Worst blogger. Ever.

I am so bad at this. It's just so hard to decide what to write about so I don't at all. I'm so aware that whatever I share is out there for anyone to see. I'm not so sure I want to share my family or my personal thoughts with everyone and their dog.
And I don't have an amazing hobby or at home business I can talk about.
I take horrible pictures too. And that seems to be important because I know I'm less likely to keep reading a blog without nice pictures.
I don't want to just link to and share other peoples projects even though I enjoy reading boots and browsing Pinterest.
And I always want to change my layout or design. There are so many cute options! So I get caught up more in that than actual posting.
When it comes down to it, I do have opinions about life. Lots of them. But I just don't think so highly of myself to think that everyone should listen to them. And maybe I'm a little afraid of mean comments too. Believing in right and wrong isn't very popular or worldly these days.

So hi. Maybe I'll post again in another 6 months. :)

3 Year Blog-o-versary

Today is the Anniversary of my little blog!

It's been 3 years since my first blog post. My first post was about God's goodness to me - and it still rings true! I have a wonderful little family. I love seeing my baby girl grow up each and every day. She's learning so many new things! As you can tell from most of my posts, she's my daily excitement. I usually post about her. :) I also have a wonderful husband. As the years pass, we grow closer and learn how to work together more. We have a beautiful house and wonderful neighbors. We have an amazing church family. I've been truly enjoying all the opportunities to serve and challenges to grow.

One of my first posts was fun facts about me. In honor of those first days here's an update about me...

I am: going to be 25 this year! 

28. Oh boy, I think I'm beginning to feel a little old. Sometimes I actually forget my age. When I get the age question I usually think '25' and then 'oops. I'm definitely past that.' Maybe my internal age is stuck on 25! :)
I think: in funny directions.

I am still one of a kind. I've found that mind-reading is the hardest skill to learn in marriage. Seriously, I need that superpower!!
I know: that I am loved.

that I am still loved and even more! And that I have my own daughter, I have learned what it is to love my own child. It's amazing and scary to feel so strongly about a person!
I want: a kitty.

still a kitty. :) But I think I'll wait until Millie is old enough to ask. She has way more pull with Daddy!
I have: more blessings than I take stock of.

A wonderful life! I am so blessed to have a wonderful hubby and beautiful daughter.
I wish: I was more observant.

Well I'm still working on being observant but I think I'm improving! This seems to be a life long learning process. These days the one thing I really need more of is patience. Mommyhood required a lot of it!
I plan: to be an organized mover.

to enjoy the summer. Millie loves being outside and so we're going to soak up the sun!
I hate: it when people are rude or disrespectful.

I think this one stays the same. Rude-ness is annoying. It's not that hard to be a little gracious and remember 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!'
I miss: the Tetons some days.

the freedom of life before kids (only some days). You know. Kids mean your schedule isn't yours, it's theirs. I miss having dates with my hubby!
I fear: big, fast spiders.

ugh. Still spiders!!! But family brings a whole new set of fears. I would hate to loose J or Millie. I love them so much! I constantly have to give them to God and remind myself that He loves them even more. And I know He loves me and will care for me thru any storm.
I feel: sleepy still.

optimistic.
I hear: birds.

happy baby-talk. I love this happy stage! Sometimes I wish Millie would stay little.
I smell: enchanted orchid soap.

a little funky. I go workout at the Y most mornings and it's a great time!
I crave: chocolate.

a date night. We plan way too few of these. Date nights are expensive! You pay for dinner and a babysitter plus a movie is $10 per person. Crazy. I also crave a mani and pedi day. Ahhh that sounds so relaxing. I haven't got that type of pampering since last summer.
I search: Google.

for wisdom. I am constantly look for ways to be a better homemaker, mom and wife.
I wonder: how I can better love my husband.

when Jesus will return. I'm not the type to see the end of the world around every corner. But the crazy weather, etc in the world these days has me wishing for His return more often than I used to.
I regret: being quick to speak.

not much, thankfully.
I love: J! Happy (very soon) Birthday!

my Lord, my life and my loves.
I hope: to be a mom.

in the Lord on a daily basis. He is my everything!
I ache: to have a hug.

when I hear about suffering mamas or babies. Motherhood makes my heart so much more tender.
I always: take too long in the bathroom.

hmm ALWAYS is a word I like to avoid. I always use words like always and never when I'm mad which I remember learning in pre-marriage counseling that you are NOT supposed to do. oops.
I am not: outgoing.
a morning person. Millie wakes me up between 7 and 7:30 everyday. I know that's not that early but my internal clock says it is!
I believe: God's word is truth. AMEN.
God's promises are true. He is on His throne at all times and He is coming again.
I dance: when I'm alone with Cher. :)
with baby girl all the time! I love dance parties with her. 
I sing: for fun.
because it puts a smile on my face. I especially treasure bedtime when I sing for baby girl.
I cry: when I'm hurt.
because I'm a woman and I get emotional, just accept it.
I don’t always: run on time.
wash my hair. I'm really trying not to wash it every day because it's supposed to be better for it. But it's driving me a little crazy.
I fight: because I'm stubborn.
because I'm passionate about what I think, what I believe and who I love.
I write: for fun and to clear the brain.
as a release. It clears my mind and makes my thoughts clearer.
I never: want to move away from Nebraska.
say NEVER if I can help it. Life is so full of changes and most that I sure can't control.
I need: forgiveness for the grouch monster.
daily hugs from my baby! 

