New Year, New Start

I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions, but this year I am!  Why not?  It gives me some things to work for - something to keep me focused.  I'm not setting strict unattainable goals, but more guidelines for myself.  I'll also share some ideas of things I'd like to do.  Derek and I have also talked about some things we'd like to incorporate this year that I'll share.

We both have set a goal to read through the entire Bible and to teach our girls how to study the Bible.  We've been through 2 studies with Audrey and are looking for something new.  Additionally, I am concentrating on continuing to learn more, live better, and surround myself with others that live the same.  They are a great asset to my attitude, faith, and accountability.

As much as I love TV and Facebook, it is also a weakness that prevents me from being 100% productive.  D & I just crash on the couch after the girls get in bed.  But, there are mounds of books on my shelves that need to be read.  I could also use more sleep at night.  There are projects to be finished.  And, there's always a chore to be done.  I could actually live without TV, but I get so caught up in reading blogs and FB.  I just need to limit my time.

As for healthy habit resolutions, I am going to be realistic.  I've always been an all or nothing kinda gal - which has gotten me in trouble in the past.  I don't have to work out like a lunatic 6 days a week.  I just need to consistently make healthy choices and move.  So, that's the plan.  I will focus on healthy habits, which includes preparing ahead of time and cooking at home.  I will also find more active hobbies and work in exercising at least 2-3 times a week.


My word for the year is BALANCE.  If you know me or have read my blog long, you know I struggle with balancing everything.  I need to knock out the All or Nothing attitude.  Everything in moderation!  I am seriously thinking NO to any major projects and commitments outside of home other than the ones I'm already committed to.  There are some important things on my heart right now that will not allow me to over commit myself.  I truly want to get everything reorganized at home and help my girls to understand the importance of taking care of our things.  Audrey really struggles with neatness and picking up after herself (my fault!).  I need to make and stick to a cleaning schedule, work schedule, and activities schedule.  If I can get everything balanced, life for everyone will be much easier.  


Financially, I'm going to continue to work part time.  We're still working towards our goal of paying off our debt.  I have two small debts that will be paid off in March and Derek recently started working on a contract with Coke.  So, any little thing we can do to pay stuff off is great!  I've become a coupon clipper in the last year, so my goal is to be more diligent and organized with that.  It's a bit of a game to see just how much I can save.  This week alone, my smart shopping saved $36 on groceries.  =)  I am also trying to do better with meal planning and cooking.  This has suffered greatly since going back to work.  (That whole "balance" thing again.)  Not only is it better for us, but will save a lot of money.  I started eating out for lunch quite a bit at work, so I will be planning ahead and taking lunch/snacks from here on out.


Some things that Derek and I have talked about doing is a monthly activity.  We're going to set aside a piggy bank and throw our change it in daily.  At the end of the month, we'll tally up and decide what we'll do.  We want to introduce the girls to things we've never done... making things, going places, etc.  Some ideas we're throwing around: soap making, geocaching, going to INK & Autrey Mill, game nights, workshops at Home Depot/Lowe's, unit studies of different countries which includes cooking foods from there, etc.  Please feel free to share any ideas that you have for us!


A couple of ideas for myself include documenting life with a daily photo.  I'll probably post once a week with my daily photos.  I've seen several blogs that do this and think it's a great idea.  It will also help me keep up with my scrapbooking!


There are a few things that are on my heart for consideration this year and I ask that you also help me pray for guidance.  I have never really had a desire to go on a mission trip, but lately I've felt a tug.  I know that we don't have funding for a big trip this year, but if God wants me to go, He will provide a way.  I know that Audrey is really young, but I'd like to take her with me.  She's always been given everything she's wanted/needed.  I'd like for her to learn at a young age that the whole world isn't like that.  She has such a sweet heart and I think it will be a good thing for her.  Another thing that I've been toying with the past year that still weighs heavily on my heart is considering home schooling.  I'm sure there will be future posts on my blog later, so I'll leave it at that right now.  Finally, I am thinking about letting The Colorguard Academy go.  I've been doing it for 10 years, yet only incorporated for a year.  I have 3 camps lined up for the summer, but I don't see how I can realistically do it all while working and taking care of my family.  There's a lot of traveling and is very time consuming with very little compensation.  I've done it all these years because I love it.  I'll be happy to consult and guide those that want to do it, but it may be time to let it go.  My heart just isn't in it any more.


Well, that's it!  Those are my thoughts for the new year.  I pray that you all have a a very blessed, healthy, and happy one!

