The Happiest Race On Earth!

I'm so flipping excited for this 5K on 01.26.13! I signed up for it, before we moved to Arizona, knowing that I would be here around that time and because I've been DYING to run one....Well, the time is finally upon us! I thought it was a pretty spendy entrant fee at $45 green backs, but I'm not really a race junkie so what do I know. I just hope we get a t-shirt and lots of color action! Oh. And that it's as crazy fun as the pictures make it look, ha! I've known a few girls who ran it in 2012 and had an amazing time so I'm sure this one will be no different. They also got some pretty awesome pictures; And you know... That's every importance to a blogger. Even more then the actual event ;) Okay. Well maybe not this one. I'm pretty excited for it, as you can tell ;)  Counting down the days, until I can be all "COLOR ME CRAZY FOOLS!" Haha

Have you ran The Color Run? 

What did you think?  

Yes. No. Maybe...

In a lot of ways, I think I could be done having babies. Obviously this is a two person decision when your married and I can say with 99% certainty that R wouldn't be down for this. But if the decision was mine alone to make, I really think I could be happy with just the one child we do have.

The last time R and I talked about this, was right before he deployed. He's pretty certain he wants another baby. His reasoning being that he is really loving the daddy role. This makes my heart swell for the man, when before Alyssa was born, he was sorta freaking out about how he would fit in this new family dynamic. He's never grown up around babies or even small kids so he was more then feeling incompetent for the job and hating his lack of knowledge. So to see him really thriving and enjoying being a father, has been wonderful to watch. Truly heart warming. Don't be completely fooled though. He also wants his little boy ;)

Me...I LOVE being a mother. Like, love it more then I ever dreamed possible. I also wouldn't be, even slightly, upset if a second baby happened without planning. We're talking, not even a hiccup of self pity, sadness, disappointment or sorrow for my future plans being put on hold for a more distant future...

~So what's the problem right?~

A large part is fear of another troubled pregnancy. I had issues with high blood pressure and PreE starting in the second trimester, and as much as that wasn't fun the real fear is the disconnect R and I experienced throughout our pregnancy. What was supposed to be a joyous time for us, turned into a very hurtful situation full of surface conversations and no real connection. For nine months. It sucked. There were times I was actually concerned for our marriage and I know he was too. I have to say though, the day we met little Alyssa was pretty amazing. It was like we had been connected the entire time finally rejoicing in the birth of our baby. AWESOME memory and one I cherish and think on so much. But beyond that, why would we want to go through that again or put our marriage through that again? Just to be clear, having a baby was not the reason for our issues but it certainly didn't help having the raging hormones that R nor I understood or knew how to handle. R counters that, a second pregnancy would be completely different. We're in a MUCH better place. We have worked through so much of these past issues and I definitely feel a deeper, mature love for him now, then the day we got married or even a year ago due to working through these problems. He encourages me and says that this time, we'd have the experience we both imagined and to be honest. I feel that too...But gosh. Those memories and hurts and old fears that we could have lost one another, just have me paralyzed. I know my angst is really misplaced and in my heart I know we'd have an amazing experience but I still can't say I'll be the one deciding "it's time."

Now that I've voiced the biggest reasons, I'll put it all out on the table and list the "selfish" ones too... If you can call it that... No judging ;)

