This & That

I did this:
Took the kids to a Minnesota Vikings football game
Had dinner with old friends
Celebrated a friends life
Hosted friends for NYE
Read 2 books
Went to Cullyn's wrestling meet
Spent a night with my parents, a night in Clear Lake, and a night in Minneapolis
Took Cullyn in to get his new glasses fitted
Cleaned a bunch around the house

I Instagrammed {@MurdocksMamaBlog} that:

I'm hoping to do this:
Put my Christmas bins away
Finish Christmas returns
Schedule all our 2020 appointments
Create a photobook from our Jamaica vacation
Decorate for Valentine's Day
Get packed/find things to do in Las Vegas
Survive our first week back to reality!

I scheduled that:

M: This & That 

T: January Goals

W: 15 Minutes for Me

T: 26.2 - My Marathon Recap

F:  A Few Favorites

15 Minutes or less

It's no secret I love to plan.  Scheduling things is my favorite activity after napping! ;)  My planner is digital, color coded, 24 months out, and down to the 15 minute increment.  That being said, when something ends early or gets cancelled and I have an 'extra' 15 minutes to spare I often find myself unsure what to do with that time.  I can spent half of that time justing thinking of what I could do.  Take a nap?  Go for a walk?  Call a friend?  Flip laundry?  Silly, yes, but true.  So I've found it helpful to have a list of tasks that could be done in 15 minutes or less.  Here are 20 of my favorite ideas to fill your time if you find yourself with 15 minutes or less to spare...

A {Mon}Day in the Life

A super overdue day in the life post since the last one was fall of 2015!!  These are my favorite post to look back on, but I usually stop taking photos part way through the day {I kind of did on Monday, too, but I think I have enough to give you an idea of our days right now}.  This is the first time I've done a work day because quite honestly work days are pretty boring, but this one ended up being a little more eventful than me just sitting in my office for 10+ hours!

5a | get ready for work
6a | arrive at work

6-10a | work -- emails, 3 residents called in, 50 patient reschedules {thankfully I don't actually have to do this part}, schedule a few meetings, etc. decided to start doing a DITL

10:30a | arrive home -- J is sick, so Adam worked from home in the am and I worked from home in the pm.  After 5 1/2 years of this, we've finally got these 'sick days' down.  Since I go to work early {not as early as I used to, but still early} it's easiest if we split the day and each work from home a half day, or take a half day of PTO if the kids are really sick.

11a | make lunch for J and I, start dishwasher, & washing machine, and start J on some homework.

11:30-5p | email, look at flights for work & personal, pay bills, order flowers for a new mama, work on a Milestone project for work. J watches Rio & helps me by folding laundry.  She also finishes her Valentine's for dance {Tuesday} and daycare and school {Wednesday}.  We also packed up 2 care packages for Adam's coworkers daughter's family who lost everything in a house fire. :(
5p | Pick Cullyn up from daycare.
5:30p | Homework  with the kids & Mark arrives for 'band practice' - usually a Tuesday night activity, but moved due to a scheduling conflict.

6p | Dinner & more practicing
7p | Teeth, Potty & Pajamas followed by books in bed.
7:45p | I worked on my puzzle while the boys practice -- totally should have edited {I have 2 weddings I need to wrap up!} but was being lazy.  Prep for Tuesday {school for both kids, Lola to my sister's house {someone's looking at the house}, dance for J, late work meeting for me, etc.}
8:30p | Mark leaves and Adam and I watch the Olympics for a bit {I can't get enough!}
10p | Lola and I head up to bed since I'll be at work from 6a-7p tomorrow night.

What do your days look like?

Other DITL Posts...
July 2013 | March 2014 | January 2015 | May 2015 | July 2015 | November 2015

Dropping The Ball {er phone}...

A photo of my family from my sisters' bridal shower {I was having a great time, despite my look of exhaustion--we've been running ourselves ragged the last few months} 

You guys…I feel like I'm continuously dropping the ball on life right now.  It's been on thing after the other.

