currently

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Currently, I am ...

thinking about how fast this year is going. Dylan is already in his third full week of kindergarten. I just entered the 3rd trimester with this pregnancy. Only 3 more months (plus a tiny bit if she's stubborn like her brother?) before we meet Baby Girl. And, no, we definitely do not have a name. Given we didn't pick Dylan's until he was 8 days late (he arrived 2 days later), I wouldn't expect us to have her name picked until at least mid-October.

preparing for our family changes. Nesting has started to kick in a bit in the form of house projects in general, but also on the nursery. I found a changing table on Craigslist last week for $15. Structurally in great condition, but definitely had seen better times which was fine. I knew I wanted to paint whatever I bought. Lucky for me, her big brother has been happy to help. Soon we'll have a beautiful new-to-us yellow changing table to match the dresser in her room.

reading The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. I had read her book, What Alice Forgot, earlier in the year and enjoyed it so thought I would try this one. So far, I don't want to put it down. And excited it's my 20th "real" book (i.e., not a picture book!) this year. My goal is to read 30 books and it looks like I'll accomplish that.

grateful that Dylan still enjoys books and snuggles at bedtime. He's growing up so fast, but still little too. I know these days are numbered and I'll soon have to split time between two kids so I'm enjoying them to the fullest.

enjoying regular after dinner game night with Trent & Dylan. It's a fun, relaxing way to spend time just the 3 of us after busy days of work and school. One of our current favs was a birthday present he received - Cars 2 Monopoly.

looking forward to an outdoor movie at our neighborhood pool on Friday night. It was an idea another neighbor started a few weeks ago that looks like will continue monthly into the fall and is a great way to kick off the weekend.

What are you up to currently?

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Grateful

Can I stress that word enough?? It's easy to get lost in the craziness of life and forget to be grateful. I assure you, I had a bit of forgetfulness yesterday. But as I write this, I'm glad it was just a moment and that I'm finding a lot to be grateful for lately ...

Morning Sickness - say what?? Yes, I am very grateful for morning sickness. This pregnancy has been far rougher on me. I've been much sicker and I am grateful for this. After 2 miscarriages, I'll happily be sick (and accept that Zofran prescription from my OB - thank you, doctor) as I know it's all a sign everything is going well.

Weekend Trip - we pulled off a weekend trip to Virginia with my sister, brother-in-law and brother to surprise my mom for her birthday yesterday. So grateful we could all manage to be there, surprise her and have quality time together. Such a fun time. Counting down to our next get together.

The Breakdown - so, no, of course I'm not grateful our car broke down yesterday. This would be that point of "forgetfulness" I mentioned in the beginning. We weren't quite halfway home on a 4 and a half hour trip. I was grateful though that we were all okay, we had nearby family that came to our assistance and we had AAA who towed our car to a local mechanic. The car can't be seen until this morning so we had to leave it and rent a car to get home, but again, we're all safe. That is by far the most important thing. I was already looking back and laughing last night. It'll just go down as one of those trips that you never forget and keep retelling the tale in years to come.

Now, the reason we had to get home last night and other thing I am very grateful for right now - our Ultrasound Appointment today! This morning we get our 3rd peek at our baby and, assuming this little one participates, we'll learn whether we're having a boy or girl. Dylan has been firm in his belief from the beginning that he's getting a sister. As for Trent and me? We haven't a clue. All we want is healthy. Either is a blessing.

What are you grateful for right now?

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The Word that Makes Me Cringe

FTC Disclosure Statement: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I used to simply laugh (okay I still sort of do) whenever I saw or heard a certain 5 letter word that made my dear friend, Allison, cringe. Don't dare use the word around her. It appears it offends others too. I found the perfect example recently while reading Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan:

I thought I was free from any sort of word having that power over me. Then it hit me. It comes across in social media A LOT for some reason. I think it's simply common in the South, though it never was in my family or those around me growing up.

What's the word? Sissy.

I cringe every time someone (usually a mom) uses that word to describe a girl. Typically her own daughter.

I know their meaning is supposed to be an affectionate form of 'sister.' I know. But I can not separate the word from the main definition: n. A person regarded as effeminate or cowardly. adj. Feeble and cowardly. (source: Oxford Dictionaries) So the thought that runs through my head every time (after the cringe) is why, why would you call your child that?

Do you have a word that makes you cringe? Dare to share? Let me know in the comments. I promise to try to refrain from using it around you. [Keyword "try" - right, Allison? ;)  ]

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currently

Currently, I am ...

thinking about kindergarten and how fast my "baby" is growing up. This morning, I'll take my first steps into the building that will be his school for the next 6 years and turn in our registration paperwork. A total mix of emotions here, honestly.

enjoying spending time outdoors geocaching with Trent & Dylan and, as of this past weekend, friends (yo, BA!). Dylan calls it "treasure hunting" and is loving helping us choose the next location to search and, when large enough, what treasure to leave behind. (Kudos to Allison for sharing this fun activity idea with me - read her post on it here - and inspiring yet another "currently" post.)

planning our next house projects. Thanks to Christmas gifts from my parents, my mind keeps returning to ideas for the kitchen (doesn't the new pots & pans organizer need freshly painted cabinets and new counter tops?) and the master bath. New yellow towels in the latter have suddenly spurred paint and fabric color ideas.

reading Love the One You're With by Emily Griffin. I've enjoyed several other books by her, but struggling to get into this one after having just finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. That book sucked me in and I didn't want to put it down during the last 100 pages. Already planning to see the movie later this year.

grateful for my family and our safety yesterday. The weird weather of the past week from a low of 9 and highs in the upper 60s led to an adventurous storm system that caused 86mph wind gusts and tornado warnings in the area. We were away from home, but stayed safe in a Starbucks with Dylan & I retreating to the bathroom with 3 other women during the worst of it. Arriving home, we found minor damage in our neighborhood, our own recycling bin knocked over in the drive and part of trim from a neighbor's house in our side yard, but our house unharmed. Truly a blessing.

