Tyler started 8th grade and I didn't even bother to take a picture of him on his first day of school. I know that's kind of bad. Maybe, this school stuff is getting old. Just one more year closer to high school and one more year closer to him being of legal age.

Maybe, I didn't take the picture since it's unifomrs. It's not going to look any different from last year. I suppose I could still snap a picture and pretend it's the first day. 

Rockford Park District!! Thank you!!

One of my favorite summer traditions to go to Magic Waters and spend the day. Tyler and I went today and we had a blast. I have had to get brave to get some thrills with him. I don't believe I went to Magic Waters as a kid. I might have been once but don't recall doing much.

A few years back, I learned about the fun packets that The Rockford Park District sells to those that qualify. We get a summer full of events worth over 200 for 25 bucks!! It's something I wish I would have known when William was younger because he hasn't really gotten the same outings as Tyler has gotten.

He has gotten some but it was past the point where it's fun to hang out with Mom.

A few times today, Tyler left me alone and was interacting with other children. He got a little bord and tired with Magic Waters after about 7 hours of fun. I hope I can get a few more years with him while he still thinks it's fun to hang with Mom.

We have kind of got a late start with summer due to the weather and me taking on extra shifts at work. I always struggle with finding that perfect balance to work and spend quality time with Tyler.

I miss the days when my kids were young and one had all year for fun. He works so hard during the school year that there isn't a lot of fun that goes on during the school year.

In a perfect world, I would have my weekends free during the school year with him and in a perfect world I wouldn't have to send Tyler to his other parent every other weekend due to divorce.

It's a good thing that I have accepted that I wasn't born into a perfect world nor do I lead a perfect life or I might be pretty ticked off.

I am so thankful to The Rockford Park District for offering discounts for camps and the fun packets for children to have an enjoyable summer.

Not everyone has the funds to go on vacations away from home or pools in their backyards or the funds sitting around for expensive summer camp.

I am so lucky that we have a park system that has been set up to help the children that are not being raised with higher wage earning parents to have a summer filled with fun. These packets are not a giveaway to the paretns. The parents pay for them and also pay for themselves in most of the situations. Not complaining one bit. I love experiencing all the fun things. I get to watch my son has fun and I get to be a kid a again.

Tyler will have 3 weeks of sleepaway camp. It's not free. We had to pay and even then had to sacerfice and count our pennies to cover the 3 weeks.. I am not complaining though. The summer memories that he will carry with him for a lifetime is worth the sacerfice that as his parents that we make.

Tyler will have many events of swimming, two trips to Magic waters, golf, trolley ride, forest city queeen ride and ice skating if I can convince him. This isn't everything but it's a good bit.. Can't remember them all right off hand.

There is the tradition of the trail ride!! I love watching him ride the horses as much as he loves riding them. I hope to be able to afford to ride my own horse this year!! I have never been on a horse. I figure if I can brave Splash Blaster and live to talk about it.. Then, I can brave a horse ride. I think horses are such beautiful animals. Maybe, I can take one home?? :)

I don't know how the word gets around about this wonderful program. I didn't know about it until Tyler was finsihing up 5th grade I believe. The Park District has helped us make traditions and memories that we most likely wouldn't be making had we not learned more about what they have to offer to children like my son.

Thank again to the Rockford Park District!! Keep doing what your doing. It doesn't go unnoticed and I am sure I am not the only parent who appreciates our summer filled with exciting events that are affordable to my family. 

My birthday!!

 My first size 10 jeans that I manage to get to fit. 

 An old picture to remind me how far I have came wth losing weight. 

Hey all.. anyone still read this?? I don't write too often.

Tad and I have been picking fights with Tyler's school and not sure we came out on the winning side. They really tick me off!! Anyone want to donate money for a private school?  Only five more years in public school!! Yikes!! Am I really that old?

I been slacking off on working out some.. I really need to start running due to that I signed up for the color run on June 1st.

I got a new scale and according to it. I am at a total of 65 lbs down. I will try to post pictures later.

I got to see my little sister graduate from Rock Valley!! Pretty cool!!

Work is going pretty good. I may need to add more hours due to use just not having enough money. I am worried about this summer. If Tyler's Dad doesn't get a job we are going to lose about 200 a month in child support.

Well, it's late. Good night. 

meee

I haven't written in a while. I stay pretty busy between work and working out. My weight loss total right now is 54.5 lbs lost since feb of last year. It's pretty amazing. Counting calories gets old though. You never know how fast the calories add up. Luckily, I work my butt off at the Y which gives me some wriggle room with eating.
I am slowing down on zumba to do this running program called couch to 5k. By this time next week, I should be running for 20 minutes at once. If I am still alive I will come back to brag about it. If I fall of the treadmill, I will most likely laugh at myself.

I am very ready for spring to get here. It will be nice to take my dogs out for more walks and the same with my client.

