52 Weeks of Blogging - Week 1 - Who Am I

Today I am starting a wonderful series hosted by one of my favorite blog reads, From Mrs. To Mama. 

You can read more about the link up Here.

52 Weeks of Blogging With A Purpose / Week 1 - - Who I am.

 Three words, seems simple right.  Find a photo and describe who I am.  But this is anything but simple. 

I went from being a kid in high school, practically right into marriage, motherhood, housewife.  Yes it is exactly what I wanted and who I want to be, and I wouldn't change any part of my journey so far, but it does make it hard to really know who I am.  I never had time to figure that part out I guess.  

Here is what I do know.....

I am a 20ish wife, who loves her husband and best friend even more every day.

I am a mother to the three most wonderful children anyone could ask for.

I am a daughter who has amazing parents, and a sister who has a big brother and sister who have always been there for me.

I am completely Type-A everything has to be perfect, planned, and a list must be made.

I am forever grateful for the wonderful opportunity I have to stay home to raise my children.

I am the first to admit that I don't have it all together.  

I am a person who loves a good nap.

I am not afraid to say what I think or feel.  

I am a big believer in everything happening for a reason.

I am lucky.

I am thankful for the life I have.

I love life.

I am happy.

I am really happy.

** I am also a person who does not have 1 photo from the past 6 years that is just me.  It is kind of a metaphor for my life. **

On To First Grade!

The End of the year, it's finally here.

  Although this also just feels like yesterday:

 It really was such a wonderful year.  Matthew now reads, writes full paragraphs, does double digit addition and subtraction (without regrouping), and is the most respectful, kind, happy kid. (a bit bias here, I know)

Wednesday was his "graduation" celebration.

 {How sweet is his teacher, to participate in the obligatory silly face pic after the good one}

Today was his official last day.  It was an early dismissal, so after we headed to the library for awhile, and then to sweet frog, because who doesn't love some froyo!

And now we relax, attempt to sleep in, soak up the sun, and read read read.  

In a few short months we will be back at it, because......

Hall Closet Organization

So yesterday morning I went to grab some shoes, and BAM, 10 things came falling out of our hall closet.  It was time to clean.  Luckily it is a small space, so it didn't take too long.

 I started by cleaning the top shelf.  I pulled anything that wasn't summer related and stored it in another location.  Now along the top shelf is a basket of miscellaneous items, a tote bag for the beach/pool, a basketball, and a picnic blanket (this is a spare, I also have a waterproof one that stays in my van)

During the summer we don't need a ton of things hanging, so I keep it simple, a hood for each child, and some jackets for me.

I also have some storage bins for items.  This keeps them nice and neat, and from gathering all over the floor.

Shoe storage was the most difficult for me to tackle, so I broke down and got an over the door shoe organizer.  I really dislike this form of organization, but I will say, that for the kids shoes (and a few other items) it is working well for us.  I still don't like them though :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's Wednesday and today I am linking up with Jamie to share what I'm loving today!

Here We Go!

1.  I am loving that it is the last week of school here!  Today is actually Matthew's Kindergarten Celebration and I can't wait to see it!  This has been a wonderful school year and has us all looking forward to more.  It went by so quickly though.....

{on the first day of school September 2012}

2.  I am loving watching Matthew play tball, with that said I am also loving that week get like a 2 week break between the spring season and summer instructional practices, this kid would live at the fields if we let him.

3.  I am loving preparing for Lillian's 4th Birthday {man we have a ton of milestones going on over here!}  The gifts have been bought and wrapped, and I have some decorations.  All that is really left is the cupcakes.

4.  I am loving how much I am getting done lately.  I was having major issues with my anxiety lately, which makes me so unproductive, but I have pushed through many overwhelming feelings and am finally making progress in getting ready for vacation!  9 Days!

5.  Lately I am loving these You Tube Channels, Organized Like Jen, It's Judys Life, and Tha Saccone Joly's 

6.  I am also loving that I only have to pack 2 more lunches!!!  And only 2 more days of having to be out of the house by 8:20 every morning! 

7.  Lastly, I am loving my sweet baby boy, although teething has made the beginning of our week a bit rough.

 

MY Planner - An Update - 1 Year Later

So, I am beyond excited for my new Erin Condren Life Planner to arrive in the mail.  I thought I would do a 1 year later to show how much I still love it!

Here is my original post showing my planner brand new. 

I am not surprised, but happy to report that I have used my planner every day at least a handful of times.  I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about my planner.  

I also have done a video showing just how much I used it and love it.  You can find that here.

 {A look at my 2011-2012 planner, It is "Candy Lace" I believe the colors were Pool and Brown}

{My 2012-2013 edition, The print for this is not an option for the latest edition.}

I was also so happy to make it through an entire 12 months without it getting ruined.  It is so sturdy.  The aluminum coil and laminated covers has a lot to do with that I think.  The Laminated Tabs were also a huge plus this past year!

And as you can see inside my planner, I use this so much.  With 2 kids, and one on the way this past year, I had a lot to keep track of.  I will continue to be a customer and rave about the products because they fit my needs so well, while adding the vibrant personal touches that you just can't get from a regular planner in a store.

Stay Tuned, because you better believe the day my new planner arrives I will be sharing!!!