So another birthday came and went thus concluding goal of completing 32 items before my 33rd birthday. Here's my August/final update. 

1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (12/32) - not sure yet b/c I lost my app that was tracking :( had lost a bunch but gained most of it back in July
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May,Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (38/32)
1. Pizza Buns No one was a big fan which is a big disappointment b/c I spent forever making them! 
2. Lemon Blueberry Muffins these were ok. there was way too much topping!! 
3. Funfetti Cookies the boys all liked these but I think they were just ok and pretty flavorless
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb,Mar, Apr,May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys  Went for my birthday! 
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Valentines,Easter,4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (6/4)
17. Go on a date with just Colin (2/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (4/14) {started in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013 {looking at going to Puerto Rico or Califonia instead}
27. Create an A-Z Summer List
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Forgot to update in June, so I'll try to combine the two months:

1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (12/32) - not sure yet b/c I lost my app that was tracking :( had lost a bunch but gained most of it back in July
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr,May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (35/32)
1. Pretzel Crusted Chicken - changed it up a little but shockingly the whole family ate the same meal
2. Sand Pudding - made this Sand Pudding for Elias' Construction Themed Party. 
3. M&M Pudding Cookies - I'd make them again. Not as good as my usual Monster Cookies but they were PBless so Elias could enjoy them too. 
4. Greek Yogurt Dip - crack is a very accurate description. Colin and I inhaled this. 
5. DIY: Magic Butt Cream 
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb,Mar, Apr,May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys {scheduled for next month - got rained out :(}
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Valentines,Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (6/4)
1. Went out for Missy's Birthday
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (4/14) {started in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013 {looking at going to Puerto Rico or Califonia instead}
27. Create an A-Z Summer List
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (12/32) - not sure yet b/c I lost my app that was tracking :( 
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (30/32)
1. Apple Crisp - made this three times already but with fresh apples and less sugar
2. Healthy Banana Apple Muffins 
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb,Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys {scheduled for next month - got rained out :(}
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Valentines,Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (5/4)
1. Went out for our anniversary
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (4/14) {started in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013 {looking at going to Puerto Rico instead}
27. Create an A-Z Summer List
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (12/32) 
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. Read "Where We Belong" by Emily Giffin
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (28/32)
1. Bunny Pancakes for Easter
2. Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken Mike and I LOVED this!
3. Leftover Cooked Oatmeal Muffins I subbed applesauce for half the butter and cut the brown sugar almost in half. The boys LOVE these and I've made 2 double batches in two weeks. 
4. Paper Bag Bird Nests Colin needed to make a Family Spring Craft for school and we used this as an idea. 
   
5. Reeses Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats I don't think words are necessary for this
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb,Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys {scheduled for next month}
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Valentines,Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (4/4)
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (4/14) {started in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013
27. Create an A-Z Summer List
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (10/32) 
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. Read 2.5 Books this month
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (23/32)
1. Nutella French Toast with Strawberries
2. Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Mike and I liked this. Colin ate it like it was poision. 
3. Mail Box of Candy Mailed this out to my sweet 2 year old niece
4. Mailing Easter Eggs I mailed these out to Mike's Dad's kids and to my nieces in CA for Easter
5. Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Made this and froze it, so not sure if it's a keeper yet. 
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Valentines, Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (4/4)
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (3/14) {started in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (11.2/32) I'll take the .2 since I ate terribly the past two weeks!
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. Read 2.5 Books this month
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (18/32)
1. Banana Chips/ Tried making these banana chips but they were burnt after the initial 1.5 hours of baking. May try again
2. Soda Cake/ This one is kinda cheating but I used to make these back when I was on WW but I haven't made them in years
3. Valentine Pudding Parfaits Everyone loved these even Colin my non-pudding eating child
4. Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas Not surprisingly - I LOVED these! 
5. Reese's Bottom Cheesecake
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Valentines, Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (4/4) Actually went out twice this month! 
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (2/14) {start in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013
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Very busy month - had some major personal items that consumed pretty much the first half of the month, then went on a glorious almost 2 week vacation (first family vacation in 2 years!), and came back to Colin's 5th (!!) bday. Didn't accomplish too much this month - aside from gaining a couple pounds from vacation. 

