And it's STILL January...

So this year is all about discipline for me...and I think it's going to have a trickle down effect for the family.  Starting in God's word, to how I treat my body, to the food that we are eating, to the rest I am forcing myself to take, to the ability to say "NO" when something doesn't suit our family.  

It ALL starts here...and we are choosing to focus on family first.

Every. Single. Day.

We are learning to say NO more to say YES to us!

THIS!

 

It's hard to even put into words the impact Waymaker Fund has had on our family and the families that have donated and the families that have received scholarships.  

Making a way for Christian education is so impactful to not only the student, but their entire family and the lives that they touch.

So I'm doing something hard this year...HARD for me and Hard to support an amazing cause.  This probably deserves it's own entry, but World Vision is an amazing organization that helps get clean water around the world.  So...I chose to do a half-marathon to fundraiser and show support!

Here goes nothing...training from couch to 5K in January!

1st group run (walk) in the books!

New this year...instead of traditional gifts we did "cousin day" for Christmas.  It was a fun lunch at Spaghetti Factory followed by Dave and Busters! 

It was a win-win!!!

And on our way home we saw the most amazing rainbow!  Truly painted by God!

Cuddles and Kisses for Ford!

Setting up the "improved" family room...we got rid of the hand-me-down couch from 20 years and set up the new keyboard for Millie!

January...realizing that I will be running the distance from school to work in April and checking off those goals each week.  Slow and steady, I will may a way to get to the goal! 

13.1 miles on April 28th!!!

Yee-Haw! It's Western Day.

The newest barista in town...she's not the fastest, but it's always service with a smile.

Grandma's Birthday Brunch!

Celebrating Grammy's birthday with the ladies at the Cottage. 
 

 

And then we pulled the kids out early to head over to the lake for the long weekend to check on the pipes and make sure the -17 degree temps were ok for the cabin!

Worst travelers ever...kidding!

This through a kink in the drive...and about 4 extra hours to an already long winter trip!

We stopped for a late dinner and ice cream before hitting the last 1.5 hours of the trip!

It took over 7.5 hours to get there...but we made it and were just a little crazy because of it!  The pipes were frozen, but we were able to get all the safety precautions in place for winter!!!

Delicious breakfast on Saturday morning!!!

The weather was TOO cold for lots of outside time, so we read, played school, played Atari and even watched a movie in the "lounge".

This view doesn't get better...

And that's a wrap...we decided to head home a day early because it was just too darn cold to do what we wanted...and the stress of a potential 7 or more hour drive home was too much!

Home for Monday off and walks and talks! Great decision team!

Another week into training and crushing goals along the way!

Haircut day...both girls took a ton of length off!  They love the "big girl" salon!

Big bro was in full on lounge mode.  This kids loves to read and for that I am so grateful.

And we all fit on the couch....

In case you might need this reminder too~

January is full of birthdays and we got to celebrate Auntie Roxy too!

Early morning birthday parties on a Saturday seemed like a huge hit for this kiddo!

Mom Runs...and later Family walks!  It's on repeat this month...

We've been COOKING a ton more at home because we got to the point where we didn't enjoy eating out...it was a chore, a fight and left us feeling BLAH....so now, when we decide to go, it seems like everyone enjoys it a TON more!!!

How high can you jump....I think they can jump higher, mom just can't figure out the picture!

Yes...she can eat an entire cookie that is the side of her face...what did you expect?!?!

A little rain doesn't stop this crew from getting our steps in.

When the backpack breaks and you get mom's extra cool HCA one.

Chalking up those miles and working on our "jumps"!

Millie started piano this month too...this is something neither Rich or I play, but she showed interest so we jumped on the opportunity for it.  Griffin's teacher/Millie's math teacher also teaches piano at her home.  It's a win-win!

Here I go...if you want to look at the rainiest days in January, they fell on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, also known as my "RUN" days.

I laugh at this...but no matter who leaves our house, the last person home assumes this position and waves.  I love these little things..the extra "I LOVE YOUs"!

When your son gets sick shoes and Mom gets new shoes too...and you realize he is outgrowing you!  11 years old and getting so big for mama!  How is middle school just around the corner?!?!

I love a Family FUN night and I think these kiddos do too!!!

When your day is packed...you do your miles before the sun comes up!

Another day...another friend birthday party!

His first RUN with mom...and he did great!

Slept great too!

Followed by the after school walk with kids....and drum roll....we hit 20 miles for January!  We've had the 150 mile school's out to school's in goal the past 2 summers, so this year we added to the challenge for 300 annual family miles!!!

7% complete!!!

Wrapping up January with a DATE NIGHT...trying to be disciplined in at least one night out together a month...no kids....just us!!!  So far we are 1 for 1...let's hope we can keep the streak alive!