Hello, Sunshine!

{Field in Wiesbaden - April 2012}

I love starting my day off by getting all the way ready before the kids open their eyes...a cool breeze coming through the windows....and a beautiful sunshiney day! I may still be tired - which may or may not be because I stayed up later than I wanted with a good book in hand. But it's one of the little things I've been focusing on lately. I feel that, for the longest time, I blog about the BIG things that go on in our lives - and not the little things which I think are just as equally important! I feel that there is just not enough time in a day to document everything the kids do or all of the many thoughts that run through my head as I'm multitasking this or that. I try to live in the moment the best I can! To enjoy life with John and the kids. But sometimes I feel frustrated that the little moments rush by and I'm afraid that I'm going to forget them. I try with all my might to take a mental photo (or in many cases, an actual one), to take in the moment and all it's senses. But then I feel that the memory gets lost and caught up in day to day life. I don't want to forget my five toothed one year old and the sounds he makes, watching him walk across the floor with more steps with each passing day - to see him scrunch up his nose and smile at me with his big bluish gray eyes. How vibrant the fields are with the yellow wildflowers right now while driving on the autobahn. How they remind me of sunshine and the few seconds of happiness it brings me while tuning out the screaming or crying that's going on behind me in the back seats. The sound of the wind coming through the cracked window while I drive on a nice day or watching the curtains in the house sway when the wind rushes in. Helping one child read a story while one yells that they need assistance in the bathroom. Hearing Andrew make gun noises just about every second of the day (pew, pew, pew!) - a true boy, right? Stopping one fire while another one breaks loose not even a second later. Getting Landon away (and sometimes out) of the garbage can. Enlisting the kids in help with the housework...I put on some music and they dance and clean. Catching a beautiful sunset out the kitchen window as I clean up before calling it a day. I swear I feel like a ping pong ball on most days! Sneaking in loads of laundry or doing the dishes while I have a baby sleeping. Life just seems to get so busy but I'm grateful that I notice these little and big experiences! For the moments that help me slow down and remember what's most important: happy children, and not a clean home!

Preschool in Germany

We received an email last week from the elementary school with good news! A little late into the school year, but still good news: Jocelyn was accepted into their preschool program! We signed her up last July before we moved here but she was placed on a wait list as the Army has first pick, kids in need also have first pick and they also go by rank. With John being an E6 at the time of sign-up, our chances of getting her in were slim to none. But we felt okay with that. She's a smart girl and I was determined to do things at home with her instead. (Especially when we also learned that she had to wait another year to go to Kindergarten because she turned five 2 weeks after the cut-off date. Hearing the news that she'd be going to school sooner than I had prepared or expected, the more I knew that this would be a better transition to her starting up Kindergarten in the Fall by starting the bus routine now. After John and I talked about her going to preschool with only 5 or so weeks left of the school year, we went and talked to Jocelyn about it. I told her about the preschool and she said no, that she didn't want to go. John suggested that she might change her mind if we throw in getting a new backpack and he was right! She was all about it as long as she got a new bag. :) She's so cute and such a typical little girl!

It's a long commute for a young child. About 45 minutes to an hour ONE WAY! It was a really hard thing for me to say yes too. The long commute alone scared me. Thankfully the guy at the bus yard knew the bus driver and said she was really good and that they've had the same bus service out here for the past 25 years with no problems.

So last Wednesday, I piled the kids into the car and we had a visit to see the school's registar. It's also that time of year for school registration for next school year. So I sat at a table and filled out preschool paperwork for this year along side with a pile of paperwork for next year. It felt long and tedious but the kids sat and colored and ate a snack and were generally good. I also promised them that if they were good, I would take them to lunch afterwards. A little bribery isn't so bad, right? :)

 As promised, we went to lunch. The kids have found a new love to Popeyes macaroni and cheese. It's a rare treat - and it's no Chickfila but they enjoy it almost just as much! These two are just the cutest little buddies!!

 Before I took the kids to get their teeth cleaned last Thursday, we dropped in to have a little visit with Jocelyn's new class. She met with her teacher and classmates. They were ALL so excited to see and welcome her! Jocelyn really enjoyed being there too which gave me great comfort. The teacher and her assistant are super friendly and the classroom is so bright and cheery! It really helped going in there to see where she'd be hanging out away from home all day. 

 Monday was the day!! 

