Where has the time gone???

Wow...my blog is needing a little updating and maybe a complete overhaul! :) It is time to get busy! Adding to my to-do list now. :)

A Lesson Learned

Last night, my husband had a great idea for date night! We love to change things up and try something new, so why not? :) He signed us up for a group bicycle ride. It included a class on biking etiquette while in a group as well as the how-to's. After the "class" we were to go on an hour (or so) long ride in our group. Sounds fun! Interesting! New! Something to do with my husband! Yippee!

Did I mention that when we pulled up to the bike shop that hosts this event, I began to feel sick to my stomach? I really thought that I was going to lose it as I looked around at all of the EXPERIENCED road bikers. I am a ride-through-the-park kind of girl...not a serious road biker!

So, I held my husband's hand and went inside to attend the class. As I stood there listening to the instruction, I began to panic more and more. As the class was dismissed to go out to our bikes, I began to tremble. And yes, I cried. "Honey, I can't do this! We need to go home!" Panic...that is the best word to describe it. The instructor came up behind me, "What is the problem?" I answered, "I can't do this", as tears were welling up. His response, "Get on your bike. Let's go."

Oh my...we were off. We caught up with the more experienced group who then left us in their dust. The "beginner" group paired up with those that were not so new. Thank heavens for my partner. She was so encouraging! Our task was to get into 2 lines with only 2 feet in between our front tire and the back tire of the person in front of us. We were to be shoulder to shoulder with our partner. This was TERRIFYING! Everything inside me was saying, "Don't ride so close to others! It is not safe!" But while my brain was shouting those words, the instructor was saying, "Kristina (he could not get my name right), watch your gap! Catch up! Come on!" This continued for 20 miles....the most stressful 20 miles I have ever ridden on my bike. Everytime that I would fall back, he would yell again. This tactic was not helping my nerves or my self-esteem. Finally, I had enough. My legs were burning, my brain was fried, and my emotions were about to fall apart. I told my wonderful husband that I was finished. We fell out of the configuration much to the dismay of the instructor.

Thank heavens my husband listened to me. I was a wreck. Did I mention that we were out in Dayton? Oh my...that's fine, we will just ride back to Chico at our own pace, no problem. At this point, Michael realized that something was just not quite right with his back tire. Upon looking at it closely, he realized that his rim had cracked! We would not be riding back to Chico. Fortunately, I had my cell phone and we called our amazing babysitters - a husband/wife team with a bike rack on their car. Mr. Babysitter came to our rescue 20 minutes later. Thank you, Mr. Babysitter!

As Michael and I were waiting for Mr. Babysitter, I was venting about how the instructor made me feel. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks! This is exactly how my children feel when they are trying with ALL of their might to do the right thing and I raise my voice at them. It made me shut down even more when he would yell at me. It made me feel terrible about myself and it was harder to "catch up" as my mind was so focussed on how awful it felt to be yelled at. I wept as I stood there knowing that there are times when I am the instructor and my children are the beginning bicyclists. All I could do was hold my children tight and apologize. Thank you, Lord, for using a negative situation to show me what you wanted me to learn.

And thank you, honey, for arranging an amazing date night. I love you!

Weight Loss Journey of a Homeschooling Mom

Whew...who said that losing weight was easy? NOT ME! But, boy has it been worth it. Something came over me during the month of December. I'm not sure if it was another season of Biggest Loser getting ready to begin or what it was exactly. I just knew that it was time. Time to put all of my excuses away...time to get serious about getting healthy...time to be happy with the body that God has given me.

December 2009

So, I jumped in with both feet. After receiving great weight loss advice from a successful friend, I began my journey. I had no idea where I would be four months later, but I began nonetheless! I set small goals for myself...small attainable goals. I was shocked when after one month, I had lost TEN pounds. Who would have thought!?! The next ten pounds should fall off just as easily, right? WRONG! :) This is where perseverence and creativy had to come in.

January 2010

February 2010

I began walking each week with a great friend. I loved the physical exercise and the fellowship! She encouraged me to step things up. "Let's jog!" Are you kidding? I didn't know that my body could jog...and do it two days a week?! Boy did we start out slow (thank heavens for her patience - thank you, Katie)!

March 2010

Now, I am up to jogging every morning with my children (Z on his roller blades, A on his bike or scooter, and Little B on her bike with trusty training wheels). Who knew that exercising could be so much fun and so great for my family? The kids are loving it! And I am reaping the rewards. I am now down 26 pounds. I have six more pounds to get to my next small goal. Unfortunately, I am stuck on another one of those pesky plateaus. But what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. :)

April 2010

I know I can...I know I can...I know I can!

