Bullet Journaling

This post is not about how or why I Bullet Journal...because I don't actually bullet journal at all. (Can I use that as a verb? I don't know, but I'm leaving it.) BUT, I feel like it's something I would be very much into if I started. Let's just look at the things a Bullet Journal does:

• Organize 
• Keep Records
• Make Lists
• Be Creative about all of those things

^ ^ ^ That is literally a checklist of all my favorite things. So why don't I bullet journal? (Yet.)

My problem with bullet journaling is NOT that it's everywhere. It feels like everyone is doing it. That sometimes deters people from trying things because they don't want to go along with the flow of popular culture. That is not me. I am not worried about doing something that everyone else is doing...IF I like it. 

My problem is that I feel like if I get started with it...it will be my new time suck. Sure, there would (could) be a payoff that's much greater than wasting time on Facebook, but it will still suck time out of my day. Where is that time going to come from?  Also, I will be perfectionist about every page. I know you can make it as simple or as complex (and creative/colorful) as you want. But perfectionists and those who love a good design on a page find that difficult. 

I also feel like I just got on board with digitizing everything in my life. Once upon a time, I swore up and down that I'd never stop using my little black book (my planner). And I did. I keep every list, note, record, calendar item, etc. on my phone. And it syncs perfectly with my home computer, so I am a happy, organized person. And now everyone is going back to paper? What is happening?

This post could also end up being like my wariness of the Kindle before I embraced that completely. I recently whittled down my collection of real books to only the ones that I love, love, love so much that I could never part with them. It's not that I don't love and appreciate physical books anymore, but I just love the convenience and efficiency of reading (almost) exclusively on my Kindle. Apparently, I did sort of see that coming.

So, I may end up bullet journaling in 2017. Or starting in 2018. Who knows? Because just look at all this loveliness I rounded up on Pinterest:

2017 Goals

Yesterday, January 1, I decided I didn't really want to write down any goals this year. And today, January 2 - my birthday - I decided I did want to. I like having my birthday at the beginning of the year...it's like a new year for me in several ways. 

First, I always like to read last year's goals and see how I did:

I could have done better on catching up with photos and photo books, but I did ok. I did read...63 or so books. The boys did learn new life skills. We traveled. I was actually active more than I have been in the past 6 years. So, check. I did reorganize the whole house. Slowly, but I got it done. I did not really write more. And I did get IN more photos, but not as many as I could have. 

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Although I could pretty much copy and paste last year's goals almost exactly, I'm going to simplify this year and really focus on 1-3 things I really want to accomplish. I'm leaving out the things that I feel like I've already made a regular part of my routine now (hello, reading).

1. Catch Up on Photo Editing and Photo Books. This is #1 for a reason. I really, really, really, want to do it. I want to be all caught up, get them all organized, and complete more books. This is my year. 

2. Continue being Active. Like I said above, I actually did pretty well with this in 2016. I'm making it a goal for 2017 because it's really easy for me to let this drop...and I don't want to. 

And...that's it, I think. I'm really narrowing it down this year so I can FOCUS on these two. Let's go, 2017!

2016 Goals

Last year, I wasn't sure I would write down goals (I did). This year, I've been thinking about my goals for 2016 for a week already. But first, I reflected on some of the things that were so right about 2015...what I learned and want to continue:

1. It truly does not matter what others think. I thought I was pretty good at knowing and acting on that truth, but I came even closer to just being happy to be ME in 2015.

2. #offthebeam. Yes, one of my great takeaways from 2015 is a hashtag inspired by Jen Hatmaker's For the Love. The book itself was great and definitely worth a read, but one of the main kernels of wisdom that resonated with me was the fact that I do not have to do everything...or have all the things on my beam. This was something that of course I knew, but had never before heard it spelled out quite like Jen did. It stuck. And it was life-changing.

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And now...my goals for this new year. Mostly the same as years past. 

1. Keep reading. I managed to read 67 books in 2015 and I can honestly say it's one of the best things I can do for myself. Reading is the best.

2. Complete more photo books. I was able to make several in 2015. I'd like to go even further in 2016 and catch up a little bit...if possible. Photos are just so important to me and I'd really like to have them in print. 

