Looking back at 2013

As I sit down and reflect on all that our family has been through this past year I am so, so thankful.

Our hands and our hearts are full.

SO FULL!

As I sit here on our new couch-our first large purchase-EVER- looking at our glowing Christmas tree my eyes well up with tears because I am so incredibly thankful.

It's crazy really that something as simple as a couch can make one so happy!

I'm a simple creature I guess :)
I'm thankful that God has blessed me with this life.
This sometimes overwhelming, crazy, loud, chaotic, insane life that at the same time is incredibly fulfilling, filled with grace and forgiveness.
A life that I wouldn't trade for any other spot in the world.
I know how tough this life can be, and I know how much it can break you down and how much you may NOT want to get back up when it does beat you down...
but that is not who I am.
I have always been a fighter!
I have always been one to make my own path when one didn't exist, or when I was told it was impossible.
One thing I know for sure from this past year:
I will do whatever it takes, however I need to, to provide the very best for my family.
Nothing is more important to me than family!
I want my children to grow up humbly.
I want my children to know the meaning of love, of sacrifice, and of fun!
I don't want them to grow up too early like I had to.
I want them to enjoy their childhood-for all that it is worth!
I want them to make messes-so together we can clean them up.
I want them to get in trouble and learn lessons so we can instill good traits in them
I want them to make bad choices-so they feel the difference of making great decisions.
I want the BEST for them!

2013 held a lot for our family:

~I started back to work full time in the office 

~We officially have a Kindergartner and a 2nd grader-YIKES!

~We have a 3 year old who refuses to potty train.

~All 3 of our boys are really really into Wrestling.  I'm talking they live, eat, and breath WWE.

~I launched my business as an independent Consultant with Rodan + Fields

~I started running

~I lost 40 pounds

~I became a soccer mom

~ I passed my P&C Insurance exam

~I attended my first blogger conference #jerseylove

~Favorite movie: Pitch Perfect

~Favorite songs:  Work B*tch by Britney Spears and Roar by Katy Perry

~ We officially have a 3,5, and 7 year old

Well I guess that about wraps up our year!  

We're definitely looking forward to what 2014 has in store for us! 

Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall

Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post but as always, all opinions are my own.



Yesterday my family and I had the pleasure of attending Winter Wonderland located at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ.

Winter Wonderland runs November 29th 2013- January 1st 2014.

Winter Wonderland consists of Breakfast with Santa, a magical Christmas train ride, a carousel ride, story time with Mrs. Claus, and and amazing shopping village certain to fulfill all of those Christmas wishes!

Breakfast with Santa runs Saturdays November 29th 2013- December 21, 2013 with 2 seating times offered:

The first seating is at 8:30 am and the second at 10:30 am.

They also encourage you to make reservations for Breakfast with Santa as well by calling 609-884-8422.

I can honestly say this was my first time ever at Congress Hall and certainly my first time partaking in their Breakfast with Santa event!

Congress Hall certainly turned up all the magic for this event!

From the moment we arrived you could tell they completely transformed the grounds into a true Winter Wonderland complete with a carousel, Santa's workshop where Mrs. Claus read to children for story time, a beyond huge Christmas Tree, and even an adorable little train that took you around the grounds of Congress Hall.

We started our day off  enjoying breakfast with Santa and as we entered Congress Hall's Ballroom it surely did not disappoint!

The teal colored walls, extravagant chandeliers, and black and white checkered ballroom floor were an amazing backdrop for the enormous poinsettia Christmas tree fixed in the center of the room where Santa himself was seated!

Breakfast was out of this world delicious and the fact that it was a buffet really gave my children the oppurtunity to eat whatever suited their fancy that morning.

They had options of  oatmeal, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, and everything in between!

After we finished breakfast we headed to the front of the room to meet the big guy himself!

SANTA!!!

I can honestly say for me as a mom, this was the highlight of my day!

Congress Hall had one of the nicest, most gentle, down to earth Santa's I have ever met- he was even funny too!

In fact, he was able to get our 5 year old-for the first time EVER-to whisper into his ear what he wanted to Christmas!

Our 5 year old has never even gotten close enough to Santa to tell him what he wanted to Christmas!

Plus we were able to snap a quick picture with all of our children in it-and that is priceless!

Needless to say that experience in itself made the trip completely worthwhile!

After we met Santa we bundled up and headed out doors to enjoy the outside entertainment.  First up was the train!

