in with the new (and some news)

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 I am so excited about this year.  As stated here, I am on a journey to make life better.  I am more serious about it this year than I have ever been.  No doubt, its because I've hit a new decade and I have many regrets and moments of pride from my last 10 years, much of which to motivate me as I go in to this new year and decade.

IN WITH THE NEW kind heartedness.  I am going to love more and show it.

IN WITH THE NEW responsible ways.  I will be accountable for a lot this year.  I will own up to my responsibilities and get them done!  I will challenge myself when I think it will be too hard.

IN WITH THE NEW lifestyle.  I will be a healthy woman and help my family be the same.  I will get plenty of sleep and exercise, too.  I'll take a lot of time for teaching and playing with the kids.  I want to start daily, weekly, monthly traditions.

IN WITH THE NEW FAMILY BLOG!  Yep, its happening.  This personal blog of mine has seen its last post.  We are starting a new family blog where we'll share bits about each of us in pictures (of course), video.  You'll learn our favorite things, of updates and facts about each one of us, and about projects we are all working on and accomplishing.  We are a happy family that does a lot together and we've needed a place to share collectively.  Find the new blog at www.lmtblogs.com  in a few days.  For now click on the "FAMILY BLOG" link above.

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Happy New Year!  

May this be an adventurous, memorable, and happy year.

out with the old

GOOD BYE - 2012

What a year 2012 was!  We came into it expecting big changes with a new job and move in sight along with the arrival of a new member of our family.  Besides those big changes we've all grown and become closer and better in this last year.  We are happy to be where we are!

And now a looking back in order to move forward.  Doing away with the old to make room for the new.

OUT WITH THE OLD selfish tendencies.  I'm going to be a bit more patient, giving, caring, sensitive, have more confidence in others.  I will love more and show it, too.

OUT WITH THE OLD personal blog.  I just find no pleasure in writing about things that don't include my family anyway.  We are a very happy collaboration and I am through keeping that from being documented.  This will be devoted to our family and will include everyones photos, facts and favorites.

OUT WITH THE OLD childish self.  I will get things done.  I won't wait for someone else to complete or make things better.  I will make goals and accomplish them.  I  will do hard things and become a better adult.  I will be a better woman and example for my family.  I will be brave and hopeful.

OUT WITH THE OLD habits and rituals.  I need to take better care of myself, and so does my family. Manners need to be improved and friendly practices need to ensue.  My kids need better routines   People need to know we think of and care about them.

..... some NEW things are coming in 2013.

out with the old, in with the new

I'm still thinking a lot about this quote.  And to start 2013 off well, I'm determined to make my home and life better.  I've spent the last 3 days organizing and de-cluttering   I'll be selling and donating a lot of stuff.  I'm planning and scheduling, for that is the only way I can hope to get anything done it seems.

Also, I'll be changing some things about current and past blogs, combining and deleting them too.   I have several blogs and since I now have "several" children, it is silly and impractical to try to keep up with them all... the blogs, that is.

........ Now, off to wake up the family, make breakfast and get back to decorating the kids room.  Oh, and I need to paint our new nightstands.  Lots of good planned for today and the end of this year... only 3 days left of 2012!

Happy Holidays

Can you believe I'm still sending these out?  

Its true.  So, if you requested one, you'll be getting it soon.  

All the best to you and yours this coming year.  

square photography

 * all images from my instagram

things are going well

This is what life is like right now.  Its going well.  I'm trying and it is paying off.  I remember this post about how parenting is hard.  It is but it doesn't have to be as unenjoyable as I/we can make it.  I'm not sure when it happened for me but, the patience and prayers since then are paying off, for now at least.

I've found that sitting down on the ground with the kids is the best way to spend my time lately.  My attitude and my kids are better for it.  I am figuring out in little ways how to be more patient and loving. I am really starting to be pleasant to be around again.  ;-)

One morning this past week the was shining and I knew it wasn't going to last long.  I stopped everything I was doing and whisked the kids outside for a sunny walk.  It was so very pleasant to be outside in nature.  Even more, I was relieved to realize that there wasn't anything in the world more important for me to be doing.

I put too much pressure on myself to be a certain way and really all I want to do is live a basic and satisfying life.  Simple is good, walks in nature are good, being able to stay home with my kids is oh, so good.

thanksgiving with family

Thanksgiving this year was extra fun and memorable.  We were in Utah for my sister's wedding than we all trekked down to Arizona where we enjoyed playing in the sun.  We had a blast!  I think you can see that from the pictures... more after the break.

happy birthdate

She's 5 months old today!

I am in love with my little happy beauty.  

She is so good just like her brother.  

How did I get so lucky?!

XAQUE

Just look at him!  Handsome and happy and so much fun.

Happy Birthdate, my Love!

thanksgiving with friends

Now is the time to write about our Thanksgiving fun.  We've made some awesome friends that we're going to keep forever.  Before we all left on our Thanksgiving vacations we all got together for a pre-Thanksgiving feast.  If you ask me, I think its the best idea.  I love Thanksgiving foods and it was nice to get to taste it two different times rather than stuff my face all at once.

A couple families slept over night and we had a blast.  We spent the time cooking, laughing, playing games, four-wheeling and eating all of the goodness.  There were so many tasty foods and pies.  And there were tons of kids!  I highly recommend doing a pre-Thanksgiving feast next year.  I might even consider a pre pre-Thanksgiving feast.  Thats how much I loved it.

You can see more pictures that Zack took on Facebook.