3. Teach Life Skills to the boys. Some of this happened in 2015 and it was really rewarding. For them and for me. I definitely want to continue being intentional about this.  

4. Travel. Always. This will always be on the list. I do want to take the kids SO many places. One trip at a time. 

5. Be active. This one will also always be on the list. Because it is far from natural for me. I have no specific parameters or goals here...just to be more active.

6. Re-Organize the whole house. Last year, I said the garage, which is still not done. But this year, after being in this house for 2 years, I have a good idea of what organizational systems work for us, and those that need tweaking. (And yes, the garage needs "tweaking" or maybe just a system to begin with). I also know what we've used or not used in the past two years, so I'd like to clean out every single room, space, and closet. (I'm already 1/3 there...the upstairs is ALL DONE.)

7. Write More. I miss writing on the blog. I have lots of blog posts in my head that I just never get around to writing...that don't necessarily have photos to share with them. Although I love sharing photos too. I promised myself that I wouldn't keep up with my blog just because I felt like I had to (see #offthebeam). If it ever became a burden instead of a blessing to me, then I'd stop. But writing will always be a blessing to me. And although I don't have to write on my blog, it is a good place to do it. And a good place to keep my writing.

8. Get IN more photos. I am going to set up my tripod, figure out my remote shutter, and take more photos with me in them! I should probably set a specific goal for this one so it is measurable...maybe at least once a month?

2015 Goals

I wasn't sure if I was going to "do" goals this year or not. Not because they haven't been helpful in past years. Or because I don't think I'll follow through (I've released myself from that pressure anyway). But more just because I wasn't sure what I wanted them to be this year. I had to stop and think about it. As always, I consulted last year's goals as a reference. And this is what I came up with for 2015 (kind of on the fly...but I like the list):

1. Be generous. Make a difference in the lives of others. I don't have concrete ideas in place for this, but sometimes they materialize and I just want to say "yes" to the opportunities.

2. Keep reading. I surpassed my goal of two books per month this past year. In fact, I doubled that amount. And I loved it. I'd just like to simply keep reading.

3. Complete some photo books. For the love....I'd really, really like to actually do this. If it means taking a season "off" from photography (business, not personal), then I might have to do that. Or reading slightly less books? 

4. Knowing when to say "Yes" and "No." And I should add...without guilt. For me, I think this means saying "yes" to building Legos and going to the park. And "no" to other things that I sometimes do out of guilt or because I think I have to.

5. Teach Life Skills. To my boys, I mean (cooking, cleaning, laundry). They are on their way, but I realize that I have to be really intentional in this area. My default is to do things as quickly and efficiently as possible. And it is WAY too easy for me to just do it for them. Definitely easier (and faster) than teaching them and giving them the space to learn. But that's sort of my job as their mom. 

6. Travel. With the kids. With Casey. Doesn't matter where...I just want to go. We already have some plans set for this next year, but I want to add at least one more trip to our agenda. 

7. Be active. I'm thinking that this year, I'd like to make sure I go outside more with the boys. Explore the trails around our house more. Bring Duke along for some longer walks. I don't know. I'm just thinking about integrating this more into my every day routine. Nothing concrete, just be active.

8. Organize the garage. I will reward myself with something when this is done. I don't know what. But, I do know that I am constantly putting it off. It's already been a year. It's time. Heaven help me. 

2013 Goals

Today is my birthday, so I'm kind of reflective...it's a good day to write goals for this year. This may seem like a cop-out, but my 2013 goals are looking very much like my 2012 goals. I have added one and added a general rule for myself....and that's it! Where I am right now, it just seems like a good idea to keep the goals simple. I think I'm adopting that word for the whole year...simple.

1. Find concrete and meaningful ways to help others.  This one will be a work-in-progress, because it's not something that is ever a completed goal. I just want to be aware of and open to opportunities as they arise that will bless others with the things/talents I've been given.

2. Read at least 2 books a month. I still want to quantify this goal with a number, but really, I just want to make sure I keep reading. Not that I could ever stop, but it does fall on the back-burner sometimes.

