Happy Retirement Dad!!!

After working hard for so many years, my Dad has finally retired! We are all so proud of him. No need to wake up early for work anymore. Now it's time to sleep late and enjoy life. My dad is a Dad of 4, and Grandfather of 10, so it seems he's going to be pretty busy, building this, climbing that, running here and going there. My parents deserve this new lease on life. These days should be about getting closer, picnics in the park, and walks at the beach. They were HS sweethearts and have been married for 38 years. Dad I love you and cant wait to hear about all the places you'll visit, and cant wait to see all the pictures you'll take! I Love you and appreciate you!!! GOD Bless You!

In the Middle of Something, again...

Yuck, what is all that? Junk? LOL, Actually its my dining room, covered in living room items. Ive began to paint my builder white walls, finally, after 4 years. That first roll felt soo nice, the last roll isn't up yet, but I'm almost there! This is just a preview of whats going on. My sweet DH and I will be furniture shopping in the next couple weeks. I cant wait! I'm not too sure what I'm looking for, maybe one sofa, and 2 chairs. I'm also planning on hanging drapes and doing something definitely doing something with that Mantel. Paint white or Stain Dark? Still I'm not sure. My colors are Black&White, Brown, and Rust Orange. The walls are like a mocha colored and my carpet is beige, (one day Ill have hardwoods). I'm completely clueless on what color the sofa should be, something on the light side I'm guessing... any Ideas?

Dedication, maybe

My post "Lets Get Some Motivation" was all about cleaning, and reorganizing. A reachable resolution for the year 2010. Anyone ever heard of 24Hour Fitness? LOL I've been a member for the past 8 years,paid for in advance every year, even though the last time I went to the gym was in 2005...sad really =0(. Its not that I don't want to go. Its not that I don't care about myself. Its 5 miles away. Its a brand new facility. I have work out clothes. Whats the deal!

Its been almost 2 months since baby came, and NOW I'm feeling good. Ive been doing some cleaning, painting and got that little motivation I had one year ago. I think I'm ready to start working out! Here's why... Last week was my Daddy's Retirement Party (postin Manana) so I got the invite and was told to have everyone should be dressed in white shirts and jean bottoms... Sounds easy.. until I check my closet (future post..scary in it right now,LOL) and to my surprise I don't own a white shirt.! HOW? Maybe cause I'm nursing right now, or maybe cause I heart wearing black soooo much, I cant fit white into my closet. SOOO, whats a girl to do? I moseyed on down to Target... Picked up a couple winners and headed for the fitting room. I love Target, decor, housewares, I even like the toy isle (boo ToysRus), anywhooo one thing I hate are their fitting room MIRRORS! They are just plain RUDE! LOL They don't lie or even give you a break..! I picked a shirt to hide everything underneath and almost left the fitting room in tears!

WOW!!! I guess I should be a little easier on myself... This is the reason why I purposely didn't make it my New Year Resolution to loose weight! .... So Ive made a commitment to myself.... Today is Jan 21, 2010 (still cant believe its 2010) and by next January I will be fit and healthy the correct way, eating right and exercise. I'm nursing and plan to for the next year and a half so I cant diet...I know eating right and exercise work just as well if not better!

Don't know what your resolution was, but if you'd like to join me in this, we can call it our silent resolution, no one has to know! LOL

Be healthy and eat Smart!!!

***Pictured are my running shoes, got them @Kohls for 35 bucks, 30 bucks off...!!!*****

A Pleasant Surprise!

Don't you just love the days when you get a pleasant surprise! They are wonderful, they let you know you were thought of, talked about (in a good way), and missed. My handsome 9 yr old nephew stopped by for a quick "Hello". with my trusty camera in hand I had to capture a couple moments. My kids adore Shawn. Proof of that is the 30 minutes of crying they do after he leaves... Thankful I took the pictures, they make sure to ask to see them every other day it

seems.

In the Works...

Hi! Im sooo excited! I have something in the works Ive been wanting to do for a long while but havent got a free second. Hopefully Ill be getting that free second within the next week. Just wanted to give you a sneak peek!

Who would of known?

