LOVE...please go read this

Please go read this post from Becky Higgins about love. It's not about romance...just love. It's so good, you need to read it! I know I needed this little reminder about love; it'll make you think.

Wordless Wednesday: Wild Hair

My daughter has inherited my hair...wild and curly. Check out these flips.

Project Life Tuesday: Week 3

"All About MEme" Monday

All About MEme
with MommyBrain and SupahMommy


Today's Prompt: THAT'S A DEALBREAKER LADIES!
This week we want you to share with us your own personal experiences with "dealbreakers." Example: You know that hot man candy dude who took of his shirt at the beach when you were 23- only to reveal a DEALBREAKER kermit the frog tattoo or rampant wolf like back hair?

A. List of your top 5 relationship dealbreakers.
B. Tell us about a time you experienced a DealBreaker.

My Top 5 Dealbreakers
Well, of course since I'm married...there are no dealbreakers because there are no deals to be made. But, back in the day, these were my dealbreakers.

5. He was a bad kisser.
4. He smoked.
3. He was shorter than me. (I'm only 5'3'')
2. His bromance got in the way of us spending time together.
and here it comes...the #1 dealbreaker...
1. He was arrested and waiting for his court date to find out if he'd be going to jail.

And yes, all of the above were actual dealbreakers in my dating days. So glad I found my Mr. Right!!!

Nesting for Toddlers?

When I was pregnant with *L*, I did the whole nesting thing. Her room was ready way in advance. I re-organized her drawers and closet several times before she was even born. Since then, I've re-organized things countless times. However, when I was pregnant with *S*, I didn't do much nesting. I think I was just so tired from being pregnant and keeping up with *L*. (She was only 8 months when I got pregnant!) Plus, his room didn't have a lot of room for nesting because the guest bed was in there. I still am not happy with his room. But that's a whole 'nother blog post.
I recently decided that *L* should move into a big girl bed now that she is 2. I'd love to be able to cuddle with her when I put her to bed. And she's already climbed onto the crib rail a couple of times. Fortunately, she tightly hugged the rail both times til I went in and got her down. We already have the guest bed and her crib converts to a full size headboard & footboard. And I can give her crib mattress to *S*. He's still sleeping in a bassinette/minicrib which I am anxious to get him out of. However, just switching beds was not enough of a plan for me. I decided that her new quilt needed to have accessories around the room that matched. I went shopping. My mom had given me money to buy *S* a mattress. But since we didn't need it after all, she said I could use it to buy *L*'s bedding. After choosing a quilt and some decorative pillows, I threw in a wall painting, night light, wall decals...uh oh. I already decided I don't need the matching night light and put that in the bag to return to Target. I have a feeling more will go into that bag as I realize that I don't need to makeover her entire room.
As for the actual work of moving furniture around and getting her room made-over, Aaron has been intentionally stalling. So, I decided I'll just have to do it myself. We still haven't ordered the conversion kit to attach the head/footboard to the bed, so that will have to wait. But I want to get everything else done. That probably won't go as planned either. Once I start moving bookshelves and dressers, I'll probably realize it would be easier to wait for Aaron to move the big stuff. But maybe my nesting insticts will kick in and I'll get it done.

These are the 2 pillows that I can't wait to put on her new big girl bed.

Wordless Wednesday: Haiti

I can't really make this "wordless" because I need to ask you to do something to help people in Haiti. I purposely didn't choose a picture of hurting people because my heart just can't take it anymore. But you can see the devastation in this picture. The people of Haiti need your help. There is a wonderful organization that runs the Real Hope for Haiti Rescue Center that feeds and houses malnutritioned children. Their building was damaged and the children are all having to sleep outside. They are also trying to help people who were injured in the earthquake. Licia, who runs the rescue center, just sent her 3 sons to live with her brother in Washington because they were having such a difficult time dealing with everything that is happening. She is also expecting a baby in August! Her husband is Haitan and his sister, who is pregnant, is going to have both her legs amputated. He still has not found many of his friends. Please pray for their family and their rescue center. If you are able to help the Rescue Center financially, they have a Paypal button on their blog or you can mail them a check. You can also text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. It will be added to your phone bill. Please pray for the many needs in Haiti and do something to help.

Project Life Tuesday: Week 2

Okay, I'm cheating a little bit. I didn't actually take a picture a day. The Project Life kits aren't available yet on Amazon, so I'm behind already. That is causing me to procrastinate taking pictures, too. And realistically, I doubt I'll be faithful in taking daily pictures. It'll probably be more like weekly faves. So, here are my favorite pics for the week. And since I didn't participate last week, I added a few extras. Check out more Project Life posts by clicking the Project Life Tuesday button.

