Deactivating to "Re-activate"

I've deactivated my Facebook account.  I often am finding myself longing for more time.  I realized that I can get a good chunk of time back if I deactivate.  The time may be equivalent to doing the dishes, putting in a load of laundry, writing my lesson for the next day or maybe just reading a page of the book I'm trying to get through.  But it is time non-the-less.
It will probably be hard for me. I like to be in the know.  I learned about a lot of fun activities for the girls and races for myself via Facebook.  I have found out about friends that needed a dinner brought to them, a card sent, or a chat.  I have had friends share about joyous events in their lives of friends.  I have had Facebook chats that never would have happened via text or phone.
I LOVE that part of Facebook.  Feeling connected even when your kids are sleeping and your home alone.  Reading funny or informative articles that others share.  Finding new songs/bands. Seeing picture of what my friends are doing. Laughing, crying,  "liking" things I see.  In fact I learned about the Whole30 Challenge (that I am still doing and loving!!) on Facebook.  
So, why the deactivation?  Here's the part I don't like about Facebook.  The part where you log on when you should be doing something else (dishes, laundry, writing my lesson for the next day).  The part where one link leads to another and another and before you know it, it's been 30 minutes 2 hours.I don't like the part where I find myself logging on purposely to avoid doing something else.... in search of motivation or inspiration.   Slowly the amount of time I've spent of Facebook has increased.  I don't like it.
As I've been doing my eating challenge, I've been receiving daily e-mails about eating, motivation, exercise, sleep, organization. & life in general.  My children and my family have always been a priority for me. Now I need to work on myself a little.   I need to make healthy habits a priority.  I need to make adequate sleep a priority.  I need to make my routine a priority (because when I do the things I know I should do in the evening, the mornings- and therefore the days- run much more smoothly.)  In short I've deactivated my account so that I can be even more committed to my family.  Reactivate myself. Get  focused.  Get organized. Read.  Journal.  Find QUALITY time for myself.  Spend more time with my friend laundry.  He's been calling me all week and I haven't returned his calls. 
So... for now that means no Facebook.   I may be back, but for now, call me.... or text if something amazing or awful (hopefully amazing) happens in your life.  I'd love to hear about it. :)

Lookie What I Did...

Jared has been busy working two jobs, so I decided  to winterize the swamp cooler.  All by myself... Okay I did use a "phone-a-friend" but, still!  I'm super proud of myself.

Public Service Announcement?

I'm  on day 2 of this:


And they recommend making a public commitment to help motivate me to stay on track.  30 days of no sugar... maybe it's more to warn you all than it is to help me. ;)
Either way,  here you go, public...
I am doing the Whole30 Challenge.    
There is zero allowance for slip-ups.  (If you do you start back on day 1.)
Feel free to bug me and check in on how I'm doing.
I WILL complete this challenge and I will feel more energetic and happier for it.
(I will not go as far as to post before pictures... but maybe the afters.  We'll have to wait and see on that.)

Dearest Laundry,

Laundry.  My dear friend.   We've been together for quite some time.   Sporadically at first, but then with increasing frequency and intensity.  In recent years, we've spent many a late night and many early mornings together. A couple times we stayed up all night. 

There have been times that I've tried to wipe you out completely.  Vowed to get rid of you and hang you out to dry. I've even cursed you.  But you, Laundry, you don't take things personally.  You always come back.  If I ignore you, you wait.  Patiently. For as long as I need. 

You've helped me in many ways.  You keep me honest.  Remember that time in high school that I borrowed my mom's shirt and tried to wash away the evidence.  You ruined that shirt so that I was forced into honesty.  Everyone needs a friend to help them keep it real. 

You keep me from getting bored.  I know I always have you to hang out with.  Always.    

I know you are needy, Laundry.  I know you would like me to tend to you all the time.  You whisper to me when I'm trying to run out the door. You welcome me promptly upon my return.  You tease me by appearing to diminish only to magically double (or triple) over night.   (How do you do that, Laundry?  It's really quite a trick.) 

When it's all said and done, I'm happy to have you, Laundry.  One constant in this ever changing, busy  life.   As long as you are around, I know we are out enjoying trips to the park, hikes, and working in the yard.  We are completing art projects and homework assignments.  We are  working to master our culinary skills, and are eating yummy food.  

In short, laundry, you remind me that we are living... and loving every minute of it. 
And for that, I thank you.

Seriously??? Six???

*Sigh*   I can't believe it really happened.  My youngest, my baby, is six.  SIX!  Despite my negotiation attempts, she decided to go ahead and get another year older.  Darn.   
Here's the rundown of her special day:

5:30- My early bird is up to get the worm (i.e. breakfast in bed).  She was so cute about tip-toeing into my room to wake me up and let me know she was awake.  I asked if she wanted breakfast now or if she wanted to wait until everyone was up to sing to her when the breakfast was delivered.  She went with the song, so I moved into her bed to snuggle her (and squeeze in a few more precious minutes of sleep)
6:00- Eva wakes me up (again) to ask if I can clean her room for her (since it's her birthday).  I oblige (it wasn't that messy).
7:00- Naiya comes in and we leave Eva to read in bed while we get breakfast ready.
7:30-  Everyone is up.  Breakfast is ready. We sing to a grinning 6 year old and she digs in (Naiya joins her).
8:30- Birthday Dance Party in the living room.
9:30- Mani-Pedi (courtesy of momma).  Eva got a ladybug pattern.  Naiya went with a zebra print.  I'm not that great at painting nails.  Luckily they don't know any better.

11:00- Out the door and heading to Hollywood Connection. Rides, pizza & cake, roller skating, more rides, a magic show, more rides, archade, more rides, mini golf, and  few more rides. We were going to go to a movie too, but at this point it was already 6:30 and the girls were getting tired.
7:00- Rent a movie and fall asleep on the sofa (all 4 of us).

She wanted press-on nails and a Dream Lite Pillow Pet.  We let her open gifts periodically through out the day.  I got her a paint your own nail pattern book (because I'm NOT a fan of the press on nails).  She also got a doll with several accessories.   I hid the Dream Lite until it was movie time.  I almost felt bad watching her open each gift hoping that maybe it was the pillow pet.  She was excited about each gift, but you could see she was starting to lose hope.   She was OVER-THE-TOP THRILLED when she actually got it.   I love to see her full of giggles and joy. Her birthday was FULL of that.  Lets hope this next year if full of that too!
 

I thought...

Going part time, I kinda thought my afternoons would look like this:



and this...

and   like this

and a little of this...

and maybe some of this...



So far, my afternoons have looked more like this:

plus some of this.... 

loads of this... 

and this... 

and non-stop this... 

I do have to say, there is SOOOO much less stress now... which makes me  feel like this:

And I'm still holding out for some of this...

Cecret Lake

We went up to Cecret Lake by Alta with some friends of ours.   Here are a few pictures (Mostly for Courtney's viewing pleasure):