3. Make and Print Albums.  I really want to continue with the progress I made last year. I know I can do it now that I have a system. And once I get caught up (I have to do 2011 and 2012), I should have a process in place that will allow me to be done with a book at the end of that same year. Hooray!

4. Workout 3 times a week. I want 3 times a week to truly be my goal (or even more, if possible), but in the spirit of giving myself grace and just staying as healthy as possible, I just want to make sure I'm active on a regular basis the whole year. 

5. Make boundaries between work and family life...especially in the fall. Last year, I became way more busy than I would have liked with Rachel Cooke Photography from about August - November. Although the busy-ness is/was a good thing in a way, I also missed out on really enjoying the fall with my family. I am thinking through some changes and policies to put in place so that doesn't happen again this year. My family comes first so if I have to say "no" to a few sessions, then so be it. 

Happy 2013!

Here we are at a new year again...I can't believe we're at the beginning of 2013 already. 2012 was a wonderful year for our family with lots of fun things and experiences. 

Casey and I went to NYC in May (1, 2, 3, 4).

Ethan turned 4.

The boys experienced fireworks for the first time.

Ethan learned how to swim.

Logan turned 2 years old.

Logan started preschool (and Ethan went back for his third year).

My mom and I went on a trip to Asheville, NC (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

We started a new Christmas tradition.

And those are just the highlights. We also went to the Dallas Zoo a few times, the Children's Museum at Fair Park, the Chihuly exibit at the Arboretum (several times), the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm (twice), dressed up as Captain Hook and Peter Pan for Halloween, and went to the lake house every chance we got.

I did fairly well with most of my goals that I set for myself in January 2012. Here's a review:

1. Go to bed earlier. Sometimes that happened and sometimes it didn't. I'm giving myself grace in this area and just trying to be reasonable about striking a balance between getting things done and getting rest. 

2. Read at least 2 books a month. According to my 2012 book list, I fell short of doing this for 3 out of the 12 months. Honestly, with the insane fall that I had...I am completely satisfied with that.

3. Make and Print Albums. This one actually happened! I have not shared about my family albums yet (on the blog), but I got all the way from the year 2000 through 2010. I cannot believe I cranked those things out...finally. And I am really happy with them too. This is probably one of the accomplishments I am most proud of this year. I hope to do a post about them soon. And I hope to continue the trend this year and get all the way caught up.

4. Work out 3 times a week. I am proud to say that this happened all the way from January to October. And then I fell off the workout wagon and straight into full photographer-mode for the fall. I know I could have still made time for working out, but I didn't. Still, I am glad I worked out for the majority of the year. Some exercise is better than none.

So that was 2012 and when I review my thoughts at the end of that post this time last year (I will celebrate small victories along the way and I will not beat myself up if I don't end up doing things exactly as I would like. Also, (and maybe this should be a goal itself) I will do my best not to compare myself with others when it comes to these goals (or anything else, really)...I really did that. And I think because of it, for the first time ever, I kept my goals in mind for the whole year instead of forgetting them because they were unattainable by February. Therefore, I will adopt this attitude this year as well...happy 2013!

Goals for 2012

I don't usually make resolutions at the beginning of every new year. Sometimes I think about things I want to change and I kind of like to use the word "goals" to describe those things. This year, I'm going to write down some of my goals. Just so I can look back and see what I hoped to do this year. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Go to bed earlier. I really need to work on this one. Before kids I got about 9-10 hours of sleep a night (no kidding). And it was awesome. I just went to bed whenever I was tired at night (usually around 9-10pm). And because of that, I hardly ever felt tired during the day. I realize that 9-10 hours a night is probably not possible for me at this time in my life no matter how great that would feel. But, I know I can do better than 6 hours. Basically, I'd like to be in bed and turning out the light by 11pm every night.

2. Read at least 2 books a month. This one is an ongoing goal from previous years. Usually this happens without me even trying. Or I'll have an off-year like 2011, where I was 3 books short of this goal. 

3. Make and Print Albums. This is the year. I know it. I really, really want to make a real effort to finish and print the boys' baby books. If that happens, then I want to move on to printing a few family albums. I haven't decided yet if I'll allow a blog book to double as a family album or if I want to do something separate. But no matter what, I want some albums printed.

