Where is Jillian Michaels when you need her?

Of course, I can envision myself working out and plan on it, but when it comes down to it, I make every excuse in the book to not go. I want to look better, I do! I know the only way is to get off my rear end and DO IT!! I'm not sure what's going to motivate me... I sure hope I find it soon!

My husband has already lost over 20 pounds and his physique is improving dramatically. He's been getting up at 4:30am every morning and doing the boot-camp style exercise. His motivation is that he's 46 years old and wants to be around for our 3 year old daughter. 

The thing is, when I am active, I feel better and I have more energy. I know this! How do I turn this "couch potato" into an active woman? I have a gym membership with daycare provided... I have the Wii Fit... I have the time to go... No excuses! Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!

Sometimes I wish I were Jillian Michaels' sister, then I wouldn't get away with this!! She'd be brutal, but in the end it would be worth it, right? Where is my motivation, my mojo? It has to be here some where.

Just call me.... Suzie Homemaker?

Since my hubby and I got married, I've struggled with what to do with myself. I've worked my entire life, from the age of 13, I started babysitting every day after school. 

Immediately after getting married, I quit my job to stay home with the kids. I love being at home, but I had this weird, guilty feeling that I needed to be earning money. I have sold Mary Kay, knock off handbags, Discovery Toys, and even worked in a Daycare for a while. But in the end, I am at home again. 

For a while, I studied to get my AA in Early Childhood Education. Although, I've only completed a quarter, I don't think that's the right fit for me anymore. After running a daycare in my home for about a year and a half, I have come to the realization that I really don't like other people's kids. LMAO So, going into a field where I'd have to teach other people's kids... um... may not work. 

By the end of October, my daycare will be closed. I'm wrapping my head around being a full fledged Homemaker. I don't know what I will do with myself yet. I used to enjoy sewing and knitting, so I'm going to try those again. Maddi will be enrolled in preschool and other classes. I need to find some hobbies!

Long time, no see...

It has been just about a year since I've even viewed my blog, let alone write anything. We've had a pretty tough go of it since October, 2009. Our family is still in tact, we have our home, and we are all generally happy and healthy... we are very blessed.

My husband got a job, left it, and got another job... LOL He loves the company he's working for now. He is the CFO (I think that's his title... he's not much into titles) for Clean Crawls in Marysville. I'm happy to see him in a job where he's so appreciated.

Kendra met Kevin, and now they are married. I believe they were married on June 3, 2010 in the Grand Caymans. They moved to Sacramento, CA and they both are figuring out what they want to do for careers. Kendra is very happy living in California. We did have a visit with them recently, when we finally gave them their Christmas gifts from last year!

Andrew joined the Army and is stationed in Hawaii. He is happier than I've ever seen him since I've known him. Andy is currently stationed in Iraq where he is taking beautiful pictures and sharing them on Facebook. He calls to check in periodically.

Hannah graduated in 2009 from high school and is now attending Pacific Lutheran University. She's in their pre-med program and loves it there! She spent her entire summer working to save money for school. She is still dating John from Canada... I think they're going on about 1 1/2 years now.

Joshua is still living in Grand Cayman with his mother. We had an awesome visit with him this last summer. I can't believe how fast he's growing, and how smart he is. Josh has a dog, hamster, and now maybe a cat. Unfortunately, he's bored and lonely there.

Madelyn is your typical 3 year old, driving her mom crazy. She is in dance class for tap & ballet... she loves the tap best because of the "noisy" shoes. I'm hoping to get her into preschool January 2011.

I'm closing my daycare this month to focus on the family again. Maddi needs to be able to attend classes and preschool. Dale is tired of additional cleaning when he gets home from work. We both want our house and yard back. My intention is to get back to writing my blog again, studying (although I don't know what, since I'm not sure Early Childhood Education is right for me anymore), and meeting more people.

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband!

Today is my hubby's 45th Birthday... and we're just hanging out in our jammies. We'll be doing his Birthday celebration next weekend. My In-Laws will be over today with KFC for a small family party. The hardest part is keeping him on his chair and not DOING anything!

I am so tired of the rain and gray weather already, and it's only just begun. It's so chilly, I just want to stay inside in my jammies all day, every day.

Yesterday, we went to our local clinic to get Maddi her H1N1 vaccine. It was so busy, they were directing traffic... I couldn't imagine having Maddi wait in that line, so we bagged it. I'm hoping we can get it from her doctor instead of waiting in line like that. So far, I've heard about a quite of few of my friend's kids getting it, but they're all 6 - 12 years old. My fingers are crossed that I get it for her in time, before she is exposed.

Luckily, we have only experienced colds in our household... SO FAR! I'd like to keep it that way! With the daycare in our home, it may be tough... lots of disinfecting to do!

Two Years Ago, Today!

My baby, well not so much baby, is 2 years old today! I can't believe how fast time goes by... it seems like she was just born yesterday! Madelyn Rae Gjerness was born at 8:20pm on September 16, 2007.

Maddi is sitting on the potty, but has yet to actually go peepee in it yet. She likes to help bring dishes to the counter after a meal. It makes me smile when she says "please" and "thank you", especially "bless you". She loves to dance, particularly when High School Musical is on! She is already a shoe diva, which makes me wonder what the teen years will bring... ugh! Maddi got her first tooth on her First Birthday and is still getting them in today (this is obvious by her whineyness).

I'm in aw of Maddi every single day... she makes me smile on regular basis. This little girl is really mine? I am completely and utterly in love with my daughter!

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

This has been one of the craziest / weirdest summers for our family!

Starting with my hubby losing his job at the end of May... it's now beginning of September and he's just started working yesterday! Then helping Hannah out of her situation in Cayman. And of course, last but not least, Josh visiting for the summer (not nearly long enough).

So, things are calming down for us a bit... 

Hannah starts school on Thursday. She's torn about starting school again, but I think she'll get right back into the swing of things. It's her senior year! I can't believe it! When I first met her, she was 12 years old, and very timid. What a beautiful young woman she's turning into!

I am starting an in-home daycare, Little Frogs and Pollywogs! Unfortunately, I can't pursue it too quickly because in our State, daycare's need to be licensed. And there is this orientation that I'm required to attend... but it's always full! I'm on waiting lists for October, but I'll definitely be able to do it in January. Unbelievable!

My little Maddi is growing up so fast! She's going to be two next week! Right now, she's sporting a fat lip from splitting it open last week. I hate looking at it... I can actually feel pain when I do! She's saying more words and phrases... sometimes it shocks me when she says something like "No, not at all" when asked if she likes something... um, do you hear the sarcasm at age two?