*S* eating a teething biscuit for the first time.

My 2 cute kids playing together.

Their blocks they play with EVERY day.

*S* sporting his Broncos jersey and gettin' some love from Daddy.

My baby boy can stand now, holding on to the couch! I love when they play side by side.

My Baby Girl

My Baby Boy

Re-thinking my blog...again

So, I haven't been blogging regularly like I used to because I'm rethinking the purpose of my blog again. A couple of months ago, I started reading people's blogs and got really motivated to start my own. I didn't really know what I wanted to write about so I found inspiration from others and came up with a topic for each weekday. However, that eventually became a chore. I felt like sometimes I was writing just because I was supposed to and not because I wanted to. Also, I sometimes feel like I don't have time to blog and do other things I want to focus on. So, I'm trying to figure out how to use my blog to help me accomplish some other things. For example, I want to start the Project Life kit by Becky Higgins. A blog I read, The Mom Creative, will be doing a link up on Tuesdays where people can link their blogs to show off their pictures for the week. I'm excited because my blog will actually be helping me to do something that's important to me...documenting our family life through pictures. I'm hoping to use my blog to keep track of milestones in my kid's lives, too. *S*'s baby book is still empty and *L*'s is done up to the first year (she's 2 now). I know there are some things I can go back and look at from my blog. So, I'd like to make that something intentional from now on. I also want to have record of the funny stuff that happens in life. Helene has a hilarious blog where she often writes about the funny stuff her kids say and do. She has 2 sets of twins, so you can only imagine. She could publish her blog into a book and it would sell like crazy! So, I'm still cooking up my blog ideas. Any suggestions for other ways to use my blog to help me be an organized working mom with great photos and memories of my family? For those of you that blog, how do you use your blog to help you accomplish goals that you have?

Project Life...sometime this year

So I really want to do the Project Life kit, but I found out about it late. They are not currently taking orders. Every day, I check Becky Higgins blog to see if their Amazon store is ready so I can order it. It's frustrating to wait. However, the point of Project Life is to take a picture every day. And since I don't have the kit, I haven't been motivated to take pics. I've only taken pics one time...of *S* eating and making a mess. So, I've got to start clicking away so I have pics to put in my kit once I finally get to order it. Then, I'll start posting my pics on Project Life Tuesdays to link up with Jessica Turner.

Wordless Wednesday: Playtime

I love that they play together now!

2010 here we come

2009 was a great year.
I've read some great blogs recapping the last year. I decided I should do the same, at least for my own reflections. I didn't blog often until later in the year, so my recap isn't going to be as thorough as some others'. Here goes...

January- I had one post that summed up the whole month. Last year, we rang in the new year on the San Antonio Rivewalk, just me and my wonderful husband. This year, we're celebrating with a quet evening at home while our 2 babies sleep soundly in their rooms.

Febraury- I was getting adjusted to life with a toddler.

March- I was 8 months pregnant, therefore not too comfortable.

In April, I was 9 months pregnant and just wanted to sit on the couch or sleep. On April 30, my precious little boy was born. We went from parents to one little baby girls to a family of four. I never imagined how much adding one more child would make a difference. The act of juggling your time and energy between two babies is not an easy one. I don't know how parents of multiples do it. So, I didn't blog during April, May even though it was only my 2nd Mother's Day and I had 2 kids, or June even though I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary and my 30th birthday.

July- I finally posted the first pics of my son. We went to Albuquerque for 2 family reunions during July 4th weekend.

August- I finally wrote about my 30th birthday (which was in June). And I posted more pics of my cute kids.

September- This is when I got serious about blogging. I found SITS and started reading other blogs. I started posting Wordless Wednesday pics of kids...the first of my little girl's portraits in her PJs. I also made the tough decision of pulling my daighter out of daycare because she was repeatedly being bitten. MiMi (my mother-in-law) started watching her instead.

October- I went on a business trip to San Diego, CA, and I missed my kids like crazy. We visited the pumpkin patch. Now I know not to wait til the last day because all the pumpkins are gone and you just get pics of your kids next to empty crates and rotten pumpkins. My mom was in and out of the hospital and we were relieved when she was finally able to go home and we knew she was gonna make it. *L* started a new "school" (aka Mommy's Day Out). She looked so grown up wearing her backpack and carrying a lunchbox. I almost lost my mind on her first day. *L* dressed up as a fairy for Halloween after mommy decided to make her costume. At 10pm on Oct 30th, I took of to Walmart for tulle, ribbon, and glitter spray to make a cute fairy tutu. Mommy didn't get much sleep that night. Good thing *S* already had a pirate onsie and goes to bed early or I'd have had to make 2 outfits! oh, and I got an iPhone!

