Update on 2013 Goals

I think it is important to look over my goals once in awhile to make sure I stay on track. Here's how I'm doing so far this year.

First, lose weight.

Well, I certainly have lost weight since January but right now I'm in a bit of a slump. I am running, have completed two 5k's and one 10k and plan to complete a 15k and a half marathon in the fall.  Whether or not I lose more weight, I am for sure healthier and in better shape than I was in January.  And 15lbs weight loss is nothing to be ashamed of!

Second, complete three days of school a week with the girls.

I didn't start off strong in this area but currently Isabelle and I are doing five days of school a week.  I realized that while Isabelle has a strong desire to learn, Molly does not.  Molly is about movement.  So, for now, the focus is on Isabelle.  Molly does some of the work with us like Bible and art and some science, but I am not forcing her to do anything at this point.

The next goal was a monthly character trait!

Hahaha!  I wish!  The fact of the matter is, we are working on about a million things each day.  The girls are always being taught about being obedient and sharing, and being kind and telling the truth.  Picking one a month seemed silly after a bit.  We have a weekly memory verse and that is about all I am going to commit to at this point.  Maybe it will be easier when they are older.

My goal to earn money to buy a camera is also laughable at this point.  If I earn money, it is not going to a camera!  It is going to bills, bills and more bills!  I am not complaining, but this year has been the year of medical bills for our family and we would like to get those suckers paid off.

My next goal was to learn to care more about what God thinks than what others think.

This is a work in progress at this point.  It honestly may be something that I have to work on for awhile.

Second to last goal was to read more.

I have for sure accomplished this goal!  I have read some pretty amazing books so far this year.  Among them, Kisses from Katie, The Hiding Place, and Evidence Not Seen.  All must reads in my opinion.  I have read some fiction also, but nothing mind blowing!  In total, I have read 13 books so far this year!

My last goal was to stop being so hard on myself.

I think that running is helping me a lot in this area.  Things I never thought I could do, like run 10 miles, I am doing.  Having some extra confidence is sure nice!  And while parenting is still the area where I am the hardest on myself, I am trying to give myself some grace when I feel like the worst mom ever.

So, there you go.  How are you doing on your goals?  Remember, that rereading and measuring your goals is one of the best ways to ensure they happen!

Pictures from Our Trip Part Two

Here are a few more pictures from our trip to the lake.  

Lawson wanted to drive the boat!

Captain Lawson

Molly at Ha Ha Tonka

Trying to get a group picture is near impossible

Look!  The girls are getting along and smiling!  

This is what it looks like when Molly and Isabelle go fishing.

Jason caught quite a few fish while we were there.  This was not the largest but I think it was the first!

Again, group pics aren't always super easy, but this was the best of the trip!

I love my family and I love having time to get away together and do family things.

pics from our trip, part one

these are just a few of the pictures we took while on our "vacation" to the lake over memorial day!  

moll loves sleeping on the boat

my girls on our last boat ride

lawson sporting his new hat and swimming trunks

fun at ha ha tonka state park

isabelle and dad fishing together

i think she looks about 16 here  

despite the fact that the water was freezing, both girls swam

j is a great dad to be in that water with them

my kids love the lake.  it is hard driving there and back as they aren't great travelers, but to hear them giggle and see them high five each other when we get there makes it worth it (mostly).  we fit a lot into this trip so i will have some more pics tomorrow!

A Few Things About Laws

Lots of exciting things have been happening with my little man.  I thought it was time for an update.

First, Lawson is now a walker.  I know, it only took 16 months, but still.  The day we celebrated my birthday with family, he decided to stand up and start walking.  He still crawls a little, but mostly he is walking.  Pretty exciting stuff!

Next, he got his first tooth.  And now his second, third and fourth are all trying to make an appearance at the same time.  He is beyond cranky, having a hard time sleeping, has a constant runny nose and is producing nice and disgusting diapers.  All hallmarks of teething for my kiddos.  Fun times.

Also, he is climbing up into things.  He started climbing up on the ottoman in the living room, but quickly progressed to the rocking chair in his room.  I tried to get a good pic, but he wouldn't stop rocking!  He was quite proud of himself.

Another change coming our way is speech therapy.  Lawson isn't much of a talker.  I have been a little concerned with his speech so I took him for an evaluation today.  We will start sometime this week or next and I am looking forward to it.  I think (as do the therapists) that a large part of the problem is from when he had fluid in his ears and wasn't hearing all that well.

Lastly, for today, Lawson is finally big enough for his car seat that we bought back when he turned one.  My girls both hit the weight limit on the infant car seat right at their first birthday, so we assumed Lawson would also.  Not the case.  But, we have been working very hard to get him to put on some weight and I am proud to report that he is over 20 lbs now and if my scale is correct, close to 22 lbs.   We still have some work to do but he is making progress and I am happy.

