Taking Stock

Once again, I'm behind on this blog. I have lots of pictures to share from last week, it's just not going to happen right now. =) We took last Friday off to enjoy a family fun day. Then, that evening, Dac and I got to go on a movie date. I think it'd literally been about a year since we went to see a movie. Wowzers. We did other fun things that weekend and then, Monday came, and I turned 30. 

I hear it called "dirty thirty" and I get that it's a big one, but I always (as in the past several years) kind of looked forward to my 30s. I envisioned myself at my best when I thought about the impending decade. I had fully planned on having my life together. You know, looking and feeling my best, feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin, knowing what I wanted to be when I grow up... those types of things. Well the big day came and went and I'm still very much the same. =) I'm still just me - an often insecure, friendly introvert who still doesn't have it figured out but yet manages to (mostly) enjoy the ride along the way. =) 

My twenties were big. There were tons of firsts and life changes. A lot can change in ten years but you can feel like not much has changed at all. I think that's where I'm at. When I really take stock of where I've been and what has happened in my life... it's a 'whoa' kind of moment. Still, I feel very much the same. With time comes more wisdom and less naivety (wise enough to know what's really important in life and just how fast life flies and less naive to the hurts and uncertainties of the world) but also more acceptance (acceptance of myself and who I really am - the good, the bad, and the ugly and acceptance that there's some dreams that might not come true). I

My goal for the next ten years is to get a little closer to my happy place... wherever that is and whatever that looks like. I know I might not make it all the way there. I understand that you're never too old for God to fulfill His plan in your life and for me, that could be when I'm 98. Sure, there's things I'd like to do this decade (make the house more homey, travel, get healthier, try new things, lose some weight, be more financially stable, etc... etc... etc...) the main thing is to inch my way closer to that place and not let fear or lack of motivation stand in my way.

I saw this on a blog this morning and decided to share my 'stock' at this very point in my life. Here's what I'm up to, in general, at the age of just-thirty. =)

Making: memories
Cooking: Reid's lunches, baked goods, and meals using out Bountiful Baskets produce
Drinking: way too much Diet Dr. Pepper
Reading: blogs and board books
Wanting: more time
Looking: like I should get my brows waxed and go for a walk
Playing: "peek-a-boo", "I'm gonna get you", and the "what's that?" game
Wasting: time and probably potential
Sewing: ha - you know I have friends do that stuff for me
Wishing: and hoping and praying and dreaming... =)
Enjoying: extra quality time
Waiting: for things to be a little more 'normal' again
Liking: half price shakes at Sonic after 8 p.m.
Wondering: if I'll ever have it all figured out
Loving: the stage Reid is in right now - 18+ months has been so fun
Hoping: for a raise =)
Needing: to eat more veggies and drink more water
Smelling: sugar cookie Scentsy
Wearing: Jamberry nails
Following: the rules
Noticing: more grey hairs
Knowing: time flies
Thinking: about what's for supper
Feeling: a teensy bit uneasy
Giggling: at hashtags, selfies, and fun times with friends and family

Reid slipped off my lap right about now...

Here's to thirty!

Midweek Randoms

Hi friends! =) I hope you're all having a good week.

Let's catch up, shall we? Last Thursday was Wii night, so we went out to eat at the casino. Friday, I went to Wichita for a KanSPRA lunch to celebrate the retirements of two super awesome ladies. We ate at Abuelos. 

The next morning we had a family date. I feel like this is an unfortunate rarity. We went to College Hill Coffee in Winfield to celebrate Father's Day. =) I had a vanilla chai tea and a waffle, Dac had an iced coffee and steel cut oats, and Reid had milk and some goldfish crackers since he already had breakfast in the glorious 6 a.m. hour.

After breakfast, we went to Island Park and took a quick stroll through the farm and art market where Dac bought some coffee soap from a very friendly couple. =) Then, we met my parents at the new playground - which was really fun.

This is the little kids' area. Super cute.

My little man loves music.

