Hurricane

So september for a kindergarten teacher looks well....insane. Ive been super busy and I am glad to say that this hurricane of a life is beginning to slow down. Once school and swim practice for the little ones started, I began to feel like the water was beginning to rise; and rising quickly it sure was. After about two weeks of the hectic and restless lifestyle I finally broke down. Literally, I was giving up on my own happiness, I was a different person toward Dom, and I was becoming so overwhelmed it made me forgetful at work and even while driving..yea totally weird. After one morning of total hysteria, I finally saw it...I was doing too much for others and not enough for me. With all of this frustration and madness i talked it out with Jackie and Dom to find a solution. One thing was clear and that was a quote from Einstein that Dom kept saying in the back of my mind: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". It couldn't have been more clear..I needed  to make a change. I decided to resign from coaching and focus on work, grad school and most importantly Dom and my family. I still have one more night at the pool but I could not be happier with that choice.

As for the great things in life...my family. Everyone is healthy and we will be seeing a lot more of each other becaus of birthdays, weddings, and my favorite holidays. It has been so great hearing about KayKay enjoying PSU and I can't wait until next weekend to chat with her about it! LaLa is also finishing up at bloom, which is so fantastic. I'm soooo excited to see what her next steps will be! Momma and Dad just celebrated 34 years of marriage and I cannot be more grateful for all they have done and sacrificed for my sisters and me. Jackie and jake are great with a brand new bed and super big t.v...awesome. Finally, Dom and I are so great. It's amazing to feel and see our relationship grow stronger in these tough times. He has been my stay at home wifey, knight in shining armor, and my stability. Keeping me calm, making me breakfast, lunch and dinner (yep he does) and just helping me to laugh and relax at home. I couldn't ask for a better guy. He has been my savior in all of this.

As for me, I feel good. Really good. I haven't felt more like ME for the longest time and I truly feel like I'm back. Back to my old, happy, helpful and super positive self. Yayay maybe I will even start running again...hmmm I hope I didn't speak too soon...love you all and thanks for reading. MWUAH**

Soakin up the sun

This summer has been filled with family, sand, and yummy drinks! Finally its August and much of the summer has passed, and I wouldn't change anything about it. Two vacations in ocean city with the Gribbin/Reilly crowd then the second with the smaller Paraschak group. Both were so different but equally fantastic! The top memory from the Gribbin one was reggae night (to name one is tough because this was easily the best week of my life) . Then the next best moment in OC was the night out / dinner in wildwood at the crab house. Yummy. Now that things are slowing down its nice to enjoy the rest of the summer heat by the pool!
Another hobby of mine that I love to do is cook and eat of course! One thing I just made was banana oatmeal bars (found from thesweetslife.com) and I will post the recipe for anyone willing to try. They are such a great, guilt free snack that Dom and I love! After cut them I wrapped individual bars in plastic wrap and stuck them in the fridge. Enjoy!
-2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
-1 cup whole wheat flour
-1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-3 ripe bananas, mashed (approximately 1 cup worth)
-1/4 cup peanut butter, melted in the microwave
-1 egg, beaten
-1/2 tsp salt
-2 tsp vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9 x 13 pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Mix together oats, flour, chocolate chips, brown sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in bananas, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven. Allow to cool, cut into bars, and store in refrigerator.

Summer lovin'

So it has been a while since my last post, but I can't say too many things have changed since the beginning of April. The biggest hurray on the list is my move to Collegeville with Dom. We love the area, our apartment, and all of the perks of living with the best friend you adore. We have been having a blast exploring our new home and trying to pull what we love into it. I feel like our relationship has grown since the move as well. (ya never know hehehe) The last time I posted I mentioned mikaela and her health. She is still going strong and living the normal 17 year old,party lifestyle. She is a natural!! Healthy as can be at the moment and more mature then ever. YOLO- Mikay's moto Dean, my nephew and the love of my life, is growing so quickly and doing so well! He has learned how to pull himself up to stand and he crawls like a man on a mission! Walking will be right around the corner and I just can't wait to chase him while playing tag at mom and dad's! Yayyyyy As for me, I am staying positive and making the most out of the blessed life I have been given. I smile A LOT and I enjoy my life and where it's heading. I plan to finish my summer by laying ocean side in Ocean City, NJ and teaching the last few weeks of summer school. Life is gooooood :)

A down hill jog

Finally, it has been a few days after mikaela's welcome home celebration and she is doing well. It has been an absolute miracle. She is healing very well and gaining her appetite and weight back slowly. She has been so strong and willing to get herself back in the path of finishing her senior year, getting to prom and asking the lucky guy to go with her. She is absolutely incredible.

