Ruffled Scarf Giveaway

Do you want to talk about luck? While I was upset about hotmail, and looking through tweets, I found this giveaway. It completely changed my night!!! Trina over at XOXO Trina, is hosting a giveaway for this beautiful 2-toned scarf. Wow! I would just love to win this!!! And literally, I have minutes to enter the giveaway. 6 to exact! If you are reading this before 11:59PM CST, run and go enter this giveaway. If you are too late, don't hesitate to go look at Trina's blog. In my opinion, it is one of the best ones out there! ~Maggie

Custom Necklace Giveaway

Do you want to talk about love? There cannot be a single mom out there, that wouldn't love this necklace. I am so serious! I would just fall to pieces if my husband got me one for Christmas, Valentine's Day, my birthday, our anniversary, whenever. I just love the uniqueness of this necklace. If you want a chance to win it, head over to Mama Manifesto and enter the giveaway. ~Maggie

Lawn Frock Giveaway!!!!

Today, I stumbled on this dress. It is a giveaway at Grosgrain Fabulous! Isn't it cute? I think it has a retro feel to it. And I am so deeply in love. The full skirt is something that I just adore. I like to wear full skirts like this. Let me rephrase that. These are the only types of skirts I wear. After 3 kids, it just works. If you would like a chance to win, go visit Grosgrain Fabulous. Don't forget to vote for her too! ~Maggie

Getting Through the Hard Times

Our family has not always had the best of times. To be honest here, my husband and I separated, shortly after I got pregnant with our baby girl. I just think the stresses of life, got to both of us. Essentially, I took our 2 older kids and moved in with my prima. Since then, my husband and I have worked hard to get things back together. But I remained 3 hours away. Making sure that our kids spent the weekends with my husband. We still spent holidays together. From time to time, a weekend or special day. But that was about it, until now. Late in the summer, we decided it was time for the kids and I to move back.

Mostly because Jake was getting ready to start pre-K. Together, we figured he needed a more stable situation. As small kids, it was OK to make the trip back and forth. Not completely convenient. But OK. But now that our son is going to school, he deserved to be in the same loving place. To know a more stable and loving lifestyle.

During our time apart, my husband and I never dated anyone else, or were disloyal to one another. Although we were separated, we still valued our wedding vows. From time to time, we would have a date night. Or a weekend away. But it was just a little too difficult to live together. We still loved each other and got along, but it was just a little stressful.



We are now back together. The kids seem really happy. And my husband and I are getting along so much better!! We have made it a point, to make time for ourselves. Outside of the kids. Church is also becoming a lot more central, to our lives. When the kids and I moved away, we started going to mass with my prima. We would go 2 times during the week, and every Sunday. That alone, is helping with our family.

I am grateful, that the love my husband and I have for one another, has helped us to get past all of the hard times. I am sure that there will be hard times ahead. Hopefully, far in the future. But we know, as a family, we can make it. We have already proved that we can make it. ~Maggie

The Weekend We Needed

This weekend, is exactly what we needed. As a family, it was nice to spend this good quality time together. It is not always easy to make time for our family. But on a long holiday weekend like this, it is exactly what we needed. Not doing expensive things, but spending quality time together.

Friday night we had a nice BBQ. The kids played in the pool while we cooked. And it turned into an entire evening of poolside fun! The BBQ chicken was delish! Even our dogs enjoyed some of the food. We dropped a plate and they just attacked it before we could pick it up! The kids enjoyed splashing around the pool.

Saturday was dedicated to being lazy. Yes, we all laid in mommy and daddy's bed eating cereal and watching cartoons. The kids really enjoyed that. My husband also enjoyed that. It reminded us of when we first became parents. Something that I would like to make more of a weekly thing. More of a tradition for our family.

And on Sunday, we went to church. And to breakfast. The kids were completely fascinated with everything at Cracker Barrel. It was too cute! They each got a new toy while we waited for a table. Then we decided to take the kids to the BioPark. One of our favorite things to do around town. All 3 of them enjoy the fish. And playing around the BioPark. We finished the evening with a train ride around BioPark, Zoo, and Bosque. And ended our day with dinner at the park. A real picnic. Of Cathy's Carryout. Yum!

Yesterday, was all about family. We had a group of family and friends come over. And it was just a day to spend reconnecting with everyone. My parents and in-laws came over early. Both my mom and mom-in-law helped me cook. The guys fired up the grill and got started on the burgers, ribs, and hotdogs. The kids sat around making crafts and coloring. That time, just before the BBQ, was some of the best time our family has had together in a long while.



My husband and I even managed a little alone time before the party. It was nice to just go for a walk with him. Not that we don't love our kids. But every once in a while, it is nice to get away by ourselves. To know that we still love each other. To know that we can kiss without having our kids crying for mommy and daddy. And to be honest, it was nice to feel my husband's arms around me again.

This weekend is just what we needed. As a family, we totally reconnected. Jake surprised us with all that he has learned in the last few weeks. I can't believe how much he is blossoming at school. Our girls, they just make me smile! To see how much they love their daddy. To watch them play mommy with their baby dolls. It makes me proud to know that this is the family we have built together out of our love. ~Maggie

Amethyst Treasure

I went to Wally World for a quick trip today. We ran out of shampoo. Not good when you have a family of 5. Before we had to be at a BBQ, I ran to Wally World. And got a tad bit distracted. I remembered I also needed a new mascara. While rounding the corner between the shampoo and makeup aisles, I saw the nail polishes. I have been wanting to buy something new. I keep seeing all these women with gorgeous chic nails. All dark colors, but they look so nice and chic. I didn't want to go with black. And when I saw this purple color, I just had to buy it.

The brand is LA Girls. A brand I had not heard of. The color is Amethyst. It was around $2 for .47oz. After the BBQ and putting the kids down for the night, I decided to try it out. I have to say that it is a nice nail polish. After 2 coats and a clear coat, I am very happy! Now I want to go buy a few more colors. ~Maggie

Everybody Has to Start Somewhere

Hello Blog-iverse!!! I'm finally taking the plunge and starting a blog. I've been married for just over 9 years. We have 3 beautiful kids. And one chaotic life together! Our son just started pre-K and I am a little sad. Because I just don't know were the time has gone! Yesterday, he was just a baby. I find myself with a little more down time. Hence, the new blog.

I can't tell you what you will find here. A journal entry or 2. Maybe a recipe or project around the house. More than likely, some story about our family. If you enjoy any of that, you are more than Welcome to stop by! I also wanted a place to keep family and friends updated on our family. We'll just have to see were this all goes. If you are ready for the ride, hop on and enjoy! Thanks for stopping by! ~Maggie