Roundup of January 2012

1. What types of media did I enjoy this month? (books, movies, blogs, tv shows, favorite apps, etc.)

On the 31^st of December we saw We Bought a Zoo as a family; Reading organizing blogs; about Project Life; watched an episode of Hoarders; Loving My Fitness Pal App (tracks all my food and exercise); 1/16 - A Joyful Noise (at the theater); 1/27 - One for the Money (at the theater); Fear Factor; American Idol started up again (Wednesday & Thursday); reading about sugar addiction; listening to The Digi Show podcast; listened to some Oct. General Conference talks

With the laptop able to go downstairs I have tried to go down and sit with Adam while he is watching TV – makes it seem like we see each other more!

Adam also saw: Contraband, The Devil Inside, The Darkest Hour, The Grey, Man on the Ledge, Mission Impossible, Underworld Awakening, War Horse (part of it)

The app I used the most was Feedler, My Fitness Pal, Pinterest

Adam’s most used apps – Angry Birds or Moviefone

2. What were our health/development/exercise/extra curricular activities this month?

Adam – Thursday meetings; extra meetings while I am off; 1/26 acupuncture; horrible cough for the last 2 weeks of the month; 1/28 got out on his motorcycle and rode with Chad; lots of movies

Krisi – 1/2 Hospitalized for appendicitis; 1/3 Surgery; 1/4 Released from hospital; Round Up class with Katie the Scrapbook Lady; 1/11 parents club meeting (just popped in for a short bit); 1/24 acupuncture, manicure/pedicure & dinner out at PF Changs; Participating in Biggest Loser on Scrap Orchard and Biggest Winner at In-Shape

Rebecca – Dance (Thursdays); 1/4 – Pump it Up with the Bigalows; 1/9 & 1/23 – Brownies; 1/16 Pump it Up we took the Addison & Abby Seagle with us; 1/31 – Bowling with girl scouts

Rachel – Dance (Mondays); 1/4 – Pump it Up with the Bigalows; 1/12 – Playdate at park with other kids entering Kindergarten with you next year; 1/16 Pump it Up we took the Addison & Abby Seagle with us; 1/20 Ears pierced; for the last few weeks of the month has been complaining about her tummy hurting. We are going to the doctors on the 1^st of February.

Kayla – Shots (1/5); walks to the park are starting; went to the dog park twice; went to the groomers (1/19); We began puppy training and Kayla is making great progress. The first week we worked on “off”, “crate”, “quiet” (for when in the crate) and a release command “go ahead”.

3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends? (Memorable meals/dinners out/food, games we are playing, activities enjoying, trips, parties, big purchases)

1/8 – Lynch family open house at the Olsons

1/10 – Dinner out El Camino

1/12 – Ate at Chapala for Loma Vista Fundraiser

1/14 – Gabriel’s birthday party at Chichibu park

1/15 – Spam & Eggs (we are doing a pantry challenge this month)

1/19 – Red Robin (gift card)

1/20 – I got the new iPhone 4S for me at Stoneridge. Adam got M Frame Oakley’s. Rachel got ears pierced. We went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner after (using a gift card).

1/28 – Oakland Zoo (have a membership there now)

Some games we played this month: Dominos, Racko, Chutes & Ladders, Guess Who, Uno Spin, puzzles

One of my favorite foods right now (well the last two weeks or so of the month) has been steel cut oats. I have been making them using the overnight pot method (1 cup steel cut oats, 3 cups of water – bring to a boil turn off stove, put lid on the pot and they are ready in the morning). I like to add apple cut up small, cranberries, raisins, almonds and I was adding coconut before I started detoxing from sugar.

Rachel gets into food ruts as well – she has been wanting crackers with cream cheese and a chocolate milk (which in our house is a protein drink). Gotta love her!

As part of our pantry challenge we also challenge ourselves to use gift cards that we have if we were going to go out.

4. What gifts/service did I give and/or receive?

Tons of service given to us early in the month – Tami, Charice, Rebecca, Tara, Jen, Celia, Andria, Scottie & Brigetta from the ward plus Nana & Papa Tom and my mom.

We made lots more donations (a HUGE load was taken on the 31^st of December) throughout this month. We now have giveaway boxes around the house so we can fill them and donate to those who need them.

We delivered homemade bread to Rebecca’s teacher.

We took Abby & Addison to Pump It Up so Charice could take Kevin to the doctors.

