Changing and Growing in Spring

Spring has come early to Michigan. This whole winter has been warm and wonderful compared to the two former winters where we got pounded with snow. Because it's warmer, we've been able to get outside more. The birds are chirping and the bugs are clearly heard now. Little patches of grass are greening up and buds are forming on the tree. I think they don't know that it's only March. It's fun watching things growing and changing, especially my little Cora. I forgot how much Cora loves being outside, and it's been sweet to watch her get out and play. I'm already noticing a lot of differences in her compared to last spring/summer. A lot of her personality is the same Cora I've know since she was a tiny baby, but now it's coming out more in the her little conversations and her decisions. It comes out when she laughs at things she thinks are funny and when she looks or studies something she is curious about or trying to figure out. It's also comes out in her interests and in her hobbies. Cora is still active and determined, qualities that will be her greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses at times too. She loves running and moving and rarely sits to do anything except watch a "show." I think that's why she loves being outside--lots of fresh air and space to run and be loud. I know there will be times that require Cora to be still and focused, but for now, I let her run and play as much as she can, because these days go quick. In the mean time, we practice being still and focused while we read books and pray to Jesus. 

Cora's determination never ceases to amaze me. Often time she gets a "plan" in her head of what she wants to accomplish and does everything in her power to carry it out. For example, she wanted the tarp off of her playground in our backyard and managed to get half of it off herself. The only thing she was unable to do is LIFT the playground and UNTIE the ropes, she did manage to pull the loose parts free and made it much easier for me. She worked on this for about 15 minutes, which is a long time for an ACTIVE 2 year old to do anything. It was such a small moment, but I felt like it was a glimpse of a future driven Cora doing everything she could to accomplish her goals. With determination, though, comes a strong will at times...determined to have her way. I relate to her SO much in this way. This part of Cora is something I see in myself... Something I still struggle with. So with Cora, I think it will be a balance of letting her make and carry out her goals while obeying Mom and Dad (and Jesus). 

Finally, I'm seeing a sweet and delicate side of Cora that is all girl and so much fun. Cora has always been sensitive, but usually if she felt embarrassed or if she got in trouble. Now I am seeing her sensitivity in a new light. She notices and even senses emotion now. (I'm working on my negative emotions (disappointment, anger, frustration, worry, etc...) so that they don't affect her negatively.) She's sweet and caring towards all animals and bugs and babies. She is constantly showering me and daddy with compliments and affirmations like, "I lub you so much!" "You're da best eva!" "Das my fabrite." "I sit by you mama?" "Can I come too?" "Can I help you?" I notice that she often will share her toys with me or bring me a fruit snack if she is getting herself one too. Sweet little things. She loves pink, princesses, jewelry, and dresses. She'd probably wear her Easter dress every day of the week if I let her. Sweet and delicate...

It's been fun watching all the growing and changing around here. I can't wait until it's even warmer and we can be outside almost every day. Looking forward to our time in FL in April where we will have lots of outside time too. 

Progress

Time for an update! I'm excited to say that our master bedroom and master bathroom are now painted. It took around 2 weeks to tape and paint and I'm really happy with the results. Now over time, we will buy some curtains and bedding. There isn't a rush for those things. I'm just happy I could get the painting done before the weather gets nice and all I want to do is be outside. :) 

I'm happy to report that I've still been meeting my new year goals. I'm working on reading 3 different books right now. When I finish, I will write a book summary on each of those books. My goal has been to read 2-3 new books per month. So far I've met that goal for the past 3 months.

I've also been getting up early 5-6 days a week. Right now, 6:00 is the earliest I get up and I usually sleep in on Saturday and Sunday. This time has become a luxury and I look forward to it every day (even if it's hard to get out of bed some days). 

I've been keeping up with tidying well. The only thing I have left to do is the pantry, but I need some bins from IKEA to help me do that. I haven't had the chance to get up there recently so I will just wait to do that. 

I've added working out to my goals. I felt like once I could be disciplined with a few different things, I could add another thing in the mix. I started with Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred. It lives up to it's name-it shredding me. (UGH). Right now I've been getting in 4-5 days a week. Any more days than that and I get too exhausted and tired. 

I'm trying to BE in bed by 10:30 every night. It's not easy, but most nights I am meeting that goal. It makes getting up in the morning much easier. 

I've been trying to find times to implement reading with Cora and finding times to talk about Jesus with her. I've been using casual moments here and there to chat with her about it. Today she asked to bring her Bible to Bible study with us. It melted my heart. I found her a bag that looked like mine and we put her Bible in there with it. Although she doesn't use it for her class, I thought it was sweet she wanted to bring it. I think we will make that a habit. :) 

I haven't blogged much recently, but I feel like I am doing it enough to keep track of what I am learning from my reading and also just my thoughts on life. I need to start keeping a notepad handy, though, so that when I get an idea of something I want to blog about, I can remember it later. 

The one goal I think I can be better about is giving more. I haven't kept up well with writing cards to other people. I ran out of stamps and I let it become an excuse to not write them. I also feel like I could be giving more in other ways, but I think I will pray this week for ways that I can do that for other people. 

This isn't an interesting post. It's just accountability for me to reevaluate my New Years goals and make sure that I am accomplishing what I set out to do this year. :)