Long Overdue Updates!!!

Happy February 1st! A new week, a new month and a day closer to spring! The south has had its fair share of winter weather. Schools are still closed due to the ice and snow... but life in our little Red House goes on!

This month brings many many activities, visitors and projects. Tax returns will be coming, home improvements will be done and field trip are planned.

One month ago, I made 6 promises to myself. (You can read about them HERE) and I am counting on you, my faithful blog-land friends to help me keep them!!!

My weekly updates actually motivate me to keep them and for that I am so thankful!

1) no new wait loss but no gain so life is good. I have exercised, cut down on snacks and will probably blow the whole diet thing come the end of next week when we begin weeks of back to back company coming to visit us.

2)Oh baby... can't wait to have a baby.... Sigh... I really want one.=)

3) My bible reading is still going. I changed the girls reading though to strictly New Testament and Psalms as the Old Testament was well above their age level and NOT G rated!

4)Im re-reading help-meet to refresh my vision.

5)Im beginning the garage cleaning... (in between ice storms and snow)

6) Tax time oh tax time... how I love thee... my refund is on its way and will be here in just a few. Lots of home things needed and Mama needs a new pair of shoes...

Ok, a few new pairs, some shirts, some skirts, make-up... you know. The list is endless and hubby is as sweet as can be to let me indulge. I CAN'T WAIT!

I know, I made this post short and sweet. Im freezing, Im tired and my comfy jammies call my name. My Little Red House has been very busy the last 2 days and in 2 weeks chaos will ensue until the first week in March. So until then I will enjoy my quiet evenings and dream of hot wings.... Who doesn't??? Its an addiction I am proud to claim. YUMMY!

Time For An Update...

Yes, its accountability time. You can read all about my New Year resolutions HERE!!! Im counting on my faithful readers to keep me motivated and to keep me on track. I must admit, when I do/did fall behind in any of my 6 resolutions, I always think of you all and tell myself I just CAN'T disappoint!!!

Without further adu...

1) Well, the weather has been warmer the last few days and I spent some time outside with the kids, pulling the wagon and weeding out my front garden. Does that count as exercise?

2) I have stayed on top of my homeschool planner. Keeping records are vitally important. My computer area has stayed semi-clean and free of papers. My closet is still great and my linen closet as well. I have been trying my best to toss, toss, toss!!!

Shopping day is coming up fast!! I will spend a day or two making my list and purchasing more files and folders (and boxes) My bills will be categorized this weekend!!!

3) At my Banana's b-day party this weekend I was chatting with a fellow mom in my back porch and Debi Pearle was brought up. I squealed with joy and hugged her. She was a fellow Help-Meet girl!! A true rarity if you ask me. We chatted about the book and about how life changing it was. It confirms what I hold so dear. Along with that I have committed to prayer... daily... all the time. What a difference!

4) Oh baby.... A friend had her baby yesterday and posted pictures... Im so happy for her but yet so sad. My most favorite moments with my newest addition is late at night in the hospital. No distractions, no visitors. For a few hours its just us two. Bonding, cuddling and getting to know each other. I so wish for that... just one more time... (or 2...)

5) We are on track!!! With bible reading that is. We slipped again over the weekend. Mostly due to a change of routine with our homeschooling (or lack of it). Weekends always get the worst of us. During the week we are more regimented with our reading and our studies.

Every day or night... we read one Psalm, One chapter in the New Testament (we are in Matthew now) and 2 in the old Testament. While reading chapter 37-38 I let the girls skip a bit after (forgetting) and realizing that sometimes the bible is NOT G RATED!! Sheesh...

6)As far as decorating goes... I have been potty training Abigail. Its going quite well. She has made the wood floors very wet and shiny... does that count?

Well, thats all folks. Check back next week to see if I can keep up!!!

Update Tuesday...

Here is a quick update on (almost) week 2 of trying to keep my resolutions!!!

1) Began workout video today and have not decided it I like it yet. Its alot of WORK! Im drinking more water and cutting out late night snacks including all oohhy gooey mexican goodness. GapBoy is not pleased as he LOVES his late night snacks. Pray for him...

2)I added another bookshelf to my living room to hold more books and schoolbooks and everything else that is finding its way into my home. Now the search is on for a really nice lamp to put on top of it (says Gapboy) one is needed. I will remind him of his request when I come home with one (or 2) and he goes to scold me for spending more money!

3) I show my love though food. So last night I cooked my hubby his most favorite italian meal. Linguine with sauce, eggplant parmesan and a salad with the works. We all ate like kings and queens and ALL had seconds. Abby and Molly had thirds and then decided to just eat right out of the salad bowl.Tonight I have another warm filling love meal planned! He really appreciates it!

4)Im not doing so well in the baby department. Im upset Im still not pregnant, I want to just forego the whole... make me happy and content with whatever.... and wrestle with God until my prayer is answered! You know, go boldly!!!

Gapboy is content with the whatever. But last night as we mentioned having another baby.... and "what if it were a boy..." He was beaming from ear to ear.... I know whats in his heart. He can't hide a thing from me ;)

5)Our bible reading took a turn over the weekend. We fell behind one day then 2 and part of 3. I quickly recovered Sunday night and caught up with it ALL!!! I will NOT fall behind. We do daily bible readings together in the start of homeschool. (I really should be doing that right now instead of blogging...) The more I read, The more I want to read. The more I want to learn. Im excited! Keep praying for us. We will conquer!!!

6) I have my paint colors picked and thats about it. Money is tight right now as I plan for banana's 11th bday party. My bedroom is taken over by a gazillion tissue paper flowers in every color and design. Its beautiful. I still have tons more to do, and tons more to bake. I declared friday home ec day as we prepare all the delicious treats for her gathering. She deserves nothing but the best!

As soon as I can, paint will be bought and thrown on my walls. I have a goal.... mid-february the latest. Im sure tax returns will play a big part.... another benefit of having a large family.... a large return. Its already accounted for. Bills, Playgym for the kids (oh my its so awesome I can't wait!!) more homeland security for GapBoy, landscaping, homeschool books for this year and next year and some in savings....

My homeschool list is long and ready for purchase. I buy in bulk with our tax return since its one of the only times we have the extra money to do so. We don't use credit cards, so this time of year is always carefully planned, listed and accounted for!

We have a small cookie cutter yard in a development that is still building. As houses pop up next to us, behind us... GapBoy's security measures increase. Large trees will be systematically planted all around the perimeter of our beautiful fence. They will be bought large and grow even larger. His goal.... a private fortress where no one can see in. Will this be accomplished? Well, you obviously don't know Gapboy or his insane need for privacy. It might take time but it will be done. In the meantime I will garden and plant and nurse my honeysuckle to cover my fence. I will sing to my wisteria so they grow on my pergola that much faster and watch my hubby fertilize his trees so they grow taller than the sky.