Resolutions and a Report

It's still January, so I better write up something about New Year's Resolutions. There seems to be much debate on this subject--is it better to make new goals for the celebration of the start of a new year or to simply make new goals continually? Since many people give up on their good intentions by mid-February (or earlier) is there really any point to the tradition of making resolutions on January 1st? I'm a bit of a middle grounder on this debate. I like the opportunity to think of a new year as a check point into major goals and a fresh start and the tradition of the holiday. I also think it's important to adjust and make new goals throughout the year, as needed.

Accountability is an important part of goal-making, so I need to report on my resolutions for 2010 before I record those for 2011. Last year, I wanted to read the entire Old Testament, since I had never before read it cover-to-cover. Even though I got off track and had to play catch-up, I was able to reach this goal with only days to spare in the year! I also had a goal to be a more patient mom. It's difficult to measure this, but I feel like adding another child to the mix and being able to still juggle things has to count for something. There are days when I lose patience, but I'm trying. My goal of staying up to date on scrapbooking was not met, even though I have stayed pretty current on uploading pictures to an online photo site monthly, ready to be printed out. I wanted to donate clutter and de-junk the house before moving, which I did. Finally, I set a goal of losing the extra pregnancy weight after Ryan was born. I gained 50 lbs. and lost 40, so I was just about there. If we're scoring goal achievement by grades, I think I'd have to give myself a B for the year, which isn't too bad!

{Stephen doesn't like the whole idea of New Year's Resolutions, but since I pushed him into it, last year he came up with 3 last year: Stay motivated in school, graduate, and find a job. I guess he gets an A, since he was able to reach all of his 2010 goals!}

Now for the resolutions for 2011:

• Read more--specifically the New Testament, but at least 6 other books this year.
• Get finances under control; make and stick to a budget in order to pay off credit cards and save for a down payment on a house.
• Attend the temple more frequently.
  
• Get up-to-date on scrapbooking.
• Lose those pesky last ten pounds.
  

Stephen, who doesn't believe in resolutions, really only has one thing on his mind these days--PASS BOARDS and do well in his new career.

One month of 2011 is already over, but there is still much more time left in order to improve and become better day by day! I guess it's time to get going.

Sunday Special

I'm FINALLY getting around to posting more of Ryan's baby pictures. Between cleaning and organizing during nap times and actually getting to go to dinner and a movie yesterday, I've been a little off track on my blog.

I hope you enjoy getting to see some new pictures of our baby boy. *If you are interested in getting some copies of your very own, please let me know which one(s) you really like, and I will try to do my best to make it happen!

Here is the one we got for the wall. It amazes me that this was the very first photo taken! We really wanted to have it be similar to the one we have of Kyle~Polo shirt, jeans, shoes, sitting on a soft, white background~and I think this one is quite close.

The rest are just some of my favorites. Enjoy!

{FANG!}

Portrait Preview

Ryan had his baby pictures taken today, and there are so many good ones! Of course he woke up the minute I got on the computer to load them, so I'll just give you a little sneak peak for today! Hopefully I'll have more blog time during nap time tomorrow to post the rest.

Dental Hygiene

Now that Ryan has a few teeth, I'm trying hard to remember to brush them twice a day, everyday. Luckily, he doesn't seem to be bothered with this new task, and even helps remind me!



I think he would brush and floss MORE than twice a day if I let him!

Big Boy Class

Today was a big day for Kyle Cooper. With the new year, he graduated from nursery at church to the Jr. Primary Sunday School--the Sunbeam Class, but today was the first day we've been home and able to go to church in our new ward. So he finally went to his new class for the first time! I really wasn't sure how this change would go for Kyle, but being a realist I hoped for the best while preparing for the worst. (I also made sure Kyle looked sharp today--looking good can go a long way to making a good first impression--you have to use everything you've been given to your advantage!)

Before church, I made sure to introduce ourselves to the Primary president and Kyle's teacher, letting them in on how this was Kyle's first time out of nursery and that he has LOTS of energy! When we first went into the primary room, Kyle didn't want to sit in the chairs, telling me he wanted to play with blocks. {He's used to the schedule of the nursery.} Luckily, he met some new friends in his class, got talking to his teacher about favorite colors, and was ready for me to leave. I said a prayer on my way out.

I guess Jesus does really want Kyle for a Sunbeam because I got glowing reports from his teacher, the primary president, and a counselor in the presidency. They all said he did really well, was well behaved, and even gave a scripture! The only rough moments happened when he didn't get to put a coin in the jar for having his scriptures--they obviously don't realized how seriously Kyle takes not getting coins--and he got a little restless the last few minutes of class. I'm so grateful Kyle had a good first day as a Sunbeam, and next week we'll make sure he brings his scriptures so he can put a coin in the jar!

