weigh in | january goals.

It's the last day of January [insane!], which means I better check in on my goals for the month.

I loved having goals for the month of January.  It really kept me focused on a few things and I think I was able to accomplish a lot more since I had them written down.  I will be continuing this!

Okay, let's see how I did:

Make two presents ::: check!

(I've decided to show the gifts I make even though family and friends read my blog.  I'm just not going to tell who will be receiving the gift!)

The first gift is letters cut out of books.  My sister was making some of these as gifts and when she showed me her plans, I knew I wanted to make some too!  The books came from Goodwill, we printed letters on the computer as our stencils and we enlisted our dad's help to cut out the letters using a band saw and a scroll saw.  Dad and Sidney cut while I took pictures, haha!  

I'll just show you one of the books because I don't want to give away who the gift is for.  But, I (really my dad and sister) did the first initial of a husband and wife and then the "&" to go in the middle.  I'm really excited to give this gift and thankfully it's a birthday gift, so I don't have to wait until December!  

The second gift is a necklace I saw on Pinterest. A navy version of this necklace is on Boden's website for $78!  I am so excited about this necklace and can't wait to give it in December!

Read Baby Wise ::: check! 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I read it while I was pregnant but really felt like I needed a refresher since the boys have been born and I can actually apply it.  I'm not going to follow it to a T but I really think the main parts will help with keeping two boys on the same schedule and keep me from going insane!


Talk sweetly to Jordan :::  epic fail.  

I think I called it when I said, "I foresee this being a goal for February too".  It will most definitely be a February goal.  I will accomplish this goal, even if it has to be a goal every month for the rest of the year.  A friend that read my January goals sent me a link to a little project that might help me succeed at this goal.  I will post it later this month when I complete the project!


Finish thank you cards ::: I still have the rest of today!

Y'all.  I have been writing thank you cards for what seems like for.ev.er.  Seriously.  I can't even begin to explain how blessed we have been since we found out the twins were coming.  It's insane.  And we are oh, so grateful.  Below is a batch that is ready to be mailed and I still have some left to write.  I was planning to definitely finish them today but I don't know that this goal is actually realistic at this point in the afternoon.  So, I will give myself one more week. I'm not giving myself until the end of the month because I will stretch it out as long as I can.  One more week.  I can finish these by next Monday!

• Order planner ::: CHECK!

Y'all...I am in love!  I had decided to keep my calendar on my phone.  So I would have one less thing to carry around (every little bit that I can eliminate helps! especially since I'm carrying around double of so many things!).  


But, then I found out I was going back to work.  So, I knew I would need a planner to keep track of everything.  I knew I wanted an Erin Condren planner and I had been looking for a Groupon since last August!  I missed the one in July that gave you a $50 credit for $25 (which means half price on the planner!).  And they had one on PlumDistrict in October, but I was a little preoccupied at that point (bedrest and birthing babies) and I missed that one too!  So, I finally bit the bullet and just paid full price, using my Christmas money (which I'm VERY stingy with).  


Then, a week later, I found out that plans had changed and I wouldn't be going back to work.  


Crraaaapp.  


I had just spent $50 on a personalized planner (that I couldn't return) and now I didn't need it because I wasn't going back to work.  But, it came in the mail and I seriously LOVE it!  It's so great!  It keeps me organized and it's so cute!

• Order canvas ::: CHECK!  

I will blog about this sometime this week!  

• Learn about stabilizer ::: fail.

I've learned some things that I shouldn't do!  But I've yet to figure it all out!  I know it will take time, but I need to do a little research 

• Clean out closet ::: CHECK!

Nothing like waiting until the last minute!  I started and finished this project yesterday.  And it just about killed me!  I have three huge trashbags full of yardsale items now!  (Yes, I'm going to have my first yardsale this year!  Jordan hates the idea...hehe :))  But, oh my goodness, it feels so good to have everything in it's place - I feel like I can breathe again!

• Start couponing, again! ::: check-ish.

