Wednesday, February 28, 2007

(My first scrapbook pages)

Got up early this morning and made this card--boy, I love to emboss!

Well--we host Girl Scouts tonight. I hope it's warm enough to make the bird feeders outside....
Things I'm grateful for:
1) Jeff. He's very understanding and supportive--and he's a hard worker who prioritizes his family.
2) My four beautiful children.
3) All of our health.
4) My extended family.
5) My friends.
6) Base housing and all the other military "perks".
7) My computer.
8) Sunshine today.
9) The mild winter we've been having.
10) Good neighbors.

Going downstairs to scramble some eggs....

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Stamping again...







I'm LOVING creating stuff again!


I am really enjoying playing with colors and textures. I'm not getting NEARLY enough sleep--I wake up and have ideas and have to go dowstairs and make stuff. I also made my first scrapbook page today--I'm very pleased with it!

I had a few ladies over on Saturday--introduced them to stamping. Hopefully we can get a club going--or at least some interest in classes....

Jeff called me yesterday. He needed me to pick up some rope to pull injured guys in. I picked some up and will send him a care package tomorrow.

We've been keeping busy. Yesterday we went to a lap quilt class. (The last one was canceled due to weather.) Then we went to homeschol group. Today we had a WIC appointment and then I registered the kids for CYS Saturday child care.


Busy making plans for my birthday. I called my in-laws--let them know when we'd be there and to let me know when they want the kids. I think it will be a good visit.

Well, Aria is snoring. Za is SO CUTE in her little animal jammies. Taj is watching Blue's Clues--and Sascha is ready to nurse AGAIN. I think I'll start getting ready for bed. We host Girl Scouts here again tomorrow. And Thursday the YMCA is hosting a quilt thing--not sure what it is, exactly, but I guess they can put pictures on quilts for the kids. After that, Taj is going home with his friend, Antonio, to spend the night.
I think the kids are okay--mostly. And so am I--mostly. I get a little sad sometimes--almost lost. I never really planned on life as a single mom. I'm good at it. I can handle it. But sometimes it's a little...lonely....



Monday, February 12, 2007

Posting pictures....

(Yes, Jeff is copping a feel!)

First week sans Husband....

Jeff's last day in the states was only a week ago--it's amazing how quickly we've closed the wound left by his absence. He's called a few times--he's doing okay. His time is about 10 hours ahead of us--he's been calling me about 10:30 or 11:00 at night--after I've been asleep for about an hour. It's throwing my sleep cycles off. But I'm glad he's able to call--makes both of us feel better. What was life like before cell phones? I don't remember....

I'm so excited--tomorrow I get my intro package for Stampin' Up! I really love this company--their products are great! I've been having so much fun "playing" with my new "toys". We also turn our last paperwork in today for our foster / adoption package. I've been looking online--I'm found several "maybe's"--two different sibling pairs--brothers--who are under school age. I'll start calling next week....

Za's fever has broke--I'm 99% sure it was from her shots last week. And Sascha's diaper rash is almost completely healed. Aria is about jumping out of her skin looking forward to her birthday in two days. Taj is just Taj--being very reliable and helpful.

I'm okay. A little tired. Fighting off a cold. But weighing in at 222. Goal for the end of Feb--get out of the 220's into the 2-teens.

We have homeschool group today--the kids are exchanging valentines--and tonight I have a class on "lap quilts".

Monday, February 5, 2007

Alone again...

All sorts of BIG THINGS are going on--Jeff just left for Iraq, I'll be 40 soon, and I've been rather reflective lately.... Natalie googled some names--sent me some web pages of guys we went to high school with and when I googled my name all I came up with was some chick who shares my name and is an avid anti-abortion person--and a single statement I made on someone else's web page two years ago. Figured I should at least have my own web page. (BTW, I'll put my maiden name in here so it will come up in a search: Lisa Kay Appel.)

I'm feeling pretty good about my life--maybe those are funny words from someone whose husband has been out of the country most of the last three years and who is a good 75 to 90 pounds overweight and who is about to turn forty--but I feel happy most of the time. I feel successful. I feel like Jeff and I have this deployment thing down pretty good--our marriage is strong and we are, too. I've gained a lot of inner strength and independence in the last few years. And Jeff really loves what he does--those young guys really look up to him. The weight thing is temporary (ten years is temporary, right?)--I think I have reverse anorexia--I eat all the time and still think of myself as thin--at least until I get a good look at myself in a mirror. That needs to come off this year. Diet starts today....

And about this whole "40" thing. I feel like the next decade is going to be my best. I waited forever to be a mother--and now I have 4 beautiful children. And hopefully we will find the last two children to complete our family in the next few months. With Jeff's support (figuratively and financially), I've had the chance to pursue several entepreneurial ventures--and my next step is a Stampin' Up demonstrator. I'm gonna love this! I feel like I'm finally coming into balance with my creative side, my maternal side, my self as a responsible adult, and my self as a wife. I have time alone, and I have time with my children and other people I love. Being married gives me the core "wholeness" of knowing that part of my life is taken care of. I'm not "looking" or "searching" anymore.... My mom is energetic and interesting at 60--I feel like I have plenty of time to get a college degree--take the next step towards who I am becoming....

Enough words for now--I need to figure out how to post pictures to keep myself honest with my weight loss....