I’m truly amazed at how quickly 2008 has gone by, but happy to be back to day ONE! January 1st just might be my favorite day of the year. Why, you ask? Goals my friend. Goals.

I really don’t need an excuse to set goals. Secretly, it’s my GEEKY pleasure. (I guess that’s not a secret anymore, is it)? I find myself constantly in Excel making charts, graphs and monitoring my progress on goals set weekly - and absolutely LOVE to cross a goal accomplished off my list. Of course it rarely ends there… now it’s time to take that same goal to the next level. Though I’m a bit obsessed over the whole process, Chris prefers to lay low, work hard and see where it takes him (which generally seems to work out). However…THIS is why I love Jan 1st! I get to pin him down and ensure he writes down a few goals alongside mine, conforming to MY method. Whaaa-ha-ha-ha! (Read in a sinister tone. Better).

Each year we choose a mantra and set goals accordingly. 2007 was “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear” and we focused on food storage, insurance, savings, etc. 2008 was “No better time than now,” and we focused on traveling and living in the now. We did well, insuring a trip a month. That is, until I got pregnant. Our traveling virtually ended, however we kept with the theme by working on procrastination. Or rather - NOT procrastinating. “No better time than now”. Though it’s still not ingrained in us, we’ve laid a foundation for better habits and created some great memories in 2008.

So what will 2009 bring? We have yet to choose a mantra, but we’re leaning towards overall improvement… I have no doubt that a healthy body leads to healthy habits, so health will be our #1 goal.

- Make health a top priority: Exercise consistently, cook daily, have prepared meals in freezer, go to bed early and arise earli….er.
- Live on a tighter budget: There’s just something rewarding about pinching pennies.
- Become better organized: When we found out we were pregnant, a big reason we choose to stay in our town home was the limited space. It’s hard NOT to be organized when you have to utilize every nook-and-cranny. I’m not only shooting for physical organization, but better organization in our investments, self-improvement and spiritual development as well. Better systems all around.

*Shwew* that’s a LOT on my plate. Enough to keep me busy for a year, I’d say.

Now I look at the steps necessary to reach my goals and break them down into 3 month requirements, 1 month, weekly and daily. To insure I stay on track I keep a monthly “accountability” chart by my bed, and check off the necessary daily tasks I accomplished - thus holding myself accountable. LOVE THE SYSTEM. LIVE THE SYSTEM! (Corny, but I HAD to say it)! It’s true: “By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass.” So set a GREAT goal and insure you do the small things necessary every day to achieve it!

Any ideas for a great mantra in 2009? What are YOUR goals? YOUR mantra?

***

THANK YOU MOM AND DAD, FOR MAKING ME TO SIT DOWN EVERY

JANUARY 1ST AND LEARN HOW TO SET GOALS!

***

Yesterday I woke up and Chris wasn’t home. I called him and said, “Are you working in the city today?” He said, “No… I just went for a little drive to get out of the house.” “Well good for you. Have fun and I’ll see ya soon.”

10 minutes later he walked in the door with these…

When he bought them the conversation went something like this:

Man: Anniversary?
Chris: Nope
Man: Birthday?
Chris: Nope
Man: Girlfriend?
Chris: Nope
Man: Wife?
Chris: Yep
Man: You do something wrong?
Chris: Nope
Man: Well…. ok.

lol. Men get right to the point. And so will I…

I am the Luckiest.

Lately my baby girl has had hiccups several times a day. That which was adorable in the beginning, has now become slightly annoying - as each episode lasts a good 10 minutes.

Tonight I got the hiccups and had to laugh as I told Chris, “Man… I’m annoyed when SHE gets hiccups… imagine how annoyed she is when I get hiccups!”

In an attempt to relieve my anxiety I’ve decided to think out loud, and what better way than blogging?

I’ve been decorating my baby’s room and… well… it’s taking a bit longer than expected. I blame it on the fact that I can’t make any decisions. I have furniture, accessories and paint - yet putting it all together just isn’t happening. I’d like a mix of shabby chic and elegant, but decorating in this style is entirely new territory to me, as my home consists of warm colors and a rustic feel.

I bought paint and have spent the last week staring at it - hoping to discover the “right” decision. I finally gave in and spent today painting the top half of my walls a soft pink, which I’m already considering repainting green-blue. *sigh* In an attempt to find inspiration I’ve spent the last hour googling and just found a GREAT site! http://www.mylulabelles.com/ So many pretty and extremely girly items and ideas, (though I’m avoiding roses as I’m afraid I’ll do it wrong and it’ll look tacky. I hate tacky) I especially like the “Home decorating ideas” . If you like shabby chic these pictures are truly inspirational.