So, like I said earlier, my work situation has kind of been a roller-coaster.  But, now I'm not going back to work.  So this is like crucial. If not, we will be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and ramen noodles for the next five years.  I have started clipping coupons again.  I decided to use the binder method with the baseball card holders.  I've clipped and sorted my first stash of coupons - now I've just got to get to the grocery store to actually use them!

Okay, I think I did okay!  My plan is to really finish every goal that I set for the month.  I don't want this to just become a list of hypothetical goals.  So, I plan to be very selective for the month of February.  I will be posting my February goals tomorrow!

What about you?  Want to join me for February?  It's super fun to check them off, promise!

project 52.3

simple.

It's funny how I see things differently now.  

The simple things bring so much more joy.

It was gorgeous on Tuesday.  So we pulled out a blanket, and bundled up and headed outside for a few hours.  We sang songs, and listened to Pandora and stared at the blue skies.  Then, y'all both fell asleep with the sun warming your backs.  

It was such a sweet time.  We will have more times like that.  

I had no care in the world.  Other than watching your sweet smiles and your little feet kick around on the blanket.  

Simple things that bring such joy.

I love the way life looks through my eyes now that I have the two of you.

see more project 52s, here.

project 52.2

messy.

I've already given up the idea of having a clean house.  

Like for the next 18 years.

This is my nightstand.  I mean, seriously?  Could I fit one more thing in this little space beside my bed?  All the necessary gear is there.  The video monitor, that stupid pump (that is still a part of our every day routine),  the diaper caddy that is hidden somewhere under those blankets (probably one of my very favorite baby items), baby wise, my cell phone and a cold cup of coffee (I've also given up my really hot cup of coffee in the mornings.  I still have my coffee.  But I'm having a good morning if I get to drink it while it's still luke warm).  

I fought it for a while.  Wanting everything to still be orderly and in it's place.  And some days it's worth it.  But most days?  I'd much rather be reading a book, playing with rattles, or getting a sweet smile from my crazy noises and faces.  Or sleeping! 

I read a quote from a great blog the other day:

"No child ever fell asleep with a smile on their face because Mama dusted the dining room."

So, yes, life is messy with the two of you.  But you know what?  I'd choose for you to fall asleep with a smile on your face every night and never dust the dining room again.

I never liked dusting anyway!

See other Project 52s, here.

project 52.1

unfathomable.

I never realized just how much I could love twenty little toes. 

My perspective on life has already changed.  From the time I heard those sweet, first cries and your little hands grasped my finger, my heart loved deeper and wider than I ever fathomed possible. And my love for you both continues to grow.  By the day.  By the hour.  By the minute.


I had always heard moms say they loved their kids more than they ever thought possible.  But, I didn't really get it.  And even when I thought about what that might feel like, it was nothing like this.  It's not just some mushy love.  It's like insane.  Like, a part of my soul has come alive that I never knew existed.  And I love it.  I love that it's deep and intense and scary.  I'm already loving life with the two of you and can't wait to see what else it brings.  The love I have for y'all was unfathomable.  And the life and love to come is unfathomable. 

project 52.0

So one of my favorite blogs is styleberry BLOG.  Last year she came up with Project 52.  She picks a theme for the year and each Friday she posts a picture and writes a post to go along with the theme.  Then, at the end of the year she got her book printed.  Her theme for 2011 was "Motherhood Is..." and her theme for this year is "I want them to know".  She is posting different lessons she wants her kids to know. 


I've decided to join her this year. 
I've gone round and round about what I want my theme to be for my first year of Project 52 and I've decided it will be:

Y'all obviously being the twins. 


 I've already realized that there is going to be so many new things this year.  So many ways to grow.  And so many things to learn.  


And all of it is going to be a blur. 


So, if I can pull one moment of joy or one lesson learned every week of my first year with the boys, I think I will be able to look back and see how much motherhood has allowed me to grow and change. 


