kids, toys, house, life

Free Halloweeen burrito day at Chipotle! We dressed up as "Stars fans"

 Today I found myself with something I haven't had for 76 days....free time... so I'm back at it, and probably for the last time this year. 2013 has been interesting, to say the least. I've grown into my position as mom of two, I've survived another year of working from home, and I've managed to gain a few pounds (had to work hard at that). I've had my fair share of melt downs, we've found ourselves a wonderful church community group, I turned 28, there was a perfect mini-vacation to the beach in Florida, and I've fallen more in love with Mr. Layton, who just happened to graduate with his 3rd degree- a Master's of Theology. Long distance friends were seen, a garden was planted, a new and possibly life-changing goal was made and started, and I'm ending this year 20 weeks pregnant. I'm thankful for my life, my kids, my faith, and the new life growing inside me. I'm thankful for new beginnings, for true friends, for stability, for change, and especially for the God who never changes, who always provides, who never fails.

One of the things I love most about my blog is being able to go back and look through Asher's mile stones as a growing baby and toddler. When Chris and I wonder what his first word was, or debate over when he started walking, I just sift through old blog posts to find out. I have no time for scrapbooking, and journaling is not my thing, so this ol' blog is the perfect place to store those treasured memories.

KIDS:

Poor Hallie. I think I've written maybe 2 posts about her. So here's a lovely little Hallie nutshell.

She's 21 months old now! She walks, runs, poops, laughs, and cries. I guess I should go into more detail. ;) She takes at least one good nap a day, goes to bed at 7:30 and wakes up at 7. Potty training is still in the distant future. She's not a huge talker. She has her go-to words, like "hungry," "yeah," and "no." She's a woman of few words and can get basically anything she wants or needs with yeah or no. She copies everything her big brother does, even jumping from coffee table to couch while doing the splits and a flip in the air on the way down-no fear. She doesn't have a single attachment issue, which has helped since she started going to a sitter regularly for the first time. She is a nurturing soul. Babies are her favorite toy, and she loves to feed them, put them down for naps, and take them for walks in her new baby stroller.

She's a great eater, but her favorite foods are animal crackers, cheese, and grapes. She's allergic to some mystery food(s) I haven't figured out yet. She's been to the ER twice now, once for trouble breathing and once for a crazy allergic reaction. We have an allergist appointment in the works to figure all this cruddy stuff out, and hopefully she'll stop having allergic reactions and horrible diaper rashes.

Breaking my heart in her hospital gown

She's got a stubborn streak, definitely knows what she wants, and plans on getting it at all costs! She's not much for cuddling unless she's sick or tired. She knows her animal sounds, body parts, understands most directions, feeds herself and can help dress herself, but when I compare her to Asher at this age, she's definitely a slower learner, or at least takes her time and lets big brother talk for her. I'm learning first-hand how different children can be, and it's pointless to compare!

One of her favorite things to do is put on shoes. Doesn't matter who the shoes belong to, as long as she can fit her feet into them. We gave her some princess high heel shoes for Christmas and I swear, she hasn't taken them off. Her other favorite thing to do is play. Duh. She's 1! She loves playing kitchen, cars, farm animals, and super heroes with big bro. She mostly loves to play "let's make a huge mess!"

She has the most beautiful blond curls and blue eyes. She's as petite as can be...a testament to the fact that I have skinny (yet tall) children. Next kid I'm fully prepared to nip whatever doctor or nurse tells me to supplement with formula in the bud, since now I'm fully aware that my children are small, healthy, and perfectly fine!

finding her belly button

I love my little girl like nobody's business. You think your second child won't get as much love as your first, but that's just nonsense. There are no words to describe how sweet, loving, and precious she is. Her kisses and hugs slay me. I am oh-so-glad I have a girl to nurture, raise, enjoy, and love. Remind me of this when she's 16, please.

