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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Turns into this

Tada.  I wanted them both in one post, but can't figure out how do to that from my phone yet. 
But you get the idea.  6 loads of laundry is a whole lot of stuff to fold. 

August 31 90 minutes later

This is 5 loads of laundry, plus one in the dryer.  I don't mind the laundry, I just wish it wasn't NEVER ENDING. 

August 31 Two Happy

Getting ready to watch their favorite show with their buddies

Monday, August 30, 2010

Look who's TWO!

Hard to believe that 2 years have gone by and I have felt every one of them.  Lots of good days, and quite a few frustrating ones.  Our family has grown so much but we are very luckly to have 3 beautiful, healthy children that make us smile every day.

August 30 - 7 Years!

7 years ago today we tied the knot. 

And spent our honeymoon in Jamaica

Look at those 2 kids!  They had no idea all the blessings and challenges life had in store for them. 
Happy Anniversary!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

August 29 Ender

This is what I needed after a very LONG day.  I feel much better now.

August 29 Brief Smiles

Rough day, but had a few smiles

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Maddy's Cake

Happy 2nd Birthday Maddy

August 28 Jack's Cake

Banana cake with Carmel frosting

Friday, August 27, 2010

Things Heard in Our House This Morning

"Open this door" - Madeline
"Go away" - Madeline
"NO JACK" - Madeline
"What a pinhead" - Gwendolyn

The last one Gwendolyn said in reference to her father.  John and I were both so surprised we decided to ignore it completely.  We're pretty sure she picked that phrase up from a cartoon, probably something from the 80's since 'pinhead' isn't something you hear very often anymore. 

August 27 More than One Way

Mommy's lap is a coveted spot.  Gwendolyn cried yesterday when she had to share the lap with Jack.  Sharing a lap is just not the same, you really want to be right in the middle to be comfortable.  This morning Jack got a book and ran to my lap, Maddy followed close behind but knew she would not beat him.  She threw herself on the floor to pout, then went and got her own book.  She returned and calmly slid in right behind Jack before he understood what was going on.  We're calling this Toboggin Style.  It actually worked out ok for about 8 minutes until Jack used his head to force her out. 

Thursday, August 26, 2010

August 26 Oh Hell No

I don't even remember what this was about but he was uber pissed this morning at me.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Night Out

Websites for Tracking Your Goals

http://simplemom.net/

check it out!  She did a review of some great sites for tracking your financial, fitness and life goals!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Monday, August 23, 2010

New 101, or Something New

My original 101 timeframe is up, so now I can start a new project.  I am currently taking a photo a day (or trying to at least).  What will be next?  Another 101 in 1001 days, or something entirely new?  Here are some ideas I have so far.  Any other suggestions?


The No Spend Month

Cleaning Out the Backroom (or garage, or junk drawers, or closet)

The Happiness Project

Marathon Training (or fitness project)

A Year of Slow Cooking

Read the Bible in a Year

365 Photos

Moving to an Organic Life

Sunday, August 22, 2010

August 23 I am so looking forward to

My bed tonight. I think I've been about an hour short of sleep every night this week. Time to hit it hard.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Obsess much?

D. is wonderful, really sweet, great mom and puts me to shame in the homemaker category.  I am totally jealous of her mad skills in the kitchen, crafting and decorating.  Last time we were over for dinner, she made me lemon martini and I can't stop thinking about it.  It has been over a month and I am completely obsessed.  I scored one during our anniversary dinner at the Melting Pot and it only fed my craving more.  Of course, I ask D for the recipe and what does she say? "Oh, I'm a genius who doesn't need recipes, I'm just that good at making drinks!"  GAH!  That isn't really what she said of course.  Off I went to the liquor store to procure the necessary items D suggested.  My version of D's Lemon Martini totally sucked, so I am trying version number 2 tonight.  I WILL CONQUER YOU LEMON MARTINI!!!

Love you D! And I really do think you are awesome!

August 21 Clean Hands

Friday, August 20, 2010

August 19 We Love Mommy

Photographs

25 Tips for Great Photographs
Kodak tips
10 More tips

Taking pictures every day to post is a challenge.  I am trying NOT to take them all of my super cute kids, which is hard because I could look at them all day pinching their cheeks and kissing their necks - they are so G.D. cute!  What I would really like to do is use my actual camera to take some good photos.  And by good I mean worth framing. 

August 19 Crafty

At Ceramics n More

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

101 Update - Successes and Failures

101 List - Fail 32, Complete 66, Sort of Complete but Still Working 7.  I kind of like that I failed at some of these, that means the list was a challenge.  But I am disappointed in some of the items that I didn't do, so expect to see them on my next list. 


