Is this Winter or Spring??

I surely am NOT complaining, and definitely don't want to put the jinx on this one, but I thought we lived in a place with FOUR season?!  Instead, we have been SO lucky to get three seasons this year, and the 4th one being replaced by my personal favorite one - SPRING!  I swear I could count on my hands the amount of times I have needed to wear ANY sort of coat/ fleece jacket this Winter (except when we were in Colorado!), and I am TOTALLY fine with it.  It has been sunny and cool but definitely not cold for most of the Winter!  I will take it! You would think we were back in Arizona!

One of my Hanukkah presents was a box of golf balls, which Evan told me would also equal a set of golf clubs once I figured out if I was going to be a leftie or rightie player.  When we were in Arizona, thanks to Dick and Betti, I got a golf lesson (on probably the coldest day of the year in Arizona!!) and he taught me a few great basics, determined I was definitely a leftie, and gave me an A+ on my lesson! :)  Let's hope I hold up to that once I hit a course. Today, Evan and I went and picked out my golf clubs - I am so excited to get them and then start using them!! It has been and continues to be the perfect weather! Of course I am taller than the "average" woman so they are having to add a little length to my "leftie" clubs, but they are beautiful and I can't wait to use them.  I already have a husband and close friend that are ready to hit the driving range once I have them in my possession! If the weather keeps it up like this, its going to be a long fabulous Spring for practicing and playing golf and perfecting my game! :) 
I am so excited to finally have a GIRL to paint letters for, I am hoping to start on them tomorrow and have a finished product quickly, so the sweet baby girl can have them hanging on her wall soon! Our "no plans until Passover" has quickly filled up with fun things to keep us busy, so I have a good amount on my "to do" list, but if you know me at all, you know I love being busy busy! Here's to a continued Spring-like Winter!

New Plans - let's make this a fun, family filled weekend!!

This weekend was a fun whirlwind.  As I already mentioned, David and Carly got engaged on Thursday evening.  We had had no plans for this past weekend but to relax and do a few things around the house.  With open arms, our plans changed, as Aunt Toby, Uncle Bert, and Abby all came in town to celebrate with David and Carly.  On Saturday David and Carly both had to work the first half of the day, so Aunt Toby, Uncle Bert, and Abby came over to our house for the first time and to see Bella.  We then went to lunch, then headed down to the aquarium where we met up with David and Carly!  We had a fun time at the aquarium and even had a little education in our adventure there. When we were leaving one section of the aquarium to go to another, I was at the back of the pack as we trampled through the crowds of people, as I was walking behind everyone else, I noticed a familiar face, coming straight towards me, I jumped in front of the stroller as to stop this cute little girl's daddy from pushing the stroller any further.....

Her daddy and I grew up together and our parents are best friends - this is Jani and Ronnie's sweet granddaughter Elizabeth!! Adam (her dad) was a little confused right at first but then realized who it was, was excited to see it wasn't just another crazy Atlantan getting in his way :)  I then called the crowd to stop and everyone was excited to see everyone, which is a rarity these days, although we all know each other...

The group photo before we headed back in our own directions! Next time I won't bend over so awkwardly, it clearly was not flattering with the vest on, but it still was a cute picture regardless of a random, fun crowd!

Sunday morning before Abby left town in the afternoon, David, Carly, Abby, Evan and I went to brunch by our house, and then they came over to play with Bella before taking Abby to the airport..

I am not sure if Abby is giving Bella the, "can you please leave me alone" look or the "let's have a little heart to heart, just you and me" look.. :)

After a few crazy laps in the yard, Bella had to stop and catch her breath, I think she thought none of us would come chase her through the monkey grass!

Bella is thinking, OK guys, I'm done running around crazy now, I think its about time the three of you get over here and give me some love -- Carly. Abby, and David didn't seem to mind :)

Best buds ... they even are both good at posing for the camera AND sharing the big bean bag, although probably each of them, would have also been ok with having it to themselves!

Bella decided to plop right on top of David. when David tried to share the seat - Abby seemed to be fine with it and maybe even encourage it lol!

