GoodBye 2010

I know I'm a day early and all, but based if my recent blogging habits say anything, it's that I have tons of idea's but haven't been posting. So while it's on my mind, let me write it down.

2010 was a very strange year all and all. We were newly living in a new, tiny apartment. Had a 3 month old baby girl. Dealt with a lay off already lasting way too long. Hubby went back to work. I quit my job. Stayed asleep more than awake for the first four and a half months of the year. Collin started speech therapy. Thomas "graduated" preschool. Bailey learned to crawl. Hubby got laid off again. Thomas started kindergarten. Bailey learned to walk. Hubby went back to work. And Collin only has one speech session left. And we had the very best Christmas ever.

Here are my personal top 10 blog posts from the year:
(All Clickable, links are showing like text....

1. Continuing the Fight
2. While She Eats
3. My Babies
4. Nursing in Public: Women's right or bad taste?
5. Mommy Why? -A Way Back When-sday Post
6. Behind Blue Eyes
7. A Letter From Bailey
8. Sweet Dreams, My loves.
9. Five
10. Us Parents Need To Hug Our Children

This year I have seen my daughter change from a tiny little blob, to an amazing little girl. I've seen my youngest son go from an intelligent little boy who could not express himself with words, to a little boy who always has something to say. I've watched my oldest child go from being pure and innocent to asking questions I'm not quite ready to answer. I've seen my husband suffer and struggle, wanting to just be able to provide his family with the best or to run away in fear of coming up short. My family of 5 is forever changing, growing, and loving. In the beginning of the year I struggled just trying to care for my three children, wondering how I could ever manage. Now, I can't imagine it being any other way.

Please take a moment to reflect on the past year, remember the good, the bad, the love, and the fun. Remember it all. Do all you can to make 2011 the best you can. And remember, to check our my other blog during the new year, where I will try to do a 365 photo project.

And now, I will leave you with my favorite photo's from 2010..

click to enlarge

 

 

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This, That, and the other blog?

Things have been a bit hectic lately around here with holidays, illnesses, money, a new blog....ya know, the usual parenting crap..

Holidays
We have not even begun to make a dent in our Christmas Shopping this year. I think we only have one small gift per child so far. Strangely, this does not bother me. We will get them a bit more of course but we are putting all the focus on family this year. My children will be getting more than enough from grandparents and my aunt. They will be taken care of. As the past 3 Christmas's I am a bit depressed this holiday season. It means it's the third Christmas with out Nana with us. And it also means the 3rd anniversary of her death is fast approaching. I still have trouble believing she is not with us. I miss her so much still. But, I will put on a brave face and cherish my children who are here with me.

Illnesses
Thomas is currently sick as a dog. On Friday morning, in the wee hours of the morning Thomas fell coming down his ladder and hit his head. Through out the day he complained of a head ache and we thought he had a concussion after puking in the car. It ended up being some wicked virus. He had a fever ranging from 102-104 all Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday. Tuesday I sent him to school as his fever was gone, but when he came home he looked like complete crap. Stuffy nose, teary eyes, sore throat. So he stayed home again today. Last night he slept 5-12 and 2:30-8:30, 13 hours. He is sleeping right now, been out for a couple hours, though has not had a fever all day.

Money
Tom is working. *Hears the cheers* We finally paid October and November's rent, December will be paid Thursday. (Tomorrow) Our landlord let us sign a 6 month lease, so we won't have to worry about trying to move in December which is always lay off season it seems. Also, he asked us to keep an eye out for 3 bedroom condo's and town houses that are up for sale or foreclosed. He is always looking to buy new property and would be willing to let us break our lease, rent to us, with option to buy. I don't think anything will come of it, but it still felt great to receive the offer. Damn me and my glass is half empty attitude.

New Blog?
With 2011 starting, I am going to try to do a 365 project. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years now and keep forgetting. Oops. My buddy Trish is planning on doing it, so I got the reminder this year loud and clear. You can go on over to "The Unexpected 365 Project". Make sure you book mark it, or you can grab the button and link up as well!

http://theunexpected365.blogspot.com/

16...15 days until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

18...17 Days until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

18...

17...

20..19 Days Until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

Yesterday I kept putting off taking a photo. Finally at 11:30 I did it, look closely at the chocolate syrup in my ice cream.

20 Days....

19 Days...

21 Days Until Christmas! ((Christmas Countdown)

Christmas Countdown!

