Day 30 Blog Journal: A dream for the future

Day 30 - a dream for the future

My dream for the future is....

• that my daughter will be happy in her life as she grows
• that my daughter has siblings one day and that they are best friends for their entire lives
• for my husband to love his career choices in the Air Force and what follows
• for my parents to be able to retire and enjoy life
• to finally have the career I've worked so long for when my life as soon as my life allows me to
• to have my dream job at home part time as well that I mentioned yesterday
• that my relationship with my children will always be one that others envy
• that my husband and I remember to cherish every precious moment that we are together and that we grow old together
• that my children have many cousins to grow up with... just putting it out there ;-)
• that we create a beautiful world for our children to grow up in feeling safe and loved and to know what truly matters in life

I reached the 30 days!! GO ME! Are you as surprised as I am? Back to our previously scheduled posts...

Day 29 Blog Journal: Hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Where do I begin? Talk about jam packing a book into a sentence.

My plans are first and foremost to be moving soon, as a family of three again. To where? We still don't know. But we expect to have a new home in a new town that we have never lived in before within 6 months. Just in time for Cheyanne's first birthday. As the saying goes, home is wherever the Air Force sends us. I am so excited for this adventure, wherever it takes us. Our world has already changed so much in the last 365 days. I can't even begin to imagine how much our world is going be changing in the next 365 days. That thought alone will make my head spin.

My hope is for my little family to be comfortable, but not to be confused with content. I hope that with this big move, we make the most of where we are sent and become comfortable with our new lives. I want to be comfortable with our new surroundings, comfortable with new adventures, comfortable in a new home, and in our new roles. That doesn't seem like to much to hope for. I hope that Cheyanne remains the happy precious girl that she is. I hope that my parenting skills only improve with each new challenge we encounter this year. I hope that my husband gets the job that he continues to work so hard for and so rightfully deserves. In this, I hope and pray that our plans are the plans God has already planned for us and are the ones that we have prayed over for so long.

My dream is something I haven't planned out too well yet, but I'll go ahead and touch on it anyways. I know it is a far stretch, something way out of my comfort zone. Something that I have lots to learn about still, and am continuing to do my research on. It is to start my own at home business. I have talked for a long time about starting up my own creative craft business, but never have gotten much farther than the dream stage. So, I dream that in the next 365 days, I get beyond the dream stage and move to the planning stage. Hopefully, there is more to come on this topic.

Day 28 Blog Journal: Whats in my handbag/purse

Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse

What purse?! My purse is a diaper bag these days. So, lets see. What all do I have in there?

Diapers? Check.
Wipes? Check.
Baby change of clothes? Check.
Nursing cover? Check.
Necessities of chapstick and gum? Double check.
Wallet? Check.
Bandaid in case of some unforseen accident, because, well its me? Check.
Something exciting? Something scandalous? Something worth giggling about?! That's a negative.

I have two fabulous diaper bags that I interchange due to situational needs.

I have one awesome bag that my girlfriend Cara had made for me. She picked out the fabrics, style, everything and it is perfect! I don't know her friend that made it, but boy is she talented? I hope she is selling these somewhere. Cara?

I also have this JJ Cole System 180 bag in gray and pink. It hooks on to my stroller which makes it so easy to travel with. This was my best friend during our Texas trip.

Aren't they both cute?

Day 27 Blog Journal - My worst habit

Day 27 - my worst habit

Easiest one so far!! Pro.cras.tin. Oh I'll finish that later. ation.

I am the worst procrastinator in the entire world I'm afraid. I always get things done, somehow, but I'm usually beating myself up at the end of it swearing up and down I will never procrastinate again. Until tomorrow that is.

Its a horrible habit. I hope with everything in me that Chey does not inherit this trait from me. I'm pretty sure every year it lands on my new years resolution list. Some moments in life are better than others, but overall, yep, I am a procrastinator.

I've gotten better ::stop rolling your eyes Mom:: but I struggle with this habit constantly. Although, with a baby by my lonesome, I try and stay on top of things the best I can. Bills get paid on time. Baby gets everything she needs on time. Unfortunately, its usually my personal things that fall to the waste side until I can't handle it anymore. Example A. The scrapbook. Yeah, the scrapbook that I started 3 months again and the last page I touched was pre-Christmas. Yeah I'll just get to that later.

