Update...finally!

Wow, where has the time gone? Has it really been almost 5 months since I last wrote on my blog! EEK!

Well, I don't have time to list every detail...but a lot has happened in that time.

Destin finished her first year of preschool. We are truly going to miss her teacher, and friends that she has made. And hope to keep in touch with them over the years!

Destin and Arwen actually had some good moments - playing together, and learning that sharing and getting along is more fun than fighting. 

We had a blast going to Destin's T-Ball Games and Practices each week thru the end of June. It was so cute to see all those little ones chasing after the ball. 

Grandpa Todd came to visit this past summer!

The girls and I went to many of daddy's softball games, including this one where they befriended a caterpillar.

We had many fun trips to Worlds of Fun throughout the summer (all the way to October) with our Season Passes! And we will be going back next year, even though our discount will be gone (since my step dad got a new job somewhere else a couple weeks ago).

During the month of July, we had lots to celebrate...including our annual 4th of July party that we host every year with our friends and family. Here are a few pics of the girls who got their faces painted by one of my (super/awesome/amazingly talented) friends. You can check out her website here!

Happy 4th of July!!

My friend and I spent a day "practicing" making a Scooby cake for Arwen's 3rd birthday. She loves Scooby Doo this year!! 

We went on many play dates too, including this one to Crown Center with our friends. They had a super cute FREE exhibit too, as they do every summer. So much fun!

Yay for playing outside! The girls practically lived in their swimsuits each day.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Arwen!!

The girls loved meeting Snow White at Once Upon a Child ~ my new favorite clothing store for the girls!

The girls got their 1st haircut!

This Fall in September the girls both started school at a new Preschool.

In September, I helped plan a family reunion with my mom's fathers family. It was definitely something I will never forget.

Daddy took the girls fishing for the first time!

For Halloween, Destin was Rapunzel and Arwen was Scooby Doo. 

I finally pushed myself to clean our basement and under our stairs, and found this treasure of a picture. Yep, that's me on the far left with my mom and dad in 1987 or so.

We went to Deanna Rose and had a blast with friends for the day!

The girls and I went on their 1st field trip to Faulkner's Ranch with their preschool. 

So, that pretty much sums up my life til October. I hope I can push myself to keep updating this blog, and journaling my heart out. More pics to come soon!

Discovering Hobbies

As the years go by, and my girls keep growing before my eyes...I can't help but wonder what hobbies I could aspire to do. I really don't have a lot of creativity, although I do enjoy writing. I am not sure that fictional stories would be something I would enjoy doing. 

I love to read, but to be honest I haven't picked up a good ADULT book in years. All I read these days are children's stories day in and day out. I really need to change that habit! So with that said, a book club wouldn't work.

I enjoy cooking and baking, and thought about taking a course in the future. But prices are steep and time is still hard to come by these days. Currently, I have been writing recipes for a few blogs on the World Wide Web and really have enjoyed myself with that. You can find some of my creations at Deal Searching Mama, Military Wives Saving and a few other places. 

I really enjoy photography as well (that pics above, and almost all the pics on this blog have been taken my me). I am not sure how much it would cost to take a photography course, but I would love to check it out, and see how much better my photos could get. 

I am really not that crafty of a person, and sports really aren't my thing ~ so those are out as well...hopefully I can find something to give me some ME time, and venture out into the world. 

Being a full time mommy is such a joy, but I think discovering more about myself and maybe even my talents will be quite an adventure to take as well. Until next time, take care...

Writing is my Outlet

I really miss writing...pouring my heart and soul into a handwritten letter to someone I care about, or typing out my thoughts here on my blog. Hands down to all those fellow writers, bloggers and of course, parents out there who are able to juggle it all and write daily about something fascinating in their corner of the world. 

What started out to be as a graduate project four years ago, which turned into a family diary, is now a mixture of reviews, pictures and ads that don't really blend that well together. I am not exactly sure what I want to do with this blog anymore...I love to write, and maybe I can get back into sharing tidbits of memories through messages and photos that I love to take. My goal is to take on this blog as a way to preserve the things I love the most...which is my family. 

My girls are growing up so fast...too fast in fact. I can't help but worry what life will be like when they are teenagers...I have already heard things that most parents wouldn't dream of wanting to hear ~ like "I hate you", "You are not my real mom", and lately "I am going to live with someone else". Who knew that being upset over a toy taken away, or a disciplinary issue could escalate to hurtful words like that. Granted, my oldest is 4 years old and maybe that is just her way of expressing that she is NOT happy when she doesn't get her way. 

Its funny to look back and recall all those funny moments of parenting...potty training, messy disasters and sleepless nights (which still seem to never go away). As a parent, I feel that my stress levels are always up and down like a roller coaster; and that is something that I am still learning to deal with. 

I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer", nor do I feel that complaining makes it any easier...so I would like to end on a positive note. I have so many wonderful things in my life that are going well, which include: a happy (for the most part) and healthy family, a home, food to eat, water to drink and enough money to get by each day. There are many many more things to be thankful for, but those are the ones that are worth mentioning at the moment. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Take care, and look for another upcoming post soon!

Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends Product Review

As many of you know, my family and I absolutely love Honey Bunches of Oats. And this past month, we were sent a box for FREE to try thanks to Purex Insiders. 

I just love the Mango-Coconut flavors...it makes you feel like you are on a tropical island retreat.

With 50 million smiles and counting Honey Bunches of Oats is introducing a new way to smile...Crispy mango flavored flakes combined with real coconut shavings and coconut flavored granola clusters in New Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends. 

Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends is packed with 10g of Whole Grain. And what's nice about this cereal, is that its only 120 calories. And 6g of sugar compared to Honey Nut Cheerios at 9g.  Includes 9 essential vitamins and minerals including 60% daily value of iron.  4 wholesome grains also Heart Healthy  0 grams of Trans Fat, 0.5 Saturated Fat, and 0mg Cholesterol!

Want to escape to the tropics? Enter to WIN $13,000 in prizes from Purex!!

If you would like to learn more about about Honey Bunches of Oats you can check out their Facebook page, where they offer coupons and more information on all their products! 

I received a free sample of Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends for this post from Purex Insiders. My participation is voluntary and my opinions, as always, are my own.