Fallen Angel & Morning Madness

For those of you who know Tyson really well, you know of his affinity for butterflies.

Quite some time ago, we found a pair of with Fairy wings at a garage sale. Ty was in love right away and has spent many a day and night wearing the wings. We hide them, but sooner or later he finds them. Last week he decided he needed a little color to go with is ensemble. So, here's my little fallen Angel.

Painted toes and all.

In an attempt to get more activity into our schedule, We decided to start walking Alex to School. Before heading to school, we meet up with our friends. Hannah is a couple years older then Alex. Both of my boys think she's fabulous.

That WAS our good thing.

I love hugs cuddling with Matty and my boy and all that mushy stuff however,when it's time to sleep I want to be left alone. I don't not want to be touched. I make my own cocoon of fluffy pillows strategically placed at just the proper spots and off dreamland I drift . With little ones poking or pressing against me it is ABSOLUTELY impossible to me to manage anything resembling a good nights sleep.
As a result, we have a king size bed an active rule of no kiddos aloud during sleeping hours.
In addition, when it's time for our boy's to go to sleep we have been super firm about who sleeps in what bed. Even when Alex had very few words he would repeat, Mommy sleep in Mommy's bed and Alex sleep in Alex's bed. (image from here)
While most people's kids are much easier during the day our boys had bedtime down and were asleep by 7:30 with very little resistance.
Then about a week and a half ago, Tyson began pulling out all the stops. He would make endless excuses to be awake go pee pee in the potty 3-4 times. And seriously this kid actually managed to come up with liquid that many time. He needed multiple toys, and was unsettled for hours. We started putting them down at 7:30 it was 10 PM before sleep occurred. We tried a later bed time, threats, bribery and just about everything else we could think of.
Highly annoying. And then....to make matters worse they started getting up in the middle of the night, 1 am or 3 am to wander into our bed. Matthew has slept on the couch or in Tyson's bed at least 3-4 nights.
Here I thought I had done everything right with teaching our boys to self sooth and still the night dramas.

What a nightmare.

Reach for the Stars

"Every fool knows he cannot reach the stars
but it never keeps a wise man from trying
-Ronnie Woods

As reality is a constant reminder, there will always be more things to do then time to do it. So how do we manage to squeeze in the things that are of the greatest importance?

This time of year brings the custom of making resolutions. Goals to do and be better then we have in the past. There is a definite power in making goals and an even greater power in achieving them.

So, what determined the success or failure of a New Years resolution or goal?
I recently read a blog post that illustrated some of the weak points and strengths in goal setting. Joanna Taylor's blog link is here if you would like to read the full article.

She basically stated that goals must be concrete, specific, and attainable.
Instead of saying, "I'd like to... " use "I will..." Using positive and direct language is empowering.
If the goal is lose weight (which is to general) how do you know when you have succeeded? Having target number like 20 lbs or 2 sized or whatever provides more motivation.

My cousin Dixie believes in this concept. She is a personal trainer who believes that motivation to exercise is better maintained by having a goal such as preparing for a marathon or a triathlon. She helps people achieve their goals through RaceDay Training.
While I don't have any desire compete in a race I would love to have that kind of physical stamina.

Inspired by Blog, I made several Goals for myself. The biggest goal is to lose 100 lbs in 2011. Everyone who I told this has seemed concerned regarding this huge number. However, I truly believe this will be attainable. When you actually break it down, it's less than 2 lbs a week. I have also created subgoals to help me not get discouraged by this number.

The last thing that Joanna suggested was having a regular time set aside to examine how you are doing on your goals. I think this is a great idea. I'm going to post mine on my fridge & above my computer too. Hope the new year is treating you well!
love ya,
Sarah

Goals for 2011

Spiritual

Study/Read Scriptures or Conference Talks

30 minutes or more Daily

Pray Daily with Matthew

Attend the Temple Weekly

Journal Weekly

Keep the Sabbath day Holy: (Avoiding shopping and TV)

Physical

Lose 100 Lbs

Exercise 30 minutes or more 3 days a week.

Family

Visit Grandma Ellsworth at least once a month

Go on a Date with Matthew every other week

Read at least one book daily with my boys

Take at least one family name through the Temple

Education

Complete 2 College Classes

Read or watch the News 3 times a week.

Read at least one Book a Month

Home

Paint and organize the Office

Paint the Boy's room

Paint the Family Room

Paint the Doors

I Talk to Myself

You know the words to the song ... "I talk to myself cause there is no one to talk to"
Lately, I feel like that. Quite a lot actually.
Especially here on my blog. No comments for my last 2 posts. Is anyone reading this? Or, am I actually talking to myself?

This is not just an on-line. You see, I live in Boy Land. You know, the place where the toilet seat is either left up or down and generally sticky and wet, from a mystery yellow liquid.
I've complained about the seat being left up. Perhaps because, I grew up with brothers, or maybe unconsciously I knew it was far better then a wet or sticky seat. I won't even start talking about the lack of aiming that occurs in Boy Land that is another horror in and of it's self.
Still completely off the subject. (image taken from here)
Talking.... Yes. Lately I have been suffering from a talking deficit. I have not yet starting talking to myself but I am considering the possibility.

Is this because I am a Chatty Patty?
Maybe. I'm not denying I was given the gift (or curse of The Blab). Have I become a person that people cringe at the caller ID, thinking I better not take this, could take a while?
I propose the core of the issues is Boy Land.

Studies have shown that women talk almost three times as much as men, with the average woman chalking up 20,000 words in a day - 13,000 more than the average man.(Stats taken from here)
And with our little clan, I am quite certain that the word count is lower then the average. And I live in a house with 3 Boys and now Charlie our BOY dog.
So, if you ever feel the need to blab, give me a call. And, if you read my blog please comment or Just leave me a :o)
Love you all!
Sarah