Better Late Than Never: 2013's Goals

Well, I told myself I would do a "goals post" in January.  Nothing like the last minute, right?  I think I did a good job with my goals last year, but there is always room for improvement.  This year's goals are sort of similar, but I've thrown a few new ones in.  Last year I decided not to make definitive resolutions - I like this approach much better.  

I found this and I think it pretty much summarizes up my goals.  I love all of the little goals or words of wisdom!  

Goal #1: Get fit

I have lost about 28 pounds since the end of August, 2012, and I want to keep up the hard work!  I love seeing progress and being able to fit into "new" clothes!  I want to eat healthier and get in better shape.  I want to be a good role model for Katie and be able to keep up with her and Jack, and I think fitness/healthy choices is one big way to do that!  Not to mention I feel so much better and more confident.  

Goal #2: Make sure the ones I love know how much I love them as often as possible.

I want to remember to tell them and show them.  I want Brad to know how very loved he is.  And I want Katie and Jack to know how much their mom loves them.  And my parents.  And my brother.  And my grandparents.  And my whole family.  And my friends.  I think I take for granted that everybody knows how loved and important they are and I want to do better about saying it and showing it.

Goal #3: Focus on the here and now.

There is no reason to worry or try to anticipate.  And I am really bad about that.  With these two crazies, it is easy to want them to become more independent or learn to do this or that.  I need to do better about relishing the here and now.

Goal #4: Pray more.

This kind of goes along with goal #3...I need to remember to hand my worries to God.  I want to be a role model for Katie and Jack with prayer and faithfulness and quiet time.

Goal #5: Focus more on the kids and less on the other "stuff"...

I am guilty of spending too much time on the computer or the Pinterest app on my phone when I really need to be more engaged as a momma.  I know there are responsibilities around the house that I need to take care of - but I also have these sweet children that need me.  And they often need my undivided attention!  Sure, I need to be sure to take time for myself.  But Facebook is not more important than reading a book with Katie and Jack or baking cookies, or rolling around on the floor.

Goal #6: Step it up a notch in the daily wardrobe category!

I am way guilty of throwing on workout pants and a shirt and tennis shoes.  Part of this is because I want to be ready to exercise if I come across some extra time.  It is also easier to throw the hair in a ponytail and get out the door in the morning.  But I have all these clothes in the closet (even more selection now that I've lost weight!) that I should wear!  And it does not take me long to put makeup on - I need to do it!  And when we are going out, I need to actually fix my hair!  I just bought a nicer curling iron and hair spray so I can give it a go.  Sure, there are days where workout clothes are a good idea.  But I need to do better about looking more "put together" in public!

Goal #7: Keep reading

I haven't done much reading lately and I really miss it.  I need to get back into that swing of things.  In fact, I have Gone Girl waiting on my Kindle - I need to start it!

Goal #8: Learn to use my sewing machine - and actually make useful things!

I have had this sewing machine over a year and it is still in the box.  I keep buying a yard or two of fabric when I see something I love for the kids.  Now, I need to USE IT! I could so easily make shorts for Jack or a pillowcase dress for Katie!  This is the year.

Goal #9: Less is more.

We have so.much.stuff.  That's what happens when you have more storage.  You fill it up.  And we also have all the baby gear.  Whew!  I need to make myself get into the frame of mind of going through the stuff and getting rid of it!  I am so bad about buying things for projects and either not doing it or getting halfway through and stopping.

Goal #10: Cook more. Eat out less. Menu plan.

I absolutely love trying out new recipes (thank you, Pinterest!) but it seems the day is gone and we are always asking eachother what we want to do for dinner.  The last few weeks we have done a menu plan and that helps TONS!  Of course we are flexible, but we usually do a fairly good job sticking to it!  We have a few regular items we rotate, and then I usually try something new at least once a week.

So there you have it!  Ten very reasonable, very reachable goals.  I've done pretty well with most of these goals this month.  And I have the rest of 2013 to work on them!  What goals will you be working on this year?

*photos are all from Pinterest!

What I'm Loving Wednesday + Oh, How Pinteresting

Happy Wednesday!  Hope you are safe from the storms (if you were affected or are being affected)! I know we are one sleepy family today...we woke the kids up and headed to our safe place at 3:15am.  *Yawn!* I had to wake Katie up at 8:30 to get going for school!  Anywho, here are some pins I'm loving today!

