WE LOVE MO MO!!!

If we're being honest, I said I was back in well, like February... hmmm... Since I haven't posted since, I guess it's safe to say that life has been busy, to say the least.  Don't get me wrong, I know that life is busy for everyone... I just feel better if I explain to you why I haven't posted.

The GOOD news is, I've got stuff coming!!!  I have entered into a 'busy' season in my life.  I'm doing some SERIOUS spring cleaning/organizing and utilizing some some clever/crafty ideas thanks to the wonderful world of Pinterest.

We'll start off with a product review.

BabyZoo Alarm Clock for children, teach your child when to stay in bed!

More "winter"... REALLY???

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!


So according to the Washington Post...

"At 7:25 a.m. this morning, amidst mostly cloudy skies, and temperatures in the low 30s, Groundhog Phil saw his shadow in the little town of Punxsutawney, Pa. 

According to folklore, Phil’s sighting of his own shadow means there will be 6 more weeks of winter.”

Not sure about where all of you live but in coastal Georgia... IF we had winter it lasted a day or two and has for sure come and gone already.  Honestly, with temperatures in the 70s... it is nearly impossible to consider this to be winter.  Either way, that's what the little groundhog decided.  We shall see....


But StormFax.com says Phil has gotten it right just 39% of the time (also from the Washington Post)

If you're looking for fun activities to do with your little ones (no matter what age), to celebrate Groundhog Day, check out the Apples 4 Teachers web page here.  There are lessons on the history, coloring pages, and LOTS MORE!  ENJOY!!



Hope today is NOT like the movie Groundhog Day for you and yours... 

I've missed you...

Well, well, well.... after taking a solid 2 months off... I'm back.  I feel refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things.

The holidays were awesome but exhausting all at the same time.  It's amazing to me how much is built up in celebration for one single day.  This year, my family tried to really have a smooth easy Christmas and focus on the true meaning of the day.  We started the morning off... yes BEFORE breakfast and BEFORE presents... by blessing strangers and I think, were truly blessed in return.  Then, we headed home and well watching the children open presents is probably one of the greatest presents that a parent can have.  Their eyes light up with excitement when they see the gifts... wrapped.  It only gets BETTER as they open them all!

There was of course, LOTS of eating... and just hanging out spending time together.  The time was a true blessing for all of us.

We stayed with the no stress theme of things and went over to a friends house, put the kids to bed (except my A decided to stay WIDE AWAKE until 2 AM) and the mommies and daddies played games.  What is it about a grown up playing charades that is SO incredibly funny?  I don't know that I can put it into words... BUT, it IS funny!!!

My husbands unit hosted a family day so we (the kids, my mom, my brother, and I) went to his work.  We got to do fun things like clear rooms in a house, shoot targets, go through an obstacle course, ride on different military vehicles, see their equipment and lots of other FUN stuff.  We ate hamburgers and hot dogs and made it home just in time for an awesome nap.

Me shooting... HA!!!

My 'little' brother taking a turn...

My mama TRYING to look tough... HA!

Clearing the room... getting the 'bad guy' 

Brother's turn...

Yeah sooooo......

Then, school started back (thank goodness).  Didn't take long for our rotation of sickness to begin.  I'm pretty sure that I am now currently wrapping up this cycle but it definitely took a toll on us.  Sick babies are the most difficult.  A 1 year old just won't sit and watch a movie/TV.  No, instead... 'mommy... hold me...' was stuck on REPEAT!!!!  Let's just say that one night I cooked dinner with my 26lb son in the ring sling that I used to tote him around in lying on my chest.  Yeah... fun...  But, like I said, hopefully it's over (even though no one toted me around while I was sick... HA!).

Well, there's a pretty quick catch up.  How about you all?  How were you're holidays?  How has the New Year gone thus far?  I know that there are a LOT of pinterest folks out there crafting it up.  What new fun things have you been making??  I'd love to hear it!





I have missed you guys and posting!  But, watch out... I'm BACK!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Phew... the holiday season is upon us, and in FULL effect in our house.  I chose to take on a part time retail job for the holidays (for both a little income and some time OUT of the house)... sooooooo, that has kept me busy and I've slacked a little on blogging :-(

And for that, I apologize.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I have chosen to do an anagram with a list of some of the things that I am thankful for... here goes...

