So good, so long...

I did so well keeping up with my blog after New Years. I was quite proud of myself, needless to say. But then life crept in, slowly, and kept me from writing or reading. Sickness invaded, and we are just now recovering from it's onslaught of awfulness. Everyone is still slightly congested and snuffy, but we are all far better than we were two or three weeks ago. Thanks be to God that the sickness seems past for now and we are returning to real life again.

That said, February is almost over. Diva is officially 18 months now and showing her independence more every day. AJ is getting bigger, and I'm noticing bigger boy tendencies in his behaviors and attitudes. I am not ready for that, needless to say. The cuddles and snuggles are still there, so not all is lost. As for Diva, I'm thinking we are just starting to dig in for what may be a very long terrible twos stage.

Lent begins for us on Wednesday. I am ready for the opportunity to pour my heart into something great and good. I feel relief that this season is here, which is strange. I am almost looking for the chance to sacrifice and have a reason to resist indulging. I have yet to decide officially what I will choose as a sacrifice because I don't feel anything I've come up with so far is truly a sacrifice. So I will dwell for a while longer on that one to make a good decision.

I'm off to organize laundry and get something done before bed tonight. We have piles of laundry to get done...blah. One of my least favorite chores!

A very happy birthday...

Today is my 32cd birthday. In a way, that number both scares and humbles me. I am, of course, petrified by the idea that I have surpassed 22 years old. Remember 22? Me neither. Great year, 22. I was on top of the world...college graduate, in graduate school...the world was at my feet. Then, 23 came and everything changed. Literally, in the span of one month I was laid low. Life was no longer my oyster. I couldn't afford store brand fish sticks, let alone oysters. 23 was marked by Aidyn's birth and the effective end of my youth as a whole. In the span of three months I became a wife, mother and my college career was curbed. My reverse birthday was definitely a life changing year. Funny how it seemed tragic then. Now if for my reverse birthday year at 32 I could have another baby, life would be grand. Priorities definitely change.

I'm hoping 32 is a banner year for Krista :) Our world is looking pretty good...the kids are healthy and happy, C is inching closer every day to finishing his OTL/R and we're even contemplating going to Disney World. How much more fun is life than that? I'm also hoping to truly renew my weight loss effort. For this, C and I have decided to splurge and buy an elliptical. I have wanted one for ages, but now seemed the right time. Of course, as soon as we got it home and started putting it together, we realized a part was incorrect. So, for the moment, my banner year is on hold until my new parts get here.

Otherwise all is well in our house. I need to get in gear and get writing more. I was doing very well at the beginning of the year, but I have been slacking off lately. Silly girl. I really need to buckle down and get those thoughts of mine cataloged. So many important things to say...lol. I'm going to get ready for bed now...cuddle up with my honey and enjoy the sounds of his snores as the snow/rain/ice hits the roof. Good birthday :)

A week in the life...

This week literally flew by for us. Between having a sick kid Monday and Tuesday, through dentist's appointments and basketball games and everything in between, I feel like I haven't had a minute to think. But, Sunday has come, naps have commenced and CCD was accomplished, so all of us are sitting around doing a little bit of nothing. C is playing Civ, AJ is playing Football, I'm on the computer and Diva is flittering around between the three of us. Her main goal is enticing us with promise of Elmo karaoke. Little does she know, the only one that likes Elmo karaoke is her!

So a new week is on the horizon and we will bid adieu to January this week. Other than being frigid, snowy and gray, you've been good to us, January 2011. We've pretty much mad it through in one piece, which is more than I can say for many months. I feel like I can almost see the light of warmer weather (that being above 20 degrees, I mean). If I can get through February, I can start thinking about my garden and other summer goodies. I can stop worrying about snow boots and heavy coats...and how I hate heavy coats! And on a garden note, I got my seeds yesterday. We'll see how this experiment in starting seeds myself goes this year. I'm positive, but not sure how well it will go...think happy, green plants!

I'm off again...Diva lost her banana and it must be retrieved. Oh the glamorous life I lead!

Small steps...

I was roaming around the cyber world this evening, checking the blogs of various cyber friends and other interesting places around. I was particularly thankful to run across Erica's blog this evening to find some great insights. Elizabeth Foss has a great website on Catholic families and education (along with many other interesting topics) that offered a great article with insight into my life recently. I have been in a funk...I have been grumpy, grumble-y and altogether unpleasant at times. I have put that burden on my family. I read that post she offered, as well as what Erica wrote and thought to myself...these are simple, small steps I should be taking. Why am I not? I am being uncharitable to others because of my own discomfort. This definitely not the attitude I need to have, or the way I want my children or others to see me. So, I am going to take to heart the idea of small steps. I am going to very consciously make an effort to put more joy into my life by adjusting my attitude toward a larger picture.

I am going to put a smile on my face and be thankful for the small moments with my children, no matter what time of the day or night I find them.

I hope to find joy in my daily tasks. Beautifying my home is a blessing for us all.

I am going to strive to think more calmly and act more charitably toward those I have grievances against. Even if I am frustrated internally, allowing my feelings to show externally only teaches my children to be spiteful and vengeful.

Hopefully these small steps today will lighten my heart tomorrow. I want harmony and happiness to be in my home, and I need to be the catalyst for it. I definitely need to quit enspousing the "sour saint" mentality.

To a better tomorrow!

Meal Planning Monday

Monday...Roast Pork with cabbage and potatoes
Tueday...Out to dinner with associates of C
Wednesday...Italian sausage veggie soup
Thursday...Stuffing and turkey casserole with mashed potatoes
Friday...Mahi mahi steaks with roasted garlic potatoes and veggies