Happy New Year

No work this week as I'm finishing up a 7-day flex class. I assumed it would be a challenging week hence the time off. However, my class ended up to be an easy one, and I've been accomplishing other things this week. First up was new brakes and battery for our van on Monday. A routine oil change turned into a much more expensive afternoon of automotive fun. Hate spending money on cars. Ugh. But glad they found the source of the annoying rattle, and we were never left in the frigid temps with a completely dead battery!

Secondly, I have started my training for my second half marathon coming up again in May. The marathon/half marathon limit of 10,000 runners filled up in less than 16 hours this year! Last year's experience was very fulfilling so I decided to give it another go. Plus, I have some motivation for keeping myself in good physical health. I feel it's been easier getting back into it this time rather than starting from scratch. It's amazing how you forget the good feeling/positive energy that results in a regular workout routine.

The Spring Cleaning has started early at the Raasch house. I'm trying to downsize and pack away unnecessary things around the house. I've cleaned out cabinets, trashed a lot of stuff and gathered items for the next Goodwill trip. With three GIRLS, our small house has little extra storage space, few closets and inadequate bathroom space. Ha...so it starts. So annoying for the organized person in me!

The kids were excited to go back to school this week. Ava has been home the entire two weeks of break, so she was the most anxious. Routines are tough to keep when school is not in session. Ava has been chattering a lot about school this week. She reminded us how much she enjoys school, "I just love school!" Today is pajama and popcorn day for first Friday. She giggled about getting to wear her pajamas to school.  It seemed nearly all the kids were excited as well to be wearing their pajamas as I dropped her off in her class line this morning.

Oh, and today is supposed to be a high of 55 degrees but still no sun. We are finally melting our pre-Christmas snow and ice after it has been crazy FRIGID the last few weeks. The smooth streets are something to appreciate again. Ugh, is it spring yet?!?

I believe the girls received lots they hoped for at Christmastime. The stress of shopping and preparing for Christmas really gets to me, but the magic of the season through the kids' eyes is so much fun. I cherished our week of Christmas at home with the kids. It's such a rare occasion for me to have extra time off at work around the holidays.

I did get a new camera from the hubby a couple weeks before Christmas. I plan to post some pictures when I get the new software all figured out.

Hope everyone had a pleasant holiday season!