4. Workout 3 times a week. This falls into the cliche new year's goal category. But, it's still a goal of mine. Ideally, I'd love to learn to workout more than 3 times a week, but I need an attainable goal. Especially for something like this. I've had periods of great success with working out consistently in my past. And then I had kids. Which is actually not a great excuse. We make time for the things that are important to us. And truthfully, working out (because I don't particularly enjoy it) is not something that is important to me. But staying healthy is...and I'm not 20 anymore!

I'm trying to keep things simple and realistic, so 4 goals is enough for this year. We will see how it goes. I will celebrate small victories along the way and I will not beat myself up if I don't end up doing things exactly as I would like. Also, (and maybe this should be a goal itself) I will do my best not to compare myself with others when it comes to these goals (or anything else, really).

Cinnamon Obsession

If you have known me long enough, you already know that I have a mild obsession with all things cinnamon. If given the choice of gum or after dinner mint, I will always choose cinnamon over a mint or peppermint counterpart. In fact, I even choose the cinnamon toothpaste when they polish my teeth at the dentist. I usually add a little cinnamon to my hot chocolate and french toast or pancake batter.

The upcoming fall/holiday/winter seasons are the perfect time to enjoy cinnamon goodness. These are some of my very favorite cinnamon things:

Photo credits linked below

1. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Cinnamint (from Bath and Body Works)

2. Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice Tea 

3. Orbit Cinnamint Gum

4. Cinnamon Altoids

5. Slatkin & Co. Cinnamon Stick Scented Candle (from Bath and Body Works)

6. Slatkin & Co. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Wallflower (from Bath and Body Works)


And I could not forget about the cinnamon baked goods that are absolutely wonderful this time of year (or any time of year, really.):

Photo and recipe credits linked below.

1. Corner Bakery's Cinnamon Creme Cake

2. Baked Cinnamon Doughnuts with Vanilla Glaze

3. Snickerdoodles

4. Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls


You can even decorate with cinnamon sticks! I love these ideas (all found via Pinterest):

Photo credits linked below.

1. Cinnamon Stick Wreath

2. Cinnamon Sticks as a vase filler

3. Cinnamon Stick Wrapped candles

Woohoo!

I have waited 11 basketball seasons to write this post. Well, I haven't been blogging for that long, but I've been watching the Mavericks for that long. If you had told me when I was in high school that I would be wrapped up in a sports team this much, I would have laughed.

But then I met a boy. And since the 2000-2001 season, we've watched almost every single Mavs game together. We have stayed up late, recorded games we couldn't watch live, and even scheduled around games to be sure we could watch. It became a part of our relationship from the very beginning. We love watching the games together whether it's from the AAC or our couch at home.

There have been some high points and some low points. But tonight, proudly wearing our jerseys, we could not contain our celebrations when our team brought home a championship. I think we're pretty lucky that our celebrating didn't wake the boys! (Which is good because they are completely exhausted from this weekend.)

I cannot wipe the smile off my face. And I don't know what else to say. We're just on cloud nine over here. And so happy for the team.

Image Source

These Are My Confessions

I've confessed many things on this blog before. About my cluttered kitchen counter. About letting dishes pile up in my sink. About denting and scratching my own car (by accident). About the fact that sometimes I don't really like taking showers. And several other things in those posts.

Recently, my friend, Mary, wrote a great post about honesty. And I was inspired to confess a few more things. These are motherhood-related because I haven't done much of that yet:

1. I don't wash sippy cups that have just had water in them as much as I probably should. I just do it when I think about it. And I have a lot of things on my mind!

2. I have let a load of laundry sit in the dryer for much longer than I would like to admit. And I don't really separate my colors and whites! I just wash like fabrics together in cold water. Saves energy anyway, right?

3. I also let my both of my boys sleep on their tummies as babies. And they have both had bumper pads in their beds.

4. I have been known to skip the boys' bath time every once in a while...days that I just don't have the energy or the boys have not been outside. (This was almost an every other day occurrence last summer when I was pregnant with Logan. I was so tired by the end of the day!)

5. I am guilty of occasionally letting Ethan take one of his cars to the table at dinner time - despite the fact that, as a rule, we don't bring toys to the table - just because I do not want to fight one more battle. So much for consistency.