Bottom line--- R and I were having a lot of fun before he deployed! We were getting out more because Alyssa was older and her schedule and needs were becoming more stable. Gone (but not completely gone) are the days of bondage to frequent nap schedules, feeding schedules, and 10-12 diaper changes a day. And it's only going to get better too (until we hit teenage years) Alyssa will be 18-19 months old when R gets home later this year. She'll really be able to hang with the rents! I'm envisioning rock climbing adventures, camping, fishing, hiking, road trips, dinner at an actual restaurant because her bedtime is no longer 6:00 p.m. and family movie dates! She'll be potty trained, talking, really resembling a little person! I can see us. The 3 amigos, 3 musketeers, just paling around building a strong, connected and happy family bond. Alyssa would have no one to share our attention with and she'll be given more opportunities financially with only one child to cloth, feed and build college funds for. Please. Before you go there. I'm not talking about spoiling her to the point of raising a bratty, selfish child. I won't have a spoiled child. I'm talking more of a balanced, healthy sorta charmed life where she is very secure and cared for. Also provided for and then some. Say, maybe we'll actually be able to assist her with the purchase of her first vehicle? That's something I never had, that would have been nice. I do not hold that against my parents. Hell. I have 8 siblings in my family! There's no way on God's green earth that they could have afforded that and that was okay. But do you see what I mean? More mouths mean less opportunity... Not always a bad thing. I certainly developed and got my feet under me without the help, but I think you can see where I'm going here...

And there's more ;) R and I could finally settle in and really focus on us! I feel like our 4 years of marriage, so far, have been very whirlwind; in desperate need of a slow, pause or even coasting button... Children have a way of speeding things up even faster, so OMG! I'd also be able to retain all the hard work I've been doing to lose weight, tone and build muscle...The biggest one being that I've gained back a lot of my confidence and happiness through this. R's loving it! We wouldn't just "talk" about buying a cruiser one day and hitting the open road; reckless and not caring where the wind bent the wheel... We'd actually do it! R would have resources to build up his classics and not have to sell them, like we did before Alyssa was born. Oh man. I could go on for days about the endless possibilities...

Obviously we have some time to weigh on this. It kinda takes your partner being within the vicinity of your body to make a baby and the last I checked, that's not going to happen for sometime. So for now, my status is undecided. I'll just take comfort in the fact that probably 95% of the baby popping populous have these VERY thoughts, feelings and conversations. And probably 90% of us decide a giggling, chubby, round'faced munckin is worth the extra time and money. R and I'll most likely be apart of that percentage which will be more than okay. REALLY. Baby's are wonderful! Just a different kind of wonderful; Maybe not for everyone but it certainly was for me ♥ Just maybe not two ;)

What about you? 
Yes. No. Maybe?

New Year, New'ish Me!

We're 7 days into the new year and so far, it's feeling pretty great! Yes, my husband is still missing from my bed and will be for another 7 months, but beyond that life is full of sunshine (literally) and optimism! Moving to Arizona has turned out to be good for SugarCube and I. We're more then surviving this deployment; we're actually happy most days. Baby girl has so much love surrounding her every moment here, which makes me so happy for her. She definitely misses her daddy and lights up when she sees him over FaceTime but the majority of time she's just interested in who ever will give her attention, table scraps and hugs :) Ahhhh. To be a kid....

Being here has also given me the golden opportunity to start taking better care of myself which is the MAJOR source of my happiness outside of my daughter. I swear. Most days I feel like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality, under going huge transformations. Thanks to my in-laws for pushing me to see the need and their very generous babysitting (which I think it's more for them and not so much for me, lol) I've been pretty active visiting my sister in Las Vegas (Oops. totally failed to write about that even though I did take pictures!) visiting the gym weekly, climbing when my sister in-law is down from Flag Staff, hiking, running, working on Shaun T's Insanity and taking brisk walks around the neighborhood with the babe. I get out often. Even if it's for a run to the market. I've also attended a few gal pal meet ups. I've been seeing a phenomenal chiropractor for over a month now, which has been great for my hip and lower back pain, ever since the baby. Less excitably, I've had some teeth sawed on (just finished my first root canal and hope it's my last) and I've also been seeing a fabulous spiritual counselor which has been great for my larger then life stress and anxiety. Over the 2 months R's been away, I feel I've made a huge change; I'm more the bubbly, adventurous, mischievous girl he married and I can't wait to show myself off once he gets home ♥ So hurry on home already babe!

