Lessons learned

I have always has issues with my 8 year old son Bradley brushing his teeth. I have told him over and over again that some things in life you just need to do, even if they are not fun. This boy even tries to tell me that he has in fact brushed them, when all he has really done is wet his tooth brush. 

My family does not have dental insurance so taking him to the dentist to have work done is very pricey. My children are on Medicaid and that will pay for dentist visits but up till a few weeks ago the dentists that we could go to have always been regular adult dentists that do not have "The Gas" to ease their patients. 

I have taken him to at least 8 different offices, only for them to bring him out crying and them telling me "We can't work on him because he is to scared". I ended up needing to pay 450.00$ out of pocket to have a molar fixed a while back and about 200.00$ to have his two front teeth pulled out.  Finally, a new dental office opened in town that will take our Medicaid and is for children aaaaaand has the gas to knock him out!

 So he went today and had two of his his teeth pulled, also had a bunch of silver fillings put in, not to mention he will be back Monday because they only took care of the left side today.

He came out with a look on his face that looked so sad and miserable and all I could say was

 "I told ya so"

Tough love 

If you entered last weeks giveaway and your name is Lena B. Congrats because you won! Email me 

Kboatright {at} Gmail {dot} com

Jason and I

I met my husband when I was 16 and he was 14. We were friends for years, we worked together on occasion, when I turned 21 I bought him and his buddies beer and I payed him to mow my grass.

After both of us becoming single we decided to take turns making dinners since we both always made to much and the left overs got wasted. It was at this time I started looking at him with new eyes. He wasn't that annoying 15 year old boy anymore. He had somehow morphed into a man without me seeing it. 

Fast forward 6 years we are now married.

 He works his ass off to provide for me and my two sons and I couldn't be more blessed.

Being with Jason is like being with my bestfriend every day. We love crack jokes on eachother & do all the same things. He has told me so many times that I am the girl version of him and I think that's why we mesh so well together.

He would agree with me when I say that I'm not into being all mushy and showing emotions. So when I say that I love him so much and I don't know what I would do without him he might just think I'm joking. 

But really, I'm so happy that he's mine.

Livin' a part of life

So many little things brought a smile to my face this week.

Like

Putting my boots on to go see Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert in concert. Even though we left early cause my stomach hurt really bad it was still fun to spend time with my hubs. And because I missed actually seeing Eric I have a little video at the end of this post.

Making chap stick only because I have all the stuff to do it.

Snuggling with Gauge on the couch.

Listening to THIS song over and over and over again.

Hearing all your sweet tweets about my new company!

Going to see Hunger Games with my momma  (even though Ive never read the books)

THIS blog post the Dana over at The Wonder Forest wrote after trying some of my products. It definitely makes me happy that others will enjoy what you work so hard on. I hope all you guys get to go read it.

Learning my way around Storenvy, I think all Etsy shops should move to them. They are so friendly!

Wearing a Top Knot with a little french braid in it.

And the fact that I am baby free till tomorrow night so that my hubs and I can  go fishin'! 

(I wish someone would get why I love to fish so much!)

AND Nothing & I mean NOTHING makes me happier then this video on a Friday afternoon

Happy Weekend! 

The Grand Canyon

Last Friday I had one of the best road trips ever!

After traveling all day Thursday to Arizona I went to bed early... and by that I mean 9:00. Actually on Florida time that would have been 11:00 so that's actually late! Anyway, I was ready to go exploring on Friday.

Point of interest - The Grand Canyon

I had my buddies Sara and Mandi in tow along with our trusty rental car. A little sporty red car that made me want to whip around the mountains a little to fast!

After we "ooohed and ahhhhed" at the snow topped mountains to many times, we decided to pull of the road for a little picture taking.

and stupid me i about froze in that 3 minute pit stop! It was way cold, hints the snow. 

Then we ran into a few other girls from the house. Just in time for another photo opt.

After a quick bite to eat and a elk spotting we finally made it to our point of interest.

It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. period. Beautiful, breath taking if you will. And to be there with one of my best friends and a new bestie, it could not have been any better.

On the way back to "camp" we stopped at this auh-may-zing road side store for a little shopping. 

Sara, Mandi and myself walked out of that bad boy with BUT FLAP JAMMIES! Best.Find.EVER.

Its a day I will never forget.

Where I come from

Where I come from...

we stand up for what we believe in

we don't hide behind false names and computer screens

we believe in the freedom of speech

we leave the judgments for god to do at the pearly gates

we would never say things behind peoples back, ONLY to their face

if you compared anyone to the cast of Jersey Shore you probably wouldn't get very far

we drink tap water from mason jars and shop at walmart on a daily basis

we are real, kind, genuine.

