Around Here: Week One {2018}

(after school... sigh...)

(baby selfies are my fav)

Enjoying... my parents visit.  They brought Christmas presents for the kids and Josh and myself.  My mom bought me Fiestaware bowls in two sizes, and I have to tell you that those rainbow stacks of bowls make me smile SO BIG when I open my cupboards! We completed a puzzle one night, the three of us (which was so much fun!) and they took the kids ice skating.  Best.grandparents.ever!

Celebrating... Christmas with a lunch at my sister's house.  We had a lovely day with her family and my parents.  The only bummer was that we're pretty sure Logan had another mini-seizure.  He was upstairs playing with his cousins when Jack told us Logan was hurt.  By the time we got upstairs, he was fine, but his behavior the rest of the day was off.

Watching... Sugar Coated on Netflix with Josh, and crossing "Watch 3 Documentaries" off my 100 small things list.  (The other two I watched: Naledi & Born in China, which I loved because it's narrated by John Krasinksi, aka Jim from The Office)

Cutting... sugar & carbs (in moderation) from my life.  Josh has cut them completely, whereas the kids and I are going at a slower rate making our changes.  That said, just cutting soda & candy for me has felt tremendous!  Our goal, really, is simple.  Eat real food. So far, so good!  (As in, I started out weighing 200 pounds and have lost five pounds already! What?! What?!)  The boys used to have cereal for breakfast every morning.  Now I make them eggs and sausage or bacon everyday.  Already we've noticed a difference in Logan's focus and last week he aced a reading test, his weakest area.  I hope it continues to change how we all feel.  We are working hard at not feeling deprived, just replacing our old favorites with new ones, and in that same vein, we have decided that homemade pizza + dessert for movie night will continue on Saturdays so we don't feel so restricted that we drop the diet in six weeks.

Ringing... in the new year in my bed.  I spent many years staying up all night for New Years Eve, and started many years feeling like garbage on January 1st.  So for the last ten years or so, we've gone to bed on New Years Eve.  This year I was really motivated to go to bed early cause I taught at 4:00am on the 1st.

Sledding... with cousins on New Years Day and having so much fun! (Blog post forthcoming!)

Videoing... Carly 1000x per day. I am just in love with her voice, her play and all her words.  She's so fun right now!

Receiving... a new (to us) dining room table from Josh's parents that I am loving.  It has an extra leaf that adds 18" and with that in there, it's so big.  It fits our family so much better than our older, smaller table.  Our old dining room table is in the office, though, acting as a desk/play space for the boys and it's perfect in there. Our life happens around the dining room table (breakfasts, play time, homework time, and dinners) and having this bigger one has brought me so much happiness!

Still... nursing Carly once a day, knowing the end is coming, but too sentimental to quit just yet. I am planning to sell my Ergo though, so that's something right?

Choosing... a word for the year.  "Measure" & making goals accordingly.

Taking... Wyatt to physical therapy to help stretch out his achilles tendons which are stretched too tight after a rapid growth spurt.

Shopping... together as a family for groceries.  It's a pain for all six of us to trek to the store, but it's a nice message to the kids that, as we journey towards healthier eating, we're all in this together.

Tracking... dinners and planning to share them with you all weekly as a means of accountability.

Sending... the boys back to school, and relishing in how quiet the house is without them.  That said, Carly and I are desperately missing her playmates.  She got a bit spoiled over break!

Committing... to "No TV" time while the boys were at school this week.  Before Christmas Break I was in a bad habit of turning on the TV as soon as I got home and not getting a whole lot done.  So I want to try a week or two of no screens in hopes that I will get more done around the house and get more reading in.

Reading... Winter Storms (#3 of the Winter Street trilogy), and when I'm finished I will finally read Hilderbrand's new Winter Street book, the bonus #4 Winter Solstice.  I am also re-reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (this is the third time, I believe) and it amazes me how every time I read it, it teaches me something new.  Two days ago I started Idaho, my January book club pick for my book club here in town, and oh my gosh, you guys, I cannot put it down.

Feeling inspired by... Ashley's Gratitude Journal List from December.  It's so cozy & lovely.

***

Meals:

Chicken & brocolli

Burgers & sweet potato fries

Chicken stir fry

Steak & asparagus

Marinated chicken & cooked carrots

Word of the Year: Measure

While contemplating what I wanted from 2018, I did a lot of thinking and list making. I read this quote by Tyler Knott Gregson and knew that he was spot on.  I want to give more.  I want to empty my heart everyday.  Into my friends, into my husband, into my children.  And I want to believe there is always enough time to become who I am meant to be. 

With those things in mind, I began contemplating what word I wanted to choose as my theme for 2018.  Last night it came to me.

