Hello 2013, and some Resolutions!

Dare I say it? I must. I'm relieved that the holidays are over. Sad but true. We truly lived up this holiday season, creating more memories and ringing in new traditions. December was far better than I remembered. Maybe because my girls are a little older, or maybe it's because I'm a tad older myself. I'm so glad we lived in the moment keeping busy with holiday shenanigans but also keeping balanced and staying cozy inside.

But like I said, I'm glad it's done, over, squashed. My lights are down much faster then they were put up. My tree and ornaments are already packed and tucked away in the garage. Is it me or is the week after the holidays exhausting? I'm up to my ears in princess wands and dress up clothes and for this mama all I've been doing is sorting through clothes, shoes, and old toys then throwing them into piles "donate" "save" in hindsight I suppose it is the best week to do all of this organizing and sorting while my girls are busy busy busy with all of their new toys..even if they don't have a proper place yet. Also to ring in the new year with an organized home.

And last but not least I'm preparing for my little girls 2nd birthday in a week and a half.

I'm excited for what 2013 will bring. We have a busy year ahead of us starting off with a birthday for my baby and ending with a wedding and hopefully a new house. I've never truly created a list of accomplishments, or resolutions as we say for the new year. However this year is different. I feel as though I'm at a good place, and more balanced. I know I'll be able to stay focused!

1. Cut down our bills: I'm going to do the research, change companies and reduce the amount of monthly bills.

2. Create a will: Regarding our girls if anything were to happen. Just in case.

3. Get married.

4. Grow with my blog. Create friendships and further my creativity.

5. Hang out with friends. Force myself. Text friends, make an effort. Be the one to reach out, and make gatherings.

6. Master photo shop. I'm getting better.

7. Eat better. That's obvious and so cliche but this little family is getting better and better. I would like to fully omit fast food which wouldn't be hard anyway, and followed by cutting out all processed foods. Eventually.

8. Enroll in school. Ill probably wait until after the wedding, I just don't want to stress myself out too bad! I'm planning on taking it slow because honestly I have no reason to rush. I'm enjoying my time with my girls and I know I'll be staying home with them for awhile.

9. Take care of myself. Schedule (much needed) doctor appointments followed by (even more needed) dentist appointments. I need to take care of myself in order to take care of my girls. Some issues need addressed and I'm finally stepping up to the plate.

10. Schedule dates. We need to make it a priority. Routines fade and transform into new ones sometimes without notice. I want to always make time for my (soon to be) husband. He's my best friend, my sweet little girls daddy and the person I've chosen to spend the rest of my life with. Why would it not be a priority?

11. More "me" time. I feel as though this one will be my hardest.

Im no so sure how its all going to pan out, but I'm willing to give it a go!We're happy, healthy and content, 2013 we welcome you with our arms wide open.

Our Pink Table

The pink table.

This little pink table may be little but it serves as a large purpose in this family.

We color here, play here, eat here and craft. This table has had it's fair share of roles. From a dotting doctor table where we perform miraculous operations to a fabulous tea party for only the finest of princesses. It's been to far away places like China, and sometimes we climb on top for a trip to the moon.

I mean what else is a pink table good for? It's magical to these two little imaginations.

And some nights when the big table just doesn't seem right and with a coaxing from the girls we all gather at this little table. Where we scrunch up our knees and eat with the company of our sweet babies.

ohh the memories we are creating.

I Love my Post Link Up -CO HOST!

Hi everyone! I absolutly love this link up, so I of course was super excited when the opportunity came to co host!

Here we go!

Welcome to the I Love My Post blog hop where we invite you to link up your favourite post of the week, to show it off and hopefully receive some love from the others partaking in the hop! If you are yet to participate in a hop they are really simple to get the hang of all you need to do is 'hop' around, hopefully finding some new great reads!  The Rules are simple. 1. Check out and follow the hosts (Number 1 2 3 4 and 5) Leave them a comment if you would like them to follow back. 2. Choose at least 3 other blogs and hop on over and leave them some love, plus let them know how you found them - I'm sure they would love it if you followed as well! 3. Have Fun and come back next Saturday. Please just don't link up and click off to make this successful everyone needs to hop around! Your Host’s this week are: Sarah from Life in a Break Down Bex from Futures and our lovely co-host’s are: Ashlea from Ashlea with an A Emily from Newlywed Moments Melissa from Lulu and Sweet Pea If you would like to be a future co-host please get in touch with Sarah by emailing her at: sarah@lifeinabreakdown.com I would love it if you would tweet, share on facebook or place our button on your blog, the more sharing we can get happening the bigger this hop can become! <center> <a href="http://www.lifeinabreakdown.com/"> <img src=" http://imageshack.us/a/img268/1971/ilovemypostnew.jpg" /></a></center>

Thank you too all of you who made sure you actually followed the hosts and co-hosts last week!

