Monday, March 29, 2010

Well, Well, Well...

So, our laptop was down and out for a bit, and on top of that Ethan has been monopolizing it for educational purposes most of this semester. Consequently, I haven't updated the blog for over two weeks. I do remember that I said this was going to be a kid free post, but apparently that's just not doable for me. Sad, I know. :)




Ethan took these pictures of the kids after church on Sunday. The shirt and tie combo Ben-Ben is wearing is supposed to be for this coming fall/winter. Since Ethan doesn't know much about that kind of thing, he saw it in the closet and couldn't resist. I got it on clearance last week, and it's Benjamin's first tie. Doesn't he look like a little professor?! This makes me really want to find a spring/summer colored tie for him. We'll see. Oh, and the dress Anna is wearing is kind of her Easter dress. I say kind of, because she won't be wearing it on Easter since it's general conference. We went with simple, not frilly. Anna picked it out herself, and I'm so glad she goes for the same types of things I would pick for her. I also love how she doesn't automatically go for the pink clothes.


Speaking of the weekend. We got to see some old friends of ours, Dan and Jazmine, and meet their beautiful baby girl. It had been years, and it was so great to catch up and hang out. I remembered to bring the camera down with us (they were staying in Ann Arbor), but unfortunately forgot to bring it out of the car both days. So sad. It was especially cool seeing Dan as a daddy since we all go way back (Eth and Dan have been friends since 3rd grade, and I've known him since high school). So happy for their little family! A very fun weekend.



First picture: Anna's current favorite shirt...it has unicorns on it, need I say more. And Anna got all decked out for St. Patrick's Day for pre-school. I love how she's really striking a pose in the middle picture. Ben didn't have too much of a green selection to choose from, but it worked.



Okay, so Anna begged me to make green food for dinner. Two of the items on "the menu" were already green, so all I had to do was add food coloring to the garlic-pesto salmon and couscous. It doesn't look too appealing, but it tasted just as good as normal. Anna thought it was hilarious. Glad she's so easily amused.


Okay, now for the non-kiddo related things:


  • One of my new year's goals was to go to bed earlier, and have a regular sleep schedule. My ideal would be 10 or 11pm until the kids wake up around 7 or 8am. So, since I've made it an official goal, I'm doing even worse than before. Ugh! What is wrong with me? One thing I've accomplished related to this is that I rarely (like almost never) have caffeine anymore. I think it affects me more than normal people. On days that I've had some good ol' diet coke, even if it's early in the day, it'll take me forever to fall asleep. Anyway, the main point is, I am failing miserably at this goal. I'm not quite sure why I stay up so late - 12 or 1am is the norm - but I think I just want to enjoy as much kid free time as possible. Any suggestions?


  • I've been reading some really great books lately. Two that I would highly recommend to anyone are Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I am excited to start reading The People's Tycoon, a biography of Henry Ford. I love books. I love to read. I love a good story, or being educated on a subject, and I also love experiencing the variety in writing styles and use of words. Ethan says that I'm an obsessive reader. That means, if I really like the book, it is very hard for me to do anything else. That's probably why I take long breaks in between books....and then quickly zip through another one. But, I've been trying to be better about that, and it's working. Unless the book is especially suspenseful, then I just have to know what's going to happen. :) So, any good books anyone would like to suggest?


  • I have just recently decided that I would love to get a Master's degree. I don't know for what - maybe education related, or maybe not. I love going to school, and since I graduated 2 1/2 years ago, I haven't taken any classes. Crazy, but I think I miss it. (I would have never believed this day would come when I graduated!) To clarify, this is on my "very far in the future to do list". After the kiddies are in school, I plan on working, mainly to chip away at all the student loans we'll have racked up by the time Ethan is done with his DPT program. (Really, it shouldn't be too bad. :) So, sometime after that, when we feel like we have a handle on the finances, I'd love to go back for a masters. Not too exciting, but a desire for more education has begun, and I can only see it growing.
  • Speaking of things that may never happen...hehe. I would love to be a professional organizer. If I felt as good organizing other people's things as much as I do my own, then it would be a very fulfilling and rewarding job. AND, I am self aware enough to realize that it's a little creepy how much I love organizing, seeing organized areas and items, and fantasizing about organizing other people's things. But I can't help it. It's in me. And I'm not saying that I am perfectly organized, or that my apartment is 100% there, but I do love it. Maybe I'll get a master's in something business related and then start my own organizing business. We'll see, but this would also fall in the category of my "very far in the future to do list".
  • I have been really enjoying my current calling at church. Our church is a lay ministry, so most members serve in some way, referred to as a "calling". In addition to playing the piano for the primary kids, I have also been the Activity Night leader for the past year. Activity Night is for girls ages 8-11, and meets on Wednesday evenings for an hour. We accomplish goals, have fun activities, and participate in faith based lessons and games. It's fun, and it feels good to contribute and serve in my local congregation. There have been some challenges, specific to our group, but they have helped me to grow. I love the girls and admire their efforts to make good choices and stay close to a loving Heavenly Father, even when the world would have them believe it's not important. They strengthen me. After each meeting, even if it has been challenging, I come away feeling like I have accomplished something good. And I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

So, these are some of the "kid free" things that I've been thinking about lately. If you made it through, congratulations. And have a beautiful week!

2 comments:

Diana said...

Very cute pictures.
I too am very sensitive to caffeine I cannot fall asleep until 3 or so in the morning even if I drink it before lunch! so I gave it up.
thats exciting that you want to get a Masters. I want to finish mine or do a different one someday too.
I am very bad with goals. I do better setting weekly tasks that are goal like.

The Kenisons said...

so I loved the "kid free" post. I especially liked your idea of being a professional organizer. I could totally see you doing that! And I bet it could be done a lot easier/sooner than you think.