The Year in Review....2011

Wow, it's been a while since my last post...let's see...we went to Disney World, came home, Little Will and Mollie caught pneumonia, Mollie got 2 ear infections, Mollie got RSV, Cole had a cough that lasted forever, Will got sick, I got sick, Mollie got sick again....and then it was Christmas....

You get the idea, what a month. I don't think I've ever had a month like that in my life. It seemed like every day there was something new and I developed a really close bond with our pediatrician...ha! Oh, did I mention that in the midst of this, I made 75 cookies for my boys' Christmas parties at school??? Anyway, through it all, we had a wonderful Christmas and even created a new tradition of going to the movies on Christmas day...that was seriously fun :) My in-laws came along which made it even more festive and fun and we saw The Muppets :) I laughed out loud through the whole movie and then almost cried when Kermit sang, "The Rainbow Connection"...it was a great day :)

So, here we are on December 28th...and I'm thinking about this past year and all that it included. It was a great year :) I don't say that often because in my life so many things have happened to me that usually on New Year's, I'm so thankful the year is over that I can't see straight. But 2011 was a good year and it was good to me in a lot of ways. So, here's my year in review:

1. In 2011, I had a baby girl :) Ok, that was the absolute highlight of my year, by far. I had her on January 8th, 2011 (Elvis' birthday too...if you didn't know that) and I got to spend almost all of 2011 with that precious, sweet, spunky baby girl. Oh, how I love that child. She is happy and snuggly and all I dreamed she would be. I don't know how you can top that, so I won't even try. So, Mollie Adalyn's birth is #1 :)

2. In 2011, we finally took our kids to Disney World. Wow, what a trip :) We made memories for a lifetime and walked about 100 miles in the process. I wouldn't recommend taking a 10 month old to Disney with 2 other kids, but we were sick of waiting. I mean, we have a 9 year old and an almost 5 year old...The best part was seeing their faces on It's a Small World...the fireworks at the castle...the amazing food on Thanksgiving day...swimming in November at our hotel....you get the idea :)

3. In 2011, I turned 35...ok, that's probably not a highlight but that was a big milestone. It didn't really bother me that much. I was too excited that I just had a baby girl 2 months earlier :)

4. I lost 20 pounds. Yes, I am so happy. I am seeing jean sizes I haven't seen in 5 years. I am by far no fashion plate and no "get-in-shape girl". I hate to exercise and could live on Reese cups but I stopped living on McDonald's cokes and sweet tea, stopped having full meals at 10:00pm and started drinking more water and eating healthier overall . So, I'm happy with how things are going in the weight department ;)

5. In 2011, I went to another Sylvan conference with Will. I don't know why, but I love those things. I never go to the actual conference, but I tag along for moral support. We went to Orlando (which gave us a dry run on what to do when we went as a family in November) and we had a lot of fun. I ate food that was the best ever...ask me about a little hole in the wall Italian place...YUM :) and found the absolute best baby store in the world (Macro Baby). I got to spend time with Cole and Mollie, although I missed Little Will like crazy (so, I probably wouldn't do it again unless all 3 kids could go). I learned to drive on the Florida turnpike and didn't even cry in the process. I've come along way baby :)

6. In 2011, I let all the past go with my family. Yes, this is a very serious topic when I usually just talk about food and fun, but in 2011, I started to grieve. I lost my grandmother (who was really my mother) in 2006 and my grandfather in 2009 and I had never really accepted it or started to grieve for them. I was sad and I was devastated but I hadn't started grieving yet. I was too overwhelmed by the horrible situation that was left for me when they passed away. Those of you who know me well know just how horrible that situation was. So in 2011, I let it go. Don't get me wrong, I still miss my grandparents everyday and pray every night that I will at least have a dream about them so they will still feel alive to me somehow. But I started living for the living this year and I'm not looking back :)

7. I got my first pair of skinny jeans. What a thing to write after #6 but being light-hearted is what I'm all about and after the several years I've had...a pair of skinny jeans is a big deal and it made me smile :)

