Partial list of my goals for 2010 to be updated as needed with progresses and additions!
- Enjoy my girls, the time we have is precious
- Lose 20 pounds
- Go down the "Screaming Eagle Zip Line" at Historic Banning Mills
- Hike to Len Foote and "rough" it.
- Hike up Mt. LeConte and get the T-Shirt!
- Run a 5K in under 30 minutes
- Run a 10K
- Visit my Brother and Sis-in-law in San Antonio
- Become AFAA Certified.
- Snow Tube with the girls at OberGatlinburg
- Sign up for boot camp One More Time!
- Finish 6 more MBA classes with an A or a B
- Learn the "actual" rules of Tennis
- Get a picture of me and girls...can you say "Cheese"
- Remember I'm not 20 anymore...I cannot stay up so late!
- Watch the Fire Works at Stone Mountain during the Summer with my babies
- Girls day on Taylor's Birthday - Pedicure here I come!
- Get an hour full body massage just because I'm worth it!
- Go to the beach!
- Take Madalyn camping at Cumberland Island - Wild Horses baby!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Dear 2010
Dear 2010,
2009 was a very interesting year in a lot of ways. I have discovered myself to a certain degree, does this always happen when one turns 30? My daughters turned 12 and 6 respectively in 09. Those were some celebrations! Taylor got her dinner of choice and a pedicure and Madalyn had a party at High Falls. I toiled the land and grew a garden which I was very proud of. Started my MBA. I visited the Mountains and the Ocean. Visited with Family and Friends, Lost 40 pounds, became a weight loss coach for Mercer Universities Weight Loss Challenge. I also have some very sad news to share as well. My husband and I are splitting up. Yes, it is true, I do not say this lightly. I am very distraught over the matter but apparently (long story short to protect the innocent) we have differences of opinion that we (he) can not work out. I have been living with the girls since July in our own little apartment. We have made a cozy home here and I am striving to pick up the pieces. Its hard at times but I work daily on maintaining a positive attitude.
The girls started a new school in Bibb County and have adjusted really well. But we all miss our friends and the small town life in Forsyth and I believe if God wills it we will be moving back to Monroe County in the Summer. House hunting will soon become a priority for me in the second quarter of the year.
So 2010 I am expecting great things this year. I have goals I would like to meet this year. I am also looking for a modem of peace and joy for all of us as we branch out and learn who we really are. A certain sense of sadness has been with me for too long in 09 and I would like to find that that decreases with you.
Looking forward to great things!
Sincerely,
Jessica K. Ellison
2009 was a very interesting year in a lot of ways. I have discovered myself to a certain degree, does this always happen when one turns 30? My daughters turned 12 and 6 respectively in 09. Those were some celebrations! Taylor got her dinner of choice and a pedicure and Madalyn had a party at High Falls. I toiled the land and grew a garden which I was very proud of. Started my MBA. I visited the Mountains and the Ocean. Visited with Family and Friends, Lost 40 pounds, became a weight loss coach for Mercer Universities Weight Loss Challenge. I also have some very sad news to share as well. My husband and I are splitting up. Yes, it is true, I do not say this lightly. I am very distraught over the matter but apparently (long story short to protect the innocent) we have differences of opinion that we (he) can not work out. I have been living with the girls since July in our own little apartment. We have made a cozy home here and I am striving to pick up the pieces. Its hard at times but I work daily on maintaining a positive attitude.
The girls started a new school in Bibb County and have adjusted really well. But we all miss our friends and the small town life in Forsyth and I believe if God wills it we will be moving back to Monroe County in the Summer. House hunting will soon become a priority for me in the second quarter of the year.
So 2010 I am expecting great things this year. I have goals I would like to meet this year. I am also looking for a modem of peace and joy for all of us as we branch out and learn who we really are. A certain sense of sadness has been with me for too long in 09 and I would like to find that that decreases with you.
Looking forward to great things!
Sincerely,
Jessica K. Ellison
Monday, December 28, 2009
Mellow
The Mellow Mushroom Pizzaria is one of those places where you can just mellow. The primo pizza toppings and draft beer just seem to combine together to create the perfect gathering place for good food and great conversation!
My sis and I went today for dinner with the girls. After two Blue Moon's and a slice of their HOME pizza I was feeling pretty good. It is a cozy place just to hide out for a few hours and connive about the way the Universe should be. As we chit chatted away as sisters will do. The girls buzzed around eating cheese pizza and posing with Arch Enemies, the Georgia Bull Dog and the Yellow Jacket.
Go Dawgs.
My sis and I went today for dinner with the girls. After two Blue Moon's and a slice of their HOME pizza I was feeling pretty good. It is a cozy place just to hide out for a few hours and connive about the way the Universe should be. As we chit chatted away as sisters will do. The girls buzzed around eating cheese pizza and posing with Arch Enemies, the Georgia Bull Dog and the Yellow Jacket.
