It's a Trip... Make the Best of it!!

We are in Iowa. I have never been to Iowa and it's kinda strange that we are here but it's also very fun as new adventures for our family break up the monotony. Since my husband will be called to duty over seas very soon, and he had this TDY (temporary duty) scheduled, he decided to pack up the family and bring us along. T and L are always up for a trip. We prepare them days before to let them know that we will be traveling in the car for along time so that they aren't surprised when the car doesn't stop. We also tell them where we are going and we talk alot about the state and the cities we will visit. This time T especially enjoyed helping mommy pick up snacks for the long ride to "Ierla" aka Iowa!!

Yesterday was our official first day here and we had a great time. As soon as the kids saw the INDOOR POOL that was it. I barely got them to eat breakfast before it was constant begging for a swim. They really liked the fact that the pool was warm(so did Mommy) and even better, there was another one right next to it that was like a bath!! Way cool to them!!!! We had a great time and Mommy even enjoyed some much needed water aerobics.

After an hour of swimming, I dried up my little pruned up kiddos and we headed to lunch which was not very good to say the least. I won't mention where we went but I will say I was disappointed since I had never been there and was excited to try it out.

The next couple of hours were spent back at the hotel until daddy was home from work. Unfortunately, Mommy still has to keep up a somewhat normal routine despite living in a hotel room for a week. We try to keep mealtimes, nap times and bedtimes the same but there are alot of compromises!!!


When you have a toddler that has to nap and a toddlerish BIG girl that doesn't nap, what do you do?? Well, here's what we did while ALL the lights were off in the room.

I pulled out my camera and snapped some self portraits in the bathroom because after all, it was the only place we could have light!!!!

Can you tell I was having fun!!!! I'm not a 'self portrait' kinda girl, I tend to stay on the other side of the lens making other people look fabulous, but being goofy in front of the mirror sometimes is good for the soul!! (and it makes for great practice)

T also joined me in the bathroom since there wasn't anything else to do. I tried to pose her in some of the shots with me. That went over like a ton of bricks... as you can see!!!

Seriously?!

What she was doing was WAY more interesting than another photo op with Mommy!!

 

 Clearly, Cut The Rope is waay cooler than coloring or quiet time resting, wouldn't you agree?!?!!?

Once L woke up and Daddy returned from work, our day ended with spending time with the family(mommy stopped in a neat camera store to browses some awesome camera equipment which was super exciting), cruising the CR, Iowa Mall,  having yummy dinner and back to our temporary 'home.'

I will update later this week on how our short visit to Iowa unfolds. So far, we are really enjoying our time despite the inconveniences of living in a hotel room.  Not to mention, there's something to be said about a man who drags his family with him across country for a business trip and puts up with all the madness of family on the road!!!! Dedication!!! Love you Honey!!!

Live, Laugh, Love and always be YOU!! Cheers-- TLC

A ZOObulious Day!!!

I don't think "ZOObulious" is a word, but it's a perfect way to me to describe a day like we had on Saturday!

Since we have been having Spring like weather, what better way to spend a weekend day especially when we have SEASON PASSES than at the ZOO?!?! We got there right when it opened so we were able to go pretty much where ever we wanted. T&L were super happy to spend a day at the ZOO with their friend Emma. They loved exploring the ZOO hand in hand despite the chilly morning. Some of the exhibits were closed for the winter, but you'd never know it with all that we saw.


The best part of being at the ZOO is knowing that if you happen to miss an animal or an exhibit, you are just 20 minutes away and have season passes, so coming back to the Zoo is a possibility. (where we used to live, it was a 3 hour drive if we wanted to see any wildlife)

Here is how our day unfolded....

Two Peas: T&E

Waiting Patiently for Zoo Opening!

Nothing like seeing Flamingo's especially after watching "Gnomeo & Juliet"

The Giraffe's ALWAYS amaze me!!

Waiting for the Elephant feeding!!

Boredom creeped up on them pretty quickly! 

This guy the Rhino was pretty hilarious, just starred at us the whole time!

We decided to stroll through the Chimp house to break up the monotony while waiting for the Elephant feeding.

Isn't this just amazing?!?!

The show ended up being inside and it was super fun to watch!!

