Sick of being Sick... and looking forward to feeling healthy again!

Ok... so this year has started out a little rough.

Almost 2 weeks ago Ryan started not feeling so hot.

3 days later, both of us were miserable and shivering, and sweating

and aching, and coughing....

YUCK!

Both the girls have colds, just your run of the mill winter sniffles.

Ryan is finally getting back on his feet.

I finally went to the Dr. yesterday and got myself checked out.

Apparently pneumonia needs to be taken care of.

(Way to go Nurse)

So after 24hours of antibiotics, I'm starting to feel at least a little human again.

It's been a crazy couple of days, and we have our 2 nephews coming tomorrow

to stay the weekend, so I imagine the next few days won't be much calmer. HA!

But, I'm looking forward to feeling healthy again.

Getting my wind and feeling my motivation again.

Here are a few pics that make me smile and feel happy!

A new year

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A few nights ago, Ryan and I were sitting on the couch watching a video on a guy that has

recently (at the risk of sounding corny), Inspired us.  

He's a 3time title holder of The Fittest Man on Earth, and he's humble, and motivated, and dedicated, and faithful. 
(and ladies... he's pretty amazing to look at, so that's a bonus)!

Anyway, he was talking about how he manages stress and his concept was very simple.

He doesn't.  

He works hard at what he feels like he is supposed to do, and lets God take care of the rest.

For some reason, that really struck me.

I've been dealing with trying to find my balance for many months now. My stress and anxiety seem to climb higher and higher 
over things that really shouldn't cause that much internal chaos.  I have a steady job, 
a good home, 2 sweet girls, and a terrific husband.  
I have my health, and friends, and family that love me.  
So what is there really to stress about?  

Maybe I should take a cue, and work on letting Him handle things. 

We've got some big things coming up this year, and just thinking about it gets me all freaked out and worried... 
maybe if I just trust that I'm taken care of, this will all be a little easier and more enjoyable.  

I think it's a good way to start the New Year.

* Also, if you are interested... a quick clip of Rich Froning. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubCJx23Y4S4

New stuff and a welcome to 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

It's been a wonderful few weeks for our family.

And although my lack of blogging is apparent, I can't even say it's because

we've been busy!  Starting Christmas day, we had 5 days of relaxation and

glorious, much needed time together!  And even now, back at work ... it's

been mellow and relaxed at home.  I feel blessed and rejuvenated!

Now... if this ridiculous frigid weather would just stop... all would be well!!!

I took over a thousand (yes, you read that correctly) photos in the month of December.

Going through them all is a bit overwhelming.  I have decided that I'm not going to

post a ton.  Just a few, (ok, so a "few" is relative)
 a smattering of the last month, Christmas, and New Years, all kind of rolled into a
random wrap up of 2013!

~We played in the snow.  (This was also known affectionately as the "Zombie Pit")

~We made cookies.  Would you care for a cookie with your sprinkles?

~We celebrated Christmas at my Dad's~

It was lovely and always a treat to see family!

~The girls had a little Christmas program at Preschool.  Ok... so not little.  I was thinking
like 30-40 people.... eh eh... more like 150 or so!
Yoikes! Still super cute though!

~Christmas Eve day was spent at my mom's with just our immediate family.  It was relaxing

and fun and enjoyable.

~Christmas eve we went to Mass then home to make sure everything was just right for

Santa to come.  We opened gifts between and tucked our little ones into bed hoping that

Sugarplums would dance in their heads all night!

~Christmas morning was a surprising treat, as both girls slept in ( I'm talking 7am folks!!)

We had coffee and breakfast and listened to the girls ooh and aah over their loot from Santa!

It was so much fun watching them open their gifts!  Each year it just seems to get better!

We sat on the porch, tree lit up, with snow falling outside the window... it really was magical!

~That day we went outside and did some sledding.  We played with our new games, Legos, Easy Bake oven, and even a game of Go Fish!
We had nowhere to go and spent the day enjoying every second of it!

It was a wonderful day.  One of the more enjoyable Christmas's I've had!