COMPLETE:


2. Give up soda for 40 days (complete 2/10) - Totally back on the caffiene wagon
5. No swearing (anything I would not want Gwen to repeat) - Easy!
6. (PRIVATE)
8. Think before speaking (including when drinking) - I don't drink to excess anymore, so naturally this is easier
15. Ask for help when I need it (complete 9/27/08)
17. Volunteer at a race - Complete Hawk Hustle 5k 3/1/08
18. Volunteer for Prom Shop - complete 3/8/08 and 3/2010
19. Identify 100 things that make me happy - I think I got my list up to 70 or 80
20. Have date nights with John (28/33) - Success! Maybe not as many as we'd like, but babysitting is expensive
22. Read 2 Oprah's book club books (Anna Karenina and The Reader done 5/09)
24. Read 3 books that Jenna picks out for me (1 complete 12/22, 1 complete 7/20, 1 complete 10/15)
26. Watch AFI’s top 100 movies (2)
28. Take pictures every week
30. (PRIVATE) ( )
32. Floss every day
33. Use the electric tooth brush
34. Put crème on my face & neck every night
35. Get waxed (eyebrows 4/09, other area 2009 - hurt like hell)
37. Make healthy meals 4 times per week - maybe not all healthy, but weekday dinners are always at home
38. Bake once a month (112/33)
40. Use all the fun kitchen appliances and tools that I have (bread maker, pie pans, cheese cake pan, food processor, slow cooker, cookbooks)
42. Start an herb garden (and keep it alive) (basil and oregano summer 2010)
43. Use fresh herbs for cooking (oh did this 7/13/09 and summer 2010)
45. Use up majority of food in pantry, fridge and freezer and reorganize (5/09)
46. Read to Gwen every day
47. Help Gwendolyn get off the pacifier (holy shit, Complete! 3/09)
48. Help Gwendolyn into a toddler bed (Complete 9/08)
49. Potty train Gwendolyn (complete 7/09!)
50. Store unused baby stuff until needed (clothes & toys) (done as of 7/10)
51. Get pregnant - with a boy (complete 4/28/08)
52. Have baby’s room ready 1 month before due date (Complete, but not on time)
53. Nurse new baby for 12 weeks (or pump) (6 months)
54. Get new baby on a schedule (done x 2)
55. Find a babysitter in the neighborhood (done, but always on the lookout for more)
56. Save $5000 for redecorating a new house - now to actually decorate!
57. Save for 20% down payment on a new house
58. Buy and move into a new home (Complete)
59. Sell current home (Complete 6/12)
60. Baby proof the new house (over)
61. Have a covered back patio (Complete)
62. Have a backyard we can hang out in (stuff for Gwen to do, relaxing atmosphere)(I can’t take any credit for this one, but we have a pretty cool playscape for the kids to play on now – thanks to John)
64. Pay off vehicle(s) (1 Complete 9/08)
65. Update 401K and IRA investments yearly (2/3)
66. Clean out closets and donate clothes to charity every 6 months (4/5)
69. Buy new black and brown boots (11/30/07)
71. Buy/Sell something on Craig’s List or Ebay (complete 6/08)
72. Buy a new Christmas tree (11/30/07)
73. Take a vacation with John (3/14/08)
74. Take a vacation with Jenna (Boston 4/08, Bahamas 1/10)
75. Take a family vacation (1 down 6/09)
77. Take Gwendolyn camping (John took her 5/10, I'll call it sorta done)
78. Take Gwendolyn to a theme park (Sea World, big zoo, Disney) (12/27/07 Disney)(2/17/08 Waco Zoo)(6/08 Sea World)
80. Finish this GD list
81. Take a class in something creative (Renee's card class 11/10)(Painting with a Twist 2/2010)
82. Take a fitness class (yoga)
83. Go to a museum (Boston 4/12/08)
84. See a play (done, Mommy saw Dora and the Wiggles 8/09)
85. Start holiday traditions (make Christmas cookies with Gwen, see the Zilker park tree and lights, Easter egg hunt)
89. 20 minutes of physical activity every day (as of 7/2010 running 2-3 times per week and at least one day or working out at home)
94. Keep weight under 140
95. If pregnant – loose the baby weight again (Complete 11/08)
96. Cancel one of my magazine subscriptions (currently at 7) (Complete - no more Rachael Ray)
99. Get Promoted (3/14/08)
100. Blog about the list
101. Do something that I am afraid to do (Zip Line complete Nov 09, Circus Aerials 5/10)
104. Get the flu shot (done 10/08, and 10/09)

Working - but not fully complete
11. Pray - ongoing
12. Be present in the moment - ongoing
13. Be thankful for 3 things every day - ongoing
14. Be positive about changes, look for the good - ongoing
27. Catch up on photo albums (as of 5/6 Gwen’s is updated through 2 years and I am 4 months into Jack and Madeline's)
67. Return things that don't work out
68. Only buy clothes that flatter me

