Goals: 2017 edition. Intentional Chapter.

Read a devotional book and complete Bible studies as the year goes along.  I just began 'Draw the Circle:  The 40 Day Prayer Challenge' and it will take me through the end of January.  After that I will be INTENTIONAL about reading The Circle Maker and then the book about praying circles around my children.  I know that prayer for my family will never be done.

Grow crops this summer, well really just tomatoes and possibly cucumbers.  I will be INTENTIONAL and get seedlings started in April so I can have food by summertime!  But don't tell anyone who lives in my neighborhood because they are against the HOA rules...

Clean out/organize one room a month, including the closets in each room.  I will post my list of rooms next week so I can be INTENTIONAL about scheduling time for them in the coming months.  I know that purging items from each room is such an awesome feeling, plus we are able to get rid of SO MUCH tiny baby/kid stuff.

Purchase new furniture via living room.  Sell antiques.  I am beyond ready to have some established pieces in my living room.  I'd like to create/find some functional storage pieces for the space.  It is really small and the seating is awkward, so it makes it challenging.  I am going to have to be INTENTIONAL about shopping for it or finding plans to MAKE it.

Repair ceiling in kitchen, repair the wall in the master bath, major yard renovation to grow actual grass in the front yard.  None of this will take large amounts of time, but it may require large amounts of money.  The yard will be the biggest cost of money AND time.  I will have to plan the yard starting in February so we can be INTENTIONAL about getting good dirt and grass.  

Run/exercise 3 times a week.  I feel like this is the biggest struggle of my life.  I know it will make me feel better and be a positive force in my life.  It will make all things better and I know that, but MAKING time for it is my struggle.  I should alter my goal so that it says MAKE TIME TO EXERCISE 3 times a week, which really just means I have to GET UP EARLY and I hate that.  Get over it Carrie.  Grow up.

Become a Mary Kay sales director.  I will work my business 3 times a week for the entire months of January thru March.  If I am INTENTIONAL about working the business then my goal will be a reality.

Quit teaching... must complete the sales director goal first...

Pay off all credit cards.  We have been INTENTIONAL about this for the last few months, but I need to be more disciplined about the process.  The Dave Ramsey plan is moving us in that direction and I've been planning that for us for months!  

The following lists are just things we have on the agenda at no particular time or in no particular order.  We had some of them on the agenda for 2016 but ended up repairing the chimney instead.  Just the 'wish list' if you will...

Home Updates 2017

Trees beside driveway and in back yard need to come down...

Concrete driveway must be repaired

Deck built?

Paint my room--my office

Paint dining room--green and grey

Paint entry way--same grey as dining room

New blinds--Hayes, kids bathroom, playroom, my room/office

BONUS MONEY 2017

Gun

Glass door for front porch

Built ins in living room

Paint shutters, front door, and awning

Desktop computer

Head board master bedroom

Goal Updates: March 2016--more like April.

1. Grow produce this summer.  Start a plan in March and proceed forward with tomatoes and peppers for the summer.  I think I can handle two things.
   
   I should start that now, right?
2. Clean out and organize one room each month.  It will break my little hoarder/sentimental heart to trash some of the things, but it needs to happen.  Starting in the girls' room tomorrow morning.  Closet and drawers need attention.  Hayes' room is in February.  Bathrooms upstairs in March... that's my first quarter done...
   
   I am making major progress with this goal!  Playroom done.  Kids clothes done.  My closet done.  Working on the rest of the house a little at a time.  We got a MAJOR upheaval in April since my sis and bro in law are going to be sharing our space for a bit... So we had FORCED cleaning out of some space.  It was MUCH needed.
3. Paint the rooms... living room, office, dining room... and patch the ceiling kitchen.  While you're at it, let's just go ahead and fix the wires in the living room too., okay?  And purchase new furniture for the living room.  I decided all house updates had to go in the same goal, so I'll have to also repair the master bath wall/ceiling as well.
   
   Living room done.  Dining room next.  Ceiling patching and repair and repaint in June.  New furniture was gifted to us in April!
4. Exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week.  Dance parties in the living room count as cardio.  Running counts.  Weighted toddler carry time does not count.
   
   Yeah, no.
5. Become a Mary Kay sales director.  I desperately want to work a job with some flexibility for my family.  I also really like Mary Kay and the company.  Products are good, company philosophy is good, and the atmosphere is positive.
   
   Still a legitimate goal.  Still working towards it.
6. Plan a trip to Disney for 2016.  Purchase a $100 Disney gift card each month to start piling money away for it.  Kroger fuel points AND a Disney trip.  Two birds;  one stone.
   
