Party Kinda Weekend!

We had two parties to attend this weekend. One was my Caitlin's bday party on Saturday evening. It was so much fun to see Cait and the new house...I got this picture of our beautiful girls. I can't believe how much they have grown.

Sunday afternoon we had Cousin Brynn's 7th bday party at a bouncy place in Placentia. The kids had an absolute BLAST!

Look at my two in the right hand corner. And so ended our busy but super fun weekend!

Picnic and Practice

Saturday afternoon we had a perfect picnic at the park! We ate lunch and practiced some softball. I also had to take that picture of Bella 'planking'. It is so hilarious, she does it everywhere...like all the big kids. It couldn't have been a more beautiful afternoon!

Sale, Sale, Sale!

With only a few more days to get Girl Scout cookie orders in, we made a trip to Popi's work on Thursday to kindly ask for some orders. I have done a lot of online sales through the Girl Scout website, but I wanted Isabella to get the experience of actually asking folks to purchase. At first she was embarrassed, but she got the hang of it and sold 33 boxes at A-W!

Friday after school we hit up Daddy's work!

They were not able to refuse this face and she sold 66 boxes (with an order pending)!

Thank you so much to everyone that has purchased so far! We truly appreciate it and know you will enjoy those YUMMY cookies...can't wait to deliver! We even got orders from AZ and TX! Woo Hoo!

SO True!

Beginning of Softball 2012

Yesterday was Bella's first Softball practice! We are so excited to be back with Coach Kristy & Coach Jose - there are also a few teammates back from last year and several new friends. I think this will be a super fun Season and I am looking forward to it...

More Disneyland!

Thursday's are early day @ Wickman. So today was my first shot at going to Disneyland after school. I wanted to check it out and see how the crowds were, etc. We met up with Leila and Amar (and Moms, too!) for some afternoon fun. I thought it worked out perfect. We got there about 1:30 and got home about 5:15 in time for baths and to finish up cooking dinner (our dinner is around 6:30 when Chris gets home). We watched the Tiki Room show and rode Pirates, Peter Pan, Dumbo, and the Tea Cups with out much wait. We are already looking forward to next time.

A Message

My Dad sent me an email today and within was the most beautiful message. So, I thought I would share it with you. Hopefully it makes your day, like it did mine ...

Look back and thank God,
Look forward and trust God,
Look around and serve God,
Look within and find God!

DISNEYLAND - WOO HOO!

Thanks to my awesome Hubby, who gave me Disney passes for Christmas, the kids and I get to enjoy a year of Disney fun! Our first trip was Friday night after school and we had so much fun with Holly and baby Taylor....rode on a few rides, ate dinner, walked around, got new "ears" and some ice-cream before heading home. Isabella and Vincent couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had...We are so looking forward to many fun times ahead!

 

Oh, So True!

I love, love Mary Engelbreit. I keep her big calendar on my fridge and I have a smaller desk calendar of hers I use which has illustrations and quotes every week. While flipping through, this is one of the illustrations for May. And the quote: "The strength of a woman can carry the weight of the world." I think we all need to be reminded just how strong we are when it comes to balancing kids, work, husbands, housework and well, LIFE!

Daisy Troop # 9044

Bella Rose is having so much fun being a Daisy! Parents don't stay for most of the activities, therefore I don't get pictures (SAD). But, the leaders do share photos with us on Shutterfly and I just realized you can download them! Below are pictures from Sundays' meeting, Christmas Parade, December PJ Party and Canned Food Drive (she did her own hair!). Isabella is earrning many badges and she will get to bridge to Brownies at the end of the year. Tomorrow we have a tour of the Animal Shelter which I am excited about! Be prepared, cookie sales start the 20th!! We can't hit you up before then :)

Fashion Designer?

Auntie Bianca got Isabella the coolest thing for Christmas. It is a Project Runway airbrush kit. You can design your own shirts, bags, shoes, anything really. Bella has been begging me since she got it to use it. Finally yesterday I remembered to pick up a white shirt at Target while I was there.

