2014 goals

With the new year a few days away, I thought it would be a great time to make some goals for myself. I am not one to do resolutions because lets be honest, I don't stick w. them....so I am setting goals this year!!

• My biggest goal is going to be eliminate (credit card) debt! This will eliminate a lot of stress on both of us. And then only have one card for emergency only!
• Only buy things if we can purchase it w. money from our acct if we cant afford it w. cash/debit card, we don't need it!
• Start a savings account for ourselves (and Breanna)
• Continue to go to church every week and make my relationship w god better.   
• Try and take some ME time! If its just to go get a manicure or catch up w. friends over lunch/dinner. Just get away from the house for a few hours to get a break and de-stress.
• Be a better me for myself, B and Breanna
• Read more books
   

Do you do any resolutions or goals?

holiday updates...

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday with loved ones!!! Ours was very nice and relaxing! Christmas Eve we went to my parents for lunch, opened presents and went to mass. It was just our little family, my parents and my Aunt. My brother had to work and my sister didn't make it up this year. We got home early evening {Breanna didnt even make it to the top of the street before she passed out in the car} and just relaxed and we were in bed by 10 I think.

Christmas Day Breanna woke up at 5:00 because her leg hurt, I brought her into our room to go back to sleep for a bit, I couldn't fall back asleep so I came downstairs and turned on the tree made up a cup of coffee and enjoyed the quiet.

She ended up waking up about 6:30.....well kind of, she sat on the steps for a few minutes and then slowly made her way into the living room. She was so overwhelmed with all her toys she requested to take a nap around 9:30....my brother in law came over and we got Chinese for a late lunch early dinner. That seems to be our new tradition as we ordered it last year as well.

Our house is like princess central now! Of course B didnt abide by the no presents rule and he ended up getting me a beautiful picture frame, Garth Brooks box set (which is my favorite gift) and 2 Alex & Ani bracelets (one from him and one from Breanna). I told him NOT to get me anything for my birthday, (so hopefully he will listen this time) but sushi for dinner would be perfect ;).  All in all I would say Christmas was a success in our household!!!

Christmas lights are my favorite!!!!!

For the longest time, there used to be a drive through light display outside of Pittsburgh but unfortunately they haven't been able to pull together the funds to do it the past 2 years. We have been talking for weeks about taking Breanna to see Christmas lights @ Oglebay but we always seem to run out of time every weekend. If you aren't there exactly @ 5 when they open, you will probably wait for hours just to drive through. We were planning on going this weekend but Brad worked later that he thought on Saturday (and its a good hour drive to the resort...so we pushed it off yet another weekend)

So we decided to go grab dinner at a local mom & pop restaurant. First off, I absolutely love everything about a mom & pop anything!!! Everyone is ALWAYS so friendly. While we were driving to eat, a bunch of lights caught our eyes....so of course, I hopped on my phone to see if I could find any information and I did.....I text a few friends to see if it was worth going or not....and they both said yes definitely....so we finished up and let Breanna know we are going to see lights! Boy was she excited!!!

It is at a local park and its a mile drive and its a $10 donation and you can drive through as many times as you want!!! It was perfect....it was warm so we were able to roll down the windows and listen to the music playing through the park and nothing better than hearing your child squealing look at the pretty lights mommy!....oh look its Santa!.....look mommy a snowman! MICKEY MOUSE!

It was a perfect end to the night. (sorry for the crappy quality. I didnt have my camera and only my cell)

Friday 5

Thank you to all who took time to read/comment on my post the other day, I usually try not to be a debby downer and try to be positive but sometimes, you just need to let things go and it makes you feel much better. I truly am blessed w my amazing husband and sweet angel girl, I just continue to pray and know things will come around!

I am on a roll this week w posts!!!! I am linking up w the lovely Darci for 5 on Friday post.

My sweet healthy Breanna. I seriously cant believe she is already 2.5 years We are so blessed w the sweetest, most polite little girl

Secret Santa gift exchanges. I am sure many are aware of the website The Knot. I was on there when I was getting ready for my wedding and pretty active on the monthly board. Well, almost 4 years later, I still keep in touch w. almost every one of the ladies. And we do a small ornament exchange for the past few years. Though I have yet to meet these ladies, I still consider them some of my closest friends and I am so blessed to know all of them

Wrapped in Red by Kelly Clarkson I am so obsessed w this cd!!!! I love all of her music to begin w. but this cd is so awesome!

I am really looking fwd to mass on Christmas Eve. I stated before I recently started going back to our local church. We are going to my parents for late lunch on Christmas Eve and will be going to the church I grew up going to and it is a children mass so it will be more interesting for Breanna




 Wrapping presents....I have been telling myself for the past 2 weeks I am going to get these done....but I have yet to get up to the attic to do it. I WILL do it tomorrow or Sunday once Breanna goes to bed.

