Happy 2nd Birthday Jameson!

Jameson is 2 years old today!



Jameson is our sweet boy - always smiling and easy going...still doesn't speak much, which I think makes my life a little easier (only 2 voices constantly saying "mommy, mommy")
He is quite impressive with his fine and large motor skills for his age. He enjoys trucks, balls, music/dancing, and running around sounding like the monster while his siblings run in fear!

We are so very thankful for him and love him so much!





Since the 1st of February (that's 3 days now), we have been virtually trapped inside our house due to crazy cold weather and 3 inch ice on the roads. Joey has not had school and we have not left the house.
Yesterday, we had the Schmidt Olympics - it was super fun!



Our neighbor Dylan battled the weather to walk 3 houses down the street (only falling once) to come compete!



Morgan wasn't much into participating, so instead, she was the photo journalist...many of these are her photos

BOWLING:



STREET HOCKEY:



SHUFFLEBOARD:



GOLF:



Here's a few cute ones of Jackson too!





Stay warm out there!


Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

Hello February!

February is LOVE Month!

For my Happiness Project in February, I plan to focus on my Marriage.

I will be reading 2 books -
Again, my focus is on LOVE - so here's the one that applies to that:
How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich



Additionally, as a part of Lent the past few years, I have included reading from this next book as much as possible...it's a devotional that you read in the Morning, Midday, and Evening
The Divine Hours - Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle



I still have 9 more days of Purpose Driven Life (it's a 40 day devotional)
So this is going to be quite a reading filled month!


WHAT WE DO EVERYDAY MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT WE DO ONCE IN A WHILE.

As I re-read through this month in The Happiness Project book, I pulled out some great ideas and actions that I hope to accomplish with Joe.

- 1 word reminders (rather than nagging in full sentences)
- Be more observant and appreicative of his acts
- Don't expect praise
- Hug for 6 seconds or more (the author found research that showed hugs must last 6 seconds or longer to positively affect your happiness levels)
- Fight Right (No using NEVER and ALWAYS)
- PROOF OF LOVE "There is no love; there are only proofs of love." Piere Reverdy
- ILY (a text I plan to give him often - it's short for I Love You)
- Spend time alone together
- Play Games
- Extreme Nice (1 week this month, I will be totally focused on being nice to everyone)

I have added another DAILY activity that I am very excited about - orginially, I was going to try a new recipe once a week...well, my friend Laura turned me toward a fantastic website called e-mealz.com



They send you (after you become a member for a very small fee) recipes that correspond with the grocery store you frequemt based on the sales of that week at that store. You get a grocery list and 7 recipes (for dinners).
I went Sunday night to the grocery store (9pm, no kids) and it was the most pleasant shopping experience I've had - with 7 meals worth of food bought (and the usual must-have supplies and milk) for less than $100!
Talk about lowering your stress, which in turn makes me happier!
And the focused/lower spending and using "coupons" makes Joe happy too!

I am also going to try to commit to doing Yoga at our Y on Mondays (it's a free class). Now that's the way to start your week!

So here we go!
February is here and it started with a snow day for the kids - all 4 kids are home all day, with temps too cold to go outside and no snow, but instead a huge sheet of ICE covering our trees, ground and roads.

It's PJ DAY!



Hope you find lots of love and happiness in February too!

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

Good-Bye January!

HAPPINESS PROJECT UPDATES:

Well, January was a complete success in regards to reaching the goals I set in January. The only time I got a little behind was when I was dealing with broncitis, I was taking care of Joe who was home sick with Strep (twice!) or when Joey got a puking bug for a day, then a fever he couldn't beat for the next 2 days...but even in the midst of illness, vomit, bloody noses (which happened simultaneously with vomit), and the usual blow out diapers and spit up of a newborn...I remained, well, Happy!

