My Word For The Year: 2019

   Do YOU have a word for the year, or a motto, or a special verse? I have joined this movement in recent years and I like the idea of having an overall focus or goal for the year. However, choosing that word is sometimes difficult as I have too many ideas for what I want to work on in the coming year, or conversely, none at all. This year's pick took me a while to really settle on and I think it's a good one. In fact, I think the last several years worth of hard work have led me to it. From retiring my #PlateSpinner hashtag and replacing it with #NoLongerAPlateSpinner a few years back, learning to say ENOUGH (that one took a while) and last year's goal of Progress, it's been a circuitous route, but here I am, ready for something new.

    This year, I'm focusing on me: my attitude, boundaries, and personal growth...things under MY control. I've learned so well over the last few years that my attitude as a mother and a wife truly affects my people, my job, and my home. And since it is under my control, so I should make every effort to use that to bless people. I can choose to use my powers for good or evil. I want to choose good. And so I shall.

   
    My word for this year is CHOOSE. I will choose to work hard, love harder and bless everyone I come across, all year long. I will choose to smile when the days are long. I will choose to speak gently in love when I feel like screaming. I will choose to pray when I feel like worrying. I will choose to take time to spend with my family. I will choose to feed my people good, nutritious meals when fast food is an easy way out. I will choose to read my Bible and spend time with Jesus, so I know where He wants me to work on me, and how He wants me to share Him with others. I will choose to make time for Dan and I to be together just for us so as we face the coming years, it will be as a team, not as two individuals pulling in opposite directions. I will choose to say no to good things, so I can save my YES for the best things.

   My goals for the year are as follows:

*Personal Health*

• Fix my foot
• Eat veggies 2x a day
• Drop 3 sizes
• Hike "A" Mountain

*Spiritual/Intellectual*

• Read the New Testament
• Pray from a list
• Read 52 books
• Serve in our church
• Continue with our Community Group

*Marriage/Family*

• Help The BIGS move out as they are ready
• Go on 1 family weekend-camping, Grand Canyon, Cloudcroft
• Continue Pizza and Movies on Sundays
• Date Night with Dan monthly

*Home*

• Finish garage
• Repair Breakfast Nook roof
• Reduce our Possessions by 30%

*Finances*

• Save $1000
• Stay Current on bills

*Hospitality*

• Host/Attend a gathering once a month
• Call a friend 1x a week
• Send a handwritten note 1x a month

*Homeschool*

• Finish the 2018-2019 school year well, complete our curriculum AND our 180 days with good attitudes and good grades (focus on comprehension, not completion simply for the sake of completion)
• Enjoy our summer break filled with outdoor fun, lots of reading, and family time
• Start the 2019-2020 school year on time, and work hard to make progress all year long

*Travel*

• Visit IL to see #BabyThea soon after her birth and celebrate #BabyCaden's 2nd birthday (His hashtag will become #ToddlerCaden)
• Send Dan to IL for Mambo's 80th birthday
• Visit Laura Hepker in Austin
• Visit Cindy in Phoenix
• Start saving for a family trip to IL in 2020

 I'll try to post in once a month and update my goals. I'll try to have good news in at least one category every month. ;)
 

It's The Little Things: Day 365

I want to focus on the good things this year.
All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we?

• 'Shua and Lauren bought me a plane ticket to come see them in the New Year after #BabyThea is born. I am so blessed, and tickled pink! 
• My dear long time friend Lauren is on her way here and will be here in time to celebrate New Year's Eve with us tonight. 
• Dan and I decided not to throw a party this year and just be cozy at home. That's a decision I can live with all year long. 
• I don't have to work tomorrow. Hooray for sleeping in once in a while!

 

 

 

What's on YOUR little things list today? 

#100HappyDays2018: Day 83

 

#100HappyDays: Day 83
This sweet boy’s happy grin. We didn’t get to Skype today, but his thoughtful mama sent me a picture so I wouldn’t feel too sad about missing our weekly video chat.

I love you, ‘Shua, Lauren, Caden and Baby!

#100DaysOfSummer
#BabyCaden
#DaughterInLove
#GrandMamaK
#100HappyDays2018

— feeling happy.

