Archive for January, 2009

Jan

10

2009

Out With The Old…

So we have been home a week now. I will freely admit the first two days we were back I did absolutley nothing. Lazy, unmotivated, useless. Well, my friends, when Monday rolled around and life as we know it resumed, I began my mission. An out with the old, in with the new kind of mission. Sit still for too long around here and you might just find yourself on your way to Goodwill!

Not really, but I have been organizing and clearing things out like I am nine months pregnant and in extreme nesting mode. That is most definitely NOT the case, but that is the way I am acting!
The twenty eight bottles of nail polish I was hanging onto for those rare {and I do mean rare!} occasions I paint my nails? Well, now there are only twelve. Probably still more than I need, but hey, it is less than half of what I started out with! The numerous bottles of hair products and accessories I “might” sometime need? Gone. All of it gone. The toys? Bags once again filled for those less fortunate. And the clothes? Ohhhh the clothes. I am in the process of dealing with those as I type. I am not an overly huge fan of selling on E-bay simply because I don’t enjoy taking pictures of item after item of clothing and describing it. For some reason I just can’t get excited about that?! I have a heaping laundry basket glaring at me with all sorts of winter clothes the kids have outgrown that I need to get listed sooner rather than later. And the giant pile of my stuff that I haven’t worn in months and obviously am never going to wear again? Waiting to be folded and stuck in a huge lawn bag and carted off to Goodwill. They are either going to love or hate us when we pull up!!!
Seriously, I am a bit of a clean freak on a normal basis, but I have no idea what has gotten into me! I just keep thinking that this way there is just that much less we have to sort through and deal with when we move. Not that we are moving any time this year or anything, but it keeps me focused on the fact that at some point we are in fact going to be moving again…and moving home!
So, that is where I have been ALL week long. Up to my eye balls in piles. I guess it keeps me from sitting around and feeling sorry for myself since my heart and mind are still back home in Kansas! We still don’t have the Christmas stuff all put away yet or the house cleaned. Why can’t there be more hours in a day?!! And then there is the fact that I have already fallen off my workout bandwagon and did NOTHING the last two days and haven’t eaten that well either. And THAT is why I don’t get too hung up on the whole resolution thing! I mean, WHY set myself up to fail?! Because, I will inevitably fail the first week!
I guess that is really about all that has been happening around here! Pretty boring to be honest!! I am SO ready to have all these little cleaning/organizing projects wrapped up though!
I purchased this pattern earlier in the week and cannot wait to start whipping up some dolls! I am SO excited to start using my sewing machine!!
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And in case you are wondering how I even found this little gem, I follow the Pinkle Toes Photography blog…religiously. LOVE her photography. Anyway, Michele is the photographer and she had adorable little Amry back in November. {Darling name, hunh?!} Amry’s aunt is the one who created the doll but Amry’s mom is the one I borrowed the picture from!! Clear as mud?!
And then there is this fabulous book that should be arriving in my mailbox tomorrow or Monday. I was browsing sweet Shelly’s blog earlier this week and the second I saw the book, I knew I must have it!! With my girly girl, bloomers are essential! Now, let’s just hope I can follow a pattern and actually make some instead of just dream about it!! Aren’t the ruffles about enough to send you over the edge??!!
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Of course Amazon had to go and recommend about a half dozen MORE books that were oh so tempting, but I restrained myself! I mean really, I need to save something until I figure out what I am actually doing!!
Now for a bit of randomness. Does anyone out there use Facebook? What do you think about it? I created an account over Christmas just to see what it was all about and now I am getting friend requests and messages every day!! Yikes!! Don’t get me wrong, they are all people I know and I am glad they want to be my friends {thanks girls…you know who you are!!}, but I am not sure that I have the time or energy to keep up with something else?! I am really trying to simplify things in my life {thus cleaning out every nook and cranny in this house!!} and I don’t know if I can do it? Just curious as to what you all think!
And since I feel like I haven’t posted pictures in FOREVER, here is one of my sweet Gentry girl from New Year’s Day. This was in my parents driveway. Chris was loading the car {while I of course found time to check my email and keep busy inside for the most part!!} and I snuck out to snap a couple pics just as he was finishing up. Gentry is giving Papa a thumbs up!! I thought it was too cute!! And I am so loving the seventies feel!!
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Whew…and on that note I should get! Those clothes are still piled up on my closet floor waiting to be folded, bagged and hauled to the garage! And then there are the ornaments that need wrapped in tissue paper and nestled away for the upcoming year and the Christmas village that needs to come down! Goodness there is a LOT to do!
Happy weekend!
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Jan

6

2009

New Year, New Goals

So…here I am nearly a week late in posting my goals, hopes and dreams for 2009, but I have an excuse. I mean, after all, we were out of the state for two weeks and although we came home to a {fairly} clean house, the mere act of opening four “bursting at the seams” suitcases {I don’t travel light!!} and pulling out all the new toys and goodies has overwhelmed me. I am FINALLY digging out of a huge mess, but still have quite a bit of work to do. I am sure the fact that my OCD has kicked in and I feel compelled to clean and reorganize as I put things away is not helping speed up the process any. The sad thing is, although I have done a ton of work and cleared out all sorts of “junk,” the floors still need swept, the bathrooms cleaned and the furniture dusted. So basically, you can’t tell I have done a darn thing!!

