And a Happy New Year...

Well, we survived, one with an insane 'sthounds all forts of clugged up' cold and three other relatively healthy people! This was the first Christmas that our oldes really got to enjoy and it was so much fun to see her running across the room with her new things 'Mama, mama, see?!' And then there was poor Char who couldn't talk really well and couldn't breathe all that well, but she made the best of it and groggily smiled away!

The Favorites--
Sarah's favorite would have to be her American Girl doll, Marie Grace. For a girl that can not STAND anything else in her bed besides her and her blanky, this doll as made a definate difference as she hasn't left her side or her bed since Christmas.

My dad made Charlotte a latch board (you know, the ones that you see going for $70 bucks!). It's amazing what a couple of Uncles and a Papa can do for a little girl! She sits there and stares, then reaches... no, she didn't want the padlock... Another reach, nope, not for the sliding latch... Then.... TWANG. She found the door stopper. They were nice enough to install a rather noisy, yet delightful to a child, door stopper. At least I know exactly where she is at in the house! TWANG..... twang.... twang.... TW TW TW TWWWWAAAANNNNGGGGG...

Update on Life...

In my post yesterday I forgot to tell all you wonderful peoples about the newest member of our tribe (no i'm NOT pregnant, my parents seem to think this is funny to ask everytime I tell them I have big news...).

This is Annie-

She's adorable and she's the perfect addition. I decided whenever I want a baby i'm going to get a puppy, it fufills the need to have something little itty bitty around and still SO much easier than a newborn!!

Well after the saga from yesterday afternoon the day just didn't seem to get any better! We decided to head outside in hopes of fresh air and some peace and though we got the fresh air, we lacked in the peace department. Sarah accidentally pushed her sister down the concrete steps of the pront porch so a goose egg, a scraped nose, and a bloody nose later, Charlotte wasn't in on having a good time. Can't say that I blame her. She stayed glued to my hip for the rest of the outing. I tried to take some pictures since we were out there and my two little funny people weren't going for it.

                                                        See how adorable my bug is?!

                                                    A little better, but you can see her poor nose :(

                                                             And my little explorer!

Today started out a little bit better and Sarah and I have big plans... We are going to make cookies for Santa! I'm a HUGE sucker for sugar cookies (my hips are too... but we won't go there), and if you put frosting on them... yes, it spells trouble for my jeans' zippers. Regardless, Santa loves Sugar cookies so he needs at least three to get him through his long night in two days! ;)

Mothering...

There are days that being a mother is unbelievably rewarding, amazing, creating an insane love for life... Then there are days that go to the butter... Yes, that's right. To the butter.

Enter:
My Bug...

Note: This is the second drawer up... I have no clue how she got up there.  This was yesterday, we have since had a few hiccups since then. Today, Mommy decided to TRY (note the EMPHASIS on TRY) to clean the back room floor. The insanity of my household over the last few days has forced me to lack in the housecleaning department, thus creating a mudball of my back room. So off I go with a broom, a dustpan, a box of swiffer sweeper wipes, and a swiffer mop. In the middle of moving things around my back room I must have missed the sounds of moving dining room chairs in the kitchen. I come out with a half clean back room to find my beautiful baby on the kitchen table with an entire stick of butter smeared on her, her clothes, my table, the chairs, and last but not least... My freshly mopped kitchen floor.  Off goes Charlotte to the bathtub, smearing butter all over her Mama's freshly washed clothes. Why I even try to look nice during the day, I have yet to grasp. To add insult to injury, I put Charlotte in her crib to give Mommy a break while I tried to clean the kitchen and slipped and fell on butter I missed on the floor.

BAM

Sarah comes running out screaming 'Are you ok, Mama Mama Mama!!!' In awe of the fact that my little girl was coming to make sure I was ok, I held it together and tried to get up. I should have known it was too good to be true. Sarah stood there as if she was waiting for something, so suspiciously, I asked her what was going on...

'Mama, There's a big mess in the bathroom...'

Really?! Really??!! I decided to finish cleaning up the butter so there weren't any more mishaps (in other words, I wouldn't fall through the floor....) then move on to the bathroom. I figured as long as I didn't open that door it couldn't really be that bad. When I finally mustered up the courage to open that door, what before my eyes did appear, three rolls of t.p. strewn across the floor.  I have to admit, I had a 'snap' moment... I'm sure anyone who is a mom knows the feeling of taking a huge leap forward just in time to realize that you just got shoved five steps back. There is nothing more frustrating than being pushed backward by two little people a third your size. These girls want to play hardball, I swear!!! Sarah was very put out having to help me put the bathroom back together, I came out, sat down in my comfy chair and realized....

The back room STILL wasn't done.

*sigh*

Holiday Baking...