Tomorrow morning will be my first post!  I know I missed week one, so I'll be catching up at some point.


So excited!

Like I mentioned yesterday, I got a monogram machine!  I've really had a good time playing with it.  It's a lot a fun :)  My first projects have been burp cloths!  I've taken pictures of the ones I've made so far.  

I've also decided to sell them! I am selling a burp cloth with an applique for $6 and if you want a name added or a monogrammed burp cloth, I'm selling those for $8. 

I'm hoping to make more things to sell but this is where I'm going to start :)

I can do lots of different objects and animals!  So let me know if you have something in mind! 

You can email me at moxiemadeblog@gmail.com, send me a facebook message or leave a comment here!

I'm also making kitchen towels!  I'm selling these for $12!

Whatcha think??

Happy rainy Wednesday!

:::january goals:::

• Make two presents ::: I've already finished one!  YAY!  I plan to post about it soon - you might just want to make some too!  And I've already about the supplies for gift number two!
• Read Baby Wise ::: I'm halfway through!
• Talk sweetly to Jordan ::: Okay so it's January 10th and I've failed at this every day so far :(  I asked him what I could improve on as a wife for this year and his very first answer was to be sweet.  I'm not a super sweet gal.  I tend to be sarcastic.  And Jordan gets more of that than anyone else.  But his love language is affirmation.  So I'm really trying to work on it.  Sad to say, today was probably my best day yet - but I still wasn't super sweet.  I foresee this being a goal for February too.
• Finish thank you cards ::: This has been hanging over my head for far too long.  We were so incredibly blessed by friends and family before Crews and Tate were born.  I've got lots and lots of thank you cards left to write.  So I want to finish those by the end of the month!
• Order planner ::: CHECK! It's on the way :)  I can't wait to see it and show it to y'all, of course :)
• Order canvas ::: CHECK!  It's also on the way :)  I got a promo code for Canvas On Demand for a great deal.  They have been fabulous to work with and I can't wait to get the canvas in the mail. 
• Learn about stabilizer ::: Yikes!  This is going to be tough.  There are so many things to learn with monogramming but from what I understand the biggest thing is stabilizer.  I've got to read up on it and figure out which to use for certain projects.
• Clean out closet ::: I've got to go through the rubbermaid bin that's been sitting beside my closet since the boys were born.  It's full of my non-maternity, winter clothes and I've been living out of it.  It's starting to be annoying.
• Start couponing, again! ::: We've got to pinch pennies.  And there are free pennies to be had if I could get my act together and actually use coupons instead of just organizing them. [Totally takes me back to my college days when I would spend my entire pre-final studying time, organizing and color-coding my study guides and notebooks rather than actually studying the information :)]

Okay - I'm feeling good about this so far.  Hopefully I can get all of these checked off my list in the next two and a half weeks!  I'll check back in on all of this February 1st!

2012 goals.

I've planned to start this blog since January 1st.  But somehow, every time I sit down to blog, a baby starts to cry.  It's the exact same thing that happens as soon as I fix a plate of food or lay my head down on my pillow.

So, that's the reason it's January 9th 10th and I'm just posting my goals for the year.

Like this...

I'm a goal gal.  I love to have me a to-do list to check off.  And I love to have a plan.  If not, I feel like I squander my days away without getting anything done.  Even more so since I've been at home everyday.

My to-do list used to be long everyday.  These days my to-do lists are shorter.  And muuuch more basic.  Like unload the dishwasher, bathe the boys, and do one load of laundry.  If I get all of this accomplished in a full day at home, I feel productive.  Which sounds insane!  But honestly, I started out when the boys came home trying to accomplish waaay too much and ending up paralyzed by all I wanted to get done.  Not sure where to begin on my list.  Frustrated because less than 50% of my to-do list was checked off.  And, not to mention, exhausted.  

So I've got some pretty specific goals for this year.  And then some more general goals for the year.