 But onto the fitness portion of this post which is what I really intending to write about. My one goal over the holidays was to maintain my current weight and not gain anything back that I worked so hard to loose over the summer. Yesterday, I stepped on the scale for the first time since mid November. I was so nervous! I had no idea what that thing was going to say but no matter the number, I wasn't going to allow it to sap my motivation. I'm having too much fun to allow my goals to be squashed by a mere number. Am I right!?! Surprisingly and excitably though, I'm down 1 pound from where I last weighed! August 2012 was my last fitness weigh in where I showed you I went from 165.5 to 145 lbs in 2 months. I now weigh 136 lbs and have a lot more tone and muscle. Not that you can see it in these pics. AWFUL lighting and an even more terrible backdrop. But for the sake of making an appearance ;)

3 Weeks ago in Vegas. I haven't decided what was on the mirror. Baby slobber maybe? 

Terrible back drop

My goal is to reach 126 by the time R returns and have arms, a butt, legs and torso to be proud of! I say this with relativity. I know I will never have the body I'm used to, pre baby. My mid section might always be a bit "loose" and I definitely have some stretch marks to prove I carried a child. But that's just all apart of the new me that I'm learning to love this year... I believe what I see in my head is very achievable and I cannot wait to get there. So I'm going to be linking up with...

And the lovely, adventurous Kelly every Friday to help stay accountable to myself and to maybe inspire along the way! Yay for my first blogging theme! I've never really been good at keeping up with those but THIS I can do ;) I've been back on my clean eating for almost a week, minus the chocolate cake I indulged in tonight while watching Planet Earth, but I only ate half a slice instead of the entire piece. And I do need to get way WAY better at drinking my water again. You'd think living in Arizona with all this dry heat I would be craving the stuff, but most days it's a struggle. This is a must to loose weight as well as getting 8 solid hours of sleep a night. I've got my work cut out for me but at least I have a workout routine already seated in pretty solid determination. Now to take my own advise and get that 8 hours of sleep before my daughter's 6-7'ish wake up call ;)  I hope you'll come back this Friday to see how I did and maybe consider participating yourself! This should be fun.     

2012 Most Treasured Moments

My thoughts bringing in 2013? 

We're finally in the year R comes come! Think positive. Be positive! 

I actually had a great New Years Eve. I spent the morning soaking in sunny shine shine and fresh air while on a gorgeous hike with my new gal pal D. Take a look!

Can you believe this is December and I'm wearing a t-shirt! I LOVE ARIZONA!!!

Me and Ms. Thang at the top of Thunder Bird! 

Going after the cactus just because they're so cool! 

Caught one! 

Both D and I took several minutes, to reflect on the close of 2012, once we made it to the top. And although this year hasn't been without it's hurts and disappointments, it was still an amazing 12 months that I wouldn't wipe from the books for anything! Like a lot of you, I wanted to write a recap of the year, but after finishing, was kind of nervous that my years worth of reflection was very different than most. ALL of my biggest moments were emotionally based, feel good memories! Not so much about mile markers, vacations and big achievements. Well, I take that back. Some of these memories are based around those 3 things, but it's very clear, that is not what I took from the year. I also bypassed the self comparison between the start and finish of 2012. Which is always fun! I guess you could say, I had  found a deeper appreciation for moments of connection, quality time and the heart in 2012, after having felt like that suffered a great deal during my pregnancy. This wasn't something I really chose to write about at the time, so you didn't miss anything ;) But to have that back between R and I, a better part of 2012, was just amazing and what I appreciated the most! Take a look :) Warning. It gets pretty mushy at certain points. 

~2012 Most Moments~

  

Memorable~ The birth of our daughter on February 12, 2012! If you're a parent yourself, I don't think much more needs to be said! I will say though, that I've been very humbled and honored to be given the chance to know a deeper kind of love in this life. I never knew such depths existed until I held our daughter's small body in my arms for the first time...The love came almost INSTANTLY and was very overwhelming, but yet the feeling of being so blessed was heart bursting! I love you Alyssa. So much... And thank God everyday for you and how you've blessed us! If you haven't already and you'd like to read about the day I met our daughter, you can read all about that here! Which is, by the way, my most popular post of 2012! 

