scraps of me...

Mery Christmas

I just had a few minutes and I've been wanting to document some tidbits of this holiday season...

• The kids recently informed me that they know that there is no Santa...that Daddy and I fill their stockings. Last year I knew that Austin was on the verge, but I was really hoping for another year or so with the girls. Although, I do have to admit that it has made things a little simpler this year. Troy and I don't have to "talk in code" as much as we have needed to in the past. They also informed me that the Tooth Fairy isn't real either. Seriously? When did they grow up?
• Tomorrow, we're heading for Indiana. The kids are excited...mostly about the snow that has recently been dumped there. Me? I'm excited to spend Christmas with Troy's family for the first time in ten years. I'm not quite so excited about the weather. Today, I'm discovering that it's a lot harder to pack for a winter vacation vs a summer one. The clothes take up more space...plus the coats and gloves and hats and scarves and presents and boots...oh wait, I forgot. We still need to buy boots.
• And speaking of presents...online shopping is so awesome! I love Amazon and free super saver shipping. Most of the gifts, we've had mailed directly to Troy's parents' house. And his Mom has wrapped most of them for us already.
• I'm missing our usual Christmas decorations. It wasn't logical to dig everything out of the attic and set it all up, considering we won't be here to enjoy it...but I still miss having the tree and other decorations scattered around the house this time of year.
• I'm also giong to miss the Christmas services at LifeChurch.tv this year, so I've taken every opportunity possible to blast is throughout the house (or the car) in the past month.

•  And one last thing...I was a total slacker this year and bailed on sending out Christmas cards or a letter. So consider this your "Merry Christmas" wish! I pray that everyone enjoys time with their family and friends and I'll "see" ya'll next year! :)

10 Weeks

Did you realize that there are only 10 weeks left in 2010?!?

Crazy, huh?

So...even though it's a busy time of year, I decided to set 10 goals for myself...things I'd like to accomplish or cross off of my to-do list by the end of the year.

Here goes...

1. Lose 15 lbs. (via exercise and eating right)

2. Make pajama pants for Austin, Kaitlin, and myself. (I've had the fabric for too long, it's time to get it done.)
3. Complete Five in a Row lesson plans for the rest of the school year. (It's so much easier to plan ahead than to do it one week at a time.)
4. Update my recipe binder and create a rotating meal plan. (I'm tired of trying to figure out "what's for dinner" each week.)
5. Create a THANK YOU note binder or box for the kids. (to simplify this process for them and have everything in one place.)
6. Create a house idea notebook. (Now that we've seriously started to work on the house, I need to seriously start thinking about how I want to decorate it.)
7. Scrapbook 10 layouts. (One a week...doesn't sound too hard...except I haven't touched my stuff in over a year! I'm hoping this will get me started again.)
8. Edit and order April through October photos. (I've fallen really behind on this...again.)
9. Organize and clean out my photo albums. (They're filled with photos to scrapbook, but I need to eliminate some of the "unnecessary" photos.)
10. Choose a read aloud book to enjoy with the kids each day. (Maybe start the Narnia series?)

 

Keeping Life Simple

I recently read this book. I saw a post on Stacy Julian's blog about it and requested it from the library the same day.

It was light. Fun. Inspiring. And I typed up quite a long list of ideas that I want to remember. Like...

• Create time for the things you care about most.
• Enjoy what's in front of you.
• Surprise your kids by not reacting to them the wayt hey think you will. Bend. Learn to be flexible.
• You have more control over your time than you think.
• Try treating the Sabbath as a true day of rest.
• Bake bread. Get your hands in the dough, work out some frustrations, watch it rise, punch it down, and then relax and enjoy the sweet smell while it bakes.
• Listen. It's easy to fall into the habit of listening to what other people have to say only so you can come up with a response.
• Make a wish list.
• Slow down...even if you're in a hurry.
• Step outside before you're ready to go to bed and look up at the starry sky.
• Think of things that you've always done the same way and try, instead, to wander down an alternate path.
• Remember that a figt need not be an object.
• The art of being wise ist he art of knowing what to overlook.
• Never confuse movement with action.
• Dry your laundry outside in the sun.
• Delegate.

and the most profound one to me, personally...and was the very first one in the book...

