28. Go back to Ohio University for the weekend

I haven't been back to OU in years, but a group of us headed back for our sorority's 60th anniversary (really just a good excuse to go back)! It was great seeing everyone - I miss that place! Suprisingly, I was able to hang like an old college student, but I'm still so tired from lack of sleep!

Me, Sara and Jaylene
Me and Milesa

Me, Sara, Allison and Shelly

Me, Andrea and CJ

I love you girls!

1. Take the boys to the library

I've actually done this twice now!! The first time we went to toddler storytime and most recently we went to Movers and Shakers (songs and music). Jackson acts very bashful when we go, but he started to warm up a little at Movers and Shakers. He ventured away from me, but he still doesn't want to sing, dance or play along with the teacher. I try to sing and play along to show him and he actually gets embarrassed, tells me no (in a soft and nice way) and sometimes hits me (not to be mean or hard though). It's pretty funny. I guess the more we go, the more he'll open up.

18. Get the boys picture taken together

Well, we tried Portrait Innovations this time to see if they could get a good picture of the boys together and she didn't do a very good job. I know it's hard getting both to cooperate at the same time, but we must have had the WORST photographer there.....she was so quiet and didn't try very hard to get the boys to smile. We had fun though and we got a couple cute pictures!

23. Cook a new meal that includes a meat other than chilcken

So, I'm not the best cook, in fact I'm not even a good cook, but I do try to make dinner every night. I make the same things over and over and they are very simple. My mom always made great dinners every night while I was growing up and now that I have kids, it's time I start cooking good meals! Last week (the date stamp on my camera was wrong for a couple weeks and I didn't know it! I didn't make this in Jan. of '08!) I cooked a pork roast, au gratin potatos and veggies! I've never made a roast of any kind before and I won't give away my secrets or talk about how easy this meal was, I'm just proud that I amde a meat other than chicken or something off the grill! It was yummy!

20. Take the boys to the Children's Museum

On President's Day, when all the kids were off school, I took the boys to the Children's Museum! It was very crowded, but SO MUCH FUN! It's such a neat place. The boys loved it! We're thinking about buying a membership because there is so much to do!

Logan and Mackenzie

Jackson and Logan
Dylan

7. Play in the snow with the boys

Last Tuesday we had our first big snow of the season! It was two days of snow and ice mixed! The boys LOVED sitting in the window seat, watching the snow fall. I was so excited to take them out in it, but ended up only taking Jackson out. Poor Dylan, I know. I have a good excuse though......my plan was for the entire family, Tom included, to play in the snow. Well, Tom didn't miss a minute of work despite the road conditions and level 3 snow emergency that we ended up having (meaning no one is to drive on the roads and you could get a ticket if an officer pulls you over!) plus he worked 10 + hours those days! Anyway, he wasn't home to help me bundle both boys up and take them out. So, when Dylan went down for a nap, I got Jackson ready and we went out to play. He LOVED it! He rolled around in it, ate TONS of it and even planted his face in it. Next year, I'll be sure to take Dylan out....I think he'll enjoy it more then anyway!

11. Join a gym

Something long over-due.......getting in shape!!! I wanted to lose weight before I got pregnant with Jackson - didn't happen and then although I was doing pretty good and on my way to losing weight after having Jackson, I became pregnant again! Now I have to work twice as hard! I joined Victory Lady Fitness on January 3rd and so far, I have been to the gym 7 times. My goal is to go at least 4 times a week. I chose Victory Lady for a few reasons - 1. they were offering a really great price, 2. they offer free personal training, 3. it's all women and 4. it's really close to home! An added bonus was that my friend Maria was going to join with me! We went for our tour and "first workout" with a personal trainer and we quickly learned that the $9.99/month that they were offering was a really great way to get people inside, but it was not even close to what we would really have to pay. It's $9.99/month plus tax plus a $5/month service fee brining the total to $16 AND you have to sign a 3 year contract!!! Not nice! We decided that it was still cheap enough and they offered other packages, payment options and contracts so we signed up for a 2 year contract at $22/month - more money, but 2 years sounded better than 3. So, we arrive for our second workout and we decided we wanted to pay the $300 in full, up front for 3 years (another pretty package they were offering), which we were told we could do, but when we sat down to sign the paper work and hand over our $300, we were asked how we wanted to pay our monthly service fees - "6 payments of $30?" she asked! Well, that really made us mad because we were told $300, that's it! Now we're really paying $480 plus tax bringing us to $510 for 3 years. Now, that's still cheap, I know, but it's how shady they were being! In the end, Maria decided she wasn't going to join and I don't blame her, but I really NEED and WANT to get in shape so I forked over the money. It's not as fun working out by myself and I've thought about striking up conversations with the people biking next to me, but haven't really done it!
Another funny story (sorry this is getting long) - I was asked by my trainer why it has taken me 7 months (since Dylan was born) to join a gym and I told her because of time and I feel guilty leaving my boys and mostly guilty for leaving Tom home with the boys because they are so close in age! I know, I shouldn't feel guilty, he's the dad and I do it all the time by myself, and although he's great with them, I feel like I can deal with a lot more! Anyway, after my first workout, I get in the car and my cell phone has 15 missed calls! 15!!! All from Tom. I thought something horrible happened to one of the boys, so I hurried and called home........ he said his boss called and needed him to come into work (this was a Saturday morning)! My second workout, as soon as I get in the car my cell rings and it's Tom wanting to know when I'll be home because the boys had been crying ever since I left!! We had a little chat and I told him he needs to get used to taking care of the boys, even if they are cranky for 2 hours because I can't keep my cell in my bra while I work out (he suggested that!). Since then, things have been much better - haven't had any more calls from home while at the gym and I still keep my cell in the car. :)
Hopefully I'll accomplish my goals of running 3 miles and losing 29 lbs. too!