Not just any birthday..

I am less than a week from my 30th Birthday and the past few days I have been reflecting on where my life has gone and where it is going. Turning 30 is a milestone.. its a reality.. its a time to set your priorities straight.
As I approach my birthday I have decided there are changes I want to make in my life.. there are differences I want to make, impacts I want to make and I wont let anything stand in my way.

In my 30's I will love more.. I will love my kids - tell them how much I love them every single day.. there will never be a minute where they question my love and support for them. I will tell my husband I love him more.. even though it should be expected.. I want to say those words to ensure he knows exactly where I stand. I will tell. my family how much I love them more frequently. As life passes by there is so often where we forget to tell people how much we love them. That will not happen.

In my 30's I will turn to my faith more. For so long I have felt out of touch with God. Growing up in a split situation with one parent running a Jewish foundation and the other showing signs of Christianity - I have to say I was confused. I have since been baptized as a Christian. Devoting more time for God is important to me.. and I will make that a priority in my life.

In my 30's I will change my financial situation. Its no secret to anyone that supporting children is expensive. While Darren and I have managed to cover our expenses and have a slow flow of extra money, I have realized how important saving more is important to me. I want to save for vacations, rainy days and whatever else comes out way.

In my 30's I will let go of the little things. I worry about others, I stress about my house being out of order, I get upset about things that are out of my control. My mental health and happiness will now be put first to ensure a happy home. Letting go of the small things that don't have a big impact will be a big change - but its time. I once read that as people get older they are more forgiving - I will be more forgiving.

In my 30's I will focus more on my health. Weight has been something I have battled since after having Chloe. Since having Morgan my weight has spiraled out of control. In my 30's I will focus more on losing weight, eating right and ensuring that I am taking all measures to have a healthy body. This in return will show my children just how important it is.

In my 30's  I will read more.  I will read everything from Charles Dickens to Sandra Brown - I will read fiction and non fiction, I will read self help books and humor books - anything to keep my soul entertained.

Last but not least...

In my 30's I will learn to accept that one day I will be 40.

A bucket list indeed..

Everyone should have a bucket list.. if not what goals would we strive for? I myself have never had a list of things to accomplish prior to my departure from the earth, but as I enter my 30's in a few short weeks I have decided I need to compose a list of things I would like to accomplish in my life. So while I think the term "Bucket List" is so cliche, I do feel the need to create this list in order to fully accomplish my goals.

One thing I will note is that this list is no where near complete.. there are thing I have done in my life that would be on this list, and there are items in my life that will be added to this list as I grow and continue to find my purpose in life. The most important thing is that I continue to grow and learn more about myself and what I want to add.. so here we go..

And as a note, these are not in order of importance.. just ideas I have had in my life


1. Visit the Grand Canyon - you would think after living in AZ most of my life this would have been accomplished by now.. but no sadly this has not happened.
2. Walk on the sandy beaches of Hawaii with my girls.
3. Go pairasailing - this sounds like a good time despite my fear of heights!
4. Swim with a dolphin.. how cool
5. Try every flavor of cheesecake at the cheesecake factory... YES PLEASE
6. Visit the top of the Eiffel Tower
7. Spend NYE in Vegas.. who needs NYC anyways :)
8. See the Blue Man Group
9.Change someone's life
10. See the northern lights
11. Go on a Disney Cruise
12. Put together a cookbook to pass on to my girls.
13. Save a starving child
14. Make my own wine
15. Turn one person from a republican to a democrat
16. Visit Aspen in the winter
17. Go to the superbowl
18. Play in the rain with the girls
19. Paint a picture that I feel proud to display in my home
20. Sleep in a hammock
21. Enter a bike race
22. Ride a jet ski
23. Take a zumba class
24. Join a bowling league
25. See the pyramids in Egypt
26. Participate in a triathalon
27. Complete a mud race
28. Take the girls to Alabama to visit family
29. Grow a plant without it dieing!
30. Make a family quilt
31. Own a canopy bed
32. Make scallops at home
33.Go to a winery
34. Help someone in need
35. Visit one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants


Like I said this is a list that I have thought about this list is not finished and never will be.. I like the idea that I have an idea of what I want to do.. this will help in my life plan :)

Our Fair Adventure

This past Friday night we joined some friends and attended the Pima County Fair. The fact that we finally attended this was awesome considering we are within a mile of the fair and every time we see the flashing lights its like placing a piece of candy in front of a toddler.. seriously.

So back to the fair.. we were so excited to go! We grabbed a few friends and headed out! We started out by letting the kids go on the "Big" rides.. unfortunately this was not much fun from Morgan's point so we then attended the children's area which can only be described as a zoo with monkeys on crack.. there were kids EVERYWHERE.. screaming, crying, laughing.. ughhhhhh.

