Goals for 2012

My "resolutions" aren't going to be anything stressful, but I really want to set up some goals for myself that will lead to a better life for my family and myself. A lot of these ideas pertain to healthy eating and a self reliant lifestyle.

Our Family 2012 Goals: (images from Google Image search)

1. Make all our cleaning products. (Minus laundry detergent, I have a new HE washer)
This is SO easy, and I wish I had done this sooner.
I will need: 3 spray bottles, vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. I'll also occasionally add lemon for a fresh scent, but I have heard the lavender tea tree oil is amazing. I'll be making an all purpose cleaner, homemade Windex, and a sort of homemade Softscrub. I'll have the kitchen and the bathrooms covered. I plant to mop with very hot water and a drop or two of the tea tree oil.

2. Obtain our own chickens-thus, fresh, organic, and FREE eggs. I'm kind of nervous about this, but this is Shane's project. Plus, I figure I can send the kids out to get the eggs. That would be a fun chore for them. I just need to figure out who is going to clean the chicken coop. I only buy organic eggs now, and they are kind of pricey.

3. Have a garden this spring. I have no clue if my thumb is green, but I want to grow easy vegetables for our first go around. I'm thinking peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes...

4. Eliminate fried foods.I rarely eat fried food, but when I eat anything breaded or fried, I always think I want it, and I feel sick afterwards. I never prepare anything fried or breaded, so this really will go hand and hand with eating out less and cooking more. We already eliminated all meat in May, and have since returned to eating chicken and turkey.

5. Use less than one roll of paper towels a week. We get a little grabby when the paper towels come out. I have an old towel that I just cut up into a ton of dish rags. Not the cutest thing to look at, but they are going in a basket near the sink, and we need to stay away from the wasteful paper towels!

Personal Goals:

1. Give yoga a shot.
2. Drink more water.
3. Stay home more, drive less.
4. Visit the park at LEAST bi-weekly.
5. Walk three mornings a week.
6. Will myself to have more patience with my children.
7. Read more.

I think 2012 will be a great year to focus on the health of our family and find a really great place where we feel balanced, secure, and refreshed. We already spend so much time together, but I feel like its important that we get "back to the basics" so to speak. In these crazy times, one of the most important things you can do is take care of your self and your family and not rely on anyone else.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We had a fun filled and slightly relaxing Christmas weekend. Christmas Eve, we got up and baked cinnamon rolls. Then Shane and I were in the kitchen for hours. We made a huge mess. The whole Mahaffey family was planning to bring appetizers to Shane's uncle's house for Christmas Eve. For Christmas Eve "dinner", Shane made homemade jalapeno poppers, and I made a hot crab and artichoke dip.

After we finished destroying the kitchen, we went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at church. We were supposed to work the nursery in the second service, but the only baby there was Parker, so we headed home and started our Christmas Eve party early. The kids exchanged presents with Shane's cousins, and we all ate way too many yummy treats.

Once we got home, I was super tired and headed straight for bed. Poor Shane procrastinated setting up some of Parker's toys, so he unfortunately was up until one am. The next morning, the kids were up by 7. They were so happy and excited. Shane needed coffee!

Lily got her first American Girl Doll, an art easel, a razor scooter, and other goodies. Parker got a Cozy Coupe, a basketball goal, a tent, and some other fun things. Both kids got some clothes and pjs.

Christmas Day, we spent time at various houses of Shane's family members. We were so full and so tired, but it was a great day. We're celebrating a very late Christmas with my mom tomorrow. My kids are beyond spoiled rotten.

Julianna Grey Photos Christmas 2011

I think the post title speaks for itself. Find Julianna Grey Photography on Facebook. She's wonderful!

Baby's First Haircut

Sadly, Parker's shaggy blonde hair had to finally get cut. His mullet is now gone, and so are the last of his baby curls. He looks like a little man now. I kept it long in the front though, so he'll probably need a haircut in like a month.

Funny story, he sat still as a statue. He was SO good. It was hilarious. I think he was scared. Besides not blogging, I haven't pulled out my real camera, so all of my pictures are Iphone quality.

Before:

During:

After:

Shane's Superior Christmas Party

This was our fourth Superior Christmas Party. This year, we brought Shane's cousin Faith and brother Chase, and Lily and them had the funnest time ever. Parker enjoyed it much more than he did last year as well. There was bowling, laser tag, lots of games, a whole kids buffet room, Santa, cookie decorating, and most importantly, Bobby Cox was there (well, most importantly to Shane and Chase.) They were all starstruck (Lily and Faith could care less). We had a blast!

Shane's company does a gigantic White Elephant gift exchange for the whole company. This year, I think we got the BEST present ever. I know I'm in love.

My Favorite Flower Girl Pictures

I haven't had a laptop in over a month, and thus, I haven't blogged in forever. Anyways, I'm back with lots of updates, so bear with me!

Here are some of my favorite shots from Aja's wedding, back in October. Lily is seriously so beautiful! And spunky...I love her. Enjoy the picture overload, I know I did!