Monday, December 31, 2012

Accountability

Happy New Years Eve lovers!
We are on the mend over here and thank God Maggie and the Hubs only got a little case of what Mia and I were dying from {sarcastic much}, 
but all in all we are ready to ring in the New Year healthy and more importantly together! #bring.it.on.

All in all 2012 was a blessed year.
Lowest of lows and highest of highs, thru it all it has made {us} stronger.
Today I'm looking back and sharing my Top Ten List from last year.
Accountability right?
Love that.

1) TRY SO HARD to refrain from over-scheduling
I did pretty well with this goal this year. 
When I look back thru all the crazy hustle and bustle of this little thing called life I remember a lot of down time. A lot of savoring the days in our jammers bathing suits

2) Take time to work out - ALONE - or work out. Period.

With the purchase of our treadmill, I kicked butt at a Couch to 5k running program, and even ran hopped, skipped, jumped and ROCKED my first 5k! #BAM 

3) Stop Comparing my "Momisms" to other Mommas
This is a work in progress, as am I.

But I'm ending this year more sure of myself as a Momma.
I was born to do this.
And even tho I'm sure I'll mess up time and time again 
and I won't do everything "right" I'll remain thankful.
There's something so bad-ass about a Momma's love for her kiddos.

4) "Let" the Hubs be in charge of their Bedtime Routines more often.
Oh how I took advantage of this!
If you've been here for sometime you'll know my husband is AMAZEBALLS!
#proof  

5) Live to inspire others
Honestly, not sure how to {measure} this one.
Again another work in progress.
Planning to do as many service projects as we can with M&M this year,
also continuing the fight on kindness
Kindness goes a long way.

6) Ditch the sweatshirts

SO.so.so.so. happy to report that I followed thru with this.
Maybe not every day of the year.
Maybe not every other day.
But more than once a week. every week.
#mommasuccess

7) Decorate our Home to reflect {us} more 

This is one of my favs on the list that I can check off!
I did lots of crafts with the girl's and plastered them on our walls,
which makes everyone happy!
I got pictures printed and hung up and that's a HUGE thing for me.
Especially since we might be moving.... eventually... that's a whole other post {wink wink}.

8) MAKE time to better my AMAZING friendships

Crazy what a year can do.
Ok let's be honest, sometimes it only takes ONE incident to turn a friendship sour.
Friendships are hard work. 
But this year I was constantly reminded that it's a two way street.
Working at the relationships that deserve it will always be something I strive to do. 
Lucky for me my handful of AMAZEBALLS friends that have stood by and who also work at being present in our lives and our girl's lives are all I need. 
We can pick up where we left off, with no apologizes that life on either side has been going crazy, and just be there for each other. Love you girls!



9) Realize who is worth "it", and let go of those who aren't.
This year I was also constantly reminded of what's important 
and everything and everyone else took a back seat. 
Exactly how it should be, and how we are choosing to live our lives moving forward. CUT.THE.FAT.BABY.
Starting 2013 much lighter, and I couldn't be happier!


10) Cultivate a good life, and document it :)
I blog. Mission accomplished. And I plan to do the same thing in 2013.

Last Saturday, I posted about the 2nd Annual Resolve Linky Party
well to start the New Year with a bang 
I'm teaming up with the beautiful Janna and we are hosting together!
#doublethefun

We would love it if you joined us!
Write up your post how you're gonna ROCK 2013,
grab the new party button below and add it to your post,
then come back and link it up on Wednesday the 2nd!
See you there buttercups!
Perception Is Everything


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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Calling ALL Do-ers

Hi friends!
Still here. Still kicking {wink wink}.
Mia and I got hit with the flu big right after Christmas so
this is the first day since Christmas we are back in our own home.
First day with my computer and internet service #PTL
Actually my laptop got a virus {insert sad hysterically crying face here} so I'm on the good ole desktop #oldschoolvibes

Did ya miss me?
I've been missing you!
I hope you are all still enjoying the magic in the air and that your Christmas was a grand one!

The New Year is pretty much here! #insanity
Last year I did a Resolutions Link Up, and would LOVE to do it again!
I totally know not every one is into the whole "New Year, New Me" motto,
but no worries!
Just write about some of your intentions for the New Year 
and share share share!
It's about inspiring each other!
Not just in the dreaming department, but in the DOING department as well!
#bringiton

Write up your goals/dreams/resolutions/intentions,
include the button below somewhere on your post so others can join in as well, 
then link up here on Wednesday the 2nd!

