We've had 2 big things happen within the last 24 hours that if all goes well, will change my life!
1. Noelle started preschool and loved it! "Go take the boys home now," she said as I sat beside her waiting for class to start. Who is this brave 4 year old and what happened to my shy Noelle? Yipee! I think it is going to be so good for her confidence to have the added structure and socialization!
3. Elijah slept from 8:30pm-5:30am last night. I, on the other hand went in multiple times to see if he was breathing- he was and looked really comfortable in his own bed in his own room.
We moved Noelle and Corom in together, which is kind of a circus, but so far, so good! I love listening to them giggling together. It also keeps an extra set of eyes on Corom. Today Noelle came running into my room as I was sleeping. "Mom, come quick! Corom has thrown all of his blankets out of his crib and is trying to climb out! Sure enough, she was correct, though he did not succeed this morning. It looks like we might have some more changes to sleeping arrangements soon. But as for today, it feels great to have had such a long stretch of sleep. Have a good day everyone!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures!
I thought I would just update with some random photos of our day-to-day. Elijah is growing so fast. He is normally really happy, though I couldn't get him to smile for the camera. I did, however, want to show you all what a chunk he is! The picture of the big group of girls is one of most of my neighbors. I love these girls and feel so blessed to be in such a wonderful place. Holly- we miss you! If you scroll down, you will see a long post I did tonight. Enjoy the pics!
2010- The Year to Get Healthy
This morning I woke up to Dan doing pull ups on a bar in the doorway of our bedroom and walked into the kitchen to find a big note on the fridge with his goal weight- "it's not just a thought anymore- it's a goal!" I struggled with the thought of sharing my New Years Goals with you as they are a bit personal, but after juggling the thought in my mind awhile, have concluded that you all might have feedback or words of encouragement to share that might help me achieve my goals. I have been reflecting a lot on how our well-being is such a complex blend of different elements in our lives. I feel that all areas areas of our life relate to each other and influence the other areas. I know, for example, that when I am focusing on my spirituality, I make healthier choices. When I am eating right, I have more energy and can accomplish more with my days. When I take the time to be patient and put my children first, life just seems to be more fun and manageable. The more I serve others, the better I feel about myself and my connections to others. The list goes on and on... My biggest resolution this year is for 2010 to be the year to get off the weight that has come from being pregnant 3 times in 4 years. To do so I will have to focus on becoming an overall healthier person and making some BIG changes. My goal weight is to weigh what I did before having Noelle. I can do it! I want to be more active, have more energy, have fewer food, sleep and stress-related headaches and be in a better position to care for my family.
My ultimate 2010 goal this year is to become a more healthy and well-balanced person. Here is my game plan:
1. Dan and I have committed ourselves to a healthier diet in our home.
We started tonight with a wonderful dinner out of Dan's P90X diet handbook. (Red Pepper Soup, Asparagus, Brown Rice and Salmon/Chicken) We are going to get rid of all of the junk in our diet and focus on whole foods and things rich in nutrients and low in bad fats and calories.
2. Find time to exercise. (This is where I am lacking as I do not know how to find time in the day with the kids) We purchased a bike trainer. Now that Noelle will be in school when the boys are napping, I do not have an excuse!
3. Increase my spirituality through daily scripture study, personal prayer, family prayer and uplifting music. (Some areas I am better in than others- I want to be 100% in all areas!)
4. Family Home Evenings weekly.
5. Increase my levels of patience and listen more to my family's needs and concerns. Take opportunities to teach my children!
6. Take time each day to look for ways to lift the burdens of others and reflect on my blessings.
7. Cultivate talents and aim high in my goal setting. (Read more, pursue my interests and teach others)
8. Set aside more time for Dan and I- figure out how to make this possible!
9. Make more contact with family and friends.
10. Go to bed earlier that I may be a healthier mom/wife/person!
11. Get myself on a better schedule and follow through with tasks and goals.
So, now that I've posted my goals, they are no longer thoughts. THEY ARE RESOLUTIONS! Good luck to all of you on you 2010 goals!
My ultimate 2010 goal this year is to become a more healthy and well-balanced person. Here is my game plan:
1. Dan and I have committed ourselves to a healthier diet in our home.
We started tonight with a wonderful dinner out of Dan's P90X diet handbook. (Red Pepper Soup, Asparagus, Brown Rice and Salmon/Chicken) We are going to get rid of all of the junk in our diet and focus on whole foods and things rich in nutrients and low in bad fats and calories.
2. Find time to exercise. (This is where I am lacking as I do not know how to find time in the day with the kids) We purchased a bike trainer. Now that Noelle will be in school when the boys are napping, I do not have an excuse!
3. Increase my spirituality through daily scripture study, personal prayer, family prayer and uplifting music. (Some areas I am better in than others- I want to be 100% in all areas!)
4. Family Home Evenings weekly.
5. Increase my levels of patience and listen more to my family's needs and concerns. Take opportunities to teach my children!
6. Take time each day to look for ways to lift the burdens of others and reflect on my blessings.
7. Cultivate talents and aim high in my goal setting. (Read more, pursue my interests and teach others)
8. Set aside more time for Dan and I- figure out how to make this possible!
9. Make more contact with family and friends.
10. Go to bed earlier that I may be a healthier mom/wife/person!
11. Get myself on a better schedule and follow through with tasks and goals.
So, now that I've posted my goals, they are no longer thoughts. THEY ARE RESOLUTIONS! Good luck to all of you on you 2010 goals!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
It's Official...
