Proud Mama!!!

Today I am one Proud Mama!!!

Everyday, and I mean everyday Lil surprises me with the things she understands! All year long Lily saves her money in a "give back" jar. We always save it till Christmas so she can buy toys for Toys for Tots. We have explained to her why it's so important to "give back". We explain to her that not all kiddos have all of the toys and books that she does, that sometimes Mommy's and Daddy's can't do the things for their kiddos that her Mommy and Daddy can. We ask her to think about other kiddos, the kiddos who may not have a Christmas if we don't do our part. We want her to understand that not all kiddos have the "life" she has. (yes, she's spoiled)

So today was the big day....we ventured out to get our toys. Lily and Mommy head out to Target...we don't find anything that we have to have so we decide that we are Toys R Us bound. We stroll through all of the isles (and yes I mean all). All the while I can just see her mind going crazy. She finally decides on a couple of things for a girl, and a play set for a little boy. She told me that she would really like what she picked out, but she knew that she had to "give back". I picked out my toys and we head to the register to pay. She was so proud to get out her wallet and pay by herself (yep, my girl saved $60). She had $13 left over when we left Toys R Us. We got to the car and she told me that we needed to go to another store because she had more money. She never asked if she could keep that money, she wanted to buy more toys for kids who don't have any. So on the Meijer's we go!

I needed to return a few things at Meijer's, (bare with me) so I'm getting my money back from the cashier. She asked if she could give Lily the 3 pennies so she can ride Sandy the pony. So Lil puts them in her pocket, we pick out her toys and pay, then she asks if she can ride the pony. We head over to Sandy and as she's riding she notices that someone left pennies there. She asks me why there are pennies just sitting there, so I explain to her that someone must have left those pennies for the kiddos that don't have a penny to ride. Then my sweet, sweet girl grabs those two other pennies out of her pocket and tells me she would like to leave her pennies there too!!

I had all I could do not to cry right there.....ok, I got teary eyed!!! Everyday as a parent I question if I'm doing a good job (I think most of us do?), at that moment I thought...we are doing something right!!!! I really think she gets it and for that I AM ONE PROUD MAMA!!!!

xoxo

(note: I wanted to add photos, but it won't work!!!)

Thank A Veteran Today!!

Today...honoring all who have served...those who are no longer with us and those that are serving now. We are always and forever grateful!!

Words will never be enough for all of the sacrifices you have made and continue to make. Know you are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank You!!

Happy Birthday Marines!!

From a PROUD Marine Daughter, Happy Birthday Marines!!

Happy Birthday Daddy, I Love You!!! I loved growing up as a Marine daughter, I wouldn't have changed a thing!!!

Semper Fi

xoxo

Cheerleading Is Over

My girl got her first trophy!! We had the end of year Beach League banquet last weekend, and Lil was so proud of her trophy!

Now that 31 days is over, what am I going to blog about??

My Christmas shopping is in full swing around here! I love to start early, but I have a problem with not stopping! I can't believe the things that were on the shelves a week ago are already disappearing off the shelves already!! My suggestion to you: If there is a special something that your kiddos want, buy it now!! Two of the things Lil wants I've already bought because I'm scared they won't be on the shelves later.

The hubby is having a "guys" weekend away, so it will be Lily and Mommy time this weekend. Hopefully daddy has a great time away, he deserves it!!!

Happy Hump Day!!
xoxo

Day 31 - It's All Up To You

Here it is, the last post of my 31 day journey. (still can't believe I actually blogged for 31 days straight!!)

What I've learned along the way is.....there is no wrong way, no right way, no two people find balance in the same way! Do we ever truly find balance...I'm not sure. We just keep going! As long as we keep trying, and giving it our all we are bound to make it through!

To my friend Luz who invited me to join her on this journey, we've never met in person, but I love her like she lives next door to me and I've known her forever!! (someday we will meet, I'm sure of it!!). Thanks for the journey my friend!! Much Love!!

xoxo

Day 30 - So Tell Me......