The word is "measure" and I have to give Gretchen Rubin full credit for this being my word for the year. In her book, Better Than Before (which is a brilliant book to read if you are making lots of new years resolutions) she says that "We only manage what we measure".  I have seen the last few months how true this is.  When I started keeping track of my "not yelling" with stickers on the calendar in our kitchen, I suddenly became very motivated to see seven in a row.  I wanted a little smiley face on each day of the month.

It was with this in mind that I compiled my list of things I want to do (a few new goals, mixed with some of my 100 small things list that remains).  I am very excited to see what 2018 will hold for me!

***

I have broken up my goals for the new year into different sections, using "measure" as the theme for each.  (see below)

We only manage what we measure:

• Change our eating (following a semi-paleo diet), writing it all down!
• try a new shrimp recipe
• try a new fish recipe
• Move my body (working out 3x/week)
• get a bike for me
• get a bike for Josh
• buy family pool pass
• hike with my dad
• kayak with my mom
• try some yoga
• do 20 pushups/day
• write out some body positivity mantras
• walk to school as much as possible

Albert Einstein said, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." And I want to be intelligent.  Therefore, I must prove to myself my ability to change.  Josh and I have talked for a while about changing our eating habits (for ourselves and our children) and this is the year we're going to do it. Personally, I am going to be making sure I exercise 3x/week.  I was successful in August, September & October, but the cold in November & December got the best of me. I'm determined for January to be better.

*****

How do you measure success?

• Not yelling or swearing at my kids
• add more hugs & snuggling
• be present
• Reaching out to/being there for friends
• call!
• write!
• send mail!
• plan small group get together
• movies with my sister
• keep track of birthdays/anniversaries this year

I measure success not in a clean house or a fancy car or a skinny body, but in loving those around me and being there for them.  One way I can be there for my kids is by being an example of a calm, loving adult (aka: one who doesn't swear or yell) and one way I can be there for my friends is by reaching out when I think of them, and being there for them when they need me. 

*****

Don't worry if you don't measure up:

• Less Facebook, Instagram (phone lives on the counter, 2 check times/day)
• Screen-free weekdays for my kids
• 1 screen-free weekday for myself
• try media-free mornings for me
• Decrease TV consumption & increase reading 
• Read 52 books again this year (one per week)
• check in monthly with Inspired Readers
• read random books with my kids!

The more time I spend with screens- watching TV, scrolling Facebook and Instagram- the more poorly I start to feel about myself and my status in life.  Despite the blessings around me, if I get more invested in my "online" life or friends than I am in my real life, I start to lose perspective.  So I am going to try and treat my cell phone like a house phone.  Let it live on the kitchen counter, out of sight & out of mind, so I can get more "life" lived (or at least more books read!) ha!

*****

How will I measure my life?

• Slow, purposeful bedtimes with the kids
• read 10 chapter books with the boys this year
• continue journaling back & forth with Jack
• celebrate Mother's Day for those around us
• celebrate Father's Day for those around us
• visit the library 1x/month
• do a monthly 'crafternoon' for the kids
• rotate consistently who helps with dinner
• continue family grooming day Sundays (cut nails, haircuts, etc.)
• cousin playdate with the Tucker's 

Time with loved ones is, in the end, all that will matter.  I want my daily life to show that.  I want to make this ordinary life special, by celebrating the little things, by carrying out traditions and being deliberate in where we spend our time.  

****

Loved Beyond Measure:

• record my kids' lives (on the blog & in person)
• create a family photo book
• figure out a memorabilia system for the kids
• blog 3x weekly
• Do "a week in the life" post
• Introduce "Alaska Living" page
• Month-long blog writing challenge
• Share favorite kid books
• Finish my blog story
• Share how we do chores
• Empty dashboard of drafts (all.of.them!) by August 2018
• 100 small things quarterly update
• take care of myself, too!
• Go To Bed!!! (Why is this so hard!?!)
• meditate
• read Happier At Home
• reorganize the desk
• reorganize the office (...again...)
• write inspirational quotes to hang around the house
• watch 3 documentaries
• write out prayers to rid myself of anxiety
• write one chapter of my novel each month

I want my family to know in the future that they have been loved beyond measure.  For me that means better record keeping, more blogging and more memory books.  But my kids aren't the only ones I want "feeling the love"-- I also want to take care of myself!  Because what they say is true: "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" It really isn't selfish to prioritize my needs.  When I am happier, our whole house is happier, and tends to run more smoothly.

And to remember always that I am blessed beyond measure!

***

Around Here: Week 4

Finishing... the KonMari method in all the bedrooms of the house. I am now left with paperwork and memorabilia, which is both exciting and daunting.  I think the biggest difference by far is in our master bedroom (pictured above). 

Enjoying... how Ramona (our girl kitty) pays attention when Carly is down for her nap. As soon as I sit down with my lap top on the couch, she seeks me out and curls up with me.

