Sephora Love

This darn store - I swear every month I spend at least $50!  Online sephora is waaaayyy better than going to the store.  First, its free shipping (if you spend $50) which hello is so easy to do.  Next they have weekly specials, which is usually like a really big sample of something nice.  Then the 3 free samples you get to try and you can cash in your beauty insider points and it arrives in 2 days!

So what did I buy this month?

I got a sample of this Almond melting cream from L'Occitane and fell in love.  I am obsessed with almond smelling everything and Philosophy discontinued my fave.  I had to have it!

I can't get enough of the beauty blender to apply my makeup.  I was using a cheap generic version before and since I got the real one - wow!  So much better, sometimes you do get what you pay for.  This cute little set comes with a beauty blender, an adorable highlighter duo and a blotterazzi which I have been wanting to try!  It is supposed to take the place of blotting papers which for me is a must in the summer.  

I am so excited for Christmas.  I have a few more things arriving today and tomorrow that will need to be wrapped but I am ready.  Last stop at the bakery for goodies on Christmas Eve and a small wegmans run - then some preparing and we are set.  Christmas brunch this year we are having oven baked German pancakes with strawberry compote and a tater tot/egg/bacon casserole along with an almond ring, ricotta log, placzak bread and mimosas.   Mmmmm!

What's in your carousel?

Keurig carousel that is!  I was cleaning the kitchen and putting away groceries and realized our keurig represents all the people we love that come to our house.  And I actually like filling it too.  It reminds me that everyone has been here and getting their coffee fix and who doesn't love a cup of that!  Because seriously....

Plus when it's all full it makes me feel all accomplished!  Here's our little coffee nook:

Anyway, Papa likes his plain ole' Folger's with a touch of cream, my dad likes Dunkin Donuts, Steve and I both need our Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea, my sister likes Donut House Decaf, I drink the Donut Shop sweet n creamy regular, Swiss Miss Hot chocolate for the kids (and us) and some McDonald's coffee in case my dad wants to switch it up!  I can tell what kind of a day Papa had with kids by how many k-cups are missing.  Well there you have it - stop over for a cup :)

A Third?

Some of you may be sitting there thinking should we have a third child?  Well for us - We didn't give it much thought.  We were in baby bliss, heck I was breastfeeding! and we were all over joyed because it was Christmas time.  So...along came Reid.  I just knew he would be a boy, our 3rd boy and I loved every second of it.  I knew he would be my last pregnancy so I soaked it up.

But I'm going to be honest.  Sometimes having a third is hard.  The jump from 2 to 3 can feel like a lot!  I find myself saying 3 kids is like 30.  But then again our last 2 were back to back.  We are definitely outnumbered and we know it :)

I'm a nurse and spend a lot of my time educating my patients - about post-op instructions, their disease, how to take care of their drain, etc.  And then are times your patient teaches you - and those are the moments I love.  I was pregnant with my second child and this male patient told me he wished he had more children, they had 3 wanted 4 and stopped.  Stopped because it was too hectic and expensive and he really regretted it.  He said "people never wish they could give a child back, but they sure do spend time wishing they had another."  So I guess there is your answer: Go for it !

Truth is the cost of the third child you don't even feel initially.  We had all the "stuff" and I breastfed anyway.  And since we had another boy - you get the point.  But there will come a time you "feel it". doing things as a family of 5 gets pricey quick.  The last time we went bowling it cost $55 and we only bowled 2 games and it lasted an hour and a half.  5 movie tickets and food - $85.  And then there's traveling.  Most rooms at hotels aren't big enough for 5 or they won't let you put 5 in a room so most often we get a suite or a nicer hotel all together.  Which I will just go ahead and admit - I LOVE!  Being a hotel snob this really works out for me.  Bigger, nicer room and my husband can't complain we had to upgrade?  Yes Please!  Oh I will just go ahead and say it - that 5th plane ticket - hurts.

But I wouldn't trade my third for anything in this world!!  He made our family complete.  And knowing he's the youngest and our last, when he climbs into our bed in the middle of the night all you can do is smile. I start off my prayers every night with "Thank you times 3"

And would you just Look at that little face <3

Tis the Season

I love this time of year!  But can we get a little snow over here :)

I'm busier than usual but in a good way.  And errands are better when there is Christmas music playing right?  We got our tree :)  Family pictures are done!  Still need to wrap presents and purchase a few more presents for parents and the husband.  Steve finishes school Dec. 12th and then I will really be in an exceptional Festive mood. He hasn't been home every day after work since August!!  We will be finalizing our Spring vacation after his final exam.  It basically has to involve Mickey if you ask my three children.  So either a cruise or the parks.

I organized a work Cookie Exchange and Friday is the day.  I kept the sign-up to 9 people and everyone brings a dozen cookie for every person on the list.  People signed up with their "cookie" so we didn't have duplicates.  I opened it up to include a goodie, some people couldn't decide on a cookie.  I made White Trash for everyone with Holiday M & M's.  This stuff is like Crack-Cocaine!  I have my 8 dozen containers all ready to go. Can't wait to see the variety of goodies I get back.  And then I will probably make cut-outs with the kiddos.  I give some to our favorite neighbor and send some in with hubby to work for the "guys".  They usually aren't too pretty for anyone else!

My mom got me hooked on Ibotta.  Haha like I need another app in addition to Cartwheel - I am addicted.  But I guess being addicted to saving money isn't a bad thing right?  It is so fun and I am saving money on groceries in addition to my coupons.  Buying orange juice? - save 50 cents.  Literally, it feels like some weeks that's all I do is buy groceries for these boys so this app is right up my alley.  I just started and I already "earned" a $20 gift card to Brady's fave place - Olive Garden.

I wanted to include an update on my dad and say that I am truly grateful and appreciative of everyone who reached out to us and prayed for him.  He completed Cardiac Rehab but unfortunately his ejection fraction didn't improve.  He is now in need of an ICD because of the high risk of developing an arrythmia.  Another hurdle he has to go through but he's here and our Holidays will be special.  I'm trying not to get too down about it and hopefully it will never "fire".  We are lucky to have the GVI downtown and he is in great hands.  Thank you again for your prayers!