2012 Book List

Now thats its a new year I have decided to start my book list over! I am not only going to keep track of what books I want to read, I'm gonna go ahead and (try to) keep track of EVERY book I read! Then at the end of the year I can see how many I actually ended up reading in a year! Fun right?! So anyways, I went ahead and transferred over the books that I haven't read yet from the 2011 list and I added a whole bunch more that I plan on reading! This may be kind of silly but I think its neat to share this with everyone! =) Maybe it will inspire you to start reading more as well?!

• Stephen Chbosky - The Perks of Being A Wallflower
• Sara Gruen - Water for Elephants
• Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games
• Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
• Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games: MockingJay
• Christopher Ciccone - Life With My Sister Madonna
• Nicholas Sparks - Three Weeks With My Brother
• Nicholas Sparks - True Believer
• Nicholas Sparks - Nights in Rodanthe
• V.C. Andrews - Flowers in the Attic
• V.C. Andrews - Petals on the Wind
• V.C. Andrews - If There Be Thorns
• V.C. Andrews - Seeds of Yesterday
• V.C. Andrews - Garden of Shadows
• Tucker Max - Assholes Finish First 
• Farrah Abraham - My Teenage Dream Ended
• Tucker Max - Sloppy Seconds 
• Tucker Max - Hilarity Ensues
• Catherine Coulter - The Cove
• V.C. Andrews - Heaven
• V.C. Andrews - Dark Angel
• V.C. Andrews - Fallen Hearts
• V.C. Andrews - Gates of Paradise
• V.C. Andrews - Web of Dreams
• Tucker Max - Sloppy Seconds
• Mary Campisi - Not Your Everyday Housewife
• E.L. James - Fifty Shades of Grey
• E.L. James - Fifty Shades Darker
• E.L. James - Fifty Shades Freed
• V.C. Andrews - My Sweet Audrina
• Jennifer Weiner - Best Friends Forever
• Lisa Scottline - Look Again
• Jennifer Weiner - Goodnight Nobody
• Jennifer Weiner - The Guy Not Taken 
• Jennifer Weiner & Others - Girls Night In  
• Emily Giffin - The Diary of Darcy J. Rhone
• Kris Jenner - Kris Jenner...And All Things Kardashian
• Sylvia Day - Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel
• Sylvia Day - Reflected in You: A Crossfire Novel
• Kendra Wilkinson - Being Kendra: Cribs, Cocktails, and Getting My Sexy Back
  

Talk to you soon!
J

Maybe Next Month

Man I stunk so bad at this photo a day.

I just got back from being in Texas for 5 days, for my little sisters baby shower, and there was no way for me to keep up while I was there. I was wayyyy too busy spending time with my family. So I'm going to go ahead and throw up a white flag. At this point I am way too far behind to even try to catch up. I'd rather just not finish it. I'll probably do it again next month, this month is just too crazy, I should have known better haha, December is not my month when it comes to extras. There are just too many things going on with my family.

Soooooo next month I'll give it a shot!

Talk to you soon,
J

Hat

I've had this hat for so long. I cant even believe my kids head is big enough to fit into it! I traded a different hat that I had for this one with an old friend of mine.


Talk to you soon,
J
P.S. Could he be any more handsome and grown looking?!

Sweet

We got this sweet little elf, named Rick, early this month from Santa, who sent it to my SIL, who sent it to us. So far it has been a lot of fun helping him surprise the kids each morning with silly little things. The picture above was this morning, Rick was zip-lining from the window to our Christmas card display.

One of my favorite things is traditions and this was such an special on for me to start with the kids. I hope it will stick with them always and have a special place in their memories from the holidays.

Talk to you soon,
J

Under

My babies. Under the table. Playing on their tablets.

Such a peaceful moment, that of course didn't last very long haha!

Talk to you soon,
J

Out + About

Man oh man.
Look at this ham!

This isn't technically out and about BUT it was right before we left to run our errands. I dont often have my phone on hand while we're out and about cause my hands are always busy trying to keep her next to me! She's a wild one!

Talk to you soon,
J

Someone You Love

I'm a few days behind but I'll make up for it right now!
This little guy is one of my best best best friends son. His name is Mason James and he is gorgeous! I am absolutely in love with him already and I cannot wait to get my hands on him! I couldn't think of anyone better to post a picture of for this day than him!

Talk to you soon,
J

Stars

Super easy picture today! I love stars and I have a few different ones on our tree! The little one on the left is at the end of a Texas ornament, the blue star is one of Max's ornaments, and the other reddish one is from my MIL. Our tree topper is a star too! Stars are fun, I hope to have a few giant bronze stars for the outside of our future house one of these days.

Talk to you soon,
J

From Where You Live/Your Country

Today took me forever. I finallllllllyyyyy decided to go ahead and take a pic of one of my husbands (now) lounge shirts, one he wore for the 4th of July 2011. Couldn't be any clearer than that right?

Proud to be an American, baby!

Talk to you soon,
J

Looking Up

I really felt like everything I looked up at today was so boring...except my mans face. Max took this picture of us for me, and I thought it was a cute little shot. Not exactly the picture I was hoping to get, but something even better because its genuine. I love my man, and I love that he towers over me in height. It has always made me feel protected, and safe.

Talk to you soon,
J

Black + White

I thought all day about what I was going to do for today's photo and finally decided that I would share one of my favorite verses from the Bible, Mark 11:24-25. It speaks volumes to me on any day, and really gives me a sense of peace in my life. But especially when it talks about forgiveness has it been hitting me like a brick these last few months. I'm not really the type to hold grudges, and in most cases I forget why I was ever upset/mad in the first place, but I have spent the last couple of months letting go of literally EVERY SINGLE issue I had. I really want to start 2013 with a heart filled with only love and good stuff. I've been sick of negative stuff for a while, but I especially stray from it now. So I forgive. I forgive EVERYTHING. Who has time to do anything else? I just want to love and be loved in return. I dont have room in my life for anything more than that.

Talk to you soon,
J

Something You Held

Since there was a cable/internet outage in our area today I thought it would be the perfect time to have a Sex and the City movie day. I absolutely love the series, and the movies are no exception. There are some major tear jerker scenes in both movies but the scene with Big and Carrie in the street after he doesn't show up at the wedding KILLS. I cry every single time I see it like its the first time I'm seeing it. And in the second movie when Charlotte is talking about how hard it is to be a mom gets me just as bad. I could watch a SATC 3, 4, 5, and 6 if they made it. I'll never see enough of these ladies and their stories.

Talk to you soon,
J

Peace

Today was one of those easy, peaceful days and  this is my version of peace; being able to be right next to my husband, with a good book, while my kids are paying nicely. It was such an easy day that I was able to finish the book I started last night AND start another one! That's what I call a successful Sunday!

Talk to you soon,
J

8 o'clock

I like to call this picture Hot Chocolate Drinking Alien Face.

Why not?

I was making myself some hot chocolate when the clock struck 8, oh and while I was waiting I was making silly faces and taking pictures of them.

Talk to you soon,
J

December Photo A Day

As you probably know/suspect (haha) I have an Instagram account and I follow a lady who does a monthly photo prompt. It gives you a word a day to inspire you to capture something that you think represents that word. I decided that I would do the December prompt on my blog this month. What I really want to do is start my own Photo A Day Series, but I didn't even think about doing that until a day or two ago and I haven't had time to sit down and really think it out and make it cutesy ya know?

