Mother's Day Mom Exchange 2016!

I had so much fun participating in the Mother's Day Mom Exchange with several fellow bloggers this year!  As I'm trying my hardest to return to the world of blogging now that I'm no longer working outside the home, I'm looking forward to getting to know other moms in the same season of life as me :).

I had the honor of sending a treats to Lacey over at Perks of Being a JAP...and it was so fun to shop for her (and a little for her little one!)...hop on over to her blog to see what I surprised her with!

My Mother's Day surprise came from Dara at Not in Jersey :)  And she did an amazing job of capturing my personality and spoiling me!  I loved getting this large squishy package in my mailbox...and realizing what it was!  Such a fun treat!

The first thing I pulled out was this adorable journal.  The colors are perfect and my type-A personality had my mind swimming with tons of uses for it!  I think I finally decided to use it for my MOPS steering meetings...tomorrow I am laking on the publicity for our local MOPS and this will be the prettiest place to keep track of things!

And the sweet quotes and thoughts inside will provide encouragement and inspiration as I help support and guide fellow moms :)

And Dara really caught on to my organization obsession...love these tabs and labels!  Not only will my notebook be pretty but I'll never lose anything important with these reminders!

And, finally, she was so sweet to pamper me!  The sweet candle sits on my kitchen counter and boosts my spirits mid-afternoon with a delicious coffee smell (and my 7-year-old daughter is in love with it!).  The salted caramel was gone within minutes of opening the package :) and there may have been more purchased on my next trip to Target!  I'm saving the Starbucks card for a real pick-me-up because I know how much love me a tall flat white!!!

Thank you so much, Dara, for capturing me and spoiling me!  

This was a great chance to get to know a few new-to-me moms and to celebrate this day that is special to all of us!  Check out all the swaps over at Chasin' Mason!

Blogging...Something I Need For Me!

I've taken a bit of a break from blogging the past year or so...and even more int he past month or so after I tried to make myself stick to a schedule over the winter.  An you know aha I've discovered?  I NEED this blog...but I need it on my terms!  I need a space to write and share my thoughts and dreams and memories.  I sometimes need to join in on blogging link-ups and I sometimes need to just have the freedom to write from my heart.

I am a writer in my blood.  I've grown from a long heritage of newspaper writers and photographers.  I capture my life through images and text.  But...I hate deadlines :).  Actually, deadlines and rules make me procrastinate even more...lol!  So as I move forward with this journey, I'm going to move at my own pace and write what I feel.

So prepare yourselves for more heartfelt posts...more pictures of my family...more journaling about the stage of life I'm living in.  This blog began as a place to share our family life with family and friends who live away from us...and now I need to take it back to those basics.

Thanks for your support and patience!

Confessional Thursday!

I'm joining in with Jess over at The Newly to share the confessions of my mom life!

I confess...

I am over doctors and medicine!  Bubba had another ear infection and another round of meds.  We are now awaiting an appointment with the ENT that put his tubes in.  4 infections in 2 months that seem to be resistant to ear/eye drops while having tubes is just too much!  Add on top of that...Sassy fell off the swing in our basement and injured the tendon in her elbow...more meds, wrapping, swelling, and rest.  You can be assured I ordered a mat for under the swing!!!!

I loved getting away for the weekend with Sassy to surprise Papa!  One child is such a difference from 4!!!  We enjoyed some cousin time, some girl time, and a concert with Papa.  And the drive that takes 6+ hours with 4 kids was sooooo much quicker with just one (try 4 1/2 hours!!!).

I love days that we stay home and don't shower until lunch time!

I am doing my best to jump back into blogging.  It's a therapy I need and a chance to connect with other moms!  It's something I love and need!

I love having manicures.  It makes me feel so pretty :).  But it's one thing I gave up when I chose to stay at home.  Painting them myself had become a several times a week event, nothing seeming to last as long as the gel manicures I loved.  So a friend encouraged me to try Jamberry nails...and it was pretty much love at first application!  See how pretty????

I'm hosting an on-line sale this month...check out my facebook link and feel free to order and fall in love yourself!

Confessional Thursday

I'm connecting with The Newly to share those moments from this week!

I confess I hate snow days!  

As a teacher I loved them but as a mom I can't stand the thought of being trapped inside with 4 busy kids!

I confess I am addicted to Amazon Prime!

I've lost count of how many boxes get delivered to our house each week!