2.5 years

My sweet Breanna,

I haven't done one of these posts in quite some time so I think its due time.  First I do not believe you are 2.5 year old, seriously when they say time flies when you have kids they weren't joking!!!! I seriously feel like it was yesterday we were heading to the hospital to bring our beautiful little girl into this world.

You had your 2.5 year check up earlier this week and despite all the tears (from the moment you got out of the car) it was a great check-up. You are a tall and skinny girl {26lbs &  37"} just like mama when I was little. The doctor said you are perfect and healthy and are right on track. And funniest part of the appt is when you told the doctor, "Not the stethoscope!!!!!"

Now I have to brag a little bit, doctor said he is super impressed w the way you are talking in perfectly clear sentences. You are super sassy and just full of spunk & attitude but so so sweet and super smart! I am amazed daily w. the things you know. Your imagination is crazy right now and I just love to sit here and watch you play. You love to talk to people when we are out and will talk to just about anyone.

Somethings you LOVES- 
Pizza, French Fries, French Toast sticks, Pancakes, Waffles, Corn, Peas, Pasta
Coloring
Playing Princesses
Singing- Oh the singing!!!!! You love to sing
Bubble guppies, Sofia, ALL Princess movies, Mickey Mouse, DOC McStuffin, Paw Patrol
Taking trips to Target {and get super mad if we drive past and we dont go!}


I wish I could just freeze time and keep you this age forever. I love everything about this age....well maybe except the attitude or tantrums! But seriously, I am so lucky to be blessed w the sweetest most polite little girl ever.

I love you the most...to the moon and back

it too shall pass....

Sometimes when life throws a ton of curve balls at you and you just keep striking out and cant get back on your feet, you need to just let it all go and leave it all upto the big man upstairs and tell yourself you will get through it & he doesnt give you what he doesnt think you can handle.

While its nothing life changing but this time of the year trying to put a smile on your face and be happy, when you are just not feeling it is hard & all you want to do is just want to stay cooped up in your house all day.

That feeling like you keep getting knocked down time and time again when you think you are about to get back on your feet royally SUCKS! You just keep asking yourself will it ever get better? Yes! A lot people have it way worse but still you just want to sit and cry and know you cant do a damn thing about it.

Then the sweet innocence of your child will bring you back to life and make you realize it will be ok and it too shall pass and all you can do is keep praying for the best

Santa!!! I know him!!!!!!

This year Breanna has been talking more and more about going to visit Santa. So, a few weeks ago we attempted to go to the mall to see him. First mistake we made was going the Saturday after Thanksgiving! We thought if we go early enough maybe the line wont be long.....WRONG!!!!!!!!

At 11:00 (when he started) there was already a super long line. So we thought we would attempt it, well she lasted 10 minutes in line before she started to get restless and wanted to walk so we left. She kept asking and asking to go see him, so we finally went this past week. One of Bs friends let him know that the one local mall usually has no line so we headed there after B got home from work. And sure enough, we were in and out within 10 minutes!!

Last year she wanted nothing to do with him, she wouldn't even go with me. But this time no problems at first she was unsure, she did however go over to him but kept her distance and giving me the side eye like really mom who is this guy. Once she had her lovey in her hands, she became more brave and was talking to him & actually sat on his lap. We didn't get much smiling but we did get a picture.

Im back!!!!

Well, I said I wouldn't be back until the new year but I truly have missed it here and had a nice few week break and it was perfect! While I probably still won't be posting everyday I will probably drop in here and there when something pops into my head!

So let's see what have we been up to these last few weeks.... It's been cold and we've had a few snow storms (that ruined plans) but hey it's December so that happens right?

If you follow on Instagram I'm sure you've seen what we've been up to but, I chopped 6inches off my hair,  we have been baking cookies, making (attempting to) gingerbread houses, having dance parties, having lots of hot chocolate, going to visit Santa & just enjoying the time inside away from the cold. I recently started going back to church and I have to say its felt great to get back into it. It is one hour a week I get to myself just to clear my head and just let everything go.  Our Christmas card went out and I was so happy w. how they turned out!

We still have some Christmas shopping to do....we will finish up next week (yes we are those people that wait til last minute but it's mostly gift cards so it's ok right?) Breanna is done, I just need to wrap her stuff. Kid is obsessed w. Disney Palace Pets this year. She currently has 3 of them but Santa will be bringing her a few more and I am sure she will have all of them in no time!