So hopefully you enjoy this, and maybe even decide to do it too!

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XXX

{Day Thirty}

Man I really wanted to make sure I finished this out on the right day...clearrrrlllyyyy that didn't happen! I just get caught up, guys! You cant be mad at that! Ryan and I watched "That's My Boy" last night and it was HILARIOUS! I definitely think you should see it!

Anyways, I was thankful yesterday and everyday really, that I have so many things to be thankful for! Doing this blog series was an even bigger eye opener than normally. Having the problem of TOO MANY things that I'm thankful for to choose from is an amazing problem to have, and I wish it on everyone.

November was a fantastic month for me, and I hope December is even better! Thanks so much for reading this series and look for December's Photo A Day!

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XXIX

{Day Twenty Nine}

I'm thankful today that I get to go to my sisters baby shower.
There was a little while there where I just didn't know if I was going to be able to go and I was really bummed about it...REALLY bummed. Luckily it all worked out and I am going to be making a trip to Texas to be there just for that. There is just something about your only sister having her first baby that makes you want to be there for her as much as you can. I wish so badly that I could be in Texas with her every single day, but I live in California and I have no plans on moving back to Texas anytime soon, so being there for the big stuff will have to do. It's about two weeks away and I am counting down every day!

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XXVIII

{Day Twenty Eight}

I'm thankful today for replacement plans.

It may sound silly but, Gabriella (Ariel these days) has had her tablet less than a week and already the screen is broken. Not really her fault cause it just slipped from her hands as she was trying to hand it to my mom, and we just happened to be in the kitchen but, super frustrating. I called and asked for it to be replaced and I am actually getting one a little sturdier so if it drops again it wont break like that...but if it does, I got another warranty haha! Better safe than sorry right?! 

Talk to you soonm
J

Thankful in November XXVII

{Day Twenty Seven}

Today I am thankful that I still have goals.

I wouldn't want to live a life where I wasn't still striving every day to make myself the best person I can be. Not just for me though, for my kids, and for my husband. I want them to see the absolute best version of myself that I can be every day. Not that I don't have bad days like everyone else, but I am very aware when I have those days. And I know that I have to try harder the next day. I'm glad that my children will know that I didn't stop trying to reach my educational goals because they were born. I'm thankful that they will know that no matter what I was faced with, I overcame it and made myself better for it. I never want to NOT have a goal.

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XXIV, XXV, & XXVI

I'm just gonna go ahead and post all three together since I didn't have time to do them on their respective days...well except today's, but I might as well just add it in too. 

{Day Twenty Four}

We were actually supposed to leave from my brothers on the 24th (Saturday) but, I was talked into staying an extra day. I knew it was going to be a while before I saw Hugo and Sandy again so we went ahead and stayed the extra day. And for that I am thankful. I originally planned to be home early early Sunday morning that way I would have all day to get the laundry done and it would give Ryan and Max some come down time before the work/school week started. So even though nothing went the way I planned it and Max and Ryan were both really tired this morning, I'm still thankful for those extra hours I got to spend with my family.

{Day Twenty Five}

I was so so so so thankful on Sunday that we get SUCH good gas mileage now! I haven't seen any downsides to having a new car/car payment yet! It is so worth it to pay that payment every month. We hardly spent anything on gas going 12 hours each way on this trip. I'd say that's probably the best thing about the car so far! And now with school for me starting soon I'm going to be commuting like twice a week so its not going to hurt us on gas money ya know?!

{Day Twenty Six} 

Today I am honestly thankful to be HOME. There is no place like it after you've been gone for a little while and out of your usual surroundings and comforts. I was so excited to climb into bed last night when we got home that I bet it didnt even take me more than five minutes from walking in the door to lay Gabriella in bed (Ryan had Maximus), take my vitamins, wash my face, brush my teeth, change clothes, set my alarm and hop into my comfy bed! I love going on vacation, and all the things that come with it, but its just a whole other feeling to come into a sparkly clean house with nothing to do but get into bed, lay in my mans arms, and go to sleep.

Talk to you soon,
 J

Thankful in November XXIII

{Day Twenty Three}

I'm thankful today that we were able to have a double date night with my brother and sister in law. It was so nice to just have some grown up time with them. My mom agreed to watch the kids while we went to Tomo's, an amazing sushi restaurant in the Arcata Plaza, and then went and had some frozen yogurt. Since we are leaving tomorrow I'm really glad that we were able to take some time to have some adult conversation, haha!

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XXII

{Day Twenty Two}

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Man what an awesome, glorious, blessed day I'm having! I am beyond thankful today for my family. You know everyone has something to say about my family this or my family that, but at the end of the day (in most cases) your family is really all you have. You can have tons of friends or tons of things, but those things can go away so easily. Your family is much harder to get rid of haha! I don't have any idea, nor do I want to have any idea, what it would be like without my family. Through every thing they are there. Through every triumph, failure, milestone, mistake, celebration, and so much more. My family is the center of my world. I would do anything I could for anyone in my family, no matter what. I put them first before anyone and that wont every change.

So Thanksgiving is for me a day to celebrate my family and let them know how thankful I am for them, and how much I love them.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XXI

{Day Twenty One}

Man another day late! I'm surprised I'm even able to sit down and type this post out, since I've been so busy! We drove all night on Tuesday night to get up North to Arcata, CA at 6:30 in the morning on Wednesday. My little brother lives up here with my sister in law, and we all came up to spend Thanksgiving at there house. So we've been going non stop and that mixed with my lack of sleep from traveling all night made me super tired!

Anyways, I'm catching up right now and wanted to post what I was most thankful for yesterday. I was thankful that we made it here safe and sound, and in good time. I am an EXTREMELY nervous driver/passenger. I will always let Ryan drive if he's up for it. So you know I was praying like crazy on the drive up here to keep us safe!

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XX

{Day Twenty}

I'm not going to be able to write my Thankful post tonight because we will be traveling, so I figured I would just go ahead and tell you what I'm thankful for right now because I already know what it is!

I'm thankful that we can travel! Its not too often that we can make the trip up North to see my brother and my sister in law. I'm thankful that we are going to spend a holiday with them. I'm thankful that we get to spend time in general with them. I so wish that they lived closer to us, or that we lived closer to them. But that isn't the case so we do what we can, and I am so so thankful that we are able to go to them again. It's been far too long.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XIX

{Day Nineteen}

Today was the Thanksgiving lunch at Max's school. I am sure that to most parents that isn't any big deal but for me its a lot of fun and something that I actually look forward to. I relish every moment with my kids anyways, but I especially love going to things at Max's school. Doing stuff at the school is what I've been looking forward to since I was pregnant with Max. So the fact that so far I've been able to go to Thanksgiving this year and last year is a major blessing for me. I only with that Ryan could go to. But, alas taking the day off work to go to lunch with Max doesn't really make much sense at this point.

So I'm thankful that I am blessed enough to not have to miss anything when it comes to my kids.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XVIII

{Day Eighteen}

Yesterday I put up and decorated our Christmas tree. I was so thankful and excited to see how pumped my kids were, especially Gabriella! This is the first year that she really knows whats going on and she was skipping around saying "It's Christmas! It's Christmas!" She was really excited to help put the ornaments on too. Max was more interested in other things of course but when he was her age. Now they are asking non stop when Santa will be here and how many days until then. I just am so thankful to be able to make my kids so happy so easily.

