My dad comes to visit

Last week my dad made his annual January trip down to see the kids. They loved opening the many presents that he brought for them, as well as, just hanging out with him. Gotta love "Sweet William." lol

Happy New Year!

2011 was supposed to be my year of new beginnings. Unfortunitally falling down the stairs and breaking both my tail bone and 2 toes hasn't been a very good way to start the new year. I was so hoping to get back to the gym, as I think that physically it will help get me back to where I was, and mentally help me get my energy and ambition back. Guess I will have to wait on that one. For the most part my toes seem to be healing nicely, but my poor rump is a different story. I have a hard time sitting. Even tried a donut and it still hurts.. I wouldn't wish a fall down the stairs to anybody.

My beloved 1995 Ford Escort was also hit while parked on the street by a school kid just days into 2011. My very first reliable car. Made ever payment. Still runs great and only has 109,000 miles on it. Go figure that a smash to the fender and grill would total the car out.. So frustrating. Now to work with the insurance company to get things worked out. That car just may be my only means of transportation come May when I possibly lose the van, so pray we can salvage it.

Preschool has gotten off to a good start. I decided that if I was going to get out of my "dry rut" at school, I was going to make it extra special and fun. When I say "dry rut", I simply mean that for me, things just seemed stale and routine. The same lessons over and over year after year. I have been working extra hard on making things new and exciting for the kids, which in turns makes me more exciting about teaching. I love those preschool kids and will be so sad if things dont work out for next year.. :(

The kids are doing well. Micaela has been in councelling now since the summer and seems to be handeling the divorce better.

Grant is doing great and is even reading chapter books. Sadely I am not a Harry Potter fan, but have been forcing myself to alternate pages with him at home nightly. Will somebody tell me what the point is?? I guess I am not into wizardtry and that enchanted stuff...

Bethany is still a littler "mommas suck", though I will say having Sandy at Kurt's house has helped her. She was so hard to seperate from me to go stay with Kurt for a week, and now seems more at peace or ease with it.

Ralph was recentlly officially named Kenmare's City auditor. Working for the city as auditor and city economic developer has been great for him. He really enjoys his job and working for the city. I am very proud of all of his hard work and his dedication to drive to Crosby as often as he can to see me and the kids. He is a really great guy!

I recently started writing a "book" so to speak, about my divorce and the process of emotions etc. that went along with it. Even if I never share it with the world, getting everything that happened From January 2010 to June 2010 off my chest has really helped me a lot. I have admitted my wrongs, and accepted my new life. All of this has really helped me jump start my new life. I have decided that instead of living for everybody else, I need to live my life for me and the kids. I was always so worried about being the "perfect Mrs. Kocher" that I lost tract of the fun outgoing girl within me. I still struggle with minor depression at times, but have stopped thinking about the what if, could have, should haves. I am done with that. God had his plan for me, and things are now starting to fall into place.

Councelling have really been a help to me. Often times my councellor just lets me talk away for an hour hardly saying a word. Sometimes just speaking my mind helps me realize the things that I need to do. Amazing how sometimes your best guidance comes from within. :)

I am also learning that money doesn't buy you happiness. Do I miss my endless check book yes??? But would I trade it for the happiness I am feeling right now? Nope. Surely things like worrying about how to make this house more livable or whether or not I will be able to afford a reliable vehicle for me and the kids come Spring wears on me, but Ralph makes me so dam happy that it has really changed me as a person. I used to be so uptight. I was always wanting more and more and wanting things to be so perfect all of the time, that I often made people walk around on egg shells around me. No more. Things are what they are.. I have learned that I can take the help where I need it and It doesn't always have to be PERFECT PERFECT.. Part of my problem has always been having things perfect. I just assune do everything on my own, because surely nobody could do it as good as i. No more. Being a single mother has taught me that I can't do everything on my own, and when Ralph or my family wants to help I am now glad to have whatever help I can get. :)

So yes I may have had a set back in 2011 because of my fall, but my mind is good, and I am living each day as they come...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!!!

Merry Christmas from Anjelika, Ralph and Kids...




Merry Christmas from Kurt, Sandra and Kids....



Kids playing their new Wii




Mom Christmas morning




Ralph's new shirt




Mom's new grill pan



Kids new WII



Mom reading "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids before we open presents.. Bellies all full of pizza



Ralph Opening his pjs



Mom get slippers



Bethany got a Pinkaliscious doll and book, pj's, chocolates, walking kitty and cell phone walkie-talkies.



Micaela got a new outfit and hat, sketchers light up shoes, pjs, chocolates, kid texters, and a snuggy.




Grant got a bible, which he loved more than anything, a basket for his bike, the Karati kid movie, pj's, wii feasants forever hunting game, and foot ball chocolates.










Making pizzas before we get to open our presents... Micaela was even a bit creative and put green olives on her pizza this year..




Making Cookies for Santa Claus










Our second annual trip to See Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole..