Her first day to preschool here in Germany!

I think she's going to have a hard time not being around her younger brothers all day. They have been fast friends for a few years now. She is super sweet to them and I know they'll miss her too! While we were outside waiting for the bus with her, Andrew said, "I'm not going to cry for you." But I know he will. He's so sweet in trying to stay strong - for her AND himself!

I sure did miss my buddy being gone all day at school! I loved her home with me! She's such a great little helper! This smile though??? I knew we were doing the right thing even though it's been somewhat a hard transition! She's a smart little girl! I know she'll fit right in and do great in school.

 As we were waiting for the bus to arrive, she was beaming ear to ear with excitement! When the bus rolled up, she gave me a quick kiss and hug and off she went! It's true! My little girl is growing up so fast! BOTH of my girls are! Two children are going to school now and two more to go.

 {Jocelyn sporting her new backpack!}

We waved her goodbye and throughout the day, I found myself getting a little teary eyed. I knew it was a good thing for us both but it was still a hard decision nonetheless! And throughout the day, I also found myself calling her name and realizing over and over again that she wasn't at home. :( 

 Before Jocelyn returned from school, Andrew and I thought it would be nice to have a treat waiting and ready. Today's pick was GUMMY BEARS! One of the kids favorites! She gave Andrew a huge hug and they walked like this back to the house. They are too cute for words!

 Mommy's little girl!

Her first day at school here was a success and she had a great time! She was one tired girl though! And the past few days, she whined in the mornings that she didn't want to go because she was too tired. The long schedule at school was still so new for her. I find a solution that worked. We would do an activity of her choice as soon as she returned home. Something she would look forward to doing like watching a movie or painting. Her teacher wrote me on her first day and said how amazing she did, how she met some new friends and joined in all the activities and was super smart! How happy they are to have her! Today she stayed home from school with the sniffles and a sore throat. The joys of being exposed to new germs! Here's to the next 5 weeks! :)

Me, Myself & Running

Today I ran outside for the first time solo.

I was kind of paranoid on the trails alone with it being so scarce with people around and with a ton of trees and tall grass but I got in my 4 mile run nonetheless! And it was good not to be running it on the treadmill. I'm loving this spring weather! :)

This running is no joke either!

I like it though and thus, I continue through the pain...through the strange looks...through the internal thought of "I'm not sure I can go another 1/2 mile!" 

And it feels so good to be outdoors and surrounded by nature. 

I love it!

If nothing else, these past few months have proven to me that I can do anything I set my mind and body to doing no matter how hard the task. No matter the support I do or do not get. 

How I wish I had started doing this 10 years ago. I was very hesitant and scared at first. I hadn't been in shape since high school and I was afraid my body wouldn't be very forgiving. But it was, come to find out. It's been hard making this change but I'm very grateful I'm doing it today! It has helped me shed any and all baby weight I had left to lose as well as a few more pounds to help me towards my goal of getting fit and looking and feeling the way I've wanted. And I'm still working hard to get to my ultimate goal and stay there.

While I was pregnant or in between having each of my children, I exercised here and there. Not as active or consistent as I should have been but I didn't find it was as important as I do today. I didn't carve out the time and excuses were miles long! Now that I'm done having children, I find exercise extremely necessary! I find that I need it and crave it to be emotionally, physically and mentally healthy (and sane)! I should have thought this same way when I was still bearing children but I guess I didn't feel it's importance as I wasn't really thinking of my body being my own. I usually lost all my baby weight before having another one but with nursing or focusing on their care...I only thought of my body as helping my children.

I am not one to gloat or put myself on a pedestal. Walking and running 15-20 miles a week plus weight training has been anything but easy. Especially with my ankle still sore here and there while running. Being a mother of 4 children proves it's own challenges too. It's not easy to find my own time to work on my health. But I have to find that time and schedule it in or it just doesn't happen and everyone pays the price. :) Mornings before they wake are usually best! Without my husband's support too, I wouldn't be able to go on my walks in the evenings 4 nights a week.

I brought my phone with me when I was alone on my run today - in case I needed it in an emergency.

So I took a few photos so you could see the pretty trails I get to run on!  

Just shy of 6 weeks until I run the Frankfurt 10K.
Getting nervous and excited!

Four miles down (at a 9:30 pace)!

Two more to go!

All Things Lovely in Spring!