New Soccer

A new "season" of soccer has begun.  We've moved from YMCA to FSA (Frisco Soccer Association).  Although we are in the "non-competitive league" its much more "official" than the Y.  I have to say, I like the Y!  But this is good for Landon to actually LEARN soccer.  The Y was just really show up for games on Saturday, do the best you can, and maybe there were a few tips/rules thrown in for good measure (just our pace!).  Now, we have an hour long practice each week, as well as a game on Saturday.  I know that's nothing compared to what some folks get into (especially with football), but still, we're 4!!  But he is learning the fundamentals of the game, and that is really good.  So, I like it in that regards.  Anyways, here is Landon's first game as a PUMA.

Waiting for the game to begin.

He runs hard.  He may not get in there and scrap for the ball, but the kid does run!!

This is a great shot - Landon is probably trying to explain to the other boys that if you don't bunch up together and not fight with your own team mates for the ball, this would all work out much better.  He's always trying to explain to the other kids the best way to "get it done."  And he's usually right!!

Charm #4

I finally added the 4th charm to my bracelet this morning.  Lauri bought me this charm about 5-6 months ago.  These were a TOUGH 10 pounds!  But I've come over a huge hurdle with this one.  I'm proud of myself. 

I need your help

Vote A or B.

I'm using one of these photos for a project.  Which do you like better? 

(I know B is a little fuzzy, that's ok for this project.)

All-Star Teachers

Our church Preston Trail (http://www.prestontrail.org/) celebrated teachers in a special way this past Sunday, the day before school started. 


We are in the middle of a sermon series on HEROS, so this song was fitting.  I really enjoy working with the creative/technical team at our church.  I usually help run the video monitors, or some other part of the technical part of the service from the control room.  I love it.  This particular Sunday I was in charge of the Air Canons!!  Yes, that confetti - that was my doing!!!

Yes, he did

A few weeks ago Landon's soccer team had their pictures taken. 

Anyways.....

Yes, yes he did.  He stuck his tongue out.  But it was TOTALLY my fault.  I was standing behind the photographer trying to get the boys to smile by making a funny face - you know, thumbs in the ears, wiggly fingers, tongue out. (Obviously didn't work for Landon's neighbor!)  Landon was just doing what I was doing.  As soon as he did it, he realized what he was doing and quickly drew his tongue back in...but not fast enough for the photographer's shutter.  The photographer took about 15 pictures.  Really, this was the best of 15???  We will remember it!!

Last Swim Lesson

Today was our last day of swim lessons.  I am so proud of Landon and all he's accomplished in two weeks.

His best swim so far!!

Here he is supposed to push off the wall, float on his back, then roll over to his tummy into "starfish - face down".

Here is his "freestyle stroke" or scoop arms.  He starts with rocket arms and then takes "strokes".  Watch out Michael Phelps!!!

His final jump off the diving board (aka - The Plank)

Way to go LANDON!!!

More Swimming

After just three days of lessons....it's amazing!

Here was his best swim of the day.  He almost made it all the way across the pool.  He was swimming so fast Ms. Tabby could hardly keep ahead of him.

Swimming with Others

I am an American Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor.  I taught swim lessons for several years during the summer before Landon was born. 

I can't teach my son how to swim.

He won't listen to me.  So, today we headed out to swim lessons - take du.  Last year we gave it a shot, but the timing wasn't great and the situation wasn't the best.  It all took place while I was away at Structure House last summer.  A friend of mine took Landon to his lessons each day.  The instructor made him do things he didn't want to do.  That's great - that's how you learn.  I just think it was a bit much for a sensitive boy in a fragile state last year.  He's been dreading lessons ever since.  This year we are with a different instructor so I was hoping that would help ease his fears.  I also used a little bit of bribery - yes, I did!!  I took Landon to Target before his lesson and let him pick out a toy.  If he did everything Ms. Tabby asked him to do without fussing or getting upset, he could keep the toy. Well, he was a champ.  Things I've tried to get this boy to do for months he just did like he's been doing them all summer.  I was so happy.  I don't care who teaches him, as long as he learns.  I have a huge fear of him being around water.  I've heard of enough child drownings during my stint with the Frisco Fire Department.  I know he's not totally safe around the water, but at least if he fell in he is going to have a fighting chance to get to the edge. 

Here is a picture that makes my heart so happy.

Anyways....here are some video clips of his first lesson today.

This first one is of him going completely under water to grab a toy.  This child would not put his face in the water for me.... at all.

This is a little exercise called "Humpty Dumpty."  This is the one thing he kept asking me about.  He wanted to know if his new teacher was going to make him do the Humpty Dumpty.  He is supposed to go all the way under the water when he "falls" off the side.  I think this is the thing that totally freaked him out last year.  But here he is doing it the very first time.  Right before he did it, he told Ms. Tabby he didn't want to because it was scary.  She just encouraged him and made him do it.  I was so proud...almost in tears.