We all piled into the train (the caboose of course) and were off for a ride.  

It was a pretty smooth 5 minute ride, and my boys were just over the moon to be riding on a train!

They could not contain their excitement!

After the train ride, we headed over to the carousel where our older boys were able to go for a little merry go round ride and enjoy themselves.  

After the Carousel we headed off to Story time with Mrs. Claus- which came in a close second for my day's favorite activity, as well as my children!

Just as I can not say enough for the Santa Claus that is inside Congress Hall-I had the same feelings about Mrs. Claus.

The Mrs. Claus at Congress Hall just had such a cheery, upbeat disposition to her-and she's surely got an answer for every question the children asked her!

Her enthusiasm, encouragement, and the way she prodded each child to join in during story time was just magical for our family!

You could literally see the sparkle in all of the children's eyes that were gathered around her for 

Story time.

Once story time was over, our oldest son was able to write a letter to Santa which was addressed to the North Pole and placed it in the "Santa Mail" special mail box making sure it would reach the North Pole-he was so excited!

We certainly were lucky to experience such a magical morning this Holiday Season thanks to Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ.  I highly encourage you to  check it out with your spouse or family as well as it is an event that does not disappoint!  As we left my kids immediately asking if we could go back the following weekend because they had such a great time!

Enjoy some pictures below!

Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post but as always, all opinions are my own.

Textbook here, Textbook there!

Remember this post from a while back about the genius creators over at Campus Book Rentals?  Well they have struck again!!

Thanksgiving is over, and it's the perfect time to sign up for Winter classes at college...get in those extra few credits you can because with the rising cost of tuition these days such a large percentage of college students have to sacrifice classes for cash who wouldn't want to graduate a little early?

With the  Campus Book Rentals website the one thing you will not have to sacrafice for your winter semester at college is your time in the bookstore! 

 By visiting this site and taking advantage of their amazing prices and deals it will save you

 time AND money!

Forget those long bookstore lines, or having to leave the comfort and coziness of your apartment-you now have access to a plethora of college text books via this website!

And when the semester is over and you're finished with the textbook take advantage of their

 Rent Back Program.

I sure wish someone had thought of this website when I was in college!

With a few clicks of your mouse you can have all of your text books shipped directly to you-for FREE!

Campus Book Rentals offers

•  HUGE discounts (40-90% off bookstore prices
• FREE SHIPPING

 and 

• RETURN shipping labels are included with each order as well!

Plus for those last minute emergencies or forgetfulness they offer an extremely flexible return policy because they know how hectic college life can be!

It cannot get any easier or more convenient for you!!

Below is a little video below explaining the ins and out of their services they offer, and a BONUS about this company is they donate a portion of each text book rented to Operation Smile!

See you're doing well for yourself and for someone else...

now that's what I call a win-win!

Happy Holiday and Happy renting :)


Disclosure:  This post is sponsored, however all opinions are my own.

My Season

We all have different seasons of life we go through.

Just as there are four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall

as people our minds and bodies go through different seasons too.

We go through changes, we grow, and we stumble along life's way.

This particular season I have been in and am still going through has been a challenge.

I haven't made time for things that make me genuinely happy.

I haven't blogged, I haven't sewn or crafted.

I've been bitter, and cynical.

I've made poor choices, I've been selfish, and withdrawn from my relationships.

I haven't made an effort to keep up with my in real life relationships.

I've gossiped, I've been emotional, I've been hasty and shown malice toward others.

I haven't been supportive, I've been hot tempered and quick to react.

I 've been judgmental, and I've been overwhelmed.

I haven't put God and my faith first.

I haven't been listening for God's voice and seeing the path He wants me to walk.

I've been making my own rules and walking my own path.

I texted a friend the other day and she set me straight.

I am so thankful for this friend :)

She reminded me that this was completely normal, and that it was just the season I was going through.

My season is: Emotions!

And boy is it a tough one.  I'm wiped out!  I'm exhausted!

Just because we are having a particularly rough season doesn't mean that season has to define us.

It just means we have to pray harder to be shown the lesson of the season we are enduring.

To make it through to the other side.

There's always a lesson, always a greater purpose.

His purpose.

This friend recently told me that, "my relationship with Jesus is personal and that I don't need a particular Pastor or mentor to lead me, only Jesus!"

How true!!

I've been feeling particularly down and out of place since our wonderful Pastor moved back in July.

I do not do well with change-of any kind...but I had to remember...

