It's a Wrap...

We spent the weekend with some friends, family, and soda pop. Yeah, you read that right. It actually started Thursday night. The hub for some unknown reason decided to purchase a Pepsi at Walgreens on the way home from getting a Redbox. (We finally watched Inception together... although he fell asleep ten minutes before it ended. I thought it was hard to follow at first, but the ending makes for a good movie overall.)
Anyhow, Thursday night he tells me that there is a Pepsi in the freezer. Which of course, I think he is joking. Who puts a pop in the freezer? Let alone a Pepsi. Because I like coke :) But I go and look, and to my dismay there is actually a POP in the freezer! I ask him why he bought it and he explains that he knew I wanted it. What??? I haven't really thought about having pop until... Thursday afternoon. I was at Subway with the kids before a real estate auction and was telling him how I put my cup under the pop machine spout and seriously contemplated filling it up, but got tea instead. He was apparently reading into my desire to have some soda and thought he would play DEVIL and go and buy one on the way home. I surrendered. I did. I took a very big sip of that ice cold Pepsi! But the taste was not as satisfying as I had thought it was going to be. {hangs head in shame} What?
You wouldn't have done it? I have said all along "out of sight ~ out of mind". We have not had pop in our house since we started this thing the beginning of January. Why would someone bring such evil into this house and expect another human being not to partake?! Well, because honestly... Rob wanted the pop. He took about eight BIG drinks of that bottle! He would sneak into the kitchen, pry open the fridge and hide behind the door to take long swigs!
Feeling remorseful, on Friday, we got tea when we ate lunch at Arby's. Yes, I know. We failed yet another catergory of our goal system for this year... eating out for only ONE meal a week. Ever since we went skiing, we have spent stupid money. Lunches, a couple dinners. It's been terrible. We have fallen off the wagon people! 

Saturday we had friends over. They live in Ohio and we don't see them often. We had a nice little lasagna lunch date at our house with two of their three children. Nolan ended up falling asleep on the couch midway through their visit??? Weird because that kid never runs out of gas. They were enlightened with his favorite movie 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' before he passed out.
They have a 20m old boy named Evan who really started to get comfortable... just as they were leaving. Running around our house like a car on a speed track. He was so darn cute! They also have a little girl, Julia, who is 4m old and just loves to smile. She's a doll. They had dinner plans that eve for Ben's birthday so they only stayed for a couple hours. They left as quickly as they came. But not before the kiddos ate the frosting off some cupcakes they had brought over.

Brothers? No, just friends. Hubs on the left. Ben on the right. 

 Aura and myself.

Cute as a cupcake! Evan.

Saturday evening then we hurried over to the Orchid for Gracie's 11th birthday party to cook pancakes, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and sausage gravy and bisquits. Yes, the girl wanted breakfast for dinner~ and it was a total hit with all the kids who came!
Her party was uber fun.
Nolan seriously ran around the ENTIRE time. Ate candy, cupcakes, popcorn, sausage and more candy. He adores playing with all his cousins, and doesn't mind if there are kids he DOESN'T know. He is naturally a little socialite. Whereas Nevaly sat in my lap for most of the party. She is shy around a bunch of people, even if she knows them. She ate some fruit, but more less wanted only candy. We came home and collapsed on our bed... all of us. Seriously? It was 9:15pm on a Saturday and we were ready to crash? Okay, good night! I didn't complain.

Got up Sunday and we decided we would hit up Buffalo Wings and Ribs for lunch and then go to the grocery. Here is were the second pop episode erupted. They have a fantastic Sunday special where you get 25 wings, 2 large fries and a side of celery and blue cheese for $20. You can add $3 for a pitcher of beer... or pop. So Rob orders a pitcher of Pepsi for us! I couldn't believe it. I was going to willingly have to slurp down more of the delicious, brown, fizz infused creation. And we both did. The kids got lemonade. We didn't have pop for dinner, but we talked about it. How we would just have pop on the weekends.... right. We all know that will filter into having pop for "just" dinner and soon we will be back to buying it at the grocery and taking it in our lunch and slurping it before bed with salty snacks! Ahhhhhhh! I can't say I am disappointed. I'm surprised we went this long actually. But at this point I am calling Operation: No POp! a wrap :(
Hoping we can get ourselves back on track this week. I packed Rob's lunch today and we don't intend to go out to eat again until Friday. I don't have pop in the house, so as long as we don't secretly buy some... Rob, I think we should be fine.