I love my sweet little guy.   

Summer Bucket List

I made a summer bucket list last year and while we didn't get to everything I had hoped, having a list helped me with ideas when the days were long and hot and the kids wanted something fun to do.  Because I seem to operate better with a list, I thought I would do one again this year.  Many items will be the same, because, let's face it, they are easy, fun and cheap.  But a couple are new to this year!

Make playdoh

Get snow cones
Make sidewalk paint
Get ice cream from ice cream man
Take a boat ride
Go to splash pad 

Go on a picnic
Swimming at grandmas
Have a cookout
Pick berries
Zoo

Make bubbles

Go visit Dad at work for lunch

Have a playdate with friends
Play in sprinkler
Set up pool in backyard
Watch fireworks

Make an art project for Dad

Movie night at home with snacks

Have a water balloon fight
Make ice cream in a bag

Attend story time at the library
Make edible finger paints
Go to Top That Pizza (girls LOVE this place)
Visit the Jenks Aquarium
Fly kites
Make lollipops

Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Create own tshirts
Make bathtub paints
Play board games

Make fluffy stuff
Catch fireflies

Have a root beer float

Eat rice krispy treats

While I really hate summer here in OK because of the heat, I do look forward to making memories with my kiddos during this time of year! What items are on your summer bucket list?  Did I forget anything important? 

Oh yeah, I have a blog!

So, I've been slacking in the blogging department lately.  I blame it on doing school with Isabelle.  We do our school day during the time Lawson is taking his nap which was when I normally did my blogging!!  

I decided that I would share pics of our new picnic table that Jason built in order to get back into the swing of things.  Luckily, I have about 10 more posts in my brain that I am ready to write, so hopefully I will get back to some sort of regular schedule.

After Jason built our deck last year we were blessed with some patio furniture from one of Jason's clients.  And while we were very thankful for free furniture, it wasn't super functional for us or the kids.  The chairs sat too low for the girls to sit and eat at the table and reclined too far for adults to eat!  So while they were great for just chillin' in the backyard, they didn't serve any purpose other than that and the table was basically useless.

Fast forward to me finding the wonderful world of www.ana-white.com.  This is the same place we found the plan for the beds we made for Isabelle and Molly.  I love this site and her plans are great and so when I saw this picnic table I knew it was perfect for us.

We sold the other furniture and bought materials for this beauty.  Here is the link for the plan

first lunch at the new table

Jason did all the work, of course, but I did help paint.  And since I had to watch the kids and keep them from running out to the garage while he was working, I figure WE did make the table.  Haha.  It is so nice and the girls love to have their lunch outside.  It would figure that right after we finished it we had a bit of weather that prevented us from doing much eating outside!  Now that it is nice again, we plan to spend more time at our new table.  

If you need a picnic table and are handy with tools, this table might be a good fit for you.  Cost wise it was about the same as buying a new picnic table and painting it yourself, but quality wise it is much, much nicer.

Thanks to my wonderful hubby for putting up with me finding him new projects to build all the time!!

Pete the Cat and other favorite books

I attempt to make reading a priority in our house.  I love reading and grew up loving reading and I hope my kids have the same passion for it that I do.  Because I love reading it should come as no surprise that I love buying good books for my kiddos.  One thing that drives me crazy is bad children's books.  And there seem to be a ton of them.  So, I thought I would share some of our favorites in case you are looking for some good books for your little ones.  And, I would love any suggestions you have for me!

First, Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!

We checked this one out from the library and it became an instant hit with the girls.  Now, we own it and we can read it as much as we want!  It is a very cute tale of a boy trying to escape hugs and kisses from his Auntie Elsie.

Next, Pete the Cat's I Love My White Shoes.

The girls love, love, love this book.  It is one of the books we have read so many times that they can "read" it with me.  I really like this book also!  And, it was another book we found by checking it out at the library and then buying it.

We also love the Jesus Storybook Bible.  Like a lot.  This is a must have for every family in my opinion.  We try to read to the girls from this every night.  We don't always get to it, but we have been through the whole book more than once and they don't seem to be tired of it yet!

A couple of books that we love, but have yet to purchase are Duck Tents and Can I Just Take a Nap??

These have been checked out multiple times from the library and when we have them we read them over and over again.  The first is about a group of five ducks going camping and the second is about Aiden McDoodle trying to find a quiet place to take a nap!  Great books!

Molly's favorite book, Everyone Poops.

Isabelle's favorite, Cat in the Hat.

And Lawson's favorite, the only book he sits still for, Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.  (thanks, Rochelle!)

So there you go, just a sampling of the books we love and that we read on a regular basis at our house.  What are your favorite children's books?