And off she went...She had the absolute best time. I didn't take a picture of the final version, but I will when she wears it. Too fun...

Randoms of Vin

My little Vincent is such a blessing. He brings me smiles and laughs a zillion times a day. Along with those smiles he loves to give me hugs, kisses and cuddle. Definitely a Mama's Boy (which is perfectly fine to say at this age!)

He thinks he is SO BIG right here with his very own 'laptop' from Aunt Amy.

And he LOVES to paint.

And he has a heart of gold. When we were cleaning his room yesterday he found the baby T-rex. He kept asking where the Mommy T-Rex was...."Where's the T-rex Mommy? The baby misses her!!". Finally we found her and Vincent was SO HAPPY. He placed the little baby in the Mommy's arms so she could carry the baby and this is how I found them. So cute!

This Morning

It has been a hard morning. Maybe the fact that my time is finally slowing down and I can process more. It is hard to believe this past month happened...that it is reality. It breaks my heart. I saw this on Pinterest and it made me smile. I know Nick is happy up there in Heaven. I am just sad for us...

New Year Prayer

My Dad sent me this great New Years Prayer this morning.

Thank you Dad...Here is to making 2012 our best year yet. Love you!

Thank you Lord for giving me
The brand new year ahead
Help me live the way I should
As each new day I tread.

Give me gentle wisdom
That I might help a friend
Give me strength and courage
So a shoulder I might lend.

The year ahead is empty
Help me fill it with good things
Each new day filled with joy
And the happiness it brings.

Please give the leaders of our world
A courage born of peace
That they might lead us gently
And all the fighting cease.

Please give to all upon this earth
A heart that's filled with love
A gentle happy way to live
With Your blessings from above.

~ Charlotte Anselmo ~

Resolutions....

So clearly Resolutions don't always work for me since I have had my same list for a few years now. Regardless, New Years Resolutions are always a good way to get motivated for the coming year. So, looking back at my list from 2009-2010-2011 and looking forward through 2012...I still have several here that I will be working on...

1. Spend LESS MONEY. 

2. Be HEALTHY. Start cooking light, practice portion control and willpower, continue to go to Boot Camp and finally loose 30 lbs and keep it off. I gained too much this month with being depressed and the Holidays. I need to loose the weight and be able to keep the number consistant.

3. Concentrate on WORK. More appointments, more business, more work on the website!

4. Stay HOME more.

5. ORGANIZE the house, the kids rooms, random cupboards and finally make my weekly schedule of cleaning/chores.

6. Finish getting current on my PHOTO-BOOKS.

7. Invest in my RELATIONSHIPS with my Husband, Kids, Family and Friends. Be kind, caring, giving and make lasting memories.

8. Invest in MYSELF. Do things I love to do -  taking pictures, gardening, etc. Be more stylish - like I use to be.

9. Be POSITIVE.

10. Continue to live my life as I see fit and worry only about the people that matter most to me. Live my life for my FAMILY!

Thank you friends for being in my life this past year! Thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon me and my family. May He and our Angel Nick continue to watch over us in the New Year. May He provide us with Health, Prosperity and much Happiness!!!

Peace Out 2011!

Our New Years Eve was super mellow...that is just us and I wouldn't want it any other way. Our parents joined us for some dinner, Mexican Train and Catch Phrase. I don't really think anyone was feeling well (both Papa's had the flu NY Day and Grammy Alice had it yesterday), but we all made it to midnight to toast to each other and the New Year ahead. Bring it on 2012! 

SO HAPPY!

I am SO HAPPY and EXCITED for Bianca and Alan. It has been a long time coming and no one deserves better. They came to Amy's house on New Years Day to share the news. We were screaming, jumping up and down and I even cried. I am so happy for you my friend! Love you so much and can't wait for the time to come!