You know when you just do not feel inspired? Not inspired to cook. Not inspired to exercise. Not inspired to decorate. Not inspired when you go shopping and you actually have money to spend and you can't find anything you like. Well, really, I have felt quite inspired to cook, exercise, decorate, and even shop (though who can shop and really have time to look with two little ones?). What I have not felt inspired to do is blog. But I decided to give it a try tonight, as well as tell you some realizations I have come to over the past TWELVE days in which I have not blogged.
- I try to do too much in a given day. I think I can conquer the world in a day for the post part by being a full time cook, full time wife, full time mom, full time decorator, full time grocery shopper, full time sewer, etc. etc. etc. All this "conquering" makes me feel very overwhelmed when I cannot get it all done in a given day so I have decided to pick one major task each day other than all the other things that must get done (changing diapers, making meals, playing with the girls, etc.). Today I did lots and lots of laundry because we just got back in town from Missouri (see a few pics below). I'm happy to say I just finished putting it all up and I feel good about getting my one big task accomplished today.
- I like my nails to be painted. I really have not painted my nails a color besides clear in at least two years I do believe. I did so this past weekend and I just feel so much more together when they are painted. Unfortunately in between giving baths, doing the dishes, and things such as that, they don't stay looking good very long hence I probably will not keep this up. Oh well.
- I really like to not do anything after dinner time. Let me explain: I'm worn out after dinner. I just want to relax. Lately, I've been waiting to do things around the house until after the girls go to bed. None of this any longer (or that is my goal).
- When it comes to dressing my girls, I like more simple. My mom likes more...well, more. Hence the hat that Aubrey is wearing in the picture with my mom. I'm not complaining about my mom's likings. It gives the girls more of a "twist" in their clothes. I also just like to dress my girls. I think I've said this before but I have a hard time buying myself clothes when given the opportunity because I just want to buy them more instead of buying me more. None of us needs any more clothes to be perfectly honest.
- My girls really do not need it super quiet to sleep as I have always assumed they did. Two things have helped me to come to this conclusion. 1. When we had the wind storm and lost electricity, I could not use their sound machines when they slept and they both slept perfectly great. 2. We started construction on renovating our basement today. Between the hammers, the workers' radio, the drills, and the demolition causing the house to actually shake, I figured the girls would NEVER be able to take naps. They did. I am thankful for this fully knowing that it may bother them tomorrow. Oh well. I did post a pic of the basement. I know this is not what many of you are looking for in regards to pics of our house. I'm sorry...I actually did not take it. Aaron did. I need to take some of the house. Oh well.
- Notice the picture of Savannah literally on top of Aubrey. This is a given position in our house about 6-8x a day. As of late, it has been bothering Aubrey which is quite heart-wrenching to watch her little lips start to quiver and then break out into tears. We need to work on this position I would say.
- It's hard to get a good picture of the girls together much less a good family picture. I wanted so badly to get a "cute" one in the PJs...I decided to post the one that I did not because it's so cute but because most of Aubrey's waking hours are spent blowing bubbles and making funny noises with her mouth.
- I'm trying to figure out how to get our families to move closer to us. I miss family!!! Papa and Mama Boe~there has got to be an architect firm around here that would suit Papa Boe beautifully. Dad and Mom~what has ever stopped ya'll from getting up and moving? Savannah and Aubrey should surely and totally inspire you! Uncle Matt and Aunt Natalie~ya'll are young! So many opportunities in L-ville...just make the move.
- Lastly and finally, I try to make things too well-rounded...too perfect...too much. While writing this blog, I thought: "Having 10 realizations would make this post come together better." That's why I'm just writing 9 because I'm trying to not be such a perfectionist. Baby steps...baby steps.
Our license plate no longer says Tennessee. So, I guess we are officially Kentucky residents though I have yet to get my driver's license...I'm holding on a bit longer because I like my current picture.
Les had a brillant realization on why people blog~because they like to hear themselves talk. I think she's pretty right on there...I'm much better at writing than "talking" my thoughts out, so bear with me as I let my reading world know of a few of my thoughts on our move and "nesting" in Louisville.
- Aaron is proving quite the student. He would not agree with me but I believe he is. I'm even helping him study these days. I have to get him to explain to me what his notes are talking about, but other than that, I like being his study buddy. He just has to make sure he gets my help before 10 p.m. or I will fast fall asleep.
