2013 to be a milestone year!! I'm ready! I think...

2013 - The world didn't end... those Mayans!  So now we continue forward with the new year, ready or not!  

I had the realization yesterday as I was cleaning, meal planning, laundry (sitting on Facebook) that 2013 is going to be monumental for our family!

Emily turns 21 this year.

Sarah graduates high school, will be traveling to the University of Michigan for college (approximately 5 miles from our home) and will turn 18.

Lizzie will turn 16.

The one bummer about all of this is that Eric and I turned 50 last year!  Can you even imagine the excitement if we would be celebrating our 50th birthday's this year as well?  Dang... had I only planned this better.... :)

Speaking of Lizzie... we went to the DMV to get her drivers permit last night.  I realized how much you change as a parent after each child.  We left the DMV, Lizzie got behind the wheel and said to me, "I'm such a good driver", proceeded to put it in drive instead of reverse and almost hit the pole in front of us.  I laughed and immediately Tweeted about it! That would not have happened with the other two!!  

On another note, Eric will be having knee surgery Monday.  Not a replacement thank goodness!  We are hoping that he will be as good as he was at 48!  One can only hope!  I'm feeling some pressure because I will be taking him to the hospital... (thank goodness for free WIFI so I can document his day), and cooking which will be added to my usual routine of... well, making the coffee, eating breakfast that Eric made for me, starting my job as researcher for Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, working out, having lunch with friends and getting my nails done.  I know, I know... it's a lot of pressure but I'm feeling up to the challenge!!  Don't worry, it will be well documented on Facebook and Twitter.  

Losing loved ones.

December 26, 2012   I lost a family friend to liver cancer. He was diagnosed January of 2012.  I went to see Charlie in August, he got tired easily but was still going to work.  It was a wonderful visit but on my drive from Columbus back to Michigan I had time to think about the fact that plans were being made for when he was no longer alive.  I mean, his wife and I talked about this and the things that Charlie wanted to make sure were in place for her, trying to decide if they should sell their home because he didn't want her to have to take care of their large property, etc.  Having the "I probably won't make it to the end of the year" conversation was very real.  I had 3 hours to let this soak in and wondered how I, if given the same diagnosis, would handle it.  Charlie took a hot air balloon ride, walked one of his daughters down the isle and connected with old friends.  I went back to see Charlie December 9th and he wasn't doing very well.  I felt certain that would be the last time I saw him alive.  We didn't think he would make it the week.  I had to be back in Columbus on Dec 17th with Emily and we went to see him again.  He was so proud of my girls when we talked about their riding, Sarah being accepted to colleges and Emily interviewing for Internships.  Before we left, Charlie told Teri that they needed to contact their neighbor who works for Limited Brands and put a good word in for Emily.  That was Charlie, always thinking of others.  That was to be my last hug and last goodbye to Charlie.  He died 9 days later.  Charlie was 57.


January 5, 2012   I just returned home from the viewing of the mother of a friend.  Wendy's mother passed away on Wednesday.  It was very fast.  Wendy saw her mom at 10am Wed morning and she passed away at 11pm that night. I didn't know Wendy's mother but listening to Wendy talk about all the things her mother taught her and her love of horses and the plans they had of doing things together broke my heart.  There was no time to make plans, no time for talking about what you would like to have done with your home, your animals, etc.  It happened so fast.  Wendy is still numb and in shock as anyone would be.  

Death happens, none of us can avoid it.  Will we ever be prepared?  I don't think so, no matter how well we have things in order or how fast it happens, no one if fully prepared for death.  

Hug your kids, your spouse, your parents, your friends.  Stop and listen, really listen when they speak to you.  I find myself half listening if I'm doing something else I think is more important.  Nothing is more important than the relationships we have with those we love.  I have promised myself to be in the moment when someone is talking to me.  I hope you will too.

Happy 17th Birthday my Sweet Sarah!

To our sweet Sarah!

infamous "dog" shirt

Seventeen years ago today, at exactly 1:49pm, you came into this world and our lives have never been the same!  You've been a determined child since birth!  Lifting your head up at just a few days old, walking at 7 1/2 months and running as soon as you put it all together!  Refusing to sleep in your crib, but preferred the floor, your crib was apparently only used for book reading..... refusing to take off your "doggie" shirt for days on end,

the crib was merely a playground

 to figuring out how to maneuver yourself out of your car seat at the age of 19 months as I'm driving down the highway, scaring me to death and laughing your head off!  

When we would go to your dad's business functions where families were welcome, your dad's co-workers referred to you as "The WildCat" as you ran non-stop!  



