30 before 30 update.

I need to put together a Christmas post but in order to do that I actually need to go through the 356 photographs I took on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  oh my...

I've been slacking on posting about my 30 before 30 list so I thought now was a good time, right before the new year, to get a couple things crossed off.

14. teach Gage his ABC’s. - done!!!  I have a video of him saying them but it won't load right on here... but believe me, he knows them :)  I'm a proud momma!!!

21. do something special with my Grammie’s shirts. - DONE!!!  I had lap quilts made for myself, my mom and my aunt for Christmas.  I also had a pillow case made for my niece.  They are BEAUTIFUL!!!  (I will post photos of them soon!)

28. 5k, 10k, half marathon. [need to pray about this.] - not done.  but, I found a half marathon in April that I'd like to run.  I'm not a 'real' runner - not yet anyway - but I've always dreamed of being an athlete.  (not even real sure what a real runner is - but I am determined to get there) I've always been the chubby, uncoordinated, non-athletic girl and now that I'm about to turn 30 I'd like to do away with that.  So, any training tips - send them my way.  Any negative comments or why in the world would you want to do that comments - send them somewhere else!!!

5 more months... yikes...

BIG giveaway.

The Vintage Pearl is hosting a BIG giveaway!  They've come out with a lot of new pieces recently that I just LOVE!!!  Go check out their blog and website - you'll be hooked, just like I am!

*anything for a couple extra entries to win things :)  I recently won a $50 shutterfly credit by commenting on a giveaway... I'm feelin' lucky!!!

friday fun.

I am heartbroken and devestated for the families in Connecticut.  There are no words that could even come close to expressing the feelings and emotions I am having; as I am sure is the case for so many right now.  I will continue praying, just as I have been from the moment I learned of the tragedy.

I've felt super emotional all day so I thought I should really lighten it up with my post tonight.  I am finally doing Mama M's five question friday.

1. If you bake during the holidays, what is your favorite thing to make? - nope, don't bake.  I'm glad I don't because I definitely don't need any cookies or pies around my house!!! 
2. Present giving: Gift bag vs wrapped box? - wrapped box, definitely
3. What do you keep your thermostat on during the winter/summer in your house? - 72.
4. When thinking of your "Christmas to-do list" what percentage "done" are you? - hmmm, good question.  considering I still need to buy some gifts and all the food for dinner on Christmas day, I'd say I'm about 52% done...
5. Do you do the "Elf on a Shelf"? If so, is your Elf naughty and what shenanigans has he gotten into? - no, we don't have one... I've thought about it but my kids are so stinkin' bad I doubt an elf would make much difference!!!

now... ready for a laugh?!?!?!

we went to see Santa Thursday night.  the kids were SO excited and had been talking about it for weeks.  I thought, for sure, they'd be all smiles and giggles...

wrong.

 classic...  

Happy Birthday Gabby!!!

hard to believe this was three years ago...

my beautiful baby girl turned 3 years old yesterday... I feel awful I'm a day late with her happy birthday post but I guess a day late is better than never :) 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIELLE LOUISE!!!

 

to my little firecracker:  the most stubborn, most independent, bravest, silliest little lady I've ever met!  You have brought so much joy and spunk into my life... but sometimes I'd really really love it if you'd actually listen to me.  Please!  Mommy is very proud of you Gabby - you are SO special.  I look forward to watching you grow and hopefully seeing you develop into a very compassionate, compliant gal :) 

 

I'm excited about your princess birthday party this weekend... I can't wait to see you in your new rapunzel dress :) :) :) 

 

I am very grateful for the photographs I have of you... it's amazing to see how much you've grown!!!  (it's especially funny to see you using your baby bro as a seat, even when he was still in my tummy - some things haven't changed!!!)

Happy Birthday Noodle!!!

15 years ago today my beautiful niece Shayna was born... and I had the honor of being in the delivery room when she took her first breath.  Talk about a powerful moment.  She had the honor of being in the delivery room when my sweet baby Gage David was born... I hope she felt just as honored as I did experiencing her birth.  I have a special bond with Shayna... she has brought so much joy, fun and goofiness into my life since she was very young.  I am extrememly proud to be her aunt and I hope she knows I am always here for her. :) :) :) 

I love you Noodle... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

me holding Shayna Louise @ 2 days old!!!

 

 

Shayna - "I Hope You Dance"

 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance...I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance...I hope you dance.
I hope you dance...I hope you dance.
Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance...I hope you dance.

Stationery card

Colorful Joy Christmas Card

Send Christmas cards personalized with your favorite photos.

