Table Rock--August 2011

This past Sunday morning (before everyone and their mother got God-awful sick), we headed out to climb Table Rock. Upper & Lower Table Rock are two amazing volcanic plateaus, and probably the most popular hiking spots in Southern Oregon--you can actually see one of the Table Rocks in the background of some of our sunset photos! Anyway, the Takelma Indian tribe used to live on the rocks, but during the gold rush, the settlers attempted to force them off the land and into reservations. Rumor has it that many of the Takelma actually jumped off the side of the rocks rather than leave their land.

Sometime in the 80's, it became a protected area (we have quite a few of those in Southern Oregon), and the Boy Scouts carved up several trails to the top--Upper Table Rock, which we did, is about 2.5 miles up and down.

Renee's mom Angel just recently moved here, and I am glad she came with us--it was her first time up to the top!

Climbing Table Rock 5 Times is actually on my 101 in 1001 List--and I'm happy to say that this time went MUCH better than it ever has in the past. Normally (pre-pregnancy), it's really a struggle for me in terms of my asthma, and the fact that I'm allergic to everything green that you see in the above photos. This time, I was out of breath, but not wheezing, which was awesome. I don't know whether it's Insanity or me growing out of my exercise-induced asthma, but I actually forgot to pick up my inhaler refill almost three months ago, and I could count on one hand the number of times I've wished I had it!

What a blessing to have stuff like this in Southern Oregon! 

#62- Homemade Ice Cream

I've been wanting to make homemade ice cream for YEARS, which is exactly why it made it onto my 101 in 1001 list almost two years ago. I don't know why we hadn't made it--we have more than one ice cream machine. Anyway, yesterday I mentioned to Renee and Payton that it would be fun to make ice cream together this summer. They agreed, and then went home while Lizzy went down for a nap. While she was napping, I got the bug to make ice cream right then...and I wanted to use a recipe that I hadn't ever used before, so I figured it would make sense to test it out before we make a big batch (i.e. I really wanted ice cream).

Anyway, the idea of either cooking the custard first or using raw eggs is just not something I get excited about. So when I came across a recipe on The Kitchn that used a can of sweetened condensed milk instead of making a base, I decided to give it a go. This time, I just went for plain vanilla instead of adding the Meyer Lemon.

We churned the ice cream for about 45 minutes in the maker during dinner.

The above photo has nothing to do with ice cream--Lizzy was just asking to say grace again during dinner. Melt. My. Heart.

Anyway, after churning the ice cream, we stuck it in our deep freeze for about an hour. It wasn't long enough, but we just couldn't wait any more. So we ate our ice cream as it was--just slightly thinner than soft-serve consistency. But it was delicious. And after being in the freezer overnight, it's frozen quite solid.



Justin said that this recipe (which makes a quart) was NOT enough, and has requested that I make this again for Friday night. Done.

My First 5k

{Justin, Me, Renee, and Ryan after our 5k}

Well, this weekend, I knocked another thing off my 101 in 1001 list (I am too lazy to link to it right now, but if you are so inclined, there's a link to it in the blog header)--we completed a 5k!

I did Couch to 5k several months ago, but never actually ran a 5k within the 30 minute time period. Since then, I've been running once or twice, but mostly we've just been doing Insanity. So, we agreed that we were just going to enter, Justin would help pace me, and we would just run when we could and walk when we could, not stressing too much about it because we haven't been training.

My goal was to finish in 45 minutes or less, which is probably pretty slow for some people, but I tend to jog a 13 minute mile pace (which I think is right about 40 minutes), and wanted some leeway for running outside since that's not something I do a lot. But, my secret goal that I didn't tell anyone (not even Justin) was under 40 minutes. Well, our final time was 42:11...so definitely hit the first goal, didn't hit the secret goal...but I'm not sure that I could have pushed it much more, honestly. I'm not sure what percentage running versus walking we did, but we definitely did some of each.