Thanks for reading!

Like?

Hi my faithful readers!

So I've been blogging on and off for almost 3 years (since June 23rd, 2008). Wow 3 years. That's crazy! At that point in my life, we were just buying our first house and sweet O was still just a twinkle in my eye. My posts have ranged from fun exciting news to opinions about life to mundane mommy ramblings. 

I just want to say thank you to all my friends and family who continue to read my blog, even through the slow spots. If you've been enjoying my musing on life and motherhood, please FOLLOW me!! I love to know you're still reading. I'd also to hear from you. I realize that I don't always post a lot to comment on... so I'll work on that if you promise to comment once in a while. :)

So today my question for you is... What do you like reading about on my blog? And what do you think I need to share more about?

30 New Do's

Just recently I ran across a great new blog at My Yellow Sandbox. The thing that really caught my eye is her new series '30 Do's in 30 Days'. Abby is doing a new hair do everyday for 30 days! Crazy awesome! She posts pictures and a video tutorial. 

 

I was so happy when I ran across this! I've had my hair this long (about mid back) since I got married almost 6 years ago. I've changed up the layers and bangs a little but it's stayed pretty much the same. Now I'm not the type of girl to keep her hair the same for this long but my hubby LOVES it! So it stays. I threaten every now and then to chop it all off. When Katie Holmes first chopped hers a few years ago, I really wanted that bob. But new layers and a fresh color kept me long. So I only have a few go to hair do's - down, ponytail, straight, curly, bun and sometimes a french braid. Boring. I am so excited to start trying these new do's! Here's my first attempt at the braided messy bun.

 

 Everyone warned me about those baby hairs. You  know. The ones you get post pregnancy when all that nice thick hair from the prenatal vitamins falls out and then starts growing in again. So especially on humid days, I get this nice halo of fuzz. Also, I think my french braiding needs some practice. This is what her more professional job looked like...

 I hope you pop over to My Yellow Sandbox and check out all the great do's!

Reading Tab

After slowly updating my reading tab over the past weeks, I finally finished...

I like to read and often way too much! I can't tell you how often I stayed up till 2 am in high school because i just had to finish my book. I just couldn't put them down. If I was really desperate, I'd read the last couple pages and finish the book later. I still wanted to enjoy the story but knowing the ending brought me enough peace to sleep. Sadly I don't get to the library often enough. And when I do, I'm usually picking out books for Olivia. As a mother and housewife, my days of spending hours upon hours reading are few and far between. Now I do most of my skimming reading online via Google Reader. I usually find myself struggling to keep up with all the blogs I'm dying to read. Honestly I usually wait until I have a huge list of unread posts and then realize I need to clean house. But I end up with a nice core of favs!
Check out my core reading material right now or save it for a rainy day.

What do you enjoy reading these days? Blogs? Books? Tell me your favorites!

Lazy Blogger

Well I've been a lazy blogger. My last post was like a month ago. It has crossed my mind over the last few days that I should stay in touch with my blog, but what can I say, I'm busy. 
Really? How can you be too busy to blog? I thought you stayed at home all day? 
Well yes, I do stay home. And I love it! :) Millie and I keep busy keeping the house clean and playing. Am I too old to say I played today? And can I say that's an actual activity that takes time and effort and gets marked off my 'to do' list? Well, I do. And then there are the holidays. If ever I thought I was caught up on life, the holidays hit. I so love this time of year! It's busy but it's fun. 
So all this rambling to say, my next few posts are going to be going back in time to catch up on past events and post some cute pictures of Millie. I might get around to posting Christmas pictures someday soon. I hope so! We have some cute ones!

Updates

I finally succeeded in adding a third column to my blog! yay! As you can see I still have a couple details to iron out.

COMING SOON:
House updates - we have new furniture and painted walls. Pictures coming.
Google reader shared items.
New Poll.

New Features

1. Weekly Bites - Recent Articles that have Struck a Chord. I enjoy keeping up with the world via Google Reader. Here are some articles that I've read recently. They excite me, anger me or just interest me.

2. My first poll. Vote for how old you think I look! :) Let me explain why I am even doing this poll... A few weeks ago I went to Hyvee on Sunday afternoon for my weekly grocery run. At the deli counter I get the same kind of meat and cheese and the same amounts. And I almost always see the same employee working the counter. That week he said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look really young to be married?" I'd had a rough day and didn't have on a stitch of make-up. I laughed and said, "Yes all the time! I have a younger sister that looks older than me and so I take it as a compliment. I figure when I'm 60 and look young it will be a good thing." So I am curious how old do other people see me as? Vote and leave your comments on this post!!

Long Days

Just a quick post since it's been so long since I've blabbed.
Life has been busy these days! We have started our house decorating projects. We ordered a rug which will arrive soon and then I'll have pictures. We started looking at furniture, blinds and landscaping options. I'm really excited to start seeing some progress in this area. I'm looking forward to completing our home!

When I started this blog, I felt like I had a lot to say. I admit the feeling is fading. I still enjoy blogging and will keep posting updates but they will be a little sparse. It's too easy for me to spend too much time on the computer trying to think of words to write that I put my life off schedule. And when I get focused on writing a certain amount of times on my blog, I get grouchy when that doesn't happen. Blogging was supposed to be fun and stress-free. So in an effort to return to stress-free, fun blogging, my new goal is only one post per week! So until next week (unless I have something actually exciting to share)! :)