Day 26 Blog Journal: Your week, in great detail

Day 26 - your week, in great detail

Oh, I'm sorry. Perhaps if you just read Day 25- your day in great detail five times, that should answer this one.

Baby wakes up around 6am. I give baby medicine and put her in bed with me. We sleep for about an hour until she wakes up to eat. Once awake, we say goodbye to Nana and Skipper as they leave for work. Depending on how we slept the night before, we either lay back in bed to cuddle and watch Hoda and Kathie Lee on the Today Show, or we begin our day of play. Fast forward 2 hours of play. Baby lays down for late morning nap around 11am. Momma jumps in shower while baby naps. Momma jumps out of shower to get dressed, hurry through a few things on her to do list for the day. Baby wakes up hungry. Feed baby. Feed self while baby plays in jumperoo or on floor mat. Tummy time. Play play. Laundry or some other random chore that can be done with baby in tow as at this point baby wants nothing but to be held. Baby takes afternoon nap. I squeeze in whatever other things are mandatory on my to do list such as pay bills, make phone calls, catch up on my blog, etc. Baby awakes ready to eat again. Play play. Hopefully catch a little of either Ellen or Oprah during play time. Nana and Skipper get home and take baby for a few moments while I let my arms rest (jk). Dinner. Phone call from the Giant when he gets out of class. Baby time. Get baby ready for bed starting at 8pm. Usually put baby down just as the Giant calls again as he is getting ready for bed as well around 8:30pm. Perform juggling act of soothing screaming baby fighting sleep and carrying on an adult conversation trying to get filled in on whatever has gone on in the Giant's world that day. Postpone the phone call until baby is completely asleep and I am able to relax and talk like a normal human being. Ah breathe. Finish phone call. Fall to sleep. Wake up around 2:30 to put awake baby back to sleep. Perform this a few more times throughout the night. And wake up at 6am to do it all over again.

Throw in a few random shopping trips on Saturday and maybe slip in a church service Sunday morning if I'm lucky, and that about sums up my week. Wow, I just bored myself. Moving on...

Day 25 Blog Journal: Your day, in great detail

Day 25 - your day, in great detail

Are you kidding me? Hello?? I have a baby. There will be no "in great detail" today. I'll give you the rundown.

Baby wakes up around 6am. I give baby medicine and put her in bed with me. We sleep for about an hour until she wakes up to eat. Once awake, we say goodbye to Nana and Skipper as they leave for work. Depending on how we slept the night before, we either lay back in bed to cuddle and watch Hoda and Kathie Lee on the Today Show, or we begin our day of play. Fast forward 2 hours of play. Baby lays down for late morning nap around 11am. Momma jumps in shower while baby naps. Momma jumps out of shower to get dressed, hurry through a few things on her to do list for the day. Baby wakes up hungry. Feed baby. Feed self while baby plays in jumperoo or on floor mat. Tummy time. Play play. Laundry or some other random chore that can be done with baby in tow as at this point baby wants nothing but to be held. Baby takes afternoon nap. I squeeze in whatever other things are mandatory on my to do list such as pay bills, make phone calls, catch up on my blog, etc. Baby awakes ready to eat again. Play play. Hopefully catch a little of either Ellen or Oprah during play time. Nana and Skipper get home and take baby for a few moments while I let my arms rest (jk). Dinner. Phone call from the Giant when he gets out of class. Baby time. Get baby ready for bed starting at 8pm. Usually put baby down just as the Giant calls again as he is getting ready for bed as well around 8:30pm. Perform juggling act of soothing screaming baby fighting sleep and carrying on an adult conversation trying to get filled in on whatever has gone on in the Giant's world that day. Postpone the phone call until baby is completely asleep and I am able to relax and talk like a normal human being. Ah breathe. Finish phone call. Fall to sleep. Wake up around 2:30 to put awake baby back to sleep. Perform this a few more times throughout the night. And wake up at 6am to do it all over again.

Yeah, that's my typical day. Riveting I know.

Day 23 Blog Journal: A Youtube video

Day 23 - a youtube video



Everything about this cracks me up.

