I spent the morning clipping a million coupons.  I'm trying to be more frugal.  I'm also going to give Aldi's a shot today.  I came across their ad while I was busy rounding up all my coupons... I'd be stupid not to buy my produce there!  My Grandma shops there and she absolutely loves it. 

I am making Thanksgiving dinner for Trey's family next week.  I am excited to have them over here.  I figured I would give his parent's a holiday off.  They're always putting together huge meals and big parties for the family - so I thought it'd be nice if they could put their feet up on Thanksgiving and I will do all the work.  The only thing I am nervous about is the turkey.... I've never prepared a turkey.  I guess there is a first time for everything.... Wish me luck!

My grandma taught me how to crochet over the weekend.  I think I have been working on my chain stitching nonstop ever since.  I'm getting a lot better at it!  Presley wants me to make a blanket for her baby dolls.  I guess that's probably a good beginner project.
While Grandma and I were crocheting this weekend I told her that I wanted to look for DVD versions of the movies we ALWAYS watched when we went to Grandma's house.  "Stone Pillow" and "The Electric Grandmother."  So we did a little searching online and we were able to order both of them!  I thought it'd be cool to round up all of my siblings and have them come to Grandma's and we can watch the movies together like we used to do when we were little!  I know Courtney will be down for the idea... but the boys... not so much.  I know it would mean a lot to Grandma if we all got together and did that with her.

I got to babysit Kassie and Blake's 4 month old sweet baby yesterday.  Gabe sure got jealous when I would hold him, though.  Having a baby here and watching Presley and Gabe play with him gave me serious baby fever!  Trey and I have discussed having another one next year.  I think we might need to seriously consider it....

Well, as much as I'd love to sit on the couch for the rest of the day - I should probably get my kids up from their naps so we can go run our errands.

Being THANKFUL.

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to stay home with my kids.  I set my alarm for 7:30 every morning so I can get up, shower, and do my hair and makeup before the kids wake up.  Gabe is usually up at 8:30, and Presley will sleep until 10:00 if I let her (but I don't!)
The three of us sit in the dining room making faces, chatting, and giggling through breakfast.  There is seriously nothing better than listening to your kids laughing and seeing them smiling.  It completely melts my heart.  We have the happiest kids in the world.
After breakfast we play, and play, and play.  We have lunch - and continue the laughing, giggling, and chatting... but it's usually not as exciting as our breakfast table talk because both kids are starting to become restless and very crabby.  After lunch they go down for their naps.  That gives me two hours to cleaning the house, work on training the dogs, catch up on my TV shows if I missed any of them the night before, and relax.  The kids wake up and we play, play, and play some more.  I start making dinner, husband comes home, we eat, and then we play, play, and play again, take baths, and go to bed!  Trey usually goes to bed immediately after the kids are tucked in.  Sometimes I do too, sometimes I sit up and have some "me" time.

Typical day in our house.

The reason I am writing this post is because I need to remind myself of how good I have it.  How great my life is.  How awesome my kids and my husband are.  I am going back to the doctor today to have them tweak my anxiety medication... so while I sit here complaining to my doctor that I am feeling completely overwhelmed at times...  I need to sit back, take a deep breath, and just calm down.  We have a gorgeous new house, healthy kids, and husband who works his butt off so he can buy me and our kids nice things.  Other people would love to be in our shoes.  In reality... I really don't have anything to be so stressed out about.

Photo Update

November already?!

It's been a while since I have been able to update.  We've been busy, busy, busy!  I set my alarm every morning for 7am... it's now 8:19 and I am still laying in bed watching the news.

The kids had a GREAT Halloween.  Presley dressed up as an owl, and Gabriel was Yoda.  We went to church for trunk-or-treating last weekend, and then we went door to door in our neighborhood Halloween night.  Trey wanted to hand out candy so Jen (our next door neighbor that I have become great friends with) and I took the kids out.

Yesterday I went shopping!  Presley is going through a HUGE princess/dress phase.  All Halloween costumes were on clearance, so I went shopping for cheap dress-up for Presley!  She got 5 princess, fairy, and Minnie Mouse costumes.  The girl is in heaven!

I had my Thirty-One party last night.  I managed to keep the house extremely clean (even with a two year old, a one year old and two puppies...)  and I was able to make marinated chicken wings, pasta, rice, buffalo chicken dip, cilantro fiesta dip w/ french bread, and cranberry chutney in between my busy day of cleaning, shopping, etc... I'm becoming a pro at this housewife thing! ;) I have also decided to join Jen Click's team and become a Thirty-One consultant!  It'll give me something to do (and I'll get awesome bags and totes out of it!)

I finally had my doctor take me off zoloft for my anxiety and put me on something else.  Seriously... what a difference!  I feel human again.  Putting me on zoloft turned me into a zombie.  I was tired all the time, I was gaining weight, I still had anxiety and insane mood swings... I hated it.  I have 4 more pounds 'til I am at my goal weight of 120.  Let's hope this new medicine doesn't mess that up!