Silliest~ I love being silly and more times then not it's in the form of finding new ways to get reactions out of R. Last Christmas R was given a plush Snoopy by his sister which was actually for our little bundle, once she arrived. However R kinda adopted him for himself ;)  So, naturally, I unearthed that he cares greatly for this plush dog (he took it with him to Afghanistan so I couldn't be mean to it, lol)  so one silly night while preparing for bed, I snatch up his snoopy and proceeded to jump around the bed swinging his poor animal round and round by his legs REALLY FAST, giggling and laughing the entire time while R then starts launching himself every which way trying to catch me yelling "NOOOO! You're going to tear his legs off! Don't be mean!!!" HAHAHA!!! I was having a ball... So that's kind of our thing now... When I know we're headed for bed, I RACE to the room with him on my tail, because he knows what's coming, trying to get to snoopy before him. Sometimes I win. Sometimes he wins. But it always ends in laughter, silly kisses and a feeling of flirtatiousness and love before we say goodnight. It's the best!   

Romantic~ Most romantic moment was our first, over night, date away from the baby. SugarCube was a month old when we had the opportunity to attend our first military ball. So when my sister offered to babysit so we could go, we both jumped on it! Even though I hadn't lost the baby weight yet and was feeling insecure about that, I still had the absolute best time! I went all out on my dress, the accessories, getting my hair done, nails painted, you name it! I felt like Cinderella and the way R looked at me with approving eyes and pure pride, made him seem like prince charming :) Those are the moments you hold onto! 

Peaceful~ Tail gating with my love in our drive way, while lullabies sing to us softly over the baby monitor. Cold beer in his hand. Glass of wine in mine. Just enjoying the night sky and one another's company. I could write all day about the many peaceful moments we've had but this is one of my most recent and favorite. Many more to come 2013! 

Sweetest~ There are SO MANY sweet moments when you have a little one. It's hard to pick when they're all sweet... But for the sake of completing these moments, my favorite memory of pure sweetness was over Christmas Eve when R got to Skype with us for 3 hours while we all opened presents. Half way into the time, our daughter stood up, bracing herself on the coffee table where the laptop was sitting and obviously connected with the fact that, that was her daddy talking inside the computer screen! She stood there for 10 minutes caressing his cheeks and hair,  just talking and smiling and looking at him with such sweet eyes. She KNEW that was her daddy. It did my heart so good knowing that and R's as well. Of course, later,  she didn't understand why he wasn't behind the screen when she'd push it down :)

Joyous~ R's last month long field problem before he deployed. He does a lot of these now that he's no longer a Drill Sgt. but this last one he did in preparation for the deployment really got me! We had been working through some issues when he left and while he was gone we had a major break through. I couldn't WAIT for him to come home so I could kiss his face and feel his hugs and just reconnect. I don't think I had smiled bigger, before the day he came home. I was on pins and needles as Alyssa and I dressed up in our best clothes and drove out to pick him up. I felt like a school aged kid again with a crush! It was great! We drove home with our daughter snoozing in the back seat of his truck, while I sat hip to hip, with his arm around me, smiling the entire way. Good memories 2012!  

Somber~ The day R deployed. It's a time I do not want to repeat and definitely the hardest moment I've had to just allow happen... Saying goodbye to the other half of your heart for 9 months is like feeling your breath being taken from you, until they return. But, with the close of 2012... We open 2013; the year I get the rest of my heart back!  

Accomplished~ Fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes after 7 months! I worked my buns off (literally) for 3.5 months. By the end, I had lost 27 lbs, gained some muscle and was feeling WAY more confident and like my old self again. I smile every time I think about that huge accomplishment! 2012 was good to me! 

Embarrassing~ Does giving birth and ALLLLLL that entails, count ;) 

Spontaneous~ Driving 4 hours to buy donuts over Mothers Day, ha! I mean, a business called VooDoo Donuts? You just have to visit that! 