Can't wait to see how you're going to make 2013 your bish!
XOXOXO

Perception Is Everything


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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Light it Up

During the Vietnam war there was a man who stood outside the White House every night holding a single candle. After several weeks, the news discovered him and a reporter came and said something like, “Sir. Do you really think that standing here with this candle is going to change the world’s mind?” And the man looked at him and said, “I don’t stand here with my candle to change the world. I stand here to keep the world from changing me.”

Thank you to Glennon for sharing the above

I've been starting my morning and ending our nights by lighting a candle.


It's become a part of my everyday.
I know I talk a lot about prayer on this blog,
because I truly believe in it.
It brings me comfort.
Usually I find myself praying when we need help.
When I'm asking, begging and pleading to God for something.
Not something to brag about.
I guess it's {normal}.
But I'm finding that these mornings and nights,
when I'm all alone in the quiet,
when all I hear are gentle snores coming from M&M,
just being with God is what I've been needing.
Not asking for anything, not questioning, no pity parties,
just being.
Being thankful.
Giving Him thanks.   
Thanks He deserves.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you friends.
Let's celebrate today.
May you spend it with people you love.


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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Sunday FUNday #35 - Link Up Your Fav Post!

Happy Sunday FUNday again friends and 
happy happy Christmas Eve Eve!
Hope your weekend is going swell so far! 

My little sister will officially be in the same state as me tomorrow!
#angelswillbesinging
You can bet we are going to make the most of the time she is here!
   
If this is your first time to the party welcome
Read more about Sunday FUNday here
Link up your projects, Momma advice, fashion posts, anything goes! 
I like to showcasing my favorite link ups on my Facebook page and pinning them on my Pinterest Page thruout the week! If I've showed you off feel free to grab a featured button on my sidebar <<<< and get your brag on!

*I ask that you follow this blog in some way shape or form
(via GFC, Bloglovin, RSS feed, or by email)
*Visit at least TWO other links, because sharing the love is gooooooood!
*Grab the PARTY button below to spread the word, the more the merrier
<center><a href="http://www.thefoleyfam.com"><img src="http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee420/nkfoley/225224_1032849554959_1637031987_92395_857_n1-1.jpg" /></a></center>
  
HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who participates!
I appreciate it so much!
 
For the party giveaway this week
Now link up your awesome.sauce.ness. below!
XOXOXO


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Friday, December 21, 2012

Gift Bags N More + {BONUS GIVEAWAY}

It's been such a pleasure to get to know and work with Marilyn.
I first "met" her thru Moose Mills Products
which you all know I absolutely LOVE!

She started her own business, Gift Bags N More, which not only incorporates Moose Mill Products, but one of my other loves her Vintage Ice Bags, plus she has yet another product line Just Fur Pets! Read on to learn more about this lovely lady and her awesome business!

Marilyn and her grandson Ronnie taken last week at Sea World
Who/What do you blog about?   
I am a semi-retired grandmother.  I keep busy as I do not like to just sit around.  So I decided to sell some things and set up my Gift Bags n More web site.  On my blog I like to share decorating ideas, recipes, talk about our cat, Punkin, etc.  Whatever comes to mind.

Why do you blog?   
I decided to blog as I loved Kristine's blog and checked out some other blogs that I found out about thru her.  As you may or may not know, I help Moose Mills write his blog.  I am his “adopted mom” he refers to in his blog. 

About your shop: why you started it, what you sell, etc.  
As I said above, I thought I would try to sell gift bags as well as some individual items.  I just love the ice bag and had someone suggest that I sell them along with the Moose Mills products as well as the Just Fur Pets products.  

Favorite Go To Recipe?  None really.  Whatever is the easiest to throw together.  Now that all our children are grown, I really don’t have to have one.

What is your one must-have Winter necessity?  Lotion for our dry hands and feet!  Even in Florida when it gets colder, my hands and feet get so dry.  After 27 years of living in Florida, we are so used to humidity that when it disappears during the winter season, our hands and feet get very dry and rough.  So we use Moose Mills Hand Therapy and Moose Mills Mud Balm.  They are AWESOME!!

