It's been a while....

My goodness! It has sure been a while since I last logged onto my blog.  For some reason, lately I have been contemplating getting back into blogging. For some reason, tonight I had a urge. The urge to pick up the computer and start typing.  I feel like so much has happened since the last time I wrote to you all.  I guess I have a lot of catching up to do.

I was trying to remember why I stopped blogging. It was right around Christmastime, last year. Blogging had become a chore. I didn't like that. I blogged mostly because I saw it as a way to document my life with my family and as an outlet for all of my thoughts. So, while on vacation I convinced myself to really try to relax, be with my family, and truly forget about all of my obligations.  I let go and well.....didn't really ever come back. Until now.

Why? Well...I feel like I have been through a lot the past year.  Some good. Some not so good.  I always want to share the good and happy things in my life. No question. The good is easy to share. The not so good, is a lot harder to share, but I feel that I am ready. A few of the things that I went through were hard for me.  I felt alone, and like I didn't have many people who would understand my situations.  This is one of the reasons I had such a strong urge to start blogging again. I want people who are in the midst of similar difficult experiences, to know that they are not alone. There are others faced with similar situations, and that it is hard.  Being a mom is hard.  It is tiring.  And it is ok to admit it.  Don't get me wrong, there are so many wonderful moments during this long and windy road, called Motherhood.  That is what makes getting through the hard stuff easier. I don't want to keep secrets anymore though.  I can't promise I will bear all, all the time, but I do feel like it is good for me to get some things off my chest.  If I can help a few people in the process, even better.

So, if you want to continue on my journey with me- pull up a seat, grab a snack, and a hot cup of tea.  I'm back for a few of the same reasons as when I started blogging. I still want to document life's big {and not so big} moments. I also still see it as a way to unleash all of my thoughts that swim around in my head all day.  But this time around, I will blog to be support for others. I hope that you can take away something from my stories. Not all of you will understand, but I ask you kindly not to judge.

Stay tuned for stories from the past year. Thanks for listening. Feels good to be back :)

Mele Kalikimaka!

Mele Kalikimaka from Maui! 

Aloha friends! I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas Season with your friends and loved ones. We sure are. We have been enjoying some sun, sand & salt on Maui.  

Below is a glimpse into our trip so far via my phone, and lastly, our 2012 Christmas card. I had so much fun making this card, and looking back at the all the fun we had this year.  From our Ohana to yours, cheers to an even better 2013!

Enjoying some time looking at the pretty lights.

The gorgeous scenery on our afternoon walk the other day.

One of the many rainbows we've seen. 

One of my favorite places....my parents backyard.

Our ride back from the beach.

His first day at the beach....he was not too sure about it.

Grandma let him open a present early....lucky boy.

On our way to the beach. Poor little guy was so tired and jet-lagged.

My cute boys on Christmas Eve.

Another great view....

Life's a beach!

XOXO,

Christmas Gift Tags {Freebie}

Now that our Christmas Tree is up, and presents have started to arrive, I've started wrapping gifts.  After I had wrapped my first gift, I realized that I didn't have any gift tags. So....i decided to have some fun with photoshop.   Why buy gift tags, when you can download them for free?!

Tada!!!!!!:

I got some inspiration, here, by lovevsdesign.com

Download them here.  You can either print them on cardstock, cut them out, and tape onto presents. Or, you can print them on sticker paper, cut them out, and attach to presents.

Stay tuned for more.... I will be posting different tags & free christmas printables leading up to Christmas :)

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO,

Christmas Family Tradition: 25 Days of Books

Yesterday was December 1st. What does that mean? The Christmas Season has finally commenced!!

 To kick off the start of Christmas in our house, we started one of first Christmas family traditions.  I know this will come as a surprise to all of you, but the other day I was browsing around on Pinterest, and found a gem! Another mom had wrapped up 25 books, and let her kids open one book a day.  You can find the original idea, here. What a wonderful idea!  This is perfect for us, because Preston LOVES books.  

So, I went to target, and got a combo of Christmas books and non christmas books. We already have quite a few Christmas books from my awesome sister, who sends me tons of hand me downs,  so I decided to mix it up. I also found a few in the dollar section...SCORE! Books can be expensive....especially when you are buying 25 at one time!! I then got busy wrapping them all up. 

 Last night he got to open the first book. 

Here is how it went down:

What am I supposed to do with this?

Hmmmm.....

Mama....can you help me?

Never mind, I figured it out!

What is it?

Is it a book?

Yes! {smile}

This is awesome! 

Kinda looks like a car, too?

It IS a car!!

Dada, please help me open it.

Cool!

My awesome Target-Dollar-Section find, that has brought lots of smiles to my sons face.

The first day was a success! He loved it. Everything, from the anticipation of getting the present open, to seeing the "cool" dump truck book that was underneath, made my heart smile. 

Can't wait to do it all again tonight! :)

XOXO,

Family Photos 2012

I am bursting with excitement right now! Why? Because I am about to share some beautiful pictures of my family with you.  

I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends in my life. Seriously. I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for. They are always there for me...no matter if it is hear me vent & cry, share happy news, or catch up over a glass of wine.  In this case, my very talented friend, Adria {check out her beautiful work here}, took some amazing pictures of my family. Pictures that I will cherish forever. 

Ever since getting married and having kids, pictures mean so much more to me. They capture a moment, a special time in your life that you will never get back.  These picture capture us right now. One of the best times in my life. Life with my sweet little family keeps getting better and better. Every stage of Preston's babyhood has had its pros and cons, but right now pros outweigh the cons. He is happy. He gives big tight hugs. He plays and reads with me. He cuddles with me.  He {for the most part} communicates with me.  I love it all. Of course there is the occasional melt down & tantrum, but all that pales in comparison to how happy he makes me, and how much love he gives me.  Then, you throw my Hubby into the mix, and the love is quadrupled.  I am one lucky lady!

I hope these pictures can illustrate all of these wonderful feelings. I hope to look back in 10 years and feel everything I described above. 

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

XOXO,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, from my family of Turkeys to yours!!

Free Christmas Gift Tags & Printables

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!

I hope you are all prepared for Turkey Day tomorrow!! Since the day after Christmas is the biggest shopping day of the year, and you will have lots of presents to give....here are some gift tags. Also...some free printables to add to your Christmas Decorations!

Enjoy tomorrow with your families, and please remember all of the things/people that bring you joy. I am so thankful for my family, friends, and all of you!

XOXO