It has been complete!

FINALLY I am hired.
All the paperwork is done.
I have 5 orientation days this month :) PAID ones ;)

I am soooo happy. I dont have to stress about finding a job! And now I will have access to internal postings..in case I want something a little more part time or temporary.
I think I will be happy being casual, as I get the vacation pay and stuff on top of my wage already..so it will make it seem like more LOL

I am still sick. Over a week now. But this week I have not let the cough, sore throat and snot keep me from exercising. Since buying the bike it is my new best friend :) I have done 2 30 min rides. And they have hills. It is more then enough to make my legs burn...and its all I can handle right now without coughing up a lung :)

I still cannot believe I have not had an ounce of junk food in almost a week and a half. It is SO hard to see chocolate and cakes at the store...and not buy them lol
I almost caved this evening...but NO I am determined.
Instead I came home and enjoyed a couple rice cakes LOL...yay

So, I am 3 days away from my speech in front of 1000 plus people, And I am getting scared...real scared.
what the heck did I sign up for lol
I am in no way a public speaker...I just did it cause it is not something one turns down. It is a honor. I am the valedictorian for the entire Surrey Campus....wow.
Well, I guess my speech was great, as the big boss was to review it, and email me if he had any changes and suggestions...and I never heard a thing.
hmmmm lol

I had a nice day with James today. We went and ran errands and I took him to burger king for lunch (he wanted to play at the park inside)...I was good, did not eat junk!
We also got the kids their first pair of roller skates. you know the little tyke plastic ones....
they are super cute....
but they fall alot lol
good thing there is 3 settings....they are on intermediate...where the wheels are not fully loose :) I may take a day with Arianna tomorrow. Not sure what to do lol, James and I did a lot today. But I want to be fair :)

Maybe we can try and figure out what to do for brandons birthday....hmmmmm

Well I better get back to my American Idol then get to bed...
the last few nights I am running on only a few hrs a night...darn cough. :)

It's a start

I somehow managed to lose 2 pds, even though I only managed to go running 3 times. I have been sick for a week now, and there is no sign of this thing letting up. Its a bad one. Its mostly in my chest, throat and head....so makes exercise very hard.
My eating is good, so at least that is something. I have gone a week NO coke lol...I miss it
We didnt do too much this weekend. Rose was off, she was gone all weekend somewhere too.
We did go out today and buy me a new bike. And we went for a family ride. It was nice :)
Next week (when costco gets them back in stock) we are getting one of those bike trailer/double jogging stroller things. Its a super deal and will make longer bike trips fun for the kids. Right now they get tired, and I would like to use my bike for exercise too.
Well, I pray I hear from someome this week.
This month is expensive otherwise, as I was supposed to be working in order to pay Rose. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!!!!!
I still cant believe I was first to get a job...but have not started to work. And now others are getting work and will probably start before me!
Friday is my graduation. I will need to practice my speech and get some cofidence to read it in front of 1000 people.
Well thats it from here.
Time to head back to the couch with my box of kleenex.

Pity Party

So I never heard back this week from the lady at recruitment....
sigh.
I guess that means no orientation for me on tuesday, as I doubt they will be ready for me in time...
This is so disappointing to me. I really wanted to start working...well I NEED to.
I was so excited knowing they hired me so long ago, and since they it had been one thing after another.
Maybe I jinxed myself....
I feel so useless being at home now. Having the nanny has been amazing, I dont want to get in her way, so I find myself hiding in my room, or going out.
I need some positive vibes sent my way to get things in order.
This has really made me sad.
thank you.

on another note, diet and exercise has been going great.
I am sure I will have lost on sunday.
I know it will be a slow road but I am used to it already :)
No snacks, pop, juice, or any junk!
It is easy to follow now..I am happy with it.
I will keep going until I reach my goal.

Rose has the weekend off, so it will be some good family time. Not sure if we have anything planned....swimming lessons are over until May I think.