If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world right at this second, where would it be?  Australia!  Our children gave us a trip to Australia in 2005 and we loved it!  I want to go back and see more of Australia like the Great Barrier Reef.

If there was anyone you could meet, who would you choose and why?  To be perfectly honest, I would love to meet Jesus.  We need him right now after the terrible tragedy recently.  I know that heaven has 20 more little angels.  We need Jesus in our lives more and more.

Anything else you'd like us to know about you?  I love God, love our grandchild, and love our family!  Family and God is what it is all about!

*************************************
I love these features where you get to know the person behind the blog/business. I hope you guys enjoy them too!

Today Marilyn is giving away a prize bundle of Moose Mills Products to one of your lucky ducks + a LARGE Ad Space on The Foley Fam Blog!! 

The prize bundle includes their Hand Therapy Cream (which is another product I swear by!), Butter Body Cream (on my Christmas list!), and a Moose plush!
 
Easy entering with Rafflecopter below.
Please note this giveaway is only open to US residents.
Thank you and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Tis the Season - Gifting

I expressed my beef with Santa at the beginning of the month, and since then we have been trying to decide our approach to him this year.  

THANK YOU to everyone who expressed their thoughts and their traditions. They were and are very much appreciated it!

It also got my Momma and I talking about us growing up.
I told her I didn't remember too much about Santa and the role he played in our Christmas traditions, and she said it was because he didn't

My mom is a nurse.  
Growing up in order to work with her work schedule this is how our Christmas gifting would play out.
 
About five minutes till midnight we would all go into one of our bedrooms to watch for "Santa" to come. 
Yes, we would stay up every.single.year.
At precisely midnight my mom would yell from the living room 
"He came! He came!"
And BAM!
Just like that the presents under the tree doubled in size and the once empty stockings would be full of underwear and socks.
I hate to say we never fell for the Santa "lie" but my brother and I just pieced it together, and once we started asking questions my mom didn't want to lie to us.    
I don't remember some tramautic moment for me when I really found out he wasn't real. 

Once I talked to my mom I totally laughed at how I overreacted about Santa.
If Maggie finds out the truth sooner than later, would that be so bad?
Would the Christmas magic no longer be there? Nope. I think not. 
   
This year the girl's will get one unwrapped gift from Santa. 
Maggie wrote him a letter saying she's been "nice not naughty" and 
what her and Mia would like his elves to make them. #sosososweet

So yup we will take it one year at a time. 
I'm all good with one unwrapped gift from Santa every year.

I blogged last year how we go about deciding on gifts for the girls
We will implement the same idea this year. #easypeasy

The other day I asked if any of you did neighbor gifts and the lovely Kait came to the rescue!
"Of course I do! "WE WHISK YOU A MERRY KISSMAS!" Take a new oven mitt, spatula, and whisk. Fill the whisk with Hershey Kisses. Tie and ribbon 'round that shiz and VOILA! Everyone has a kitchen :)"

I love it! My SIL Annie did the cuteness below this year.

With all the fun crafts around I really wanted to incorporate the girl's into our gift giving.

Of course starting on our Christmas cards. Maggie didn't just stop at the card, she stamped each of our envelopes. #withlove
 
Thanks to my beautiful friend Megan who shared her Salt Dough Recipe, the girl's and I made a double batch of ornaments!
So EASY and such a fun, cheap craft!
 
I've been in a baking mood lately! #myneighborsloveme #mythighsdont
We've gone and made Christmas candy with Gpa and Gma twice now!

Of course I had to make my Pretzel Hugs #tradition
We used the "original" Hershey's Hugs {which are a beast to find} and Peppermint Hershey Kisses we received as a gift {THANKS Kara}
and of course Maggie added pink sprinkles which we always have on hand.

  
What have you been making?
Baking?
Did you happen to check out my Secret Santa reveal yesterday?

Winner of the $10 Starbucks Gift Card is Jessica Schwartz.
Congrats lovely! Please shoot over your mailing addy and I'll get that right out to you. THANKS to everyone who participated! Here are some of my fav Elf on the Shelf names ya'll shared.

Brittany -
Maizy!
I LOVE the idea of naming our Elf {if we ever get one} an "M" name. Great fit with our M&M girls don't cha think?

