It's Official!

It's official....

what you may ask...hmmm...the last official day of fall to me! Once Halloween is passed....Christmas season is full fledge for me...I have had to make a promise to hubby to AT LEAST wait until after Halloween to publically listen to Christmas music....Christmas movies...Christmas decor...YEP...I sure do....{I'm jumping up and down right now I'm soooo excited} I'm really the one who already starts to listen to the Christmas music station...and my FAVORITE movie late at night to watch....is Miracle on 34th Street....both old and new versions...something my sister and I started when we were kiddos....

Now I can start brainwashing my kiddos since my oldest is getting old enough to really take an interest now...YES...hubby has no chance when it comes to Christmastime...and I LOVE IT! I've already perused some of the stores we have been to just to get ideas since we have agreed I can add one BIGGER Christmas item each year...this year I'm thinking several small items...because I haven't really found or needed ANY bigger items this year....

Well just maybe after these pictures I have...one day I would LOVE to get a 2nd tree I can just decorate...I always promised hubby to keep a family ornament tree...things we have had...I would be in BIG trouble if Star Wars ornaments couldn't be put out you know...but someday...I want a tree with ornaments like this I can just put on there....

Love those old clock faces...LOVE IT!

And it wouldn't be our home if blue wasn't added somewhere...having a tree like on a little table or buffet...would just be beautiful!

And there is something about slipcovered chairs I just find so warm and cozy...and this is my FAV color...and different size trees grouped together...I LOVE things in multiples...Look out family....I just got inspiration for my Christmas presents this year:)...because Starfish and white ornaments make my day ANY day!I can picture my table like this....or this....with mismatched chairs....Oh...and if my bedroom looked like this at Christmastime...oh that would be soo beautiful...and I just might be able to keep it clean and laundry off of the floor...oh WOW...{yes...our bedroom and my purse are 2 things I struggle keeping organized and clean...just those 2 things....:)}

{all pictures taken from country living}

Are you all ready for Christmas because I sure am?!?!?!...

Happy Halloween!

Today was a trip to Grandpa's who doesn't live far from us...he loves seeing the girls...and we have been gone so much in September and October during the weekends {home 3} that we haven't had a chance to visit in awhile...we missed him...so it was so good to see him...The girls dressed in their costumes and we were off for a visit...he LOVED it!

Madison's new thing...to cross her legs like Mommy...

Some pics of the girls...Madison is Pocahontas this year ~ our beautiful Indian princess...and Hayley a plum fairy (she wouldn't wear the headband...so a big bow just landed on her sweet head)

As I was trying to get a picture of Hayley which is next to impossible...she said "No" and climbed up on the railing and turned and said "Cheese"...obviously how she wanted her picture taken...hence last post...if you are wondering why in the world are recent photos of Hay on the railing...well because that is about all I get:)...
Now tomorrow we are off to a birthday party for our sweet friend's daughter's 1st birthday...trick or treating...and our annual macaroni and hotdog meal on Halloween! {Lets not forget tons and tons of candy...oh boy}

Confessions...

So I thought about an hour ago...because something else I have been working on...well I was stuck...so I'll do a confession of today...

In light of today...thank goodness it was a short trip for Daddy...he has arrived!...I'll say it again...he HAS arrived....and is present in the house...WOO HOO! Honestly these two days seem longer than his LONG trips...I know it is because of the rain...can't blame them...I don't like being cooped up either.

Confessions {from today}...

a glass of wine sitting right next to me...it's time to relax...

1. Have I ever told you I love my ottoman...it really makes that much of a difference to have your feet up...

2. It has been raining for several days now...it is so hard to be stuck inside...have I mentioned how irritating puzzles can be?...those darn little pieces...especially when all day one daughter is picking them up and the other tips it over as soon as she puts it back together... ***UPDATE***hubby says I should include the part when he was on his way home...I threatened to BAN all puzzles from our household to avoid all sisterly conflict****

another confession: I actually never could do that...since I really love to do them too:)

3. I fell asleep on the sofa last night working...and was kind of cranky waking up in my clothes...I'm NOT a night person...

