2010 Goals Check-Up

I am doing a quarterly evaluation of my goals....updates in blue.

1. Wake up at 6 am everyday and have Quiet Time with my Lord first thing- I normally wake up at 6:30, and it is hard to wake up at 6am after being up with Taylor several times a night, but I have realized the need to get up before them now that there is 2! I have been having my QT during nap time, but need to start freeing up that time for chores.
Blair and I have been waking up at 5:45am every weekday. I unload the dishwasher and make both of our coffees/breakfasts. We then sit down and eat/ have our quiet times together. It has been AMAZING! I sit until the girls wake-up (most days at 6:30am).

2. Support my Husband- Be diligent in all I do. Have the home be a haven for him to rest and come home to. Live my life in such a way that he knows he is number 1 on my priority list (besides God). Make his lunches the night before. Get up with him and make his breakfast to take with him. Ask his opinion on meals, girls activities, my activities. Serve as a FRA with his unit. Thank him daily for all his hardwork and provision. Encourage him to go after his goals.
Date nights 2x/month until he deploys (make daycare reservations/ brainstorm ideas to do).
Blair and I have been going on dates regularly using the daycare on base. Recently, I have tried to cut back on my "activities" to be available for him and not over-burden him with watching the girls b/c I will be gone/busy.

3. Eat healthier- I have lost all the baby weight due to nursing, and have cut dramatically down the "processed food and sugar substitutes", but have gotten in a habit of using more sugar. I am trying to cut the sugar out of my coffee and tea. I also need to decrease running through the drive thru to once a week (even for a diet coke). Continue with my meal planning (best help ever).
We have cut out most HFCS and all MSG. I am still hooked on diet vanilla cokes. It is my one indulgence during the day! We have gone to organic milk/yogurt and am trying to become more educated in eating a whole foods diet. I recently watched Food Inc. and that was great! We still have fast food 1-2x/week. Probably need to cut down on that....

4. Exercise 4x/week- Currently I walk 45min-1 hour with some friends (with kiddos) 3x/week. I need to continue that and then add a day or two of more intense activity. Going to the gym is now feasible with Taylor being 8 months old. I will start running once it warms up a bit. If nothing else, I need to do a Shred/ Tae Bo video at home when the girls are occupied. Baby weight is gone, but sure needs some toning!
I started going to the gym on base (They have a playroom I can put the girls in for a total of $4 each visit) recently and feel the results already. With two kids, it is almost impossible for me to workout at home. We leave the house and get there around 7:45am so that I can work out and get it out of the way early. I am going to try and shower at the gym as well so we can be fully ready for the day by 9:15am! They both have been doing well in the playroom (a HUGE blessing -I think the time of the day is good. They've had breakfast, but not ready for a nap yet). Next step: personal trainer (free for 8 visits).

5. Keep up with the Blog at least 3x/week- I have a new camera and love taking pictures with it! I want to be more diligent about documenting my girl's lives. This blog is our family scrapbook and I need to do a better job at updating it. I also plan to include more of my personal ideas/ goals/ struggles and triumphs in the worlds of parenting, military life and homemaking.
I guess I am doing ok in this. Need to do more personal posts and creative pictures stuff.

6. Be a better homemaker- I am painfully aware of my shortcomings in the areas of cooking, cleaning and creativity. I am going to implement a cleaning plan (looking at the motivatedmomsplanner), continue to practice my cooking (which has improved a lot in 2 years, especially with all our dietary restrictions), and plan a monthly project (sewing, crafting, etc). I know with most of these things practice makes perfect, and I need a LOT of practice!
I bought the MotivatedMomsPlanner about a month ago and it has changed my life! Blair said the other day that the house has been looking really good:). I love that I have a preset checklist that changes every day. I give myself an big fat F in my monthly projects. I would rather watch paint dry then sew/craft. How bad is that? Menu planning is ok. I've been doing a new crockpot soup/ breadmachine bread every Sunday so that by the time we are home from church we have hot bread and fresh soup ready! This has been GREAT as the hour after church is always so hairy getting the girls fed, undressed and ready for a nap.

