To infinity and beyond.....Just Keep swimming

So let me explain the pictures... We ran our first 5k as a family and although I came in way behind Scott and the kids I still finished which was a big deal for me I plan to keep running and cute some time off my finish next time. The really cool part was Xander ran the last 1/4 of a mile with me, Scott came back and he jumped out of the jogging stroller and took off. "Mama come on you can do it," he kept saying to me. It was a very cool experience. There is also the picture of me wrapping both of my children in my baby wrap which is pretty heavy but they both want mama. Xander as you can see loves his snorkel and the bathtub which is good because he starts swim lessons after christmas. Inara is cute and wild and has decided she is going to do everything Xander does. The last picture is of Scott. He earned the German Physical Efficiency badge which included a swim, track and field events and a very long all day ruck march. I was so proud of him he earned a gold medal. It is standard in Germany for all Officers to take this test or you don't become an officer. Halloween photos soon to come!

I need to add a lot to the blog to catch up on the chaos that is our life. However I am really excited and want to share something new that is making some big changes in my life. I still have pain from my collarbone break and dislocation last year. Although I must admit that I have come a long way from where I was I am by no means in the physical shape I was before. I deal everyday with pain in my neck and head and I have to be careful with how much I lift or use my arm in certain positions. That is just a few of my concerns but now to why I am so happy. About a month ago my mother asked me to try this new protein/vitamin supplement shake. I was incredibly skeptical but it seemed to be doing mom good in so many areas I agreed. I took it once and have never looked back. The company is called Isagenix and they have a variety of products from a program which is giving my mom results that she has never seen in a healthy slow but effective manner, they also have vitamins both for adults and kids. Both Inara and Xander take the vitamins and after looking at the contents they kick the standard kids vitamins in the rear. I take the shake daily and it has given me so much...I have more energy and because it is protein based it lasts through out my day evening my blood sugar levels. I am much more calm and controlled, part of this is the large doses of vitamins in it. I feel like a junkie, I need my shake everyday. I am not doing the weight loss program per SE but I have lost half an inch in my waist for which I am very glad. If you have an interest in trying or asking more about the Isagenix products please ask! It has greatly improved my life and I am so happy to share any information with my family and friends. I will warn you that they have a distributor program, think pyramids but in no way am I trying to sign anybody up I am more than willing to help you get the products without the pressure or a sales pitch. In a few weeks i will be ordering single servings of the shake so if you want to try it let me know... HUGS
Tara

So the big news for us is that Scott is home. He didn't end up going to school after all and so we are here with him in Sun Prairie. I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. The kids just adore dad and I know how hard 5 months apart was going to be on them. The down side is that Scott will not get his masters degree in 5 short months and his World of Warcraft time he thought he was going to get to wallow in is also been cut short. We have tried to spread the word but it's been a crazy summer we have been in MN for a spell, my little brother came to visit, Scott went to West Virginia and I am trying to keep the house clean for the realtor. We are still trying to sell our condo so that by next year either here or if a job on another CST in a state we like comes open we can buy a house with a yard. If you would like to see us back in MN I am asking for petitions to the big man upstairs to help us, but in reality we are very happy in Wisconsin we have wonderful friends and we are still close to home. As you can see from the pictures we attended the Harry Potter party at Barnes and Noble and had a blast. The kids are so big I can't believe how fast they grow. Well that is all for now much love to all of you!

Us with Mike and LauraXander and Inara dancing at the reception.
Mike and Inara

We had a great weekend. Mike and Laura our dear friends in Wisconsin got married. Laura was my first close friend in Wisconsin that helped me through the hard time I had moving here. She served a mission and came back this winter. We picked up right where we had left off and I am so grateful for her love and support. We love her new husband Mike. Inara has a special bond with Mike she simply adores him and we are so grateful that he loves her back. We feel so blessed and honored to share their special day with them and are so happy for them!

Happy Birthday Inara!
Inara turned one in January, this is our princess in her unicorn costume. She won't wear the unicorn headband and I am not sure why the costume has wings but she looks really cute. Thanks to everyone who gave her a gift. She is such a joy and delight!

Christmas was eventful this year. We decided to try a live tree instead of our fake one. We found a charming tree farm with real reindeer and had an awesome family day picking out our tree. Unfortunately we seemed to have lost our green thumb because our tree started to loose needles, a lot of needles. About 10 days before Christmas Inara went to touch it and the tree fell over. Thankfully not on Inara, Scott saved her but we took the tree apart then and there and rained pine needles all over our living room. So for our family Christmas before we went to MN we opened presents without a tree. Christmas itself was a little less fun because Inara and I got the stomach flu but all in all it was a good time. We love Christmas and the joy it brings to see our family and friends. The true meaning and spirit of Christmas bring us such joy that tree or no tree it was a happy holiday.