   Nope.  Not yet.  I'm only 4 months in, so I can start now... right?
7. Complete a Bible reading plan.  I'm looking at a few, but I'm open to ideas and suggestions people!
   
   I'm a spotty reader at best.  I still love Jesus Calling and I read it sporadically... at best.
8. Schedule a fun date with Daryk each month.  I'd really like to call it my Groupon event... I would love to buy a Groupon/Living Social/Scout Mob date and go do something different each month!  January and February are so difficult because of wrestling, but we can figure something out!
   
   We do this by default, but not as organized as I would like for it to be!
9. Plan and HOLD 5 Mary Kay Skincare and Glamour classes each month.  Who wants to come over and play makeup with me!?
   
   Still working towards this as well.  I need to up my MK game.
10. Develop a family routine/plan and follow through with it.  Weekly plans in progress now...
    
    This seems impossible, but I will keep working towards this goal and complete it eventually.

All things pink.

Photo Dump from the iPhone.

New cousin to play with at our playground.

She loves the Cochrans and we love her!

All smiles with Aunt Kitty!

Yes.

We went there.

Hospital selfies with my kiddos while visiting my mother in law last fall.

Get Your Pink On race at WES.

Goal Update: Halfway Done

I feel like I should preface this by saying that I've never in my life been much of a goal setter or achiever.  I mean, if you don't SET goals you will likely not achieve them.  Duh.  I was inspired by a dear friend of mine to set goals and achieve the a few years back.  I have also been disciplined with my Mary Kay training to set goals and dreams for myself.  Goals are dreams with a deadline... and dreams, are just that, dreams.

Goals for 2015.

1. Lose the last bit of baby weight and keep it off this year, possibly forever.
   My body has been in a constant up and down lbs. battle since mid 2009.  Pregnancy, baby, pregnancy, baby, weight loss, baby, better weight.... to be continued.
   
   I am slowly but surely working on this one.  I do technically have about 10 lbs to go to get to my 'prebaby/husband' weight.  I am about 99% sure that if I actually made time to exercise regularly, I would lose those last few lbs.  Summer schedule includes early workouts so that I can do that.
   
2. Declutter the house, one room at a time.
   Now that we have reached the 'last baby' stage I feel like we will be able to gradually remove things that are no longer being saved for 'later.'  I will also be able to remove my 5-6 size range wardrobe and focus on a smaller selection of clothing.  Advocare and exercise will help.
   
   Declutter Cochran Casa has begun.  We are gradually working through each room.  This summer the focus will be the kids rooms and closets!  Also, my closet.  Yikes.
   
3. Finish decorating the living room, buy new couches/chairs, and paint that room.
   Finally.  We have lived there for almost 3 years.... long enough to have painted the rooms.
   
   Painted the front entry and bathroom.  Done with the girls' room.  Working on living room completion as well.  Planning to paint the rest of the front entry and living room this summer.  I cannot WAIT to brighten up that room!  
   
4. Become a Mary Kay sales director by April.
   This will require multiple steps, but it is a goal... with a deadline.  And that deadline opens up so many other doors that I can barely stand it.
   
   Not in a director suit, but actively recruiting and building my team.  I will be seeing an aubergine suit this fall.  I am CERTAIN of it.
   
5. Organize my home office and my 'room' at the house.
   The craft room/office/crap room needs a face lift.
   
   Yeah, still working on this goal.  I plan to do some summer cleaning and move things to the basement so that my office can move out of my dining room into the craft/crap room.
   
6. PLANT FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES.
7. I want to unplug myself once a month for a whole weekend and just be Carrie the mom, the wife, the cook, the cleaner, the house keeper.... and not respond to calls or texts or emails or any social networks.
   I feel like doing that in spurts makes me rely on that a lot less to entertain myself.  I look forward to it.
   
   Planted a LOT of flowers and bulbs this spring.  I have so much fun planting things.  Truly love that part of being a homeowner.
   
8. Disney fund growth.
   Deposit a consistent amount monthly into the account for our 2016 trip.  :)  I'm hoping for a February or Spring Break trip!
   
   Disney fund hasn't grown at all.  But debt payoff has been fierce.  I know that Disney will come easier once debt is gone.  Shooting for a Christmas with Mickey trip in December!
   
9. Establish a fitness routine that I can maintain with my mommy lifestyle.
   I am 100% certain this will mean me buying a treadmill or something before it happens because I'm not going to the gym.  I am also 100% sure this means I will be exercising in the early morning hours because that is the best time for me.
   
