gear down

I feel like my grumpy-pants rant has overstayed it's welcome as my first blogpost lately so I'm making it stepdown in order to welcome a more uplifting and positive blogpost.  I know, right?  Who wants to be greeted by Mr. Grumpy-pants every time you come to check for updates?  I know I got tired of looking at him.  So I'm happy to report I've successfully geared down, re-assessed, had a heart to heart with the ones I love most, and am back to normal. 
I planned two weeks worth of meals and shopped accordingly, got our budget updated and under control, got Christmas gifts for the girls using mostly credits I've earned over the last few months (all but $20 worth that I spent on Black Friday), re-connected with Joel on our priorities in life, marriage, and parenthood, reconnected with friends I've been ignoring (friends beyond those titled 'dishes', 'laundry', 'vacuum' - though I reunited with them as well.) and finally I told myself that I'm worth spending time on and worth fixing up.  I tend to be the last person on my list of things to take care of and so I did it.  I stopped, I spoke up, I nourished, and then I felt better.  Cue the deep sigh of relief, now.

Awesome things I'm excited about:

• Joel and I decided to splurge on one last Christmas gift for our family: a one night stay at a hotel in Bellingham next week.  Indoor pool, memories of going into labor (yes, I went into labor at that VERY hotel with Sarah just 5 short years ago), Pita Pit, Lake Padden, the Mall, maybe a chipmunk movie at the theater for the girls...oh the possibilities!!
• I've recommitted to tracking my food intake and have seen the benefits - down 2.5 pounds!  I don't really want to LOSE anymore...but it's nice to feel better in control and making healthier choices.
• Allison is potty-training - IT'S OFFICIAL!!  She uses the toilet most of the time - still wet through naps and overnight but I'm just happy that she is on the road!  I'm hoping that only one more packs of diapers will last us through our remaining efforts.

Okay, not many things to be thrilled about but I'm thrilled enough that they count for like 300 and not just 3.  So there's my upbeat, positive post.  Ooh!  I just thought of the other exciting things - a life dream is finally coming to fruition thanks to my amazing husband...

As he promised while he was courting me, Joel has arranged for me to fulfill my life's dream of.......

MILKING A COW!!

Yup, tomorrow night I'm doing it.  SO EXCITED!  The girls will have an opportunity to feed a baby calf with a bottle while I'm milking.  Does life get any better?  Didn't think so.