I know everyone talks about how awesome their first 5k was regardless of their time, but it was actually kind of frustrating for me because of my asthma. I took my inhaler before we started (I use both a fast-acting and a slow acting inhaler), and then left it in the car because I don't usually use it WHILE I'm working out. But between the fact that this is my bad allergy season, and the fact that the race was in the AM (cold air + higher pollen count in the AM = worse asthma), it was BAD. I was wheezing big time. My asthma is *STILL* really bad and painful three days later. The frustrating part for me was that there were several times when I wanted to keep running, and I knew that my body was capable of running, but I was having such a hard time getting air that I couldn't. And there wasn't a darn thing I could do about it, so I cried (which also didn't help the asthma). Justin was a trooper and a great motivator though. He was great about pointing out landmarks and saying "We'll walk there" or "We'll run once you reach that street". We finished the race running, so that was awesome. I'm really happy he was there with me.  He's seriously competitive, so I know it probably killed him not to be able to run as fast as he could, so I really appreciate that he ran with me {Love you babe!}!

We were talking about actually training and trying to better our times next year (though Renee was already sixth in our age division! Yeah Renee!)...but I'm kind of thinking about training after we finish Insanity and trying the 4th of July 5k. Next time, I think that using Justin's iPhone to show us our pace and progress would probably be helpful for me, as would listening to music while I'm running (WHY in the world didn't I?!).

Overall, it was probably a good experience, and I'm glad we did it, even though we didn't make my secret goal. I mean, I guess we could have just been sitting on the couch!

101 in 1001 Progress

As some of you might remember, just about a year ago, I created a 101 in 1001 list, which comes to an end on October 16, 2012. I actually made some good progress on the list and completed 34 of the items, with another 11 in progress! That said, I've also re-evaluated some of the items on my list, and have discovered that they're no longer goals of mine for whatever reason. I could continue to do them anyway, but I don't want this list to be a burdensome thing that I rush through just to finish it off. Besides, changing our priorities is just a part of life. So, I've decided to allow for 5 change-ups or replacements. Which are as follows:

1. Previously: Read one of Jane Austen's Novels. I've started just about every one of her novels, and I just don't enjoy her writing style. When I decide that I'm not going to read anything else until I read one of her books, I just don't read at all. I think what I was really trying to get at here was that there are a lot of "classics" that I've never read. Collegeboard.com has a list of 101 Books for college bound readers. Most are classics, and I've hardly read any of them. My NEW goal is to read two books from that list.

4. Previously: Complete 50 Questions that will Free Your Mind. As I looked further into the list, I discovered that some of the questions were essentially rhetorical questions. They weren't really appropriate for discussion or self-discovery as I was hoping. My NEW goal is not related, but still falls into the same category--Follow My Cleaning Schedule for Two Weeks. If I don't get something done on the designated day, just make it up before Sunday.

13. Previously: Read My Entire Camera Manual. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of my camera. Of course, I have things that I'd like to learn, but I don't really think reading my camera manual is the best way to achieve it. My NEW goal is totally unrelated to this subject, but it's to participate in a Beth Moore Bible Study. I've literally wanted to participate in one for YEARS, but never have. I've heard about one starting up in February, and I really want to make it work to participate!

53. Previously: Get A Wii and Wii Fit. It would be fun to have a Wii and a Wii Fit. But do we need one? No. And that's just not something that I want us to feel pressured to buy just because it's on this list, when there may be better uses of our money. My NEW goal is also fitness related, and it's to take my measurements at least once a month, for the next six months (I track them on The Daily Plate). Sometimes, I get hung up on what the scale says. It's important for me to also look at it in the context of measurements--because sometimes, I might not lose any weight, but my measurements are continuing to go down, and that is still a good thing!

