March - In Review

Highlights:

• Got voted off Supah's Survivor Island ... actually felt bummed about it for awhile but I'm over it now.
• Enjoyed a great visit with Grammy - she cooked for us and spoiled us with gifts
• Hosted Missy and Emmett here in the NW and had a blast - played at the park, went to the zoo, stayed up late every night chatting, laughing, looking at old photos, ...
• Resigned as an Organizer for my moms group; it was a tough decision but I am trying to prioritize and stay focused on my "job" as a wife and mom as well as my new job ... 
• Became a Publisher Mom for Macaroni Kid; best decision I've made for me in a long time, writing with a purpose, learning new things everyday, networking with awesome moms around the country, and having fun doing it all with my bestie :)  I am loving this experience.  Love challenging myself.  Love the satisfaction of publishing with a national website! 
• Had a really rotten day ... when being a mommy felt very unrewarding ... and thankfully lots of good days, too ... when being a mommy seems like the best job in the world :)

By the numbers:

• appointments: 3
• play dates attended: 4
• play dates hosted: 2

• photos taken: ~350
• blog posts written: 32

Books Read:
Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah - 500 pages but worth it


Photo:

Random Bits:

• Got a new (much shorter) haircut, and I think I like it.  Had lots of compliments :)
• Still haven't gotten serious about the 30-Day Shred.  I need to get back into shape, but I just can't seem to get motivated ... ugh!
• Booked tickets to fly home - with both girls by myself - in May ... excited and terrified!
• Started watching Glee, the first 13 episodes in reverse order.  Now I can't wait for the show to return in April - I'm hooked!  Thanks, BJ_Mama ;)
• Hubby has been selling all kinds of "goodies" on craigslist ... decluttering feels good!

Deep Thought:
"A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely."

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately.  Somehow in the midst of figuring out how to be a mom times two ... and trying to find a balance of family and responsibilities and writing pursuits ... I've been feeling forgotten.  I've been feeling isolated.  Like I am on the out-skirts of my friendships.  And I know I am to blame for those feelings. Mainly because I know that I am not attending to my friendships with the energy that I once did.  I am not nourishing my relationship with the important women in my life.  I need to make time for the "mulch" - the emails, the phone calls, the conversations, ...

Those things really are important to me, but somehow they've slipped much too low on the priority list.  Here's hoping I can change that in the coming month.

"Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you." ~ Cheers

February - In Review

Highlights:

• Made Valentine's to send to my nuggets and the grandparents and baked sugar cookies with NHV
• Won the first Supah's Survivor Challenge
• Got a little crafty ... more details to come ;)
• Baked from scratch a few times - Applesauce Carrot Cupcakes & Banana Muffins
• Hosted a Blog Convention (IRL) for my local moms group - 10 of us met at a local coffee shop, one that offers free Wi-Fi and spent a few hours sharing our own blogs, giving design tips, and getting inspired.
• Counted down the days until Grammy arrived and enjoyed a week-long visit of cooking together, eating lunch out almost everyday, being entertained by my two girls, and watching three good movies!
• Feeling "proficient" - most days - at being a mom of two!  We've been able to get out and do fun things, the house is somewhat clean, and I am finding more time to blog and read other blogs :)

By the numbers:

• appointments: 2
• play dates attended: 3
• play dates hosted: 2

• sunny days (unseasonable): 10
• trips to a local park: 5

• photos taken: ~180 
• blog posts written: 25

Books Read:
Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian ... (not quite finished)
Love & Logic for the Early Years by Jim Fay and Dr. Charles Fay
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg

Photo:

Random Bits:

• Still cannot believe that Jake chose Vienna!  Will probably watch Dancing with the Stars ...
• Feeling a little  disappointed that we never got even a flake of snow here in the NW :(
• Love seeing all the spring blossoms ... there are pops of color everywhere!
• Starting Jillian Michaels 30-Day Burn this month ... wish me luck and stick-to-it-ness
• Looking forward to a visit from Missy and Big E in March!
• Can't wait for Friday Night Lights ... April 30th

Deep Thought:
Of all the joys that lighten suffering earth, what joy is welcomed like a newborn child? ~ Dorothy L. Nolte

Having a newborn (again) has been ... well, difficult, exhausting, and absolutely wonderful.  Of course that last part - that part about it being wonderful - is easier to see and appreciate now that CJV is three months old.  Those first weeks are still such a blur.  But now I am beginning to feel more like myself again - aside from the extra squishiness on my body.  And I feel settled into - as opposed to anxious about - my role as a mom-of-two.  I realize that I can not only "do" this but also really and truly enjoy it ... more days than not!