• RELAX YOUR STANDARDS.

To me, this doesn't mean that I have to settle. I don't have to lower my standards to a level that I'm not comfortable with. It simply means I need to loosen up...relax them...just a little. Let some things slide. Don't expect perfection. It's okay.

Is it Saturday?

During the past week or so, Erin and I have had a few conversations about priorities: husbands, school lessons, daycare, taking care of ourselves, etc. We're both feeling slightly overwhelmed lately and burned out.

During the summer, most of our daycare kids go part-time since they're teacher's kids. And while our kids still have about a month and a half left of lessons...we're still ready for this new season.

This Saturday, we've decided to take a break. To take a day just for ourselves.

The plan?

1. Meet at the library to drop off one of our cars.
2. Hit a few garage sales, and maybe a thrift store too. Bargain therapy!
3. Go back to the library. Talk. Brainstorm. Plan. Create fresh routines. Fresh perspectives.
4. Grab something yummy for lunch.
5. And finally, off to grocery shop before heading home.

I can't wait! Especially after the crazy week I've had.

Is it Saturday yet? :)

05.18.2010

Things that are making me smile today...

• our freshly mowed yard
• sleeping last night with the windows open
• good books
• doing 25 minutes on the eliptical
• new shower gel
• Troy made the bed this morning
• finding neat online homeschool resources
• throwing away the leftover frosting from Meghan's bday (instead of eating it by the spoonful)
• google calendar
• the kids getting their lessons done before lunch
• a freshly scrubbed bathtub
• baby drool and giggles
• the kids guessing what flavor their mystery airheads are
• coconut lemongrass scentsy
• no poopie diapers so far. lol.
• oatmeal w/bananas and vanilla yogurt
• new songs on my ipod
• Kaitlin's first creative writing story
• dinner already in the fridge
• the fact that we have nothing going on tonight!!

Let it Go...

I'm not sure if many of you know...but I'm pretty picky about our home; keeping it picked up...putting things where they belong...clutter: non-existant (most of the time).

I've relaxed a lot since we've started homeschooling...

But before the day ends, there are certain things that need to be done.

1. All toys picked up and put away (in the daycare room, bedrooms, and living room)
2. All the dishes need to be washed, and usually put away as well.
3. All the laundry needs to be put away (not just taken to your bedroom...but actually put in the drawers where they belong)

I've always thought that doing all these things will give me a fresh start the next morning.

But this week...

I haven't picked up any toys in the daycare room. So, if they don't get picked up by the kids before they leave, it hasn't gotten done.

Last night, I didn't wash dinner dishes. *gasp!* Troy was busy putting in our new mailbox and installing the girls' new bedroom door. I was busy editing 4 months worth of photos. Then we curled up on the couch to watch "Blindside". (great movie, btw!) It was 11 pm when I realized dishes didn't get done...and yet, I chose not to do them thanks to Troy's prodding.

And laundry...well, I haven't had much to do this week at all...but let's just say that what I have had to do hasn't been done with my normal efficiency.

And guess what?

The daycare kids actually like it when their toys are where they left them the day before. They can pick up playing right where they left off.

The dishes didn't take any more time to do this morning then they would've last night. And I only had to fill the sink once, instead of twice.

The laundry? It's surviving...even if it is a little on the wrinkled side.

And more importantly...the house is still standing. Troy still loves me. It's all getting done eventually. And if anything...I'm more relaxed...moving at a little bit slower pace.

Nice, huh?

Maybe I should try it more often...letting things go...

To Conquer...

