101 Goals in 1,001 Days

The first time I saw this idea was on my friend Katie's blog.  (BTW, you should check her blog out, it's awesome!  http://www.intentionallykatie.blogspot.com/)

I have a lot of goals, but I rarely make lists or verbalize them all.  So, I am going to post my list below and let you know throughout the many days to come when I accomplish them.  I will update this post and cross off each accomplishment.  (Gee, I hope I can come up with 101!)

To help myself, I am backdating my list to start January 1, 2010.  This way I'll have a bit of a headstart.  Some of my goals have been met and some are in progress and since it's my list, I guess I can! :)

So, I have until September 27, 2012 to complete them!  Wish me luck!

1.  Start a blog.  1/11/2010
2.  Start running. 1/18/2010
3.  Lose 80 pounds.  in progress
4.  Run a 10K.  3/13/2010
5.  Teach Sophie to read.
6.  Buy Sophie a bike.
7.  Buy my girls a dollhouse.
8.  Attend a family reunion.   planned for 7/28/2010
9.  Spend 30 minutes each day with God for one month straight.
10.  Read the Bible every day for one month.
11.  Visit Cassidy at college.  2/25/2010
12.  Have Phoenix friends visit.
13.  Have my mom visit.
14.  Pay off my car.
15.  Pay off my student loan.
16.  Become a LifeTime member at Weight Watchers.
17.  Go a whole week without raising my voice to my kids (or hubby)
18.  Go a whole week keeping every dish in the house clean.5/18/2010
19.  Go one month without letting the laundry pile up.
20.  Take my kids to the playground twice a week for a month.
21.  Have Sophie make dinner for the family.
22.  Let Sophie have a friend sleepover.
23.  Do another Beth Moore Bible study.
24.  Attend a Women's Retreat. 03/26/10 to 03/28/10
25.  Teach the girls to swim (or have them take lessons)Sophie is taking lessons now
26.  Update Sophie's baby book.
27.  Update Lydia's baby book.
28.  Update our photo albums.
29.  Clean out the guest bedroom.
30.  Clean out all the closets.
31.  Clean out the garage.  3/25/10
32.  Have a date with Brian every two weeks for two months.
33.  Have the Master shower re-done
34.  Put in granite countertops
35.  Get a new kitchen sink and faucet.
36.  Go to DisneyLand or DisneyWorld
37.  Take the kids to the Houston Zoo   1/1/2010
38.  Take the kis to the Bluebell Creamery   2/19/2010
39.  Take the kids to a Houston Astros game
40.  Visit El Campo
41.  Go to San Antonio with the girls scheduled for Labor Day Weekend with Brian's family
42.  Go to Sea World  scheduled for Labor Day Wekeend with Brian's famili
43.  Go to Schlitterbahn
44.  Keep the computer desk clutter free for two weeks.
45.  Keep the kitchen desk clutter free for two weeks.
46.  Keep the butler's pantry clutter free for two weeks.
47.  Go through the girls' clothes and give away to GoodWill.  3/23/2010 - 3/25/2010
48.  Go through the girls' toys and give away to GoodWill
49.  Create a weekly meal plan and stick to it   03/11/2010
50.  Do 25 random acts of kindness (4/25) 
51.  Read a spiritually awakening book  - Read "Prodigal God" April 2010
52.  Read a novel (it's been a long time!) 4/17/2010 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)  I've read it before, but wanted a fun, quick read.
53.  Blog every day for two weeks.
54.  Make all the beds, every morning, for one month  in progress - began 5/11/2010
55.  Go camping with the kids.
56.  Visit two state parks in Texas.  Brazos Bend State Park 3/19/2010  Huntsville State Park 5/13/2010
57.  Visit Brian's aunt in Dallas.
58.  Have one play date per month for three months with Jack & Kate
59.  Have dinner with the Aldersons every Sunday for one month. 3/21/2010
60.  Have a couple (we don't normally have over) over for dinner.  Arringtons on 5/13/2010
61.  Work out 4 days per week for one month.
62.  Pick up the dog's poop (ewww) twice a week for a month
63.  Play in the snow with the girls.
64.  Get my haircut.  1/29/2010  (It had been over a year!)
65.  Visit a friend in the hospital.  3/2/2010
66.  Surprise a friend.
67.  Play in the rain with the girls.
68.  Sign Sophie up for a Tumbling or Dance class
69.  Find the perfect fitting bra 4/14/2010 - Maybe not perfect, but pretty darn close!
70.  Fast from TV for 3 days
71.  Fast and pray for 1 day  3/16/2010
72.  Go on a short cruise with Brian
73.  Take a spontaneous road trip (at least one hour away)  3/19/2010
74.  Make a special dessert for someone who deserves it  2/28/2010
75.  Shop for groceries at Walmart for one month in progress for the month of March
76.  Take the girls out of daycare (to spend more time with them and save money)  3/10/2010
77.  Teach Sophie to write her name. 3/3/2010 (She's been able to do it with some help, but this morning when we signed Aunt Suzy's birthday card, she said she wanted to try by herself.  And, she did it!)
78.  Catch up on all the ironing! 5/18/2010