It's the little things.
I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XVI & XVII

{Day Sixteen}

Yesterday I was really thankful to get into bed. It was just a long long day and I was really tired by the end of it. So getting into bed was a relief!

{Day Seventeen}

Today I am super excited and thankful that I got to go see "Breaking Dawn Part 2"! I didn't think I was going to be able to go see it until after we got back from our Thanksgiving trip. So today when I found the time to go I went, AND Ryan went with me! Annnnddddd before we went to the movies I got to spend some alone time with my Momma! It was just a good day. Now I'm going to get into bed with a new book and get lost in another world for a little while.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XV

{Day Fifteen}

Today I am thankful for my husbands smile.

He is soooooo excited about his new game.
It makes me happy that he is so happy.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XIV

{Day Fourteen}

I'm thankful today for my home.

It may not be the best, and it may not even be really mine. But it's where my husband and my children are, so therefore it is my home. A lot of people don't have somewhere to call home, so for me to be unhappy with mine is selfish and wrong. I've been having to remind myself about that lately because I have my moments (like everyone else that rents) of frustration with the house we live in. I know though that one day, we will live in the kind of house I want to live in, and mine and Ryan's names will be on that deed. Until then, this is my home, and I love it because it is where the people I love most in the world are, and for that I'm thankful.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Here & Now

So its been a nice long while since I've done one of these posts.
What I really want to do is write a blog without a prompt and without it being one of my daily or weekly ones. I am lacking some serious creative inspiration though. I guess its a good thing though, if there is nothing weighing heavily enough on my mind for me to write about it then I should be happy. So I thought I'd just do a Here & Now and maybe it will get my creative juices flowing.

Soooooo lately I've been...

Obsessing Over: I'm not even going to lie...my weight. I wish I could say that I don't care, but I do. After losing nearly 50 pounds this year, there is no way I'm going to gain that back willingly. Unfortunately with colder weather comes comfort foods and laziness. So I have to just keep myself in check and keep on with my tiny portions, smarter choices, and I have to force myself to stay active. It's not really a number that I focus on, its how I feel when I look in the mirror. That makes one of my top goals for this winter, to make sure that by Spring, I'm still happy when I look in the mirror. 

Thinking About: Christmas! We are going up North for Thanksgiving this year so I am totally skipping the harvest decor. I haven't decorated for anything this year. Actually, I did decorate for Valentines day, but I'm pretty sure that's it. Anyways, since we are leaving before Thanksgiving I've been thinking about putting up our Christmas tree the day before we leave. I like to deep clean the entire house the day we leave for any vacation. I cannot stand coming home from any where to a dirty house. Blame it on my mom. I like to come into a clean house that way when all the mess from the car, suitcases, backpacks, and whatever other stuff we bring home comes into the house, that's all I have to deal with. It just makes life so much easier. But back to my point, I am thinking I'd rather put it up before, and have the mess all cleaned up that way when we come home, the tree is up and I don't have to even think about anything except getting everything put away from the trip.

Whoa...that was a novel.

Working On: Getting the house (even more) organized. I like to always have some kind of organization project going on. Right now I'm in the middle of organizing all of the books in my garage so I can have a giant book/garage sale. I don't really have much to sell besides books, but hey why not call it both and let my friends sell some stuff too?

Anticipating: My trip to Texas! It was totally supposed to be a surprise for my sister but there were things beyond my control so I ended up having to tell her. I am so excited for my nephew to get here and there was just no way I was going to miss her baby shower. I already missed my other nephews baby shower, I couldn't even imagine missing this one.
 
Listening To: The Oxygen Networks show "My Shopping Addiction". I love reality shows, and I especially love seeing people doing crazy things! If a shopping addiction isn't crazy, I don't know what is!

Eating: Nothing! And I'm happy about it!

Wishing: That I could hit the lottery! I mean who doesn't wish that sometimes? Not just for myself, but for everyone I know that needs help every once in a while. I have some kind of need to fix things for people and it can seriously hurt your bank account. Blame that one on my mom too. We are fixers, and we can't help it.

Well this was fun!
I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XIII

{Day Thirteen}

Another day late...so sorry. I just get so caught up with the family that I don't remember until I'm laying cozy in bed with my man and we're talking about our day. And by then I don't want to get out of bed to get on the computer, or grab my laptop.

So anyways, yesterday I was thankful to have such a sweet husband. We were looking at Gabriella, who had fallen asleep on Ryan, and he told me "I hope our next daughter will be as perfect as Gabriella.". It was just such a cute thing to say. I don't know of any other man that is so excited to have more children. He is just such a good daddy. Because of him, I am okay with having more kids.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XII

{Day Twelve}

Today I'm thankful for supportive family.

My family is so amazing.
That's all.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November XI

{Day Eleven}

I know I'm a little late with this one, but oh well.

Yesterday I was really thankful for the long weekend.

Who doesn't love an extra day to just chill out and hang out at home all day with your loved ones? It's nice to be able to stay up a little later after the kids are in bed and watch TV with Ryan. Then I got to sleep in today which made it an even better weekend!

I hope you all had a good weekend too.
I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November X

{Day Ten}

I'm thankful today for colder weather.

It's kinda simple. I would prefer to be cold than hot any day.
I like to wear big comfy sweaters, long socks, slippers, matching long sleeve and pants jammies! I like making chili for dinner, or nice thick soups. I love seeing my kids all bundled up with beanies and jackets. There are just so many positive things that I associate with cold weather, its the happiest time of the year for me. One of the things at the very top of my list though, is snuggling up with Peaches any time we are able to. He makes me happy. I just felt a massive rush of mushiness towards him...now I need to go bug him for a little while. So I'll end this now. :)

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November IX

{Day Nine}

Today I am thankful for my mom.

As I get older I get closer to my mom. I don't know if its because I am a mom now and I am going through some of the things she went through as a young mom. Or if its because as an adult with adult problems I can now relate to her better than I could as a teenager. It really doesn't matter what the reason is. Its a wonderful thing to know my mom better now than I ever have, and know that even though she still may not "get me" she still "gets me" haha! I love my mom. She unknowingly gave me a strength that most women don't have. For that and tons of other things, I am thankful. Had I been raised by anyone else, I wouldn't be the person I am today. (Well that's kinda obvious.)

Thanks Mom.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November VIII

{Day Eight}

I found this little image online that made me say, "Aint that the truth.".

I mean can I say it any better? How many times in life do you come across people that really remind you exactly who you DON'T want to be. Even though it may be hard to deal with these people (if you even have to) it's almost worth it to know that you are learning from them traits that you don't want to have.

So today I am thankful for those difficult people that I've had to deal with. I'm a better person thanks to them.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November VII

{Day Seven}

Today I am thankful for Max's imagination and his gorgeous smile.

If I haven't told you, I'll tell you now. Max is extremely creative and imaginative. It's like the creative genius inside of him never sleeps! Every morning he checks his Lego world (This week its a zombie battle field.) to see if there were any changes made over night (I have no idea who he thinks is going to mess with his stuff in the middle of the night.) and then every day after school he rushes into his room to make sure his little sister hasn't messed it up. After homework and snack time he is in his room building onto the world and creating mini scenarios for all of the little people (er, I mean zombies). I love it. I love knowing that he is as creative as I am, maybe even more so. My mom swears I was never happy playing alone as a child and that I always had to be up in the mix with everyone else (Surprise surprise right?). 