7. Be a better Mom- I need improvement in doing crafty things with Bailey. Once a week, I want to find simple craft ideas to help her have fun and learn about whatever she is passionate about. I want to start reading to Taylor at night before she goes to bed.
I need to improve in this area still. I have tried to be more deliberate in doing little things with Bailey. She helps me make almost every meal. We recently bought a "preschool" book and have been doing those pages together. I read with Taylor and Bailey before we go to bed (although Taylor would still rather eat the book :)).

So, some things are going really well......some things miserable failures. I still have 9 months to go praise the Lord! MOST importantly is that I am seeking God's will and way for my life :)

Big Girl and Baby

Who is the big girl and who is the baby in these pics? I am beginning to wonder! Taylor has been pulling up to a standing position for a couple days now and is starting to take a step or two while holding on.....

Faces

my sweet Taylor is one of many, many sweet faces....

One of those days...

What a wonderful weekend!

The weather has been perfect this weekend. With Pete and Blair gone camping (for fun), it was just me and the girls. We had fun outside, ate lots of pizza and watched Lion King 1 1/2. We spent Saturday morning at Target shopping for new summer shoes for Bailey. I just love having fun with my girls!

Taylor-LOVING the swing :)
So pretty....
I'm gonna get you!
Big sissy is such a good helper.
Cheese face :)
Yea! Looking at the camera. Such a sweet girl.
Can you find Snick?
Bales and Tales, trying unsuccessfully at getting a group shot.

What are you looking at?

All about a pink bow.

The Bales and Tales love their daddy.....Know of anything sweeter then a US Marine with a pink hairbow? ;)

Mr. Froggy got in on the action as well.

Love.....

Taylor LOVES Snickers. She has this special sweet voice she uses just for him. Unlike Bailey, he actually tolerates Tales. I can see the two will have a special relationship in the future:)

Cheerios, oh how we love thee....

Taylor has been able to start eating the plain cheerios. This is a huge blessing as it keeps her occupied at every meal for awhile while I feed myself/get stuff ready/ etc. She is eating up to 2 jars of baby food in addition to her formula as well! It is so weird to have such a lightweight after my Bales....

See! My cheerio!
Love it!
Yummmmyyyy.....
"Taylor, look- a Cheerio!"

Potty training has begun....

We have been attempting to potty train Bailey in the past week. We have not done the strip down naked and pee in the potty all day, but are just sitting on the potty as often as possible. She had never gone to the potty really before this week and now goes a couple times a day. I am proud of her, but am ready to be rid of diapers soon!

Taylor wanted in on the potty action as well....I've had to remove all the TP and put them up high :)

Grammie, Papa and the girls at the park!

Grammie, where are you?

I see you! Can't catch me!
Grammie and Papa Cellon came to town for a couple days last week. We loved having them here and appreciated them watching the girls for us to go on a lunch date. Look forward to seeing you guys again in May.

WEEEEEE!
Grammie, look at me!
Drums, drums, drums.....We make music, yes we do!
Pretty girl making some lovely noises
Watch out Daddy!
Bailey has never met a stranger....luckily, he was willing to share his chalk :)
Papa, Grammie and Bailey enjoying a picnic lunch on one of the warmest days (high 50s) in a LONG time!
Happy Tales
Uh, oh Daddy.....really watch out with this one!
So strong.
Tales transported around in style again.

Aquarium

Our family of four went to the aquarium last week when Blair was off work. We had a blast!

Bailey crab face
Taylor playing with a friend
Bailey and Daddy coloring a sea creature
Mommy and her Tales
Daddy and his Bales
turtles...
Gators.....we did the "go gators!"
Bailey looking at the big tank with fishies

Overall, we had a good day. We went to a seafood place afterward and enjoyed some fish and fries. Happy Day!