I entered little Arianna into a contest for her singing Rascal Flatts
http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/VideosSeries/VideoView.aspx?vid=4604_65256124&=PPIMEMAIL&isep=1&pbapi=479705&pbvi=12840545

Go here to vote (you can once a day!!)
Have a great weekend :)

My Speech is DONE

I got it finished today...and I am pleased with how it turned out :)
I took it to the school (as they wanted to preread it lol...just in case ;) ) and they loved it. Yay!
Now, I just have to get the courage up to speak in front of 1000 people!! eeeekk
I will post the speech after my graduation March 14th.

The nanny is working out soooo well. I am amazed. The kids love her, and when she is on duty I dont really see them lol. I spent time with them after. I am not working (STILL WAITING FOR SURREY TO CALL ME BACK) so I have been doing house stuff and starting to study for the licensing exam. I am REALLY hoping to start work soon...I need to now lol.
Once again, I sit waiting...worrying....for them to call me back. Last I heard was friday, when I wasnt updated on the BC LPN registry....well NOW I am. So I have emailed them that. And have returned my casual agreement form.
So I wait....

My house is clean, laundry done, everything folded nicely. I love it.
Time to go get dinner ready (I still cook...cause I love it...but Rose will cook too)

The Nanny Has Arrived!

And day one went fabulous. She fit right in so well. And it did not feel odd at all actually...She was great with the kids, and helped clean up...

I think things are going to be wonderful!!

I just want to share a few pics of what I found when I went to get pyjamas for the kids....

the clothes were folded ever so perfectly!!!! I have never seen them this nice lol...

she is going to be very much appreciated!!!!!

On another note I am getting sick. I woke up today and couldnt talk, my throat was clogged. then progressively I have gotten worse. ick. Its like a tummy bug cold...

one good thing is my eating has been minimal lol...BUT NO exercise...boo hoo.

I did 2 days of running in a row and now this...I hope it does not last long.

AND I really need to finish my speech...eeek

better get on that :)

The time has come

I have decided (and am dedicated) to finally losing this last bit of baby weight.
I just feel so yucky about the way I look. I go through times where I lose 5 pds, then put it right back on. I know this time it has to be a lifestyle change forever....and that is ok.
The time is right and the weather will start to cooperate.
AND since our hot tub bit the dust I really hope to have that home gym sooner then later.
I contemplated joining weight watchers, but I just cant afford it right now...so I will give it a try on my own first. I will use the internet as a tool to find resources to help me out on good food choices (besides the obvious).
There is no way I can really change my cooking, I will just more so control portions and include more veggies and salads for me...
but I dont want to deprive the kids....and Brandon lol.
I am blogging on this, and have added a weight loss ticker to be accountable....It is going to happen now.
I want to lose 15-20 pds...and then we will see. I want to do this before we try for another baby. I want to be thin again and cute pregnant.
I am tired of looking at pictures of myself, seeing what I didnt think I looked like lol....

Last night, I even went to the bar...danced, drank, and had guys pay attention. hehe My girlfriends and I are all happily married in relationships...but were still bad and let them buy us drinks! hehe...but hey, at least I know after 2 kids...and this extra baby weight...I STILL GOT SOMETHING lol

I am going to buy a bike....and use it. I love biking.

I went for walk/run tonight....not sure how long it was lol...but it felt great. My goal is to eventually run the whole loop (its our ring road around the entire neighbourhood)...and then start to take some time off it....but baby steps.

I am motivated, but am being realistic. This is gonna kill me.

AND my biggest sacrifice now is giving up POP. Yup. no more for me...well the odd diet may have to keep me sane...but coke is my addiction. I love it. And no more....sigh.

I did not grocery shop yet, will do that tomorrow and will NOT cave and buy things to tempt me. I will still get the kids there treats..but I dont like them anyways :) hehe

So wish me luck....and I will update my ticker sundays :)
I have been reading a fellow online moms weight loss journey after 6 kids...and it inspires me...so thank you Cathy...you have done amazing. I am proud of you and admire your motivation AND energy lol...Keep it up!