We (the kiddos and I) are headed to go paint today before all the blizzard like conditions hit. I really hope we get as much snow as they have forecasted! I seriously love being shut in :)

I'll leave you with a couple pics I took over the weekend. Not doing GREAT with the project 365, where I take a picture a day... but I am taking a lot more lately. So I am at least happy about that. Randomness at your finest.

 Nevaly fell asleep on me Friday night. Pretty sweet.

Pig tails! Simply adorable.

Until next time...

Birthday Cake and Ski Slopes!

As many of you know, we went skiing this past weekend with 16 of our friends. It was a much anticipated annual trip to Boyne that turned out to be as much fun as in years past. Started with a four car caravan. Which progressively became an almost five hour high speed, walkie talkie trash talking, minimal stop car ride. We made good time.
Got to the house and it started to flurry. Found out we were expecting between 8-12 inches that night! It was so fluffy and white coming down. Very pretty. Thursday night skiing was no doubt the greatest time I have probably ever had on the slopes, regardless of the fact that I wiped out in a powder drift and smacked my head on the ground. It was almost magical. It was snowing so hard at times you couldn't see the tree line or the lift hut. I really felt like I was skiing on a huge mountain out in Colorado. Which reminds me... I hope we really do get to go out there someday to ski. I would love to experience a mountain that takes 20 minutes to go up and an hour to come down.
Friday skiing was much different. They had combed all the middle runs and it was much faster. Cold. And fast. Froze my digits even while wearing three gloves and three pairs of socks!! Spent most of the day outside.
Friday night we all stayed up late to play hot tub truth or dare, beer/Pitron pong, and have a dance party to the TV radio.
Saturday came quickly. Last day to ski. Rob and I went out two seperate times with a total of about five hours being spent skiing and sitting in the warming huts or the lodge. It was getting a lot colder because the sun wasn't out and it was windy. But I can honestly say, I love to ski. I love that my husband loves to ski.
Heck, I love that we have a group of friends that love to ski!
All in all the weekend was a total hit. With beer, good food, the occasional spat, some nakedness, overall crude behavior disguised as jokes, warming hut conversations, raunchy telephone games at dinner, adult telestrations, labor stories and future babies, new friendships, 14 inches of snow, swimming pool sized hot tubs, and negative degree weather... I don't think you could ask for anything better. Oh, and I wanted to also point out that we had the opportunity to drink pop the whole time and never surrendered to the temptation! Yah for us! I guess...

We raced home Sunday to our children who had been so graciously cared for by Rob's sister Solitaire. We had missed them so much. It was nice being away but we were ready to shower them with hugs and kisses and to sleep in our own beds again. Nevaly has literally been at my hip ever since. We have never been without them since either was born... but it really took a toll on Nev. Poor girl. She must think if we go anywhere that she is staying and I am going, because she will NOT let me put her down. Hopefully this anxiety subsides soon... or I am going to have Popeye arms really soon!

Yesterday was my 29th birthday. I couldn't escape yet another year of having a cold sore on my flippin face, unfortunately. Seriously? Last year I had one for my birthday, and I'm sure every single year before that. But I went out to lunch regardless and enjoyed chicken fajitas from Cebolla's with my family, my sister and her three children. Then went out to Leo to share my birthday with my brother Isaiah, who turned 15 yesterday also. We are twins... just 14 years apart. Had beef stroganoff (which was very delicious Mom!! Thanks again!) and ice cream cake from DQ. Then, came home to a house that still needed organized from all the hats, gloves, laundry and diapers strewn all over the foyer and living room :) I think the skis are still in the back of Rob's truck too!

