Family Sledding

We received snow just the other day,so of course we had to buy some sleds. First thing this morning we got up and headed out. Do I dare say how much fun I had. I have found memories of sledding with my brother and sister as a kid. My brother would even let us go with him to his Buddy's house and we would spend the day sledding down his huge hill. Today was the first time sledding for Gracie. She loved it and was willing to try anything. Caleb went down with Daddy once and that was the last. Courtney has been many of a time. Her and I would sled often while in CT. Daddy would join us when he wasn't out to sea at the time. I tried to upload the video but for some reason it would not let me. I will try that on facebook.

Pizo's Lately

Thought I would update my blog real quick. The last month has been busy with sickness. Caleb started in the Oct double ear infections. Gracie had the "flu" in the beginning of Nov. It took about 2 weeks to get over. Courtney turned 13 on the 13th of Nov. Grammy Phillips came out from VA to share in the celebration. We had so much fun with her. I am so thankful to have Courtney. She is a blessing and watching her grow is a joy. I could not have asked for more in a daughter. Gracie came down with a ear infection along with the hives. She gave us quite a scare with the hives. I have never seen them so bad before. The doctor told us what to do and they went down with in a day. Now it is Courtney's turn. She has the Swine Flu. It has really taken a toll on her. The fever has been consistent along with the awful cough. She broke out in hives today. A friend said that is a sign that the virus is leaving the body. I can only hope.

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day. We shared it with some friends in the area. Of course we played domino's and ate way to much. I worked that night at midnight. Yes, I volunteered for that. I have so much fun working the midnight madness. I got off at 6 am and was able to spend the rest of the day with my family.

I gave my two week notice at work and Sat will be my last day. I am sad to a small degree because I really enjoy the ladies that I work with and who does not like Yankee Candle. At the same time I am so SUPER excited to be home with my little monkeys. Courtney and Gracie are beside themselves. That makes me feel good.

The Pizo Girls

Here is the girls first day of school picture. They are being home schooled this year. Courtney loves it! I am so thankful for her heart and understanding as to why I felt so burdened to take her out of the public school. Gracie cakes is doing her best. Everyday has it's challenges but has it has such a sweet reward also. I love seeing Gracie's face when she really begins to understand what she is being taught. It is priceless. They are growing so fast. Courtney is in the 7th grade this year and Gracie is now in kindergarten.

I Can Ride A Scooter Too.

Caleb wanted to ride the scooter too, so Grandpa helped him. He blew me away how he stayed so balanced. For a little bit before we started the video he was standing on one foot. Kids really do pick up so much from other kids by watching.

Taking Down Trees

Tony and a couple of guys took down 25 trees of different sizes in our front yard about a month ago. What a difference it has made in the front yard. Of course we are still cleaning up the mess it made in the front yard but it will be worth all the work when it is finished.

Good Job Grandpa

Gracie was keeping a close eye on Grandpa while he was helping Daddy raise a cabinet so that the microwave would not be so close to my stove. (By the way they did a FABULOUS job!) She was so interested in what they were doing. So cute. I have similar memories of Courtney watching Grandpa while changing a heating element in the stove for Mom.

Grandma Love

The kids have been delighted that Dad and Mom Heilman have been in the area for the summer. This was the first time they were able to come down. Also the first time they were able to meet Caleb. It was a sweet day. We have had many more sweet days.

Caleb Makes a Basket

My sweet little man turned "2" on the 20th of July. He got a basketball hoop from Grandma and Grandpa Heilman. He loves balls and blocks. Tony and I gave him a couple of different balls along with some new blocks. That night he slept with all three balls. It is amazing how fast time goes by!

Pizo Life

Not a ton of new things going on here in our home. We are finishing up the school year late this year. Courtney does not get out till the 24th of June. We had a awful ice storm here in December and it set things back further than if it were just regular snow days to be accounted for. Next year Tony and I have decided to home school the girls. In all honesty I am nervous but I know it is the best choice for the kids and for that I am excited!

We have a offer on a house. We are exited for this new step in our lives. We have prayed so hard for the right direction and Tony feels this is the way to lead the family. This will be the first time I have laid any permanent roots down since I was 13 years old. (My Dad joined the Navy when I was that age.) We will hopefully know the final answer with in the week. But I am told it all looks very promising. I will post pictures when and if things come through.