Here he is close to the end of his lesson.  He is "taking breaths" as he "swims" with Ms. Tabby.  Again, I was so happy.

It's moments like these that make my heart sing.  He was scared to death to go into this lesson today.  He questioned and processed the event to death these past few days.  I was so proud to see him push past his fears and give it a shot.  I know he can do it, and now he does too.  You should have seen him when he finished.  The first thing he wanted to do was text his daddy and tell him that he put his whole face in the water.

Soccer Star!

Landon played in his very first organized sport this past Saturday...soccer!  We decided to try out the sport with a little 4-on-4 - no-goalie style soccer with the YMCA.  A six-week season.  Just right!  Now you are going to be succumbed to a "few" pictures of Landon's First Soccer Game.

Kicking the ball around before the game.

Look at that determination!

Keeping it away from the other team.

"Hey wait, I was using that!"

Give it back...

I got it! - Nice moves!

Keep moving!

Running in for a water break.

Ahhhhh.

A few helpful tips from dad.

Working on getting it out of the "mob" of players.

Listening to Coach Joe while waiting for the throw in.

Great Job!

My favorite shot of the day!

Go get it, buddy!

Playing a little defense (with Coach Joe!).

Good Game!

And the all important "after game snacks"!!!

I think Landon had a great time.  We are pleased with our coach - who is really fair and played all the kids the same amount of time.  Actually Landon got about 5 extra minutes of play time as he had to sub for the last few minutes of the game due to an injury to a teammate.  The three rules of the game are:

 1. Kick the ball in the goal.

 2. No Hands

 3. Have fun!!

I think we accomplished all that!!  We treated Landon to breakfast at IHOP after the game.  It was a great day!

Last Day Photos

On the day Lauri left last year, we took a photo....

When I went to visit Lauri in St. Louis over Thanksgiving, we took a picture....

This year on our last morning, we took a picture...

I hope we get to take a lot more pictures!!!

I also managed to take a picture of Lauri and her sister, Susan, who was there with us this past week.  She really didn't want me to take her picture.  But I did.  She's a beautiful woman, so I'm not sure why she was so hesitant.  But I love this picture of the sisters.

Oh, and by the way... on the Structure House pictures I am standing on an upper step from Lauri.  She is about 5' 10'' so I needed a little lift!!!

Final Evening

It's my last night here.  It seems so short compared to the month I was here last summer.  The week went by terribly fast.  I had a wonderful time, and enjoyed myself.  I grew a lot in an area in which I really needed growth.  I look forward to the continued work at home to continue that growth.

I know I'm a social creature, but I will say that being here again, and being in an apartment by myself is hard.  I want to be with people all the time.  I love my ME time, and the time for reflection, etc., but with a pretty empty schedule every day and not a lot to do, I had a hard time being by myself. I know its in those quiet times we grow and learn about ourselves and all that, I get that, but sometimes you've just got to talk to someone!!  I did have a lot of "homework" to do during the week, and that did keep me pretty busy in the evenings, I'll admit.  But all in all I was pretty lonely here this go around.

Will I come back?  Sure.  I think a check-up now and then is a really good thing.  I might even make a summer habit of it.

Well, I'm going to sign of from North Carolina for the last time.  See you back in Texas soon!!!

Friday - Around Structure House Campus

UPDATED:

Well, I honestly don't have a lot to say. This trip has been very beneficial, but there haven't really been any "Aha Moments" to share. I kinda knew what I needed to do when I got here, what my focus needed to be. I've done that, and have grown quite a bit. I've still got a really long way to go, a journey that will never really end. Part of what I've been working on is validating my feelings. Not just sweeping them under the rug. Throughout the years I've become a master sweeper. I'm working on living my life without rug, and preferably living with stark white carpet that can't hide any "stains" or is incapable of "just letting something go" with out dealing with it. I'm going to work on acknowledging the feelings and giving them credit for their existence, then let them take their due course, and then move on. By trying NOT to deal with them and by trying NOT to think about them, you can't NOT help but think about them. Like someone telling you, "Do not think of a cute yellow elephant." What did you do? You thought of a yellow elephant didn't you. Well, if the cute yellow elephant comes to mind, think about it, then move on from it. If it needs voicing, voice it, talk to someone, write it out, blog about it, but give it credit for it's existence. It is important. That's the biggest thing I've learned this week. It's not a "Oh my goodness that's the greatest thing I've ever heard" kind of thing. Just a validation. I've needed it. I need to do it. I need to trust my gut - it's usually right.

