December 29, 2010

Future Self

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)


Baby or not, you need to exercise. It is the only thing that is going to keep you going. Two kids is going to be a lot to handle on your own. Just do a little bit at a time and I am sure that you will love it!


Self from 10 years ago,
I think you should know that the Navy is going to be one of the best things you ever do for yourself. Don't be scared, it's a piece of cake! When you are pregnant, please, do not eat for two. You don't need to. You will get depression after the baby is born. Please, find someone to talk to. That is all you need and you will make it through. I love you!

Beyond Avoidance

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)


Exercise and eat strictly healthy. I have been making excuses for myself all year! Today is a rainy day and I should walk over to the gym with Aiden. Then I tell myself no because they probably won't like Aiden being in there with me.

Healing

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)


The Power of a Praying Wife - Stormie Omartian
This book has done a lot in the little bit that I have read. I want to continue reading it and after I finish it I want to go through it again on the subjects that I feel still need God's hand. Praying for my husband has put a change in me and if I keep at it, hopefully it will be a permanent change.

Try

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)


I would love to try surfing! I have wanted to do that forever and have always put it off. 


I wanted to start my photography business this year and did. Although, all of the sessions I did were free and when someone tried handing me money for it I would decline. It felt really good to photograph other people. I was really happy at those moments. Hopefully I will be more persistent this year in advertising whether it be on craigslist or somewhere else. I also need to be persistent in taking those classes I have wanted to take forever! 

Lesson Learned

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)


Without persistence I will get nowhere in life.
I hope to remember this and push through my walls of believing I can't be better at photography, or no one wants me to take their pictures and I shouldn't waste my time.


I will never be the perfect mom or wife.
I will still never stop striving to do the best for my family though.



Friendship


December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

Just that everyone needs someone to lean on. 

5 Minutes

December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)


1. How big Aiden has gotten this year. His speech has gotten so much better. 


2. Aiden asking me how the baby was going to get out of my belly. "Does the doctor have to crack you open, like an egg?"


3. How much my husband really has changed for the better. Small steps or not, it is still change.


4. I finally found a friend who is willing to be there for me as much as I am there for them. I have appreciated her ear when I just need someone to listen. Then there is that ten days on bed rest where she spent so much time playing the same card games with me over and over. I really appreciate her patience.




Appreciate


December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

I have really come to appreciate my husbands patience with me. I have always had a little bit of a temper and pregnancy has magnified it. I feel like I am constantly yelling and I can't seem to stop myself. Lately, I have been making sure to tell my husband thank you for whatever it was he helped me out with that day. It makes me so happy when I don't even have to ask him to do something. For instance, take Aiden outside to play so I can rest for a couple of minutes. I am working on not yelling as much and hopefully I can eliminate it altogether very soon. Sometimes I just need to remind myself to walk away for a minute or don't start yelling, talk nicely. I hope to get my temper under control very soon.

Action

December 13 – Action. When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)


My next step would be to start advertising my photography on craigslist again. I would also like to save up for real advertisement which anything is too expensive for me right now. Then I also have to keep taking classes to further my knowledge and skills. Like I said though, money...

Body Integration


December 12 – Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

I have to say I don't understand this at all. Guess I will have to pay more attention to myself this year?

December 28, 2010

11 Things

December 11 – 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)


1. Facebook games
2. Cell phones with internet
3. Credit Card Debt
4. Cable t.v.
5. Store bought treats
6. ... I will have to get back to this one, we've already eliminated just about everything we don't need. 

Wisdom

December 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)


I think that would be getting rid of our internet capable phones. Although, it hasn't happened yet! My husband is pretty attached to his. I feel that if we were to get just basic cell phones we would definitely save money, but also be a little closer to each other. My husbands nose is always stuck in front of his cell...

Party

December 9 – Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)


Ha Ha! I don't think I have ever been to a party!

Beautifully Different

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)


I think the fact that I aspire to be a housewife and stay at home mom makes me different than a lot of moms I know. I love knowing that I am here trying to make our house as comfortable as possible for my husband when he gets home. No, dinner is usually always forgotten about; but my husband usually never has to lift a finger when he gets home and can relax!
Being a stay at home mom is a wonderful job. I would rather try to spend every minute with my son than to send him to a daycare where every child is put in the same category learning style. I want to figure out what is best for him and how he will learn best. 
The thing that close friends like about me is the fact that I always try to be there for them no matter what. 

Community

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)


Community isn't something I thought of looking for this year. I would love to go to church more in 2011. Hopefully to one that is close. I really like The Rock Church but I feel its a little overwhelming. There are just too many people and it seems too hard for me to get involved. 


I am interested in taking a few photography classes in 2011 to build my confidence and knowledge.


Then there is also my son. I would like to get him into a homeschool meet-up group this coming year. He is so very curious and I just don't know what I should do to further his knowledge and curiosity. This group, I am sure, will also help me get a feel of what to do as far as homeschooling goes.

Make

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)


The last thing that I made was snowflakes with my son. Just using paper and scissors. I would love to make a few baby clothes for the baby I am having in April. I just need to know the gender so I can begin! Hopefully I can find that out soon!