I'm LOVING this idea when using glittery polish!  I know I never use it because it is so hard to get all the glitter off with polish remover.  Well, looks like Elmer's glue is the way to go - as a base coat.  And then you just peel the polish off.  Amazing!

I'm LOVING this idea for matching uppercase and lowercase letters.  If I were to use just pink and purple hearts, I know Katie would be all over it :)

 I'm LOVING this organized kids' craft station!  It makes me want to go to the Container Store.  So maybe I shouldn't love it too much.

 I'm LOVING the thought of this recipe.  Um, nutella AND brownies?? Sign me up!

 I'm LOVING this outfit!  It looks comfy, and it is super cute.  And oh so stylish.  Emerald green is the it color of 2013 right??  Oh, I also like that the shoes are flats :)

Weekend Recap

What a fun weekend we had - it was the perfect mix of fun activities and downtime.  Saturday, I took Katie to some friends' birthday party - it was adorable!  The theme was "Mozzarella and Moustaches" - the kids made chef hats and wore mustaches and made their own little pizzas.  

Here I am with Katie before we left.  Love this picture!

 And here is Katie - I can tell when she feels cute...she asks me if I am going to take her picture :) That's my girl!  I might have done that a lot growing up... "Mom, I'm having a cute day! Will you take my picture, please?" :)

 And here we are with our moustaches and her hat - so fun!

And Amber took this picture of us reviewing our self-portrait - ha!

 After they ate and sang happy birthday, the kids played games and had a dance party/freeze dance!  I managed to get this shot of Katie...it is close to her "signature dance move" - she has a wide stance, bends her knees a little, and wags her finger in the air a few times, then she gets up on her left foot and spins.  She tried teaching it to me the other day and got frustrated because I wasn't doing it right.  I'll catch it on video soon :)

Saturday afternoon, we went to the park!  It was just a little chilly, but it was a beautiful day and we needed to take advantage.  The kids played and then my mom and brother met us there for a little walk on a trail that starts at the park. 

I think this is my favorite picture of the day.  Katie wanted to push him on the swing - and I love that I captured it!  He was loving it and she was having fun pushing him!

 She loves, loves, loves to play outside.  And I love this picture of her being silly and laughing :)

We went on the walk and stopped to turn around here.  Brad was showing Katie the stream.  And of course that made her have to go to the bathroom...so she got to pee behind a tree.  I never know how long we actually have once she has informed us that she needs to go to the bathroom.  And of course we were farthest away from the bathroom possible!

 Sunday, we had a lazy day with lots of playing and snuggling and jammies.  These two play pretty well together - so sweet!

Here are just a few more pictures...the top left was Saturday night...I love how Jack is really studying the book!  The top right is Katie checking Daddy out.  We had a fun bath night for Katie full of bubbles and light sticks - the two bottom pictures are of bedtime!  Two clean kiddos and then a family bedtime story - perfect way to end a great weekend!

Cee Cee's House + Paper Fun

Last Friday we went to visit at my mom's house - we hadn't all been there in probably 3 or 4 weeks!  My mom and brother had both been sick off and on and we definitely were not going to chance getting sick.  But they were better and we were ready to go visit!  Here the kids are before we left the house.

 My mom always has something fun for them to do - this time, she had gotten a shipment in a big box - perfect for playing!  The kids loved sitting in it and playing with the paper.

 It was so hard to get a picture of them looking up because they were having so much fun with the paper!!

After they had had enough of the paper, we took it all out of the box.  I don't think Jack could ever get enough of that crinkly noise, so he loved it even outside the box.

 Katie sat inside the box and colored all over it!  This is the second box she has done that to at my mom's house.  The first one is covered with art that she and my mom had done!  If my mom still has it, I need to take a picture of it!  

So glad they are feeling better so we got to visit!  Tomorrow's weekend recap will be full of pictures, so be sure to come back!

A Boy + His Dog

Thank goodness we have a sweet, patient dog!  Jack loves watching and playing with Sadie.  The other day we were down on the floor playing and Sadie came over - I'm so glad I had my phone!  This progression of pictures is too cute...