 My faith is not based on the teachings and lessons of our Pastor, of course hearing those great sermons every week is an added bonus, but they are not what solidify my relationship with Jesus.

I am what solidifies my relationship with Jesus.

These past few months and weeks have been a pretty dark place for me.

A place I'm ready to move away far, far away from.

I am ready to come out of the dark and step into the light.

I need to remind myself that I am a child of God.

I am redeemed, I am fogiven.

Each day is a new day.

Each day his mercies abound.

Each day I am given a new chance, a new oppourtunity to make the most of my life.

To live my life to honor Him and His works.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven" Matthew 5:16

My light has finally been re-lit.

I am ready to move onto the next season of my life :)

BRING.IT.ON

{via}

Then there are days like today

Some days I'm pretty good at this whole parenting thing then there are days like today.  Some days I wake up and can hear the birds chirping outside, I'm able to meet the needs of everyone in my house and keep smiles on everyone's faces.  Then there are days like today.  Most days I can get three kids out the door and off to school with pressed clothes, Tied shoes and a little skip in their step.  Then there are days like today.  Let me preface this post by saying yesterday was DST (daylight savings time).  Boy is this a dousy of a day- especially for parents!  DST for parents with small children ( I can't speak for those with older children as our oldest is only 7) is in one word: exhausting.  It means the little boy who normally wakes up at 6:30am is now awake at 5:30. Or worse the little boys who wakes up at 5:30 is awake at 4:30! True story.  On the opposite end the child who is ready to go to bed at 6pm, starts getting fussy at 4 pm and is ready for bed by 5pm but can't go to sleep because it's too early.  So by 7 pm you have three children who have been up since 6 am, and in a downward spiral and ready for bed for atleast 2 hours.  This morning pretty much followed suit.  Everyone was exhausted ( including me)... So everyone was a grouch including our oldest who in a matter of about 30 seconds lost pretty much every privelage known to him! This morning was the pits.  I was thankful that I was able to get everyone on the bus, and myself off to work on time.  If I only knew what this evening had in store for me I would have considered this morning a blessing!

Now you may or may not know my husband and I work opposit shifts.  I work days, he works nights which means there's always one of us home with our kids, it's a great system that has worked for our family since we had our oldest.  It also means that a lot of the nighttime activities fall onto me.  Which most nights I am fine with.  Then there are nights like tonight.  So after working all day and rushing to get home to relieve our babysitter I packed up 3 kids and headed off to soccer practice in 45 degree weather.  I remembered the snacks, I made myself a hot chocolate, and even packed some toys for the kids, and I was only running 5 minutes behind schedule. As soon as we pulled up to the soccer fields I let our middle son out ( the one who plays soccer), gathered my bags and folding chair and headed towards the field.  Not a minute after I unfolded my chair my oldest and youngest began fighting over who was going to sit in my chair!  Our youngest won the battle; However immediately after trying to sit in the chair he fell over on top of the chair and gave himself a nice scrape on his face in the now 40 degree weather!  Not a great combination.  You guessed it tears galore!! For atleast a good 10 minutes too.  Now , normally his would have been fine but because of how absolutely cold it was the other parents around me hadn't brought their other children.  So here I am bundled up feeling like a snowman (barely able to move, snot dripping from my nose) and trying to soothe an overly tired 2 year old!  Not fun!  Eventually he stopped when older brother offered to play with him and the wrestling figures they brought with them! Excellent, I could finally sit in my chair, drink my hot chocolate and watch my middle during his practice! I would actually be able to wave back at him when he looked over at me and waved excitedly.  Boy was I wrong! Things pretty much went downhill from there. There were moments of dirt being thrown, dirt being eaten because someone wanted to taste the rocks, and complete and utter breakdowns...by all of us.  Practice could not end soon enough tonight, and I could not have gotten three kids into the car faster.  In fact, I enforced the "quiet rule" on the ride home.  Sometimes Asa. Mom you've got to do what you've got to do. I was very thankful for our local pizza place tonight who cooked our favorite and had it ready for pickup: a large cheese pizza. 

 Some days are top notch and then there are nights like tonight.  Nights where I'm given the remind: I can't control it all.  Nights I hope I look back on  when our house is empty, clean for more than 15 minutes at a time, and our children are raising their own families, and can laugh about these times that seemed so stressful to me!  I still wouldn't trade any of this life for anything in this world, but tonight was definitely rough.  