ASHER:

This kid is about to turn 4. He's taller than most 5 year olds. He can count to 100 and can add single digits. He's starting to read, and he's still lactose intolerant. He has quite the goofy personality and knows how to make us belly-laugh. He's affectionate and sensitive, and he loves his sister like crazy. His loves to color, play pirates and super heroes, and is totally not afraid to pick up bugs for mommy and throw them in the trash. His favorite shows are Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Super Why, and Daniel Tiger. PS, whoever created that show deserves a solid gold medal. Thanks to Daniel, he loves to brush his teeth, do bedtime routine, and an odd assortment of all sorts of toddler stuff. He has most of his books memorized, and sometimes when I'm feeling lazy, instead of reading his bedtime book I'll just  ask him to tell me the story. I may even dare to close my eyes and pretend to listen. *Insert evil laugh here*

He soaks up knowledge like a sponge, and we have a blast doing puzzles, reading books, taking "field trips," and playing our hearts out dawn till dusk. He's learned how to play quietly by himself, and he's improving his cleaning up skills. He'd play outside all day if I let him. He adores his gigi, pawpaw, gramma and granpa. I am ever so grateful for their presence in his life. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and I couldn't ask for a better village. I could fill a book with all the funny things he says. Out of the mouths of babes Asher. He holds a very special place in my heart. My first born, my Asher boy. He better never leave me for another woman. (Just kidding....)

TOYS:

Seeing as how we just had Christmas, and my house looks like a Christmas bomb exploded, I thought this a fitting topic for my last post of the year. On this subject, I have little to nothing to say. Instead, I have questions. Do you confine your toys to one room, or let them have full reign over your house? Do you store toys in your kids' bedrooms, or adhere to a strict "no-toy policy" for bedrooms?

my attempt at keeping a clean and orderly play room. it lasted 45 minutes

We bought our house with the intention of making the front "formal dining/living" into a casual family room/playroom. So, we have comfy couches, cute rug, and toy shelves and baskets. Not quite a play room, not quite a living room. I like it, but I'm debating turning my office into a play room. Debating, because I really don't like the idea of giving TOYS a whole room of their own in our already-shrinking house. Ideas are welcome!

HOUSE:

I'm still a work in progress when it comes to feeling settled in our home. I've done my best with budget and time to make our house a home. I've simmered down on Pinterest, because it tends to highlight all the things my house DOESN'T have, rather than help me feel satisfied with what we do have. 

I'm always working on a project, though, and right now, it's re-doing the family/play room. We have about 10,000 books that the hubby will never get rid of, so we need some bigger, nicer, sturdier bookshelves to house our mini library. The current bookshelves buckled under the massive weight of all those commentaries. We are currently contemplating pipe and wood DIY shelves, white built-ins, or just splurging on some already made bookshelves. Decisions, decisions.

LIFE:

Well, it was all groovy and grand until I read THIS article a few minutes ago! Ummm.... thanks for bursting my already fragile bubble! I'm choosing to channel my inner "engine that could" and THINK I CAN! I've already lost 80% of my sanity, freedom, and memory, so really, what's adding one more to the mix? My whole life I wanted a big family, lots of noise (I guess I was dumb my whole life), an open and friendly house with the kids' friends always coming and going, hustling and bustling holidays, etc etc etc... what I didn't think about was the actual ability to survive the reality of all that. Well, reality is here, it's not going away, so with much prayer, help from family and friends, and the most wonderful husband in the world, we're gonna get through these next 18 years and do our best to not lose the remaining 20% of our very beings!

My goals for 2014:

| Make more time for date nights, starting, like, now! We have 5 more months before the big 3, and finding someone to watch all 3 might prove a little more difficult.

| Exercise more. The kids crave being outside, and I crave being active. Put that double stroller to good use and enjoy this crazy Texas weather.

| Start and finish the tile backsplash in our kitchen.

| Read more books. Starting with If Aristotle's Kid Had an iPod, a book I've started at least 15 times and have really enjoyed.

| Keep working at my life-changing goal. If I can keep at it and finish, I'll be able to get rid of the biggest stressor in my life!

| Survive being a mom of 3, with some sort of style and grace!

| Save more money! We've been 100% dedicated to getting out of debt (done!) and staying out of debt (besides our house). Now it's time to move on in Dave Ramsey's financial peace plan!

~ I wish all of you the best end of 2013 and the most blessed 2014. Thanks for reading. ~

Being content

hahaha

I started to a write a post about money and ministry, and all the current gossip and debate surrounding it, and my past experiences with money in the church, but I realized that the more I wrote, the angrier I got, and I was making my own point moot with increasingly judgmental thoughts towards others. So I deleted it all.

I will say this: I'm so thankful to have married a man who truly does NOT struggle with the love of money. I chuckle as I write this, because sometimes I wish the struggle was there, because it would mean we have too much of it. Oh, what I could do with too much money. Hmmm...or what it would do to me. I'm getting ahead of myself!