Only one day left of this 31 day journey....tell me what's the most important thing for you when trying to balance it all??

xoxo

Day 29 - Life Is A Balancing Act

Isn't that the truth??

xoxo

Day 28 - Care For Your Body

Having a high energy level is a trait held by many highly successful people. No matter what your present level of energy, you can increase it by following these steps: Eat. Don't skip meals. Your physical and mental energy depend upon nourishment. Irregular eating patterns can cause a frayed temper, depression, lack of creativity and a nervous stomach.Exercise. Over and over again, highly successful people mention the benefit of exercise routines. . The benefits of exercise are mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. If you are healthier and have more stamina, you can work better and longer.

I've left this topic as one of my last posts, well....because, this is something I suck at!!!! I believe everything that is stated above, I just don't do it!! I have NO EXCUSES!! I always say, I'll start tomorrow and of course tomorrow comes and goes. Hoping that I will get on with taking care of my body!

xoxo

Day 27 - Re-Do Your To Do List

A to-do list is a day, time and life management tool. Regrettably a to-do list can take over your life and manage you instead. If you find that you cannot make a decision or be spontaneous even on your off days, if you can barely breathe without checking your to-do list, it is time to take back control.

Weed out the tasks on your list that are unrealistic, counter-productive and keeping you from spending quality time with your family, your friends, your hobbies and yourself. If you feel you must, schedule “Be spontaneous” or “Forget the to-do list” on your to-do list and do just that.

I've had to ditch my to do lists!! I get stressed when I don't get everything on it done, so I just quit making them!!

Do you make lists?? Do you get it all done??

xoxo

Day 26 - If You Fall, Get Back Up

This is so important....Perservere!!!! Don't call it a failed attempt and give up, when the next try at something may lead to success. Maybe it won't lead to success today...maybe it will be next week, maybe next month, maybe next year, and maybe it will take a lifetime.

Life comes moment to moment, so we must be here now, giving our full attention!

A life of balance means living in the present and meeting ourselves where we are at this moment.

Don't give up!!!

xoxo

Day 25 - Love Yourself

When you completely respect the person you are, and when you are true to your inner word, balance will be a normal part of your entire life.

You must be true to yourself and love who you are "today." You are the person you are, and regardless of what others may tell you or what you may think others think about you, up until this very moment, you have defined exactly who you are. Good, bad or indifferent, you are the person you are and you should love that person deeply. It doesn't mean you have to stay this way; it just means you recognize the "you" you really are and that you are in harmony with who that person is right now. This is a huge step towards finding inner balance.

Couldn't have said it better myself!! You have to love you!!! Sure we will always have things we want to change about ourselves, but no matter what "you have to love yourself". I always say "you either like me or you don't, but this is me, and I like me....take it or leave it"

Go do what you do and LOVE YOU!

xoxo

Day 24 - Get Enough Rest

Do you notice how your day is soooo much better when you've had a good nights rest? You get more done and you are in a better mood.

I am notoriuous for not getting enough sleep! I crawled in bed way early for me last night, didn't even watch Monday Night Football (that is just not me)!! I was just plain tired!

They say at least 8 hours a night, well I got that and more last night!! It happens about once a month where I finally give in, and it just feels good!!!

Here's to getting 8 hours each night!!!

xoxo

(another late post....stay tuned for another later today)

Day 23 - Keep Moving

Day 22 - Do Nothing

Sometimes you just have to say....***k it!!! Today was one of those days!!! We had Lil's last day of cheer, then we came home and have done a whole lot of nothing!!! The house needs to be picked up, Lil's mess from the day needs to picked up...but ya know what?? I'm really ok with it waiting till tomorrow!!!!

Sometimes it good to just have "do nothing" days!!

xoxo

Day 21 - Practice Makes Perfect

It's late....well it's really early!!!

Today was all about practicing balance. Work, our favorite band Wayland...then tomorrow our last day of cheer, and i'm sure a nap will fit into there too!!

So I've given you a video of the band we saw tonight!! Be sure to check them out....Great Music.....Great Guys!!!

xoxo

(oops on the late part, could not get my video on here. Be back later for today's post!!)