6. I have been known to nurse my babies in our office chair so I can do stuff on the computer at the same time.

7. I have a tendency to not like to do craft projects (or other similar activities) at home with Ethan. I am bad about tolerating the unavoidable mess. I am working on it!

8. Notwithstanding the above, I am not afraid of a little dirt. Yes, I am that mom that doesn't sanitize every single thing that falls on the floor before my kid puts it in their mouth again.

8. I don't let Ethan watch Yo Gabba Gabba....because I can't stand it. And if he were to become attached to it, I don't know what I would do.

9. I've yelled at Ethan. What? You think he's too cute to yell at? Well, those times are not my finest moments, and I strive to remain calm and patient...but it has happened.

Cereal Revolution

I used to never eat breakfast. I talked in a previous post about how I didn't like any breakfast foods, but how I've changed over the years. In fact, I love breakfast and breakfast foods now. And I have been eating breakfast (almost) every day for years now.

However, one thing remains true...I still don't like cereal. And I realize how weird that is. I would venture to say that most people like cereal. And really, it's not the actual cereal part that I don't like. And it's not the milk, either (I actually love milk). It's the two of them together that I don't like. It kind of grosses me out for some reason. And don't even get me started on drinking the leftover milk (yuck).

But one day in the grocery store I was buying some yogurt and saw those yogurt cups that come with the clear plastic top that holds a little bit of granola to add to your yogurt. And I had the idea to add some cereal to my yogurt instead of granola. Essentially, to replace the milk with vanilla yogurt. This is not an original idea by any means, but that's how it came to me.

That was several years ago, and since then I have been eating my cereal this way. My favorites are Kashi GoLean Crunch and Kashi Cinnamon Harvest (pictured above). And I always use vanilla yogurt because I like the taste, although you could certainly use plain or any other flavor for that matter. I feel almost normal now that I eat "cereal" on a regular basis.

Expectations, Meet Reality

I am a get-it-done kind of girl. A doer. I am pretty sure that I thrive on getting things done. It's just the way I am wired.

Before I had the boys, I had an administrative-type job in which I was very good at getting things done, managing my time, and being efficient. It was really satisfying for me. I could juggle several hats and still end the day with most, if not all, of my to-do list checked off.

I think you can tell where this is going...

When I quit my job after Ethan was born to stay home full time, I had to learn to adjust to not getting everything done. Although truthfully, one (very easy) baby who sleeps most of the time still allows a good amount of time for productivity. Still, it was different from what I was used to. I was no longer complete master of my time.

And now that I've got two boys, two schedules for each of them, and twice as many caretaker tasks, I have less than half as much time to get anything else done. I'm sure that additional kids only compound this issue. So, reality has finally really hit me this time. I may have a list of 10 things that I really need to get done (and want to get done), but I may only get two crossed off that day. Or one. Or none.

I have really had to confront the fact that I feel very dissatisfied and upset at the end of the day when I don't get things accomplished. (Just ask Casey.) I have been forced to re-define what it means to be productive. Because I AM getting things done....feeding the boys (and Casey), reading to the boys, playing with the boys, dressing the boys...you know, raising the boys. And being a wife. According to that definition, I should probably consider myself very productive at the end of each day, right?

(Two sweet iphone photos.)

That doesn't mean that I am magically okay with the other things still un-done...and that list certainly isn't going anywhere (I currently have two part-time jobs...and laundry). In fact, I think I will always have to remind myself of my "true" productivity every single day in order to stay sane. I think I can see where it can be such a plus to be the type of person that doesn't really care about getting things done. Who doesn't have a list constantly running through their head. Who doesn't gain any pleasure from completing tasks. But I am just not that person and I have to work with my personality...good or bad.

And of course, I know that this is just a season of my life. A sweet season for which I am very grateful.

