Simple Things

Last week or so I was catching up on a friends blog and she had written a post about her goals for the year. She really inspired me.  I really love making goals, and actually achieving them (like running a half-marathon), but it can be incredibly discouraging when you feel like you are starting the same goal over and over again.  I am always looking for inspiration and of my friends goals was managing her time better.  I feel like I do great with this on some days and really terrible on others.  One of my biggest distractions is the computer (isn't that a distraction for most of us)?  She put a sticky note on her computer that reminded her of things that were more important than surfing the net, and I couldn't help but steal her idea.  I personalized it a little and it has been a very good reminder for me to put things in order.

It's amazing how a simple daily reminder can help you to keep things in perspective.  Life gets busy, hectic and overwhelming.  I am always picking up stuff around my house, doing dishes, wiping noses (and bums).  I love LOVE reminders.  My phone is chock full of them.  My life runs on reminders.  I think it's easy (so easy) to forget things, whether its my schedule or life lessons.  I experience a trial and work through it, I feel like each time I do this I become stronger.  The Lord refines me and teaches me a lesson, and then 6 months later (sometimes sooner) I need to be taught the same lesson again.  A little 'reminder' from the Lord to help me remember where I'm at and where I should be.  I am grateful for those little reminders. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father to teaches me patience, who teaches me faith and obedience.   If I didn't have those reminders I don't think I'd learn anything.  I would be more pessimistic about life and challenges...but truth is, I know I'll come through it and I'll be better off in the end.  Much like my sticky note, if I can heed these simple reminders I will be happier and more productive.

(Now I should probably just add instagram to that list and I'd be set)! ha.

Pictures of the Week

Well you know, per usual, a couple weeks have passed and I'm playing catch up.  Sitting here watching the oscars as I blog (I don't always watch awards shows).  I honestly haven't seen half the movies that have been nominated, but I have to give props to those actors.  I could NOT do their job.  If you know me, you know this is true.  Once I took a drama class in Jr. High school.  We were doing impromptu one day and given a topic, mine was X-ray.  We had to come up with something to describe it, even if it wasn't true.  I don't remember what I did, but I remember it was awful.  I knew at that moment I didn't have a future (not that I wanted one) in show business. 

Now that you have the schpill (is that even a word?) on my Sunday evening, onto the pictures! 

A little prep for Noah's preschool class on Valentines day.  I know I could have been a lot more creative than this, but I figured the valentine is only as good as the candy, so I kept things simple. 

Took an impromptu trip to Ikea and the kids loved it.  Little did I know (until I was at checkout) that kids eat lunch free on Tuesdays.  That was just icing on the cake! 

Girls night.  We did an auction and I made these little girl hair bows to auction off.  Cute right?  sigh.  The auction was genius.  Your 'money' was all point based.  Before the auction began we filled out a questionnaire and received a certain number of points depending on how we answered each question.  For example, Earn 50pts if you worked out today or Earn 50pts if you showered today etc.  It was great.  

Unfortunately I came home empty handed from the auction.  There were several things I had my eye on, but was out bid each time.  Boo!  But my dear friend gave me her little headband that she wore so I deemed the night a success after all ;)

I had a dear friend come to town (I didn't get a picture with her, lame I know) that I hadn't seen in about 7 years.  It was great to see her, and she came with gifts in tow for the kids.  Clare got some Doc McStuffins toys (which you can see, she loves) and Noah was given a gift card, which he bought a Drs. kit and cars with.  So so nice, thanks Ro. 

We had Andy's brother Corey and his family come to town for the long President's day weekend.  We decided to hit up a very popular Boston breakfast (lunch and dinner) spot called The Paramount.  Definitely a place we will take visitors when they come, very delicious!  How could you not love it!  They make the food right in front of you, and the fresh squeezed OJ - Awesome! 

Later that day......ha. 

Noah, Clare and their cousin Brooklyn watching something on my phone.  Cuties! 

Clare's crazy hair, it's really starting to have a mind of it's own! 

A little Sunday night get-together with some friends, The girls had a lot of fun! 

After rolling the ball around, they all created a band.  It was noisy, but adorable! 

Found this disgusting diaper sitting on a box in the mail room.  I was so grossed out, but couldn't bring myself to move it.  Yuck! 

Another girls night, made this necklace and I love it.  

Clare got stuck and I couldn't help but snap a picture.  The first time it was traumatic but now it's a game and she does it all the time.  

One afternoon while Clare was napping, Noah and I decided to play with play dough.  Noah is in a huge shark phase at the moment.  He loves all things boy, but sharks are his passion (for now).  I knew that my 'creations' wouldn't last long so I had to snap a picture of them.   Each picture has the toy shark and then my creation.  Noah even made a shark for himself, a goblin shark.  If you have never seen a goblin shark you can see them here.  They are disgusting, so beware! 

Lastly, Clare in one of her dramatic moments.  I was doing my make up and didn't realize that she had gotten a hold of an old mascara and began to put it on.  At one point I attempted to pry the mascara from her little fingers and naturally she protested (hence the tears).  I ended up giving it back to her, figuring it didn't hurt to let her enjoy it for the moment.  I am seeing flashes into my future.....