Say hello to Tara from Live, Laugh, Love our Featured Blogger of the Week!

Her blog is filled to the brim with fabulous reviews and giveaways - I don't think it will come as a surprise to my regular readers I am loving this post from her. ~ Sarah If you fancy being next week’s featured blogger make sure you follow all the rules give you hosts and co-hosts a follow and Sarah could be calling on you next week to come and feature with us.

Fridays Letters

Dear Raygan: You asked me a question today and baby you are truly my little girl. Can we have party hats for New Year's Eve. Done sweet girl, consider it done.

Dear Remy: Terrible twos is in full swing but despite your feistiness you've managed to make a mama proud this week! You've been going potty in the big toilet like a boss. You go girl.

Dear New Years: So we may be going to a little get together..lets see if we are still there at midnight...better yet, lets see if we are even awake as the clock strikes 12.


Dear Strawberry Shortcake: I can't get you out of my head.

Secret Sister Reveal

My secret sister nailed it.

 

 

The colors, the candle.

And by the way, how come I have never purchased Glade candles but I buy that brand in plug ins?

Hmm, I think I shall from now on, I love it.

Thank you secret sister! Check out her blog here

Our Christmas In Photos

On the way to Christmas Eve Dinner at Camerons Moms house.

 

We hurried to scatter the reindeer food and put milk and cookies out for Santa.

We read The Night Before Christmas with Grandma and Great Grandma. 

And they got dress up clothes!

Then it was Christmas morning.  Remy woke up first and I quickly asked her if she was ready to see what Santa brought her. Shes screamed "yeahhhh" with her arms up in the air. We then had to wake a sleeping sister.

They obviously like to dress up. A lot. All day.

It was a fabulous day.

 

 

Merry Christmas To You

I've stepped away from technology this passed week and a half. Ive payed a lot less attention to my phone and internet and I've clung to family and friends for comfort and normalcy. Even during the holiday craziness time has managed to slow down. I'm forever grateful that I finished all my Christmas shopping early so I had time for constant love and cuddles that I craved so badly. I'm grateful that our Christmas festivities will be simple and easy. I'm excited to continue our traditions and create new ones and most of all I'm excited to see my girls after they wake up this morning.

Today I am wishing you a very merry Christmas from my crazy family to yours! May your days be bright!

Some More Festivities

Last night us girls snuck away to my parents little town that was offering horse drawn carriage rides throughout a park of lights. Cheesy lights. But lights.

I love all things Christmas and all things cheesy. Put them together and I'm happy happy happy. The girls loved it (obviously) and sat there oo ing and awe-ing over these said lights.

This was something we had planned for last Saturday but then the girls were sick. I was so excited we were able to do it this Saturday!

 

Super Last Minute Holiday DIY Gift!

Every year I bake goodies for friends and family for their gift or at least part of their gift. I didn't want to do it this year. This holiday season is all about stress free. However I still wanted to do a fun easy gift that didn't require a huge clean up and all day slaving in the kitchen with mixing bowls and oven mitts.

 

We've made home made chocolate two times this year already, the girls love it and its a fun little treat!
Therefore I made them for friends and family!

 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup coco
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 candy canes crushed.

Directions for 12 pint Jar:
Combine sugar, coco, and powdered milk together until it is all brown!
Layer Chocolate chips.
Then layer crushed candy canes.

Enjoy!

 

Stocking Swap Reveal

I was super excited about this swap because its stockings.

I mean who doesn't love stockings, and who doesn't love to fill them!

 

Once again it was super fun to get to know her  through her blog! I hope you all check her out. Shes a super sweet girl, and working hard at school!

 

Anywho back to the reveal.

How did she know this was my favorite candy!

I was in desperate need of a new notebook and I'm so excited to try out the lip stuff!

 

  I love my stocking!
For whatever reason blogger isn't allowing me to post the picture now!
Ill update this with the photo of the beautiful stocking!

Lost for Words

Wrote On Friday December 14
I woke up today with three little girls who were happy and on the stretch to sickness recovery. I logged on to my Yahoo account like I do every single morning while I made my morning coffee. I opened my account and saw some alarming news. In bold letters right there on the computer screen said 'At least 27 dead in school shooting'  I called my mom before even opening the page. She informed me that it was at an Elementary school and then together we read the article posted on Yahoo. We cried together as we imagined the families affected in this horrible event. We cried for the children that had to witness this occurrence. And mostly we cried for the 27 teachers and little boys and girls that lives were so tragically and selfishly taken from them.

Its all so hard to comprehend and honestly makes me question humanity itself along with the way I raise my children. School is suppose sacred ground. It is a place where you are supposed to feel safe, secure and further your knowledge.

It's a stream of emotions from anger and confusion to fear. We are a country based on freedom and happiness and this is the result. I believe in our country and I'm aware that its far worse in other areas of the world but thats not where I'm going with this post. How can I feel okay dropping my kids off in a place that is no longer sacred ground? Will we start putting metal detectors and security guards on school grounds like in the movies? What's next? What's next for this country of ours?

I remember walking to and from school every single day and honestly in the world we live in today I don't believe my children will get that so called freedom. I want my babies safe and I will do what I can to accomplish that.

I'm hugging my babies and my niece extra tight tonight and I have shouted off "group hug" more then once. I've called my best friend and together we rambled on out homeschooling and creating our own little commune where we can keep them safe, when in reality you never know what can happen, commune or not. May you love your littles and squeeze them tight and if you don't have your own littles, call your mama.

Fridays Letters

Dear Cameron: I always enjoy our sessions on the computer reading iPhone texts gone wrong. I love that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Dear Girls: You two sure know how to break a mamas heart, I hate seeing you both sick. I wish I could go through the sickies for you.

Dear now! That's what I call Christmas: I am thoroughly enjoying your sweet sounds.

Dear Weekend: We may have had to reschedule our horse drawn carriage ride until the girls get a little better, but we still have lots in store for you!

Friday Randoms

My near two year old has been sick while teething this week followed by my niece then Raygan. Glorious I tell you. They know how to break a mamas heart, we haven't left the house in two days, rescheduled our annual gingerbread decorating event with my bestie, and our days have consisted of painting ornaments and cuddles. At least we are being productive by painting the ornaments that will be the grandparents gifts.

We had a mini Christmas with my niece while she's still here. of course that entitled homemade hot chocolate with fun cups and red straws. I decided to make it even and opted for Jammie's, and tinker bell barbies. We sprung on a guitar for our little rock star niece and she was beyond thrilled! I can totally see her being a little Taylor swift. One day ill be telling e! True Hollywood story that I bought her her first guitar. Yep.

 

I also happened to come across my now that's what I call Christmas CD and turned it on high! Let me tell you, Cameron had front row to a rather impromptu karaoke session signing Justin Biebers and Selena Gomez Christmas songs in my kitchen. No shame here.

I managed to wrap the grandparents gifts and nearly half of the rest. I used to love love love to wrap gifts. I love the cheesy paper, the bows, tags, ribbons, all of it! I would spend time on each gift making sure it was perfect and tidy. Except now, it's more like I'm a ninja running up the stairs, digging 1 or 2 gifts out of my closet at a time and wrapping them as fast as I can and returning back down stairs before the girls even notice I'm gone.

I also happened to do a Pinterest inspired Christmas craft with the girls! Remy attacked Raygans paper with her pink fingers, Miss Raygan was one not so happy camper. I love all of the fingerprint crafts there is on Pinterest!

 

Happy Weekend! What are your plans?

When 'Tis the Season' Blows

My girls are fascinated by the Christmas lights literally fascinated. They scream "look at the lights" "look at these ones guys" literally at every.single.light they see.


We aren't complete party poopers. I mean the last two years we've gotten by on putting lights on our tree in the front yard and a decorative light up snow man.

Honestly, when we have our own house to truly appreciate we'll go all out. Perfect big white bulbs strung that are the exact length on the house with wreaths in the windows. Ahhh, I can see it now. But in reality we are renting the not so house of our dreams that happens to be from the 70's with zero plug ins outside or even relatively close to outside.

But we did it. We seriously did it. All of the odds were against us. I broke down in tears but we did it.

Target was out if the pink strand if lights the girls had their hearts on for our tree in the yard. So 15 minutes later and a phone call to the other target we had some on hold there. The last three boxes. Score. I was not going to let these two littles down!

I came home from the store and eagerly got to work and noticed that the Light plug ins didn't fit into the extension cords. What? Back the the store we go with the lights in tow to make sure they fit.

 Honestly, I thought all plug ins fit in all extortion cords?

I'm known to be very impatient and I just so happen to like getting my way. Shame on me! Well I didn't want to wait for Cameron and I started hammering away outside with the girls both helping me...cough cough tangling the lights! Next thing I know Cameron comes outside with the tree done in pink and the fence done up in white, and I had began on the house.

Then we turn the lights on, and one strand was out. Hmmm, yeah you guessed it. This impatient person hammered right through the wire. Genius I know.

Seriously I can not believe Cameron didn't flip. He was already thrilled that I started to take this task on myself.  Anyway, he laughed and took all of the lights down and replaced them. In some serious

wind I might add.

And that my friends is why I love him. He deals with my crap.

That....

 and because he spends nearly ever free moment he has taming these beasts.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!

(I've always wanted to say that!)

 

Yep, thats what I get.