4. Before I had to run some work errands...I forgot about the time and realized WOW it was lunch time...so what's a mom to do...grabbed a cheese stick for each...juice box {and if you ask Madison she will tell you it is from Trader Joe's...she always points it out ~ it's her fav}...Gorilla munch {she even KNOWS the aisle it's on}...OOPS...I confessed that...I promise...I really do feed them "food"...breakfast was more balanced fruit smoothies with waffles...

BUT you know what...it all works out because I got my errands done A LOT quicker keeping them occupied with lunch {snacks} on the go!

5. Parents of Teachers was today...have I mentioned how much I LOVE our PAT teacher...she really is fabulous...and my confession...well I always feel like I don't have to do as much "sit down learning with them when she comes"...another confession...I look forward to seeing her just as much as the kids do~ she is so fun and has great conversation...

6. I promised I wouldn't pick up anything extra today ...and I did...I accidentally did...double OOPS on that...hope honey skips right over this one:)shhh....

7. YEP...Madison asked about Moon ~ 2nd day now...I told her he was swimming with his mommy and friends...
8. I always save the Spinach pizza from TJ's for when Daddy is gone...he won't eat it...but the girls and I devour it...honestly...I could eat the ENTIRE spinach pizza myself...or at least I feel like I could...it's that GOOD! BUT tonight I was good...and waited until hubby came home for a late dinner...but I did snatch one piece:)

9. naptime for my youngest was a WHOPPING 30 minutes...but oh did I get the best HUG when I picked her up.
10. Tuesday nights if possible...I always try to watch So you think you can dance with Madison because she LOVES it and imitates dancing with them...and I feel horrible I got reminded I need to get my hiney in gear on getting her in dance...you see I was the tomboy girl...didn't do dance...absolutely know nothing about dance...until my dear friend I visited last month answered my 100 questions on what to do...since she is GREAT at dance and perfect to ask what to look for...
my confession: I felt really bad I haven't found a place we like yet seeing how happy she is dancing...

11. I was ever so grateful when hubby walked conveniently in for bathtime with the girls...YEP... I really struggle with bathtime...really struggle...I'm the mom who brings a book...or my computer in the bathroom and does work/projects while they play in the bath...after their bath that part I can do...I LOVE that part...to lotion them up...pajamas...brush their hair...it is the BATH that kills me...

12. Maybe this one should be a hubby confession...but Bobby sat down to finish the rest of So you think you can dance with us...and he so wishes he could dance like Legacy because...and I quote..."it would be BAD...*%#

{you can finish that quote!}...

13. Having the girls go through Daddy withdrawls...I am so excited it was a SHORT week he was traveling...but my favorite part was when Miss Madison came to sit by me all on her own for the end of the show...:) Made my day...at the end of a very long day with them...and what else...


she made my Monday too...


she drew a picture of her family at school...with all 4 of us...a rainbow...a desk and tools because over the weekend we {he helped me do this one to get done ~ great hubby} refinished the other end table and made a change to the 1st one I did...painted the handles...looks much better!...but it made me smile her putting those things in our family photo...just so observant...so sweet:)



13. {Yes...I'm doing a 2nd #13...just can't end on #14}...with a very long day...LIFE is GOOD!

Blessings to you all!

For the fam...

A little turtle in my pocket you may say...

since the very first day we were there...Miss Madison wanted to sit on this stone turtle every time we walked by it...and that was many of times we walked by it! The time was right one evening {in the evening the stones wouldn't burn her hiney} we stopped and took some time for her to sit on this turtle...she loved it until the stones well just weren't comfortable to sit on because they were "bumpy"...hence her face:)

As we were walking ~ another consultant stopped us...and said she knew just the thing our girls would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do...

Well we listened of course...and on the last evening we took a stroll to another resort within ours......and came to this spot where we could let little baby turtles go {just what she told us about}

Now my first thought...how neat...Madison will love it...next...Oh great...Hayley will try to grab every turtle there:)But this was Hayley...before we even arrived to the spot...gotta love umbrella strollers...this one is on its last leg though...she was out...completely out...Then I thought oh...GREAT...dinner's going to be fun tonight...you know the times where you KNOW it is coming...but nonetheless she looked adorable sleeping...we just let her be...so happy sleeping soundly:)
Anyhoo...we were waiting...and waiting....

