I’ve slowly been making progress on my “LIST.” But, I haven’t blogged about it for awhile, so here is the latest update (simply in numerical order).
1) Monthly Date Night: Ray and I have managed to go out, alone at least once a month since January. It hasn’t always been romantic or glamorous (take April: grocery shopping and dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s), but it has been time alone. And, I’m happy to report, we’ve held hands every time. We have another “date” planned for next weekend. I think a proper date night dinner this month will be in order. Kids will stay overnight at mom and dad’s again, so I’ll actually get to sleep late in the morning too. An added perk! (#1: See the List 101 in 1001).
4) Pexa Cox Family Credo: I have a draft credo. It is really about how I want to parent, what I want to teach our kids. Only diversion from my original listed goal is that Ray really isn’t into the whole credo thing. He’s more of a “parent as it comes up” kind of dad. So, I doubt we’ll have any long conversations together to plan for the emotional well-being of our children. However, for me, it does provide a definitive touchstone for reference. (and I must admit, may also provide me an excuse when my best attempts at good parenting fall short . . . “see, this is what I want to accomplish – I’m trying!!” I will post the draft shortly. (#4: See the List 101 in 1001).
6) Letters to Kids on Their Birthdays: I’ve finished Henry’s 6th birthday letter. (#6: See the List 101 in 1001).
17) My Passions: Back in April, I took a week off of work. I had lofty goals regarding all that I was going to accomplish. Although I failed miserably on many of those intentions, I did spend some time considering what I was “passionate” about. I picked up a few books at Barnes & Noble, and spent an indulgent day at the Arboretum, reading and writing and walking. One book “The Passion Test” did help me focus pretty well. And, it challenged me to consider how I spend my time. If I really want to accomplish the things that are most important to me, and that I am most connected to, it is on those things that I need to consciously spend my time. Period. I will post more on this shortly as well. (#17: See the List 101 in 1001).
18) Goal-Setting Group: So, JULD (my mastermind group) has met 3 times so far. We are scheduled to meet again in two weeks. It has been fabulous!!! I find myself accomplishing some of my goals, albeit slowly, but being excited to report back and share and get feedback from these incredible women. I hope we can stick to our meetings for the long haul!! (#18: See the List 101 in 1001).
22) Plan to Learn Children's Portraiture: I’m taking steps forward to learn photography and portraiture. I’m taking a community ed class, which has provided much information (and even more important, the knowledge that maybe I knew more than I thought). I haven’t put my camera on automatic since the class started. I finally get it!! I also signed up to be part of a new “south metro photography club.” Not sure where that will go, but I’m hopeful it could be a good resource. (#22: See the List 101 in 1001).
24) Gratitude Journal: Still writing most everyday. It really has become my daily kid journal too, since I find that I am usually most grateful for a lesson they taught me, or an experience we shared. It continues to be a good touchstone for me. (#24: See the List 101 in 1001).
29 & 30) Clear My Closets and Kids Closets: Yes, this was one of my miserable failings from my week off in April. I pulled junk out of 6 closets, realized the project itself was a week’s worth of work, and then promptly shoved everything right back in (creating an even bigger mess!). Then, I vowed to work on one tote a day to try and get them cleaned out. Haven’t touched them since. For another day . . . . (#29 & 30: See the List 101 in 1001).
34) Sign-up to Donate Blood Marrow: So, I checked into donating blood marrow. It is kind of a big deal. My intention was good, but I’m not sure the timing is right, given my kids are so little. But of course, my head always goes back to what a difference it could make for a little one or for a mom or a dad. If we needed this, we could only pray someone would have stepped up. So, this one will take a little more thought. (#34: See the List 101 in 1001).
49) Cutting Garden: I planted my cutting garden last weekend. It is all from seed (the cheapest method), but I should have something to show by mid-summer. I planted a few new things, but not dahlias yet. Maybe I’ll plant those next year. So, I’m watering, and thinking about who will be among the recipients of my rag-tag summer bouquets. (#49: See the List 101 in 1001).
53) Organic Gardens: I’m continuing to maintain all of my gardens as organic. Never any weed killer or fertilizer on any of them. However, we probably need to consider something to enrich the gardens at the end of the year. The soil at the bottom of the hill is so rich and beautiful, but I can’t take that for granted year after year. Of course, in order to maintain the gardens as organic, I think I’d need to find some organic compost or manure. Not sure where to buy that. Probably not in the fertilizer isle at Home Depot or Ace Hardware. But, for this year, I should be good. I really love raising organic. So far, I’ve had really good luck with everything (despite my minimal knowledge). And, it really is fabulous to know at least for this part of the year, I’m feeding my kids healthy, healthy, healthy produce!! (#53: See the List 101 in 1001).
55) Sunflower Garden: Henry, Anna and I planted our sunflower garden as well last week. We planted sunflowers around the perimeter, grass in the center, and wildflowers outside the sunflowers. We’ll see what grows. It is always a complete leap of faith, and this year especially, since I have 6 gardens to maintain (the vegetable row garden, the vegetable vine garden, the cutting garden, the sunflower garden, the front perennial garden and the front herb garden beds). Oh my!! My guess is that the weeds will have a field day, but we’ll pull as we can. And, somehow, my plants still grow despite the weedy competition. (#55: See the List 101 in 1001).
56) Firepit: In anticipation of Henry’s 6th birthday party, which has a summer camp theme, Ray & I built a campfire pit. I started and he finished it. We haven’t had a campfire yet, and frankly now that we have it, I’m a little worried about keeping everyone safe. But, I think as long as we have rules about safety, we’ll all enjoy it for those warm summer evenings. (#56: See the List 101 in 1001).
67) Ray's Trip to Oregon: Since we’ve decided not to make the trip to
71) Make Great Pies: Megan gave me a fail safe recipe (at least according to her) for pie crust. I’m ready to try!! Bring on the early summer berries!! (#71: See the List 101 in 1001).
76) Star Party at Baylor Park: Towards the end of June, Uyen and I are taking the kids to a Star Party at
97) 2009 Pexa Cox Family Slideshow: Check!! (it isn’t perfect, but it is decent. And it is done!!) (#97: See the List 101 in 1001).
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