1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (11/32)
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (13/32)
1. http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999324874688/ used this on vacation on the plane! so handy!!! 
11. Join a Life Group at church {Mike joined a men's group but not scratching this off since I still want to join as a couple}
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (2/4)
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (0/14) {start in Feb}
26. Book an adult only Cruise for Fall or Winter 2013
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (10.5/32) {Weight loss is as of today, not January 1st}
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct,Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (12/32)
1. Cheesy Shell Lasagna 
2. Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Pudding Cookies - Loved these so much I made these twice
3. Santa Pancakes - the boys loved these pancakes I made on Christmas Morning
4. Candy Cane Dip - would half the receipe next time
5. Cheddar Spirals - this was alright. not bad but not great. 
11. Join a Life Group at church
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works {tried for Dec but failed miserably}
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (2/4)
1. School offered a Parents Night Out/Kids Night In, so Mike and I could enjoy a few kidless hours together
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' {have a day paid for all of us with loose change/survey 
25. Twice A Month At Home Dates with Mike (0/14) {start in Feb}
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds (5/32)
2. Sell the house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. We did Operation Christmas Child
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Do {at least} 32 new pins (7/32)
1. Acorn Treats - turned out so cute!
2. Corn Casserole - I always make this for the holidays and tried this slightly different recipe. This one was better than my old faithful standby
3. Cornucopia Treat - I tried making the Cornucopia portion but couldn't get the darn thing to bend. 
4. Turkey Cookies - Colin and I made these turkey cookies. Elias loved spreading the frosting all over his cookie and eating candy corn
11. Join a Life Group at church
12. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
13. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner and see if it works
14. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
15. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Easter, 4th of July)
16. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter (1/4)
17. Go on a date with just Colin (1/4)
18. Go on a date with just Elias
19. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
20. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
21. Do my own version of 7 
22. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
23. Increase ING account by $X
24. Pay for Disney in 'cash' {have a day paid for all of us with loose change/survey $}
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1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds
2. Sell this house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. I re-read 7 again
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. Was involved in 2 food drives
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept-Zoo, Oct-Fall Fun, Nov-Children's Museum, Dec-FMG for Santa and Trains, Jan-Florida, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
1. Went to the Children's Museum 
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken {scheduled for November}
10. Go out of town with the girls in the family
11. Do {at least} 32 new pins (4/34)
1. Pumpkin Bars {delish!}
2. Ghost Artwork {we used our hands so it would be less messy}
3. Spider Handprint Art
12. Join a Life Group at church
13. Mail at least 1 Card per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
14. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner - and see if it works
15. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
16. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NY, Easter, 4th of July)
1. Made Handprint Spiders with the Boys
2. Made Handprint Ghosts with Colin
3. Made Halloween Cookies with Colin
17. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter
18. Go on a date with just Colin
1. We had such a great time that I'm going to try to do this on a routine basis. 
19. Go on a date with just Elias
20. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
21. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work {WIP}
22. Do my own version of 7 
23. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
24. Increase ING account by $X
25. Pay for Disney in 'cash' {have a day paid for all of us with loose change/survey $}
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Elias got sick last night. I hardly slept. Was running on fumes most the day due to lack of naps. Then just as I was crawling into bed got the dreaded phone call "ummm 3rd shifter hasn't shown up and isn't answering the phone." So here I am at work. Dead tired. Busy work is complete and I still have like 2 hours to go. So although I'm probably writing this sooner than ready, I need to do something productive. 

This post has been weighing on my heart lately. I needed time to process it. I truthfully need MORE time but since I have nothing but time, I might as well a start now. 

Earlier this spring, church did a series called a Hole In the Gospel based off the book. We were given a calendar which focused on different areas each week; they had calls of action, statics. I remember looking the calendar over and one date really hit me. Ok, it more than hit me. It literally rocked me to my core. 

Those numbers are so staggering to me. 6000 children die.A.DAY because they don't have access to something as basic as clean water. The static bothered me. It made me uncomfortable. But to be completely honest here, not uncomfortable enough to do much more than post it on facebook (where I don't think one person even commented on it. Oddly though, if even ONE jumbo jet crashed, I'm sure it would be the most popular commonly posted topic that day). I wish I could say that I did something dramatic once I heard this news but short of turning off my faucet more often, I didn't do too much. 

Fast Forward to the end of summer. One of the blogs I read mentioned the new book for their book club. I was in need of a new book, so I thought if the library had it available for my kindle, I'd join in. Believe it or not, for once, they did. I quickly put a hold on it and waited my turn. 

