Family Fun Night

Last night was our night for family fun. It's a new tradition that we are implementing. Every week we are going to take the kids to do something fun. Last night we went to Mr. Gatti's for dinner and games. So much fun! The kids loving going and we love seeing them have that much fun within a short time frame. :) However, last night was a little different than our normal trip to Mr. Gatti's. Why? Because we had the little one in tow too. :) A, as we will call her, is three weeks shy of turning 1! Can you believe that? Wowza!! Anyway, she's still a little young to get down and play the games with her older brother, S, and her older sister, M, so I carried her around. The older two played bumper cars and then moved on to the carousel. After the carousel they wanted to play these little basketball games. Cool! Whatever makes them happy! As they were standing there throwing the basketball into the little baskets; A, who is happily propped on my hip, is laughing in hysterics! Seriously, she laughs. Never like this though. She was loud and every time one of the kids threw the ball she started laughing all over again. I was laughing at her laughing. So much fun. It truly brings joy to a parents heart to hear their children's laughter. I can't wait to go back!!!

What family traditions do you have?

Until next time. . .

Let It Snow. . . Let It Snow. . . Let It Snow

Today we received our first snow of the year. What a feat for West Texas! Granted. . . It only snowed for about 5 minutes and absolutely nothing stuck to the ground. Does that count for snowing? Well. . . since I actually saw the flurries falling from the sky; I say it snowed. haha I've been keeping an eye on the radar and we have a better chance for snow overnight, so. . . I might just wake up to that pretty white stuff that just happens to sparkle like hundreds of millions little diamonds. Have I mentioned I love the snow? If not, I totally love the snow!! My love of snow comes from growing up North. So I am really hoping that tomorrow morning when I awaken that I awaken to the ground completely covered in the pretty white stuff. I really, really, really hope. Who knows I may just trudge outside in the snow with flip flops on just to get a couple pictures. Why would I even consider going outside in flip flops with snow on the ground? I'm crazy like that. :)

Project 365 Update ~

I am actually doing really well on taking and scrapping my project. I decided it was probably best that after I take my daily photo that I edit it, upload it, scrap, and journal it all in the same day. I think this will help prevent me from becoming overwhelmed at the end of the week since the majority of it will already be done. I am really looking forward to the end of the year when I have the opportunity to print my first scrapbook, ever. I've been scrapbooking digitally since 2008 and I have yet to get a book printed. I am bound and determined to get this one finished and printed. :)

Until next time. . .

What a Nightmare

Have you ever gotten to the point in a relationship/marriage to where you cannot sleep without your partner? Yep. I'm at that point. After 15 years of me and my husband being together I am unable to sleep without him beside me. The type of job he does requires him to be on call one week out of every month. He's on call this week. He was called out last night. He did not come home until 3:30 this afternoon. What time did I give up and attempt to go to sleep? 1:30 this morning. Was I successful? No, not until my sweet little boy woke up in the middle of the night and climbed into bed with me. That was at 2:30 this morning. Then the baby woke up at 7:30 this morning to eat. It was awful. I'm exhausted. I just want to curl up in his arms and sleep. . . and sleep. . . and sleep. While I know the hours are going to be good for our finances. . . I hate when he is called out and doesn't get to come home until the next day. At 8 this morning he had been up for officially 24 hours. At 10 last night he was called out. He got back to the yard at 6:30 this morning, but with him having to be at work at 7 there was no point in him coming home. It sucks. I'm venting. What I have to deal with occasionally is nothing compared to those men and women who are separated from their loved ones months or years on end because they are serving our country. It sucks to be away from the one you love. . . even if it's only for a night. I'll stop whining now.

And I just noticed that everything that happened was half-past-the-hour. :/ Probably just a coincidence.

Until next time. . .

Happy New Year

Today is officially the first day of a brand new year. I am so excited about the fresh start, new firsts, new beginnings. I decided last year I was no longer going to make resolutions. Instead I opt to use one word in which I will strive towards for the year. This year my word is forgiveness. Forgiveness to the people who have done wrong towards me. Forgiveness for the grudges I cannot seem to let go of. Forgiveness towards me because I hold myself to such high standards and I fail myself repeatedly. I am not perfect. I cannot do everything. I need to accept and forgive my failures and weaknesses. Forgiveness. It is such a powerful word. A simple word. A word that can fix many things. Forgiveness. What are striving to be better at this year?

Today I also started a new project. Project 365. I will strive to take a picture every day to document our lives. Once a week I will scrap a page and by the end of the year I will have my very first scrapbook to print. A book that me and my family will cherish forever. I am so excited about this project. I just hope I do not overwhelm myself and give up. I am sure I will become frustrated, but when I do I will walk away, breathe, and come back to it. Most of all I will forgive myself for becoming frustrated. :)

Happy New Year!

Until next time. . .

New Beginnings

This past year has been a hectic, but exciting ride. I've taken many pictures. Yet, I've failed to do much with them. My goal for the new year is to work on many scrapbooks from years past, including the kid's baby books. I have tons of pictures of them on Photobucket. Yet there they sit. Untouched. Not printed. Not in books. Not being showcased. I love my children. I regret the fact that I have yet to do their baby books. So my goal is to work on their baby books throughout the year and hopefully have them ready to print at the end of the year. I am also taking the plunge into P365. I know it is a lot for me to take on, but I think I can manage it if I stay focused and on task. I want to do this for my children. I want them to be able to look at them years down the road. I want them to cherish these as they are meant to be cherished. So, as the new year begins, I am also starting new. Focus. Attention to details. More time. Time with my family. Time with my hobby. Here is to new beginnings.

Until next time. . .