Family vacay!

We are busy over here packing up for a five day vacation! Yes, I'm 31 weeks pregnant. Yes, we are flying with a 16 month old. And yes, I'm sure we will be exhausted when we get back....

But, I CAN.NOT.WAIT.

This is only the second time flying with Kensie. The first experience was not so bad. And I'm proud to say I did it alone. But, I was also not this pregnant. Thankfully I will not be alone this time. My better half will be there to share in the lap-sitting, the song-singing, the book-flipping, and all the other creative ways to keep a 1 year old happy on a plane. THANK GOODNESS. Did I mention hauling the luggage and dragging carrying a child through the airport? Oh yeah, that too.

We will also have a chance to spend some one-on-one time with Greg's parents, which I am so looking forward to. All of us together, away from our routines and duties--just able to spend some quality time together. (Well, between the business meetings the men must endure...). Yes, this is a business trip that we are calling a vacation. We are staying a few extra days to make the most out of it. No big plans...just flying by the seat of our pants once we get down there.

So, I'm sure there will be lots of pics and stories to share upon our return!

Adios!

525,600 minutes

I love the random resources that help us to remember certain facts. Like how many minutes are in a year. Recognize it? Yes, from the musical RENT. Classic. But, it's really the only way I can ever remember it. And it kind of makes you think, doesn't it? Where DO all those minutes go??? Ok, other than peeing, pooping, and doing the "dirty"...you sickos!

Now, you are all waiting for me to tell you how I want to spend those minutes this year, right?

Well here's a few:

~ Patience: Other than getting this baby out of me! a significant amount of time will go towards caring for a new baby and...uh...well...an "older" baby. Trust me, I have already started praying for patience. Everyone loves to scare you with horror stories of the transition from 1 to 2 kids....the tantrums, the jealousy from the oldest, the lack of time with your husband, the feelings of loneliness, the fatigue...I've heard it all. So, Lord give me patience.

~ Save more $$$: I want to be a more frugal grocery shopper for starters. I need to be more diligent about planning meals and really put my creative skills at work using what we already have. I can do it when it comes to decorating. But, in the kitchen I can be kind of a spender. We are saving up to buy a car come spring (or whenever we can afford it). I've been driving the same car since my junior year of high school! It will be sad to finally see it go, but a Ford Focus is not ideal for a family car, let's be honest.

~ Get back into shape: Currently I'm sporting the "round" shape...but once this baby comes out, I don't want to be sporting the flabby balloon either. It's hard to imagine running right now, but I would love to do a 5k by the end of next summer.

~ Let go a bit: It's hard for me to admit it, but I can tend to be kind of a control freak. What happens in the end? I wind up feeling exhausted because I have to do everything myself. I want to feel like there's a plan in place, but that it's ok to be flexible sometimes. I've seen progress in the year's past, but I feel like it's flared up again recently. I just want to feel more freedom knowing that things don't always have to be perfect.

~ Love my husband more: Knowing this year is going to bring new challenges, I want to love Greg in ways that he needs. I'm good at loving people the way I want to be loved. But, it's harder when it doesn't come naturally. I pray I can build him up this year through more words of affirmation and acts of service.

A very wise mentor of mine said this to me recently, "when your life gets squeezed, what comes out? Is it ugly? Or is it Jesus?"  I haven't been able to stop thinking about that. I have seen some ugliness in 2010, and I pray there will be more Jesus in 2011.

So, let the accountability begin!

Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into....

The snow is gone, the TV is on, and the sickies keep comin...

Yes, over the weekend ALL of our fluffy white snow melted into the earth. Gone. I'm ok with it only because I know it will be back. Ohhhhhh, will it ever be back....But, it was a nice way to wrap up the holidays and switch gears a bit. We took the tree down and decided to invest in a fake one for the years to come. I never thought I would give in, but after all the needles this year....we were both done with the tradition. And with all the after-Christmas sales, we found a very nice tree for half the price! Can't wait to put it up next year!

We've also been watching our share of TV. Well, I should say Kensie is watching a lot of PBS these days while I plop on the couch with my laptop. 

Ever since this third trimester set in, I've resumed my perpetually tired state. With 10 weeks left, I wish I could zap myself with extra energy...but it seems impossible. I look forward to her afternoon naps just so I can get some shut-eye myself. I have little energy left and the remote calls my name--even if it's only 10 local channels. She is old enough now that she will actually sit through a whole show without moving. The above picture is a pretty accurate shot of her "zoned out" look. At least they are educational shows right?? Ok ok...she looks like she's losing brain cells, I know. We'll play pretend kitchen after this one I promise.

And, remember those molars that were coming in last week?? They are here!! But, she simultaneously caught a nasty cold on New Year's Eve that's been taking a different toll on the poor girl. Yay for winter.

After hearing/ reading a number New Year's resolutions the last few days, I've made a few "vague" ones of my own. But, we'll save that for another day.

Happy New Year!

Rough morning

Thank goodness for naps!! I can't say it enough. Today has been one of THOSE days.