 

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Now that I'm back from Creative Estates

This past weekend was so much fun! Spending 4 days in Arizona was truly amazing for this Florida girl. Meeting a few of my favorite bloggers was even sweeter!

I'm sad to see a few posts about what a joke the whole experience was. It breaks my heart that Shay spent so much time putting this event together as retreat instead of a conference so that it could be more personal. And because I have my own opinion and it may be strong at times I will share what my experience was like.

This trip for me was the first away time that I have had from my baby so I planned on living it up.

When I bough my tickets for a friend and I, I did not plan on sitting in a house for 4 days only crafting. As much as I love to make pretty things I can't imagine flying from Florida to Arizona to only see the inside of a house. I actually had going to the Grand Canyon in mind for one of the days and couldn't have been happier when a bunch of the other girls had the same plans. More on that trip later!

Hearing Ashley from the Shine Project speak was great. Making change jars was a blast. Learning to make a felt flower pin that Ashley from Little Miss Momma was really fun. Ilene showing me how to make a really cute friendship bracelet could not have been any better. ALL of these chicks were just as sweet if not even sweeter in person.

The meals a Creative Estates were very plain and made to please everyone. How do you please 35 or so girls? Well I guess you don't.

I never would leave food out of my budget when planning a trip. I am not a picky eater at all but if I am in the mood for going out to eat I would like to do so. 

 Breakfast time was very simple. Bagels and cereal. I eat bagels every day at home so that made me happy. I would not have imagined Shay waking up every morning and cooking eggs and bacon for that many people. It just would not have made sense. The "Vintage Lunch" was based around the theme. Tiny sandwiches and chips. My favorite? No, but did it go with the theme for the meal? Yes. 

What I am getting at is that it is out of this world crazy to think that you would be getting the finest food available at the market with the small price of 250.00$ that would include your lodging.

Now on the topic of lodging. The house was AMAZING! It was huuuuuge! Perfect for the amount of girls that would be staying there. Was there enough beds? No. But could one house have 40 beds? That would be nuts! I thought about that when buying my ticket. I knew that some of us would be on a floor or couch. Me? I slept on about 6 comforters and was totally fine with it. When a car load of girls left without says any type of good bye to anyone I slept on one of their bunk beds. I actually think my pallet on the floor was cozier!.

As for the drinking. I am of age. I am 27 years old and have every right to enjoy a beer or a glass of champagne. I am also entitled to drink 5 of each if I want to. Now did I do that? No. Did I drink hellz ya! I am kid-free and having a good time! I think that it is rude to think that because of that, one can be called an "alcoholic" to their face. Shay did not spend a lot of money on booze. So many people including myself brought their own alcohol. Shay provided champagne for the planned "Cupcakes & Cocktails" party. If you had read the schedule and had seen that the first nights party had the word "cocktail" in it you would know that there would be alcohol involved.

I also think that a lot of people went back on what they said they would do for the event planner in the way of helping out. If it wasn't for my friend and I helping her make sure that some items made it back to Phoenix she would have had to drive all the way back and get them.
I'm not getting into complete detail about every little thing that went on like the others did but I think that with what was given the experience was totally worth it. Would I go again? Uh Duh. It was totally worth the whole 250.00$.
Sorry that every one else didn't feel that way.

Check back tomorrow for all the fun stuff that went on. I just felt like this post needed to be said today. 

confessions

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We all have things that we don't really talk about on our blogs, and that's OK. 

These pages are our place. 

Our place to share whatever we want.

And I love that about blogging. But I feel like you can't get to know the real person behind the screen unless they share some of the bad things, the weird things.

The things that make them awkward, different, silly, sad, happy, real.

So on those notes I have a few confessions.

Real Stuff...

-People take me as being stuck up. A bit of a snob. That's not the case at all. I'm just quiet. I have grown out of this a bit now that I'm older but it used to be pretty bad. Now I have passed this on to Brad and I don't want him to grow up being quit and shy.

- In school I had one good friend and a boyfriend that went to another school. I was a little bit of an outcast because I had short spiky hair, listened to punk rock music and dressed like a boy. My mom allowed me to get my ears pierced as many times as I wanted.... so I have 18 holes in my ears. 

- Choices I made when I was 16 has left me with a really shitty habit that I can't seem to kick.

