A year in review...

Well I survived 2010. I remember thinking that it would be a difficult year because I lost my dad to cancer in the fall of 2009. I just couldn't imagine a year without him in my life. Even though I was pregnant and expecting Baby G in the Spring of 2010, I was still coping with the loss of my dad and trying to find a way to move on but not forget.

I am proud to say a year later, that I am stronger and happier. I am a more grateful individual who does not take life for granted. I have learned to be more forgiving and more present in my day to day interactions with my loved ones. My family and my babies are my world and I feel so blessed that they are apart of my life. I have stopped trying to control the inevitable and stopped worrying about things that I cannot change. It's amazing how happy and at peace you can truly be if you let go of the things in your life that don't really matter but that you spend too much energy on. I now celebrate the little victories and try to look past the small bumps in the road. I have learned to ask myself what kind of wife, mother, sister and friend I want to be to others and then I try to live it.

In 2011, I want to continue to grow, listen more, talk about the details less and focus on what really counts most. I wish each and every one of you a very healthy and happy new year. Thanks for reading and following a day in the life of my little family. Hope 2011 treats you right!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

Post it note Tuesday

Our Holiday Card from Shutterfly

With Love Chartreuse Christmas 5x7 folded card

Visit Shutterfly.com for classic photo Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

We love Shutterfly and use their website throughout the year for prints, invites, photo books & more...so it was only natural that our Holiday cards would come from them too.

Anyone else create a beautiful card that they'd like to share?

How is it Christmas already?

I swear I was just planning the girls' Halloween costumes....and now Christmas is a week away. It seems to come faster every year and each year I say that I am going to be more prepared but somehow that just doesn't happen. This year is even more of challenge because I just realized that our daycare is closed Thursday and Friday and those were the two days that I have off before Christmas. I had planned on cleaning the house wrapping presents and getting those last minute things done before Santa arrives and I was hoping to do it kid free. Now I have still have the to do list but I also have my hands full with the two little princesses at home with me. Don't get me wrong I love to have the time off with them but it can be very challenging to get anything done. However, it will get done... at least all the things that matter most. I am really looking forward to spending the Holidays with family friends and I am just trying to find ways to make it as stress free as possible so that I can sit back and really enjoy those precious moments that we will create together. It will Baby G's first Christmas. She is just a beautiful little blessing that God has given to us in 2010. Lady M will really be excited this year Christmas morning...she already is. I can't get over how much she has changed in just the last year. I know that someday I will look back and long for the craziness. So this year, I am going to do my best to stress less, enjoy more and embrace all the happiness around me. Hope you are able to do the same!

Seven Cherubs: motherhood and personal sacrifice

I just read a beautiful post in a blog that I am loving right now. Please take time to check it out. I too believe that Motherhood is a sacrifice. But it's also been one of the most amazing gifts that I feel so blessed to have.

Seven Cherubs: motherhood and personal sacrifice

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY... T & ME

I love my man. He is such a good husband and father!

Post it Note Tuesday!

http://www.onlyparentchronicles.com/

I hate it when they are sick!

I haven't posted in days because Baby G has been sick :( She hasn't been herself since Thanksgiving. She had a head cold and is teething in top of it. Monday she drank a whole 3 1/2 ounces the whole day at daycare. I was so stressed when I picked her up and realized how out of it she was. She then started to develop a horrible cough...it was so bad that she would vomit. Tuesday morning I am all dressed for work, I get my 3 year old Lady M ready and woke Baby G. I managed to feed her & get her dressed. She seemed better to me at least not as congested. I went to put her in her car seat and she started coughing and vomited all over herself and me. Needless to say I called into work, brought Lady M to preschool and Baby G and I went to see the pediatrician. The doc said she had an upper respiratory infection. She was put on an antibiotic :(  I felt so bad for her. Thank goodness she seems to be getting better each day.

Balancing my career and and being a Mommy can be so overwhelming. We don't have any family support close bye either so it makes it even more difficult. T's career isn't always as flexible as mine so he doesn't always have the time to take off when the kids are sick. Sometimes I feel like I being pulled in two separate directions. It's so hard to be at work when I am worried about my little ones. I wish one of us was able to stay home but that just isn't an option right now. T and I just try to support each other as much as possible and do the best we can for our girls. They are our world :)

Any other working Mommies out there who are struggling to juggle it all? I would love to hear about your trials and triumphs! I know you SAHM's have them too :) Feel free to share.