Back to the point, I'm thankful that my husband didn't dive into ministry to make money. If he did, he would be miserable! Either because ministry=poverty (slight exaggeration, kind of) or it means an excess of money, along with a life under a microscope and an invitation to all the different kinds of evils that come along with money. Obviously, my husband has a family to provide for, and God knows that. He' taken great care of us. I cannot complain.

Nope. My husband doesn't have a bone in his body that loves money more than God. It feels weird saying that, like I'm setting the scene for someone to disprove me, but I'd swear in court that it's the truth. In high school, he felt led to be a youth pastor, so his goal was to graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary with the necessary training and vision to serve God and minister to kids. Nothing to do with money. In fact, he was a smarty-pants with plans to go to med school and be an ER doctor. I'm almost certain that with his perfect AP test scores, Mensa level brain, and desire to help others, he would have been a shoo-in at doctor school. Alas, no go. God apparently didn't have plans for him to make the big bucks in the medical field. Good thing, or I may never have met him. However, I have to admit that sometimes, as we re-do our budget or argue about my latest trip to Anthropologie, I like to slip in a little comment about him still being young enough to apply to med school. Try telling a football player that he should really think about being a synchronized swimmer. 

So I'm not going to write about money and ministry, or comment on all the things going 'round about megachurch pastors buying million dollar mansions. Instead, I'll tackle this verse.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9

I need to write this on my mirror with that red lipstick I never wear. There are days when all I can think about is wishing we had more money. Enough to take a 10 day vacation to the Bahamas, or go on a new wardrobe shopping spree, or quit my job and be a true SAHM, or buy my kids all the things they want in the world without batting an eye. 

Thing is, I have no desire to plunge into ruin and destruction. I want to teach my kids that everything we have is from God, and we leave this earth with nothing. No use in storing up this and that... we can't take it with us. And if we have more than we need, it's time to start giving it away. 

On days like that, when I come to my senses, I have to brush away tears that come from knowing I wasted precious minutes of my time dwelling on what I don't have or could have, instead of being grateful for what I do. 

I lived here for more than 10 years. Not the here pictured below, but close enough to have more of a taste of what true poverty is than most Americans. When I look at pictures of the poverty in Manila, Philippines, I am struck by the incredible realization that I am wealthy beyond words, and my kids are blessed beyond compare. When we are blessed with more money than we need, we will use it to help those who need it more than us. Simple. Sometimes hard to swallow. But true. No mansions here. (The children below would beg to differ- we live in the Taj Mahal in their eyes, and we could fit 10 families of 5 in the house we call home). 

Philippians 4:11-13

For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.

Survival

I'm not sure how long it's been since my last post, but long enough to take me 45 minutes to figure out what account my blog was under, what the stinkin' username was, and for pete's sake, which password to use. Good grief.

The word to sum up the past however-long-it's-been-since-blogging is: SURVIVAL.

Pure survival mode.

I know someday I might look back at this time and think, "What a shame... I should have savored every sweet moment," but the Right Now Me would drop kick the Future Me if she dared say that to my face.

Work. Baby. Diapers. Work. Toddler. Bedtimes. Discipline. Money. Sickness. Work. Baby Weight. Mess. Toys. Poop. Work. Exhaustion. Hormones. Mommy Guilt. Naptime Battles. Did I Mention Work?

Never a break. Even my birthday weekend getaway was filled with bronchitis and nausea. Chris said I was a super sexy date, because at Olive Garden the only way I could taste my food was by blowing my nose (and taking a bite during those precious seconds that my nasal passages weren't filled with snot). I was so glad we were married and not dating that weekend. Somehow 5 years of blissful wedlock has erased any and all shame of bodily functions.

They say being a parent is hard. If I was a cussing woman, I'd be yelling a choice word from the rooftops right about now. Darn straight.

The annoying thing is, I shouldn't be complaining! I wanted kids. I can't have kids without money, so therefore I must work; I can't have kids without diapers and poop, and bedtime and sickness, and mess and toys, and exhaustion and baby weight., so therefore I must deal. So I guess I wanted all this. I wouldn't blame you for rolling your eyes at my seemingly self-pitying ramblings. But I suppose I do have the right to just speak the truth- I'm surviving.

