A Brand New Start

Can I just start out by saying, What. A. Year.
Suffice it to say that it's had its ups and downs, and we've been in a storm.
Occasionally I would think about this blog and say to myself, "yes, I need to update that."  But I never did.  Seemed I always had something more important to do.  So, practically a year later, here I am to fill in the great big missing piece that was this past year.

School.  Work.  Travel.  Driving.  Eating (of course).  Sleeping.  Grades.  Teachers.  Friends.  Writing.  Talking.  Not talking.  Sharing.  Not sharing.  Learning.  Arguing.  Fighting.  Crying.  Misunderstanding.  Understanding.  Good.  Bad.  Ugly.  Better.  Improving.  Changing.  Growing.  God.

So here we are a year later and with the help of friends and family we have weathered the storm.  And by the gracious love of God and his unfailing blessings on us failing people we have been given an awesome opportunity to try again.

Blessings have been bestowed on a husband and wife and their children.  We don't deserve this.  God knows that.  We know that.  But He has blessed us beyond reason.  But, isn't that what God does?  Yes, yes it is.

Can I share one of those blessings?

Look at the view!  This is from the front window of my new home.  Quite spectacular, isn't it?  I love seeing this every day.

More blessings include the children staying in their respective schools throughout last year's move and this year's move.  Even greater blessings in the form of friends who cared enough to try to hold the umbrella over us while we were pelted with hail.  Blessings in regards to excellent physical health of our family.

This song recently came to mind and it fits perfectly with how I'm feeling; how we all are feeling.

I've got my memories, Always Inside of me.
But I can't go back, Back to how it was.
I believe you now, I've come too far,
No I can't go back, Back to how it was.

Created for a place I've never known
(Chorus:)

This is home, Now I'm finally Where I belong, Where I belong.
Yeah, this is home, I've been searching For a place of my own,
Now I've found it, Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home

Belief over misery, I've seen the enemy, And I won't go back
Back to how it was.

And I got my heart Set
on What happens next
I got my eyes wide
It's not over yet
We are miracles
And we're not alone

(Chorus)

And now, after all My searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see The sunset
I'm gonna call it home

(Chorus)

Now I know Yeah, this is home
I've come too far
And I won't go back
Yeah, this is home     --Switchfoot

Changes

A lot can happen in 6 months.  Routines change, activities change, locations change.
Meadowe graduated from preschool at the end of May and Finn began his preschool career in September.  Meadowe also began Kindergarten in August.  They both love their schools and have such a great time there.  They're each making friends and learning so much.  Finn can recognize some letters and can write an "F" and count.  Meadowe is reading easy books and learning how to manage friendships.

Ora is still very much enjoying his job where he sells audio/visual components to major manufacturing companies.  Unfortunately, his busy schedule kept him from waterskiing as much as he would have liked to, but we still made the most of family time with just the four of us and with extended family.

Earlier in the year, I finally found what I want to do when I grow up, and that is to be a Personal Trainer.  I enrolled in a course and this summer I passed the examination to earn my personal training certification.  I am training people who seek my services at a local fitness center.  I can't say enough how much I love my job!  It's amazing to know that I am helping people change their lives for the better.

I also ran in several races over the summer, this year improving my 5K personal best by more than 2 minutes, and also I ran a 10K for the first time.  I met my goal of running it in 50 minutes and now I'm looking to set new PBs next summer.

Meadowe has big changes happening.  Meadowe is pursuing a passion of her own:  she is in ballet classes and can't wait for her weekly classtime to arrive.  She's very attentive in class and is learning quickly.  Additionally she recently had her 6 year molars break through and she has a couple loose teeth, one of which is extremely loose, with the permanent tooth growing up behind.  That baby tooth is coming out--THIS WEEKEND!  She seems excited for the tooth fairy to visit.  We're just curious what the tooth fairy is leaving these days.

Finn's favorite new phrase is, "I wan to tell yoo sum-thin!"  He's got quite the vocabulary now and expresses himself often.  He's completely into tractors, combines, and trains right now and points out every single one he sees while we drive.  He even got to go for a combine ride this fall.  He was elated!  And talked about it for days afterward.

I've saved the biggest change for last.  No, there are no additions to the family, we are still Daddy, Mommy, Meadowe, Finn, and of course, Murray-dog.  So, please, don't send any baby clothes!  No, our big news is that we moved to a new house.  It is a decision Ora and I have been talking about for a while, and at just the right time we went for it.  Our new home is lovely and we are enjoying it immensely.  We look forward to making new memories and traditions here.  And with such important holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly on their way, we anticipate some wonderful memories in the making.

Now, there might be one more change necessary.  Since we no longer live at Cindonway, I don't feel that I can rightly call this blog "Growing Up Cindonway" anymore.  I'll have to come up with something equally as appropriate.

Happy Mother's Day!

I do so sincerely apologize to my readers and followers for not keeping up with this.  "Really, how hard can it be?" you ask.  Well, I'll tell ya!  : )  Kids, housework, cheauffering kids to places, cooking, gym time, family time, sleeping time!  And possibly a little bit too much facebook time, but I'm really starting to work on that!

Mother's Day was a very nice day this year.  Church in the morning as always, then off to the store to pick up ingredients for a special meal, and by special, I mean, what I wanted!!!  None of this trying to appease everyone stuff today.  We had Teriyaki Ribs with Grilled Pineapple, Buttery Veggies & Rice, and Garlic & Cilantro Tandoori Naan (an Indian flatbread).  Yummers!  Then we relaxed for a while, and Meadowe and Finn performed a Mother's Day song for me on my recently acquired piano.  They are precious and genuine, and well, check it out for yourself.  Here's Finn's version:



Hope your Mother's Day celebrations were special, meaningful, and memorable.  Mothers make the world go around!