   Summer 2k15 will be the first time the exercise has happened regularly.
   
10. Actually complete tasks I start.
    
    Done.  Starting to be more diligent about completing things.  Life skills people.  Life skills.

Goals 2014: March Update

My 2014 To Do List

1. I am going to grow plants this summer.  I'd like to grow a lot, but I'll settle for a few.  Tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, carrots, squash, and zucchini, to start with.  I'm researching methods via Pinterest right now and will start seedlings as directed once the time is right.  I suppose I'll need to do this on the back porch or in the garage for the meantime.  I plan to use the small area by the garage to grow my veggies in large planters or raised beds.  Who wants to build me those?
   
   Bought some seeds.  Starting seedlings in a few weeks!
   
2. Run races.  As in, plural.  I have run my pregnancy races and I have one more to go.  I'd really like to be able to run a few more races after the baby comes.  I know I'll need time to heal since I will be having a child via surgery in April... I'm hoping I can schedule some races in June/July.
   
   I'm just not sure I might get to an organized race before baby gets here.  I'll let you know.
   
3. Buy the dang minivan.  This is a lingering 2013 goal... I wonder if I knew that my husband was going to let me have another baby AND we were going to and that's why I made that goal in 2013?  Either way, I cannot wait to be the proud owner of a minivan.  I see this happening in March.
   
   DONE AND DONE!  I will post about that adventure this week!
   
4. Build my business.  I suppose this means I need to work on the business.  I have several of them I could work on, but none that I really focus on.  I love Advocare products.  I use them regularly.  I also love Mary Kay products, they are lovely.  I have a great love for my sewing machine and should use it more often.  I would like to be able to grow one or all of those into something successful that generates income so that I could stay home with my babies one day. Yep, another goal for another year, but I'll work on it in 2014.
   
   Started working more often with Mary Kay and I'm planning to attend a career conference with them end of March!  I cannot WAIT!
   
5. Paint and decorate the kid's rooms.  We have to move Libby to the bigger room and put Hayes in the smaller room since we will be housing two girls.  This project was on my agenda for Christmas break, but it is not likely to happen this week.  I have to buy Libby bunk beds and then we can make the move.  Hoping for February?
   
   Bunk beds for Libby have been purchased.  The prep for moving and changing rooms has been a popular conversation as well.  Hayes has informed me that he wishes to sleep in the bunk beds with Libby and Spencer.
    
6. Plant flowers in the yard this spring and summer.  I love seeing my neighbors lovely yards and I'd like to have my own this year.
   
   Flowers will come soon.  I keep thinking I'll wait until mid March in hopes to avoid any more freezing weather...
7. Develop a budget/plan to save for future Disney trips and eventually yearly passes.  I love going to see The Mouse.  I love that my kids want to go there often as well.  I want nothing more than to take them there all the time.  As a matter of fact, we could just move there and I'd be thrilled.  I'm working on this part.
   
   Made 2 payments for Disney this year.  We will go in September and I am pumped.  Created a savings plan for 2015.  I want to take Daryk to Star Wars weekends!
   
8. I would love to be able to use my blog as a venue to make some extra income for my family as well.  I am going to investigate that and look for income via my blog while on maternity leave.
   
   I haven't looked into this, but I have been diligently increasing my traffic to the blog and plan to continue that through Facebook and Pinterest.  Hopefully I can be blog famous one day (or at least make mom-ney, so I can stay home)...
   
9. Purge.  Clean out the closets, rooms, drawers, cabinets, and garage and rid this house of unnecessary objects, clutter, junk, and excess.  We need to learn to live with less and be happy with that.
   
   Cleaning out all areas of the house as part of my random 'nesting' occurs.  So far I've found a ton of things to donate and decorate with.
   
10.  Wake up earlier during the week and make time for myself.  Enjoy coffee, or a book, or the quiet.  I could make breakfast for myself or the littles, or just put on my makeup like a normal person.
    
    Yeah, just no.  Just not happening.  I think I might be a failure at this goal.  Oops.
    Echoes of last month... I just can't make this happen.  I might attempt to work on this one later in the year, but I might just be crazy.

My 2014 To Do List

1. I am going to grow plants this summer.  I'd like to grow a lot, but I'll settle for a few.  Tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, carrots, squash, and zucchini, to start with.  I'm researching methods via Pinterest right now and will start seedlings as directed once the time is right.  I suppose I'll need to do this on the back porch or in the garage for the meantime.  I plan to use the small area by the garage to grow my veggies in large planters or raised beds.  Who wants to build me those?
   