82. Previously: Buy a pair of jeans that cost more than $60 and fit me perfectly. This item was really to give myself permission to buy a pair of Gap Long and Lean jeans after Lizzy was born. However, I *HATE* the new Long and Lean jeans, and have no desire to buy them. So, my NEW goal is, after I complete goal #48 (Run or walk a 5k), which I hope to do this spring, to spend $60 at Old Navy, purchasing summer basics in tall sizes.

So now, my list looks like this:

Personal

1. Read two "classics" from Collegeboard's 101 Great Books List
2. Read 50 books (28/50)
3. Actually read all of Understanding Exposure
4. Follow my cleaning schedule for two weeks (0/2)
5. Watch (not sleep through) a movie that Justin wants to see but I don’t, without complaining (Unstoppable).
6. Blog about my progress on the list.
7. Go through my closet and take a load to the consignment shop. Take anything they don’t want to Goodwill (haven't taken anything to Goodwill because the consignment shop told me to try the items again in awhile).
8. Try 6 new restaurants (2/6- New Pizza Place, Jasper's)
9. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
10. Knit something other than a scarf. Knitted an ear-flap hat.
11. Donate 1000 grams of rice through freerice.com
12. Make a photography portfolio

Spiritual


13. Participate in a Beth Moore Bible Study
14. Read the New Testament and keep a journal about it
15. Read Shepherding a Child’s Heart
16. Go to church once at Applegate
17. Give up something meaningful for Lent
18. Make a concerted effort to pray when I feel anxious or worried.
19. Find 10 new Christian songs that are meaningful to me (4/10) (In Your Arms by Plumb, Your Hands by JJ Heller, The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets, Lead Me by Sanctus Real).
20. Read Mere Christianity

Family

21. Try 12 New Recipes (9/12- Motherlode Layer Bars, Lighthouse Lasagna, Cucumber Bread, Snickers Trifle, Easy Dinner Rolls, Chicken Enchilada Pasta, Orange Chicken, Syrupy Pull-Apart Bread, Crock Pot Chocolate Lava Cake)
22. Organize the spare/guest room (was mostly done, but already needs to be done again)
23. Prepare a Living Will
24. Plant a Veggie Garden
25. Go to a museum
26. Don’t eat out (or order in) any meals for one week
27. Schedule “Family Night” and turn off phones (0/12)
28. Start a Roth IRA ( or at least begin researching one)
29. Plant a tree
30. Take Lizzy to the snow
31. Give breastfeeding my best shot for at least 6 months.
32. Re-do a family budget
33. Have Lizzy baptized
34. Have a photo book made of Lizzy's first year
35. Make Justin a cheesecake
36. Introduce Lizzy to Kait & Jesse
37. Start landscaping the backyard
38. Do a photo shoot with Lizzy at least once a month for the first year
39. Teach Lizzy basic Spanish—colors, numbers, etc.
40. Mail Christmas Cards before Christmas
41. Send out photo birth announcements for Lizzy
42. If we receive a tax refund for 2009, have a written plan for what we will do with the money and follow it. {I am saying that we completed this. We had a verbal plan, and did follow it}.
43. Go on an actual get-dressed-up-date with Justin -Anniversary 2010
44. Eat dinner (at home) by candle-light
45. Start a family tradition (Done June 2011--Family Manifesto)

Physical Health

46. Climb Table Rock 5 times (1/5)
47. Do the Couch to 5K program
48. Run or Walk a 5K
49. Go snowboarding
50. Go for a walk with J at least once a week for one month (0/4)
51. Complete the 30 Day Shred (it’s okay if it takes more than 30 days total
52. Buy new running shoes
53. Take my measurements once a month (6/6)
54. Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight
55. Keep a food diary of everything that I eat for one week
56. Refrain from drinking any soda for at least one week (gave up soda for Lent 2010)