5. What were my accomplishments/disappointments this month? (goals, wanna do, gotta do, creative projects, etc.)

Well I realized toward the end of the month that I have a sugar addiction – that is an accomplishment in and of itself. But I am doing something about it and working to overcome it.

I have been doing Project Life each week and have been able to complete our pages each week – looking forward to keeping up during the month of February as well.

I was able to do a couple hybrid projects – including some that are “top secret” until they are released.

This month’s gotta do’s changed on the 3^rd when I landed in the hospital. The only thing necessary after that was for me to get better. I had to extend my leave from work once because I had so much pain and discomfort when I tried to do much of anything.

I did lose about 8.5 pounds this month – a little bit closer to my goal.

I did get the carpets cleaned – but they did not come out that well. We sent the cleaner back.

6. What are we thankful for this month?

We are so thankful for our family and friends who helped us throughout the month but ESPECIALLY the first week or so. – THANK YOU everyone.

We are also thankful for all the gifts we received during the holidays – and getting out thank you notes to people is still on our list to do.

7. Anything else noteworthy to include? (News, trends, births, deaths, etc.)

1/8 - New Bishop (Ashcroft)

The San Francisco 49ers almost made it to the Super Bowl. Two good games leading up to that decision. It had the Bay Area very excited.

I have felt pretty isolated from the news this month since I have not been in the car alone to listen to the news. But I did see a couple news stories while walking at the gym.

1/14 - Italian cruise ship that crashed and sunk. American couple on board.

1/29 2242 – Jean had her baby – a girl Lyla Rose

8. Goals for next month

Project Life

Work on training for a 5K

Lose 9 pounds (track my food, stay away from sugar, be at the gym 3 days a week)

Organize our closet & room (Doing orgjunkie.com’s 29 day declutter challenge)

Finish designer classes from Chelle’s Creations; Use my laptop and learn PS – DigiScrapApalooza is coming and I need to use the laptop there to scrap!

Spend time on Shelf Reliance business

January Roundup - Part 3

7. What were my accomplishments this month?

Learning to Ski is high up on this list... especially since it is on my bucket list. I can cross it off of that now!

Completed all 4 challenges at Log Your Memory - resulting in a full kit for free, and 4 pages scrapped.

2 Shelf Reliance Parties - I had three scheduled but one canceled at the last minute, but she will be doing a catalog party instead. The cancellation was a blessing though as we had a FANTASTIC day as a family instead - which we needed.

I am down about 65 pounds since surgery. I have been having lots of WOW moments. Like crossing my legs and being comfortable that way. {making a mental note to start writing these down - or maybe I will add that to a new note system I am going to try out this coming month}

I think I need to take better notes - adding that to the new note system!

8. What were my disappointments this month?

I over booked myself. I need to figure out balance. In fact one thing I am going to read {I am sending it to my e-mail to read on the iPad sometime} is this article from jones design on time. You can download this great printable as well there.

I didn't get enough scrapping of the girls done this month. I have so many ideas and not enough time to create them all.  I plan on spending some time in February on creating layouts! I am so excited.

9. How did I do on my goals for the month? (Or any current short or long term goals)

I am now working with a personal trainer at the gym. My body is going to be sore, but that will be a good thing as it means I am actually working out hard enough to have the muscles to really used!

10. Anything else noteworthy to include?

A few gals from church started a babysitting co-op and let me just say that it is FABULOUS. Adam & I already had one date - such a treat. Something we need to work on more each month is spending time together - just the two of us, no interruptions!

We went to Who's Coming to dinner at a friend of ours. The "event" is with the adults in the ward... kind of like a big group date at another persons house. We had a great time visiting with single sisters as well as other couples.

Just a reminder that the Round Up comes from questions on Katie The Scrapbook Lady's blog.

January Roundup - Part 2

4. What gifts did I give and/or receive?

Gabriel turned 7 this month so the girls and Adam went to his party - I had to work. Honestly I can not remember what we got him!

My aunt brought over TONS of puzzles for the girls - they have been having lots of fun putting them together. I was glad to know that I am not the only one who saves things. They are puzzles for kids the girls ages and her youngest will be graduating high school this year!

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Well definitely the Mini Cooper was a special & unusual purchase!  It was also great to have sold Adam's car that same day - a real blessing.

I know that buying new clothing is becoming a necessity I just have to go and do it -- soon!

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Seriously I need to remember that January is when Rachel's asthma acts up and be proactive and get new inhalers each fall.  It NEVER fails (the last 3 years - yes since she was born) we have gone somewhere for Martin Luther King's Holiday weekend - usually Disneyland but this year Tahoe. Sure enough on the way up to Pollock Pines where we stayed the first night she started coughing and coughed all night long. I had to get up and rub her back to get her out of the rhythmic coughing spell she got herself into.