Once we escaped the zoo we visited the food court area and indulged in giant turkey legs, jalapeno poppers, pizza and beer.. yes please. We ended up hanging out til midnight and sitting in the parking lot for an hour and a half trying to get out.. Below are some pics from our fun afternoon!

There is no rest for the weary

Isn't that the truth?

I feel so overwhelmed! This week has been filled with trials and tribulations, some that I wish to never repeat...ever. I woke up today with a heavy heart and a sense of being completely overwhelmed.

Growing up you are excited to enter the phase in your life when you are independent, under your own roof and hold the position where you are free to make your own decisions. You parents prepare you for life on your own, you just never realize how hard it can be. Cleaning, bills, kids events, cooking, laundry, yard work... ehh.. The list goes on and on.

I know this feeling of emotions will pass and I will get back to my day to day routine and feel completely secure, but until then I thought that writing it all out would clarify how I am feeling. I would by no means trade my life for anything. I just need to stop, take time to smell the roses (which I know is so cliche) but its the truth.

Until next time!

My attempt at being resourceful!

I am trying to encourage my girls to not waste anything, with the number one thing being food! We spend tons of money on groceries which is to be expected with a family of 5. I recently noticed that I was throwing away left over hamburger buns every few weeks.. I brainstormed an idea for these buns in order to prevent the waste.. here is what I came up with!

Garlic Cheesy Buns?

I started by placing the buns on a cookie sheet.. I brushed them each with olive oil and then sprinkled the ingredients I was using which includes parsley, garlic salt, oregano, Parmesan cheese and shredded cheese.

I put the buns in the broiler on hi for 10 minutes and they were amazingly good and I love knowing that I have an alternative to tossing them!

"To Live in Hearts we leave behind is not to die" - Thomas Campbell

Yesterday was a day I was not prepared for - I knew it would come, but not now. My beautiful pup Frankie has gone to play at the firehouse in heaven. The only way I can even digest the idea of her being gone is to realize that she was in so much pain and we made the best decision possible.

She was getting older - I knew that.. her back legs weren't as strong as they once were - I knew that too.. knowing this - I was not prepared to say goodbye. In addition to my emotional roller coaster my precious girls want to know why this happened and where there dog is. Hailey is a mess, Chloe is a little more accepting and Morgan is just trying to figure out when we will bring her back home.

Frankie you were an amazing dog.. we loved you so much and we tried to make you as happy as you made us. Our house will not be the same without you. We love you Frankie a.k.a. my little Frankenstein, pooper, Frankster and many other nicknames. Go run with your friends...RIP Frankie <3 p="">

In my free time..

I have been obsessing over Pinterest and let me clarify by saying obsessing is quite an understatement. I love it - I breathe it - I am completely in LOVE...the endless recipes, craft ideas, house decorating tips and the latest board I added is my new travel tricks.. SAWEEET.. I mean really.. whats not to love?!?!

Ok so back to my initial post - A fellow stay at home momma and one of my BFF's Nicole and I decided we needed to get together and start doing something - well we decided to craft! Usually I am not one to jump up and rush to the nearest craft store which ends up in emptying my wallet, but I decided to be clever.

Our first project? Framed bow holders - the concept is fabulous and they are adorable!
I started out by heading over to Goodwill - I picked up 2 frames for $4 total

 I then bough some shiny black spray paint to dress these babies up!

Nicole came over with some ribbon - I got some hooks and a couple of hours later, I had these:

I absolutaly love them - they will be placed in the girls bathroom (which is decorated with black / pink colors).

I am hoping our next project (which is a secret right now) will come out just as fabulous.. Yay!

What is there to say about Morgan..

Its official! She is the most wonderful, hyper, on the go, shakin' and movin', sweet, lovable, cuddly, stubborn, little girl I have ever encountered in my life. She is constantly on the go and doesn't break, for anything! I love my baby girl, but some days I like the idea of having her just slow down for a minute, maybe for some snuggle time. Its not realistic. She has way to much to do and refuses to let anyone stand in her way, even her mother!

I do have to give her credit when it comes to skyping with daddy. She will give him some attention, very limited  that is, and once she is done talking, she is headed in her own direction and nothing will slow this little girl down! While I type this she is learning the art of opening doors.. something I am sure will just drive me more crazy.

I love this little girl, she is a couple weeks shy of being 14 months and I really would like time to slow down, just for a bit.. I miss cuddling with my baby girl.. something she obviously does not have time for.