Reflection....

Each December 31st I reflect upon the year that was and look forward to new beginnings.  This year as I looked back onto 2014, which was arguably one of the hardest years of my life, I am able to focus more on what I have learned, what I have let go, and my blessings.

In a year where my mother battled cancer and my husband lost his job, I felt defeated and spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself........played the victim.  Then Mike got a job and my mom got a clean bill of health.  That made me really look at my life an
d who I had become in a brutal year.

I became comfortable in my own skin.  I never understood how women could do this.  I didn't get it. This year, in a way, forced me to do this.  I stopped worrying about stupid things about myself, that I couldn't control.......my moles, my small breasts, the way my gut is always a little rounder.........I realized that worrying about those things are unnecessary and to instead focus on those things you can control.  I gained confidence at work and with myself.  This will only make me a better mom to my daughter.  She needs a role model that doesn't have a messed up body image, one with energy and life........one that is happy.  So slowly but surely I am getting there.  I am getting to be that happy mom.  Not sure what that means for 2015, but am anxious to see.

My blessings are all around me.  Besides the obvious amazing children and family.  I have friends who bring so much light into my life.  Tonight, after Mike and I went out for sushi, we went to a friend's house and I was able to look around and really pause and thanks whoever that they are in my life.  It was a great night especially because we came home to my parents.........my healthy and amazing parents.

Happy New Year.

Now for the only New Years picture I have.  It's my craziest blessing and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Christmas Morning 2014........

Holiday Fun

This holiday season was filled with great food, lots of spirits, and amazing company (my parents came out for 2.5 weeks).  We decorated the house (inside and out) extra special this year.  Gwen even said Mike outdid himself on the outside.  Mike and I had an overnight date, we went out with friends, the kids went sledding and played in the snow, and we baked cookies for Santa.

Unfortunately for us (well me and my dad) colds plagued the house.  We spent quality time at Urgent Care together.  That didn't stop us from having a blast though.  Gwen got a karaoke machine for Christmas (thanks Grandma and Papa J) and my mom really belted out some tunes.   Gwen's voice is in the range of my mom and I, so that's not so good for her.....haha.

I loved having my parents in town, colds or not.  It made the holiday season more magical than it already is!!

Santa and the Frozen Experience

I love my children.  I really do.  But enough to spend over 2 hours waiting to see Santa just so they can enjoy the "Frozen experience" prior to seeing Santa??  Yes.  We did that.  We waited 1.5 hours and got to the front of the line, before Santa had to go on his 30 minute cookie and milk break (not joking).  

Once we got into the Frozen area, the kids flew right through it.  The people were going to charge to get a picture with a giant Olaf.  I hid behind the desk and got pics of Gwen next to him.  I got yelled at twice.  Oh well!  Leo was a bit uneasy of Santa.  I'm actually okay with that as he is technically a strange man :-)

Do I love them enough to do it again next year?  No (haha).  We will go to the free Santa that is not inside the mall!!

The Nutcracker

We had the Ultimate Girls Day today.  My mom, Gwen, and I had brunch at Panzanos (yum) followed by seeing The Nutcracker.  It went a lot smoother than last year as Gwen wasn't as bored........I wasn't either, so I think they shortened the 2nd half and/or made it more interesting.

Once again...........great food, great Prosecco, and amazing company.  It was the theme this holiday season...........you wouldn't even know I was sick the entire time :-(

My Beauty Queen

I just learned that this is my 500th post on the blog.  It seems only fitting that I dedicate it to the little girl that was the original reason for the blog. 

She went to a birthday party on Saturday where they dressed up and had their makeup/hair/nails done.  There was then a fashion show and dance party (songs from Frozen being the songs of choice).  Gwen LOVED it.  She's already planning her 7th birthday party where Daddy and Leo can't come since they are boys. 

Look how beautiful she is..............................

Oh Leo...........

Leo is my bright eyed happy little boy.  I truly believe he is the reason I had children.  He makes us laugh and is just "so cute" as Gwen would say.   I needed to share a few stories that will really sum up my little man.

For the month of November we would go around the dinner table and say what we are thankful for.  Everyday Leo would say "mommy".  Gwen and Mike tried to talk him out of it......telling him he needed to be thankful for other things.  His response "but I love her".  I almost died.

Gwen, Leo, and I were talking about our brains over breakfast.  I asked Leo what the word "brain" started with.  I then asked him if he had a brain.  He said "yes".  I then asked him where his brain was.  His response "down by my weinis".  I guess they know young which brain they ultimately think with.

We were shopping at Macy's on Black Friday.  As we were leaving the store, Leo was playing with the automatic doors.  Well all of a sudden he walked right into a closed door........kind of like a bird flying into the closed window.  His look was priceless.  He cried, and I think it was because he shocked himself.  Mike, Gwen, and I laughed almost to tears.  Poor guy is lucky he's cute :-)