Had a pretty lazy Tuesday. Spent most of the day on the phone or computer piecing together parts of my HUD file that hopefully closes within the next couple weeks. Fingers crossed. Will be so glad for them and myself when we finally sign papers to take ownership!
I really need to go paint the new rental this week, and clean up brush/branches at another... but am lacking any sort of motivation and feel like Nevaly will have to be held in order to cope with her new found anxious behavior. Hopefully tomorrow when I wake up I have the gusto to do some work. I did clean up the mess of clothes/gear today though. And make chicken and dumplings for dinner! Ready to cuddle on the couch with Rob after he gets home from playing racquetball tonight.
Until next time...

A Birthday Mash!

This past weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday! She turned 54 on Saturday!! Happy Birthday to you again Momma!
We traveled to Leo to enjoy a pizza by the yard dinner and cake. For those of you who have never had pizza by the yard..... you are missing out! My husband would try to convince you otherwise... but it is simply fantastic. A family treasure :) We ate almost four loaves between us all! If I get time, I will post the recipe.

My birthday is in another week, and I am still trying to decide what I should expect from my last year as a 20 something. I can't believe how fast the world turns sometimes. It doesn't seem THAT long ago I was playing Barbies and babies, riding bikes, and trying to figure out what being pretty really meant. Standing in front of the mirror to experiment with makeup, and hoping I get asked to a formal dance. Hanging out with high school girlfriends and sleeping over to talk into the night. I feel like for a great deal of my life I have been the same person. You just learn as you grow.

As Rob and I age together, I somehow still see him as the same person I knew our senior year of high school. Like I know I am 28 but I still think the same as I did when I was 22, or 17. I don't feel older. I of course know much more about Rob now, but we still enjoy the same things as we did when we were in our teens with less time to do them. And just like turning 29, I can't believe we have been together for 11 years!!! That in itself is amazing to me. But it also makes me sad.
I once made him a framed collage of words for an anniversary and ended by saying, " even an eternity doesn't seem that long with you". And it still rings so true. I wish there was more time in a day and a person's life. Some people don't wish to live an extremely long life because they are not the way they used to be, or because their body gives out on them, ect.... I however, pray for a very long, happy marriage with my husband. I pray that God grants us a long life together, where we find ourselves at 80 or 90 still holding each other's hands and kissing each other good night.

So, I think I have just decided that my goal for my last 20 something year is to really make it count (how original). Make everyday something special.

I want to be Grateful for everything. Every moment.

And be Happy.

And live Spontaneously.

 I want to pray Out Loud.

And eat Divine food.

And have some really good beverages.

I want to turn the TV to the music channels and just dance.... on a Monday night.

I want to let my fingers find the pages of a children's book, as they sit on either side of me just listening.

French kiss my Husband when he least expects it.

Take my Boards(and pass!).

Be patient.

And silly.

Become wickedly crafty.

Tone my legs.

Grow my fingernails so I can paint them.

Travel as many times as we can afford to this year.

Belly laugh.

And LOVE rediculously.

Just some silly shots I did while the kids were sleeping. And yes, I amuse myself.

Until next time...

Another Day, Another Dollar

We made pizza Tuesday night. The kids loved it. I usually only let Nolan on the counter to help, but Nevaly was totally into checking out what was going on, so I let her sit up there and watch as I mixed the dough together. Some pretty cute pics ensued.