My Roaring 20's

The end of this decade means the end of a decade for me as well. I'm about to turn 30 in two days (on January 2). Wow. I expect great things out of this next decade of my life. But I have to say that my 20's weren't bad at all. In fact, I'd say they were pretty fantastic....I spent a semester in England, I got engaged, graduated from college, got married, started my first full-time job, bought our first house, went to Italy and Africa, had two babies, started a photography business, moved into our current home...and those are just the highlights. Whew! Here's a "little" photo collage of my 20's (photos mostly in chronologial order):

The Planner in Me

If you know me, you know I am a planner. I have been as long as I can remember. Planning helps me feel less stressed (or not stressed) about things. Not planning produces the opposite result.

Admittedly, planning usually makes things so much easier but, it can quickly become ridiculous too. For instance...is it weird that I sort of already know what themes I will do for the boys' one year and three year birthday parties next year...in 2011? Casey says yes, but then he also said he wasn't the least bit surprised by that.

The corollary to planning might just be lists and yes, I like those too. And my lists right now are out of control. A glimpse of my to-do list right now:

Get car inspected, tires replaced, oil changed, etc.
Stock pantry and cabinets with necessities like toilet paper, shampoo, etc.
Cook some freezable meals to pull out when I don't feel like cooking
Get Ethan's preschool stuff together since he starts at the beginning of September (yikes!)
Get addresses together for birth announcements (and stamps)
Put the finishing touches on the boys' rooms
Fix a few things around the house (or actually, make a list for Casey of things to fix!)
Install the infant car seat and set up the pack n' play in our bedroom
Drop donations at Goodwill (since I've recently cleaned out every closet in our house)

If I stop and look at that list, it seems like I'm preparing for a two-month siege instead of a baby. It's as if I must get enough toilet paper right now to last us through the winter for some reason. I know how silly some of this is and still, I can't keep my mind from going there. I have no choice but to embrace it, I guess!

Try New Things

Trying new things is not one of my favorite things to do. I am a creature of habit and I like it that way. But, when I think about it, some of my now-favorite things came about by taking a step outside my norm and trying something I wouldn't normally try.

At the young age of 13, I was perfectly happy not riding roller coasters. Through the wonders of peer pressure, I found myself on the Flashback at Six Flags in Dallas and ended up loving it. Thus began a long run with roller coasters that might not have happened if I hadn't tried them just once. I don't know if my body would say the same thing now...the last time I rode a roller coaster, I got off feeling like I was 80 years old.

I pretty much eat anything, but that was not always the case. While I have never been "picky," there used to be several things that I would not eat. Potato salad was taboo until I decided to make this little recipe one day. Fruit-filled pies were not on my dessert radar at all...and while they are still not my favorite....my tastes have changed because I have learned to appreciate deliciousness such as this apple pie recipe. Chicken salad - no thanks - until I was introduced to this awesome recipe. So trying new foods is definitely something I love to do now...you never know what is going to blow your mind.

I think I have definitely have a preference in the kind of books that I read, but being part of a book club where I don't always choose what we read forces me out of those genres and has introduced me to books that I really enjoyed and sometimes to authors that I continue to enjoy. Case in point...The Hunger Games. Just one of several books we've read that I would have never given a second thought...maybe not even a first thought. It's a bit of teen sci-fi that I was seriously concerned about reading after seeing the synopsis. But, it is one of my favorite books that we've read. And part of a series, which has allowed me to further enjoy the story. I can't wait for the third installment.

All that being said, there are a few things I've tried more than once and still don't like. Playing sports would be one of them. I've tried, I've played, and I still don't enjoy them. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy watching them. Just don't ask me to display any kind of competitive sports ability. I just don't have it in me.

And skiing. Much to Casey's chagrin, I have tried skiing (at least 4 times), taken numerous lessons, and still hate it. It's just not a love that is going to blossom in me at this point.

Guilty Pleasures

These foods are far from gourmet. And they're also not good for you at all. That's why they are guilty pleasures for me...the guilt adds to the pleasure, I think.

1. Chili Cheese Fritos. I actually love all Fritos. Even plain, I love them. And the chili cheese variety are just super.

2. Chili Cheese Hot Dog. I love a good hot dog, but I really love one with chili. And cheese. And no mustard...sorry, I just don't like mustard on my chili dog.

3. Fried Mozzarella Sticks. These are fried cheese. So bad, but so good. I must have these with marinara sauce.

4. Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies with Ice Cream. Such a great combo. Chocolate sauce does not hurt either.