- Being a mom can leave me in tears. I worry that something bad will happen to my kids or me. A horrific car accident, cancer. Something that will take them from me or me from them. 

Little Things...

- I am worried that when I get to Creative Estates people won't like me.

- I spend so much time on my phone when I should be playing with Gauge. I CAN'T SEEM TO PUT IT DOWN! 

- My family is on food stamps.

- I won't make my bed. It looks more inviting unmade. ;)

- I wasn't allowed to drive a car till I was 18 because I dropped out of school. But I did anyway and got pulled over when I was 17. Scared the crap out of me! The cop let me go but I never drove with out a license again!

Funny stuff...

- Did you read the part where I had colored spiky hair in school! HAHAHA that makes me laugh so hard! 

-My sister is married to my husbands dad. So that makes my husband my step nephew?! lol

- I wish I had a romantic story to tell you about my hubs and I but our first date was on a boat, in a river that involved fishing poles and his cousin.

- Thanks to certain blog friends I dream about Shamrock Shakes from Micky D's. 

- I can't tell a joke at all. I mess them up every freakin' time!

I hope a few of these little things helps you get to know me a little better. 

and I would love for you to share one random thing about you with me in the comment section. 

Sunday morning love

When I find a great product I want the whole world to know about it.

 I may be the last one to know about Essie nail polish because of my lack of finger nails but 2 weeks ago I decided that it was time to stop biting them. 

I read on some ones blog about a new color that she bought from Essie and how she loved it. Well I was looking at Target for some nail polish when I saw Essie and decided that I would give it a try.

source

After picking out a color called "Turquoise and Caicos" I went to town painted my awfully stubby finger nails. Over a week later I have yet to bite them and the paint has yet to chip. 

Can you say auh-may-zing?!?!

Just wanted you guys to know how great this stuff is! 

Want to win a 15.00$ store credit to my shop? Go HERE

Happy Sunday loves

Katie

Lets be friends

If we were friends in real life....

I would call you in the morning just after I put the baby {ummm toddler?!} down for a nap and ask you if you wanted to go to lunch. Because going out to lunch is the only escape out of this house I have.

I would ask you if you wanted to go to Panera because I love their Thai chicken salad, but if you said you wanted to go some where else I would order a cheese burger and fries along side a unsweet tea.

I would tell you all about my photography class and how I love that I am able to get out of the house and do something for me... and something to do with school is even better since you would all ready know how much I hated school and left high school when I was almost 16.

We could talk about all the drama on facebook and how much I love blogging. How I posted a picture on my personal page the picture from my WIW post and everyone said I looked like a hippy but You would get it because you would know how everyone in the bloggy world wears a headband! {even though I thought it was funny}

I would tell you how Jason {the hubs} told me last night that I have changed since I started blogging. He said "It made my hair 'prettier'" and I laughed because it's totally true. I have been trying a little harder to look better because I never know when I will take a picture and post it online for the whole
world to see.

After we got done with our lunch Gauge would be getting cranky so I would ask if you wanted to go to my house so he can play.

On the ride home we could talk about Gauge and how he can't sit still and loves to climb.

I would ask you for some fashion tips and if you would help me with the scarfs I borrowed from my sister because I have no idea how to wear them.

I would also do some complaining and gossiping.

Then I would listen to all of your problems and help you solve them. I would ask how your kids are and if you wanted a cherry soda.

I would want to know how your hubs job is and if you were having more kids... cause lord knows I can't handle any more!

We could discuss my niece turning one the other day and how I'm worried about my brother.

Not to mention how I worry about everyone.

I would invite you this Sunday over to my mother-in-laws for a birthday party for my older son Bradley who is turning 8!!! Then I would go on about how ridiculous that is because I swear I am still 22 years old and there is no way that I have a child that old. And we would look back on when I got pregnant 18 and how I was doomed to be a single mom and how I know what would happen to his dad but I was going to have that baby and take care of him.  We could talk all day how proud of him I am and how great his grades in school are and how he loves he new pocket knife. I could go on and on. {proud momma here}

Now that it is almost 2:00 I would need to say good bye so I could pick him up from school

we would hug and then probably call each other once in the car because that little visit just wasn't long enough.

linking up here

Good tunes Good times

Remember when I told you guys that I loved Foster The People? Well I was just going though my phone and came across the pictures from the concert that I went to with 2 of my girlfriends and wanted to share them with you guys. It was one of the best nights ever!

