I'm back!

Here are some random pics from the last few months.  I want to get back to regular blogging.  Getting really tired of Facebook.  I'd rather spend time on my blog so that those people who are close to me can see my family and find out what's going on.  Hope you're all doing well!

 

Me with Jenn Thompson, the best female bench presser in the world, pound for pound.  She was at my powerlifting meet.  I was so excited.  She was even a judge on one of my lifts!

Don't be jealous of my powerlifting uniform.  It's super hot!

 Scarlett and her Minnie hat.  I'm getting into crocheting.  She loves her hat!

 My babies!

My tiny baby.  First time in the bucket swing.

 A few days before Christmas the girls and I did a cocoa 5k.  Don't know why I thought it was a good idea.  We did a neighborhood 5k in September which was a total disaster.  Guess it's like childbirth, you forget how tough it is and decide to do it again.  Shortly after we started (like, 10 steps into the race) Scarlett's legs starting hurting.  Chloe wanted to run, Scar wanted to move at a snail's pace.  It was cold and wet.  Little girls started screaming.  I'm recovering from ischial bursitis (butt pain basically) so I couldn't run even if I wanted to.  (It's better now, thankfully.)  We were deader than dead last.  The cop car was right on our heels.  At the end some race people helped me.  I held Nadia, despite the rain and cold.  She was happier a little cold but being held than warm and dry in the stroller.  5k was a disaster but the cocoa at the end was delicious!!  I told Scar she doesn't have to do another one.  Although that may change.  We got a really cool Nike sweatshirt for the race.

 December 23rd my dad passed away.  He hasn't taken care of himself so we weren't surprised.  That being said it has been really, really hard.  Makes me so sad and I miss him so much.  His birthday is September 29, same as Chloe's.  So it will always be a special day to me.  This is a pic we took after the memorial service.  The older couple to my right are from dad's hometown, Joliet, IL.  Neil is my dad's cousin.  He always looked up to my dad.  It was fun meeting family.  I don't know dad's side of the family very well.  This was the worst Christmas I've ever had.  Couldn't get into the Christmas spirit.  On top of my dad's passing, I had a sinus infection.  Trevor was able to take a day off of work before his weekend off so that I could go to the service alone.  I would've liked him to come with me but it was easier if he stayed with the girls so I could go alone.  Worst Christmas ever.  Then I spoke at his service.  I was glad I was able to speak.

Me and my sisters after the service.

 Scarlett had some crazy static hair after playing on the trampoline.

 Juliet's new favorite thing to do.  Climb into Nadia's toy.  Thing is- she can't get out of it.  So she screams "all done" until someone saves her.

Chloe's crocheted Hello Kitty hat made by moi.

After dad's passing it was nice to have some good news.  My brother and his wife had their first baby, Aaron James.  He was born Jan. 10.  We went to visit last weekend.  Chloe loved holding him.  Several of the cousins were born really close together.  Nathan, Feb- 2014, Nadia- May 2014, AJ- Jan 2015.  My sister is having a baby girl in May of this year.  They'll have a fun time together when they're older.

Sassafras Juliet at my bro's house in NC.

While we were visiting my bro he took us to his work.  He has the awesome job of being a medic.  We got to see the ambulances and go inside the station.  Here's a selfie of Nadia and I.  When he pushed the button to lower the ambulance so we could get in, Juliet freaked out.  She wouldn't go in.  When we looked at the front she sat in the backseat with me.  We got to push the sirens.  That was fun.  He works for Mecklenburg EMS.  Way to go little bro!

Chloe taking a selfie with Scar.

Got this cute fish suit at the exchange.  She was so excited and couldn't wait for summer.

   Things have been rough the last few months. I'm sure they'll get better.  Trevor has a really difficult work schedule.  He's on rotating shift work.  It's really annoying.  At the end of the year he will be finished as shift engineer at prototype and be able to go to school to get a Master's.  He'll have a year to finish school then he will go to SOAC (submarine officer's advance course) in CT for 6 months.  After that it's back to sea duty.
    Having 4 kids has completely rocked my world.  I didn't think it would be as hard as it's been. 
   I've gotten back into weight lifting, more specifically powerlifting, which is great fun.  One day maybe I'll decide to really follow my dream and compete as a bodybuilder.  I hope all my friends are doing well wherever you are.