A quick update!

I've been a terrible blogger lately which I hate because my memory isn't very reliable and I don't want to forget any of these moments.

Anyway a little update on my favorites. I'll start with charlie since she is probably my ghe one who's changed the most. She is now ONE! I can't believe it! I knew time would go by fast but it's going by even faster than before. We had a fun little party to celebrate nothing too spectacular but it was fun! All her favorite people came and helped celebrate her very first birthday. She is so loved by our family. It makes me so happy. 

She is also such a little sour patch kid. She is the sweetest little thing. 

She snuggles so sweetly and then ask for a million kisses which I just love. But before you know it she's pulling her sisters hair and laughing when she screams. And don't you dare tell her no because she will immediately start sobbing. 

She also started walking at ten months! I couldn't believe it. I wasn't expecting her to walk until after she turned one. It's so cute watching someone so little walk around. Her favorite part of the day (besides eating) is walking to the bus stop to pick up her sister. 

Speaking of her sister....she recently got a hair cut and loves "showing off" her new bangs and short hair (that isn't even short.) 

We also signed her up for mini vikes again this year and I'm happy to report that she is doing WAY this year than she did last year. She is actually running towards the ball and trying to kick the ball into the goal. It's super cute! 

She did so well we decided to sign her up for spring soccer! She doesn't need cleats or shin guards for mini vikes but she does for spring soccer and you can bet your bottom dollar that I loved getting her new gear. It's so cute! I'm a little embarrassed of how into the game I get into her silly little game (that they don't even keep score at.) but I really cheer and yell....I'm that mom. My poor kids. 

But at least they are cute. I took this on Sunday. It's impossible to get a picture of both of them smiling and I tried go on sudnay since they were "matchymatchy." Im a sucker for Costco and matching outfits. But I got this and I loved it because charlie is begging for a snack (that we were trying to bribe her with) and  Bella is looking at her so lovingly. She is the greatest big sister! She loves her even when charlie is being mean to her. I tell Bella that being the big sister really is tough sometimes. 

Now a doug update!! I'm excited because I don't update on him very often but but I feel like he's been awesome lately. Always really but I'm just super grateful for this guy. He's so hardworking and such a softy with our girls. He is finally, FINALLY on day shifts! Something we took for granted for so long but it has been wonderful having dinner with him every night. It makes the days go by even faster. He also got his second raise and got us our dream car! It's not new. In fact much older than our current car but we both love it. We are now going to sell my jeep and in 12 months we will be 100% debt free!!! All thanks to this guy. He has taught me so much. And he really works so hard for our family. I'd say I owe him for life but I had two of his kids so I think we're almost even.

Now onto myself. I had been feeling like such a mediocre mom for a while and I decided enough is enough. I cut myself some slack, took the pressure off and thought I'd just try my best every day. I'm happy to report it worked. I'm not so worried about having a clean house but making sure I'm enjoying my babies while they are still babies. 

I snuggle charlie when she wants to and forget about the laundry and dishes. Bella and I have read 5 junie b jones books together the last month and played a million games together. Our new favorite I got for a steal of a

Deal ($1.99) is guess who!

Let's face it. I'm sick of shoots and latters and candy land. This game was more for me than her. I've also been waking up before these girls so I can run and shower. It makes the day a lot smoother. And I have to run because I did a half crazy thing and signed up for a half marathon. 

I thought it was the only way to keep myself motivated and accountable because every day matters. I'm super out of shape and it's getting out of hand. When you don't feel good about yourself you have to take control and do something about it and I did. My sister signed up with me! Now don't worry my goal isn't to finish in an hour in half but to know I prepared enough and finish it. 

Last week I complete freaked myself out and I over trained. I ran hard and Pushed myself for 5 days thinking I needed to get in shape now and that 3 days a week wasn't enough. My sister took me if the ledge and reminded me that we had time to train and to not strain my out if shape body too much so I don't get burnt out. 

I'm excited for my big goal! It's pretty overwhelming sometimes but I know I can do it! 

 

A good day.

I haven't felt like the best mom ever lately. I haven't felt like I've been enjoying my children like I should. Today was not one of those days and because of that I don't want to forget it.

Today wasn't anything special. I got both girls ready and Bella and I were having such a good time talking and getting her ready that we were almost late for school.

I was even able to squeeze a nice nap in which I think is half the reason to our great day because I honestly felt like a new woman when I woke up! I got out the door and Headed to Costco. The only two things I really needed from there was diapers And gas which i did both but since we had no where to be and j was in a good mood we just browsed and waisted time. Bella showed me all the toys she wanted Santa to get her, charlie sampled the snacks they had and we just had a good time being girls! Bella got some new fleece lined legging which made me the best mom ever in Bellas eyes. 