Let Go

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)


I have let go of a few friends this year. I have realized that I just don't need their negativity in my life and it's best if I just let go.

December 27, 2010

Recap on Writing

So it's only been like half a day since I erased all of my games but this morning I accomplished something I have been forgetting to do every month. I dealt with my bills and moved them around so we don't feel so constricted!
I have this feeling that 2011 is going to be a much better year than the last.

December 26, 2010

Wonder

Better late than never! This post comes from Reverb 10.

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)


Playing with my three year old definitely brings back a sense of wonder. It's like becoming a child again. This year made me realize I wanted to start my own photography business. Although, it is starting out quite slow, it doesn't stop me from taking pictures as much as possible.

Moment

Better late than never! This post comes from Reverb 10.

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

 Any day that I concentrate on my son is a glorious day. I love giving him a task and watching him accomplish it. He turned 3 in October and I am so impressed with what he has accomplished already. I am working towards homeschooling him and am trying to find as much information on how to do that.

Writing

Better late than never! This post comes from Reverb 10.


What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?


Facebook games are a major part of my life that shouldn't be. Very addicting! I play at least five games a day. I will delete all of them and block the applications so no one can tempt me with an invite!

One Word

Better late than never! This post comes from Reverb 10.

2010 was - stressful
2011 will be - successful

December 22, 2010

Can't sleep!

I had a Butterfinger before bed and I think it might have been too much sugar for me. I have been thinking about homeschooling for over a year now and just don't know where to start.

Five in a Row sounds like a great idea to start with.
Charlotte Mason Series  is something to look into, although it will take a lot of reading.
Homeschool Highlights  has some interesting things for preschoolers.
More Charlotte Mason but this looks like there are many ideas.
Whimsy Way has her curriculum put out there to look at. It starts for kindergarten though.
Here are some preschool and kindergarten learning activities.
I need to read this!
And this...
I also cannot forget that I signed Aiden up for Nick Jr. Boost program which he loves. I think that I better let him do that tomorrow!

Happy Day

I finally did a few crafts with Aiden. I now realize how many more crafts we should be doing. He loves it! So this evening I went to the dollar store to get a few more crafting items. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack but I got what I needed and can't wait to make a Christmas tree out of a pinecone and some reindeer out of paper bags.

Make My Day

These little salt and pepper shakers from ModCloth made me smile today. I hope to one day own them!
So I see that I am quite behind on writing down daily things. We moved into a three bedroom house on December 14th, so we have been busy unpacking and decorating for Christmas. In between decorating and unpacking, I have been having pain in my lower back on my right side. I have went into the hospital a couple of times and they say that I am ok? Well I went in Monday night and my doctor happened to be there and told me I am close to a kidney infection. So she switched my medicine for ten days. I can't take it longer than that because I am too close to 28 weeks and this medicine can cause the baby to get some disease after 28 weeks. So far this medicine is making me gassy! Not happy about that.

I am happy that it has finally stopped raining after about five days. Aiden and I went outside for a walk / bike ride around our park. It was quite refreshing and I would have liked to have walked longer but a three year old can only go in circles so many times! Hopefully when Matt gets home I will be able to go for a better walk.

I am trying to think of things to do with Aiden that will keep him busy and get him to stop asking to watch tv. So today we made snowflakes and a santa ornament. I will be looking for more ideas to keep him off the tv.

Mental Note to Myself

Christmas crafts for Aiden

Other crafts to do with Aiden

December 6, 2010

A list that goes on forever!

I just realized that there is a lot of things I need for the baby and don't have much of anything. I guess I better get to building my stash of baby items! I know that it might still be a little cold in April. Hopefully I can find most on Craigslist or at second hand stores.

Bath
  • 3 hooded towels
  • 5 washcloths
Clothing
  • 10 onesies
  • 5 sleep sacks
  • 10 footed outfits
  • a pack of socks
  • 4 hats
  • 2 sweaters
Bedding
  • 4 receiving blankets
  • 4 swaddle blankets
  • 4 crib sheets
Feeding & Changing
  • lots of burp cloths
  • breast feeding cover
  • 12 BumGenius Cloth Diapers 
  • Diaper sprayer
  • A&D ointment, Balmex, Desitin
Big Items
  • small Pack n' Play
  • Glider
  • Baby carrier
  • Breast pump
  • car seat
  • stroller
  • Swing
At least I have most of the big items!

December 1, 2010

Getting in Shape for Baby

No, I did not do yoga yesterday. I didn't sleep at all the night before so I was on the couch almost all day. I got a couple hours of sleep last night. I am so restless and anxious for this baby that it keeps me up. Plus, we are moving in two weeks so that has a lot to do with it also.

Jabs 3 sets 12 reps
Plie Squats 3 sets 10 reps
Squats 4 sets 10 seconds
Jacks with a Pod 4 sets 10 reps
Childs Pose 3 sets 20 seconds
Curb Ups 3 sets 20 reps

I am really loving Tight Bod With A Pod blog. I feel good once again! Hopefully I can see a difference once this baby is born.