Well... I need to get a move on.  Time to go make my coffee, take a shower, and wake the kids up.  We got a season pass for Adventure Park in Ham Lake... maybe we'll go there to play today!

Finally! An update!

Our little man is ONE YEAR OLD.  I can't believe it.  Where did that year go??  At this time last year Trey was in Afghanistan, I had a 1 1/2 year old and a newborn baby.  Stressed out is an understatement.  It was a very hard (yet happy) time for our family.  We really have so much to be thankful for.  Trey is home safe, and we have two very happy, very healthy kids. 
Gabe is so awesome.  Growing and learning more and more everyday.  His newest "thing" is thinking it's HILARIOUS to get into trouble.  The word "NO" makes him crack up.  We're going to have our hands full with this one!

Last weekend I went to Wisconsin with my mom, aunts and cousins.  SO MUCH FUN.  We hung out and had a bunch of snacks and some wine on Friday night while we relaxed by the fire in Aunt Tina's cabin.  Then on Saturday we went to the craft fair (where it was SNOWING!) and then Sunday night we went to a meat raffle and tore up the town.  It was a blast.  The morning after, however, was not.

Sunday I started feeling really horrible.  It wasn't just my hangover from the night out with the ladies.  I had a horrible cough and my chest hurt really bad.  Monday morning I got up and it was even worse.  I had a fever, and whenever I coughed it felt like my chest, ribs, and back were broken.  Whenever I'd feel a cough coming on I'd think "Oh man.... here it comes...."  so I called and made a doctor appointment.  I knew this wasn't a normal cold.  The doctor's verdict?  Bronchitis.  So I have been taking codeine and an antibiotic to help.  I'm just hoping I don't pass it on to the kids.

Two shows that I have been looking forward to aired last night.  At the same time, of course.  Nashville and Chicago Fire.  I definitely liked Nashville a lot more than Chicago Fire.  But next week I am going to have a dilemma.... American Horror Story starts back up... at the same time, also.  Looks like I'm going to be having DVR day on Thursdays!

Well... I'm going to do my daily cleaning while the kids are still napping.  I should probably figure out what we're going to have for dinner tonight, too....

I'm still alive.

I've been busy..... and tired!

I'll update soon, though.  Promise :)

Fall fever!

50 - 60 degree weather all week... am I in heaven?!  I absolutely LOVE the fall.  Love, Love, LOVE it.  I love decorating for the season, I love the cool weather, I love wearing sweaters and boots, apple cider, football games, dressing the kids up for Halloween, crockpot meals, scary movies, the colors, pumpkin spice coffee, curling up on the couch with blankets and hot chocolate, baking, craft fairs, and bonfires. 
I must be old and boring - because I also look forward to the fall because that means my favorite TV shows will be returning.  I'm a sucker for Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story, and Revenge. 
I've never been a fan of summer.  I don't like sweating and I definitely don't like bugs.  When I think of summer I think of those two things.  I hate getting into a super hot car and waiting for the AC to cool me off. My hair isn't a fan of humidity, either. 

Trey had drill this past weekend so we didn't do a whole lot.  Grandma Benny came over early Saturday afternoon and the kids and I went with her to the Herberger's Goodwill sale.  I was going to get some more of my Clinique eyeliner, but of course, the color I use was out of stock.  I took advantage of my 25% off coupons and bought some Silver jeans, though.  I am thrilled to be wearing the same size that I wore before I had Presley!  All my hard work has been paying off.  No dieting either!  Working out daily, chasing kids, cleaning up after puppies and a husband, and portion control.  I have to keep active and stick to my routine and keep the weight off because my mirena and zoloft don't want me to be skinny! 

The kids and I got our flu shots the other day.  Last year my hands turned red and they were really itchy, and this year I was really disoriented a few hours later.  I almost felt drunk.  My balance was off, and I couldn't even eat my sandwich at lunch without continuously dropping it.  I'm not sure if I am allergic to something in the shot, or if I just have weird side effects. 

Well, I should get a few things done before the kids get up from their naps.  The house work is never ending!

Meet our family!

 This is Gabriel.  Our happy, charming, sweet 11 month old.  He is always laughing, and always smiling.  He turns 1 year old on October 7th and plans for his birthday bash are officially underway!  He is a huge Mama's boy - and I absolutely love that he thinks Mom is the greatest person on Earth!

This is our smart, outgoing, busy 2 year old Presley (with her puppy Zoey!)  She has such a big heart!  She hates seeing people sad... even strangers.  She makes friends wherever she goes, she is very polite (always says please, thank you, and excuse me), and she is a HUGE Daddy's girl. 

 This is my husband Trey.  My best friend.  He's a Marine and also works for Frito Lay.  He works his butt off so I can have the opportunity to stay home with our kids. 

 This is Zoey.  Our extremely active husky puppy. 

 ...and here is Lola!  The newest addition to our family.  She's our cuddly boxer.