{Hello New Year}....New beginnings

I love the month of January, not only because it is my birthday month but also a start of a new year. A time to start over, make new goals, look at the year ahead and another year to make new memories. This year I hope to slow down, enjoy every moment, spend a lot of time with friends and family and to soak up all the passing moments that seem to go by in a blink. Just like the Kenny Chesney song "Don't Blink"...you just might miss your babies growing up. Yes if only we can freeze time, but we can't so I will cherish the moments and  capture these moments when my kids still want to be kids and not glued to an electronic, because I know that will come faster then I will want it to come.

Here is a look into how the year started out...my 35th birthday (my coworkers gave me a Trader Joe's birthday) I had the best tea date with one of my besties, I went to Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills for a goodbye lunch for my friend Lauren, tear, sad to see her move back to Portland. We had a few beach walks which I love during the winter (I mean the cold 70 degree weather we get here in SoCal). It was a fun filled month.

Birthday Girl.....HELLO 7...S.E.V.E.N...

It's New Year's Eve and while most people are getting ready to celebrate the end of a year and a beginning of a new year, we celebrate the most precious girl in the world....our sweet Taelor. Yes she pretty much has the BEST birthday....I mean the entire world celebrates this day! Our sweet little girl is S.E.V.E.N !!! How did this happen?! 7 years ago our lives were changed forever. Little did we know that this precious girl would change us and make us be the luckiest parents ever! Taelor you are the sweetest little thing. This year you are in first grade, you started Girl Scouts where you have made some great friends. You are still have a quiet demeanor but you have the biggest heart. You love baking, cupcakes, and anything sweet. We celebrated your birthday all week. We headed to the American Girl Doll store in LA and had lunch with Saige, Callie and her doll Julie, Auntie Vanessa and both Grandma's. It was a perfect girls day out. Taelor you have a heart for the homeless and families who are less fortunate. You are always so concerned about them and you pray for them often. This says a lot about who you are. You love pink (of course), all things dolls and Barbies and you can't decide if you want to be a hair dresser or a baker! Either one, mommy and daddy will be so proud of who/what you will become. You love your little brother, and still feel like you are his mommy at times, but you do listen to all the rules and help mommy out a lot around the house. Your tidiness comes in handy around here. We love you little girl, we love your heart for God and the heart you have for others. Stay sweet always, don't ever change who you are. Keep dreaming your dreams and listen to your heart. God has amazing plans for you and we can't wait to see what He will do in your life this year!

Thank you to our friends who came out to celebrate our birthday girl for a breakfast New Year's Eve birthday!

Happy Birthday  sweet girl! We love you!!!

XO
Mommy

Silent Night, Holy Night, a time to Believe....

The month of December is my FAVORITE time of the year. The lights, carols, cookies, hot cocoa, Christmas trees, candle light service, gift giving, celebrating Jesus....how can you not enjoy this time of year. We start the season off with visiting Santa at Fashion Island. The kids are always SO excited to see the TALL tree and Santa. This year they asked for an American Girl doll for little Miss Taelor and a Lego Police Station for Ethan. We watched so many Christmas movies just about everight, drank hot cocoa, and of course chocolate covered popcorn from TJ's (along with all the other "seasonal" goodies they have). We tried to enjoy and soak in all the lights and Christmas music. I am pretty sure Jingle Bells will be in my head for the next few months. My favorite part of Christmas is the Candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve. Something about listening to the story of the night Jesus was born, while singing Silent Night and seeing our kids holding their candles so tightly is forever something that will be a favorite memory of mine.

Christmas Eve was spent till the wee hours of the night at my parents house. The giggles and laughter from the little cousins make this night so memorable. Even though we didn't get all snug in our beds until after midnight....for mommy and daddy closer to 2 am....Santa made it to our house! Ethan says he heard him outside....The morning was filled with unwrapping gifts, relaxing and putting together all.the.legos. the kids received from Santa. After hours ( I mean days) of putting together Legos, all cafes, police stations, ambulance trucks, and bakery's were set up and we now have a Lego City in our house. We have a new addition to our family....Saige! No I didn't have another baby, just an American Girl Doll that will probably cost us just the same as having another daughter (more about her in another post). But Taelor loves her so much and she goes everywhere with her that it will be all worth it. Kind of reminds me when I got my first Cabbage Patch doll (yes I just dated myself....I'm getting old!) Loom bracelets were being made for everyone and I am sure I will be findingrubber bands  everywhere! After a VERY lazy day I had the kids change out of their jammies to eat dinner and soon after they were right back in them. It was a perfect Christmas! I will miss the season when it is all over, but for now I will savor the last few weeks of it!

Hope you all had a great Christmas! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

XO
Mommy