Michigan Weather!

Days like today make me wonder why I live in Michigan! It is freezing and that's it, no snow, nothing but freezing cold air!

How did this happen so fast?

or this?

My babies are growing up way too fast!! I miss snuggling with a freshly bathed baby in my arms, the learning of new words, sounds and steps. Time sure does go by fast and it is hard for me to believe that in a few months my girls will be 7 and 5!!! That just seems ubsourd to me! I remember Mike and I wondering what Maddie would look like when she turned 2 or how Bella will sound when she starts talking. Now Maddie is so beautiful that it takes my breath away sometimes. As for Bella's voice, I'm surprised that she hasn't lost it. She talks more than any kid I know but with a very sweet voice. Enjoy your babies they don't stay that way for long.

Some of my thoughts on this Holiday Season

The holidays are getting closer and so is the failing economy. It brings me to thoughts like how did the meaning of Christmas come to buying so many gifts for your family that they are left overwhelmed and don't even appreciate it. Whatever happened to enjoying each other at Christmastime and having a few special gifts to give that will actually leave a lasting impression on someone? I believe that this Christmas is going to be a rude awakening to many children(mine included) but a much needed one! My girls have circled almost everything in the toy catalogs that were printed. I remember doing this as a child and it is fun but, the consumerism of it all has sort of ruined the true holiday spirit. We have a certain amount to spend on each child this year and have decided to not buy for everyone else like we usually do, it is just too much. I have some homemade gifts that I will put my heart into and give to those special to me and our family but we really need to pull together and stop this materialistic life that is taking the "real" moments from our children.
So tell me some of your ideas on this Holiday Season, how will you save money? What are some of your favorite traditions? Are you cutting back too?

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Holiday Season, enjoy your family and have fun creating those memories and traditions that will last a lifetime!!

Halloween

Halloween, finally, no more "is it trick or treat day yet?". Yesterday was a very long day, a party and parade at school for Maddie, which Bella and I attended. Then a rushed dinner, costume gathering, and then finally the trick or treating. The girls looked adorable in their costumes and it was still light out when we started, not to mention warm. A beautiful evening indeed. Bella started off on the shy foot not even going up to the fisrt few houses but, by the second street she would turn after getting her candy and say "Happy Halloween" it was very cute. Maddie did a great job with her good manners, a thank you every time. Well here are some pictures of the girls. Enjoy!