So I got some sweet pics of Madison watching the waves our last evening there...she loved it...the sun was setting...the tide was changing...just perfect for the turtles...the little suckers were so cute ~ they had 4 small crates full~ ...pictures were difficult because they didn't allow us to use flash...and it quite dark during most...

Bobby was so sweet to let me do this with Madison...I know he wanted to...but like I said from my last post...really some bonding time with just Madison and I...I loved it...seeing her excited...seeing her smile...and seeing her hold that baby turtle...{that I had to explain to her...I asked her if she remembered how I picked up the toads to show her at home...she shook her head yes...well I said that is how you will need to hold this turtle...but very gently because it is a baby ~ her eyes just lit up...so excited}. She did great...she had to hold onto "MOON" for a good 20 minutes...pretty long time to explain that we couldn't let him go yet...but she did great!I got to tell you...what went through my head was...don't tell her that most and I mean MOST baby turtles will not survive due to predators...and will not be back in 20 years like they are telling us...{I was hopeful Madison didn't hear that part...because she remembers EVERYTHING literally...and I know if she heard that they were telling us they all will be back...I would have gotten "when" and "why" over and over and over again:)...for the next 20 years:)

I know...

That is pretty wrong, isn't it? {Couldn't help to think it though ~ just my realism...but I didn't want to ruin this sweet moment for Madison and myself together}...so I just joined in talking to her about the turtles and what they do...why they come back...

Personally...I love that she named him MOON...the actual moon was shining bright and just beautiful that evening...a perfect name...
And just before we let them go...those in charge...did a really silly dance to celebrate letting the turtles go...and off they went...Miss Madison looking down at Moon right before she let him go...one of my fav experiences with Madison that week.
And there he goes...right out to the water into the tide afterwards...and right when that happened...little Miss Hayley woke up screaming...oh I did predict this one...because she didn't know where in the heck she was...poor little thing...

Off to dinner we went...still with our little stinker...oh and dinner was FANTASTIC...yep...all Hayley wanted to eat was those stinkin' mini tubs of butter they bring out with bread...YEP...we really allowed {it was only one...I guess us justifying it in a way saying it was only one...we had to hide the rest}...we'll admit it...ever let your kiddos {well should I say the younger siblings get away with more than your 1st}...or maybe I just got more relaxed...hmmm....not proud of us doing that...just letting you know she did eat real food too...but all through us waiting for our meal...YEP she ate butter...and I'm okay with admitting it...because it kept her occupied since we forgot something to keep her occupied....because we were 30 minutes of walking from our room and a place just to grab food.

...honestly maybe not even 3/4 of a teaspoon of it she ate since we wiped it out as we snatched it away from her:)

The next day as we went through customs coming home into the US~ my oldest was asked questions from the customs agent...the same questions he just asked me...like 2 seconds before...YEP...and I prayed very hard...

that it wasn't going to be one of those times where Madison decides to make stuff up or say some untruths...among me thinking since when do 3 year olds get questioned...

Then as we walked through the last agent...we were asked if we still were glad we brought the kiddos...we were like ABSOLUTELY!!!! You know...this was our first vacation we didn't have to worry about a thing...it made me feel so proud to bring my entire family...because all of those late nights...my hard work {that I do love}...times of being away from them...it all become worth it when you see the results of your sweat equity and being rewarded with a trip for your family...{please know I am not doing a plug for what I do}

But honestly...the last day tears just welled up...at our last day at the beach...because I felt so blessed, grateful, thankful that I work for a company that not only loves on me with great people and all the other extras...but they also love on my family...and that is why we brought the kiddos...I wanted to show my girls just one thing...and yes even at their age...that whatever you are passionate about...go for it and do it well...the rewards are so worth it!
Blessings from us! ~ Oh and I have so many things to share very soon of recent projects too...so excited!

I've tried...

To Let THEM be...

Hmmm....as I finish up vacation pics...some anxious family waiting to see the rest {I'm told}...I've had a difficult time really finishing up...it means that I must get back to the "real" world...I must admit that it is now fall...{I love fall usually...don't get me wrong....love that I can wear jeans and boots now:)}...but I miss where we were already...

