Well...hmmm

I did so well posting last month...maybe I need to do some sort of challenge all the time. I'll just give a little rundown of our month and hopefully get to some more interesting topics (Quinn's upcoming 4th birthday, the Oscars, my learning of Quickbooks...ok, that's not interesting) in the very near future.

I've recently started watching Downton Abbey, and much to my surprise, am enjoying it very much. I'm not usually a Victorian era enjoyer, but this is a bit more spunky and plush, if that makes sense. I'm only on the 4th episode of the first season, but I'll definitely be carrying it forward. The first season is currently on Netflix Instant and I'm recording Season 2 on PBS so I can enjoy it when I finish Season 1. That's one great thing about British programming, very short seasons.


I just finished reading Divergent, and it was a really good book. I won't go as far as great or revolutionary, but definitely enjoyable. Plus I have a 1-degree of separation from the author, which is always fun. Its a YA sci-fi dystopian thriller, definitely in the same vein as The Hunger Games, but different enough to make it worth checking out. It is a planned 3-parter, which part 2 coming out in May of this year, and I will for sure be adding it to my list.

Ross and I celebrated our 7 (!) year anniversary a few weeks ago. We were able to get away for one night to Sarasota. We stayed at a fairly nice hotel (good deal on Travelocity anyway) on the beach (which we didn't go to). We were able to go to St. Armand's Circle, which is a very charming shopping/dining area of Sarasota. If you are ever there, give it a whirl. We had an excellent anniversary dinner at the Crab and Fin, where I would put on my return-to list for sure. All in all, it was a wonderful way to celebrate 7 years of wedded bliss. Ok, that was a bit schmaltzy, but you know what I mean.

So that's us for the month. Quinn is doing fine, and hopefully I'll be taking more pictures and posting more of his stuff in the next few days. I don't think I've taken a picture of him since the beginning of the month. Don't worry, he looks the same, just in desparate need of a haircut.

Kim's 4 Word Book Review

It's hilarious. Read it.

One More Good Idea

I recently realized I forgot one of my Good Ideas, and its probably one of the most important. I need to try every day during the week that I work to leave the house by 8:40. This is definitely a challenge for me, and I don't know why. Quinn is supposed to be in class by 9, but he's not considered late until 9:10 and that's probably something I fall back on too much. Another reason I am late is because in many ways, my son is his father's child. Getting up in the morning is one of those ways. Those who know Ross know that he is a night owl to an extreme. Quinn isn't quite as bad, but he's probably on his way. He also tends to move (and don't let my next phrase fool you, I'm not an 85 year old man) slower than molasses in January. I try and motivate him to move, but it doesn't work a lot and sadly, it often leads to my frustration. So I guess this is really 2 Good Ideas in 1 - get out the door by 8:40 and ease up on my frustration levels.

Hello 2012

A new year is upon us once again. It just keeps coming faster and faster. As I've been thinking about the year ahead, I've decided to make a "Good Idea" list. Not really resolutions, just, you know, good ideas. That way, if they don't get achieved, they were just good ideas, not anything set in stone. So here's my list....but first, the first picture of Quinn in 2012. Not the best, but still cute (which, ironically, is similar to what he said when I put these new pj's on him..."I'm cute now!" Modest, huh?)

Good Ideas

1. Strive everyday to find God's peace and joy in the world that really are there.

2. Find my passion. This may sound weird to some, but if you know someone who has a passion, well, you definitely know it.

3. Lose 5 lbs (ok, really 10-15 might be better ideas).

4. Get better with my camera.

5. Organize something, anything.

6. Read at least 15 books (I have a super secret goal of 20, but I'm sticking with 15 as my public goal).

7. Be more active in my community.

8. Be the best wife, mom, friend, daughter, sister, etc I can be. And that does include blogger.

A lot of these are just generalities, but you know, things to focus on. I have some other private things too, so it comes out to quite a bit. But what would life be if not for the challenges.

PS - Oh, and I did reach my goal for last year, which was read 15 books. Completed 12/30/11. Woo-Hoo.

2011 in Review

As 2011 creeps out the back door while 2012 is knocking on the front door, I thought I'd review the year that was. There won't be any pictures, as I really don't know what pictures to post. I'm sure there will be some tomorrow. 2011 wasn't terrible, it wasn't great, it just was. It had some highs and lows and a lot of in-betweens. Here are some of those highs and lows:

Highs

New job!

New car!!!!!!!!!!!!

First family stay in a hotel

Joy's lovely wedding we were able to be in

Lots of great times at Disney, at home, all over

Finding a healthcare situation that will work for me for 2012!!!

Lows

Living situation hasn't changed

Ok, so looking at it that way, I'd say 2011 was pretty good! I can look back and see the times spent with my wonderful family and great friends and feel beyond blessed. Things may not be exactly how I want them to be, but there not as bad as they could be either.

To those who had a crappy 2011, I hope that the new year brings you joy and peace beyond your wildest dreams. To those who had a great 2011, I hope the blessings keep coming. And to those who had an okay 2011, like me, well, I hope you can see that it was probably better than you thought and that 2012 is more of the same! Happy New Year!

Christmas Wrap Up

Christmas is over, but I'm going to do a quick wrap up of our Christmas this year, mostly through pictures...enjoy!

Quinn hanging his new Crush and Squirt ornament on the tree.

Posing with the toys he picked out to donate to a "little boy".

In the sleigh at Christmas Lane.

I take this picture every year.

Our family picture by the tree didn't go so well this year. Here's to next year!

Helping Papa make his legendary hot chocolate on Christmas Eve.

Yay for presents!!

We visited Ruby Falls, which was super cool.

Opening presents again when we got home.

We had a great Christmas this year. It was nice to spend it with family and friends and we can only hope that all our future Christmases are this nice or better. We are truly blessed.

Wonderful Christmas Eve

This will be brief, but I wanted to write about how great Christmas Eve is, at least for me. There is so much anticipation and eagerness, but at the same time, things are calm and peaceful. Somewhat. I guess because Quinn doesn't seem to quite get opening presents at the crack of dawn yet, for which I am very grateful. My dad always makes the best hot chocolate and we watch Its a Wonderful Life and just spend time together. Can't ask for much better than that I say. So Merry Christmas Eve everyone, I hope you find peace and joy on this wonderful night.