My camera captured the Elephant with the appearance of a painted portrait. (probably the setting/lighting, but hey, I'm happy with it)

Photo Op with totally awesome 'Down Under' ride!!

Grizzlies are so beautiful.... behind the fence!!!!

This beautiful guy didn't spread his wings until I put my camera away, of course!

My guy had a blast!!

And so did these beauties, hand in hand!!!

Creating a lifetime of memories that will last FOREVER!!!

Great time had by ALL!!! Hope you enjoyed it!! Live, Laugh, Love and Always be YOU!! 

Cheers,

TLC

Boys Will Be Boys.... Forever!!!

My guy, Little L, is very different from my T. He is ALL BOY and has been from day 1! He just turned 3 in Nov. so he's most definitely out of the baby stage and slowly but surely working his way out of the toddler stages. So much so, that he ALMOST has more attitude than my daughter. We are potty training NOW and when that's accomplished, Shrek will be coming to get his "binkies" and will take them to the SWAMP. Those of you who know us, know about that plan and know that little L is not exactly happy with that idea. In fact, when that does happen, it may actually end his Shrek obsession. (doubt it) That said, Little L has such a sweet demeanor and is a true cuddle bug, but on his bad days he can be a handful!!

This is his "I'm mad because I couldn't do it FIRST" pose.

 

 

 

 

"Hmm, I don't wanna"

"Not another picture, Mom!"

When asked to smile, this is what I got, after saying "L, give me your happy face!"

Bieber Fever Hair in full effect, wouldn't you say??

His big sister T has done a great job lately with setting an example of how to show love and compassion even when things aren't going the way they want and they aren't agreeing. While I was snapping the above^ photos, T was sweetly encouraging L to 'listen to Momma.' It's is so neat to see them interact with each other (when they are not fighting).

At the end of the day, whether it's little L giving momma a hard time, or whether T&L aren't agreeing about which toys are worthy of sharing or whether they are both tattling on each other ... there is one thing about those two that stays consistent every single day despite the sibling conflicts....

"Look Mom, we're snuggling!"

Their LOVE for each other!! And I couldn't be happier as a mom with two kiddos who are 17 months apart!!! I'll take the "ALL BOY" behavior and the girly DIVA attitude any day!! Have a great one! Live, Laugh LOVE and ALWAYS be YOU!!!

Cheers,
TLC

V Day Surprise!!!!

We still celebrate Valentine's Day in the fact that we still give each other gifts. We usually don't do extravagant gifts or extravagant dinners often. There have been times when we've gone to dinner and enjoyed a date night, but after having kids, we're lucky to even remember the holiday. Another reason why we don't do much on February 14, it because our larger traditional wedding was on Feb 21, 2004 and our first wedding was a small service on March 22, 2003. SO, that said, with just recovering from Christmas (as I was reminded by a friend), and having Valentine's and Anniversaries back to back... it's hard to get/give a whole lot. I usually put a lot of thought into my gifts for my hubby and this year was the same. He got several thoughtful gifts that didn't cost much, but meant something to me.

His gift to me was so much better, even after we agreed that we weren't going to spend 'alot' on gifts, this is what I found on the seat on my car this morning:

Along with this sweet card:

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's day as well!! Cheers-- TLC

Mini Session!!

This is a re-post!!! Book NOW to get your slot!! Only a few days left!!

Live, Laugh, Love and be YOU!!!  Happy Saturday!! --TLC

Jack-In-The-Box

Silence in my house means there is something going on.... especially when my daughter Taylor is in sight and my son Landon is not!!!! And when he doesn't answer, you know it's probably bad!!

I often find myself letting things build and build until I just let it all out! I tend to take my frustrations out on other people and fail to realize the real issues lie within myself. I am working on my strengths AND on my weaknesses and finding better ways to release the 'pressure' if you will.


Tonight was one of those nights where I called for Landon and SILENCE. "Landon"...."Landon"... "LANDON!!!!" Finally, through the door of his room upstairs I hear... "right here" I walk upstairs to his room (I just knew I would find a major catastrophe or disaster) and there he was, as pretty as you please playing with his Jack-In-The-Box toy that my Grama gave him the last Christmas she was with us. Just as cute as ever.... he would wind and wind and when Jack(clown) would jump out, he'd jump in excitement and smile ear to ear just gleaming!!! It just melted my heart!!! It was amazing to see the magic a little toy in a box could create!!! He could've sat there for hours being entertained by the thrill of a simple toy.