They are pretty wonky looking because my phone is a piece of poo. But maybe you can tell from they way they look, or maybe its the fact that this was the first time that I was able to leave the baby since having him for a night and have some big girl drinks. {i'm thinking the second one.}

This was the.best.concert.ever.period.  If you like them and are thinking about seeing them
you won't regret it!

Thursday night photography

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Last Friday I posted about how I started my first photography class. I also posted about how the teacher and a few others laughed when I said I have a Nikon. Well class last night went a whole lot better. 

I guess the teacher has still has it out for me and has decided he is going to pick on me for the next 8 classes even though there are 4 other girls with Nikon cameras. I guess he thinks he is being funny, but I decided I will just roll with it. 

Picture this-

Whole class sits down. {about 30 of us}

Teacher says "Did everyone do their homework?" {take pictures of lines}

We all say "Yeah" and shake our heads up and down.

He says "Where is the Nikon girl?!}

I say "I'm here and raise my hand but last time I checked there are 4 other girls that have Nikons"

He laughs and says "Lets start with YOUR homework"

Me "uhhhh no... lets start in the front corner!"

So he does.

I sat in the middle of the class because I don't like to be singled out. I like to blend in with my surroundings. But I guess it is to late for that in this class.

After we pass around every one's pictures of "lines" he tells me "I want YOU to pick this weeks homework" Except for some reason while talking to me my face got all hot {and probably bright red} and my hearing went all fuzzy so I didn't really understand what he told me. So I laugh a little bit to try to make myself fell better and say "I cant hear real good way back here". {The man is OLD and actually I can't hear good so it's not entirely wrong}

So he repeats his self and tells me about me being in charge of assigning the class homework for the week. 

uuhhhhh.... okay?! he IS serious!

Somewhere along the lines of learning about framing a person with trees and a rule of thirds he said that it is rare for people to turn the camera sideways and shoot vertical. I shoot up and down all the time but my husband is bad at ever turning the camera. {hints No outfit posts cause the shots 

all look bad}. So that is when I decide that this weeks assignment will be to take shots vertical. 

With that being said he didn't make me narrow it down to anything else so that basically leave it open for whatever we want. So that should be easy.

I also wish I could tell you about all the fun plans for the up coming weekend since it all ready Friday but I can't. Looks like another weekend around the house trying to clean.... what a waste of time!

Happy Weekend!

Simple

While I was making the banner you see now up top there, I decided I needed a tagline. Why? I dunno.
For some reason "...life made simple" popped into my head.

 I don't think you can describe my life as anything else other then "Simple".

No big city lights here nor will there ever be. Just small towns.

I would like to think my life is going to stay simple to. I can see my husband and I sitting on our rockers watching the sun set from our Florida cracker style front porch when we are old and gray.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Watching grandbabies chase the chickens! {oh and we do have them now so I'm sure
we will when we are old}
An old hound dog with big floppy ears taking a nap at Jason's feet.

How amazing it is to even think about... I guess you can call me country. I'll call me "Simple"

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passion

Every day I sit back and listen to my husband talk about hunting and/or fishing. Any one that knows him would tell you the same thing. {sorry veggie eaters} He never stops! I know that sounds kinda mean but he talks about it non stop! 

It may drive me a little crazy to hear about this new gun he wants or that he wants to be able to spend Sunday in the woods and how he is getting there and who is going with him and what he plans on doing once he is there and what kind of animal is going down. {get my drift!?} But I love that he is so passionate about something.

My kids have always been what makes me happy but since opening my shop and starting this blog I feel like there is a place that I can be me! Don't get me wrong I am "me" every where but I get to be creative, say what I feel, share things that I love and make pretty things. {even if sales are slim}.

I think about blogging all day! Crazy yes, but I look at things and think "I should blog about this!" haha. I know a lot of us here in the blogging world are like that to. I want to share my life and all things that are in it!

So for now I couldn't be more happy that I have found something I am passionate about and I to, can now bug my husband with all things that will surely drive him crazy. ;)

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uhhh what was i doing?!

If you Like Party Of Four on Facebook you may have read that I was thinking about sponsoring 2 blogs for next month to see if I can get a few extra hits. But with Creative Estates coming up I'm saving every penny just to get on the plane. But that's not exactly why I decided not to do it. 

I think that sponsoring can get a little out of hand some times. OK I take your money and then buy a spot on a bigger blog so that person can turn it around and get a spot there and some where along the bloggy line some one is rich!  It kinda makes me crazy! I will sponsor a page because I like what they say, take Ilene from Much Love, Illy. I love her blog so I will pay her to keep up the good work! Does that even make sense? I'm not sure...

