Ohio Visti, as seen through my phone

I tell ya what...I don't use my camera nearly enough because of how convenient the iPhone is, but I do miss the quality of the photos from my camera.  That being said, I was SO upset that I actually forgot to bring my camera along when we visited Cincinnati for our Thanksmas celebration.  I mean, seriously...that is definitely not like me.  So...these may not be the best quality pics, but here is what I have!  {And mom and dad...email me some of the pictures from your camera, please.  Thank you!}

Of course, the highlight of the trip was meeting this little man.  I totally could've just held him in my arms the entire time we were there and have been completely content.  He's perfect.

Phoebe was thrilled to meet Maddie, too.  I'm not so sure Maddie felt the same.

 No surprise, but the highlight of the trip for the kids was probably opening gifts.  This is their first Christmas every year, so it's always a favorite.  And they got some really good gifts, as usual!  Gavin was beyond excited to finally get his xbox he'd been dreaming about.

{The video was too long for Blogger, so click here to see it on YouTube.}
https://youtu.be/uTsi2dvyWX4

It was fun to visit Kenwood Town Center and see Aunt Meggie's cards in a REAL store!

It wasn't as funny when Riley handed me one of her prints and asked me what it said and it was this one...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/162148650/do-the-damn-dishes-frameable-print?ref=shop_home_active_19

We decided to tell Aunt Meggie to watch her language.  ;) 

While we were there, we surprised Mom and Dad with the gift of having pictures taken of their three grandchildren, all together, for the first time.  They turned out great (but this is just from my phone...)

We enjoyed seeing a movie in the theater with Beepa, one of his favorite things to do.  We saw the Peanuts movie, which was really cute.  The kids loved it.

And despite Riley's face, both kids really did love our visit to the Cincinnati Zoo.  It was crazy how beautiful the weather was!  

Jarrod and I crossed off another race and ran our first 10K together.  Well, by together I mean we drove there and back together, but he runs MUCH faster than me.  But, I finished well ahead of my goal, so I was pleased!

And then the Turkey arrived just in time for Turkey Day!

This year, we offered to smoke a turkey here in Arkansas and bring it along with us for our Thanksgiving dinner.  Not gonna lie....we both were nervous that it wouldn't work out well and that we'd ruin Thanksgiving dinner, but it was really good still.  Not quite as good as last year's that we smoked, but I think that was because this one was about 8 pounds larger!

Seriously...the weather on Thanksgiving was so nice that we got to enjoy a fire out back.  That's so out of the ordinary for a Cincinnati Thanksgiving!

Our last day there was spent decorating gingerbread houses and exploring a new park, which was great.  The kids had a blast!

And I always suck at realizing that I didn't take enough pictures the night before leave, so I frantically snap pictures with everyone.  Unfortunately, Tyler and Dave weren't there when we took these, and we were already in our pajamas...but it's the memories that count, right?

Next time we see that adorable little man, he'll be so much bigger!  I'm so thankful that we got to see him in his little, newborn snuggly phase.  

Love you all, Ohio family.  <3 font="">

Bucket List

It's time to make my 2016 Bucket List public knowledge so I can get to working on it and living life to the fullest.  

So, here goes nothing -- In 2016, I'm hoping to...

1. Make DVDs of all our videos (this is staying on here until I finish it!)

2. Overhaul the craft closet (again...it will be listed every year until I do it!)

3. Take a weekend road trip to somewhere new (since we didn't last year)

4. Make a recipe binder (already started on this!)

5. Read 12 books (or listen to...same difference!)

6. Sew something 

7. Go one full week without Facebook

8. Make a homemade pie

9. Get a massage

10. Start a gratitude journal (again) and stick with it

11. Try 6 new restaurants with the family

12. Send a care package to someone each month

Where does time go? Goal Time!

How in the world can it possibly be the start of a new year already?  I have so much to catch up on, but first, I want to reflect on the goals I made for last year and make new ones for 2016.  That's the way we grow, right?  By making goals, working on them, and charting our progress.  So, let's reflect shall we?

I had four main goals for 2015, and looking at them now, realize I had mixed results.  I wanted to get back to blogging, and for the first half or so of the year I felt like I was doing well!  But, looking at it now, I realized I had fewer posts than even in 2015, so I obviously failed.  And that makes me sad.  I hate that I'm not documenting the specials we spend as a family, and hate that I'm not even using my camera much at all anymore.  My iPhone has taken over.  So...looks like blogging will be a goal yet again in 2016.  

The other three goals I made - to be better at budgeting/saving, to cook more with the kids, and to continue to be a healthy role model and gentler parent - were successful.  I spent a lot of time compiling price comparisons so I could make sure I was getting our groceries for the best prices, started using the Ibotta app to help me save even more on our groceries, and did really good with our weekly budgeting sheets until October.  I'll have to try to make it through the holidays this time!  

