Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

2012 was a pretty mediocre year for us. It wasn't amazing and it was terrible. Lots of memories made and fun times. However, I am so ready for 2013! I think it will be a great year for us. I have a few goals and things that i really would love to accomplish. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself but I am pretty determined.

One thing that I want to get much better at is our consistency of going to church and tithing! I think this will lead to more friends at church and more relationships. I would also like to get involved in some groups there.

Another huge goal I have is for Origami Owl to be successful for me! I will be an active designer Thursday! Ah :) I would also like to get my bow business up and going with some embroidery and sewing in there, as well. I would love to be able to quit my job and just do Origami Owl and business bows. It's all in God's hands!

Happy new year everyone! Be safe out there. Welcome 2013. Bring it on!

Treacherous Two's

Before I became a mom I always heard people speak of the 'terrible two's'. Then, when we would go to the grocery store and see a child acting absolutely terrible we would blame the terrible twos. I always thought 'wow! They should correct their kids!' And 'holy cow. Just spank them and correct them' but now? I'm eating my words! Terrible twos are no joke and they certainly aren't for the faint of heart. Since our girl is 2 years and 10-ish days old they decided now would be a perfect time to show me what they got. Lexi is a very needy baby in general so, just like any other child she has daily tantrums. Yesterday, we went to Bass Pro and SAMs and oh my goodness, it was AWFUL! We were 'those' people- and we all know what people I am talking about. Lexi screamed and hollered and kicked and punched and hit and you name it. Nothing we did helped! Spanking her behind? Thank you cloth diapers for making that so ineffective, haha! Threatening, have you ever threatened a two year old? We even resorted to drastic measures- bribery. And that didn't even seem to work. By the time we left SAMs we were all exhausted. So now I am on a mission to find an effective way to correct and reason with my crazy two year old. Because I refuse to be one of 'those' parents every single trip somewhere. If all else fails? I'll hide out at my house until she turns eighteen! Even in our worst days, (this definitely wasn't) I am so very grateful for every single day with her. Praying for everyone involved with the Sandy Hook shootings- parents, children, officers, school officials, and Everyone else! My heart breaks for these people.

Advent Calendar

When we were growing up we always had an advent calendar! We used to get little gifts each day leading up to Christmas morning. I knew that was one tradition I wanted to carry on with Lexi. I was browsing Pinterest one day and saw this one
http://m.pinterest.com/pin/126523070753095891/
And I just knew that I had to make it! It took me much longer than it should have, but I am happy with how it turned out! Lexi is very spoiled and gifts is not the reason for the season, so I decides to do activities and crafts and family fun stuff. We are counting backwards to count down to Christmas, I know some people do the opposite.
One activity was to go visit Miracle on Fulton Street. It just so happened that there was a Krewe of Jingle parade going on, so we went to that too. When it got dark we went to Fulton street and took way too many pictures and had a great time! Then we walked around the French quarter. Another activity was to make salt ornaments. Lexi LOVED this! She kept pushing the cookie cutters down and putting them on the cookie sheet. It was precious! Then, another activity was to go through her toys and to choose some to give away to the less fortunate kids. She gave a whole trash bag full away! I was so proud of her. She helped me put them in the bag and chose more. It was so heart warming to see her sharing. I know she didn't really know what was going on, but I feel like one day when she sees pics she will be proud!