I love New Year's Day. It feels so good to know that you always have a fresh start. That probably sounds silly because you have the same mortgage, same issues with your kids, same argument with your spouse, ect... However, it's an excuse to set a goal and work towards making your life better whatever that might be for you. Last year was a good year for us. I can't complain. No one died, no one was diagnosed with a serious illness, my house is intact and my family is together. I know for some loved one's it was a hard year and I think a new year always brings hope for something better than the last year. Last year brought some good things to us. Personally, I fell a little more in love with my husband. Those who know me might think this is silly, I have always been in love with him. But this year I just enjoyed him. I recognize those little things that he does for me and our family that I didn't see before. The way he always greets me with a 'Hey Baby', the way his face lights up when he sees his kids, the way he just enjoys being a Daddy. I feel like every year with him gets easier and more comfortable. He is just a wonderful man that I get to call mine. He also started an 'Ideal Protien' diet and so far he has lost 40 lbs. He's so yummy. On to the little loves of my life :) I got to see my kids grow up a little bit more. Which can be a good and a bad thing. I am very slowly learning to enjoy the small things around me because I realize in the end, they really are the big things. I got to meet friends and become close to people that I would've never had the chance to do so if it wasn't for Facebook. That sounds cheesy probably, but it has been a great social network for me. I got to throw my best friend a surprise birthday party and see her beautiful face light up with happiness. The next day we all got to go to Crue Fest and enjoy some fabulous bands that I hope to see again in the very near future. We mostly finished our basement which is a biggie. We have been in our house for 5 1/2 years and it hasn't gotten done. But between our nephew Jim and my sweet Todd it is near completion. YAY!!!! I also embarked on a new adventure. I am a Slumber Parties Consultant. I can hook you up with anything that might enhance your romantic side. It has always been a very comfortable for me to talk about and help people with, so I figured, why not make a little money too. Wahoo!!! So anyway, I think it was a good year. Not to many ups and downs. Just a whole lot of in the middles :)
Last year my only resolution was to keep my house cleaner. Well, I did it. The first resolution I have ever been able to keep and integrate into my life. I got into a routine, got the kids into a routine and it has been great. I feel like if someone unexpected shows up at the door, I don't panic because my house is a disaster. Anyway, my friend Misty asked me if I would be interested in doing a 365 project this year. Basically, I take (with my new fancy shmancy camera:) and post a picture everyday. I thought it would be fun to put it on Facebook and here. So if the picture doesn't match the things I am writing about, then you'll know why :) Alright, here are a few of my resolutions. This year I really want to figure out my emotionally eating issues. Diets put me into a severe depression and I am tired of it. I want to be healthy. I want my family to be healthy. There is to much family history of unhealthiness to not teach my kids and myself what a healthy lifestyle is. I want to be more active. This one is going to have to be a priority. For being so chubby, I keep up with my kids pretty well. I don't my weight slow me down much. But I want to feel better, smile more. Be someone my kids are proud to have as a Mommy. Another thing is is that I need to be very conscience to hug more and yell less. I have been sooooo lucky to have such great kids and there are days where I cannot find any joy. With all these babies, there is always joy along with the craziness. I just need to look harder, chill out a little bit and hug my beautiful babies. I also want to 'date' my husband more. We are calmer and more in love with each other when we have a few minutes to ourselves. And the last thing is to learn to save money a little better. Todd has a great job, but it seems like the money doesn't always stretch as far as we would like it to. So I will be putting more money away and thinking more about 'needs' verses 'wants'.
In saying all of that, I know that I am constantly under construction and will mess up and hit a million road blocks, but as my sweet sister in law reminded me, everything in baby steps. Maybe I'll get there a little at a time :)
My beautiful baby girl!!! We are growing her bangs out and are constantly looking for things to do to pull her hair up and out of her face. Today was a topsy tail thingy with a messy bun in back. She looked adorable :) I have noticed lately how much she is checking her hair to make sure it looks 'ok' when she gets out of the Suburban to go into preschool. Is she supposed to be doing that already? Anyway, she is an adorable little girl. I ♥ my Lil' :)
One of Lily's besties is Kynlie. She is one of my besties little girl. She is a firecracker like Lily. She is beautiful, curious and a stinkin' dolly. I love her. She and Lily had quite a playdate playing dollies, barbies and dress up. A Sassy diva play date is so much fun!