You would get very excited about something and decide to go running to the back of the house, only to run head on into the wood beam in the living room.  Stunned for only a moment, (and I'm sure after the stars cleared from your vision) you took off running again!

with Mrs. Jenkins

 As soon as you were allowed, age wise, I enrolled you in Montessori school where you were able to learn and grow at your pace, which was rapidly!  The bond you developed with your teacher Mrs. Jenkins, will forever be a special relationship.  We are thankful for her and the care and patience she took with you.  

"Party Time" & Grandparents

You soon caught the horse bug and what an incredible journey that has been!  Our girl who only wanted to do Hunters, not Jumpers because they "go too fast" went on to be the 2011 NAL Child Jumper Champion!  You've turned into quite the natural when it comes to horses and we continue to love watching your ride!  

The most important man in her life next to Eric!
Her trainer, Aaron Vale

"Queen of Hearts"

"DaSilva's Amore"

First of many wins!



You have been trying to get Lizzie's affections for many years!  With only 19 months separating you two, you have your own special bond and although you fight a lot, I know you also hold each others secrets close to your heart.

 We love watching the two of you and your relationship even with the ups and downs of it all!

USET Finals 2012

It's been several years since we've been to USET finals.  Sarah qualified for the first time and I was thrilled because it is by far, my favorite finals to attend.  It is held at the USET Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ and where the US Olympic team practiced for many years.  Such history at this place.  

I know I'm being biased when I say this, but Aaron has the best guys that work for him.  Trey and Abel drove I believe 18 hours, leaving Thurs afternoon and arriving at 5am Fri morning to drop Lizzie's horse off at a layover farm and then on to USET.  We arrived Friday afternoon and had a warm up class.  We went to dinner, headed to the hotel and they were up and gone by 5am the next morning!  Abel takes care of our horses and the pride he has is off the charts.  He said some of the other guys were asking him what he does to get the horses so clean and shiny!

Abel and Gregor

 Both Trey and Abel were there to do whatever needed to be done!

Trey and Abel

 Going over some last minute details before heading into the ring.

Aaron Vale and Sarah

 Working on the flat.  Judges Karen Healy and Robert Ridland in the background.

Sarah and Gregor

Sarah and Gregor

 The jumping section.  Sarah started out strong, and her first seven jumps were unbelievable!  Then they headed to the open water.  Going strong with much determination, they got right to the open water and Gregor planted his feet.  It was a dirty stop which is unusual for him.  He had just jumped the open water on Friday but on Sunday, he wasn't having it.  Obviously a sad moment but as we sometimes say, "that's horse showing for you."  You can be on top of the world one minute, and on the bottom the next!  It's a very humbling sport!  As the mom, obviously the wins are better than the defeats.  I hate to see my girls sad, upset, frustrated, etc but I also realize that these are all life's lessons.   Life doesn't promise us things won't go terribly bad.  It does promise us, however, there will be another chance.  We are heading to Harrisburg for Medal finals and then Maclay finals!  Life is good.

Weekly Meal Planning

I told Eric I would do the meal planning and grocery shopping.  As I sat at the kitchen table with recipes surrounding me, I thought to myself, "This is great!  I'll do this, Eric will cook and our love will grow even more!"  

That was last week.  It's now Saturday and I'm a bit anxious because I know that I need to have next weeks meals planned by tomorrow so I can go to the grocery store Monday morning......

I'm pretty sure our love is strong enough....

Last weeks meal plan

I should probably put on my happy face and get the recipes out and start planning!

A New School Year Already?

Still my favorite picture of my girls

Excuse me while I sit in a big heap of laundry and cry!  And as I look at my blog, June was the last time I posted anything.  Trust me, this should not imply that my life has been boring in any way.  Quite the opposite in fact.  But more on that later.

Another new school year.  Makes me happy and sad at the same time.  Emily is a Junior at the University of Georgia, Sarah is a Senior, Sarah is a Senior, Sarah is a Senior.  I feel like if I say it enough times, it will sink in.  And Lizzie is a Sophomore.  

Emily stayed in Athens this summer which meant that we saw her a total of a week the entire summer.  This was split into two visits.  This was probably God's way of preparing me for the inevitable.  Little does he know (but really, of course he know, he's God.... ) that no amount of preparation will be enough.

With the start of each school year, we all make new goal, kind of like the New Year.  My goal is to make healthier snacks for the girls..... wow, typing that sounds really kind of lame but in my mind it's fabulous!  

I want to be more organized and prepared for Sarah's last year of high school and her grad party, etc.  I think with Emily I spent the entire school year in denial and not believing the little girl who stood in the kitchen and looked me in the eye and said, "Mom, I plan on going away to college....."  I was more numb her Senior year, one of the unfortunates of being the oldest, now I've learned!!  Bonus for Sarah and Lizzie!  Sorry Em!!

