The Dreaded Bullet Point Lists

It has been so long.... and just so you know, I had good intentions.  One of my New Years Resolutions was to blog weekly.  While the resolution has gone largely by the wayside, I'm happy to report that I'm doing well on several of the other personal goals I set for myself, so I will revel in that glory for a bit longer.

Anyway, I don't know why I should be surprised that every winter I turn into a bear and want to hibernate.  I base my entire family's schedule around whether or not activities will require me to shower before noon.  The cold and the snow have made this year particularly bad.  Now that's not to say that things are bad, because they are totally not!  Life is good!  But I still want to stay in my house and wearing my jammies all day.  The snow and freezing cold temperatures have conspired against me and I lack motivation..... and then those damn Girl Scout Cookies showed up at my house.

Alright!  Enough!  The sidewalks are finally visible again and so today we went for a run.  Okay, more walking than running, but you gotta start somewhere.  A couple of observations:

• My physical conditioning is not the only thing that has suffered over the winter; Will's stroller tires are remarkably low on air.  Good thing Matt's in town to fix them. Tonight!
• If I'm ever going to truly be a runner, it's going to have to take place without the company of my children.  Running and breathing at the same time are challenging to me; throwing a stroller and strides, and sippy cups, blankets and binkies into the mix are not helping my pace.
• I am no longer so self-conscious about my boobs while I run.  That designation now goes to my midsection.  Do they make a sports bra for the mama belly?
• Your workout isn't effective if you spend the whole time yanking your shirt down and your underwear up.... just sayin'.

So now to the gist of the post (at least as indicated by the title.)  A few more things that I've seen, heard, felt or experienced over the last few months.

• I am grateful for health insurance.  At least I can take my kids to the doctor when they have an ear infection and walk away spending less than $300.  Dang it Pax!
• Early morning piano lessons, for two kids.  Uggghhhhh!  I have to say that I'm glad my afternoon schedule has stayed the same, and the kids have been pretty good about practicing, but I am not a morning girl, so it's hard some days.
• I have a new kitchen (sort of.)  I think this event may have been a turning point in blogging; heaven knows it was in my diet.  After painting all of the kitchen cabinets and refinishing the wood floors in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I was wiped out.  Needless to say, I really like it.
• Ballet, not for me!  Allie is performing as a really cute mushroom in Alice in Wonderland this weekend.  Lot's of rehearsals, and pictures and tights and "Mom, have you seen my ________?"
• Junior High.  Oh my goodness.  I went over to talk to Erin's teachers yesterday and I could smell the angst; it was palpable.  Drama, drama, drama!
• Speech therapy; Will is still not talking, but he's finally making a few sounds, has a few words and is smart as the dickens!
• We went to Hawaii.  It was awesome!  I have pictures and if I get ambitious, maybe I'll post them.  Loved Oahu!
• When the snow melts in our backyard, we could fertilize Sugarhouse Park with the amount of dog crap we're going to be cleaning up.  Being creatures of habit, they go in the same spots, and as the snow has melted in those spots, it has become apparent that we have Clydesdales, not dogs.
• I have created a list of foods that I cannot have in my house.  Cheddar cheese Chex mix, Hershey's Kisses, Peanut M&M's, Trail Mix of any kind and soon to be added, popcorn.  Oh my goodness.  There is no controlling myself when it comes to these things.  Not to mention that I have discovered that Trail Mix and Popcorn give me the most vile smelling gas imaginable.  That latter observation was actually made by a gentlemen behind me in line for the Haunted Mansion in DisneyWorld.  Oh the shame!
• The kitchen is put back together, but the craft room is still a pile of mess.  Hopefully we can get it put back together before the yard work starts.
• Committed to trying to be a runner; signed up for a 5K next week and a 10-miler in October.  Hoping to throw in a few more races culminating in my first half-marathon next January.
• Jack has a girlfriend.  She wants to marry him!  Her name is Kalise?  Seriously, what kind of name is that? Actually, I'm counting my blessings because his friend, Jack G., kissed his girlfriend and then they broke up.  First grade romances can be so hard.
• Loving Relief Society and my sister-friends.  Feeling more proficient in my technology calling and working on being committed.
• Enjoying the missionary buzz.  So excited for all those young men and women going out to serve.  Especially excited because Alex is finally out, in Phoenix, and it's kinda fun writing to a missionary when you're not the one waiting.  Hang in there Jordan!
• New chicks are here!  We have four baby chicks and are waiting for three more to be added soon.  Please join me in welcoming, AJ, Kate, Summer and Dottie to our flock.
• New car!  Can I get an Amen AND a Hallelujah!  We were lucky enough to inherit Grandma's Ford Flex which the kids think is super awesome and drives pretty nice, I must admit.  Matt, as he says, has turned into his dad and is driving our old van.  Told you he was a peach!
• I have read every book for my book club thus far; and still going strong.  Not a big deal to most of you, okay any of you, but good for me.
• STILL MAKING LUNCHES FOR MY KIDS!  PERSONAL RECORD.

Well, that's the minutiae of my life.  There's a bunch of other stuff I could share, and a bunch of stuff my mom is probably wishing I hadn't shared, but it's my blog.

I am glad to be me; for the stuff I go through and for those of you who read this blog.  Especially you Jody Rydalch Harris who you can all thank for this post.  Hugs and kisses to you all and now I will be going to the grocery store in my new car and white knuckling my way past all the aforementioned foods.  Peace out!