- Change is hard for me. That is an understatement. I think this move is hard because I was very content living in Memphis. As I told a friend: I just wanted to drive in my Volvo (that is my dream car...I will never have one because we only buy Hondas or Toyotas or so my husband has informed me) around East Memphis for the rest of my days, toting my children around and frolicking with M-town friends. Hah! The Lord had another idea, for which I am grateful although it's been an uncomfortable change.
- Why has it been uncomfortable? Well, I'm just not used to having to plan out my days so that I can ensure I as well as Savannah do not go crazy in our little abode. Formerly, things just popped up all week long to keep us busy. Now, I really have to think to have something to do. I'm sure things will start popping up eventually. Until then, Wednesdays is Mommy and Me at the rec center (I have not been yet...hah! Plan to go next week). Thursdays is Story Hour at the library. And, well, folks that's it save Sunday being church.
- I don't mind so much not knowing people when I go to places like the library or church, etc. I like meeting new people...but just the other day I went to the park with the girls and there were 4 moms there with their children and I got a bit reminicsent about my play dates in Memphis. I almost got the courage to go up to them and ask: "Can we play too?"
- I'm having much more time to do things around the house, thus Hobby Lobby is fast becoming my new favorite store!
- Transitioning from 1 to 2 in regards to sweet babies has been tough for me too. The first month was super easy I must say...the next month we were living with family which of course helped a ton...the third month reality hit hard and wow! It's gotten much better though as routine has set in...and of course I would not change things for the world. I've just got to realize that my days are pretty much non-stop and I am finally settling into that role as well as that realization.
- Okay. Okay. I know I need to post pics of our house. I wish I was not such a perfectionist about things but that's just who I am. I think they may be coming soon. But if not, stop asking and come visit!
- I was nervous about going to Memphis last week because I did not think I would want to leave. We had a great time and I was really fine when we headed home...Yes, our house is feeling a lot more like home to me.
- I would definitely say I have not ventured out of my little driving comfort zone here...I try to watch the news a bit so I can recognize at least the names of different streets and areas in the city. But, really, everything that I need is within I would say 3 miles of our house which prevents me from having to very adventurous in that regard.
- I would by no means say I'm just loving Louisville, but I've realized that is okay. I'm liking it. I have such a peace about being here and where the Lord is leading us and that is what counts.
On this day, I'm a bit exhausted. Perhaps it is because I pushed around a double stroller and pulled and was tugged by a 40-pound beagle this morning on our 3-mile walk. I didn't stop there though. I then brought Charley home, kept the girls in the stroller and headed to library for story hour. The library is in fact about a mile away. I thought that it would be most fun to walk there and I really had no choice because Aaron had our only car. The way there was fine...the way back...well, I was tired, hungry and ready to get home. So, I am exhuasted after my "5-miler" and when I get exhausted, I tend to get cranky. However, my sweet Lord is teaching me much about cultivating thankfulness and contententment, even when things are not going particularily my way...
Lee gave me the idea to do this a couple of weeks back, so here it goes. I am thankful for...
- Our sweet baby Aubrey who melts my heart each time she smiles at me. These days I'm finding it difficult to even feed her because she just wants to look up at me and smile and "talk".
- Our precious firstborn child Savannah who is a clear picture to me of God's grace.
- My hard-working, amazing husband Aaron. Without all his hard work, I would not be able to enjoy our girls the way I am so priviledged to do so each and every day. Without his amazingness, I would not be who I am today.
- Pilsbury slice and bake chocolate chip cookies and Cherry Coke and sweet tea, which I finally figured out how to make it almost as good as my mom's.
- That we needed to wear jackets on our (exhausting) walk this morning because the feel of fall was in the air.
- Spiced Pumpkin Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works.
- Facebook and blogs and emails...it's good to keep up with people.
- Nap times and early bed times...soon I'm going to start letting myself get some extra needed sleep during these times!
- The Colts and the Vols. I love watching football!
- Thursday night television...it's back!
- The fact that I'm really a deep person even though my blog may convey differently...I just don't use it as a journal, which would be totally fine if I chose to do so. I just love the Lord makes us "deep" and lets us have fun in that deepness.
I would definitely say that Savannah takes quite awhile to warm up to people in general. Family? Give her Papa and Mama Boe, Honey and Pops, Aunt Natalie, and/or Uncle Matt, and she is as happy as can be. People she should recognize because we see them at least once a week (or used to)? Still takes her a little while and I would say she has just now started to be okay with them (and then we had to go and move her away...shame on us!). New people? Umm...not going to happen in the first meeting. Strangers? So weird~she'll say hey to anyone and everyone in the grocery store, at Target, etc.
