Currently...

It's been a few months since I wrote a post like this. So. I figured now is just as good a time as any for another.

Currently, I am...

Loving...our Kiwi Crates. Have y'all heard of these? Banks and Raleigh received a 3-month subscription from their cousins, and we had an absolute BLAST with our first crate (and our second crate just arrived in the mail, which will be perfect to bust out during the forecasted gloomy weather this week). Basically, you are able to select the gender and age group for the child you are signing up to receive the crate (and there is plenty of materials in each crate for two children to participate). The entire box is themed and filled with craft supplies, games, recipes, books, coloring sheets, etc. I seriously cannot sing it's praises enough. Our first crate was winter themed, and we had a ball making a snowman bowling game, creating beautiful luminaries, playing an igloo ice game, and more! 

Reading...my daily devotional, first thing in the morning, every morning. My routine is the same: I wake up before the rest of the house stirs and make and eat/drink my breakfast and coffee while doing my devotional. I have never done a daily devotional before but received Be Still...And Let Your Nail Polish Dry for Christmas and started it on January 1st. It's a great way to kickstart my day. 

Waiting for...some fun plans with friends, both old and new, coming up over the next few months. Yeehaw!

Excited about...celebrating my beautiful niece's first birthday this weekend. I've mentioned it before, but last year, my three (biological) siblings and I each welcomed a baby! The first baby, my sweet niece, will be turning the big 0-1 and celebrating in style down in Charleston. So. Harrison and I will be making a day trip to help her throw down, baby style. 

Trying to...figure out how to tone up without losing weight. That may sound completely obnoxious to some people. And I'm sorry about that. But. I really am seeking help and advice here. I can't be certain, but I'm guessing that because I have a traveling hub, am breastfeeding an ever-growing baby boy, and am pretty much in non-stop motion from the time I wake up until I crash each night, I am burning quite a few calories each day. And, I eat pretty much every two to three hours because I am always hungry, which I assume is because, again, being a stay-at-home momma to three active littles, one of whom is being breastfed, has such high physical demands? I don't know. Regardless, I am not looking to lose any weight--I actually would be okay with putting on some muscle mass. But. I can't figure out how to do it in a healthy way. So. Here's my question: How do I tone up areas that need to be toned (ahem: abs, glutes, come on down!) while not losing weight? Cut out cardio? But I also want to feel fit, and it's hard to feel that way when not doing any cardio. Just use weights for toning? Any advice?? Again, I am not trying to be annoying, I promise. I am just trying to figure out how to be the healthiest me I can be. Any and all advice, and limited eye-rolling, would be greatly appreciated!

Working on...helping my kiddos learn not to tattle. We've been attempting to thwart tattling for awhile now ("No tattling unless it's something dangerous"), which has helped, in my estimation, approximately 0%. But. A friend of mine was soliciting advice on this very topic the other day and someone responded with a genius idea: an illustrative notebook. Thus, "Tattle Tales" was born! I bought a cheap notebook, made it look all official and stuff, and instructed Banks and Raleigh to start drawing the tattling scene in question once it had occurred. IF they happen to remember the injustice at the end of the day, THEN we will review it and discuss it. So far, so good!

Enjoying...slooooowing down our pace during the month of January (have I mentioned that a time or two? Ha!). BUT. Our little family also enjoys spending time with dear friends. So. Of course, we've made a few exceptions this month. For example, a week ago, we had dinner with some of our old college friends and they had the best idea: Playing family vs. family "Minute To Win It" games. Y'all? It was HYSTERICAL. From the "Tissue Toss" and "Breakfast Scramble" to "Junk In The Trunk" and "Cup Stacking," it was just so much fun!