8. I stopped homeschooling. Yes, that was a BIG deal for me. I stopped something that I never, ever thought I would start, much less stop. But after having Mollie in January, I saw my sweet 3rd grader long for friends, cafeterias and fire drills even more. He wasn't content to stay home with mama and his brother and newborn sister all day. He couldn't meet other homeschooling kids because I couldn't join a homeschool group in flu season with a newborn, so I swallowed all my pride and said no more...it was hard. I cried for 3 weeks. I prayed until I couldn't pray anymore. In all that craziness, God answered my prayers and gave Little Will a sweet, Christian teacher that I still love to this day. I handed my sweet boy over to her and she loved him and everything was alright. That child loves school so much now and he is overflowing with friends. I am so happy :) Will I ever do it again? We'll see...you  never know what each year will bring :)

9. In 2011, I learned to cook. I am still trying and sometimes what I make is almost not edible, but I started to learn to cook this year. I can make chicken salad that will make you slap your mama and chicken and dumplins worth fightin' over. I am learning and I love it. I want to be the kind of mama that my boys will grow up talking about eating my cookin'. I'm not there yet, but maybe by this time next year, I will be :)

10. In 2011, I found a lot of happiness. I had lost so much along the way and I had lost my smile. I had one on the outside but I was so sad on the inside. In 2011, I found my best friend and my dad. In 2011, I realized what was most important in life...Will, Little Will, Cole and Mollie. In 2012 and the rest of my life, I'll strive to love those closest to me and love God even more than that.

So, 2011 was a really good year. I am a blessed girl. I have a family that I always dreamed of, friends that are like gold and boy am I thankful :)

Disney Trip Day 1

Well, we made it...I thought this day would never get here. We actually did keep it a secret for 6 months. That was tough. But it was soooo worth it :) Those boys had no idea. Here's how today has gone...

Will and I woke up at 4:00 am. We had packed the car up last night and all we had to do was get dressed and get Mollie's pack and play. We got ready super quick...we both got NO sleep last night...so adrenaline was in full force. Around 4:45 am, I woke up the boys while Will and Mollie ran to the store to get some gas for the van. I told them that we were going to church EXTRA early today :) They actually got up and didn't argue....they were getting ready for church...at 4:45 am! It was pitch dark and so cold. When they were done, Will was back and waiting in the van. I locked up the house and brought the boys outside. They got in the van...looked around...saw all the luggage and looked totally confused. Will had the video camera ready and told the boys that he had something for them and then showed them the Disney tickets. It was magical :) They were shocked...they didn't scream or jump up and down, they were truly shocked and couldn't believe that we were leaving for Disney right that second. Little Will immediately was worried about missing school...he's so much like his daddy :) We told them that we had thought of everything and that everything was worked out. About 2 hours down the road (remember we told them around 5:00 am...) it really hit them and they were giddy, plain ol' giddy. They were literally spinning around in Hardees at breakfast today. I think Disney World just seemed like such a fantasy to them...it couldn't be real, right? Well, it is and it was today for my 3 sweet blessings. I am so lucky.

So, here's the run-down of today, after the surprise...

We drove to Orlando in about 8 hours...not too bad...that's a record for us. Thank the Lord for Navigation on my phone.

We got to our hotel early and got our room early...it's the best room in the hotel...I have no idea how we go this lucky, except for the fact that the hotel had messed up and essentially double booked our old room. I was so upset at first...remember, I had planned this for 6 months!! But God was watching out for us..We got a new room...this one is unbelievable and for an awesome deal. Once again, I am lucky.

We made it to the Magic Kingdom today...yay for 6 day hopper passes ;) The boys got to ride the Monorail, It's a Small World and the Mad Hatter's teacups. Plus, we saw the show at Cinderella's castle that even included fireworks and all the princesses for Mollie :) And to top off the most perfect night, we saw Mickey's Electric Parade at 9:00 tonight. We had great seats...Cole fell asleep and Mollie clapped the whole time. Little Will was practically on the front row. We all ate fried shrimp and fries...strawberry banana smoothies and the best vanilla iced coffee I've ever had.