Little Cadie-Wadie-Woodle is a solid 18.5 months now and into EVERYTHING. Love him.

#100HappyDays2018: Day 69

#100HappyDays: Day 69
Best News Ever!! Another grandbaby is on the way!
#100DayOfSummer
#NewGrandbabyOnTheWay
#BeanieBaby2
#100HappyDays2018

It's the Little Things: Day 198

I want to focus on the good things this year.

All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we? 

• How can this year already be more than half over? I'm enjoying this blog series so much. It has become one of my little things. I don't get to post it as often as I'd like since I can't blog from my phone or my tablet, but whenever I get the chance to review some of my blessings, that's a blessing in itself. 
• It's as simple as a Pandora music station that plays only songs you love and gets smarter and smarter the more you play it. (Currently playing, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound radio.)
• It's a week on my own at the office. Which isn't necessarily a little thing, since it allows Jodi to have a week of stay-cation, but her trust in me to handle the students is a wonderful gift. 
• It's Hercules and DT spending a whole day together playing Minecraft and hanging out. Mama got to work in peace and they had a ball together. And neither of those is a little thing. 
• It's a hilarious Facetime visit with my 'Shua, Lauren and Caden. Little Punk was NOT all about sitting still to talk to {Grand}Mama K. At. ALL. But it was fun to visit with 'Shua and Lauren in their new house looking so happy and content. 
• It's getting a gift of candy corn from one of my this-week-only students. 
• It's my breakfast nook roof not leaking anymore thanks to some extra attention for Dan earlier this month. This is NOT a little thing, but I'm mentioning it just the same. Monsoon season is upon us and it's raining at least for a while nearly every day, so this repair came at just the right time. Thank you, Dan!
• It's an hour to blog in between students. And with DT at home with Dan again today, it's only interrupted by the office phone ringing. And that's good news for the business so that's okay with me. 
• It's pulling random ingredients from the fridge while I'm still sleepy and bleary-eyed this morning and once I woke up, realizing I've got ingredients to make a spinach salad topped with honey-chipotle chicken tenders, tomatoes, cucumber, zesty Italian dressing and Cheez-It crackers as croutons. Not bad, indeed. 
• It's looking forward to "Swing on the Plaza" tonight if I'm not too tired. Free swing dance lessons, followed by 2 hours of music and room to dance. Dastroyah recently discovered swing dancing (with Z Benson's help) and it has changed his life. Even if I don't have the energy to dance, just enjoying the weather and watching the youngsters dance will be pleasant. Plus, food trucks will be there with Taco Tuesday specials. One can hardly go wrong in that environment. LOL! 

All of these and more make up my little things list this week. Isn't it so difficult to not see the blessings once you start looking? What's on your little things list today? 

 

Happy 1st Birthday, Caden!

Birthday Bubbles for Caden

Cake tastes Goooooood!

Precious Moments Face!

 Happy 1st birthday, sweet grandson of ours! You had a wonderful day according to your mama, and we are so pleased about that.
We are so looking forward to Skyping with you tomorrow to see you open your presents tomorrow. We love YOU!

Caden discovers mirrors

Tummy Time!

One of my faves!

Happy Memorial Day

Sweet sleepy snuggles for {Grand}MamaK

Edited to add: We sent wooden animals filled with beads so they are rattles for now and will be imaginative playthings in the coming year. And also wooden blocks, because every child needs a set of blocks. Caden was pleased with them and after he had shaken them all, he instantly threw them all off  the highchair tray and laughed and clapped. Oops.

Baby Caden: 10 Months

As posted on Facebook tonight:

Friends, I try not to be “that” grandma, you know the one who thinks her grandchild is the smartest, cutest, most wonderful baby to ever grace the planet. And shoves their pictures straight up in your face at EVERY opportunity...

This kid...his sweet "Precious Moments" face!

It’s just that he is and I’m right.

#BabyCaden2017
#ThatGrandma
#GrandMamaK — feeling so in love with this little sweet-cheeked grandbaby of mine.

Baby Caden: 10 Months Old

This adorable little snow-baby played in the snow for the first time today and loved it! Then he showed me all his new tricks when we had our weekly Skype date. This week he learned how to clap and to hoot like an owl. I {Heart} him so much!

