Half Way Through the Year

At the beginning of the year, I wrote a post about goals that I had for the new year.  Since the year is half way over, I thought it would be a good idea to check-in and see where I'm at with my list!  What's highlighted in yellow are thing I'm currently doing/working on/planning.  What's in red has been off my radar and I haven't given much thought/planning/attention to. 

• Make daily quiet time a priority.  I know this will be a challenge because it will require me to wake up before the kids, which I normally don't do!  I want to start my day with bible reading, praying, and making a list of things to do for the day.  Anytime I start my day this way, I feel very on top of things!
• Be more flexible, work on low expectations, be more gracious, and keep focused on my own thoughts {Rather than peoples opinions that I can't control}.  This will be quite the undertaking.  I get in my routine, have (high) expectations, and get really frustrated and disappointed when things don't go the way I had envisioned.  I don't want to get easily bent out of shape, or expect more from someone than they can give.  I want Kevin and the kids to be able to see the difference in me.  If I'm constantly looking for things to be thankful for, I think all of this will fall into place (or is that my high expectations again?). 
• Make it a priority to have a monthly date night.  Being at home with the kids all day, every day, sometimes makes me forget I'm a wife too, and that I need to put energy and thought into that relationship more than any other.  When Kevin and I are both happy, life works so much better! 
• Be more intentional with the kids.  Holidays pass, seasons pass, and I look back and think I wish I would have done more.  (I know it's impossible to escape the "mommy guilt".)  I want to plan ahead, prepare things that the kids will enjoy, and make the most out of my time at home with them.  I want to encourage and help them to follow interests they have (sports, hobbies, etc.)
• Take a family vacation.  This isn't set it stone, but we've already picked out a condo and a time of the year when we want to head south.  I know it will be a lot of work, but I feel like the memories will make up for the stress. 
• Make my first quilt.  I bought a book with a quilting pattern in it that I love.  I don't want to start small, I want to go all out.  I really want to make one quilt every year from now until I can no longer see or use my hands!  My kids all want a new quilt for their beds too, so if #1 goes well, maybe I'll start on those this year too.
• Sew and hang curtains in every room of our house.  I want the house to feel more "homey" and this is one thing I've been wanting to do for awhile.  I have pinned several ideas for curtains.  This is a very do-able task, and I really think it will help soften the look of each room, so this is high on my priority list!
• Hang more pictures throughout the house.  There's nothing that makes a house feel like home more than pictures!  We have a little photo collage in our family room, and some random pictures hung up here and there, but I want twice as many pictures hanging up than what I currently have!  I LOVE the command velcro strips for hanging pictures and plan on using those.  
• Keep up with housework.  I'm typing this while I still have the "nesting" instinct.  I don't ever want that feeling to leave me.  My goals for housework are:  don't go to bed with dishes in the sink, do laundry weekly, clean up toys e-v-e-r-y single night (the kids do 75% of the work, so I need to hold them accountable), vacuum daily,  and keep my counter top cleaned off.  This has been the norm the last 6 weeks.  We all love waking up to, coming home to, and spending time in a relatively clean and organized home.  
• Work on curb appeal.  I know there are far more important things in life than what the outside of your house looks like, but with that being said, I also don't like the front of our house looking like the entrance to the local dump.  Step #1 is to get CeCe's electric fence moved to the back yard (so she can't keep dragging branches up front and shredding toys and doggy jackets all over our front yard).  Step #2 is to get our front landscape done.  We laid stone last summer, and CeCe has helped dig up a few blocks.  We want to get some weed barrier down and plants planted.  Step #3 is painting our front door and shutters.  We need more color out front!
• Work on being frugal.  Kevin is very supportive of starting a garden!  I know this would cut down our food bill, and I think the kids would love to watch all the plants grow.  Kevin also wants to fish and hunt more to provide some of our protein throughout the year (this is sooooo not up my alley, but I maybe will try to go along with it, as long as I'm not gutting or filleting anything).  I also want to keep thrift shopping and yard sale shopping any chance I get. 
• Be a better budgeter.  This plays along with the previous goal.  We (I'm sure like you) have things come up constantly every single month.  I want to start budgeting things like doctor expenses, house and car maintenance, while working on building up a savings.  (We would love to add on to our house in a few years!)
• Decorate a cake for every kid's birthday this year.  Again with my high expectations, but cupcakes just don't cut it for me.  I've felt guilty that I didn't have a rockin' cake for each kids birthday this year.  If I plan ahead there's no reason why this wouldn't be totally doable.  It's a hobby I love, and I don't want to neglect it. 
• Meal plan by the month.  I use to do this, and it was wonderful.  Right now, I just create a weekly plan.  Every Thursday I dread trying to think of what to make for the next week.  By doing it monthly, I eliminate the weekly headache.  It usually takes me a solid day to create the monthly meal plan, but I like the idea of only having to think about it once a month!  I'll probably try to start this in February since I expect January to be a bit chaotic.  
• Keep my mantle/fireplace decorated.  I will be sad to take down my Christmas decorations.  My house feels so much cozier with the mantle and fireplace decorated.  I don't usually put much money into decorations for the house, so I'll have to come up with creative ways to decorate that won't break the bank.  I'd love to decorate for seasons and holidays to help keep the cozy feel!
• Get caught up on scrapbooks.  Krissy's one year album should be done by now, and I haven't even started.  I only plan on doing each kiddo's first year, so I'm not that behind, but I want to start and finish Krissy's album and keep up with Austin's album as the year goes on.  
• Make and deliver more meals.  I feel like this is one practical way I can serve others outside of my family.  Friends are always having babies or going through hard times, and I want to be better about stepping up and easing a burden (figuring out what's for dinner really can be a burden when you are preoccupied with other things).

Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm

I don't love wearing lipstick or lip gloss.  I like the natural color of my lips and have always thought bright reds, shiny golds, or pinky oranges just look funny on me.  I am making a point to use a lip balm just to condition my lips.  I have been using Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm and really like it!  It's not strongly flavored (or scented - not sure how you describe that), but it gives my lips a bit of shine so it doesn't look like I neglected them!  It costs just under $5 from Walmart. 

The biggest problem I have with it, is Allie LOVES it!  I've bought 3 tubes over the last two months because I can't keep her out of it.  When she sneaks some on, she usually smashes half of the tube into the lid - and if Krissy gets involved, then it gets smeared all over my bathroom!  I make a point to hide it now, which usually results in me forgetting to put it on!  My lips are feeling a bit dry now, and I think I'm going to go put some on while the kids aren't watching! 

Austin @ 6 months

This little guy has brought our family so much joy in the last 6 months!  He's still the happiest, easy-going baby I've ever been around.  He's slept 10-11 hours every single night for the last 2-3 months!  He's found a pretty consistent nap schedule too (a 30 min nap @ 10am, a 2 hour nap around 1pm, and a 30 min nap around 6pm).  I hear he looks like me, Kevin, Krissy, or my brother.  I'm so thankful for him!

Things Austin likes right now:

• Attention from any of his siblings (really anyone for that matter)
• Spoon eating (he eats rice cereal and has tried applesauce and peas)
• Rolling around on the floor
• Eating his bottle
• Bath time
• Playing pattycake
• Watching Harry and CeCe
• Sitting in his high chair at meal times with us
• Chewing on his hands and toes
• Swinging outside in the baby swing 
• Swinging inside in the baby swing
• Going for walks in the Moby wrap
• Riding in the stroller

Things Austin isn't a fan of:

• Being left in a room by himself while hes awake
• Napping during the day in his crib (we are working on it, but he prefers to nap in his swing)
• The hardwood floors (he's bonked his little head more than once)

Funny things he does:

• He will rock himself while you are holding him and he can almost rock out of your grip!  He's throwing around a lot of weight these days!
• Sticks out his tongue.
• Takes a really loud deep breath when he giggles (I'll have to get that on video so you see what I mean!)

