My friend Erin did a post like this when she turned 30. I told myself after reading her list, that when I turned 30 I would do one of my own. Well, that day has come!
1 wonderful husband.
2 places we've called "home" during our marriage.
3 precious children.
4 Pets: 1 dog+ 2 cats + 1 fish .
5 years I've been a mommy.
6 years I lived with my grandparents growing up.
7 as in Level Seven, my "book club", but so much more...dear, dear friends.
8 years of marriage (this May).
9 months (x3) spent pregnant. Time seemed to pass so slowly with the pregnancies, and then rushes by after their births. Can't believe Ashton is 6 months old already...half a year?!
10 pm seems the perfect bedtime to me, but rarely happens .
11 pm seems to be my most likely bedtime, lately with wakings at 2, 5 and up at 7.
12 pm naptime for the entire house. I think I need it the more than the kids!
13 years ago I was named "Prom Queen".
14 months between the births of my boys.
15 feels like yesterday, now it's half my age.
16 years old when I started dating Justin.
17 episodes of LOST this season; I can't wait to watch them all (huge fan) .
18 years of education from kindergarten to grad school resulting in a degree in Speech Pathology that I hardly use.
19 days between my husband's birthdate and mine.
20 times per month....................................my goal for gym attendance. (what were you thinking?!)
21 month old son that is a riot...he definately keeps me on my toes and laughing.
22 has always been my "lucky number" but I'm not sure why
23 years old-Justin and I got our sweet boxer mix, Jazzmine. Our 1st attempt at "parenting".
24 hours x 365 days x 30 years = 262, 800 hours in my life (not including leap year hours) as of 1/26/09. (Erin did the math...I have problems with simple addition and subtraction!)
25 my husband's jersey number in basketball and football in High School, can't decide which uniform he was cuter in!
26 th, the date of my wedding anniversary in May and my birthdate in January.
27 years old when I started this blog.
28 weeks until Anagrace starts kindergarten, I want to make the most of this time together.
29 pounds I want to lose.
30 years old, can't believe it.
Family pic
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
15 Random Things
My friend, Heather, tagged me on her blog to write a post about 15 random things about myself. I actually did a post like this last year, except it was only 7 things. So, I cheated. I am re-posting those 7 random facts about me plus 8 new one.
1. I can roll my tongue into 3 loops. (Ask me in person and I'll show you)
2. I don't wear flat shoes. The ballet flats and sneakers are so cute, but I won't wear them because they don't add any height to my 5 feet. even. self. Even my flip flops have a wedge to them.
3. I have been either pregnant or breastfeeding since August 2006! Can you say "whacked out hormones?!"
4. I can be creative. I don't do creative things very often, even though when I do I enjoy it. Actually, I was very artistic in high school. I considered majoring in art or interior design in college, but decided not to because I didn't think I was talented enough. I am hoping to take some classes one day just for fun.
5. Some of my favorite things:
color-yellow...just about the entire interior of my home is painted a buttercream yellow color, with the exception of the bedrooms and bathrooms.
food-warm, gooey brownies (with a big, cold cup of milk)
scent-Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works
TV show-LOST ...I've been an addict from day one
sound: Justin walking in the door from work (because I've missed him and because by that time the kids and I NEED him to be there!
6. I was named after the Joanie Mitchell song "Chelsea Morning". Hippie parents. Most people relate my name to the Clinton's daughter or a dog that they had, so I guess the Joanie Mitchell song isn't so bad.
7. I am super indecisive. I struggle with making simple decisions. About what to eat/cook...I can read a menu for an hour and I need to know exactly what my taste buds are in the mood for(that takes a while). About what to wear or what my children should wear...I have to check the weather channel and stare into the closet for an extended period of time. About what to buy...oh my, that's the worst. I go back and forth, should I or shouldn't I? Which leads into #8...
8. I always have a bag of something in my bedroom waiting to be returned to the store.
9. I turn 30 in a few days and it really is not bothering me. In college, thirty seemed so far away and I thought it was the official age of "old". Well, I am officially old...but I don't feel like it.
