Goodbye 2013...Hello 2014

Can it REALLY be New Year's Eve Day? I mean seriously where has the year gone. I know we hear that from at last a few people, BUT I seriously mean that. Maybe it has something with me being pregnant for most of the year and then for the last month plus I've been in a newborn fog.

I look forward to what the next year brings. I'm hoping and praying for lots happiness and joy for my family. I am so grateful for the blessings that we have in our life. I'm grateful for our newest addition (even if it means a lack of sleep). I am REALLY, REALLY looking forward to the big changes that will be happening (hopefully) for our family in 2014.

I'm thinking back to the post I did back in January about my goal of being "better". Has it really almost been a year since I wrote that post????  I'm not sure I achieved it in every area that I had planned but in some areas I feel like I succeed. With life, I've learned that all you can do is to keep trying. You might fail, but if you keep at it you most likely will succeed.

So here are the goals I planned to focus on for the last almost 12 months. I still have a LONG ways to go but I feel like I've learned to be "better". There is still lots of growth I need to do with all of these things.

1.  Can I be more patient when Kalen gets home later than planned? 
2. Can I be better at noticing others in need? 
3. Can I be better in acting on my observation and helping someone out? 
4. I can be better at helping Brianna with her homework? 
5. Can I be better at spending time with Isabella during the day? 
6. Can I be better at reading my scriptures? 
7. Can I have more meaningful prayers? 

I've decided that my word/theme for 2014 is "Confidence". I lack this trait, believe it or not. I've heard it from so many people that I seem so confident with everything and that I'm intimidating. I might be confident with some things but am lacking it A LOT in my life. Seriously, I can't be intimidating! That always seems to make me laugh. If people only knew how insecure I am.

Ever since Dylan died, I've found myself questioning EVERYTHING, even simple silly things. That's where grief attacks me. It makes me question myself and my ability to do or act on things. So with the new year, I will work on having confidence in myself that I can do things. I hope to have confidence that my desire for starting to teach beginning piano lessons will be successful, that I can be confident as I make simple choices throughout my day and not over think everything. I hope that I can be confident with my appearance. I hope to be confident in my beliefs and being willing to share them with others. I hope to be confident as a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. 

So here's to a great year of learning and growing! What are you hoping to accomplish in the New Year? Tell me here or on Facebook:)

Slowly but surely

I'm laying in here in my nice warm bed thinking about a million different things. The mind is a wonderful thing but can also be the worse weapon I've decided. 

I got cleared yesterday to start doing "normal" activities since recovering from my c section. It was the shortest amount of time after having surgery this time. My doctor saw me at 4 1/2 weeks. I usually have my post op appointment around 6 or even 8 weeks. I'm definitely NOT complaining about that. I've been actually going a little stir crazy around here. I've been seeing people run and have been so envious of them. I haven't been able to run for over 7 months. Yikes!!!

After my appointment I texted a friend to see if she'd want to go for a run. The excitement for me with just the thought of going for a run, was probably easily compared to Brianna's excitement of Santa coming on Christmas Eve. I have been waiting for what feels like a LONG time to lace up my shoes and go. 

So taking my doctor's advice of "listen to your body", I put on my running clothes and laced up my shoes. (I need to remember to go get new running shoes) I grabbed my phone and opened the Nike running app. Off I went. It went wonderful, despite the worry that although my doctor did a fantastic job putting me back together, there is just the constant fear I might rip open so I was a little cautious during my first .25 of a mile. I met up with my friend and off we went. We ran a little, walked a little and continued that pattern. I am definitely sore this morning, but it's the good kind of sore. You know the kind where you pushed yourself but it's not painful?? 

So hopefully I'll be able to start running more and more each time. I'm hoping to do a half marathon in either March or April. Hopefully I can get my body to remember how to run a race like that!

So I'm curious, I LOVE to run as my favorite way to exercise, but what is yours? Leave a comment here or tell me on Facebook.

Overwhelmed

I PROMISE this isn't a complaining post. I have to make it fast because I can hear Sophia starting to wake up (I think) and Isabella is spinning around by the Christmas tree. I can just see her crashing into it and it falling over and a bazillion pieces of ornaments all over the floor.

Well I've been care for a newborn for now 3 1/2 weeks. I still feel like I have NO idea what I'm doing. I jokingly posted on my Facebook status back on December 10th, "I can't be the only mom that isn't a "baby whisperer" right?? What is it about newborns that make me feel like I have NO idea what I'm doing? The joys of motherhood:)" I still feel this way. Some people commented that it's just eat, sleep and diaper changes, which seems SO simple, but there is WAY more to it. I actually got both my family room and kitchen floors cleaned yesterday and dishes washed. Yay!!! This is huge with a baby that spits up ALL the time and has reflux and a super busy toddler that is wanting LOTS of attention. I don't blame Isabella. A new baby is A LOT of work.

Isabella is getting 1 on 1 time with me when Sophia is napping, but I worry about Brianna. Both girls are usually awake once she gets home from school. Any suggestions from you moms and or dads out there that have had to deal with this. I don't want Brianna resenting her new sister. As it stands right now her 1 on 1 time with me is when we drive home from school. That's a whole 20 mins. I hope it's enough for the moment.

So my question for today, is how do you moms or dads with multiple children spread out your time for your kids, spouse and everything else that needs to be done around the house??

I saw this 2-hour House Cleaning Checklist on one of the blogs I follow and am going to do this today to see if I can feel like I actually accomplished something. You can find the printable here if you'd like to try it. It's on the blog, Money Saving Mom -

21 Days to a Simple Christmas: Day 17. 

Here's the link of the printable if you'd like to join me. http://moneysavingmom.com/2013/12/21-days-simple-christmas-day-17.html

Hope you have a great Thursday! And if you happen to remember to do an act of service, PLEASE PLEASE send me what you did. Dylan's stocking has only 2 acts in it:(

Christmas Card 2013

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Dylan's Stocking/Acts of Service or Kindness

It's that time of year again.....we are going on our 4th Christmas without Dylan. I'm not sure exactly what words to use to describe how I feel about missing him this year. What I can say is that I miss him and long for the day I will see him again. It seems surreal that he isn't here. I still have moments where I find myself thinking, "He was real, right"? Strange I know. It's amazing how grief affects my brain, my memories, my logic. 

So to carry on the past tradition of the last 3 Christmases, please mail or email me your acts of service. With those letters we fill Dylan's stocking so it won't be empty on Christmas Day. So please help us carry on the tradition. Share this with anyone who you think would like to participate. 

If you need our address shoot me an email at francescabjurstrom@sbcglobal.net

Sophia

She's here!!

Sophia was born on November 25th at 11:25am. She weighed 7lbs 4ounces and was 20 inches long. She's my smallest baby.

We are all doing well. I meant to do this post weeks ago but have been in a "newborn fog". We are so glad that we took a huge leap of faith and decided after much thought & prayer to have another baby. We feel so blessed. 

We've gone from a family with "living members" of 4 to 3 to 4 to 5, but really we are a family of 6. Here we are the morning of my c section. 

I am grateful to be a mom to Sophia. She is such a sweet baby. I mean what baby isn't?? She wants to be held all the time, which is making it hard to get things done BUT it's okay. 

Sophia has reflux which isn't fun, so baby Zantac is being given 2 times a day. Our experience with Dylan, has taught us so much. I'm grateful for our pediatrician who still lets me call his direct number and answers my questions. The medicine is helping and I'm grateful for that too. 

Here's a picture of our girls. I just love this one.