currently

the boys...oh how I love them.

Joining Jenna from A Mama Collective for the first time for Currently :: a weekly linkup.

thinking about //  how quickly this summer went.  Evan starts school next week and Mike is currently doing homework for his classes that started today.  This week is packed with scout meetings, open houses, and other things that bring on the reality of fall.  I actually love fall, but here in Minnesota, fall quickly leads to winter and snow, and after last winter, I'm no where near ready for all of that.

listening to //  the piano guys station on pandora.  Even though the boys share a room, Alex still insists that either Mike or I stay in room until he falls asleep.  Since Mike isn't home most nights at bedtime, I'm normally the one of the floor and since I hate silence, I put on that station.  It's calming and the music they tend to play is instrumental music of popular songs.  The boys seem to fall asleep quicker with it on.

reading // If I Stay.  I love YA fiction and my sister and I plan on seeing the movie, but I have this weird obsession that I need to read the book a movie is based on before I see it.  So I'm trying to finish it quickly so we can go in the next week or so.

thankful for // my dad.  We haven't always been on the best of terms, but I'm glad that as I've gotten older, we've grown closer.  He recently bought us the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University home kit so Mike and I can start working on paying off our budget and buy our first (and hopefully forever) home by the time we are 35.

photographing // i pretty much took all of last week off from everything, but it's time to pull out my grown up camera and start playing around.  I've been pinning a lot of ideas for lifestyle photography and I'm inspired.  I love the idea of catching the small things that are a part of our everyday life...now if only I can get the boys to participate...

accident prone

A year ago, Alex had a double ear infection and Mike was still fresh from his seizure like episodes.  Mike and Alex were playing in the living room and all I heard was a loud crash and then immediate screaming.  Alex had been running, slipped and cracked his skull against the corner of our chaise lounge.  At first I hesitated to bring him into the emergency room since he wasn't showing any signs of a concussion, nor had he passed out after hitting his head.

But then my 'mommy' gut told me that we needed to get him checked out.  So we piled in the car and went.  I figured we would get the patted on the head like we were first time parents and sent on our way, but after being in observation for 20 minutes, Alex began getting lethargic and vomited. A CT was ordered, and we found out that Alex had a hairline skull fracture and a minor concussion.  Since the hospital we were at couldn't keep us overnight for observation, we were sent to the University of Minnesota Children's via ambulance.

After a long night, and an even longer day since the doctors wanted to make absolutely sure that his fever did not have another cause than the double ear infection, we were sent home.  Alex had no other complications, nor did we have to do any follow up for it.  In any case the nurses warned us that this was probably only the start to a childhood full of stitches and broken bones.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday, how right they were.  I was finishing with a client, when my work cell phone went off.  I instantly recognized the number of the daycare.  I figured that Alex or Evan was sick, but I was wrong.  Some how, while playing outside, Alex tripped over a car he was pushing around, and fell onto his chin.  The gash had yet to stop bleeding and they needed either my husband or I to come and see if we needed to take him in.

I sent Mike since only I had two quick visits to do, although maybe I should have just cancelled the rest of my day and gotten him myself since I was constantly on the phone with Mike to see if Alex needed to go in or not.  Mike took Alex to his sister's since she was a pediatric nurse, and wanted her opinion before taking Alex in.  After a quick visit, it was decided that it was better to take him in.

Luckily I was able to get to the hospital just a little after they were taken back to be there while they cleaned the gash and then put the stitches in.  Alex seemed more mad about it taking four of us to hold him still enough for the doctor to put in the stitches, and actually getting them.  He's been pretty good about leaving them alone and on Monday we go in to have them removed.  I can only hope that since there was a year in between the skull fracture/concussion and the stitches, that he will at least space his next big accident out to next August.

hopes & plans :: vol 3

So it's been a few weeks since I joined Amanda for hopes & plans, so it's time to catch up on my list from two weeks ago and get back into the swing of things...

Two weeks ago...

:: one :: get all the baby stuff to my sister's - since I don't work this weekend and have no real plans for other activities, this really needs to happen.  While the bins are still sitting at our home because of conflicting schedules, everything is organized and ready to go so I count that as a win.

:: two :: go on a walk every day - this is part of myself care plan...to take some time to get out in nature and just soak it in.  As well as to help get me back into the swing of things for working out and losing weight.  I did walk everyday the first week, last week I didn't do so well, but I set a monthly goal for August to walk 100 miles, so for the past few days, I've been doing well.  But I do need to find another route since the one I currently walk is only 2 miles and I need to walk a little over 3 to reach my goal.

:: three :: deep clean the master bedroom - this is my 'big' project for Friday night while Mike is working late and the boys are sleeping.  Still need to deep clean the closet, but otherwise done!

:: four ::  getting Mike's medications in order - until about a week ago Mike's medications were working, but this past weekend they have suddenly stopped for whatever reason.  This could mean a few things, but it means checking in with his primary for new medications and seeking out another psychiatrist to make sure the medications will actually work for him.  After an emergency room visit for rescue medication and a big adjustment to his medications, Mike is doing okay.  He's having a few side effects from his new medication, but they are manageable.

