Goals for 2011

2010 has been a whirlwind for me. I have spent much of my time keeping up with life while taking care of Emory. It has also been a year of learning some hard lessons , both personally and professionally. I'm really looking forward to the new year and all the possibilities it brings. I
have no doubt that life will continue to school me as I move forward in my thirties. Here are a few things that I have come up with to help me start the New Year off right.

1) Renew my faith
2) Foster a positive in my life, my home, in my marriage, and in rearing our son. Limit or even exclude those influences that are negative and emotionaly draining, even if it is only my perception.
3) Stop trying to fix situations and relationships that are outside my control.
4) Put myself back towards the top of the priority list.
- Working out at least 3 times per week
- Taking time to dress up, do my hair, monthly mani/pedi
- Keeping a up to date planner
- Writing in a journal/blog
- YOGA
4) Have a regular date night. I have this smoking hot hubby who after nearly 12 years of marriage still loves me and the life we have built together.
5) Re-energize myself about my career. I have a great job and work for a great program. I just need to start acting like it!
6) Exercise my creativity by continuing to decorate our home without spending much money.
7) Spend less, save more.

That is all I can think of for now but I have no doubt these goals will continue to eveolve throughout the year.

What are you goals for 2011?

Much love to everyone for a happy and healthy new year!

"Working" on Wednesday

Afetr waiting several days, I finally starting tackling our house yesterday. We have TONS of laundry to be done and Christmas pretty much exploded all over the place. Now that E is starting to feel a little better, it makes it a whole lot easier to get a few things done here and there. So today I will be "working" on the house while spending tiem in my pjs. Can I just tell you how much I love "staycations"?

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas! Ours was wonderful in spite of Emory being really sick. He came down with a bad fever on Christmas Eve and it just got continually worse. He actually fell asleep in my mom's lap at our family gather. My child does not sit still. Same thing on Christmas Day and therafter. He did however, have brief periods where he felt better and played with his toys. He have never been this sick before (thankfully). We made two visits to the doc over the weeekend and now are on some meds that are helping in his recovery. If I never see a thermomter reading over 103, it will be too soon.

Other than that I am enjoying my time off of work, no checking e-mails or looking at my blackberry. Heck most of yesterday was spent in a new pair of pjs! I am determined to rest, relax and get my mojo back (lol)! I want to have a fresh start coming into 2011 and have a better attitude overall.

Happy Monday everyone!

First Snowfall

This is how we spent some of our time last week.

"Experts"

This is a bit of venting for me which is normal but just not normally in this venue. I am over all the "experts" in my life. You know those people who don't live in your home and have superficifial access to your life but seem to think they know it all. The best part is when they proceed with their judgement or better yet provide their "expert" opinions. I have a choice words I would like to say to some of those "experts" but in the spirit of keeping this blog PG, I will leave those out. However, I will say this. If my way of living doesn't suit you, look the other way or better yet stay away. Don't waste your time trying to figure it out or placing judgements, life is just too short. Me and my boys will keep on living our lives and your should do the same.

Cleaning out my closets!

I am making a public declaration. I am cleaning out my "closets." I have way too much crap! And I don't really mean collectively as a family, I mean my personally. Of course E has quite a bit of stuff but I work really hard to keep it slimmed down but there is certainly room for improvement there too. This "stuff" is causing my house to be too clutter and unorganized which is driving me batty. So it has got to start getting out. We have managed to fill up entirely too much space for my taste in our new house. Just a little less than 2 years ago we lived nicely in a 3 level townhouse and while we have had a baby since that time, he isn't the main culprit. It is time to get busy and start pairing down. This is a perfect time of year since it is before the end of the tax year and everything can be used as a write off which will add up to more money in the coming months! To help keep me accountable, I am going to track my accomplishments over the next few weeks. I may not get it all done by year end but I certainly want to have a good start.

Do you have too much stuff? Do your closets need to be cleaned? Just something to think about!