Day 20 - Establish a Support System

Be willing to ask for help AND receive it. Enlist family, friends, neighbors, professionals and others to help you as needed.

I hope you are all as lucky as I am with this one! I have an amazing family and friends and I know that I am never alone...if I need help, it's there. I wish the same for all of you!!

xoxo

Day 19 - Don't Work Yourself To Death

You've got to set some boundries when it comes to your work life!

Set certain days and times that are only for you or for your family. Instead of causing you to fall behind, you will probably work more efficiently during the rest of the week.

xoxo

Day 18 - Keep walking..

This is how I feel sometimes....just keep walking that line, keep trying to find my balance!!

Keep walking...keep walking...just keep walking!!!

xoxo

Day 17 - Don't Take On Too Much

It is hard for many of us to delegate responsibility to others. Whether it is at work or in the home, we become victims of the “I’ll just do it myself” mentality. The result is that we spend too much time focusing on certain aspects of our lives while neglecting others. We quickly forget that everything is a trade-off. Learn to delegate to co-workers, family members and your spouse. Return the favor for them to achieve an even greater balance.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate!!! I FOR SURE have the "I'll just do it myself" mentality!! Nobody does it the right way but me! Who am I kidding...!!! Seriously, I always load the dishwasher, well, cause I'm the only one in this house that does it right. Really Lori?? What makes my way better?? I have no idea, I just have to get over those things!! Oh lord, the dishwasher is just a start on what I could go on about, but I think I'll ONLY go there!! LOL

Of course that is just a little thing...but I always take on too much. I have to learn to say no once in awhile!!

Are you a victim of the "I'll just do it myself" mentality??

xoxo

Day 16 - Be Nice To Others

Plain and simple.............Be Nice To Others!!

Being nice and being kind to others has the "pay it forward" effect that not only makes you feel good but quite possibly improves the world around you!

I try to instill in my daughter and all of the kiddos that I take care of:

Do unto others.....treat people the way you want to be treated!

xoxo

Day 15 - Be Positive

Be positive, Stay positive!!!

Positive upbeat people tend to have a clearer point of view and generally speaking get more of what they want out of life....including proper balance.

This is a HUGE thing for me...I believe in staying positive...it's the one thing in this journey to Finding Balance that I can say...I've Got This!!!

Is your glass half full or half empty??

Happy Saturday!!

xoxo

Day 14 - Slow Down

Slow Down

Life is too short, so don't let things pass you by! Take time to stop and enjoy the things and people around you. Schedule more time between meetings; don't make plans for every evening or weekend, and find some ways to distance yourself from the things that are causing you the most stress.

Happy Friday!!!

xoxo

Day 13 - No Regrets

The things in the past are just that....the past. We can't change these things, they are over and done...you have to move on and hopefully you learned something from it all!! Living with regret throws everything off Balance, we can't be overcome with the should've, the could've or the would've.

Life in the present and enjoy each moment as it happens!!

xoxo

Day 12 - Almost forgot...

Looks like I'll have two posts today...oops!!!

Be back later today!!

xoxo

Day 11 - Priortize

I found this online and I LOVE it!!!

Our journey in life defines exactly who we are. Prioritize your life. Your thoughts are powerful. Create a mental picture of exactly what you want in life. Use this as your "roadmap." Now you can sit down, and create a list of your priorities. Take your time with this. Decide what you can really control in your life. Release the rest

Happy Tuesday!!

xoxo

Day 10 - Taking Care of Me

So since I'm learning to balance....right now I'm taking care of me...so bear with me while I try to get rid of the raging headache and sore throat, and congestion!!! I had a field trip with Lily's class today, had a blast, but.....I'm all done!! Hope this "thing" I've got going on will go away soon!! Did you ever notice that when Mom's get sick, our life has to go on like normal but when Dad's get sick, their world stops?? Today..I want to be a Dad!! LOL

Better Balance posts are soon to come!!

xoxo

Day 9 More Balance

Another quick post - I'm getting sick!! Sore throat, clogged head....UGHH!!! No time for this, I have a field trip with Lily tomorrow.