Ok, this is as far as I can get right now.  Plus, I had to pull a few from my friend Katie.  So, thanks Katie!

Any other ideas?  I'm hurting for more!

Anybody else think this is interesting or fun?

Love,
Michelle

Trip to the BlueBell Creamery

Today we visited the BlueBell Creamery in Brenham (about 45 min. from Tomball).

Sophie, Lydia and I went with a friend, Caren and her son, Carter.  Sophie is only a few months older than Carter and they had a great time together.

Fortunately, Caren has a Tahoe, so once I maneuvered myself around the inside of the SUV installing our car seats, we were on our way.

The first tour of the day is at 10:00am and lasts about 30-40 min.  It isn't the most kid friendly tour and I have to admit I didn't really learn much.  My friend and I enjoyed our time together more than the tour.  The cost is $5.00 per adult and children 5 and under are free.  I should mention that everyone gets a scoop of ice cream after the tour is over and they have 24 of their 55 flavors available to choose from.

Note:  When our kids are older if they specifically request to tour the creamery we'll take them, otherwise, we'll visit when the bluebonnets are in bloom and drop in for a scoop of ice cream for only $1.00.

After finishing up our yummy ice cream we headed back to town and picked up Chik Fil A for the kids (of course!)

It was a fun day!

Love,
Michelle

Lydia's Ever Changing "Look"

Lydie has never really enjoyed wearing bows in her hair, headbands, or anything in her hair.

However, of late she has wanted things to be in her hair and even attempts to put them there herself.

Here is Lydia's typical hairdo.  Can you have a hairdo when you're 15 1/2 months?  Well, I guess so!

Here is Lydie with a bow in  her hair:

Finally, the newest look - Pigtails!

(I could NOT get her to look at me and though I attempted multiple shots, this was the best one!)

Most days she goes without adornment, but...it's nice to have options!

For some reason, God has blessed our girls with lots of hair.  If you think Lydie has a lot of hair at 15 months, check out these pictures of Sophie around the same age.  (She's 15 mo. in the first one and 16 mo. in the second one.  It looks like her hair is shorter than Lydie's, but it's actually longer.  She had lots of curls!)

Fun to see Sophie as a little toddler again!

Love,
Michelle

Daddy & His Princess

Every year around Valentine's Day our church has a Daddy Princess Banquet.  Sophie calls it the Princess Ball.

Last year Sophie seemed a bit young, but was ecstatic to go with daddy this year.

So, she got dressed up and even wore pearls!

She was sooooo excited, she could hardly wait for daddy to get home and pick her up!

They had dinner catered by Mel's.  For  those who don't know, this is down home country cookin'!
Brian enjoyed it and said it was delicious.  Sophie, well, she ate rolls!

They danced a few times and played Bingo.  Bingo ended up being somewhat upsetting for little, competitive Sophie.  They played 5 games and after the 5th one, when she hadn't won yet, she scrunched her face up as if to cry.  Brian scooped her up into his lap and told her it was ok to lose once in awhile.  She shrugged the tears off and smiled again.  Daddy to the rescue!  I have a feeling these quick, bandaid fixes are soon to be a thing of the past.

Daddy and Sophie can't wait to go to the ball again next year, maybe with Lydia in tow!

Love,

Michelle

Honk! Honk!

Honk!  Honk!  That's what I heard this morning when I was getting ready to shower.

Let me set the scene....It's about 7:45am and Brian is heading out to work.  The girls are situated with cheerios and milk and ready to watch Dora.  I am about to get in the shower.  We are all in pajamas, except Brian, of course.

It's Wednesday and that means a "work day" for me.  I had to drop off and pick up tax returns at 8:45am, take the kids to school for their Valentine's Day parties and then be back home by 9:30am to meet someone else I work for to go to see the CPA together at 10:00am. 

