Farm

Here it is, our afternoon out at the farm. Let me tell you I am so excited for Ellen, Eric and Leo. They are growing tomatoes to sell at the St. Paul Farmers market. Last year Ellen had planted a large garden just for the family. This year it is, to market to market! Anyhow I am really proud of her because really this is her dream and it is amazing to see people tackle their dreams. So with out further ado, here is a little photo tour.

Tractor rides and grass clipping piles and the makings of good friendships between 2 and half year olds!

Squash blooms

"We cute and we know it."

The garden is bigger than this picture, but just for you information there are 8 or 9 rows of tomatoes!

Happy New Year!

Hello 2009! Hello 26!

I used to dread my birthday on the 31st of December but I as I get older I find that it is pretty cool because I always get my new beginnings done in one fall swoop. For this year I have some pretty big goals, most are aspirations and not specific goals but I feel like yesterday I accomplished one (I finished a project, I clean the house with no assistance :)) and this is the momentum I need to keep going.

1. Finish projects...(no more half knitted, half sewn, half crochet projects, lying around) I actually did a preemptive clean and ripped apart all of my projects that were sitting there half-done. Now I am working to complete Christine's quilt square's and then I can move on to the baby leg warmer project I have planned for baby2.

2. Cook at home, not from a box. Matias and I have been eating out less, but most of our food is coming in a box. I would like to improve my culinary/meal planning skills, this is hard when I get home late, but I think with better execution it would be an easy area to improve upon. This parenting thing is about to get much harder, so any pre-planning that I can do is going to benefit me. (and Matias from staving once the baby gets here)

3. Get outside-One thing that I have notice is that Matias loves to be outside. I think that I could learn a thing or two from that attitude. In the winter it is a little harder, and our sledding excursion yesterday did not go well for me. But overall I want my kids to like being outside.

4. Take my health seriously. I have been in denial about my state of healthfulness for a long time. 2009 will be the year that I take it back. I want to be an example for my kids about what it means to be healthy.

5. Last but not least-To have an open mind. I think that setting aside expectations about what you want is a key to happiness. I not talking about the big things but I am saying, sometimes what I want is different than what everyone wants. I did this on New Year's Eve and I had one of the best birthdays I ever have had.

2008, was filled with ups and downs. But mostly ups, I am thankful for a healthy family. Thankful that we will be adding to our family and things look good with baby2. I am thankful for the friends I made this year. A couple of great memories that I don't think made it on to the blog. 1. Anniversary trip up north with Luis, which I received a lifetime passion for the movie Tristan and Isolde. 2. Going out to the farm with Ellen and Leo, I just love hanging out in the county gets my blood pumping. 3. Joining the River Heights Family, going to church every week keeps me sane. Enough said. 4. Book club, love hearing from other moms :)

Ok lets live!

Hello World!

Matias tries out one of his nation costumes for the Olympics!

Hi Monday!
We have been busy watching the Olympics, organizing cupboards, changing habits, and having some goofy fun!



A less busy week ahead of us, which will be marked with my Dad staying with us Tomorrow and Wed nights. Free babysitting! Sweet! and his company ;)
Taking it easy this weekend helped me out with catching up on sleep and feeling refreshed. Not to mention all the QT I spent with Luis and Matias. I love those weekends. Just updated my 101 list and I have 3 things completed! Sweet!

Today got the book club book from the library and I will be finishing it by Thurs. My reading has puttered out when I finishing breaking dawn at the end of last week. I was the same way after Harry Potter was over. Nothing could be as quite as good as it for a moment. But I had read some crappy books before breaking dawn so it will be nice to have something interesting and good to read!

Back to posting this week!
Take Care!!!!

4 things I learned about Mexico

In an effort to learn more about Luis and where he came from I am attempted to learn a random fact about Mexico per week. I have dropped all of my "research" into casual conversations with Luis and he has awlays seemed very impress!

• When the Spanish came to "invade" Mexico they came as "friendly foes"
• In 2006 19.2 million people lived in Mexico city, in comparisson 4.2 million live in all of MN
• the part of Mexico City Santa Fe is being rebuilt over landfills
• Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl (aka Ciudad Neza) where Luis is from is build on a drained lake bed. Lake Texaco.

I would like to thank Wikipedia for all it's help in making me sound smart!

Lets get the party started!

Hello Monday!

I don’t know why but I am ready to get this week started and kick its butt!

Yesterday we went to children’s museum and had a blast Matias was running around and checking EVERYTHING out. God thing that he gets to be the boss, there! Overall we had a great time and was the highlight of my weekend! (Not that there was much else happening.) This is a 101 things goal ¼ of the way accomplished!