I’ve surprised myself. I’m not much for the super feminine, but I find myself excited for the change. Let’s be honest - the nursery is really MY sanctuary, and needs to be a place I enjoy spending time, as well as a practical place for a baby. So here it is. My chance to decorate a soft, feminine, relaxing room - and I’m scared to death at where to begin.

Below are pixs of where I started. Stay tuned for the results.

Sirius Radio is like a cell phone.

Once you have it you can’t imagine life without it.

With our first child around the corner, Chris and I agreed that we needed to squeeze in one last trip before traveling becomes a rarity. Naturally, I choose to go to Kentucky, to spend Thanksgiving with my sisters and brother (Angie, Brittany & Tyler). It was WONDERFUL but went by way too fast. The food was great, the company was even better - and now I’m officially home, starting my recovery. With all us Idaho kids there we made sure to have PLENTY of mashed potatoes, Britt made 16 layered jello, I helped less than I’d like to admit and Angie made enough Pumpkin pies to last all week (a slight obsession of hers). I’m pretty sure that she, alone, managed to eat 5. How she stays so thin is beyond me!

It was WONDERFUL to spend some time shopping, crafting and laughing with my sisters and sister-in-law. Even my little niece got involved and was one of the “girls”. I LOVED being with Angie’s kids and Brittany’s little girl! It was a wonderful week - let’s just hope it will hold me over for the next few months.

Sunday was incredible, as we were lucky to have Elder Bednar at church (Angie’s ward) so the entire sacrament meeting was he and his wife, and the 3rd hour was an open discussion of questions and answers. The spirit was so strong, and Chris has decided that every Sunday should be like that: One of the 12 apostles comes and has an open discussion. Not sure how realistic that is, but it was really a neat experience.

In May I wrote about the great new CD by Coldplay: Viva la Vida. Saturday I got to enjoy some of those songs live! Chris said he had a little date planned and surprised me with tickets.

Next time they’re in town I’d highly recommend you go, even if you have to sit in the nose-bleeds. This was such an entertaining concert - and they sounded INCREDIBLE live! So few groups can brag both rights, but Coldplay has clearly earned them. The lights, the backdrops, the staging - all were done so well! I was most impressed with the energy Chris Martin (the lead singer) shared, and it never stopped! By the second number he was dripping sweat, and by the end it was obvious he had put his all into providing a night of great entertainment.

BEFORE THE CONCERT: (WORN OUT FROM THE NOT-SO-GREAT PRESHOW)

After an hour of performing they ran backstage and the audience was left thinking that maybe they were taking a quick break. Understandable. Surely they were worn out. 10 seconds later I saw a security guard running up the stairs opposite of me, and the band following behind. They went from the main stage to a makeshift tiny stage in the MIDDLE of the crowd! We all went crazy and I was stunned at their level of commitment to entertain their fans. It seems that now days so many celebrities don’t appreciate, and are even irritated with, their fans. (I went to an Aerosmith concert where Steven Tyler was flat our rude to fans). I sat in awe as they played 3 or 4 numbers with the fans literally breathing down their necks. Chris Martin even acknowledged the fans in nose-bleed seats when he pointed and sang directly to them. Now how many celebrities take the time and energy to really show that they appreciate EVERY fan - NOT just the front 3 rows who paid ridiculous amounts of money to get the opportunity to be so close! Absolutely incredible.

See the spotlight on Coldplay? Can’t get more personal than that!

You can see how close they were to their fans.

We sat about half way up - and even from our seats the crowd looked unbelievable huge below us.

After the concert. Don’t we look MUCH happier than before? lol

Of course we each got a shirt and I got excited as I realized I could buy a bib! After all… it was our baby’s first concert.

Two words: Maternity Clothes

Before getting pregnant I heard so much about how cute maternity clothes have become, even in the last few years. This got me a little excited, and I decided I didn’t mind spending ridiculous amounts of money on overpriced maternity clothes. After-all… they’re so “cute”, right? What I DIDN’T know is that every item seems to be made for the same body type, and my body ain’t that type.

I’ve decided I loathe Mimi Maternity. I might even say I loathe Lucky Jeans. I tried on at least 10 pairs of maternity jeans, only to find that they all did a great job of making me look even bigger! How could a jean company NOT understand that some pregnant women simply don’t have slim thighs!?! Loosen up in that area, buddy! I’m equally frustrated with shirts. If it fits my tummy it’s too small for my chest. If it fits my chest I might as well wear a moo-moo. Surely you’d think I could find a shirt that compliments both.