Because It’s Been Too Long

57. Go to the ocean
58. Go to a concert Disciple, Head, etc.
59. Get a library card again
60. Float the river at least once
61. Have family photos taken
62. Make homemade ice cream
63. Build a snowman
64. Have my hair highlighted -7/2/10
65. Have a picnic
66. Laugh so hard that I cry Done on 4/4/10.
67. Play Guitar Hero
68. Go to the Hot Air Balloon Rally in July
69. Buy fresh flowers for the house
70. Go wakeboarding -Summer 2011 in Idaho
71. Go to the Farmer’s Market
72. Take a bath
73. Do a DIY project for our house --I've done several--the family manifesto, and the DIY coffee filter wreath.
74. Watch a movie with subtitles (Amelie)
75. Refrain from using the hair dryer or straightener for 7 consecutive days. Completed Jan 16-23, 2010
76. Leave the state of Oregon Done 6/10/11 for Illumination Fest in CA.

Facing Fears

77. Donate blood
78. Do 5 photo shoots for non-family members (5/5) I did way more than five already!
79. Throw a party Lizzy's Birthday!

Just Because

80. Make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon
81. Watch Casablanca
82. After completing goal #48, spend $60 at Old Navy buying summer basics in tall sizes
83. Learn how to play one song on the guitar
84. Make a headboard for our bed
85. Get a tattoo
86. Try at least 10 new cocktails (4/10- Dark and Stormy, Pear Bubbler, Basil Spritzer, Vodka Lemonade with Basil)
87. Go wine tasting at a winery (The one near the creamery)
88. Have a houseplant
89. Leave a tip that’s equal to the total cost of the bill
90. Have dinner at The Bistro -Anniversary 2010
91. Try a take n’ bake pizza from my favorite pizza place
92. Send a random gift to a friend {to April}
93. Watch a sporting event live {all of Kevin's games}
94. Try a food that I’ve never had before - Pummelo!
95. Purchase a flash for the camera
96. Break 100 while bowling
97. Buy a lottery ticket
98. Own 5 pieces of jewelry that I love (4/5-wedding necklace, illusion stone necklace, chunky burnt orange necklace, long circle necklace)
99. Get ice cream somewhere other than Dairy Queen
100. Make sangria
101. Discover a beer that I actually like Lost Coast's Tangerine Wheat Ale.

Lizzy's First Snow

We live in a really cool part of Oregon--there's rarely ever snow on the ground floor here, but the mountains are only a short drive away. In the summer, we live by plenty of lakes and rivers, and the ocean is a half day's drive. Anyway, last Friday we decided to head up with Ryan, Renee, Payton, and Logan to find some snow--taking Lizzy was one of the items on my 101 in 1001 list {so was building a snowman, which we inexplicably did not do!}, and it just sounded fun.

We picked up a snowsuit at a secondhand store--it was 18 month sized and was HUGE on her. She looked like a giant marshmallow.

One of Lizzy's new things is to say "Ooohhhh!" at things she's interested in. I think her mouth was in a perma-O shape the whole time we were there.

Justin decided to take Lizzy sledding. They all made fun of me because I kept saying, "WHY IS HE GOING UP SO HIGH?!?" But you have to understand that the last time I went sledding with Justin, he decided that using the rear endcap of an RV as a sled would be a good idea, and consequently got like 6 staples in his head.

As you can see, Lizzy was not too sure about sledding either. And for good reason...they crashed. Not too badly, and Justin kept a hold of her, but it still made me squirm. Renee thought Lizzy hit her head on the snow. It looked to me like Justin's shoulder was under her, but we went over to the boys to check her out. Justin insisted that Lizzy only hit his shoulder. Half of me wanted to pack her up and take her to the ER just to make sure she didn't have whiplash or a concussion or something, but I do trust Justin. And Lizzy was happy as a lark (she didn't even cry when they crashed), so I think she was okay. I mean, the kid cries any time she trips into our very plush couch, or anytime we go over a bump in the road in the car. She cried earlier that day when she tried to walk in the snow and fell. So if she wasn't crying, it must not have jarred her or scared her that much.