Time- I'm thankful for the time that I've been given here on the earth.... for the time with my family, my kids, my husband, my friends... just VERY thankful!
Husband-  He's one of a kind and I'm BEYOND lucky to have found my soul mate.  I thank God for him    daily!!
Adventure-  As a wife/mom (of 2)/part time holiday employee/laundry doer/grocery getter/meal maker/ etc... finding time for adventure doesn't always happen.  BUT, when it does, I am extremely grateful.
Neighbors- (not in the literal sense) Neighbors are those close to me, maybe not in the house next door, but they're close in my heart.  Friendships like that are PRICELESS, I am BEYOND thankful for my dearest friends.
Kin-  I have been blessed with the greatest family.  They are the most supportive people I know.  It's amazing to me, though, that some of my 'family' members are NOT blood.
Service members-  EVERY day there are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines (and anyone else I may have forgotten) as well as first responders that are working hard in the US and overseas for me, I HAVE to say, THAT makes me lucky- I'm VERY thankful for that!
Grace-  Eph 4:7 "But to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."  Grace is something that isn't easily given (by me), but I am SO thankful for God's grace (Lord knows I need it).
Income-  I am thankful that in this CRAZY economy, my husband has a job and can provide for his family.
Vehicle-  I am thankful for the 2 vehicles that we own.  That we can get from point A to point B and don't have to share.
Internet-  Technology is a blessing and sometimes a curse, but I do enjoy it's conveniences.
Necessities-  I am thankful for ALL of the basic necessities that I have at my fingertips.  There are so many people around the world that don't have nearly what I do.  I'm not sure that I always realize that.  I am so thankful for the 'basic' things that I have.
God-  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONE AND ONLY SON that whoever believes in Him, will not die, but have ETERNAL LIFE"... YUP, DEFINITELY thankful for that!!

So, HH readers... what is it that YOU are most thankful for this Thanksgiving Day?  I hope that you take a few minutes to count your blessings and enjoy the holiday and time with friends and family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Holiday Traditions

Well, with only a little more than a week until Thanksgiving, dinner planning is in full swing.  I know that Thanksgiving in my parent's house was always about family, eating, and dessert. :-)  Well, now that I have my own family and we live out of town, going to visit the grandparents for every holiday just isn't feasible.  Loading up the 4 of us and heading in the car for 5 hours to spend 2 1/2 days with family and a LOOOOOOONG car ride to get home, well... it just isn't EASY.  So, we've decided that every other year we are going to stay in Savannah for the holidays.  It wasn't an easy decision but, I really think that my kids need  to experience our family traditions and waking up in their own house.  

So, that leaves me with the tough questions/planning.  How do I make traditions for our family?  I've already thought of some and thanks to Pinterest, added a few more to the list.  Here's what I have so far...

For Thanksgiving:

Gratitude Rolls- As guests arrive, they write something that they are thankful for on a piece of paper.  The paper is rolled into the crescent rolls and cooked.  When everyone eats their rolls, they get to guess who wrote what.

For Christmas:

The Elf on the Shelf- I have seen  this in action.  When I was teaching, kids talked about their elves and what mischief they got into.  The kids REALLY loved it and interacted with it.  We'll DEFINITELY be doing this one!!

Christmas Pajamas- This was a tradition that my mom did and I LOVE it!  We always got to open ONE gift Christmas Eve.  It was ALWAYS Pajamas (matching of course).  It honestly took us like 7 or 8 YEARS before each of us caught on that the gift was ALWAYS going to be pajamas.  But, our pictures Christmas morning were always cute and matching. :-)

So, those are really the only for SURE ideas that I have.  What about you?  What's something fun that you do around your house for the holidays!  Let's Chat....

Wordless Wednesday

(I know this is supposed to be 'wordLESS' but, I had no IDEA what it meant when I first saw it.  Not sure I totally understand now, BUT... I'm going to post just pics on Wednesdays and show what we've been up to in our CRAZY HECTIC lives.  Hope you enjoy :-))

GA/FL GO DAWGS!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM  

PEBBLES

AND BAMM BAMM :-)

Addison's PapPaw stood in at Donuts with Dad Day at school.  

They had a GREAT time!

1/75 Ranger Memorial in honor of SSG Katzenberger and Sgt Plutino.

Click here to see a clip.

