23 & 18!!!!

Two weeks ago my "twin" daughters celebrated their 23rd and 18th birthdays and even though they continue to celebrate them apart their sisterly bond is still strong! Happiest of birthdays to Lexie and Chelsea! Sure love y'all both so much! 

Martin Luther King Jr. Sculpture In NYC.

 

"If you can't fly then run, 

if you can't run the walk, 

if you can't walk then crawl, 

but whatever you do

you have to keep moving forward." 

~Martin Luther King Jr. 

Noah At The Plaza -A Christmas Tradition.

Although it's a new year and Christmas '22 is in the past I wanted to share another photo that's been traditional since Noah was a toddler. Taking pictures in front of the Plaza. It just goes to show how fast this kid is growing and yes... he is already pretty much my height. Sort of. By next hear he will definitely tower me. We didn't see Santa and although he still "believes" in him I honesty believe those days are over (insert sobbing tears.) Such a bittersweet moment but at least he still enjoys taking pictures in front of this gorgeous wreath and here we are looking our best and just taking in the moment. I was also able to capture a photo of him with Chelsea. You can view past photos here and here. And on my Instagram here and here and here! I know there are so many! It just blows my mind how fast he's growing!

Happy New Year!

It's 2023!!!!!

How quickly the years pass us by especially when you're still raising kids in your fifties! What a life! I love that all our years are imperfect and that we are who we are. Just us. Living life each day and managing whatever the universe throws at us. I personally don't feel the need to change but to only do better with how I view myself and others. To love and to simply be kind. To not hold grudges and to just live each day to the fullest. Appreciate our loved ones and never take anything for granted. 2022- like all other years have been quite interesting but so thankful to wake up each day and to still be breathing. To have survived another year. And that in itself is a miracle my friends! Cheers to 2023 y'all! Let's make it another great and imperfect one! 

Christmas Lights At The Washington D.C. Temple!

Waited 4.5 years to see the temple lights again at the Washington D.C. temple and they never get old. Every time we come here it's as if we are going for the first time. This temple has added so much significance to my life and I am so glad it's opened up again. Renovated and lit! Such a beautiful sight and going during Christmas is truly magical. I LOVE this tradition we created 15 years ago and as long as we live less than 4 hours away we will come every year! Hope everyone had a nice "twixmas" (the week after Christmas) and that everyone starts off strong in the new year! Now for some photos that hope light up your life! 

Christmas Sunday!

 

Here's hoping this time will serve as an opportunity for us all to appreciate our loved ones and to provide moments for us to reflect, reset, and look ahead to a new year renewal. So many of us want change, but I believe that in order to make that change and be happy with others is that we have to look at ourselves and be happy with who we are. Each year is a chance for us to be better. To not let the little things get to us. To even love those... who for whatever reason have caused us harm, suddenly ignores you, or just plain dislikes you for no reason. Those are the petty things that we shouldn't worry about. Even those that don't even know us personally and dislike us for whatever reason is their issue. And to be honest it's liberating to dismiss those knowing who you're true friends are-even those you have met online. 

The world is changing and we choose to change with it. We choose to allow things to affect us. And I choose joy. I choose happiness. I choose positivity. I choose love. I choose gratitude. I choose "to let it go." And man does it feel good!

However you honor this time we wish y'all a Merry Christmas and hope that y'all were able to spend time with loved ones. To seriously not sweat the small stuff. Life is short and with all that has happened lately in the media with suicides it's so important to check up on your loved ones. A simple text, a phone call or even a card makes a world of difference! Believe me, I know! 

Winter Solstice '22.

 

I asked my son the other day what his favorite season was and to my surprise he said winter. I think he's the only one in the family who really enjoys winter and being outside making snowballs and having snowball fights with his peeps and sisters. And me! I personally don't mind going outside for a bit. And when I mean a bit, I mean like half an hour! First snowfalls are the best and I absolutely love that part of winter. It really is beautiful, but then after a day it becomes slushy and gross and the desire to be outside goes away.  Nonetheless I don't mind winter that much because it means that we are closer to spring/summer and longer days are returning. So as long as I have a son who still loves going outside when the snow hits I will be a good sport and join him on enjoying the first snow. They're only young once! 

**Picture taken in 2019 when we had our first snow in November! 

Christmas Magic In NYC!

There are so many cool decorations that go up around the end of November and not enough time to get to all of them. As redundant as these photos get on the internet they never get old! Especially the Rockefeller center tree! We haven't gone to see it since they delivered it last month but hope to capture its beauty again this weekend. As crowded as fifth avenue gets during the holidays it is worth it to take in all the magic of what the city brings when it comes to the holidays. So much to do and see. My two youngest are in their teens and till this day even my 22 year old lights up when she sees the city all decked out for the holidays. It's a beautiful sight and look forward to seeing a little bit more before the holiday ends! Now for some holiday photos of the city!

Macy's At Christmas.

Don't get to psyched on this post because this is the only picture you're going to see from Macy's at Christmas this year. Noah is definitely getting way too old for the holiday display windows at Macy's. He said that this year the window displays were baby-ish (LOL) and I have to agree. Baby-ish for him but not for the million other toddlers and kids who may still believe! Noah still believes in Santa and loves his elf Miles but I have a strong feeling that this will be the last year we see Miles. Who knows. But this is the only photo I captured of Noah walking away from the crowds and display window and because he looks so cool and all had to share! We still had a fun time walking around and in all honesty with all the crowds this holiday it's best not to take photos and to just enjoy the moments offline instead of being in someones way trying to take pictures! 

Temple Day With The Best Kids!

What better way to start off the month of December than to go to the temple- especially during the holiday season. About nine youth and a few adults from our church all ventured out to Philly to attend. Going to the temple, even if it's just to walk on the temple grounds is pure joy! I love the feeling that overcomes me while stepping onto the temple grounds and an even peaceful feeling as I enter inside the temple. To see the youth there with their folks is a sight. And whether or not to they wanted to be there they will still receive those blessings. I love all these kids and wish them the best feelings while they are at the temple. Hopefully it'll be something they will appreciate and on their motive continue to attend as they get older. But for now-just having them altogether warmed my mama heart! 

28 Pretty Good Years.

 

December 15th definitely creeped up on us and to be honest I personally don't mind having a low key anniversary this year. It's nice to just wake up in the morning and lean into each other with a soft kiss (bad breath and all) saying "happy anniversary babe." And that's enough. It's simple and sweet and don't need the gifts of the world to prove our love for one another 9although he did give me some chocolate and a sweet card!)

Time, hugs, great conversation, laughing and just being together watching a movie on Netflix while it's frigid cold outside is good enough for me this year. I am so grateful for this time in my life to feel that I don't want or need a lot. I have what I need right in front of me. my family. Living and breathing the same air as me. My husband, my kids, and my love for God. Just being together for another year is survival. No matter how happy one may seem or how much one travels and explores with their kids-times can get hard. And just celebrating another year of marriage is a milestone. It doesn't matter if it's your 5th, 8th, 13th, 19th, 25th, or in our case, our 28th anniversary. Each passing year together is special because we made it. And we didn't even realize how fast it came upon us. Not that's saying something. Happy anniversary to us!