No We Didn't Disappear

Hello to anyone who still checks in on this page.

Just wanted to give you all a quick update since it has been almost a year since my last post on this blog.  I have been blogging a lot but I have been doing it over on Fit Mama To 3

Over there you will find more fitness, fashion and food, but sprinkled in you will also see the three little monkeys.

They are all doing well, but confession holy moly this is much harder then I anticipated.  The amount of bickering they do with each other and hitting and screaming is off the hook, but their bond is also pretty cool.

Head on over and check us out I am planning to incorporate more of the kids oh and we got a new puppy.  Her name is Maggie!

The twins start school on August 13th.  I know crazy right?  They miss the cut off day for real Kindergarten by 11 days but here in California they offer kids with Sept, Oct, and Nov Birthdays something called Transitional Kindergarten so that is what they will be doing.

I had Hudson all lined up to go to the twins old Preschool, but they suddenly closed down which was so sad.  I haven't found anything else that fits our needs so I may keep him home with me for one more year.

Hope all is well with all my fellow infertile Mamas and their oodles of babies.  Smooooch!

Proud

Today my amazing husband topped out at work.  It was a goal he has been striving for for years, after many classes and college certificates and years of service today my husband topped out as a grade three waste water operator.  

He started working in the fields with no certificates at all and today here he is in the plant as a top operator. 

10 years ago when he started, this was the goal and today here he is busting his butt for us. I got that excited text and pic showing the change in pay and position and was proud and happy for him and knew this was our end goal.

A couple hours later he began texting me more explaining he wants more, or may want more in a few years.

He doesn't want to be done and top out as an operator. I smiled to myself and got that silly laugh inside and was proud and giddy. It's GO time. My job as always is to support HIM as much as he supports us. 

The Daddy wants to go back to school! College here comes the strongest most awesome Daddy ever ready to take on whatever and work towards upper management. Maybe slow but here he goes ready to keep his career moving and showing his boys what hard work is all about. 

My boys might be my lights of my life, but my Gabe is the power to our lights. Way corny, but recently I have seen too many relationships fail and I am thankful for where we are, what we work through and how we work as a team to stay #teamsnook hahahha

TWO!

Dear Hudson Sinclair,

It is hard to believe it has been two years that you have been a part of our family.  You my dear have made many of those around yous life a better place.  Your smile melts us all and makes us better people.  It was hard to imagine I could ever love anyone as much as your Brothers, but I surely do and I tear up just thinking about it.  You my sweet voiced beautiful son are the very best miracle surprise ever.  You always make me laugh with the silly things you say and your spunk always keeps me on my toes.  I love hearing your little voice learn new words every day.  You are such a sweet little Brother who always wants to be in on what your big brothers do.  That is why we call you "me-me!"  Don't worry my little Buddy Mommy won't leave you out.  But hey could you stop coming into my room at 6:30 AM every single morning like clock work saying "HI MOMMY!"  I know you are pro at escaping your crib, but we all need a little rest.  I love you to the moon and back my angelic voiced completion.  Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for you EVEN when I am pulling my hair out.  Happy 2nd Birthday my me-me honey honey Hudson, keeper of my heart.  I will love you always and forever and ever.

Love,

Mommy

Finally a day ALL for Me-Me and a special present.  He woke to Mommy and Brothers singing him happy Birthday.  Then we ate french toast and cantaloupe.  We played around for a bit until Grammy came over where he was spoiled with a talking elmo stuffed animal and more. 

Then we were off to the teacup park for play time and McDonald's chicken nuggets, apples, and milk.

We ended the perfect day enjoying BBQed pizza in the back yard with close friends and family where Hudson was surprised with his OWN toy.  A ride on Thomas the Train.  No Birthday would be complete without cake and a fun video.

I didn't fall off the face of the earth

I just got eaten up by life. Things are nuts. I sort of have a business that actually makes money... Sort of www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com www.mythirtyone.com\mamasnook

I certainly only have one little boy in diapers. I pretty much weigh a weight I am happy with, but more so ugh life takes time, makes me pull my hair out and makes me wish I had four sets of hands, but I am in love with it and all four of my guys.

These boys teach me things day in and day out and the amount of information they take in and crazy things they say has me laughing all the time.

The twins will start the 4 year preschool program in September.  Mama and Daddy are working their butts off so the boys can partake in preschool this year because it is such an amazing experience for them and a nice little break for Mommy and Hudson too.  Hudson is for sure keeping me on my toes while the twins are become so independent.

Our Summer has been jam packed with fun and September is sure to me SO MUCH FUN!

In huge news we have a Mickey Bday blowout coming up and it will be complete with a trip to Disney with the Grandparents.

So much has happened so its hard to recap, but here is a shot in pics!

The Miracles Make Me Smile Every Day

Something For Me

I ALWAYS knew I wanted to be a Mom.  I knew that was my main goal in life, but I still also had a job I was good at.  After Hudson came financially it made absolutely no sense to continue on my three day a week schedule.  I remember the evening after coming home while pregnant with Hudson and crying to my Husband about how I was training my replacement, it completely broke my heart.  I cried so hard I threw up and the feeling of no longer balancing being a Mom and an employee was a hard pill to swallow.  I knew it was for the best and I still work outside the home one day a week, but it meant that I was no longer important at a job I had been at for 13 years.