Day 22 Blog Journal: A website

Day 22 - a website

http://www.operationhugahero.org/

Day 21 Blog Journal: A recipe

Day 21 - a recipe

Below is the recipe for beef tenderloin.  If you want a cheaper cut of meat, you can always marinate it to tenderize it.  I have used london broil and flank steak with the following marinade, grilled it, and cut it on the diagonal.  They are also good.

 

Beef Tenderloin:

1 (4 to 6 pound) beef tenderloin

Dry mustard

Salt and pepper

Mild steak sauce (optional)

Mushrooms (optional)

 

Trim tenderloin of fat.  Sprinkle with dry mustard and rub serface well.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Place in shallow roasting pan.  Brush steak sauce over tenderloin.  Roast in preheated very hot oven (450) for 30 to 40 minutes (rare) or 45 to 60 minutes (medium) being careful not to over- bake.

 

Meat marinade:

1 1/2 cups of salad oil

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

2 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup wine vinegar

2 crushed garlic cloves

3/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons dry mustard

1 tablespoon black paper

1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

1/3 cup lemon juice

Day 20 Blog Journal: A hobby of yours

Day 20 - a hobby of yours

Um, is this not the same as Day 19? A talent. A hobby. Hmm same thing to me. However, I have a baby. I don't have any hobbies right now. Boring, yes I know.

Day 19 Blog Journal: A talent of yours

Day 19 - a talent of yours

Crafts. I enjoy all crafts. But I'm probably best at knitting. That's my talent.

I need pictures. I'll work on that.

Day 18 Blog Journal: My wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding

Day 17 Blog Journal: An art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)

 

My father is a beautiful artist. He can paint just about anything. He gave me this painting a long time ago, years after he painted it, and it remains one of my favorites that he has ever done. My parents' house is filled with his paintings. This painting will always be hung in my home, no matter where that home may be.

Day 16 Blog Journal: A song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Oh come on. Geesh. How much time do you have?

Right now, probably anything, well anything about someone being away from home or missing someone or military centered lyrics or basically any sappy country song.

Example.




Yep. It happened again. Ugh.

I long for the day that I can turn on the country radio station and not have to quickly change it to keep the water works at bay. That day's not here yet.

One song that I love (that yes is sappy but so sweet and positive)...

Day 15 Blog Journal: Your dream house

Day 15 - your dream house

I am a HUGE Frank Lloyd Wright fan, so this is by far my favorite naturalistic FLW home. "Fallingwater" one day I will visit you in Pennsylvania.

But I'm also a sucker for all Charleston homes, like this one... Shoot, I'd take a shack if it even resembled this one.

Ah to live in a home like this. I'll keep dreaming.

Day 14 Blog Journal: A non-fictional book

Day 14 - a non-fictional book

I wanted to finish this book before I gave the Giant his kindle for Christmas, but alas, my slow reading abilities got the best of me on our flight to TX last month. But, as soon as I get my hands on the Kindle, I'll be back at it. I'm intrigued to see his take on things.

Day 13 Blog Journal: A fictional book

Day 13 - a fictional book

Any book? This is so random. I should have read this list ahead of time and saved my Twilight Saga for this. Hmm...

Since this is the book we just read tonight before bedtime, I'll share.

This is one of our favorite story time books. Everyone needs a little Little Nutbrown Hare in their lives.

I love you to the moon and back.

Day 12 Blog Journal: Something you are OCD about

Day 12 - Something you are OCD about

CLEAN HANDS!!!

I am so the germaphobe these days! So, my one biggest rule if you want to hold my little bright eyed beauty, WASH YOUR HANDS!

Because, this is what I see. I swear!

Its like a sixth sense. A gross, yucky, Momma-eyed sixth sense

Day 11 Blog Journal: A photo of you recently

Day 11 - a photo of you recently

Uggghh.... PASS!

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Fine. I committed to this. Despite the fact that I am proud that this is the first time in over a year that I weigh again in the 1+teens (Finally!)-(No I'm not sharing that number), I am not a fan of a mirror or camera right now. However, putting my personal insecurities and embarrassments aside, I realize how much I will want these pictures of Chey and I while she is a baby, so I give in. So, here I am... from the waist up at least, half covered by a ridiculously cute little munchkin. Perfect :)

Day 10 Blog Journal: A photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

And this is still what I would like to be doing right now...