Nolan was using his binoculars to get a better look ; )

Running errands today proved to be more stressful than usual. Chasing tenants for money is never any fun. Some of the reasons why rental properties can be a total drag. After driving about and finding this all out, I drive to the new rental to begin painting today. I brought the radio. And, Nolan's pint sized roller so he could "help". And, some toys for sis to engage in while I try and get at least a couple walls coated. I am driving down the street to the property and realize, I don't have the key to unlock the front door. Some thoughts crossed my little brain... should I try and pry the window open? Should I call Rob and have him get our spare from the plumber? Or should I just take this incident in stride, call the entire afternoon a wash and drive home to throw a frickin chicken in the oven so we can have dinner before going to the Y tonight?! (input Veruka Salt  from Willy Wonka singing: "and if I don't get the things I am after.... I'm going to.... SCREAAAAAAMMMMMMM.")

Now that I am home, I realized it is much better that things happened the way that they did. I got to come home to neverending piles of laundry, a sink full of dishes, and cracker crumbled/dust covered carpet that is in constant need of sweeping. So to escape what awaits me I am making calls to the title company about a closing that still has no whereabouts of the file or even a close date yet... don't get me started there!
Just trying to find motivation before the husband gets home to make it appear I have been uber busy today :)

Headed to the Y tonight- for sure this time! Tuseday proved to be more of a hassle for a 1 hour dip in the pool than it should be so we stayed home instead. Rob has been more dedicated to fulfilling his self promise to hit the gym than I have. But I also have two kiddos in tow at all hours... which is a workout in itself. I took them both with me to the mall last eve because Rob plays basketball on Wednesday nights... and they were for the most part VERY well behaved. Nolan danced his entire way through American Eagle and had all the teenage girls ooing and ahhing his every move, while Nevaly climbed up on the store couches next to complete strangers and just looked at them. Happy to say I scored some pretty good buys on their winter clearance racks.
I also got some really adorable peep toe animal print shoes for Nev at Baby Gap for $4 (originally $30). I put them on her this morning after her bath. So dang cute.
Kept telling her she looked "soooooo pretty!" She would just smile and me and then try to get them off. They are a size 5 and a little big, but come spring time/summer- watch out!

Until next time...



Bob (sledding)!

Hey all.

I am first of all so excited to report that I indeed chopped my locks off last night. I initially went in thinking I was going to do a long bob with some thick bangs and walked out with a chin length bob with chunky blunt fringe.
The hair stylist said that if I were to cut it where I initially wanted to I would have about 8in. and that I wouldn't have enough to donate. What? I wasn't even thinking about donating. But then my heart got the better of me when she said I have such a rare color that was in great shape and would be great for some wigs. So, I asked what it would look like if I got the ten and she motioned to about the middle of my neck with her black comb. Hmmmmmm. Okay! Just cut it off I said.
So she gathered a ponytail and went right into it. I didn't squeel, I didn't weep, I don't even think I blinked actually. It happened quickly. I had no emotion about the fact that I was getting rid of hair that I have virtually had grown long, for going on 5 maybe 6 years at least. She asked me if I was okay... of course I'm okay it's HAIR! And, my hair grows like a weed. So although it is a bit shorter than I originally wanted... I think soon enough it will be exactly what I had planned for it to be.