Failure!!
1. TV fast, no TV for one week a quarter (0/11) - just don't care
3. Gossip fast
4. Eating out fast for 40 days (this is ridiculous)
7. Never eat after 8pm (unless drinking) (failure!)
9. Go to church once a month (7/33) - total fail, but still a goal
10. Read the bible every day for a month
16. Volunteer at church
21. Join a book club - just couldn't make the time for another montly outting
23. Read 2 books that John likes - boring!
25. Read 3 books that my Mom picks out for me
29. Call family 1/month (excludes Mom & Jenna) (29/33) - need to do this more
31. (PRIVATE) (1/11)
36. Get a new karaoke song
39. Drink 8 glasses of water every day -full coffee all the time
41. Compile a list of easy meals that I can rely on - Its started, but not to the point I want
44. No partially hydrogenated oils for 1 week - meh
63. Download all my credit card usage into MS Money and keep it up to date (totally gave to John)
70. Buy energy efficient light bulbs - meh
76. Take a girls trip - had a girls day, but not a full out trip
79. Finish the Christmas stocking - I hate that stocking
86. Buy and complete a crossword puzzle book (in progress 12/25/07)
87. Clean off my desk once a month (5/33) (Back on the list)
88. File bills once a month (7/33) (this is John’s job now)
90. Complete a Bike race - still a goal
91. Complete a Triathlon - still a goal
92. Beat 5k PR (23:36) - still a goal
93. Beat 10K PR (51:10) - still a goal
97. Make new connections, network
98. Keep my resume updated (1/5)
102. Do something with all my race t-shirts before they take over all the space in my dresser
103. Go 21 consecutive days without complaining
105. Read some books on the top 100 novels list (read some, but not during the 101)

August 17 So Tired Of Bees

I think we have watched this 45 times in the car.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Saturday, August 14, 2010

August 14 Cake 1

Lots of birthdays the next few weeks. My sous chef insists on baking them herself.

August 13 Infatuation

John may be liking his new phone TOO much.

Friday, August 13, 2010

August 13 Spies Like Me

 
You can't see the screen, but these are the video monitors we are trying out for J&M.  They will be moving to big kid beds in the next few months, so we are preparing to spy on them when we make the transition.  They are funny to watch as they arrange their blankets and toys in bed each night. 

August 13 Work in Progress

 
After only 2 days of work the wall is looking good.  Now we just wait on doors, painting and the trim. 

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

January 01, 2006 - Classic

Since I didn't take a picture today, I will post an old one.

August 10 - uh oh

no pic today ... fail

Monday, August 9, 2010

August 9 bath fun

Finally enough hair!

August 9

This is from yesterday but so cute. She posed herself and
made me take pictures.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

August 8

 
Enjoying the simple pleasure of Dunkin Doughnuts

August 7

 
ok, I promise not to take too many pics of the kids with my phone, but it's just too easy.  This was taken yesterday evening while the kids were watching... DORA!  John and I had just finished cleaning up all the toys scattered about and I finally sat down with the kids.  Jack is eagerly awaiting the end of the show so he can jump and and do the "we did it!" dance.  Note: the "we did it!" dance is way different than the "hot dog" dance - some of you know what I'm talking about.

Friday, August 6, 2010

August 6

Taken with my phone this afternoon - a fight over the phone quickly insued

Thursday, August 5, 2010

A letter

To Maddy, from her Godmother

August 5 - Gwendolyn's World


Gwen is all girl. Currently, her favorite thing to do is play with dolls. She dresses them, arranges the furniture, and the princesses throw parties. Every day Princess Tiana has a party. Either a birthday party, or a thank you party. Gwen will spend hours in her room enjoying her dolls.

She really likes for me to play with her, but I have to admit it is boring as hell. I like to make up my own stories for the dolls, which I keep to myself.

Belle and the Beast are having an arguement over what to do with this horrible pumpkin the fairy Godmother gave them. Ariel is listening through the wall because she is after the Beast.

The fairy Godmother is really terrible, and has hung these mice over the girl's bed to terrify her. Dopey is the Godmother's lackey.

Well, it seems pretty obvious that Prince Navin is getting lucky tonight, if he hasn't already.






Wednesday, August 4, 2010

August 4 - 8 hours of my day is here

This is where I spend a lot of my day - my cubical. I am first to admit is a piece of luxury really, compared to what a cube can be.
In the first pic you can see my lovely display of pictures of my family.

This picture is really what I sit in front of all day, and there are lots of things to catch my wondering eye. Chick-Fil-A calendar, work notes, water color pictures of Boston (where my sister lives), drawings from my kids, a card from my sister, my blue ribbon from the most recent work Chili Cookoff, and my favorite lucky cat figurine. Geez - what a bunch of junk.



Tuesday, August 3, 2010

August 3 - Before 6:30am

5 miles complete before 6:30am.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

August 1 - Learning New Stuff

sh1ft.org posted a challenge - 31 photos for the 31 days of August. This is day 1.


Gwen was in her room playing by herself today. I went to check on her and she showed me what she was working on. She wrote - all by herself - "BAT", "CAT", and "HAT". Awesome! This is all due to John's tutoring the past few weeks. I'm so proud of my girl!