Content~ This is probably one of my FAVORITE memories in addition to being my most content moment of 2012. We had went on vacation in September to visit R's family in Arizona. Which was more of a pre-deployment/meeting of our daughter trip. But while there, we managed to sneak out for a day, baby free, to head for cooler temps and wide open meadows in Flag Staff. We went off road for several miles until we reached the perfect spot and let me tell you, it was breath taking! No one there but the birds and grasshoppers and a big sunny sky to welcome us; much needed time away. We quickly laid out blankets in the shade and just melted into one another's arms...Doing nothing more than existing and enjoying the closeness. AND QUIET! Okay, I lied. This IS the perfect make-out spot so there was (a little) something more, than nothing going on, ha! If I close my eyes, still, I can feel him next to me, hear wind in the trees, feel the warm air moving over us and just the biggest sense of contentment...I'll never forget this moment as long as I live. I remember thinking about our life there on that blanket. About how our life back in Washington, most days, seemed too loud and fast and full of anxiety for the big changes to come. But in that moment, I could just breath. We were just us again! Boy and girl who fell crazy in love then became husband and wife who just couldn't imagine being anything other than one another's world... 2013, there will be more of this!      

Daring~ Rock climbing for the first time! We went with some friends over the summer and although I have a more then mild fear of heights, I still went and actually enjoyed myself! Now I've picked it up here in Arizona where I'm really anxious to see growth and progress! I've become so fascinated with it and LOVE how it challenges my mind, body and muscles. So here's to MORE awesome climbing adventures in 2013! It pays to be daring ;)

Blessed~ Just a few days ago actually! December 27, 2012 was mine and R's 4 year anniversary. I feel and felt so blessed on this day; to have found such a wonderful man, who loves me deeper than I can honestly comprehend. Puke if you must here, but I feel life started for me the day R walked into my little sphere. I guess you could say I was in a bit of a fog up until then... God did a wonderful thing by giving me this man to love and be loved by.  I can never thank him enough for this gift of partnership, love, happiness, contentment, joy and trust. It is my goal in 2013 to show R, as much as humanly possible, how blessed I am to have him and the beautiful daughter we've created together...

I hope you enjoyed this as much I I loved writing it! My next installment will be the iDream reveal on my new menu bar! 2013 is a perfect time to start fresh, set some goals and voice some dreams!

~What was your most shining moment of 2012~ 

~What will be your biggest goal for 2013!~ 

Christmas Wrap Up

~Christmas Eve~
I wasn't so sure about Christmas this year and how my usual cheerful spirit would weather the storm of R being deployed, but it turned out! We celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve because of the time difference in Afghanistan and when R could meet us over Skype. Which turned out awesome! We actually got to spend 3 hours with him just watching SugarCube babble as she opened gifts, and naturally do what most kids, this age, do. Ignore the toy and play with the the box, ha! But she had a ball with all her adoring fans cooing and ooing over her ANY interaction. I swear. She lifted a finger and we all went "AWWWE!" It was great. My favorite and most cherished moment though, was when SugarCube connected with the fact that her daddy was inside the computer.

 Half way into opening gifts, she started babbling and caressing his face for a GOOD 10 minutes while trying to find "daddy" behind the computer screen. She'd push the laptop down to see behind it and was throughly confused when daddy wasn't there, lol.  It was the sweetest display of affection we've seen yet and totally made my Christmas Eve morning! We sealed our amazing day with the traditional pot of chili and corn bread, dressed in our jammies and watched movies until it was time to say goodnight. 

~Christmas day~

After such an amazing time with R, the next day was Christmas. I dressed SugarCube in her sunday best and of course took many pictures of her lil' puddin'face. You know I have to document this year in true mommy fashion with a bajillion photos ;)  And I also just HAD to capture these zebra print shoes on film, no? Aren't they the CUTEST! And that rocking horse--- ADORB! 

