My New Year's Resolutions

I usually don't do New Year's resolutions, but this year I have two. They are...getting my house in order, and getting in shape.

To be transparent with you...I have no organizational skills. When I got married, I pretty much started from scratch. I’ve been able to maintain a normal, pretty functional home, but it’s nowhere near how I want it to be. I know this is normal, and more people struggle with this than people who don’t, but I REALLY want a simple, organized house. I don’t want a house that is perfect, one that has absolutely nothing out of place, no smudges on the glass, etc., but I want to be able to be proud of it when someone drops in unexpectedly, and for life to function more smoothly for my family. This year I have started the FLY Lady program! I LOVE her. She is so nice, and understands people who have problems with organization, and is able to help them with simple steps that form habits. Yeah, habit is the key word here. Also, helping the kids develop habits to keep the house in order is something I'll be working on. Moms shouldn't feel like the house maid, but more like the manager of the home. Household management is a real job, and its something to take pride it. It's harder than most occupations, especially for people like me, because you are the boss. You set the goals, plans, schedules, and the hardest part...actually following through with them, in your own home, a place where you don't have to follow through with them.

My other resolution – to get in shape! Not to lose weight, but to get fit. I have started and stopped this goal so many times. I have made the mistake of trying to do it too quickly.  One week, I started running. I pushed myself as hard as I could like I did back in junior high when I played basketball. I think my body is a little different now than it was back with my young, stress-free, no-responsibility, go-to-bed-at-9:00 life. Last year I was so wiped out by the first week, I felt like I had the flu or something. So that’s usually how exercise goes with me. This overachiever is going to have to slow down, and start from scratch with exercise as well. So I've started out with the goal of walking three times a week, one mile a day, and building up from there. I had to swallow my pride for this, but really, it's all I can handle right now. It’s better to start on the bottom and walk up the hill, instead of starting out at the top of a mountain and falling off. For anything.

Logan's first birthday was a couple of weeks ago! It seems like he was just born. I love my sweet little baby. I love this little cutie so much.

We had a great day. His Aunt Val, Carlie and Cole, Misty and her family, Shelia and Donna, and Dana and Micah all came out to help make it a special day for him.

Blowing out the candle with Daddy.

He thought it was a toy until I put some icing in his mouth.

Then he went crazy digging in. (No, I didn't let him eat the whole thing!)

Brothers and guests enjoying one of his toys.

My future ball player. 

One Year in a Nutshell - Part II

Two months after Logan was born, something happened that I had been wanting for so long. We were moving back to the south! We said goodbye to a few dear friends, and began a new stage in our life.

When we first arrived in Mississippi, we stayed in my grandmother's house. She had died two months before. Staying in her house was bittersweet. The kids loved going from an apartment, to having a yard the size of hers'. So much grass to run around in. Pears to pick off of the tree. Hills to roll down. Trees to climb.

We had many fun times there. Waylon struggled getting a job that didn't require him to work on Sundays. He was finally hired at Caterpillar. Things were going well.

In February, things suddenly changed. We lost a very loved family member, my father-in-law, On Valentine's Day.
Shortly after that, Waylon lost his job. We've had several worries and heartaches that I won't blog about because they are kind of personal. But I can say this - God is good. And through it all I've learned more about his love for me than I could ever have if these things had not happened. Its also stregthened our relationship with each other, and helped us grow up a little.

Our sweet boys are a source of joy to us every day. I've gotten closer than ever before to my sister. I've enjoyed spending time with my dad and brother. We found a house that we absolutely love! It's three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with an office for Waylon, and a sunroom for me. Hardwood floors are in every room except the bathroom and kitchen! I'm so glad - I hate carpet. :) Its in the Corinth city limits, and it has a good sized, fenced in yard. We got a REALLY good deal on it. Here's a few pictures of it right before we moved in...

LOVE my kitchen!

And the hardwood floors!

One Year in a Nutshell - Part I

Its been too long since I've blogged! I want to get back into the habit. Since the last post, a lot has happened. I'll try to put the main events on here.

I'll have to start with Logan being born....
So, you know the old wives tale about caster oil starting labor, right? I had taken a tablespoon of caster oil earlier that day, hoping it would move things along....a home remedy to jumpstart labor. After a few hours I thought that it didn't work, or maybe I had not taken enough. I read that if your body is ready for labor, then it doesn't matter how little you take, it will work, but if you take to much you will get sick. So anyway, I was laying on the couch. Nathan and Ryan had gone to bed a few hours ago. Waylon was playing a video game. I fell asleep for about an hour, and woke up having painful contractions sometime after midnight. Within just a few minutes, they were getting very strong, and I felt as if they were pushing down very hard. I told Waylon let's go to the hospital! He has NEVER believed me when I said I was in labor. :D He told me to call the doctor and make sure, so I did. She said to come in. Nathan and Ryan's bags were already packed. I could tell we didn't have much time. We got the boys out of bed, called my friend Juana, dropped them off at her house, and headed to the hospital. I really worried that I would have the baby in the car. The contractions were so strong and so close together. But my water never broke. (Sorry if there are any guys reading...never read a blog about having a baby! :)) It was all a blur, but somehow I finally got to my room in the hospital. As soon as the doctor arrived, she broke my water, and with one excruciating push, Logan was born.

Logan Connor was born on July 30, 2011 at 3:02 a.m. weighing 8 lbs. and 13 oz.

Soccer Camp

So I'm a soccer mom now! lol Nathan and Ryan went to a "Brittish" soccer camp a couple of weeks ago. The coaches were from London. They both really enjoyed it, even though Ryan made it clear that he would have rather been playing baseball. :) So glad I have boys. Things like this are as much fun for me as for them.

At the Ole Ballgame

Last Sunday was probably our last time to go to a Reds' game. *sniff sniff*. I'm really gonna miss all of Cincinnati's entertainment!!! I love the zoo, awesome parks, malls, IKEA :), Fountain Square, Newport, the Music Hall, Cincy Museum Center, the Creation Museum, King's Island, Coney Island, the aquarium, ....all within a few minutes of our apartment.

We has some great "suite seats", paid for by Waylon's company. On top of that, they gave us $80 in Reds Fun-bucks! (Which was a good thing since one hotdog there costs $4, and small drinks $5!)

Here's a few pics from the Reds' Stadium....

 Nathan said the cheering fans were too loud.

This is what intimidation looks like!

Mother's Day

Thinking about my mom around this time of year is especially hard...Mother's Day and her birthday are always a few days apart, if not on the same day. But I'm comforted when I think about how blessed I am being a mom. I feel so blessed that the Lord has given me three precious children! I wish I could express how much my boys mean to me.

Being a mom has been the most fufilling accomplishment that I've ever had. Living so far away from family and staying at home with my kids has created a unique and strong bond with them. Nathan and Ryan have turned out to be amazing little guys....with Nathan's strong but loving and encouraging personality (and I nearly left out - hilarous!), and Ryan's sweet, tender, caring heart...who is also so funny and goofy! I can't wait to get to know our new little boy.

They are gifts that God has given me to invest my life in...training them, teaching them, and loving them.