"Look here, Sadie.  I know I'm little, but I mean business.  And if you do what I say, I will play with you and love on you just like Big Sis does."

 "That was a good chat.  Nice doggy."

 "Oh, hi mom! I'm just playing with Sadie!"

 And then Sadie goes in with a big, slobbery kiss!

I do know that Sadie gives kisses as a defensive move...it keeps Jack busy and keeps his hands away from her whiskers!  Pretty smart, if you ask me!

Foodie Friday: Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Muffins

This week, we followed our menu plan loosely :) We ended up picking up Newk's Monday night because we had gone out to shop at Jos A Bank's big sale and were all starving (and I didn't want to prepare anything)!  Tuesday night I had a meeting, so Brad and Katie had leftovers from the weekend.  And Wednesday night, I made the Pesto Tortellini with Pine Nuts - so easy and always a crowd favorite!  And the neighbors came to eat with us, so that was fun!

I did do some cooking this week for a breakfast item I found on Pinterest.  I had never tried to bake anything that didn't have oil or flour in it, so I decided to give it a try!  I made Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Muffins!

Here are all the ingredients in the blender.  I made the mistake of ignoring the suggestion of putting the oats in a little at a time.  Oops!  So I ended up having to take it all out into a bowl and mashing it around with a spoon.  It worked just fine but I am sure a blender or food processor would've been easier.  It's definitely times like this where I wish I had a KitchenAid Mixer - that would make me "official" ... maybe I can ask for that for birthday/Christmas this year!  I bet they go on sale on Black Friday :)  

Anyways...back to the muffins...this is what they looked like when they were done!

They are really good and filling...and only 50 CALORIES each!! I did use Splenda instead of sugar and Egg Beaters instead of eggs, so that is why they are so low in calories!  And I very badly want to try one with Nutella - but that would negate the health factor :)  When I make them again, I might try putting some cinnamon and maybe honey in them to enhance the flavor a bit.  But they are easy and delicious - I highly recommend them!  Just be sure to add the oats gradually rather than get in a hurry and pour it all together at the start! Also, on the website, there are a lot of comments of variations people have tried - ways to make it dairy free, adding pumpkin, etc!  So be sure to take a look at the comments!

Mornings, Haircuts, Reflections, + Sippy Cups

I love when both kids are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the mornings.  That means they have slept well the night before!  Katie loves to play with Jack on our bed in the morning - it is one of those sweet moments of the day!  I know Katie is a blur in this picture, but I love it - it really does sum up how happy and active they are in the mornings :)

I've been saying for quite some time that I needed to get Katie's hair trimmed.  She will be 4 the end of April and had only had one haircut ever!  Her hair was getting stringy looking and blah.  So, after I picked her up from school on Tuesday, we headed to Divas & Dudes to get her second haircut.  She was excited and did great.  And good gracious - doesn't it look SO much better?!  

And doesn't she look so much older?!  I don't think I can handle that.  Between the haircut, her height, and her sassiness - I have to keep reminding myself that she is only 3!

And on Wednesday, I took Jack to the doctor to make sure he is a-okay!  He had been waking up a lot at night recently, so I wanted to make sure his ears were good to go and see if the doctor had any suggestions. Her recommendation?  Cry it out.  I was prepared for that - but that is why I wanted to make sure there were no other issues.  And actually he has done better the last couple of nights!  We are going to try to get him down earlier so he isn't overly tired at bedtime.  And we will try feeding him cereal - so that will be cereal 3x per day.  As if we needed another meal added - ha! But at night - it is cry it out time.  Oh, and there should be some teeth happening soon...I am sure that has something to do with the waking up.  That and maybe a growth spurt.  But he was such a happy little guy at his appointment - he loved the mirror!

We have also started trying to do better about the sippy cup!  I know we introduced it to Katie at a very young age just so she was familiar with it - and I really think that is the main reason we had no issue going from bottle to sippy cup!  And I think Jack is figuring it out...he definitely likes to chew on it, but I think he has figured out that there is something in there that does, indeed, come out.  Here he is this morning with his cup!

And then Katie wanted to help him - such a sweet big sister! 

*please excuse all of these pictures...they were all from my phone! :)