It was an unexpectedly busy and fun weekend! It's always a treat to get to see Abby, especially when we weren't expecting it and she kept it such a good secret from me for a whole week!! Come back and play again soon Abby, and yes, we will make it to New York soon, I promise!! XOXO

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The Mutchnick Family keeps growing!

January has been a big month this year for the Mutchnick cousins/family!  The first week of January my cousin Dana had a baby GIRLLLLL!!  Everyone was completely shocked, as she had already had three boys, but I am sure all will agree, a good dose of pink and this sweet little girl is exactly what Dana and Nathan and their family needed!!!  What a blessing!  I can't wait to hold and snuggle that sweet baby girl.  For those that remember Jay from the wedding (he was the ring bearer), it is his little sister - from the pictures I have seen she seems to look just like him - what a beautiful girl she will be!  I am sure both William and Jay will make amazing big brothers to Miss Alice Rose.

 On top of the fun addition in the baby form, last night (Thursday night) my cousin David got engaged - as my dad and brother BLUNTLY told him, and I said in not so many words -ITS ABOUT TIME!! :)  We are so excited for David and Carly - they have been dating for many years, and there have been so many times we have wondered if they were going somewhere because he was going to propose, or things like that, but David completely surprised us all when he called last night to tell us they were getting married! Mazel Tov, David and Carly, we are so excited for y'all!

Here is David, Carly, Evan, and I on our wedding weekend...

 His sister Abby flew in this evening to spend the weekend in Atlanta to celebrate, and we look forward to the additional special treat of getting to see her!  It will be fun to be in the same city as David and Carly as they get ready for their Big Day.  Now I know that some day (G-D willing) my future kids will have cousins in the same city! When I was home sick the first half of the week Abby and I g-chatted most of the day while she was at work and she did a great job of keeping me entertained since I was bound to my house!  She even went as far as saying we need to find a time to see each other, because its already been too long and we have no future plans yet-  SURPRISE we will get to see her tomorrow- the joke was on me the whole time, she knew she was coming since Tuesday!  I love when the wedding schedule fills up - that makes two cousins engaged - family weddings are the best! :) Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!

A stomach bug that is good for the diet!

Since Monday morning at about 5am I have been a bit under the weather.  I actually think I got food poisoning on Sunday night, and thinking about the food we ate just makes me feel sick.  Good news is, I am feeling a whole lot better, but it had me on a propel, water, applesauce, and jello diet Monday and half of Tuesday.  Now I feel like I am getting a head cold / bug, but I will survive, and take some meds and fight through it.  Maybe I don't have the immune system of a mom yet, even though I don't think it is related to being with the girlies last week anyway, but regardless, every precious minute playing and being with them was well worth it!  PS- did I mention Maggie and I had a "sleepover" on Friday night.  When we expected Friday night to be their last night here, Maggie and I had planned on having a sleepover together on the "last night" -  she asked Uncle Evan and he kindly agreed, so Maggs slept in my bed with me. The next morning we ended up waking up before our alarm was set for, so we laid in bed, snuggled, and watched a cartoon and a half before going downstairs and to get ready - those are memories and moments that can NEVER be replaced, and I am so happy that we got to share! Since Maggie told us while she was here that she remembers the day she was born :) maybe she will also get to remember these special memories that I surely will hold on to! I clearly have digressed, based on the title of the blog and the first part of it, so I will now go on to what this post was actually about.... after two weeks on the diet, I have already surpassed 5% mark on my weight loss (I have lost over 5% of what I did when I started)!!  My first week was huge (as it usually is) and I have to believe that the stomach bug helped with the second week. I know its not the right way to do it, but down is down in my book, and as long as I can keep off that which I have lost and keep it up, I am headed in the right direction!!  The "number" is not my goal, a size / certain pair of jeans are my goal :)  but the "number" and 5% most definitely are helping in my motivation. Or maybe it is holding myself accountable on the blog -- we shall see! Hope you are all having a good week! I have step stools and baby letters to get to painting, so hopefully I am feeling back on my feet tomorrow, so I can get those cranked out! Happy Wednesday!

Did you make that up?? No, I just taught myself!