As I was working on my coupon plan Max came to show me that he had created his own version of The Krusty Krab, complete with a grill and everything. As he was explaining what everything was with the hugest smile on his face I couldn't help but be not only proud but completely awed by the fact that he is mine, and that the beautiful toothless grin I was getting was so genuine and happy. I almost cried...but of course I didn't because then he would have thought I was losing it over a Lego creation. SO not cool, mom! Haha!

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November VI

{Day Six}

I dont know why you make friends, but I do know why I do. I know that I may not have too many friends, but the ones that I do have are actual friends. When I take the time to actually get to know someone its not just because I need to have a friend to hang out with. I take that time because there is something in that other person that speaks to a piece of my soul. The people that I consider friends are people that I dont just want as friends for the short term, these are life long friends that I intend to know and be close with for the rest of my life.

All of that being said, one of those friends is moving away (FAR AWAY) in just a few days and I am pretty heart broken over it. I one hundred percent believe that Ashley was put into my life for a reason. I know that not only did we become friends because we have so many similar qualities, we became friends because God knew I would need someone exactly like her to help navigate me through one of the biggest battles of my life, thus far. I was also given the opportunity to be in the life of yet another baby that I cant imagine going long without seeing. In Ashley and her baby girl I found a little girl I love for all her cute and craziness and a woman that I admire so very much for doing what her heart tells her to do.

So today I am thankful for real friendships.

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November V

{Day Five}

Today was an exceptional day!

I'm thankful the most today for the relationship between me and my husband. We are "as thick as thieves" (Caroline from The Real Housewives from New Jersey hahaha!). We're "the two best friends that anyone could have!" (The Hangover!). "Oh yes we're two of a kind, working on a full house." (Garth Brooks!) Man I just cant stop! I could think of hundreds of witty lyrics/quotes haha!

But anywayssssss. I am so thankful that we are as close as we are. I know that no matter what happens EVER, I will have him by my side. He is my numero uno, top dawg, first mate, bestie, right hand man, and "best friend with benefits" (Alanis Morisette haha!).

There aren't enough words to explain how thankful I am for our relationship. There is no one else in this world better suited for me than him, and the fact that he "found me when no one else was looking" (Kelly Clarkson!) makes me happier than a monkey in a banana tree.

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November IV

{Day Four}

Today, I am thankful for the everyday things in life. Things like electricity and running warm water. Things that so many families are going without right now on the East Coast. I watched a 20/20 show the other day on the devastation from Hurricane Sandy and it made me so so sad for the people who are still suffering from the damage the hurricane left in its wake. I wish there was something more I could do to help those in need but there isn't much. For now all I can do is donate money and keep an eye out for any other ways to help. Being that we are in America, where we bounce back from tragedy fairly quickly, I am praying that the mess and damage left behind can be cleaned up and repaired fast and that the families affected can heal with time.

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November III

{Day Three}

Today was such an easy day. We had soccer (early as heck) this morning, and then spent the rest of the day playing with the kids and just hanging out having relaxing family time.

So I want to say I'm thankful today for days like this. I'm thankful for a relatively clear schedule that allowed us to just spend time together. Family is what my life revolves around and I make it a huge point to keep myself attentive to my kids and keep myself present in their everyday lives. I want to know that when my kids get older and they think back to their childhood, they wont be asking themselves where their mommy was when this or that happened. I want to know that in every part of their lives (for as long as they let me be) I am involved in a real way. So days like this, though uneventful, are important for our family. Where was I when Max's 4th tooth came out today? Right there on the couch with him. Where was I when Gabriella woke up from her nap with leg cramps? Right there at the kitchen table playing with Max, and then with her in my lap while I rubbed the cramp out. I'm thankful that I was home today with nothing else to do except make my presence known to my children.

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November II

{Day Two}

Today I am thankful for the health of my gorgeous babies! This is not something that I ever ever take for granted, and every night when I pray, I thank God. I can't imagine living any day of my life without them now. I know how fortunate I am, and I wont be forgetting it any time soon.

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful in November I

{Day One}

Well because today is technically the second day of the month I have to play a little catch up right now.

Yesterday I was really thankful that I am a SAHM and that I have more "free" time than moms that leave the house to work everyday do. I was able to deep clean before Max was out of school, AND do the laundry (wash, dry, fold, AND put away) before bedtime. Most people wouldn't think that's much to be thankful for but because I am so busy everyday taking care of the kids and my husband, it is extremely helpful that when two of the three people I take care of are gone, I can get things done much much quicker!

Talk to you soon,
J

Hello Again Stranger

So I've been on a mighty long blog hiatus! It definitely wasn't something I planned out, I just seriously get the worst writers block sometimes! I wish I could pinpoint what brings on these blocks, but I cant. I just get to where nothing I write sounds/looks good to me, so I delete everything. I love to write so when this happens its especially frustrating and I just say forget it, I'll do something else. I'm gonna get back to it though....or try to at least.

Now, for just a quick little update! Everything around here has been just as normal and routine as always. Max is in the midst of his first grade year and all the changes that come with growing older. He lost his third tooth (top right), hes wrapping up his first soccer season, and he is getting smarter and smarter every single day. Gabriella is doing amazing as well, she is seriously every single thing I ever wanted in a little girl, including the sometimes brattyness. It is the number one craziest thing I have ever gone through to watch my kids grow up. I was recently finishing up my long long project of putting alllll of the pictures I have in chronological order and seeing Max go from baby to basically grown man was sooo wild! Watching kids not know how to do anything to learning how to everything is surreal.

I'm going to try this thing I have seen going around on Facebook for November. It's like a TOAT, but for EVERYDAY! Fun! I am so thankful for every single thing in my life, I could talk forever about different things so I thought it would be neat to take the idea and turn it into a little blog series. Why not, right?!

Sooooo, I'll talk to you soon!
For real this time!
J

May: Part One

May was a WILD month!
We were going non-stop nearly every day! Not that I'm complaining, because if there's one thing I love, its keeping busy!

I have been once again MAJORLY slacking on my precious little blog. Sad Face! (haha) 

We were going to T-Ball games, doctors appointments, college appointments, and school events. Oh and how can I forget, a Disney Vacation?! We seriously have been having so much fun.

Ryan had a great time coaching t-ball his first year. He fully intends to do it again, work schedule permitting. Maximus did an excellent job, by the end of the season he was crushing on pitched balls! I couldn't have asked for a better experience for him or for myself honestly. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am NOT a sports person. AT ALL, but going to these games was so easy for me. Probably because I was watching two people that I love so much, having such a great time. I went to a few of my little fave's games as well to watch him hit some balls, slide into bases, and have some fun with his daddy. My only compliant is that for some reason Mother Nature decided the only days it should be windy was on game days...whats up with that?! We nearly got blown away a few times!

I want to stop at T-Ball for now, because I don't want to make this one post a book. I'll start on another post soon to tell you about our Disney Vacation! I hope you'll forgive me for abandoning my blog for so long. I have really just been enjoying my family, and training myself not to immediately jump on the computer on my down time.

I'll talk to you soon,

(I promise)

J

Here & Now

I know its not Monday...but whatever. I have some down time and I actually feel like writing...well, typing.

So lately I've been;

Obsessing Over: My Kindle Fire!! It was a late birthday gift and I am absolutely in LOVE with it! I have already read four books on it. You can basically do anything on it. I just love it. I was already trying to talk myself into getting some kind of electronic book thing so I didn't end up a book hoarder, so when I got this it was just perfect timing! Now I'll be buying only a fraction of the number of actual books I was buying before.