But I need a break. I mean, really, the clothes will still be there to put away when I finish this!! Pretty sure my fairy cleaning woman isn’t going to show up in the next hour to do it for me!! Ahh, but wouldn’t that be nice????
So….2009. Already. WOW.  Like pretty much everyone else out there, I have so much I want to accomplish in this new year! A fresh start with so much potential! I am not that big on “resolutions” though. I prefer to set goals. I am not really sure why…they are pretty much the exact same thing…just one of my little quirks I guess! 
1. Eat healthier and exercise more. Yes, I am jumping on the bandwagon with the rest of the world on this one!! Not that I think I am overweight, but I am most definitely out of shape and NOT healthy. Plus, way back before we even had Huntler my cholesterol was high and I really need to work at making sure it is back down. I haven’t had it checked except for that one time, so I can only imagine what it is now. It is more about making lifestyle changes I guess. Less frozen pizza and french fries for supper and more grilled chicken and veggies!! And then there is the whole fitness aspect. I got the Wii Fit for Christmas and I LOVE it!! Seriously. And so does the rest of my family! We have already logged many hours on that thing and we just set it up Saturday!! And sore??? My stomach hurts in places I didn’t know existed and my calves are so tight from running I can hardly get up and down the stairs. At least I know I am getting a great workout!
2. Get my photography business up and running. I had high hopes of having my website finished and all the releases and such done before the first of the year, but I am SO not there yet. And now I want to change some colors on my logo, so it will be awhile still. If only I were a computer whiz and could do it on my own!! I have to find time when Chris can help me and we can focus on it. So, maybe by mid February I’ll be ready to launch it all!!
3. Sew. Sew. Sew. I want to USE this sewing machine I have had for years now and create all sorts of fun projects!! I just bought the cutest little Etsy pattern and have my eye on a book with fun goodies too! My hope is to sew at least some little something each week. I am not starting anything though until this mess of a house is all cleaned up and back in order!
4. Play. I am so NOT good at playing. It is like I cannot relax and just play with the kids. I feel like I always have to be doing something…laundry, cleaning, dishes, whatever. I am really going to try to focus more on letting the little things go and simply enjoying my kids. They are both getting so big already and the time is literally flying by me. I don’t want to look back with any regrets.
5. Read. Last year I set a goal to read one non board book during the year. I accomplished that goal in January!! I LOVE to read. Love it. My problem is that I get so wrapped up in the book that nothing else gets done. Since having Huntler, I have hardly read at all…knowing I struggle enough with time management that adding a book in would only cause more issues! Anyway, I have three books just waiting on me to pick them up and get going! 
So there is that…I guess those are my overall goals to accomplish and work on over the year. I think I am going to create lists of monthly goals too. Such as:
January: 
Organize and file all photography workshop notes
List Huntler and Gentry’s outgrown winter clothes on E-bay
Redo blog
Design January 2010 calendar page
February:
Finish playroom {hang pictures, window awning, etc…}
Design February 2010 calendar page
Anyway, you get the idea. Those are just some random thoughts. I need to get a more detailed list put together. I seem to be really bad about managing my time and I am wanting to gain some control in that aspect of my life and start getting things done! ANY TIPS????
So, since this post is all about the new year, here are the calendars I created for the grandparents for Christmas! I also had a set printed for Chris and myself too! I whipped these up REALLY quickly and now that I know what I am doing, I plan to make more detailed, fun ones for 2010!!! 
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Huntler came home from school today with his list of New Year’s Resolutions. He has two.
1. Play trains with Daddy.
2. Have a party on September 30.
I had to giggle as I tucked that away in his keepsake box. I wonder what he’ll think of those goals in 20 years!!
And on a random note…did anyone out there catch The Bachelor last night??? OH MY GOSH! I couldn’t believe what I saw on the series preview!! My jaw dropped! So far no one is really standing out to me! Maybe next week I’ll be able to tell a little more!!
And with that I need to get moving!! You know…clothes to put away and all that fun stuff!

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Jan

4

2009

Just Wondering…

Which one you like best?

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This is my one and only niece Taverli! She is an absolute doll and I am not joking when I say that she LOVES to have her picture taken!! This girl was all about the camera!! Anyway, I had a couple of different little shoots with her and her big brother while we were home and have TONS of images to edit and then print for their mama {my sister}.

