Happy New Year: Resolution and Goals {Welcome 2016}

First off...

Happy New Year!!!

Last year ended. It was a whirlwind of a year. So much going on, so many new things.. And now a fresh start. A new year to make it better. To make things better, easier, more. A time to plan and prepare and become intentional about living.

I shared last years goals and how I did with meeting them (you can read about that here), and there was a lot I set out to accomplish without success. There was a lot I did accomplish that wasn't on the list, but they were surprises. And yet, with everything that happened last year I kept getting that little whisper in my ear, "you need to be intentional". I didn't understand but as the year progressed I became more aware...

Be Intentional...

Intentional about my time with my husband. We have to schedule the time to be together. We need to remember to be intentional about our love towards each other. Day to day becomes monotonous and we become jaded. We need to be intentional with our interaction with each other and the direction we wish our relationship to go (you know, into old age).

Intentional about my time with my kids. How many times have I set out to start preschool with little man only to have it thrown to the wayside? How many good intentions are cut short only because I didn't make time for it or just let it slide? I love my kids and I know they know it. But I need to be more intentional in my time I spend with them.

Intentional about my time for myself. No more feeling guilty when I ask my husband to watch the kids so I can take an evening out with the ladies. I laugh at that because that is hard not to feel. He says I shouldn't feel guilty. But, I do. I need to be more intentional with the free time I get when I do get it. Scheduling that free time into my day, my week, my months. I need to schedule that time in for Brandon too. A family I look to as a roll model in this takes every Saturday and trades. One Saturday is mom's, next is dad's, then it's the family day and starts all over the fourth Saturday. I love that idea!

This all boils down to planning. I need to be intentional in my planning. Living intentionally requires some intentional planning. A lot of intentions, a lot of being intentional, right? But it seems necessary to be successful. Successful in relationships, successful in meeting goals, successful in life.

So starts my list of goals for the year...

1. Planning. I have a planner. I intend to plan out my weeks and months. I hope that this makes things run smoother, if not easier. At least I can look to what is happening. I am not looking to throw a whole year into the planner all at once, but a few months in advance. With the baby being due in a few weeks and little man starting school, it will be more necessary to keep things straight.

2. Getting out of debt. We want a life without being strapped down by credit. No more credit card bills, no more owing money and having so much of the paycheck go towards things that we borrowed money to buy. Sad thing is? I can't even remember what those things were! Being able to set aside money for the things that are going to need to be replaced soon, like a new dinning table, washing machine, Christmas tree. We can't get those things until after that credit debt is gone. And as my son breaks another chair I can only imagine how much sooner we are going to need another table and what we can do in the mean time while we can't get one...

3. Finish the KonMari Purge. I need to establish a timeline for this one, but I am hoping to finish all of it by August. That gives me 8 months and I am already into the Kimono (miscellaneous stuff). I am thinking I might want to start over with the clothes after the baby has arrived and I have gotten closer to pre-baby body.

4. Establish my Capsule wardrobe. I took some time off the wardrobe because I was limited my clothes once I started getting bigger. I'm down to 1 skirt, 1 leggings, 2 pairs of pants that fit, 4 long sleeve shirts, 2 '3/4' sleeved shirts and 3 short sleeve. This is maternity wear, the leggings don't match a thing, one long sleeve shirt really only works under things but doesn't match with the colors in the short sleeves... My wardrobe is a mess. I may need to start figuring things out for nursing anyway! 4 more weeks!

5. Read. I have totally met a goal of 24 books this year and read 27 (Goodreads is awesome for this). I am thinking of joining the BookRiot Read Harder Challenge this year and upping my number to 30. In 2013 my goal was 20 and I read 23, so I think I can do it! :)

6. Establish a day for family and independent time, like what my friend does. It might take some husband coercion, but even if it takes most the year. I think I need the time. I haven't had a day in a long time. Rushing to the grocery store and back doesn't count.

7. Health. I need to take care of myself better... I need to drink 8 glasses of water a day, sleep 8 hours a night and not skip any meals.

8. Crafting/sewing. Finish a few more of my WIPs! More specifically those quilts taking up space in the craft room what is to be the baby's room. I need to get back into the FAL for next year. There last few quarters have been sadly lacking. You can check out my current list here. If I finish each one in a month, then I can finish by the end of May. I'm thinking more August/September though for the one where the top is started but not finished.

Let me hear from you:
What are your goals for this year?

Track Your Yells and Work on Stopping {The Orange Rhino}

Ever since I joined in the challenge back in January, I have been working on becoming yell free. It's hard. It is very hard. I am still working on it and I still slip up. More often then I would like to admit...

Like yesterday and today. I had quite a few slip ups. Why? 

• I wasn't feeling good and just wanted to sleep
  
  
• The computer wasn't working and I had things I *needed* to get done (not really, it could have waited)
  
  
• Truth?     I just didn't want to be bothered
  

Sad? Yeah, but that is life sometimes. Day in and day out we are a parent. Just doing things we want to do is no longer an option. It makes it harder when all you hear is the same question over and over and over again when you are just trying to think!

I CanNot handle all that Noise!!!