This week...

:: one :: Walk/Jog 24.5 miles :: since making the goal of 100 miles in the month of August, I need to complete 24.5 miles to stay on track for my goal.  

:: two ::  Write my de-junking list :: In two weeks I'm taking a week off from work since Alex has a day of urology appointments and it's just easier to take the week off.  While one day I'll do 'nothing', I plan on spending a great deal of time de-junking our small apartment before really making this place feel like home.

:: three :: Budget, Budget, Budget ::  Since Mike is feeling better, we are going to sit down tonight or Wednesday and really look at our finances and budget so we can have a healthy savings account, get out of debt, and work on buying a home in 5 years or less.

:: four ::  Finish blog design  ::  I spent the weekend working on my blog's design and while I'm mostly happy with it, there are still somethings I want to add and change around.  Like flushing out my pages and adding Disqus...if you have any tips or suggestions, I would love them!

:: five ::  Bring my Nikon everywhere (but work) ::  I really want to learn to use my big camera off of auto and while I plan on taking a class at some point, I figure until then the best way to really learn how to use it is just to play with it.  And the easiest way is to just have it with me at all times.

So what are your plans for the week?  And seriously any tips with blog design I would love them!

currently :: volume 3

hibiscus flower @ MN Zoo

I have felt like this week rushed right by.  With our shower needing to be replaced and Ellie's Light event, I'm hoping this next week will be more restful...but since the littlest has now spiked a fever I guess we'll see!

But CURRENTLY ::

:: READING ::  Because we've been so busy, I haven't had much time for reading, but I'll have to stop at the library this afternoon to pick up The Selection by Kiera Cass.  

:: WRITING ::  My "de-junking" list.  In two weeks, I'm taking a week off.  While I plan on having at least one day to do nothing, I plan on spending a good portion of the week completely de-junking our small apartment to start making this place feel like a home.

:: LISTENING :: Come with me now by KONGOS..can't get it out of my head...

:: THINKING :: It's time to take a hard look at our finances and set a livable budget...we've spent a little too much time flying by the seat of our pants and it's gotten us no where.  I've read a lot of Dave Ramsey and his baby steps.  I'm hoping that I can get Mike on board!

:: SMELLING ::  Homemade bread...inspired by one of my home care clients making homemade bread, I figured since it had been a while, I would make some too.  

:: WISHING ::  Alex will only be sick for one day...He spiked a fever last night and the doctor this morning thought maybe it was just a virus.  But if his fever continues for a few days, they want us to come back in for more testing to see if it's a possible UTI because of the extra fluid in his kidney.

:: HOPING ::  For a long nap!  Alex decided that he needed to wake up at 3 am this morning...it's really a good thing that he's cute!

:: WEARING :: workout clothes...in hopes that I'll take it as a hint and go for my walk.

:: LOVING :: all the sun we've been having...although I would love

:: WANTING :: a jogging stroller.  I have yet to find one that I like, but we're looking into getting a bike trailer that will also double as a jogging stroller that Evan would also fit into.  He's been biking while I walk, but I'm assuming when we start going to longer walks/jogs, he'll want a ride instead.

:: NEEDING :: a massage...maybe on my week off...

:: FEELING :: tired...seriously, I need a nap.

What have you been up to lately?

goals for august

A new month.  It always feels like a fresh start.  Full of possibilities and new beginnings.  

I recently been trying to take back my life and I'm hoping that by setting goals, I'll feel accomplished come the end of the month.

:: 1 :: Walk/Run a 100 miles ::  Before my thirtieth birthday next year, I desperately want to lose most of the baby weight and be the healthiest I've been in 10+ years.  I see the first 100 miles as a start.  I've already walked 2.2 miles today with the boys and since it went well, I can't use the boys as an excuse to not get out side and move.

:: 2 :: Fill my SD card ::  After finally getting the camera I had been drooling over for years, I haven't really played with it much.  I really want to learn how to take it off auto and feel like a 'real' photographer because I'll know how to actually operate my camera.

:: 3 :: Go on a date with the Hubby ::  Mike and I often don't put our marriage first.  We spend way too much time running around for work and making sure our home life is in order.  Having the time to focus on each other and only each other without little ones underfoot, it help grow and strengthen our marriage to what we want it to be.

:: 4 :: Daily Scripture study ::  Another one of my goals is to read all the standard works before turning thirty.  For the LDS faith this includes the old testament, new testament, book of Mormon, and D&C.  Its going to be hard to get in the habit of reading scripture on a daily basis, but I want a deeper connection with my faith and my Heavenly Father.

:: 5 ::  Implement schedule for the school year ::  With Mike starting school at the end of the month and Evan starting second grade on September 2nd, I feel like I need to get our lives a bit structured before the chaos that comes with the school year starts.  

What are your goals for August?