Thats all for now...I am pooped from my jog....I plan to do something daily (as long as I dont work a 12hr shift lol..thats long enough on my feet hehe)

Nanny

We intereviewed our possible nanny yesterday. Her name is Rose.
The kids loved her. Right away James took her hand to cross the street to the van.
She is older (40) is not married (has a bf in san diego) and no kids.
She was the youngest of 8 children and has 24 nieces and nephews...she was the caregiver to them :)
She has been here (from phillipines) for a year now.
Her english is perfect and she is very open minded. She is not shy and jokes around alot.
She got right into playing with the kids, it was nice to see.
Arianna said she wanted her to sleep in the room beside her. They understand what a nanny is and are happy about it.
I think she will fit in great here.
I think we will hire her.

I guess the only thing that makes me nervous is having someone get used to our routine or not be happy with it...kwim?
I want her to do what she wants with the kids too....but she did seem a bit set in what she liked to do (for example no tv in the mornings...where that is the only time my kids like TV....)
So I think these are things that will need to be discussed...
I also fear she may not like the way I do things....lol
I know silly me....
I also may not work full time, so may be here when she is on duty, and I think she was a little uncomfortable with that because then the kids may not listen to her.....
I think I need to specify if I am here...they are hers....lol and I want to spend the time studying if I am not working.
She will be here a week before I start working to get used to our routine. It will be a little challenging...just getting used to it.
So now we rush to get her room done. I think March 3 will be here first day....
Its a rainy day here, so time to get to the ripping of wallpaper....

I did hear back...

I guess I am insane...or just nervous.
I got an email back just saying as soon as I get my registration number from my interim license, I can call recruitment and they can hire me. I should have that next week, then I will call. If all goes well, I will start orientation around March 11. So we will take it as comes....One step at a time and try not to stress.
In the mean time, I am looking at other opportunities. I may have an interview for a facility opening in June 2007. It would be nice to be casual in more than one place...just in case the hours are slow at one place I can pick up at the other.
I am officially done at my college....it was a bit sad for me, as the college has brought many good things my way. We have graduation March 14th I need to prepare for.
I have started making ideas for my speech. I will start a rough draft soon. I am not sure if I am really good at doing something like this or not....we will see!
We are interviewing a nanny on tuesday, I hope she works out and we get the good feeling. so far we have been too slow to respond the nannies get scooped up and hired by others. I will need some starting march 11. at least then i know that i will have money coming in to pay things back...
The kids spend hours a day outside now that the weather has been around 12-15 degrees and sunny. the backyard is amazing. we have squirrel friends that come to visit...the kids are enjoying it.
I am off for a couple weeks, not sure what to really do with myself...apparently I need to be getting the nanny room ready...there is wallpaper half ripped down...it really is pretty hehe.
I am sooooo happy to be done school though. There is nothing now I HAVE to do (well besides writing a speech and studying from my licensing exam lol) it will be nice to do more things with the kids....and feel like a MOM again...sometimes I didnt.
Having a nanny will let me work, plus take care of household chores...so it will let me spend more time with the kids.
Well thats about all from here....we are off to canadian tire...I want a crochet set for the backyard and some storage benches...

Waiting

I am waiting for my interim license and am waiting to hear back from Surrey. I have called and left a message and emailed...nothing.
Now I am getting paranoid...why arent they getting back to me? Did they change their mind? :(
I mean, I got a welcome letter, a casual agreement form and was told welcome aboard....
but now, nothing....
I dont want to bother them with phone calls and emails...so now I sit and wait.
I start second guessing myself...maybe something has changed...maybe I did something wrong...AHHH
I hate feeling this way. I just want them to get back to me :(

Anyways please pray I hear something so I can stop driving myself crazy....

I am back at school for 3 more days. Resumes and Cover letters...then interviews on friday. should be interesting

The weather here has been gorgeous...warm and sunny!
The kids have been taking advantage of the backyard. Have been outside most of the day today...ahhh I love it.
Will take them for a bike ride to the pond soon.

Thanks all for now...remember fingers crossed :)
Andrea

Arianna singing Rascal Flatts

This girl has an ear for music. She easily memorizes songs. This is the new rascal flatts song. She almost knows a second from the CD too. In a couple years I will have to take her to a concert with me!