The kids are gone this week. Austin, Meghan, and Kaitlin. We met Troy's Dad and stepmom in Tulsa yesterday and they are now in Branson...hanging out, having fun, and lots of adventures...without us. It's strange. It's peaceful and quiet. It's wonderful!

Or maybe I shouldn't say that. :)

I do love them, I really do...but I think we all needed this break...from school lessons...from each other.

Troy and I have big plans for the week...like yardwork, replacing the girl's bedroom door (that's just a Troy job), a motorcycle ride (it'll only be my 2nd one ever!), and maybe a night on the town (aka: dinner and a few errands). We're giddy. We can't decide if we feel like newlyweds or empty-nesters. lol.

Anyway...I have my own big plans for the week. I've been making a list of "Projects to Conquer" for sometime now. I'm hoping to make a good-sized dent in the list this week.

1. Switch the kids' bedsheets from flannel to their spring/summer ones
2. Type recipes and update my recipe binder
3. Blog, Blog, Blog.
4. Clean the oven
5. Edit Dec, Jan, Feb, and Mar photos
6. Upload and order the above edited photos
7. Ironing
8. Go through magazines, tear out cool ideas, put them in my fun binders
9. Type all the daycare "curriculum" plans for the rest of the year
10. Finish my bookclub book
11. Read Life Group books (2 chapters in each one)
12. Create lesson plans for next week
13. Plan remaining state studies
14. Read through Five in a Row books
15. Plan meals and make grocery list
16. Exercise every day (not happening)
17. Enjoy every minute of this week!!

That's quite a list...but I think I can do it considering I have no lessons to teach or grade, no one to pick up after (except the daycare kids), less laundry to do, less food to cook, pretty much less of everything.

Wish me luck!

Toast Day

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Austin, Meghan, and Kaitlin write in their journals. A few weeks ago, I found this website that has some fun journal prompts on it. Some are a little too indepth for them, Kaitlin especially. But today's was a fun one so I thought I'd share.

Today is "Toast Day".  What is your favorite topping for toast?  Explain to someone how to create this "toasty" treat.

Toast is a breakfast staple around here...usually with a fried egg and a piece of fruit. It's eaten almost daily by all 3 kids.

So for their journal entries...

Austin decided to invent a new recipe. Butter, peanut butter, honey, and chopped walnuts.

Meghan's favorite is with butter and strawberry jam.

Kaitlin likes her Daddy's "Recipe"...butter, peanut butter, with a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar.

They wrote out recipes, complete with "how-to" instructions and a picture of their toast.

My favorite way to have toast? It's hard to choose just one....but I guess my all-time favorite would be with lots of butter and homemade blackberry (or any kind of berry) jam. Mmmmmm.

**How do you like your toast?**

02.23.2010

So I doubt anyone has noticed...but I've been unplugged...disconnected...from my blog for awhile now. I needed to.

Blogging had become a chore...just one more thing to add to my to-do list. One more thing that seemed to go undone...day after day.

Or if I did say "yes." to making time to blog...then it meant that I had to say "no." to something else. That usually meant time with my family...time to exercise...or simply time to relax.

I'm still not sure what blogging is going is going to look like from now on for me. I even contemplated giving it up all together.

I've contemplated my reasons why I first started blogging years ago...why I've been blogging lately...and why I truly want to be blogging.

Recently, I've found a way to work exercise back into (most of) my days...I'm hoping to do the same for blogging. I just need to figure out where and how it fits into my day-to-day life...amidst the homeschooling, daycare kids, housekeeping, and family time.

But I do know for sure...that I can't just stop or quit. :)

11.26.2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm so thankful for so many things...

my fabulous husband.

our 3 precious children.

family. friends. our church. our home. Troy's job. a kitchen full of food. all my daycare families.the opportunity to homeshool. and a hundred little things that make me smiles each and every day.

I know I haven't been around much...there just isn't a lot of time leftover at the end of my day for blogging, reading, and other hobbies...but I'm hoping to post of photos soon.