So anyway, I was supposed to be up working but I got distracted in Photoshop again!! I couldn’t edit while we were gone and I was in withdrawal!! Back on track here…I was just curious as to whether you all like the full color or my signature vintage look?! I generally prefer the more vintage look but I really like them both!!! I better find out which she prefers!!

Be sure to scroll down…I FINALLY added a new post earlier!!

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Jan

4

2009

Winter Wonderland!!!

HOLY COW I have been gone forever!! Did anyone notice?! Although I already miss home {as in Kansas} like crazy, anyone who has ever traveled anywhere knows how nice it is to be back home {as in your own house} and to get back into the swing of things.

And that is where I find myself on this dreary Arizona afternoon. So sad to be way out here in the desert all alone with my sweet little family, but glad to be back in my own bed and climbing out of the HUGE mess that being gone for days on end creates. Not to mention the added mess of oodles of new toys and goodies to find homes for! I have a feeling I am going to be unpacking and putting things away the rest of the week!! I can’t find much motivation today {or yesterday for that matter} to get going on unpacking…so I guess tomorrow when Chris heads back to work and life returns to normal around here, I’ll deal with it! I am pretty sure it isn’t going anywhere!

So, we happily headed out on December 19 and took our ride aboard the Polar Express that night and left bright and early the next morning for Kansas…where we spent two ENTIRE weeks!!! {Well, minus two days travel time, but you get the picture!} The Polar Express was nothing short of amazing this year. This was our third year to go and by far the best. The sheer joy and magic that poured out of the kids was enough to bring tears to my eyes. Huntler was in heaven due to the fact that there simply was a train involved…but that comes as no surprise! And Gentry, well, she was sassy little Gentry girl through and through and talked non-stop on the drive up about it. Both of the kids seemed very concerned that we were ALL going. Apparently they didn’t want Mommy or Daddy to miss out!! It was really cute!!

And we had a first this year. In the five Christmas’ we have had kids, we have never had a trip to see Santa without someone crying. This year…no criers…which made ME want to cry! The reality that they are getting SO big sometimes just overwhelms me. Anway, they were just happy, excited little munchkins who were fascinated by jolly Old Saint Nick! We got THE CUTEST Santa pic I have ever seen in my life so I’ll have to try to scan it in and share it with you all!! I knew going in I wouldn’t be able to take my own photos and I was a little bummed, but their photographer got a great one! Now, if I only had the digital file!!!

WHEW! I have SO, SO, SO much I want to say and share, but remember, we have been gone for two weeks and I have TONS of stuff to do around here!! So, today I am going to stick with our trip to the Polar Express!

Before our trek to the North Pole, we managed to get in a little fun in the snow!! We had to make a stop in Flagstaff to find the kids some snow boots. As always, the fabulous Kohl’s came through for us!! The kids were bundled…warm clothes, snowsuits, coats, hats, mittens and boots!! Now I on the other hand was freezing! I think before we head up to go sledding I need to find some long underwear!

Here comes Huntler, “snowball” in hand!! I love how Gentry is in the background watching!

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Where there is Gentry, there is drama. Enough said.

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Do I not have THE CUTEST little family ever? I like this shot so much I wish I was in it!! But there was no one around to take a picture for us…and even if there was, I am not so sure I would trust them with my new camera!!

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Sweet, sweet boy. As I type he is throwing a fit because he wants someone to go play trains with him. Chris JUST came down after spending over an hour up there building the most elaborate track I have ever seen. Ay, ay, ay…it is going to be a long week around here.

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Our snow angel…

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And the “boy version” of a snow angel!

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The rare shot of me…Gentry was trying so hard to get my face cold and wet with her snowy little “glubs!”

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While sissy had fun being held {and pretty much insisted on it}, Huntler wasn’t so much into it. He wanted to be down playing!

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Just as the train was pulling up to get us…I love this shot!! We have one just like it from last year that is equally as sweet!

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Can you FEEL how excited he was?!

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And of course no trip to the North Pole is complete without Santa boarding the train and passing out bells!! I couldn’t zoom with the lens I was using so I didn’t get as much of Santa as I would have liked, but I kinda like how this turned out with him just peeping in on the side and the kids looking up!

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And that my friends is a snippet into our Polar Express 2008 trip! What a wonderful one it was! Full of priceless memories and more love than these pictures can even begin to portray!

And now I need to get moving…if I can! I got a Wii Fit from my parents for Chris
tmas and for anyone who doubts that you can get a work out with one…you MUST try it! My legs are so sore it hurts to move!! Look out 2009…I am going to get in shape this year!! And have fun doing it!! More on that later though!!

*And I promise to be back in the blogging swing of things now!! I have missed it!*

Edited to add: AHHH!! I am so frustrated that my pics are so tiny!! I was having issues uploading so I changed the pixel size and now they seem so tiny!! I tried to make them bigger but they are too blurry so I am going to leave them how they are for this post! A lesson learned for sure!!

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