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6.06.2014

2 months since last post

Whoa how time flies when i'm busy posting on Instagram! Today is the 67th day of the #100daysofhappiness challenge and it's really helped me pull out of the postpartum blues, focus on the positive and appreciate all the happiness around me. Guess what... apparently there is this phenomenon called Law of Attraction and the happiness continues to find me once i found it, and just as powerful is the power of the downward spiral, ha! i was caught in it before i started the challenge and almost tripped myself up a few days ago but i dug deep and got back out. This is what we've been up to:

I've been working hard at getting my new life in order and let me tell you, Baby Love is just as lovely as can be! This past week we worked on Sleep Training and that has been a complete success. We were co-sleeping and that was working fine until it wasn't anymore. She would have a difficult time going to sleep for the night, she would wake up multiple times throughout the night (& i would nurse her back to sleep each time) and really was just not sleeping well. NOW she sleeps through the night 10-12 hrs! It was difficult at first as she yelled at us for 90min the 1st night, she was pissed! But it's gotten easier every night and tonight she only fussed for 4 minutes.

A couple weekends ago, me and Baby Love went on our 1st road trip 5 hrs away along the California Coast and met my best friend for the weekend. We had met the exact place 6yrs ago, i had taken Lil Rev on our 1st road trip & we made his 1st birthday invitation. So to keep traditions alive we met again and assembled her invitations. I haven't mailed them out so i can't post pictures yet but they turned out really cute!

Today i finally was able to put a little photoshoot together for the finishing touches for her invitation. The theme is "Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice" Polka Dot style. It's getting harder and harder to photograph this curious, mobile one!

  
   
                                                   


4.06.2014

Day 6

Super organizing  (&purging!) make me super happy! ! These were once filled with "stuff", but stuffed no more! ! I've been going through my house & organizing EVERYTHING & today I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor. #100daysofhappiness #100happydays #happyrevilleville

4.03.2014

Easter shopping

Shopping for the kids Easter present is making me happy on day 3

4.02.2014

Happiness is...

...appreciating the beauty all around us,

#dutchlove

Today's happiness is brought to you by Dutch Bros! They make me smile every time I go; great energy, fabulous customer service, delicious coffee and MUFFIN TOPS! Well since I want to loose MY muffin top, I skipped on theirs. Thank you Dutch Bros for the smile (&caffeine) today

3.06.2014

Baby stepping success

Well after a couple days of some pretty intense criticism and self doubt, Im happy to report i had a great day today, whew!! A friend came over and watched Baby Love so I was able to volunteer in Lil Rev's classroom. I mailed off our taxes to our CPA, I wrapped up some other really important paperwork and EVEN created a Profit & Loss statement for my business, organizing all receipts, expenses and sales order forms. I took Lil Rev to his baseball practice - ON TIME aaaand even dropped off Hubby's clothes at the dry cleaners. I gotta say, today was a good day!

2.20.2014

With Honors

Yep, I graduated college with honors in my major. I had it together. I’ve worked hard since I was 16 years old. Full time jobs, part time jobs while going to school full time, put myself through college (it took longer than most, but I did it!), volunteer work, schedules, deadlines, work out routines, tasks to complete, goals to achieve. For the most part I handled it all well. I thrive under pressure. When I’m too busy for my own good I shine and many times have even surprised myself. For the past 7 years I have worked full time while raising my son and juggling the whole gig; mom, wife, employee. Now, I’m at home, living my dream, took the plunge, quit my 9-5 to work from home and care for my children. And now I’m lost. I can't figure it out. The days seem to fly by before I remember to take a shower, or clean, or squeeze in time to do laundry or dishes, blah blah blah... let alone BLOG!  I've been in a haze, trying to figure it all out, but I’m not sure where to start, what to do, how to get it all done, or have the motivation to do it. That's the part that has me all tripped up. Geeze, Honors! I'm kinda smart, right? ha! I have to tell you I’m really surprised with how well I’m NOT adjusting to this. I've overcome many obstacles and challenges but I never imagined this would be so difficult.  I have a list of things I need to do, projects I want to do  (and Pinterest is not helping with the matter, seriously!), lots of weight that needs to get lost, and on and on and on.  I had this wave of inspiration and gratitude wash over me while driving yesterday… “I have an incredible,  supportive husband; I can move mountains with his love and support. I can do anything!”  And that was that. The motivation and inspiration left as fast as it came * sigh *
Before I quit my full time job, while still working and pregnant I had a vision, a pipe-dream of a clean sparkling home, happy well cared for children whose homework ALWAYS was completed with smiles and giggles all the way through, well prepared homemade meals, and of course greeting my husband from a long day at work wearing cute, outfits with makeup and hair done... yep, not only did I graduate with honors, I dream big too! I know! Well, guess what?  My reality is the furthest thing from that. I’d be lucky to even sneak a shower in and brush my hair before hubby gets home. Forget the whole cooking thing (never my forte anyways). Usually, I am a pretty positive, inspired and enthusiastic person but I’m really struggling now.  Had to find motivation these days. I’ve come to realize this:

My entire role and identity has shifted and I need to create this new identity for myself.
I need to create the life that I had dreamed, the hard work and effort will be worth it.
I have grappled about blogging about my “failing with honors” for a little while now because I didn't really want to talk about my struggles, perpetuating them, but I've decided the time has come to share my challenges, put it out there. And be done. Turn the page of this ambiguous, shapeless chapter in my life, share it with you and move onto the next…
I will put health as a priority in my life and my family’s life.
I will be gentle on myself and celebrate every step towards my goals.
I will create a schedule that includes time for myself, my family and my career.
I will embrace the process of redefining my role as an Entrepreneurial Mom of 2.

Whew, now that’s done, off in cyberspace and ready happen, I wanted to share with you what this post inspired me to create... Yeah, It's happening already!!  I was iNSpiReD!

1.28.2014

TEETH


Convo with Hubby tonight:
(Lil Rev lost his 1st tooth today!!!)
JR: Do you have any cash?
Me: No i don't think so, do you?
JR: Yeah
Me: How much?
JR: 10 bucks
Me: WHAT!?!?! no way!
JR: it's his 1st tooth! What were you thinking?
Me: a dollar. or 7 quarters.
JR: YOU'RE CHEAP!!
Me: No, i'm self employed!


What i  love about today is that the day our biggest losses his first tooth 
is the same time our littlest grows in her 1st teeth!

1.08.2014

13 years & a 1/2 birthday too

13 years ago today, I made the most difficult decision of my life. I placed my beautiful daughter up for open adoption. The day she was born was more emotional than words can describe but what I can say is that the precious baby girl who was born that day was loved immediately by 2 families. My family, friends and Catholic Charities support system were there. Her wonderful adoptive parents and their friends were there too. The love in the room was palpable. It was a surreal experience i feel so fortunate to have as a part of our adoption story; a birth family and adoptive family together for the birth of a very loved baby girl. 13 years later I am so lucky to have a relationship with my daughter, and it continues to evolve. I simply adore her Mother, i think the world of her and continue to learn from her about parenting, love and perseverance. I have been blessed to be a part of their lives and watch my daughter grow into the incredible young lady she is today. I love them both deeply and couldn't be happier about the relationship we have developed and continue to grow. 

Happy birthday sweet baby girl.
 Every moment I get to spend with you is a precious moment that I cherish

This picture reminds me of a poem i found 13 years ago
that helped me when when i needed it most.

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.'

Two different lives, shaped to make your one...
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first gave you life and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One gave you up ... that's all she could do.
The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me, through your fears, 
the age old question unanswered throughout the years...
Heredity or environment, which are you the product of?
Neither, my darling … neither.
Just two different kinds of love.

~ Author Unknown ~

And I also celebrate my other daughter's 1/2 birthday today too.
I find it quite ironic that the day my birth daughter turns into an official "teenager" 
is also the day that my youngest turns 6 months old.

With the greatest love for both my daughters, and my son, a Mother's love is never undone.

10.31.2013

Candy Tax

While walking home from trick or treating with my family; hunky hubby, lil police man & precious pumpkin, we told Lil Rev that he's going to have to share his candy with us. He protested and whined "NOOOO WAAAAY!"... And the following convo took place:

Me: it's called a Candy Tax
Lil Rev (LR): what's a candy tax?
Me: Daddy, tell him all about taxes
Hunky Hubby (HH): well a tax is when the government takes 1/2 your money.
I jump in: NO, NOT HALF. like 30%
HH: income tax, sales tax, your mama tax
Me: yeah, you're right, OK continue
HH: So the people work and make the money and the government takes the tax.
LR: OK, got it. I'm the government & you're the workers!

Right.
Happy Halloween!