{PS- If you would have rushed to the ER anyway, please just keep that little tidbit to yourself...this is the part where I need fellow mom assurance that she is just fine...even though she obviously is since it's four days later !}

I really didn't want to sled. I don't have any snow pants that fit, so I was just in jeans. And I knew that if I didn't get hurt, I'd at least be wet and miserable the whole way home. But, for some reason, I agreed to go once. And I'm glad I did. Justin was really happy that I went, and seeing his excitement totally made it worth it to me. Sometimes, I think that without realizing it, because of tending to Lizzy, or knowing that I'm clumsy and don't want to get hurt, or now because of being self-conscious in lots of different ways, I can sometimes be a little bit of a spoil sport. Maybe not a spoil-sport, but I find myself on the sidelines just watching more than I did before Lizzy. It isn't intentional, but I think it can happen nonetheless.

For some reason, her hat kept twisting so that my poor seaming job was front and center. I have no idea why, but it drove me crazy! 

Another thing that drove me crazy? There was another lady up in by the sledding hill who had a Canon 20D. Way nicer than my camera. And she obviously had NO idea how to use it. In fact, I'm pretty sure she was shooting in full auto...her on-board flash often went off when there was NO need to use it in those conditions. I know sometimes people are told to use a flash when it's snowy and overcast, but it was just not needed. And even if she was trying to use it as a fill flash or something, her subject was several hundred yards away, so it probably wouldn't have helped much anyway.

The little green jealousy monster comes out every now and again...it kills me when people spend upwards of $1000 on a camera and obviously don't take the time to learn how to make it best work!

Anyway, enough of the ranting...overall, it was such a fun day. I'm so glad we went! I can't wait to take Lizzy up in the snow again as she continues to get older!

What I Read In 2010

I didn't do too bad in terms of reading last year (it sounds so weird referring to 2010 as "last year")...much better than I thought I would with a newborn in the house! I am also happy to report that some of the books I read were really amazing. My recommendations are in bold...here's hoping y'all find a book or two that you love from the list!

#1- A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
#2- The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve
#3- The Myth of You and Me by Leah Stewart
#4- The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
#5- Talk Before Sleep By Elizabeth Berg
#6- The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingslover
#7- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
#8- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
#9-Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon
#10- The Boy In The Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
#11- The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski
#12- Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
#13- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
#14- The Girls by Lori Lansens
#15-Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
#16- Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
#17- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
#18- A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve
#19- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
#20 The Host by Stephenie Meyer
#21- Never Tell Our Business to Strangers: A Memoir by Jennifer Mascia
#22- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
#23- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
#24- The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
#25- Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon
#26- Hector and the Search For Happiness by Fracois Lelord

#35 | Intimidation

My husband loves cheesecake. I've known this about him for quite some time. Once when we were dating, we attempted to make cheesecake bars together, but I'm pretty sure they were of a no-bake variety. Cheesecake has always been intimidating to me, so I've never attempted it again.

But, I put it on my 101 in 1001 list of things to do. Make Justin a cheesecake. I'd been dragging my feet, mostly because I didn't want an entire cheesecake sitting around our house. {And because I was intimidated}. However, last night, we had a dessert potluck to go to for our small group, and I didn't want to bring blackberry cobbler again, but did have blackberries that I wanted to use. So I searched through Pioneer Woman's recipes containing blackberries and came across her Blackberry Cheesecake.

And I decided to make it. Even though I don't own a springform pan. So, I did. And it was easy. I planned to take a picture once I got back from our small group {there were only like 4 couples, I figured there was no WAY we'd eat a whole cheesecake, especially with 4 other tasty desserts to try}, but when I came home, all I was left with was this:

One little itty bitty piece of cheesecake/berry goodness. So, I'm assuming it was good. I don't know for sure though, because Justin didn't comment either way!