5. Vanilla Dr. Pepper. I cannot understand why they haven't bottled this stuff yet. The cherry concoction is just gross. Vanilla is just perfect with DP.

6. Chicken Fried Steak. Attribute this to the fact that I've grown up in Texas...or that I love cream gravy with fried chicken. Yum.

7. Biscuits and Gravy. A warm, hearty, buttery biscuit with cream gravy? Heaven.

8. Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Practically dessert for breakfast. Definitely not the breakfast of champions. This is something I very rarely indulge in, but I love it when I get to. I have a killer Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancake recipe that I will make and share very soon.

For the record, these are not pregnancy cravings...nothing sounds good to me these days. But sit one of these things down in front of me and I'll probably eat it!

Farewell 2009, Welcome 2010

It's hard to believe a whole decade has past since the infamous Y2K fiasco. I admit that I haven't spent a lot of time reflecting on 2009, but it was a good year for our family. I hope that 2010 will bring more of the same. I did want to work on some things in 2009 and I went back and looked at those "goals." I did alright on many of them. On and off on others. One in particular I nailed because it can be quanitified...reading at least 2 books a month. I almost made it to an average of 3 a month. Not sure yet if I will make an acutal goal of that for next year, though.

Beginning tomorrow, January 1, 2010, I will "officially" open for business on my new venture, Rachel Cooke Photography. This is something that has tangibly been in the works for more than a year, but has been one of my dream to-do's for a lot longer than that. If you feel so inclined, you can follow my photography blog and become a fan of my facebook page. A big thanks to my parents, Casey, and my friends who have all helped me get this off the ground. Each one of you is truly a blessing to me.

And in 2010, Ethan will turn 2, Casey and I will celebrate 7 years of marriage (no itch yet!), I will turn 29 (in two days, actually)...my last year of my 20's...a great decade for me. I really had a lot of incredibly formative and life-changing experiences in my 20's and although I will not really be sad when I turn 30 at the beginning of 2011, I can say with confidence that I loved my 20's. I am loving my 20's. I still feel 22 or 23 most of the time. But, there is no reason to expect that my 30's won't bring something just as amazing. We shall see.

So, I am excited about this new year and what it will bring. But I just can't promise that I will be awake to usher it in when the clock strikes midnight tonight.

I Love Purple

For as long as I can remember, purple has been my favorite color. My mom said I had purple shoes as a little girl that I insisted on wearing with everything...whether it matched or not. Whether you call it purple, aubergine, plum, eggplant, or violet, I love it. So I am thrilled that purple is such a hot color this fall because I can find purple stuff everywhere...even though I can't buy most of it (nor do I need it). I went to the mall today to find a purple sweater (succeeded, by the way) for our family pictures this year.

I Know Some Things

I know that I have no business going to bed after 1 am.

I know that a leisurely shower cures a multitude of problems.

I know that I am getting in the mood for some fall baking.

I know that Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea is my new favorite. (Drinking some right now.)

I know that my love for these two grows exponentially every day.

Confessions: Round 2

A while ago, I wrote a post confessing a few things about myself. These are a few, more specific, things:

1. I left a bowl full of queso dip in my refrigerator for over a week just to avoid cleaning it. I hate washing dishes. Especially dishes with queso in them.

2. I only have one visible scratch on my two-year-old car. And I caused it. In our old garage, I had to open the garage door in order to open my trunk (hatchback). One time I closed both of those doors simultaneously. The trunk got caught on the garage door and I panicked while trying to figure out which one to move first.

3. Before I stayed home with Ethan, I almost never made my bed. It's actually not like me at all, but we were gone all day and it just didn't seem worth the effort. Now, I make it every day. And most recently, with a little boy's help.

4. I left a pot of chili out on the counter all night last night because I fell asleep on the couch and didn't even think about it as I stumbled to our bedroom in a stupor.

5. I had to put a dirty diaper back on my child the other day (briefly), while I refilled the wipes container because I couldn't leave him on the changing table in the meantime. Someone (daddy) had forgotten to refill the wipes after they (he) used the last one. At least I can say that he changes diapers.