It's so convenient and makes my shopping so less stressful.  We even have our pantry supplies delivered...TP, paper towels, etc.  Life changing, I tell you!

I confess I put my kids to bed at 7:00 so I can binge watch a few more episodes!

Lol...this will change as the weather gets nicer and we transition to being outside more but for now, it works!

I confess my feelings are not hurt one little bit that Sassy picked Daddy to come to her class for their special valentine making project!

I've been the teacher for those kind of days and have no desire to see the other side!  Plus I think it's important for Daddy to have some special time with the kids!

I confess that my favorite days are the ones where Bubba and I have no where to go and can stay in pjs for the whole morning!

And that's our plan for today!

Friday Favorites

Hey, Hey!  It's FRIDAY!  I hope you've had a great week and are looking forward to an even better weekend.  Today, I'm joining, Narci and Andrea for Friday Favorites.

One

We had temperatures in the high 60s earlier this week.  

A favorite was listening to the kids playing outside!

Two 

I made cookies for an after-school snack this week...so stay-at-home mom-ish!

I got these cookie sheet liners for Christmas and they are the absolute best!!!!!

Three 

These were my bargain of the week, maybe the year!

Bubba and I were poking around a local thrift store and found these Ugg boots for $12.99!

Perfect condition and in my sister-in-law's size...so fun to gift her with this find!

Four 

I've been leaving love notes for the kids this week...their sweet smiles are a favorite!

Five 

Snow day!

I loved these days as a teacher...now that I'm on the other side as a mom, I have mixed feelings!

But I am happy to snuggle in for the day!

Six 

I've been spending my evening knitting.

This cozy soon-to-be afghan is a favorite!

Seven 

One of my yearly goals was to work on bible journaling and illustrating.

I spent a few minutes last night and this pass time is quickly becoming a favorite!

And here is to surviving my first snow day as a mommy!  Wish me luck!!!

February Goals

This year I made year-long goals but decided to check in each month and see how I'm doing and add any specific goals that focused on specific months.  

Year Goals

Read the Bible daily...
Totally on track with this!  I've found that sitting at the bus stop in the mornings is a perfect time to read.  And double pleased to have noticed that the kids love hearing the stories too!

Illustrate the Bible 1X a week...
Well, I was create one day this month...hoping to be better in February!

Work out 5X a week...
Nope, nope, nope.  Just didn't happen.

Read 2 books a month...
Done!

I read Heaven at Home...loved it!  I actually took notes!
And for fun I read A Perfect Life by Danielle Steel.  Great quick and fun read!

January Goals

Make an art book for each child...
I've taken the pictures and started each child's book on Shutterfly.  My plan to is to record their crafts through 5th grade and then gift them with the completed book.  Tater is graduating 5th grade in June...ahhh!

Purge in basement...
Done!  Well, it's an on-going process but I cleaned out a ton!

Paint the girls' bedroom...
Done!  And just under the wire this weekend!  Posted about it yesterday!


And looking forward...

February Goals

Consign spring clothes...
I have an appointment tomorrow!

Plan Tater's 11th birthday party...
It's in the works!

Wash face nightly and use eye cream...
Let's admit, no one is getting any younger!  I've been going 3 nights strong...let's see how I do!

Start going to story time at the library with Bubba...
We need to get out and be a bit more routine...and he needs to learn at bit of structure!

It's amazing how time just slips away from me now that I am home all the time!  I'm hoping these goals will make me more accountable and productive!!!

Show and Tell Tuesdays - Winning Your Heart

I'm joining Andrea at Momfessionals for another Show and Tell Tuesday!

Today we are talking about how we love to be loved :) - perfect choice for this month of love!

One of my mom's greatest lessons that she taught us before she got sick and left us was that family is everything...EVERYTHING!  We always knew this but we struggled, as all families, do with distance and differences in our lives.  Two years ago this week my mom fell and was hospitalized.  That eventually led to sepsis and a very long stay in the hospital and then rehab.  We almost lost her multiple times then...and we pulled together like she always tried to teach us.  It was a real-life life lesson and one that we will always remember. 

So here are the ones who win my heart...

My crew at Disney...best vacation ever!

And these 4...nothing means more to me!

And this place...the beach makes everything perfect!

And my whole crew the April before we lost Mom.  Love that we got this picture to hold in hearts as we travel this new life without a huge part of our family.