We had such a great time.

Sunday, we went to my grandma's house for lunch and Terese's house for supper. Lots of good food and company that day.

We have a new clan of baby birds! =) We have a sweet old mama Robin who's been nesting on our porch stoop for years now. This is the second batch of babies this spring! Reid enjoys watching her.

With the warmer weather has come more ice cream. =) While my tastebuds rejoice, my waistline is sobbing at the tightness of my pants.

It's been another busy week with me not home as much in the evenings. It's a bummer but it also means more fun time for these two. =)

You've seen a couple of these photos from my "Dad" post earlier in the week but I wanted to go ahead and post them as a series. I took these last month during a trip to the park. I've been saving them because I used the pictures for Father's Day cards. ;) I kind of love them.

Sunday, one of my favorite church people passed away. =( So super sad. I'm making a cake for that family dinner this evening. Also, a lot of people in my life are struggling with very ill family members and/or other big life situations. My heart has been so heavy and my mind so full of thoughts and questions. We've certainly had no shortage of things to pray about at bedtime.

It donned on me this week that I haven't written an "About Me" blog post in quite some time. It also donned on me that I turn 30 Monday and haven't done more than one or two things on my "30 Before 30" list. Sigh. =)

Dad

Hey Reid,

Yesterday was Father's Day. I couldn't possibly put into words, even on a good writing day, how blessed you are to have the dad you do. BUT, I'm going to try to share a teensy bit more about the man you so enthusiastically call "daddy" all day long and how he feels about you. =)

First off, he is every bit as much of a parent as I am. He goes about it differently than me sometimes but he loves you, you're his priority, and he always has your best interest and well-being at heart. 

He is proud of you and has been since day one. 

When you were born, he did the majority of the "baby care". It was several days before I changed a diaper. He really steps up to the plate for you, and for me, when it counts most. Sometimes, that's just the everyday, not-so-glamorous stuff.

He has a tendency to get you all riled up before bedtime... you two have so much fun... but you've always seemed to feel safe, secure, and still in his arms.

You are like him in a lot of ways. You're curious, loud, a bit of a bull in a china closet, friendly, warm, and you a have the gift of making people smile just like him. You also have his nose, hair color, and more.

Nobody can get you to laugh quite like he does. You two have something special and there's never a dull moment.

He never hesitates to be a kid with you. Your happiness trumps any lack of energy or potential embarrassment. =)

He makes this worried mama back off a tiny bit so you can explore, have more fun, and be a boy.

He tickles you, rough-houses with you, helps you learn new things, holds you when you're sad, dusts you off when you fall down, and holds your hand when you're not quite sure about that big step.

Reid, your dad is top-notch. He is patient and kind and loves you like only a Dad can. He wants the best for you as you grow up - even if it looks differently than anything he's pictured.

You bring out the best in him and he in you. Here's to many, many more Father's Days spent together.

Midweek Randoms

Let's see. Last week, I spent a lot of time looking back through this blog. There's some funny stories in there... back before this blog became nothing but pictures of this cute face.

It was also a great reminder of how good our life has been and how many amazing people we have around us.

So last week brought about some craziness. It also brought about Reid's 18-month checkup. I am so behind on blogging... I still need to post his 18-month photos and update. I barely even got any photos, to be honest. But I'm just going to roll with it and attempt to be OK with it. Reid got a good report from the doctor. He's a big, healthy boy.

The weekend was full of cleaning, laundry, more cleaning, more laundry... you get the idea.

Little reader. He doesn't quuuuiiiiiiite have the hang of it yet. ;)

I haven't got to spend much time with Reid the past couple weeks... it's just been busy.

Tuesday night, though, I did get to take him to Journey's t-ball game. Then, we stayed after for part of another.

 He had a good time playing with his buddy Felicity.

 Journey did great!

 So sweet. =)

 And last night, I finally got to spend some real quality time with him playing, etc...

Not sure what the next few days will bring yet but I'm certainly looking forward to the weekend.