Sweet moments

Hannah had just woken up from her nap and just looked darling

I love these moments between Hailey and Natalie lately.

Already??!!

Guess who's already 3 months old?!! Where on earth has the time gone?? She's really starting to get some nice chubbies on her and we all just love her to pieces. Not sure I'm left with much sanity these days, but at least I'm remembering to take pictures and remember my sweet Natalie at this age!

Heart full of thanks

Do you ever have one of those moments where you stop and see how much our Heavenly Father is blessing your life... Well I have and quite a bit lately. There are so many things that are not quite right lately or have been going wrong, etc. etc. and I could choose to dwell on those if I really wanted to. But really where does that get me? With a sour attitude that no one wants to be around.

Money has been super tight lately... so tight that it makes me a little squirmy each month. Since we've bought our van, which was just over a year ago, we've had to put over $2000 into it. No that's not a typo and I didnt' add an extra zero to that. Add to that the fact that my back was so messed up after having Natalie that I've had to spend quite a bit of money on chiropractic work just so that I can walk and function to take care of my kiddos. When you've got 3 kids 4 and under you can't afford to be lazy and laying around all day. No-sir-ee... kiddos expect super mommy all day every day lol. Then the typical parents dilemma- ahhh 2 kids in diaper (Yikes- Hannah will be starting potty training VERY soon) and kids constantly needing food ( I swear sometimes my kids are like never ending pits and they are only 4, 2, and 2 almost 3 months) and then outgrowing/ripping/breaking clothes, shoes, etc. and it can get very overwhelming at times.And not to mention the INSANE PRICE OF GAS! Life would be so much simpler if money didn't matter so much.

I suppose I could let this get me down, but it hasn't.... why??? Because I have a huge amount of FAITH! I have an amazing husband who works his hiney into the ground to support our family. Each time I wonder how we will afford or pay for something he has had a side job of some sort come up. I truly love him even more for how hard he works for us each and every day.  And of course the "big" holiday is coming up... and what parents want to disappoint their children?? Of course no one does and while my children have never been spoiled and don't expect much it was a huge sigh of relief to know that we'll be ok for Christmas this year now.

And then of course with 3 kids in the house it seems like this little cold they have been battling keeps getting passed around... I am starting to get a little stir crazy from staying home so much lately lol. Hopefully they'll kick it soon! 

Last Sunday as a family we found a great service opportunity... it was just across the street from us. There is an older single lady who has a hard time walking that needed her leaves raked in a bad way. It was surprisingly warm that day so we put on our coats and took the girls out to clean them up for her. Both girls were surprisingly helpful and it's a tradition that we're going to carry on as a family now.

We've also had a sweet friend do something very thoughtful for us. Love this person very dearly! Countless number of friends who have been there for me lately and family who I can always depend on. I can honestly say that I see the Lord's little blessings everywhere in my life. I can see his hand guiding me and my family daily and I'm so grateful for it.

So I guess in the end I would say to "stop and smell the roses" ... and while it's now freezing cold outside and no actual roses we should all take the time to be thankful for  the little things in life... an opportunity to do service and help others, an upfront parking spot at the store (I always have my kids with me so this matters lol!!), a roof over our head, an amazing husband and father to my children... the list goes on and on

Every penny counts!

So we recently got a gigantic new recycling bin- as did the rest of Spokane. I wasn't really excited about it at first though because I've never been a huge fan of recycling. Yeah yeah I know it's good for the environment, but I was always peeved that I had to pay to get the small blue recycling tote and then that I never got credited for my recycling. See for me to do something it has to be worth my effort. And by effort I mean time and we all know that time means money. So yes it comes down to money for me again. Well I figured out that if I really focused on recycling as much as I can we could reduce our garbage amount and then I could get a smaller garbage can. Well... TA-DA... meet our new smaller garbage can. I finally found a way that recycling pays- and thats by saving me $12/month with a smaller garbage can!

Speaking of Halloween

Have I ever mentioned that I'm an "after holiday clearance" junkie??!! Well I am. I just love it! I love good deals especially when it's something that I'm going to buy anyways. Like these costumes for my girlies. They were all 1/2 off,which makes for excellently priced Christmas presents!

My ham

Today we had an impromptu photo shoot. Hailey asked me to play princesses with her. And then she started giving me some darling smiles that were completely natural. . And like always she turned into a complete cheese ball the minute I pulled out my camera. She gets so excited to see herself in the pictures I take. 

Halloween 2012

Girls got to dress up twice this year- for our trunk or treat and then for my in-laws. And yes Hailey changed into a different princess dress the next time lol. The first trunk or treat Tim and I dressed up too and then my mom came to help with the girls =)

Our family pic. Hannah wouldn't keep her wand out of her mouth. Poor thing probably ate a bunch of chemicals as those are cheapo ones from the dollar store.

Grandma you're out of hands now