2013 Family Photos

Pictures say it all!  I have what I've always dreamed of "A Family", one that's all mine!  They may drive me batty at times, but I wouldn't change a thing about any of them!!! HUGE thanks to my Sister-in-law Ruth, over at Bella Angelo Photography for these beautiful shots!

The Season of Hope!

Life is hard.

Your hard may look like paradise to me, but truth is...

Life is hard.

Our "hard" looks different from each other. But hard is relative.

This Christmas season, usually my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE time of the year, I've not been "myself".

I've been dragged town physically with this stupid hand. 

I've put on 15 pounds this year that has completely depressed me.  

I took on one of the BIGGEST roles to date with homeschooling my 3 children.  

Chris's schedule has been more intense, keeping him away more than either of us would like.

My mom has been sick with this heart condition that we are still just WAITING around before we can move forward with surgery and on to the Pulmonary issues.

Our household has lost 3 streaming income sources and our expenses have gone up.

Did I mention Homeschooling?

It all just seems so hard.

My mood is gloomy.  My energy levels are down.  I'm overwhelmed.  I'm human.

Life is hard.

I was reminded this weekend while volunteering at our local Orange Santa Food/Toy drive, that it's hard for EVERYONE!  Well, at some level or another, it's hard.  My main duty on Saturday for the 2 hours I was there was to smile, greet the families and give them a little bit of hope with my positive energy.  This is WAY different from the role I had in the past with Orange Santa. (it was wonderful!!!)  But this year, I was called to look the moms in the eye and hope they felt my heart when I wished them Merry Christmas.

My friends, new and old have given me hope this past weekend.

My sisters (Beni and Ruth) have listened and loved on me during one of the hardest seasons in my life.

I am always the "leader", the  "fearless", "can do anything" girl.

But I've been knocked to my knees and what better time than during this season???

The season of Hope!

I'm putting this out there to remind me as I move forward TODAY, that each day is a gift.  Life is supposed to be hard, it's finding the beauty along the way that makes it all worth it!

So, I said to the kids, "Pack up the school books".....we are on VACATION for the month!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This mama needs it!

Menu Plan Monday

Chris is traveling most weekdays this month until his vacation starts in the 21st so I haven't done much "planning"! Our menu it's looking like this until then. I'm making small changes each week, but here's the idea.

Jibby Returns

One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is play with our Elf on a Shelf, Jibby! This is our third year and the kids LOVE it!! Who am I kidding?? I LOVE IT too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

They were surprised with their "North Pole Breakfast" and goodies that Jibby brought them when he arrived in his air balloon, lol.

I have learned to do what I can do without killing myself! I wanted to do the donuts as snowmen, snowman pancakes with bacon scarves but just didn't want to get up at 6am to do it today and guess what? THEY WERE STILL THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I sat this afternoon and worked on a calendar to save myself time this year...

Tonight we start our Advent Calendar and Jesse Tree!  While I LOVE having fun with the *magic* of Christmas, it's also important to focus on the reason for the season!!!

Have fun this month my friends!!! Lower your expectations just a tad so you can kick back and enjoy it all!!!!  I know I am!