Unlike true mommy fashion, I'll go ahead and tell on myself and say that I was a bad mommy this year. I didn't go all out with baking cookies for Santa, buying elf on a shelf or even taking Alyssa to see Santa her first Christmas. I just feel like a lot of that's wasted on such early years. But I am rethinking Alyssa's absent Santa pictures, after the fact...I didn't want to deal with the large lines at the mall, only to pay for a picture where my daughter is frightened out of her skull and screaming her head off, but now I'm thinking she might feel jilted later on... The awful baby screaming on Santa's lap pics are kinda tradition in most homes....  

~Baby Loot~

After opening our gifts on Christmas eve (SugarCube and Mommy was spoiled)  Christmas morning we played with them! Well, not in these pics but you get the idea. 

Baby girl got some pretty sweet books including one of her favorites, Mickey Mouse! It came with a Mickey shaped radio and 20 different songs to sing along with. That's been a hit since day one! Your first radio, awe... Daddy insisted you needed blocks for when he returned, so he bought you a heaping amount of tender years blocks which are super soft and actually float so you can take them into the bath! You also got a few puzzles, a neat twisty ball that rattles and rolls and your super intrigued by the elephant shape sorter that was in the gift pile. Your Mickey Mouse phone was a big hit too, as well as your plush Mickey. Can you tell you're into Mickey this year ;) Mommy thinks your first birthday might have something to do with that silly little Mouse...  

My favorite toy from your stash, is by far, the handmade wooden rocking horse Grampa "G" made, however you're still making friends with it and not quite sure what's expected. We're working on that. Maybe once mommy paints the face, stirrups and saddle you'll connect with it more but if you could talk, I know you'd say your favorite toy was DEFINITELY the one your Great Grampa brought over. A Minnie Mouse bean bag!!! By Christmas evening, you had me launching your cute baby buns over it while you squealed with delight. It was so cute and has made me giggle until my sides hurt :)

~Mommy Loot~

I didn't get any pictures of my Christmas stash but it was good! I got a nice pair of VS pajamas,  my 13" MacBook Pro (YEAH YEAH) a BEAUTIFUL jewelry box, a Diamond Back climbing harness, carabiner and GriGri belay device (climbing shoes and chalk bag to come) a boat load of good thick running socks and cozy socks, a stocking full of goodies, a $50 visa card and an SLR Nikon D3100 camera!!! Holy moly that sounds like a lot when I write it all down. I couldn't be more excited for my new toys!!! I've already used the climbing gear twice since Christmas! This is one of the BEAUTIFUL spots we climbed. 

I wasn't able to get any pics of me on the rock but it wouldn't have been that impressive anyway seeing as I bailed 1/4 the way up each time, lol! Lets just say I've got a lot of improving to do (outside) but super excited to put in the work! 

  

I'm still in love with my shiny laptop which allows me to throughly enjoying the blogging experience and now I have this awesome new camera to correlate! It couldn't have come at a better time because I have some fabulous aquarium, zoo and first birthday bash events planned, which will be in need of good pictures! 

~And what before my eyes did appear... But a slobbery baby with tiny reindeer ears~

Christmas Jammie Cuteness! 

Can you tell I just loved SugarCube in her Christmas jammies ;) The second to last one here just cracks me up. She was actually laughing.

We wrapped up Christmas evening, relaxing over peace and quiet and a simple meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls. I have to thank my mother in-law for that because I was so pooped by the end, I wasn't ANY help in the kitchen. Thanks again Mama "G!" I don't think I could've asked for a better Christmas, with the hubby being deployed but here's to a repeat next year, only with daddy sitting NEXT to us! And for the record, that's all the gift I'll need ♥

~What was your one exciting gift this Christmas?~

Cha Cha Changes!

Here's the big reveal! But don't panic. I haven't moved, so no need to update your readers... However, I have been overhauled with a new name and makeover. Check me out! 