As for me and my life, I'm ready to get back to work and finish out the school year...only two months to go. Dom and I are also looking forward to moving into our apartment and settling down together. He has started his new job officially today and is in San Francisco to begin his training! It has been such a long road but we are finally getting to the point that we have dreamed to be. We will be moving to collegeville which is a great distance from work for me, it's close to Jackie and it's also pretty close to the beach and our parents. I just can't wait to come home and finally feel at home. We are moving at the end of April which is just a few short weeks away! Let the fun begin!

How much is too much?

So I must say that the Gribbin clan has been literally pulled through hell and back these past few months and we are still riding the rollar coaster of unknown. Between Brothers, mommas, and baby sisters, we have experienced a whirl wind of hospital visits, tears, smiles, and tons more that is unexplainable. Our family truly has a six sense for feeling each others pain, grievance and triumphs. We don't even need to talk....we just "get it" now. I've learned this the past few weeks and it's amazing.

Currently I am feeling ok. Trying to keep my head up and staying strong for my little Kay Kay who is still at CHOP. Admitted Tuesday with a fever, soars in her mouth and throat that look liked a torch went off in it, and a "rip roaring" cough that would make anyone cringe. Well with those symptoms and high blood pressure, she was taken in almost immediately. After visiting Wednesday and seeing her condition I honest ly thought the Gribbin group as we know might change. Mikaela did not even look like herself. Her skin swollen and gray, eyes circled in black bruises and the whites of her eye ball were as red as fire. I had to swallow my tears and show a tiny smile of hope that the doctors would come up with a diagnosis, and cure. After questions, needles, swabs, and more, still no answers have been given. I left last night feeling like someone pulled a sheet over my eyes and body and I was helpless and speechless. There was nothing we could do to help. Even the morphine made her vomit and feel worse. I could see the life exiting her motionless body. The most terrifying feeling entered my gut and has not fully escaped yet .

However, in all of this torture, she has been blessed with our mom and dad sitting by her side and a staff of nurses and doctors that have been working ruthlessly to find an answer. The strength alone radiating out of momma g is breathtaking. Incredibly strong, sure and fighting until the last hair has been looked at. I was in awe seeing her in action. I can honestly say that if I am one fraction of my mother, I will be a mom like no other.

Currenly MIkaela is gaining strength back and a pink tint is beginning to hide the gray lifeless tone her skin appeared to be Wednesday. The swelling has subsided, and seems to continue to go down. The new pain killers are kicking in and my little Kay Kay is slowly returning. She was beautiful today. Inside and out. Fighting for comfort, for an answer, and just to get the hell home. With support from friends and family she is feeling more like herself every day. We hope she comes home Saturday with questions answered and a cure for whatever it has been that we are wishing away. It is amazing how something so terrible can really make you see the beauty in life and unconditional love. I would have literally killed to be near her and I have never felt so "alone" being out here in Reading. This is just another reminder that there is nothing stronger than family and the bond of sisters. I have been blessed and I just pray that mikaela gets well very soon. Nothing else in the world matters....

Spring is here!

Spring is finally here (and I say that loosely because of such a mild winter and our already hot spring days of high 70s) and I'm feelin good. I am still in the same spot, lonely and bored, but my outlook on life is positive and reassuring. I had such a great st.patty's day weekend with family and friends in NYC, and I look forward to a 30th b-day celebration for my big sissy Kelly this coming weekend. I can't wait for the food, laughs and drinks. It will be fantastic to say the least!

As for life as I know it, nothing has budged really. Still getting by with FaceTime and phone calls and trying to look at the bright side. There is light at the end of this grueling tunnel though and I know it will be here soon. Patience is a virtue.

As for my bod and the lack of monthly flow, who knows what is up. I'm going to see the doc next week to get an opinion and to get a good "inner laugh" at the fact that my doctor looks exactly like the sloth from the movie Ice Age. In all seriousness though he is a great doctor and I'm sure he will come up with a solution to my odd and irregular lady flow.

The solution to all of this mess is dream big....think of the future and keep that smile on. It's the best fashion accessory a girl can wear....just keep up with the wrinkle cream then ;)

Rita's is opening soon...

And you know what that means...beautiful spring is in the air! Gosh how I love the birds, flower buds, fresh air, and heat from the sun on my face! It's amazing what a little 60 degree weather can do for a girl.

Even though spring has almost sprung and I feel good inside my body and my mind, I can still feel my missing parts and they long to be filled. I'm staying positive though and riding off this past weekend with the chicas that I love so much and this weekend with Dom and some bloom folk! I do have great things ahead I'm excited to keep busy with work and play! Dom is still patiently waiting with the current company and things are moving forward but the process is tedious. He is being so wonderful and positive throughout the entire process and it amazes me. His "cool" and calming way of dealing with current situations is awesome. I thank god I have him to keep me grounded. As for me and life in general, I'm just going through the motions, trying to enjoy each day to its fullest no matter what. Training for broad street and using the long runs to clear my head is paying off. My new 2012 quote is this: "if you can't get out of it, get in it", and I've been living by it. Contentment is right around the corner...I know it.