First "Fall" Family Photo Session & #78

I say "fall" because it doesn't feel like fall. It was 88 degrees yesterday. That is NOT fall weather! But, it did allow for a beautiful backdrop for my first set of fall family photos:









This was such a fun family! I hadn't met them before, but it turns out that they literally live just around the corner from us. And we drive exactly the same car, down to the color.

The whole extended family was there too, and we did a secondary session including everyone. It was really fun.

This shoot also helped me come DARN close to fulfilling #78 from my 101 in 1001 list, which was "Do 5 photo shoots for non-family members"--this session brought me up to 4/5!

#4- 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind (1-10)

One of my 101 in 1001 tasks was to complete a series of questions called "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind". I just thought they were an interesting series of questions, and someday, it will be interesting to look back and see my answers. Today, I'm going to do 1-10, and try to answer with the first thing that comes to mind. I may or may not explain my answers, because I'm the boss, and I get to do what I want ;)  Feel free to play along if you like

1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? - 27
2. Which is worse: failing or never trying? -Failing
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like, and like so many things we don't do? -It's usually a money issue. I'd love to spend all day relaxing on a beach in Tahiti, but I don't really have the funds to support that lifestyle.
4. When it's all said and done, will you have said more than you've done? -By the fact that I'm a blogger alone, I'll say yes. But I've done a whole heck of a lot too.
5. What is the one thing you'd most like to change about the world? -For everyone to really understand understand the meaning of grace.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? -Mostly doing exactly what I already do, maybe with a bit more photography sprinkled in, and a LOT more wakeboarding.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you're doing? -I'm doing what I believe in. Justin and I made the conscious choice for me to be a stay at home mom even though it would mean less money because it is something that we believe in 100%.
8. If the average human life span were 40 years, how would you live your life differently? -Well, we probably wouldn't be trying to save for retirement.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? - Interesting question. I believe that I've made countless choices that have shaped the path my life has taken. Sometimes I can almost see an "alternate" me--what my life would have been like had I made a different choice at specific moments. But, I don't wish for that "alternate" life at all.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right thing?- Doing the right thing. But, I worry about both...a lot.

Snippets

-Over the weekend, Lizzy figured out that if she kicks her legs really fast while she's in the bouncer, it makes the bouncer (and thus the dangly toys) move. She was quite pleased with herself:



- I went with the band to their America's Got Talent audition on Saturday. They weren't telling anyone whether or not they made it through to the next round, so I don't really know how it went, except that Renee was asked to come back and sing a solo--I know she was feeling conflicted about whether or not to do that, but I'm glad that the band encouraged her to do it, and I'm really glad that she decided to give it a go!

-I finished the book "The Myth of You and Me" over the weekend--I've started reading during about half of the nursing times. Anyway, I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it!

-I am so happy that our taxes are filed and in! I can't wait until we get our refund...though J and I need to sit down and figure out exactly how the money is going to be used (which is part of my 101 in 1001 list).

-We'll be getting a treadmill in the near future, and I'm really excited about it. I'm going to do the Couch to 5k program (also part of my 101 in 1001 list). I started it last spring, but didn't finish the program after I got pregnant--I was too exhausted!

Give It Up

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is typically observed by Catholic churches, and by some Protestant churches. It marks the 40 days prior to Easter, and is in observance of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert while being tempted. Being that the Lutheran church is probably one of the closest denominations to the Catholic church, it's definitely something that we grew up observing in the Lutheran church. It's also one of my 101 in 1001 goals to give something up for Lent this year.

Not all Lutherans give something up for Lent (J doesn't), but I have for some time. Last year, I gave up chocolate (minus hot chocolate, which was admittedly a bit of a cop out). This year, I'm giving up soda. Oh, my beloved Coca-Cola/Diet-Cherry Pepsi/Doctor Pepper. I've been indulging in you far more often than I'd like. And lately, I find myself feeling like I "need" you. It's time for some space. I would say "It's not you, it's me", but that's just not true--it's you AND me. And we need a break.