I am going to see my sister in June. She is getting married. I am very excited for her and it will be a exciting time to see her start a new chapter in her life. I love her dearly and wish her all the best in the world.

Other than that I have taken up joging. That is hard work for me but I am trying hard to be consistant and I am working towards 6 miles by the fall and a half marathon in the spring. Why you ask? Well mostly so I can prove to myself that I can do it! This has also been helping me to get my weight off. My honey has been very encouraging of my goals and gives me little tips here and there. Courtney is a blessing also reminding me how far I have come. Not to mention a few gals at my church who ask me how I am doing and how far I have jogged that week. I love that they ask me it keeps me accountable. I know I want to be healthy and a good example to my children. So for me this is a priority.

I hope things are going well for you all! I am sorry that the posts have been few and far between. Sometimes I feel like I do not have a lot of new things to share I will try to be better about that.

Couples Retreat

Tony and I just recently went to the Couples Retreat with our church. We had a really nice time and enjoyed our selves and learned pleanty from the Bible to help in our marriage.

Fudgesicle

Caleb is enjoying some fun summer treats. Such a cute little man!

What A Differance!

Just in the last week I have started limiting how much TV the kids are watching. I know so many of my friends already do this and everyone has their good reasons. Mine are multiple for sure. One of them though is to see my kids use their imaginations more. I have found not only more imagination but more love for one another. Gracie and Caleb are play palls. That is so wonderful to see them have fun together and watch out for each other. Also to hear Gracie tell Caleb what a good job he has done. Gracie notices more thing that she can do to be a blessing such as pick things up around the house or to help Momma in the kitchen. Courtney is also playing more flute. (That is a wonderful thing to her music flowing from her room. I love it all scales, hymns, and her band music.) She is playing with her brother and sister and seems to want to help Momma more and more.

Oh, even as a parent I have to say I have noticed a difference in myself. Lets be honest we all have a seat on the couch for a quick break and the next thing you know you are just as involved in "Little Einsteins" as the kids are. The next thing you know it has been twenty minutes. OOPS that wasn't supposed to happen now was it. LOL! I feel like I am getting more done. I know my kiddo's are watching me to see what I am doing with my time more since they are not glued to the tube. It is important to show my kids not to be lazy and use my time wisely.

Please know that I am not saying TV in of it's self is bad. We have strict rule as to what we are allowed to watch and by the way that rule is for all of us not just the kiddo's. It is not just what you watch, but how much of it you are watching.

The Pitch

Gracie is a constant source of comedy in our house. Even when she has no clue what she is doing we giggle. We just recently bought a Wii. Gracie has done so well learning how to play and is ready to beat Mr. Jeremy any day he wants to come over at bowling. Baseball is her next favorite to play. Gracie has a unique stance and throw that will soon be in the Major's. We caught her in action the other day and thought it would be fun to share.

You Want Me To Do What?

I just recently went down to CT for a Candace's baby shower. She is due in March and it is her first baby so I wanted to be part of the celebrating. I love going down to my old church! I dearly love all the ladies there. I should have thought about games though. Bonnie likes to volunteer me for the silly games and this time wasn't much different.They told me the rules of the game.
Which were to drink as much water out of the baby bottle as possible in 30 seconds. As she was telling me, I was thinking this is nuts. It wasn't even a fast flow nipple. LOL! The quick thinker that I am said hmm why kill myself I am just going to open the lid and chug it down. (She didn't say I couldn't.) So needless to say I came out ahead of the other gals. It was so funny. Poor Beth I think she was a bit sad though she was PUMPED for the challenge!

Caleb Wants A Tubby

He just couldn't wait to get in!

Gracie's Pretty New Dress

Gracie is sporting a new creation made by Grandma H. She really likes it. At first she said it was itchy but I told her that I would wash it and the itch would go away. And I was right. She likes to twirl in it and see how it flairs.

Where Did She Go?

When we go into our rooms and shut the door it seems to really bug Caleb. So he lays down on the floor trying to see what we are doing and talks to us till we let him in or come and stick out fingers out to play with him. He is quite the character.