Yolande

Claire's 1st Christmas {3 months}, Kate {23 months}
 In 2011, they both smiled.  The streak was over. But in 2011, I had just found out I was pregnant with Luke, so I was hoping for another Santa screamer ;)
Last year {2012} Luke was just 4 months old and he LOVED Santa:

We went to see Santa yesterday & also went with my sister & Jack.
 Jack did not disappoint.

LOVE it.
 Of course, we had to do another brother cousin photo.
 I knew that this year would be my chance for Luke to have a crying Santa photo.
He is a really happy guy & never cries when we drop him off at Sunday school, etc.
I put him on Santa's lap...
Luke is checking out Santa. Jack is still pissed.

 Then, we took the boys off Santa's lap and I consoled Luke.
It was time for the girls to go on Santa's lap, and I needed a sibling photo, so Luke went back on his lap.
Luke is like "Are you kidding me?!?!

 Luke...looking over at my mom, silently pleading for help.
 And, we have another money shot. YES.
Then, I rescued Luke so that the girls could tell Santa what they wanted.
I love our Santa in our town because it is FREE and you can take your own photos!
As many as you want.
 The girls were having a grand old time with Santa. He asked them what they wanted. They both said, "I don't know." Santa asked if they wanted him to surprise them. They said, "Sure". 
 Sweater {here}  Skirt {Here} Shoes {Here}
Luke's Outfit:
Shirt {Here} Pants {Here} Shoes {Here}
I got the girls their outfits during the Cyber Monday sales (and most of these stores are having 30%-40% off sales today also!)
Then, we realized we needed a photo with all the cousins, so we put the boys back on Santa's lap.
I could look at these photos all day.
There is nothing that makes me smile like crying kids on Santa's lap.

#evilmom

#cryingkidswithSantamakemehappy

Hope these photos brought a smile to your face today.

Happy Monday, indeed :)

Happy 2013 (a few days late!)

I love welcoming in a New Year.

I love looking back & reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the fresh start of a new year.

Before we look at my resolutions, let's take a look at how I did on my 2012 resolutions:

Since I am a teacher, I love "grading" myself on how I did.

1. Read 1 book a month. 

Well, I didn't read 1 book a month (that whole having a newborn got in the way) But I did read 10 books this past year, so I give myself a B-.

2. Go on a date with Kevin once a month, no kids. 

I give us a D.....this NEEDS to change in 2013.

3. Try not to hit snooze 5 times when my alarm goes off. 

Even though I am a failure with most of these, I still make resolutions each year.
I think it is good to take time to reflect as the year comes to a close and a new one begins.

So, here are my resolutions for 2013:

1. Date night with Kevin once a month. Yes, I know I said it last year, but we REALLY need to do this. With 3 kids & both of us working, we need to be even more intentional about date nights so we can reconnect as husband & wife and best friends. 

2. Stick to a budget. We don't really have a budget. We don't spend outside our means, but do we really know how we are spending our money? (I know, at Target!) But in all seriousness, I need to figure out how much I spend on necessitates versus how much I spend on frivolous & dumb things.

3. Meal Planning. I am pretty good at meal planning. But, I have gotten lazy about it (can I blame having 3 kids again?) I used to be really good about sitting down on Sunday after church & meal planing for the whole week. I want to get back to doing this.

4. Try out 3 new recipes a month. I feel like I am always cooking the same things for dinner. So, my goal for 2013 is to try out 3 new recipes a month! This will be helpful with my meal planning also!

5.Get the girls to eat better. We have PICKY eaters. I have fallen into the bad habit of making them something different from what Kevin & I have. So, in 2013, I am going to do better at making them eat a bigger variety of foods besides mac&cheese, chicken nuggets, PB&J, grilled cheese, pizza & hot dogs. I am going to have them start eating what we eat. I know this will take baby steps, but it needs to happen.

6. Laundry. For real. I need to figure out a system. I might have to bite the bullet & start doing it everyday. But that also means I need to start folding it and putting it away each day. *sigh* 

I despise laundry.

7. Take better care of myself. So many times I go to bed without washing my face (I know....terrible)

I don't exercise (I am blessed with good metabolism) but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be active. I know it will give me more energy. I was a former college athlete for crying out loud. It's just healthy to be active. Hey, we got Just Dance 4 for Christmas, so that's a start :) And by taking better care of myself I guess that means I shouldn't have ice cream every night. Also, by taking care of myself that includes being more daring with my wardrobe and not being stuck wearing the same old boring things. (More on this next week!)

8. Be more intentional with the girls. I feel bad that often times when they ask me to play with them, etc I have to say "No" or "In a minute" because I am nursing Luke or dealing with him. I feel like the past few months I have been in survival mode and I haven't gotten to really do fun things with them. They are really good about playing together and they love each other, but I feel like I have taken that for granted. I miss doing fun things like baking with them, etc.

