Last Year is Just Last Month

Because the purpose of the blog is to capture our life as a family. And because I took a 4 year break. I am going to have to play catch up. I won't go back too far. Because if I'm honest I don't remember her all that well. But I will fill you in on our recent past.

I've shared a bedroom since I was 17 (not so recent past). If my twins were the same gender I'm pretty sure I would insist they share a room until they are 17. Though I am an introvert, I hold very little value for personal space. As a family of 4 we live in 880 sq ft and I never dream of a bigger house. Only of a kitchen with 2 drawers. 

Just prior to the hubs I shared a room with a dear friend. We met one evening shortly after she had filled half our closet with her clothes. I knew it would be love at first sight when my first sight was her over sized stuffed bear Tim. And it was. We worked at the same company, had some of the same exact clothes (even some I hadn't seen on her before I bought them, hehe), and both had this deal where we had to fall asleep each night to good TV. SITC was our drug of choice. For us it was the TBS version, which was more of a ITC. Our biggest difference is perhaps my inability to get it together in the packing department. Before every trip I would stress her out by not packing until the day of. I'm a planner in so many areas. But this just isn't one of them. I do have a sensitive excited-dar. So maybe I subconsciously protect myself from getting overly excited about upcoming trips? No. It's because I'm lazy. That excuse didn't even make sense as I typed it. 

Well. Some things never change. And thank goodness bc I hate change. For our week long Christmas trip to Texas--first as a family of four--not one item had been packed as of 9 am on the morning of our flight.  It's how I roll, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. Though if I didn't project accountability onto fictitious blog readers than it could remain my little secret. The trip went off without a hitch. It was a very Merry Babies' First Christmas!

Don't Walk, RUN!!!!

Bradley Cooper is coming to Broadway!!!!!

And you can trust me on this one. Because I've seen him there before. It was 2006. I don't have to hit the google. I know this one.

So often people get hung up on why things happen. In a recent bible study we discussed lists of "Whys" and "What Ifs." It was therapeutic. For reals. Try it. When I came home we played all over again. It was fun to give these things a name. On paper. And then shred the paper.

But I digress. Back in 2006 the love of my life, who I had been dating for 2 years mind you, broke up with me. I've started saying that these kind of things happen to make you relatable. But maybe, just maybe after 6 1/2 years of marriage I can forgive, forget make lemonade out of these lemons? Because it was during this time when that stud, who we will now only refer to as "the hubs," bought me 2 tix to see Three Days of Rain on Broadway!!!!! (Apparently he knew the way to my heart in addition to how to break it?!) So me and one of the bestsies jumped in the 4Runner (really taking a walk run down memory lane aren't we?) and hightailed it to NYC for the day. Not even a full day. Just long enough to get a glimpse. Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper-- before he was even Bradley Cooper!! Just trust me. We drove back in the wee hours of the night. And we literally talked about his eyes THE.ENTIRE.RIDE. Talk about therapeutic!!!

So while I don't have profound answers to most of my "whys." And I still fill my head with the "what ifs." I know that only God can provide real peace. Forgiveness is an action that you have to initiate in your own heart despite how it was hurt. And New York is just a bus ride away!

Salad Secrets

I hate salad bars. Though that's not a secret. I'd say I hate all "do-it-yourself" options like this, but my sis just yesterday mentioned a pound cake bar with toppings. Yum please! I also die for the early 2000 trend of mashed potato bars at weddings. And everyone who knows me is embarrassed to know I love a good Golden Corral. Or a bad one.

Lucky for me I married well (read: class). Might be the overall mantra of this blog. With the good hubs came his wise sis. Who upon visiting at the birth of the twinks gave me some treasured advice. It's all about the soggy (my word) Butter (her word) lettuce, lots of avocados (thank you Texan) and lots of dressing. That's the real key. Because if someone puts lots of dressing on it for me then it takes away from the salad bar taste I can't say yes to. Sorry calorie counters this salad is not for you.

I have a go-to salad that I use Brianna's blush wine vinaigrette. In our running list of recipes (more on this later) we refer to it as the "go-to" salad.

If we are feeling fancy there is always the Arugula with shredded parmesan and a homemade Lemon Vinaigrette. Better known as lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper. Back in the good ole days of free lunches (I sure never said there was no such thing as a free lunch) I'd order this regularly at Tosca. It's not on the menu. Just trust me.

I am also a huge fan of the Pioneer Woman's ranch and caesar. The Ranch is especially good on a Tator Tot bar. HUGE fan.

Tonight we are headed to a friend's house and I'm going with the Mexican theme. Trying out a new one. (Original blogger's yummy pic below)  I'll keep you posted.

They Say All's Well That Ends Well

#thiswillnotendwell

Currently going through a season of taking every toy we own, which after Xmas is safe to refer to as EVERY toy, and placing them strategically all over the floor. And then proceeding to fight over the same (really crappy) toy. Makes you feel like quite the hero when you get down on the floor with them.  Except that I just admitted they are always fighting over the crap……….

There's a video that goes with this post. That was perhaps the whole reason for the post. But uploading it appears to be above my pay grade. One day. 

