Working Girl!

I'm in my second week of working part-time and I have to admit, it's been a bit of an adjustment.

The work part is GREAT...I'm having so much fun, but finding the time to get everything else done....wow!

I have always been so thankful that we made the decision to have me stay home with the kids while they were little.  I know that not everyone has that option.  It was hard at times, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Now that the tables are turned, I'm getting a whole new perspective.  Even though I'm just working part-time outside the house...it's been a big change.  Just finding that time to get everything done....geesh, how do you guys do it all?!

I know it will take some time to get in a new routine, and that everything will be fine, but all you working moms out there truly amaze me.

Camping and another Bike Race!

 Andy had another bike race this past Sunday, so we decided to take Harvey (the pop-up) up a day early and set up camp.  We went to Kickapoo State Park near Danville, IL.  It's a great park.  We did a little hiking while we were there and found this super cool tree that the beavers are obviously enjoying too!

Our dare-devil dad just had to try to make it across....it's higher than it looks in the picture...and a little too wobbly if you ask me.  But he made it....of course!

Maggie had to try it too!

Our campsite was great....lots of shade and some pretty good neighbors too.  Grandma and Paca even drove down to come cook-out with us.  It was great to have them join us!

We tried cooking biscuits over the open fire.  After a few tries, I think we finally figured out how to do it!  Just add butter and cinnamon-sugar....yum!

This is about the only picture I got of Andy at the race.  At the finish line.  I guess that's a good thing!

It was another great weekend!  Hope you all enjoyed yours as well!

MS Walk - Challenge!

The other day I was thinking about this new challenge of earning a team tent for Traci's Troops! and the 2011 MS Walk.  We have participated in the Walk for the last two years, and both years, Traci's Troops! has been a top team.  This year, the new requirement is to earn at least $3000 in order to qualify for a team tent. 

That seems like a huge amount of money to raise. Then I got to thinking about my medication and how if I didn't have the great health insurance that we have, we would have to try to come up with $3,551.81 EACH MONTH.  That is what my medication costs every.single.month.  I can't even imagine.  I honestly don't know what we would do. 

Luck for me, I am on a program with the drug company, along with my insurance, and we only pay $35 per month.  Incredible! 

So that has really inspired me to try my hardest to earn at least $3000. If you feel the need to help me and others suffering from this disease, you can donate here!

Also, the deadline to earn a team tent is August, 28th....just a few days away....please consider helping.  I would really appreciate it!

And a HUGE "Thank You" to all of you that have already registered to be on my team and/or already donated!  I know who you are and thank you from the bottom of my heart! 

 

My first day...

back to part-time work flew by.

Who knew that the time could pass so quickly.  We didn't get a ton accomplished today because of some construction still going on, but I have a very good feeling about this place.  Just wait till you see it!  So fun and funky.  I'm so glad to be a part of it!
 

First Day......

of FIRST and THIRD grade:

It's going to be a GREAT year!

Last Day of Summer Party!

Today was our last full day of summer vacation.  So in honor of that, we ended summer with a bang.  First we had a neighborhood picnic.  We all brought our own lunches and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Wish all of our friends could have made it.  We missed you Heinolds!

Then we ventured out to our most favorite ice-cream spot.....what a great group of kiddos!

Okay, so maybe they are a little goofy!

These two are my favorite!

We followed up our trip to DQ with a pool-party at Polly's.  Thanks again Polly for having ALL of us over.  It was a perfect ending to an excellent summer vacation.

One Month....

from today is the MS Walk 2011. 

And I need YOUR help!

The coordinators of the event have changed things up a bit and have made things a little more challenging. I'm always up for a good challenge, but I need your help to make things happen. 

My favorite thing about the MS Walk is that *anyone* can participate and I love how they make it a total family event.  There is NO registration fee to walk.  You just register and come.  Having so many friends and family there supporting me is the MOST AMAZING feeling.  Seeing all of you in your orange shirts, puts a huge smile on my face. 

However, if you are able, donations are ALWAYS welcome.  This year, in order to have a TRACI'S TROOPS! tent, I have to at least raise $3000.  It seems like a lot, but I think together we totally can do it.  No amount is too small.  If you have just a little to give, it WILL help!

If you are able, you can click the link here and donate online!  Please consider giving to this cause!  Your support will help so many people.  If you just want to register to walk, you can do that by clicking here , scroll down and find "Traci's Troops! and "Join Team"!

As I type this blog post, my heart is really thinking about the other events going on one month from today.  Our country will be remembering the horrible events that took place almost 10 years ago.  In honor of that, I really want to show our love and support to those families who lost loved ones on that horrific day.  I would love to have several people carry American flags along the walk route. I have purchased American flag stickers and tattoos to show our support.  If you have another idea of how we can show our support, I'm totally open to suggestions. 


Thank you for considering to help out Traci's Troops!

My New Adventure!

This school year is the start of a new adventure for me. 

You see, BOTH my children will be in school all-day-long!  Sniff!  Sniff!

I have mixed feelings about this.  Part of me is excited for this very new phase in life.  I can remember when both of my kids were babies (pretty much at the same time) and thinking to myself on those "hard" days.....boy, what will life be like when they are off to school.  Just having a moment to myself back then was such a rare thing....that, at times, I looked forward to.  

But just like that, in a blink of an eye....here we are!

And I want to go back! 

I have enjoyed being home with my kids....and I'm so grateful that we made the decision to and were financially able to do that.  It's really been a true blessing to have that time with my kiddos!


But....as they go off to a new all-day adventure......I was a little worried about what I was going to do with all my time.  Sure, I'll be volunteering at their school, attending bible study, hitting the gym, & keeping up with the house....but a girl can only "clean" so much, right?!