New beginnings

 Hi there!  Remember me?! The girl behind this little space?  Well I'm still here.  Lately I've been tossing around the idea of completely revamping this space of mine and I've finally decided to take the plunge!  Are you ready for some BIG changes?  I feel like the blog as it is now was a representation of who I kind of still am, but it doesn't encompass all of me at the point I am at in my life.  For the past few months I've been dealing with a blog identity crisis and today I am happy to say that crisis is over!  I'm ready to embrace the life I am living  with open arms, an open heart, and a smile on my face!  So stay tuned, there are big surprises on the horizon I promise!  

College Textbooks

Remember at the beginning of every Spring/Fall semester wandering around the campus bookstore trying to find what seemed like a never ending list of textbooks for your classes?

Well thanks to the brilliant creators over at  Campus Book Rentals you can not only skip the giant campus book store line, but you can shop from the convenience of your dorm room, or apartment in your nice comfy jammies as well!

Campus Book Rentals is a one of a kind website that allows you to "rent" your textbooks (with the option of keeping them or selling them back at the end of the semester) for 40-90% off bookstore prices!  That's something to make EVERYONE happy for sure :)

Plus there's always free shipping and return shipping labels are included as well.

You are even allowed to highlight in the textbooks to help with note taking.

Additionally, because Campus Book Rentals understand just how crazy a college student's life can be (especially with finals, and a social life) there's always a 15 day grace period when returning your rented text books.

Let's face it...college kids run on a different time zone all together so this is a great idea!

If you're interested in checking out their website head over here and sign up!

Or check out the video below.

As if that wasn't already enough amazing information about this company they also donate a portion of each text book rented to Operation Smile, so really when you think about it it is a win-win situation for everyone.

Happy Renting!

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored, however all opinions are my own.

Jersey Love #3

For  Jersey Love #3, head over here to see the full post and enter a FUN giveaway  :)

Jersey Love #2

A few weeks ago I was invited to be a part of an amazing Social Media/ Social Good trip at the Jersey Shore.  40 women came together from all across the country to promote that after Superstorm Sandy our shore and beaches are still open for Summer 2013.  Some of you may remember this post and this post.  Where my family is located Superstorm Sandy literally passed right over top of us.  We are located just about 15 minutes outside of Atlantic City.  I can still remember being huddled with our entire family that night as she passed over.  All 5 of us were on a queen air matress in the middle of our tiny living room and when we lost electricity at about 6pm our children could not for the life of them figure out what a "boom box" was :) For me, the eye of the storm was the most surreal.  For about a good 30 minutes all was peaceful, calm, and quiet and then her fury picked up just as fast and powerful as it left off.  We were very lucky that we did not incur any large losses or destruction from Sandy, but others were not.  That is one of the reasons why this trip took place.  There were many false reports in the news about the Atlantic City boardwalk being completely destroyed, which were not true.  The boardwalk is alive and very much thriving this summer,  we were able to witness and see this first hand on our trip.

Our gracious host, Caesars Atlantic City, were amazing just amazing to us.  Our hosts, travel arrangements, meals, room service, everything was top notch!   Every person who worked at Caesar's maintained an upbeat, gracious attitude.  There was also  the marble/tile shower which felt like you were in heaven, the tv in the bathroom mirror, the exquisite sheets on their beds, and their priceless views they had to offer.  All of this wrapped up into one was the best little treat I could have asked for!  From the moment I walked into the room I was in complete bliss.  Like I said before my family and I are locals to the area and one thing I can say for sure is this: Caesars was able to show me a side of Atlantic City I.never.knew.existed!

Stay tuned for more posts on our #jerseylove trip! 

Jersey Love #1

After an almost 4 month hiatus I am back!  I know, I know I've said that before...but this time it's for reals!  This past weekend I had the most amazing experience at my first social good/ social media/ blogger conference.  I was surrounded for 48 hours by some of the most intelligent, beautiful, caring women this community has to offer, and I cannot wait to tell you ALL about it... As soon as I'm able to gather all of those thoughts :). For now I will leave you with a sneak peak of just some of the awesomeness that was experienced this weekend!  And if you want some more details head over to Twitter and search #jerseylove to see all of the love that was experienced! Follow me too @3_litlebirds

"40 Bloggers travel 4 social good & lets get NJ back in Business #jerseylove"