Hope you all have had a great weekend!!!

xoxo

Day 8 - Practicing Balance!!

Today I am practicing balance with a short post. The weather is fabulous today, and I'm going to get yard work done, before the snow flies here in Michigan. You never know when that is going to happen around here...I've actually raked leaves here before while it was snowing!!

Happy Saturday!!!

xoxo

Day 7 - Eat together

Sit down together and have at least one meal a day together.

I'll admit, we don't do this. We eat dinner in the living room in front of the tv. Yes, we have a kitchen table, but we surely don't eat at it. We should be eating dinner at the table every night!! Our schedules are crazy sure, but that is the one meal that is most consistent for us. On the nights that Rob has school, Lil and I should be sitting down together. The more I type this, the more I'm thinking about what we miss out on by not sitting down together for dinner. That would be a perfect time to hear about the happenings in each of our days, what's going on the next day, and to listen to one of Lil's crazy stories!

Do you sit down as a family for meals? If you don't, why not?

xoxo

Day 6 - Play Time

When we allow our "play time" to dwindle down to almost nothing, we may notice that our relationships begin to suffer! Take time out to play!

Read with your child, cuddle your baby, build with blocks, play board games, play tag, watch a favorite movie, go for a bike ride, take your teen to dinner and just chat. Just be there, be all there!!! Show your family with one on one time how important they are to you!!

I love this photo from last winter of Lily, Toby (the dog) and her Daddy playing!!

xoxo

Day 5 - Flexibility

To maintain your levels of happiness in your life, no matter what happens in your day, be flexible. Don't be a perfectionist and do try to be adaptable in your expectations of yourself and events around you.

Do you ever have those days when everything is going good, and one little (usually ridiculous) thing just sets you off and changes your whole day?? If you are like me, I have a mental photo of how things should be, and when they aren't or they don't measure up, I get annoyed!! Of course, most of those things are completely out of my control so why do I let them get me so worked up??

I'm usually pretty flexible, until it comes to my own life, or the things that REALLY matter to me. But I really need to work on being flexible ALL the time!! It's not even the big things I need to be more flexible about...it's the little things. I found this on the internet, and I love it:

When you have a flexible mind set you're able to deal with crises and problems much more easily because your not working against a preconceived notion of how things "should be". You're able to tap into your creative problem solving skills and move through challenges without all the drama and frustration. Be like the tree that bends with the breeze - and you're much less likely to break

I bet my life would be more Balanced if learned to be more flexible!! Here's to being like a tree!!

xoxo

(to check out all of the other 31 dayers, just click on my Finding Balance button on the right hand side)

Day 4 - Self Care

You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself - Mary Mazzer

I'm telling you, I should post this quote all over my house!! I think I NEED this to smack me in the face, everyday, all day!!! Of course, it all makes sense....get enough sleep, eat right, exercise, speak kindly to yourself. Why is it that I can't follow through with these things??

First off, my sleep habits are terrible. Here's what it looks like : Mon-Fri I go to bed somewhere between 11 and midnight or later (usually the midnight side of things), I'm up between 6 and 6:30. No wonder I'm tired all the time!!! I go to bed even later on the weekends and sleep in for as long as I can. Really....so not good!!!!

Eat right.....not so much, Exercise.....not so much!!!!

The only thing I'm decent about is speaking kindly to myself. I like who I am!! Of course on the outside, there is huge room for improvement, but I'm bound to get there too!!

So....I am going to make that quote pretty and print it out to place around my house! I WILL read it and be reminded!!!

Don't forget to take care of you!!!

xoxo

Day 3 of Finding Balance - Quiet Time

Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself - Jessye Norman

First things first....family night DID NOT happen here tonight. The princess was in her room cleaning it for 3 hours, then it was bedtime. She knows that she missed out a night of games, and her heart was broken!! She came out of her room crying and walks up to me and says, "I'm so sorry Mommy" I asked her why she was sorry, and through the tears and crying she said "for ruining our fun night." Oh lord, I really, and I mean really wanted to cave!!! I gave her a hug and said we will have to try again, and that maybe when Mommy says to clean up your room you should get it done, and not play for 3 hours!! Hopefully she learned a lesson, and we won't miss out again!!!