And I have another neat idea floating around in my head that I'm hoping to share with ya'll soon.

So don't disappear...my few blog readers. Stay tuned. I promise...I won't stop blogging completely. not ever. :)

07.09.2009

So...um...yeah...uh...Hi. Long time no blog.

And the only excuse I have is that it's summer time. Days are busy. Evenings are too. And blogging just seems to be the one thing that never gets crossed off my to-do list.

Troy's at church tonight, helping to set up for our church's summer hit series, "At the Movies". I believe they're converting our church lobby into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. I can't wait to see it Saturday.

So while the kids were eating dinner...I made myself a list of things I'd like to do tonight...

1. mow the yard (geesh it's HOT outside!)
2. shower (fresh and clean)
3. start laundry (hoping it doesn't get water all over the hall carpet again)
4. eat dinner (salad w/ grilled chicken. yum)
5. download pictures from camera (*sigh* the camera battery is dead)
6. edit photos (can't until the battery is charged)
7. blog weekly photos from June 24th - present (see #5 and #6)

So I'm here...just typing...sans photos.

The rest of the list is as follows...

1. update my weight loss blog (it's even more neglected than this one)
2. paint my toe and finger nails
3. plan tomorrow's meals and snacks
4. do a bit of daycare paperwork
5. get a bday card ready to mail
6. start cleaning the house (bathrooms and kitchen and dusting tonight, vacuuming and mopping tomorrow)
7. go to bed.

I'm thinking I'm not going to get much more done since it's already after 9 pm...but at least it'll give me a place to start tomorrow.

And hopefully, I'll be back tomorrow...with photos. :)

Only Troy...

Only Troy would think up something like what I'm about to tell you...

Please be warned...this post is rated PG-13...maybe even R! :)

Allow me to set the scene...

We had just gotten home from church on Wednesday night...

The kids were getting pj's on and brushing their teeth...

and since Troy was supervising, I decided to pop onto the computer to check emails.

Suddenly, around the playroom/office door, pops this...

 

with the announcement from my 'innocent' husband...

"Look! It's Wedding Night Barbie!!"

Only Troy. :)

Company Girls

I read Rachel Anne's blog at Home Sanctuary. I don't always get a chance to participate, but I love being inspired each day to do a little something to make our home special to us.

She's recently written a book and is asking for submissions for photos representing friendship and special relationships.

I've submitted a few ones that are dear to me...

 

 

and Troy actually submitted this one...

 

Head over to Company Girl and submit a photo or two of your own! I believe voting will begin on June 7th and the favorites will make it into the book. How exciting! :)

05.26.2009

We're home from our little mini-vacation...

had a fabulous time with Troy's family...

and now I'm busy doing laundy...

keeping up with the kid's end-of-the-year school stuff...

straightening the house...

and doing life in general.

I'll be back tomorrow with some photos from the trip. :)

05.21.2009

Packing and cleaning and cleaning and packing...

And listening to this cool mix of Taylor Swift and Coldplay. Very neat!

(it won't skip and jump if you let it load completely first...or maybe my computer's just slow. lol.)

ouch

So Erin took all three kids so Troy and I could have a date. We were just planning to do yard work, then watch a movie. So I took the kids to Erin's, was on my way back home, and got hit by a truck. a block away from home. The driver didn't yield.

I'm okay.  a bit sore. hand. knee. shoulder.

Say a prayer my van isn't totaled though. *sigh*

03.18.2009

I guess without realizing it, I've taken a 'spring' break from my blog(s). It's just tough to find the time to sit and type with a housefull of kiddos. That...and I've just had a busy week...

• getting Meghan ready for camp.
• getting Troy ready for his trip to Texas
• getting layouts ready for my scrapbook retreat
• getting the yard ready for a new fence
• and getting our closets ready for summer

Well, I haven't actually tackled that last one quite yet...but hope to this weekend. Most of the others are still a work in progress as well.

