Keep Calm 2013 is almost over!

2013 has not been the best year for us. I am glad that I didn't write about the journey we had, because I am happy to keep it all behind us. We are blessed to still have each other and are looking forward to a new year! 2014 a year of new beginnings!

Brownie mix!

Never buy boxed brownie mix again! 
So simple, so easy:

1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/3 Cup Cocoa
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Baking Powder

Once you are ready to bake them add:

2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

I am so proud of where 2012 brought us!

This time last year I was 9 months pregnant as big as a house! I was awaiting the arrival of my little girl and dreaming about what 2012 would bring us. God blessed us with an easy labor and delivery and a healthy little girl, Willow Anne on January 15th.. We only had to stay in the hospital for 24 hours and then we went to Olive Garden with my mom and dad. Willow met her brothers and sisters for the first time the evening of January 16th, 2012. In June Karl graduated receiving his bachelors degree in IT and Dominyck graduated kindergarten! In August we moved into our new house! The boys also started an online virtual academy and are doing wonderfully.

I was able to start letting go of some of the insecurities that I had of what other people thought of me. That was my biggest goal. I wanted to relax a little and not yell at the kids at all. I had to stop worrying about the judgements others were giving me about my parenting style before I could be the person I wanted to be. This year we came a long way. There is still plenty to work on though. So I am looking forward to this next year!

New Year, New Beginnings!

What a wonderful time of year! Christmas has just passed, you are enlightened with the spirit and love, stuffed full and have plenty of new toys to play with. But, if you are anything like me and most of society this time of year is gray and gloomy, you have debt up to your eyeballs and you got fat over the holiday season. How motivating! Sarcasm at it's best. Now is a better time than ever to turn that around with hopes, dreams and goals for 2013, though! I am going to make a Goal Board. I want to get to my goal weight, find a solution to some of my health problems, become more financially secure and just all around work on becoming a better person. Karl and I have dreams of writing a novel and finding a way to have him home more. Most people have those goals year after year, but never accomplish them. This year is the year! Lets set the plans in motion. Plant your seeds so that you aren't sitting at the beginning of 2014 wondering where the year went. A memory jar is a great way to keep track of all the hard work you do through out the year, the goals you accomplished and the blessings you were given by God. Here is to a wonderful year!