So....HONK!  HONK!

I thought Brian must have forgot something, but he usually just comes back inside.  I hurry out to the garage and...his car battery is dead!

Flustered, I began rushing around the house trying to get out the door quickly.  We get the girls loaded into my car and I drive Brian to the bus stop.  (Thank goodness he takes the bus!)  He made the 8:10 bus with 3 minutes to spare!  So, he wasn't late today.

While we were driving to the bus stop, I came upon a realiztion.  I wasn't wearing a bra!  Oh no!  What if something happens and I don't have a bra on!  But wait, there's more.  My mom always told me that when you leave the house, even if just to run to pick up a movie or get gas, you always wear shoes and clean underwear.  (of course you wear clothes too!)  Well, I had shoes on, but...I was about to get in the shower...I hadn't dressed for the day....so, yes your conclusions are correct.  No clean underwear.

I was horrified.  What if there was an accident and I woke up in the hospital knowing that when they pulled my unconscious body from the car I was not wearing a bra or clean underwear!

Ok, so this is overreacting a little, but this is what was going through my head as I was getting Brian to the bus.

After dropping him off I needed to run by one of the CPA's houses that I work for.  He was supposed to be at the gym, so it would be a little exchange in an agreed upon spot.  Thank goodness he was really at the gym.  I swapped the files and headed back home.

Well, you'll be happy to know that I made it home.  No accidents.  No problems.

I was able to get the kids to school as it was starting at 9:30am.  And...I was only 10 min. late to my morning meeting!  It worked out much better than I thought it would. 

God is good, even when it comes to keeping the timing of a rushed and frazzling morning under wraps.


Love,
Michelle

It's Cheering Up Time

Tonight while Sophie was getting into bed, she hurt her finger.  I don't know how or on what.  But, she said she had a boo boo and started to cry.

Note:  She was pretty tired by this point.  So, I didn't think much of it.

I gave her a big hug and told her to get under the covers.  She said, "But the tears are coming down my face."

She was beside herself that I wasn't convinced there was a problem with her finger.  We've been having a few procrastination issues with bedtime and I wasn't going to give in to a new one. 

So, I told her it would be alright and that she just needed a good night's sleep.

Sophie:  "No, I don't.  I'm sad and I'm never gonna cheer up."

I tried not to laugh.  I didn't even know she knew the phrase "cheer up."  It's not one we really use around the house.  So, I picked her up and rocked her for a few moments.

Mom:  "Are you happier now?"

Sophie:  "No.  I still need cheer.  Do you know what would cheer me up?"

Mom:  "What?"

Sophie:  "Taking me to Disney World."  (Said with a cute little smile)

Seriously?  My 3 1/2 yr old is already requesting that I take her to Disney World?  My niece and nephew went last year and one of the girls in Sophie's class went recently.  But, seriously?  Are we there already?  When did that happen?

Well, I can't blame her.  I have never been to Disney World.  However, growing up in Arizona and having relatives in San Diego, I've been to Disney Land more times than I can count.  I don't know if it truly is the happiest place on earth, but I always had a really good time!  Well, I guess she's like her mommy.

It's a good thing we don't live closer to California or Florida or we might have season passes!

I guess this is just another Sophie tale! :)

P.S.  Look for another blog a couple of years from now chronicling our Disney trip!

Love,
Michelle

10K!!???!!!??

Ok, so you all know that Brian ran in AND completed his first marathon on January 17, 2010.

Well, on January 18, 2010, I began running.

I don't run very far, or at least I didn't when I started.  But, now 3 weeks later, I am up to 3 miles!  Though this may not be impressive to some, I am encouraged.  I didn't even think I could run that far.

Brian has been suggesting that I have a goal.  Well, my goal has just been to lose weight and get in better shape, but...I've set an additional one.

I have registered for the HEB Bayou City Classic 10k! 

So, I now have to be ready to run 6 miles on Saturday, March 13th!

I may be slightly crazy and may not be able to run all 6 miles by then, but I am certainly going to try.

Through all of this I've realized there is so much we are capable of doing.  I think sometimes we buy into a lie about our potential or even worth when it comes to completing certain tasks or challenges.  Well, I say phooey!  Let's put our big girl panties on and get movin!

Whether it's a book you never thought you could read your way through or a run you never thought you'd finish, I challenge you to DO IT!  You just might surprise yourself!

Love,
Michelle