   Clearly we won't be working on this until March-ish.  I have started buying some bulbs I need to bury ASAP so they will bloom in Spring.  Had I known we would be frozen for 3 days, I would have done it last week.
   
2. Run races.  As in, plural.  I have run my pregnancy races and I have one more to go.  I'd really like to be able to run a few more races after the baby comes.  I know I'll need time to heal since I will be having a child via surgery in April... I'm hoping I can schedule some races in June/July.
   
   I desperately want to run/walk another race before Spencer Brynne makes her arrival, but the countdown is on and the number of weekends decreases quickly.  Plus, I can't do all of the races with the kids, etc... I'm still looking for the RIGHT one before she gets here.  After she arrives, I'll start racing again in June and register for one every other month after that.
   
3. Buy the dang minivan.  This is a lingering 2013 goal... I wonder if I knew that my husband was going to let me have another baby AND we were going to and that's why I made that goal in 2013?  Either way, I cannot wait to be the proud owner of a minivan.  I see this happening in March.
   
   Yeah, hasn't happened yet.  I know I have about 10 weeks until baby gets here, so obviously that is a major priority.  After this past week's snow/ice drama I want something with 4WD.  We might reconsider that whole minivan thing and buy a tank.
   
4. Build my business.  I suppose this means I need to work on the business.  I have several of them I could work on, but none that I really focus on.  I love Advocare products.  I use them regularly.  I also love Mary Kay products, they are lovely.  I have a great love for my sewing machine and should use it more often.  I would like to be able to grow one or all of those into something successful that generates income so that I could stay home with my babies one day.  Yep, another goal for another year, but I'll work on it in 2014.
   
   Thankfully, I have been working on the hairbows!  I have had several larger orders and I even made myself a Facebook page for Knot Just Hairbows!  I'm going to market myself to local high school sports teams this spring and keep working towards that.  One thing at a time...
   
5. Paint and decorate the kid's rooms.  We have to move Libby to the bigger room and put Hayes in the smaller room since we will be housing two girls.  This project was on my agenda for Christmas break, but it is not likely to happen this week.  I have to buy Libby bunk beds and then we can make the move.  Hoping for February?
   
   This month.  Paint colors picked out.  Princess and Superhero murals are in the works.  Bunk beds to come in March.  Rooms will be painted in 3 weeks.  I am very excited about that.
    
6. Plant flowers in the yard this spring and summer.  I love seeing my neighbors lovely yards and I'd like to have my own this year.
   
   Bulbs bought.  Planters in the works.  Totally acceptable to spray paint the cheap plastic ones?  Yes....
   
7. Develop a budget/plan to save for future Disney trips and eventually yearly passes.  I love going to see The Mouse.  I love that my kids want to go there often as well.  I want nothing more than to take them there all the time.  As a matter of fact, we could just move there and I'd be thrilled.  I'm working on this part.
   
   I have booked us a trip to WDW in September of 2014.  Speaking of, I need to make a payment on that soon.  I also have been working on a savings plan for our 2015 trip.
   
8. I would love to be able to use my blog as a venue to make some extra income for my family as well.  I am going to investigate that and look for income via my blog while on maternity leave.
   
   I haven't looked into this, but I have been diligently increasing my traffic to the blog and plan to continue that through Facebook and Pinterest.  Hopefully I can be blog famous one day (or at least make mom-ney, so I can stay home)...
   
9. Purge.  Clean out the closets, rooms, drawers, cabinets, and garage and rid this house of unnecessary objects, clutter, junk, and excess.  We need to learn to live with less and be happy with that.
   
   In the great snow storm I managed to clean out 2 closets and organize the kids clothes for the upcoming season.  I need to take 'baby girl clothes' inventory and make a list of what I need for Spencer Brynne's arrival.  I also plan to tackle the garage shelves that I'm responsible for this week.  One room at a time, right?
   
10.  Wake up earlier during the week and make time for myself.  Enjoy coffee, or a book, or the quiet.  I could make breakfast for myself or the littles, or just put on my makeup like a normal person.
    
    Yeah, just no.  Just not happening.  I think I might be a failure at this goal.  Oops.

I am going to spend some time working on these and I will likely add to them as I go.  

2014... the to-do list grows...

