“Every cliche about kids is true; they grow up so quickly, you blink and they're gone, and you have to spend the time with them now. But that's a joy.” Liam Neeson
Note from Angela
Where to start . . . Surgery in December. #findingme. Loving What Is.
Earlier in 2015 #findingme started by me looking at how I could create a better balance with my work/home/family/personal life. Working out at Barry's Bootcamp San Diego and with Angel Chelik as a personal trainer gave me the much needed push and support as the distribution shifted and balance started to take hold. Luckily around that same starting point I made contact with The League Chiropractic & Sports Rehab Clinic and Dr. Rob who within 2 appointments had fixed a knee problem that had been bothering me for 2 years. YAY for no more knee pain - what a difference that makes!
Later in the year my life coach moved but made herself available for appointments over FaceTime (gotta love technology!) plus I started working with Brandi’s business, Domination Nutrition, to get my eating in shape — finding out what foods my body didn’t like and eliminating them from my diet. What a difference -- I had no idea how good I could feel!
In late summer I got some personal health news that led me to the decision of getting a prophylactic bi-lateral mastectomy. The decision was made after what seemed like countless appointments and endless research. It's a decision with which I was very comfortable. I had the procedure done on December 22.
I feel so fortunate to have so many resources and friends available to me. While being on my personal journey for #findingme I have come to believe, that beyond a doubt, everyone of us is a sum of all our parts, thoughts, habits and actions + it does take a village.
When you total it all up, it’s quite a village who has supports me on my journey and continues to work with me to design a path that is reasonable, responsible and healthy - a path that is responsive to change and flexible when needed.
One of my biggest AH-HA Thoughts become things! I know this to work for a FACT! In November 2014 I quit saying "I am tired". I just don't sat it all all. I can honestly say that I am rarely tired any more. Now to look at "I am choosing to be happy" . . . #gameon #findingme
Winter Break:
#winterbreakgamesupdate . . . Grandma Jones is a champ-- Trouble, Candy land, Monopoly Jr and Suspend have all been played. Travis and Grandpa just took C ice skating so poor Grandma could have a break.
My mini-nurse is worn out... A little too much Christmas and worrying about his mom. He has been very attentive and helpful. Maybe a doctor in the making. 😷❤️
Side note : C is not a snuggler so having him here by me is all that much more sweet.
#findingme #takingiteasy #speedyrecovery
Nothing like going for ice cream in my PJ's -- and no makeup (no makeup for almost 2 weeks- crazy!)
#findingme #icecreamismedicine
January 29
This week was my first week back to work since the bilateral mastectomy I had 5 weeks ago. Overall it was good (some tears but nothing unmanageable). 😊
I had a great team / village who kept things rolling while I was away from work and limited in what I could do at home.
I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends and all the love in my life. ❤️
While I was on leave I didn't miss the "being busy", being out, etc. I LOVED the quiet.
At some point it dawned on me that I don't think I have EVER in my life taken the time to be so quiet and still- with being the oldest in my family, always working more than full time, plus school, and RID, then adding on top of it all becoming a mom-- I have always had a lot of irons in the fire ALL at the same time.
Now the challenge is going to be to hold on to some of this peace I have found. I am committed to holding on...keeping healthy and prioritizing those people and activities that matter most above unimportant tasks that keep me busy.
I now understand what people mean when they say that having "something wrong with you" can be a great catalyst for change if it's viewed that way.
#findingme
March 15
Who was a First-time campsite reservation maker? = me
Who was trying to get a site in Yosemite in July? = me
Who had read that sites fill within seconds of the website opening? = me
Who was logged in and ready to go right at 7 AM as the website started to allow for July bookings? = me
Who has a site in July?
drum roll please . . .
= ME!!!!!
Whew!
Eipic Spring Break
I was determined to make Spring Break feel like something fun! And guess what . . . it was a total success. First we went ziplining with the Miner Smith’s, we spent some time at Balboa Park with the Bennett’s and then we had the Mincy’s at our place for a long weekend . . . couldn’t have asked for a better week!
Carter chose his own haircut
This was a BIG deal . . . C needed a haircut and when talking about going to get one he asked if he could pick his own hair cut. I must admit that this threw me! Could he really be old enough / big enough to decide on his own haircut? It only made sense that I would agree to the boy’s request, right?! Doing so was not a decision I will ever regreat. C seemed to stand a little taller, walk a little prouder and just overall be a little more mature after making that big decision on his own. So fun to see that litteral trasformation right before my very eyes.
The Jones family got a cat!
C had been begging for a pet for quite literally YEARS. Finally I thought we could manage the addition and told C and Trav that if it was up to me we would have no pets, but if they decided we needed something, then I would support the decison. We adoped George the organge tabby on April 8.