Update about our weekend. Our goal was to go out to dinner on Friday night, go shopping on Saturday for groceries and stay in the rest of the week until next Friday...  we failed. Friday's dinner was such a disappointment. We went to Don Hall's Tavern, which is always really good. My mom and brother Nate came along. Nolan and Nevaly both fell asleep in the 12 minute car ride it took to get there from our house. Oh great! I already know how this is going to go... and it did.
Nolan got woke up and was a GROUCH! He was persistent in the mean department for all of dinner, which just put me on edge because Rob was totally stressed out by his behavior. And all the while, my Droehm of having a great night out had vanished. Nolan lately has been having a pretty bad attitude about ANYTHING, so we had both just had enough. Ended up getting home and putting the kids to bed for the night.
Saturday came and we broke the rule. We decided to go to Taco Bell for lunch. I LOVE Taco Bell. Seriously. A taco is something I could eat everyday if I had to. Or anything Mexican for that matter. We planned to make our own buffalo wings Saturday night, but instead ended up helping out at the Orchid and eating the Roast we had forgotten we put in the crock pot before we left. Not bad actually after being in for 8 hours. We struggled saturday night with getting the kids to eat their dinner, and decided it was time to really crack down on the kids "snacking" all day.
I take responsibility because I am their mother. I take responsibility because I am the one who watches them all day everyday. I take responsibility because I indeed let them have a snack here, and have a snack there... all day long. A snack can be a piece of cheese, a peeled orange, some cheese crackers.
They get up every morning and have a good breakfast. Nevaly almost always has a piece of fruit with either yogurt, oatmeal, or some sort of bread. Nolan changes almost everyday. Today he had sausage and a yogurt. Most often it is a yogurt, and often times... thats it. In comes the snack. At about 10am he is wanting lunch. A turkey sandwich. Which is actually oven roasted chicken deli meat... but I would never tell him :) Accompanied with some sort of chip and a fruit.
Nevaly will eat cheese and usually only the cheese out of her sandwich for lunch and of course the fruit. We eat tuna. We have chicken noodles sometimes... but most often each lunch at home is some type of sandwich. It's what they like. We used to go meet daddy for lunch and have Arby's or Taco Bell every other day. Now I whip up some real gourmet sandwiches... "turkey" with cheese and mayo on two slices of bread.
After naptime they wake up wanting to eat again. Usually a fruit snack at this point. Then they ask from about 3pm on for crackers, and juice, ect.
Dinner rolls up on me like a concrete truck. The question is always so heavy... what do I make?? It's the same everyday, although it is getting easier these days to decide on something. I still have to consider what EVERYONE likes. The kids don't eat veggies. And for the most part are BOTH picky eaters. Nevaly used to be the baby who would eat almost anything put in front of her. But now she is like her brother. Throwing most of her meals to the wood floors below. It is so discouraging. I try and give them things they like, but am also concious of what they NEED. Neither of them drink milk, but they totally make up for it in the other dairy products they devour all day. So I don't think I am doing things wrong... but I know I could be doing things better. Sunday was just a day of whining. We decided we aren't going to give in to their frequent cries for something to eat, and actually make them hungry so they would eat their lunch. We went to Carlos O Kelley's. I know I know. We broke the same rule again. Or were you thinking, "you ate Mexican food again?!" I think I described our love affair above on that topic already :)
We went to Sam's Club and to the grocery store. Stocked up on this weeks must haves. Then came home and had no idea what to make for dinner!!! Five thirty rolled around and we decided on chicken and dumplings... and it was terrific. The kids gourged. We all had two helpings! I was so happy that we 1) ate at home, and 2) ate a really good meal that even the kids didn't mind putting away. We celebrated with ice cream!
I feel like a food blogger after that post. All in all, some changes were started that I hope I can manage to upkeep while the husband is away at work all day.

We have upheld the no pop household over the weekend, and honestly I think we are really going to be able to do this. I wouldn't mind having a coke... sure. But then again I don't really care anymore if I don't.

We have begun work on one of our rentals. Got all utilities turned on. Bought flooring, a water heater, and paint. I will be painting probably next week since we don't have a working furnace yet and it is FREEZING!
So glad to finally see some snow though. I was beginning to think I would be moving to Colorado in the future if Indiana winters continued to be cold and bare. I love snow!
We are hopefully going to hit the hills in Roanoke when Rob gets home from work and go sledding! Then to the Y to go swimming/ workout tonight. Praying the kids take a nice nap and are happy little babies for mommy in the toy room so I can do the elliptical for more than 10 minutes tonight!

Until next time...

Oh BABY!

Well, we made it to Friday!!

