Christmas 2014 and the New Year

This year I wanted to keep things simple and laid back for Christmas....The kids may not have gotten much but they loved what they got and are still enjoying their gifts...I didn't want them overwhelmed with a mountain of toys...The few they got are the ones they said they REALLY wanted...Christmas morning was easy and had a light feeling to it...there was no pressure to go here and there and we got to relax and enjoy watching our kids play with their new toys...

Now we are heading into the new year not very stressed and not in MAJOR debt over toys...We do have a goal of paying off the small debts we have this year and making big dents in our larger debts especially our car payment...the more ahead we are on it the less interest we get charged and the sooner we can plan our trip to Disney....The one thing my hubby and I said is the car has be paid off before we go....we were going to go this year but we sat down and discussed whats more important and how we want the kids to really remember our trip....we have a few birthdays this month my youngest is turning 3!  My hubby is also turning 30! Hopefully this year will be positive and a lot of goodness and blessing will happen for our family...we have had a rough couple years and need a big shift for the better...

Its THAT Time of Year! Pt 2

     Its the time of year when everyone is "supposed" to be joyful and happy all the time....Spreading good cheer...You know the drill....It doesn't always go that way though....
     The kids seemed to be hopped up on sugar that you know they didn't get from you 24/7...They are fighting more than ever and being even more resistant to what you tell them to do.  It seems like things are not going to be "normal" again.  You try to put on your happy face but lets be honest some days it seems impossible and maybe it is impossible...I'm going to try to be positive though but first things first the terrible 3's!
     My 2 year old insists he is NEVER naughty....hmmm...i think other wise mister, he is very strong willed and wants things his way....He thinks Santa is only bringing him presents.He says no one else is getting any..He is definitely at the terrible 3 stage of me, me, me, and only me even though he has a bit over a month til his birthday...

Right now this is our "normal".  My 2 year old thinks he is allowed to beat his older brother up even though he has be repeatedly told no and given many time outs...

This is the look I got when I told him to stop...Its the "What?! I wasn't doing anything" look.  He knew he was in trouble.

My oldest doesn't believe in Santa anymore at the age of 8!  That's ok though.  He does know what Christmas is about and was happy to get to pick his sister and brother a gift...He wanted to use his money but I told him I would buy them and for him to save his money for something important....

My 8 year old has been very winy lately and has become a home body...We had to make him go place with us this weekend...He then acts tired the whole time...He wants to be playing INFINITY...

He does enjoy himself when he goes with us but I have to be quick to catch the moments he has forgotten about being at home.  I LOVE his smile...Please don't stop blessing the world with your kind, giving, and loving heart...He really is wise beyond his years with some of the things he says when we have deep discussions but his 8 year old self makes itself heard for sure...

Bella is Very much into Christmas...She is typically happy and she seems even more so here lately...

You can often find her dancing in the kitchen to Katy Perry or OneRepublic with her version of ballet.  She has spunk and a fire I never want to see dim...I love how she can make a whole room smile with her happiness radiating off of her...She has actually been on her best behavior lately and the first to tell the boys to stop and behave...

Here is our picture with Santa this year...It may not be your version of perfect but this is what our year has looked like at times...2 grumpy boys and one happy girl...Its not always going to look this way, but I want to remember these years how they actually were.  So to me its our perfect.

It's That Time of Year......

It is time for the holidays! We have already put our tree up and decorated for Christmas.  Lat year it was like a week before Christmas when we decorated.  My kids are in the Christmas spirit now.  My 2 year old was in it around Halloween week.  We LOVE this time of year.  I like getting to give to others and see the enjoyment of the gifts I give them.  Our lovely little tree is from Target! Best $25 spent.  All of our ornaments are either handmade or from when I was a child except for a handful my kids have picked out over the years.

On another note Thanksgiving is in a little more than a week!  I can't wait.  Cooking, eating, and shopping all in one day!  We also enjoy watching the Macy's parade in the morning on TV with the kids.  It is one of the only days of the year my hard working husband gets off since he works in a restaurant.  He gets to relax and only peel the potatoes and cut the onion for me...The rest is left to my mom and I.  We like to cook and we serve it up buffet style.  We all hang out in the kitchen and living room and eat.  Nothing fancy around here, just spending time with each other talking and watching Christmas shows.  Then we go black Friday shopping after all is said and done. I hope you all have an awesome holiday season this year!  I will post some of our Thanksgiving Recipes next weekend after things have calmed down....