Well, they are just trying to get your attention. They are just responding the way you are showing them to respond...

Hard, I know... Especially when you just want to do things you enjoy, just for you. When you haven't had the opportunity to do those things in several weeks.

The Orange Rhino is such a helpful tool to make those times between yells easier. Like taking the time out to track the yells (head here and scroll to 4)... Honestly, I might not have noticed those three things bulleted above if it weren't for the tracking sheet.

I did so much behavior tracking for the purpose of modification while I was working in special education. Who would have thought to do that for myself? It's amazing what you can find out about yourself. And learning to handle the yells; hold them in, redirect them into a pillow (my personal fave), is something that is going to help them later. I know I don't want my kid to be the kid that yells at there sibling or at their friend on the playground.

I watched a kid throw shoes at my son while on the playground at the park. I have no idea what went on and I know my son is not innocent by any means. I am glad it wasn't my son that through those shoes, I just hope that he doesn't turn into one that will...

I am working on not yelling.

Check out her site. Follow along, take the challenge, and give it a try if you feel you yell too much. You might be surprised what you find out. 

Reflecting on Loss: Thankful for What We Have

I am letting you know. This is a type of honesty post from me. Today has just been an emotional day. This is an emotional post.

I know what it is to experience loss. It is heart wrenching. "Time makes you forget" is an illusion. It is false hope that things will get better. It doesn't get better. It just gets a little easier.

And then, every once in a while you get those not so subtle reminders that seem more to slap you in the face causing an avalanche of tears rather than tickle your cheek to bring down a single drop. Sends you back to the "what-if's" and "if-only's" or "it would be like this now..." Those are the dangerous thoughts. Then, those thoughts because the ultimate self-defeating: This is silly... This is not me... Snap out of it...

That is the time when you need to look at what is before you, not behind you. In the midst of it the present is all there is.

I have shared on Facebook and instagram about a blogger who is need for prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. They still are in need of those prayers. (I am not going too into detail because they are not mine to give)... Me, being emotional already, was sent into a whirlwind of whatever seemed to be tormenting my mind.

I looked at my babies... I couldn't imagine... There is so much wonder, hope and intrigue looking through their blue eyes, directed at me. There is so much I hope for them. I hope for them to become great. To be able to feel successful, to feel loved. I am so glad that I have them. 

We do not realize that life given to us is precious. Just as easily does it start, it can end. The hardest part is just not knowing when. 

So I look at my two babies and am thankful. I am thankful that I have the time with them that I have. My little boy turns 3 on Sunday. Every day, every year, with them is a blessing. It is amazing that anything and everything can change in the blink of an eye.

I am thankful for our good health. That my 2 babies (though the doctor was worried about weight gain) are doing well. (Samara gained 12oz this last month and Nikolai is up to 26lbs!)

Perhaps I am being over emotional. But sometimes, all it takes is that little thing to send you hurtling back...

All I have to do is look into those sweet faces to be reminded that we should be thankful for all we have...

All children deserve to live a full and happy life... thus today I pray...Adapted from John10:10 ... might we have life and might we have it more full...

2 Babies Vaccinated = 1 tired Momma...

Now that my 2 babies are both asleep. I have some peace to myself! Can I sleep? No, that cup of coffee pounded before the oldest actually drifted off into a suddenly silent slumber has started to take it's effects. I can feel my hands shake with the need to move, to do something... Aah, the sound of wakefulness... Not more than 5 minutes...

Since the littlest one is still swinging in peaceful sleep, and the migraine is still tempting the base of my skull threatening pain in the ears, I am going to attempt to provide the most recent doctor update from our foray into the city just for a (ahem) 2 hour doctor visit. A little long, don't you think? But, alas, necessary...

It was a visit strictly for Baby Girl. Of course, not how it ended. Both my babies have been vaccinated; now I have a constant crier and a tempestuous toddler... Yay for me, and my nagging migraine...

I just love her facial expressions, now if only I can get one of her adorable smile!

Nearly 6 Weeks!

Time is going by even faster! It is amazing what children do to you! Well, to time!

But, how much we do love them...

A Baby in the House

"It's just nice having a baby in the house... Again..."

The Arrival of Samara - part 2

I am actually taking the time to go through pictures! Now that it is super late and I should really be sleeping... But then when else am I going to do this? Hopefully this is ok since my new momma sleep deprived brain is still a little out of whack! I put coffee grounds into the basket and completely spaced the filter the other day, and didn't realize until 2 scoops in...

So, here are some pictures. :)

41 Weeks 2 Days
Getting Ready to go to the Hospital

Welcome to the World,
Samara

Baby Shower, Swimming, and Other Things...

This last Sunday my good friends Beth and Arlene threw me a baby shower for Samara. I am just so thankful for all the people that came out, and sorry we missed the ones who couldn't make it (it's ok, we should get together later!)...

Nikolai and I went swimming on Monday in a blow-up pool that we bought last year (and hardly ever used) He is so cute and had so much fun!

I had a doctor appointment on Wednesday, and I have some news about that too! So... Here we go...