I doubt I'll make it all the way to Christmas, but I thought I'd try!

Basically one Christmas photo each day marking down the day's until Christmas!

Christmas Cards

Seeing as yesterday we put our tree up, I thought it was the perfect time to take Christmas card pictures.

What I learned is, with kids, a 1/60 shutter speed is not at all fast enough. Especially in low-light conditions. I ended up having to set up a lamp with a huge piece of white paper behind it and still, they stink...

Now to decide, what photo's, what card, and where to get them made.

 

Shutterfly is currently offering free Christmas cards to bloggers! Can you believe that? So of course I am hoping to get those ones, the card choices are gorgeous! So many options, many you can add way more than one photo! 

These are a a few of the cards I am interested in since I still have so many photo's I want to use, including a photo of the kitty, or try to get one of Tom and I, I just know I need to get these done and here before the 12th!

SO MANY CHOICES!

Snapshot Saturday

Been a while since I did one huh?

9 desserts for 13 people! And I only had 1.5 slices myself! Not too shabby since I usually have that many of EACH pie!

Trick or Treat!

Or as Bailey says, "Eeh! Eeh! Eeh!"

Or Collin, "Wic Oh Eeh!"

Despite heading out later than usual, 

Bags and Buckets were filled to the top.

Despite having to stop early,

And as always Mommy hated to stop! 

Boys had a blast,

Bailey loved it too.

Mommy and Daddy had fun,

And got along too!

"Trick or Treat"

"Thank you & Happy Halloween"

Is what the big kids said ,

with each house we had seen.

Chocolates, Taffies,

Lollipops and gum.

If you don't want Mommy to get them,

Grab the Reese's & run.

More manners seen, 

than any Christmas season.

Something about free candy,

gives everyone reason.

Treats are all sorted,

Kids are in their beds.

Visions of candy

are dancing in their heads.

Now it's Mommy's turn,

And Daddy's turn too.

To go through the candy,

And pick a piece or a few.

  Happy Halloween!  

Awesomely Autumn

Fall 2008

I don't know about everyone else, but Autumn is my favorite season of them all. Spring is a close second with the like temperature's and all, but Autumn clearly is number one. Between being able to choose short or long sleeves in the early fall, or hoodie or coat in the late fall, there are so many other amazing aspects to Autumn.

Fall 2009

Of course one of the best highlights to Autumn is the amazing foliage and beautiful colors! Who doesn't love just jumping in a big pile of leaves?
I absolutely love taking pictures of the pretty colors, and making crafts with the kids out of the leaves! Who knew one red leaf placed on white paper in a $1 frameless picture frame would look so amazing when you have three people making on and you put them one beneath another on a small wall between a door and a window.

And the foliage also makes an awesome backdrop to random flowers and plants that are dying due to the early frost

Fall 2008

There is something about knowing although the leaves, plants, and flowers are wilting away, they will grow back in the spring. Autumn is always so refreshing to me to know that after the hustle and bustle of all the holidays, things will calm soon. Many people do spring cleaning. Not me. Instead I do Autumn cleaning. Those first nice days of spring should never be spent cleaning with young children in the home. They should be spent at parks, playgrounds, and hiking trials. That 1st really crisp day of Autumn when you are too shocked to leave the house? Now that is perfect for "Spring Cleaning."

Fall 2008

Over at Mama Kat's, one of this weeks Writing Prompts were, "10 reasons you're glad it's Fall." I know I had to choose it. If you can't tell, I love Autumn! Absolutely love it. Well everything but the financial stress it always seems to bring! 

First of all, I still focus on the school year, not the actual calender date, so Autumn starts Labor Day weekend to me. Now, my 10 reason's I am glad it is fall!

1. Thomas' Birthday always starts it off!

September 6th, 2010

2. Apple Picking

Fall 2007

3. (This reason is beginning this year!) Bailey's Birthday

Turning One on October 2nd!

4. Foliage

Image Souce

5. Pumpkin Picking

 2009

6. Halloween

2009

7. Those last few walks before it gets too cold.

Nov 2009

8. Kicking threw the leaves on those walks.

Nov 2009

9. Thanksgiving

Thankgiving 2009 at Rachels

10. Getting ready for Christmas with my children

Making our own pine and pine cone wreath - Nov 2009

With past memories like these, wouldn't you love Autumn?

This post is inspired by one of this weeks

Weekly Writing Prompts @ Mama Kat's