Next was target, which I needed nothing from. Looked at all the clothes and when we left I decided "I don't feel like cooking." So off the McDonald's we went and I got Bella a happy meal which she said "mom your the best!! I'll love you forever." And as I gave charlie a French fry I could see it in her eyes that she said it too ;) 

In other words, i waisted time today, didn't clean, didn't cook a healthy meal. We are junk food but at the end of the day I felt like a winner in my daughters eyes. I never yelled. I wasn't distracted on my phone. I was with my girls, we laughed. I was grateful to be their mom. I was grateful that doug works so hard  so that I can stay home and enjoy my kids. I am grateful that I was present and fully enjoyed my babies. My heart is full tonday. 

Total mom moment.

Every day my alarm on my phone goes off at 3pm to pick up Bella from the bus stop. I looked at my phone at 2:55 and got a head start (because I need it now that it's cold) and got my shoes on and grabbed my jacket from my room. Right at 3 my phone goes off I pick up charlie to put her coat on and I notice she's stinky so I take her to her room to change her and get her ready to go and of course as I move my hand I notice it's wet. I look at her back and she had a MAJOR blow out up to her neck! 

I don't have time for this mess but what's a mom to do when her baby is covered in poop? I hurry and strip her, run to the bathroom and scrub her body really fast. Don't wash her hair because it's cold outside. I got her dressed (pajamas of course) quicker than quick and I'm out the door in ten minutes. Lucky for me my neighbor is nice and is already walking Bella home since I was obviously late picking her up. 

Thank you charlie for exploding in between 2:55 and 3. 

My brain at midnight.

Charlie's first birthday is coming up and it's starting to scare me but not for the reason you would expect. Yes, I can't believe she'll be one in 6 weeks and all that jazz but mostly I can't believe I still don't have any idea of when doug and I will be ready to have baby #3. I know your probably wondering "areli, calm down she'll only be one." But I have a few fears. I'm afraid I'll never feel ready but I know I want another baby. I'm afraid doug will never feel ready even though I know he doesn't feel done yet either. I'm afraid I'll feel ready and not be able to get pregnant for a long time and my babies won't be close in age again. I'm afraid I won't be able to get pregnant at all and feel that ache in my heart again. I'm afraid charlie might be my last baby and I'm not appreciating her enough. Will I never have a son? Will I never have another daughter? 

Believe me I have been praying about when will be the right time and I am still unsure. Will I wait 6 months? Will I wait another year? Will I wait a year, feel ready and not be able to get pregnant for another year and a half? 

I'm not sure. All I know is I need to have faith. I need to trust Heavenly Father and remember no matter the outcome, no matter my feeling during the process in the end I will feel heavenly fathers love. He will hold me up when I feel like falling. 

I wish I had a magic number the perfect number of months or years to wait to have a child. But I know well enough that there is no magic number and my plan and Doug's plan doesn't really matter. The uncertainty is the worst. I wish I could look into a crystal ball and see a glimpse of the future. 

9 months!

My baby is 9 months! She is the cutest little baby (yes I'm biased.) she's also SOOO dang big it's kinda sad. She is already in 12 month clothes. One outfit is actually a bit snug on her. She's so much different than Bella clothes wise. Bella could wear one outfit all day long and it still wouldn't be very dirty. she also wore each size of clothes for a long time so she was able to really wear her clothes multiple times, but charlie is so messy she needs to change 2-3 times a day and some of her clothes she hasn't even worn because she grows out of everything so quickly. 

Anyway a little about her this last month. The only new and exciting thing is she is standing on her own! I get so excited when I see her stand up for a few seconds on her own. I can't believe it! The first time I saw her do it was at my sisters house and I shrieked with excitement! She stood there for about 7 seconds which I know isn't very long but I'm her mom and it's amazing to me! She walks (when she wants to) with her walker pretty well. She's so cute! And as cute as it is I feel like she's way to little to be standing or walking with a walker on her own...

Slow down sweet baby. 

 

 Here's another 9 month picture. I think these pictures have been my favorite with the pumpkins, the chalkboard and charlies little fall outfit. Today actually felt like fall. It was a bit chilly outside and it was so fun and cute bundling charlie and Bella on our way to and from the bus stop. 

Charlie usually rips hats off the second they are on her head so I'm surprise she kept this on the entire time. I think she liked being bundled up too. 

Paint and Sip, The Fall show, Pumpkin Carving and the Primary Program!

I had one of the best weekends! Friday was Blanca's birthday and we celebrated by going to paint and sip. It was something new and so much fun!

The finished product. It was fun to see how different everyone's turned out. I'm glad I was able to do this with my sisters and mom. I think it would be super fun as a date night too! 

Saturday came and I made French toast and bacon for breakfast. Everyone loved it and I loved having breakfast with my family. We got ready and went to the fall show in Boise. It was suppose to be crafts and help give you ideas on how to decorate your home but it was really just a bunch of vendors. I was kinda disappointed. I only saw two crafters. I say kinda disappointed because I did expect for it to be 50% vendors but it was still a fun family event. 

After we went home, carved/drilled pumpkins & cooked the seeds. They were alright. Doug loved drilling the pumpkin. He hates carving them because he gets impatient and he said that's his new job every year! 

Bella surprised me with how helpful she actually was at carving and how long she actually helped. Usually it's for 5 minutes and then she's done. She stayed the entire time!

