Mother's Day 2013

I always feel silly making grand proclamations.  I tend to shy away from saying "I always" or "I will never".  Because someday I just might and I have felt what it tastes like to take those words back.  I am not a very definitive person and don't really take hard stances on much.  I try to see both sides.  I like to say I am reasonable. But the more Mothering I have been doing (all whooping 9 years of it) I can say a few things with utmost certainty. 

 

I will do ANYTHING to protect my girls.

Knowing they are NEAR me brings me joy.

I will NEVER stop loving them. 

They are my WORLD.

 

I want so much for them.  I like that they do well in school and they are kind.  I love that they care for each other and each one of our family members.  I know they are good at dance, and singing, and piano, and sports, and reading...I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

 

I was spoiled this Mother's Day.  My girls took the time to really show me how much they love me and it was so special. 

 

 

 

I am the luckiest Mom.

Teacher Door Decorating

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  I try really hard to get to know the girls teachers and let them know that I am so grateful for the time they spend with my girls almost daily.  If you really stop to think about it these teachers are with your child for 7 hours a day.  Guiding them, directing them, and caring for them.  I believe it is so important that we provide teachers with the support they need.  They are helping raise our children too! 

 

Enough of my soapbox!!  Without my Silhouette Cameo I would NEVER have been able to make these doors.  Here is what another mom and I did for the 4th Grade Door.  The idea is all over Pinterest.  We just added a bowl at the bottom and pictures of the kids with saying about the teachers on each of the "Reese's Pieces".  The hardest thing was figuring out the font for the Reese's lettering - so if you are looking for it is called Wild ride. 

My second door was for the 1st grade teacher.  I used multiple colors of tissue paper cut in circles.  I twisted the circles and then clipped it with a clothespin in the center to form the wings.  I stamped each child's name on the clothespins.  Really simple!

The last insane thing I did was make a book of 100 reasons we love the teacher.  Between each reason was a $1 bill.  I got this amazingly cute idea from the site Everything Pink.   The gal makes it look rather painless.  Apparently her bank is nice to her and will give her FLAT dollar bills. * Also, they may count the money in front of you so when you get home and decide to do the project 5 days later you don't realize you only have $81 dollars instead of $100!!*

 

I must say this gift brings TEARS to the eyes of the receiver so if that is the effect you are going for then... DO IT! Lastly, Office Max will gum the stack for about $1.55 so don't go and buy the glue. 

 

 

TWO MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL!!

Easter in a Flash

March was super eventful. So much family and Love!

 

 



 

SPRING BREAK 2013

Our Trip was spontaneous (of course!), with one day notice to hop in the car and drive to San Diego, but is was so worth it!!

 

We scored some free tickets to Legoland which we are so thankful for and the girls had a blast.

They took a driving test, flew a helicopter, steered a boat, and rode a horse.  All thoughts of them being to old for this stuff went right out the window.  They ate it up.

 



 

At one point I heard one of the girls say "Let's pretend we are Legos."

Hmm, not quite sure how that would play out...but OK.

 

 We tried to lock them up but that didn't last long.

 

They spotted this handsome devil and lost all sense of decency.

 

Oh - Daddy is in trouble!!

 



The rest of our trip was just spent relaxing and eating Yummy food.  I even had Lobster for the first time and LOVED IT.  Thank you Rocking Baja Lobster in Oceanside!

(See, Daddy is in trouble!)

 



There is nothing else like walking on the beach.  It is so relaxing. 

For the record this picture below is proof that I do listen (even if they say I don't!)

 



I am forever grateful for times like this.  When we are together and can just BE. 

 

We will be coming back soon to stand on the Moss covered rock at Shell Beach in La Jolla!



Fresh Start

It is never to late for a Fresh Start - to start over - to begin New.  Every morning is a chance to try again and get it right and I am so grateful for it.

 

It is Spring around here for sure with one week to go until SPRING BREAK.  Yes, that means hotter weather but I am trying not to think about that!

 

I was inspired by the Monogrammed Moss Pallet Sign on The 36th Avenue Blog.  Instead of using an initial I cut a bunny out on my Silhouette and used that instead.  The sheet moss was from Michaels in the floral department.  Such an easy and cute project! 

 

 Now my entry way is so Fresh and Inviting!!

Makes me smile every time I pass by.

 

 

 This girl has been smiling a lot more too! 

 She got her braces off yesterday and I think she looks so beautiful!

Highs and Lows

It has been a month of Highs and Lows for Carissa.  She started off the New Year with such a good story.

 

Dad took her to Payson for an overnight trip to get the trailer.  While staying the night in a hotel she pulled out her OWN front tooth.   Apparently it was a bleeder and she was super brave.  It left quite a hole to prove it too! 

 

 

 

She also made amazing strides in January because she wore JEANS for the FIRST time.  She told me it was time to start wearing Jeans because she was getting into the harder part of life.

 

Jeans =Hard

Yoga Pants = Soft

I can see the reasoning...

 

 

But then the FLU hit for 5 days.  She was boiling hot and miserable.  I felt so bad for my sweet girl.  She is the best patient though, never demanding and just requires some head rubbing.  It was the worst.

 



 

The month ended on a High note when she was chosen for Student of the Month.  It was so great to watch her get ready in the morning.  She could barely eat because she was so anxious.  I love that she had such a special day. 

 



Sadly, I am writing as she is laying next to meet.  Yet again she has caught another virus and has been battling aches, pains, and a fever  since Sunday.  We are hoping today is the last of it.  Next year Flu shots?

Happy 2013!!

Happy New Year.

It took me a few days but I knew I could come up with something new for 2013.  There was no way I was going to go a through January without some focus!  So I decided to think of the top 5 things that make me smile and focus on those things throughout the year.  So here they are in no particular order:

* Time with Hubby.  To help me become more inspired I have enlisted the help of the Dating Divas (who knew?).  Definitely going to kick up the heat in 2013!

 

*Reading.  I already read just about anything I can but I want to be more intentional about what I am reading. Mix in a little good literature with my "easy reading".  Amy Clark from the Blog "The Motherload" usually has some great recommendations.  Here is her top list from 2012.

 

*Working Out.  OK - let's be real.  The actually physical exertion of working out does not make me smile.  Even the thought of the planned exercise just completely bums me out. But here is what does make me feel so good, the second I get done.  Knowing that I was able to squeeze in 30 minutes of physical activity is too cool.  So 2013 - maybe a 5K?  Maybe.

 

*Everyday life with Girls.  My favorite times with the girls are when we are just randomly together.  Maybe reading in the same room or doing our hair.  When there is nothing planned and we can just be.  I am going to try really hard to stop what I am doing and LISTEN to them, ASK questions and TALK.  They seem to really love it too. 

 

*Creating.  If I am making something I am happy.  The list is long.  What will be first?

 

So that should do it.  I am ready for 2013.  Are you?