Let's Go CATS!

Today the Kansas State Wildcats play to make the Final Four!
We've got our game gear and face on!

Let's Go CATS!!! Is it game time yet?!

note: I hate this outfit b/c it makes her look like a boy, :( but it is all we have currently, I am still on the look out for a cute cheer outfit at a reasonable price!!

K-S-UUUUUUUUUU WildCATS!

Mommy was a cheerleader, so she is teaching me young!

Here's hoping we end Butler's 23 game winning streak (or so I hear...I honestly have no idea...)
Fight you K-State Wildcats... for a Wildcat Victory. GO STATE!

Crossing it off my list

Update #3! Ok you caught me this is my 65 in 365 update, BUT I wanted you to read it. :) Only because I just wanted to say NEVER in my list making life have I EVER accomplished SO much...this really works! At first I had my doubts about how much would get crossed off my list, since this is all stuff I have had on my "mental" to-do list for 3+ years! However, I guess there is something about the accountability of my blog, because I just keep checking things off right and left. It gives me a little rush every time I get to cross something off. My type-A personality doesn't want to let myself down! HA!
Come on give it a try and you may surprise yourself how much you can get checked off your to-do lists!

RECAP:
Starting Nov. 19th, 2009 through Nov. 18th, 2010 I have the highest aspirations to get this list completed. I need my blog to keep me accountable. Currently, my list is only 27 36 50 54 tasks...I can't come up with 65 but I will add to it as I think of things, but let's face it, I may be hard pressed to get these 27 36 50 54 things done. HA!

1. Finish Leighton's First Year Scrapbook/Photobook by Feb. 15th.
2. Submit RD portfolio (approved!)
3. Do at least 30 continuing Eds. (20/30)
4. Get grocery budget to ~$150/mo. (complete after 4 months in a row 1/4)
5. Start exercising again...consistently! (complete after 4 months 1/4)
+do the 30 day shred. (6/30)--I am quitting this b/c I am bored of it. But I will still exercise! :)
6. Complete at least 4 personal Bible studies (1/4)
7. Memorize at least 24 verses (5/24)
8. Read at least 12 adult books. (ie not kid's books) (4/12)
9. Finish decorating my basement.
10. Start going on monthly dates w/ the hubs. (4/12)
+do the Great Date Experiment (1/6)
11. Get Meg's HS Grad "project" done (MAY)
12. Get my storage closet under control.
13. Try 1 new recipe a month (5/12)
14. Volunteer at church
15. Research/Start own RD counseling career.
16. Get all loose photos organized in albums
17. Donate excess clothes and stuff (2x/ year).
+donated 2009 stuff
18. Wipe clean my Mac and sell it. Any takers?!?!?
19. Organize/consolidate office area.
20. Create and implement cleaning schedule.
21. Clean fridge 1x every 6mo. (1/2)
22. Keep my photo site up to date every two weeks. (7/24)
23. Host at least 3 family dinners (3/3)
24. Start a vegetable garden--it has been "Started" whether it lives is a whole other issue...
25. Paint the house trim
26. Clean out window wells.
27. Clean and organize garage.
28. Learn how to draw a line through words on my blog :)
29. Get into a routine with Leighton. (after not having one for the last 10.5 months!) (complete after 3 months 3/3)
30. Work with Leighton consistently on sign language.
31. Read to Leighton at least once everyday.--(complete after 3 months 1/3)
32. Get in a play group or host one...basically GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! (at least 2x/mo. 2/24)
33. Make "school" scrapbook for hubby.
34. Be a better friend. Since Lo we have neglected some of these relationships. Go out w/ friends 1x every 6 wks at least. (4/8)
35. Strive to live up to Proverbs 31. (this will always be a work in progress)
36. Take more pictures of everything!(take at least 15 photos/month) (3/12mo)
37. Plan and pull off Leighton's FIRST birthday party.
38. Figure out a playroom/area for all these toys!!
39. Deep clean house 1x.
40. Participate in Money Saving Mom Cooking Freezer day at least 1x.
41. Do an eat from the pantry challenge for 1 week at least 3x (1/3).
42. Create a "in my next house" list ;)
43. Create a "mud room" area for all our jackets/diaper bags/purses.
44. Get a new swimsuit for myself. The last one I got was for my honeymoon 6 years ago!!
45. Plan and go on some kind of a vacation as a family.
46. Have someone watch Lo over night, so Chad and I can have an over night date.
47. Keep Lo's scrapbook and baby book up-to-date.
48. Take family pictures.
49. Take Lo's 1 year and 18 month pics.
50. Start a couples devotional.
NEW!!
51. Purge and organize file drawer.
52. Organize linen closet.
53. Organize and store Lo's clothes in space-saver bags. (we have been blessed w/ a lot of hand-me-downs!!)
54. Send/give handwritten notes/cards to friends and family through out the year. (1/24)

