The end of the year...

Today we made cloud dough. It was so fun and crazy easy. It did get s bit messy though...

Both kids liked it. 

Jon has been waking up from his naps but not ready to get up. I'm the luckiest mom to get this special snuggle time with him. He's such a sweet boy and my heart might break when he goes to preschool next year.

There's been a lot of playing together. Including with this new puppy Nika. She's learning and becoming such a good dog.

A whole year

I don't know how it happened, but a whole year has past. And my babies look like this...

And this...

 But they are awake most of them time, which may be why I've been a sucky blogger. Back to it for 2015!

Christmas Time's A-Comin!

My friend, Beth, had a craft night and helped us make Christmas organizers. I couldn't think it out that night, but I'm using it for all kinds of stuff!

I have tabs for gifts, elf, and special events so far. 

I have a page for each kid separated by ideas and things I've bought. I also do the want, read, wear, read rule but also add a toy. I also have a Santa page so I can keep track of what the Big Guy tells me he's bringing. I have a page for stocking, the people we have in my family's drawing, my husband's side, and others for people like teachers, friends, etc. Hopefully I won't miss anyone!

This is part of my Elf section. I keep track of Ulysses antics. It got crazy last year. I have a calendar just for him, an idea bank, and a weekly list including shopping section. If he wants to fish in the toilet, you can't be out of goldfish! Lesson learned the hard way. This year Ulysses has agreed to only do really crazy stuff once or twice a week. 

In my special events I've been attaching things I might like to do or see. I've got a TV guide so I can record the classics for my kiddos, a list of local events, and a few notes on traditions I don't want to forget...like the hubs and my annual Christmas Eve nacho fest.

Last I've been keeping all those coupons and labels you get this time if year. I have shutterfly and tiny prints in case I use them for Christmas cards. A few Kroger random coupons and other stores offering sales. We also get labels so I'm holding those in there so I don't lose them. And eventually I will use the other envelope for receipts! 

It's crazy how useful this is! Get yourself one...do it! 

Sad Day

My kiddos are sick.

Sad and sick. 

Annnnd grumpy.

But I love them. Especially when they smile despite feeling awful.

Can't wait until they feel better!

The Boy

He's my sweet little baby. 

Annnnnd I love him. 

I kinda dig his Daddy too! 

When did...

Since when did my little baby become this beautiful girl...

Or this little baby become my silly boy...

 

Or my sweet little girl become this grumpy Gus...

Or this sassy pants...

Or my little baby become a climber...

Or Rico Suave?

Goals...

To my kids or anyone else that might need it,

Sometimes there is something in your life that you think you could never do. If you're like your mom, you may accept it, joke about it, and even complain and make excuses. Then maybe, just maybe, you start listening to that little voice saying what if, maybe, possibly. If it is something you've always wanted to do, try it.  That's how your overweight, tired mom got herself off the couch and became a runner. At least I think I can call myself that now. 

Mommy always had bad knees and a general level if klutziness. But I started thinking that if I could walk, maybe I could run. So I branched out...waaaay out. Not only was I going to start running, I was going to run with another mommy I'd only recently met...and push the two of you while I was at it. I didn't have a lot of confidence, but I was going to try. 

The first day, Beth (my partner) and I hit it off really well, but the running and I didn't. I only started out running for about a minute. One lousy, stinkin, minute...and it was hard. Like really hard, embarrassingly hard. I kept thinking that I needed to do it for you guys, for your Daddy, so I didn't quit on Beth, but not for me. So I did it for them and you and slowly, it changed. I saw it started to be about me. I enjoyed the challenge to go farther than I thought I could. Running cleared my head, made me proud of my body. The body that was tough enough to labor with the two of you. I was a rock star...

Until I was running for five minutes. Yep. You read that right, five little minutes almost defeated me. Suddenly in crept the doubt that if I struggled with five I'd never do thirty, the guilt about forcing you guys into a stroller for an hour three days a week, and the aches and pains telling me quitting was an option. But you know what? I kept with it. I tried it for another week. And I did it. Every time I hit a hurdle, I just jumped over it and kept on going. 

I'm not going to lie to you, some days still sucked. But on those good days, you couldn't stop me. I started running for those and that feeling. And it came more often than the bad days. I started surprising myself. 

Next thing you know, I'm signed up for a 5K running for 3 miles nonstop! Now I'm slow and its not pretty, but I did it. And its a big deal...i couldnt even run a mile in 8th grade! I've reached my goal and getting there was amazing. And I did it with you, your Dad, and some awesome friends by my side. But I'm not stoppin. 

So my sweet babies, someday you'll need to hear this story about how your Mommy took control of her life and made something great happen. Because in that photo, I just ran a 5K and I am smiling! You can do it...whatever it is.  And I know how hard it can be to overcome your body, your fears, your insecurities, and even your guilt. Just remember, I love you, I believe in you, and I'm your biggest fan. 

The end...and beginning.