So I'm going back to work part-time!  Yeah me!

I was approached back in April from a friend at church.  She was super excited to tell me about a business she was thinking about opening.  Her passion for the business just beamed out of her....and totally got me excited for her!  But honestly, even with all her excitement, in the back of my head I thought...."This isn't going to happen overnight.....this is going to take awhile for this to all come together."  That's where I was wrong.

Everything has fallen into place for Janice.  She is opening up her new bridal business in just a few weeks.  Her vision is coming together and Adore Bridal & Specialty is opening the beginning of September!

Janice asked if I would want to be her organizational guru.  The person who handles all the shipping/receiving, bills, appointment, all the stuff she doesn't like to do, but knew I did!  (Can you just see all the labels I could make for this place!)  And the best part is is that she is totally working around me and my number one priority...Maggie & Max.  I will be only working 15 hours a week and only while my kiddos are in school.  That way I can be there with them in the morning and most importantly...I will still be able to pick them up after school.  It's really a win-win for everyone. 

I get to find out who "Traci" is again...instead of just being Maggie & Max's mom.  I get to get out a little and be with adults....most should be happy (brides are happy people, right?!), working in a faith-based business.  Oh, and a little extra cash won't hurt either! 

Let the adventure begin!

Mean Mom!

Yep!  That's me!

Want to guess why?  You'll probably agree with my kids once you hear it!

We started the back-to-school routine last night!  That means, in the house and ready for bed by 8:00pm.....reading in bed till 8:30pm.  Did you know that "no one else had to come in that early"......and "it was still light out!"

Oh my goodness....I'm so mean!

That also means, setting the alarm for 7:00 am, getting up, making beds, getting dressed, breakfast and brushing teeth....basically ready to walk out the door by 8:00am. 

Yes, we still have a week of summer vacation, so technically we don't have to be up and ready.....BUT, I am a planner....(if you didn't already know that!) and I like to take this last week to get in the groove. 

We'll still be doing some fun things this week....we'll just be ready to do those things at 8:00 am! Things like biking, swimming (if it's hot enough...don't even get me started on that) playing outside, lunches out, maybe the zoo, trips to DQ....and who knows what else.  It WILL be fun....

But I'm sticking to my "mean mom" status and totally okay with that!

Home *Sweet* Home!

I love it when you return to your home after being gone a while, you seem to appreciate what you have.

I loved getting home and sleeping in our own bed.  I think we all slept like babies that night.  And we all were excited to see our fluffy hair-ball dog, Charlie.  Oh how he missed us....and we missed him.  (Thanks to Papa & Jane for keeping him for us!) Just getting things back to normal is a great feeling for me. 

So even though we don't have any food (still have to go to the store!), there are piles of clothes ALL over the house, there is mail to go through, and phone calls to return....it's so good to be home!

Traveling Home!

Okay...I just want to take a minute and post this on my blog so that I can look back at it before we take our next long road trip. 

MY FAMILY IS AWESOME!

The kids were such great travelers.  We ended up driving straight through, and they did not complain one time!

I had my reservations about taking a long road trip (you all know that!) but it was a wonderful experience.  So yes, I'm admitting to all of you out there who read my little ol' blog, that my husband was right and I was wrong!

I'm SO looking forward to our next adventure! 

Vacation - Day 5

 Today is our last day in Breckenridge.  It's been a great, but short trip.  We have enjoyed every single second of our time here and can't wait to come back. 

Today we took a tour at the Country Boy Mine.  It was really interesting and we got to experience just a tad of what these guys had to do to "hit the jackpot!"

After our tour of the mine, we went to the top of Boreas Pass.  It's amazing up there.  We drove to the top on a long, and winding gravel road....with breathtaking views.  (Some were just a little too close to the edge of a drop-off...if you ask me!)

 Standing up through the sunroof....was a big hit!  Since we were only going about 10 mph....I was okay with it! 

Our time was short, but we made some awesome memories.  As we head back home....we don't say "goodbye" to Colorado....we say, "See ya soon!" 

Vacation - Day 4

 Today we decided to get on our bikes and do a little riding.  We took a shuttle to the top of Vail Pass.  It's basically a 12-mile downhill bike path.  It was awesome.....pretty much no pedaling.  But you see those gray clouds in the first picture.....well we stayed dry until about the last 2 miles.  Then it poured!  Andy (always thinking) brought along three kitchen garbage sacks from our condo.  They came in handy!  The kids were troopers...but we were freezing and soaked by the time we got back to the car.  Maggie and I were laughing the entire time.  Definitely a memorable experience.  

Aren't we cute!

After we had some lunch and warmed up in the hot tub.....we headed back out to Loveland Pass!

for hiking.... 

climbing...

 and standing on top of the world!

(Can you see them up there...pretty cool, don't ya think!)

Vacation - Day 3

 Today we took a ride on the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad.  Max was so excited.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour ride....and we enjoyed every minute. 

 Max bought a train on the train ride.....he's pretty proud of it...can you tell!  A big thanks to Grandma & Paca for the kids spending money.  Even after buying the train he has a little bit of money left. 

After the train ride and a little lunch at Tennessee Pass Cafe in Leadville (Thank you Urbanspoon....it was an awesome lunch!) we stopped to check out this little rock.  The pictures really don't do it justice.  It was a mini mountain in my opinion.  Maggie was dying to go rock climbing....so that's just what we did.

 

Can you see them....Maggie & Andy are on top....they came back down and got Max and I just so we could see how amazing it was....and it was!

Right now we are just chillin out while daddy is out for a "real" mountain bike ride.  Then we'll head back into Breck to do a little downtown shopping.   We are having so much fun....don't want it to end.