Key:
IP= In Progress

Starting point
Update 1
Update 2

Library Time

Last weekend we decided to head over to the library, (since it re-located and opened) so I could get some gardening for dummies books (A whole other post) and to hopefully get Lo hooked on books like her cousin. :)


Well, she seemed to have a blast cruisin' around the kid section.

"If only I were a little taller."

"Daddy how about this one?!"

Chad is such a great teacher...he is way better at this reading and teaching thing than I am!
We both had fun taking her and watching her explore. I hope to this summer get her into the toddler reading time.

13 Months

I didn't think I would continue with the monthly updates after we reached a year, but she is just up to so many new things again that I want a place to keep record of it.

So here we go, this is what you are up to this month Lo Lo girl:

Milestones:
You are a full-time walker now. You have just recently figured out how to stand-up with OUT pulling up on something.


You just babble away, LOUDLY. Still no real words and you seem to be able to only handle one letter sound at a time. You are just like your aunt Meg (sorry inside family joke ;) ). You will spend 20-30 minutes in your crib after your nap just "talking" with your babies, it is so funny and sweet.
I am hoping the "talking" is going to click soon, it just has to eventually Actually, I can't stand it if it doesn't, because the whining is driving me CrAZy!

Eating:
On March 1st I started giving you a sippy cup of milk, to START the weaning process from a bottle. The first two days went well. Day 3 you threw a huge tantrum over drinking from your cup. By the end of the night you were throwing BOTH your cup and your bottle across the room (this is not an exaggeration). Day 4 you took your cup all day without asking for a bottle. That evening I tried to give you your before bed bottle and you threw it across the room. Ok so I put you in bed and off to sleep you went. Perhaps a fluke? Day 5 same song second verse. Needless to say in just 5 short days you were weaned from your bottle!!! That happened way quicker than I had imagined. It is sort of sad since bottle time also equaled cuddle time, now that is no longer. :( Now you just get your night-nights on and off to sleep you go! Crazy simple.

Pretty sure this was one of your LAST bottles.

I have been having a hard time letting you use a spoon because I HATE mess. We have carpet in our dining room and well, you know... Anyway, it is a disservice to you not to let you "practice." You are quite proficient at it now, you stick it very nicely in your mouth and then hand it back for more. Very little mess...until I start letting you do the WHOLE process yourself...I am NOT there yet people!

Cooking with dog food...Yum!
Whatever, keeps you busy while I make dinner, makes me happy.

Sleeping:
You are taking longer morning naps (i.e. nearly 2 hours!). You still take a 1 hour nap in the PM. And then you usually have to take a "power nap" around 4ish. This usually consists of either 30 minutes of "quiet" time or a quick 10-15 minute nap.

Favorite Toy/Book(s):
You now have 3 lovies: poodle, baby Allie, and yes, mom, baby Julia.

Not the best picture, but it shows her newest lovies and her love of piling!

You love your ball popper, the 10 Little Lady Bugs book and touch and feel Puppy and Kitty book.

Anecdotes/Quirky things you do:
You and your cousin are spending lots of last minute time together and teaching each other all sorts of tricks. Landrey is a monkey and figures out everything you don't like getting around the stair gate!

This was at the Brodster's First Birthday party.
These two are just goof balls together! We sure are going to miss you! :(

You go around piling all of your toys in one location.

When mommy sings the "Clean up" song you will help pick up whatever mess it is you made.