Now, we are back at our condo...Cole's asleep, Mollie's asleep, Little Will's asleep and even Will is asleep but I just had to take a second to write...I can't let today pass and not document this perfect day. We sure had waited long enough...I hope I never forget the smiles, the tears (from me), the chills and the magic. That's what being a mama is about right? Making the most of every day with God's most perfect gifts and letting them feel the magic every once in a while :) Until tomorrow....

Where I have been??

Where have I been? Well, let's see...sick with tracheitis (yeah, what in the world is that?), under a pile of laundry, in the car rider line at my kids' schools, in the kitchen hovered over a good homecooked meal that none of my kids will eat, with my nose in book full of mulitiplication facts, in the bathroom trying to get a quick (and I mean quick) shower while Mollie sleeps (for all of 15 minutes)...the list goes on and on....it's been a crazy few days. We are all on the mend now but what a terrible few days it was. I'm just glad this is all behind us...we leave for Disney in 10 days and I definitely do not want to cough on Mickey ;)

Disney Planning...

Planning a Disney vacation is a lot of work...but I have never, ever been this excited in all my life. Sure, when Will and I went on our honeymoon, it was perfect and then for our first anniversary is was awesome (except that our debit card # was stolen!). But this time, it's with our babies. That's what I always dreamed of. When you think of Disney, you think of children and magic. I can't wait to see those faces light up when they see that castle. I can't wait to see Cole's little wide grin when he eats lunch with Special Agent Oso and Mickey Mouse. I can't wait to see Little Will become a Star Wars trooper. I can't wait to see Belle and Cinderella hold my baby girl. I guess I just can't wait...can you tell?? Only a few weeks away....Mickey, we'll be there soon!!

Justin Bieber...Under the Mistletoe...Christmas Season Kick-off!

Today is the first day of November...so that means it's officially the holiday season in this house! As soon as Halloween is over, I pull out the Christmas stuff. I'm trying hard to keep my tree in the garage until after we come home from Disney (in 3 weeks) but I'm already itching to get it out. One year, my tree was up at Halloween...yes, I was 27 years old then and had a one year old and we were just too excited and I apparently had too much time on my hands....ha!

To kick off the season, I bought Justin Bieber's brand spankin' new Christmas CD today...at 8:00 am to be exact. Imagine being 35 and standing in line at Walmart first thing in the morning with a gallon of milk, baby food and a Justin Bieber CD...oh well, I was super excited...you know I love JB. I know it's a little crazy, but he's super talented, squeaky clean and just too cute for scoot. I've already listened to it in the car and shared it with my bff. I hope to memorize it today in all my spare time (ha!).

Happy Tuesday! Super easy Cheeseburger Pie recipe coming soon!!

Happy Halloween 2011

Happy Halloween! Well, tonight was a great night. I had so hoped this day would be fun for the kids and it sure was. Yes, Little Will had school today but that was ok. He got his homework done in a flash and played outside a little until it was time to go. Cole's best buddy, Jo Jo came over and we all went trick or treating around our neighborhood together. We started early (I think we were the first ones out!) and trick or treated for 2 hours straight! Fun night, best friends...I couldn't ask for better times for my kids and for me :) We are lucky. Hope you all enjoyed your holiday too!

Pinterest...Just another obsession...

Oh my Lord...I love Pinterest. I had no idea. I tried that website about 2 weeks ago and had no idea what was going on. So, I instantly gave up. Then, 2 days ago, I decided to give it another try. This time, my eyes were opened to it's wonderful world. Pinterest is amazing. You can find any craft/DIY idea in the world. I have found solutions to my headband ball (now I know I can use an oatmeal container wrapped in fabric to make a headband holder), my ribbon mound (now I know you can use a tie hanger) and I have found the cutest snack ideas on the planet. I'm addicted. I may even become that mom...you know the one that has it all together?? Well, I'll probably never be all that, but I can at least look like I have it all together to my 3 munchkins :) Now, I need to go...it's Friday eve and I have 10 minutes before I have to wake up Mollie and go pick up Little Will from school...Pinterest is calling!!!!!