Make It Happen 2013 Theme

My theme for 2013 is Make It Happen! When I chose my theme it seemed to fit so well with my goals for the year. I knew it was perfect because while I know what I need to do, it can't just happen all on its own (granted sometimes it is nice to wait around and hope it could! lol) I need that reminder to take that next step and do whatever I can do to reach my goals.

My motto in sterling silver. You can purchase it here.  

Five months into the year so many things have happened that have nothing to do with the goals I had in mind from the beginning of the year. In fact they are things that have to come first before anything else. Yet all along the way I am reminding myself how my theme is the perfect reminder that I can follow my gutt and do what I know is best for my kids and for my family and I can make it happen regardless of what others think should happen! After all, being proactive feels better than waiting to see what someone else will do.

I am making things happen all over the place and although at times we are taking tiny baby steps, we are still making progress. So while it sometimes feels like all of my time and energy are focused on one guy around here, it is a good reminder that making it happen doesn't need to be one giant leap or one certain thing at a time. As long as we are headed in that direction and keeping it in mind, we are making progress.

We are having a great year of making things happening and celebrating all along the way. How about you?

Best Holiday Vacation

One of our best vacations in 2009, Oceanside, CA

The Boy still asks to go back to stay at "Sam's house" which is the condo we rented

I really wish we could be there right now.

It's hard to believe that the holidays are over and that is is 2010. I still keep forgetting to write 10 instead of 09. I think it may take another month or so before it sinks in.

The last two weeks of 2009 were the best. The Gent was off work, we were so much further ahead on our Christmas shopping and lists than ever before and were just able to take in the magic of the season, be together, hang out and do whatever we/the kids wanted to do.

The week before The Gent and I sat down and wrote out what we wanted to do while he was off. Mine were the practical things we had to do before Christmas Eve was upon us and The Gent had all of the fun outtings and activities on his list. He joked that my list all sounded like work (keep in mind being crafty to me is fun, it is work to him). We both laughed and agreed we'd get in some of both. And we did. Our list of favs from the holiday season.

- How into giving gifts the kids were (I got to hear all of the stories from the neighbors on the funny things The Boy said as he dropped off presents. From "do you have a chimney?" to "here you go, now do you have a gift for me?" Hilarious I tell you) but even beyond that they were excited to wrap presents for others and to give them to them.

- Family movie day with the kids

- Sledding (The Girl never wanting to come in)

- Letting the kids wrap each others presents

- Christmas Bingo with traditional (oh so fabulous might I add) gifts

- Being with our families

- Christmas tree street and "transporting" into the story (and going back multiple times to be transported again)

- Christmas breakfast (our favorite tradition)

- The Boy waking us all up on Christmas Day to tell us what Santa brought for The Girl to push him away and say, "Yannon, leave me alone, I am tired."

- The kids singing Christmas songs

- How much excitement the kids had, how much they have grown and how much fun they had this year making it ever so much more fun for us.

Moving on the from fabulous, lovely, wonderful holiday season. Trying not to wish it could be like that all year long (The Gent home, hanging out, doing whatever we want to) and also trying not to be mad that the air is gray and gross, it is freezing outside and winter is really just beginning.

Just the Best

Have you ever had something that you just love so much that you can't live without it. Even being apart for a day makes you a little bit worried and crazy and you just crave it. It's been such a long time since I have truly felt like I needed something. I sometimes feel like I am just constantly taking care of my family and doing things for everyone else (not complaining here, I love doing it, I'm just saying). Sometimes I feel guilty when I crave something for myself and I know that I just can't live without it.

I am not talking about food here (although you know how much I really love food). I am talking about the 3 Musketeers. I feel like one of the 3 Musketters when I am with my two BFF's. They are the best. Always there for you as a sounding board, there to support you when you need it, there to laugh with, cry with, have fun with, go to lunch with, make a Target run with. That kind of friend.

I love it.

I crave it.

I need it.

I just hope I am there for them when they need me as much as they are for me.

Love the 3 Musketeers and I just can't seem to get enough of them these days

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One Day

I come here to my little blog every single day and think to myself, "self, why haven't you posted?" and I want to, I have to many pictures and so many stories that I never want to forget and I really should write down and this has been my place to do that. I even walk around taking pictures just for my blog because it would be a great post. They are all sitting here on my computer, most unedited.

Since the beginning of the year, I have been trying to focus on what is most important in my life and trying to cut out the things that I waste too much time doing (although granted some of the things I have cut out have not been a waste of time and I miss them dearly). Amongst those things, blogging became one of them. So while I think every day to write a post apologizing for my lack of posting. . .it's not going to happen. I have come to accept that when I have a few minutes I can post on the blog and if I don't, I'm not going to worry about it (obviously, right. lol).

At the same time, I don't want you to think that I have fallen off the planet. I am here and even occassionally blog hop. And one day, maybe someday I will actually get aroung to making the dozens of posts that are just dying to be posted. One day. Just not today.

No More!

Today I've had it.

Enough is enough.

Last night I joked with my MIL that it was totally fine if the oven melted some of my bumm off. I was half joking. Really, it would have been fine to melt that and more. If only it were that easy. I can think of a million and one reasons of how I've gotten to this point but I won't because really, they are all just lame reasons/excuses. Although that won't keep me from taping them all to the punching bag and getting them out of my system.


So, tonight, the treadmill, eliptical and punching bag got the better part of me. My legs are jello, my hair is a sweaty mess, my arms ache. It feels so good. I am already imagining the motivational board for the wall and the lovely chart.

Get ready because I am.

50.

That is the goal.

(and no ladies, this does NOT mean I'm all in for the craft night weigh in)

I've decided that once in a while, I need to move to the top of the list. I need to be the priority rather than everything else being the excuse.

Priorities

With preschool starting last month, it has somewhat forced us to get out of our lazy, summer day swing of things and into more of a routine and schedule. (I realize that summer is pretty much long gone since I am sitting here in a sweater and really feeling the need for hot chocolate as it has gotten so cold.) But it has also made me focus more on the things that are truly important and prioritize the things in my life. As much as I hate sticking to a schedule and really enjoy just doing whatever we feel like on any given day, our life is becoming more organized and neat. I've missed that without really realizing it along the way.

I now have a cleaning schedule, a grocery shopping schedule, a work schedule, a laundry schedule, a family calendar, an organized budget, of course the preschool schedule (which started it all), one on one time with Little Miss, a date night and craft night. Along with all of that, we've started an earlier bedtime. 7:30 (which if you know The Boy is an amazing feat). We've been sticking to all of it and it is so good. We are all happier and more content. We are more productive and aware of what is going on in our family. The Gent and I have more alone time together than we have in the last few years. It is a good feeling. It's not that those things weren't really there before but have just been more laxed with all of it lately.

It really makes me stop and think about priorities and really just making time for what is important. Being a wife and a mother is definitely at the top of the list. Followed by church, extended family/friends, and then my photography business. It is good to look at that and remind myself of what really is important when our schedules and days tend to feel crammed and crazy. And to realize what really should be taking precedence and I approach things with a different perspective.

I look forward to our family nights, date nights, craft nights and cuddle time. Although it is all more scheduled and laid out than ever before, I find myself planning more, accomplishing more and enjoying all of it more rather than thinking of the rest of the things waiting for me on the never ending to do list.