Time to change the LinkedIn Profile…..

So I got a new camera lens and a J.Crew gift card for Xmas, which means it's time for my big announcement.

I'm coming out of retirement.

Taking up a new career.

Lifestyle blogger. 

Perhaps this is simply the career I put on hold. I quit blogging because I was pretty sure that when I managed someone's retirement they felt more comfortable thinking I knew and cared very little about the Kardashians. That I was in fact not keeping up. But alas. Full disclosure. Similar to disclosing outside investments when on the job. It's not me. It's the hubs. He keeps up with the Kardashians and I LOVE him. These days I don't keep up with much. Upon putting the babes in the carseat this morning I realized I hadn't left the house since Monday. So I vowed to reconnect with the outside world. All of you at once in fact. Hello world. Meet your newest lifestyle blogger. Welcome to my daily rant. I keep having moments that I swear I will never forget, and yet I can't even remember my last shower. So as a gift to the littles and the hub's Iphone storage I'm heading back to the blogosphere. Capturing the moments as to not forget. PYOTing my lifestyle.

Outfit of the day (OOTD): Well today's we could probably just refer to as The Uniform. Stretchy gray pants from the Express (still a store?) from back when leggings were cool the first time. Hello late 90s, I don't miss you bc I wear you every.single.day. Pale pink hoodie (a gift from my aunt. who also gifted some pale pink flannel xmas tree pjs that are fashionably cozy year round. Also from the 90s). I would post a pic, but there's a decent chance I could save this task until tomorrow.

**Please expect to be overloaded with pictures. When they (whoever they were) told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up, I took them quite literally. Way too old in life I believed that I would be on the Supreme Court high school. Shortly after (right before I learned you had to major in marine biology) college, I was sure I would swim with Shamu. For money. And now at 32 and 9/12 I am sure that I am destined to be a child photographer. Of my child(ren). And a professional sharer of my life. So here we go…...**

Worth it

I do love to blog. Mainly bc I have so many words that I like to use in a day....a pretty hefty quota in fact..... and Mac wears out around 200. So this is my space for the rest of them. But as you (assuming "you" are still out there) may have noticed or assumed, I've been lost..... in the land of the way too busy....I've seen many of you there! Ha!

I need to catch you up on the rest of my glorious birthday events, before I'm a year older! My new job. Our dear friend Robert joining Jesus. I want to blog about so many big things that have been going on. Big things that I get lost in. But tonight I was found. Grounded. And no, it wasn't thanks to my dear hubby cooking dinner for the third night in a row. That is humbling. But I only share that to brag! The news that found me, the reason I blog tonight, is a message from Mac's best bud Oscar and his way-too-cute family. You can watch the video as I did at the link below.

web.mac.com/oscar.avalos

Cute kids, right? But the video really got me tonight. Recently I was challenged by a best bud of mine regarding wealth. She reminded me that we all have so much. Though as long as I'm being transparent, I admit to often complaining of the opposite. Way often. 180 out of my 200 words some days. But I get her point. And the most exciting thing is that part of my wealth is knowledge of a Savior....who much like you (you are reading this, right?) hasn't given up on me yet. He's faithful. And I forget this in my busyness. I forget to share this wealth while I'm busy trying to make my own wealth...... And I don't see my life slowing down. And I doubt you do either! For the most part, I like my busy. And no, I'm not trying to find an escape clause. This is not some kind of easy way out. I know, and am thankful, that my busyness allows me to connect in my space, with people that I might otherwise never know. But realize that it also allows me to make money to support dear friends and strangers who are then able to have full time jobs leading people to the greatest source of all wealth.

When I allow myself to slow down. When I sit back and realize what matters. What I want to be my success. Where I want to find my value. I know that I truly do have abundant wealth. And I feel lucky that I get to give!

I love the 23rd!

As many of you know (assuming only friends/family read this), today is an extremely special day, its Julie’s birthday! That’s right, April 23rd is a day that I will forever cherish. Also, this is Mac and yes it has been awhile since I have written, but if there is ever a reason to jump back in, this is it.

I’ll always remember the first birthday she celebrated after I met her. Only because of the emphasis she stressed that it was her “Golden Birthday” (turning 23 on the 23rd) In my mind I just thought she had the best birth – day, seeing as how my favorite basketball player wore the same number on his jersey. Anyways, realizing the importance of this particular birthday, I took her to her favorite play, Les Mis. After that night, we have made seeing plays and musicals a regular event in our lives, but that one will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart over the others.

Since the “Golden Birthday”, we have celebrated the 23rd many times. And without fail, every time this day rolls around, I count my blessings and am humbled that our amazing, personal and loving God chose to bless me with such an incredible person.

Julie – I love you more today, than any of the days before. You light up my world in a way nobody else can. You have the unique ability to make me laugh without reason, because to me, you are the funniest person I know. You sharpen and are patient with me as I learn to be the best husband for you. Thinking about all the things you are in my life, I can’t imagine where I would be without you.

My prayer for you today is that you know without a doubt how special and loved you are. Not just by me, but by everyone around you, because you deserve nothing less.

I love you and Happy Birthday!!