So I'll be back in full force...maybe this weekend...maybe on Monday. I'll just have to wait and see how much I get done between now and then around the house.

Hope everyone else is enjoying their spring break and all the great weather we've been having here in Oklahoma! :)

02.20.2009

Wow. What a week it's been. cr-a-zeee!

I'm a homebody...a hermit, if you want to call it that.

This week, I've been on the go so much more than I like to be. It's left me feeling a bit behind and frazzled.

I'm so thankful there's not much on the calendar for next week. :)

Anyway...here's some random bits from our week...

• Austin made a bird feed from an apple, peanut butter, a dowel rod, and bird seed, at cub scouts on Monday. He's been disappointed all week because it didn't look like there had been any nibbles off of it. He'll be happy to know that I saw no less than 10 birds out in our tree this morning fighting over it.
• Our home is now free of girl scout cookies. yay. The temptation is gone and I'm happy to report that in the past month, I've eaten only 1 box of samoas. :) Some may think that's 1 too many for somebody with at lest 70 pounds to lose...but they tasted so good.
• Kaitlin and I both had eye doctor appointments. She does not need glasses and my prescription hasn't changed. yay. I picked out some frames to get a pair of sunglasses instead. They surprisingly have a little 'bling' on them. super cute.
• Austin and Meghan went to school today with their reading glasses for the first time. They look so different...so much older...maybe even 'smarter'...with them on. :)
• I've been making a bunch of cards this week...at least 20 (half of them are for you, Becky.) I still have some more to make...but I think I'm going to spend today planning layouts instead.
• I was reading a blog this morning...of course, I don't remember which one...but she was talking about to-do lists...and ya'll know how much I love my to-do lists. ;) Anyway...she said that she organizes her's by the following categories: Now, Soon, and Eventually. I thought that was so cool. There are things I put on my list that I sometimes forget don't have to be done NOW, yet I wrongfully give these things a high priority, sometimes even above my family. I think maybe writing them down in a different way will help me keep my priorities in check and realize that I can't do it all, everyday. It'll still be there tomorrow, next week, etc. Let things go.
• I had a check-up this week as well...with a new doctor. loved her. The appointment went good and all is fine. But I did realize one thing...I no longer dread stepping onto the scale at a doctor's office. It doesn't stress me out. I don't get a knot in my stomache. I don't have to listen to them tell me I'm overweight (duh, as if I didn't already know). Yes, I'm still overweight...but when they see how far I've come already, they congatulate me instead. It's a great feeling.
• And last, but certainly not least, today is Austin's 9th Birthday!! He was so excited and slap-happy, yesterday, and even more so today. I haven't taken the obligatory birthday photo yet...but I will after school. He's having about 5 of his good friends over tonight, for pizza, a cookie-cake, football, and video games. I'm hoping to escape with Kaitlin and Meghan to Erin's house for awhile, but I doubt Troy will let me. hee hee. Austin keeps reminding me that he'll be driving in ONLY 7 years. YIKES! I suddenly feel so old. :)

Anyway...it's high time I get off this computer and get busy. Hope ya'll have a great Friday!

02.04.2009

I've got strep throat...again.

If you get your tonsils taken out, can you still get strep? Anybody know?

I'm going to take a break from the computer for a day or two...We have a crazy busy weekend ahead and I cannot still be running this fever...I need to slow down and rest a bit.

01.22.2009

I'm here...alive and well...just a little sluggish this week in the blogging department...well, actually...in every department.

Let's see...how about a quick list of total randomness...

