36

I love getting a year older.  I'm not sure why one wouldn't want the greatest gift of all, yet another year on earth.  Sure I'm fighting like hell to keep the wrinkles off my face.  It takes a little more working out and eating healthy to look and feel great, but it's worth it.

36 was quite the birthday to remember! Instead of a swanky night out with family & kids, we had an impromptu back deck dinner.  Joe even bought me a mini cake!

I woke up and everyone seemed great! The kids were so excited to give/help me open my gifts.

Joe took this photo in Lake George and had it made into a canvas.  I love it!

On vacation our little cooler broke, so he heard this was the cooler to get.  He stocked me full of my favorite goodies!  I'm thinking these will be perfect for date nights in and when friends come to visit.


If you don't have a Corkcicle, I highly suggest one! This is my second one and I LOVE that I have two now.  Brooke picked it out for me.  I love my water ICE cold and this baby keeps it cold!

My mother in law came over for a few hours, so I ran up to have lunch with Joe.  He was stuck helping a customer and I had to wait awhile, but we still got to see each other which was so nice.  Thanks again Maria!


The weather was a little chilly so I got to wear my white jean jacket.

I came home and kids were resting/napping...and then they woke up.  As soon as Bradley awoke he was crying so hard. I went in and rocked him and he just snuggled and felt very warm.  Sure enough he had a fever of 100 degrees and was not feeling well.  I gave him something to drink. I told Joe but he said that they'll be fine...

Not even 15 minutes of Joe being home did Bradley get sick all over the place.  My momma gut was telling me to cancel and I'm so glad we did not push it, and have that happen at the restaurant!

SO we ordered take out and ate on the deck.

Delicious bacon wrapped spinach.

Red wine, bacon blue cheese topped filet and mashed potatoes.

I really wasn't mad or upset, I just felt so bad for my babies!

This one wasn't 100% as her stomach was off a bit...but she wanted to hang out with us.

Clearly we cannot control our circumstances, and I surely would have liked to have gone out with my kids and family, but there will be other days.  I felt like it was only fair since when we were supposed to go out in April for my sister's birthday, something happened and we had to cancel on her.  

No sense in fighting it, I think it's going to have to be my mantra for 36: Go with the flow.  Breathing in all the love and blessings, counting my lucky stars and wishing for health all year long.

What I am Loving...

Wednesday, err Thursday??  This week?

Oh my gosh, where has January gone?!   I wanted to share Brooke's birthday; we went up to where Daddy works and had a little pizza party with balloons and some cake.  He had to work late, so we wanted to try and spend a little time together.

She blew out her candles and definitely enjoyed her cookie cake that Daddy picked out!

After the oldest turned four, I immediately started to get emotional about this one turning two.  Don't let that sweet grin fool you, he is a crazy little bubs! He just never stops and his energy is intense.  I love it and would not wish for it any other way.

Friday we snuck out for our Date Day and I had acupuncture; I wished I had brought some makeup to refresh with, as I feel like I look rather pale!  We had a wonderful little lunch, drove around and enjoyed some chats and some silence!

I requested that he take me to Breathe Yoga studio, as I have been too nervous to go before, and I've been wanting to check it out for years.  They have a delicious juice and smoothie bar.  I am obsessed with their little immunity defense shots!!

Come Monday, I was so proud of myself that I actually went to a Yoga class. I got up at 5am and made it to the 6am practice.  I'm still sore. I can't wait to go back.

Tuesday night Bubs turned 2!!  We decided to go to Longhorn Steakhouse.  The kids were fairly well behaved and we enjoyed ourselves.

Someone was *a little* jealous of the attention brother was getting, but she hung in there like a champ.  She's obsessed with her new bird from Grandma.

Mr. Cranky (literally was fairly moody all day long!) gave some dirty looks before dessert.

We just got him a few gifts and he LOVED the scooter my friend Lindsay recommended.  He's so big, it's killing my momma heart!!

Big sissy was such a huge help opening the cards and gifts.

And totally random, but I really like this tea.  My throat had been hurting for almost a week and I was downing this tea like it was my job.  My throat is starting to feel better, but now I sound like a man (or Luann from the RHONY).

What are you loving this week?

Monday Musings

We have been living in a winter wonderland!  I don't mind it, sure it's cold and adds more time to get ready, drive, etc, but it's so pretty!!  I hope that it stays cold and keeps snowing for Christmas.