Charlie loved it because we put her in the high chair and gave her baby snacks the entire time. You want to win my babies heart? Give her food. 

Our two pumpkins! I think they turned out pretty good. I'll admit they look better without the flash. 

 

After pumpkin carving we went to our stake's Harvest Fest. They had face painting, a punk in contest, food, dancing and a hay ride somewhere. We did it all besides the hay ride and it was actually a lot of fun! I didn't know a lot of people there and the people I did know had already seen my dance moves so when Bella wanted to dance we danced! It was so fun! 

They had the party outside,  it was pretty dark and Bella randomly asked us to run into the field and look at the stars and we were having such a good time I decided "why not?" We ran out there giggling and laid down on the grass and stared at the stars. Doug and charlie joined us and Bella said she saw a shooting star so she closed her eyes for a minute and then said she made a wish. Then she whispered in my ear that she had wished

She could be a princess, that she could eat cotton candy every day, that candy was healthy, and that she could get her drivers license without having to take lessons. It was so incredibly melt your heart precious! One of those moments you day dream about when your pregnant with your little baby. One of those moments that I will hold onto and treasure forever! In other words, yes I cried. 

Anyway we went back to the party and danced some more. It was SUCH a fun family day. 

Our weekend ended on Sunday which was also great! Our ward had its primary program and the kids are too cute! They asked our class what made their family special and Bella said "my mom and dad made a very cute baby, I love my baby sister." And she does. They ended it with my favorite hymn " I stand all amazed." And again I got teary eyed. 

I loved my weekend and I was sad it went by so quickly. They always seem to. 

My 1st Ipsy Bag review and October Favorites!

 Have you herd of ipsy? It's a $10 Monthly Beauty bag subscription. My friend Janae told me about it and the more I looked it up and YouTubed it the more I wanted in! I signed up and thought I'd try it out. There is a wait list but if you subscribe, follow, and like a couple things your off of it that same day.

So the bag for October (did I mention you get a new bag every month?) was a super cute teal bag. I love it! 

This month I got 

A Doll 10 beauty highlighter 

Figs & Rouge hand cream

Indie lee brightening cleanser

Skone cosmetics Tattooed waterproof eyeliner 

And Starlooks lip gloss. 

My favorite items were definitely the eyeliner and the highlighter. I was so excited to try both! It really is just so fun to get a little treat just for me. I feel like everything I do is surrounded by my family especially my girls which is great but it's nice to remember myself. I also asked my friend Megan, my mom and my sisters if they wanted to sign up and do it with me because duh the more the merrier and they did and they all loved their ipsy bag too!

 

I thought I'd also add some of my October favorites too since I'm being selfish and talking about myself so much ;) 

 

 

 The first and second go hand in hand. My Naked 2 Pallet that my wonderful husband got me for our anniversary and Too faced shadow insurance. Shocker the primer really truly makes a difference and my new eye shadow pallet is soooooooooo pretty! If I didn't have two girls I would play with it all day, and my eyes would probably be bright red lol.

 

 

#3 My mom and I went to Ulta together and they had a buy 2 get 1 polish free and we decided we needed to take advantage of this awesome deal! Out of the three these two are probably my ultimate favorite polish colors ever. Especially and surprisingly the real one "ski teal we drop." The other one is "in the cable carpool lane." 

 

#4 Too faced better than sex mascara. I've herd a lot of people rave about it and I decided I'd try it out for myself. It didn't disappoint people.

 

 

#5 An oldie but a goodie! I've had this lipstick for probably 2 years. I haven't been very brave with lippies ever. I feel self conscious when I wear them but recently I wore a bright and bold lipstick and Doug complimented me like 3 times and apparently that was all I needed. Now this Blissful berry is my favorite and I'm finally brave enough to wear it and enjoy it :)

 

 

#6 Always a favorite for this lady. January thru December. I have such thick hair that I hate blow-drying and taking the time to do it every day. a few sprays of this and you wont even know I didn't wash my hair that day...or the day before...or the day before that. seriously I go 3-4 days without washing my hair. Yes I still shower every day though.

 

#7 another anniversary gift and I am loving it! The Anastasia Brow wiz. Can I just say I have always always been skeptical about filling in my brows because I might be one too many swipes away from looking a little "lean like a chola" but this nifty tool made me brave enough to fill them in and my brows look great! they have shape now, my eyes look more awake and overall I just feel prettier.

 

#8 last but definitely not least the bath and body works pumpkin apple candle. I just discovered how amazing the bath and body works candles are and I am loving them! I love how one candle will make my entire home smell delicious. this particular scent is amazing on a cool brisk day reminding me that yes Christmas will be here soon!

I hope everyone enjoyed this post. its not a post I would normally write about but I'm feeling more like myself these days. I'm remembering that doing something, anything for myself is so refreshing! I'm lucky to have such a great husband who encourages me to take time to myself and treat myself when we can.

Also if you want to try the ipsy bag for a month or two (you can cancel whenever you want) I will post a link right HERE!