Well, I did take a few snap shots of part of the campus today. I've got a really light day of classes, etc. today so I'll try to take a few more. I'll try to get the gym, and dining hall, but I'll have to find them empty. Most people don't like to have their pictures taken around here. But here are just some SOC (straight out of the camera) shots I took with my point-and-shoot as I was walking back to my apartment after breakfast.
This is the Life Extension Center (LEC - aka "the gym") as you see it from "the patio".

Here is another shot of the LEC.

Here is "the patio" from the sidewalk.  The patio is a great place to hangout and kill time.  We meet up here quite often.  It's been so hot here these past few days that we haven't spent much time here this time around.  But I do like this spot.

The volleyball net.  Last year Erika, Lee Ann, Andy and I started up a little game of Volleyball.  Other than that, I've never seen anyone on this patch of grass.

I had uploaded a few other pictures, had written descriptions, and Blogger kicked me off.  I'll have to re-do those later.  I need to get to the gym and get my run on before lunch.  I'll load the photos I've taken and hopefully take a few more this afternoon.


OK, I had a chance to go back around and take some other photos this afternoon.  So I'll try to get them loaded and posted before dinner.  Wish me luck!!

This is my building this year.  I'm in an apartment upstairs that looks exactly like mine from last year.  Same furniture, same bed spread, etc.  The only difference is the art on the walls and it's a reverse floor plan.

This is the ARC (I think it stands for Activities and Rec Center)  It's where people kinda hang out during the day and in the evenings.

This is the "kitchen" in the ARC.  It's where they do cooking demonstrations, it's not like a REAL kitchen.  I was shocked the first time I was here that they had a soda machine.  It does only have diet drinks in it though.

This is the lobby of the main building.  It's a nice 1980's grandma decor, but it's a nice spot.  It's a common meeting place for folks because it's just down the stairs from the classrooms and on the way to the dining hall.

This is one of the classrooms.  It's the small classroom.  Classes in this room are usually hands-on type classes or classes that require you to write quite a bit.

This is the other classroom.  The lecture room. Most classes are in this room.  Lauri and I try to sit in the back corner next to the black stand.  That's just "our spot".

This is the upstairs area.  The therapists, nutritionists, and nurse's offices are on this floor as well as the two classrooms.

Here is Structure House from the front drive.   After you first arrive, you really never see this part of the campus again (unless you go out there to take photos of the building!).

The Dining Hall.  The "back half".

The "front half".  This time around Lauri, Suzy, and I ate at table 11, right there on the right side, next to the window.

The main hallway of the main building.  The dining hall is to the right, the lobby is strait ahead, and the admin offices are off to the left.

The only part I haven't had a chance to photograph is the gym.  Every time I went in there today, there were people in there (that's a good thing except that I want to take pictures when it's empty).  I'll try to get it done tomorrow.

Wednesday - Day 3

Well, I haven't posted as often as I'd hoped. I've actually been quite busy, you know with naps in the afternoons and such! No, really, I've been keeping myself busy. I had a really long homework assignment that took me every spare moment of the past two days to complete. I turned it in this morning and will deal with all that it entails tomorrow with my therapist! Good Stuff!!

I've been on a pretty good routine. I've woken up at 5:45 each morning, walked the Duke Trail with Lauri and her sister, Suzy. The first morning I did bring my "big" camera and I did take a few pictures. I brought my "point-and-shoot" yesterday morning and didn't take a single photo. You just CAN'T get it through a lens. It's just too "personal" a thing to try and transfer.

(Blogger won't let me upload the photos, so I'll try again later.)

I've been going to a few of the exercise classes, like Water Aerobics, and today I went to a CORE class. It was a class focused completely on your core (abs, back, upper legs). It was a great class. But I've been doing the training program my personal trainer back home gave me. I haven't done the whole thing each day because I'd have already done about 2 hours of something else that day, and that's a bit much. Too much exercise can cause you to NOT loose weight on such a limited caloric intake! I've been burning about 1000 - 1200 calories a day with just my exercise, which is still quite a bit. I surely don't want to not loose weight because I'm working out TOO MUCH!! That would just be a shame! I've had to increase my water intake by about 500% which is killing me!! Hopefully I can keep up that when I get home!! I need to.

I really don't have much to share; I've shared about all of it. I'm not going to nearly as many classes this time. I have a pretty specific focus for my time here and I'm aiming all my energies in that direction. This visit is much different than the first. Still the same old Structure House, but not the same old me. Looking forward to the next few days. Lauri, Suzy, and I have some fun "off campus" adventures planned. They have a car!! But by the end of the evening (like now, at 8:00) everyone is kind of ready to hit the sack and call it a day. Which I think I'll do. I'm going to go to bed, do a little bit of reading, and then call it a night.

Talk to you soon!

