.reasons to smile.: lots of stuff... i need to get back to doing this more frequently

I'm sitting here with two of four kids still awake and thought I'd start my blog... one (Nate) is almost to sleep on the floor and the other (Kate) has asked to go in the highchair. That's where she wants to go right before she asks to go to bed. She has been going to bed well, but sometimes she just isn't tired. I just let her wind down and don't force her to bed. She eventually gets tired.

Okay, decided to quick give Nate a bottle and put him to bed... and, Kate also asked to go to bed... now I'm back. : )

Tuesday 9.18.12
Picture day for Rachel and Eli. Eli had a fit when I was getting him ready. The white shirt wasn't fitting well under his polo, so he didn't want to wear the white t-shirt. I thought it looked better with it under and really wanted him to wear it. After a little battle... I won. ; ) Rachel was good with what she wore. Last year one of her short sleeves was up (not sure how the photographer didn't notice), so this year I was sure to put long-sleeves on her! Hopefully they smiled well and Eli's little bald spot wasn't too noticeable!

I also tackled Rachel's room. I usually make her clean it up, but after awhile she just can't get it nice anymore. This is one of her biggest struggles. So, every couple months I give her a fresh start. She always says she'll keep it clean this time... which I know will never happen. Oh well... I don't mind. Gives me a chance to purge some things! ; )

Here is what I wrote on her dry-erase board...

I volunteered to be the Box Tops Coordinator at the kids' school... what did I get myself into?!! : )

Wednesday 9.19.12
I bought some fun baskets at TJ Maxx Tuesday night and was very excited to organize the pantry cupboard. Took awhile, but in the end turned out nice... I feel more organized than before it was done... which isn't saying much! Here are some before and after pictures. I usually forget to take pictures before.

[before]

[during... but, should have taken a pic of the stuff all over the kitchen counters/table!]

[after]

I also cleaned out the refrigerator really well... felt good to do something other than the usual daily stuff.

After school Rachel had her first official jump rope practice. She was very excited! She got a team duffel bag, which she's been looking forward to. I'm very excited that she's involved in this. She loves it and it just seems like a good group of kids. It is a big commitment, but I think she'll do just fine.

[Rachel waiting for the bus with her duffel bag.]

Thursday 9.20.12

Today I attacked Eli's room... for the same reason as I did Rachel's. Eli is better at staying organized, but his room still gets out of control every once in awhile. : ) Again, I did some purging during the process. Also, gave him a shelf for some of his more important things... which he's been asking for. He has a precious moments from his great-grandma that we told him had to be a safe place. He's very proud of it and is happy to be able to have it out now.

I also got in my last run before the half-marathon on Saturday. So far the weather is looking... pretty much normal for what I get when I sign up for long runs. Cold and rainy. Oh well... I'd much rather have that then hot and humid. Maybe the rain will hold off. Physically I'm ready... mentally ~ not sure! No, really, I'm looking forward to it. : )

[so, it could be about 40 degrees and raining when i start... awesome!]

I also went to a friend's moving sale this evening. I got some really neat things that I'm super excited about! Thanks, Steph... excited and love it all!

Also, thanks to my dad for watching all four kids while I went to the moving sale. Mike was out of town and I just couldn't imagine what it would have been like to look around with all the kids. So, thanks dad!!

Wish I would have thought to take the pictures in the day light, but oh well. Want to include them, so night pictures will have to do.