There are so many things I want to do, like save the world and become famous and learn how to make Chef Ramsay's beef wellington and become Dallas's finest interior designer and get back to my wedding weight and learn how to keep a clean house for more than 2 hours but first things first. Write a new blog post on my lunch break. Then get back to work. Then make dinner and survive the 4 hour bedtime routine that has now taken over my house. Then, possibly, I can think about how I'm getting out of this house kid-free tomorrow, doing some Christmas shopping, going for a kid-free walk, splurging on a kid-free lunch, and then trading with the hubs so he can do the same.

if you want to find me tomorrow, I'll be here!

This is the life. I will remember to enjoy it. But if you were to tell me that today, you might just get drop-kicked. :)

some days...

Some days, you just have to stick on rubber gloves and dive into the smelly expanse you once called a sink.

Some days, you have to reheat your coffee for a 5th time.

Some days, you wonder why men are mostly in charge of our government.

Some days, you turn on Sugarland pandora so loud there's no chance the kids' whines will be able to compete.

Some days weeks, making breakfast counts as your exercise routine.

Some days, you finally come to terms with the vacuum cleaner being a permanent fixture in the kitchen.

Some days, e-cards speak the truth.

Some days, dinner is McDonald's chicken nuggets, despite whatever pink and gooey substance they used to be, according to some documentary.

Some days, you scatter cheerios on the floor (don't worry, I just vacuumed) and let the kids go crazy.

Some days, it doesn't matter you're on a budget, you let the kid put the toys in the cart. 

Heck, some days, it doesn't matter you're on a budget, you treat yourself to these rad skinny jeans on sale.

Some days, you give the hubs a hug, a kiss, walk out the door and don't come back till bedtime. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Reality Mom

You may or may not have heard of The Bachelor/Bachelorette- a show where hot young things leave their jobs to travel the world, live a sister-wives type life for a few weeks, and participate in awkward make-out sessions for all the world to see (seriously...your grandpa might see that!)  Oh, and after all that skanky hanky panky, there may be a couple who makes it through alive and happily engaged for 6 months.

Well, there's a guy who calls himself "Reality Steve," and he likes to ruin the show by exposing who gets engaged at the end of the show. Personally, I always sneak a peak at Steve's prediction, just so I can sit back, relax, and analyze the winner's behavior throughout the show, like a true nerd. He has a ton of followers, and believe it or not, they tune in just to find out who kissed who where in what city, and why that same person left in tears on episode 9. 

That got me thinking... there really should be a "Reality Steve" for all the mothers out there. Someone who "exposes" the process, the good, the bad, and the ugly, the ins and outs, ups and downs, trials and tribulations of motherhood. Because, in my humble opinion, being a mom truly is. IS. the hardest job in the world. 

Sure, being a brain surgeon takes years of schooling and millions of hours of study. Being an rocket scientist requires fairly decent brains and a good amount of commitment. Running a law firm is arduous. Being a principal takes guts. Playing basketball.... well... can be hard on the ol' body. If your job is using a pic-ax to chip away at a 3,000 foot mountain until you're left with a smooth round paperweight, you've probably got a hard job. Ok, president of the US... admittedly stressful and obviously important. 

But the thing is- none of those jobs completely rock you to your core. None of those jobs literally expose your very soul. Those jobs don't take everything out of you until you're left with what feels like nothing, and then the next minute completely fill you up until you feel like you're exploding with love and joy, then drain you of everything you've got the next day, only to fill you back up again so you can start the draining process all over again. Those other jobs don't do that.

Being a mom does. It rocks you to your core. It exposes your soul. It can empty you in a way you never thought possible. 

~If you're checking out now, just wait....Silver lining is, the best part of the hardest job in the world is that it's worth it. Why? Because the very things that rock you, expose you, drain you, terrify you... they don't keep you from waking up the next morning and facing it all again, because your heart houses more love, compassion, patience, determination, dedication, bravery, and selflessness than is fathomable. ~

you could never tell from this picture, but this was one of my hardest mom days... left the house to go to the park because I couldn't handle the mess at home, total toddler breakdown as we tried to leave the playground, teenage boy ran into daughter on slide and cussed me out ???, projectile vomit all over the car right after Sonic lunch, refusal to take naps, no one to call for help....the list goes on and on. I wish I could say, "But all I really remember from that day is their smiling faces breezing down the slides." Who am I trying to kid? Good thing I have this picture, otherwise there would be no good memory from that day!

