65 in 365 Update 7

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 57 60 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 57 60 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. (39/30)--since I got here so quickly I am just going to keep adding to it, maybe I can get to 50 before the end. (39/50)
4. Get grocery budget to ~$150/mo. (complete after 4 months in a row 2/4)
5. Start exercising again...consistently! (complete after 4 months 2/4)
+do the 30 day shred. (8/30)
6. Complete at least 4 personal Bible studies (2/4)
7. Memorize at least 24 verses (6/24)
8. Read at least 12 adult books. (ie not kid's books) (6/12)
9. Finish decorating my basement.
10. Start going on monthly dates w/ the hubs. (8/12)
+do the Great Date Experiment (2/6)
11. Get Meg's HS Grad "project" done (MAY)
12. Get my storage closet under control.
13. Try 1 new recipe a month (6/12)
14. Volunteer at church
15. Research/Start own RD counseling career.--IP:not my own career but now a consultant which is a huge step in the right direction. Still would like my own counseling career someday.
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. (14/24)
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 3/3)
32. Get in a play group or host one...basically GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! (at least 2x/mo. 8/24)
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. (10/8)
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) (8/12mo)
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.--IP
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 (2/3).
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.--Up-to-date
48. Take family pictures.
49. Take Lo's 1 year and 18 month pics.
50. Start a couples devotional.
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. (7/24)
55. Go to a midnight showing of Eclipse.--Tickets purchased! :)
56. Create a compilation journal for all my pregnancy journal entries and Lo's "watch me grow" entries.--IP
57. Get Lo into swim time or gymnastic time (or both) this summer.
58. Get family pictures taken.
59. Start a Private online prayer journal.
60. Create a cycle menu.

Key:
IP= In Progress

Starting point
Update 1
Update 2
Update 3
Update 4
Update 5
Update 6

It's Late...

So I decided to day to change up my blog look. Not sure if I like it yet, but none the less it deleted all my friend and favorite blog list. Grrrrr. ANYWAY. I tried to fix by going through everyone I could think of blog. If you read my blog and you noticed you aren't on my blog roll anymore PLEASE tell me and I will add you. Too tired to do anymore. This is WAY past my bedtime.

Animal Sounds

Here is an adorable video {not that I am at all bias ;) } of Lo doing all her animal sounds and motions. This just makes my day, so hopefully it will make yours!
Enjoy!

Animal sounds from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

A Weekend at the Lake

This past weekend some friends invited us to their lake house for a mini vacay on the water. Personally, I could live beachside/lakeside for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. The water is just soothing and so relaxing.



We left Friday afternoon and headed down, thankfully, it was only a 2h20min drive for miss Lo Lo sister. Now that her car seat is forward facing she did better, not great, but better and after the 6.5h car trip from you know where this was definitely bearable. HA! However, that evening as she went to bed she was a H-O-T mess! She screamed and cried for hours. This child loathes her pack and play. Finally, we let her sleep with us. She seemed just plain terrified. She snuggled as tightly to me as she could and it was a MUST to hold hands. If I wasn't so darn tired it may have been endearing. Ok I loved snuggling her. :) But she tossed and turned, turned and tossed. I have NO idea where she gets that from. ;) At one point she woke up and grabbed my face and fell asleep on my check. It was pretty sweet, except I could not breathe. So I spent 20 minutes trying to attempt the hug and roll. ::insert Friends reference:: Finally, morning came at 610AM! Seriously I had like 2 minutes of sleep all night. Chad he seemed well rested...I am not sure he even knew how much she had been up and down. Men.

Ok sorry for that bunny trail, but hey it is my memories. :)

Saturday we got up and headed to the lake. They have a really nice pontoon boat (is that how you spell that?!) and we just spent the day cruising around and hanging out on the "beach" and "cliff diving" for others. I was so proud of Chad because he actually did it! There was no way on this earth I would have done it! Lo hated the sand at first and threw a what is now typical tantrum about it. ::insert heavy sigh:: I MISS my sweet easy-going ever-pleasing little girl!! By the end of the day though she had the best time playing in the sand with her two friends. I love those girls...I never once had to step foot off the boat to "take care" of Lo. They did everything. Score one for mommy!


Finally by about 1:30p we decided Lo needed a nap, we were on our way back to the house when she fell asleep standing up! I guess being up all night and being in the sun all day finally caught up with her. She actually slept on the boat for a good hour, I was impressed.


Here are some highlights from our trip. Oh, and in case you are wondering she actually slept in her pack n play that next night HARD.

Miscellany Monday

Click on the picture to see other Miscellany Monday peeps.

The weeks are really flying by and it seems like it is Monday again before I know it. I have sort slacked on this, but now I am back. I know you all have been dying to hear all the random things that go on in my life. HA! So here you go.

