Good Wine, Good Friends, & Great Deals!

This is how I am unwinding after a crazy few days. My "secret santa" brought me a new set of Mikasa wine glasses & a bottle of moscato and I could not be happier! I am so fortunate to have finally found great friends. Actually, I am doubly blessed because I have 2 groups (Play Group ladies and my "Big E" ladies) of great ladies that I can call on at a moments notice, trust with my secrets, rant to when I need someone to listen, and count on them to be there for myself & my family.

I made another dress yesterday as a birthday gift. It turned out really well, I loved the contrasting pockets. This was my first time making a pullover dress!

I have my first "Tacky Christmas Sweater" party coming up and I have no ugly sweater! So I went to Goodwill to find one. I didn't find an ugly sweater, but I found a whole lot more goodies. I paid $39 for 4 long sleeve tops for me, 3 long sleeve tops for Little Miss, a sweater dress & shawl for her, and a pair of adjustable pants! These clothes look so new I am wondering why someone would give them up. I found a white cable knit sweater from Ann Taylor Loft, a new black Nike hoodie jacket, a grey GAP hoodie, a bright green top from Izaac Mizrahi. Little Miss scored Oshkosh jeans, a GAP corduroy jacket, a Gymboree top, a shawl from Children's Place, and a sweater dress from Old Navy. If you break it down, we averaged $3.90 per piece of clothing. I tried on some jeans from BeBe and True Religion but they were the low rise ones, low rise jeans do not work on me since I had Little Miss. I don't know what happened but all of a sudden I have major plumber's crack whenever I wear low rise jeans. 

 So does anyone have an ugly sweater I can borrow for my "Tacky Christmas Sweater" party next week?

Much Love for My Parents!

My parents left this weekend after my their week long vacation. Have I mentioned that my parents spoil me rotten? They drive almost 20 hours to get here and then I feel like I am the one on vacation! Home cooked breakfasts & dinners every day, help with Little Miss, and my dad always finds some projects around the house to keep himself busy. My dad re-hung all of the blinds since we had our windows replaced, he fixed the falling shelves in our master bath and even managed to add another shelf, he made a shelf in the kitchen for our microwave, he balanced the washer, he organized the garage, and he put in some more shelves in our cabinets for the pots & pans. Oh, and we were having problems with our kitties running under our king sized bed and fighting in the middle of the night while I was sleeping so my dad put boards up around the bed so the furry kids can't get under the bed anymore! My dad always is fixing up stuff, even things that I didn't even know needed to be fixed! While my mom was around, I think I only changed 6 diapers all week! She rocked Little Miss asleep for her naps and prepared dinner all week. She picked up all the toys every night while I put Little Miss to bed, she helped me take down all the holiday decorations, and she helped me on all the trips out grocery shopping. It was so nice having the extra sets of hands around, I never had to worry about what Little Miss would do while I took a shower! Its always nice to have my mom around because I love just sitting around, sipping wine (or Firefly!), and talking with her. She has always been there for me when I just need to spill my guts and I need some advice. 

Ever since I've become a mother, I feel like I have gained this new kind of respect for my parents. I am even more appreciative of what they have done for me. They didn't just provide a roof over my head and food for my belly. They taught me the importance of morals, right from wrong, how to love, they encouraged me with every endeavor, and so much more. My only regret from my youth was not being more open with my parents. I wish I could have communicated with them better and let them know more about what was going on in my life without fear of being judged. But I guess as a kid you are afraid of disappointing the ones you love so that fear of disappointment kept me from being as close to my parents. Now I am sure I share too much at times with my parents!

My mom, Little Miss, dad, sister, & I at a wedding in November

I love when my parents come to visit or when I get to fly down to see them. I don't know if they realize how truly grateful I am for all they do for me. I say "thank you" as much as I can, but those words just don't seem to totally embrace the magnitude of my appreciation. I will forever be indebted to them. For lack of a better word, "thanks" mom & dad for always supporting me, always being there for me, and giving me all the tools I need to be a successful mother, wife, and milispouse!