Kenny Chesney!

I have to admit--I haven't really gotten into Twitter. I tweet every once in a while, but I really haven't gotten much out of it. But last week, I saw the Iowa Events Center tweet about giving away free tickets to Kenny Chesney and I jumped at the offer. All I had to do was tweet my favorite lyrics from a Kenny song. I tweeted "There goes my life, There goes my future, my everything." And guess what? I won 2 tickets!! 

As I got ready for the concert Saturday, I was taken back over 10 years when Chris and I went to our first concert together. We saw Kenny Chesney back when he still played state fairs! I was just 16 and completely in love with Chris and Kenny's hit song "Young." Chris would sing it to me whenever it came on to the radio. 

It was a little bittersweet to see Kenny come out on the stage. Actually, Kenny represented Chris and I perfectly---he may look a little older, but he still knows how to party! :-) Before the concert started, Chris and I made a list of all the songs we wanted to hear (both new and old). 

The best part of the night came when Kenny said he was going to "slow it down for a bit." He proceeded to tell the audience that he didn't play this song every show, but tonight he was going to. And guess what song it was? It was my song--my favorite lyrics song---and it felt like he sang it just for Chris and I.

If you don't know anything about the song, listen to it here and you'll understand why it means so much to us. 

Kenny Chesney--There Goes My Life

So Thank you, Kenny, for playing that song and for being such a part of our lives for the last ten years. Maybe it won't be another ten years before we see you again. 

Bren heads to kindergarten screening

Yesterday was a big day for our Brenna. She got to go to 'Lexi's school' for kindergarten screening. She was so excited. A few things to remember about the day: she had to wear a dress (which is becoming the norm for every school day), and she got to be in the same room as best bud Brileigh. Afterwards, she told me all about drawing a picture of herself , playing legos, and eating animal crackers. When I asked what her teacher's name was, she told me 'Mrs. Cottontail' (Mrs. Lippencott). Close,  Bren!

Easter Time!

I love Easter Time. Just like Christmas, I love how our faith mixes in with the fun of the holidays. Today during Palm Sunday mass, I kept looking at my kids listening intently to the gospel. Brenna came home and made a craft with the sign of the cross on it. I enjoy watching her explore her faith on her own; it's what makes the holiday seasons. Tonight, we dyed eggs (love the 'wild' kit this year!). Bren giggled as her eggs changed colors while Alexa planned out each egg perfectly.

Needless to say, the Seidls are ready for holy week.

The Start of a New Year! Happy 2013!

Another year has ended...looking back, 2012 was good to the Seidl family. We didn't have any "big" changes, but we have a lot of good memories of just being together. Here's to 2013 being just as gracious as 2012 was!


With another year starting, I always feel the need to create some "New Year Resolutions." I wish I could say that I ALWAYS follow through with them, but that would be a big, fat, lie. I know some people don't see the value in resolutions if you aren't going to follow them.

But I see them as a good thing: it gives you time to reflect on where you are and where you would like to be. Does it mean you are going to completely alter your life to follow them? No. What it means is that you would like to start moving in that direction. Will it happen  overnight? Nope. But MY goal is that at the end of the year, I can look at those resolutions and see some progress. So here are my 2013 goals:

1. Be healthy and active: I always make a goal of losing weight. I don't always make that goal and I end up feeling worse about myself while I finished off a tub of ice cream (just kidding!). This year, it is less about weight and more about healthy and active. I want to  continue to be able to chase my kids around my backyard and run that 5k. I do have a little more motivation than I have had in that past few years: my brother is getting married in October and I want nothing more than to be the 2nd hottest person there that day! (You're welcome, Jess!)

2. Read more: I do read a lot as it is, but I want to continue to increase that number. I love introducing new books to my students and the only way to do that is to continue reading. I also plan on reading to my kids as much as humanly possible. Lexi has developed a love for reading that reminds me of "little Jacque". It warms my heart to see her finish a book, pull it close to her chest, and ask for the next book in the series.

3. Less time for stress; more time for my passions: I admit: I am one who puts things off until the last minute and then I stress about things. I want to use time wisely this year to alleviate some of that stress and give me more time for things I really love to do: spend time with Chris and the girls, read, write, and take photographs.

4. Be a good friend: I have just realized in the last year or so that I struggle with this one. It's not that I don't want to be a good friend, but it's more that I find myself feeling like I don't have time to be one. That is going to change. I have forgot how quick a text, phone call, card, or email can really be. I have the most amazing friends and I need to make sure they feel the same about me.


Of course, there are more things that I would like to improve this year, but I don't want to overwhelm myself.  
baby steps, Jacque, baby steps. 

Good luck to you and all your New Year goals this year.

25 Days of Christmas!

I haven't been very good about blogging these past few months, but I hope to change that this December. A few weeks ago, Alexa asked if we could get an advent calendar so she could get little gifts all December long. While I didn't agree with her reasoning, I thought an advent calendar would be a good way to count down the days until Christmas and keep us remembering what the holiday season is all about: being with your loved ones. So I created a version of an activity advent calendar I found on Pinterest. With a little help from a co-worker with a Cricut, this is what the finished product turned out like.

Overall, I was extremely happy with it! The girls can hardly wait for December 1st to start turning them over and seeing what activities I have in store for them. I am going to try to post about every day on here--so check back!

Lexi: Our soccer star!

Neither Chris or I ever played soccer, but it seems like it may be Lexi's choice of sport. Enjoy! 

Des Moines IMT Half Marathon!

Today, I competed and finished my first half marathon. When I signed up, I was worried about running 13.1 miles in the middle of October. But somebody must have been looking over me today because it was a sunny, beautiful 70 degrees. You honestly couldn't have had a more picture perfect day!


If someone would have told myself 10 years ago that I would one day be running a half marathon, I'm sure young 16 year old me would have got a great laugh at that. I hated running. I was the girl who went out for track to get faster in other sports, but dreaded every practice/race. I was the girl who cried when Krafty (our track coach) told me that he was putting me in the 2 mile. I was the girl who cried so hard that I didn't have to run that race.

Running has never been easy for me, but I think that's what drives me to do it. I like the challenge.I know I will never be the faster runner, but running isn't always about being the best. Running is about making your best today better tomorrow.

I still remember my first 5k a little over 4 years ago. I struggled the entire way and thought that was the hardest thing I had ever done. A little while later, I ran an 8k...then the Dam to Dam...and it just continues from there. My mom asked me today if I would do the marathon next year. I laughed and said, "No!"....but I guess we will just have to see.

My two biggest fans

I can see the finish!

What a great cheering section!

I made it...all 13.1 miles

Giving Brenna a High Five at mile 8!