December 29th

1. The handmade chips at CHN

Holy these little guys are amazing.  Have they made the list before. I am obsessed obsessed obsessed. I can devour the bag in minutes. 

2. Country Music
Lately Mike has been listening to AND liking country music.  It makes it easy when we are listening to music in the house because we both like the options. 


3. My work notebook
I am finally finding a system to keep me organized at work.  Since I am over 29 different providers and 3 different specialties it makes things a tad crazy at times.  Grateful that I am FINALLY coming up with a process.  Keep your fingers crossed.


4. Three day weekend
I am so happy to have three full days to do NOTHING.  I plan on doing the Shutterfly yearbook and a calendar for work.  I also plan on sitting by the fire, playing with Jack and catching up with my husband.  I am pumped.

5. Mentoring
In the past year I have figured out that one of my biggest passions is mentoring others.  I am obsessed with watching people grow.  That's where I find my energy and that I what I love about my job.  It is so freaking cool to help people set goals and help them achieve AND for these same people to find so much self worth and personal empowerment and achievement. 


Anyways -- top the point -- I was telling this to Sarah yesterday as we celebrated her house being sold (and we were discussing my goals).  And she said, "well you mentor me all of the time. You make a difference in my life."  How can things like that not make you grateful.  Cheers!

Back to the basics.

1. The van is fixed
About two weeks ago my car started to go down hill quickly.  Thank goodness for my husband's memory that we bumper to bumper lifetime warranty on the car.  This was a decision that I went back and forth on in my head and Bruce helped to push me to make the RIGHT decision.  Though Mike was sad to return his rental sports car - I am trilled to have my van back.


2. Fireplace
Over the holiday weekend we had fires pretty regularly.  It was a pretty nice change from the normal.  Grateful to have this little gem in our home and looking forward to more fires in the winter.


3. New work clothes
Oh wow -this whole work attire thing is a LOT for me.  I have been wearing scrubs for the last 10 years and I have found myself slightly jealous of my staff who get to wear essentially pajamas to work every day.  Over Christmas my mom gifted me a new outfit which I am currently wearing at work.  I have had TONS of compliments.  It is very clear my wardrobe needs to be shaken up a bit!


4. Poop in the Potty
Jack is starting to actually POOP IN THE POTTY.  Like the twins, I waited to start potty training Jack until he was closer to 3.  It has been going ok so far.  Not the best- not the worst.  That being said, Jack is at daycare all day (vs the boys being home with me) so the experience is MUCH different.   The point of this is - Jack went poop in the potty last night.  Thankful that we got to do a little celebration dance in his honor.  Oh- and the pride you can see in his eyes - that is the best part of all.


5. The week between Christmas and New Years
I sort of love this little week between the two holidays.  I hate it because the boys are usually gone but this is the time I am able to sit back and reflect on some of my dreams and goals for 2018.  I have not figured out my New Years Resolutions yet or really even what I WANT out of 2018.  I am excited to see how it unfolds.

a FULL month

In the past month a LOT has happened in our lives.  I had every intention of picking up my computer and doing the blog but clearly it was put onto the back burner.  I am hopeful that I can start writing again and take a few minutes to document the crazy wonderful that has happened in our lives.  So in normal, "back at it" fashion, this post is going to be short and sweet.  I have about 7 minutes before jumping into the shower.

1. VEGAS
Mike and I headed to Vegas to celebrate our anniversary (flowers and fruit), celebrate my graduation from school AND check off A5 from the bucket list.  It was a perfect weekend away.  We spent waaaaayyyyy too much money on food and drinks but we actually won a little bit while gambling.  He is the best travel partner (though he likes to stay up late - and I like to go to bed early).  Grateful for Mike and another great year of marriage.

2. Pat watched Jack
Mike's mom was able to come into town and watch Jack while we were gone. The boys were at their dad's that weekend so it worked out pretty well.  We came home to a clean house and a fridge full of food.  Oh - and a very spoiled 2 year old but it only took a few days to get him back to his normal routine.

3. Toothpaste
I have a love hate relationship with my hobby - selling toothpaste.  Either way, I am still grateful for this little side biz and what it has taught me about myself.  I have grown so much and I am excited to see how it grows in 2018.

4.  The kids still believe...
I think that both of the twins still believe in Santa.  This year we still managed to do Elf and he was the highlight of every morning.  I thought FOR SURE this would be the year that they turned.  Grateful for another year being able to threaten the naughty list!

5. Spending time with the twins
In the past few months I feel that I get so little time with the kids that I am SO SO SO grateful for every moment of time I get to be in their presence.  Cameron is turning into this kind, empathetic soul and Owen is full of energy, competitive and always wants to do his absolute best.  I love watching them grow.

5. Christmas
Grateful for another successful Christmas.  This year we celebrated on the 23rd with Christmas pasta, dance parties and a ton of fun.  We had a small stomach bug going around but it seems that it was short lived.  ALSO - really grateful that Mike picked up the house yesterday morning while I was at work.  I ended up coming home sick and laying in bed all day so it was so wonderful that all presents are put away, everything is in it's place and our house is not a HUGE disaster.