• Our broken tv is being replaced with no charge to us. yay! troy's working on getting the new one hooked up tonight. I miss our comfy cozy living room in the evenings.
• I'm going into tv/dvr withdrawal...no american idol...no gray's anatomy...I did watch the LOST premiere last night though. still haven't figured it all out. I'll probably need to rewatch it online before next week's episode.
• Webkinz has the most addicting games ever.
• I have the neatest new cookbook...well, actually, it's pretty old...but new to me. I'll have to take some pic's of it and dedicate a post entirely about it. yes, it's that cool.
• scrapbooking? what's that? why don't I have any motivation to scrap even if I do have the time?(see webkinz comment above. lol.)
• I lost 2 lbs. this week.
• Girl Scout cookies have taken over our living room.
• I've had a great week with the daycare kids. No one is sick. Everyone's been in great moods. It's been good.
• I'm currently reading 4 different books...that's about 3 too many...but they're all so good.
• I should start cleaning the house tonight so I have less to do tomorrow...then maybe I can scrapbook...or play webkinz. kidding. kind of. ;)

Well, the kiddos are in bed now...so I'm going to go try to decide what to do with myself.

Hope everyone's having a fantabulous week. :)

what a day...

So I'm thinking maybe I should've been a little more specific in my last 'Twitter' after the phone calls and email I received. :)

I enjoy Twitter...it's fun to post about the little tid-bits in my day. Sometimes I wonder why anyone else would care...and sometimes I wonder if it's just a waste of my time...but it's still fun.

It is difficult, however, to sometines describe what's going on in less than 140 characters....as was the case yesterday afternoon.

So let me break it down for ya (sounds like a rap song, huh?) :D

Here was my post...

Latest: what a day...broken fridge, kid to the ER, barely a trickle of water, and a grass fire. Looking forward to relaxing at life group tonight! about 15 hours ago what a day...broken fridge, kid to the ER, barely a trickle of water, and a grass fire. Looking forward to relaxing at life group tonight! about 15 hours ago from web

#1: Broken Fridge -- the extra fridge we keep in the garage is broken. Troy's tried all week to figure out why the fridge is cold and the freezer part isn't. He's quite handy like that. But the fridge just wouldn't cooperate this time. Thankfully, at Epworth, they had another extra one (that used to be in a resident's apartment). So Troy drove to the city, picked up my brother's truck, picked up the new fridge, and was heading home when he got a phone call regarding...

#2: Kid to the ER -- Austin, being the little boy simply brimming over with common sense (please note the sarcasm here) thought it'd be a great idea to take the bunkbed ladder off the bed and lean it against his bedroom wall. Then proceed to climb to the third rung (there's only four anyway) and have sit on it. seriously. Well, the ladder decided to slide down the wall, (gouging the wall in the process),crash to the floor, with my son landing on top of it...on his tailbone. ouch. I've never heard one of my children scream the way he was. I don't think I've ever ran so fast either. So after whimpering on the couch for 30 minutes, Troy took him to the ER for x-rays. Everything is fine, just really bruised and sore. After they got home, Troy headed back to the city to return J.R.'s truck to him. On the way home...he saw...

#3: A Grass Fire -- Out off of Portland and Hwy 33, There was a grass fire growing bigger by the minute. The fire department hadn't arrived yet, but there were a few men out there trying to put out some hot spots and keep it from spreading too much. Troy, the good samaritan, stopped and offered to help. Once the fire department got there, Troy headed home, smelling heavily of smoke, only to discover...

#4: A Trickle of Water -- coming out of our faucets. Apparently, a water main broke about 9 blocks away from our home. Troy (obviously) needed a shower, as did the girls and I. I'm thankful we had 'some' water...but it did take forever to wash and rinse my hair, even with its now much-shorter look.

But at least we were clean and smelling better when we went to life group. :)

So yeah, that was our day in 140 characters. Some day.

01.08.2009

So, um...yeah...so much for my 'back to regular blogging' plan.

This week I've had a few 'bigger' to-do's than usual...none of which I've finished yet...

Oh, except for one. Check out my new blog design? Whatcha think?

Anyway...

So maybe next week I'll be back in full force...including a 'tasty tuesday' recipe, etc.