Loosing my wallet {do you know how big of a pain in the arse it is to start replacing your wallet?!}  Update::Jordyn found it just as all of my replacement cards were starting to come in the mail!  It was in her purse, in the toy room.  ::sigh:: On the upside, nobody got anything from us.  Andddd?  I never went to the DMV to get a new ID.

Constantly misplacing phone chargers, phones, Kindles, shoes, etc.

The 1/2 marathon I trained for months for, was written on my calendar for the wrong day.  If it weren't for my BFF, I would have shown up on Sunday and missed the race altogether.  #IWouldaBeenPissed

And last weekend, while stepping from the boat to the dock I somehow managed to drop my phone into the lake.  Losing 3000+ photos and videos of my babies from the past couple of months.  Resulting in many tears, headaches, & a heafty almost $200 charge.  Ugh!

I think this is finally the reminder I've needed…I need to SLOW DOWN and get organized again!   Family, full time jobs, and a photography business are proving to be all I can handle right now.  I'm missing too much by 'going' 24/7.  So if you invite us to something this summer, don't be surprised if we opt out.  I really need to scale back and focus on my family more.  Life is just too short to go, go, go.

Appointments! {organization really}

Oh you guys…how do you keep up with everything?!  I only have two kids and I feel like I'm constantly running all over the place.  I really want 5, but honestly don't know that I could physically be there to manage them all.  These are just some of the appointments we have had this month.  Seriously?!  Now I know why it feels like we always have medical bills!  I may have to quit my job just to keep up with all of our appointments. Not to mention daily stuff, gym schedules, dinner/play dates, etc.  ::sigh::

For those interested, my friend recommended the app called Cozi and we've been using it lately.  It's pretty handy... user-friendly, free, and you can give each person a different color to keep track of who is where.  Plus, it's a 'family app' so you and your spouse {or whoever} can all login the same account so it's on everyone's calendar with just one update.  Any other apps you use to keep your family {or self} organized? 

*No compensation, just like the app

This & That

Did this:

Finally washed my car {next up?  Taking 10 minutes to vacuum it!}
Jordyn had her first gymnastics class
I had my first 'Ballet' Photoshoot
Stayed home {Oh it felt so good!  No packing, no driving--we hardly left the house!}
Baked all kinds of food
Went on a date with Adam 
Celebrated a friends new job
Watched the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Iowa State Cyclones
Cheered for the Vikings through the nail biting {and very discouraging!} game.
Edited and uploaded {many!} photos
Caught up on lots of A Photo{graphy} work

Instagrammed that:

Ate this: 
Dorito Chicken & Cheese Bake {adapted from Facebook}
------------------------------------
3c. cooked chicken {I used a rotisserie chicken}
1c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken
2c. shredded cheddar cheese
1c. shredded taco cheese
1/2tsp. pepper
1/2tsp. garlic powder
1/2tsp. onion powder
1 medium bag of Doritos chips {crushed}

Spread 1/2 the bag of crushed doritos in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.
Mix cooked chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken, 2c. shredded cheeses, pepper garlic powder, & onion powder together and spread over crushed doritos.  
Top with additional 1/2 bag of doritos and 1 c. shredded cheeses.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350* {until cheese is bubbly}

Edited that: 

Shot this:

Thankful that:
The weather is starting to feel like Fall.  Perhaps this will inspire me to get my decor out of the garage! :)

Baked this: 
Beer Bread {SO easy & super good!  I paired it with a Spinach & Artichoke Dip that Adam made}

Mix 3c. Self Rising Flour, 1/2c. Sugar, & a 12oz. beer {of choice}.  Spread into a greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes at 350*.  Then top with 2Tbsp. melted butter and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

...and Banana Bread & brownies!  :)

Scheduled that:
M::This & That of the Weekend
T::Your Husband Might Be In A Band If Your Daughter...
W::Go Iowa {Football photos!}
T::
F::Josh + Lacy's Engagement Photoshoot

30 Minute Blocks, That's the Difference...

People {mainly my friends} ask me What's the biggest difference with having two children verses one?  And What changed the most after you had your second? {most of my friends have 1 kid--or none}

My Weekly To-Do List [L] :: A Sample Email of the Constant Back and Forth to Keep Everyone on the Same Page [R]
PS...I SWEAR we don't usually get a sitter this often...haha!