Ralph and I took the kids to see the dance performance of the Nutcracker in Williston



Making Ginger Bread Houses with the kids










The kids seeing Santa at the bank



Kurt, Sandra, Tyler, the kids and I at the kids' Christmas concert


Happy Holidays Everyone..

Christmas went way better than I could have ever imagined. It was nice that Kurt, Sandra, Ralph and I could all come together and be family for the kids.

Christmas started out on the 23rd for us. It was our 2nd annual pizza and presents, and the kids had a blast making their own pizza and opening their presents from Ralph and I.

Christmas Eve morning Santa arrived and brought the children a Wii, so there was much excitment in the house. 3:00 Kurt, Sandy, and Tyler arrived to have gift opening with us, and then we all went to Church as a family. It is very important for us that our children know that just because mom and dad are no longer married, that there is still peace and friendship among us all. I am so very thankful for the stong bond that Kurt and I have, as well as, how nice Sandy and Tyler are. Without their willingness to be close as well, things would not be near as great.

The kids went with Kurt to Grandma Barb's for Christmas Eve, and once again got to wake up Christmas morning with yet more presents from Santa. We explained to the kids that because they have two homes, Santa is nice and delivers to Mom's house on the 23rd and dad's house on the the 24th. The kids didn't mind in the least..

Santa brought Micaela clothes and a microphone, an ipod for Bethany, and Grant got a bow and arrow..

Christmas Day my family came over and we had a huge feast and more presents....

Christmas was so special this year. I thought it would be depressing, but it went well, and I am so thankful for my loving Ralph and great family.. Thank you everybody..

:)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.....

As always I am the host of the "Big" Thanksgiving meal. I thought it would feel rather different having it in this house, versus my "old" one, but really it felt no different at all. My mom and Les came over, as well as, Heidi and Jacob & Ralph and his son Kolden. All in all, it turned out rather lovely, and I had no complaints...

The picture above is Micaela's Thanksgiving play at school. She was a girl pilgrim, and really enjoyed saying her lines. So cute...

On light up night, Ralph was a sweet heart and took the kids up town for the Christmas stoll. I had had a rough day, and wasn't feeling well, so he insisted on taking the brude up town. The kids had fun walking into each store and looking for their prizes. Let's not forget Santa. :)

Today I got the tree up, and the presents put out. This year I opted for a small 3ft tree that sits perfectly in my window, so the kids aren't really quite sure of it yet. I explained to them that they would still get their big real tree at their dad's, so it was all good..

To end, I made it through my 1st Thanksgiving without Kurt. Oddly things went rather smoothly and with the exception of him carving the turkey, things were pretty much the same.

Now let's see if we can concure Christmas... That might be a different story..

Love Anjelika :)

My baby turned 5..

I am actually speechless, as it seems impossible that my "baby" has just turned 5. Seems like only yesterday Kurt and I brought her home. I can still remember the day like it was yesterday. Ashleigh had dressed the kids in their cutest outfits and hung a banner over her bedroom door that said, "It's a girl." We walked into the front door greated by Grant, and Micaela who were merely toddlers waiting for a new play mate. The fun then started as I had started a 5 year yourney of being a mother of 3. Back then had you asked me what I wanted more than anything, and I probably would have said a break, but now the thought of baby just makes my heart glow. Perhaps one day with "mr. wonderful." we will welcome an addition to the family, but for now life is great with me and the three peeps and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Bethany's birthday fun started on Sunday when I took the kids to Estevan swimming and for supper. It was fun. Monday, I let Bethany make her own cake, and we spent the day preparing for her pizza party. 20 friends and family joined us in making Bethany's birthday very memorable.. Truely another milestone.. Geesh, if the last 5 years went that fast, I dread the thought of the next 5 years...

My Evil flying monkey

Can't forget about my evil flying monkey... Ralph tagged along as the evil flying monkey. More appropriate I suppose from him to by on Heidi's shoulder because she was the bad witch, but he is mine, so I claim him.. hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Halloween 2010

Halloween 2010 was one of the funniest yet. Dressing up as the Wizard of Oz was a blast, and everybody just loved our costumes. You can see more pictures on my facebook page.

On Friday my sister Heidi and I took the kids to the trail of treats in Williston. The kids had fun going up and down Maiin street collecting treats from the businesses. We were also lucky that Afinson photography was taking pictures, so we were able to have our entire group picture taken. I can't wait until I get those pictures back.

Sunday we dressed the kids up once again, and Kurt took the kids to the 4H Halloween party. Got to be a long day because the 4H party went from 300 until 600.. I took them trick or treating for an hr and a half and then Kurt took them. Trust me, they were beat and ready for bed when they were done.. lol

All in all, Halloween went great. :) Thanksgiving on the other hand that will be a different story. Kurt will be gone to Utah with his fiance/soon to be wife Sandy. Yes they are getting married. Actually right on Thanksgiving Day. The holidays are going to be bit of an adjustment for me, as Kurt and I have spent the past 15 years of holidays together, but where there is a will there is a way right?

Things are going well, and all is good.....