To Do Lists...

I've always been a fan of lists. Even in college, I would make lists and prioritize what I needed to do. I know having a list helps me be more productive and not get so overwhelmed. I've been putting together a home management binder the past few months and it has helped immensely!By keeping track of our budget, crazy calendars and daily to do lists we've had a lot less running around in panic mode because we forgot something.

I've also been working on a morning routine thanks to the inspiration of Moneysavingmom.com and simpleorganizedliving.com!
My morning routine is looking something like this

wake up/put a load of laundry in
start coffee
put on workout clothes/brush teeth ect.
coffee and review/make to do list for the day
computer time while my coffee settles
gym

While i do my cardio at the gym i also read/listen to the Bible on my ipod.

week in review

We've had some crazy days around our house lately. Here is our past week in review

Monday-This was a typical day around here. I cleaned, grocery shopped, played-the usual. That afternoon and went to the Lighthouse for my internship. Typically, on Mondays, I go to Zumba and host a Highschool girls Bible study at our house but that got cancelled. I got to just enjoy the evening at home. It was so nice. I made tacos and we all sat around the table to eat. (We usually do sit at the table but, since our schedule got thrown out due to all the sickness in our house, we haven't gotten to do it as regularly)

Tuesday-nothing to special here. Lucy and I made cupcakes for the Lighthouse Kids. I love that she loves to bake with me...even if it does mean doing twice the amount of dirty dishes.

Wednesday-I got my stitches out of my finger after my nasty run in with a food slicer. My appointment was at 10 AM so I went out a little earlier and returned a couple of things at Wal-Mart. That evening we went to church and after the service we went to The Setter's house to have a service since Chris hasn't been able to attend since his surgery. Our pastor was sick and Thom preached. There were cookies and cake and Lucy enjoyed herself there, as always. Thom spoke of Moses taking his shoes off because God said He was standing on Holy Ground. There was nothing special about the dirt He was on, dirt is dirt. But, Moses was in the presence of God-that is what made where He was at Holy. It's not where we are at, it's who we are with. Chris didn't have to miss out on "Church" because he couldn't go to a building. God's people are the church. If our church building burned down, Oak Ridge Baptist would still exist because of the people, not the building. I'm thankful for that, that our God is bigger than a building-no building can house Him.

Thursday- Lucy had to go back to the doctor for a check up on her Bronchitis last week. She was 27 lbs. and 36 inches. We had to wait an hour before we went back and she was perfect! We got called back to the check up room and she sat up on the table like such a big girl :) She let the doctor listen to her chest (a far cry from last week) and all was well.

After the doctor, we met up with daddy and burger king and had a little lunch. :) We love lunch dates with our favorite guy.

Friday-Saturday - I attended the Lifeway Girls Conference with two of our highschool girls and another youth worker. These girls are so inspiring. They desire to be different than the culture that they are surrounded by and truly follow the Lord. They are so hungry to learn. I wish I had been like that when I was their age and I'm so glad that Lucy is surrounded by role models that are a great example of being a girl in this world, captivated by God. We had a wonderful time at the conference. I was exhausted but, it was worth it. We also visited GiGi's cupcakes-wonderful doesn't even begin to describe it.

We've been incredibly busy lately but, I'm not sure I would know how to function if we weren't :)

My funny Valentines...

We enjoyed a quiet Valentines Day at home. Lucy still isn't feeling like herself so we stayed in and enjoyed a day of baking. I bought us these matching aprons last year and was so excited that I remembered to wear them! Ha!

We made some iced sugar cookies and used heart cookie cutters. Lucy's attention span has gotten much better since we last did this at Christmas. She had the best time cutting out the cookies. She also enjoyed licking the icing off of them once they were done ;)

For supper, we had a homemade pizza made in a heart shaped pan and red velvet cake for dessert. There was nothing extravagant here but, it was a nice relaxing day and Thom did some extra cleaning for me. Since we became parents, I've told Thom many, many times that the most romantic thing He could do for me is let me sleep or clean for me.

When I was in school, I used to get really stressed about Valentines Day. I always worried that I would be the only person in my class that wouldn't get something and don't get me started on why they put so many "I love You" or "I think you're cute" Valentines in a box. I was always worried someone would think I liked them when I didn't. Ha! Confession-I usually gave the weird valentines some really quiet girl in my class. In my mind I thought that was better than some boy thinking I liked him. So yes, Valentines Day=stressful. I'm so so happy that season of my life is over. That I don't have to worry if someone likes me or not anymore. I'm happy that I can stay home on Valentines Day and not wear any make up and eat too many desserts. :) Everyday with Thom Brown is Valentines Day anyways ;)

Go to sleep little baby...