Until then...hope everyone is doing great! :)

Resolutions...Goals

...whatever you want to call them.

This year, I'm calling them 'to-do's'. Maybe that's because to-do's are a part of my day-to-day life. Every Sunday I sit down and make out my lists for the week in my to-do notebook. Every night I re-evaluate the next day and add/subtract as needed depending on what's going on and what's changed or come up unexpectantly.

To-do lists work for me.

So here it is...

 

(in order of importance)

God:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

• continue my daily quiet time (Bible, devotional, journaling)
• read the Bible in one year
• talk to God throughout the day, before I get totally stressed and to my breaking point

Troy:
A worthy wife is a crown for her husband. Proverbs 12:4

• plan more date-nights, either at home or out on the town
• build him up, encourage more, nag less
• write in our notebook more

Kids:
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalms 127:3

• read the Bible or find a fun family devotional to do with them
• talk more with them instead of at them
• cut back on tv and video games, spend more time doing stuff with them

Myself:
Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19

• exercise 5-6 times a week
• eat well--more natural, simple, more fruits and veggies
• budget in more time for hobbies

Home:
She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Proverbs 31:27

• keep up with my weekly zones (organizing and deep cleaning)
• start updating the house with paint and stuff, focusing more on decorating
• simply move more...sit less

Daycare:
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:27

• play outside more
• get a year's worth of crafts and activities planned
• read more to them

Others/Activities:
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.  1 Peter 4:9

• crop once a month with Erin and/or Jennifer
• start a monthly bookclub meeting
• invite friends and family to share a meal or some fun in our home frequently

Re-reading all of that...it seems like to much. Yet really, it's just about making simple choices each and every day. It's not really something I can cross off my to-do list...just something to work towards. For me, it's all about finding the balance, day-to-day, in my life. Somedays, I won't exercise. Some weeks, the house won't get cleaned. Some months, I may not be able to scrapbook. I need to learn to say 'That's okay.' and continue striving for balance.

So that's it, my 2009 to-do list.

**Did anyone else make any 'resolutions' this year?**

01.01.2009

 

I'll be back later today with a HUGE update...including lots of photos and my resolutions/goals for this new year!

12.25.2008

Sorry I kind of disappeared for the past week or so. I've been enjoying every minute of Christmas preparations and family time.

My prayer is that everyone had a wonderfully blessed Christmas!

I'll be back to some regular blogging on, or maybe before, January 1st. I'll update everyone on life in general then.

((hugs)) to ya'll...and enjoy the holidays!

12.03.2008

Today is going to be a 'Random Wednesday' kind of post...a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

So where to start...

• I'm making slow, but steady process on my long to-do list. I've crossed off one item each day so far. Austin's cub scout patches are sewn on (slightly crooked, but done), I made all the cards for December birthdays and anniversaries, and I've got the meal and grocery list done.
• Speaking of meal/grocery list...I've also made myself a little 'menu', planning out my meals and snacks..taking out the guess work of 'What should I eat?' which tends to lead me down a road filled with salty and sweet treats. This past week I haven't done so great...with exercise or eating right...and my weigh-in this morning reflected that. Up 1.5 pounds. But today is a new day. I'm going to sweat my butt off. I'm going to stick to my plan. I'm going to get back on track.

Tonight Troy and I have a date. Which means eating out. Scary territory. But I'm going to get online, check the menus and nutrition info, and choose a restuarant and what I'm going to eat. I'm not even going to open the menu when we get there lest I be tempted to order some fajitas or something equally bad for me.

