Watch Out For Flying Pigs

You've heard the saying, "When pigs fly".  Well I'm about to do something that seems almost as impossible.  The idea came to me Black Friday.  I was at a party for Lance's boss and having fun meeting new people among whom was a wonderful woman who turned out to be a fellow shopaholic.  During our conversation, she told me she lived alone in a three bedroom house and every closet in her house was stuffed to overflowing and most of it were things she never even wore.  It sounded a little familiar to me.  Now I am way to organized to overstuff closets, but as we talked further I realized that we were both very much the same in our compulsion to acquire new things.

As we talked further, my new friend told me about something amazing she had done.  In 2011 she'd had enough.  She realized she didn't have room for one more thing and so she decided that she wouldn't buy any new clothes, shoes, or accessories for herself the entire year.  Instead she took the money she would have spent (she figured around $300 a paycheck) and put it in savings.  In early 2012 she had enough money saved up to take her and her 18 year old daughter to Europe for 10 days.  I was intrigued, and I admired her, but soon the conversation changed and that was all there was to it.  After the party, though, I couldn't stop thinking about what she'd done.  We were the same caliber of shopaholic so I knew she completely understood my feelings and drive to shop.  She had experienced the same pleasure that comes from just being at a beautiful shopping center with beautiful window displays as far as the eye can see.  She was like me and yet she was able to go without for an entire year.  And so I decided if she could, I could.

Now this is my challenge for 2013.  I am going to go the entire year without buying any new clothes, shoes, accessories, and (I'm adding) home decor for myself.  The only exception I'm allowing myself is my birthday.  I can go shopping for myself for my birthday.  I can also shop for other people.  My girls will need new clothes as the seasons change because they are growing and I'll still have to buy birthday present for friends and family, but nothing new for me.

So tomorrow it begins.  I've already unsubscribed my email from all my shopping websites.  I'm throwing away catalogs without even looking at them.  I can do this.  Lots of people who know me, keep saying they don't think I can, but that just makes me more determined.  I'm not saying it won't be hard.  It will be.  I'm basically trying to alter my genetic makeup with only sheer determination.  But most worthwhile things are hard.  Plus, I've done hard things before.  Now the question is, what will I do with all the money I save? Is that Europe I hear calling?

Family Pictures

Sophie Turns 7!

On December 13th this year, Sophie turned 7.  We started the morning by opening presents and having, per her request, crepes with strawberries and nutella. 

 

For her birthday lunch, Sophie wanted to go to Burger King and later that day we met Lance at Chuck E. Cheese in Dublin where everyone had a fun night. Obviously we have no expectations of healthy eating on our birthdays!

 The following day Sophie had a spa party with 5 of her friends.  Each girl got a facial, a manicure, pedicure and mini massage!  Then we ate tea sandwiches (aka subway) and fruit, followed by chocolate peanut butter cupcakes and sugar cookies.  Sophie opened gifts from her friends and then they played for an hour!  It was a blast!

The Beauty Station

Polish choices for mani/pedis

Decorative Nail Decals

Take home gifts for the guests

Pampering stations complete with spa robes and foot baths

Relaxing with a facial mask!

The refreshment station

I can't believe we ever lived without Sophie.  She is the sweetest girl with the biggest heart.  She has a very natural spiritual side and loves to do what is right. She also loves to play tricks and keeps us laughing!  We are so blessed to have her in our family!

19 (Amazing) Years and Counting

Last night was Lance and my 19th anniversary!  We celebrated by spending the night in San Francisco at the same hotel we spent our wedding night, The St. Francis.  It's a beautiful hotel right in Union Square.  We ate dinner at Masa, a very swanky French restaurant.  The atmosphere, service and food were all amazing. 

After an exciting night in room (wink, wink), we slept in and then went to the hotel spa.  I got a massage and Lance got a gentleman's facial.  Aaahhh! 

We stopped by a few stores on our way out of town including our favorite French bakery, Tartine and then headed back home to see our kiddos. 

Now for the more serious part of this post...
It was an amazing celebration, but even more amazing is the 19 years we've spent together.  I've often tried to put into words how wonderful a husband Lance is, but I've found it to be impossible.  The fact is, when you experience something like what we have together every day for so long it's not something that can be explained.  All I can really say it that I count Lance as my greatest blessing and I do not take him for granted for one second.  He has always put me first in everything.  He always looks for ways to make me happy.  Without a second thought he will sacrifice his comfort for mine.  He is a perfect father to our little girls.  He loves them so much and is devoted to their happiness.  Lance is a man of integrity.  He has his priorities exactly in order.  He is one of the few men on earth who does not have any issues with pride.  I am constantly amazed by that quality.  He is so handsome. He is funny and we make each other laugh all the time.  He is a hard worker.  He is my protector and I feel safe when he is with me. I could go on and on about him really.  There are so many things to say about him.  He has so many qualities that make him so wonderful.  I just consider myself so blessed to have him! I try hard every day to be the wife he deserves and show him how much I love him. Because I do, more now than ever.  I'm so happy for every day we have together!

And just in case this all got too deep for you, I'll end with this...

I know I do!

Visit With Santa

It looks like I forced them, but I didn't (well except for Riley I guess).  

Good thing this was free.  Ahhhh! Memories!

November Visit

Lance's parents stopped by for two days on their way down to Fresno for Thanksgiving.  We had a fun time in Tracy the first day taking them to their first Squeeze Inn experience and playing at the park.

 The next day went to San Francisco and spent the afternoon at The Exploratorium.  My girls loved it!  They didn't want to leave.

Afterwards, we stopped by our favorite bakery (probably in the entire world), Tartine and got a plethora of goodies to take home and then picked up a pizza at our favorite pizza place in Oakland and ate it in the car before heading home.  It was a fun way to start our Thanksgiving week!

Thanksgiving Dinner

 I had a simple, but wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  My aunt Cheryl came from Modesto and spent the afternoon with us.

I love how my table turned out.  It was not planned, just sort of put together last minute, but it may be my favorite holiday table yet!  Maybe I should not plan things more often!

 I hope your Thanksgiving day was wonderful too! 

A Fun and Eventful October

Meeting Daddy at the temple for pizza in the parking lot and FHE on the rooftop!

Sophie's first filling!  Love the nitrous...she did so great!

Dinner with friends at a swanky french restaurant in San Francisco

Riverbank 5k with Leslie and Courtney

Halloween Decorations...I can't resist a little sparkle, even if it's creepy! 

Ward truck or treat...aarrr!

Our yearly visit to Joan's Pumpkin Patch

Carving our pumpkins!

Sophie's ghost & heart and Avery's cat

Doing the dirty work for Dad!

Avery's preschool Halloween carnival

 Our pretty pirates ready for trick or treating!