Thinking About: My upcoming college graduation. I mean I get my degree last summer, but because of the actual month when I got it, they weren't putting me into the program for the 2010-2011 commencement. So I decided against walking right then and put it out of my mind. But when we were gone in Texas I was invited to walk in this year's ceremony, and decided to go ahead and do it. Not just for myself, but also for my kids. In an ideal world I should have graduated from all the college I want to do BEFORE having my kids...but that didn't happen. Instead I persevered through being a single parent, and many other hurdles and ended up with my first college degree. My children should see me walk across that stage and know that I reached the first of my many goals with them in my life.

Working On: Taking the necessary steps for Ryan to make a career change and for me to get back into school. We've been working on this stuff with Ryan for a while and it's finally coming to an end and we can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel! I cannot wait!! As for me, I took the last year off to just focus on Ryan and my kids. So now that I can see some time coming free, I am going to start the last few years of school that I need to do. I just have to decide on which school I am going to go to! EEK!

Anticipating: The summer! I am not a hot weather type of girl. I prefer the colder weather. Anddd summer equals Max being home all day...and lots of bickering between him and Gabriella. It should be an interesting season to say the least! We are kicking off this summer with our First Annual End of the School Year Party for the kids! We have been talking about doing this since last summer and we decided to finally do one this summer and make it a yearly tradition for our kids. It's just something nice for the kids to jump into summer with something super fun!

Listening To: Right now I'm playing my Pandora station and Boyz II Men, "On Bended Knee" just came on. Swooon. It's baby making music! Besides what I'm listening to right now, I just wanted to share that I have been crazy obsessed with the song "Birthday Cake" by Rhianna. I don't know what it is, but that song with have me dancing in my car as soon as it comes on! I LOVE it! Now if I could only figure out how to put a song as my ringtone on my iPhone I'd be one happy girl.

Eating: PSSH. Not much! Because we are going to have another baby sooner rather than later, I have been trying to make my body healthy again. I want to make sure that when we do get pregnant that I'm as healthy as can be that way the pregnancy might be easier on my body that the last one, and maybe even after the baby is born the weight wont stick. And who doesn't want to be skinny? So I've been taking vitamins for all kinds of stuff and dropped the soda and even stopped eating CANDY! Sigh...I love soda and candy.

Wishing: That I could stop being so hard on myself. Sometimes I am extra critical of myself and I beat myself up over things that shouldn't even phase me. But I am only human and in those moments I check myself and force myself to give myself a break. No one is perfect right?

I've been missing this blogging stuff...

Talk to you soon,
J

Three Years and Counting!

So, today is my THIRD wedding anniversary! I seriously get mind blown when I think about that. It does not feel like its only been three years AT ALL! I feel as though we have lived our whole lives together!

Ryan is my absolute best friend. He is the person I tell everything to and the person I turn to for everything. He is supportive, encouraging, loving, caring, and hilarious. He is a fantastic father, better than I could have ever dreamed. He is just an all around AMAZING man. And to put the cherry on top of the Wonderful Husband Sundae, he is so very very very handsome!! Like seriously...he is beyond handsome.

I am SO freaking blessed it's nearly unbelievable!

I look forward to so many more years of happiness, love, and laughter with my best friend.

Talk to you soon,
J
I mean,
MRS.HILL 

Here & Now

Hi there! I've been kind of neglecting my blog lately. I find it harder and harder to spend much time in front of the computer these days. I've come to favor playing with my kids and doing things around the house instead of looking at a computer screen. I do miss blogging though. I miss sharing with my readers!! So I thought I'd get started again with a Here & Now post!

So I am currently...

Obsessing Over: Spring cleaning! With Max's birthday party right around the corner we have been working on getting our back yard into shape, cleaning the garage, and getting out our outside toys! My house is pretty organized and luckily I dont hang on to much so we dont really have clutter...but I will still be going through all closets and what not to rid us of anything we don't need or fit.

Thinking About: How mad it makes me that so many good things happen to bad people, when there are good people who are constantly getting hit with bad after bad. I struggle to find God in the bad things...I know they happen for a reason and he puts things in my path for a reason. But it's hard to remember that sometimes.

Working On: Our Texas trip next month. I have pretty much figured out what we will be doing nearly every day. Now it's all about getting packed up and prepared for the drive (EEK!).

Anticipating: Max's party! This is the first year that I am letting him invite someone from his class. Well its not like he's been in school for that long! But anyways, I let him pick two kids to invite, gave the parents the invitations, and now I'm hoping they show! The planning has gone pretty smoothly thank goodness. Since this is going to be a smaller party than he had last year it has been pretty easy.

Listening To: My pandora radio station of course! It's playing Evanescence "Call Me When You're Sober". Who doesn't love them?!

Eating: Nothing...well I was chewing a piece of ice, but I wouldn't consider that eating. I'm still struggling to make myself eat smarter. It's probably going to be a life long battle. I just love food!


Wishing: Selfishly...that I could fast forward time a little bit. I mean, I love everyday. I am thankful for every single day. But my patience is wearing thin in some areas of our life and I am ready for some positive. I totally agree that without the negative things in life you wouldn't be able to see all the good and positive...but when is enough, enough?

So whats new with you?
Talk to you soon,
J

I Guess This Is What Growing Up Feels Like

I can't imagine how it feels when all of your kids become adults and move out and start their own lives. I am so not looking forward to having an empty nest. I started thinking about it a few days ago. My kids aren't babies anymore...they're KIDS. Full on, feed themselves, sleep in their own rooms, clean up their own messes, kids. With how awkward it feels to not have to do much for my kids these days, I can't imagine how it feels to not have to do anything for them at all.

Maximus is excelling in school just like I knew he would. He is reading so well, and spelling really good too. It really amazes me the way kindergarten teachers really teach kids! He is amazing. I always say that I was really spoiled with him because he was such an easy baby. He never drew on the walls. Once he was using the potty, he never had accidents, I never had to buy even one pull-up for him. He slept hours and hours in a row. It was so easy! I personally think that God knew I would have cracked under the pressure to be a single, working two jobs mom, AND have a high maintenance kid, so he had mercy on me. Of course now that he is right on the brink of turning six, he definitely has his own personality and a loud one at that. He will never be overlooked thats for sure!

Gabriella is just as amazing as Maximus. After months of trying we finally broke the thumb sucking habit. Its been two months and counting! She hasn't had her thumb in her mouth, not even at bedtime, for so long I almost forgot what she looked like when she used to suck her thumb! I have a ton of pictures though so all I have to do is look at them if I want to see haha. It was a long long road with a few different methods along the way but the one that ended up working was putting that nail biting stuff on her thumbs. The very day that we put it on them the first time she stopped, it's really that gross. After about a week of her crying herself to sleep she got used to it. Her thumb was her comfort and she had to adjust to falling asleep without it. She is also officially potty trained! She wears a pull up for nap time and a diaper for bed time, just until she starts waking up with dry diapers, but besides those two, she is in panties all day!

So all of this change and growth with my kids is tripping me out! For some reason the fact that I have two kids has suddenly sunk in. Its like all the baby-ness has left my family and is being replaced by grown-ness!

Talk to you soon,
J

Something To Think About

So maybe you've noticed a lack of internet interaction on my blog, twitter, and Facebook lately?
Maybe you're wondering what happened to me? Where did I go? Whats going on? Or...maybe you don't really care, but here is an explanation of sorts.