I'm looking forward to:

• Him saying his first word(s)
• Seeing what he thinks of the beach
• Him learning how to crawl
• Him trying new baby foods

Anastasia Brow Wiz

This is one of the two products I'm using in my makeup routine that I can't get from Walmart or a drug store.  It's called Anastasia Brow Wiz and can be found at Sephora.  I have a cheapo brow pencil from Maybelliene that is my everyday one.  The Anastasia costs about $21, so I only use it when I'm going out on date nights or meeting with friends or family.  The pencil is tiny and allows you to fill in and shape your brows better than any drug store pencil I've ever used.  It also has a brush (much like a mascara brush) on the end to help you comb your brows.  It also doesn't smear like the drugstore pencils.  I never focused much attention on my brows, but now, when I use the brow wiz, it gives my face a much more finished look.

The store has charts that help you pick the color that is best for you.  Based on their charts, I bought Medium Ash, and it compliments my hair color very well! It's definitely worth the splurge when you have the extra cash!

Hard Candy Spicy & Sweet Blush

I have always used blush.  However, I've had a hard time finding the perfect shade of pink that compliments my skin tone, gives my cheeks a rosy look, but doesn't make me look like a clown.  Insert Hard Candy's Spicy & Sweet blush.  It's a cute box of 4 blushes that's really affordable (I'm thinking it was less than $5). 

You take a blush brush (I used a bigger brush than the one that's included) and mix all 4 colors together to get a beautiful pink blush!  There are a few other choices for sets of colors, but this one fits me the best!

L'OREAL Magic Lumi Face Primer

I've heard lots of talk about face primer, but I had never tried it out.  We don't budget makeup into our monthly budget, so whatever I need usually comes from Walmart.  I heard good reviews about a drug store brand face primer.  It's Magic Lumi Face Primer by L'oreal.  My Walmart doesn't carry it, so I had to search other Walmarts to find it.  I think it was around $10 for the tube and I was anxious to try it to see if I could tell a difference. 

It was pretty common for me to take my makeup off at night, and there really be nothing left on my skin to take off.  What was left of my eyeshadow and eye liner typically bled into each other.  The first day I used this I was shocked by how much makeup was still on my face at the end of the day!  This cream acts like little hands that grab your makeup and hang on to it all day long!  I was most impressed with my eye lids looking smooth all day. 

One full pump of the primer will cover my whole face.  I rub it everywhere I apply makeup, except my lips!

Face primer has been a game changer for me.  There are lots of higher end brands that offer primers, but if you've never used a product like this before, I'd recommend trying the L'oreal first!  I love it!

Foundation Brush

I'm devoting the week to talk about 5 of my favorite new makeup products I've been using lately!

I thought I'd start with a change I've made to my foundation routine!  I use to apply my liquid, medium coverage foundation with my fingers or a wedge shaped sponge.  I was watching some video makeup tutorials and it seemed really common to use a brush to apply liquid foundation.  I thought I'd have to spend a lot of money on one, but I found a kabuki brush made by E.L.F. for $6 at my Walmart.  I've been very pleased with it!  They also make a flat top powder brush for $3 that I've seen used in makeup tutorials.  I like how the brush gives my foundation a smoother finish than my fingers ever could!  It also distributes the foundation more evenly.

To apply your foundation, you put a pea size amount of foundation on the back of your hand.  Take your brush and dab into the foundation.  It will quickly pick it up.  Next, you'll use a dabbing motion and apply the foundation all over your face.  Once it's applied, use brush strokes to smooth it all out.  I like to finish by rubbing the brush down my neck to get off the excess foundation off the brush!  If you use liquid foundation, you should give this brush a try!

Weekly iPhone pics

Here are my favorite iPhone pics from the past week!

Austin loved being wrapped in my Moby wrap!

