February??

I can't believe it's February already. It seemed like it was Christmas last week (or maybe it's just because my Christmas lights are still up and some decorations are still in my sunroom??? hmmmm...) January flew by! And before I know it, it will be February vacation already. For vacation, I'm really hoping it's either 1. nice out...so we can do a letterbox or 2, or 2. snowy out....so I can take the kids sledding out back of the house at the bogs. But it can't be too cold...because I don't like the cold so much.

And the groundhog saw it's shadow today....6 more weeks of winter. Someone needs to tell my bulbs that since they are popping up already!

Blessings Jar...

We've never been the type of family to say grace before dinner. But a few months ago, I thought it would be a nice tradition to start. It's also a nice way to try and have the kids appreciate the food in front of them every night and be grateful for what they have. We're not really the "off the cuff" type so I went online and printed off a bunch of blessings that were nice and appropriate. I put all the blessings into a "Family" jar and it's in the middle of our kitchen table. Every night, one of us pulls a blessing and reads it aloud. The kids actually fight over who's turn it is! The kids had friends over for dinner a few weeks ago and they actually thought it was pretty cool too. =))

I'm very glad that the kids have taken to this idea so fondly and was thinking it's time to put some new blessings in the jar. So I'm asking you....what are some of your favorite dinner blessings?

Scrap Happy!

I've gotten the digi scrap bug again! I got a new computer and had Photoshop Elements 7 put on it so I could learn how to use it. Well...yesterday I bought a page template set and that "made" me learn to modify it in PSE! I can't believe how simple it really is using the templates! Here's what I've done yesterday and today:

Kit: It Boy by Traci Reed; Template: A Whole Year by Dani Alencar

Kit: A Mother's Story by Julie Bullock; Template: A Whole Year by Dani Alencar

Kit: Backyard Fun by Julie Bullock; Template: A Whole Year by Dani Alencar

Kit: Tickle Me Pink by Julie Bullock; Template Elizabeth York Designs at www.scrapsandblessings.blogspot.com

Woo hoo! I'm so excited! Now I just need to hook up my wide format printer and print them for the kids scrapbooks!

The start of something (not so) new...

Got my butt to the gym today! I've been only making it there once a week lately. I used to go at least 4-5 days a week but then either me or the kids were sick and I couldn't go. It's pretty fast to get out of a good habit! So today, it my new start. Why wait until January 1? Hit the treadclimber for 46 minutes....I think that's a new record for me. It really helped that my friend was there to chat with....makes the time go by so much faster! I got some weights in too and I'll do my ab work as soon as I'm done writing. AND...I'm going to yoga class tonight!

One of the funny things is that my friend today said her step daughter saw my facebook picture and said how beautiful I was. That was nice to hear but then I sorta cringed because on a normal day, I look *nothing* like my picture. And that made me sad because I WANT to look like that picture! (you can't see my other chins, lol I know how to position the camera *just right*). So that's my little goal...to look like my picture any day of the week.

With the holidays here, it's so easy to say "I have shopping to do" and never make it to the gym or "I'll workout at home" and never do it. So I'm starting my road to a new me TODAY. How about you?

You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

Shopping is pretty much done for my kiddos. Luckily they didn't have very big lists...here's a few highlights:

My 9yo asked for.....a bb gun, some legos and that's about it! We were

really not going to do the bb gun route but after talking it over, we decided it would be ok and used *only* under dh's supervision and he must wear

googles at all time.

My 6yo wrote her own list so I needed to do some deciphering: Zoom Zoom pets (zhu zhu pets...and I doubt that's gonna happen! What is it with those stupid little things???), Nintdo ds (nintendo ds), Moxie grils (girls) and my darling daughter even put "a new bieck for mom" on the list! lol

My 3yo had nothing but lincoln logs and toy truck on his list. Then we went thru the Walmart toy aisle. He added Batman Bat Cave, Batman batmobile and a Batman batpod. Can you tell what he likes?

What is big on your kids lists this year???

Just the two of us....

The other night, Grampa was so nice to come and watch the kids for us so hubby and I could go out to dinner and do some Christmas shopping. Yes...an actual date night! We had such a nice time! We definitely don't get to spend time alone like that often...and we really need to make it a priority to do so! No kids to mind...just us! Once a week would be great...but that's a dream. I think once a month is more like it and that is most certainly do-able!

Do you do date nights with your hubby/wife/significant other? How often? What do you do? =))

Snow!

Today, we got our first taste of snow for the season. We've only gotten a few inches and unfortunately it's going to change to rain any time now and it will all be gone. But I love the first snowfall! Makes everything look so pretty and crisp and clean. And the kids love to play in it. I know after a few storms I won't be writing how I love the snow....but we won't think of that! =)

ps....I'm going to make a priority to keep the blog updated! =))