Well My holiday baking push is done.. Thank goodness. I plowed out fudge, cookies, cake, and homemade stroganhoff for dinner yesterday. My kitchen is still partially a disaster but i'm making Turkey enchiladas for dinner tonight so is there a real point in cleaning up? I rationalized this way when I was about 7 and was told to make my bed. I'm going to be getting back in it in eight hours, why make it?! Unfortunately I have grown since then and the itch to go scrub the kitchen is starting so i'm probably going to go clean clean clean as soon as i'm done. Does anyone else do any holiday baking? What are your favorites? I am a total baker, I love the smell of goodies, and with the amount of sugar and butter typically used, even if they aren't great, things rarely turn out bad! Today, everything will be divied up into adorable gingerbread men tins and distributed to the families on the ranch. I can't have it all in the house otherwise I would eat most if not all of it. The only disappointing thing about yesterday's baking day is that I didn't get to cook madeleines. I have been dying to try out the recipe but my lack of a list this last weekend proved that I can't remember everything and forgot to get a madeleine tin... Oh well, hoping for better memory this week! I am planning an assortment of cakes and pies for Christmas day, so my baking isn't quite done yet. On the menu is a Candy Bar pie (think cheese cake with snickers), a cherry pie (self explanatory), and a boston cream pie (never tried making one before, totally excited!!!). All Preceded by Ham, and fresh green beans with bacon, mashed potatoes, and candied yams!

It gives a new meaning to 'dreams of sugar plums dance in their heads', i've been dreaming desserts for days!

New things i'm in love with:
My mom's peach butter she made this summer, oh so very very yummy!
An old 'Christmas Traditions' scented candle I found.
And....
Last but not least...
Colbie Caillat's Christmas album...
I sincerely encourage you to listen to it on Spotify or buy it on Itunes. It's wonderful!!

Novel vs. Classic....

I'm going to say something and ask for no judgement.... I like Twilight.  I'm sorry I do... I'm a sucker for romances and though some would say that it's no better than tacky velevet painting I thought they were good. The writing was marginal, but the story was really a good one (please don't judge by the movies!). What it seems pitted against is the Harry Potter series (yes I am a huge fan!). Harry Potter wins in pretty much every category, story line, character portrayal, movies, etc. So I hardly think we should compare. Both writers created a phenomenon for today's youth and both have good values. What I think we should take away from both series is what WE got out of the books (Harry Potter movies in my case, I have yet to get my hands on the books!) and characters. Harry Potter instilled loyalty, bravery, hope, and fortitude in it's readers and watchers. Twilight instilled a sense of historical fantasy (think Dracula), loyalty, and chastity... How many movies today really push teenagers to be faithful till their wedding day? Not many, i'm afraid. I'm not going to lie that the glittery skin was a tad over the top (not thinking Dracula), but werewolves and vampires have been part of history, legend, and tradition in some cultures for centuries. It was truly a new spin on a new age tale.

So what separates a novel from a classic? If Harry Potter could (in a sense) be compared to The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, will it take it's place among the ranks of classics by phenomenal authors? All of them had a story unwind around a world of witchcraft, wizardry, and creatures from myth and legend. Will Twilight be next in line to be inducted into the classics for it's similarity to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula, and Frankenstein? All were fanciful books about blood sucking men and humans with an alter ego or personality and the living dead... I think only time will tell, As I am not the person who could tell you whether or not a book could be a classic.

What do you base your opinion of a book on? There are multiple authors I adore that I set any book I read against, I love Jane Austen, Willa Cather, C.S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkein, L. M. Montgomery, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, and countless others that have taken place in the classic writers hall of fame... What I'm looking for is your specs on what you read? What makes it a masterpiece in your eyes? Is it the storyline, the characters, the writing style, the setting, or the cumulation of all?

Thoughts for the day....

Adventures in Puppy Sitting...

Today I got the privelege of watching a 12 week old Mini-Aussie today, and it has been a blast. The girls have been running non-stop, playing with Rio has been their job today. And just when I got into the groove of hey, it's not that bad, it became more of a challenge!

Sarah and I took Rio outside to go potty, he was much to interested in playing with Sarah to even think about doing his business so we went back inside. Five minutes later I catch Rio pacing, nose to the ground in my living room. Anyone who has dogs knows that's never a good sign. So wet soapy hands and all I take Rio outside in a rush. He goes potty... whew... relief!! Bring little Mr. back inside and resume doing dishes... Less than five minutes later I hear Sarah shriek. Figuring Rio got a little too playful I walk over and Sarah is shreiking over the dog doo doo on my living room floor. Think fast think fast! Pick up puppy, take him outside.. first logical course of action. But what about the girls? Sarah won't touch it, but Charlotte has always been a hands on learner. Pick up Charlotte and puppy, take both outside. Yeah right, Sarah would be shrieking in about two seconds. Hurry hurry hurry!!! I finally settled on 'Sarah, pick up your sister, take her to your room. Keep her there until Mommy says it's ok' Take puppy outside, leave door open, come back pick up doggy doo doo, yell at Sarah it's ok, run back outside and grab Rio. Rio goes in kennel, girls go to Little Einsteins, Mommy goes to floor with bucket of soapy water. Whew.... That scenario was a total of about one minute. Can't say Mama's don't think on their feet!