While the jump from no children to one was significant {for us at least}, I really don't feel like going from one child to two was a big deal.  We had already realized that date nights, sleeping in, and dining out were few and far between.  My Fridays off are no longer shopping, cleaning the entire house, washing all bedding, taking a nap, and preparing for the weekend.

But I really only noticed one big change

I have always been a planner {my friends make fun of me for this all of the time!} but now? Now it's on a whole new level!

Our life is pretty much scheduled in 30 minute blocks for the next year.  I'm only sort of kidding!  Not everything is scheduled ::ahem:: but pretty much everything from sun up to sun down is written down.  I know that if I want to go to the grocery store or workout, it has to be blocked into the schedule.  If Adam has band practice, I have to know about it in advance.  If I have photoshoots, daycare pick ups need adjustments.

In an effort not miss events while I'm running form one side of town to the other and back to help stay organized, everything 'scheduled' for the future gets written in my planner {appointments, weekend travel, photoshoots, band practices/gigs, dinner dates, work meetings, etc.}.  Each Monday morning I create a schedule for the week.  This includes all scheduled plans for the week, blog posts I plan to schedule, FB Updates for A Photo{graphy}, Meal plans, and my 'to-do' list {phone calls to make, errands to run, emails to send, editing to do, etc.}  I am constantly emailing my husband, family, and sitter with dates and schedules for plans for the upcoming week.  Who is picking up who, where we are going to be each day and time, etc.

To be honest...I have no idea how people with more than one child can live without a planner and schedules.  I know I'm probably a bit more structured than most, but considering we're already booking things through all of 2014, I would never be able to function without it.  

A Catch Up Post Of Sorts {+ LOTS of Instagram Photos}

Outside my window..it's finally warm! {Ten days ago it was snowing and yesterday we broke a heat record with 103*}

The time is..3:21p

Today I feel..happy we finally have good weather and I'm getting several things accomplished, excited to take the kids to the park after naps, and sad I have to go back to work soon.

I am thinking..I have TONS of blog posts started in my head that I wish I had time {& energy} to post!

At the moment, I am thankful..the nice weather, working part time in June, and for getting internet at our house yesterday so I could upload photos {to eventually make photobooks} to Shutterfly.
I am wondering..what the heck happened to my milk supply... :(

I am going..to the chiropractor {hopefully} tomorrow.

I am wearing..shorts!

I wish..I had the time to focus on my photography business.  I would love to make it full time and stay home with the kids!  I also wish it was possible to get a tan while outside, but that's impossible when you're trying to make sure your newborn is shaded 100% of the time.

I am reading..I finished Hearts in Darkness yesterday and hope to start Beautiful Disaster tomorrow.

I am working on..this blog post, photobooks for the kids, thank yous, birth announcements, and laundry.

I am hoping..to enjoy the next two weeks as much as possible, get my camera out MUCH MORE, and work on my running again!

I am hearing..silence {it's nap time} except the sound of the ceiling fan and chatter outside

I bet you didn't know..my baby turns ONE MONTH on Sunday {how is this possible?!}  ::SOB::

One of my favorite..feelings is the feeling after a good run.

Weekend Plans..

[Thursday] iCubs baseball game with friends {thankful for box seats since it's supposed to be raining}

[Friday] Cookout & campfire with lake friends

[Saturday] Barbecuing & hanging at our lake house with friends

[Sunday] Celebrating Mother's Day with my in-laws.

This & That {Easter Edition}

Did this:

Went to my 36 week OB appointment

Took Jordyn to the Park on our first 65*+ day!

Went home for Easter!

Made J Easter Treats for daycare

Took my maternity Photos {solo + family!} 

Made 'dinner' a couple of nights.  {Just for J & I...they included things like fish sticks & grilled cheese!}  :)

PAID OFF MY STUDENT LOANS!!!!  :)

Instagrammed that:

Bought this: 
Nothing!  There was no time for shopping this week!  Busy, busy, busy!!

Ate that: 
a huge easter meal prepared by my mama & several sweet treats that I wasn't supposed to indulge in! 

