So far So good!

Well i have found the recipe for a good day, everyday! Wake up somewhat early (9am is good enough for me :)) brush teeth and change very full pee pee diaper.. and go on a walk! End the day by rocking baby to sleep, picking up the house so it is clean when you wake up and opening your Bible. Read away! Wherever you land there's sure to be something you can glean from it :)

I really enjoy walking with Smith for many reasons.. 1. Good exercise... 2. Fresh air to start the day... and 3. It is just about the only time of day I don't have to occupy him by singing or dancing, holding him or feeding him. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing these things for him, but it can get a bit exhausting. He really likes attention :) which is fine.. but when were on our walks he's so quiet and content just taking in his surroundings. It's so sweet to look down at him riding along in his stroller and his eyes gazing around at the trees and the grass, the occasional chipmunk.. and if we're really lucky the horses that are in our neighborhood! I love watching him learn, even if he's not really thinking anything but ohhh ahhh green, I think there's a lot going on in there. :)

So here is what I have gleaned thus far...

Psalm 84.. one of my favorites that I just happened to open my Bible too.. I take things like this as signs that God loves me :)

This was a wonderful passage for me to read to kick start my Bible reading again. It's one of those that puts a smile on your face and just gives you peace...Which is a wonderful things to have before bed!
 v. 1-4
How lovely is your dwelling place, Oh Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry our for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young- a place near your alter, Oh Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

I love this so much because I can relate to King David envying the sparrows who make permanent residence in the temple. I can't explain the feeling I get when I walk into church on Sunday mornings, but it's a feeling of calm and a feeling of safety and warmth. I love being in the presence of God and others who love God as I do. When I'm there I don't feel uncertain of anything in times that are somewhat uncertain. I know that God will protect my family.. my little family .. and especially my sweet little boy :) I put my complete trust in Him.

v. 10
Better is one day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere!

*24*

Before I begin this list... I want to point out that although some most will be short term goals, I am making them short term goals in order to cross them out (for the sake of the blog and my fun), but hope that they will become long term lifestyle changes if I can stick with them for the duration of this blog.

P.S. These goals will be in no order of importance, they will be in order of how my mind works.

1. Create a blog!
2. Read the Bible every night before bed instead of falling asleep watching House Hunters for 2 weeks
3. Take a walk everyday with Giant Ginger Drooling Baby until it is too snowy/icy for that sort of thing
4. No pop for 3 months! I always fail at this one, but I'm keeping a positive attitude :)
5. Only allow myself the guilty pleasure of fried food one day of every month for a year
6. Train for and enter the Freedom 5K in the park next Fourth of July!
7. Call my sisters at least once a week! This is hard for me considering I hate talking on the phone, my phone is always near death, and babies enjoying bathing phones in drool when you would like to talk
8. Go to the gym once a week for 2 months.. and hopefully months after  but lets not get too crazy here
9. Only get my hair trimmed for 6 months.. no real haircuts
10. Oh also get my hair back to my natural hair color.. as in my roots not "growing in" because they really match!
11. Plan a special day of fun activities for my Niece and Nephew.. possibly including horrible things such as chuckie cheese, squirty worm, ice cream disasters, etc.
12. Graduate from college! Well this may not be crossed off by my 24th birthday, but it will be very close :) Cannot wait for this one
13. Be on time for work for a month! And I mean before or on the dot. No 5ish minute late deals
14. Go on a long bike ride with my love while it is still bike riding weather :)
15. Plan a little getaway for the day and keep it a secret from above mentioned love
16. Get a decent tan before the summers over.. had to have one silly one in here
17. Do something for under privileged children this Christmas.. most likely Operation Christmas Child
18. Resist buying anything I don't absolutely need for one month
19. Abstain from chocolate for 3 weeks.. I would say a month but I try to be somewhat realistic
20. Lose 5-10 lbs.. why not? I imagine this will take place if I complete 3 of my other goals ( those involving soda, fried food and chocolate)
21. Go camping/ hiking this fall! (Possibly coerce my non-camping sister into coming along with her family too)
22. Start helping out in the nursery at church :) because I just can't get enough babies
23. Make homemade Christmas presents for everyone on my list this year! sorry people if you do not enjoy homemade gifts.. cause you're getting 'em! ;)
24. Make somewhat elaborate cakes for Niece/Nephews/Ginger Baby's birthdays

Late night inspiration

Having a baby makes sleeping less enjoyable, and just less, period. So when my little babe is asleep for the night, I find that sometimes I don't want to sleep at all, but rather do the things I didn't get done that day. One of which would be reading. Last night I read my good friend Rachel's blog in which she posted a list of 101 goals she wanted to accomplish in 1001 days. After she completes these goals she marks them in red on her blog and blogs about them. I thought this was a great idea because although I am constantly thinking of goals in my head, I really need an outlet to share my goals so that I have more drive to complete them. Also the idea of marking goals in red delights me because I love making lists and crossing things off said lists. Doing this online would just be that much more fun! (I am weird and enjoy things such as this a bit too much). For starters, making a blog has been a goal of mine since I gave birth to my wee little boy. I have so many thoughts going through my head and love to relate them to others :) So here we go.. I already have one thing to cross off! woo hoo!!!