Slow and steady wins the race!!

I'm making progress...slow and in very little steps, but forward movement has been made!  So much so that I get to use my favorite key in order to cross off my list...are you ready??  

1.  Lose  Gain 40 lbs (I know this is a big one and quite cliche, but this is the time because from what all my friends say it only gets harder!) I'm going the wrong way with this one, but I still have time.
2. Use up all those gift cards I've been saving all these years Down to single digits!
3. Fix and print out Aiden's blog (I believe my last post was when he was entering preschool and he's not 1/2 through Kdg...I've got some work to do)
4. Speaking of work to do...I have 3 baby books that haven't even been started (yes, I'm a little embarrassed about that fact, but I have everything together so it shouldn't take long, right?)
5. Keep my toes pretty...whether that means getting a pedicure or doing my own nails, I'm not sure yet, but seriously women, we NEED to have pretty toes.  No one likes to look at gross feet...no one. Yep...was at a painting party and the host asked me to show my toes...they were gorgeous!!!  This one I'm pretty good at keeping so far!
6. Kiss my boys good night, every night, no matter what.  Honestly, I do this for the most part, but occasionally things get in the way and it may not happen.  Parents really need to do this...there is just something about seeing your kids sleeping that melts my heart even after a bad day.  What's the saying, "Always kiss me goodnight"...there really should be one that says, "kiss your kids nightly".
7. Clean up/organize my desk weekly.  I am horrible about piling things up for them to never be seen again (until I get the bill statement that says I have a late fee and I get all pissed because it's right there on my desk...somewhere.
8. PAY BILLS ON TIME. (no need to explain and really shouldn't be difficult) 1 late bill last month...boo!  
9. Be in bed by 11pm during the week.  That means in bed ready to fall asleep, not turning on the hours of Chicago Fire or Grey's Anatomy I have dvr'd and can't seem to catch up on. Not happening lately.
10. Talk to far away friends more than 1x/year (or less in some cases).  And that doesn't mean a message on FB or a text because I need something.  Really reaching out and talking to friends on the phone, letting them know they mean something. Have a visit planned with a great friend next month AND I just heard from my best high school friend and we're hoping to connect sooner than later!
11. Fix relationships that need fixing...make amends with those who are worth it.
12. Call my Mom and Dad at least 1x/week...usually done, but not always.  Cherish the ones you love!
13. Keep my in-laws in the loop about what we're doing, the boys' activities, plans for visits, etc...
14. Go out with girlfriends more often...this is actually a tough one for me.  Anyone that may be reading this, please help me!! I painted (thank you Anna!)...no pix because if I post, I may offend someone!
15. Go out with my husband at least 1x/month.  We deserve that, right?! Luke and I have been meeting for lunch...it's great to catch up and a nice break during the day.
16. Pursue a new job or that career change I've always thought about (no...not the truck driver or librarian!)
17. Cancel any credit cards we don't use...time to slim down the wallet. This feels good!
18. Put pictures up on the walls.  Believe it or not, I tend to hesitate on this just in case we end up moving again.  After more than 4 years here in KY, I think it's safe to start putting up pictures. 
19. Make all the doctor appts. and follow-ups you're supposed to do when you're an adult.  Like that lovely OBGYN annual, dentist 2x/year, annual physical (when was the last time you did that!?) vision, and whatever other doctor is necessary as you get to be "my age".  
20. Run...just run.  Whether it's races or for fun, I need to pick up running again.  It's good for your body (remember I have 40 lbs to lose) and good for the mind.
21. Almost forgot...get a blog up and running!  And continue blogging until 9/29/14! (I've already started this one...yay me!)
22. Get a family picture taken...one that is acceptable and where we all look amazing!  Got have something great to hang on the wall!
23. Finish Connor's tattoo.  The hubby and I got our son's footprints tattooed on our wrists for our 15th anniversary (and 5 years after losing Connor)...I know, so romantic!  I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted (and still don't) but know it's not complete yet.
24. Help my husband with the chores.  Ladies, don't get jealous, but I have one of those incredible husbands that enjoys doing laundry, cleaning and dishes (awesome, right?!)  Unfortunately, this has made me become quite the slacker in this department.  I promise to help out more around the house (of course, in my spare time :))
25. Go to yoga 1x/week.  I've just recently started doing yoga and surprisingly I LOVE IT! I feel so good afterward and the breathing alone helps me get through the day a little calmer.  Although, this may be tough...it's expensive!
26. Really listen to my kids when they are talking to me.  So much of our days are running around going to and from places, dropping off, picking up.  I cherish the times I can sit down with any of the boys and "catch up".  I guess the goal would be to slow down and enjoy any conversations I can get with the boys.