1. Hi! My name is Michele and I have been off facebook for 26 days. 4 more days and I think someone should award me my 30 day chip. ::ahem all you doubters out there...:: It was and is actually way easier than I thought to stay off. I can confidently say I don't even miss it. Guess what my life can go on without everyone's status updates! Who knew?! I am still toying with the idea of shutting it down completely, but that may be a bit drastic. I fear though just like any addiction that once I log back on I will go straight back to my old ways. I know I am crazy, but these are my fears people!

Editor's Note: My little sister informed me last night, that when she babysat for us Thurs night she 'hacked' my facebook account and changed my status (we sisters enjoy this practical joke, but this time I didn't find it as funny)...so just for the record that was NOT me! I still haven't been on there.

2. You know how productive you can be when your life doesn't revolve around facebook updates? Well, I had this whole list to show you, but Lo thought it made a better paper boat in her splash table, so it is gone. Let's just say I am almost re-caught up with scrapbooking, I have read 2 books and starting on my 3rd, I am preparing to start Lo on potty training in the next month, the house is cleaner, dinners are prepared...well, you get the idea.

3. I just have to share this great tip about diaper rashes. This is just one of the reasons we are moving forward with potty training besides the fact that she seems very ready. Lo has very sensitive skin, I have battled diaper rash after diaper rash since her birth. They get so bad they are practically chemical burns on her little bottom. Anyway, oatmeal is a God-send. If you little one battles diaper rash throw some oats in the tub (yes, it is messy, but so worth it) and after a little soak the next morning her bum is brand spanken new.

4. I am a SAHM. We are always looking for ways to save $. My husband came up with the brilliant idea for me to cut his hair. People I don't even know how to do my own hair. I don't care if the clippers say "idiot-proof" this is not something I feel confident doing. Matter of fact, not 2 weeks before a girl was regaling a story about how her hubs makes her cut his hair and how she royally screwed up. So my confidence was soaring. However, he insisted I could do it! So I did.

Here is before: Please note these aren't the best pictures, but hopefully, you get the idea.


And here is after:


I am actually pretty proud of myself. It turned out better than expected and I actually like it better than when his regular hairdresser does it. However, I really wish I could learn how to groom the dogs, because that is where the really money savings would happen. They cost us $70 every 6 weeks to groom, that is $420/year!! Maybe that will be my next "project."

5. Finally we just got back from a fun weekend at the lake with friends. I haven't been to a lake in years. But that will be for another riveting post.

Meet Little Fish

This is our little fish. ::insert her making a sucking fish noise::


She loves to go swimming. Which is a big 180* from the start of summer.
This is what she thought of swimming early on.


Now we can't blast her out.
Lo and I took swim lesson's at our local rec center. I really just did it for a fun activity this summer, but it actually proved really useful and helpful...who knew?! She loved it. We would show up 10-15 minutes early just so she could play in the zero depth area before class started.


During the lessons we learned how to "swim" on our backs and tummy. She actually started to like being on her back toward the end. They also worked on blowing bubbles which she was a real pro at. The instructor said she never seen a "baby" blow bubbles that long under water. She is pretty fearless when it comes to swimming it seems.


I have had fun taking her swimming all summer and I can't wait to see how much she improves by next summer.

Here are some fun in the sun shots.

17 Months aka Little Miss Independant

Well, I am a few days late on this. Summer is just flying by and we have been keeping busy. So Lo Lo girl this is what you are doing this month.

P.S. we are stinkin' it up on taking pictures this month. So here are just a few of what we did take.

Milestones:
*A HUGE milestone for us this month is we turned your car seat around and you are now forward facing!! After the dramatic car ride to and from Iowa we made the choice to flip you. I know most of you flip your kids as soon as they are one, but Lo was only 16ish # when she was one and we just didn't feel like it was safe, but now she is around 18.5# and nearly 1.5 years, I think it is time, she knows she is being "left out." Anyway, car rides have been going much smoother!

*You had your first McDonald's happy meal. I know I can't believe it either. I swore my child would never enter a McDonald's until she was at least 10! HA! However, on our road trip my sister insisted on McDonald's. Thankfully, they have apple slices and milk now. Although I was at a loss as to what to order you, you hated the Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets...so we opted for a cheeseburger. You hate meat, you never eat my delightful homemade hand-packed burgers. So much to my dismay I watched you oink down 1/2 of your McD's cheeseburger like it was the best thing you have ever tasted! Gross Leighton, gross!

*You also went to your first session of swim lesson's. More on that in another post.

*You went on your first big trip to Iowa to visit your auntie Melissa, uncle Kreg and cousin Landrey.

Grandpa likes to feed you snacks after church.

*We play this animal matching game with your "flash cards." And you can pick out each and every one of the 16 animals! I am just so impressed by this, but then again I have no idea what you should know at this point. :)

*You are now little miss independent. You are really starting to assert yourself and I don't particularly care for it. Where is my sweet tender hearted Lo Lo that use to obey everything and everyone?!

Language Skills:
*You are starting to pick up more and more words and mimic us as well. You now say Dah (for dog), Mow, Meg, lunch, snack, yeah, me, and mine. I am sure there are more I just can't think of them. Surprisingly, you haven't learned "no" yet. :)

*You are mimicking more which is a good sign and on top of all that you still signs all the basic signs...so overall communication is good.