Back in August I had an episode of getting really dizzy and lightheaded - to the point that I felt like I might pass out. That happened a couple times and then decided I really should go to the ER when one episode was so bad that I could hardly walk straight. All the testing has come back for the most part ok, including a Signal Average EKG - which is basically an EKG that is an average of at least 250 beats. The doctor - a fabulous electrophysiologist who practices at John Muir wants me to get an MRI of the heart just to be sure everything is really ok. I am waiting for insurance to schedule that. I had the Signal Average EKG done on the 31st which is why this is now popping up in January's Roundup!

January Roundup - Part One

1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

As usual I didn't read much different that what we read with the kids. But let me just tell you - Magic Tree House books are SO much fun to read. I want to keep reading to them as the story is so capturing. Rebecca LOVES them - always a great thing.  We found a couple new ones at a garage sale - got 3 for $1 (woohoo!)

I do read the blogs that I subscribe to though... and that is always fun reading.

2. What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

On the 27th I went with two girlfriends to the movies. We saw True Grit. I don't think I have done that since I had kids {and maybe even not since I have been married}.  The movie was good but way more graphic than I ever thought it would be. It made me scream out once {or twice}.

American Idol started again this month. I watched the first show and decided I didn't have enough time to do everything - that meaning not enough time to watch 2 hours of auditions twice a week.  So once Hollywood week starts I will watch again - maybe!

We rented a couple movies during the month - I have no idea what Adam has watched but RedBox is our friend! But the girls watched Golden Christmas and Open Season 3, they got to watch them laying in our bed - a big treat.

3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

We took a trip to South Lake Tahoe. I know I have yet to post the pictures - I need WAY more time each day. I do have a few days off this week so I am hoping to get more catching up done on the blog!  But a quick overview... skiing, resting, shins hurting, snow play, resting, scrapping, arcade, a walk.... it was a great trip!

I already told you about our trip to the movies above.

December Roundup - Part 2

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Holiday presents... this year was pretty unusual that I didn't have it all finished on or before Black Friday.  We didn't get any other "big" items this month though.  We did reserve some vacations for next year and paid for some of that though.

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

December 7th I had a sore throat, then stomach cramping (even went to bed early), then sinus headache on Friday  this seemed to linger for most of the month - no fun at all.

On the 14th Rachel came down with chicken pox... just a mild case. She will still need her kindergarten booster.  She even in the middle of January as I type this scratches at them, it has been awful for her.

7. What were my accomplishments this month?

Presents all wrapped before Christmas Eve night

Enjoying the girls during their break

Losing even more weight... down about 50 lbs so far

8. What were my disappointments this month?

Not spending enough time doing nothing during the holidays.

... this question is hard for me. I am not disappointed by very many things, or at least big enough to really worry about.

9. How did I do on my goals for the month? (Or any current short or long term goals)

I have set some goals for 2011... this will make this question easier next year!

10. Anything else noteworthy to include?

Had a great Shelf Reliance party down in Hayward. I need to do more parties near me!

December Roundup - Part 1

I am going to break this up into a couple parts... again pictures will be posted if they have not been already.

1. What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Continued reading Time Starved Family - although I did not get too much of it read since I didn't get the gym much this month. Most of my reading time is to the girls or blogs.  We read a new Christmas story {or two} each day with the girls.

2. What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

Chronicles of Narnia (Adam & Girls)

Nutcracker - 11.17 (Temple Hill)

Yogi Bear & Little Fockers at the local drive in movie theater

3. What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

11th - Temple

17th - IKEA, Temple - Nutcracker

18th - Meatpies

19th -Games with Nana & Papa Tom then we looked at Christmas lights around Brentwood

20th - Rebecca had a doctors appointment

22nd - Work Holiday party

24th - Nana's and Christmas Lights in Antioch

25th - Christmas, Dad & Nana's Joyces and hanging out at our house

27th - Drive Ins

28th - Ice Skating

30th - Meet & Greet Primary Teachers for the coming year

31st - Six Flags, Chevy's & Ringing in the New Year

4. What gifts did I give and/or receive?

December is a time of giving... Blanket to Mom & Tom for anniversary, cookies to Foxes, Ashcrofts, & Talls. We took a dinner in to the Titones. For the holidays we gave our signature gift a calendar of the girls {and us}.