life lately

So, it's been a bit.
Life is crazy. So crazy. Just when you almost have things figured out you realize every day really is just a toss up. Fortunately, the constant changes have all been in my favor, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.
Since August I've started a new, fabulous job. I have amazing co-workers, bosses and employees. I have stability. I can take my kiddos to school in the mornings and pick them up in the afternoon. It's pretty much heavenly.
The kids are now 10 years (girl-L) and 8 months (boy-Z) (tomorrow). We celebrated that 10th Birthday in a big way. We've gotten our first tooth (Sept 13th it officially broke through!). We had our first Halloween together. I had the cutest little witch and fire fighter. We are crawling...errrr scooting/bouncing. We had our first, and definitely not last, meltdown with L. Homework is not our favorite thing. And just in case anyone was wondering, Common Core SUCKS! I can't even help her with her homework because I still haven't figured out what all of the dots and boxes represent. Needless to say, 23 and no kids to 24 and two is sometimes a struggle, but definitely worth it!
Oh yeah, I turned 24 since my last post! I now consider myself officially in my mid-20's. Kind of depressing, kind of cool...I guess.
I went on another cruise. This time to Grand Turk (Love!), Half Moon Cay (Love, Love!) and back to Nassau (Third time here so not really anything new but still beautiful!). It was a good time but I've definitely decided extended vacations are better spent with friends than family. I love them but I cannot deal with the gripey people that are my family (mostly aunts and uncles). Either way, I got to see new, beautiful places and I met some really cool new people! South Beach is still up there on my list of favorite places, too.
Anyways, there it is. A little bit about life recently. I'm going to get back in to the swing of things now that things are starting to calm down a bit. I'm super excited about the upcoming holidays and can't wait to share my favorite recipes, decorations, traditions, etc.!!
Loves! <3

Why am I sad!? It's Christmas!!

I'm coming to realize that the older I get the more little traditions, especially around the holidays, really matter. Decorating the Christmas tree has always been a huge thing for me, and my family always joked that I was the traveling "decorator". I literally went from house to house decorating the trees of all of my aunts and my grandparents year after year. It is my absolute favorite thing about the holidays.

I thought after moving in to my own home my love of this holiday and all of the little traditions my family has carried on through the years would only grow. I was really surprised when after digging out the Christmas trees (yes, I put up 3 trees, don't judge!) and beautiful ornaments that all I really wanted to do was sit on the floor and cry.

All of these memories of dragging the trees out of my aunts' attic, hanging the stockings, stringing popcorn, listening to Christmas music...they all came rushing back, and honestly made me a little sad. I can't believe I'm doing these things alone this year.

At this point I'm really just convinced I'm some kind of freak. I mean, I moved five miles down the road from my parents and the house I grew up in. It's not like I moved half way across the country, BUT sometimes it feels that way.

This year my Christmas present to myself is to love on my family a little more than usual, even if that means spending time with the crazies (because lets be honest, we all have crazies...some more than others...we have A LOT of crazies).

So, Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine!


(And I had to share these precious pictures of my favorite kiddos! Snow days are great for photo shoots, btw.)

The loves of my life! Could they be any cuter!?!