Using...my new Amp Roller from Rodan + Fields and LOVING it! It's no secret I am a HUGE fan of the R+F skincare products. I have been using them for a couple years now, and I cannot begin to explain what a difference they have made on my complexion (and no, I am not a consultant. Actually, I may be the only person on Facebook who is not a R+F rep. But. My sister is. And she's awesome). I have used the Unblemish and Reverse regimens before, with great results, and am currently using the Redefine regimen (aka wrinkles be gone). I debated back and forth forever about ordering the Amp Roller but finally took the plunge and, at just over a week in, can already see a huge improvement in my fine lines, stretch marks, and general facial surfacing. If my skin is going to age, it's going to go down fighting, doggone it. ;)

Wearing...workout gear almost every day this month. Since we've been mostly hibernating at home, I've been wearing my workout attire because (1) it's comfortable, (2) I'm more likely to do crunches and lunges during naptime when dressed for it [see above], and (3) less laundry-ha! 

Planning...fun, indoor activities with my littles to get us through these winter months. From time to time, I like to do themed days with my kiddos. Case in point: we had Alphabet Day one day last week. This involved letter races (thank you new bath letters Harrison got for Christmas :), letter tracing and writing (thank you new Dry Erase board Banks got for Christmas), tactile letter drawing via shaving cream, sidewalk chalking with letters, yogurt letter snacks, playing school, letter fishing, and more. The kids LOVED it! On tap for this week, Fun With Numbers. 

Singing...my babies their bedtime songs every night. And imagining the days when my boys get married, knowing the mother-son dances will be to these very songs. <3 I am such a sap. I know.

Needing...a tan. Like whoa. Come on, summer sunshine! Or at least, Tan Towels. Y'all ever tried those bad boys? Pure tanning magic, I tell ya.

Learning...well, okay, I already knew this, but realizing yet again, that my hub is one amazing daddy. The other night, we were all upstairs, winding down before bedtime. I asked Banks to do me a favor, which required going downstairs. So. Off he went, after first opening the baby-proof gate at the top of the stairs. Harrison just so happened to be crawling nearby. He saw the open gate and went full-speed ahead toward the top of our (steep) staircase. My hub rounded the hallway corner just in time to see Harrison start plunging down the stairs. My hub dove headfirst down the stairs, catching Harrison mid-somersault with one arm while reaching back to grip the stairs with the other, stopping himself and Harrison just before ramming into Banks (who was half-way down the stairs by this point). Meanwhile, I had been putting laundry away when I heard a loud crash and then Harrison crying. I go running, only to find my hub upside down on the stairs, holding Harrison in one arm and gripping the stairs above him with the other, just inches away from a stunned Banks. I am so thankful that (1) my hub was in the right place at the right time, (2) he acted out of instinct to protect his sons, without hesitation, (3) no one was hurt, and (4) we were able to use the situation to reiterate the importance of keeping the baby gate closed at all times, even if just going downstairs for a moment. Whew. Yep, one amazing daddy alright!

Listening to...Andy Stanley. Andy is the pastor of our former church in Atlanta. While we have our church home here in the Mill, I really, really miss Andy's sermons. They are very application-based and have greatly influenced my life and my faith. Luckily, Andy's sermons are readily available online. So. I'm able to listen to them in the mornings when I'm getting ready whenever I choose. This is definitely one of the things I love about modern technology. 

Wishing...that time would slow down. I just cannot believe my Harrison is just three months away from being one. How did that happen? I know it is so cliche but it is so true: These nine months have been the fastest of my entire life, and I don't like it one bit. I'm just not ready for my last baby to not be a baby anymore. Ugh. This momma stuff is hard on the heart sometimes, ya know?

Doing...lots of planning and prepping for a very special upcoming trip. Here's a hint, with many more details, descriptions, and photos to follow soon...

Dreaming of...a risk I took last week coming to fruition. Crossing my fingers. Crossing my toes. Wishing, hoping, praying that this dream will come true. I won't say more now. But. I am hoping for the best. If you're reading this, and don't mind, please take a quick second to say a prayer that this dream comes true for me. And I promise to share more about this soon...