#GrandMamaK
#BabyCaden — feeling in love.

Baby Caden Learns a New Trick

Look what this little monster learned how to do today!!

The caption on FB read:  This is the look of “ hey Mom look what I can do....why do you look so upset?”
He is growing up too fast. — feeling heartbroken.

{Grand}MamaK is so proud of your new skill, little one!

#100HappyDays: Day 99

 

Day 99 of #100HappyDays
Little Caden just turned 7 months old. Isn't he precious?!
Cannot wait to snuggle him when they come to visit in a few weeks!

#100DaysOfSummer
#BabyCaden — feeling happy.

 

A Decade of Sharing?

Hi friends, it occurred to me a few days ago that it's now been a decade of our fun together in my little slice of cyberspace.

10 whole years of funny stories, adorable photos, deep heart sharing and random silliness. You've all watched my children grow up, my marriage grow and change, and walked with me through the valley of the past few years of struggle.

 Thank you all so much for journeying with me. Here's to the next decade together! In honor of 10 years together, a quick list of a few faves from over the years.

1. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-is-contentment.html
2. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-best-thing-ive-heard-all-week.html
3. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2007/08/were-moving.html
4. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2017/02/welcome-baby-caden-robert.html
5. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2017/06/its-little-things.html
6. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2014/11/catching-up-with-us-meyers.html
7. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2010/05/wordless-wednesday_27.html
8. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2009/12/simple-womans-daybook.html
9. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2017/04/no-pants-april-day-24.html
10. http://themancrew.blogspot.com/2009/12/big-trip-days-11-and-12.html

#100HappyDays: Day 85

 

Day 85 of #100HappyDays
Little Cadie-Wadie-Woodle. I love this little grandson of mine more than I can even begin to express! So ridiculously grateful to live in a time when technology makes the distance between us seem shorter. I can't rock him to sleep at night, but I can sing him a song or read him a book via Skype while his parents tuck him into bed, and I can get pictures and videos instantly in a text or on FB.

#100DaysOfSummer
#GrandMamaK
#GrowingSoFast — feeling happy.

 

#100HappyDays: Day 70

 

Day 70 of #100HappyDays
The view from here.
I have time to rest my achy foot. Even though I'm still busy, I'm glad I'm #NoLongerAPlateSpinner

#100DaysOfSummer
#OldAndBroken

Honestly, the best part of my day was a delightful Skype conversation with 'Shua, Lauren and Caden. I got to make silly faces with the baby, catch up with the grown ups and sing my sweet boy a lullaby...which made Lauren and I both cry. Sweet memories were made. Good stuff.
— feeling happy at The Man Crew House.

PS. Yes, I know that my toes are cute.

#100HappyDays: Day 69

 

Day 69 of #100HappyDays
These cutie cousins! Judah and Caden 💙💙💙
I can't believe how big they are already.

#100DaysOfSummer
#GrowingTooFast
#BabyCaden — feeling happy at The Man Crew House.

#100HappyDays: Day 37

 

Day 37 of #100HappyDays
Pictures of this little stud muffin.

#100DaysOfSummer
#GrandMamaK
#BabyCaden2017 — feeling happy.

Oh my stars, he is so adorable!

#100HappyDays: Day 23

Day 23: Pictures of my people.
I love that technology helps keep us close across the miles. SO very grateful that we don't live in the time that if we lived 1500 miles apart we would never lay eyes on our darling daughter in love or our adorable grandson ever. I love this photo so much, motherhood looks so good on her. <3 br="">

#BabyCaden with his beautiful mama, Lauren

 If you like this challenge, head over to www.100happydays.com to sign up. You can choose a start date, your favorite photo posting platform and even a custom hashtag if you want to be more original. Do it, you might just decide you love it.

He's here, He's here, He's here!

Our sweet grand baby is here! He arrived early this afternoon and is completely perfect. 'Shua and Lauren are doing well. How I WISH I was there with him in my arms right now!
Caden Robert Bean
6 lbs 13 oz
19.1 inches
1:41 pm
Feb 1, 2017

If you follow me on Facebook, I'll be using the hashtag #BabyCaden and if you are looking for grand-baby updates here, search for the label Baby Caden.