 I couldn't be more thrilled with the finished result. It took some time to finish because I had no real direction to give my designer. And what little I was able to tell her, drastically changed the more we delved into the process but it's finally time and I'm ecstatically excited to show it off! I'm fiercely in love with this design and new name y'all! It really has captured the true heart of me; a bubbly, mostly sunny spirit just enjoying life and living. Sarge & Sunshine,  writing under a new name, is still about me, my soldier and our little life. Nothing changed there. But I do have some new fabulous links here displaying a life list, thoughts on dealing with R's deployment, foodie adventures and of course, my pursuit of fitness and a place to brag on my adorable SugarCube! Most of them are still "under construction" for a short time, but feel free to check out the ones I do have up!    

Finally, a big shout out to my designer Fran, for being so patient and making any and every change I asked for... I mean we're talking 50+ emails of ideas, likes and dislikes y'all. It got redic on my part. So thank you Fran! It all turned out so fabulous. EXACTLY the cheery look I was hoping for!  blog'o'sphere. If you're currently in the market for a designer, I would highly recommend Freeborboleta Designs. As you can see, she's fabulous! 

I Was A Good Girl, And Santa Noticed!

Merry Christmas to all my friends!!!  Today was very blessed in the way that we got to spend THREE hours with my hubby over Skype; opening gifts (Santa came early) sharing smiles and laughter and of course watching our daughter experience the joy of Christmas for the very first time! We celebrated a day early because of the time difference and also not wanting anything to get in the way of meeting R for this exchange, if it could be helped. And seriously.  I couldn't have asked for a better day; considering my love is completely on the other side of the world and yet, it felt like he was sitting right there in the living room with us...  I shall return with a proper Christmas recap, because OMG I got spoiled! I must have been really good this year because Santa definitely delivered. But the festivities are not over! The best part is still to come---Tomorrow is still the big feast where we shall gorge on roast beast! Haha, I've been reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas maybe a little too much this month ;) I also need better pictures before I post a recap. I COMPLETELY failed to wash and fix my hair and dress in anything other then yoga pants today, so having an opportunity for a redo is welcomed!   Until then---From my home to yours,  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas full of warm smiles and laughter! Have a wonderful time making beautiful moments with the ones you hold dear, and remember to take time out of the hustle and bustle to really look and appreciate the blessings you've been given. I for one, feel so blessed and thankful for my husband, our beautiful baby girl and a wonderful 3 hours spent in the eyes of my love, on this special day, where the distance didn't seem so distant...  Go forth and be MERRY!!!!   

This (Mac's) Me Happy!

Santa came through and delivered! 

I'm now the proud owner of a brand new 13" MacBook Pro yo! I published this exciting news on Facebook today and someone asked me if I was allowed to open it early. The answer was and it. Yes. Because technically, in this instance, I'm Santa! But then again, maybe not because I only found the AMAZING deal and clicked the appropriate buttons while Hubby paid for it, ha! So I guess I'm the elf?  Thank you very much babe!!! Your wifey is uber happy, elated in fact, and cannot wait to show you just how much! Now what shall I name it... Chiclet 2.0? 

Stay tuned for the blog makeover reveal! It is finished and ready to install. I can't hardly wait to show it off and brag all over my amazing designer Fran

♥

Happy Hair!

This is what I wanted

This is what I had

This is what I got!!!

I'm loving my cheery new look!!! And just in time for Christmas photos :) 

Dear Santa

I remember the awful night I stopped believing in Santa. It was very crushing and so disappointing to a curious three year old, but I guess that's what you get with a stubborn streak a mile wide and refusing to stop until you get answers, ha! It's also been that long sense I last wrote a letter to the big man in a suit! But I remember doing that as a kid and I had so much fun... Oh, the possibilities! The idea that you could wish for anything and one of those gifts would be selected. COME ON! That's like a real life game of Candy Land!!! So this year, I've decided to join in with some of you and write my very first wish list in almost twenty-five years.  Oh boy. I'm just giddy with excitement! And feeling a smidgen like that three year old innocent admirer again.  Family and friends, this list is in no way intended to take inspiration from. I do NOT expect any of these items (as you can see, I dream big ha!) hence why I am not linking to where I found them. This was just a fun exercise for the holidays and a time to dream!   So here we go... 