From the Heart

Healing.
Lately my heart and soul have been doing A LOT of healing.
Healing is difficult.
It means letting go of all that has happened in the past for hope of what the future holds.
I didn't always have the perfect childhood growing up and what I did have was way less than normal.
For so many years I have been ashamed, embarrassed, and downright depressed at the thought of some people in my life.
People who were supposed to be next to me every step of the way growing up.
People who were supposed to be my strongest supporters.
People who were supposed to get me through every struggle I ever had to face, without fear.
People who were supposed to tell me it would all be okay.
People who were never supposed to abandon me.
I didn't have that kind of experience growing up.
And for that I harbored a lot of animosity, hurt, and hatred
For many, many years...
perhaps too long.
Now that I have children of my own I see my life through a different perspective.
The lens through which I see my life is clear because I know how I don't want to live out my life.
My life is now lived through my children.
My days are focused around them and has been since before they were born.
My children's earliest memories will have me in them.
Their wants, their needs, their trials and their successes, I was there for.
My whole world is saturated by them.
They are the reason I wake up every morning.
Every smile, every tear, every twinkle in their eye I have been able to experience first hand.
I am so lucky!
And for that I am forever grateful.
I now realize that for whatever reason certain people who weren't in my life-in the way I would have liked them to be-for a long time weren't for a reason.
I would be lying if I told you I knew the reason they weren't.
But I don't.
And I may never...
And I'm okay with that.
What I can tell you is that no matter how bad things have gotten you can always, always start over.
It has taken me 28 years, a marriage of almost 9 years, and 3 kids to realize all of this.
And that is OKAY :)
This road to healing has been anything but easy.
Most days it took every fiber of my being to not look back at all of the hurt I have endured in my past.
It would have been much easier to harbor all those feelings inside me, to lock them away in a dark place, and throw away the key, forever.
But that would not have been good for anyone.
There has certainly been a lot of hurt, but I have so many beautiful beginnings to look forward to.
From this point we have begun to build new.
We have new beginnings filled with a new love, new respect, and new caring for one another.

Birthday Fun!!

This past Saturday was my birthday, the big 2-8 eeeek!!

What I was most looking forward to was just some one on one time with my guy...

what I got far exceeded any expectations I could have ever had :)

The day started off with my husband taking the boys to my family's house for a sleepover which meant we were sans kids for a full 24 hours!

YIPPPEEEE!

That has not happened in about 4 years, so needless to say I was filled with joy with that alone-and seriously thought that was my present.

But remember I told you this night far exceed my expectations??

Well here it comes:

Once hubby and I had finished picking out new shirts for my birthday night out and were settled into our quaint and cozy B&B hubby had booked for the night there was a knock at the door.

I gave him a weird look- you know the one you make where eye brow goes up while the other stays in place and your mouth puckers to the side?!  

Yea that one...and of course he just smirked...

It was our limo driver :) :) :)

We were headed out for a night on the town in AC!

P.S. I have never been in a limo before....NEVER!!

So here we were kid-less, in a limo on our way to Atlantic City, seriously?? 

Was this even my life?!

Inside of the limo was an ice bucket with champagne,two glasses for us to celebrate, and even balloons!

Our night out on the town included a show at the Comedy Stop which was HIL-A-RIOUS!!

I laughed so hard I may have even pee'd a little ;)

Not really, but seriously it was HY-STER-I-CAL!

I did have tears in my eyes because it was just that funny.

For me the way to my heart is through laughter so it was the perfect combination.

The show was followed by more drinks and dinner which were delicious and fabulous and the night was just perfect!

Here I thought my gift was an evening without our kids and low and behold I got waaaay more than I ever could have expected! 

It's just so nice to be celebrated.  

It's nice to take a time out from everything else that is going on and have the spotlight be on you for just a little.  

I feel like as mom we are sometimes under appreciated and definitely over-looked!

It's nice to have one on one time with my husband!

It's nice to get all glammed up and hit the town!

To feel special, and have everyone say "Happy Birthday!" to you!

This was certainly a birthday to remember!

Happy Friday!!

TGIF! Am I right?! Well today officially kicks off my birthday weekend :) tomorrow I'll officially be .....28! The jury is still undecided on how I feel about that one. Perhaps on Monday I'll have some more insight for you. You know as an older, wiser 28 year old! My first birthday gift this morning was about 4 inches of snow on the ground and now the brightest sun shine we've seen in a while, which makes me very happy!! Well make sure you have fun this weekend, enjoy some quiet time to yourself even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom with screaming children outside, not that I've ever had to ;) and be thankful for one small thing. Something your not usually thankful for. It could be the shoes on your feet, the extra quarter you find in your purse at the checkout line, or a friend. Whatever it is, I'd love to hear about it on Monday because you'll surely be hearing about mine!