Let them be...came to me this morning during my run...as I was viewing the rest of the pics last night...I was thinking...what do I think about when I see these pictures?....I didn't know last evening...

Let them be....a perfect description...

Lately...well awhile now...I really cannot even remember when it started...but one thing I do know...is that it has been hard...you see...those that know us well...often think...Madison is seriously almost a clone of me...{you read that right}...so alike with me...it's almost nuts:)...{poor Daddy,right?}

And why is that important?...well...it has been distance...one of the hardest things for me to deal with as a mother so far...distance between us in that she tests me more than anything...she's 3 1/2 ...yep...you read that right too....3 1/2...and yes...I know it's the age too {finding her boundaries...the attitude starts friends have told me}...but I tell you it is hard...so hard sometimes tears well up when the day is finished...

Hubby travels a lot these past 4 or so years...so when I think about it...during the week...I'm the comforter...I'm the discipline...I'm the cook...I'm the one she has to listen to...But also I try to love on her in her language...when she needs it...I'm the one who determines whether she gets those stars...I'm the one she is so similar too...I'm the one who tries to make it okay when she says she misses her Daddy...I'm just the one...and I honestly LOVE that more than anything...that is why I do what I do...so I can have this...but like I said it is hard sometimes...

...At 3 1/2 she pushes me away...quietly...just like her mommy does sometimes in life...I see her pulling back...I feel her challenging my every word, question, request...and really that's okay...

She's only finding her boundaries with me...it's a part of motherhood...I know...

I also know that maybe since I have had her sister...she has wonderfully become a Daddy's girl...I say wonderfully because oh their relationship melts my heart in so many ways...I love it...from the way she looks at her Daddy to when he comes back in town and she runs to greet him...I treasure that for them...because I know...

I just know that a daughter and her Daddy's relationship is a very important one...experience I'll say...

{So} this trip...wow it did wonders for us to spend some quality time together...just the four of us...and we each had some quality time with each kiddo while on the beach...it's important...it's wonderful...and she now is reaching for me again...maybe because I've {tried to} Let her be....I've simply tried my best ~ all I can do, right?~...accepted those challenges she has given me...and have gone at her pace as much as I am able to...I've tried to be as patient as I can...I know her love language...and I have tried to love her like she needs...{obviously not always perfect or patient with it...but I've done my best}...

I'm trying to set the foundation now...that when she needs her space...I'll allow it as long as she reaches back out when she's ready...

that when she needs me to be silly and embarrass her to make her laugh...I'll do that...she hates when I dance to embarrass her..."Stop Mommy"...she says with a giggle...
when she is having a hard time expressing herself...I'll {try to} help guide her...

when she needs some boundaries from me...I'll have to set them for her...

...because I love her that much...

to let her be Daddy's girl...because there are times when she just needs only him....and I truly love that...

...and when she needs her Mommy...I'll be right here too......and times when she wants to experience life by herself......and when she needs her sister...I'll show her how to ask...I'll let them be together...
...there will be times later when she only needs Hayley...
And times where Hayley needs to stand alone too...

Times where Hayley sees she needs to also discover...{just a note~plain pineapple juice in that cup:)}

 She needs to know how much Hayley looks up to her...

for the past few weeks Hayley is obsessed with using the big girl potty...

already at 19 months...no joke!...

and it's all because she looks up to Madison...she loves her...and is inspired by her...

She wants to follow her footsteps...

But explore on her own...finding her own cadence in life too...

Times when Hayley needs only Daddy and Madison...



And times where all four of us...just need us...that's what this vacation did...it gave us renewal...at a place we all love and cherish...the beach...we all grew together...while we didn't even realize it...

I've {tried to} let them be...{although I know for sure...that is something I will have to remind myself everyday as a mother}...Let them be...

...And Hayley...this morning was a big morning for me...her first day that when I dropped her off at school...

she didn't cry...not a sad face...

she reached right out to her teachers...and said "Mommy Go"...{not telling me to go...but she was saying Mommy will go...{because that is usually what I tell her}...and Mommy will come back}...and she smiled...

...Let her be...

I promise not too many more vacation posts...just one more...a really fun experience with turtles for Miss Madison...