Here goes:

1. Set monthly goals - Feeling productive keeps me motivated to continue my goals.  Typically I set my yearly goals and never actually accomplish them that year.  They are too vague and 365 days is just too long.  I need short term goals to keep me focused and motivated. 
2. Participate in Project 52 - I'll blog more about this on Friday :)
3. Read one book per month - I love to read.  But, somehow if I don't make it a priority, it doesn't happen.  So, I'm going to try to read at least one book per month.  I've realized there's a lot that I can get done while I'm nursing and pumping.  And reading is one of these things - so I better take advantage of this down/quiet time :)
4. Make 2 gifts per month - I'm hoping to make the majority of our Christmas presents this year.  This past Christmas I started my shopping in August.  I knew that I would not have time to shop and wrap gifts once the boys arrived so I bought and wrapped everything by October.  It was fabulous! And not like me.  Normally I wait until about November to start my shopping.  This year I truly enjoyed buying gifts. I got to be intentional about my gift-giving.  Not impulsing buying things because I was running out of time.  And I got to look for sales, which definitely helped the Christmas budget :)  So, this year I decided I also wanted to get my gifts wrapped early - but instead of buying them, I'm hoping to make them!  I'm going to shoot to make at least two per month until we get closer to Christmas and I might have to make some more each month.  I've already bought my supplies for a project and I've already completed (with my dad and sister's help) one birthday present for this year!
5. Make a menu every month and STICK TO IT - Our plans for my returning to work have changed dramatically in the last week.  Again, I'll blog more about this later - but we are definitely going to be pinching some pennies.  So, one way we save money is when I cook instead of eating out. But I've realized over time that I am only successful at this when I actually make a menu and stick to it [a very imperative part that I typically fail at :)]
6. Sew and monogram a longall or shortall for Crews and Tate - I got a monogram machine!!!  I'm so so so excited!  And again, I'll blog more about what I'm doing with it soon [this whole "I'll blog more about it later" is starting to be a theme - I better follow through!] but I am really wanted to teach myself to use it well.  So, I want to make and monogram an outfit for each of the boys [well, just Crews and Tate - not sure Jordan would appreciate a jon jon :)].  A very specific goal that I hope to check off the goals sooner rather than later!
7. Blog twice a week - Okay, so I've totally already failed at this!  But, I didn't want to take it off my list because I've already failed - I'm going to keep trying.  I really want to document this time in my life.  And it's going to take a little discipline but I think I'll regret it if I don't do it!  
8. Be intentional and love well - Last year I had two overall goals.  I would say that I achieved these in some ways but not.so.much in other areas.  The Lord really worked on my heart last year - especially in the live simply way.  I learned a ton.  But, I've got so much further to go.  As I learned more about living simply and the allowed the Lord to mold my heart, I realized I needed a lot more molding and many more lessons.  And the same with loving well.  I want my life to be intentional.  I want it to be about my boys [all three of them] and my family and my friends and the woman behind me in the drive-thru.  So I am going to love well.  Through hand-written notes and conversations and texts and prayers.  

I plan to check in on my yearly goals when I review each months goals and post new goals for the following month.  And, I'll be posting my January goals tomorrow. Yes, even though we're already halfway through January.  I've been working on them already - even though I haven't posted them!

What about you?  Did you write a goal post?  Give me your link in the comments and I'll come check it out!

family pictures!

I love taking newborn pictures but I found out pretty quickly that it is nearly impossible to be mom and photographer with two newborns.  As mom you're trying to hold them in the right pose and worry about them falling off the bed.  As photographer you're trying to get your settings right on your camera and work with the lighting.  And you know that the mom is making sure her baby isn't going to fall so you don't have to worry about that part.  Well, the mom role kept winning.  Thankfully.  Because if photographer role won, the boys would have probably fallen off the bed.  

So, after attempting it a few times, I admitted defeat and asked my brother's girlfriend, Courtney, to come take pictures.  

Annnnd, I'm so glad I did.  

Here are a few of the results: