a special date

While the boys are away, the girls will play.

Anthony and Wyatt went on a boys off-roading trip leaving Alexis and I a full day to do all the girly things we wanted. 

 Off we go...

 First stop was the nail salon.

 We dined at our favorite restaurant where we played 20 questions and I learned her favorite color was not what I thought it was.  It will also probably change in another week.

And then we finished our day off we some serious shopping.  There is a second hand boutique called Sweet n Sassy  in our town that is the best place to shop!  We both scored and it didn't even put a dent in my pocket.  All of the items are between $2-$8 and many of them have the original tag on.  Can't beat that.  

We are home now resting.  Pretty sure I over did it since my muscles are extremely sore.  Good thing I planned ahead and put dinner in the crock pot this morning.

I loved the extra bonding time on the special date with my special girl.  Days where its just the 2 of us, no interruptions, nothing that has to get done.  Ending the day feeling recharged in our love.

time

Time.

We all have it.

We all need it.

We want more of it, rarely wanting less of it.

It goes by so fast and at times it seems to go by so slow.

What is time?

Does it even exist?

"Hurry up, you are wasting time."  How many times have you heard that one?  How can anyone actually waste time?

"Hurry up, we don't have time."  Really?  No time? I have plenty of it.

"We are going to be late, there is no time."  That's not possible, or is it?

"No, I can't, I don't have time"

I have been guilty of saying these myself.

The stress and anxiety I feel when I hear these words isn't necessary.

I think society has put too much pressure on time.  We have deadlines, time limits, and only 24 hours in one day to complete all tasks that somehow feel they must be completed.  And for what?  To win?  If we were to live each day with out the worry of getting it all done (which by the way, it will never be all done) wouldn't life feel more peaceful?  If it weren't a race as to who finished first?  Who accomplished more?  Who over committed the most?  Who had the longest list?  When you finish and you look back, was it worth it?
Did you enjoy it?

I want to do less rush and have more time.  More time for seeing, breathing, listening.  More time for living for me and less time rushing for someone else.

When I was in school I would stress when I thought I was running out of time to complete an assignment.  I didn't care how well it was, just as long as it was done on time.  Totally defeats the purpose of learning.  I wish I would have taken my time.  I would have learned more.  Although I did learn, because now I can teach my kids to not rush.

Because we have time

Life isn't a race.  Life is about enjoying the journey. 

I will take my time.

I will enjoy what I am doing with my time because you can't be wasting time while enjoying it.

gratitude

I have spent too much time this week feeling sorry for myself thinking I was unappreciated, undeserved, overworked and underpaid.  Pretty sure it's all hormonally related but nonetheless it was ridiculous and real.  I haven't been feeling very well.  The good times are great but when I have the bad times they are much worse.  New symptoms that just plain ol suck.  Normally I will allow myself to throw a pity party for 20 minutes tops.  After that, whatever I was bummed out about I must fix it or move on.  To me, there is nothing worse than looking back at the end of the day realizing I was pouting for most of it.  It means I wasn't present or soaking in the beauty.  It means I was letting my family down.  It means I wasn't fun to be around.  I can't get that day back and now I can't get the week back.  It feels wasted.
I realized I wasn't paying enough attention to what I am grateful for.  I was focusing too much on what I didn't have and not enough on what I do have.  I looked back on my week and realized how much wonderfulness I had right in front of me.

I am grateful for the beautiful sunrises every morning.

I am grateful for the amazing 80 degree weather we have been having... in January!

I am grateful that we can run through the sprinklers... in January!

I am grateful this beauty is my daughter.

I am grateful she can scratch her own back.

I am grateful she likes vegetables from our garden.

I am grateful I can always count on this goofball to put a huge smile on my face.

I have no reason to throw a pity party around my family, even for 20 minutes.  If I need to, I will save it for night time when everyone is asleep because lets face it... that's not a party anyone wants to go to.

*** check out the buttons on the top right of this page... I added a Facebook page, Twitter (which I haven't even figured out yet) and Pinterest... I'm all over this social media now***

A fresh start

A new year

A fresh start

A clean slate

I was a child cleaning my room while my mom was cleaning the Christmas decorated house.  My New Years Resolution neatly written and pinned to my wall (old school style with a real push pin on a real wall)
#1 always read: I will keep my room clean
#1 was always broken half way through January.  I love a clean room, I love a clean house but I am and always have been just too lazy to pick up after myself.  Now I have 3 other people (plus 2 dogs) to clean up after.  Instead of setting myself up for failure and disappointment, I won't be adding #1 to my list this year, or ever again.
It is Jan 2nd and my house is clean.  If it stays this way, it's a bonus but it certainly isn't what I will be working on this year.  My resolutions will all be internal and on self improvement.

A time to build on love

A time to build on hope

A time to build on happiness

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What are your resolutions this year?

Dear Alexis

age one

 I didn't know how much love my heart was capable of until I had you.  You are the one that blessed your father and I with the journey called parenthood.  You spent your first year as a "challenging" baby with lots to "say" and little sleep to be had but gave us so much more joy and gracing us with the only life I could ever imagine.

age 2

The growth and maturity you have done in 7 years is astounding.  What you have gone through and learned in 7 years took me 20.  When you were 2 and we had your brother, you immediately took to the mother role, changing his diaper helping me burp him and sitting next to me nursing your doll while I nursed him. 

age 3

age 4

 When you were 4 I had a hysterectomy and took awhile to recover.  In the meantime you stepped in and made your brother peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pouring him drinks, and helping him go potty.  I don't know too many 4 year olds capable of doing what you did.  You are quite the superhero.

age 5

When you were 5 I got sick.  You got it.  You understood I couldn't do what I used to be able to do.  So you stepped up again.  You comforted your brother when he didn't get it, you got him whatever he needed, you started helping me do my laundry and you sat and read to me.

age 6

You also started to worry.  A child should not have to worry about anything but you did.  You wouldn't and still don't talk about what upsets you.  You bottle it all up and then something very small will set you off and you finally cry and let it all out.  It breaks my heart that you have fear inside of you.  I want you to know that if you can't turn to me or your dad you can always turn to God.  He will lift you up, He will always be there for you.

age 7

There is something extra special about you.  There is something very deep and magical about you.  God has made you this way to fit into our puzzle perfectly.

You have shown me so much happiness and laughter.  You have taught me how to be carefree and full of life.  I want to be a better person because of you.  I want to fill your memory with happy times, silliness and most of all love.

My birthday wish for you Alexis Grace is that you live your life full of joy and love.  That you have faith and keep God in your heart.  That you always have hope.  That you follow your dreams.  That you live a life that makes you happy.  Make everyday the best day of your life Alexis!

Happy Birthday

I love you more than words could ever express.

smile

via

 Make the best of everyday.  Challenge yourself to smile at 3 people today, whether it be someone at the grocery store, gas station, work, or just out on the road.  It will make you feel better and I guarantee you will have brightened their day. {you don't have to stop at just 3}

Blessed at Christmas

At Christmastime we count our blessings.  We were extra blessed with Anthony being home with us Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  He did a shift trade that made it possible for him to be home with us and we are very thankful for who worked in his place.

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We go to Anthony's parents house every year for Christmas Eve.  His grandma has had 2 large falls resulting in 2 broken hips and she no longer lives at their house.  She has recovered from her most recent fall and was able to come be with us.  It was so wonderful for her to be there.  My kids, who haven't seen her in several months, were elated.

 Uncle James & Aunt Michelle (suffocating under my kids), Aunt Julie & Uncle Dominic (Nana's back)

We had a great time eating, exchanging gifts and enjoying each others company.
We are blessed

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Christmas morning started at sunrise with two very excited kids.

 Two very excited and spoiled dogs.

After a leisure morning, we headed up to my sisters house where we met up with my brother, his family and my mom.

 This is my niece.  Keeping the princess name while keeping up with the boys.

 The 6 cousins get along so well!

I am not ready for Christmas to be over yet.  Usually I would have all decorations down and cleaned up by the 26th but this year I am hanging on.  I am still singing Christmas carols and wishing for more of the holiday spirit.  I don't want life to go back to the busy rush.  I don't want people to loose the holiday gratitude and extra feelings of love and joy.  So, in my house, Christmas will still be here.  We had such a wonderful holiday celebrating, loving, being together, and appreciating all that we have.

We are blessed