15" MacBook Pro

 Go big or go home, right? I've been dreaming about this computer since I was sixteen... It's definitely my white elephant, heehee

Alabama's Christmas Album

I just love this album. It's from my childhood and one of good memories. My mom played this every Christmas season while whipping up baked goodies in the kitchen and I so enjoy the warm feeling these songs evoke. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I want to pass this tradition onto her. Who remembers Thistle Hair The Christmas Bear? A CLASSIC!  

Anne of Green Gables

 Oh my gosh, yes! Another childhood favorite. I grew up on stuff like this and miss it! This is another warm piece of my childhood I'd like to pass onto my daughter. 

Bear Paw Meadow Boots in Birch

 I remember when this whole trend took off, and while I'm not usually a trend follower, these I do love! Last year on Black Friday I went and bought some like it, however they had the crappy fake soles. Which you can imagine how well those held up in good'ol rainy, slushy Washington ;)

ByBethany Navy and Red Chevron Bifold Wallet. 

 This is a find off Etsy (omg I love Etsy) where I also bought my gray and white chevron purse/diaper bag last year. I guess you could say I'm obsessed with the chevron pattern and since my current Walmart special is literally falling apart (seriously, I have cards and change falling out of holes daily) this is the perfect replacement!

   

VS Dreamer Pj's 

 These are just the best Pj's. So comfy and cute! My sister in-law gave me a pair for Christmas last year and I fell in love. So naturally I need another pair, lol! Even the hubby doesn't mind these ladies. Double score! Where in the world can you get comfy sleep attire ANNNNND come hither looks from the man, eh!

Naturalizer Juletta Riding Boots  

 Again, I do not normally follow trends but this one is really sassy and so chic! I love most all of the looks I've seen created with riding boots and find I like this look and color the best. Now, all I need is a wardrobe worthy of this fabulous pair!  

New Haircut and Hair Color

 Couldn't you see me rockin this haircut and color dressed in those adorable riding boots above?! I'm in desperate need of a new look and I figured, while the hubby is a way, the wife could play! With my hair that is ;) I've never been adventurous with new looks because the hubby likes my hair long and natural. But I want and need a change! If I hate it, I can just grow it out, right?! 

   

Oakley Gretchen Bleiler Sunglasses

 I have NEVER owned an expensive pair of sunglasses in my life and I'm not going to start now. But I WILL eventually. I just need to get my daughter past the toddler stage of  flushing things down the toilet, throwing things in the trash and hiding mommies precious(s) in the couch for me never to find because, lets face it, most of us only lift the couch cushions for overnight visitor and that's about once a year in this house. But these... These are nice. I would feel like a Hollywood gem in these!   

Saucony Womens Guide 6

 New running/gym shoes! I've heard great things about Saucony and these are just fabulously lite with color and style. I'm in love with these and definitely have my eye on them for when I replace my Asics. 

Naked 2 Urban Decay

 If you google this eye shadow palette you'll find a crap load of new ways to do up your eyes. And a lot of them are fantastic! I fell hard for this palette but at the time, $50+ was hard to swallow when I still needed things for our bundle that was on the way! I have blues eyes and fair skin so these colors would be just awesome to have!  

Vine Street Market Perfect Jersey Scarf 

I LOVE THESE! And would love every color. I've liked a page on Facebook called "She Steals" and although I don't usually like what they post deals on, occasionally I do and fall in love. Like here! Going into the colder season (okay okay, temporarily living in Arizona, that sentence is a but of a joke but) I could really use these! I can see it all now...My fabulous new cut and color, new shimmering goldy eye shadow, A-lister Oakley's, riding boots, these scarfs, skinny jeans and an equally flattering top, I'd look like I just walked off the cover of Cosmopolitan! HAHA!     So tell me, What's on your Christmas wish list this year?