Mommy Monday

Lil Miss and I had a mommy & me morning last Friday.  I went to get my brows waxed and she loves coming with me.  Afterwards I spoiled her with a cake pop and she was in lollipop heaven with her blue sucker too!

After that we hit up Party City to check out any last minute party supplies and then met up with Daddy and brother at the mall. It was a such a fun morning!

Saturday my girlfriend Kristin came over to help me decorate for the kids' party which was on Sunday.  We were so impressed with how well it turned out!

The sign said "Aloha" so we obvi changed it to Rio.  Thank you again Kristin!

Birds, bright colored flowers, primary colored balloons and streamers were just enough to make it feel like a festive little area.

Most of our budget went into the cake, (which I still cringe over) BUT it came out adorable and everyone (and then some!) enjoyed it.

I have tons of photos, but I of course need time to upload them ;)  Here is one of my favorites, of my two.  They've been dying to get their fingers into ring pops, so I finally caved and let them have some for the party.  Hence their blue and green mouths.  Ya only turn 2 and 4 once and we still had a fantastic meet up with the dentist this morning, so I'm rolling with it.

Brooke & Bradley, I love you more than you'll ever know; you two have so much spunk, personality, creativity, joy, love and life---I need to constantly stop and thank my lucky stars all throughout the day, for a perfect pair like you.

I hope you had so much fun during your party; I had so much fun getting ready for it.  Love you!!

Letter to my Younger Self...

{Disclaimer}
As I thought about writing this post, the "younger self" that really came to mind was when I was 26. It was right before I met Joe and I owned my own house, worked full time as an English teacher and was going to school to finish my Master's Degree.  I had a pretty crappy love life and was quite involved with school. I had a few really close friends, but I was definitely a little lost and missing something (or someone ;) It's kind of funny because I remember as the new year approached in 2008, I was telling myself I had no time for boys and to focus on my teaching and grad classes. That's really funny, looking back now, as January 2008, I met my now husband.

Dear Jenn,

You have got to give yourself some major slack.  You are far too hard on yourself; no reason to stress and worry so much.  You tend to make mountains out of mole hills and there's really no need for that. You'll learn to let go and let live eventually, but if you could do it sooner than later, I bet it'll save you a lot of heartache...

Speaking of, all those guys you tried dating and it didn't work out?  There's a huge reason for that. They weren't right for you.  You should spend more time alone. Go outside. Read more books for fun. Keep doing all that you are doing for school; you are a great teacher and those kids need you.

Eat better. Lean cuisines and diet mountain dew are not healthy.  Skip processed foods and eat real living fruits and veggies.  You'll probably ward off lots of germs. PS probiotics are really good for you!

Enjoy your time with Sadie lady; she was brought into your life for a reason and you'll miss her crazy ways one day.  Snuggle in bed with her as long as you can; pretty soon you'll meet someone and won't need the dog in the bed too.

Spend more time with your youngest sister; she is troubled, but maybe more time with her would help.

Maybe take some time and see a counselor a few more times about your sister and also for your parents' divorce.  Try and see both sides and view it from an outside perspective.  It'll get really ugly and being the daughter is never easy with a messy divorce.  Find some more support here; you'll need it.

Spend more time with your grandma & grandpa.

Take more trips.

Don't go back to any of your exes. They're your exes for a reason.

Your laundry and housework is a joke; wait until you have two kids, a husband and a 2000 square foot house.  A little dog fur and a few dishes is really nothing...

Learn to do things asap and not procrastinate.

Start wearing eye liner; it makes a huge difference!

Keep up the brunch tradition with your friends as long as you can. You'll miss it.

You should try to find a few families to babysit for on the weekends or weeknights. You could make some major bank!

Don't worry about what people say or think of you. It really doesn't matter.

Bagels for breakfast are not healthy.

Spend more time with your mom.

Go out to eat alone. Go to the movies alone. Do things independently.

Start listening to self improvement books, or reading them. It will change you.

On the other hand?

Don't do anything I mentioned, because everything you're doing will bring you right to where you need to be...

You, my dear, are living one hell of an amazingly awesome life.

Love,

Your 35 year old kick ass self.

House Goals #2

Building a home.

We haven't even met with a builder yet and I'm still just having fun with tearing out pictures or finding ones online of houses.  It's fun to say yay or nay with hubby and really discuss what we prefer over what we really don't love.

I haven't written anything about our dream home since this post here. 

I think we're still leading towards a side loading garage, but this looks cool too!