Tantrums

I know that I have posted about this before... BUT, this is a different kid so, I feel like I'm not being repetitive.  First of all, why did I EVER think that my sweet angelic first child was ever naughty (I'm kidding here, kind of)??  Her level of naughtiness was NOTHING (that I remember) compared to what my sweet little 'Pistol Pete' (as I now OFTEN refer to him) is bringing to the table.  He is only 18 months old and has ANXIOUSLY entered the terrible twos... EARLY... what a blessing (eye roll... I'm being EXTREMELY sarcastic).

Right now, I am blessed with at LEAST 4 melt downs before lunch.  And these melt downs include ALL the works... SCREAMING, CRYING, HITTING, THROWING HIMSELF ON THE GROUND, SCREAMING, DOING A BACK BEND WHEN I TRY TO HOLD HIM, SCREAMING, did I remember to say screaming?  UGH!  I am honestly TRYING to be patient.  TRYING to find teachable moments, but DANG, it is NOOOOOOOOOOT EASY!

The gym is currently my hour or so saving grace.  I can go and run my brains out (or whatever) and he plays, nicely (no tantrums there) during the same time.  Yeah, did you catch that?  NO TANTRUMS for the nice ladies at the gym.  Don't get me wrong, I would be HUMILIATED if he did.  But, knowing that he saves all of his extra special fit throwing for M-E.... well, it doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :-(

Just today I'm trying to use time out.  The thing is, he doesn't really get it.  I sat him down (while he was SCREAMING so it isn't like he could hear me anyhow), and kept myself very calm (NOT easy).  I explained that he couldn't get up until he calmed down.  he would scream and reach for me to hold him.  I would hug him and then set him back down.  Which of course led to more screaming.  We did a cycle of that for probably close to 5 mins. (with screaming in the background the ENTIRE time).  Eventually, he calmed down.  I asked him to tell his sister he was sorry and he did and hugged her.  All was good... for about 5 minutes... It's just ridiculous and honestly, I just don't have the time or patience to sit there with him while he learns that it is socially unacceptable to throw a fit when things don't go your way.

I guess I will be getting started on the book that I got a while ago, Setting Limits with Your Strong Willed Child... now's as good a time as any, right?  Is there something spectacular that you've done?  Please feel free to post any and ALL advice that you have!

Fun Filled FALL Weekend

I can't say it enough... I LOVE FALL!  I love having the windows open (especially the part where my air is OFF and I'm saving money on the power bill- it's a win/win situation).  I love the smells of fall.  When I walk into the grocery store and I smell the cinnamon scented broom sticks, I get all warm and fuzzy.  I love the outdoor activities!  The fall festivals, the pumpkin patches, birthday parties, 5k races, trips to the zoo, pretty much EVERYTHING about being outside makes me happy!

Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers @hope4warriors @tunnel2towers

GOOD MORNING!  IT WAS RACE DAY!!!  

(I did NOT take my nice camera, so I apologize in advance for the poor quality pictures)

Here's a little bit about Stephen Siller (from his website) and the amazing run that we participated in:

"On September 11th, firefighter Stephen Siller had just gotten off the late shift at Squad 1, Park Slope, Brooklyn.  He was on his way to play golf with his brothers on that bright clear day when his scanner told of the first plane hitting the Twin Towers.  When he heard the news, he called his wife Sally to tell her he would be late because he had to help those in need.  He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear, then took his final heroic steps to the World Trade Center.  When Stephen drove his truck  to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it was already closed to traffic .  With sixty pounds of gear strapped to his back, he ran through the Tunnel, hoping  to meet up with his own company, Squad 1."  

Click here to read more.

FDNY Academy (NY trip part2) @hope4warriors

Day 2 of our trip was a BLAST!  All of the Hope for Warriors folks went to the FDNY Fire Academy.  When we first arrived, we got to put on bunker gear and experience (on a VERY beginner level, of course) what it's like to be a firefighter.  We were able to go into a building a fight fires, cut up a car, and rappel off of a building.

Visit to NYC... exploring... ( @hope4warriors ) part1

Happy Thursday y'all!!

I hope that this post finds you doing well and enjoying your day!!  This weekend I posted to tell you about what I was up to.  Well, I've got pictures and stories to share with you!

So, on Friday, my husband and I DROPPED OFF the kiddos with their grandparents for the weekend and we headed up to NEW YORK CITY!!!