1. I am going to grow plants this summer.  I'd like to grow a lot, but I'll settle for a few.  Tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, carrots, squash, and zucchini, to start with.  I'm researching methods via Pinterest right now and will start seedlings as directed once the time is right.  I suppose I'll need to do this on the back porch or in the garage for the meantime.  I plan to use the small area by the garage to grow my veggies in large planters or raised beds.  Who wants to build me those?
2. Run races.  As in, plural.  I have run my pregnancy races and I have one more to go.  I'd really like to be able to run a few more races after the baby comes.  I know I'll need time to heal since I will be having a child via surgery in April... I'm hoping I can schedule some races in June/July.
3. Buy the dang minivan.  This is a lingering 2013 goal... I wonder if I knew that my husband was going to let me have another baby AND we were going to and that's why I made that goal in 2013?  Either way, I cannot wait to be the proud owner of a minivan.  I see this happening in March.
4. Build my business.  I suppose this means I need to work on the business.  I have several of them I could work on, but none that I really focus on.  I love Advocare products.  I use them regularly.  I also love Mary Kay products, they are lovely.  I have a great love for my sewing machine and should use it more often.  I would like to be able to grow one or all of those into something successful that generates income so that I could stay home with my babies one day.  Yep, another goal for another year, but I'll work on it in 2014.
5. Paint and decorate the kid's rooms.  We have to move Libby to the bigger room and put Hayes in the smaller room since we will be housing two girls.  This project was on my agenda for Christmas break, but it is not likely to happen this week.  I have to buy Libby bunk beds and then we can make the move.  Hoping for February?
6. Plant flowers in the yard this spring and summer.  I love seeing my neighbors lovely yards and I'd like to have my own this year.
7. Develop a budget/plan to save for future Disney trips and eventually yearly passes.  I love going to see The Mouse.  I love that my kids want to go there often as well.  I want nothing more than to take them there all the time.  As a matter of fact, we could just move there and I'd be thrilled.  I'm working on this part.
8. I would love to be able to use my blog as a venue to make some extra income for my family as well.  I am going to investigate that and look for income via my blog while on maternity leave.
9. Purge.  Clean out the closets, rooms, drawers, cabinets, and garage and rid this house of unnecessary objects, clutter, junk, and excess.  We need to learn to live with less and be happy with that.
10.  Wake up earlier during the week and make time for myself.  Enjoy coffee, or a book, or the quiet.  I could make breakfast for myself or the littles, or just put on my makeup like a normal person.

I am going to spend some time working on these and I will likely add to them as I go.  

Thanksgiving Races and Pregnancy

My goal with this pregnancy was to NOT gain 700 lbs.

I haven't done well with weight gain prior to this pregnancy, but I'm proud of myself this go round.

I wish I had more time and energy to be active, but I just don't.

Kudos to you people who do just that!

I am trying to be more mindful of my eating habits and my body.

I eat when I'm hungry and try to be healthy...

don't we all!?

I decided that I wanted to complete some 5k races during this pregnancy.

My goal was one rave per trimester.

So far, so good.

I've got one more trimester to go and I'll have it done!

The pregnancy and the races...

First race was in August.

Run or Dye with the jogging stroller and the husband.

It was awesome.

I was barely pregnant and ran the majority of it.

Daryk and I decided a loooooooong time ago in 2013 we wanted to do the Turkey Day 5k.

So Thanksgiving morning long before the actual sun came up, we got up.

It. was. freezing.

I had on my favorite Old Navy running tights and multiple layers on top!

The race started & ended at Turner Field.

The porta potties closest to our car had ZERO toilet paper.

Um, gross and cold.

We arrived on time, parked the car, and sat inside until we absolutely HAD to go start.

Of course, you have to take pictures of it or it doesn't count, right!?

Selfie number 1.

After this Daryk says, 'hurry up and take another facie already.'

I burst out laughing because he said facie and not selfie...

I was dying laughing at his attempt at the cool vocab.

So I got this picture....

The race began.

We froze while running.

I wish that I could have felt my fingers.

The pictures available that day would have been hilarious.

There were people dressed as pilgrims, turkeys, and other food items.

Some people had hats that looked like turkeys as well.

I wanted to run as much of the race that I could.

Mind you, I didn't train and I'm out of shape.

As well as 5 months pregnant...

So I ran as much as I could.

The hardest part of running while pregnant wasn't being out of shape or being pregnant.

It was the bladder!

Thankfully somewhere between mile 1.5-2.5 there was a BP station open!

A very kind man let me use the facilities and I was able to run again.

As we were finishing our 5k there were people running across the finish like for the 

HALF marathon as well.

Insanity.

I was just proud to FINISH and not pee my pants or die.

Thankfully some sweet girl took our photos afterwards.

We got yummy snacks and some great race day goodies from the Verizon booth!

So proud to finish that race WITH my baby belly and hubby.

Planning a 5k in January and hoping for another in March!