Go Dawgs.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Day After
I had a great Christmas! My girls were able to get everything that they wanted plus some! Madalyn was excited about her Pogo Stick and Skates and the Pixos were a huge hit as well. Taylor was enamored with her new phone. I couldn't get her off of it and the MP4 Player was a pretty cool hit too! I got my Christmas Present too! My family! The girls and I had a great morning together unwrapping presents and laughing. The time spent together is truly something to be cherished. I realized how much they mean to me. Eating lunch with my Dad and Jane and an evening of celery with my Mom was also a wonderful gift. To win my heart all you need to do is spend the gift of time.
My eldest daughter wanted to go to my Mother's Christmas evening so I let her and Madalyn and I really missed her presence. It was if a huge hole had appeared in both of our lives. It really makes you think about what is really important. And that true happiness is found in the presence of those you love.
As I ponder these things in the early morning while my youngest is still sleeping off the excitement of the previous day I am simply amazed at how blessed I truly am. I have had my share of upsets and disappointments this year but am blown away with all that I do have. Thank you Lord for providing for me all that I have and let me not become distraught by what the world thinks I need. Let us set our eyes on you as you lead us to the promised land.
My eldest daughter wanted to go to my Mother's Christmas evening so I let her and Madalyn and I really missed her presence. It was if a huge hole had appeared in both of our lives. It really makes you think about what is really important. And that true happiness is found in the presence of those you love.
As I ponder these things in the early morning while my youngest is still sleeping off the excitement of the previous day I am simply amazed at how blessed I truly am. I have had my share of upsets and disappointments this year but am blown away with all that I do have. Thank you Lord for providing for me all that I have and let me not become distraught by what the world thinks I need. Let us set our eyes on you as you lead us to the promised land.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve
Wow! I'm tired! I stayed up late waiting for Santa to arrive and little ones to pass out. It is so much fun watching the excitement on the faces of the kids, especially Madalyn who is still a believer. She wanted to go to bed at 6:30 this afternoon! By 8:30 she just couldn't stand it anymore and demanded to be put to bed! Wow! I really think Santa needs to come at least once a week for all of us sleep deprived parents! Although, it's 11:34 and I'm still up! I believe I'm excited too!
This is my first Christmas with both the girls in our Apartment. I can't wait to see their faces! Madalyn got a Pogo Stick and Roller Blades and Taylor got a MP3 Player and a new Cell Phone! Both things they wanted really bad, so maybe Santa did okay.
Then Chinese for lunch with Dad and Honey! Goodbye Seratonin Turkey, Hello Heart Attack! Gotta Love IT!!! Finger Foods for dinner with Mom!
I hope everyone has a great Christmas! Night Night!
This is my first Christmas with both the girls in our Apartment. I can't wait to see their faces! Madalyn got a Pogo Stick and Roller Blades and Taylor got a MP3 Player and a new Cell Phone! Both things they wanted really bad, so maybe Santa did okay.
Then Chinese for lunch with Dad and Honey! Goodbye Seratonin Turkey, Hello Heart Attack! Gotta Love IT!!! Finger Foods for dinner with Mom!
I hope everyone has a great Christmas! Night Night!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
A Child's Spirit of Giving and Fairness
Children's sense of fairness and rightness in the world always seems to astound me.
Madalyn has been noticing for quite some time that her Mommy only has two presents under the tree. She finally made a comment to me yesterday after I picked her up from her play date with her best friend. She informed me that since she had several presents under the tree she was going to give me some of hers. It simply wasn't fair in her mind that her Mom didn't have what she thought was fair and right.
Remembering this brings me back to Saturday morning when I had breakfast with my Dad, Honey, and Madalyn. She absolutely insisted that she needed some money to buy me a present. I finally consented and gave her a twenty dollar bill, taught her how to read price tags and turned her loose in Cracker Barrel's country store. She kept watching me out of the corner of her eye making sure that I wasn't peeking. She picked up the item that she just knew I would LOVE! Took it to the cashier and paid for it. She quickly brought me back my change and then waited patiently for her turn to have it wrapped at the counter. She had the sweetest smile on her face, she was doing something for someone she loved.
As we got in the car she kept saying how she wanted me to unwrap the gift. I told her I could wait until Christmas. That way it would be special. This simply wasn't fair to her as I had let her and her sister open a small gift the previous day. Since she and Taylor got to open a present her Mom did too. We talked about this all the way home and seeing the excitement in her face I finally relented. I opened the package and saw a wallet with snowflakes on it. Told her how much I loved it and thanked her for thinking of me! She was so proud! She said, "I thought of you when I saw it!"
It brought a tear to my eye. This is the first time as a Mom that I encountered that kind of single-minded determination to make sure that I too was included.
