It's been a bitter cold January in Cleveland. When I was in high school, my Aunt and Uncle and two cousins moved to Phoenix and I never understood. What was the big deal with the winters? It wasn't that bad! Two years ago when we were visiting my Uncle asked me how old I was, I said "38, why?" He said "That's how old I was when we moved to Phoenix." Yeah, so I get it now. Get me out here! I'm not diggin' the cold. Even though I'm frozen and complaining about it doesn't mean my heart isn't all warm and cozy. 

So I'm 3 weeks in to my 365 project and I'm still very much enjoying it! I'm feeling incredibly grateful for taking this on and documenting my days. I am really missing shooting outdoors, but I'm pushing myself to work with the constrains of shooting inside, especially in the dark hours. It is keeping me busy when I'm home so that I don't start feasting on junk food again. After two weeks of clean eating and working out 30 mins/day, I've lost 4 pounds and 13 inches! If you don't usually bother with picking up the measuring tape, I encourage you to do so. I'm not sure I'd be happy with the 4 lb loss after two weeks. But, knowing that the inches are melting away, it keeps me on my best behavior. Give it a try!

Day 15: So I've already revealed some of my obsessions to you, so here's another. Iced green tea from S-bucks. Once, sometimes twice a day. It's getting ridiculous. I can't afford this, nor should I be spending that much money on green tea. Gulp. But on Day 15, I enjoyed it. They even spelled my name wrong! S-lvia with a y, wherever you are, cheers! 

Day 16: Made the 2.5 hour trek to Toledo today for the Battle of the Champions meet with my Liv. Fear update: she's still struggling and did not perform her tumbling pass again. She loses double the value of the skill for omitting it. Translation: 1.2 total points. Add the 1.2, Liv's at the top of the pack. Sigh. Send positive, healing vibes to my girl so that she can conquer this thing once and for all. We have a couple of weeks before the next one. I'm so proud of her performance today, and I love getting a chance to spend some one-on-one time with her. 

Day 17: Food cravings are rearing their ugly head! When this start to happen, I have to start preparing "fake foods" to get me through the hump. Pizza is one of my biggest cravings and really the thing I miss the most. So, we have a whole wheat pita, low sodium tomato sauce, low fat mozzarella, and some ham (my favorite topping). I ate my fake pizza, and I enjoyed every little bite! The kids also love it, so it's a great alternative to ordering takeout pizza and it's much healthier. This definitely took the edge of the cravings!

Day 18: Okay, so I want my S-bucks green tea now! But I've vowed to cut that crazy spending. So, I will brew my own more often. Today, I am enjoying peach green tea, nice and hot, soothing, without the heavy price tag. I love my tea time... 

Day 19: Happy MLK Day! What a wonderful time to reflect on how far we've come, and how there is still so much more work to be done. With the kids home from school, it was lovely to have a paid holiday! The twins were sleeping at a friend's house the night before, and the other two had friends sleeping over our house. Our home is a revolving door of children, ours and not ours. I love that the girls' friends come over often. A full house is a happy house! Natalia and Emi were snowboarding on our front yard hill with their friends Emma and Kiera (sisters). It was so fun watching out the window (brrrr)! Eventually I came to watch and snap a few pics. When I looked at this one, I was reminded of when Natalia was first learning to walk. So wobbly and unsteady, looking to me to grab her, and pick her up when she fell. Oh how I loved scooping her up and holding her up against me, patting her back, shhhh, it's going to be ok. I find this stage of parenting the most challenging so far out of all the stages. I desire so much closeness, but she's at the stage where she's desiring independence. I am learning my way around this slowly. I know that my place in her life is changing. Because I value all of the times where I had to pick myself up off the ground and start again, because I know how those moments have shaped me and changed me for the better, I know that she needs these moments too. Too often as parents we swoop in and rescue them. Although my instinct is to swoop in, I know that I need to let her fall. It's hard to watch. It hurts to watch. I'm learning a lot about timing and letting go. I have so much more to learn...

Day 20: My Maya...there is always something going on in those eyes. Every day she bombards me with questions about all sorts of topics, most of which I cannot answer without doing an internet search. It's nice to have someone in my life who I have so much in common with, and she just happens to be my daughter. Today, I'm so grateful for her, her amazing hugs, and her special heart. 

Day 21: In 4th grade, the kiddos come home with their very first musical instrument, the recorder. This is usually the day most parents dread, preparing for their ears to bleed. While many parents took to FB to discuss the noise, my child seemed to be making beautiful music. She continued to play her recorder even after music ended and throughout 5th grade just because she enjoyed it. Beginning band this year with an awesome band teacher, she is playing the flute. When we first brought the flute home, it was hard to believe that actual music would be coming from this thing! She brings her flute home every day and practices often. I have been enjoying listening to her play, and am so impressed by how well she's doing. Having never played a music instrument, it really is giving me the urge to want to learn! How great it is when our children inspire us.