Krissy has been attached to my hip lately!  I missed out on a lot of baby snuggles with her, so I'm glad she's getting more snuggly with me!

Hayden wrapped up his t-ball season last week.  We all had so much fun watching him play.

Hayden and Allie emerged from my room telling me they were ready for their date night.  Hayden put on the backwards tie and Allie put a flower pin and a long necklace on.  It was sweet.

This girl is not an eater, so I was thrilled when she ate her entire kids meal from Chick Fil A!  And Hooray for her wearing a hair clip!

Hayden and Allie have been riding the 4 wheeler any time Kevin is home!

Austin had fallen asleep during lunch.  I went to change his diaper and he still didn't wake up after I moved him and laid him down.  I just covered him up and let him sleep!  Look at those big baby hands!

Austin's 1st tooth!

Austin's new favorite trick is sticking his tongue out. 

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

His first tooth poked through his gum on Tuesday. I'm expecting the other little bottom tooth to come in soon!  

I think he keeps sticking his tongue in and out so he can feel that new tooth!

Trip to (Great) Grandmas

Last week I took my kids and my mom to my grandma's house.  She was celebrating her 86th birthday and hadn't ever met Austin in person.  We were over due for a visit!  Austin was super happy and smiley and the other three kids chased cats and kittens the 90 minutes we were there.

Did you notice anything else on my pictures?  I added a watermark!  I had been wanting to make one for my pictures the last few weeks.  I didn't really know where to start, so I googled it!  One of the first tutorials for making a free water mark used PicMonkey.  My sister uses this site, but I'd never had any experience with it.  So, I decided to give it a try!  I'm *loving* how it turned out!  I don't know that I'll watermark all of my pictures from here on out, but I love having the option!

Sweet Brothers

Need a smile to start off your week?  Watch this :)

Yard Saling + the app

It's no secret I love a good yardsale!  (Especially ones that are filled with great gently used kids clothes for cheap!)  One of my favorite yard saling tools is my yardsale app {it's free}!

I use this everytime I get out to yard sale! It locates sales from your current location.  I usually look at garage sale listings on craigslist Thursday evening and pick one or two that sound promising.  I will leave home bright and early (usually by 7) and then use my app from there.  

You can click on each red marker and it shows you the ad that's been posted (on craigslist) about the sale.  

My best yardsale advice is:

1.  Bring plenty of cash.  You never know what deals you are going to find!

2.  Shop early!

3.  Have your phone with you so you can look up info about what you are considering purchasing.  I was hesitating on buying Kevin a set of hand weights for $10 last weekend because I thought they were a cheap set.  I decided to buy them and googled the set when I got home to make sure I didn't pay too much.  They sell new on amazon for $79! 

4.  If someone is asking more than you want to pay for something, ask them if they will take less, but offer a fair price.  

5.  Shame on the people that don't price their items, but shame on you if you want something and don't ask the price!  I'm still crying about a pirates chest Hayden would have loved to own, but I didn't want to stop the lady (who was having the sale) from her conversation with her neighbor.  I continued to browse and someone came up behind me, interrupted her, got a price on the pirates chest and snatched it right out from under me... For $5. Ugh.  Lesson learned! 

6.  Lastly, if you can shop w/o your kiddos, you can look faster and cover more sales!  (Kevin's been great about watching the kids so I can get out by myself!). If that's not an option, bring your stroller and plenty of things to keep your kids eyes and hands entertained (iPhones with kids games, snacks, books, or anything else they enjoy!)

Happy Yard Saling! :)

1 Year with CeCe

Monday, June 10, 2013... it had only been 9 days since TJ passed away.  It felt weird not having a dog and Kevin wanted one as quickly as I could find one.  So on this particular morning, I woke up before the rest of the house and began searching craigslist.  I was looking at bigger cities around us and seeing if anyone there had a pup we wanted.  We had gone back and forth on the breed we wanted (standard poodle, Aussiedoodles, or an Australian shepherd).  We had requirements for each breed:  the poodle had to be standard size and not solid black, the Aussiedoodles had to be affordable, and the Aussie had to have a tail.