I also made a ROCKING zucchini casserole yesterday, which Maitas and I shared with Ellen and Leo for dinner. I think the first words out of our mouths were WOW! This is awesome! Which made me really happy, because it is one of my favorite dishes! (Leo, matias

Other plans for this week include getting a cavity filled (YUCK) going to Sam and Paul’s Wedding (YEA!) and finishing their wedding present. Which I hope that they will like J

Also I plan on getting a haircut and eyebrows done. (Very much needed) Seeing the Dark Knight with Luis and Mama Mia with Andrea. I also have to pick up 2 books from the library that are on hold and finish the 2 books I have at home. Plus read the book club book! Lots of reading, but at least it is all books I have picked out!

Did I also mention that I want to get to the gym 3 times, before Friday….lets see if that actually happens :)!

Specfic Goals in 1001 days

Who ever started this project* my kudos to you! (You are a genius) It is a lovely framework to put specific time and progress on one's life!

I went back and forth on if I should post this at all. SO I am doing it half and half if you see white space it is intentional. You really don't need to share everything out in cyber space.

If you are interested in joining, and want others to see your list leave a link in the comments.

Start Date: July 1, 2008

End Date: April 1, 2011

Personal Realtionship with God

1.Read the entire Bible

2.Find a book that is a great reasource for reference

3.

4. Pray every nigth for 2 weeks for others(0/14)

5. Talk to one person about Jesus

6. Go on a mission trip

7. Pray once a day for 2 weeks about world problems(0/14)

8. Pray for quidance for 2 weeks(o/14)

9. Read a book that is about Jesus Read Mere Theology

Learning

10. Complete a course in matamatics

11. Read a autobigophy

12. Write a book review for your blog per month (0/33)

13. Write a short story

14. Learn how to write some HTML code

15. Create a website

16. Learn one fact about Mexico per week (0/143)

17. Read some research about Monach’s

18. Attend a class about something I do not know anything about



Marriage

19. Complete a bible study with Luis

20. Go on a date once a month(3/33)
July08-Went to the Dark Knight
August08- Went to Barnes and Noble
September08- Saw movie
Ocotber08-Went to Barnes and noble
Nov08-Went to Twilight
Dec08-Went Christmas shopping
Jan09-went to movie
Feb09-Went to Barnes and Noble

21. Attend our dance classes

22. Cook a fancy meal together

23. Make a book of picture of stories of our realtionship

24.

25. Put jokes around the house for Luis to find for a week

Family

26. Finish Matias baby books

27. Go to the Children’s Museum 4 more times (3/4)

28. Visit the zoo (Went to the zoo in August 08)

29. Attend a family exercise class

30. Make a song as a family

40. Go to the Drive In

41. Go Rollar Skating

42.

43. Enroll Matias in a pre-school class

44. Write down what Matias did everyday for a month

Hobbies
45. Make all Christmas prestents in 2008

46. Create a podcast

47. Create a recording of “this american life” type

48. Create a movie with your dad

49. Write a comprehensive list of why you enjoy your favorite blogs

50. Sew a garment

51. Create a list of 101 things you have done in your life so far

52. Write down memories from childhood with pictures

53. Get your bike fixed -Thanks Dad!

Health
54. Visit a general care physican

55. Find an endocongist that I like

56. Run a 5K

57. Run a 10 mi

58. Do a mini tri-althlon

Career

59. Apply to Social Work School

60. Attend MSW School

62. Make at least 10 networking contacts and keep in touch

63. Interview a social worker at the VA

64. Do a intership beyond requirments

Organization

65. Oragainze and create a list of all the food in your cupboards 8.10.08

66. Organize craft supplies and make it look pretty

67. Organize closets

68. Create a will

69.

70.

71.

72. Do a 25 min. clean per night for one month(0/30)

73. Create a system for laundry


Home Improvement

74. Start a food composting bin 7.31.08

75. Replace kitchen floor

76. Put a privacy fence

77. Install a patio

78. Create a cold Frame

79. Create a larger Veggie Garden

80. Paint and freshen up kitchen

81. Install a dishwasher


Xtra
82. Orgainze all our digtigal photos and create back ups
83. Cook a real greek meal from "our island" Samos
84. Learn more about the island of Samos in Greece
85. Join a CSA
86. Send birthday cards to friends (If you want in, send me your birthday!)
87. Vote in 2008, 2010 elections
88. Go on the Segway tour in Mpls.
89. Attend Geek Prom with my Dad
90. Attend a Gala for something I support
91. See a musical with Luis at one of the theaters
92. Read the complete works of Dickens
93. Read the complete works of Shaksepere
94. Call my great Aunt Oliva and say hello
95. Keep track of my dreams for one month
96. Create a series of love pictures
97.
98. Doucment one day in my life with photos
99. Doccument one Day in Matias Life with photos
100.
101. Taste a cloud berry




*The Mission:Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.The Criteria:Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).Why 1001 Days?Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.Some common goal setting tips:1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.