Every month, I try on these capri's that I bought when I went shopping with Ashley! I don't normally buy clothes that don't fit. I know that might motivate some people but it doesn't me. Well, when I am with my daughter, I just let all guards down and enjoy the moment. The capri's were extremely cheap on sale at Old Navy so it's okay that they didn't fit.

Two months ago, I finally got them on. This month, they feel better. I suspect by the time it's warm enough I will have enough wriggle room so I don't split a whole in the ass of them.

I have a couple pairs of shorts that I bought when I was with Ashley too. It's possible they won't fit me.  This weight loss comes at a pricey cost. I love the new bright clothes and none of my clothes look blah anymore.

Well, it's about time to get ready for work.

catch up

I haven't really written much on here lately. I stay pretty busy. I work full time but lately I have had quite a few Tuedays off to give me a 3 day weekend. It gives me a little insight into Tad's day staying home with kids.
I have felt like I have grown closer to Amiah in the last couple months. Not that I didn't love her but Papa spends so much time with her that he is her go to person for everything. She has grown into such a cute doll and so smart.
She has almost potty trained herself. It just took all of us to put her in panties during the day and she has just taken off. I am so proud of her.
I have my little routines with Amiah even though Papa is her go to person. She always pokes me to wake me up in the morning. When I get dressed for work or the day.. she follows me in the bedroom and jumps on the bed.
When I am brushing my hair and teeth she comes in the bathroom and gets pretty too. She wants me to spray her hair like Nana does and likes to put a little make up on if Nana does. She even brushes her teeth when I do mine.

Today we took her to the school for Tyler's IEP meeting and she behaved so well. I am so proud of her. She did get upset cause she wanted a bus ride home. I felt so bad for her. I think Nana needs to take her on a bus ride but I bet she wouldn't be happy since it's not a school bus.

I spend quite a bit of time working out at the YMCA!! I been doing a little walking. There is this track near my house that is a pretty good workout. I have an heart moniter so I know what the calorie burn is. I use my wii fitness board too. My goal is workout pretty much daily. I seem to average about 5 to 6 times a week.

I hope to hit 50 lbs down in about three weeks. Then I will have gotten to my goal in one year.

William turned 18 in November. It's an hard concept to really see him as an adult and no longer a child that I have to provide for. He hasn't gotten a job so it's hard to really see him as a adult ect.

Tyler is doing pretty well. He works hard in school and stays pretty busy.

Happy new year!!

I love Saturdays!! It's when I get to weigh myself and see how I am doing with my weight loss. I am down another pound so that is 42.5 lbs total!! I am pretty impressed with myself. Sometimes though when I see how little I look in the mirror it doesn't feel real. I know I am not tiny but compared to last year I feel so small. I am getting close to my goal.

We picked up a really big Christmas tree!! I can't wait to decorate it tomorrow. I need to really get working on Christmas shopping. My cat wants a new bed. Ann wants a bone!! Charlie wants a stuffed animal and all Shadow wants is a new eye!! LOL I crack myself up.

I should get to sleep soon. Babysitting at the church. I wish they had little children again. I sort of feel out of place. I was going upstairrs with the big kids but don't feel right there. At times, I will sit in church at the suggestion of one of the volunteers (church members) but it feels strange to get paid to be in church.

I am 13 lbs away from my goal of losing 50 lbs. I lost 1.5 lbs this week and was glad to see that cause I slowed down a little bit on zumba and started walking my Dog Ann thru this trail.

I was letting her run free but she chased some animal up a tree and I think it got her face. She has a little mark. I love my dog too much to let a racoon kick her butt.

I am going to try aqua zumba this week and soak in the hot tub at The Rock. I am excited about that.

It's my weekend but I babysit on Sunday for the church and on Monday I volunteer for this emergency day care. I like it but not sure how long I will continue to do it weekly. It's one of those things that I enjoy doing but it does take time away from my busy life.

Well, I better get to bed.  Hope everyone is doing well.

I can't believe I haven't written here in a while. I used to love it and lately I just don't get around to doing it.

Life is hectic around here. My biggest wish would be to get thru the day without a major meltdown from Tyler. Only way to get that is to not be home.

I started volunteering for this nursery that provides emergency care for children birth to six years old. I have learned that it's not all a 911 emergency. It may just be a meeting, class or work.

I even heard that they suggest Mom's bring kids for Mom can get some Me time!! How cool is that??

I got to lay down and cuddle with one little girl and it was so sweet. I like doing it and hope I continue to like it as I do it more.  The one thing that I like is that I just sign up for when I want to come. I can decide the hours and if I feel like I need a week off I just don't sign up.

Work is pretty good. Both my clients seem to do being doing well for thier age. Next month, I will be at my job for six years. I just wish someone would tell me why I only make about 9 an hour??

One of my clients is in a retirement home and I have been seeing that side of taking care of the elderly. Yesterday, I got to let a bird sit on my arm. Hopefully, they will give me a print of it. 

Well, got to make my lunch and dinner for work.