2014 Year End Review

I know I said my last post was the last one for 2014, but I wanted to wrap up our year. Pictures can be deceiving. It can make things seem all rainbows and unicorns but in all honesty this year has been my hardest yet. I am not sure how I feel about it ending. I feel like with each passing day I'm getting further and further away from my mom. I know that isn't true though because I constantly feel my mom's presence but I'm terrified of that feeling fading with time. I pray that's not the truth.

1. Ava started pre-k in January. She absolutely loves it and has been learning so much! She's a great helper this school year helping the newer friends get adjusted.

2. My beautiful mom passed away in March. A day before Ava's 4th birthday and a week before my 30th birthday. We miss her so much.

3. We went to Disney World for the first time. We had such a great time. They have been asking to go back ever since! Truly magical trip!

4. We signed Ava up for ballet/tap. She loves it. I can't wait for her first recital in May.

5. This summer we spent lots of time at the beach. We stayed at a friend's beach house. It was so nice! Like a mini vacation!

6. Ava and Lily took swim lessons this spring and they are no longer afraid of the water. Lily is our little water baby.

7. Noah and I celebrated 6 years of marriage this year. We are going strong :)

8. Noah and I got to enjoy a professional soccer game, Nigeria vs. USA. It was so much fun! The atmosphere at a live game is so awesome!

9.  Ava and Lily were princesses for Halloween this year. I think we will be having more princess costumes for a long time coming.

10. We bought another doggie! We welcomed Stella into our family. And recently we added another to the bunch, Kiwi!

11. For Thanksgiving, we all stayed at a cabin in North Georgia. It was the most relaxing weekend. I want to do it again in 2015!

I hope 2015 is an easier year. So far, it seems like it will be. There are lots of weddings to attend, babies to arrive, and trips to go on!

Happy new year friends!

Cruzan Christmas 2014

Before the ball drops and 2015 is officially here I wanted to squeeze one last post in to wrap up our Christmas! 

This year we traveled to Virginia to visit family and friends. It was nice because we were able to spend more than a long weekend. 

Santa traveled with us so we hitched a small trailer with us and all the presents! 

Here are a few photos from our trip. 

These two were so happy to arrive at Aunt Sarah and Uncle Moe-Moe's house and be out of that car! 

The night before Christmas, Ava sprinkled the magical reindeer dust in the front yard to help Santa find us since we weren't home. We put on our pjs and left milk and cookies for Santa before heading to bed.

Santa made a visit and left all kinds of goodies for everyone!

 I love this hectic scene. 

We spent time with family and friends too. We were able to meet our new cousin, Liam too! 

On Christmas night we took the kids to see Big Hero 6. It was Lily's first movie. The funny part is both girls fell asleep half way through the movie. Mommy enjoyed the movie though :)

Noah and I even enjoyed a night out without the babies. 

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 

Holiday Looks

Today I'm sharing a couple festive holiday options. Which is your favorite?

Holiday Look 1

Holiday look 1

Holiday Look 2

Holiday look 2

What I Wore Wednesday {wiww}

I'm Hey guys! Welcome to another What I Wore Wednesday (wiww) post! These weekly posts started off as a way to motivate me to get out of my fashion rut. I was bored of everything I was wearing which really did a number on my self confidence. I stumbled upon this fun link-up and gained so much from it. Not only was I feeling better about myself when I really put in the effort, but I also found some great ladies to pull inspiration from. It was truly a win-win. Find out more on the link- up from Lindsay's blog, The Pleated Poppy.

Outfit details:

Cape, shoes : TJ Maxx

Leggings: Marshall's

Necklace: Brina Box

Sweater: Gap

Outfit details:

Top: Abaday.com

Pants: J. Crew

Booties: Forever 21

Necklace: Loren Hope via RocksBox

 

Outfit Details:

Top: J. Crew

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Target

Shrug: TJ Maxx 

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Kohl's

Pants: Loft

Shoes: Ross

Necklace: Mindy Mae's Market

Outfit Details:

Top: Target

Pants: H&M 

Shoes: TJ Maxx

Necklace: Loren Hope via RocksBox 

Outfit Details:

Shirt and pants: J. Crew

Boots: Franco Sarto via Rackroom

Necklace: Wet Seal

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa, I've been a good girl.

My last-minute Christmas wish list! It consists of lots of sparkle...that's not surprising at all.

What's on your Christmas list?

Dear Santa, by glitterandjuls featuring H&M

Lily is 3!

Hi everyone! I'm sorry for my lack of posts lately. The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas for me is always madness. Throw in Lily's birthday and I become a mom running around with her head chopped off (that's quite a gross mental picture, but you catch my drift)...

So the birthday party was last weekend and I feel like I can slightly breathe again. I thought I'd take that breath to share my thoughts on Lily turning three!

I'm always nostalgic around my kids' birthdays. Another fast year has gone by and knowing they won't ever be this age again, I need to write my thoughts down!

I should have known what Lily's personality would be like from the moment she entered this world. I remember Ava being wide-eyed and just staring all around. There was no crying, just big eyes wandering the hospital room. Not Lil. She came out screaming, hahaha. And she hasn't stopped since!

I've said this many times to friends and family and all who have seen my kid crying. Lily, in all her three years has not gone a day without crying. Bless my heart. We even asked the pediatrician if something was wrong with her. Patty was watching her during the day when I went back to work and she even had days where she wondered too!

But I think Lily just has the dramatic streak. She'll be fun as a teenager I'm sure! Bless my heart, again.

With that said, I wouldn't have it any other way. Lily has been such a blessing in our lives. She is full of energy and has a humongous heart. She is definitely a momma's girl all the way. She is super silly. Ava and I are constantly laughing at the things she does or says.

Below are the top 10 things that sum up Lily right now:

1. Lily loves: Food, Mommy, and Crying. Probably in that order, lol. Her first sentence was "I'm hungry." No joke.

2. Her favorite color is pink.

3. She tolerates putting her hair back, but the moment she gets a chance (i.e. the minute we get in the car) she takes it out. (her "frazy" hair)

4. She slightly has a lisp and a unique twang to her speech. Not everyone can understand her when she talks still. Ava is a great interpreter.

5. She's into racing lately. She has to win at brushing her teeth, getting into the shower, getting from point A to point B, etc. If not, cue the waterworks...

6. She is almost potty trained. This is the second try at it. She regressed after summer vacation so we shall see what happens after Christmas vacay.

7. Her favorite word is "booty". I have no idea where she learned it from but any time she can squeeze that word in, she will. She thinks its hilarious too.

8. She is super clumsy. She falls and runs into things on a daily basis.

9. She has this thing when she's falling asleep. She will bury/dig her hands and feet under your body. It hurts. a lot.
10.  Did I mention she's a mommy's girl? It's worth two spots on this list.