taking stock, v. 2

when gracie was born, all my energy and attention and everything else went to her and figuring out being a new mommy. finally, weeks later, i started to feel like i was getting a hold on things again. life wasn't quite so crazy or so totally centered on her - i could actually do other things or go places. and i could think about blogging again.

and then i went back to work.

i don't quite feel like i've gotten a hold on life again yet. this working mom thing has really thrown a wrench into having control over things. can anyone relate?? ;)

so here's an attempt at a post.

i did one of these a few months back, so when i saw mary did it the other day, i thought i'd go for round 2.

Making: a valentine's day wreath for our front door (ok, it's a lie - i haven't started making it yet. but i know what i'm going to make!)

Cooking: dinner for a family in our ward that just had a sweet new baby girl

Drinking: water. water, water, water. all day long. gotta keep that milk supply going!

Reading: patient accounts at work. don't have time for anything else right now.

Wanting: to get back in shape. or just get in shape....(wasn't really in shape before so..)

Looking: forward to warmer days.

Playing: peek-a-boo with the babe :)

Wasting: time at work blogging (shhhh don't tell! i needed a break)

Sewing: let's be honest - i don't sew.

Wishing: i could win the lottery. that'd be neat.

Enjoying: being a mom.

Liking: this mix of pandora stations i've got going right now.

Wondering: how i'm going to get gracie to sleep in her crib in her own room.
Loving: the little marks gracie has on her ears that exactly match the mark on her grandpa's ear. i love that she has a little piece of him built right in.

Hoping: we'll be able to make our dream house addition work.
Marveling: at how all the simple things in life are truly the best things.

Needing: more veggies in my life.

Wearing: lots of sweaters and scarves and socks. is it summer yet?

Noticing: how few clothes (read: two pairs of pants) i have for work. maybe they won't notice if i wear the same thing two days in a row?

Knowing: i could not have gotten through the last 14.5 weeks without my husband.

Thinking: about all the trials we're given. and how, in the end, we make it through, even when we were sure we wouldn't.
Feeling: grateful and blessed. every day. might be a cheesy, cliche answer, but it's so true.

Bookmarking: new recipes (yes, i do cook slightly more than i used to now that i have the mom title).

Giggling: about this picture my sister sent me today.....and her caption that came with it:

"i think that's her filling-her-diaper expression."

and she was right :)

lucky you, Kel! 

{gracie said thank you!}

4 years.

january 7, 2010:

four years ago, we became mr & mrs.

it's been an amazing marriage so far.

can't wait for the rest of forever!

love you, jae.

looking forward.

we were over at my parents house a couple of weeks ago, talking to them about schedules and work and gracie and family and other various things. my mom said something to me that really made me stop and think. then, the other day, as we were celebrating new years and i was pondering on a new family and/or personal theme for this next year of our lives, again i thought of what my mother had said to me. it was one of those duh moments - that is exactly what i want and need to keep in mind during this next year (and every year after..).

make it count.

 it has been a really hard decision for jae and i to have me go back to work since having gracie. we've talked about it and thought about it and listed all the pros and cons many times over, trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. this topic has been a constant prayer in my head for the last few weeks. few months, really. i know many people that have been working momma's and stay at home momma's, and i've talked to a lot of them about this. but what it really came down to is what works for our family.

after much back and forth, here i am - back at work. i am part time now, only working 3 days a week. i am very grateful for that. but i also know i am missing out. i'm missing time with my little babe that i won't get back. sure, there are reasons why this could be a good thing - gracie gets more time with her grandmas and her aunts, and even her daddy. but it's hard to shake the sadness i'm feeling being away from her.

that's where this theme comes in. my mantra for the year. i need to make this time count. the days i'm at work - i need to make sure the money i am making truly counts for something for our little family. keep the bigger picture in mind and don't make a waste of the money i'm making for the hours i'm at work. and then at the other end of the spectrum - the time i'm at home. the time i'm with my sweet girl. i need to take advantage of those moments (both the crying ones and the smiling ones!). i have been so blessed. i've been given this great life with a great husband and amazing daughter and i don't want to waste it.

2013.

January

.celebrated 3 years of marriage at the Zermatt resort

.celebrated zoey's 1st birthday

February

.birthday & birthday

.found out we were expecting (and announced it to families)

march

.Hawaii!

.announced to the rest of the world about baby

april

.lots of date nights

.zo got new toys & took lots of naps

may

.celebrated mothers day

.hit the halfway point - 20 weeks!

.visited new Hampshire & Vermont for jae's grandma Bernie's funeral

june

.celebrated fathers day

.made s'mores

.made a quick weekend trip to st George/vegas on the hottest weekend of the year

july

.my belly kept growing & growing

.family baby shower

.bear lake with the fam

august

.bee's game with my family

.park city with jae's family

.lots of family & baby bump pictures

.horrible night at the vet for zo

September

.total baby mode - friend, neighbor, and work baby showers!

.getting nursery ready

.lots of date nights

October

.well, I think this months activities go without saying :)

.halloween

November

.more of the same!

December

.gracie's baby blessing

.small toe surgery

.zoey lost all rope toy privileges :)

.Christmas!

it's been an amazing year. so blessed, we are. of course, miss gracie jane was the highlight of our year, but we had so many other blessings too.

thank you, 2013!
 hello to 2014 :)