What are you up to currently?

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currently

Inspired by my friend, Allison, I thought I'd take a go at the "currently" post. Currently, I am ...

reading travel books in preparation for a trip to the UK; Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes; rereading parts of What Was Lost: A Christian Journey through Miscarriage by Elise Erikson Barrett - such a book of comfort to me this year; and whatever picture books Dylan picks for bedtime. Tonight, it was The Axiom from his Wall-E board book boxed set and Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider.

eating pretty much the same breakfast & lunch daily (I'm a creature of habit in that respect) and lots of home cooked dinners. Tomorrow? Something deep fried. I'm leaning toward Oreos but Trent is suggesting Snickers (although as I'm finishing the post, he's reading up on new foods and it looks like Cowtails might be his pick).

thinking about our 3 day weekend ahead - NC State Fair, Halloween festivities, family, a get together with old college friends, and visit to a local pumpkin patch. It's going to be full & fun!

enjoying the cooler weather and being able to enjoy the sun a bit today with lunch outdoors. The clouds & rain were dreary and starting to make the days feel so as well.

watching sitcoms (2 Broke Girls, New Girl and The Mindy Project are my favorites) and, of course, any HGTV show I can catch. Inspiration for continuing projects around the foreclosure house!

loving chalkboard art. So much so that I've been working on creating my own backgrounds and subway art in Photoshop. Maybe a future Friday Freebie?

What are you up to currently?

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Bloggy Boot Camp - Charlotte #BBCChar

This weekend, my friend Allison and I are headed to Charlotte for our first blog conference. We've both talked about doing this for some time but kept putting it off for one reason or another. Finally, we nudged each other and bought our tickets a few months ago for Bloggy Boot Camp.

My new business cards I created specifically for the conference arrived yesterday. Minus a slight graininess (maybe I should choose glossy instead of matte next time?), they look great.

I'll be packing those, of course. My MacBook Pro. A notebook and pen. For those that have been there done that - anything else I need? Advice for us?

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Banish the Blues

Yesterday I found myself hit with what I'm calling the "Thursday blues." Almost through my 2nd full week of work here and it's still an adjustment. It hit me hard yesterday because Thursday was our playgroup day for 3 years. Admittedly, Dylan & I weren't there every time, but we were there a good number of them (plus any other day we could meet up with our friends). Add this & missing him in general during the day to the fact that I'm struggling with new software at work, our new weekday schedule, worrying that I'm doing what's best for our family, etc, etc. I was in a funk. Enough said.

I know there is never an easy answer. I know Dylan is enjoying preschool and thriving! I know I will get the hang of this software and get through this project. It's not the first challenge I've faced in my career and certainly won't be my last. I know we are doing really well at juggling our new schedule and it will continue to improve.

So, instead of continuing my pity party, I decided to list 5 positive things this week ...

1. Flexibility for both Trent & me in our work schedules that we could keep Dylan home from school on Monday when he was sick (3rd ear infection - really, that is lucky that we've only had 3 ever!).
2. New HVAC system installed. Still seeing $$ signs, but so worth it. I know I'll be especially thankfully when the heat & humidity come in a few months.
3. Extra hour of daylight in the evenings plus warmer weather that equaled walks 2 nights before dinner.
4. Harris Teeter online groceries. One less thing I have to do and this week it equaled easy prescription pick ups for Dylan and me plus his medicine was free with my VIC card. 
5. Dylan started soccer at school. He's very excited and was proudly showing us his new t-shirt. 
6. We have managed dinner at home every night and only one of those was of leftovers from the freezer. Our one meal out was a lunch date on Tuesday for Trent & me which is going to be a regular occurrence (admittedly it took a blocked out time on both our work calendars to make it happen).

Ok, so that was 5 + 1 positive things. :) Good sign when I find I overwrite the list. And, the weekend is just a few work hours away with a fantastic forecast (hello, 70s + sun). What was that about the blues?

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accomplished. twenty 12

I finished this page on Monday for a December challenge at Design House Digital to document your accomplishments in 2012. I came up with several for our family:

Supplies: Protectors Set 1 by Karla Dudley; Orange Crush mini kit by Audrey Neal; One Year Older elements, Plum Pretty kit and Be Unique elements by Karen Funk; Back to Basics bundle by Sara Schmutz; Janda Everyday Casual, Another Typewriter and QuigleyWiggly fonts.

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New Beginnings

There was more to our trip to Great Wolf Lodge the other week than celebrating my birthday. We were also celebrating my new job and Dylan starting "school." Initially I'll be working 3 days a week with Dylan going to daycare those days.

On Monday I took him for a 3 hour visit to acclimate him to the classroom, teachers and other students. He had joined right in when we were touring daycares and did not want to leave so I felt pretty confident about our decision.

He was a bit clingy initially. After a few minutes, I encouraged him to try a toy he had enjoyed during our tour. Soon he was engrossed and a few of the other kids had joined him. I left and he was on his own until lunchtime. The teachers told me he did great! Participating and following directions. He was even eating noodles *with* sauce (unless it's mac 'n cheese he usually eats them plain) when I arrived to pick him up.

Today we begin his first full day at school and my first full day at my new job. Saturday I'll end my part time job in retail. I'm excited to still have time with Dylan during the week and have my nights & weekends free with both him & Trent now. Here's to new beginnings!

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