9.  Go to bed earlier. I am queen of the midnight bedtime. I am a night owl. I would stay up until 1 or 2 every night if I didn't have to work. But, I know I am a better wife, mom & teacher when I get more sleep, so I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to be more disciplined with my bedtime.

10. Do 40 Bags in 40 Days again this year. This was SO good for me to do and I can't wait to do it again. Even though I just finished it this summer, I feel the clutter & stuff creeping back in and I don't like it. 

This leads me to my word of the year. 

Each year I pick a word to focus on for the year.

In 2010, I chose Intentional.

In 2011, I chose Cherish.

In 2012, I chose Nurture.

In 2013, my word is:

I feel like many times I am running around like a crazy person.

(Probably because I am!!!!!)

With 3 kids, one of them being a baby, life can be busy (for those of you who have more than 3, I don't know how you do it. PROPS to you.)

In 2013, I want to SIMPLIFY so that I don't feel like a crazy person.

LESS is the new MORE.

I want to Simpify my time by saying NO to things. I am a YES girl, a people pleaser.

I am trying to re-train my brain that it is OKAY to say No to things. This has been a long process. I still have work to do with this.

I want to Simplify my house. Like I mentioned earlier, last year, I did 40 Bags  in 40 Days and I 100% plan on doing it again this Spring. My closets & cupboards are feeling disorganized & cluttered again. When my home is not organized, I feel like the rest of my life is unorganized. I want to get rid of more STUFF and feel peace in our home.

I want to Simplify my shopping. Again, this goes back to the budget things. 

Do I REALLY need that cardigan at Target when I have a closet full of cardigans?

Even though it is "on sale" or a good price, that doesn't mean I need it. 

Do I really need that stuff from the Dollar Bin? Hey! It's only $1.

No, I don't need it.

I want to Simplify my shopping.

 I need to Simplify by making ONE meal for our family, not making a meal for Claire, a meal for Kate and a meal for Kevin & I. 

I need to Simplify our schedules. I am a very social person. I like saying YES to every event. But I need to stop squeezing in everything we are invited to, like going to 3 parties in one day. 

I need to Simplify "myself". More of God & My Family and less of "me".

I read this quote a few weeks ago and it spoke to me.

 I am excited to live a more simple life this year.

How about you? Do you have a resolutions or a word of the year? 

I would love to hear about them!

We had a lovely Mother's Day weekend. Saturday the girls and I went to a lovely tea that was put on by some of the Kindergarten Mom's at Kate's school.
 The tea was adorable. I am trying to convince one of my girls to have a Tea Party Birthday Party!
We got our picture taken & they made these adorable frames at the tea party for Mother's Day.

 I enjoyed my donut & coffee in bed :)
The 2 dozen roses they gave me. Gorgeous.

Kevin, vacuuming the couch. What a guy!

They sent me out of the house (in Kevin's car) so that Kevin could wash & clean out my car.
I enjoyed a quiet trip to Target (by myself!!!) and I also went and got a mani/pedi.
So relaxing, so thankful for my awesome husband giving me the day "off"
 After I got home it was time to get ready for our Mother's Day Dinner.
Because we live within 5 minutes of our parents & siblings (So blessed!), we decided to host Mother's Day Dinner at our house. That way, we could celebrate Mother's Day with BOTH of our Mom's and not run around all day splitting up time between our families.
We are also extremely blessed that my parents and Kevin's parents get along fabulously.
Our parents, chilling poolside with Luke:

 The weather was gorgeous so we had the entire get together outside so the kids could swim.
My sisters brought the appetizers.

Corn Dip! Recipe {Here}



My sister's first Mother's Day!

My first Mother's Day as a boy mom! Love, love, love this kid.

First Mother's Day as a mom of THREE!

I LOVED all the handmade cards they made me. Please note the envelope Kate made me with the SF on it, for the San Francisco Giants. She knows (and shares) my love of the Giants.

And, the cards they made me? Covered in Fall Decorations because they know Fall is my FAVORITE and that I LOVE FALL.

This card? Made me tear up.

Love what Kate made at school. That's ME! :)
 Look what my sister in law made my my mother law? I want it!

For dinner, we grilled some Salmon on the BBQ.  Yum!

And, a bunch of yummy sides!
Couscous Arugula Salad:

Strawberry Spinach Salad: {Recipe Here}

Party Potatoes:

The entire spread:

My sisters & I with our mom:

Kevin & his brother with their mom:

 It was such a nice, relaxing time. Truly, a great, great, day.

As my Father-In-Law was leaving our house Sunday night, I said,
"Thank you for coming over. I am so glad that you & my parents like each other. It is just easier to celebrate some holidays all together"
His response?  
"We don't just like each other, we LOVE each other." 

And, that my friends is how I teared up for the approximately the 42nd time on Mother's Day.