While Gavin doesn't cook with me often, I have started having him help out in the kitchen more at meal times so he's involved.  He'll get silverware out, or drinks for everyone, for example.  Where I excelled with this goal would be with Riley.  After just a few times in the kitchen with me, she caught the bug and helps prepare meals probably four days out of the week.  For Christmas, she asked for an Easy Bake Oven and 'cooking stuff' and Santa brought her a bin pull of her own, kid-sized cooking tools, like whisks, tongs, spatulas, and adorable measuring spoons and cups in the shape of hearts and butterflies.  She is learning so much and I cherish those moments in the kitchen with her.  

I am proud of the fact that, while not perfect, Jarrod and I continue to model healthy lifestyles for the kids with our fitness and nutrition.  They love to exercise with us, and that makes me happy.  Of course, they're kids, and so they don't always eat healthy and I wish they loved vegetables more, but I think it's a win that they both love to have salad with dinner.  Baby steps...we'll get there.

So, how did I do on my bucket list...

1. Make a DVD of my Flip/iPhone videos - second year in a row that this did not happen, but we're getting closer.  I at least know now that Walmart will transfer all my little tapes from our old video camera to a DVD...I just need to organize them and do it.

2. Overhaul craft closet - Um, yeah...again, a repeat task that didn't get done.  I've decided that this one won't get accomplished until Riley's in school full time and I can be in the toy room all day by myself most likely.

3. Complete a half marathon - CHECK!  While my goal was to finish in until 2:30 and without walking, I finished in 2:34 and did have to walk because my knee gave out in the downhill portion around mile 11, but I crossed that finish line and felt great about it!

4. Take a weekend road trip to a new place - Another fail.  Boo!

5. Print another blog book - CHECK!  Done.

6. Grow Team AIM to at least 15 coaches - Nope.  Instead, I determined that while I loved coaching, Beachbody wasn't the right fit for me.  

7. Make an effort to have two dates with Jarrod (outside the home!) - CHECK!  I think we did more than two actually...maybe three.  Haha!

8. Back up all my photos and create a system for organizing them - CHECK!  All my photos are now backed up and organized on Dropbox.  It was a huge task, but I am glad it's done.  

9. Read 10 books (and actually keep track!) - CHECK!  I did read 10 books last year.  In fact, I read 13 (that I kept track of...maybe more).  I joined GoodReads this year so I can be sure to keep track. 

10. Donate my hair to Locks of Love - CHECK!  Cut 9 inches off in September and donated it to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths.

11. Make a recipe binder/notebook - Nope...not yet.  

12. Put cash into my savings envelopes every week, no matter how small - CHECK!  Having cash for vacation and Christmas shopping was quite helpful.

Now...on to 2016!

My big goals for 2016...

1. Keeping blogging on the list.  This one is important to me, and I'm sad I didn't do better last year.  

2. Less Facebook and more 'face time.'  I've realized lately that as the kids get older and we're not in playgroups and Mom's Club anymore, I'm spending less time with MY friends and I want to make an effort to have more time with other moms.  Also, more FaceTime with family and friends that are far away.  

3. Purge and organize.  We're hoping that a move will be in our future in either 2016 or early 2017 as we're finally able to buy another home, and I would love to have less to pack.  Getting rid of unnecessary things and feeling more organized would make me happy.

4. Be BETTER.  That's pretty generic...but when I think about what I want, it really sums it up.  Overall, I don't feel like I have a lot to change, but I know I can always improve.  Be a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better AUNT (first time I can say that!), a better sister and daughter.  Be better at communicating. Be better with Phoebe.  Be better about using my time wisely.  Just be a better version of Jen.  

I'm still working on my bucket list.  I'll add it here soon so I can hold myself accountable.  2016 can be amazing...make sure you take advantage of it and live every day to the fullest.

The Pate Family Lately...

Fall is well underway!  Around here, we celebrate "Thanksmas" -- since we live so far from family, our first Christmas celebration is always the week of Thanksgiving when we're visiting in Ohio, so we've started combining them all.  Yes...we still talk about Thanksgiving, spend time picking new things we're thankful for each day, learn about the history behind the holiday...  But, we also decorate for Christmas early and begin all our favorite Christmas traditions.  It works for us, and that's all that matters.  

So, let's backtrack over the last couple of months and see what the Pate Fam has been up to.  Gavin's class led the Rise and Shine program early in the school year, which I always love to see.  I remember that first year of school, when he was in tears before Rise and Shine started for his class because he didn't want to be on stage in front of the whole school.  He's come so far!

 

 We love our buddy, Treston! <3 font="">

This big kid finished his fall season of soccer and did so well!  It certainly wore him out.  Finally, during the last two games, he was able to get his first goals of the year and he was beyond ecstatic.  Funny how it took having a son to turn me into a soccer fan...Jarrod playing soccer couldn't make me like soccer, but I'm loving this soccer mom phase! 

Excuse the bottom of the photo...it's a picture of a picture.  Fail!