So very proud of my family this week. We all endured my home cooked meals. Rob ate a packed lunch everyday. We gave up pop. I struggled yesterday with being pleasant, and I think it was due mainly to the fact that I didn't have the caffeine. I never thought I was one of those people who HAD to have a pop, but maybe I was. The headache is gone. The cravings subsiding. Our juice consumption has at least tripled this week. I made a new gallon everyday. Sometimes twice. Normally just the kids would have juice, but now I find myself having a glass with my meals too.
I was laughing at Rob last night who kept trying to find something else to eat. It was leftover night so we could use up the fajitas and mastaciolli we had. He kept opening the fridge and saying, "we have no food!" Laughingly I told him, "I know. We actually ate it all this week." Which will probably prompt a larger grocery bill next week to replenish things we have had that we finally used up. Good for us! Glad we stuck to it and made it through most of the week. The weekend is where I can see us reverting to old habits. Hopefully we have the willpower.

I got really motivated on Wednesday to reorganize our storage area in the unfinished side of the basement. I had taken down the Christmas tree and all the decorations and found myself wanting to really put it away right since we wouldn't be using it again for a whole year. So I swept the floors and went through the boxes from the attic at the old house and put it all away nicely under the stairs. I came across a box from the attic that had some old baseball cards, a picture of my sweet little grandma, Delilah who had recently passed away, and also about five Cabbage Patch babies!!! I dusted it off and handed it to Nevaly. She smooshed it and then toddled away with it. I got out another and another and wiped the dirt and dust off of it. It brought back a flood of memories! I absolutely adored my babies growing up and was so happy to be able to share them with Nevaly now. She kept putting them back and forth from a push around car to her old carseat and then sitting right on top of them. It was darling! Later I washed them in the washing machine for her since they had been in a box for a couple of years. They were fresh out of the dryer when I snapped my daily pic... or two.
And, if these pictures are any indication:
I think they are in good hands :)

 Giving the baby some FRENCHies! LOL!

Just Melts my Heart!

I hope everyone has a good weekend! I know I am going to try. Really wanting to cut my hair. Hoping I get the chance to either Saturday or Sunday. Until next time...

Lazy day but a GREAT dinner!

Hi all!

Today has been such a lazy day. I have slight neck and back pain that just won't go away. I am hoping it is nothing, but think I could be victim to yet another cold sore very soon. I have had two break outs in the last three weeks. For those of you you who don't know... I usually get cold sores instead of getting sick. I am almost NEVER sick, therefore, can spring a cold sore (or ten) about twenty times a year. I don't really know which I would prefer.

Update on the pop situation. Yesterday.... I failed. I drank the last two cokes we had in the house. I told Rob though, "out of sight... out of mind." I couldn't surely pour them down the drain, that is WASTING :)
Today, I drank the last Red Pop. There is no more. I swear I do not have a secret stash. I guess this is for real now. Rob has been without pop for almost three days now. He started Sunday. I will let you know how Wednesday goes for me.

I made Mostaciolli for dinner tonight, and thought I might as well share the recipe.
I always make my own pasta sauce. It is nearly the same for lasagna, spaghetti or mostaciolli. Take it down if you desire... I can see it going world famous someday ;)

Baked Mastaciolli:
Yield: 13-15 servings (I know this is a lot but I absolutely love leftover pasta)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients: FOR SAUCE
1lb ground beef
1/2lb hot sausage (I use Bob Evans usually)
1/2 Large Onion chopped
8-10 Medium to Large Bella Mushrooms chopped
1 28oz can Petite Diced Tomatoes
1 28oz can Tomato Sauce
1 6oz can tomato paste
1/8t garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves minced (powder seems to be more powerful than cloves- it honestly varies for me)
1/2t fennel seeds
1/4t black pepper
1t italian seasoning
1 1/2t  dried basil
1t salt
2T parsley
1T granulated sugar
1/4C water
12oz shredded mozzarella
1/4C parmesan cheese grated
Optional: package of pepperoni
1 16oz box Mostaciolli noodles

Preheat oven to 350.
In a medium saute pan, brown the beef and sausage together. Add the onion, bella mushrooms, and minced garlic (if you did cloves instead of powder). Drain the meat. Add the basil, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, fennel seeds, sugar, parsley, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and water. Stir. Let it come to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, boil your water for the noodles and don't forget to salt your water. Cook the noodles for 10-12 minutes until just past al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water so they don't stick, then toss them in a large mixing bowl.
Pour the sauce over the noodles and combine it all together. Add 1/2 of the parmesan cheese and 8oz of the shredded mozzarella. Combine. I usually add the pepperoni, but didn't have any tonight. Good with. Good without. 
Spray a baking dish with cooking spray then put it in the oven for 15 minutes. t Top with the remaining 4oz of shredded mozzarella and the parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 minutes to let it melt.
Serve HOT!
That's It!