I haven't quite decided what qualifies as "soda"--carbonation? Caffeine? Does lemonade from the soda fountain count? Does 7-up? Seltzer water? I'm still working on that. Any feedback?

Anyway...

People often ask why I choose to give something up for Lent when it isn't a requirement of our faith. This blog sums it up fantastically.

Do you observe Lent? And if so, are you giving anything up?

Things and Pics

Or, even more snippets and pictures. It's cracking me up that all my posts lately are basically "snippets and photos"--I guess it's pretty indicative of my life the last few weeks, which sometimes feels like a wonderful, crazy, fragmented blur.

-I tried a new drink on Friday night (Dark & Stormy--Dark rum, Ginger Ale, and Lime), which helped me make some progress on number 86 of my 101 in 1001 list. Woo!  Also, I very much liked the drink...though dark rum and I don't always get along so well.

-I took Lizzy to the doctor yesterday for her two week check up. She has surpassed her birth weight by 5 ounces! Woop woop! Still, she's only in the 10th percentile for height and weight. The doctor said that I still have to wake her up to feed at least every 5 hours at night, and every 3-4 hours during the day. I thought feeding was supposed to be baby directed? For you moms reading, did you wake up your little ones to feed, or did you let them wake themselves up when they were hungry?

-Justin and I watched The Hangover over the weekend...definitely a pretty crude movie, but also SO FUNNY if you're in the mood for that sort of movie.

-Sunday night, Justin and I got to go to bed at the same time. I think this is the first time this has happened since Lizzy was born. And it was just so stinking nice to be able to lay next to my husband while I was sleeping! It totally made me all swoon-y.

-I am ready for some sunshine. I am freaking freezing all the dang time! However, it hasn't even snowed this year, which means that winter will probably take forever, and it will snow in March. But not until I *think* we're in the clear and bust out my flip flops. Who am I kidding...I never actually put them away!

-I realized while reading Kristal's birth story that I never actually posted Lizzy's full birth story. I posted an abridged version of one, but I'm trying to decide whether or not to post one with all the nitty gritty details. I might, if only for my own records.

101 in 1001

Some of you may be familiar with the 101 in 1001 challenges. Essentially, the goal is to set 101 goals to be accomplished in the next 1001 days. For me, that time period is up on October 16, 2012. And here's what I'd like to do:

Personal

1. Read (at least) one of Jane Austen’s Novels
2. Read 50 books (23/50)
3. Actually read all of Understanding Exposure
4. Complete “50 Questions that will Free Your Mind”
5. Watch (not sleep through) a movie that Justin wants to see but I don’t, without complaining.
6. Blog about my progress on the list.
7. Go through my closet and take a load to the consignment shop. Take anything they don’t want to Goodwill (haven't taken anything to Goodwill because the consignment shop told me to try the items again in awhile).
8. Try 6 new restaurants (2/6- New Pizza Place, Jasper's)
9. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
10. Knit something other than a scarf. Knitted an ear-flap hat.
11. Donate 1000 grams of rice through freerice.com
12. Make a photography portfolio
13. Read my entire camera manual

Spiritual

14. Read the New Testament and keep a journal about it
15. Read Shepherding a Child’s Heart
16. Go to church once at Applegate
17. Give up something meaningful for Lent
18. Make a concerted effort to pray when I feel anxious or worried.
19. Find 10 new Christian songs that are meaningful to me (3/10) (In Your Arms by Plumb, Your Hands by JJ Heller, The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets).
20. Read Mere Christianity