10. When we bought our home it was "ghet-to". I mean really bad. Magenta door and crown molding, industrial carpet squares just placed on top of flooring, wallpaper with buffalos on it, just plain ugly! We completely "gutted" the house and started over. I am quite proud of all the work we've done. We still have to finish the master bath and install over-the-counter kitchen cabinets. I'd also like to make our screen porch into a playroom. Then we're done!
11. I lived with my grandparents from 3rd grade through the 8th grade. They were such a good, positive, Christian influence in my life. I'm not sure where I'd be if it weren't for them. I am eternally grateful to them for their love and support and help in raising me!
12. I have never been much of a "reader". I have begun to really read since joining a "book club" with other ladies from our church. It has been such a blessing to me. I truly love each one of those ladies! Shout out to L7!
13. All 3 of my children's names start with "A". We did not intend for it to be that way. The first two are family names that we love and they happened to start with the same letter. Then with baby #3 we decided we should continue that "tradition". I was afraid he'd grow up with some sort of complex if he didn't have an "a" name!
14. I just had some bangs cut. I haven't had bangs since probably the 2nd grade. Actually, I don't know if these would qualify as bangs. Can you just have a bang (singular)?
1. I can roll my tongue into 3 loops. (Ask me in person and I'll show you)
2. I don't wear flat shoes. The ballet flats and sneakers are so cute, but I won't wear them because they don't add any height to my 5 feet. even. self. Even my flip flops have a wedge to them.
3. I have been either pregnant or breastfeeding since August 2006! Can you say "whacked out hormones?!"
4. I can be creative. I don't do creative things very often, even though when I do I enjoy it. Actually, I was very artistic in high school. I considered majoring in art or interior design in college, but decided not to because I didn't think I was talented enough. I am hoping to take some classes one day just for fun.
5. Some of my favorite things:
color-yellow...just about the entire interior of my home is painted a buttercream yellow color, with the exception of the bedrooms and bathrooms.
food-warm, gooey brownies (with a big, cold cup of milk)
scent-Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body Works
TV show-LOST ...I've been an addict from day one
sound: Justin walking in the door from work (because I've missed him and because by that time the kids and I NEED him to be there!
6. I was named after the Joanie Mitchell song "Chelsea Morning". Hippie parents. Most people relate my name to the Clinton's daughter or a dog that they had, so I guess the Joanie Mitchell song isn't so bad.
7. I am super indecisive. I struggle with making simple decisions. About what to eat/cook...I can read a menu for an hour and I need to know exactly what my taste buds are in the mood for(that takes a while). About what to wear or what my children should wear...I have to check the weather channel and stare into the closet for an extended period of time. About what to buy...oh my, that's the worst. I go back and forth, should I or shouldn't I? Which leads into #8...
8. I always have a bag of something in my bedroom waiting to be returned to the store.
9. I turn 30 in a few days and it really is not bothering me. In college, thirty seemed so far away and I thought it was the official age of "old". Well, I am officially old...but I don't feel like it.
10. When we bought our home it was "ghet-to". I mean really bad. Magenta door and crown molding, industrial carpet squares just placed on top of flooring, wallpaper with buffalos on it, just plain ugly! We completely "gutted" the house and started over. I am quite proud of all the work we've done. We still have to finish the master bath and install over-the-counter kitchen cabinets. I'd also like to make our screen porch into a playroom. Then we're done!
11. I lived with my grandparents from 3rd grade through the 8th grade. They were such a good, positive, Christian influence in my life. I'm not sure where I'd be if it weren't for them. I am eternally grateful to them for their love and support and help in raising me!
12. I have never been much of a "reader". I have begun to really read since joining a "book club" with other ladies from our church. It has been such a blessing to me. I truly love each one of those ladies! Shout out to L7!
13. All 3 of my children's names start with "A". We did not intend for it to be that way. The first two are family names that we love and they happened to start with the same letter. Then with baby #3 we decided we should continue that "tradition". I was afraid he'd grow up with some sort of complex if he didn't have an "a" name!