The ad I found said "Australian shepherds, red and blue merles, tails not docked"! There were 5 pups in the litter and they were all perfect!  The price was right too! I immediately woke Kevin up to show him my find!  He agreed the pups were cute and texted the number in the ad to get more info.  We immediately got a text back that there was only one pup left.  I did have a couple favorites from the pics that were posted, so I was trying to be open to whichever one was left.  I was shocked that one of my favorites was the one that was left!

This was the first pic she sent us of CeCe

Another pic she sent showing her coat.

Kevin was trying to work out when we could go get her because she was about 4 hours away.  He kept talking about the weekend and I kept insisting I needed her today!  So, it happened that day!  We dropped Krissy off with my mom (we knew she wouldn't be up for an all day car ride) and we took Hayden and Allie to Missouri!

Krissy was a lot happier staying behind!

We met the owner at a local shop that was a lot like our Rural King.  She got out of her yellow two door Ford explorer with the sweetest puppy I'd ever laid eyes on.  I couldn't stop holding, petting, and loving on her long enough to share her with Kevin and the kids. (Eventually I did so I could take pictures of her!)

We went into the store we met at and let the kids pick the puppy out a toy.  We had decided on the name CeCe before we had even picked her up.  We kept stopping to take her picture and to aww over everything she did!  We headed back home so we could go show off this cutie pie!

The first picture I took of CeCe.

The car ride home.

Puppy faces are the sweetest!!!

She had been living in a barn and had fleas and ticks all over her.  We stopped at a gas station to buy a pair of tweezers so Kevin could get some of the ticks off.  Her puppy checkup revealed she had a bad case of worms.  She also got a bladder infection shortly after we got her.  It was an expensive first couple months with her!

I insisted on a puppy photo shoot at the river shortly after we got her!  I'm so glad we took the time to do this!

The kids loved her being so small.

She quickly started picking up the same habits TJ had... Barking at cars and neighbors, "greeting" guests by jumping all over them, and chewing up anything she could get her mouth on!  

CeCe doesn't have the same protective nature that TJ had, she is more gentle than TJ was.  She also can get her feelings hurt and TJ was a big loon and nothing could upset him.  TJ never listened.  Never.  Ever.  CeCe will listen, especially if she's inside (outside is her territory and she pretty much ignores me when she wants to)!  

We have had so much fun taking her on walks or to PetSmart or getting her groomed.  She can be a lot of work, but the kids love her (most of the time) and she is a good snuggler and crumb cleaner! She's so gentle with Krissy and loves to "kiss" Austin.  That poor kid has had his sweet little face cleaned more times than I can count!  Sorry, Austin!

CeCe sporting her summer cut!

On her bucket list for this year:  take her swimming!  We love our stinky doggy and tell her all the time how good she is :) can't imagine our family without her!

Smother's Park

I was talking to Kevin on Friday about what we should do this past weekend, and I suggested we go to Smother's Park in Owensboro soon.  He said, "How about tomorrow?"  I agreed that (Saturday) it would be a great day to go!  We packed a little picnic lunch and headed across the blue bridge once Hayden's morning t-ball game was over.  I packed my nice camera along, hoping to get a few cute pictures of the kids, and I'm so glad I brought it!  These are some of my favorite pics to date! 

 I couldn't pick a favorite - and I edited them in black and white and love those just as much!

Austin woke up after we all had finished eating.

The best ever picture of Kevin + all 4 kids!

My favoritest picture of me and my 4!

The splash park never disappoints!

Krissy thought the splash park was the greatest thing ever!

I had so much fun watching Hayden monkey his way through the play ground!

Little Miss Independent didn't want to sit in the stroller.  She kept up with the big kids!

Austin was getting sweaty, so we let him air out before we headed back home!

We had a great visit to the park and we can't wait to go back a few more times this summer!