So in doing some reading on balancing your life, one of the things I continue to read is to find some time for yourself- quiet time. We tend to give so much of ourselves, wearing so many hats, we forget about us! I do get me time, but I would not call it quiet time. I have time to hang out with my girlfriends, with my mom and sister, and time with the hubby and our friends too. I guess I wouldn't call it quiet time. I really don't have any excuses now, Lily is in school all day and I have two days a week off of work. I WILL have quiet time, a day for me to read, scrap, stamp, anything that is just for me!!

Here's to wishing us all a little quiet time!!!

xoxo

Day 2 of Finding Balance

(bad photo from my phone this am before we headed off to cheer)

And there is my reason for needing to find BALANCE. If I can find BALANCE in this crazy life of mine, I'm sure to be a better Mommy! I'll have more quality time to spend with the princess and her Daddy. Not that we don't spend time together now, but is it really quality time?? That is the big question. I am a firm believer that it doesn't take money or big plans or expensive things to have quality time together.

So the big question is where do I begin on this journey of finding BALANCE??

I think the first step to finding BALANCE in my life is going to be to set aside a family night. A night with no tv, no video games...just "us" time. A night that we can play games, go for a walk, go for a bike ride,read together...something that will get us to slow down and just be together, enjoying each other.

I really believe that it's the little things that make the best memories! I know when I was a child, it was the hanging out together with my parents and my sister that we still talk about, that we still remember!! We remember hanging out at the beach, playing baseball in the street, just hoping in the car to go for a drive.... Those are the things that I want Lily to remember, those are the things I want us to be talking about 30 years from now!

Somehow my parents always made it look so easy...I know now, as an adult, that it wasn't easy!! Those are the memories that I want Lily to have, I want her to think we made it look easy!!! If we keep going at the pace we are now...I honestly don't know if that will happen.....hence......FINDING BALANCE.

So...day 2 of finding BALANCE is starting family night, once a week. Our family night will be Sunday evenings from dinner until Lily's bedtime at 8pm. I'm actually really excited about this!!

Do you all have a family night?? What are some things that you do on family nights?

Don't forget to check out all of the other 31 dayers over at Nesting Place!

xoxo

Finding Balance.....

Well...here I am on the beginning of this 31 day journey of finding BALANCE in this crazy life!! (Be sure to check out The Nesting Place for all of the details of the 31 Day journey) I know I am no different than any other working, living, loving Mom out there, but sometimes I just feel like I fall short in so many areas. I guess we all feel that way at certain times, right?? It's not that I think I'm a bad Mommy...I think that I'm a pretty good Mom. Sure I make mistakes everyday, but I do my best and my baby girl NEVER has a doubt how much she is loved!!! It's not that I think I'm a bad wife, I think I'm OK at that too...I'm sure I need even more improvement at being a wife, than being a Mommy. (yes, Lily probably gets the best of me and the hubby gets what's left over, not a good BALANCE!!)

See...this whole BALANCE thing seems to revolve around Lily Rene'. I waited soooo long for our little princess, once she was finally ours, everything changed...she is the center of my everything!!! Everything I went through, all the pain, all the hell, all of the heartache...I would do it all again...knowing what I know now...knowing that she would be the reason for all of that!! I truly believe that GOD knew all along what he was doing, he knew this beautiful little baby girl was going to need us. He knew that we needed her. I believe that he chose her for us, long before she was even thought about, before we even had a plan for Foster Care or Adoption. He just knew!! (a little history here: I was diagnosed with stage 4 Uterine cancer at 27 years old, and had to have a hysterectomy ASAP, followed by chemo and radiation. We had no children, and struggled as a married couple with our options. We finally agreed on Foster Care to possibly adopt. We had some wonderful foster children, had some struggles, had some children we thought would be ours...but that wasn't the plan, had some bittersweet endings, met some really wonderful people who now have some amazing forever children and some really happy endings through foster care...of course the happiest ending of all was adopting Lily Rene')

So through it all BALANCE is what I need to work on!!! Now that Lil has started Kindergarten, and is gone all day, I really need to find a good BALANCE of time with her, BALANCE of quality time with the hubby who works full time and goes to school at night, BALANCE of me time, BALANCE and quality time to be a better daughter, sister and friend. BALANCE of time in general!!! I just need BALANCE and some motivation on the side would help too!!! LOL!!! I will spend the next 31 days finding ways to BALANCE my time and energy into being a better all around me, which in turn will make for a better Mommy, Wife, Daughter, Sister and Friend!