Here' what my goals where, which I accomplished on a daily basis consistently:
(I have a goal chart with check marks to prove it!)
DAILY GOALS:
Water, Laundry (atleast 1 load a day), Ice (we don't have an ice machine), Note (wrote a note and mailed it to someone), Bible, Book (reading Purpose Driven Life, which has daily devotionals), Journal (1 sentence a day), Joe (just do something nice for him), Sleep, Exercise

Now, to be honest, exercise is just not happening daily, but I'm pleased with the effort. Additionally, I have a 2 month old, so sleep is not like 8 hours straight, but I DO feel rested and that's because I am getting to bed at 10pm (most nights) and getting up at 7am (most mornings).


MY ONE SENTENCE JOURNAL: (Some highlights of this month)

1/1/11
I had a migraine tonight, so Joey left a note on my pillow that said "I Love You" to make me feel better.

1/2/11
Morgan admitted that the pee smeel on the couch was an accident she had "But it was way back when I was 3" (She just turned 4 on Dec. 29th!)

1/7/11
Went to see Butler play CSU tonight with Joe and realize I am SO FAR from the person I was in college - by God's Grace.

1/9/11
We were about to watch AFV for our Family Night and the rule was, Everything in the Romper Room needed picked up and put away. Of course, the only items left were Morgan's piles of fairies and dress up clothes...we called for her and FINALLY she came out of JJ's room with tools tucked everywhere into her PJ pants..."What? I was working!" was her excuse for the delay.

1/19/11
Joey was sick today - temp of 102 - after throwing up...he said "I love you, mom" - I guess he was just glad I was by his side.

1/20/11
I want to always remember the sweet smile and bright blue eyes of my 2 year old baby boy JJ.



1/24/11
I heard the 6pm Butler bells, in the quiet, downstairs, holding a FINALLY sleeping baby, while Joe played with the other 3 upstairs.







1/27/11
Jameson poured a whole bag of Cocoa Roos on the family room floor - Mr. Destructo - and I adore him.




MONTHLY GOALS:
Book (Purpose Driven Life)
1 on 1 with Joey - I coached his final game of the season for basketball at Tab. (Joe had Strep) We lost, but I think Joey thought it was pretty fun to home mom on the sidelines!
1 on 1 with Morgan - we did some grocery shopping and of course, had a milkshake
Family Activity - AFV (it's a tv show), Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune (Joe is Alex in Jeopardy and Joey is Pat in Wheel of Fortune)
Help in Joey's Classroom - on 1/31 I helped with "Snow Day" - just in the knick of time!
Date Joe - we went to Terre Haute for a Barbershop event that was super fun. Rip Chord and the wives of Rip Chord enjoyed a day together in Terre Haute.











Well, Good Bye January...Hello February...which is LOVE month for the Happiness Project! Feb. goals will be my next post!

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!

Jackson is 2 months old!

Jackson is 2 months old now!
My, how time flies!
We have had quite an evenful month of figuring out what to do with this little one of ours. From not getting enough to eat, so supplementing...to now, after an unexpected doctor's visit...I've been OVER feeding him! (he was having lots of congestion and trouble breathing when laying flat on his back or tummy)
So the relux issue is solved and our sweet boy is doing great!

He's sleeping from 9pm to 5am, with a little fussing around 1am...but just needs a few pats and is back to sleep in no time.
He's 13.75 lbs

He naps 3 times a day, but that is often in his car seat out of necessity following along with his big brothers and sister.









We have had LOTS of snow lately...which keeps us inside quite often...but Jameson and I got outside to shovel the driveway, while big brother and sister were in school and JT was napping! He didn't want to ride in the sled, but he sure loved moving the snow around with his broom and shovel - such a great helper! (and quite cute in his snowsuit, I might add!)



Only half-way through the month, but the Happiness Project of Megan's is in full swing - it's going great! Here is one small way to track the goals set for the month...



So far, the only time I have not checked off a goal (laundry was the only one!) was because I had broncitis for 2 days this week..but even that is back on track! I must say, even amidst the sickness, I still felt happiness with my children, when the house was maintained, and when I got to read Purpose Driven Life and even just one sentence from the Bible...I'll be adding additional goals and things to focus on in February...so stay tuned!

Enjoy the day today!

Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Baby Jackson!