Happy May Day!

Wow...the first day of May brings such happiness to this mommy of three. We are in the home stretch! The boys and I are ready for this school year to be over. We are longing for the days of no appointments, no lessons, no assignment sheets, and no more teacher's dirty looks! :)

As a classroom teacher, this part of the year was always bittersweet. I longed for a more laid back schedule, but I couldn't handle the thought of letting go of my sweet students! Now, as a homeschooling teacher, the bitter part of the end of the school year is not there! I know that I will still see my students each and every day! I will still get hugs from them and not be forgotten when they meet their new teacher the following year. Nope...my poor kids are stuck with the same teacher year in and year out! :) Thank heavens they love it so much!

So...as we gaze ahead at our last month of the school year, we rejoice in all that we have learned, we take notes about what to do differently next year, and we strive to give our all when swimming, bike riding, and playing at the creek is ALL that we can think about! Hooray for the last month of school!

So Many Changes...

It is just about time that I add a new update to our very neglected blog. So much has changed since I last wrote. Hmmm...where to begin!

My wonderful and amazing husband is now a dispatcher for B-Line. He is really enjoying his new tasks. His schedule is much different and we are still adjusting to it! Thankfully, he now has weekends off...we have been waiting for over a year for that to happen! The biggest change is that he does not get home until after the kids have gone to bed...we are trying to have dinner for lunch and spending as much time together before he goes to work. Thank heavens for homeschooling! :)

Z just celebrated his 11th birthday! One of his favorite treats of the day was a waffle cone at Baskin Robbins. He was a happy camper! He has chosen to have a "nerd party" this weekend. We found perfect nerd glasses at the dollar store yesterday. I can't wait to watch him celebrate in "style". :)

My sweet A is really enjoying his guitar lessons this school year. This guy can play! I am constantly amazed at the gift that God has given him! I can't wait for A and Z to play together as they get better and better. Can't you imagine a brother worship band? Z on the piano, A on the guitar? I am so proud of my guy. He is growing and growing...and I don't mean just his height!

Our Little B is preparing herself for Kindergarten in the fall. I can't believe that it is just around the corner. She is full of imaginative play. I love to walk by her room hearing her having a conversation with her animals. As you can see in the picture...she loves to have fun in her cape and all!

Another change for our family is that I have begun my own Pampered Chef business. I am a few weeks into it and have been loving every minute! It has been a great way to supplement our income as well as a way for me to get out of the house and enjoy time shopping with wonderful ladies! ~insert shameless plug here~ So...if you are interested in Pampered Chef products and/or would like to host a show, let me know! I would love to make you dinner! www.pamperedchef.biz/kristiharper

Thanks for letting us share an update. Life is good when God is in control! My new favorite quote is:

"You may not be sure where God is taking you, but be rest assured that He does."

Our Christmas Letter 2009

Twas the Night Before Christmas 2009

Twas the night before Christmas and I sit down to write

All of the ideas in my head are having a real fight!

It is often overwhelming to look back through the year

God's faithfulness and provision are ever so near

Michael has been working very hard for the family he loves

While our every need was met from heaven above!

He has been working for B-Line driving the bus

And selling, delivering, and moving safes to provide for us.

The end of the year brought the end of our store

But God continues to bless our (now) home business galore!

Kristi is busy schooling her kids, answering phones, and being the social planner

She can't imagine her life in any other manner.

Zane is growing before our very eyes, not only in height, but maturity too

He has kept busy with piano lessons, classes, and being a reporter for our church's news.

Andrew has kept busy with activities of his own, like guitar, legos, and reading

He uses his gift of humor to bring laugther when we are needing.

Brianne is already four, but wishes that she was older by far.

She began gymnastics, loves to sing, likes school work, and going to the park.

Our days are very full with the busyness of being a family of five

Through His grace and mercy is the only way these parents survive.

We are so grateful for the events of this past year

And look forward to His will as we look ahead from here.

We wish you a Merry Christmas filled with blessings and more

As we remember the birth of His son, for that is what Christmas is for!

Bishop's Pumpkin Patch

One of our favorite field trips all year long is visiting Bishop's Pumpkin Patch in Wheatland. It would not be fall without a trip there! Enjoy the highlights of our trip!