Loving... the "embrace" sign that Josh's sister Julie made for me.  Embrace is my word of the year for 2017, and having it hang in my dining room will be just the reminder I need when life gets chaotic, crazy & loud.

Feeling good... about not swearing. I have been successful most days the last week.  I am on my way to being a better example for my kids and that feels really good.

Helping... Logan adjust to life after a second seizure. Just like after the first seizure, he has been complaining pretty consistently of headaches, and his teacher and I are working together to be sure that Logan feels safe and heard (especially at school) but also that he not come home every time he doesn't feel 100%.  I feel like I am making everything up as I go, but so far Logan seems comfortable, so I'll call that a win.  We're still waiting to hear back on follow up appointments for him with the neurologist. I promise to keep you posted.

Celebrating... Carly's first birthday this week.  The little sweetheart is just beautiful and brings us all so much joy.

Buying... a baby pen (not sure what else to call it???) for Carly after I caught her with two small legos in her mouth the other morning.  Life with three older brothers is rife with danger, and I think that little play area will be a great safe place for her to exist when I am otherwise occupied cooking, cleaning, or caring for her siblings.

Working hard... to meet Wyatt's needs right now.  The transition from three weeks of snow days (off and on) to school again everyday has been hard for him, but not in the morning.  Oddly, he's been struggling in the afternoon.  He gets home from school, where he has had good behavior and lots of fun, and just starts melting down over the tiniest little thing. Last night when he complained that he couldn't have cake when he wanted I just held him, sympathized and didn't let go as he sobbed into my chest. He cried for so long, but I could tell he felt better, lighter, afterward. Poor guy. It's been a crazy weird month for me, and I'm a grown up. I can't imagine how strange it's felt for him.

Snapping pictures... of the kids' first snow men. The twins wanted to be in the picture with theirs so they tromped back out in the snow in their basketball shorts to pose. Ha! The snowmen were very cute and the boys were proud. They built them on Monday, when we had no school (again! waaah!) because of black ice. At this point the number of missed days in January is getting ridiculous!

Taking... Carly to her one year check up and asking them to split up her shots. She was due for five (!) so we opted to get them a bit staggered.  Luckily she hasn't been extra cranky or anything after the ones she got yesterday. She is teething two teeth, however, and those are causing her to be very drooly and to wake up in the night. Mama is ready for more than two hours' sleep at a time!

And taking... Wyatt to the eye doctor where I found out that his prescription is getting less (smaller?) and there is a real possibility he could even outgrow his need for glasses altogether. That makes this mama (of three boys in glasses) nearly jump for joy!

Contemplating... a truth my friend Tabitha pointed out on her Instagram account earlier this week, which is that we are RIGHT NOW the youngest we will EVER BE.  Which makes RIGHT NOW the time to do ALL THE THINGS you ever wanted to do. It's a thought that never crossed my mind and now I can't stop thinking about it!

Prepping... for a big and meaningful February.  I have big goals for the shortest month of the year and I can't wait to share them with you.

***

Around Here: Week 2

Chasing... Carly all over the house. That girl! She keeps us on our toes. Thankfully Josh bought some locks for all the cupboards and that is making my life so much easier now!

Reading... so many books! The Shack, The Alchemist, Believing God, and Chasers of the Light.  And Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover with Josh.  Plus, finishing up the BFG with the twins.

Looking forward... to watching BFG the movie on family movie night.

Watching... The Crown on Netflix. Oh I love it!!!

Staying... home with the kids three days this week due to heavy, blowing snow, wind and extreme cold.  The temps yesterday morning (with wind chill) were in the negative teens. -17 to be exact. Brr!  Poor Josh is out there everyday shoveling the driveway, the walk and even part of the street so we can get out of the driveway. Bless his heart!

Rejoicing... in the new fridge we got from our home warranty.  It's so clean and beautiful!  It will save us money thanks to its energy efficiency, and the door shuts all the way. Bonus! (haha!)

Using... my new weekly planner to keep track of weekly goals, things to accomplish and appointments.

Pinning... ideas about bullet journals so I can get some ideas for gratitude journaling and keeping track of my 2017 goals.  I think Wyatt's new Christmas gift (hello Crayola Color Wonder!), which we've all been using & enjoying, will come in handy as I color code my goals!

Posting... my word of the year and my goals for 2017.  I am so excited about my goals this year because I have great ways of keeping myself accountable.

Enjoying... life free from Facebook.  I can't believe how much time I have on my hands. Even with the kids home three days this week, I've gotten more reading done this week than I can believe!

Hanging... new blinds in the front room.  I think they will help keep the room warmer in winter and cooler in summer, plus it's great for privacy and adjusting the amount of light in that room.

Feeling... grateful that Carly has slept for a good five hour stretch two nights in a row. I feel like a new person!

Weekly Goals:

Finish at least two books

Find a counselor