Return to Structure

Well, I made it safely to North Carolina. Uneventful flight, which is always good. I did have some great people watching at the airport! My flight was scheduled to leave at 6:20 AM. Which meant that we needed to arrive at around 5:00. When I got checked in and headed to the gate after tracking down a Starbucks, there was this man who had brought a folding cot with him. Yes, he opened it up and set it up right there in the isle, laid down and took a nap. Now, I'm not sure what the travel adventures he had experienced in the last few days, but really? A cot? The flight wasn't delayed, we were only in the terminal for about 30 minutes before we boarded the plane. Anyways, caught me as funny. Then the next little think that happened made me laugh (after the fact!) Here is what I put on facebook:

Would like to tell the gentleman in front of me in line: Sir, if you're going to show off by using your AA iPhone app to check in for boarding the plane and you're going to insist on being first in line, please have your phone on, app open, and code ready to scan before you approach the gate. Your coolness factor just backfired. BTW your app didn't work anyways and you had to have the lady look you up manually.

The guy really speed-walked to the check in station, having to dodge people here and there (me being one of them) to get to the front of the line. It took him about 2 minutes to get his app open and scanned, which didn't work anyways. Two minutes is a long time when others are waiting to get on a plane. BTW - what is the big deal about getting on the plane before anyone else, you have assigned seats? The flight attendants aren't going to just decide that no one else can get on the plane. There aren't any prizes awarded for early arrivals. We were in first class, so we were going to be at least one of the first 24 people on the plane either way, but I guess he found great satisfaction of being FIRST. I will admit I kinda chuckled when I got on the plane and saw that there was already a lady on the plane....he wasn't first!! (I guess she needed special assistance and was allowed on ahead of everyone else.)

Well, all that before we even left DFW! I did have an enjoyable conversation with the lady sitting next to me. Heading to NC for a family reunion with her family. The two and a half hour flight was enjoyable. I was able to see the sun rise from above the clouds. I took a picture with my iPhone.

Speaking of pictures, I'm hoping to take more pictures while I'm here this time. I realized I never took pictures of the campus. I'm determined to get some good pictures of the Duke Trail.

Since I've been on campus its been interesting to fall back into routine. It's been just about a year since I was hear last, but I fell right into step. I arrived at about 10:50 this morning. There was a water class aerobics class that I really enjoyed last summer so I changed into my swim suit and joined the class at 11:10. Talk about jumping right in!! It did feel good to get back into the swing of things. Meals in the Dining Hall are just the same. Just walking from the apartment building to the Main House brought back sensory memory. With all the memories from before a lot of the same emotions returned as well. Which is a good thing! I'm ready to deal with them now. The week officially starts tomorrow morning so it will be interesting to see how old routines play out.

I've really enjoyed seeing Lauri. I enjoy her so much, and I'm really grateful we are here again, together. Wish we had more than a week.

Structured...Again

Remember last summer when I went to The Structure House for 4 weeks? (If you've forgotten you can read last years posts beginning here: http://www.shelleyhodges.com/2009/06/im-off.html)

Well, I'm going back. This time I'm only going for a week. I wish I could stay longer, but it's just not possible this time around. My great friend Lauri, who I met there last year, is going to be there as well. I'm looking forward to spending time with her and revisiting the goals I set last summer. I'm a little (well, a lot) disappointed in the amount of weight I've lost this past year. I started off real strong, and then just flat-lined around January. I haven't gained very much back, just about 6 pounds since January, and it's been really up and down at that. I'm going back on Sunday with (as of now, there's still room for a few more pounds to drop) a loss of 32 pounds. These past few weeks have been tough. I was getting back on track here a few weeks ago, doing well, and then I had a change in some medication and it turns out it was causing me to gain weight. I gained about 4 pounds in 3 weeks. I quickly told my doctor I needed a change! He changed some things around and now I'm back on track. My trainer told me the other day that she recalculated my percentages. I hadn't lost any weight in the past few weeks and had actually seen a small gain on the scale, but she knew I was working hard, and not eating too bad. Turns out I'd lost 3 pounds of body fat and gained 2 pounds of lean muscle. I guess even though that doesn't show on a scale, it's an improvement. It made me feel a LITTLE better, but I'd still like to see the numbers fall off the scale, and my pants to fall off my bottom!!! I'm excited about going back and getting a jump start again. Hopefully I can make it last longer than 6 months this time!! I'll try my hardest to post regularly. I'm even going to try and take some pictures of the campus this time too. And since Lauri and her sister will have a car, I can get to the Duke Trail more often, and even try my darnedest to get those pictures I have in my had into my camera. I just hope that in the 7 mornings I'm there, at least one will offer the amazing images that were there my first day around the Duke Trail. It would be an amazing thing if that huge spider web were there with the light shining on it like that first day. I've wanted that image back so many times this past year... I'm determined to get SOMETHING from the Duke Trail that can do justice to that place!

So long for now. See you in North Carolina!