I carried on but always felt something was missing for me.  While YES I love being home with my kids, I was missing that drive and adult conversation.  The chance to network and keep my office skills up.  Well that has all changed, I have changed.  I now have something just for ME.  Something that makes me excited, something that isn't about my kids.  It's about my love for a product, my love of my life story, providing for my family, and finding the me that isn't only talking about poop and tantrums.

Origami Owl has changed my life.  Financially not huge yet, but with seven upcoming parties it very well could be.  Most of all I love chatting with people, I love sitting down and sending in my orders, putting the lockets together and being able to get out on a Friday night away from the kids to share my products with other women.  Having a little something more then just being the Mom has changed me.  I am excited for the future and just taking it all one day at a time. Knowing that each day is a new adventure and that my life puzzle is starting to make a little more sense.

On a fun note we are going on a trip just my DH and I.  This has not happened since kids, heck this hasn't really happened ever.  On our first and 2nd anniversary we took a couple little gets aways, but all alone, nope... never especially not out of the country.  And the fun part... it's a cruise!  Just him and I for just a few days it will be so so so amazing.  Thanks to my Mama and Grandma off we will go.  Sunshine, poolside, yummy food, and tropical drinks in hand.  Thanks to my Husband for the push and reminding me that WE need this, our marriage needs this.  After the carnival disasters prices plummeted just when our tax return came in.  So here we go! This is also a huge motivation to keep the weight loss going and that we are doing.  I have hopes of being the weight I was at my initial IVF appointment by this Summer.

www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com
www.facebook.com/livinglocketsbymamasnook

www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com

www.facebook.com/livinglocketsbymamasnook

www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com

www.facebook.com/livinglocketsbymamasnook

www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com

www.facebook.com/livinglocketsbymamasnook

Lockets That Tell a Story

We all clearly know about the journey I went on to become a Mommy, I think about that journey everyday. I often find I force myself to remember that journey when I am ready to pull my hair out. This locket reminds me of my journey and how my wishes came true! I heart my journey and my miracles.

www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com
www.facebook.com/livinglocketsbymamasnook

Here I Am

NO I didn't get lost!  With Christmas and all sorts of exciting adventures I just haven't had time to catch you all up.

So far 2013 has been full of new journeys.  My weight loss journey is off to a great start.  My hope was to have lost a total of 40 pounds by Summer, well I am happy to report I am already at 36 pounds (6 + some holiday weight being lost in 2013).  I hope the next four come off easily, but I know that it is only going to get harder from here. Eventually I would love that number to say 50, but baby steps right?

IN GIANT NEWS  the twins started preschool 2 mornings a week.  They are IN LOVE with it.  Mondays I usually go into work a couple hours to help pay for it (My Mom is off to watch the little guy) then Tuesdays I get to feel what it is like to be a Mommy running errands with just one kiddo.  I get all my grocery shopping done and spend time with my little bug.  It is going PERFECT!

In other news I have started a new business adventure.  I am selling living lockets from Origami Owl.  I am loving them.  I saw them at a spaghetti feed and knew it was for me.  I can't tell if I will make money from it or not, but I still love them.  I love the meaning, I love the design, and to be able to share my journey and life through a piece of jewelry is amazing to me.  If I can provide for my family a bit and give myself something for me... it is even more exciting.

Please take a minute to check it out and maybe place an order, I PROMISE you won't be disappointed in the look and quality.

www.tiffanysnook.origamiowl.com

Living Lockets By Mama Snook

www.facebook.com/livinglocketsbymamasnook

Every locket tells a story.  What is your story?

Thanksgiving Week

Our new tradition since my Great Aunt passed away is to go to our family cabin for Thanksgiving.  We always spent it with her at my Grandma's house so we decided to make this a trip and spend more time enjoying eachother so now we go away as a family for a few days and make some memories.  On this trip my big boy Aaden became 100% potty trained!  Yahoooooo one down two to go and I think Noah is right behind him.  I am SO glad I decided not to push them too much, it's much easier when they are just ready.  Now to figure out how to get that bottle away from Hudson, eh oh well he's my baby we will work on it soon.  For now I will stick to potty training and keep my baby a baby a little longer. 

We decided this year we would start the tradition of watching Christmas movies Thanksgiving night.  So Frosty the Snowman it was and then the next day we were off to get our Christmas tree.  So far we are full force ahead with celebrating Christmas.  I can't tell you how happy it makes me to have babies to celebrate this holiday with and how happy it makes me to see Christmas through their eyes.

Catch Up at a Glance

Where's Noah?

Dentist appointment, no cavities BUT Aaden is lacking a permanent tooth which will NOT be fun in about 5 years

My sweet dragon

licking brownie spoons is the best part

Finally all of our craft stuff in ONE spot.  Bring on the rain!

Painting turkeys

Yum ice cream

His Brothers locked him out and sad for them and me... he knows how to open it

Pizza and our Giants won the World Series!

Cardiologist appointment.  Hole is still there, but they are hoping it will be gone next year when we check on it again

Singing with Daddy yet again, Daddy's band has been VERY busy.

Our first fire in our FIRST EVER fireplace!

Working on our fine motor skills ripping up paper

Ahhhh a clean house and a hidden play nook make me a HAPPY Mommy.  I straighten the house EVERY night before I go to bed.

Noah and his best friends

Hudson had a 104 fever for 3 days.  They did bloodwork and all came back okay, he had roseola poor buddy.

3 year check up

Counting marshmallows

Our little walker