What you see is what you get!

I've debated writing this post for a while and I'm finally finding the courage to sit down and do this. Thanks to all of the wonderful new bloggers I have found recently for giving me the gusto to type what I am about to type.

For a long time I have had the notion in my head of what my blog should look like. Notice I said should?! For the longest time, probably too long, I have had probably the #1 blogging disease... Thinking that my blog needed to look like so and so's. Or that I had to write similar to you know who. Well guess what?? I'm over that stage. I'm tossing all of that malarkey out the window. Yes I just said malarkey :) I'm moving on to the next stage of blogging and I certainly hope you're coming with me!

Here's the deal: between my work schedule, family schedule, kids activity schedule, making time for family and friends, making sure to attend every and all birthdays/events/showers, having enough hands on play time and quiet time with each of our children as a whole as well as individually I don't have the energy to put on a polished outfit, ring up a photographer friend who has mad photo taking abilities as well as photoshop abilities. Nor do I have the mental capacity most days to apply makeup, and I certainly don't have lavish wardrobe for me to style to your liking. My style goes about as far as sweatpants and t-shirts...or jeans and a sweatshirt on a day when I'm not feeling overly bloated :) Oh the joys of having 3 kids in 4 years! There is nothing on this body/ face that you will be missing- trust me!

In fact most nights when I come home from work it is a miracle when I have a hot dinner on the table for my children that does not include oatmeal, eggs, or pancakes. I mean who doesn't love breakfast for dinner and I would be lying if I said I don't do my happy dance when my children request these for dinner. Especially considering our oldest son can now make(safely) oatmeal which is a huge help!! But if I am going to be in the right mindset and whole heatedly hand myself over to you through my blog then I need to have as little mommy guilt as possible. Also another attribute I can thank my children for.

So there you have it. While I'm not quite sure what this blog is evolving into I can tell you it most certainly will not contain selfies of me in the latest most trendy outfits. I can give you pictures of 2nd day hair and makeup while rockin' some sweats that may or may not be bright pink. And I highly doubt you want to see pictures of my messy living room with toys sprawled all over it. But what I can promise you is that what you see and get will never be fake. I refuse to let smoke and mirrors take over my blog.

This spot is a passion for me, and I never want that passion to fizzle. I always want the fire to keep on burnin' and the ideas fresh. So while you might not get selfies of me each and every day know that what you are seeing is the truth. Always. And I have to say I am very excited to be moving along in my blogging journey.

Well there you have it. A piece of me. A piece of my heart and vulnerability-so please try to be nice :)

P.S. This post ( just like my last one) comes to you from mi baño. My bath!! There certainly is a trend going on here with me and the bathtub lately, huh? Well who am I to knock a good spot for writing?!! I certainly will not. You should try it sometime. For reals ;)

A little of my Friday night

This post comes to you from my bathtub. Yup that's right I said it. I'm blogging from the bathtub :) in fact I think every blogger should try it and with today's technological advances why not?!

And now on a more serious note...
I'm not sure exactly what I want to come across in this blog post but I am going to try my very best to get my ideas out as clearly as possible.

When I first got back into blogging I wasn't working 45+ hours a week, in fact I wasn't working at all. This past month being back at work full time has really taken most of my energy. It's not just my blog that has been suffering ( as I'm sure you can tell) but its also my kids, family, and social life. I don't want to become one of those parents who is never present for their children, and I've noticed myself slipping into that pattern lately and I don't like it at all. I need to make the most of the time I have with my babies while they are still babies...

And sometimes I am so torn. I tell myself I have a really great idea to blog about, sometimes I even write that great idea down but then 99% of the time it doesn't go any further and that frustrates me! I really wish I had the luxury of sitting down at 11 pm or midnight and busting out a really great blog but that's just NOT me. For starters I am more of a morning person :) and I'd hate I just write a post for the heck of hitting the publish button, ya know? This space is MINE... And as a wife and momma to 3 I don't get very much stuff all.to.myself so I want it to shine and be the best spot this little blog can be!