Moving In

We've had a very busy 6 weeks. After packing up our entire earthly possessions, we finally had the moving truck come on December 14th, 2010. The house was loaded and cleaned. After all of that, Stephen graduated that evening! Then, we drove to Pensacola the next day and on to Houston the day after that. On the 18th, we unloaded a few boxes into Stephen's parents' garage and everything that we won't be needing for the next several months into a storage unit. Two days later, we headed on another road trip--to Utah, via Midland and Gallup, New Mexico. And then we didn't drive anywhere for several weeks!

We finally made it back to Houston this past Sunday night. Monday morning we faced the task of not only unpacking from our holiday trip, including Christmas toys, but we also had half a garage of boxes to go through and put away. And when I say, "we," I mainly mean "me," since Stephen is on full-time study mode for his anesthesia boards. And did I mention I've been sick all week?

Being sick and trying to keep both boys corralled meant the unpacking process was slow going.



But it only took until Friday to get everything unloaded, cleaned, and organized! We are ready to go in our new, temporary home!


The boys seem to enjoy having all their new toys set up in their room, even though Kyle is having a hard time being forced to share with a brother who is much better at knocking down towas than building them! Besides trying to get into whatever Kyle doesn't want him in, Ryan is also very needy and having mommy attactchment issues. He's also learned to throw his legs up and kick them down, in what seems like the early stages of a temper tantrum, even though he does this new trick sometimes just for fun, too. Here's the boys in their room:

And here's our room, with everything all moved in!

41 Weeks

Ryan has now been outside of the womb longer than he was inside it, although recently it would seem that the umbilical cord was never detached. He is SUCH a momma's boy, and he lets us all know it! I know there's been a lot of changes in the last month--moving, road trips, nearly a dozen different places to sleep, several climate changes, teeth coming in--so I'm going to give him a little leeway, but he has been a little demanding whiner the last few days. On the other hand, he's {nearly} back to sleeping through the night, so maybe he just needs some time to adjust to his new surroundings and our happy little baby will be back to stay.

Here's a few photos of some of our time at Grama Sue's house. We had a wonderful time, and are so grateful we got to see our Midland family and let the boys spend time with our loved ones. {I can't believe I didn't get the camera out more than this! I guess we were just having too much fun playing with Lincoln Logs, chasing Kyle, and building big TOWAS!}

Visiting St. George

On our way back to Texas, we decided to stop in St. George to visit Dave, Ashley, and Amy. It was great to visit with family and get the full--10 minute--tour of their new town.

The boys had a great time playing with Amy and all her stuff. Why is everyone else's toys always so much cooler than your own?

Ryan got so messy during dinner one night that we had to spray him down in the sink,


The next night, we just figured it would be easier to throw all three kids in the tub at once. Kyle's too busy playing with Amy's Disney princess toys to smile in the picture.

Amy and Ryan had no trouble looking cute!

I think the boys liked this toy the best--one or both of them seemed to be inside the whole time we were there.


I'm so glad we were able to stop and spend a few days with the Munros. Maybe one of these days they'll make it to Texas, too!

3 1/2

It's Kyles's half-birthday! We didn't do anything very special today, since the whole day was spent unpacking, organizing, and crossing various tasks off the to-do list. He did get to open and play with a few more Christmas toys, including some "shoots" {guns} and help me bake a "cake" {cornbread}. Even though Kyle had a few rough spots today--most involved getting in trouble for not sharing/other various signs of not being a nice brother--I hope Chick-fil-A for lunch, getting to earn coins for being a big helper, and building a big "towa" made his half-birthday turn out to not be too bad.

More Fun in the Schnow

We got a little dusting of snow on Saturday night, right before we left Utah. The sun was shining and there was no wind, so it was actually a perfect day for enjoying the winter by pulling the boys in the sled in the front yard.


Kyle wasn't so sure about having to share the sled with his little brother at first.

He soon learned how important it was to hold onto Ryan and make sure he didn't fall out of the sled. What a good big brother!

When Granna needed a break, Mom took over on pulling the boys around.

Mom got going a little too fast around a corner and the boys took a spill in the snow. Ryan got covered and went inside to warm up.

Meanwhile, Kyle helped build a schnowman.

We called him Little Frosty.


Schledding and building a schnowan--great family activities!

Guns

As my Dad says, "it's the year of the guns." We drove to Utah this time and were able to leave packin' heat.


We're ready to live in Texas again!

New Year's Eve

We had a rockin' New Year's Eve party at Bryan and Lacie's house with good food, games, and laughing with my siblings and their sweethearts. {Minus Jules, who wasn't feeling well, and the newlyweds who, I'm sure, were having more fun on their honeymoon!} I'm so grateful for being able to have the chance to party with people I love.



Plus, we were also celebrating Matt and Nicole's engagement...just minutes before they came to the party!



This was a great way to ring in the new year!