DOVE FAMILY

Yup thats right! There is one thing that is free out there....2011 printable calendar! Each year I usually go out and buy a calendar. But this year I was thinking of just going online and printing out something and using that for our family calendar. During my search I found this from Switheroom! Check it out and if you are interested, just leave a comment on her blog!

Thank you Switcherooom and the calendar is beautiful!

http://www.switcheroom.com/

Along with the hustle, bustle, excitement and goodies that we enjoy during the holidays comes some tough questions from little kids that we have to answer. This year, I was hit with a few questions that I just didn't know how to answer and somehow, some way, I answered them and just hoped it would be enough until my kids grew up and understood why life is the way it is. Unfortunately, I still don't have a lot of answers to life's tough questions either.

Dave & I both visit our father's at the cemetery. In the past the children never questioned why we were there or what we were doing. This year, after a visit to the cemetery, Matthew asked, "Mom, where is Lolo?" "How come we are visiting Pop-Pop here?" I explained that people die and it's OK. I had to tell him. I told him that when people die, they go up to heaven and be with Jesus and turn into Angels. I continued to explain to him, that Angels protect us and help us. That a cemetery is just a place we go to so we can pray for people we love and people who are now angels. Just like church.

Then one night during dinner, Matthew asked where Lolo & Pop-Pop are. I looked at his face and took a deep breath, waiting for an answer to come to me. I explained that they are with Jesus and they are now Guardian Angels. I continued to explain that Lolo & Pop-Pop watch over Matthew & Julia and protect them. He seemed pretty satisfied with that answer and smiled. Then he said that one day he wants to see them and have wings like his Lolo & Pop-Pop and maybe protect Julia.

These questions made me realize that as adults we tend to be cynical. But if we stop and really think about things that we explain to children it puts things in a much better perspective.

So for those of you who know me very well know that I LOVE to organize and organize some more. Pantry, closet, kitchen drawers, papers and more! Sometimes I over do it and start a project and realize that its going to take longer than expected, I get frustrated but in the end...it looks great!

One thing I do at the beginning of each year is organize my family binder. This binder includes everything from coupons, tax documents, charity donations throughout the year, benefits information, daycare information, important phone numbers and more. I currently have two separate binders- one for coupons/take out menus and another binder for important documents. For 2011, I decided to create one big binder to house everything so its easy for us to find everything! Also, if there are any emergencies, family members will know what to look for if they need important information! Here are some shots and the final creation! I just love doing these things!

The 2 binders that I currently use:

I used transfered everything into a 3 ring binder like this one. It has a clear pocket in the front and side. I also used color index tabs with pockets to store important information and clear protector sheets to store take out menus & coupons!

Color coded index tabs for the binder. I put benefits information, tax, prescription,
daycare and more in these tabs!

I created the binder spine & cover for the new binder! How cute is this?!

Clear Protector sheets that I used for take out menus & coupons

The final product!

Yes...another year has come and gone. Welcome 2011 and Happy New Year! Our New Year's Eve was very nice. We had spur of the moment celebration dinner at my mom's house- all the kids were crazy as usual, running around, playing with their new Christmas toys and eating chocolate. Later that evening once the kids were in bed, Dave & I watched a movie and enjoyed a quiet night at home to ring in the New Year.

I don't make resolutions, I never have, really. I don't come up with a promise to lose weight or spend less money. I don't join a gym in January and then stop going in May. I don't write out a list of things that I want to be or do for the year. The only things I do each New Year is promise myself to continue to be ME, continue to be the best mom & wife I can be and continue to do the best I can with any issues that may come up through out the year. Most importantly, I am thankful each year and everyday for what I have, what God has given me and for my family.

Christmas was extra special this year because Matthew & Julia really "believed" and everything was so magical to them. From all the holiday movies such as "Elf", "Polar Express" and "The Santa Clause" to the lights, decorations and the christmas songs they learned at daycare. They counted down til the night before Christmas, planned and set up the fireplace for Santa's arrival and told everyone....EVERYONE what they wanted for Christmas. This year, the big request was a Nintendo DSi for Matthew & a Cinderella for Julia.

Christmas Eve started off early with all of us making batches of cookies, brownies, rudolph's belly buttons and lemon bars. We then celaned up our sticky hands and put on our nice clothes for Children's Mass. Matthew & Julia loved that our church was decorated with trees, lights and of course the nativity scene. The part they loved the most was watching the children process into the church and listening to them sing songs. After church, we headed to my mom's house for our Christmas Eve dinner. All of the kids were WOUND up from all the cookies and the excitment of the arrival of Santa.

Christmas morning was so special....Matthew & Julia went downstairs to find presents under the tree, presents in their stocking & the cookies, brownies, sweet tea & applesauce (per Julia's request)were all eaten by Santa! They tore into their gifts and the biggest surprise was of Matthew receiving his Nintendo DSi. Julia was very excited about her gifts as well but she was more excited about unwrapping everything! Our Christmas day was spent with my family for brunch and Dave's mom, sister & brother in law for dinner.

Christmas 2010 was wonderful and no matter the holiday, event or day-- we always enjoy being with family. We continue to miss my dad & Dave's dad. Special days like these are always fun, but bitter sweet because we miss our dads, miss celebrating this holiday with them. I just know they continue to look down on us, laugh at all of our funny moments and are guardian angels to Matthew & Julia.




My favorite pircture! My baby brother Abe, Mommy,
big sister Maria & ME!


















Mom with ehr new wok! Yippee-- more pansit & egg rolls for us!



















Boys & their Toys-- Uncle Aaron with his new Nerf Gun!



















All of these presents! What should a Princess do with all of them?!


















Alex tearing open his gifts.....with Amaya & Matthew watching to see
what exciting toy it could possibly be!


















Bopsy Twins! Ovechikin Twins!

















Hey Uncle Abe-- check out my airplanes!


















Ovechikin Twins with Princess Julia
























Another set of Bopsy Twisn with their matching purses!!
Grammy & Lola with super cute purses!