~Papa Dave came for a visit!

~We took the girls skating for the first time!  Lila resembled Bambi the first time out, but made significant progress by her second time out!

~We celebrated Christmas with my mom's whole side of the family.
And I mean WHOLE family!
My uncle Pete and his family came home for Christmas for the first time in 20
years! He showed up at the front door and surprised EVERYONE! We were
missing a few cousins, but it was the largest Bongard family gathering in two decades!
Fun, crazy, chaotic... yep, that pretty much describes it!

My uncle came dressed as Santa... it was pretty fun!

~New Years was relatively quiet this year. Some sushi with friends, and home for some Scrabble and watching the ball drop!

The nice clothes were tossed for sweats within minutes of getting home.... Casual is cool people!

~The next day was spent helping Ryan's folks tear up carpet. I know you're jealous!

As I look ahead to the coming year, we've got some pretty exciting stuff ahead. 

Here's hoping 2014 brings time to achieve our new goals, love and blessings as we celebrate

with family, and maybe a move that will bring us closer to our family and friends!

Stay tuned.  It should be a pretty great year!

Merry Christmas

We've just put the girls to bed.

Gifts have be shared between us, cookies and milk are out for Santa

(chocolate chip and white milk, because we were informed those are his favorite)

carrots are set out for the reindeer, (9, not 8... because it's snowing tonight, so Rudolph

will be assisting) and we anxiously wait to see if our girls have been good enough

this year to earn a visit from the man in red! ;)

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful Blessed Christmas and a year full of everything.

Hope, Happiness, Peace, Laughter & Love!

From us to you, with Love.

Volovsek Christmas

Because of the craziness this time of year, we always celebrate Christmas a little

early with Ryan's family!

Last Sunday, we hosted the whole crew at our place for food, drink, gifts, laughter, 

chaos, kids hollering like wild-cats, you know... the usual holiday gathering.

Both Lila and Elle love playing with their cousins, so this was a big treat for them!

Barb and Rich... your family is Nuts, but I'm so happy to be a part of it!

The Grandkids... we got them to at least hold still long enough for a quick pic.

CHEEEEESE

Hooray!!! More babies!! ;) She was thrilled and has toted them around all week!

Doc McStuffins doctor kit!  Who could ask for more?!!!

Hand warmers and popcorn... hm?  Oh well.. He's happy!

I love my family!

Why HELLO Winter!!

There was no sliding into this winter season, was there?

Holy schmoly!  ITS FRIGID!

Snow, ice, sub-zero temps... I realize this is Minnesota, but

c'mon, Already?!!!

A braver soul than I.... she was bound and determined to play outside in "the wonderful sunshine!!!"
Goofy girl!

Moving on...

We've kept ourselves pretty darn busy, but thankfully have managed to spend some time in the evenings just being together.
It may only be 20 minutes, but I cherish that time.
The girls glow when they have Mom and Dad's undivided attention.

We've been trying to make sure we put the rest of "life" aside for at least a short bit each day,
and give ourselves totally to the girls.  Especially with the holidays here, I want to make sure
I take time to enjoy the not-so-busy parts of my family.  

Here is a smattering of our recent events!

We celebrated my Stepdad's birthday!

Happy Birthday Alan! We love you!

~ We went to visit Santa!  It was a miserable day overall, but the Santa portion was enjoyable and the one time the girls were polite and attentive!~

Listening intently... if only they listened like that to me!!

~We relaxed

~We decorated our house and got ourselves a tree!

~Mike (our elf) made his way back to our home!  

He was playing a game of Memory with Comet, Rocket the Bear, and Chilly

 ~ My sister had a Birthday Saturday... We love you Alex!

~And we've done a little baking.  I don't have many photos, but just picture major messes, sticky

hands, sprinkles by the pound... you get the idea!

Cranberry, pear, and ginger salsa!   OMG! 

Now... it's time to clean up.  We've got a Preschool Christmas program tonight

and my kitchen currently looks like a bakery exploded.  Better get moving!