14. I just had some bangs cut. I haven't had bangs since probably the 2nd grade. Actually, I don't know if these would qualify as bangs. Can you just have a bang (singular)?
15. I have a very contradictory personality. I was voted "Most Popular" in high school, but now I am kind of shy and have a small circle of close friends. I have a laid back demeanor and usually wait until the last minute to plan or execute a plan, but I crave organization and having things in their "correct place". I was a "tomboy" growing up; I climbed trees, built forts, caught bugs. I am somewhat of a girly-girl; I almost always wear make-up, love Vera Bradley and shoe shopping, don't get my hair wet when swimming. There are lots of elements of my personality that are contradictory. Maybe it stems from being indecisive?
So, there are 15 random things about me. I'm not sure who to tag...so if you would like to do this fun post, consider yourself tagged. And please leave me a comment so I'll know you did it, too!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Snow and Mommy Guilt
My family and I really enjoyed looking out the windows and watching the snow fall. But, that was the extent of our enjoyment. My children did not get to go out and play. I did not want to take Ashton out and couldn't send Anagrace out without Anderson (that would break his heart) and I definately wasn't sending them both out without me. So, here comes the mommy guilt again. No pictures of Ashton or Anderson's first snow. The guilt was only compounded by looking at all of the blogs I follow to see the pictures and stories of cute kids bundled up having a great time...sipping hot cocoa afterwards, of course. I did let Anagrace watch Dora the Snow Princess, that must get some sort of "mommy points", right? I still feel like there is a huge deficit in the motherhood account.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Fun with Laundry
I hate laundry. I cannot find any way to make laundry fun. But leave it to my Anderson...
He was giggling the whole time he was in there. I was pretty giddy myself that all of the boys clothes were clean. This may actually be the first time he has seen the bottom of his dirty clothes hamper. I guess he was just curious!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Memo to Mommy
I really want to be a more patient mommy, a mommy that really listens, a mommy that sits and plays without thinking of other things I should be doing, a mommy that says "yes" to the fun stuff more often, a mommy that hugs more and yells less, a mommy that doesn't stress about the mess as much...the list could go on and on about the ways I could improve as a mother. Anagrace only has 6 full months and a few odd weeks before she starts kindergarten. I can't believe it! I want these last few months of her preschool years to be the best yet.
I read a page in Parents magazine called "Memo to Mommy" and loved what it said. It is posted on my fridge now to remind me of the kind of mommy I want to be. Here's what it says:
I read a page in Parents magazine called "Memo to Mommy" and loved what it said. It is posted on my fridge now to remind me of the kind of mommy I want to be. Here's what it says:
You have a lot of lessons to teach your little one, but he has a few words of wisdom for you too.
"Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean-but how often do we get to make mud pies?"
"Love me, even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once."
"Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation."
"Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher."
"Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little."
"Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me-I can't hear you over my own screaming."
"Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important."
"Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!"
"Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes."
"Set limits. I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies-I just want to see if I'd get away with it."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Prevette Family Resolutions
Here are the Prevette Family resolutions. I came up with them all myself, so I don't know how compliant everyone will be with meeting the goals!
Justin- learn to play the acoustic guitar, not stress out so much about work, ride mountain bike more often, take Chelsea on date night (meaning without kids) twice a month.
Chelsea-use a schedule/routine for cleaning, laundry, meal planning and general household maintenance(I've been using the Fly Lady website, a bit overwhelming but great for ideas and getting started), make exercise and eating right a daily priority to get back to my pre-baby weight, be a more patient and "fun" mommy.
Anagrace-soak up this "free time" at home before starting kindergarten in August, keep aggravation of Anderson to a minimum
Anderson-use words to tell Mommy and Daddy what I need/want, refrain from sticking food or other items in my nose or ears, think about using the potty and possibly giving up the pacifier
Ashton-one resolution...sleep through the night!
Okay, maybe two...take a bottle once in a while!
Justin- learn to play the acoustic guitar, not stress out so much about work, ride mountain bike more often, take Chelsea on date night (meaning without kids) twice a month.