Back to reality..... 
Ordinary jobs have days off. They can be quit. Lateral moves can be made. There are ladders to climb. The grass is greener on the other side, and you may have a chance to get there someday. Salaries are negotiable. Raises possible. Rewards are tangible. 

But motherhood... it never ends. There are no days off. It can't be quit. (is that even a sentence?) You can't make lateral moves. (Hmmm... that house is nicer and that husband is richer and those kids are cuter... I'll just request a transfer.) There is no ladder to be climbed. Once a mom, always, well, just a mom. No lead mom, no president mom, no CEO mom, no senior manager mom. You can't ask for a raise. There are no bonuses or paid days off or staff announcements declaring your amazing competency on last week's assignment. There will most likely be no top-selling biography written about you, or key to the city handed to you by your hometown mayor. But it STILL is a job. The hardest one. And something that makes it harder is thinking you are the only one. Thinking all other moms have it together. Thinking you better act like you've got it together so no one else can judge you.

There don't seem to be enough Reality Steves for moms. Sure, it's easy to find blogs that showcase beautiful nurseries, painstakingly display step-by-step DIY projects, show off glorious children-friendly dishes filled with decadent ingredients, or that dish out the fun and bubbly details of a very productive, exciting, or dare I say it, relaxing day. Some even post occasionally about the hardship of keeping floors clean and the pains of figuring out baby sleep schedules, but no details...just the perfect end result. Pinterest can be a scary place- there are no pictures of what your house really looks like, what your post-baby belly truly looks like, no pictures of what really happens during dinner time.

What about the blogs that (consistently) humbly and honestly lay out reality laced with encouragement? That showcase homes with dirty baseboards and crooked picture frames and floors flooded with laundry, and sinks overflowing with dishes, and boo boos being kissed by momma's tears. Women who use their online space to say it's okay that motherhood triggered your legitimate need for depression or anxiety meds. It's okay that you haven't scheduled swimming lessons yet for your 5 year old. It's okay that all you want to do is put the baby in the crib, close the door, and take a nap. It's okay that your husband comes home to a messy house 4 out of 5 days a week. It's okay that you don't care if he's annoyed. It's not okay if you feel bad about it. He shouldn't be annoyed. Send him to me if he is. It's okay that you feel sad, lonely, depressed, stressed, crabby, etc... and NO, you don't need to be feel embarrassed or justify your feelings to family members or reply to comments like, "Oh poor dear, maybe you should see a doctor." Tell them that the doctor said you need someone to come help scrub your floors. See what they say to that!

That is the kind of Reality Steve this new globally connected mommy world really needs. Yes, I will still read my favorite design blogs. Yes, I will still write posts about my latest antique store find. And yes, I still want to sip my coffee in peace and gaze at pictures of those perfectly planned parties, organized pantries, and educational craft for each national holiday. Because without them, there is nothing to aspire to or admire, or momentarily take my mind of the seemingly endless chaos of my own life. But no, I will not pretend that motherhood is easy, that my house is spotless, that my kids have more fun than any other kids, or that my sanity is always cool, calm, and collected. I don't know everything. In fact, I know laughingly little about how to be a mom. I learn as I go. And I believe we all can learn a lot from each other. It doesn't have to be lonely, strange, or competitive. Friend- I've been there, and news flash- we've all been there at some point! Picking boogers off the wall before company comes over, wiping spit-up off your just-freshly-made-up face and out of your mouth, paying bills with one hand while microwaving hot dogs with the other while holding the phone to your head while your husband says he's working late again and dinner, bath and bedtime are all up to you, bribing fussy kids through the grocery store and realizing you forgot to wear a bra, giving a death glare to an older lady who judgingly stares at you while you breastfeed at Pei Wei. And if all that sounds easy as pie and silly and stupid, well... that's on a pretty good day.

Nobody wants a pity party. We just need to be able to be real. I have a lot of momma friends, and not a one has the perfect life. The one thing we all have in common is the deep-seated need to connect with other moms in a way that does not make us feel inadequate, judged, or jealous. Add a dose of humor in there, and my day is made. Can I get an amen?!