I'm still really researching kitchens.  I'm fairly certain I don't want two islands, but rather one really large one.  I don't know if I need 2 sinks.  I don't like exposed beams or the hanging light fixtures; and while I want a wine fridge, I think I'll store the rest of the wine in a temperature controlled area of the basement.  I do however, love the light counter tops and the cupboards.

My favorite spot in our current home is our back deck. It's seriously like a little sanctuary.  We can't see the parking lot because of all the trees, and it's pretty quiet since school is out of session.

One of our favorite things is to go to the land and walk around where things will be built.  It's so important to decide which way we want to face; the sunset is gorgeous here!

It's so funny because one day we are totally chill and love just dreaming and the next we are both like, "UGH! Why are we not living here yet!?"

{as I type this, Joe is currently out there working on the trails again.}

I absolutely love these huge windows. I want as much light to filter into the livingroom (and the kitchen!) as possible.  We also want high ceilings.  This furniture isn't really our style (the color) but I love how crisp all of it is and how there's an accent.

I need to look a little more into this contraption!  Is one of these a warming oven? A microwave? Holy smokes!  This back counter/stove top is essentially what we'll have though, so that's cool!

This is the idea of how open we would like it.  Like I said though, we don't want to do the double islands...and the side eating area will be one large table (no formal dining room).  I don't like all the different colors going on back there in the kitchen either, or the lights.  BUT the open layout is spot on!

Patio and a pool in the back...or would we go with a wrap around deck and a pool?

This will be the biggest project we will work on together and I am so excited.  

Home Talk Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!!

I hope you're having a beautiful day.  I wanted to share some things home-related on the blog, so I figured I would just lump them all together in one post!! I know it's not easy keeping up with the cooking, the cleaning, the organizing, plus doing everything else that we have to do in a day with littles.  I have found a few tricks or routines that may actually work!

What I struggle with most at this stage, is being able to complete a task.  I will start several things, but sometimes (most times) I get side tracked with changing diapers and trying to keep the kids both occupied so that I can clean, I feel like I'm running on a hamster wheel.

I will say that starting to use "Snap Chat" @mrsdellefave really does make me feel good about my day!! I literally look through my story and realize, holy cow, I do a lot and even though the floors may not be clean at 9pm, they were at 11am!

Really though, I know that it's a season and soon the kids will not be here making messes all day while I try to entertain them and clean up.  So here are a few successes I had last week:

Brisket: 
I loved being able to throw it in the dutch oven, place it in the oven and let it cook for a few hours.

I steamed some carrots and then tossed them into some melted butter, honey, sage, & lemon.

I can't go wrong with my bread; everyone loves it!

The kids liked everything, but Brooke really only likes raw veggies. She "couldn't like the carrots" they were "yucky".

I like cleaning on Thursdays. I don't know why I prefer that day, but I do.  I also like grocery shopping on a Tuesday.  I think this is because Mon/Weds are late nights and that leaves more room for the kids and I to go and do something fun since Daddy works.

He pulls everything out of all the cupboards.  Thursday he discovered parchment paper.

I run my dishwasher 1-2 times a day.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the dishes, bottles and cups seem to multiply.  I need to get some more paper plates for Summer to help cut down on this haha.  I really don't enjoy dishes, but I do find it best if I prop my iPhone up and watch Youtube or TV on it.

I was really having an issue with my produce. We eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, and they were just falling out of my bowls. I decided to use a big platter to hold everything and it works much better!

Decor:

I had this bowl that my mom gave me awhile ago for a birthday present. I finally found something to put in it! I grabbed these for $8 at T.J. Max

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I know that the first place to start is my room.  If I can clear the clothes, clutter and make the bed, life feels so much easier and more put together!

I ended with a quick steam mopping session. I go back and forth whether I like an old fashion mop or the steam mop, but I really love that there's no harsh chemicals.

Another simple dinner winner- Pasta with turkey meatballs.  Everyone loves it and I served it with some organic frozen veggies.  For my plate I gave myself 1/2 cup of pasta and filled the rest with veggies.

Want to know a secret?  Today is day #4 with no coffee. I know. I'm just as shocked. I ran out of creamer and decided that would be the day.  I don't miss the flavor or the feeling I was getting after drinking it (reflux) and I have replaced it with a matcha latte.  It's green tea powder and I heat up some vanilla soy milk---use my immersion blender and voila. Gives me a boost of energy and no yuck feeling!  Starbucks makes them and they're super tasty; I'm still perfecting mine.

Recipe here

How Jen Does it is really inspiring me to get my cleaning in order!! Check out her latest video.

My favorite thing?  This.  It was so hot out yesterday, I gave them two bowls of water and a few measuring cups.  They instantly soaked each other and ran around squealing.  I love that I have the deck to lock them in, and I can get some kitchen work done [since it's never ending!] I'm very excited to enjoy the nicer weather!

