Alex, Jolie, Rowan, Isla, and Maryn

Alex, Jolie, Rowan, Isla, and Maryn

Friday, May 30, 2014

May Update~

We are one week into summer, and I have felt a sense of relief wash over my body.  My stress level is down, I have more energy, and I just feel better.  What a great feeling it is to be able to focus on my family and myself! So here's our goal check in for May.


1. Pay off Jolie's undergraduate loan by October 1
If I said we had 100% of the loan left to pay when
 we made the goal, we are now down to  62% 58% 
of the loan left.  I did make an extra payment on 
this one this month, but with both of our birthdays,
 our anniversary, and graduation gifts, this 
month was a little thin.  I'm hoping to get 
some headway in June.

2. Establish a will
Ehh, nothing done here yet.

3. Read the Bible in 1 year
So here's the truth.  I've tried to have a baby
 now for 14 months.  No dice.  I went through
 6 months of fertility treatments and still no 
baby.  To be honest, my heart has just been
 broken for the better part of the last 9 months.  
We have together decided to just let it be and
 continue on with the family we have for the 
time being.  There has been a peace that has 
come over me with this decision done.  I'm still
 incredibly sad that I may never hold a baby 
again that is mine, but in time, I'm hopeful my
 heart can find peace with this.  So, I'm back to
 reading the Bible as I'm not as hurt as I was 3
 months ago.  I've got a ways to go yet, but with 
this lovely pace of summer, I think I will get 
back on track.  

4. Read 30 books by December 31, 2014
I have read  14 18 books so far in 2014. My 
escape has been to read in solitude.  I've been
 reading off of the United Methodist Woman 
reading list this last month.  I read 3 books 
from it, and they were all great and inspiring, 
which is what my heart really needs right now
 I also finished Mitch Albom's new book, The 
First Phone Call from Heaven.  I have loved his 
work in the past-note 2 of my top 5 books are his 
titles.  I was disappointed in this book, as it did 
not have the inspiration the others did.  I couldn't
 tell you how many times I have read Tuesdays
 with Morrie, but it is a lot!  This one does not
 have the readability of Tuesdays with Morrie,
 although it did have a great lesson to it.  I'm 
at a standstill with the UMW list until I can get
 my hands on another title, so I have picked
 up a fun read I received for my birthday for
 my next title!
Rowan and I are also working hard on his 
reading!  He's getting pretty fluent, and it is 
exciting to see him grow as a reader.  It melts my heart. 

Yesterday Alex and I celebrated our 10th wedding
 anniversary.  Gosh, time flies.  Tonight we are headed
 to Kansas City for dinner at The Melting Pot and a 
night to ourselves at Chateau Avalon
!  I'm a little excited!  

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Summer Fun~


Tomorrow is the last day of the 2014-2015 school year.  I'm tired, exhausted actually, but we are almost there.  I think of my 10 years of teaching, this has by far been the fastest school year I remember.  I'm not sure if that is due to my own child in public school or if time really does speed up when you get older?   I'm putting my money on the latter;-)

Rowan and I sat down and made our summer list to accomplish this year.  Isla chirped in here and there, but for the most part it was Rowan's list with a little guidance.

I love having a list to help keep me motivated and inspired in the summer!  It keeps me accountable to get out of my bubble and really share many experiences with the kids.  My hope is to update the list as we move through the summer-that's my hope!

1. Fondue for Supper   
2. Swimming Lessons for Rowan and Isla
3. Nature Camp for Rowan
4. VBS for Rowan and Isla
5. Swimming at the North Pool
6. Bowling
7. Movie Theater
8. Going Bonkers
9. Picnic at the Park
10. Smores over the Firepit
11. Sprinkler Fun
12. Travel to Grammy and Poppe's House
13. Summer Reading Program for Rowan and Isla
14. Paint Rocks
15. Zoo
16. Gage Park and Train
17. Fishing with Dad
18. Make Ice Cream
19. Sidewalk Chalk
20. Make Cookies for Friends
21. Farmer's Market
22. Discovery Center
23. Baseball for Rowan
24. Fourth of July Fireworks
25. Water Balloon Fight

My stress level has already gone down just by thinking about summer!