*You "talk" to yourself and us all the time. Man can you get a good animated conversation going! I so wish I knew what you were so keyed up about. HA!

*Your newest animal sounds are: Horse, tiger, monkey, and fish (is the cutest one!), which you picked up from cousin Landrey on our trip. You also recently learned how to do a duck and dog. (you previously already did: cow and bear)

This is best friend Gracie.

Eating:
*You are still so picky. Now you don't like bread with your turkey sandwich. You seem to prefer PB&J sandwiches.
*Overall, you are fed and still healthy. :) It is just hard to deal with a picky eater when you use to eat everything put in front of you! I refuse to be your short order cook, so you better get on board. :)

Discovering the wonder of nutella. YUM!

Sleeping:
*Due to swim lessons we have sort of transitioned to ONE nap. Boo! However, that one nap equals 2+ hours of peace and quiet for mommy. I am not sure if we will stay with this schedule. Still just playing it by ear.

*Nap time use to be filled with tears and drama. One day I decided to start reading her a book before her nap to help her wind down. Thus, began my nap time experiment. Over the past month we have had great success and no more tears!!

*Bedtime is promptly at 7:30. You never seem "tired," but when 715 rolls around we just say "let's go brush our teeth" and thus begins our evening night night ritual: butterbiscuit snack (thanks dad!), teeth brushed, jammies on, pick out a book, prayers and night night kisses.

Favorite toy(s)/book(s):
*Books: the list would be shorter if I told the books you did NOT like. HA! You are now an official bookworm. From the moment you wake up 'til your head hits the pillow you are constantly asking to be read to.

*You really like the books that teaches you about your world. (ie My Little World Book).

*You are into coloring and baby dolls, especially my old baby doll. I love watching you love that baby like I did!


Anecdotes/Quirky things you do:
*You run like a goose according to daddy.


*You are climbing all the furniture, or attempting to rather. Unfortunately for you, you are too short to really climb it.

*You "sing" to us all the time. It is so very cute. Your favorite song is "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, but you like the Glee version the best. You are our little Gleek. Every time the song comes on itunes or in the car you immediately start bopping and clapping. At home you insist on getting out your mic and drums to play along. I have been trying desperately to get it on video, but I always miss it. :(

*You are very assertive now and want to be heard.

*You are so good for your daddy! You never hardly ever whine at him and you always play so contently when daddy is in charge. This really makes me crazy. Why do you whine at only me all the time?...I am the toughest strictest "meanest" parent. I know mommy is going to miss daddy when school starts back up!

*You know the difference between the trash and recycling and you put things in the proper receptacle. It just cracks me up every time. You are just so neat and tidy.

Temperament:
*You are still as sweet as ever, just a little more "bossy" and independent now. Discipline is definitely something you are starting to learn about, although it hasn't slowed you down yet.

We stopped in Lawrence on our way home to see Meg's new college campus.

STATS:
*I think you are around 18.5# and you GREW to 28/28.5 inches!

And that concludes another rousing edition of "Watch Me Grow."

P.P.S. I didn't do a great job of "keeping track" of everything you are doing this month, so I may add to it as I think of things. I know you all will be checking back for updates! HA!

Independence Day

On our final day in Iowa we celebrated the 4th of July. The 4th is like Christmas for our family, we like to go big. It is also a day we celebrate my two little sisters' birthdays (born on July 8th). Unfortunately it rained and rained and rained all day. This really put a wrench in our plans, but we made the best of it.

Double Rainbow...breathtaking.

After lunch Meg could no longer stand the wait and was dying to open her presents! So the girls opened their gifts.


Then we tried to do a "photo shoot" of the girls in their 4th of July outfits...let's just say they both were less than cooperative. If one was smiling the other was pouting or being ornery. These are the best we got.


Here is a little peek from last year and I thought that "photo shoot" was hard! HA! I just can't believe how they have grown in one year. Lo has such lush hair now and last year there were barely two strands on top.

Lo was 20 weeks and Landrey about 14ish weeks.

Then we decided to pack up and drive around Ames. Normally, we would be launching off parachutes and laughing our behinds off at Kreg shoving his own teammate Melissa down to the ground to score a point for his team. Kreg is wiley, and the Keethler's never win. We had hoped to get 'em this year, but I guess we will never know...until next year Jensen's! ;) So that was a bummer, that is one of our big highlights.

Finally around 630p the rain let up! So we took the girls outside to do snappers and sparklers. I was pretty bummed at first because I had already put my overtired child to bed and once again she was missing out on the fun, but as "luck" would have it, she woke up screaming, so being the awesome mom I am I got her up to do fireworks.

You really have to get into! :)

It was definitely a different 4th of July, we never got to see any "real" fireworks, but all in all it was still fun and it was nice being with family!


Hope you all had a safe and fun 4th!