Enter 7. Officially known as 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. A mouthful, isn't it? Let me tell you though ... it was as good as the title is long. Good enough that I've now read it twice. A quick run down of the book can be found by clicking on the link above. But let me say this book hit me about as hard as hearing 6000 children die a day from lack of water.

"How can I be socially responsible if unaware that I reside in the top percent of the wealth in the world? (You probably do too: Make $35000 a year? Top 4 percent. $50000? Top 1 percent.) 

Excess has impaired perspective in America; we are the richest people on earth; praying to get richer. We are tangled in unmanageable debt while feeding the machine, because we feel entitled to more. What does it communicate when half the global population lives on less than $2 a day, and we can't manage a fulfilling life on twenty-five thousand times that amount. Fifty thousand times that amount. 

It says we have too much, and it's ruining us."

I'm wrestling with what exactly it means for me and my house and my family. I know a change needs to happen. I know a change IS happening. I'm trying to decide how to make it happen. Expect more as I process this ... and I have a fixed computer that allows me to use the keyboard :)

I'm a few weeks behind on updating this but I want to keep it on the forefront of my mind and update things as they are fresh in my mind... 

Lose {at least} 32 pounds

Sell this house

Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug) 

I read 7:An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess which really should be a whole another post in of itself.  

Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)

I donated food for IHN at church

Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)

Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept-Zoo, Oct-Fall Fun, Nov-Children's Museum, Dec-FMG for Santa and Trains, Jan-Florida, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)

Donate 32 articles of clothes

Fund a well 

Have Family Pictures taken {scheduled for November}

Go out of town with the girls in the family

Do {at least} 32 new pins

Slow Cooker BBQ Country Ribs {Delish - already made again}

Join a Life Group at church

Mail at least 1 Card per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)

Create a 1 Month Menu Planner - and see if it works

Ride the train to Chicago with the boys

Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays

Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter

Go on a date with just Colin

Go on a date with just Elias

Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work

Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work {WIP}

Do my own version of 7  {WIP}

Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend

Increase ING account by $X

Pay for Disney in 'cash'

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I'm a goal setting, list making kinda girl. I love nothing more than creating lists; the whole process of it: thinking of ideas, the satisfaction of completing task, the accountability of "the list."

I decided in light of my recent 32nd (*Gasp* 32?!?!) birthday, I'd make a list of 32 things I'd like to complete this year. 32 things that will hopefully better me as a person, wife, mother, Child of God, citizen. 

I'm intentionally leaving a few open so I can add ideas as the year progresses depending on my passions, spirit-callings, or whatever crazy idea pops in my head. 

1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds
2. Sell this house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept-Zoo, Oct-Fall Fun, Nov-Children's Museum, Dec-FMG for Santa and Trains, Jan-Florida, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Go out of town with the girls in the family
11. Do {at least} 32 new pins
12. Join a Life Group at church
13. Mail at least 1 Card per month
14. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner - and see if it works
15. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
16. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays
17. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter
18. Go on a date with just Colin
19. Go on a date with just Elias
20. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
21. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
22. Do my own version of 7 
23. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
24. Increase ING account by $X
25. Pay for Disney in 'cash'
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Colin talks about getting married alot lately. The other night he wanted to be "the daddy of the house" and decided to put Daddy to bed in his bed and that he was going to sleep with me. Didn't go over too well when after 30 minutes we told him he needed to be Colin again and sleep in his own bed. There were lots of tears; "Paigey lives at home, Chloe lives with her Mommy and Daddy. No one will marry me." That quickly turned into Colin just wanting to marry me. My sweet sensitive boy. We had a long talk about when he is older he will find his own special girl who is his own age and it would be silly to marry Mommy, and yadda yadda yadda. 


Today we are leaving school and Miss Jessica, one of his (and my!) favorite teachers was helping out in the office. We stopped to talk for a few before leaving. Here's our conversation on the car ride home:


Colin: I can't marry Miss Jessica because we aren't the same age, right?
Mommy: Right. 
Colin: Maybe when I'm her age then I can ask her to marry me
Mommy: You want to marry Miss Jessica?
Colin: Yea. She's nice and funny and pretty. 
Mommy: She is, isn't she? Mommy likes Miss Jessica
Colin: Me too. When I'm her age I'm going to ask her. Maybe she'll say yes. Maybe she'll say no.

I laugh a little


Colin- still serious: But I don't know her age number so I don't know when I'll be her age to ask her. I'm going to ask her tomorrow. to himself but loud enough for me to hear I'm going to ask her tomorrow when I can marry her.