Is it just me or is the internet and technology taking over peoples lives? People feel that since you can see what everyone is doing every day, then there is no need to meet up face to face, or talk on the phone, or have relationships off of the computer. I'm not going to knock the internet at all, I mean there are friends that I wouldn't have become as close with or even have known without it, there is family that I would have never known without it, and I wouldn't have graduated college without it. But where is the line drawn? In a world where there is caller ID, the ignore button, the delete button, and tons of other ways to avoid personal interaction, how do relationships flourish, grow, and survive?

My eyes were opened recently to just how impersonal so many of our lives have become. I work hard to keep my friendships and relationships with people growing. I want to spend REAL time with my friends. I want to sit and talk with them. I want our children to grow up as friends. I can only imagine how having Facebook and Twitter would have tainted my high school experience. Would I have built the friendships I have now with these things hindering face to face communication?

So I decided to take a little vacation from letting the world know where I am or what I'm doing every day. I love to share my world with the world, and I want to continue doing that but I think I am just going to cut back some. I wont sit here and try and fool you by saying I wont check things once or twice a day, I am only human...and a very nosy one at that. But I want to challenge my friends to reach out and remember what it was like before we had the internet. Strengthen the depth of our and your other friendships and relationships. Make a few phone calls, check up on your friends in a real way, not just a wall post, or a mention.

EVERYONE is busy. And I am EXTREMELY guilty of OVER using that word. As my sister-in-law put it to me quite clearly, we are all busy with work, kids, cleaning, cooking, and a bunch of other stuff, but we have to learn to make the time to talk.

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful Thursdays - 39

This week...well the last few days, have been kind of trying on me emotionally. But I've been sticking with lots and lots of prayer and trying to keep myself as calm as possible. Naturally there are things that shouldn't be shared with the whole world so I'm not going to spill my guts. But sometimes there are things that just go out of your control and you have to seriously just give it up to God. So this week I am thankful for the quiet things and times in life.

339. I'm thankful the content moments I get. When we're sitting around the dinner table and Max is telling us about his day and Bella is chiming in like she knows what she's talking about.

340. I'm thankful for the moment when I get into bed with Ryan and whatever bad or unhappy that happened that day just melts away from me.

341. I'm thankful for the 12:00 to 2:00 of the week days when the kids are sleeping and I am able to do things (like blog) that I need to do to keep me mostly sane.

342. I'm thankful for the weightless feeling that praying leaves me with. It's like as soon as I get whatever I need to tell God about out of me I feel like I know it will be taken care of since I've given it away to him.

I hope you're having a great month/week/day/hour/minute/second.
What are you thankful for this week?

Talk to you soon,
J

Here & Now

Hey there! Happy Monday!!

Obsessing Over: Making plans for our trip to Texas this coming April! This is the first time we are all being able to go (EXCITING!) and on top of that we are driving (faint). Normally we cant all go because we aren't fans of Ryan taking off of work. We like to have to vacation time saved up for when we really need it. But since he literally has enough time to cover anything for the next year or two we decided it was okay for him to come with us this year. Nearly all of our family lives in Texas, and all super close to each other. So this trip should be pretty fun!

Thinking About: Next Valentines Day...I know it sounds crazy haha! But I was just thinking that it would be so neat next February to feature four couples (one for each week) and their love stories! Wouldn't that be neat? To share four love stories during the ultimate month of love?! I love to hear peoples stories anyways so I think it would be great to share them with everyone else! So Look forward to that next year! I just have to figure out who to interview!

Working On: Max's Valentines for his class party. I started them yesterday but it's pretty tedious work. He picked out a box of regular valentines to sign and give to his class mates and I found some really cute ones on pinterest that I decided to go ahead and make...and I thought they would be pretty easy...well they are I suppose, its just the cutting of the tiny masks that is killing me. I'm going to hand these out during his party tomorrow! Anddd I got called SECOND for what I was willing to bring for the party, so I finally get to bring cupcakes! The parties before I've been near the end of the list so I've been stuck with the boring things, which was starting to get annoying but finally I get to bring the good stuff!

Anticipating: This weekend! Since Valentines Day lands on a weekday (lame) we aren't going to be doing much. We are still going to exchange gifts and give the kids their little things, but Ryan and I aren't going to celebrate alone until Friday. We have a little photo shoot we're doing, and then we are going to do the classic dinner and a movie date. It should be a nice little evening together. =)

Listening To: My Pandora of course! "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson to be exact.

Eating: Nothinggggggg...I haven't had breakfast yet, but I do have three (was four before I sent Max off to school) kids here today and I'm surprised I'm even able to sit here and type this right now haha!!

Wishing: We would get a call back about Ryan being the T-Ball coach! I know the games dont start until April so I'm pretty sure thats whats taking so long, but if you know me, you know I have NO patience when it comes to these kind of things. It's taking all I have to not be in the office every day asking questions haha!

I'll talk to you soon,
J

Here & Now

It's another week in 2012 and here's what I've got going on!

Obsessing Over: Birthday party stuff! With Max's SIXTH (Did I really just type that?) birthday right around the corner I figured I better start shopping for the decorations! We're doing a Lego Star Wars theme this year since he is like crazy for anything Lego Star Wars related. I don't know where the fascination with Star War's came from, because we never went out of our way to show Max (back when he first started showing interest) the movies or anything. He just started talking about it all the time...so we went with it. And of course, he has loved Lego's forever now. He has an imagination for days so it's the perfect toy for him. So I ordered the majority of the decorations this weekend and the custom invites too. I dont have too much left to do, thank goodness.

Thinking About: Getting Max a pet lizard for his birthday! I am not the biggest fan of pets in cages/tanks because its just something else that I have to clean. But from what I can see lizards are pretty easy to take care of and maintain. Max would love it...he would be so excited. I just have to convince myself that I really dont mind cleaning a gross tank. blehhhhh

Working On: Getting the kids' bedrooms together! My in home project this week is rearranging the bedrooms to be more conducive to play! I'm getting rid of more toys and re-organizing to make it a little more logical. There are times like this when I wish we were rich so I could buy all the things to make their rooms look the way I want them to. But we aren't, and I cant, so I make due with what we have and it will still turn out fantastic!

Anticipating: Valentines Day! Swoon! I got the kids each a little Valentines Day themed take out looking box, and a bunch of goodies to fill them with (Hello five dollar movie bin!). I always look forward to Valentines Day! I love giving my kids their own little gifts and I love giving my husband all the cards and goodies! Yes, I buy more than one card...sue me. I love them. I'm always giving him cards! But on Valentines Day, I give him two or three throughout the day just to make him smile. I cant even believe I just typed that...I don't generally like to tell people the things we do for each other like that. Some things need to stay private right?

Listening To: The Disney Channel. I didn't turn on any music this morning. I just sat down and started typing. I'll turn it on now and then let you know what plays first. =) --No Doubt's "Don't Speak"-- Holy smokes. One of my faves EVER. I used to put this on repeat on my discman (woah old) and fall asleep listening to it. No Doubt is one of the best groups of all time. I'll be a fan forever.