April 10
Family TV time.
We love Anthony Bourdain! Sometimes we have to do some explaining - but good lessons about so many places -- food, politics, people.
This makes my heart happy and fills my bucket. 💕
The old me would never take time to "lay around and watch TV”.
Now I realize . . . This is not a waste of time. ❤️
Notes From Carter
The "drop in" finally happened. Last week C tried and tried but just couldn't muster enough courage. Today it happened!! Big thanks to Mr Jeromy for the great lesson.
Carter opted to visit his cousin and meet the baby rather than go skiing. He says it was "the best decision!"
In February tarted weekly family meetings.
January got promotoed to Level 3 in hockey
MARCH - On this stormy, no-school day, C decided to rebuild a several hundred piece broken Lego Coast Guard Ship. (Rebuilding broken Lego kits can be a killer!!!)
Can I just say that being able to find a few "missing" pieces almost made me feel more successful than going back to boot camp?!
Taking time to build Legos and enjoying it = #f
Notes & Quotes that Mommy caught
December 10, 2015
When one's father is an engineer they might be given a calculus book to read for the evening's reading time.
C: Mom, is it ok to write the name of daddy's college book on my reading log?
M: Sure. We can save "The Night Before Christmas" for another night.
INSERT MOVIE
December 15, 2015
C: If I was to only get one thing for Christmas I'd want it to be a lava lamp.
M: 'Cause you've always wanted one ?
C: Yes, you know that!
M; I guess I just never really believed you. 😳
December 20, 2015
This morning as I was getting out of the shower there was a knock at the door . . .
M: Yes?
C: Mom, I have bad news!
M: What's the news?
C: You just lost at Monopoly . . .
(I was thinking, "I wasn't playing, was, I?!")
I rolled a few times for you and you landed on one of my properties that had a hotel and it was $1thousand and some other dollars and you went totally broke!
M: Shoot! Guess we'll have to find another game.
C: No, that's alright, I'll set it up and we can start again.
M: Good, I can't wait!
January 15, 2016
After C watched the movie Cinderella...
C: Mom, how old were you when you got married?
M: Too Young.
C: Did you get caught?
M: Well, we weren't so young that it was illegal, but we were still younger than I'd recommend.
January 15, 2016
C's thoughts on the stuffed animal industry (from a child who has A LOT of stuffed animals.)
C: Have you noticed that there really are not very many stuffed cats?
M: Now that you mention it, I guess you are right. Why do you think that is?
C: I bet people who make stuffed animals noticed that mostly people want to buy bears 🐻 and dogs 🐶 so they don't make a lot of cats 🐱 'cause they don't want to go out of business.
M: I bet you are right. A company needs to know what people will buy.
Hey, do you think that you think a lot?
C: Well,there is a lot to think about!
January 17, 2016
While playing Monopoly - Things were getting serious! C just threatened to "paper-cut" daddy with a $1 bill.
March 7, 2016
Favorite quote of the day.
C: Creativity always wins!
March 30, 2016
C waiting for our out of town guests to arrive: Mom, maybe they got the wrong coordinates and they don't know where we are!
April 3, 2016
Maybe a few too many cartoons---???
C: Mom, when G had surgery was she awake?
M: No, she was asleep.
C: How'd the doctors do that- hit her with a crowbar or something?
M: (holding back a lot of laughter) Umm, no, no crowbar. They have medicine for that -- anesthesia.
April 4, 2016
We had NPR on for approximately 10 minutes during the car ride after school. Most days we just have music or quiet time.
Just a few of today's questions from C:
1) What is climate change?
2) What is homeschooling?
3) Why would teachers treat the African American students differently?...That's just wrong!
April 8, 2016
Daddy and C wore me down. . . Meet George.
Adopted this evening.
While on the car ride home George was crying.
C: Mom, I can't stand it. Not because it's irritating but because it is hurting my heart to hear him cry.
April 11, 2016
At bedtime tonight...
C: Mom, I can't wait to be asleep!
M: Really?
C: Yep, you know that feeling when you feel kind of cold but then you get in your bed you feel all warm and cozy?
M: I sure do.
C: Well that's what I am so excited to feel.
🌙💫🌟
Good night sweet boy. ❌⭕️❌
#takingtimetolisten #findingme
I remember when, at bedtime, there would be what seemed like 101 requests that would come from that same child. It's true - The days are long but the years are short.
April 14, 2016
Bedtime good-nights...
M: C, I'm so happy that I have you for my son.
C: I'm so happy I have a cat.
😳
🐈
Note from Mommy to Carter
When I look at you from afar or right into your eyes I see a boy who is kind, caring and full of love. I smile just thinking about you and what your future holds.
Jan 10, 2016, 3:40 PM