Hope you all enjoy the ride with me!!!
xoxo

Here I Go.....

3

I CAN DO THIS!!!! (I must keep telling myself this) I'm joining in over at Nesting Place on their 31 days of change!! (Geez, this starts tomorrow, I better get busy) Thanks to my lovely friend Luz for leading me to the Nesting Place and to join her on this journey!! We've got this girl!!

You are all invited to join in! Here's the deal: You commit to blogging on a topic of your choice for 31 days. (I CAN DO THIS....have I mentioned I haven't blogged since Feb., and have NEVER blogged 31 days in a row....oh boy...)

I'm going to be blogging about Balance. The balance of life with a 5 year old who is now in Kindergarten, married life, work, mommy time, time for the two most important people in the world, and how in the world I don't screw it up!! This could get serious ya'll!!!

Enough for now...I must go figure out all of the other things I need to do!!!

xoxo

Happy Birthday to my Baby Sister!!!

A Big Happy Birthday to my Baby Sister today!!! Gone are the days when she would wait by the door with those LONG pigtails, waiting for me to get home from school, and yelling "SSSSIIISSSYY" with a big hug. Gone are the days when she drove me crazy (well, most of the time), but not gone are all of the wonderful memories of ALL of the crazy things we've done and shared!!!! Sometimes we took each other for granted and we've had our spats, our all out wars....but through it all, we always knew we had each others backs (sometimes we just forgot for a minute or two). I can't imagine not having my CRAZY, LOUD, IN YOUR FACE, TELL IT LIKE IT IS, BE THERE FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT, Sister!!! I LOVE YOU ROBYNN ELLEN, and I'm so proud you are my baby sister!!!!

The photo above was taken by my BFF Jodie in October of 2010. Robynn and I had a mini photo shoot so we could make a collage of photos for our Mom and Dad for Christmas. Now I can actually share some of those photos.

Here is my Week 5 Photo for Project 52. This photo is the after effects of our "Blizzard 2011" Yes, we got that much snow pretty much overnight!! I've been back here for almost 14 years, and I still love the snow!!!

Lil and I have been spending my days off at Grammy's house getting crafty. Lil would move in with Grammy and Papa if we would let her. I just keep telling her it's way more fun to visit, cause they aren't as much fun when you live with them!!! LOL!!!

Hopefully you are all ready for the Super Bowl tomorrow??!! We are hanging out at Grammy and Papa's for the day (imagine that). Looking forward to a good game!!!
LETS GO PACKERS!!!!!

xoxo

I Got Crafty!!!

I had the day off yesterday and Lil and I went to Grammy's and got crafty! I worked on Valentine's Day cards for the daycare kiddos. I haven't made cards in sooooooo long, it was good to do it again!! Lil and I are going back to Grammy's on Friday to do it again!!

Here is my week 4, 52 Week photo. I took a different one, but for some damn reason that photo will not come off of my memory card, so I took another last night. Here I am will ALL of my gray hair!!! I am WAY to young to have so much gray, not to mention that my hair grows so fast!! I don't get my hair done until the 12th, I'm thinking I better not wait so long next time, cause this is NOT GOOD!!! I have to wear my hair up everyday, just to try and hide this crap!!!

This photo is also for the 52 week project, it is a white space challenge. I used a scrapbooking transparency, and took a photo of my favorite socks!!

Not much else going on here, snow day today. Nobody's working, and I have no daycare kiddos at the moment either. The snow is beautiful, we've got 15 inches outside my front door, with some crazy drifts. I'll try to get those photos up later.