Thankfully, I'm not the only one who thinks we need a mommy-hood reality steve, and they've already done a pretty good job of dishing out the cold, hard, and funny truth. Here are some of my favorites-

http://cakeandgreenbeans.com

http://mylifeandkids.com
http://www.mommyshorts.com
http://thisuncomplicatedjourney.blogspot.com
http://www.scarymommy.com
http://thehonestmommy.com

and because we all can use a little pretty pick-me-up, I made this print and taped it to my mirror so that in the morning there is actually something cute looking back at me. Yes I went there. :)

right click to save and print your own 8x10

if I were a millionaire...

One of my favorite impractical yet awesome-enough-to-drag-two-screaming-kids-around-to-browse stores is Anthropologie. I could live there. They've got dishes, sheets, towels, soap, and books, oh and pajamas. What more do you need?! 

I actually have a hard time figuring out their clothes. They fall somewhere in between stylish modern-bohemian and Mary Poppins-goes-to-Paris. I do have to say that THIS dress is dreamy perfection! 

BUT, their furniture, and decor, and candles... oh their candles...let's just say that I do bi-annually shell out $32 for one of their Capri Blues that makes my house smell like paradise.

The other day, I decided to pretend that I was a millionaire and could decorate my bedroom with whatever the heck I wanted from Anthro. My online shopping cart totaled more than $10,000. Faint.

So here is what 10,000 bucks can get ya at a swoon-worthy store like Anthro! 

If I win the lottery, you know where to find me... happy Monday!

emerald nursery

via

Apparently the Pantone color of the year (did you know there was such a thing?) is emerald- a "color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance, and harmony." Hmmm... a color that does not exist in my house. Although, now that I am officially a student of design, I'm learning really cool things, and technically the teal that has taken over my house is in the same family. Cousins, if you will. Joel Olsteen is on the TV in the background right now...Asher picked the channel, just sayin'. Joel's tie is emerald. Subliminal messages, I tell ya. The guy knows what he's doing. And please don't judge us bedside Baptists today. With the husband gone, baby still sleeping (hallelu!), and the state of my well-being, we are not venturing outside the comfy walls of our home today.

So anyway, in the spirit of the color of the year excitement, here is a nursery design board that smiles well-being, balance, and harmony. :) 

You can find the fun diamond art print here, and the gorgeous mirror here. 

*Please contact me for info on design boards.

New Year's Rezolutions

It's that time of year again... think back to 4 years ago and try to remember what your resolutions were. Chances are the year came and went, and those resolutions are still chillin' out back in 2009. I know mine are, at least the ones I remember. :)

However, I can't pass up the opportunity to showcase the brilliant hopes and dreams I have for the upcoming year!

Rez #1:

Spend less time thinking and more time doing. This applies to cleaning, Pinterest, working out, cooking, and vacations (too much time has been spent daydreaming about a weekend away with the hubs...this year we are gonna MAKE it happen!).

via

Rez #2:

Give the new mysterious-lash-growing-serums a try. I'll start with Mary Kay's, since I recognize the company and it's not some no-name website that could be selling caffeinated KY jelly mascara for all I know. It's no joke that after my 2nd pregnancy, my hair fell out at an alarming rate and, I might just be going crazy, but my eyelashes are less than lush these days.

get some shut-eye on this fab pillow! so cute...could probably DIY in two minutes :)

Rez #3:

Paint a new room. I love my yellow wall, but it's getting lonely. I plan to tackle our master bath with  some Palladian Blue . I've seen this paint color on several of my favorite design blogs lately and I love the hazy calmness of it all.

anyone know where to buy BM paint?

Rez #4:

Teach my boy how to pee standing up. I think it's time. And what's better for a design-savvy mom who cringes at the sight of an open toilet bowl than THIS little gem?!

Rez #5:

Blog more. Yep. I thought my blogging days were over there for a few weeks, but it turns out I just needed a break, some breathing room, and now I'm back with inspiration! Some changes are in store, and I'm super excited about putting my creative energies to good use!

Love this apartment tour-you should check it out

Rez #6:

Be more encouraging to my husband. One of my Christmas presents for him was a newly organized and decorated office space. As I was sifting through the piles of papers and homework and bills and books, I found at least 40 different cards I have written him throughout our dating and engaged life. Sadly, they tapered out around the time we got married and came to a halt once we had our son. His love language is "Words of Enouragement," and my heart was hit with regret that I stopped doing something he really loved. I had no idea he saved every single one of my long-distance letters, birthday cards, and love notes. Gosh I love him! With Valentine's day coming up, I figured I can amp up my game and really make up for lost time. My last but most important rez of 2013.

source

Happy New Year!