After that, I'll be on light duty until August because of the baby girl!

Run or Dye

Just getting warmed up and checked in....
This is the part where you wait in line for the porta potties...

Hayes is so cooperative for photos.
He just loves them.
Pre race/pre color.

Again, with the cooperative child.
Isn't he so pleasant?

We found some color in the parking lot that we touched and threw at each other.
Libby LOVED it... Hayes still hates his life.

We do not like loud music.

See?

We were blue after the first color and SMURF attack!
Once we started moving Hayes was MUCH nicer to deal with.
I really think they liked running through the city.

And we are all finished!
I meant to snap a picture after every color so we could see the progression, but I failed.
We ran most of the way taking turns with our stroller and having water as we went!
The kids LOVED it!



These two are just so sweet!



I finally got a smile-ish from Hayes!





We had so much fun running in Atlanta for the Run or Dye race.
I love these 'fun' races that aren't stressful or timed.
It was nice just to be able to have fun with my kids and husband!





Taste of Douglasville

Last weekend we spent Saturday morning wondering if Elizabeth was ever going to wake up.

She slept until almost 11!

Hayes and I built sky scrapers and towers with his blocks and his trains.

He has plenty of legos... I promise, but he chose the wooden blocks for this project.

Elizabeth finally yelled for us at almost 11 and we started the laundry for the day.

She got up, helped me start the laundry and then went to lay back down again!

Rotten.  Girl. 

After lunch we headed to see BeBe at the Taste of Douglasville outdoor festival downtown.

We had ice cream, pizza, and got animal balloons.

Elizabeth had on a new pair of shoes and then she lost one shoe.

It was the VERY FIRST TIME she had worn them and I was NOT happy!

After about 30 minutes of backtracking and some help from my student Haley, we found it!

Finally!

After our snacks and the lost shoe we pranced through THIS puddle lake.

She looks so pleased.

Synchronized swimming/diving etc...

I love them.

And here's what you missed...

This is her standard look. 

Paci.

Cup.

Blanket.

Or two... two blankets.

Game.

This is his standard look.

Big smiles.

And the dimples.

It is usually accompanied by the belly laugh.

I love the belly laugh.

It is my favorite thing in the world.

I never ever want to forget how that sounds.

Then there is this look.

I don't know what in the world could be better than this...

Her tiny little body just exudes joy.

She radiates happy, except for when she's being defiant or disobedient.

And she only does that at least 5 times a day...

Otherwise, pure joy.

Patience is not her virtue.

She got irritated with the ice cream cone and slammed it down.

Juusssssssssssssst like her momma.

This.

These moments.

He is so sweet.

He loves her.

He is so sweet to everyone.

Remind me to write a post about what his teachers wrote about him in his evaluation.

Worth a whole entry for that information...

Oh, and this.

These moments.

I wouldn't trade the dirty laundry, the never ending questions, and the sibling fights for the world.

They argue like crazy.

They spit and kick and hit and push and shove and yell at each other...

But in the end of it all... its lovely to be together.

They are my world.

The crazy, nonsense, picky eater, big brother...

The silly, loving, defiant, 'I'll eat anything' baby sister....

And the daddy who helps with housework.

And yardwork.

And laundry and bathtime every night.

They rock and I love them. 

Spring Break Goals

We moved in August. 

I have yet to paint any of the house on the inside.

It is beginning to annoy me.

Mind you, I'm the WORST about starting a project and not every finishing it.

THE.  WORST. 

Just ask my husband, it is probably the most annoying trait I have.

I have grand ideas about things.

Very lofty ideas.

And I start the project, get about 1/3 of the way through, and find something else to do.

Maybe I just have extreme adult A.D.D.

Either way, I'm beginning to annoy myself.

So, I have a week off from school and I have a to do list.

Here's hoping I'm going to check at LEAST half of them off the list. 

My goal is 100% completion, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't get it all done.

Clearly, #4 & #5 take priority.  :) 

And I can't take good care of the babies if I don't take care of me.

# 6 & #7 are also pretty important as well. 

The rest are just things I want to get done.

Here's hoping the babies take long naps during the week!

Chaos, but not cha-ohs...

I am selling Advocare.

I'm so excited about it that I bought all these cute bags and packaged things with bows!

Go read my story and order products here.

I'd love to sell you fancy stuff and help you with weight loss, energy, and looking fabulous at any age!

I'm excited to try the 24 day challenge and add new products this month!

Also, I want these shoes.

The end.

Why is Easter candy so daunting?

I swear it is making fun of me.

Poking at me because it knows I can't eat it this week!