Letting Go

Why is is that I feel the need to worry about things that are not within my control? I must constantly remind myself that I am not in control, God is. I am only responsbile for my actions. I wish I could say life was always easy and everyone in my life always got along but that is not my reality, never has been. In my world, the ghosts of the past reappear much too often and old wounds are renewed. And while I have no control over it, I do have control over how much I choose to let those things (people) impact me. I am my mother's daughter and a true optimist. I try to see the good in everyone and every situation. I don't want that ever to change, though life sometimes tries really hard to do so. So here I am again, handing it over to the Lord who is more than capable of handling my problems and knows the desires of my heart.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

Successfuly Saturday

Today I hosted a bridal shower for my SIL. It was pleasantly small with close family and friends. I had a lot of fun putting together the favor and decor. Since he wedding is New Year's Day, I went with a snowflake theme. I will post pictures soon.

I started my hard core planning and doing on Thursday evening. I worked really hard to get as much done as possible so I could take a little me time this morning. You see, my mom had agreed to take Emory for the day so I could get ready for the shower. So last night I packed his g and set out his clothes so we would be ready to hit the road when he got up. After meeting my mom, I made a bee line for the nail salon, where I treated myself to a manicure, pedicure and eyebrow wax. All of this for the bargain price of $45 plus tip. It was so nice and relang though I did start fretting a little at the end about getting everything finished up. By all in all it was completely worth it and I feel refreshed. I am hoping I can make this a monthly habit now that NK has a part time gig which is bringing in extra money. It is amazing how a fairly small amount of money and little time can be so good for a mama.

So now the party had ended, mom still has E, NK has left for work and I am alone in the house with my two pups enjoying a little alone time. Hope you all had an awesome Saturday!

Silence

It is funny how much the noise level in our home has changed since we have moved. I have gotten used to the wood stove blower being loud, the tv being on a little louder to compensate, the dogs, any number of household appliances and of course my baby boy making all kinds of noise when he is awake. I always think to myself, "it would be nice to have some peace and quiet." Well today, I am taking that back! As I write this both my boys (NK and EAK) are sleeping, the TV is off, the dogs are downstairs sleeping, and I HATE IT! It makes me feel anxious and lonely. The only sound I hear is that of our heat pumping through the house and my fingers typing on the keys. So to my request for silence, I say "Nevermind!" One day I am sure I will long for silence again and I will reference this post.

Haircut???

It many of E's pictures he is wearing hats. I am a big fan of hats on little ones and I am especially blessed that I have a good friend who knits him these fabulous hats. That being said it doesn't really allow anyone to see his hair which has gotten pretty long. Not quite girl long but still long. NK and I has agreed to let it keep growing until ...well whever. He hasn't quite gotten the curls like mama that we wished for but it does curls somewhat in the back. It is definitely his daddy's hair and it flattens out after wearing one of his many hats. In any case, you can imagine I was quite surprise (SHOCKED) when the Papa mentioned calling his Nana P for a haircut (she is a barber). I instantly started freaking out and he quickly retreated. So I am going to post a picture of the "flat" hair and you decide.

Cutie Pie

My little sweetie pie wearing his Bummis. Don't you just love those little curls??

I SURVIVED!!!

I am really just now coming up for air after the Thanksgiving festitivies. We hosted the event in our home and boy is it a lot of work! We did it potluck style so I had plenty of help but there are somethings that just can't be delegated out like shopping, cleaning, decorating... all while chasing my toddler around the house. Anyway, it was a marvelous event and everyone one had plenty to eat. Once again, I allowed myself to be guilted into Black Friday Shopping with the women in my family. I actually had areally nice time, stuck to list, and saved a lot of money.



We are now onto Christmas. In addition to Christmas, my SIL is getting married on New Year's days so it will be quite a holiday season! NK and I are both in the wedding so we have decided to leave E with a sitter. The wedding is about 1.5 hours away from the house so trying to do nap time and take care of E while participating in the pre-wedding festivities was just too much. I am really going to miss having him there and watching his cute little booty shake to the music. Luckily, I am taking off of work starting December 23rd through the New Year so I will get plenty of fun time with him.



This weekend I am hsoting her bridal shower at our house...wish me luck!