I still need to get some of Lil's B-day photos up too!!!

Hope you are all warm and safe!!

xoxo

Just a quick post.......

Here is my week 3 photo. I almost forgot to take it, so I quick snapped one on the fly. Of course I played with it in Picnik. I think I'm addicted to that site, it's like I can't just leave a photo alone anymore!! LOL And let me tell you, with all the gray roots I have going on right now, it's a GOOD thing for Picnik!!!! I really need to get some serious creativity for this project, instead of just these face shots!!! Be sure to check out the 52 Week Project and play along!! Just click on the link over here ------------>.

Not much else going on, busy week, and a birthday girl on Thursday!!! Who can believe that my baby has been ours for almost 5 years!!! I just can't imagine my life without her in it!!! I'm sure I'll be posting B-day photos after Thursday. Have a great rest of the week!!!

xoxo

I finally picked my "One Little Word" for 2011!! A big thanks to my friend Shanna for inspiring me make a logo of my word. Now I really need to head over and sign up for the One Little Word online class, so I can see what they've got up their sleeve to get me MOTIVATED!!I chose MOTIVATE for so many reasons, I mean, it appears that I've lost all my motivation and I need to get it back!!!

I need to be motivated to be a better me, to be a better Mommy and a better wife. Not that I don't think I'm a pretty good me, Mommy and wife, but I know there are things I can do better, that I want to do better!! I WILL do better, I WILL be better.....my MOTIVATION will return!!!

Just got done playing with my 52 Week Project photo. I don't know if I will ever not play with my photo in Picnik, well, cause I just don't like photos of myself! But...maybe this project will help me get over it already!!! Anyhow, here it is: it's all in the eyes


Not much else going on here, didn't leave home ALL weekend, didn't even get out of my jammies this weekend, this cold is kicking my ass!! But now it's back to work, no time for laying around, lots to do this week!! Really looking forward to spending ALL day Saturday scrapping with some lovely ladies, maybe I'll even get some scrapping done!!!

Have a great week!!!
xoxo

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!!

So here I am....hair all a mess, no make up....this is me most days!!! I've decided to join in on the 52 Week Project. I'm so not photogenic, and I don't like photos of myself, so this is going to be a major challenge for me, but I'm gonna try!! So here is week one, I figured why not start out with the real me. Being home doing daycare during the week, my hair is almost always up, I have no make up on, and I'm usually in sweats and a sweatshirt, or jeans and a sweatshirt. Maybe once a week I'll actually do something with myself. (yeah right)

I still haven't finished by December Daily album, of course. I have the photos, now I just need to print them. I am going to a crop on the 15th, and I'm hoping to have it done after that!! Wish me luck!!

Hope you all had the happiest of holidays, I know we sure did!! Christmas was amazing as always. How can it not be when you get to see everything through the eyes of 4 1/2 year old. Not to mention all of the time we get to spend with our family, just hanging out, playing games, being together. Lil was extremely spoiled, she got what she asked Santa for (a pink escalade, and a pink cross bow), not to mention all of the others (leapster, games, bitty baby, baby alive, glo doodle, polly pockets, littlest pet shop, camera, and the list goes on and on...)Yes, she's spoiled!!! We had to go through her room and take out toys and do some cleaning and rearranging to make room for all of her new stuff!!

Now we are back to school, and back to the grind of non holiday mode, and honestly I was ready!! Ready to go back to normal routines. Rob starts back to school next week, and we have loved having him home for 3 weeks. Looks like this semester he will only be gone one night a week instead of four. He decided to try an online course, so we'll see how that goes!!

On another note, Rob and I FINALLY have insurance again!!! We have been without insurance for ourselves for almost two years, and his company finally offered it to us!!! Talk about a load off of our minds!!! I just got to cancel Lil's insurance and put her on a policy with us now!!

Not much going on here, trying to get motivated to make some changes in my own life, but motivation is hard to come by lately!!! If you have any spare, please send it my way!!!

Wishing you all the best in 2011!!!!

xoxo