We took the kids to see Santa on Friday...they were in great moods and there was no line!! But as soon as we walked this corner, Santa got up and left!  They ended up switching Santas and by then...well I'll share those photos a little later in the week!!

Saturday brought lots of errands and taking my youngest sister on a few of them! Those of you wondering, she's doing so well.  She's still in her programs, working with counselors, therapists and getting the treatment she needs.  I am so proud of her and continue to pray daily.

I snapped a few photos with my nice camera. 

We are definitely cutting this one's hair after Christmas.  It's time.

I bought this adorable outfit from Marshalls, it's "Seven for all Man kind" and I wanted him to wear it on a family photo shoot in the fall...that never happened.

Brooke made her reindeer headband in preschool and hasn't taken it off, until today because it's now quite tattered after wearing it 24/7.  Yes, she slept in it.

Can you guess her favorite Christmas song at the moment?

My two crazy goofball kids.

Sunday we got ready for my sister's cookie party.  She insisted on taking her photo by her Santa countdown.

And one by the white tree

We got a photo of the kids!

I love this one.

From 1-7.  They had a ball eating all the cookies.

It got a little warm so we threw his hair up in a "Man bun." He may have a little obsession with controllers...

Christmas Spirit wrapped up in this beautiful girl.

And if you're still looking for a gift, I highly recommend this gold trove ring!

You can still order until tomorrow 12/20 to get it by Christmas!!

How fun would this tree be?! haha

35

It's official. I'm halfway to 40!! Haha I really don't mind, as I've stated before, I'm happier, healthier and really enjoying my 30's.  I never understood why people would say that, but as with most things, now I totally get it.

Monday 7/25 I woke up to a sweet curly haired blond girl shoving a little red envelope in my face whispering, "Open it!"

Inside was a silly little cat card stating to pounce on it, because it was my birthday. I about died because I don't love cats, but that she was so proud of picking out the card herself.

Hubby grilled me some bacon and I made some eggs; we had a quick breakfast & I opened up my gifts from them.

An adorable new heart mug.

He totally gets me.

I'm obsessed with this cute tumbler!

How fun will this be?! I'm always toting my phone around and goodness knows the music could always be louder.  I think this will be perfect for upstairs in the shower, outside on the back deck, up front playing with the kids or even taking it on our land.

These two enjoying their 2nd breakfast and Paw Patrol, while I printed off voting registrations for myself and hubby (super celebratory, I know!0

Then came the random text from my husband, basically stating I needed to take a shower because the sitter would be there at 11 and I had a spa day waiting for me here!

Didn't have to tell me twice!! I was so surprised!  He sent me here last year for my birthday and I had not been back, but I didn't think he'd set it all up on his own again.  Totally fooled!

I stopped at Starbucks for me green tea latte.

And made myself right at home at the spa.

I was able to read some of my book and just relax in quiet.

I had a massage, organic facial and a pedicure. I felt like a new woman!

I knew we were going out to dinner, but I had no clue where and I thought it was just the 4 of us.  Well, my sister's husband shares the birthday with me and they ended up coming back in from boating and met us out for dinner!

I don't think we've ever just hung out the 6 of us, so the impromptu gathering was rather fun!

We went to a gorgeous little Italian place on the river, downtown.  The food was outstanding and the kids were really well behaved!

I love this man.  He told me that since I always put everyone else first daily, he wanted to make my day super special.  Well it was the best birthday ever! Thank you baby.

They even had my favorite wine!

It was so fun to get all 4 of us dressed up and I swear Bradley and Brooke knew they were going some place special.  It was such a treat!

Brooke loved her gold dress.

I went big and ordered Lobster French--to die for!

The gang shared canolis and I ordered the flourless chocolate cake as well.

We took a little drive around after dinner and caught a bit of the sunset overlooking the city.

I know so much more than I did 10 years ago.  It's crazy to think how just 5 years ago I walked away from my teaching job, and within those 5 years, we have had two beautiful children.  We've experienced loss, heartache, frustration and shared many tears.  But above all else, we have continued to work hard on ourselves individually and as a couple.  I cannot believe I'll be 40 in 5 years; I sure don't feel it!

I'm ready for a year full of blessings and waking up each morning with a heart full of gratitude.  I have big dreams for myself and my loved ones and I can only hope that everyone works as hard as I plan to.

Here's to 35; may it be my best year yet.