Hi everyone! Hope your day is starting off wonderfully! I was able to sleep in thanks to my DH...! Unfortunately didn't last too long, Carter and Katie have now developed colds. Coughing, sneezing, boogies, the whole nine yards! Oh, how I hate when the kids are sick. Seems no one can get a good nights rest. Hopefully this doesn't last too long!!!

Much to my surprise back on November twenty-something, I was surfing blog land like I normally do, finding so many favorites I can hardly keep up with the names. I ran across Becky @ Thoughtfully Blended Hearts, decided pretty quick that I'd like to visit her site again and became a follower... Several days later I delivered my daughter, and became MIA for a while. When I got to read my comments there was one from Becky, she mentioned I was her 100Th follower and she'd like to send me a little something...! That was just the sweetest thing ever, she sure did make my day... Today I received her gift and I'm so blessed to have "met" such sweet bloggers out there, like Becky.

Since Becky was aware I had a baby girl, she picked her up a tiny little outfit, that is going to fit her perfect one of these days. Her gift also included a Hostess apron, soo cute, and its reversible. Not sure what its called but its like a hand cloth with "Friendship warms the heart on it, so cute! She also sent me the cutest little ceramic bootie, and tiny carriage. She also sent a tiny saucer, maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to find a cup! As if that wasn't enough she also sent a crown, so darling, perfect for my daughters room. Thank you so much!!! Drop by her blog and say "Hello!" A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope.

Much to do..

To keep up with my cleaning resolution, I've started small. With a tiny one (Hailey) I can only do so much at a time before she wakes up. So a couple days ago during a nap I cleaned out my bedroom drawers.It went quite well, pop open a drawer, pull everything out and sort. If I hadnt used it within the last 6 months, it was send to the donate pile. I thought I would of had more than 2 grocery bags in the donate pile, maybe Ill have better luck in my closet!

After that was complete I felt soo good! Everything is neat and orderly, I know what I have, I found things I "lost" months ago before my preggo phase, it was awesome. After getting my drawers nice and neat, I thought, Wow, now I'm ready for something bigger...or so I thought!

I have this room downstairs, its used for many things. I have piles of this and that and the other in this room. It's "supposed" to be a laundry room, but since its rather large, I began storing homeless items. Now I have a laundry room full of homeless items!!!! I'm holding back the picture because you might faint if you see it. Its Mommys catch EVERYTHING room no one goes in. So I had my wonderful DH make a run to Lowes to pick up some bins. He purchased 10 bins. PERFECT!!!

(pictured is only 6 bins, couldnt reach to get the 7th one on top)

So this began my cleaning... I worked on it for one full day and filled 7 of the 10 bins. I have a pile of donate and removed tons of trash. It was the best feeling, I actually feel like I lost some weight cleaning this room, LOL. LOL I'm still laughing about that! I kept out one minor detail... The cleaning I did was just to the piled items! Ugh, I havent even got to the cabinets yet!!! ... Ill keep you posted on how thats going!!!

Thank You...

Yeah! Got my very first Kreativ Blog Award from my neighbor Janis over at
White Alder Home. Thank you very much for choosing lil ol' ME! I couldn't be happier. Please be sure to visit Janis and say "Hello!"
To earn the award completely I now must dig deep and tell you seven things you may not know about me...
1. I was born in High Heels (not literally, LOL). IF I could, I would wear heels every day!...I also have a love for shoes! One of these days Ill post a pic of my closet. Hey that was a 2for1... 2. I have a horrible fear of heights. My palms get clammy just thinking about it. And don't bother asking me to look out a plane window!!! Isle seat please!

3. I love to shop, not window shop, spending shop! If I'm sick with the flu, have a migraine, or anything else, and you mention "lets go shopping"... Give me 5 minutes Ill be ready!!!
4. I always, everyday, rain, sleet, snow, make my bed. If I dont, Ill get the urge to hop back in!!! Its sooo inviting! (Unless of corse, Im still in the bed...!)
5. Last time I cleaned my closet I donated over 50 grocery bags full of clothes and 8 bags of shoes!!! I hope someone got some use out of that stuff since I wasnt. Springish cleaning is here again, I wonder how many bags Ill fill this time.
6. I NEED to have my kitchen sink empty at all times. It bothers me when dishes pile up. When dishes have been put away, I feel complete, LOL!7. When I was 12 I wanted a purple car. My mom always said If I got one I'd have to park it around the corner, and not in front of her house! LOL, thank God that at 12 your favorite color changes monthly, next was green!