Jacklegs.

I sent stickers instead.

I'm sure some parents hate me for that too.

This is my 'I just found out that one of my students got an amazing scholarship face'.

I sent her this pic after she sent me the text message!

I am SO very proud of her and all the work she has done to get this far.

I cannot wait to see how my Galia keeps going forward!

Much love to you sweet girl and sweet success because you deserve it!

Being a teacher gets better and better....

despite the hours and pay...

and papers to grade and such...

Soccer Sundays

Yesterday was soccer game #3 for our season.

I had a blast!

In game 2 I tried to play a little too hard, or maybe I didn't stretch long enough...

either way, I pulled my quad muscle and thought I was dying for a good 2-3 days.

I wasn't sure I would even be able to play yesterday, but I made it through the whole game.

Good thing too, since we had no subs and just enough to play!

I've finally found a no slip solution for my hair.

I'm a picky girl about the headbands or hair apparatuses that are used.

I don't want it to slip. 

Like, at all.

And I don't want to have to mess with it.

Like, AT ALL.

So I got Brady Bands.

And my life is now complete.

If you don't have these you need to go order some now.

We played a Gwinnett Soccer Association team in Lilburn yesterday.

I drove allllllllllll the way to the other side of Atlanta, past Stone Mtn, and finally arrived at the fields.

Literally across the street from one of our friends' schools.

Porter coaches wrestling at Parkview and was totally thrilled to see his school.

Such a nice campus and located across from really nice fields.

Our game seemed like a really long game, but it was a good one.

The other team didn't appear to be in great shape, so they were easily outrun.

They only made it to our side of the field offensively once or twice.

Our sweeper is amazing and I'm so thrilled that she's got my back, especially since I'm still crippled.

Our offense is awesome as well, and very young, compared to the rest of us....

So they play well together with lots of energy!

The first couple of sprints and kicks for the ball reminded me that my leg was still recovering!

I was in liveable pain for a good 30 minutes before my leg finally let me play!

I can still feel the injury this morning but I know I'll survive.

I wore my heart rate monitor and tracked my calorie burn for the game.

1400 calories friends.

1400.

I need to play soccer every single day so I can eat 400 brownies, ok?

Geeeeze Louise.

 

Our team is undefeated, yay!

Hoping to continue that streak this weekend.

This weekend is the first game on our 'home' field and I won't be able to play.

I've got sister duty (that I'm pleased to assist with) at a bridal shower.

I can't wait to spend some time with the bride to be and her maids this weekend.

Saturday mom and sisters came to play at my house.

It was a nice thing before life gets crazy with spring stuff at school and wedding madness!

We had Chick fil A (duh) and then a cupcake buffet.

I had one whole cupcake and 1/4 of another one.

They were worth every.single.calorie.

And then I ran 5 miles.

Boom.



Pause Disney...for soccer..

I played soccer yesterday afternoon for the first time in 5 years.

I haven't played competitive soccer in about, um, 10 years.  Possibly 11.

I played briefly in college until I got hurt and couldn't play anymore.

Stress fractures=no more soccer for me in college.

So, for the last few years I've wanted to be able to find a league in my area to play in.

I looked online, but didn't find a whole lot that I was impressed with.

I wasn't looking to play for blood with big scary men.

I wasn't trying to be competitive and crazy with women either.

Co-ed kinda creeped me out as well.

I just wanted to find some ladies who wanted to play for fun.

I posted on FB and asked if anyone knew of such a thing.

I got a reply from a dear friend and began my search.

I found it!

League of women, who are fun and not terribly serious.

No practices, just games on Sundays!

March-May.

I can handle this!

Yesterday it was so nice to push myself to my physical limits.

To inhale that cold, crisp air and feel it rush into my lungs.

To feel that familiar sting when the ball collided with my thighs and knees.

The fancy imprint of the ball reminded me of that hours later...

It was windy and freezing, but I had a blast!

The race to beat the competition to the ball and the victory of the win.

The trash talk that is quickly shrugged off as soon as the last whistle blows...

I found some confidence that was hidden behind some of the things in my life.

I got complimented and encouraged by my teammates.

I played in the mud and squished around on the field, which is my favorite thing about soccer!

I spent 90 minutes grinning and enjoying every play.

I felt like I was me again.

I'm not sure if its the soccer, or the fact that I'm doing something only I can do....

But it made me really happy.

It brought me satisfaction on a level that I don't think anything or anyone else would.

This wasn't for my kids, or my husband, or my family, or my job or students... just me.

Soccer Sundays are my thing!

There is just something about competition that makes my day.