Madalyn has been noticing for quite some time that her Mommy only has two presents under the tree. She finally made a comment to me yesterday after I picked her up from her play date with her best friend. She informed me that since she had several presents under the tree she was going to give me some of hers. It simply wasn't fair in her mind that her Mom didn't have what she thought was fair and right.
Remembering this brings me back to Saturday morning when I had breakfast with my Dad, Honey, and Madalyn. She absolutely insisted that she needed some money to buy me a present. I finally consented and gave her a twenty dollar bill, taught her how to read price tags and turned her loose in Cracker Barrel's country store. She kept watching me out of the corner of her eye making sure that I wasn't peeking. She picked up the item that she just knew I would LOVE! Took it to the cashier and paid for it. She quickly brought me back my change and then waited patiently for her turn to have it wrapped at the counter. She had the sweetest smile on her face, she was doing something for someone she loved.
As we got in the car she kept saying how she wanted me to unwrap the gift. I told her I could wait until Christmas. That way it would be special. This simply wasn't fair to her as I had let her and her sister open a small gift the previous day. Since she and Taylor got to open a present her Mom did too. We talked about this all the way home and seeing the excitement in her face I finally relented. I opened the package and saw a wallet with snowflakes on it. Told her how much I loved it and thanked her for thinking of me! She was so proud! She said, "I thought of you when I saw it!"
It brought a tear to my eye. This is the first time as a Mom that I encountered that kind of single-minded determination to make sure that I too was included.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Random Facts of Life in the Ellison House
Today is December 21st for those of you who were not aware. There are technically only 3 shopping days till Christmas and I'm just about done except for a few stocking stuffers. I am actually excited about Christmas this year. Its just me and the girls...kind of like our very first Christmas together in a lot of ways. I am actually planning Christmas breakfast, can you believe it. I'm cooking, yes, you did hear that right.
Dad and Honey are coming over for Lunch, Chinese please! I am very excited about this too! I love them so very much and I am excited to be able to see them without traveling to Griffin! The girls get to play and I get to relax. FINALLY!!!
It has been a very hectic Fall. I started my MBA classes in August and struggled throughout the semester to meet homework deadlines while maintaining a full-time job, juggling two beautiful girls schedules, coaching a weight loss team, and teaching a fitness class. It has been hard but very rewarding at the same time. I watched my team members grow as people and develop relationships with each other that they will hopefully rely on in the future as they continue down their weight loss journey's. My MBA classes have taught me to think again. I am learning new and interesting things which all turn out to be great converstation starters. My girls have taught me to slow down and savour the important things in life this year. The fitness class has made me accountable to myself in a lot of ways. The Job of course pays the bills, Thank You Mercer!
By the way, I did get my grades today. B+ in Economics and C+ in Accounting. Not too happy about that C but I have to maintain a GPA of 3.0 and I hit it on the dot so I get to go another Semester. YES! I was very relieved when I confirmed this.
Anyway, back to Christmas! Taylor is extremely excited about Christmas this year and Madalyn is living and breathing Christmas. They are too cute to watch sitting around the Christmas Tree trying to figure out what is in their presents. The begging to open the presents, not so cute! But I sit back and remember with fondness the conversations me and my brothers had around the Christmas Tree as we attempted to do the very same thing.
I hope everyone has an excellent Christmas!
Dad and Honey are coming over for Lunch, Chinese please! I am very excited about this too! I love them so very much and I am excited to be able to see them without traveling to Griffin! The girls get to play and I get to relax. FINALLY!!!
It has been a very hectic Fall. I started my MBA classes in August and struggled throughout the semester to meet homework deadlines while maintaining a full-time job, juggling two beautiful girls schedules, coaching a weight loss team, and teaching a fitness class. It has been hard but very rewarding at the same time. I watched my team members grow as people and develop relationships with each other that they will hopefully rely on in the future as they continue down their weight loss journey's. My MBA classes have taught me to think again. I am learning new and interesting things which all turn out to be great converstation starters. My girls have taught me to slow down and savour the important things in life this year. The fitness class has made me accountable to myself in a lot of ways. The Job of course pays the bills, Thank You Mercer!
By the way, I did get my grades today. B+ in Economics and C+ in Accounting. Not too happy about that C but I have to maintain a GPA of 3.0 and I hit it on the dot so I get to go another Semester. YES! I was very relieved when I confirmed this.
Anyway, back to Christmas! Taylor is extremely excited about Christmas this year and Madalyn is living and breathing Christmas. They are too cute to watch sitting around the Christmas Tree trying to figure out what is in their presents. The begging to open the presents, not so cute! But I sit back and remember with fondness the conversations me and my brothers had around the Christmas Tree as we attempted to do the very same thing.
I hope everyone has an excellent Christmas!
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