Eating: Absolutely nothing. I haven't even had breakfast yet. Speaking of eating. I ate like CRAP yesterday. I made chicken wings...that I pulled out our deep fryer for. I made croissant BLTA's...with mayo. AND I made spinach dip...and ate it with Hawaiian sweet bread and various crackers. The only thing saving me from complete and utter black hole food guilt is the fact that I totally left out the usual cupcakes. As I was grocery shopping I came across them...my faves, chocolate with whipped cream icing, and I just looked for a second and walked away. Then later as I walked into another grocery store...I was attacked by the girl scouts and they robbed me for four dollars and shoved a box of cookies in my purse. I couldn't stop them. Ruthless little girls.

Wishing: I could afford a personal trainer to come to my house every day and scream at me while I did my P90X and rode the bike and then forced me to do even more exercise. I am trying my hardest to motivate myself...but it's just so much easier to not do it. Especially on the weekends. There are so many distractions when the husband and kids are home all day long. It's super easy for me to get busy doing this or that.

I hope you enjoyed the second installment of Here & Now! I think next time I'll be incorporating some pictures!

Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful Thursdays - 38

I always think about how I will tell my kids the story of my life. Like what things I will choose to omit, because there are just some things you dont tell your kids, and what stories I will tell over and over again, because there are some lessons your children need to hear from you so they wont make the same mistakes. So this week I am so so so thankful for everyday that I live and the things that I learn along the way to teach or tell to my kids as they grow. Who hasn't asked their parents about the day they met, or how they did this or that in a certain situation. I am pretty close to positive that my kids will be the same way. I expects thousands upon thousands of questions about any and every thing you could ever think of from my kids. And I am so looking forward to answering them.

336. I'm thankful for my memory. There is hardly anything that I can't remember. So recalling things from my past for my kids should be relatively easy. And even if its not, I write almost everything down. If not on my computer then in one of the various notebooks that I have around the house.

337. I'm thankful for photographs. I know things written down can tell an amazing story because I am a reader and a writer and there are so many ways to add description to a story and make it just as good as looking at a picture. But what great fun it is to have pictures to go along with my stories right? That's why I try my hardest to capture everything on film AND paper.

338. I'm thankful that Ryan and I have a good story to tell our kids. Our story may not be so exciting to Max as he gets older because he is a boy, but for Gabriella it is sure to be magical the first time she hears it. A story of two people who went every way but to each other for a while and they still ended up together is a fairy tale if I've ever heard one. =D I am waiting patiently for the day when she starts asking me those kinds of questions.

Do you ever think about what you will tell your children when they're older?
Talk to you soon,
J

Batter Up!

I dont know if I've ever really said how obsessed with sports my husband is. He can talk about them to anyone, anywhere, anytime. He can watch them all day and then before bed he can watch the recaps on ESPN and the other sports channels.

So ever since last year when we took Max to our little nieces baseball game and he announced to us that he wanted to play baseball like his cousins we have been dying to sign him up. That's also when we started talking about Ryan signing up to be coach of his team! I mean really who could do it better right? So last week when we got the flyer saying that it was finally time for sign ups to begin, we jumped at the chance!

We have Max already all signed up but of course the process for Ryan to be coach is a little more that just signing up. There are finger prints, back ground checks, and interviews to do as well. Luckily for us, Ryan has no criminal record or anything like that so I'm almost positive that he's going to be able to be Coach Hill!

I am so excited for Max to play his first "organized" sport and even more excited that Ryan is going to be there with him every step of the way. It just makes it that much more special for me. Back when it was just me and Max I never thought I would be able to give Max all the things a father would generally give him, because I am a woman. But by giving him Ryan I have done more than I ever thought possible. Nothing in the world can make me happier than knowing that even thought Max didn't start his life with a daddy, at least he has an amazing one now and for the rest of his life.

I'll keep you posted on if he get's the spot or not! Fingers crossed and prayers said please! I'd hate to have my hopes up so high, just to get them shot down. Oh, and by the way, Max has no idea! I don't ever tell my kids anything until right before its going to happen, just to avoid any heart break. So it's going to make it even MORE exciting when we finally do tell him!

Talk to you soon,
J

Something New

So I was browsing around on some other blogs and found one that I totally fell in love with! (click HERE to check it out) The design is super cute and the posts are right up my alley. Anyways, as I was reading I came across a really neat format and decided to give it a try! I thought Monday would be a perfect day to start since its the beginning of the week. =) I'm not sure if I'll keep it up every week but I know Ill give it my best shot!

So I shall call these posts...Here & Nowwwwwww....I promise to love faithfully(faitfullly), just kidding just kidding! I'm just going to call it Here & Now.

So here's the first installment.

Right Here & Now I am...

Obsessing Over: The Hunger Games trilogy! I've only finished reading the first book, but if the other two are anywhere as good as that one, I'm in for a treat! I was hoping I wouldn't have to buy the other two online because I am a fan of instant gratification buttt our WalMart only has the hard back of them...and the first one I have is paper back so I'm trying to get them in all the same sizes haha, my OCD in one of its finest forms. I'm going to check out Target and if I strike out there, then I'm ordering online.

Thinking About: Seriously how sad divorce is. Some couples work as hard as they can to make it work and it just doesn't work. It breaks my heart. I know I obviously dont know Seal and Heidi Klum but umm...who saw that one coming?! What a sad day for all of us romantic at heart's when we heard the announcement that they were splitting!

Working On: My fitness...literally. Haha! I am not even going to lie. I am not an active person...AT ALL. My husband on the other hand, spends two hours in the gym nearly every day. SO...I've been slowly making changes in my own life so I can try to transform my body to something kinda like what it used to be. I walk to pick up Max from school everyday. Now dont let me fool you into thinking its far...cause its not, about a half a mile round trip, BUT its a half a mile more than I was walking before. So I'll take it. Also I got an exercise bike...and I've been doing that almost every day 6 to 7 miles at a time. I was at first able to do 10 miles...but then my legs started laughing at me.

Anticipating: The whole month of February! It's not only my birthday month, but also the month for LOVE to come out in full force! I just love seeing people in love and expressing it! So we have a lot of plans for the next few weekends to keep up busy and what not! I dont want to give it all away right now...I need stuff to talk about later guys!

Listening To: My Britney Spears Pandora station. I've had the same one for like four years now and it literally only plays songs I like. So right now its actually playing "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" by En Vouge. Who doesn't love songs like that from the 90's?!

Eating: Sigh...nothing at this moment. I had an all natural strawberry yogurt this morning...and thats it. Trying to change the way you eat is terribly hard and really emotional surprisingly. Hahaha! Maybe its just emotional for me because of my love for food and the fact that I cant eat a majority of the things I love...like chocolate...and Dr. Pepper. SIGHHHH...

Wishing: I could make up my mind on when...or if we even should, have another baby. My husband is all about it. He says the more kids the better...I say...smart planning makes smart parents. But lets face it...I'm getting older and I refuse to have any babies after I turn thirty. So I really only have like two more years to get knocked up...or just one if we want to have two more kids. Whats a girl to do?!

Whats on your mind today?!
Talk to you soon,
J

Thankful Thursdays - 37

With a new year comes new challenges and as I wind my way through the ups and downs, twists and turns of life I always remember to be thankful. There are just so many things to be thankful for.

332. I'm thankful for being able to go to my first spa. It was an amazing birthday present from my friend, and the best part of it was getting to spend that quality time together and getting reminded why we have been friends for so long.

333. I'm thankful that even though I may not have a whole lot of friends, I do have friends that I can trust completely. They are friends I've had for years, and no matter what road life has taken us down, we have stayed close. I can count on this handful of friends to do more and be there for me more than a thousand "kind of" friends would be.