I've been majorly sucking with this whole Elf on the Shelf!! Luckily Breanna isn't too concerned he spent 3 days in the same spot(oops! Forgot to move him) she just likes to search for "Ralphie" when she wakes up. I am not a fan of the evil elf...ours usually just goes from the tree to the few shelves we have.

Well that all I have for now!!!

Break

I am taking a much needed small break from here until the new year. I will still be on social media here and there! Hope everyone has a fabulous holiday season

DIY Banners

I wish I could take credit for this project but I came across this great site the other day on Pinterest.

Seriously these are so cute and super easy to make! And great for any occasion. I needed something more for our fireplace it was just too empty....I made a Merry Christmas one but it was just a litte too big so I made it into Be Merry and added some tissue paper garland to it.

I just printed out the letters on resume paper {since its a little bit thicker} and I glued it to black construction paper {you could use craft paper too} and attached it to twine w. clothes pins.

Favorite Things- Stocking stuffers

Linking up again w. Elise for Favorite Things....this week, its all about stocking stuffers

via

1. play dough
2. books
3. stickers
4. finger puppets
5. leggings
6. gloves

 

via

1. razors
2. personalized golf balls
3. body spray
4. socks
5. beef jerky

via

1. Nail polish
2. fun socks
3. Burts Bees small gift sets
4. lotions
5. body spray

what are some of your favorite stocking stuffers!?!?

Pay it Forward

Im sure everyone has heard of  Pay it Forward? With holidays around the corner, its always a great thing to Pay it Forward.  I came across this blogger pay it forward movement through Chelsea over @ A Little Bit of heaven with a wild side. And though it doesn't happen as much as it should,  this is a fun way to take this on and go ahead and Pay it Forward.

In this crazy busy world we are in these days, we always get so wrapped up in the hustle/bustle of life but its always great to get some snail mail even if its just a card to say you are thinking of that person....so here is how it will happen...

It's as simple as this:

 

The first person to comment on this post, I will contact them and get their mailing address, and send them a little something special via USPS. The same day they comment below, they are to do a blog post stating the same thing and 'pay it foward' to someone else.

 

Please keep in mind it does not have to be something expensive or lavish, just a little something special to let them know that you're keeping them in their thoughts and prayers this holiday season!

So go ahead....comment and then you can pay it forward to someone else or if you arent my first you can still do this....lets get this happening.

Friday Five

Happy Friday loves....linking up again for 5 on Friday

Thanksgiving, while I already decorated for Christmas, Thanksgiving is one of my favorites....I cant wait to stuff my face w. lots of food

 This was part of our spread from last year.

getting a haircut- I think its been about 6 mo or so since I got my hair cut...and I really didn't get much cut...but I am actually getting it shorter this time...only shoulder length but its probably a good 4-5 inches off.  I am not going w the blonde just the cuts...I really like the last one but maybe shoulder length

Pandora- no seriously you don't understand. I was listening to LFO, S Club 7, Spice girls, BB Mak, NSync, etc I could remember all of these songs like they were popular yesterday!

candy cane oreos- these are so amazingly good, if you like thin mints you will love these!!! Then cover them w. white chocolate and add some peppermint sprinkles on top. DELISH!!

 Lots of family time coming up. We have a lot of things planned from now until the new year

DIY-Santa Cookie Plate

I am on a serious DIY kick lately! I was searching Pinterst the other day and I came across a lot of cute Santa Cookie plates so I figured might as well try and make one. I made a smaller one this year I may do a bigger one in a few years or let her make one when she is a bit older.

Supplies-
Plate (you can do red or white) I chose a small square white plate from Target {Threshold brand}. I got it for $1.99
Sharpie Markers (I used red/green and black- if you do a colored plate silver would look nice}

Preheat your oven to 350
Draw your design on your plate with Sharpies (you could use stencils if you don't want to do freehand)
Bake at 350 for 30 min and then leave your plate in the oven until it is completely cool. I let mine sit overnight

Favorite Things

Linking up w the sweet Elise for Favorite Things link-up.

This week its all about what I'm loving...((or christmas wish list))

comfy pair of pjs...I mean who doesn't love to put on some comfy pjs curl up on the couch w a big blanket and a cup of hot cocoa- Every pair from Old Navy can just make its way to my house!

Old Navy

Yorkie-Poo Seriously how can you not look at this face and just fall in love {I know I wont get one for Christmas but hey wishful thinking}

source

Sweater Uggs I dont care how ugly people say they are but they are like heaven for my feet...seriously so comfy.

Michael Kors watch I have had my eyes on this beauty for awhile, it needs to be on my wrist

source

Alex & Ani bracelets...not only are they super cute the price is even better!!! And they are also great for gifts - These are just a few of my favorites

St. Christopher
Smoke Starlet Wrap
Ocean Mist
Completely Blessed