So I guess 1/2 of me is apologizing for leaving those of you who still follow hanging with posts that have become few and far between. The other 1/2 of me doesn't know what is going to become of my space. And that worries me. I know how much joy blogging brings me, and I want you to know how much I appreciate each and every one of you and your comments! I love getting comments from you so please please keep them coming! My love language is Affirmation, if you couldn't tell ;)

But what I DON'T want is for this to start to feel like work. I want to know that I have the freedom to come and go, and still have a steady readership. I want to know that even though I'm not posting 5+ posts a week like most bloggers, that I am more concerned over quality rather than quantity.
I want to make an impact.
I want to make a difference in the lives of my readers even if it is just one of you.
I want to know that I am serving Him and that this little blog of mine has a purpose.

There are many times during the day when I am influenced by my surroundings, my co workers, friends, family, and environments. I am going to be more proactive and am going to start to make more of an effort to write down the ways I am moved, and impacted throughout my days.

But for right now I am just thankful to be able to do this. I am thankful for having the guts to put mine and my family's life out there. It isn't always easy, but it's always worth it! You can quote me on that folks :) so yea you may have already figured out and taken note that my posts are more scattered and less of, but I promise you I'm not leaving. I am going to ride this thing out and keep on blogging!

And now, I think I'll get back to my bubble bath thank you very much!

Mercy

Last year I read a book that gave me the idea to come up with a word for each year. I was so excited to finally get to do this exercise this year. Now that we're half way though January I finally have my word. Better late than never right?! My word for 2013 is MERCY. I think I need more mercy in my life. I need to practice it, show it, and give more of it. I want to live as a merciful person. I want a merciful life. I want to judge less and open my heart more. I want to understand what others are feeling and know where they are coming from. I want to be reminded that every person out there is fighting their own battle and we have no clue what that battle is, unless they choose to share with us. Each of us has a different back story filled with different childhoods, the ups and downs of our teenage years, those awkward high school years and whatever mess we got into post high school. I want to stop feeling as though I've failed and remember His mercy. Then I want to be able to take that same Mercy He gives to me and give it to my husband, my children, my family, and friends. How great a feeling to know we've given someone mercy rather than judgement and condemnation. I'd much rather be clothed in mercy than designer labels. My point is is that we all need a little mercy in our lives, and some of us need a lot. I feel like I need a lot, and am hoping at the end of 2013 I will be a better person for choosing this word. What's your word for 2013?

Today

It probably doesn't come to any surprise to you that I have been feeling a little bit down lately. I had been crying the woe is me game for a few weeks. In fact the other day I say down during my lunch break to type a post that I was so excited to reveal only to find out later that night I had not saved. Bummer! So I'm sitting down with you today to let you know that it's about time I pull myself out of the gutter I have been lying in. I'm tired of feeling down, exhausted, and in the dumps. Today right here with all of you I am standing up and putting on my big girl pants! No more squabbling, no more judging to put myself above others. I don't want any more anxiety, stress, or friction in my life. I'm finished with all of that. Today I am turning over a new rock and reminding myself that my life is what it is because of God. Today I am handing everything back to Him. All of the pity, the fear, the anxiety, the unknowns, the stress, every single thing is going back to Him and I am saying do with it what you will. Your will be done, not mine. Today is a new day.

This thing called life

This thing called life is hard.
Like sometimes really, really hard.
Most nights I lay in bed exhausted just thinking of everything that needs to be done the next day.
Clothes needing ironing, lunches need to be packed, hair and makeup done, teeth brushed, breakfast served, coffee made, shoes tied, and that is all before 8:15 am!!
All too often I get caught up in the "business"of life.
Caught up in the busy-ness, the going from here to there, and how much time can I cut off the commute to and from the office, and how can I better manage my time this week?
Caught up in what task needs to be completed next before finishing the task at hand.
Caught up in all the craziness this world has to offer.
I find myself walking around sometimes-an empty shell.
Going through the motions but not really feeling anything.
Why is that?
I have a full heart, a full house, a full family, a full everything.
But I don't feel full...
That feeling of pure ecstacy.
That feeling that even though everything is not perfect, that we have so much to be happy about and look forward to.
I want to  take a step back, and breathe.
To take in all this crazy world has to offer us, rather than rush though it.
To really, truly soak it all in.
Time to appreciate those sunsets that look hand painted and one of a kind.
Time to capture the smile on our kids faces and their carefree giggles.
Time to enjoy the warmth of the sun on our faces, even if it is January.
Do you ever find yourself slipping down a slippery path?
What do you do to get yourself out of a funk in the winter?
I'd love to hear.