I love a good race and I love winning.

Who doesn't?

Today, however, my legs are on FIRE, and I don't feel like I'm winning.

Now, I'm active.

I run pretty regularly and the people at my gym know my name.

I don't spend every waking moment getting my sweat on, but I'm not on the lazy train either.

But let me tell you, running on the treadmill doesn't compare to running on that field.

And no amount of fitness classes can prepare you for the sudden stops and starts of a soccer game.

Now I know why my coaches made us condition for weeks before we actually played games.

First of all, I'm older than I'd like to admit.

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh.

And my feet hurt today.

I can barely walk without cringing in pain.

Also, going up and down stairs, snail's pace.

Using the toilet, us ladies have to sit down every time.

It has become a bit of a production today.

Sloooooowwwwwly seated and slow to rise.

I keep telling myself that I'm reminding my muscles to function and look pretty.

Here's the bottom line:

1.  I had entirely too much fun, more than I even thought possible.

2.  I can't WAIT until my next game!

3.  I need new cleats and possibly some shoe inserts, since I'm old...er.

4.  Next week I shall stretch after the game...

It's my birthday. And I swear I'm only 31.

My husband loves me. 

He is so sweet and surprises me this morning with THIS!

Make a wish charm for the almost fulllll pandora bracelet.

And these.

I love Disney movies with some weird level of obession.

I made a list of the ones that I didn't already have and he got me two that I was missing from my collection.

I'd like to pretend they are for Hayes and Elizabeth, but they are for me.

I have a whole drawer full of them at home and I just let the kids watch them.

If you're reading and you want to buy me Lilo and Stitch, that's on the top of my list!

 

And my sister in law got me this.

My brother in law tried to pretend he helped pick it out, but I know better.

I love it! 

You can go get your own from this etsy shop.

I'm so pumped for my gifts and another year on this amazing planet.

My last 31 years have brought such great things and I am thrilled to see what the next year holds!

The last two gifts of the day. Mickey phone case for myself, from.... Myself.
And THE Magic Bullet from my brown child Don! Yay for smoothies and such.

24 hours a day isn't enough....

Isn't that how every mom feels?

24 hours just aren't enough.

You make time to bathe, yourself of course.

The kid(s) too, I hope.

You cook, clean up, fold the laundry, wipe noses, tie shoes, and wipe that gunk off the floor....

Oh, and work.

Don't forget work.

And make sure you count the drive time.

Between all of that, or before it, or after it we are supposed to have time to make ourselves

 look like amazing women, who just happen to be able to multitask everything.

Yeah, right.

Lemme know if you have the secret to squeezing it all in.

I'd love to know.

Here lately I've been going to the gym before daylight.

Before the cries of my little people wake anyone else up...

Before the rooster crows and long before most people make coffee.

I like the gym at that time of morning.

It is reserved for those people who are serious.

About fitness, losing weight, lifting weight, or those just plain crazy.

I think I'll be plain crazy.

I mean, who wants to get up at 4:50 when their phone plays 'Fat Bottomed Girls?'

Thank you Freddie Mercury.

If I opt out of the early gym alarm I get the Glee version of 'Slave for You' later.

Thank you Britney S. Pierce.

Either way, my alarms make me laugh.

I'm still working on the stamina to get up at least 3-4 days a week to go to the gym before daylight.

I'm hoping that by next week I'll have it down to an art and I will not have to hear the latter of the songs...

I love reading other blogs about how people manage time.

I've been looking into how people seem to accomplish so much in so little time.

I've also been trying to realign my time and schedule so I'm doing what I deem important.

Spending time with my kids.

Doing the dang laundry.

Getting our home decorated.

Taking care of myself.

Cooking for my family.

This mom, she's got it.

Much easier for me to make it happen first thing.

That automatically makes it a priority.

I'm not doing the fitness/healthy thing because I wanna be a supermodel.

I want to be a mom that my kids admire.

I want to be a fun mom who can have fun with them.

No guilt for me there.

I know that my kids are okay.

My husband is okay without me.

And quite frankly, who's to say that God would gift me tomorrow?

I know they are going to be okay without me.

I have to tell hubs I'm planning to go.

He gently nudges me to get moving in the event that he has to hear Freddie sing two verses...

It is that nudge that helps me realize that he too, wants me to reach my goals!

Well, that and he doesn't want to hear Freddier sing another verse at 4:50 a.m.

Listen to my body.

It says MUCH nicer things when I exercise than when I don't.

The end.

So, my gym time is important for me.

And my kids.

And the husband as well.

I'll be making time for it.