27. Speaking of slowing down, how about stopping to smell the roses.  With this huge list, I'm going to be even busier than normal!  But, sometimes everything else can be put on hold...nothing is going to happen if the dishes are still in the sink or the floor doesn't get vacuumed right away.  I'm going to STOP, and appreciate what I have at least, once daily.
28. Make an appt with my hair stylist when I should, not once it becomes necessary!  I'm not even sure how often I'm supposed to go??  But I'm certain waiting 3-4 months is too long.  Stephen, my stylist, was shocked when I made an appt last month!
29. Go shopping for me!  For most people, this probably isn't difficult, but I HATE shopping for myself and rarely do it.  Honestly, I need someone to help me with this...I've realized over the past year that I THINK I have style but I really don't.  Right now, my "style" consists of yoga pants and t-shirts and jeans on a good day.  So sad...wish Clinton and Stacy were still doing What Not To Wear!
30. Keep up my skin routine.  I was lucky enough to be treated to an amazing facial by my MIL over Christmas (Nancy, now I know why you always have such incredible skin!)  I came home with great products and would love to continue taking care of my skin.  I may be getting older, but I don't have to look it, right!?
31. Put my jewelry in the jewelry box that's sitting on top of my dresser!  Sounds silly, but that would also mean going through my jewelry and getting rid of the things I don't wear (like the necklace my middle school boyfriend gave me!)  I even have an earring holder that I made (thanks to Pinterest) that is hanging on the wall...empty! DONE!  Kind of nice having a clean dresser top!
32. Go through the abundance of boys clothing...donate, throw out, organize and LABEL tubs to make finding them easier!  I was really good at this when I had 1 kid...just saying.
33. Buy a bike.  One of the things on my "life" bucket list (not sure I can add it to this list) is to do a mini-triathalon.  I can swim, I can bike, but the running scared me in the past.  I think I have that down now.  Only problem is, my husband thought I should let my oldest son should get my mountain bike since he was big enough for it and needed a bike.  So, he stripped it down (grips, pedal straps, etc...) and now I have no bike.  I love to ride but I need a bike...  oh yeah!  I BOUGHT A BIKE!!  Thanks Uncle Sam!
34. Take more pictures...with an actual camera, not my phone.  I'm not saying my phone hasn't taken some incredible pictures, but I have a really nice camera and it takes great pictures!  Also, videos...again, we took videos all the time with our first kid.  Where is that video camera anyway???  I take it out for recitals and such, but really need to do it more often and also figure out a way to actually watch them once we record something!
35. Do random acts of kindness!  I want my boys to see that kindness still exists and is important.  Plus, girls dig it!    
36. Use all the Groupons/Living Social deals I have spent money on...such good deals, unless you forget about them or let them expire...Curse you Groupon and Living Social!
37. Go through our bookshelves...get rid of books we don't use, need or want.  Put books on there that are helpful, special or help make it seem that we are a family of great readers!!
38. Re-do my bedroom.  You know how they say the Master bedroom should be a serene, calm getaway...mine is the opposite of that!  I hate my bedroom and I definitely do not enjoy going in there at the end of a long, stressful day.  I may need to call the professionals for some help with this one.
39. READ MORE BOOKS...I have never really enjoyed reading, mostly because whenever I start a book, by the time I pick it up again I've forgotten what I already read!  I end up reading the same chapters over and over!  I do appreciate a good book though, so feel free to comment on any good reads you've had lately!! Just finished reading "The Shack" with a couple of girlfriends for Lent...then we went to lunch to discuss (questions and all).  Now I'm reading "Divergent"!!
40. While I was at yoga last week, the instructor said something that I loved and made me really think.  She said something like this, "...look deep inside and smile at your soul of acceptance..."  I thought this was really beautiful.  Even if I don't finish the other 39 things I have listed here, this one I need to do!  Everyone should... I'm not gonna lie...this is tough when the scale is moving in the wrong direction...Keep trying!

So, 3 complete cross outs...sounded better in my head?!  Well, it's something and the ones that are on-going, I'm doing pretty well at accomplishing.  Just don't want to jinx it and call it done YET.  It's a process...still working on my "list" and still working on "me".  Off to bed (it's 10:32pm) plus this week is my older boy's spring break and I have to be on my toes with activities planned and patience in bulk!  

Super Cool bike, right???  Not crazy about the white seat but really excited to get out there and ride (something I can do without my feet killing me!)...just me and the open road.