Old and New(s)

The other day I was searching for a blog post I had written about O's eating habits to share with a friend. When I found it, I realized that I had written it almost one year ago. A year later, we are still struggling with this, maybe even more so now than we were then.
I began to wonder...what else was I thinking and writing about this time last year? What did the first two weeks of September 2012 look like for me? How has my life changed since then?

OLD Last year, I wrote about the importance the church, and some of the positives and negatives about being a member of a church body. My stand on this issue remains the same..."As a church, we should gather with one common interest, and that's Christ, building a relationship with him, and building a kingdom of believers. A kingdom that is filled with love."
O's struggle with school was also on my mind a year ago. We have made progress, and for that I am grateful.
Similar to last year, I continue to struggle with focusing on my own needs and praying for myself. While I often excel at the "love your neighbor" part of the commandment, I tend to forget that the phrase "as yourself" comes at the end of that verse. 
Because I am not someone who thinks that dwelling in the past is a super-productive use of time, I also wanted to share some of the new (and exciting) things that are and will be happening in my life.
NEW(S) I am looking forward to making some small changes to my blog design. Even though it's only been eleven months since I acquired this look, I am ready for a change. I'm currently working with Chelsea and hope to reveal my updated look soon!
O had his first soccer practice on Wednesday. He loved it! I am excited for this new adventure with him.   I have been asked to be a contributing writer for the Unveiled Wife website. I am honored to be a part of a place that provides encouragement and support for women, as wives. Look for my first post sometime next month.   I love my new work schedule. I am currently working outside the home three days each week, which is a reduction from last year. It has been great to have more time to do "school stuff" with the kids, make dinner more often and be less stretched with work assignments.
I am currently working with Shanna to create another virtual closet. This time, for fall and winter outfits. I loved my experience the first time and am excited to see what wardrobe options Shanna will create for me.

So, what's new and exciting in your life? What has changed in your life since this time last year? I'd love to know!

Three Lessons (aka Whoops!)

Today, I am taking some cues from Emily, and turning my whoops moments from the past week into a how to post for you. You're welcome.

When making smoothies... Do not put the bamboo spoon into the blender while it is mixing, chopping or stirring. This will cause the blender to take a chunk out of the spoon, while simultaneously bending the blades of the 13-year old machine. In addition, orange smoothie will splatter all over the kitchen, into your hair, and onto your face. Luckily, you will not have gotten dressed for work, so only your robe is covered with the mess. As a result of the spoon in the blender incident, you will be forced to fish wood shards out of your smoothie prior to drinking it. 
THE UP-SIDE You will be asking for, and hopefully receiving, a new blender for Mother's Day!

When attending your daughter's audition... Avoid taking a water bottle or any other item that may make a loud noise when dropped on the floor. This is especially important when you are not supposed to be watching said audition. Hiding in the corner, behind the curtain, is only effective when you don't drop a water bottle, causing everyone, including those auditioning to look your direction. 
THE UP-SIDE Your daughter was not actually the one auditioning when you dropped the bottle, so she still doesn't know that you saw her performance!
When participating in blogger giveaways... Pay close attention to which blogger has won which prize. Creating a separate email folder for each giveaway and/or creating a spreadsheet may be helpful. If you had created such an organizational system, you may have avoided sending two prizes to the same person. 
THE UP-SIDE Holly gets to shop at Forever 21 while drinking her Starbucks!
Have any whoops moments you want to share?

This and That

It's Monday. The first one in the past three weeks that I have had to go to work. I was really getting used to having longer weekends! Even though we only had two days off this weekend, we managed to get a lot done and have a little fun, too. Here's a little glimpse into our weekend...

Friday night was our elementary school's father/daughter dance. M took the girls. Don't they look adorable?

On Saturday, I hosted a Jewel Kade (just love this jewelry...thinking about selling it...like I need one more thing to do) party in the afternoon, which means that I spent the morning cleaning the house. I also decided it was time to bring my mantle into spring. I don't typically change my mantle for the seasons, but I hadn't done anything with it since I took down my Christmas stockings and decorations, so it was looking pretty bare.

I scoured my cupboards and closets for spring-like decor. I also went through each room in the house, searching for items I could use for the mantle. And, added some fresh flowers. Here's what I came up with...

Saturday night was family movie night. The girls chose Monsters, Inc. and Chinese food. Nothing beats dinner and a movie, picnic style, in the living room.

Also, gave O a haircut on Saturday night. He was well overdue for a cut, but we had been putting it off because of our crazy schedule the past two weeks, in addition to him being sick. O tolerates having his haircut now, but it still makes him very uncomfortable. It takes two of us, the proper technology and just the right amount of protective layers (aka towels) to get him through without incident.

I snapped this photo of him following his post-haircut bath. He was all smiles, then.

After church on Sunday, my husband graciously took the dreaded weekly visit to the grocery store off my hands. As a result, this was my view for the afternoon and much of the evening. 

I sat, on the couch, with my laptop, trying to entertain a four-year old boy, while attempting to prepare blog posts, write evaluation reports and record data for reading assessments. 

Another weekend ends and another week begins... 

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