It’s so hard to believe that it’s time for another Happy New Year! is already here. This year is setting itself up to be a busy one for me and the family. The last three months have been busy with medical, dental, car crashes and other fun things. Hopefully 2011 will be full of a lot fun and excitement! I may actually get to go on vacation — imagine that!
My son is awaiting his in-hospital dental appointment. He, unfortunately, has his dad’s teeth which means that he gets cavities just by breathing. The dentist is going to sedate him so that he can fill the cavities that he already has, check for micro-cavities all without traumatizing him into thinking the dentist is the bad guy. I hate the idea, but he’s a squiggly four year old, so there’s really no other way to do a thorough exam. (sigh) Speaking of dentists, we get to go find out how much money we won’t have after the orthodontist gets finished examining my two girls. I don’t think that we’ll be buying that summer home in Bali anytime soon …
On a happy personal note, I can walk and even bend without crying anymore. The three bulging disks have been cooperating with the traction and electric stimulation treatments I’ve been getting from my chiropractor at Marshall’s Creek Chiropractic. (I love you guys!)
I’m starting water aerobics on the 10th and my niece and I are partners in Weight Watchers, so that’s exciting too. My goal is convince 45 pounds to slide off my frame so that I can once again wear clothes that don’t brand me as “Mommy.” I love being a mommy, but I’m actually leaning towards being mildly fashionable this year. I’m also excited about my upcoming 25th school reunion in October. I’m looking forward to looking and feeling my best as I catch up with some old friends.
On a business note, I really love social media and my clients. We work hard, but there’s a family feeling throughout which is what makes it all worthwhile. I hope to land a few other accounts which will help pay for all those upcoming dental bills! I’ve also given myself permission to ask for help when it comes to being overwhelmed by work. I’ve put together a little team that really helps me keep my sanity. I feel very blessed to have them.
On the homeschooling front, I’ve given myself permission to admit when I need help (that sounds familiar!). For me that means some online classes for the older ones, homeschool coops and swapping driving time with some of the other homeschooling families. I think my back injury was as much a result of my increased stress as the excess weight and lack of exercise.
In line with that, I’ve just discovered a new resource called “Brave Writer” that my daughter will be using starting the 10th of the month. The course is supposed to be for children who have had auditory/speech issues. My daughter has a very difficult time expressing herself on paper — as she puts it “the ideas are all in my head, but when I try to write them down they get stuck.” I’m hoping this will help her get “unstuck” especially since we’re entering the “Testing Zone” in PA. Not that I really care about the tests, but I don’t want her to have to struggle through them either.
My other daughter is working on her reading and between the Madsen Method, some older Scholastic easy readers and a lot of time I’m hoping that she will blossom into a more confident reader. I’m noticing that her visual memory doesn’t seem to be keeping up its end of the bargain. She’ll read a word three times on the same page, but still have to sound it out as if she’s just seen it. I’m not too worried though, she’s a bright girl who excels at math and other things so she’ll get there eventually.
Last, but not least, my husband hopes to end his overtime marathon of the last few months. With my back being injured and chiropractic visits not being covered, he’s been going non-stop for long time. And it didn’t help when he got whiplash in the car accident either. So, he’s really looking forward to some sleep. (Peace and quiet are a bit too much to ask in our home, generally speaking.)
Well, that’s my short list of goals for the year. What’s on your list?