This morning we headed over to a friends house. Kensie was prepped and excited to play with their new puppy, while I was planning to help my friend make one of those frames I made over the holidays here. It was a win-win in my book. I could get some craft/adult time with a dear friend, and Kensie could play to her heart's content in a different environment with an adorable little dog named Toby Mac.

WRONG.

Kensie DID love the dog at first. She's always been a dog lover--any shape, any size. It doesn't matter. But, today she began crying every time that cute little pup yipped or would get too close to her. She would run to my heals and beg to be picked up. After enough times we tried moving to the living room where Kensie could play with Lego's. The dog was separated by a gate in the dining room at this point. But, as soon as I left the room she would come running and beg to be picked up. I was sure if she got distracted enough she would play independently like she always does.

Anyway, to make a long story short....

I realized after feeling her gums 2 hours later she has 2 huge molars squeezing through those puffy red gums! Poor girl!! No wonder she has been so clingy the last few days. And the funny thing is, I've been PRAYING this would happen. I know, crazy right? She's just had quite the slowwww teething process. Only getting one measly tooth at a time. I joke with Greg that by the time she's done teething, baby Mason will just be starting! Ugh. The joys of motherhood. Anyway, I know she will be miserable for another day or two, but it will be so worth it in the end.

Why can't they just get them ALL at the same time??

I will say, I do enjoy feeling so needed by her. Nobody can console her these days, not even Dada (which is sad for him)...but hopefully she'll be back to her happy self soon. In the meantime, I will take all the cuddles I can get.

A berry quiet Christmas Eve...

After a busy week, and expecting another busy day tomorrow...I'm definitely enjoying today. A restful Christmas Eve. No plans. No schedule. Just some light cleaning and prep work, waiting for the hubby to get off work tonight and ready to enjoy some much needed family time. Just the three of us.

And even though this year the tree is not by the fireplace, I found a way to still make it just as festive.

Do you see a berry theme going??

I love the pops of red next to my favorite color green.

Hope you are all finding time to rest in the midst of the holidays! Merry Christmas!

Feelin' it...

...the stress of the holidays that is.

I love Christmas. Really, I do. Decorating. Shopping. Christmas music. Celebrating our Savior's birth. The one day I know for sure my hubby doesn't have to work. I could sit at home all month with my husband and daughter with the tree lit, the fire a blazin' and a yummy homemade meal and watch in excitement as they open their presents. I also love having great friends for get togethers with no expectations other than enjoying good company.

But, unfortunately....it's the family parties that have been stressing me out. You've been there right? Good. Didn't think I was the only one. Well, am I ever there.



It started last year when Kensie was only 3 months old. As a new mom with the "first" grandkid, it was a BIT overwhelming. I couldn't have my baby sleep when I wanted or where I wanted. There was nowhere comfortable to nurse at any of the parties. And I felt so alone. Greg's schedule was absolutely nuts last year. And it just got to be too much too soon. (That's the short version). This year, I'm 6 months pregnant with a 15 month old....feeling like all I want to do is stay home in my candy cane PJ's, wrestle with my 1 year old and watch Christmas movies with my hubby.

When it comes to parties, Greg and I have very different views. Not bad, not wrong, just different. If there were 5 family parties on five different days in a row, he would go. He would be excited to go. For me...not so much. I look at the holiday season as a whole. One too many parties scheduled on the calender and I start to flip out a little -- namely extended family parties.

Anyway.....last night I think I cried for 30 minutes after going to bed. So bad in fact, that I came out into the living room and just sat there in the dark. Pitiful I know. Maybe pregnancy. Maybe stress. Maybe both. Or, maybe I just need to suck it up...

But, I would love to hear what your families do for the holidays. Do you go to BOTH extended sides? Do you reserve Christmas Day only for you and your kids? Do you rotate every other year? What has worked well, and what hasn't??? Any comments are welcome.

Christmas cookie cutters!

Yesterday, I spent the morning baking 2 dozen classic sugar cookies {with frosting and sprinkles of course} for my first ever Christmas cookie exchange!

Yes, there's a first time for everything.

I would rather cook than bake--any day of the week. It's not my best skill.

Anyhoooo....this morning I came home with two plastic containers packed with all kinds of yummy treats ready to offer guests between now and the big day. Well worth it.

So, what did I do with the $5 bucket of cookie cutters from Aldi?

The same thing any "anti-baker who wants to look like she's Susie homemaker" would do....

I hung them in my kitchen!

These jumbo-sized guys are with the rest of the cookie cutter clan but, they made their debute on the side of the cupboard instead of the garland. It was getting a bit heavy.

So, even though it appears as though I unclip those darling cut-outs from that silky ribbon and bake all day and night throughout the holidays....

Really, I just think they are cute and festive...and why not appreciate them everyday instead of them lurking in the back of my cupbaord all season next to that ugly vase I can't seem to get rid of?

Do you like to bake during the holidays? If so, come over anytime.

Please and Thank you.