Here is the thing. I have huge plans for this blog one day but right now I can't seem to get any of what I need done right now accomplished. I want the over all look of my blog to be a little more me but with my lack of imagination  that takes money. I want to be able to have pretty pictures on here but till I can hire a photographer or get someone that can operate my camera to take them you guys are crap outta luck. 

I don't want this blog to turn into a popularity contest because that isn't what I'm here for. I want to be able to share my story... my life in hopes to make someone else's life better.
 So till I really decide where this bad boy is heading... I guess I will keep my money in my pockets.{or not ask the hubs for any!}

sorry about the Friday rants peeps. Love ya!

Friday

I'm not real sure what has been going on this week but for some reason I haven't been real chatty. I guess thats why I'm short a few posts. Well I'm sure you guys will make do with out me here and there right?

This week has actually been pretty productive with out being on this computer at every nap time. I stocked my shop with items that I am really loving and having fun making. I sold a bracelet yesterday!!! So happy to be able to start some where. {thanks Cerrisse!} 

I started a photography class last night to and it took us almost the whole class to go around and introduce our self's and share what kind of camera we have.... I sat up front and was the first to go then almost everyone laughed when I said I have a Nikon.... I don't get it. What is wrong with my camera? And here is another thing. Don't laugh at me because I don't have extra lenses.... this is a beginners class right? Why does everyone have fancy shit? Sorry but I was a little embarrassed and mad. The class did get better after a few others had no idea what they had.... or they just had a point and shoot. See guys my stuff really isn't that bad so poo on you.

I'm also happy that people are linking up their blogs on the creative estates blog so I can find out who's going to be there. I love stalking new blogs. ;) 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. The kids are going to Grammy's tomorrow and I am determined to go though every closet and cabinet in this house and throw away every thing. I am ready to have "room" in this tiny house again.

Here is a funny to send you off....

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lol, this may be a lot like my weeks. Lets not tell the hubs.

Happy Friday Friends,

Katie

{and if the language offends so in this post.... oh well}

If you were to...

If you woke up in my house this morning a and spent the whole day by my side

 you would have seen....

Me

-Pouring way to much chi latte creamer in my coffee

-Taking Brad to school in my p.j's minus a bra {and if you could read my mind you would know that I was terrified the whole way of being in a fender bender and needing to get out of the car dressed like that on the side of a busy road}

-Giving Gauge a Gerber Grabers and a hand full of Cheerios for breakfast so I can check emails and see what I missed on Facebook from the night before VIA my phone

-Drinking more coffee and playing with Gauge while trying to watch the news.... hoping the weather man will tell me next week won't be 80 degrees out so I can go back to wearing jeans

-Laying Gauge down for his morning nap

-Trying to take photos on my front porch so I can hurry and list in my shop and post the new Facebook giveaway before the baby gets up

-Getting Gauge before I was done and then holding him in my bed till he went back to sleep so I can finish up my "work"

-finally eating something now that it is 10:45

-Heading  down to The Villages {a retirement community that is GINORMOUS} to go find more bracelet supplies because I loooove them and want to make more

-Waiting 45 minutes in the car line to get Bradley because if I went home I would sit there for 15 minutes and then load Gauge back in the car and then drive right back from the same area I was 30 minutes ago

-Laying Gauge down for a nap again {he's a sleepy head} then me laying on the couch thinking about napping but not actually getting to sleep

-Taking my daily trip the the grocery store because yet again I forgot to take meat out of the freezer and knowing that Jason can NOT have dinner minus meat

-My dad stopping by with arrows for Brad so he can teach him to shoot his bow now that he is strong enough to pull it back {scary!!}. but loving the fact that my dad is spending time with him! {so cute}

-Pleading for Jason to take the baby out side so I can empty the dishwasher in peace

-Jason keeping Gauge outside longer then expected and me hurrying to repaint my toe nails {almost got them done}

-Frying pork chops for dinner, me eating while Jason showered, me giving Gauge a bath while Jason and Bradley ate.

-Bathing Gauge, getting him his warm sippy of milk and then holding him in my arms rocking him and humming "you are my sunshine" till he fell asleep so I can lay him in his bed.

-Me showering 

-Me sitting here writing this oh so boring post!!!

-Getting Brad in bed

-Laying on the couch with Jason making him watch Jane By Design

-Brushing my teeth and going to bed {while laying there thinking about the next day for way to long}

There you have it! A day in the life of Katie. Exciting right?  I may have forgot all the times I smooched the baby, checked my Facebook on the phone {I have a problem} tickled the baby, and got caught up on all my favorite blogs via my Bloglovin' app. 

