This is Me

I'm trying something new. I found this challenge to get my personal history down on paper. It is a series of questions to answer. I plan on answering one question a day. My goal is to get in depth and personal about each question in hopes that someday my children will get to read about my life.

My name is Callie Beth Thurell. I was born Callie Beth Cluff. I was named after my Great Great Grandmother Callie Catherine Cope.

I've always loved my name, and to know that I was named after an ancestor makes it even more special. I think that is why I am so insistant that my children have a family name. 

Growing up my nickname was Bu (like "hey Bu Bu" from Yogi Bear). Not everyone called me by my nickname. Only my parents and brother Kyle. They still call me it to this day.

That is a good nickname. I've had worse in school. In elementary school I was Smelly Callie. Only they said Smelly with an "a" to make it rhyme with Callie. I was Smally Callie. I HATED school. Kids are cruel and not very creative, now that I think about it. In high school I was Keebler. Like the Keebler Elf. I never understood that one. Like I said, not very creative.

Even though I grew up with horrible nicknames like Smally Callie and Keebler. I am blessed that the only name that follows me through life is Callie.

Changes

I feel changes on the horizon. Or maybe, I just want there to be changes! Either way, I am hopeful for things to come.
Our newest little guy, Porter, joined our family one month ago. It has been a struggle to figure out how to handle 3 little boys. Especially when the youngest two are only 14 months apart. But, slowly, I am getting better at juggling the requirement of being a mom of three.
Maybe that is where the hopefulness of change is coming from. My baby blues have finally subsided. I am feeling optimistic again.
I know I can't just sit around and wait for changes to come. (And honestly, in all reality, these changes may not even be anything significant. They may just end up being changes in myself. I may just change my attitude, or my routine, or even my family relationships. Either way, I'm excited.)
I plan to do things to make these things happen. First, I will turn off the tv more. When I end up watching a show I get NOTHING done. These past few days I have turned off the tv for an hour and cleaned, or worked on projects. It has brought my spirits up! Second, I plan to get back on a solid budget. I am so much happier when I am not stressed about money. (Aren't we all though!) I want to get completely out of debt and it starts with a budget. Third, I need to get back on track with a menu. I stay on budget better with a menu. Plus, when 5pm rolls around I don't have to figure out what to cook!

Here's to changes!

Trying to Get Into a Routine

In 5 weeks or so, our little world will be turned upside down with the arrival of the newest member of our family. I am very excited to meet our little one. After Emmett was born, our house was thrown into chaos. The house got dirty and our healthy eating went out the window. I am determined to do all I can to keep that from happening again.

I am trying to get in a cleaning routine. For the most part it is working out. Monday is Kitchen Day. I make sure the kitchen is deep cleaned. This includes mopping the floor and cleaning out the fridge. The kitchen is the hardest room for me to keep clean, but fortunately, this routine has helped me keep it under control. (As long as I get a load of dishes in the dishwasher every morning)

We have not been eating well lately, so my first step in healthy eating when baby arrives is to start healthy eating NOW. I made a menu board which has helped A TON. Now I know what I am making every day and can make sure I have all ingredients needed.

This week I will start making double of whatever we are eating for dinner. This way I can freeze the extra portion.
Tonight we are eating black bean burritos, so I hope to have a good extra two dozen to throw in the freezer tonight.

Here's to hoping it all works out!