Chelsea-use a schedule/routine for cleaning, laundry, meal planning and general household maintenance(I've been using the Fly Lady website, a bit overwhelming but great for ideas and getting started), make exercise and eating right a daily priority to get back to my pre-baby weight, be a more patient and "fun" mommy.
Anagrace-soak up this "free time" at home before starting kindergarten in August, keep aggravation of Anderson to a minimum
Anderson-use words to tell Mommy and Daddy what I need/want, refrain from sticking food or other items in my nose or ears, think about using the potty and possibly giving up the pacifier
Ashton-one resolution...sleep through the night!
Okay, maybe two...take a bottle once in a while!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Frustrated
I have been so frustrated lately with my wardrobe or lack there of. I know women say it all the time, but for me it really is true..."I don't have anything to wear"...really. I mean I do have clothing to put on, but nothing fits right or looks right. If I don't wear a belt, I can pull my two, yes two, pairs of jeans down without unbuttoning or unzipping them! Now, on one hand I'm happy because that means that I am losing weight. But, I need to purchase something new to wear and that presents some problems. One, I don't have much money. Two, I don't know exactly what I should buy. I mean, I need something comfortable and "mommy-friendly" that is also stylish. Now, what exactly does that look like? I have no idea! Three, I am not sure where I should shop. I don't have a particular store that I prefer to buy clothing from, I don't really know "my style". And I need somewhere that I can get the maximum for a minimum. My final grumble about shopping for new clothes is my lack of time. It is impossible for me to shop with the kids and if someone is watching them I feel rushed. I have a little bit of anxiety with shopping anyway, the children just add to that.
Frustrated....any suggestions?
Frustrated....any suggestions?
Happy (?) New Year
It was a rough start for our new year. My grandfather passed away in the very early hours of Christmas morning. We attended his memorial service on the second. In the very early hours of the fourth, my two oldest children began vomiting. The stomach bug wreaked havoc on our household for about 24 hours. Although, Anderson still has some lingering effects now. On the seventh, Justin turned 30 which he may have thought was more difficult to deal with than a funeral or a stomach virus! :-)
It was a rough start, but I am trying to look at the positive aspects of our troubles. My grandfather did not suffer. We was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and passed away within days. He has had dementia for the past several years and his mind was declining steadily. His passing preceded the long, slow death that Alzheimer's causes. I am thankful that we were able to visit with him in October. I have a wonderful memory of Anderson greeting him at the door; Anderson looking up into his eyes and my grandfather hunched over looking back at him, both with a child-like stare. My grandfather just sat there after lunch watching my children in all of their busyness smiling.
The stomach bug. Well the only postive spin I can put on that is that it was a quick one.
And my husband turning thirty. Well, I love him more now than ever. He is a wonderful husband and a terrific father. Age is just a number. Besides, I'm right behind him in a few weeks!
One of my resolutions is to keep this optimistic, look-on-the-bright-side approach to my daily life. I have several resolutions this year. And I've made a few for my family as well! I'll try to post the Prevette family resolutions soon... because more frequent blog posting is on that list of New Year's resolutions.
It was a rough start, but I am trying to look at the positive aspects of our troubles. My grandfather did not suffer. We was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and passed away within days. He has had dementia for the past several years and his mind was declining steadily. His passing preceded the long, slow death that Alzheimer's causes. I am thankful that we were able to visit with him in October. I have a wonderful memory of Anderson greeting him at the door; Anderson looking up into his eyes and my grandfather hunched over looking back at him, both with a child-like stare. My grandfather just sat there after lunch watching my children in all of their busyness smiling.
The stomach bug. Well the only postive spin I can put on that is that it was a quick one.
And my husband turning thirty. Well, I love him more now than ever. He is a wonderful husband and a terrific father. Age is just a number. Besides, I'm right behind him in a few weeks!
One of my resolutions is to keep this optimistic, look-on-the-bright-side approach to my daily life. I have several resolutions this year. And I've made a few for my family as well! I'll try to post the Prevette family resolutions soon... because more frequent blog posting is on that list of New Year's resolutions.
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