Yipee! We just got a phone call and a spot finally opened up for Noelle to get into preschool. She was not 4 when school started in the fall, so they said they would let us know if a spot opened up in January! She starts next week and will be going when the boys are napping in the afternoon. As of now, in the afternoons we are trying to come up with really quiet things to do around the house, which usually results in movies or computer time. (Which I am not fond of, but don't know what else to do) My little girl is growing up!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Shirley Family Photos
The day after Christmas we headed over to Fair Oaks Park to try to capture the smiles of 9 adults, 5 kids and 2 babies. No small task for any of us involved. Some turned out better than others, as can be expected with a group this big. I thought I would highlight a few of my favorites! My very favorite is the grandparent shot! What cute grandparents we have! We did get a cute large group shot, but since I am the poster and I am not crazy about myself in the big group one, I did not post it! Someone else may choose to put it on their blog! Thanks mom and dad and Callie for putting this together!
We miss you cousins!
I just got off the phone with my sister this evening and have been feeling homesick for my family. It just kills me that we all live so far away and can't just hop the backyard fence anymore like we used to. (And that my kids have forgotten those days that were so much fun!) We had a fabulous trip and loved seeing ALL of our family and thought that I would just document my cute nieces and nephew! We miss you!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Just checking in...
I did post pictures- scroll down if my post is too long!
Happy New Year Everyone! I cannot believe it is 2010! Wasn't it just 2000??? I suppose I am just getting to the age where I am watching decades pass by and not just years. To think that my first date with Dan was 11 years ago. WOW! We welcomed in the New Year like a couple of old people. I was in bed and asleep by 10:00. Dan wanted to have a New Year's buddy and tried to talk Noelle into staying awake. The party animals crashed while watching The 3 Stooges about the same time as me. There is something really unappealing about staying awake late, knowing that you will be waking up through out the night to feed a baby and then at the crack of dawn with a 1 year old. Noelle woke up the next morning asking when she could shake some New Year noise makers. (Whoops! We missed that chance) We are more fun during the day- I promise!!! I have been enjoying having Dan home for this short winter break from school. We have been having pretty ordinary days, they are just so much more fun and relaxed with both of us home. We are all going to be in for a shock next week as he is entering into a busy semester- complete with a few all-day school days attached to evenings away. It just means that we are that much closer to completing this whole grad school gig! A year and a half to go!
We have been enjoying our Christmas presents and playing with all of the toys. Another BIG thank you to everyone for such thoughtful and fun gifts!!! Our house has truly become a toy store. Today we took the kids to the Discovery Museum. (Love that place) The kids played in the enormous ball area, the construction blocks, a big playhouse, a mock grocery store, played in the science area and explored the real life flight helicopter. Such a fun day! Hope everyone is doing okay! Keep up those blogs- I love reading them!
Here are some pictures of our HAPPY, HAPPY BABY! He is such a joy and blessing to our family! The first picture does not show his smile, but I thought it was sweet. Corom loves his brother. Elijah is now 4 months and such a moose!
Stir-crazy Noelle got a chance to try out our new bike trainer! She did great!
Just a few fun ones of Corom- he's hilarious!
So, here is the Barbie Guitar that Santa brought Noelle and the pink ballet outfit that has not come off since Christmas. I told you we have been having fun! The guitar sings (And now so does Noelle) "Girls just want to have fun"
Happy New Year Everyone! I cannot believe it is 2010! Wasn't it just 2000??? I suppose I am just getting to the age where I am watching decades pass by and not just years. To think that my first date with Dan was 11 years ago. WOW! We welcomed in the New Year like a couple of old people. I was in bed and asleep by 10:00. Dan wanted to have a New Year's buddy and tried to talk Noelle into staying awake. The party animals crashed while watching The 3 Stooges about the same time as me. There is something really unappealing about staying awake late, knowing that you will be waking up through out the night to feed a baby and then at the crack of dawn with a 1 year old. Noelle woke up the next morning asking when she could shake some New Year noise makers. (Whoops! We missed that chance) We are more fun during the day- I promise!!! I have been enjoying having Dan home for this short winter break from school. We have been having pretty ordinary days, they are just so much more fun and relaxed with both of us home. We are all going to be in for a shock next week as he is entering into a busy semester- complete with a few all-day school days attached to evenings away. It just means that we are that much closer to completing this whole grad school gig! A year and a half to go!
We have been enjoying our Christmas presents and playing with all of the toys. Another BIG thank you to everyone for such thoughtful and fun gifts!!! Our house has truly become a toy store. Today we took the kids to the Discovery Museum. (Love that place) The kids played in the enormous ball area, the construction blocks, a big playhouse, a mock grocery store, played in the science area and explored the real life flight helicopter. Such a fun day! Hope everyone is doing okay! Keep up those blogs- I love reading them!
Here are some pictures of our HAPPY, HAPPY BABY! He is such a joy and blessing to our family! The first picture does not show his smile, but I thought it was sweet. Corom loves his brother. Elijah is now 4 months and such a moose!
Stir-crazy Noelle got a chance to try out our new bike trainer! She did great!
Just a few fun ones of Corom- he's hilarious!
So, here is the Barbie Guitar that Santa brought Noelle and the pink ballet outfit that has not come off since Christmas. I told you we have been having fun! The guitar sings (And now so does Noelle) "Girls just want to have fun"
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