A Little Game of Hide and Seek?

You found me! Olly olly oxen free! OK let us END this game of hide and seek!

Wow, it's been a while hasn't it?!  I'm still juggling work & home life...trying to pull it all together. I can't say that I am getting any better at it, but I TRY. I don't blog as much as I would like, but have been living life to the fullest. Hubby, son, and I are all doing well.  We have so many stories to tell but have been too "in the moment" to document it all via blog posts.  Little by little, it WILL happen.  Here is a fairly recent family photo.  I love our son's "tough guy" expression (Whatchu lookin' at Willis?) and the cute little photo bomber in the stroller!

Trying to squeeze in what I enjoy WITHOUT feeling guilty about it has been a journey. Taking small bits of "ME time" away from family time is taking some getting used to.  I am learning that it is necessary and good for everyone.  A refreshed Mommy & Wife is better for the Family.

Not throwing up a gang sign. Holding up 4 fingers =  4 Years of Marriage!

SO... making time for exercise (Yoga especially!), spa days with the girls, as well as clothes & makeup is in my near future! I am trying to venture into more fashion forward territory. That's a BIG deal for this 2 year old mommy & 4 year old wife!  Too much time had passed that I didn't take care of what I wore or how I looked.  It just didn't matter to me. Eventually I began to feel as frumpy as I looked!  I really "let myself go" and I just want to change that up.

Ann Taylor Launch Party

It was inspiring to attend a fashion event and see how looking good can lead to feeling good! My husband accompanied me on the adventure and was my professional photographer & videographer for the night!

I am also trying to connect with others IRL since socializing primarily happened online ONLY for me.  It really is easy to fall into that rut.  I don't really see it as a rut since I do enjoy it so much (not to mention that it is so much easier for me go online than it is to go out).  Interaction in person is good for you! I recently attended a fulfilling Blogger Meetup which involved getting to know a lovely group of  ladies who also share a love of blogging, spa treatments, delicious appetizers, wine spritzers, and brownies!  I was the oldest one there but that's another topic all together.

Spa-ing & Blogging come Together!

I feel so much better after sharing! Now it's your turn! I'd love to know what everyone is up to!  What have I been  missing out on here in Blogland?!  Let's get caught up. I need to know your tips & tricks about how you balance your blog life with all the other things that make up your days!

Wordless Wednesday

Our 1st Photo together Summer 2004

Yes, it was a party. A bachelorette party. No he wasn't the stripper! He was the DJ & Photographer.

We Ran Off & Joined the Circus!

OK, not really! I haven't blogged in quite some time so I kind of feel like we have run off! Life has been busy!  I'm sure that many of you wives & mothers can truly relate!  I miss my hobby (blogging) - BUT I wouldn't trade in the memories that my growing family has been creating together!  Our son is nearly 2 years old now - which means that birthday party planning will be our next busy activity!

Here are a couple of fairly recent photos taken of our family at our son's first visit to the circus! Definitely a happy wife with a happy life! Our little guy was a little tuckered out but I assure you he had a great time!  He couldn't take his eyes off of the pretty circus lady.

Our Family with the Garcia Family | Circus Vargas

The Big Top!

GIFT FOR MY BROTHER

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

I have been searching the internet high and low using my wireless internet hyattsville connection trying to decide what I am going to get my brother in law for his birthday. He is just one of those people who has everything. I can never think of anything to get him for Christmas or for his birthday. Last year, we ended up just getting him a gift card to Starbucks that lasted a really long time because we just couldn’t figure out what we should do. I have been reading tons of gift blogs, looking on Pintrest, etc. and still can’t come up with something. I hate to just give him another gift card, because I feel like it is just so impersonal. To make my situation even worse, he is the best gift giver. Anything that he has ever given me, I have absolutely loved! He really knows how to pick out great gifts. I only have two more weeks until his birthday rolls around. I am hoping that something will come to me sooner rather than later!

30 Rock

Content by Sol Rosales

If you are a fan of Saturday Night Live and you also really have a thing for Tina Fey then you should most definitely be watching 30 Rock on a weekly basis. This show is created by Tina and the creators of Saturday Night Live so you know it is going to be awesome. The writing is phenomenal with so many funny things happening in almost every scene. You will fall in love with the characters or at least love to hate some of them. Tracy Morgan’s character is one of those. He is likable because you feel sorry for how unaware he is and you also love to hate him because he is so unaware of the real world. Tina Fey plays Liz Lemon who is the producer of Tracy Morgan’s character’s show. The show is constantly struggling for ratings so Tina is always going to her boss Jack, played by Alec Baldwin. Check your local listings on DirecTV to find out when the newest episodes of 30 Rock are coming on in your area.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Staying healthy is important to all of us.  Thankfully in our household we do not require maintenance medications.  We do have family members that do. The cost or staying healthy can really be expensive.  It is good to know that we do have options available.  With Walgreens Prescription Savings Club you can save money on your medications.  You can have peace of mind.

 

Walgreens annual family membership for its Prescription Savings Club is available for $35 a year. The family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $20.  This is PERFECT if you lack of coverage or have insufficient drug coverage.

 

Other benefits include:

-Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications

-Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies

-Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photo-finishing services

 

Prescription Savings Club membership is risk free. If you don't save more than the cost of your membership during the course of the year of your membership, then Walgreens will refund the difference.

 

Connect with Walgreens and stay updated by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following Walgreens on Twitter.

DIY-ing the perfect picture frames for my photography

Guest post written by Eleanor Stevens

I picked up photography as a hobby when I retired. I've taken so many photos since then and for the really special ones I like to frame them and put them up in my home for decoration. Well, regular old picture frames just aren't as fun, but there are some amazing things that you can do with a picture frame to really make the picture in it so much more special. I guess you could say that's also another little hobby that I've picked up along the way.

While I was looking online to see what I could find for some inspiration for some new DIY picture frames, I ran across some info on Replacement Windows and after I looked through the info some I decided to get our windows replaced through that service. They're old and drafty anyway, so that's something I've been considering.

When I was looking for some frame DIY ideas I also ran across some photography tips, which I never get sick of reading. I'm trying to improve my photography as part of this hobby too.

Our Engagement Party 2007: Wordless Wednesday

Our engagement party that my sister hosted for us in 2007

OUCH: Failed Marriage Proposal

I haven't posted much here lately but hearing about this failed marriage proposal got me thinking about OUR proposal story.

He and I were alone in a very romantic setting so I have no idea what this poor couple went through with their very public proposal.

I don't mean to post this to mock them or poke fun in any way. This is something that will be hard for both of them to be reminded of.  I wanted to share. And perhaps get us all thinking about our OWN proposals and emotions.  I had no hesitation whatsoever with my reply. BTW, it was YES!






What are your reactions?  Have you ever dealt with a public proposal?  Have you ever said no?  OR said YES when you really meant NO?