All that to say, I've noticed she is gradually becoming more quick to warm up to people other than her family these days. And...I've blissfully discovered she loves Laura! Perhaps it is because Laura is willing to have tea parties with Savannah, hold Savannah's dolls when prompted, and read Savannah books even when she is walking around the room appearing not to listen (oh, but stop reading and she is quick to tell you to continue to read!).
Laura, count yourself rare, girl!
Well, I know that little things get me excited and I will let you know that I am very excited about this Thursday night because The Office has its premiere! I'm not quite sure why I like that show so much. Maybe it's because I have the best time watching it with Aaron or maybe it's because I so want Jim and Pam to make it (which I'm sure they will not).
I don't watch many shows...LOST which I cannot figure out when it starts back (?) and American Idol (not until January) and The Office (this Thursday!). Of course, I must throw in Sesame Street and Clifford, The Big Red Dog, to the mix these days.
Our time in Memphis was much fun! So glad we got to spend time with family and friends...
I just have to add for this next one: Trying to take a picture of more than 2 children at any given time is one of the hardest things I try to do! Savannah and Jack were definitely the maddest of the bunch!
Dare I say it??? Go Vols! I refuse to be a fair-weathered fan.
Aubrey is loving her tummy these days...hope this lasts!
I'm very happy (and thankful) that we got the anticipated phone call from a neighbor that we now have lights, as of 7:30 p.m. So 5 days and a nice trip to Memphis later, we will no longer be in the dark when we get back to Louisville tomorrow. (!!!)
I have not left the blogging world...we were bombarded with a windstorm in Louisville on Sunday though our power did not leave us until Monday afternoon. By Wednesday morning, we were tired of being in the dark and a bit hot, so we decided to head to Memphis for a long weekend. (To my dear friends Tyler and Les Newberry~what in the world your power coming on before ours!!??)
So, we are thoroughly enjoying our stay thus far and just have had one bit of dismay...Aubrey is rolling over and the only annoying thing about that is she does it in her sleep, realizes she does it, and cannot get back over! Happened this morning during her nap and she didn't seem to care too much. Not the case this afternoon...hoping she'll not care tonight!
No pictures to post just because I don't have a way to post them (or I'm sure Aaron will tell me after reading this that I in fact have a way...I just don't know how without my computer), but I've taken a lot thus far as we've been hanging out with family and friends. And what is more, I get to see many long lost friends tomorrow night at my 10 year (oh my!) high school reunion!
Yesterday marked 3 months of Aubrey's sweet blue eyes looking up at us! Happy 3 months, Ms. Aubrey! She's a precious, precious little girl to us!
So after 3 months of having two, you think I would have gotten used to the stares I get from people. Stares accompanied with words and phrases such as: Wow! ; Oh my, you've got TWO babies! ; You sure do have your hands full! ; Do you ever get any sleep? and...You sure are brave.
To the Wow! I say too~Wow! I never would have imagined that the Lord would bless me with two little girls! Two years ago from this day (or round about) I was groping through my first trimester of pregnancy with Savannah. Groping not because I was so sick but because I was so nervous about carrying a sweet life inside of me. Again, I am reminded that children are a blessing from the Lord.
To the Oh my, you've got TWO babies I say too~Oh my, I have got TWO babies! One may look like a baby to some but she sure is a sweet and great big sister. The other really is a baby and a very precious one at that.
To the You sure do have your hands full! I say too~I do have my hands full! I must admit it.
To the Do you ever get any sleep? I say~Well, not as much as I'd like, but I do get sleep. Prior to having Savannah, sleep really was not only one of my favorite activities but one that I needed to get at least 8-9 hours of per night in addition to my naps (no, not every day...just every other day). That stopped for awhile after having Savannah but thankfully picked back up within a few months. Hasn't quite picked back up yet this time around, but I'm hoping it's just around the corner. Today I did lay down for nap but couldn't sleep because of thinking of all I needed to be doing.
To the You sure are brave I say~No I am not...just ask Aaron!
This is life as we know it these days~a most of the time happy Aubrey; a silly Savannah who loves to wear Daddy's hat and is reminding everyone that football season is here (YAY! even though my hopes are not high for good ole Rocky Top); and trying, oh trying, to get that tummy time in...
Oh yeah and...missing family and friends greatly but hanging in there; wanting to get our house in order but never seeming to quite get there and feeling like it may take until we move from the house to get there (that's what it took in our last house); excitement over Sarah Palin; wondering how to best teach Savannah that whining is not a good thing and slowly, but surely making progress; and, last but not least, missing family and friends but feeling that L-ville is eventually going to be just fine.
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