This past week and weekend Evan and I realized just how much we can learn from a 3.5 year old. I'm pretty sure Evan will now be using this line all the time - Maggie had said something, Julie said "did you just make that up" and Maggie without skipping a beat said "no, I just taught myself"- we had such a fun week with Julie and the girls here!! We of course missed Arnie, but maybe he will be able to come next time- Maggie wants to come back when the pool is open, an of course we would love that too!!

We had such a fun time with the girls here!! We got lots of girls time when Evan was at work.  Thursday we went to the Children's Museum, and Maggie got to "drive" a John Deere...

Operate a forklift...

Drive the truck once everything was loaded with the forklift..

Gracie got to play with the plastic balls that were everywhere!

Team Effort..

Some painting on the wall...

Do a little tap dancing...

And of all people, Maggie from Nebraska was scared to "milk the cow" :) 

But don't worry, this Nebraska girl, still loves her corn :)

After a long day at the museum, Miss Maggie needed a "rest" so she took one in Evan's and my bed.... she apparently decided to hold on tightly to Evan's pillow over the big soft pillow she brought from the other room! too cute!!

Uncle Evan and Maggie waiting for our table at dinner!

Our evenings looked a lot like this...

A little sass and gymnastics on the giant bean bag!

Serious sass at PJ time - especially with the shirt tucked in!

Some playing with Uncle Evan...

Some kisses for Uncle Evan...

On Friday we went to a few stores that are not in Nebraska ... Maggie posing with her Hello Kitty umbrella and the hat/ hairpiece her mom put on her!

Grace is such a good shopper and happy girl too!

Then we went home and played with the new umbrella..

Maggie said Uncle Evan could not use her umbrella because his head would not fit -- then it was time to test it when we got home! :)

Maggie then said the umbrella was like a giant dreidel, and wanted to see what kind of dreidel spinning skills he had!

Maggie and Uncle Evan got lots of Monopoly time in!

Everyone liked Bella's bed and toys!

Gracie spent a great deal of time proving that she is days away from standing up on her own, then off she will be!!!  I'm guessing it will happen in the next day or two, since she rolled over the day after I left last time!

Some cuddle time with Uncle Evan before dinner!

Some help from Bella...

Let's play wii you guys!!!

Gracie then was wondering how Bella went through that doggy door...

So then she tried for herself! Apparently she takes after Aunt Diane with that one!

Leaving dinner.. she sure is a happy girl for someone that wasn't feeling so great!!

A chat with Bella..

Play time with Miss Gracie - she loves saying yayyyy as she claps, mama, dada, and uh oh - I'd say she has the bare necessities down!!

Truly acting like sisters, as Bella looks on :)

Maggie and Gracie are so very lucky to have such a trooper of a mom - they were schedule to leave Atlanta on Saturday, but their flight got cancelled and they were stranded in Atlanta with no luggage for the night!! I hope some day I can be as strong and upbeat of a mom as Julie is to Gracie and Maggie - It was not easy with two kids, I have no doubt, but she took it so well!  When we heard the flight was cancelled, we got in the car and headed to the airport as we knew they were either here for another night or not leaving until later that evening.  I have to admit, selfishly, we were a little excited to spend one more night with them!

Uncle Evan and Maggie got some more Monopoly in...

Julie brought Maggie a "prize" of a new toy for being so good at the airport when she made her Target run to get the bare necessities to get them through the night, as diapers and formula were already packed, and Delta wouldn't give them their bag back!  (don't even ask Maggie how she feels about it, she was not happy her umbrella was not given back for the night, afterall they couldnt take off because it was raining so much!)

I think this is Gracie saying "oh man, what have we gotten ourselves back into!"

We absolutely loved all the quality time we got to spend with Julie, Maggie, and Gracie.  It's moments like this you can't turn back time and revisit, and we definitely made the most of it! Next time we see them, Gracie will have JUST turned one, and we look forward to seeing all the new tricks she has up her sleeve by then, and all the new one liners, Evan can use from Maggie!

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My New Year's Resolution, with a bit of a Hebrew/Judaic lesson mixed in!

While I still reflect back on what an amazing year 2011 was, I have still been searching deep for a "resolution" for 2012. While some are personal and not blog worthy, there are two big ones that I have committed to that I think are worth sharing. I feel that possibly if I record them and share them, I will hold myself that much more accountable to them.