334. Speaking of friends. I am beyond, beyond, beyond thankful for the relationship I have with my husband. Don't get me wrong, we are just like any other normal married couple, but we are also friends. We do our best to keep each other clued in on whats going on in our respective lives. I know though that when it really comes down to the nitty gritty, he is my absolute best friend and I his. There is no one else in the world that I'd rather spend my life with.

335. I'm thankful for the way my mom raised me. I always think how different I would be had I been raised by anyone else...and I'm thankful that I wasn't. My life was challenging for a reason...and I have learned a thousand things from my troubles. Without my moms early guidance and her obvious strength in the face of adversity, I wouldn't be who I am, and I am strong.

What are you thankful for today?
Talk to you soon,
J

Choices

My mind is so full of ideas for posts. There are so very many things that I want to talk about and to share with the world, but I cant figure out a way to get them out of my head. I want to talk about my kids, my husband, my family, my life...just everything. Anytime I start typing something out though I delete it. Nothing sounds right anymore. Everything feels like I've already said it...but at the same time I know I haven't said everything. So today as I sit down and type this out, whats on my mind is the way I was raised, and how different I would be, and my life would be, had my mom made different choices.

Really, if you think about it, life is all choices. There is nothing that is not directly affected by any choice you make on any given day, when you do any given thing. If I had not decided to go to the races with my friends I wouldn't have made such a quick connection with my husband, I would have just met him in passing on another day. If I hadn't have decided to try those dreamsicle's, I wouldn't have developed such a craving for them so often. If I had let my body do the talking while I was pregnant with Max and not rushed my pregnancy I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have ended up with a c-section. And so on and so forth.

I've made it my mission lately to make sure I am making what I think is the best choice in any situation. Not only to make sure I end up with the best outcome, but to make sure my kids end up with the best outcome. I would hate to think that one faulty choice by me could impact the rest of their lives. I not only want, I NEED my kids to be successful in life. I need them to feel as though they have been given every opportunity possible to live their life to the fullest they can. I couldn't live with myself if something I did ended up hindering my children. That's not to say that even when you make the best choices, you end up with fabulous results, because sometimes they're horrible results. But I know that if I try and I keep praying, then my children will be fine and will be guided by not just me and Ryan, but by God as well.

So when my kids ask me for a cookie before bed, I say no. When they ask me to let them play outside, I say yes. When they are doing something unacceptable, I stop them. When the sign-up for various sports and other activities open up, I will sign them up. I will make sure to give my children enough to do that will not only keep them active, but also give them the tools they need for a successful social life, for good college applications, and lots and lots of distractions when it comes time for them to start paying attention to the opposite sex. (sigh....SO not looking forward to that)

What are you doing to ensure your children are going to be successful in life?
Talk to you soon,
J

It's That Time Of Year

Hi there!!

I know this blog has been completely lacking lately. Its like every year around Christmas time I lose the interest I once had for my little blog. The end of year madness and the beginning of the year calmness take over my life, and I develop some serious writers block! EEK! What to do then? Starting right now I am going to force myself to get on this computer and bang out a blog at least weekly, but hopefully more often than that. I have a ton of things to say, (like you didn't already know that haha!) I just have to figure out how to get them out of my head and onto this screen in an intelligent and understandable manner haha!

So for now I'll leave you with that because there are things to be done and babies to be taken care of this morning. Oh and also, if you're reading this, THANK YOU!! I hope you will share this blog with your friends and they might share it with their friends. And follow it! There are instructions once you hit that follow button to create a blogger or google account. You dont have to have a blog of your own at all. =)

Talk to you soon,
J

My 2011 Reading List UPDATED!

I know its still hot like its summer but technically in our house it isn't since Max is in school. So I changed the title of this post to My 2011 Reading List that way I can keep updating as I have been with books I want to read and crossing them off as I do read them. This list is going to end up being SUPER long haha! Everyday I find another book I want to read. Nothing wrong with that!

• Sue Monk Kidd - The Secret Life of Bees
• Candace Bushnell - Summer and the City
• Candy Spelling - Candyland 
  
• Sara Shepard - Twisted
• Kathryn Stockett - The Help
• Bristol Palin - Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far 
• Jessica Simpson - I Do: Achieving Your Dream Wedding 
• OJ Simpson/Released by the Goldman Family - I Did It: Confessions of the Killer
• Celia Rivenbark - You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start in the Morning 
• Judy Blume - Smart Women
• Billie Letts - Where the Heart Is
• Debra Borden - A Little Bit Married
• Celia Rivenbark - Belle Weather
• Elizabeth Joy Arnold - Pieces of My Sisters Life 
• Nicholas Sparks - At First Sight 

Some of these books I already have and some of them I still have to buy. Either way I will read them all!

Talk to you soon,
J

2011

Back when myspace was cool, and I didn't have a blog, I used to make a list of things I had learned in the previous year after the new year started. I thought it would be kinda neat if I re-started the tradition here on my blog, but made a few changes to the way I wrote it. Maybe I'll even share some of my old lists...and yes, my myspace account is still active, hahaha!

So instead of literally making a numbered list, I'm just going to talk about a few things that have caught my attention, taught me something, or jolted me awake through out the year.

First things first. My faith in the Lord has grown exponentially. I have always carried him in my heart but this year has really shown me how present he can really be when you ask for him. I have not only leaned on him to get me through the hard times but also asked him to be with me during the happy and easy times.I have turned to him to show me the way to handle situations that I am new to, and asked him to guide me through the things that are definitely not new to me. He has shown me how to calm myself before I let my temper...or mouth get the best of me.

I've grown as a mother this year in a few different ways. I have developed a new kind of calmness in my mothering. I used to get pretty high strung in situations where things weren't going quite my way, but as my kids get older I see that things most definitely cannot always go exactly as planned. I have found my niche in Max's school classroom, and learned my boundaries. I have learned to FIGHT the urge to crowd Max and play MAMArazzi with him. I learned to hang to the sides, where he knows I am there but I am not embarrassing him. The urge to coddle and direct him in every movement comes so naturally to me, and learning to overcome has been hard, but at the end of the day I know that I would rather not embarrass my child.

There have been a few instances this year that have not only shook me to my core but also my husband. We have seen quite a few divorces this year. Whether they were celebrities (cough, Kim K., cough cough), acquaintances, or even close friends. There is something about seeing bad relationships, seeing divorces, and hearing about what goes on behind closed doors, that can really put your own relationship into perspective. The best way to say that we have learned from all the bad things that happened and are still happening is to say that we have become more AWARE. I have always been pretty perceptive to his needs because thats how most women are, but as many of you probably know, men are not like that. Men work better with detailed instructions and a guide hahaha! So, I can't actually speak for him because he is his own person, but I can say that I have seen a change for the better within him. 

A few more things I have learned this year are:

Good things do come to those who wait...even if you have to wait a long, long time.
Most things are not as good as they look on the internet.
Don't compare yourself to other people. Your husband didn't marry them...he married YOU.
When you just cant stand it anymore, kneel. (Yes, I totally got that online, but it makes TOO MUCH sense)
You can't always get what you want.
Your kids will only be kids for so long, soak up as much love, time, and attention as you can...because then they become teenagers....dun dun duuuuunnnnn.

There is a whole bunch of other things I learned this year, but I wont drag this on any longer haha! I wish nothing but health and prosperity on you (yes, even you) and I hope you ALL have a wonderful year!

Welcome to 2012!

Talk to you soon,
J