A Year in Photos.

Alyvia turns Three and Mason is 6 months!

Mase Man turns one!

:)

My 5 year reunion!

Family Fall Photos!

Christmas time!

Needless to say, we are incredibly blessed.  Merry Christmas!

Day of Thanks.

Although I one hundred percent believe we should be thankful every day, we are all human, and let bad days get in the way of remembering what to be thankful for.  I have put a lot of effort into remembering the good versus the bad lately, and it really does change your attitude about everything.

Starting with our home.  It is an abode we get to create memories in, and look back three years later, and laugh about those memories, in the same house you made them in.
Devon's jobs, and how committed he is to continue to do what he loves.
My two children.  The two beings who fill my soul with so much happiness, love, and hope.  I need them just as much as they need me.
My job.  It is something I've grown to love.  I can't wait to spread my wings and continue serving our State.
Family. Blood, inherited, friends that are family.  Each of you.  I value our relationships every single day.
...And so much more.

So, as you gather in rooms full of love and laughter, hang on to those moments you feel thankful.  You can live a rich life of feeling thankful every single day.

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Happy.

I'm gonna start off by saying - someone, the Big Man upstairs - has been so good to us.  In September, we hit a huge mountain we didn't think we would climb fast enough.  If you know me, I was panicking.  Excessively.  It was so unhealthy, not just for me, but for everyone around me.  My constant thought was how are we gonna make it? But you know what, here we are at the end of October (and I am listening to Michael Buble Christmas Music!), making it.  We are more than ok, and I have the greatest sense of peace about it.  We will always be ok.

We as a socitey get so wrapped up in making it to next month, when we forget how far we've come.  We also forget, there will always be a way for things to work.  I have learned to put my faith and positive attitude first.  And for those of us who have kids, they see that.  They feel every feeling you do, every single day.  We as parents are their example of what type of human being they should be when they are our age.  Do not consume your time with stress about keeping up with the Jones', or the Smith's next door.  How you handle each situation is the definition of who you are, and makes a more lasting impression on those around you than the color of your shoes or the brand of TV you have; thrive on the little moments, for one day, they will be the big moments you remember.  You will make it.

I also need to thank my husband for sticking by my crazy a$$, because Lord knows, he could have walked away more times than not.  He always makes sure we have more than enough.  If you can't tell, I'm feeling super blessed today.  You should too.

Moving on.

I hope.

Recently, I felt like Devon and I hit rock bottom with some issues.  Just communication, rarely seeing each other because of his awful work schedule, my emotional rollercoaster, etc.  We really thought buying the house would make things 'better' for us (well, I did), because lets be honest, living with your in-laws while married with two kids is.. hard.  I kind of went into panic when they didn't.  Financial strains took place, which caused more head-butting.  I felt as if we weren't going to learn how to move passed it.  About 2 weeks ago, we had a long talk while in bed.  It was much needed, and opened my eyes to a lot.  While I was so concerned/worried about why I was hurting, and why I couldn't move on, I failed to recognize I wasn't the only one who hurt. I wasn't the only one struggling.  It made me feel like a terrible person.

But - I took it and vowed to start focusing on moving forward together.  That didn't mean forgetting or not talking about what I was going through, but remembering that he was in this relationship too, and he needed reassurance from me, just as much as I needed it from him.

I can't grasp the fact of why someone who is supposed to be there for you your entire life can just shut you out.  Especially when you are the child.  This thought was triggered from a recent confrontation because my heart was broken, again, by someone I want to just be there for me, more than anything.  I texted Devon before I confronted her, telling him I needed to do this for my sake, but after, I was moving forward.  I cannot continue to drag people down with me because of something they have no control over.  What I can do is say my peace, and move forward for not only my family's sake, but for mine.  Nothing will ever replace that love I wish I had from her, but I can make sure I don't make the same mistakes with my kids, and my husband.  I also need to remember that bad days will still creep up on me, but I cannot let it control me anymore.  That conversation saved my life.

Be happy.  Always remember, you aren't the only one hurting.  Also remember, someone is there for you.  Embrace those who love you and be better than what has broken your heart so many times.  It can always be worse.

My babies aren't babies.

This picture was of course, taken by my SIL.  We all went to a fundraiser for Children's Hospital at Lynd's Fruit Farm this past Saturday.  LOOK. AT. HOW. BIG. THEY. ARE!  It blows my mind.  Alyvia started preschool at a local church.  It is one day a week, and so good for her.  I've noticed a change in her behavior since she's started.  More patient (at times), polite, and SO GOOD at using her words instead of thaaaat whiiiiiiiiinYYY voice that us mothers all know and love. ;)  She will be F O U R in F O U R months.  I catch myself staring at her sometimes, wondering how I did so well- how did I get so, SO blessed with such a sweet, fun girl.

Mase Man.  My monkey.  He is crazy.  Walking.  Yes, I said walking.  At 14 months he finally took off.  This little man has my heart.  He is so happy and all over the place, it warms my heart.  He is signing AND saying 'all done', hello, hi, Momma and Dadda.  Sometimes, I catch him saying 'Ayaya' - Alyvia. :)  Oh, and he weighs more than her too.  He is a solid, handsome man and such a Daddy's boy.  I love it.

Watching them grow, learn and laugh- that is what I live for.  My heart is so warm knowing that I am a Mommy to these two munchkins.  Oh, I am so in love with them.

We're in!

We started moving into our house August 23rd.  Exactly two weeks ago!  It almost seems unreal.  The first entire day was painting... painting... and more painting.  We got most of it done that day and finished it off Friday late afternoon.  I love it more and more each day.  We have two living areas; the first one is rarely used, but also the first room you enter as you walk into the house.  I wanted a refreshing/happy color on most of the walls - we went with a turqousiey/blue.  I love it.  We have a backsplash in our kitchen, so we put off painting it, and the family room is directly connected to the kitchen.  I wanted warm/comfy colors, so we chose a burnt/fall orange.  I love it as well.  New carpet went in that Friday as well.  Our basement still needs new carpet, and we have yet to make time to pick out any.  The previous owners destroyed it.

Kids' rooms are fun.  Alyvia especially loves hers.  Mase's is a firetruck theme... DUH!

We've already repaired a leak, and replaced the sump pump (which we knew needed done).  My in-laws have helped tremendously through this whole, on-going process.  It is exhausting.  All we have left is miscellaneous things to put away, and I'm also having a garage sale this Saturday.

I will post before/after photos as soon as I get the chance!

It's here.

Well, tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the day we close on our first home.  This has been the most stressful experience of our life.  We started this journey in October 2011.  We knew then we needed to work on some things on our credit, and I needed to get on full time with the State.  And I did.  In December, I finally came permanent.  Some of you may know the story behind my student loans; that was our biggest hurdle.  After literally hundreds of phone calls, we finally jumped that hurdle.  We've had lenders fall through, homes not passing inspections, money blown to make things work, things repaired, switched loan types, saved a down payment in 2 months, and finally...FINALLY made it to this day.  I will cry.  I will smile.  My stomach will fill with butterflies.  I feel like tomorrow is the first day of my senior year of high school or something.  The beginning of a new chapter for my family.  I haven't lived in a home that was owned in a long, long time.  And tomorrow, it will be my - OUR - home.  Two thousand square feet to make memories in.  A breakfast bar to witness my kids grow up at.  A pool to make summer memories in.  A home.

Thank you to everyone, and I mean every single one of you, who has been there for us during this process.  You cant put a price on a happy family and happy home.