Saturday, December 31, 2011

2012 Goals

Today we totally just took it easy and had a lazy day.  It really doesn't feel like New Years Eve, Mike is actually off but we didn't make any plans.  I still have a hard time leaving Jocelyn.  I would have a hard time anyway, but might find it easier if she didn't have such serious people anxiety (I say people instead of stranger, because she won't go to anyone that's not family.  Even familiar faces).    Dinner is steak & crab, which we still have not actually consumed yet. lol  We are SUCH late eaters, that should probably change.   I made another batch of stock today and spent a lot of my time planning some changes for the new year.  I've never been huge on new years resolutions, I will occasionally set some new year goals, but generally they're the same goals I try to achieve in daily life.  This year the timing just happens to all coincide.

I always have a million back stories before ever getting to point.  This is SUCH  a problem for me because one back story reminds me of another, which reminds of another and then I completely forget my point altogether!  Fortunately I'm writing, which helps me keep track of where the heck I was going with my story.

SO, back on track with my backstory so I can tell you my real story ;) HA!

I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD.  Mike has been telling me for years that I am ADD and I have always suspected that I may be, the whole easily distractable thing....  (Not to mention that my dad is diagnosed ADHD and I suspect my brother is as well.)  I've always managed just fine, but I think being unemployed without a rigid daily schedule, along with my complete focus and attention being on Jocelyn, my brain goes every which way....ALL. THE. TIME.  I did try setting a schedule for myself and it worked fabulously...for about a month.  My point is, I've been driving myself CRAZY.  I can't carry a complete conversation because I get distracted and off track, forgetting what I was saying in the MIDDLE of saying it!!  I kept telling myself, and everyone else, that I had serious preggo brain, then baby brain, which I know is normal, but I'm not sure how long I can use that.  It's seriously disruptive to my daily life as far as getting tasks accomplished.  I think the only place I don't fail is with Jocelyn, and really, it's not like that's optional.  Even when we leave the house to run an errand or attend a playdate, I run back into the house at least 5 times before ever pulling out of the driveway (sometimes after getting down the block) to grab things I've forgotten.  Offending people unintentionally because I get so frazzled and/or hyperfocused. 

OKAY, my reason for sharing all this is:  I've decided I need some serious organization in my life to help me get my brain back.  I already have a planner, that I would be lost without, but I mean organizing the whole house to the extreme.  There will be a place for literally everything.  Labels, tags, bins, baskets, jars, etc.  Purging items that go unused, take up space, or just not my taste and learning not to be sentimental about everything.  Creating a schedule for both Jocelyn & I and sticking to it.  It's time...much overdue actually.  I think maybe having an organized home, and a better structured day, will create an oasis of peace in this life of chaos.  I don't really talk about how chaotic things are because it's a little (a lot) embarrassing (though I'm sure you've noticed in pictures).  I've never been a neat freak, though I prefer things that way.  I feel stressed and can't fully relax if there's junk everywhere, but finding the motivation (then keeping focused) is a challenge for me.  It's a million times harder when you have a monkey for a child, but I need to put a lot more effort into trying.  When the house is in order, I feel more put together and like I can concentrate a little better on the task at hand and anything in general.  I know this is probably true for everybody.  This will be a serious challenge for me and one I desperately need.  I will probably start a blog just for organizing to help motivate me.  Wish me luck!!  I'm gonna need it.

So my top 3 goals for this year are:
1) GET ORGANIZED!
2) Get back into aerobics (I've taken a 2 month break and CAN TELL).
3) Find a church home.
And...
Get Jocelyn potty trained.

If you wanna come visit and help me out with any of the above, I won't say no ;) LOL!

Signed,
Overwhelmed Distractable Momma  (maybe that's what I should change my blog name to)

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas (continued)

Playing in the dirt.  Fun times for momma!


She loves to just sit on the bottom step and play there.


 Inside the gift bag.


 The loot.  I have to say, this was our most modest Christmas by far.  All the stuff was just BIG.



And this is how we got the Christmas Stocking finished on Christmas Eve!  Whew, JUST in time!


 Pretty little monkey climbing on the pretty packages.




Helmet and sled from daddy.  (She had pulled all her clothes off at this point.  I didn't fight it!)


Having SO much fun w/ daddy pulling her around on the sled :)



The finished Christmas Stocking!!


I hope you all a very Merry Christmas!!  It was really nice at our house this year, though it usually is.  We did NOT go overboard on presents this year (well, for us).  Jocelyn is old enough to really enjoy present time a little more and just generally more fun (especially for daddy & PaPa).  And OMG the turkey turned out even BETTER than at Thanksgiving!!  Though, really, I paid an arm and a leg for it.  I really need to get with the program at Thanksgiving and go back for a 2nd turkey to freeze for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!  We miss and love you all!

A Million Outtakes w/ PaPa

I guess the pictures files are too big for one post.


Most of these are action shots.  In case you were curious what it is like to go out in public with this little monkey :)





What a 1 year old with sass looks like. lol





We have a million of these little outtakes trying to get a cute picture with PaPa lol







More monkey business!


Awwww, time out for PaPa kisses.






She really is quite a little monkey, though the monkey business is usually pretty entertaining :)  I think it may be her temper that leaves mommy a little unsure of what to do.  I keep saying she comes by it naturally, though neither Mike or I have explosive tempers.  It most definitely is a trait that runs through both our veins.  Hello, she's Korean & Irish. Poor baby ;)

Christmas (major picture overload)

Taking baby for a ride on the sled
 





 Taking all of her toys to daddy to show him




Trying to talk PaPa into prying open momy's present. lol



She LOVED these little cars!


"Vroom, Vroom!"  On the stairs!



Lining her cars up on daddy's present.



Loving her big girl chair!



Little Miss Independent refused help peeling the banana.  So we let her go to town with it on her own.