View the entire collection of cards.

Stationery card

Colorful Joy Christmas Card

Make unique Christmas cards this year at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

come on kids... just sit still.

I posted our Christmas card - sorry those that receive it won't be surprised - but shutterfly was giving you $10 for sharing it on your blog.  Duh!  Ten bucks is ten bucks!!!

 

I tried a few different times to get a good shot of all the kiddos together

but this is the best I got...

 

My niece also got some funny ones for me that I considered using...

(yes, Gage's hat is on backwards - so is Gavin's - cracks me up!!!)

but for several different reasons I decided to go with the navy card, which I LOVE!!!

navy is my favorite color.. enuf said ;)

Stationery card

Crayon Christmas Wishes Christmas Card

Make unique Christmas cards this year at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

cell phone pics.

My kids hate having their picture taken.  Doesn't work real well since I am obsessed with taking pictures of them.  Lately I've had to bribe them with various things just to get a photo of them.  Usually they are somewhat open to taking pictures with me but don't want to cooperate when i want a shot of just them.  I guess I shouldn't complain... at least I have some photos of my kiddos and me together!!!  

Who has suggestions about how to get kids to cooperate with the camera?!?!?!

I sure do love my g-cubed :) :) :)

and holy smokes... I think Jay.Leno might be my dad... look at those chins...

I've mentioned before my desire to do something with fashion and/or fitness here... I truthfully have no clue what that looks like but I'm sure I will figure it out along the way.  I've found some great blogs recently that mix the two very well, so I have some thoughts in mind.  I just joined a gym... so I'm sure I will be sharing about some workouts and maybe a little about my half marathon training.  yep, I said it.  it's a major dream... hopefully I will get there.

{yes, I'm a nerd, I took a photo of myself, in my car}... but don't pay attention to me... check out that necklace!!!  I got it at a flea market... and I love it!!!

 

ever since I saw this pin on pinterest...  (follow me here)

 I've been searching for a 'statement' necklace and I am very happy with what I found!!!

friday's letters. {& photos.}

dear meatballs: can't we all just get along!  please. please.
dear running: I miss you... I promise, it's not you, it's me.  I'm working on a plan for us to get back together, very soon.  this meeting at 1 a.m. stuff just isn't working well for me.
dear coworkers:  you girls (and guy) are pretty stinkin' awesome... I am blessed.  Very very blessed.
dear scale: stop going up... it's not okay...
dear pants: stop getting tighter... it's not okay...
dear stupid baby fever:  you're welcome to go away anytime.  there are no more babies in my future.  what the heck is my problem!
dear dude that hit my car today:  thanks a bunch... now my poor Blair has a yucky bump and she is not very happy about it.
dear shutterfly: I am loving all your new Christmas card desings... now, if only I could get one, just one decent photo of my 3 meatballs together I'd be super happy :)
dear blog: thanks for being my outlet, my stress reliever, my photo album, my journal, even when what I write is useless and meaningless... it still feels good to write it.
dear Olivia (the sweet girl my family sponsors through Compassion): THANK YOU for our letter :)  it couldn't have come on a better day!!!
dear old school Mariah Carey music: thanks for being my guilty pleasure, my 'just need to act like an idiot for a few minutes' escape!
dear trick.or.treat candy: thanks for giving me something to bribe my kids with - safe to say, more dinner is consumed with you in the house :)

disney on ice & skinny jeans.

check two more items off my 30 before 30 list :) :) :)  [insert silly happy dance!]

20. buy and rock a pair of funky skinny jeans. [they always look so cool!]

22. take Gabby to Disney on Ice.

okay... #20... tougher than I thought... I don't have the right body type for skinny jeans, they just don't look real good on me... so buying a 'funky' pair was not a wise fashion choice for me.  Instead, I opted for a very dark denim pair instead of the coral or mint colored pair I really wanted.  (and they were only $9.99!)  I really just wanted a pair "skinny" enough to wear with my boots.  Gavin told me I look like a pirate!!!



#22.  Disney On Ice... SO SO SO much fun!!!  I felt like a little girl again.  Beauty and the Beast and The Litttle Mermaid are two of my most favorite Disney movies.  I was singing along and knew all the words - it was great!!!  (Brave and Tangled were also there but I'm not as familiar with those movies - and actually we haven't even seen Brave yet)  The kiddos were so good the entire time and they all had a ton of fun.  I took a total of 365 photos that afternoon... yikes!!!  This list item was MUCH more fun than silly skinny jeans!