And the 7 Nominations go to....

1. Michelle @ A Little French Loven

2. Melissa @ Memoirs

3. Becky @ Thoughtfully Blended Hearts

4. Rosie @ Journey to Charm

5. Plantsomeroots at Lakewood @ Plant Some Roots

6. Lori @ Life as Lori

7. Libby @ Twirl and Taste

1. Thank the person who nominated me for the award, copy the logo.
2. link to the person who nominated me [Pieces of Me]
3. list 7 things people may not know about me
4. nominate 7 creative bloggers, post their links and leave a comment on each blog.

Lets get some MOTIVATION!!!

For as long as I remember, I can hear my Dad saying "Lets get some Motivation!"

Usually is was told to us in a very stern, I mean business kinda voice, you know the one you need when talking to kids who aren't paying you any attention. Now that we're all grown up with kids of our own, I sill hear it, and say it myself.

2010 is going to be a big year. Its going to be a good year. Its a new beginning.

Thinking about New Year resolutions is easy, sticking to them is HARD! Last year 09' I'm sure I made a resolution, now if I could only remember what it was.... LOL! OKAY, OK... so this year I wanted to pick something that I can stick with, that I can do a little of daily, something that is possible to complete within a years time. It was time for some motivation. I decided that 2010 was going to be the year of Cleaning, and Organization. Wow, I said it, now its law!

First of all I would like to go through every drawer, closet, nook and cranny and clear out whats not being used, we don't need, or the kiddos have out grown. I'd also like to organize, something I've been meaning to do since we moved in.

Another item on the agenda is painting the rest of the house which is still builder white. I'd like to pick colors which I wouldn't normally choose. Not just those safe beige's', or creams.

Id also like to complete my decorating. A couple rooms still need furniture here and there.

I will be dragging you along on my journey to a clean home. At times I might be MIA, but with a nursing month old baby, a toddler, and a 4 year old, times will get pretty hectic. Eventually when I find my way back I will fill you in with all the jelly and gooey stuff in the middle.

May 2010 bring you happiness when you are sad, strength when you are weak, wellness when you are ill, and laughter when you are taking life too seriously!

Our Darling Baby

Happy 1 month, to Hailey Madison Page

One month old feet, sooo cute and perfect!

Sleeping soundly. Time for Mommy to nap...

Hailey is getting so big, I can hardly believe it.

Here she is sleeping in her Bassinet, which has been past down from my siblings and I to our children, and hopefully their children as well. The quilt, bumper and tiny pillow were all made with love by my mom. She did a fabulous job.

When I met Hailey one month ago, she was placed on my chest immediatly after delievery. Ive never had the opportunity to experiance this with either of my other children. The most beautiful bonding takes place during this time. Labor went by so fast I dont have not one picture, but I will never forget.

Hailey was also invited to her first Tea Party by her big sister, I tried taking a picture with my iphone, and only got one decent picture.

Here is lil Hailey asleep in her Moses Basket. This is where she sleeps when Mommy needs to get some work done. She is such a good sleeper, as well as eater.

Tis the Season to be...OVER!

Thought Id recessitate my blog and write a bit, even though, I'm late. Christmas was 11 days ago and New Years 5.The holidays were great. We stayed home and relaxed, vowed to make it a no stress holiday. Since Hailey was born 1 month ago I never got around to making the house look festive like I usually do. =0( Carter decided since we didn't have a Christmas tree he'd pile up the presents to resemble a Christmas tree, I wish id snapped a picture of that... Unfortunately I also never got around to sending Christmas cards, I had plans to, but the days just seemed to fly by. Before I knew it was already Christmas and New years wasn't far behind.
I'm sharing a couple pics of the kiddos, very happy opening presents on Christmas Eve.