This is totally her "I'm sleeping, don't bother me" little scrunched up face. Taken Christmas morning.

I know we should train her to sleep in her own bed. I always seem to make an excuse..."she's sick" "I'm too tired to get up with her" on and on. But the truth is, I really just like it. I love how she grabs my cheeks until she falls asleep. I love hearing her rythmic breathing. I love her little sweaty head laying against my arm. It's just so precious to me.

When I get her to sleep in her own bed, I lay awake missing her and getting up a bazillion times to go check on her. There's something about when she sleeps-the way her lips get all pouty and I see her dark eyelashes hanging down on her cheeks-that remind me of when she was an tiny baby.

I know we need to stop. Well, I need to stop. But for tonight, I'll enjoy it :) I'll enjoy singing "Jesus Loves Me" and the ABC's, Her Lullaby Song and "Give Me Jesus" until she falls asleep. I'll enjoy her little hand laying on my cheek and feeling her warm little head on my arm. I'll enjoy her saying, "goo night, seep tight, don't yet bed buh bite".

Another one bites the dust...

This is the week of the stomach bug at our house. I got it Monday morning, Lucy got in Monday evening and this morning (Wednesday) Thom woke up with it. Fun Times.

Monday, while I was sick, Thom took Lucy with Him when He took Carl on a walk. When Carl would stop at mailboxes and lightposts Lucy would say, "Come on, Let's Go! Let's Go! Vamos!" Thom said He asked her if she just said "Vamos". Lucy's reply was, "yep".
She is at the sweetest stage right now. She keeps us in stitches all the time. This stage and her big personality are not without a few trials though :) Some days are tough, but it's all worth it!

We've been spending some extra cuddling time since we've been sick. Lot's of Dora and pedialyte :) We're hoping things are all back to normal VERY soon...I can't handle much more laundry.

Music Class

Yesterday, this little cute had her first music class of the semester. We went to music class last year, but missed the summer and fall semesters. We decided to do music classes as Lucy's big Christmas present this year. Her birthday and Christmas are so close together and she was in toy overload. We thought this would be a great alternative to getting her toys that she would be done with in a few months. Plus, she loves the class and interactions with the kids her age!

We are in the toddlers class that meets on Thursdays at 10:30 AM. We had a tough time getting things together to head to class yesterday. Lucy got too excited and wouldn't eat her breakfast. She kept following me around asking, "You ready Mommy? You ready?" We finally got her dressed, then she got something in her eye. We were a mess. I made her peanut butter and jelly, wrapped it up in a whole wheat tortilla and let her eat in the car on the way there. (I knew that if she didn't eat breakfast she would be a bear during class) Of course the PB dropped on her shirt in the car and we were a couple minutes late. Thankfully Ms. Elizabeth (her teacher) hadn't started yet, and we both had a wonderful time.

Lucy loved playing the hand drums and dancing with the scarves. She was precious. I hope that we can continue to do music class for several years. She didn't want to leave and when we got in the car she said, "Fun!" We talked about it all day yesterday and can't wait to go back next week!

New Years Goals

I told myself I'd document more about our everyday life this year. We are nearing the end of January so I should probably get started on my New Years Goals!
Along with documenting more of our lives, another New Year goal of mine (ours) is to lose weight. Thom and I have been eating a lot healthier lately. We don't always eat perfectly but, we eat really healthy more often than we don't and that's what really matters.
Here is a list of my other 2012 goals

1. Run another 5K
2. Be more intentional as a wife. Plan special things for Thom to show Him that I appreciate all that He does. Make sure I compliment Him and show that I have respect for Him. That sort of thing.
3. Spend atleast 45 minutes each day where Lucy gets "all of me". I am a stay at home mom. Some may think that this would be easy but, some days it's really hard to not get distracted. I play with her often, but she doesn't always have my full attention.
4. Read the Bible through.
5. Continue having a regular quiet time in the morning.
6. Be more intentional with our money and communicate with Thom about the budget more.

I would also LOVE to do a complete round of P90X, start a couples/family ministry at church (along with Thom), stick to a cleaning schedule, and sew 3 outfits for Lucy.

I've gotten a pretty good start on most of these goals. And hopefully I can use this post as a reminder of where I'm at in completing them throughout the year.