#12 Marriage Goals

On my list of goals #12 was to set goals for our marriage.  Dustin and I talked about these recently and wrote out our goals in terms of short term 18 months, and longer term the next 5 years.   We tried to be realistic.  And after we decided what where we were headed we also made "mini plans" for achieving some of them.  Here are some of them others are more personal so I am not sharing.  I think we are going to get a mini notebook to keep these in.

Short Term:

+ family van 

+ refinish all the floors

+ family house

+ michigan

+ family tradition

+ save $10,000 (this is probably crazy pants but you know)

+ pay off debt (school loan, car, cc)

+ determine career paths and small changes career wise

+ daily devotional time 

+ one big thing together

Long term:

+ Italy

+ South America 

+ missions trip

+ foster/adopt child 

+ start retirement

+ put career path steps into action (big changes)

+ repurpose building 

We struggled more with determining long term goals for some reason.  Five years isn't that long but in the last five years we both grew and changed so much it's just hard to say what's next.

Family Photos August

I had every intent to get lots of family photos in August!  Seems I took lots of photos of baby + daddy and lots of photos of Katie, Kathleen and Baby.  But only these photos of the three of us together.  one where Dustin is a giant turkey and one from our family trip to Milwaukee.  Both are equally bad photos.  But you know what this is what our life looks like right now, so I'm okay with the fact that Dustin is in a giant turkey head and you can't see him, and that in the other shot you can't see Jonesy.  

#babyburf 3 months

Dear Babyburf - 

You turned three months on Friday.  Woe how did we get here?

+You sleep between 6-8 hours a night. 

+ You are mister smiles and talkative in the morning. 

+ You have discovered your hands which is priceless.  

+ You want to hold my fingers, your bottle, and usually a wash cloth.  

+You eat about 4oz at a time but like to eat more frequently and chase that with another 2-3 ounces. 

+ We introduced formula once or twice a day  and boo does it make you gasy and constipated.  

+ You weigh 10 lbs and 11 ounces and are still 23.75" long but you feet are bigger.  

+ You like to "use" Our cell phones.  

+ You are staring to sit up on your one and your core is very strong.

+  You absolutely think you are a big boy and want to sit upright or be held up to stand.  

+ You only want to cuddle when you are tired. 

+ You have playtime with mommy afterwork most days and you are very alert.  

+ You open your mouth when I kiss you and I can only assume this is you kissing me back.   

+ I still continue to be amazed by you and I am so glad you joined our family.  

+ Daddy carries you like a football - you love it.  

+ He also loves to push you in your stroller, he rarely let's mommy push.  

+ He still sings you silly songs and sometimes holds you up to dance to them.  

+ Daddy still thinks you need to wear overalls or stripes daily.  

+ He's also very protective of you and making sure you are safe. 

We love you little one. 

Mommy 

Busy Making Lists - September/October

I make goal lists all the time.  I have 4 to do lists on my desk right now for work and another 6 in my phone.  Both long and short term goals, lists for things to purchase.  Here is my fall list - 

• Use the crockpot
• Family photos (by professional)
• Jones baby prints - did this after I scheduled this 
• Orchard 
• Pumpkins
• Finish one quilt
• Buy 15 - $1 items
• Project life June/July
• Baby +  other baby playdate
• Baby clothes shopping with momo
• JJ Playdate with Jones
• Trip to DC
• Organize my work at home space
• Bake 3-5 breads
• Service project
• 3 challenges from my 30 days book

This shouldn't be that hard right?  And go!

Book 40 - Empty Mansions

I just finished up Book 40!  That feels so close to my goal so close!  

Anyhow book 40 was Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr. I actually really enjoyed this one just like reading about Detriot this was fascinating to me.  The book is about AW Clark and his daughter and the spending of their wealth.  AW was a Copper king making a fortune with copper mines in Montana (not the UP).  He was as rich as some of the other well known American millionaires that are very well known however nobody has heard of him.  His daughter inherited a portion of his fortune but was this eccentric recluse, who lived to be 105 and spent the last 20 or so years of her life living at the hospital, writing checks to people just randomly.  Anyhow i really did enjoy this book and the story was fascinating to me.  I didn't really like the end however it's because there wasn't much closure as things are still in the courts.  

Onward to finish up book 41 now.

Summer of Magic

This summer has been full of new experiences, challenges, and adventures.   I spent more time watching television then I probably have in the last five combined (breast feeding gets boring).  I easily didn't brush my hair 1/3 of the days, I walked around with spit up, baby pee and breast milk on my clothes.  I learned how to get by on three hours of sleep.  I never felt more like a grown up then when I started a college fund for my tiny baby. I perfected the art of cooking, laundry and eating one handed.  I discovered newfound patience for screaming.  I came to the realization I can tolerate baby crap (so long as it doesn't overtake my whole house).  I became more awkward while at the same time more confident.  

Most of all this summer has been filled with moments of magic.  Tiny baby magic that fills your heart when your baby smiles at you in his sleep, or snuggles his little head under your chin or  follows you around the room with his gray blue eyes.  Magic that fills rooms with screams you don't understand.  Magic that can only be a miracle from God.  Daily I have reminders of his Grace and I am most thankful for it.  It's truly been a magical summer.

#49 End of Summer Activity

This weekend we had an end of summer Grillout.  Dustin has been wanting to have many grillouts all summer but having a baby and changing jobs makes such activities a challenge.  But we did it for Labor Day.   Dustin invited only a handful of folks rather than his usual 500.  But he did make the time from 11-7pm (this is quite a long timespan).  We purchased hot dogs and hamburgers and beverages.   40 or so people showed up throughout the day and we ran out of beverages and hamburgers.  But somehow we have about 40 bags of chips now.  It was a good time even jonesy enjoyed it.  Here are some snaps 

Erica and Artie with Artie #5 almost ready to meet us

Ryan and Amalee (ps she is the cutest)

All of Dustin's siblings (except Jessie) got to come and his cousin and her daughter too.

And the newly weds Ben and Kaity.  

Oh and our friends Quern and Ricky  and their boy Pierson.  I love this photo of Ricky and Pierson playing the guitars too cute. It's such an interesting perspective in my living room.

Anyhow considering this my #49 _______ Summer Activity because summer is running away and what's more summer than a BBQ in your side/backyard?