Lack of follow through

I love trying new things as a mother and homemaker, but sometimes I'm just not very successful. I think it has something to do with my lack of follow through. Sometimes these "great" ideas pop into my head and I think "Hey, I can do that". Well, I could do that if I'd just follow through. I always start projects with enthusiasm, but rarely finish them. It's really rather sad. Here's a list of things I've started and haven't finished...

1. My first "blog"- this was my pregnancy/baby journal. Excuse: completely forgot about blogging after having JJ. I was super sleep deprived and busy being a mom.

2.The James Jeremiah Straley baby book. My thoughts on the matter: I'll just keep a record of things and let my Mom work on the book when she visits. Who am I kidding? I am my mother's child. She's probably still working on my baby book!

3. Teaching JJ sign language. Good Try: I've tried to teach him how to sign the word "more" when he wants another bite of food. I think my problem is consistency. I'll show him the sign for about 3 meals and then forget to do it for another 6. I'm so slack!

4. Making baby food. So much to think about: I really wanted to be successful at making JJ's baby food. So far I've "made" avocados and bananas. I bought pears, mangoes and carrots to try next. Problem: after buying these items I read that you should buy organic pears and carrots because of all of the pesticides used to grow them. Then, I read that mangoes can give JJ diarrhea. Yuck! I am also horrible at planning out baby menus. It's just so much easier the Gerber way! Plus, I always have coupons for baby food (if only I remembered to take them to the grocery store)! I'm still all for trying to make his food, but I definitely could use some insider tips from experienced moms.

5. Couponing. Every Sunday I look at the sale adds and cut out coupons. I've got stacks and stacks of coupons. Issue: My coupons aren't organized. I have a coupon book, but still haven't bought my clear sleeves to separate them. Other issue: Forgetting my coupons at home. I am notorious for this!"

So, sometimes I lack in follow through. I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl! Every day is a new adventure. I give Jeremy and JJ 100 %. If I don't finish some of the projects I start, it's no big deal! I'm loving life.

Jessica Straley

Okay, this is my second attempt at blogging. I started my first blog when I found out I was pregnant with JJ. I was successful at updating it until JJ was born. Now, almost 8 months later, I think I've only updated it once or twice. Time for a fresh start!

A quick re-introduction to me...My name is Jessica Lyles Straley. I was born in South Carolina and spent most of my childhood/adulthood there. The YMCA will always hold a special place in my heart. Through working for the organization I grew as a Christian and most importantly was blessed to have the opportunity to share Christ with hundreds of children. It is there that I met some of my best life long friends...Leslie, Alida, Kelley (all at the Pickens County YMCA) and Kendra (at the Reuter Family YMCA in Asheville, NC). While working at the YMCA in Clemson, I met my husband, Jeremy Straley.

I'm crazy about my family and hate being so far away from them (I live in Dallas, TX and most of them live in South Carolina). Being married to Jeremy has been the best 6 1/2 year adventure. We've lived in Asheville, North Carolina...Knoxville, Tennessee...on cruise ships, where we sold art and are currently living in Dallas, TX. My baby JJ is my life and I am blessed to be able to stay home with him. (Yay,for 4 years of college I may never use again!)

I serve as the secretary for Richardson AnimaLuv, a non-profit foundation started by my friend Peggy Thorburn. I'm a friend to all cats and dogs. Jeremy and I are temporarily (and by temporarily, I mean for the last 2 years) fostering two cats from the shelter named Puma and Duncan. Plus, we still have our husky dogs, Cheyenne and Nika. I'm also the finder of homes for all animals in need. If you are currently without a pet, I'll be happy to hook you up!

These are some of the things I love...

God

Jeremy and JJ

Being a stay at home mom

Sunday Church followed by lunch with friends and an occasional Sunday nap

The Whitson/Lyles/Straley/Bohanna annual cabin trip

My B.O.B. jog stroller who I actually named Bob.

Cutting out coupons (which I honestly forget to use or lose half of the time!)

Still quoting lines from the tv show "Friends" with my sister after all these years

Going to baseball games with Jeremy and now JJ

Trips to SC to see the family

Getting my daily news from Facebook

JJ saying "hey" and "Dada" and everything else about him!

A good Sonic "happy hour" drink with my Mom

Skype

And so much more...

Enough blogging for today. I think I hear JJ waking up. More about Jeremy and JJ in the near future.

Loving Life,

Jessica