Novemeber- My dad turned 70. My grandma turned 90 and we made a quick trip to Salt Lake City for her party. Right before we left, it started snowing. We tried the 3-day method and failed at potty training. Well, I only tried for a week and decided she just wasn't ready.

December- We got cute portraits taken for *S*'s 7 month pic and *LS's 2 year old pic. And we had lots of fun with all the holiday festivities.

2009 was all about the transition to a mom of 2. It was tough, but I survived and learned A LOT about myself and about raising kids. So, 2010...whatever you got...bring it on!
Best wishes to everyone for a year filled with love and laughter!

Holiday Memories

I've been gone so long

Things just got really busy during the holidays both at work and at home. I didn't have time to turn on the laptop in the evenings. So, I haven't been able to post in a while. Next week, I'll try to get caught up while the kids nap 'cause I'll be home for vacation!

Fun Foto Friday

I was trying to get pics of *L* in front of the Christmas tree, but since it was cold outside we let Duke come in. He was ruining our photo shoot, so *L* bumped his head to try to get him to go away. Made me laugh!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tips: Decorating

Today's stress-free holiday tips are just a few ideas to help you decorate your home without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Get creative so you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Use candy canes on your tree. Use natural décor. For example, grap some twigs from your backyard, tie them together with festive ribbon and add a couple sprigs of holly or mini ornaments. Place on a mantle or bookshelf. Have your kids create some holiday art work. Frame it and hang for seasonal art. Store it with your Christmas decorations and you’ll have keepsake art that can be reused for years.
2. Stay organized. Keep ornament boxes or buy an ornament container with dividers for breakable pieces. If you take down any everyday décor, store it in the containers where you keep your holiday décor. When you take your Christmas decorations down, you can put the usual stuff right back up.
3. Choose a color. Pick one holiday color to use throughout your home. Decorate the tree with red ball ornaments. Fill a glass vase with the same ornaments. Buy everyday red towels instead of splurging on holiday towels. Use red ribbon on glass candleholders to make them look more festive.

Me on Monday

I finished most of my Christmas shopping two nights ago from the warmth and comfort of my couch. We decided to do as much online shopping as we could. I’m so glad I didn’t have to fight the crowds. I still have to head to Toys R Us to buy gifts for L and S, but my plan is to go during the week before or after work so it will be less crowded. I also need to go with a list since I won’t have much time to browse. This will help me stick to a budget anyway. I also still need to put together some homemade gifts. But having the bulk of the shopping done is such a relief. Now if I could just get caught up on the rest of my Holiday To Do’s…take a Christmas pic, make Christmas cards, make keepsake ornaments, print gift tags…got a lot to do this week. Oh ya, and plan L’s birthday party!

Family Foto Friday

Here are a few recent pics of the kiddos from Thanksgiving Day.

I was trying to take a picture of *S* sitting up on his own with no hands (yeah!!) and *L* wanted to make sure she was in it, too. She came and sat right in front of my camera. I had to get her to scoot back some so I could make it look like she just wanted to be next to her baby brother.

My nephew put his hat on *L* and she looked so cute walking around my brother's house wearing it!

My neices decided to dress up as superheroes and they even let *L* join them.

My little girl enjoyed Thanksgiving with the family!

Wordless Wednesday

*S*'s First Christmas Tree

Photo taken Friday, Nov 27th

Tuesday Tips: Stress Free Holidays

I decided to make Tuesday Tips a series for the month of December. I know you don't have time to read long blogs. Well, I don't have time write long blogs, either. So, every Tuesday will be just a few tips to help make the holidays less stressful.
Today’s Tips are about Shopping:
1. Try to go on weekdays when there are less crowds. Parking will be easier to find. Salespeople will be friendlier. New inventory usually comes in during the week, not on the weekends.
2. Look for coupons or discounts. Especially if you have a list, you can search for coupons or online discounts for products you want to buy.
3. Stick to your budget. It may seem easy to pull out your credit card to pay for gifts, but this will only create a very stressful January and maybe even February. It’s just not worth it.
4. If shopping online, look for free shipping or shop on websites where you can buy several gifts for one shipping cost.
Have a safe and stress-free shopping experience.