Our Christmas Shopping List...Where to find the best deals?

 I am really behind this year on our Christmas shopping. I love to shop and this year we are a little strapped for Christmas because we are now sending two children to daycare..the cost is insane! We are in the process of refinancing our house so once that goes through life should be a bit easier. I am hoping to get some good deals tomorrow online for Cyber Monday. Does anyone know of any great deals that are out there? Here is a list of some of the things I will be looking to purchase in the next few weeks. Would love to hear of any deals on these items or reviews if they are not worth the price. Hope you all find what you are shopping for this year :)

1. Xbox Live (T already has Xbox but now he wants to go Live...I know nothing about this or how much it costs)

2. Dollhouse (Looking for a nice Doll house with at least the mommy, daddy and two kids for Lady M. I was considering the Fisher Price brand one but there are several different versions & styles...very indecisive on this one)

3. Barbie Puppy Swim pool Dog Set (Lady M is really hoping Santa brings this) Target did have it on Sale for $19.99

4. Convertible Car Seat for Baby G (I have no idea what to get. I like the Graco brand. I am considering the My Ride or a comfort Sport) I am not sure where I can get the best price on this.

5. Moon Dough (Lady m saw this when we were in target and loved the farm set) The reviews say that it's really messy. I thought it would be cool b/c I heard it didn't dry up like playdoh. Anyone have this? I think it's selling for $14.99

6. Sketchers Twinkle Toes Sneakers Toddler Size 8. I think these are adorable but pricey. They seem to range from 30-40 $. Are they worth it? Again these would be for Lady M.

7. Reebok zig slash Sneaker (for T)

8. Imaginarium 5-Way Giant Bead Maze Cube (for Baby G)

9. XBox Game (not sure which one yet but my brother is getting this system for Christmas from my stepmom)

10. Borders Gift Card (for my stepmom...should be easy enough)

11. Down Feather Bed Queen Size (for my Sister in Law)

Does anyone have any shopping tips to share? I would love to hear what you will be looking for this year :)

Wordless Wednesday with Baby G

Baby G Just hours old

1 Month

 

2 Months

 3 Months

 4 Months

 5 Months

 6 Months

 7 Months

Where does the time go?

Post it Note Tuesday

Get your own Post It HERE and go link up...

5 Things I'm Thankful for this week...

1. Work was quieter...finally things are slowing down. I am a counselor in a middle school and the kids have been really challenging this month. They were all stressed about their grades and struggling to get along with each other but it seemed better this week.

2. My kids are healthy...I am almost afraid to type this. I don't want to jinx myself :) Lady M spent the first year of her life in a doctor's office...it was awful she was always sick but it has gotten better with her every year. I was worried Baby G would follow the same path as her sister but she has been happy and healthy. Thank goodness!

3. I got my holiday card coupon code from Shutterfly...50 free cards. I am so psyched! I love free things and I love the cards at Shutterfly.

4. Lady M is learning a lot at Preschool. She is starting to recognize more Letters and she is great at counting. More importantly she has wonderful little friends there.

5. Baby G is starting to sleep through the night again. We are all happy and thankful for that!

What went well for you this week?

Lady M's many questions???

These days I get asked lots of questions. Lady M is 3 so she has all these ideas and thoughts and seems to be looking for constant validation about all her new revelations...the girl makes me laugh! Now that we have Baby G, I get lots of questions about Lady M's life as a baby. She usually says "Mommy when I was a baby I didn't cry like that... right?" or "Mommy when I was a baby I use to wear that hat too... right?" Well today she caught me by surprise. She said "Mommy where did I come from?" I was shocked. I really thought I had some time before these questions came about...so my response "Ahhh you came from Mommy's belly" Lady M's comeback " Hmmm Mommy it looks like you are starting to get another baby in that belly... yup I think so." Guess it's time to get that workout regiment going!!! Her she is...my little comedian.

What hard questions have you had to answer lately?

Wordless Wednesday...I love fall

What were your favorite fall moments?