The boys sure love their daddy!

We have stayed busy with our normal, weekly schedules.  We love having Derek home on Wednesday's when his work schedule allows.  When Derek gets home in the evenings, both boys light up with smiles for their daddy, so Wednesday's are lots of fun when they both get more playing time with him!   

Brigham is really into books right now.  He just giggles and smiles when you read to him, and then crys and hands you the book when you try to stop! 

Snuggling his daddy!

Brigham hadn't been eating real good for a week or more, and had some pretty yucky diapers, so on Monday the 30th, I took him in to get checked over.  He had a snotty nose and cough the week prior, but that had cleared up.  I just wanted to make sure that him not wanting to eat food wasnt due to an ear infection.  His lungs and ears all checked out ok, so him not having an appetite is possibly just a stage, or teething?  We didn't get any answers, but are thankful he checked out ok!  He weighed in at 17 pounds, 10.5 oz., which puts him in the 3.75%.  He is such a peanut, but Dr. McKercher said he had gained a little since his 9 month check up, so he wasn't worried.  If he were to stop gaining, or lose weight, we would need to do something different.   

Here's our little man watching Praise Baby!  He is sitting in the rocking chair I had as a litle girl.

Boston & Derek's fun lately has been 'working out'.  This is NOT my kind of fun, but Boston thinks it's awesome.  He even worked up such a sweat one night he had to take his shirt off!  He came upstairs panting, and asking for a bottle of water!  Now, every night when Derek walks in the door Boston will ask 'Is it a working out night Dad?'

They weren't thrilled I was taking pictures.  I guess it was distracting.. oops!

Boston didn't have his own set of weights so he was lifting basketballs!

We have been wanting to get new light fixtures for our upstairs for a year or so now, so this past week I finally got them picked out and purchased.  When they built our house they put in the whitest, and cheapest light fixtures they could find.  Updating the fixtures is one thing that was suggested to us for when we go to sell our home some day, so figured we would get that done.  Derek spent his entire day off  taking down all of the old, and putting up new.  He swore a lot, and it took him quite a while, but he did it :) He isn't the handiest man in the world, but he is improving!  According to Derek 'It's not that I can't do it, it's just that I chose not to.'  He would much rather hire someone to come in for these types of things, or call my dad :)  The udpates make a world of difference!  

    I think he looks darn good on a ladder!

 The Kitchen

 Living Room

 Foyer

Time to wrap this up.  I need to get the boys' bags packed for an overnight with Grandma Glady.  This will be Brigham's first night without us, but I know he'll do fine, and Derek and I are looking forward to a kid free night!  Hope you all have a great weekend!  The weather is beautiful! 

Bucket List Update!

Just a little update on my 2012 Bucket List!

1. Have more meals at the table. All 4 of us. With prayer and devotions.
This isn't happening any more this year than it did last year.  I blame my husbands work schedule for most it, and my lack of cooking a meal for the rest :)  I promise to get better with this in Feb.  It's my goal for a Sunday meal at the table, Monday evening, and Friday or Saturday evening.        

2. Take a 'big' vacation. Disney World would be fun.
This just won't be happening in 2012, and I am perfectly OK with it!  Derek and I sat down and talked about our financial goals for the next few years and taking a trip and saving like we want just aren't realistic, so the vacation is on hold.  
 
3. Make a monthly date night a priority.
Last month we went to my former bosses house for a late Christmas gathering.  Not really a 'date' but it was a fun night out of the house, so it counts!  This month we actually have 2 date nights planned!  The boys are going to spend the night with Grandma Glady tonight and we are doing a date night swap with some friends' kids in a few weeks!   Tonight, it's movie night & on the 18th we are going to try out Luciano's downtown! 

4. Learn to knit, crochet, or quilt, or all 3.
This goal has gotten as far as me making a list of the things I need to start knitting.  I have found a ton of 'do-it-yourself' crafts/project idea's on Pinterest, so it's not like I'm not being artsy fartsy, plus we had a busy week of doing some home improvements so I think that counts as success?!

5. Read the entire Bible.
I am right on track and I can't even believe it!  I am learning so much!  1 month down, 11 to go!  I have a little story to share..

A week into January I went out to get my mail.  Inside the mailbox was a package.  My first thought was, 'Oh my word.  What did I accidentally click to order from my iPad?!'   I got inside, opened up the package and in it was a 'The One Year, Chronological Bible', with no return address or name of sender.  It only took me about 10 minutes to figure out who it came from, as she had suggested I read the Bible chronologically.  It came from my High School English Teacher!   She is a great Christian woman, and has been such an encouragement to me in my Faith.  This Bible has made reading on a daily basis SO much easier!  Thank you again Sandra!

6. Finish 10 years of my Grandma Ellen's diaries.
I wish I had more time for this, but life is just so busy and I am not able to dedicate a ton of time to it.  I go in spurts.  One week I type up several months in one week, and then I may not get to it again for a few weeks.  I started the journals in October and I am just wrapping up year #2 (1933).  Getting 10 years done in 2012 is still achievable!

7. Help out a local organization by gathering volunteers or collecting items or money to donate.
I volunteered a day in my hometown at a new church, and also organized a used book drive with my GEMS class for the Ronald McDonald House! 
  
8. Spend smart & save more!
The best part about this is that Derek and I are usually never on the same page with finances.  He typically has no idea what a month of groceries really cost, or what we spend a month on diapers, wipes, formula, etc.  Mint.com has helped a TON with this, and in January we sat down and talked about our budgets and financial goals.  This was huge for us!  What a good feeling to be on the same page for once!  We were under our gas budget and a little over on groceries in Jan, so we'll see what Feb. brings!   

9. Send out Birthday, Get Well, or Thinking of You cards to people who wouldn't be expecting it.
A few cards were sent, but I didn't do as well as I hoped.  Feb. is a new month!

10. Get my 4th tattoo. Brigham's name.
Not done yet, but I am thinking about what I want and where!