I feel really blessed that you play so quietly and contently by yourself. While I am getting ready in the morning you play w/ my "hairbows." Then when it is time to clean-up you help!

side note: not sure why you have red socks on with a pink sweater?!!? Daddy must have dressed you :) HA!

You love to tell the dogs good morning and you get super excited if you wake up before daddy leaves, so you can tell him good morning!

The church nursery "refuses" to move you up because they love you so much! This is something that makes my heart smile every single Sunday. They come up with a different excuse every week as to why you should not move up to the 1 year old/walker class. Personally, I don't care, I am just beyond grateful that she has such wonderful people to love on her while we are in service! And even more fun this month is cousin Landrey (and Aunt Melissa) are coming to church with us, so more reasons to stay in the baby nursery! :)

Well this wraps up yet another month! You are just getting SO FUN!!
I love you and you will always be my little baby no matter how big you get!

Littlest Bat Girl and a Play date

We had a super busy Saturday, but it was also super fun.
We had a birthday party for a friend's little boy at 10am at our church. They do everything for you and it was in this super cool play place. Last year Lo was only 1 month old, so she didn't have too much fun. This year she had a blast! Another little girl took Lo all through the play place...uh, I crawled up there, but it wasn't pretty, it was really nice to have a 11 year old go through the tunnels and down the slide with Lo!
It was Batman themed and his mommy did a super fabulous job! She made capes and masks for all the kids...so cute! Lo was the littlest batgirl there.
Anyway, here is a little glimpse of batgirl!

The mask (and cape for that matter) didn't last long...but it sure was cute.

She was so excited!!

Leighton had such a blast, but was definitely worn out from all the excitement!

Next up after lunch we had 1 final play date with Jendy, Chelsey AND Melissa, before Melissa and Landrey head North. We met up at Jendy's parents house and had a blast. Jendy's mom had a fruit and cheese tray for us to snack on, but the babies ate more of it then we did. HA! They are such little piggies!

Greeting Brody with "love" pats...remember when I talked about the little ones?! :/

Playing some pool :)

Landrey loved the bird. Lo not so much. I have never seen her freak out so much over something before...it was pretty humorous.

The makings of a good mommy. She was trying to rock baby Kinsley.
I think she thought this was one of her babies.
Group shot...so much going on here, but I will just leave it to your imaginations ;)

It isn't going to be the same when Melissa is gone, but I suppose it will be that much more fun when she comes home. However, Brody is hoping more boys join! :)

Ah, and then after all that we LOST an hour of sleep...who hates this day as much as me!?!?
Oh well, it was all worth it and bunches of fun!
Hope you all had a great weekend!

30 Day Shred

I use to be fairly athletic. By athletic I mean a gymnast since I was 4 or 5 and a cheerleader and sprinter since I was 15. I never quite understood other sports...needless to say few workouts left me on my hands and knees panting for air. As the years have gone by I have slowly let my hard-core exercising ways fall by the wayside. Now after being pregnant, I am out of shape. I WANT to be in shape, so I have decided to start this:


I am on day 5 currently. And it is kicking my backside! I did level 1 for 3 days.
Day 1-I didn't know what to expect, it was HARD. I couldn't walk or raise my arms above my shoulders the next day. I took 2 days off to recover.
Day 2-Still breathing hard.
Day 3- Easier to get through...getting bored. So for Day 4 I bumped up to level 2, not because I was proficient at level 1, but because I was bored...big mistake.
Day 4- I was dying, I could barely breathe, I realized I had never sweated so much in my life!
Day 5-I persevered and did level 2 again today! Not any easier today!!!
While this video may be the death of me, it also feels really good each time I finish. It feels good to sweat and work my muscles...and crazily enough I keep at it so I don't let Jillian down. HA!

I would recommend it if you are looking for a short (25 minutes) yet super intense workout. Perfect to fit in someone's morning nap time. It combines strength with cardio, which yields the maximum calorie burn. I also like the fact that you can tell Jillian and her two counterparts are dying too! (Especially in level 2) I hate doing workouts where the background crew makes it look effortless...I don't know it just irks me as I sit there struggling.

Well here is to the next 25 days...or at least 'til I get bored with this video and try another one (thank goodness for Netflix!).
Happy exercising everyone!