After an hour of trying on shirts, jeans and jackets at Mimi Maternity I decided to head over to American Eagle “just in case”. Boy am I glad I did! Yes, it’s crazy discouraging knowing my exact size (versus maternity’s innocent S,M,L) however…VERY WELL WORTH IT! I finally found jeans that don’t look horrible. I didn’t say they look good…. they just don’t look horrible. And not just one pair, but 2! THANK GOODNESS FOR AMERICAN EAGLE!

This certainly isn’t a positive post, and I apologize. Kind of. No I don’t. I just need to vent and I’m sure every person who’s ever been pregnant can relate, regardless of your size. Am I searching for compliments? Don’t you dare! Am I searching for sympathy? You could say that.

Final conclusion: I’ll stick with regular clothes (in a much bigger size of course).

Saw this tag on Katie & Christian’s blog. Loved it. Did it. If you like it feel free to do the same.

1.Where did you meet?
In Logan Utah, in the hallway of a friend’s Dorm.

2.What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
Nice kid. Not my type… but nice kid…

3.Do you remember what he was wearing?
A red hat and white long-sleeved t-shirt, jeans and leather sandals.

4.Where was the first time you kissed this person?
In his parents basement while watching a movie. The night we met.

5.Where did you go for your first date?
We met and fell in love on the same night, so I’d have to say our first “date” was the next time we got together - a movie theater for Fast & Furious.

6.How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
One day. He was convinced the “nice guy” always got the short end of the stick, so he was rather shocked.

7.How did he ask you out?
He didn’t really “ask me out”… but within 2 minutes of meeting, he and his buddy spent the next half hour convincing me and my friend to ditch the guys we were on our way to meet. We dropped by to grab bathing suites to go hot-tubbing and that’s when we ran into Chris and his friend.

8.Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yep. I think the official proposal was about a week before our wedding. lol

9.Do you have children?
We’ll have our first in 3 months!!! A GIRL!

10. When was the first time you realized that you liked this person?
A couple hours after we met…. We went to his parents house to watch a movie and I rested my head on his shoulder, then sat up to remove my earrings. He took them from my hand and put them in his hat on the ground, so they wouldn’t get lost. I thought that was the cutest thing ever, and I knew at that moment that he was the one for me. So I kissed him.

11.What is the best gift he gave you?
Unconditional love - and he continues to give it.

12.What is one thing he does that gets on your nerves?
He can’t brush his teeth without gagging. What a wonderfully small complaint to have.

13.Where do you see each other 10 years from now?
I’ll be 37…we have some lofty goals and I have no doubt that we’ll be IN A GREAT PLACE IN LIFE. Modest home with no mortgage, no debt and the time-freedom to spend with family, but most importantly I see us with 4 or 5 kids, sealed for eternity. What more could a girl want?!

14.What causes the most arguments?
Dishes after dinner. I make dinner he “cleans up”… only… he usually doesn’t. lol

15.How long have you been together?
7 years and a few months!

16.Are you Married?
Yep - we’ll be having our 7 year anniversary a couple weeks before the birth of our child!

One of our first pictures together - 2 weeks after we met.

Alright ladies (and gentlemen, if you care to participate). I have a confession to make….

Chris and I LOVE to eat out… and often! Not because we’re impressed with the food or because I hate to cook, but because we’re both home all day, and this is our way of getting out of the house together. It’s something to do, easy entertainment and well worth the money for the outlet it provides.

That being said - we’re both SO TIRED of it! Restaurant food just can’t compare to a home-cooked meal, and after awhile it all tastes (and feels) like the same blah, and you know what I mean by “blah”. We decided last month we had had it and that the eating out “outlet” was no longer worth it. It was time for me to get back in the kitchen.

I’ve always loved to cook and have been doing so diligently every night for the last 6 weeks HOWEVER… cooking for two isn’t always fun, and there’s got to be a few creative ways to make this job easier. Like which meals I can freeze, how to maximize the “freshness” of my produce, insuring leftovers are being rotated and eaten…

I’d LOVE to hear any handy tips or tricks you have on the subject of cooking, clean-up afterwords, shopping, storing, organizing, freezing… you name it. I may already know it, but I may not so share anyway! A tiny tip or a full on system that has worked for you - I’m all ears. I figure if i can get even one great idea, it’s worth asking.

Oh - and here’s MY favorite tip. http://www.recipezaar.com/ I abso-freakin-loutly love it! Best recipes, best reviews, best search system, best menu-maker & shopping list system and certainly the best subscription I’ve ever purchased.