Muy delicioso!

Until next time...

You Have to Start Somewhere

Welcome to 2011! 
I decided this year I would start a blog to document our life. We tend to have a pretty busy schedule on most days, and I think it would be particularly nice to be able to have something to remember when things can initially seem a blur.

Since it is the beginning of the year and most people around this time make all sorts of resolutions (only to break them), I might as well spill what our family has decided should be some "goals" of ours.

1. No more pop! Yep, thats right... no more Coke. A huge part of our profound happiness is founded upon food and drink. For us it is often a cold refreshing Coca Cola. But how many empty calories are consumed by us each day by just having pop- too many. So we decided to eliminate soda from our diet. I can tell you right now, there will be slip ups on my end. I can't just quit drinking pop... my husband however, has done it several times in the last couple years only to "eat of the forbidden fruit" (or drink it in this case) on account of his loving wife.

2. Eliminate out to eat spending. Again, we pride ourselves on spending our hard earned money on food/drink... I guess there are worse habits. But our out to eat spending could actually be saving us lots of money. So in an effort to build our piggy banks back up we have also decided that 6 out of the 7 days in a week will be spent enjoying a home cooked meal. And just so it is an easier goal to attain we are still allowing a dinner out every week.
Let me just say, that I think we have really hit the ground running here, and that the first couple of weeks are going to be the hardest no matter what sort of habit you are trying to kick... I will keep you posted.

3. Exercise! No one in our family is overweight. I am described as tall and thin. But since having two children I think it is very important to take care of yourself and to set a good example. Plus, exercise makes you feel and look so much better! So we have decided that at LEAST two times a week, we would hit the gym. Rob does a lot of the free weights and I prefer cardio with a little strength training. The kiddos like to swim, but hate the toy room- is that even possible?! So that is the other part of this challenge... getting them to behave long enough in the toy room to actually get a workout in.

4. Beautify some more Allen County properties courtesy of Droehm Properties LLC. Thats right we have finally decided on a name for our now growing rental brigade. We currently have five rental properties and have just purchased two more to really start this venture into motion. We intend to keep one as a rental and turn one into a complete flip. Work to be done includes painting, electrical, cleaning, reroofing, residing, new windows, possible furnace, carpeting, and some new lighting. A lot of the work will be done by us, namely me with some tag along help from the kids. Rob currently still has work as an exterior specialist at Lowes and finally has that coveted Monday to Friday work week again. We are always blessed! Really excited to begin this new project.

5. Take a picture everyday. I saw this somewhere. I really liked it. Decided that I needed to take the time to really start something special like a photograph everyday. Even if it is just of my kids sleeping, playing, eating... its what we do and it is special. So I hope that if nothing else I have a bunch of random, silly, fun pictures to look back at on December 31st, 2011.

6. Start a gardening revolution! Seriously. We are going big this year. I want a big bountiful garden so I can start canning and storing it. We want to plant some trees on our property to include some fruit trees. I think it will be nice to be able to watch and take care of something like a garden and then reap the rewards later. I think the children will also like going out there to water, weed and pick the plants. I can see some photo ops already!

I thought I should note that while typing this my two children have been playing very nicely in the basement BY THEMSELVES!!! That almost never happens!

Well I guess that's a good start, especially when you figure 'you have to start somewhere'. Kind of a philosophy~ I think anyone could take to heart. I can't wait to share with you all the news that 2011 hopefully has in store for us. Until next time...