2011 Challenge #3

So here's the thing...I vaguely remember that at one point in my life I was actually thin. For anyone that has only known me in the past few years, they will probably find that statement really hard to believe, but I swear, that at one point in my life I actually looked good (ok, fine, pretty decent), and I really did fit into the size 2 jeans that are currently residing (read: collecting dust) at the bottom of my closet.

If you don't believe me, here's the proof:

See, my stomach was actually flat, my arms weren't flabby, and I didn't have a "muffin-top" that hung over the top of my jeans, and there was no double chin (and I was actually tan...but that's a whole other issue). Having 3 kids in a 3 1/2 year time frame (and gaining way more weight than I should have with Keegan and then not losing all of it before I had Camden and not being good about exercising before/during/after/ever) changed all of that (meaning my once thin body) for the worse.

However, this year is the year that I am changing that (beacause really, I am the only one who is to blame here and I am the only one who can change it...there is no magical weight-loss fairy who can zap me with her wand and magically give me back my 21-year-old body again, but oh if only there was one!). When I finally reach my goal, I will actually be able to look at myself in the mirror and recognize the person that is looking back at me. And believe me...actually losing the weight is going to be a daily challenge/struggle, but it's one that I am definitely up for (because honestly the almost daily query of when my next one is due, and if this one is actually a girl is getting a little old people).

So, here's to the new year...and a new, and thinner, me.

Now, who wants to tell me what's worked for them? :)

2011 Challenge #2

In keeping with challenging myself, I promised myself that I would try new things. I'm not great at sewing, by any means, but I try. I've just realized that I'm not a patient person when it comes to sewing, but I'm working on improving that.

I've made some blankets, and some things for the boys and even a few things for myself, but I wanted to try and make a quilt for a good friend of ours who works with AJ and who just recently had their first baby, a little girl. Only having boys so far, I was in love with all the pinks that I got to work with to make this quilt. It's a really simple pattern, and I just did a straight-line quilting on it (no stippling or any other pattern for me just yet), but I love the final result. Hopefully the recipients were just as happy with it.

It went together fairly quickly, and I only had to unpick a few rows toward the end when my impatience got the best of me (lesson learned, seriously). My fingers have never been so numb as they were after hand sewing the binding on, but I'm pretty proud of what I accomplished and think that it looks pretty decent (not that I'm trying to toot my own horn...I just want to make sure I remember how I felt about the whole process years down the road).

Now I just need to get working on quilt #2 so I don't lose my momentum...maybe, someday I'll get good enough that I can sell them and turn it into a little bit of a side business. :)

And I'm Back....

I feel like it's been ages and now I have a ton of catching up to do. Christmas posts will be coming shortly (yes, I know it's now the 15th of January...what can I say, I'm slacking a little) but I have to download photos onto the computer first and then figure out how to download video as well (that's what I get for not ever reading the user manual on anything), then I've got Keegan's birthday coming up soon (how can he only be 10 days away from turning 1???? Where did the last year go? I vividly remember what I was doing this time last year and it scares me how quickly things change). I'm working on something special for that...although I do need to get some videos downloaded to help finish my project, so we'll see if it actually gets done. But for now, I'll work on actually writing down my resolutions for the new year in hopes that I can stick with them and accomplish something positive this year.

So here they are...in no particular order (and you can check back with me in a year to see how well I've done):

1. This year I will be less critical of myself. I need to learn to love who I am...post-baby body and all, and then work on changing the things that I have control to change.
2.This year, I'm going to make sure that I spend a lot of quality time with Keegan so that he will never have a chance to doubt just how much I love him. I will continue to rock him to sleep each night as we hum songs together. That way we still have the closeness that we had while nursing even though he decided to wean himself at 10 1/2 months old.
3. This year, I will spend more quality time with my husband. We've both actually resolved to make date night a part of our lives again. We were doing really well until I was about 6 months pregnant. I miss just talking to him and having time alone with him without Keegan being there as well.
4. This year, I will improve my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I've let some things slack over the past year and I need to make sure that I don't get too complacent with my spirituality and my relationship with my Heavenly Father and with my savior, Jesus Christ. I will study my scriptures more. I will make sure to have daily, personal conversations with Him, and share all of my burdens with him, so that he can help me with all of my shortcomings. I want my son (and any future children) to know that I have a personal relationship with my Heavenly Father.
5. This year, I will read more. I will use my library card to the hilt and make sure that I get books both for myself and for my son. I will read fun and frivolous books as well as books that educate, enlighten and improve my mind and my personal self.
6. This year, I will learn to let things go. I can be stubborn...and I can hold onto things for a really long time. This year, I'm going to work on just letting things go, and not taking things so personally all of the time.
7. This year, I will be a better housekeeper. I will take care of our home, and truly make it a place that AJ and I can be proud of. But I promise that I won't let it consume me...and take me away from the really important things in life.
8. This year, I will keep in touch with my family and friends way better than I have been lately. I'm a horrible corresponder. I take forever to call people back and I hate that there have been times when months have gone by before I manage to get back in touch with some of my closest friends. Each person in my life has helped make me who I am, and I want to be better at showing them how much I appreciate the impact that they have had on my life.