Shot this:

Easter Morning

Scheduled that:
This & That of the Weekend
H2 | 37 Weeks
J&J's Gender Reveal Photoshoot


...Happy April Fools!!  :)  

This is normal, right?!

About this time of the week I always start to feel exhausted.  But then I remember all of the stuff on my calendar is fun stuff.  And I think about how incredibly blessed we are to have such awesome friends and family to fill our lives with.  I go from exhausted to happy again! :)

[Last Monday]

First night of swimming lessons

[Last Tuesday]

Late work meeting

[Last Wednesday]

Swimming Lessons

Photoshoot

[Last Thursday]

Winery with Friends

[Last Friday]

Cedar Rapids to see Baby K

Photoshoot

[Last Saturday]

Tubing

[Last Sunday]

Family & Friends over

[Monday]

Swimming Lessons

Purchase Car Seat

[Tuesday]

Picnic

Grocery Shop

[Wednesday]

Swimming Lessons

Dinner with Friends

[Thursday]

Winery with friends

[Friday]

Pool Day

[Saturday]

Brunch with Friends

DJ wedding

[Sunday]

Photoshoot

Caden's Birthday Party

Tell me this is what your schedule looks like too...

::Under The Dryer::

I'm currently under the dryer at the salon. 

It's been over 6 months since I've had my hair done.

My how things change once you have a baby

I'm not reading a trashy magazine. 

Instead I'm thinking about...

..everything I should be doing right now

including but not limited to

laundry

dishes

bathroom

..all of the posts I want to share with you guys

including some awesome news

and lots of photos

and Jordyns 6th month update

and her 7th month too

and lots of photography updates

..the errands I need to run when I leave

the bank

the pharmacy

the video store

..if the other clients would then I was trashy to pull out my 50 Shades of Gray book right now

and when I'm going to find time to read it the next couple of days

..when we will ever find perfect weather time to take our 'family' photos

at least we have the outfits

..how many more days until Friday

pool day

hopefully with my nanny kids!

..am I done yet?  does my hair scream summer yet?

I need to go snuggle my baby

It's been 13 hours!

::written yesterday, while getting my hair done::

Mishmash! [weekend edition]

It's currently storming like crazy outside my window.  The rain is beating on the window above my head, the lightening is flashing bursts of light into my room, and the thunder is cracking loudly..I just love it!  

The neighbor [J] just left.  She came over to chat for a bit after our company left.  Our friends J&J and their puppy A came over for the day.  It was great.  We munched on snacks and played games all day.  Lovely for a Sunday!

Friday evening was good too.  We went to our oldest nephew [K]s 10th Birthday party.  I was pretty worn out after spending the afternoon at the pool but caught a second wind.  

Unfortunately Saturday was just terrible.  The Mr's job sucked and consumed him ALL DAY LONG!  Phone call after phone call, from 10am to 10pm!  Not how I wanted to spend our Saturday.  We also DJd a wedding.  Long..not fun..day!  Oh and did I mention that the breaker at the hotel blew once once, but twice on us?!  Of course only when the dance floor was packed did this happen! :)

Still super excited for my new job.  Starting to get pretty sad about having just 9 days left with the kiddos though. 

Talked to several friends this weekend..lined up a little girls night to have a couple margaritas for my birthday. 

Finally sent out invites for Adam's 30th.  So far lots of positive rsvps so that's good.  I'm hoping he has the time of his life.  His band is playing at his old hangout spot, which is what he wanted.  Should be a great time.

We think our air is on the fritz.  It can't seem to keep our place cool..and our place isn't that big.  Our neighbors unit isn't having a problem keeping up so it has to be our unit.  We just had the freon filled last summer so we're thinking we have a leek...awesome!  Thank goodness it's working some I guess.  

The power has flickered a few times tonight..I'm wondering if the storm will take it out.  

Lots going on to look forward to around here..

7 days until my Birthday

11 days until we see my Gpa K, Aunt S, & Cousin S [from Oregon]

15 days until my New Job

25 days until Labor Day Weekend

40 days until Adam's Birthday Party

45 days until Adam's 30 Birthday

73 days until Mexico

76 days until our 1st Anniversary