ear after he has been on the slopes, it makes this mama super happy.

Getting ready for a quickie work trip to NYC.

Sammy "helps" with a little kazoo serenade.

Skeeter wants to go to the city too.
Another day, little man.

My "cabin" at the Yotel. It's pretty cool...very Jetson like.

Bathroom area.

The view.

Country gal in the city.

All fancied up for dinner out...aka I put on lipstick.

Good morning great big city!
NY Gift Show hustle and bustle ahead of me today...then home to my loves.
Happy weekend peeps.

The adventure begins...

Here it comes...the first day of school has finally crept up on me and I am so effing happy that the wait is over. The anticipation has done a number on me. I know that if I can get started and find my groove, I will manage just fine. Bring it on, life in general...I am ready to stretch my comfort zone a bit.

Winter seems to have finally arrived here. It's lovely, sparkly and white out. M just took his first ski lesson today and the kid is killing it on the slopes. He's a natural and I love that he has found a winter activity that he's really into.

The ol' radiator is working overtime at the moment. Hats and mittens, warm and toasty for the next outing.

The homework room has shaped up quite nicely...a little bit of reorganization and furniture swapping and now we have a new area for anyone in this house who needs a quiet spot. I feel like I've been nesting for the past few weeks...getting everything ready. It's all pretty exciting really.

The thinking chair has been with us since Miles was three, thanks to Uncle Chris. This seems to be the perfect spot for it now...a place for skeeter to keep me company while I hit the books.

And so here I go...changing my path with my three little birds by my side...keeping it all as simple as possible.
Happy weekend!

Simplify...

This is my word for the year. It's all encompassing, as I intend to apply it to as many aspects of my life as possible in 2012. I'm thinking of tattooing it on my arm...just kidding...not really...I think I actually might. I even find that I silently repeat this word in my head, several times a day right now because I have this big, fat, new adventure ahead of me. After almost twelve years of being a collection girl, I've decided that a change of career is in order and in a couple of weeks, I will be going back to school. Just one night class to start with, then if all goes well, a summer online course and another night class in the fall. Nine months after that will require a massive leap of faith as I plunge head first into a full course of study. Wait...I just had a little heart attack. Ok...well that passed. I actually think that it's good to scare myself a little sometimes...to stretch my comfort zone a bit further than it might like to go. It's both terrifying and exciting, all at the same time. But it's good...definitely good and I'm happy that I am finally shifting my direction. Miles and Sam are both still young, but old enough to be able to roll with a little bit of change in our routine. They are my main concern, as I have been very present for these two from the time they were born. Money is my second worry...but that's a constant anyway. Evan is wonderfully supportive...my true partner. We are surrounded by family and I have a kick ass cheering section. So...let the adventure begin. It's time to re learn how to be a student...and time to simplify the things that I'm able to. Baby steps...

A resolution for this year...I am not going to buy myself any new clothes or shoes. I don't shop extravagantly but I am a sucker for a $6 shirt on the Target clearance rack...those little impulse buys add up though. I don't NEED anything...I have plenty, so this year my goal is to use what I have in this closet and in the words of one of my favorite guys, Tim Gunn, I am going to "make it work."

My final shoe purchase for 2011...super comfortable, on sale and quite possibly the cutest pair of shoes that I own.

Our fourth bedroom...it has been the catch-all spot since we moved into this house almost eight years ago. It shall now be known as the...holy crap, I am going back to school and I need a place to study, room.

Hmmm...what's a girl to do with this blank white wall?

Perfect.

Much better.

This picture nearly makes me cry. A new matress...sniff sniff...a good night sleep. Evan and I have each been sleeping (if you can actually even call it that) in our own personal mattress ditches, with a speed bump in the middle, for months. I feel like I'm 80 when I wrench myself out of bed in the morning...we both have back issues...you get the idea. I am looking forward to all of the benefits that a comfortable rest will bring this year. Good sleep makes everything feel a little better.

Sammy and Kiko approve.

Sammy demonstrating how Ev and I are going to feel tonight.

Oh how we all love the new bed.

Happy weekend.

Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Better late than never...

Nearly two months...I know...and I didn't even post around Thanksgiving. What the eff is wrong with me? You'd think I have a couple of kids and a full time job, and a house full of kitties and puppies...and not even enough time to pee when I get home at night...or something like that.
Anyway...Happy Holidays to anyone who reads this...may your days be merry and bright...and so on. And I truly mean that because I just plain love the holidays. I think that my favorite time of year just might be that handful of weeks that run from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's pure magic. I might even be just as excited as Sammy this year...and that's saying a lot!
So here are some snaps from our Christmas (plus a few random shots that I love from our year)...just a handful but I think they say it all...family is what it's all about...we are rich in love and very very lucky to have each other.

Sammy in his power suit (all his idea) on the way to a Christmas party...he was the best dressed there and pretty darn proud of that fact.

Christmas morning with the big kid...he looks so grown up to me in this shot. Pokemon cards and Ugly Dolls have been replaced with itunes cards, shaving cream and a razor in this kid's stocking.
Oh my heart.

A happy Christmas morning smile from the bean...I just love that silly bed head boy.

Merry Christmas Kiko...

and Merry Christmas Casey.

Patiently waiting for Evan and I to grab coffee before opening stockings.

A boy and his dog.

We couldn't get over how very careful and deliberate Sammy was with his gifts this year...our little guy is growing up.

Sam's very own kid friendly, ipad-ish type thing...I think he likes it!

Observing his little brother's excitement.

Our little Harry Potter fan...dressed as Harry.
Look out Halloween 2012.

"You're frozen Miles!" That was the most popular Christmas morning spell.

A little bubble bread before breakfast...our first shot at it and it was delicious.

Sam's present from M...one word...perfect.

Merry Christmas my littlest love...I can hardly wait to see what new adventures you find this coming year. You make me smile and laugh, daily and I love that so much.

Merry Christmas my teenager...you seem to grow more every day and I am so proud of who you are...and to be your mom.

Merry Christmas love of my life...you are my partner in every sense of the word and I am so happy that we're together on this journey. I feel lucky every day to have you three guys in my life.

A belated Merry Christmas and happy wishes for a wonderful New Year.
2012 is going to be a good one...I just know it.