The big TWO FIVE :)

I'm officially 25! :)  Every year on my birthday, I reflect on the year before.

What do I like about myself?  What can I do to better myself?  If having kids has taught me anything, it's that time has no mercy.  When I look back (god willing) 20,40, 60 years from now, I want to reflect on a happy & fulfilled life :)  In order to work towards such a big achievement, I have a few goals for this next year.

(I'm no chalkboard artist, but I do like to write myself little notes on our chalkboard wall next to my desk :))

I love to read and always have.  While some kids would go out on the weekends, I would use my time to start and finish a book or two.  Since having my two sweet babies, I haven't so much as touched a book.  This year, I'd like to make the time to read :)  To promise myself a hour a few nights a week to read something new.

(I'd also love to actually read the magazines I buy... I bought this cottage mag MONTHS ago and still haven't gone through it.)

I just picked up Mrs. Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children and made it through the first chapter.  If there's anyone else out there looking for a read, I already recommend it, it didn't take long for me to get hooked!

Crafting is something I do for me.  It's a way to relieve stress and honestly I love it.  I love to crochet, I love making headbands and I love taking the time to try new things.  This year I plan to take some classes to learn my way around my sewing machine and to figuring out felting (seriously, if I posted a picture of my first felting project you would all die laughing!  or maybe get a little nauseous... since it kind of looks like a blop of throw up.)  Anyways, if you haven't already, check out my etsy shop Jumping+Jellybean.

It's where all my little crafty creations end up :)

Michael and I have been discussing how to balance electronics in our everyday life.  Sometimes curling up as a family on the couch or in our bed with a movie is absolute perfection.  There are other times when it seems like we are all 100% engaged in something other than each other.  Beckett's on the iPad, Michael and I are on our phones, where do we draw the line?  Bottom line is, our children will grow up with technology, but it's important to have other priorities besides whose turn it is on the iPad.  My hope is to create a healthy balance in our home over the next year :)

On a side note, my above statement is why I've left my phone like this. It has extensive water damage and the screen's shattered, but I've decided to keep it this way until I use my upgrade on the iPhone 6 August/September.  My phone's been struggling ever since Beckett gave it a bath on Mother's Day, but since the water & screen incidents, I've spent less time on my phone and more time with the family.  It was kind of a blessing in disguise :) I hope I continue to put my phone second once I get a new one.

Michael and I are also striving to do more outside the house on the weekends.  A few weekends back, we went on a family hike and it was so much fun.

We're want to strive for at least one family outing a week.  Whether it's a hike, a trip to the pool, or a walk after dinner, we hope to have more little family bonding excursions :)

Last but not least, I want to continue striving to be the best parent I can be.  We're all challenged by our children and we all have days where we question our parenting skills or techniques.  I promise myself, my husband and my sweet babies to be the best mom I know I can be :)

Cheers to 25!