Summers End

Well, my six year old, Isaac, starts first grade on Tuesday...hopefully all goes well! He's very excited and seems to have blocked out the 'issues' he had at the beginning of last year. We're letting him enjoy his selective memory at this point in hopes that last year's calls from the teacher and principal to pick him up early (from his half-day Kindergarten class) will not repeat this year.

Then there's poor Elijah who won't be 5 until October so he still has another to go before joining the ranks of the 'big kids.' He is heart broken that he still doesn't get to go to school but promise of Sunday school seems to have lessened the blow. I'll take him with me when I go in to teach my Sunday school class. It gives us a little time together too and is kinda our thing.

Last week was a fairly light one for me - no home visits, team meetings - just my regular paid job and the typical homework. Next week will be interesting, Monday is the last day of the Domestic Violence children's group and there's a team meeting for the dad that just can't seem to "Say No!" Although I did get good news on him last week - he finally (after a year) had a drop (pee test) that was clean and I mean ZERO not just low numbers...yippee!!!!

I'm working with Family Services right now to get a group for teens started at juvy. We should be starting it this fall. That will be a challenge for me since teens aren't exactly my favorite age group. AND these kids are on lock-down so they will be forced to go to this group (not necessarily wanting to be there). But we (society) at some point have to try to break the cycle of (relationship, domestic) violence. What better time than when we have their complete attention?!?

It's time for me to head off to bed so I can get up and finish my homework.

A Must See Movie.....

Yesterday my husband and I watched a movie called, American History X. It's an older movie, from 1998, but my husband insisted I sit and watch it. (He had seen it before.) So even though I had a paper and some other homework to do I took the time to sit and watch it. Admittedly, only a few minutes into the movie I couldn't pull myself away from the movie, even if I had wanted to.

If you want to watch it without having the story line ruined - stop reading now! If you don't mind my rambling on about the movie and giving it away...read on.

Personally, I think that every parent needs to watch this movie with their teen...EVERY parent with their teen. It's a dramatic reminder of how impressive our kids are, especially during their teen years, as well as how our kids listen to what we say, and at times, what we fail to say.

A teen boy who had the world at his feet - did well in school, had an open and loving mind - in the blink of an eye became a hateful and violent individual. He not only fell to the rantings of a hateful, greedy and uncaring man but he drug his younger brother in with him.

The oldest boy, played by Edward Norton, made the extreme change to hate after his father was murdered, but that was just the catalyst. The event that really made that switch possible was a talk that the father had with him prior to the father's murder. It was a simple dinner discussion where the father shared his dissatisfaction with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission policies that  had been implemented. The father was promoting neo-nazism just a concern. But after the father's death the eldest son falls prey to the hate-mongers.

He eventually sees the light after having some horrific events occur and tries to save his younger brother from the experiencing the same mistakes.

My husband and I just sat there for a few minutes after the movie was over...sigh...it was a lot to digest, but well worth the emotional journey that the movie took you on. My husband and I had some really good discussion after watching it yesterday on hate, parenting and being conscious of the example parents set for their kids.

Definitely a must see!

Once Again...

Well, here I am once again trying to get this blog going. Not only that but needing to lose weight! (Notice I didn't say trying to lose weight.) I've been going to the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays and trying to watch what I eat...most days. Just feeling really tired, but I know if I were to dig in and make myself workout more often I would feel much better and, especially if I really tightened up on what I was eating. But here I sit, 1:00 am on Saturday night just finishing up on some homework at least for the night. I'll be back at the home work tomorrow morning only to break for church and an occasional play moment with the lil' fellas.

Not complaining, necessarily because I am blessed to be able to work, go to school and volunteer like I do but just sayin'. And really I could fit working out in very nicely, but just haven't mustered the energy...what a vicious cycle of being too tired to exercise but feeling more tired and crappy as more weight is gained. I just need to stop with the nonsense and buckle down.

It wasn't but a year ago that a dear friend of mine died from a stroke. My genes put me at high risk for being a victim of a stroke and generally, hispanics suffer from the strokes that will kill. I know, I know...get off my tush...NOW!

Jumpin' Back In

After being out of my workout routine for a few months due to sickness (and laziness) I jumped back in on Friday by committing to the Resolution on Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010. I completed the first day and haven't been able to walk without pain since (good pain...at least that's what I keep telling myself)!

Tonight is the next workout that I have to complete which is Upper Body. I expected to be waddling and unable to lift my arms tomorrow but at least I'll e on my way to a better bod...right?

Eating...well, that has gotten better too! Just need to stay on the right rack which shouldn't be too bad since my hubby is on board with the eating thing. We've both committed to eating out less by only eating dinner out once a week.  With the money that we save from only eating out once a week we are going to go shopping once a month and donate that to our church's food pantry.

Happy New Year all!

Something You Should Know

Little Background Story: During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

 Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't leave this world, they can end up in a helpless, difficult condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist said that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions, remember the signs, STR:

• S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
• T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
• R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call an emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

I have done my small part by spending a few minute to post this. I hope you will too! Remember this information and pass it along.

Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours!!!

Hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful day which has moved into a wonderful weekend! Starting Monday - I'm going to get back into working out strong. I am finally at a point where I can exert myself and not break into a wretched coughing spell!

I've been feeling awful with my clothes fitting tighter and tighter but this picture pushed me over the edge! Ugh!!! HORRIBLE!!! But it's all within my power (and only my power) to change what I'm not fond of...my weight!!!

My hubby is actually right there with me (for the most part) so this should be a little easier! I have awesome support from my co-workers too! We'll be hittin' the gym at least once a week, if not even more when we go back to work after the first of the year!!!!

First of the year is going to be extremely busy and stressful for me so it will be really important for me to stick to my workout schedule. I will need to be conscious of the fact that I will be busy and stressed so I NEED to continue to do my workouts!

Wish me luck!

Its been a mintue...or two...or three...

As you've probably guessed - I haven't been very faithful at sticking to my routine the past few weeks. I haven't done anything this past week. But I'm going to kick next week off on Saturday by going to spin class Saturday morning and then working in a little weight training afterwards.

I really need to figure out away to get myself blogging a little more regularly. Started teaching preschool Sunday school again - just one class on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. Have an interview with Family Services on the 24th for a volunteer position facilitating a group session for kids that are impacted by domestic violence. The sessions are 3 hours a week for 10 weeks - not too bad. Have also been accepted by Childs Advocates Inc to be an advocate - training is a twice a week for the month of January and February, then the committment is ~6 hrs per week. Hopefully those two positions give me enough experience that when I'm done with school I'll have an easier time finding a job in my new career.

Isaac (the 5 yr old), has been bugging me to get him a Woody doll (from the Toy Story). Today a little boy from daycare, Morgan, brought his to daycare. On the way home Isaac said to me (for the millionth time) "Mommy I want a Woody doll." I responded with, "Ok, you'll just need to tell Santa and maybe he'll bring it to you." Isaac said, "No, Morgan got his at Walmart!"

Later,

Amy