36 Weeks and 5 (now 6) Days...

Yesterday was the ultrasound appointment to determine if Samara is in the head down position! About 2.5 years ago, in November 2010,  I had to undergo an External Cephalic Version in order to turn Nikolai from a breeched position ( I talk about that here, here and the actual Version here). I have to say that once the wand was showing what was in the pelvic region I was extremely...

relieved!

Potty Time!

It feels like it has been forever since we started trying to get Nikolai to use the potty. We tried naked, only to have him demand a diaper. We tried underwear, only to have him demand a diaper and accidents galore. (don't mind the yellow on the walls in the bathroom, we haven't decided what color to paint yet)

 

Then I started to tell him, as soon as the diapers are gone, you have to start using the potty. So then, after every diaper change we counted the number of diapers left and talked about when you wear underwear you have to tell mommy and daddy when you have to go potty...

Daddy and Nikolai pictures

I loved the pictures from the Mommy and Me shoot that Jenn Roberts did for us.  We did some with Brandon and Nikolai too. Just in time for Father's day. I love pictures!

And here are quite a few of them... I had such a hard time picking some out to share with you!

Mother's Day Weekend

I know that was last weekend, but we had so much fun with the kids and grilling. It was fun. Yummy food, yummy dessert, and family always makes an event fun! :)

Had a BBQ with family on Saturday...

Nikolai wanted Daddy to sit in his lap...

Cousins

Sunday we went to the park!

Good fun! Though this is a week late, hope you all enjoyed your mother's day!

A Special Week: Pictures!

I have really enjoyed this week, mostly. There have been some stressful moments like the 2 IEP meetings that I had, both of which took about an hour! 3 more meetings to go and then I am done! Yay! But, it was my birthday this last Wednesday; I had mommy and me pictures done with Nikolai on the 2nd (picked them up on my birthday) and we got 3d/4d picture of Baby Girl on the 7th. I think those were some pretty good birthday presents! Nikolai showed up at my work with flowers and a card, so special! I wasn't able to get pictures of that though because my phone died.

 

I'm just excited! I cannot believe that only 2 months left and there is going to be another baby in the house! That means only about 2 months left with just Nikolai... All the more reason to have done the mommy and my photo shoot...

Dinosaurs and the Fair

Last weekend I walked way too much! It took a toll on me and I was hurting on Monday and into Tuesday. But, Nikolai had fun and that was the whole purpose of last weekend! We were such tourists! :)

 

Friday I went fabric shopping! I got some fabrics from JoAnn's for a coworker's baby shower this past Friday! We shared the baby shower and I feel so thankful! The people I work with are amazing! It makes me sad to be leaving, but it is for good reasons. :) But I will do another post on that later. :)

A Crazy but Fun weekend!

My goodness, it seemed non-stop go-go-go this weekend! It was fantastic though! I think Nikolai enjoyed himself, I know I enjoyed myself, and Brandon passed out on the floor around 6:30 so he must've had fun!

Nikolai and I had to take an impromptu visit to the zoo on Friday. Though I was not fully prepared to spend a ton of time there (we usually do), we at least had to walk through. Our membership cards were returned because the zip code on the mailing was wrong. Weird, I was pretty darn sure I wrote it down right, but the zip wasn't anything close to our current one, nor was it anything close to our old one. I have no idea where the numbers came from!

Yummy Cookies!

I am so thankful for Fridays because they start my weekend! Especially lately with feeling super tired every day after work, and the heat is starting to kick in. On Wednesday I swear I put a lot of miles on my shoes just running back and forth trying to keeping things somewhat calm in a crazy 5th grade classroom that had a sub. Substitutes are not good for some of the kiddos on my caseload because of lack of structure and the change. It doesn't help when outside forces add to the behaviors of those kiddos!

Easter; 101 Days to Go!

Well, Easter came and went super fast! I did manage to find my egg dye in a box and took that out to dye Easter eggs with. I figured the kids would like it, and after some discussion with a teacher at the school I figured Nikolai might enjoy it too!

A boy is now 1!

On Wednesday a good friend's little boy turns 1! But they celebrated his birthday on Saturday...

It is amazing how quickly little babies grow!

It's Been a While...

Almost 2 weeks... Things have been crazy! But I am excited that I finally have internet access here at the house! Yay! We don't have everything officially moved from the old place yet, but we do have everything out of the house. Now it is just yard ... cars and car parts and everything cars, well at least as it seems anyway. I am We are not yet done unpacking. I am finally starting to feel mostly better from being sick since the 23rd of February. But that also means I have a done of catch-up at work to do including IEP meetings and 2 new students to do transfer meetings for... Eeek! So much! Thank goodness Spring Break starts Saturday! :)

Our First Overnight...

At our new house! Granted, still no refrigerator and the washer/dryer have not been moved over yet. But I think Brandon is nearly as anxious as I am to start living in the house! Nikolai loves it there. We came home today to do laundry and gather more things, which has turned into the boys napping and me doing laundry and playing on the computer. But hey, I haven't been on all weekend and need to play a little bit of catch-up!  I need to share! And I missed Valentine's Day... Almost... Brandon got me a bear, chocolates and a card that made me cry. And with the suggestion of a co-worker, I needed to do something like this picture.