Riley's also been busy.  She wrote a letter to Sofia the First back in September and is patiently awaiting her reply.  She loves to check the mail to see if she hasn't anything each day.  Fingers crossed it actually comes! :)

We are making progress with the relationship between Phoebe and Riley.  It's still not perfect and there's still a lot of puppy biting and crying that goes on, but she's liking her 'Phoebers' more everyday.  Makes my heart happy for sure.

Riley loves to color, help me in the kitchen, and play pretend these days.  It always makes me laugh to hear her tell me exactly what I'm supposed to do and say while we 'pretend that we are....'  She is very specific on my role in our play time.

And yes, she's still dressing herself and loves to mix all kinds of colors and patterns.

Riley has certainly made raising a daughter a roller coaster of emotions already.  This little girl is full of big emotions - if you've seen Inside Out, being in that Riley's head really made me more aware of what's going on in our Riley's head.  Every day I'm working on being a better mom to her and making sure our relationship grows to be stronger and stronger as she gets older and enters the even more emotional preteen and teen years.  I love our one-on-one time at bedtime.  We had to take some selfies recently...she's so my mini-me.

As for the big kids in the family, I finally made the cut and donated my hair back in September.  It's slowly growing again, which I'm glad because I'm ready for a little more length, but I'm really happy I made the decision to donate for the first time.  It definitely felt good to do it, and Riley's decided she wants to help some kids somewhere and donate her hair now.  We'll see if she can be patient enough to let it grow all the way...

Jarrod is in the midst of training for a HUGE 2016 race season.  He's planning to do at least a half marathon, 50K trail run, and both a HALF and a FULL Ironman next year.  I think he's a bit nuts, but I love his dedication and aspirations.  I'm hoping 2017 will be a little less eventful though.  ;)  We had a great time watching Toledo beat our local Arkansas Razorbacks, and are looking forward to having some date time in Ohio in a couple weeks.  Perhaps a double date with the Balls and at least a 10K race we're running together {and by together I mean we'll drive there and be at the starting line together, but he'll probably finish the race 30 minutes faster than me!}

Speaking of the Balls, we are officially an aunt and uncle now!  Little Connor joined our family on September 10 and we're soooooo excited to meet him in a couple weeks.  He just looks so stinking cute in every picture we see.  It's going to be so fun to have a baby around the house for that week.  {And let's just hope the puppy isn't too much work...}

Oh, and one more thing before we go....we recently went to a cookout at a coworker of Jarrod's house and the kids experienced their first s'mores.  I was certain we've had s'mores before (they are a favorite of mine, after all) but they insist this was their first time.  Gavin loved it, Riley preferred the chocolate bar by itself... ;)

Phoebe Files

Our furry troublemaker is five months old tomorrow, and still as rambunctious as ever.  She's good at getting into mischief, like stealing socks from the hamper, tissues from the bathroom trash every time the door is left open, and sneaking into Gavin's room to hide under his bed with legos in her mouth as soon as she discovers his door hasn't been closed.  Boy, is she fun?!?  

We found out in September that Phoebe has a form of mange that we have been treating.  We'll go back next week for another skin scrape to see if the medicine she's been on for the last 30 days have taken care of the mites, and hopefully her fur starts to fill in again.  Poor girl has lots of small patches on her face and legs where the fur is thinning or bald.  Of course, she now has a large scrape on the top of her head that she did to herself yesterday during a game of fetch when she decided to try to jump through the swing set.  That one may or may not fill back in....we may end up with a dog that has a bald spot on the top of her head for the rest of her life.  Typical Phoebe, I suppose!  Crazy girl.

I try to take her with me as many places as I can through the day, but she doesn't exactly make car rides enjoyable.  She's still such a puppy and likes to try to chew on seat belts, the rubber mats, or whatever else she can figure out how to get her mouth around.  I can't wait for the teething/mouthing phase to pass.  She's lost five teeth over the last week, so I know we're making progress, but geesh!  All the kids clothes seems to have tiny holes in them and I'm over it....

Unfortunately, Phoebe is a digger.  Thankfully, the yard can be easily repaired!  I guess it's the lesser of two evils.  I'd much rather her be digging the yard than chewing baseboards and furniture.  But still...ugh!  I hate that she's a digger, but she is a dog!  She's also become food aggressive and now eats only in her crate.  I'm hoping she grows out of that, but I know it could be a long time before that happens.   

I am determined to get her trained to be a well behaved dog, and I'm so glad we enrolled in Puppy School that our vet's office was offering.  We took a chance because it was the first time this class was ever offered, but Jarrod and I have both learned so much and I totally adore the instructor.  She's brilliant and so knowledgeable about dogs.  I love how she's been extremely available and excited to work with us on Phoebe.  She sees every Sunday how she tests us and has offered us so many suggestions.  We're working hard on getting Phoebe to walk with the gentle lead, and this week we actually started tethering.  If she's not in her crate, she's usually tied to me so that she can't be getting into trouble.  I'm committed to trying this for a week or two and seeing the progress we make.  I'll update soon!