sweet smiles

Recent picture with Lexi snuggling up to daddy...and her lovely cheesy grin...that say's "yes...I got what I want"....she loves her daddy and lately wants him more than me...sad at first but now I'm good with it!!!! hee hee

Cute snapshot of Mike snuggled on the bean bag with the girls princess blanket! And below is a pic of the New Years bags the girls helped with the clocks and I filled them with little treats they could enjoy as we counted down to bring in the NEW YEAR...uncle Dave in the pic too!

I have so much to be thankful for...and my first and foremost is my Mike! I love him! What an amazing difference our life experience is when we have a companion...a partner in all of life's joys and woes. I am so thankful for this moment right now in our marriage where we get to take a sighing breath and thankfully notice that even though we spent the last 11 years working hard, bringing children into the world...and put our marriage on the back burner...we are still in love and want to be together and work at putting some focus and energy into us!!! We are thankful for our older girls...Jaimie and Kassidy who are taking on more responsibility! Mike's new job here is beneficial in that he can take the liberty when needed to help me when there is something major going on with Christie or when we have sick children and I am about to lose it!!...Mike's taken on the responsibility of the bills...something I've been doing for a long time now...so that free's up more of my time to focus my energy on the house and kids and he's also started putting in the laundry...he's doing the washing and drying...and the kids and I get to fold and put away! We are getting a schedule down for us as a family that will really contribute to making our family life flow happier...and I am just so stinkin giddy!

We had an enjoyable night last night just snuggling the 3 older girls and Mike and I in their room while we watched Biggest Loser. And Mike and I are enjoying our nights snuggling as we drift into a dreamy sleep. I only mention this since we've usually had a baby between us or what not...snuggling...as simple as it is...has made the biggest difference for me in feeling a bond and closeness to Mike. I am thankful for my Smokin Hot Mama club ... the 2011 year of possibilities workbook is amazing and I have great hopes in my own goals as I attack them one bite at a time. I never took the time to try to achieve a big goal one bit at a time...by breaking them down into mini goals...I want to lose weight...so instead of saying 60 lbs...I will start so small as to say...Just for today I will not eat sugar...and Just for today I will drink a cup of water every hour! .... I'm focusing on...JUST FOR TODAY! and then before you know it...I'll have reached my goals!

I'm thankful for forgiveness...I read a post today from my friends wife...Olivia Brower...she quoted this “When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free."

Awesome quote heh!??!

I am living my life with purpose now...with a plan in action...with Authenticity. I acknowledge my faults...and I will always have them (grr..) but that is what is molding me into a better person...knowing I have them and working to better myself. So there it is!!! I am working on not swearing when I stub my toe or make a bigger mess cleaning up a small one...I am working on my inner voice...the conversations in my head...sometimes I get carried away in assuming the worst out of situations or people and it's come back to bite me in the butt! But that is something I am aware of and working on. I also am working on following my gut...listening to the promptings of the spirit...when I get a feeling or desire to do...I will do!!! I am working on showing my gratitude daily to those in my circle of influence...to let them know I love and appreciate them! I have a big list and 360 more days to work on making this year a better one for me...and hopefully in the process those around me!

Christie was supposed to start school this Monday (3rd) but because she's been sick...and she only goes M-Th...school recommended we just have her take the rest of the week off and have her come next Monday! I'm cool with that! Well, I best get...I've got lots on my to do list and writing this entry makes one task on my list done!! :)