LIfe Lately

Our life lately has been absolutely crazy!

Too much has been going on to organize it all so I am just going to type as my thoughts come...

Let me fill you in on it all:

 

Did I tell you that over Christmas and New Years all 5 of us {at one point or another} had the cold virus AND the stomach virus?!

Ahhhh yes, what a beautiful sight that was...

fun times I tell you, fun times!

I'm so thankful to be over all of that.

I think I used more Lysol than is legally allowed to get rid of all the germs.

I got a new sewing machine for Christmas!!

Santa AKA {my in-laws} were nice enough to get one for me.

I've already hemmed 3 pairs of pants, and am hoping to open up my shop again soon!

We've booked a family trip to visit my family in Massachusetts.

For about 2 years of my life I lived in Massachusetts, and my parents, brother, sister, and all of my dad's family still live there.

 My grandmother (on my dad's side) was put into a nursing home last week so we are making the trip up there to spend some time with her and see my family.

I'm secretly hoping to fit in a trip snow-tubing with our kids as well.

I recently won a FREE pub party at a local restaurant for up to 30 friends!

How awesome?

I'm seriously never win anything so to me this is pretty awesome...

Amazing food, music, friends, and drinks sound good to me.

I finally invested in a hair treatment that will save my locks when I blow dry them and it is AMAZING!!  It leaves my hair silk and shiny even when I blow dry the night before.

Next month is my 28th birthday...and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet...I will let you know as it gets closer :)  All I hope for is a night AWAY with just my husband!

Confession?  I've lost 5 followers over the past week and I'm not sure why.  I mean I know my posts have been more sporadic since I've returned to work and that to most it's not all about the numbers, but I have to admit it does sting a bit!  I'm hoping to get back to blogging on the regular as my mind and body readjust to working life!

That is all for now...what have you been up to?

An Attitude of Gratitude

I feel as though I have gotten into a rut lately.

Have you ever felt that way?

I felt lately I have not been thankful for much.

I'm constantly focused on the bad in every situation rather than looking for the silver lining.

I feel like the more I dig myself into this deep dark place, the harder it is for me to climb out of it.

Sure it is so much easier to dwell on the negative in our lives.

I have to CHOOSE to see the good in every situation.

I have to CHOOSE to see the light.

I have to CHOOSE to be positive and have an attitude of gratitude.

Rather than focusing on the negative I need to remember there are many many postives in my life right now.

I have an amazing little family, a roof over our heads, a job with a steady income, and my priorities in order.

Every day I wake up I try my darn hardest to stay upbeat and attentive, but some days this task is easier said than done.

I'm going to start being intentional about having an attitude of gratitude each and every.single.day

I'm determined to be proactive because honestly I do not want to become one of those bitter old ladies you over hear yelling at someone at the post office because the line was too long for her liking.

I need to remember to practice my patience, just like I tell my kids.

I need to remember that everything is in His time, not mine.

I need to remember His plan is much grander and better than anything I could possibly every imagine and that waiting will be worth every.single.second.

I need to remember that nothing is every a waste of time, but rather a lesson learned that I can apply at another time. 

I'm making a promise here and now in front of all of you to be more intentional of having an attitude of gratitude, hopefully then everything will fall into place.

{source}

The Working Momma

The Working Momma.

That is what I have become these past few weeks...

it hasn't been easy, in fact its been downright exhausting.

I'm amazed that I've been able to get dinner on the table every night even if it is cereal, oatmeal, or pancakes!

Up at 7 to come down and load the Keurig with my coffee then back upstairs to iron the boys school clothes and my work clothes.

Breakfast, packed lunches, teeth brushed, shoes and socks on, backpacks packed and out the door.

Me to work and them to school.

Back home at 5, dinner on the stove, feed the kids (theres a 50/50 chance of me actually getting dinner as well), then upstairs for bath/shower time, put the baby to bed, and back downstairs for homework, a snack, and free play.

I'm usually in bed anywhere between 10-11.

15-17 hour days.

This gig is tough.

Much tougher than I remember.

But I can feel it becoming a bit easier each day.

As my body is adjusting so is my mind.

Little by little, day by day I am feeling a bit normal.

And this is something I am so happy to get back.

A piece of me, a part of who I am.