The start of each year is a great time to set goals, to evaluate your life and think about how you can improve it. I love to set goals and enjoy doing it every year. The only difference is that I do it in September instead of January. I don’t really know why, but for me this time of year just seems like the right time to make a fresh start. Maybe it’s because summer is so crazy/busy that by the time September gets here it feels like time for a schedule and some order. Maybe it’s because I still have the school teacher in me that looks at the “year” as being from September to June instead of January to December. Or maybe it’s just because in January I’m coming off of a holiday high and am in no mood to set goals. I’m much more in the mood to hole up in my house in big comfy sweats eating like it’s still December. Whatever the reason, I like to set my goals in September. For the past four Septembers one goal has been the same – to start a gratitude journal. Write down five things each day I’m grateful for. (My mom is big on this – she has spoken to many groups about gratitude and being grateful for the little things that make life so great). I’ve started this so many times and for some reason I just never continue with it. I write my five things faithfully for about five days and then forget about it. It’s a goal that just isn’t sticking! So instead of setting myself up for failure again this year, I’m going to try to simplify. Instead of five things a day, I’ll write five (give or take) things each week. And instead of a gratitude journal, I’ll write them on my blog. Maybe this way I won’t set myself up for failure once again. I’m going to call them my “good things.” Little things during the week that made me happy.
OLYMPICS! – It has been so fun watching the Olympics this week! Are these athletes not just simply amazing! They are so talented and so dang physically fit. Michael Phelps is built like a swimming machine. I so hope he breaks the record for the most gold medals in a single
Olympics. And what about our American gymnasts? Thighs like rocks. When I’m on the treadmill at the gym I picture the
gymnasts‘ thighs as a motivator.
Move that incline up just one more…go just a little faster…….and I’m out. Time to go sit on the bike and read my book.
GLAMPING – So I discovered “glamping” (glamorous camping) on our little family trip and I’m so excited about it. According to “Ranch and Coast” – an annoying magazine I get in the mail about all the fancy people who live around here – “glamping” is all the rage. It’s when you get to enjoy the pleasures of camping by day and then enjoy a nice shower and bed each night. Let me tell you – I’m definitely a glamper and once you’ve done it, there is no going back! Sorry Kenny. Don’t know when I’ll be joining you in the tent again. Car – it’s too late for you (since you enjoy being dirty so much) but there is still hope for Dayna. She will be glamping with my mom and me before she knows it!
FOOTBALL SEASON –
it is upon us. If you know me well, you’re probably wondering why this is on my good things list. By November it will definitely be a bad thing, but for now the idea of the upcoming season is making my husband happy which is in turn making me happy. He’s busy checking his season ticket seats, arranging for our new
DirecTV service that will bring every game possible to us in
HD, and the smack talk with my little bro (Chargers vs. Broncos) has begun in full force. What can I say. How can I hate something that makes him so dang happy? I’m actually getting excited for a little football to start. Bring on Fall.
BREAKFAST RAMBLINGS – Addison’s vocabulary has improved so much lately and it has made for some pretty funny conversations between her and Ellie. The other morning at breakfast Addie told Kenny she wanted to go to work with him. Ellie answered “no you don’t Add – at work daddy has to spend money and he doesn’t have any colors there. Besides you’re just a toddler.” Translation – I once tried to explain daddy earning money at work and she confused that with spending money. “Colors” are what Addison calls her crayons – she loves to draw. And toddler??? Ellie has been referring to Addie as a toddler a lot lately (must have heard me say it) and for some reason it comes out so funny. Kenny and I crack up every time…
OBSESSIONS – for the week have been 24 and Breaking Dawn. We’re mid season two of 24 and it’s better than ever. A nuclear bomb is about to end life for everyone in L.A. and Kenny and I are glued to the tube. As my cousin Jason calls it “Jack Bauer Power Hour!” Bring it!
I’m also half way through Breaking Dawn and am loving every minute of this book! The only problem is that I have too many things calling my name each night at around 8:00 when the girls are asleep. Who needs me more? Michael Phelps, Jack Bauer, or my forever favorite vampire Edward??? Life’s full of very good things.
xoxo, Erin
Our friends Kim and Justin came to visit and we had so much fun swimming and catching up with them. Great to see you guys again!
Addison and Mia (Kim’s little one) had so much fun together! I love watching two year olds interact.
Another trip to the beach before the older kids start school! This is Ellie with some of her cute friends.
They love the ocean!
One afternoon this week I was desperate to keep my kids entertained and thinking just shoot me now if I have to go to the park one more time. Then I suddenly remembered me and Car “painting” the walls with water at my grandma’s house for hours when we were little. I got out some buckets and paint brushes and that did the trick! They were so entertained and I was able to get tons of stuff done around the house. So nice! So now I’m thinking hmm…what else did I do as a child that could entertain my kids? I mostly just remember fighting with Carly and running around the house with a jar of peanut butter – my only defense against my stronger sister since she had a peanut allergy. Ahhh – the good ol‘ days.
Love you Claire Bear! 
sleep after a day of sunshine and summer play! 