2010 Reflections

Hard to believe another year has passed.  Time seems to be slipping away a little quicker every year.  I'd say all in all, this was a really good year.  Lots of changes along the way.  We said hello to several new friends, as we also said goodbye to a dear loved one.

Let's start with Maddie.... she turned 3 this year.  She had a lot of changes.  She gave up diapers for big girl panties, a crib for a full size bed, and a pacifier for earrings.  She tried out some gymnastics... and loved it.  We'll definitely do that again.  She loves to go to church (she calls it her school).  ;)  Little Einsteins is her very favorite.  She's a very happy little girl and lights up the room.  Our goal this year is to get her sleeping better.  And, I really want to get her involved in some more activities just for her.

Audrey had a big year, as well.  She is now 5 years old.  She finished up her PreK year... and started Kindergarten!  Seriously can't believe she is in school!  She's done very well.  She's reading a bit.  We haven't done many extra curricular activities.  She finished up with dance in May and decided not to continue this year.  She's been pretty sick - 4 bouts of strep throat and 2 turns of the stomach flu.  So, we've laid a little low with her.  She is still active in Awana at church and also joined the Children's Choir.  She's all about Barbie and Zhu Zhu pets right now... and is showing a big interest in playing the guitar. 

Derek & I made a big decision this year to move to a new church.  It really has been a fantastic move for our family.  The girls have done excellent!  They love going to church and have really learned a lot.  Audrey has such a sweet heart and is quite knowledgeable for her age.  Makes me proud.  I've gotten involved with a Women's Bible Study and the music program.  God has really blessed me.

Derek has done well at work.  He has several upcoming opportunities.  He's still on the executive board of his culinary group and loving it.  He's a little less involved in church because he's had to keep the girls a lot for my music stuff.  He's a good guy!  

So, I started out the year with big plans to lose weight.  I did.  But, I gained most of it back, sadly.  But, on the bright side... I'm ending the year 12 pounds lighter than I started it!  I'll shoot for the same this year.  Working towards consistency.  I also went back to work part time, which has been an adjustment.  I've been given some pretty amazing opportunities through the music program at church.  A new one starts in January, as well.  Lots of great things to look forward to.

I'll share a few of my favorite pics from the year.  I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed new year!

Audrey's last dance recital.

Sweet little kitty at the fall festival.

Making pizza!

My new love... the Terra Trike.

We lost our precious Paw in Oct 2010.

First day of school!

Derek was best man at his best friend's wedding.

My beautiful princess

Me in action.  Show time!

My beautiful girl

Madelyn is 3

Where does the time go?  Seriously, my little princess is 3 years old and is sooo not a baby any more.  Just can't believe it some times.  She rocked my world when she entered it and it has never been the same.  She is the sweetest, most lovable little girl.  She loves to cuddle, sing, dance, play with her dolls, and copy her sister.  :)  I can't imagine my life without her. 

Thankful

I'm really getting behind in my blogging.  Logs of new things going on.  Busy time of year.  I'll post later on the happenings, but for now I just want to say I'm thankful.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for!  I have been given way more than I deserve.  I have a great husband, wonderful kids, beautiful home, great friends, fabulous church, and a mighty God!

Today was such a great day!  We've had several rough days around here and I was kinda at the end of my rope.  But, today made it all worth while.  Everybody got along so well.  No back talk.  We played and had fun.  We all worked together to purge 5 garbage bags of toys to donate.   A clean house always makes me happy!  lol  But, happy kids make me the happiest.  :)

Updates and Issues

Just a quick update.  Work is going well.  The hours fly by very quickly.  I'm working non-stop while I'm there.... one of the beauties of working part time, I suppose.  I go in, do what needs to be done, and leave.  However, I'm still in the process of getting things caught up and organized, so I actually don't have enough time to get it all done.  I joked with my boss Monday and asked, "Are you sure this is a part time job?"  He laughed and said he really didn't know.  For now, I'm grateful for the extra hours. 