My little Adam is a studmiffin Rockstar!!! He and our neighbor girls decided to start a band. They are called 'Broken Veins'. The original name was 'Vampire', but it just wasn't cool enough, so the kids changed it to 'Broken Veins'. Anyway, our neighbor girl brought the band poster over last night. As soon as Adam showed it to me it brought up a flood of emotions. I started crying. Not a sad cry, but a 'look at my baby' cry. (He looks so badass in this picture.) I feel like music might be a future career for him. He loves music and enjoys everything from Johnny Cash to Slipknot. Last night, it just hit me that someday I think he could be playing in a band that is not only worthy of a poster, but also selling out arenas. Man he is cute :)
Look at how sweet this picture is. Lily is quite the little chef lately. Anything that we are cooking, she wants to be involved. Today, pizza was on the menu for lunch and Lily was in charge 
of helping her Daddy with the lunchtime preparations. She was the cheese spreader. Look at the concentration on that beautiful little face. She is turning out to be quite the little pizza maker :)
I have to say, I was happy today came. Not that I don't adore my family, but I function better when we are sticking to a pretty strict schedule. The last 2 weeks were filled with a whole lotta nothing. Including a schedule. My kids were almost always in bed by 8:30 but would stay up listening to their iPods or playing a video game. And I just let them. So last night, we when back to no iPods or video games and all the kids were in bed by 8:00 and asleep by 8:30. Todd and I were even in bed really early. It was so nice. This morning, the kids and I saw Val off to school. She is in her 3rd semester at BYU Idaho and doing well. We miss her terribly when she is gone, but I know she is going to do amazing things after she graduates :) We are so proud of you honey :) 
And while we were getting back to our normal routine, Sara was also keeping busy. While I was cleaning my bathroom this morning, Sara thought she should paint herself with peanut butter. And might I say, she did a great job! It was all up and down her legs and pants. There was also some on her shirt, face and a glob on the floor. When I came out and saw what she had done, I said "Sara Rose, what are you doing?" She just smiled sweetly and said " Want pu-bu, Mommy!" That is peanut butter in Sara speak. 
Now, I am getting a little concerned because she has inherited a lovely Bates' trait. An addiction to peanut butter. As you can see, there are Drama Mama meltdowns when the request for peanut butter has been denied. Last night, I only allowed her 1 'peanut butter spoon'. O' My goodness. I swear to you, she was so mad at one point, I thought she was going to pass out from holding her breath during her crying fit. Good heavens! What a little stinker my Princess Peanut Butter is, good thing she's cute :)
As far as my life goes right now, I am still searching for my true spiritual path. I have struggled for years with Christianity, all branches of it. Every year that goes by, I feel myself pulling away from any and all beliefs I was raised with or that has been pounded into my head as an adult. I've only said this outloud to a few select people. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed, but people look at you funny when you express a difference in beliefs, especially ones that most Americans believe in. There is a sense of 'going to hell' that expressed, if not in words then in actions and looks. It saddens me sometimes, but most often I try to think 'to each their own' and just move on. This year I'm going to work a little harder on conquering my inner beliefs and teaching myself, compassion, understanding and just allowing myself to let go of any insecurities, fears and worries I have had and focusing on what is the right path for me :) Hopefully, I can find peace, contentment and enlightenment somewhere along the way :)
A few weeks ago, Sara fell in love with Dora the Explorer. She watches it all the time. If it's not on, she's upset and having a drama queen fit about watching it. She also has pull-ups with Dora on them. Whenever we get a new one out for her she always has to "See Boots!!!!" before we can put the put it on her. She just loves Dora and Boots. Well, this year, Santa brought her 'Boots'. I think he could've saved his Elves a lot of work and not worried about the kitchen he gave her. Boots has been the main thing she has played with. They are besties :) So, as long as she has her 'woobie' (blanket) and her Boots, she can rest peacefully :) Sweet baby girl.
I love New Year's Day. It feels so good to know that you always have a fresh start. That probably sounds silly because you have the same mortgage, same issues with your kids, same argument with your spouse, ect... However, it's an excuse to set a goal and work towards making your life better whatever that might be for you. Last year was a good year for us. I can't complain. No one died, no one was diagnosed with a serious illness, my house is intact and my family is together. I know for some loved one's it was a hard year and I think a new year always brings hope for something better than the last year. Last year brought some good things to us. Personally, I fell a little more in love with my husband. Those who know me might think this is silly, I have always been in love with him. But this year I just enjoyed him. I recognize those little things that he does for me and our family that I didn't see before. The way he always greets me with a 'Hey Baby', the way his face lights up when he sees his kids, the way he just enjoys being a Daddy. I feel like every year with him gets easier and more comfortable. He is just a wonderful man that I get to call mine. He also started an 'Ideal Protien' diet and so far he has lost 40 lbs. He's so yummy. On to the little loves of my life :) I got to see my kids grow up a little bit more. Which can be a good and a bad thing. I am very slowly learning to enjoy the small things around me because I realize in the end, they really are the big things. I got to meet friends and become close to people that I would've never had the chance to do so if it wasn't for Facebook. That sounds cheesy probably, but it has been a great social network for me. I got to throw my best friend a surprise birthday party and see her beautiful face light up with happiness. The next day we all got to go to Crue Fest and enjoy some fabulous bands that I hope to see again in the very near future. We mostly finished our basement which is a biggie. We have been in our house for 5 1/2 years and it hasn't gotten done. But between our nephew Jim and my sweet Todd it is near completion. YAY!!!! I also embarked on a new adventure. I am a Slumber Parties Consultant. I can hook you up with anything that might enhance your romantic side. It has always been a very comfortable for me to talk about and help people with, so I figured, why not make a little money too. Wahoo!!! So anyway, I think it was a good year. Not to many ups and downs. Just a whole lot of in the middles :)