And as I say each year and it never happens, but I feel compelled to say it anyway..... my goal is to be more organized in my home!!  I'd love to be able to keep "my office" (ha!) "the room off the living room" door open at all times. As we speak, the door stays shut, if one must use the printer, you go in, stay on the only visible path on the floor, copy and leave.  Shutting the door as you leave.

It's no wonder I never complete things.  As I sit here typing, I keep thinking of the things I need to do.  Flights and hotels I need to book, things I need to get to the dry cleaners and then Sarah says, "Can you bring me Sushi today?"  

The saga continues..... and I love every minute of it!

Spinning Class/Body Pump Class

If you've been hiding under a rock, you've missed the 150 posts where I've referenced to turning 50 this year.  Because of this number, it has motivated me to get "Fit".  I want to mention that I've been "fit" in the past, working out during all three pregnancies and after but somewhere...oh, 5 or so years ago I just stopped.  Why?  Who knows.  I'm certain that at some point the thought ran through my head of, "Sharon, you look great, you've got super genes, stop working so hard, you'll be fine."  I'm convinced the Devil is real because this is the biggest load of garbage I've ever processed!


I decided to take a Spinning class that my friend Nancy was teaching.  I figured, what the heck, you sit on a bike (it's not running!) and really, how hard can it be?  AND I've heard many people say that they were in the best shape of their life from spinning classes.  Sign me up!  I'm not getting any younger!


First class:  I honestly wanted to kill someone, mainly myself.  I kid you not, I could BARELY walk down the stairs to get to my car!  Sarah and her friend Haley were with me and as God is my witness, I believe there were tears getting down those stairs.  Waking up and getting out of bed the next morning.... I would give birth all over again than experience what I did that day!  I needed to go upstairs for something and I kid you not, trying to get down the stairs was horrible.  I sat down and scooted.  The day after was class again.  There were a couple of things going through my head at this time 1) Just stop, don't go.  Who cares?  2) Sarah and her friend were going, how could I not? 3) My friend Nancy teaches the class and well, she's a fitness beast and really, I'd be a loser if I didn't go!


I went and continued my twice a week classes for two sessions and have LOVED every minute of it!  LOVE IT!  


Nancy doesn't teach spinning during the summer so as I was looking at the classes I noticed a Body Pump class that was on Mon and Wed mornings from 9-9:50am which was a perfect time for me!  I was talking to Nancy and told her I was thinking about doing it and she was all excited for me and I was like, "Do you think I can do it?"  (like a little kid!) and she said, "Yes it's a great class!  Who's the instructor?" Me looking at the sheet, "it says Erin"  I looked at Nancy and she went silent and there was a look of "oh crap."  Me: "What? Do you not think I can do it?" Nancy: "Well, no, I think you can do it and Erin is an amazing instructor.  She's kind of known as a drill sergeant so it's going to be an intense class."  DANG!  Why do I get myself into these situations!!  1) Just don't go!  Don't do it!  You don't know this Erin!  She's probably mean anyway! 2) My friend Nancy's husband owns the business I do the class through, they will know if I don't do it.... 3) Why am I so friendly and become friends with people that own fitness places? 4) I decided that I made a commitment to get healthy so I'm pushing through!


First day of class: Erin is so cute and sweet (don't let that kid you for a minute!) There were probably 8 of us and I kid you not, I know I was (am) over half their age!  I could be their mothers.  My biggest fear is that Erin is going to make us run and I'm going to wet my pants.  I absolutely hate running.  So we're all standing there and Erin says, "ok, everyone run 3 laps to warm up".  What the....... I'm dead.  Why on earth did I even think I could do this?  Who cares if I'm 50 and out of shape?!  Bring on the ice cream!  But I ran... and I do all the stations and yes, I was so sore for a few days because Erin makes us work practically EVERY muscle in our bodies!  And the best part is that the girls are so encouraging!  Everyone motivates each other as we are running because honestly, when we run, I have visions of just running to my car and leaving!  So they do help to keep me focused and stay!  At the end Erin says, "ok let's do sit ups"  I could do 3.... yes 3 on my own!!  Erin came over and held my feet so I could keep going as I was struggling to get that 3rd one!!  It was great and now I do 10 of those with ease (well, ease might be stretching it) and then move right into other ab workouts.  So we start with running and end with ab work and lots of workout stations in between and I have to say, I love it.  I had to miss last week as we were driving to a horse show and I looked at the clock, it was 9:15am and said to Eric, "Do you think they miss me in class?"  He said he was sure they did!  


I'm adding the link to B Young B Fit because it's just a great place!  Brian, the owner trained Emily when she was home last summer and now trains Sarah and Lizzie.  They all love him!  Not only is he great at his job but he gives them life advice as well.  I love the relationship they have formed with him and I'm pretty sure he gets a kick out of them as well!!  If you are looking for a place, please check them out!  




http://byoungbfitness.com/