I hope everyone is having a great week thus far, no outfit post for me this week... I'm sure that breaks your heart right?!{teehee} I hope you guys check out the new items in my shop and if you do, let me know what you think. I love feedback....bad or good.

want to win this???

Head to my Facebook page!!

use coupon code *NEWSTUFF* to get free shipping.

When life gives you lemons...

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade right? 

Well it isn't always that easy.

Life takes courage. 

If you want to take something as simple as lemons and make it even better you need to be strong, you need to be able to do the things you are scared to do or those lemons will just be well.... lemons.

                                                                                       Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

I love that there are people out there that think they can change the world. I wish I was one of those people! I always think that the little things that I do will never help.

There are so many things I am scared to do.

 Sometimes on this here blog  I get scared to say something just because I don't want to be rejected, so my posts get kinda lame. I love blogging about the little things in life but there is so much more!

One of these day I will get the courage to say the things I want to say with out worrying about everyone else. 

Here's to growing a "pair" and standing up for what you believe in and saying what
 is on your heart.

*Cheers*

101 reasons why I am going to be bald...

So I don't think I'm actually going to be said "bald", but by the end of the 

day I sure do feel like tearing every little hair out of my head.

Good look for me? I think not.

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Being a stay at home mom is driving me crazy!

I swear I am like 10 people all rolled up in one. 

House keeper {check}

Nanny {check} 

Taxi driver {check}

Chef {I wish! but check anyway}

Dry Cleaner {check}

Maintenance Man {check}

Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

You get my point right? I feel like I am the only one that does anything around here all with a baby on my hip. I say baby but sheesh my "baby" who is really a toddler is almost 30 pounds and as tall as a teenager! {OK a little much}.

He wants his mommy 24/7 and I get that  because I am a awesome mom but 

It makes for a really long day. My mornings that used to be like 

THIS

are now a little different. No more sitting on the 

floor playing for hours because he can now climb. So I switch couches just 

trying to keep him from getting hurt.
He's like a mountain goat all he wants to do is climb.

I have taken all my dining room chairs and put them into the kitchen so he wont get on them 

and there is not one thing on one table that he can swipe off.

....Some times I think to my self... and if I'm really over it I will tell Jason, That this Momma is ready to go back to a real job. One that pays me, one that at the end of the day I won't be so stressed out that I would like to rip the hair right out of my scalp. 

Then I think about paying for day care and some one else watching MY "baby" and think I'm not sure if I am ready for all that. 

Please dear God let this next year be a little bit easier!

I was born to do this

Some people are born to travel the world

to work 9-5

to live in big cities

to drive fast cars

live the "fast life"

Me?!

I was born to be a Momma

to these precious boys

I love them with all my heart

would do anything under the moon and starts for them

I could not ask God for anything better

Enjoying the Holidays

I think what I really want to call this post is...

Surviving the holidays 101

Source via pinterest

If you're family is kinda like mine then these tips may be a little useful. Today I link up with Gussy. She asked us to share some tips on "enjoying" the holidays. O.k. well really I don't need to "survive" the holidays... but sometimes it can be a little hectic having kids. If you have them... and your married, then there are really two families involved... actually 3 including your own little family {You, Hubs, Kids}. 

People want you here at this time and there at another. It can be really stressful. I have got to say.... I married my sisters... husbands... son.... {weird yeah?....o.k. just a little} So our family has kinda got it together. We all know whose house is more important for certain things.

 Since I'm the baby of the family, and for a while the only one with kids my parents kinda flocked to my house for Christmas morning. And I love it! I feel like we are starting a whole new tradition. Its so much fun to make my mom's "Christmas Eggs" and all crowd together in my tiny living room and open presents. Just talking about this makes me happy!

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So here are my 5 tips for making you holidays a whole lot sweeter.

-Remember what Christmas is really about. Do not get stressed about money. People will love you even if you didn't buy them some fabulous gift or not {and if they don't...well....sorry but screw them!}

-If you don't want to be at a relatives house when they want you there because you have your own thing going on at that time.. do not cancel your plans to make them happy. It will only leave you unhappy.

-Enjoy the faces on the kids when they open the present they have been wanting!

-Take lots of pictures!

-Wear something festive. Its the perfect day to put your shiny make-up on and even that sparkly shirt you have.

Source via pinterest

Hope some of these things prove useful to you.




And if you'r new here I still have a giveaway going on! Check it out HERE