2009 Goals- Mid Year update

I'm so excited the year is half over and I get to update our goal progress. It helps me see there really is a correlation between setting goals and achieving them:

2009 Goals and Updates:
1) Time with the kids: We will read from the Bible daily, continue to work on snacks, chores, scripture memory, and have lots of fun. I plan to continue with my summer playgroup from last year. We love to entertain other families and we want to focus on intentionally inviting them over more often to have fun with us. We want to have a backyard camp out this year and also go back to the beach if possible.

Update: We have read through 3 children's Bibles so far this year and we are now re-reading the first one again. We need to keep working on some things, but overall we are having lots of fun. I haven't been as structured as planned in chores and scripture memory, but I'm not disappointed. Instead I've really tried to focus on creativity (for example, last week Daniel designed a guitar out of construction paper and string and made up 3 songs to sing) and more outdoor play (especially with our neighborhood kids). I have continued the summer playgroup from last year and it has really helped fight the summer boredom so far. We are still working on getting a tent and possible beach plans. We've started the year with trying to have a new family over at least once a month, but we have slipped in this during the summer. Need to get back on track for the fall.....

2) Christina: I plan to read 52 books this year, re-join BSF, continue to support Dave in his career, and accept God's plan for my life right now. I will continue to write as much as possible for this blog and other opportunities, trade tax returns for goods (my own special barter program), and I am considering a 4-5 hour a week accounting job. I want to give lots of grace and TIME to our kids.

Update: I have read 34 books so far (Goodreads helps me keep track of them). I'll have to do a separate post on some of my favorites, but I am so happy I have finally been working through my "book stack". I will say some of my favorite non-fiction books have been helpful to me in supporting Dave and accepting where I am right now. It's amazing how God provides just what I need to read based on my heart's desire.

I signed up for BSF in May and was immediately asked back into leadership. After a lot of prayer and much confirmation, I'm excited to accept the challenge and lead a small group again in the fall. I'm looking forward to studying John, being part of a new leadership circle and getting to know a new group of godly leaders and my group of 15 women who are eager to study God's word. Because of this commitment, the door is shut on working for now, and I'm ok with it. There's plenty of time to work later and this is my last year with both boys at home. The boys are really excited about returning to Bible study in the fall. I'll write more about our fall schedule later.

3) Daniel: He really wants to learn how to read this year, and he might be ready by next summer. He wants to also play soccer and take golf lessons. He also asks all the time to go to Bible study, a main reason for me to re-join BSF.

Update: Daniel and I plan to start working on reading in August using a highly recommended resource. He already knows some great sight words, most recently recognizing "free" and "king". I really want Daniel to participate in Upward Soccer this fall, and golf lessons will be later this summer. Right now we are focusing on learning to swim!

4) Wesley: Wes would also like to play soccer and take golf lessons, but he will just get to be an observer this year. We hope to start potty training by the end of the year. Wesley is also aiming to be the 2 year old world Wii champion.

Update: I did a one day potty training trial with Wesley and it was a disaster. He was very mad he didn't get any M&Ms just for sitting on the potty with no success, and as soon as I left the room he pooped on the carpet. I'm just not into potty training boys until they are 3! It's just a waste of my energy and not my calling.

5) Dave: He wants to take me on a 10th Anniversary Cruise to the Caribbean (I approve of this goal) and play lots of Wii. I don't have his approval to post any of his other goals, but he does have some ambition beyond these items, I promise.

Update: Well, Dave is the underachiever so far this year. Just kidding- he actually managed to accomplish a goal we didn't even think was possible this year by making partner in April. With the construction industry decimated by the economy, it is God's grace to us Dave is thriving and able to succeed in his work. I continue to pray many in his industry will see their jobs restored by the end of the year.

As for the cruise, we would go back tomorrow if we could. A week-long vacation without kids was the highlight of our year so far and left us longing to do it every year.

Wow, this is a long post. The only other thing I'm going to say is we are looking forward to the rest of the year and what is in store for us! I am trusting God to do some big things in some other areas of our lives. My verse for the rest of the year is "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19

Swim Lessons

Our swim lessons are going well. I'm thrilled we've found a private swim instructor who will come to our pool, is energetic and very affordable. Many moms have told me "4" is the magic age for swim lessons and it is so true. Daniel is so excited and truly wants to learn how to swim. Wesley, well, so far he takes after me in the water but we know he'll warm up eventually. I have not yet confessed to our instructor I need lessons myself.

