2012...

I almost forgot how to long into this thing. It's been awhile!

Here it is. The beginning of a new year. A time to reflect on all that has happened the past year and what your hoping for in the next year.

I'm not a resolution maker. However, this year, I've got a few goals for myself as well as for my family.
For some reason, if I throw them out there for the public, I feel a bit more obligated to stick to them. Wrong or right, it is what it is.

The family goal for 2012 is to focus on needs vs. wants. This goal is two-fold. The first is to focus on all that we've been blessed with and to be thankful for all that we have. This message was loud and clear to me when we were all watching The Blind Side over Christmas break and in the movie, Big Mike shares with LeAnn that he's never had a bed before. Colton just couldn't believe it ~ that this truly happens in today's world. It was an eye opener to me that we need to spend some time in 2012 helping/encouraging/supporting those that aren't as fortunate as we are. The second is to not spend money just to spend it. We do alright for ourselves, but aren't swimming in Benjamin's in our indoor pool (no we don't really have an indoor pool). I'm great at going to Target to get a few things like toilet paper and lettuce, but then walking out with 2 books, some new pens (when I've already got 36 in the drawer) and some things for the boys because I know they will love it. My husband on the other hand does really well avoiding the day to day purchases, but is more of an impulse buyer on big ticket items. Thankfully we're both on the same page for this goal.

I have a couple of personal goals for 2012.

My first is the standard goal that 99.9% of females have; eat less and move more. I have some great girlfriends that are all on the same page as me and we've got our own little program that kicks off tomorrow. Yee-haw! If you are interested, I strongly suggest the iphone app - Myfitnesspal. It helps you track your daily calorie intake and exercise.

My second is to get and stay organized in 2012. I spent a majority of this weekend clearing out closest. I went through my bathrooms and realized that I had 7 bottles of sunscreen. Seriously?!! I also cleaned out my spices and have to admit that I had many duplicates and containers that expired in 2008. Oops.

My third goal, which is a combination of goal 1 and goal 2, is planning out meals. This helps avoid any last minutes take-out orders or pizza calls (helps save $ for family goal and helps with lbs for personal goal). I've got the first week of meals planned out. Our schedules are crazy with basketball for the oldest 3-5 times/week plus wrestling practice for the youngest and school work on top of that.

And last, but not least is to facebook less and blog more.

Here's to an AWESOME 2012!

Daddy's Helper...

Hut Hut...

Being in 4th grade means you get to play tackle football. Colton couldn't be more excited. Me on the other hand couldn't be more nervous. Don't get me wrong. I really enjoy watching football. However, I don't enjoy the thought of my offspring being knocked unconscious, breaking a bone, etc. We've got 2 weeks of practice and one scrimmage under our belt and so far so good. There isn't an injury to report.
Here's a few pictures from this past Saturday: Doing some warm-up drills. My kid is the one with the skinny legs. He gets that from his dad.

Kind of hard to pick him out so I thought I'd help you out. Defense is his favorite. I asked why he couldn't just be a kicker. He told me that was boring. Can't blame me for trying.

Here he is carrying the ball - into a sea of kids that want to knock him down. Lord help me.

First Day of School....

Like all the other parents out there sending their kids off to school, I too think, we're did the time go?

Colton is starting 4th grade. His last year at the elementary school. I keep telling him that I have vivid memories of 4th grade and that is seems impossible that I'm sending one of my own into 4th grade. The morning of the first day, you told me that you weren't really that hungry because you were just so excited. I love that you love school! My baby. Entering kindergarten. Wow. You are so proud and I love it. You had it in your mind that you were wearing a mohawk on the first day. Lucky for me, I was able to tame it down before we got to school to take your pictures. You love that you get to wear a backpack, ride the bus and have school friends like your big brother. It's been a week of school now and you haven't stopped smiling when people talk to you about kindergarten.

Family Vacation...

A few weeks ago we took the boys camping at Jellystone in Wisconsin Dells. To say we had a blast would be an understatement. We spent a day and a half at Noah's Ark riding all the water slides. Not sure who had more fun there, Mike and I or the boys! The campground was great. We stayed in a tiny one room cabin that had bunk beds for the kids and a bed for the adults, a small table, a dorm fridge and a microwave. It work great as the weather was wonderful and we were only in our cabin to sleep. There was mini-golf, activities for the kids on the hour every hour and nice lounge chairs at the pool for me.

So.Much.Fun.

Currently...

I got this idea from Jenny over at stickyfeathers. We got back from a family vacation at about midnight last night, I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry and thought a mindless post is in order.

loving: My vacation weather. Nothing but sunshine and 80 degrees!!
pondering: Watch a movie tonight (The Kings Speech) or catch up on blogging, facebook and Words w/Friends. (I know. Lame.)
reading: The Help - well, technically I just finished it today
anticipating: School starting. 4th grade and kindergarten ~ how can it be???
cursing: All the calories I've consumed on vacation.
wearing: shorts and a t-shirt. No make up worn since day one of vacation...I look a little frightening!
deciding: Where to buy new carpet for the family room.
hoping: I can get my to-do list done before Tuesday.
planning: My upcoming weekend
dreading: Tuesday - back to work
wishing: That the money tree in my backyard would start growing.

The 5 Year Pictures...

I attempted to take Brett's 5 year pictures today. Never mind that he's been 5 for a month and a half. He really, really , really wanted to wear his new hat in his pictures so I figured why not. After about the first 5 minutes, the kid was workin' it. "Mom, how about I stand here and do this. Mom, what about this. Mom, that was really fun."
We had a great time and managed to snag a couple cute pictures. Here's just 4 of the 74 we took today.