Troy and I have been quite creative in our discipline lately which I'm actually kind of proud of. Is that wrong? The fact that the punishment fits the crime and makes the kids miserable kind of makes me smile? For instance, just this morning, Meghan brought me her reading log, where she has to write down the title of the books she reads and I have to sign it. After she reads so many, she gets a certificate at school. Now normally, Meghan's my book worm. I rarely doubt her. But this morning, it just wasn't adding up. She had put 5 books on her log. One of them was brand new (just got the Scholastic order yesterday) and kind of long. It's about Jesus' life. So I decided to ask her a few questions...
"So what was the book about?"
"His life."
"What about His life?"
"His birth."
"Is that it?"
"Oh, and He prayed and worshipped God."
"Anything else?"
"He helped his mommy and daddy too."
(at this point, I'm getting really suspicious)
"Really? How did He help them?"
"Um...uh...Did they do laundry back then?"
Can we say BUSTED!!
Anyway...her punishment...read the book, outloud, this afternoon...and it will not be added to her reading log. And in the future, she'll be answering questions on EVERY book she reads until she regains my trust in her. *sigh* Being a parent is hard sometimes.

My sweet sweet husband came home yesterday with Prince Caspian!! I never got to go to the theater to see it and have been waiting ever so patiently for it to come out on dvd. I love the books. LOVED the first movie and can't wait to watch it this weekend!!

Um... I just realized I never saved and posted this...4 hours later. I guess I didn't have anything else to blab about. :)

Hoping everyone is staying warm (it's a blustery day here in Oklahoma). Have a great Wednesday!

11.21.2008

Here's a bit of randomness...because that's just the way my brain's working this week...

• I haven't sat down at my scrapbook desk all week. Simply no time. I want to though.
• I'm going tomorrow to get my hair highlighted and cut. My reward for losing 40+ lbs. So excited!
• One of my daycare moms brought me some toys today. They're annoying. I wonder why she brought them here to my house? lol.
• I haven't given Christmas a single thought yet...cards...presents...decorating...etc.
• I need to make Meghan a Victorian nightgown. She's going to be in a window with her girl scout troop for the Victorian Christmas Walk downtown Guthrie on the 20th of December. I haven't done any sewing in FOREVER. I'm scared!
• I bought some notebooks at Walmart the other night. I'm excited to get started altering my monthly to-do notebooks for next year.
• I'm cooking the turkey this year...for the first time. We had a smoked one last year. Hope it turns out. I'm planning to put it in a brine before cooking it. Any hints? It's 18 lbs. Help a girl out. please.
• I need to work on my December daycare newsletter and crafts.
• Troy's getting groceries. Apparently Crest is a busy place the weekend before Thanksgiving. Is it wrong of me to be glad it's him and not me?
• I've exercised every day this week. I haven't done that in a long time. My legs remind me of that fact everytime I try to sit or stand up.
• Meghan's at her first official friend sleepover tonight. It's one of her best friends...who's little sister happens to be one of my daycare kiddos. They live in the country. They were planning to ride one of their horses this afternoon. Meghan was positively glowing with excitement!
• I can smell dinner in the over. A new recipe...Layered Enchilada Bake. Mmmm. Guess that means I better stop rambling and go get dinner on the table.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!

11.13.2008

Do you even feel like you're just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast?

Yeah, well, that pretty much sums up this week for me. It's almost over and I have no idea what I've accomplished.

I've got a few 'real' blog posts planned...I'll try to find the time to sit and type later.

Sorry this is all I've got for now. :) Hope ya'll are having a great week! :)

11.05.2008

I really don't have anything for ya today...

I just wanted to be able to cross 'blog' off of my to-do list. lol.

I've hit the mid-week slump...where I really don't feel like doing or accomplishing much of anything even though there's plenty that I could and should be doing.

And now I feel guilty for doing nothing...

guess I'll go fold some laundry now. :)

10.30.2008

I really don't like strep throat. It's not as bad as it usually is...but I still feel pretty cruddy. *sigh*

Trick-or-treating...

Dad and Vicki's Wedding...

it's so not a good time to be sick.

I had planned on posting about something else entirely different today...but alas, this is all I've got in me.

Sorry.

Praying the antibiotics kick it super fast! :D