Any home tips you could share?

Weekend

It's Monday! I'm a little late to the game here...

We had a morning full of snuggles and no where to be.

It's damp and dreary, and I have no desire to leave.

We had a nice little weekend;

it didn't go as expected, but we made the most of it!

I finally got my vision board AND hung my first vision.

It's of course the house of our dreams, and though ours won't look exactly like this,

it's a really good motivator and I thoroughly enjoy looking at it!

I'm Spring cleaning in full force around here.

I've been going through all of the bins of baby clothes, sorting and figuring out where to donate.

I brought the kids to my sister's for a sleepover Saturday night.
I then headed to Trader Joe's and got a few things; it's just not an easy place to bring two littles!

We were supposed to go out to eat, but Joe's not feeling great.

He ended up being stuck at work and didn't even get home until almost 7, 

which would have been our reservation time anyway. 

While I was waiting for him to get home, I decided to try  Fabletics out.

I'm kinda stoked about 2 years free of Women's Health Mag

                                       SO we stayed in, had sushi and watched a movie. I don't remember where I saw someone rave about this movie, but it was really good! I wasn't too sure at first, but stick with it!  Super powerful and really speaks to any woman who is out there getting her hustle on.  Good things happen when we work for things and don't give up.  I highly recommend this movie!!

{Brunch}

We decided since we didn't go out to dinner Saturday night, we would hit up our favorite Brunch spot:
The Revelry

I couldn't even finish my brunch, but it was tasty!

I had to save room for mimosas!

My sister and my brother-in-law met us back here with the kids.

We hung out and cooked a delicious dinner {thanks Ann!} 

Chicken Francese

Since it did not feel like Spring and we had a little bit of firewood left, we had "our last fire" I feel like I've already said that, but it's true!!

Bubs was helping Daddy

How was your weekend?!

Weekend Rewind [a wedding & our land]

Happy Monday!!

I'll start with this photo because it's my new faaaaaavorite!! We got to get all dressed up for his cousin Mary's wedding! I just love love love his Italian family.  I wish I had met them all sooner! It's always an amazing time when we can all get together and celebrate.  This was no other.

PS this necklace is on MEGA sale right now!!

We didn't do too much Friday, and clearly mr bubs had big goals! He's such a little dude! He comes over asks for snacks (aka whines) and then climbs up on the ottoman, then over to the couch.  Stud.

I've been really working on healing myself naturally--that's another post entirely, but I do feel a bit better! I've been off my reflux meds for a week, since they weren't really helping anyway.

OK, so back to the wedding!

She had such a beautiful wedding.  It was simplistic elegance!  White tulips, roses, baby's breath flowers.   I would describe it as fairytale/rustic decor? I'm not sure, but they had twinkle lights and gorgeous touches all throughout the room.

Mr & Mrs! Her dress was stunning.

To the right of the candle were bells you could ring, so the bride & groom had to kiss.

Cousin Edward broke ours!  

Seriously it was so fun hanging out with these cousins and getting to know them even better. 

I only wish Edward's girlfriend were home, as she's in India right now.

The family made all of the apps and desserts.  

To. Die. For.

Best part of an Italian wedding!

Her cake was so pretty too! I loved the square look of it.

They wanted me to take some photos and post to Facebook so the relatives in Italy could see.

We didn't stay too late as we knew these two goofballs would be up bright and early, which they were, Sunday morning.

We made plans to have a sitter come over for a few hours on Sunday so that I could go with Joe and walk the land that he cleared awhile back.

 Little did we expect April temps to be in the negatives!

We layered, I mean LAYERED!  Leggings, jeans, wind pants, thermo top, under armor, sweatshirt and my crazy big jacket.  I bought this fur hat for Joe years ago, kind of as a joke but he LOVES it and swears it keeps his head/ears so warm.  Being the amazing husband he is, he made me wear it--thank you hubby!

He made trails around the 20 acres and even with my blistered feet (from dancing at the wedding) and busted foot (I totally smashed and broke into a baby gate when baby boy was climbing the window ledge) I survived!!

I love how we can go from suit/fancy dresses to down home country living.  It was really amazing to see how much work it's taking him to make our dreams happen and I love that we can be so hands on with the whole process.  It really makes us appreciate all of the efforts and sacrifices that we'll be making to be able to build this home.  It's more than just a new house; it's going to be where we raise our children and make so many amazing memories!  I can totally see all 4 of us riding on our 4 wheeler and just enjoying the outside. I'm dreaming of chickens and gardens and the whole nine!