Rachel -  
I personally think the Elf is kinda creepy. He reminds me of Chucky..scary! ha
I love the name Kringle or Griswold (if you're a Christmas Vacation fan). :)
No offense to Kringle or Griswold, but I'm so loving CHUCKY! 

Jessica
If I had children and got and Elf, I really like the name Jingle Belle. :)
I've always loved the name Belle. So fitting for the Christmas Season.

L. -
You should name your elf after your favorite Starbucks drink =] maybe you won't resent him so much haha
L you are one smart lady!! Peppermint Hot Chocolate! #bam #winnerwinner
  
Again I can't express how much I appreciate you guys participating in the giveaways and supporting my awesome sponsors!

Still verifying entries for my 1500 Follower Giveaway.
Winners will be announced asap! Thanks for your patience!
 
Come back tonight to enter to WIN a Moose Mills Prize Bundle + a Large Ad Space package on this blog here from Gift Bags N More!

Happy Friday friends!
XOXOXO  


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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Secret Santa Swap REVEAL

Hello lovers! 
So thrilled that I participated in the Secret Santa Gift Swap 
hosted by Kelly, Janna, and Tabitha.
Gift Swap
They were FABULOUS hosts and THANK GOD they kept me in the loop 
and kept reminding my busy lazy ass to get my gift in the mail already! #procrastinator #bloggerfail

I TOTALLY have tons of excuses as to why my gift went out late, 
some good - some not so good.
The link up date was even extended which totally saved my bum... 
and go figure a freakin blizzard got in my way! #wtf
 
I DO apologize {so so so sorry} to my secret santa, but in my defense I mailed it Monday, Priority mail, which supposedly guarantees 2-3 business days... so I was banking on it arriving by yesterday.... then when I checked your blog just now... no package :( Bleh! #booooo #hiss

So to my sweet chickedee Janna 
(whom ya'll know I LOVE, AND yes she was one of the freakin hosts! #epicfailonmypart)  
so sorry for the friend fail lovely!
I truly hope you enjoy everything once it finally gets to you! XOXOXO
P.S. Hopefully tomorrow, I will check tracking again!
This swap was extra fun, because they worked it out so that the same person wasn't sending to each other.
I received the fun filled package below from the gorgeous Lauren!


Loved it all lovely lady!! THANK YOU!
The cupcake key holder was my fav from the start {so cute}
with the Jessica Simpson coin purse a close second.
FYI. Seriously everyone needs to get the color below! 
SO perfectly festive for the holidays, and who doesn't love sparkle? 
This photo does not do it justice!

And the gel clings? PERFECT for M&M!
They dove right in!

So THANK YOU again Lauren!
Looking forward to getting to know you better! XOXOXO
So yup Secret Santa swap total success...
ya know except for the Janna not getting her package yet thingy! #doh!

It's been all shits and giggles over here at the Foley fam household.
Literally.
No worries I won't be posting any pics of the projectile vomit that Maggie spewed on our way to church Wed night all over our car.
Want a good visual? #toobadifyoudont
It made it's way onto the DVD player behind my headrest #oy
Or the poop that somehow managed to get in my surprisingly washed, combed and straightened hair. #gofigure #storyofmylife
Instead here's one from Wed night after all the above went down.
#justkeepsmiling #justkeepsmiling
Puke and poop aint got nothing on us. 
She insisted we played salon before bedtime. #ha #howappropriate 

She did great today tho, so I'm blaming the vomit on the three one donut{s} her Uncle Mikey aka my Manoy aka my older brother let her devour while he watched her Wed am. #shetoldmesheatethree #haha
No worries Manoy, I'm not complaining.
THANK YOU for watching the girls while Nate and I caught a Matinee.
Seriously day dates are the best!
And seriously, if you're considering seeing The Hobbit?
#justdoit #lovedit

I'd totally post a picture of my nachos right here,
but my fatass ate em up before the movie started.
#icouldnthelpmyself #thosepreviewsarelong

With that I hope you've all had a great week!
Peace out hommies.
Not sure what's up with my #gangsta talk lately?
I do apologize in advance.
It doesn't seem to want to leave.
Just like this nausea that's been kicking my ass all.day.long.
Ok really, peace out.


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