It's been 7 years.......

Since I brought this precious angel into the world.

My little Natalya is not so little anymore. I remember the day I had her. We thought she was a boy. We didn't even have a name for her and she looked so much like her sister, we felt as though we had a repeat birth of just a short 22 months prior when Malaya was born. She came flying into the world with no time to waste, the Dr was darting through the birthing center only to catch her as she flew out. She took one look at the world around her and went right back to sleep. Almost as if she were saying.....ah, no biggie, I've got this covered. Ever since that day she has continued to have a slow paced, laid back, relaxed look at life. She reminds me everyday to slow down and enjoy the day instead of being in such a hurry all the time. Which can also be extremely frustrating when we are actually in a hurry!
She is so soft and sweet and gentle. My girly girl for sure. She doesn't leave the house without primping or a mismatched outfit. She is my snuggler, my lovebug and a homebody for sure. From birth until now, Natalya has always been most comfortable at home. As I get older, the more I am at peace with that. She is very strong willed, opinionated and passionate about things. Especially, when it's her idea. Extremely smart and studious in school. My baby girl is the most compassionate soul I know. Even though she isn't the "baby" anymore, she is still and will always be my baby girl. I love you Natalya Elizabeth. Keep being the beautiful butterfly you are. I love you always.
Here are a few snapshots from her birthday party. Until next year.......

Week in Review

Well regretfully, I will say outloud that it is nice to be home. Yes I miss the hot sun and carefree days with nothing to worry about besides making sure the sunscreen is applied every couple of hours and what to have to eat next. Gotta love vacation. But I missed my baby Carter. I missed my comfy bed and my computer! Lame, I know.

This week took some adjusting to. We have all been on East Coast time so passing out before 8pm and up at 4:30am. All of us. We are slowly adjusting to "regular" time again though. The girls are happy to be back at school, TJ is back to work as am I.

My mama got to go on a much deserved trip to Mazatlan this week so she is gone. Going to go to dinner with dad and the kids tonight. This should be an adventure!

Tomorrow is the kick off of my new PT business selling Sensaria Body Care products. It's going to be a busy day. But with the great weather and my motivation I am hoping it turns out to be a great day.

Sunday brings no plans, hoping it's still nice out so we can head to the park.

Monday night is my first home party at Julie's house. Should be great fun!

I just signed Malaya up for spring soccer, just what we need is another activity but since they are taking a break from cheer right now it won't be so bad.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and hopfully I will have more to blog about next week!

Cruise Photos

So I took 437 photos on our trip. I narrowed it down to some of my favorites to share. I have so many more but here is just a small snapshot of our amazing vacation!

Friends Brian and Stacy

Self explanitory

Our drink of choice this week

Valentines Day dinner

Sunset

TJ being silly on the bus ride in Belize

Malaya enjoying a nice cold beverage

At the Mayan Ruins in Belize

Natalya at the Ruins

In Belize City, Belize

In Honduras

Our monkey friend Sonny

The monkeys were SO fun!

Scooby the monkey

Roatan, Honduras

Roatan

Roatan, Honduras

And we are BACK!!!!

From the most amazing vacation ever. I have to say that it was simply amazing and even though it left our bank account something to be desired.....it was something I will never forget and neither will the kids. We left on Saturday the 7th and stayed in South Beach, Miami the first night. Wow, what a place. It's kinda like Vegas, the city that never sleeps. the next morning we boarded the Norwegian Pearl and right there is when it began.......the nonstop eating that is. We chose Freestyle cruising which means you do what you want, when you want. Instead of being on a meal schedule and what not. During the first show that night they said the average adult gains an average of 5.8 lbs on a 7 day cruise....well, I don't think they were lying. LOL!!! Food everywhere. Hunger was never an issue. Our first port took us to Roatan, Honduras. I could honestly live there. It was stunning. Beautiful pristine beaches and warm water....we went to Gambambalimba park and got to play with the monkey's. By play I mean hold them, feed them and anything you could ever want. They were a blast. We also got to hold and play with huge Parrots and Macaws. I didn't want that day to end. The next day took us to Belize City, Belize. I don't know if it was just me but that place leaves something to be desired. We took the kids on a tour of the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha and snore snore snore....can you say boring?? Not to mention it was 95 degrees, 98% humidity and the sand fleas were biting any skin they could see. I am still itching. Not my favorite. The next day took us to Cozumel, Mexico.....another gorgeous port. We went swimming with the dolphins here. Our dolphin was named Pakal and he was only 8 months old but what a creature he was. So sweet and gentle and just amazing. Then after that we took the kids back to the boat and TJ and I went tequila tasting......enough said. LOL. Our final stop was at the cruise lines private island Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. It was great weather and we hung out on the beach all day long. 7 hrs of sun, snorkeling, shell hunting and of course, buckets of beer!!! We met another couple from North Carolina and another couple on their honeymoon who live only about a mile from us in Lynden. We hung out with them that whole day and went to valentines dinner with them. It was a lot of fun. After docking Sunday morning back in Miami we got to have a wind down day and night at the Embassy Suites near the airport. I am so glad we did. We got there around 11am and took naps outside by the pool, ordered pizza, played video games and went to bed nice and early so we could be somewhat refreshed for our 7 hour plane ride home Monday morning.

It was the vacation of a lifetime and I am so glad we did it. If you have never been on a cruise I definitely recommend going on one. You will be glad you did. Once I get my photos loaded on here I will post them. Probably tomorrow. We are glad to be home and hope everyone is doing well!

I'm not TIRED!

I don't know if it's the weather or if she is growing or what. But I sure hear alot of "I'm not tired" from Malaya lately. She sleep walks from time to time and I will find articles of her clothing scattered throughout the house in the morning that she has shed while walking around in her sleep at night. She also snores like a horse....possibly wondering if I should talk to her Dr about sleep apnea...she is just always tired. But will never admit it. Well, maybe when she is exhausted. But this is what I found on Saturday evening, about 5 minutes after I asked her to go get her jammies on and her response was "I'm not tired".

For Grandma Joanne

He finally sat still long enough for me to take a picture of him riding the horse. The VERY expensive horse! You will be glad to know and see that he rides it everyday at least twice a day. He gives it hugs and kisses and loves to play with the tail. Thanks Gramma!