#4

Goal #4: Set up irrigation to my peach tree, pear tree, and blackberry bush.

No, it's not pretty, nor professional. But, um, did you notice the beautiful landscaping? Yeah, so the ugly tubing fits right in. Besides, the important thing is that the plants will get water, and hopefully I'll be enjoying lots of fruit this summer. Last year the pear tree had three tiny pears that never got big enough to eat. And the blackberry bushes grew, but the tiny berries fried in the summer heat because they really don't do well without regular watering. But I did harvest one perfect, juicy, insanely sweet peach. So this year I'm hoping to get a couple handfuls of berries, some pears that are actually edible, and I fully expect a bumper crop of delicious peaches. Because the tree, though still small, is covered in these little babies:

#8

Goal #8: Publish my 2010 Blog Book. This was a rough year to complete. But it's finally done. And it's on its way!

Where do the days go?

I still feel like the new year is just beginning. Wasn't it yesterday that I was making all those resolutions? Surely that must be the case, because otherwise I don't know how to account for over two months passing me by, and here I sit, unable to account for my time.


I do, however, have a few theories to explain this "lost time" phenomenon.


The first being that my female hormones have been out of control. I may or may not come from a family with a history of less-than-stable emotional/psychological status. Perhaps I too often use crazy hormones as an excuse. But going from breastfeeding to weaning, throw in the post-pregnancy return of my monthly cycle, then the subsequent PMS that lasted like 3 weeks because I was still irregular...well, let's just say it hasn't been pretty.


My second theory revolves around the new job I started in January, working just a few hours a month as an RN at our family practice office, doing Medicare Wellness appointments. I have been out of the work force for a long time, and it's been a little stressful going back to work, trying to perform competently, and thinking about my plan for my future career, feeling unsure about how I want to work it into my family timeline.


Theory number three is basically being the mother of three kids under the age of 6. Oh yeah, and homeschooling Bree's kindergarten, and trying to teach Mason stuff a preschooler should know. Bree is a precocious almost-6-year-old, who either needs a daily bath or deodorant to keep the body odor at bay. (Why do I always forget to bathe my kids? What is wrong with me?) And she always wants to go somewhere and do something, so the days when we just stay home (which, to be honest, is most days), are sooo dreary. And everything is sooo dramatic. Then there's Mason, who is probably going to be a lefty, despite all my right hand encouragement. He is crazy and impulsive, and today is sporting a heavily bandaged right hand because two days ago he touched the hot stove. He screamed for a solid hour until the Tylenol with Codeine (leftover from his last heinous injury) kicked in. And Lincoln, who continues to be delightfully mellow and happy, has just broken his third tooth (two on the bottom, and a new one on top). He is starting to tentatively cruise along the furniture, putting everything within reach into his mouth. His favorite pastime is eating the bathroom garbage.


So, life has felt hectic even though I don't feel like we have enough "going on" to justify use of the word. But I think things are looking up. Spring has arrived, and the comfortable sunshine is infusing me with new energy. And I think my female hormones are almost back to normal. And I've joined the Biggest Loser group at our church, so I've been getting more exercise, and have lost over 4% of my body weight so far. I'm feeling pretty darn good. And I'm hoping to get the most out of each day, whether that means planting those flowers that have been on my kitchen table since last weekend, crossing something off my list of goals, or going on a walk with the kids. Carpe diem, right? Or at least, I can start with carpe 30 minutes. Yes, there's a good place to start.

Zoo Experience

We decided it was high time for a visit to the zoo again. We carpooled with Adam and Heather (in our new awesome minivan) and met up with Amy and her kids at the zoo. It was a gorgeous, warm day. The kids had a blast, and Mason and Bree did pretty good at listening and staying within sight even though it was incredibly crowded.


There were lots of animals to see, including the stingrays, which we haven't visited before.

And there was lots of other stuff too. Including Bree's long-awaited cotton candy.

And Lincoln was a gem, despite the fact that his eyes were watering all day (the sunshine or sunscreen, or both). After a few hours of walking, a picnic lunch, and lots of fun, we said goodbye to Amy and her kids and headed back to Adam and Heather's house. We were happy and exhausted. The kids played quietly for hours with Adam's Legos. And the adults spent the rest of the day glued to the couches, watching Adam play a video game, chatting, and avoiding responsibility. It was awesome. We'll have to do it again sometime. The zoo, I mean.

This was totally not an assignment

"Jesus teaching the children."

Bree, age 5

11 Months

30 in 30 Progress

Goals I've completed:

• Watch a film from the AFI Top 100 list that I've never seen before. I Watched The Godfather, which was good, not great, but which was the first of its kind, and therefore worth watching.
• Donate used books to my library. Gathered up quite a few books still in good condition, but which aren't on my "repeat-reads' list. Our library often sells books as a fund-raiser, so hopefully my donation helped.
• Bear my testimony in church. I did this in January.

Goals in progress:

• Paint the exterior of my house (I started this project 3 or 4 years ago, and am still not finished) My parents loaned us their tall ladder, so this will actually be a possibility now.
• Sing in a recital. Working towards this with my voice teacher.
• Read the Book of Mormon. Reading a little every day.

Okay, so three completed goals with two months gone is not that impressive. Must make a more concerted effort.

Nutrition Lingo

Me: "What are you doing Mason?" (as he opens the pantry)
Mason: "Mom," (pointing to the cracker shelf) "I just want a carb."