Finally feeling better, thank goodness! So back to working out I went this morning. Christmas party and Little Black dress T-minus 8 days and counting! One thing I have learned through this journey of getting fit and healthy, is that a support group is key in any success. I have been so lucky to have my hubby be my rock... He's told me to push harder, when i'm paying too much attention to the tv instead of the insane elliptical workout i'm doing he oh so gently reminds me that i'm not going to get the body I want by not sweating. He's supportive, he's gentle, he's amazing! There are also two women that have helped me in my Journey as well. Nicole has been great.. She messaged me on facebook offering tips and advice, we became fast friends and she's been amazing to turn to when I have questions or need to vent about lack of progress. She has both a page and blog that anyone who wants to look and feel better should check out immediately!!!
Nicole's Page
https://www.facebook.com/#!/coachnicolemurray
Nicole's Blog
http://nik4213.blogspot.com/

My other friend that has been unbelievably helpful and supportive is Melissa. She just had a baby three and a half months ago and looks so amazingly good. Dedication could be her word!  She believes in clean eating and major fitness and if you want to look like that, you're gonna have to work, and you're gonna have to work hard. And work hard she does. Defiantely another page to check out!
Melissa's Page
https://www.facebook.com/#!/strongisthenewskinny0816

Thank you girls for all your love, support, and help! I wouldn't be where I am today without you! Goal for 2013 you ask?

Run a half marathon.
And i'll reach it :)

Could someone hand me.....

A tissue? And another one? Maybe one more... never mind, I need the whole box.

Bryce was nice enough to hand me his nasty cold right after I got done with the first one. He also then graciously bestowed the bug on two little girls that are rather grumpy. They are currently being soothed by a tub full of warm steamy water, to be followed by warm towels and apple juice. While in the bath it's so much fun to see how even though they're sick, they play their own games. It amazes me how smart they are with each passing day. Sarah got into the tub and pronounced that she was making tea, but will conquer the land of the mermaids... Then Char started scooping handfulls of water on the top of her head saying 'wash wash wash wash...' the whole time. I'm still sitting here watching them, even though dinner should be started, because though a clean house is important missing out on these little pleas of joyful laughter is much much more. They don't have nearly as many toys in here as they used to (Sarah went riding in the tractor with Daddy yesterday morning and Mama 'cleaned' the toy rooms), but they seem to be having twice the fun. Runny noses aside, today actually hasn't been too bad. I got 3 pounds of fudge made, did some laundry, killed a gazillion gnats that have been plague-ing my kitchen lately... I can't figure out how to get rid of the stupid little things. They never die!!!! Oh well, come summertime when the windows are open all the time i'm sure they will find greener pastures. Until then, apple cider vinegar resides on my counter adjacent to the fly swatter.

So does anyone out there in cyber land have any Christmas traditions they would like to share? Thought it's only been three years, Bryce and I have made a couple, one more starting this Christmas eve. We always eat sea food for Christmas eve dinner... Just to mix it up :) This year it's Tilapia tacos with a new sauce that will have a review come Christmas! We also decided that following an early dinner, the girls will get to stay up later (a probable failing attempt at getting them to sleep in) and we bought a new Disney movie to watch. Popcorn and apples with Caramel dip will be on the menu. And just in case you were wondering, I WILL be working out like a crazy fiend after the holidays! We bought Lady and the Tramp, something neither Bryce or I have seen in probably longer than a decade, and the girls have never seen it. Can't wait! Nothing can beat the old Disney movies!

On another Christmas note, I have recently found that I have a little elf in the house. Sarah has become my Christmas helper galore... She has given me helpful hints on the tree, told me she wants the super yummy cake from my Taste of Home for Christmas, and helped me pick out Char's Christmas presents. I finally had to banish her to her room so I could finish up my online shopping with a present for her, but I was instantly reminded.... I haven't even started Birthday shopping yet. It's so hard having a little girl with a Birthday so close to a major Holiday, I almost feel like she's cheated out of her special day. This year we are going to make a BIG deal out of it though.... Yee-Haw!!!! :) :) This sicky is signing off, Have a wonderful monday, dear readers!!!!!