I need some advice, friends.  Maddie is acting out a bit right now and regressing by acting like a baby.  Apparently, she's only doing it when I'm around.  I don't know if it is because I am working now and away from home more or if it's those dreaded 3's that her sister went through.  Speaking of Audrey, she's still lashing out at Maddie some.  Both of the girls are so much better apart.  :(  When Audrey comes home from school and Maddie isn't home, she's so sweet and well behaved.  But, if Maddie is home, she comes in with a chip on her shoulder and is mouthy to everybody.  Derek also says that Audrey acts better when I'm not around.  It's breaking my heart.  I'm obviously the common denominator, but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.  :(  I try to love on each of them equally, but in the past Maddie has required more attention simply because she was a baby.  But, now that she's older and more independent, I'm able to spend more time with Audrey.  In any case, there's an obvious jealousy issue and I've played a part in it.  I need to fix it.  Advice??

Finally, please keep our family in your prayers.  Derek's grandfather, Paw, has been sent to Hospice.  He has about 2 weeks left with us.  It is going to be a difficult time.  I'm worried, too, about Audrey.  I want to start preparing her now.  She's been praying for "Paw to walk again so he can go home."  Please pray for her heart and that we say the right words to help her understand. 

Overwhelmingly Blessed

I keep trying to remind myself, as we talked about it in our Bible Study Thursday, how blessed I am.  I truly, truly believe that.  And, when I get down and out I do thank Him for the things He's brought me through and the ones He's brought me to.  As I shared in a previous post, I was blessed with a new job (in only about 6 weeks of searching) on Monday.  I have an amazing husband who loves me unconditionally, supports me, and is a fantastic Dad!  My kids are my pride and joy.  They make me want to be a better person. 

With all that being said, I feel so incredibly overwhelmed right now.  How does one person who so desperately tries to stay organized feel so out of control at times?  First of all, I love my new job.  The man I work for is a really nice guy and the atmosphere is great.  However, after a week of work, I don't feel like I've accomplished a whole lot.  I'm following a person who was highly disorganized.  It's hard to find anything.  :(  There's really no training.  I'm just figuring it all out as I go... and in the mean time I'm answering phone calls with questions to which I do not know the answers.  I was in the office alone today because the owner was out of town.  A wee bit frustrating....

Only a few rehearsals left until the Christmas program.  I had everything mapped out on paper last week and it did not come out looking like that on stage.  :(  I still have quite a bit left to write and teach, but things have changed so much I don't feel like anything is really solidified at this point.  And, finding the time to dedicate to writing and rewriting outside of rehearsal time is difficult.  

My house has really suffered this week trying to balance everything.  I'm the one that usually picks up after everybody in addition to all of the chores.  It makes me crazy when things are out of order or not clean.  But, it just isn't going to be possible to do all myself any more.  Besides, Audrey got her first report card this week and she had all high marks in academics and in all other skills except neatness & organization.  I think I've enabled her... so it's time to change things!

Maddie has been acting out some this week.  I'm sure it's because her routine is different, she hasn't been with me every day, and she's had allergy issues a couple of weeks.  Putting her to bed has been an hour long chore with an exhausting emotional break down.  :(  

With all this being said, Derek's grandfather was sent to the hospital last night with pneumonia.  He took a turn for the worse today.  He is no longer able to take liquids because he can't swallow and it goes straight to his lungs.  The doctor said he does not expect him to recover.  If he makes it through the weekend they will be calling in Hospice.  It is so hard to see him this way.  He has gone downhill so quickly. 

God has a plan for all the things going on in our lives.  I gotta keep the faith!

Blessed Beyond Measure

God amazes me all the time.  Maybe one day I'll learn to trust His timing because He always knows best.  I have been pretty down lately.  Just bummed about the whole job situation and being stressed with the day to day.  I've over committed myself, as usual, which just adds to the stress.  But, I've been diving into the Word more lately.  I've been part of a Women's Bible Study for almost a year now (off and on) and have really committed myself this semester to sticking with the study and attending regularly.  It has been the best blessing!   I finally let all my stressors go, placed them at His feet, and tried not to worry so much.  Let me tell you what God has been doing in my life....

With all the stress of paying off debts, decision to go back to work, and then the frustration of not finding a job - God answered my prayers.  Last week D got approved for a consulting job with an old company.  Amazing blessing!  Not only is it an amazing financial blessing, but it means I don't have to go back to work full time!!  Then today I got a part time job!  This will be so much easier to handle with the day to day "mommy duties".  I think it's going to be perfect.  :)  It's only 20 hours a week with flexible scheduling around church & kiddos.  It's a relaxing, small office atmosphere.  And, I start tomorrow!  Thank you, God, for all the blessings!

To top everything off, I've been asked to be a part of an amazing opportunity.  One of the best compliments EVER.  Can't share exactly what that is yet... but I will soon enough.  =)