Family

21. Try 12 New Recipes (3/12- Motherlode Layer Bars, Lighthouse Lasagna, Cucumber Bread)
22. Organize the spare/guest room (mostly done)
23. Prepare a Living Will
24. Plant a Veggie Garden
25. Go to a museum
26. Don’t eat out (or order in) any meals for one week
27. Schedule “Family Night” and turn off phones (0/12)
28. Start a Roth IRA (at least begin researching one)
29. Plant a tree
30. Take Lizzy to the snow
31. Give breastfeeding my best shot for at least 6 months.
32. Re-do a family budget
33. Have Lizzy baptized
34. Have a photo book made of Lizzy's first year
35. Make Justin a cheesecake
36. Introduce Lizzy to Kait & Jesse
37. Start landscaping the backyard
38. Do a photo shoot with Lizzy at least once a month for the first year (11/12)
39. Teach Lizzy basic Spanish—colors, numbers, etc.
40. Mail Christmas Cards before Christmas
41. Send out photo birth announcements for Lizzy
42. If we receive a tax refund for 2009, have a written plan for what we will do with the money and follow it. I am saying that we completed this. We had a verbal plan, and did follow it.
43. Go on an actual get-dressed-up-date with Justin -Anniversary 2010
44. Eat dinner (at home) by candle-light
45. Start a family tradition

Physical Health

46. Climb Table Rock 5 times (0/5)
47. Do the Couch to 5K program
48. Run or Walk a 5K
49. Go snowboarding
50. Go for a walk with J at least once a week for one month (0/4)
51. Complete the 30 Day Shred (it’s okay if it takes more than 30 days total --Now doing round 2!
52. Buy new running shoes
53. Get a Wii and Wii Fit
54. Get back to my pre-pregnancy weight
55. Keep a food diary of everything that I eat for one week
56. Refrain from drinking any soda for at least one week (gave up soda for Lent 2010)

Because It’s Been Too Long

57. Go to the ocean
58. Go to a concert Disciple, Head, etc.
59. Get a library card again
60. Float the river at least once
61. Have family photos taken
62. Make homemade ice cream
63. Build a snowman
64. Have my hair highlighted -7/2/10
65. Have a picnic
66. Laugh so hard that I cry Done on 4/4/10.
67. Play guitar hero
68. Go to the Hot Air Balloon Rally in July
69. Buy fresh flowers for the house
70. Go wakeboarding
71. Go to the Farmer’s Market
72. Take a bath
73. Do a DIY project for our house
74. Watch a movie with subtitles (Amelie)
75. Refrain from using the hair dryer or straightener for 7 consecutive days. Completed Jan 16-23, 2010
76. Leave the state of Oregon

Facing Fears

77. Donate blood
78. Do 5 photo shoots for non-family members (5/5) I did way more than five already!
79. Throw a party

Just Because

80. Make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon
81. Watch Casablanca
82. Buy a pair of jeans that cost more than $60 and fit me perfectly
83. Learn how to play one song on the guitar
84. Make a headboard for our bed
85. Get a tattoo
86. Try at least 10 new cocktails (3/10- Dark and Stormy, Pear Bubbler, Basil Spritzer)
87. Go wine tasting at a winery (The one near the creamery)
88. Have a houseplant
89. Leave a tip that’s equal to the total cost of the bill
90. Have dinner at The Bistro -Anniversary 2010
91. Try a take n’ bake pizza from my favorite pizza place
92. Send a random gift to a friend {to April}
93. Watch a sporting event live {all of Kevin's games}
94. Try a food that I’ve never had before - Pummelo!
95. Purchase a flash for the camera
96. Break 100 while bowling
97. Buy a lottery ticket
98. Own 5 pieces of jewelry that I love (3/5-wedding necklace, illusion stone necklace, chunky burnt orange & pearl necklace)
99. Get ice cream somewhere other than Dairy Queen
100. Make sangria
101. Discover a beer that I actually like Lost Coast's Tangerine Wheat Ale.

One of the goals is to blog about my progress, so I'll continue to do so. But I'll also add the direct link to this post (which I will update as I go along) to the header of the blog. I can't wait to get going on this!

What about you guys? Do you have a 101 in 1001 list?