It's not always about teaching. We often fail to realize the lessons that we can learn from our children as well. It's the little things, and the simple pleasures that make their day!!! I need to remember that when I let frustrations build up until I burst with anger!! I need to be thankful for being able to share in their joy!!! Maybe I need burst with excitement and thrill that I have such a beautiful life and family. Or maybe I need to burst with surprises, love and happiness instead of being upset when I get boiled and hot!! If a Jack-In-The-Box can bring that much joy, imagine what a little extra tender, love and care can bring. I need to remember that those moments of anger are not as important as the moments that I have with my kids. Before I know it, I'll be wishing for the messes to clean, for the all day "Mommy, I love you's over and over and over, movies to loop, and believe it or not, I'm going to miss the why's and buts!!! Life's too short, don't miss the experience!! I love them with all my heart and I make sure they know that every single day!!!!

Live, Laugh, Love and ALWAYS BE YOU!!! --TLC

BOOK IT!!!

I had a conversation yesterday afternoon with my best friend today that inspired this post. Remember in elementary school when there were book fairs and those thin newspaper like pamphlets which were filled from cover to cover with reading books? Well I did, and I always wished I could afford all the books the other kids bought at the fair as I would slip my $.50 on the desk to pay for my little plastic book mark. And those pamphlets... they would either get dumped in the trash immediately or never make it home because it ended up covered in mud on the floor board our car which in turn, ended up in the trash!!! Now, they are BACK!!! My daughter is now bringing them home from her pre-school and again, they usually end up in the trash. I have a had a hard time deciding whether or not it's a good idea to ACTUALLY order a book? Maybe one of these days I will give it a shot..... when my kids learn to read! I know now that reading as a child is very important.


  I was never a reader, not then, and not in High School!!! I would find myself thinking of what I was going to have for lunch, what kind of routine we were going to perform at the game, or my strategy in blocking out in that nights basketball game during a comprehension test or reading period. It was never an interest of mine and didn't understand how anyone could sit for hours upon hours and READ!!! REALLY?? I was always more interested in being actively on the go.. ask my mom!!I guess that's why studying was a challenge for me too. Until. Craig. While we were dating, I soon learned that he was an AVID reader. I wasn't sure how that would affect our future since I hardly ever opened a book. He suggested (more like challenged me) to read "The Alchemist" stating that it was a GREAT book and that I would be amazed!! Well, of course I HAD to do it, not to mention the curiosity killed me!!! So I did. I read it, it took me a while but I read it!! AND--- I LOVED it!!! I started to slowly learn the love of reading a good book. Since I am a slow reader, it takes me longer than probably the average person to read a book. I blame it on my attention span. I love a large variety of books ranging from romance novels to bios to thrillers to financial peace. But lately, in the last couple years after becoming a wife and a mommy and a photographer, I indulge in self help books. I love, love, love to learn and love to be inspired by other people who are living the same life I am and experiencing the same trials as me.

The books I am currently reading one chapter at a time are called, "Matters of the Heart", "Humor for a Mom's Heart" and "Eat,Pray,Love". I just finished tonight a very enlightening book about being an at-home mom called "Stay Home, Stay Happy" by Rachel Campos-Duffy. Her simple tips and techniques to being that loving wife, and happy 24/7 mommy that us mom's always strive to be, are helpful ways to help balance a happy, nurtured home. I really enjoyed learning that even though we perceive fellow at home moms as "having it ALL together"... it's safe to say that no matter what, we all have our days, things aren't perfect, and with a little tender love and care, we can create healthy routines for the ones we love!!!

My hope for T&L is that we instill in them the importance of a book. They love books, books with fun pictures, and they love to listen to stories, but hopefully it won't take them as long as it took me to learn how fruitful reading a good book can be!!!! I guess we'll have to resister them for the 'Book it' club in school!! ;)

Here are some shots of some of the books that I listed above including my all time favorites, my recent reads and a few that I will be starting soon!!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Live.Laugh.Love.And Always Be YOU!!! Cheers--TLC