Every Girl...

Needs a pair of RED shoes.

I got these great shoes for $1 at the Britches and Lace Consignment sale this past week!
Along with this super cute poodle dress I found Melissa found. :)

The Great Date #1

On Wednesday the hubs and I went on our FIRST Great Date. If you don't know what I am referring to you can read about it HERE.

Note: The church I linked you to in the aforementioned post did a different 1st great date then the one we did, because I printed it off from another church site, don't ask me why...

We were lacking on the picture taking during the date,
so I added a nice old engagement picture.

We chose Johnny Carino's for dinner. You are suppose to have the waitress choose your dinner for you with only ONE stipulation, but Chad wasn't up for that, he didn't want to put the waitress on the spot. HA! I was ok with it because I am an EXTREMELY picky eater, and we don't go out much any more, so I didn't want to spend $15 on a meal I would hate. (Even though I did, but at least it was my fault not hers. HA!) But the bread and oil was delightful...pretty sure I ate my weight in that! Yum!


During this time we asked each other a list of questions. My favorite was "If you had to get a tattoo that summed up why you love your spouse it would be_______" For me I would get a court jester because my hubby is such a clown and makes me laugh all the time. For him he said the word Loyal because I am super loyal to those I love.

Next up we were to go somewhere and ask more questions and talk. We chose to drive around and go to the mall (mostly because someone, ahem Chad, wanted to look at shoes). To bad it wasn't nicer out so we could have walked around outside. :(

Finally we were instructed to go to the grocery store, split up and spend $2 each purchasing a dessert for one another...well, since we clearly love to follow directions :) we decided we would rather go to Freddy's for a turtle concrete!! YUM! Grand total $4.15! Perfect. :) Hey, it is about being together not being a rule nazi.


Then it was homeward bound!

Overall, it WAS a Great Date! It was fun and I felt like I got to learn a little more about Chad and hopefully him about me!
I love you Chad and can't wait to do the next 5 dates!!



P.S. It isn't too late to join in on all the FUN!

Hungry Girl 200 under 200

A week or two ago I won my FIRST ever giveaway from this great blog The Life and Times of a Dietetic Intern (she is in the process up updating her page, so the link may not work right away.) Most of you know I am a RD by trade, so when I stumbled upon her blog a few months ago I was super excited to meet a fellow (soon to be) dietitian! I find it interesting to compare her internship to mine because it is a completely different program. This is what I love most about blogging, "meeting" new people with common interests.

ANYWAY she hosted a giveaway for this AWESOME book!!

I saw it featured on Rachel Ray several months ago and was very intrigued. There are so many delicious recipes for all your favorite "junk" foods that are all 200 calories or less! While I like to consider myself Rachel Ray because I seldom follow a recipe exactly or ever, I am extremely excited to try these out. I have high hopes of posting about some of them in the future!!
Thanks Jessica for the great giveaway!

Blogger Award

I was given this fun award by my newest bloggy friend, Kelley!

It is now my turn to choose some beautiful bloggers to award and tell you all 7 random facts about myself!

Beautiful Bloggers:

Melissa
Ginger
Gina
Erin
Sharla

And my 7 random facts:
1. My all time favorite show is Friends. I can quote nearly every line in every show. Ask me any Friends question and I know the answer and which season (and more often than not which episode) it comes from.
2. I am a maker of lists. I have lists all over the place...it is like I can not function unless it is written down.
EDIT: I have been cleaning off my desk to make a "playroom" and I came across 5 different to-do lists! HA! It was nice that I could check most of the stuff off...just found it amusing.
3. I don't remember the first time Chad and I met (according to him). We still debate about this because he tells the story and I remember everything he says EXCEPT him being there...weird.
4. I have a real knack for solving crime shows within the first 5-7 minutes. Just call me Patrick Jane. :) (I heart the Mentalist!)
5. I use to hate despise green beans, but then I got pregnant and then they sounded good. Well, now I love them!
6. I love fashion/make-up and hair, BUT...I just can't get myself to get out of my sweats and ponytail. HA!
7. I never ever wanted to be a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) I WANTED to work. Then I got pregnant...honestly I can not imagine doing anything else then being Leighton's mom!