A Week with Wesley

Since Daniel had VBS every morning this week, I had 3 hours each day to spend alone with Wesley, which is a rare occurrence. So, I tried to make mornings this week special for him, and I look forward to doing it again in July when Daniel goes to a different VBS.
Here's what we were up to:
Monday- Errands and puzzle time at home. Wesley said he liked going to Publix and getting a cookie.
Tuesday- Visiting a friend with a new baby and then a playdate with friend Micah.
Wednesday- Lunch and playing at Pinkerton Park (HOT!)
Thursday- Free movie at a local church, with free popcorn, Chick Fil A nuggets and chocolate chip cookies!
Friday- Free donut at Krispy Kreme, then a picnic after VBS at the church's creek with "fishing" and friends (this included Daniel of course).

Our second child is so fascinating to me- probably because I'm the oldest in my family and I am now seeing things through a second- born's eyes. All Wesley has ever known is having an older brother, and all he has ever wanted is to be older like his brother. I realize I will have two years alone with him once brother goes to school, so this week was a nice preview of what lies ahead.

Chit Chat with Daniel

Two snippets of conversations with Daniel yesterday:

Regarding our wedding anniversary:
Daniel: I wonder who I'm going to marry?
Christina: Is there anyone you know you might like to marry, like Madeleine (a friend)?
Daniel: Maybe Mom..... (almost says mommy and then stops himself)
Christina: Anyone else?
Daniel: Someone ginormous!
Christina: Really?
Daniel: Yes, she has to be ginormous!! (in a shouting voice and then with lots of laughter)

Don't you wonder who he has in mind? I'm sure we'll love his bride, whoever she is (she's out there eating lots of cookies, probably).

Regarding his current obsession with Scooby Doo:
Daniel: Mommy, I wonder what you would do.... if your van started driving itself?
Christina: Wow, I guess I would have to run after it.
Daniel: No, you would need to solve the MYSTERY!

All of our current activities must involve some kind of adventure, mystery solving or quest. The other day Daniel played "treasure hunting" with the babysitter, complete with a map, for 3 hours. I think this is actually going to be an on-going theme for the rest of his male life. Isn't it interesting how early it begins?

10 Years!

This is my favorite wedding photo, because I'm standing on a step and my head is actually near Dave's head! Standing next to Dave always makes me look short (and I'm not). When we dance, I have to wear very high heels, something I remembered while we were on our cruise in April.

It seems a silly reason to like a photo, but being face to face, standing together, is a symbol of one of the many things I love about Dave: He always meets me and loves me, just where I am. The last ten years have been a great, winding road with beautiful scenery. There have been a few bumps along the way, which have kept things fun and interesting. I have enjoyed every minute of the journey.

I read an article recently where Rob Bell states, "Marriage is thousands of conversations about doing life together". I'm so happy I get to have those thousands of conversations with Dave. I choose him as my husband every day, for the last ten years and for as many years as we have together.

A few pics from this last week

First smores of the summer.... Wesley's educational testing at Vandy.... visit to Daddy's office.... fun with Grandma and Grandpa in town this weekend!

I'm not perfect... and why you shouldn't pretend to be either

I've come to a realization lately- if you only read my blog, you may feel like you know me, but you really don't. That's because I don't necessarily post pictures and descriptions of my heartaches, bad hair and/or messy house days and all of my parenting mistakes. Yes, all of these happen in great abundance. It's part of my life. Of course, I'd rather forget the bad stuff so I don't document it as much. But I've always been pretty open about my shortcomings- there are so many, hiding them all the time would be exhausting. And if you are my friend, I will probably let you down (if I haven't already, well, I'm surprised).

I get amused and slightly annoyed when I read other blogs (strangers, not any of my readers) where no one ever has a bad day and posts perfect pictures of their homes and children (who are never messy). And they only spend $30 a week on groceries and cook gourmet meals every night. Come on! Frankly, you can't be my friend if you are perfect because what would we talk about? I'm closest friends with those who struggle just like me and are open about it. And I am so thankful for them!

On a similar note, Dave and I have also been having lots of conversations lately about our kids... how we don't want to try and act perfect around them, pretending we never struggle with sin, or never ask for their forgiveness when we hurt them. We don't want them to think the Christian life is about pretending to be perfect.

I think I'm going to go unsubscribe from a few "perfect" blogs now....