The first is probably the same as many others, but my goal is to get more in shape, and lose weight - I will possibly share the progress with you once it starts happening, but I feel that maybe while it may be TMI, by my putting it out there, I will hold myself even more accountable to this resolution if I am sharing it with my friends and family. I have one friend from Mobile that shares the ups and downs of her weight loss/gain roller coaster on a regular basis, and while I find it inspirational, that is not what I have set my blog out to be, my blog is to document our lives, and so that one day I can look back on it and reminisce. While I am sure there are hundreds of thousands of other people out there with this same resolution. I hope to beat the statistics of those that meet that resolution and get in the shape and to the size I want to be at!

My other main resolutions of the year is to give back more. Both physically with my time, as well as monetarily, but in a more decisive and strategic way. It's always easy to wait until someone is raising money for something to decide to give to that organization, etc, but being more proactive and strategic about it is one of my goals. I was raised in a home and among family that has always given tzedekah and instilled in me the importance of giving tzedekah. I can remember like it was yesterday lighting the Shabbat candles and putting tzedekah in the tzedekah box. We were given a beautiful sterling silver tzedekah for our wedding. Evan and I hope to start lighting the Shabbos candles and starting family rituals of our own before we bring kids into our family as to ensure it is a natural and habitual thing we are already doing and not forcing upon ourselves once we have children. Perhaps a tzedekah box is not the easiest way to give tzedekah as many organizations now take donations online, etc, but it will hopefully become a ritual that will teach our future kids the meaning and importance of tzedekah.

Besides holding myself accountable to this resolution, I will also use it as a time to educate ALL of the readers.  A little Hebrew lesson never hurt anyone, right?! :)  For those that are not Jewish and reading my blog, you may find this very informative. For those that are Jewish, you may also find it very informative. I admittedly did some reading and brushing up on the meanings and definitions of a few Hebrew terms I have always grown up knowing. The terms are"mitzvah" or "mitzvot" (plural of mitzvah) and "tzedekah".

Tzedekah is a Hebrew word, which in English has come to translate to the act of "charity". What many don't know is that the word tzedekah is actually derived from the Hebrew roots which when literally translated mean righteousness and fairness. In Judaism. giving to the poor is not viewed as being generous, it is viewed as the performance of a duty, it is an act of justice, a religious obligation. We are obligated to perform charitable acts, philanthropic acts, help someone out who is in need, and in doing these things we are performing a mitzvah, the plural being mitzvot. Mitzvot in modern day have come to be considered good deeds, or acts of human kindness ("chesed" in Hebrew), however the true translation is a "commandment". Mitzvot are moral deeds that we perform as religious duties.

In my reading and brushing up to ensure I explained it fairly, I found it was stressed in many different places that the main reason for tzedekah as mentioned in the Torah is that G-D wants people to become accustomed to the trait of kindness. When we become accustomed to it and are used to being merciful and compassionate we become more worthy of G-D's blessings. It is also believed that the meaning from the Torah teaches us that if we show mercy to those less fortunate than ourselves, then G-D will have mercy on us in turn.

Now I have given you my Hebrew / Judaic lesson of the day, or possibly, week, month, or year! :)  That being said, my main resolution is to give back, and perform my DUTY as a Jew to give tzedekah. This can be done in many ways, and is not to be given only to Jewish organizations. Jewish organizations of course can be included but need not to be the sole beneficiaries. I already am on the host committee of two fundraisers in February, and look forward to becoming increasingly involved in numerous non-profit organizations both in the Jewish community and beyond.

We plan on being more strategic in or charitable monetary giving, and ensuring the organizations that mean the most to us and are most definitely in NEED get donations this year, and not only responding to requests and pleas for monetary donations. While I am sure the requests and pleas are genuine and needed, I want to step outside the box and ensure organizations that may even be in more need are receiving both monetary and physical tzedekah as well.

In 2011 I started one new business and am in the process of another. I hope to eventually be able to give a certain / set amount of my proceeds to different organizations.  Whether it be one specific, several different, or even changing them up as I go.  This is something I hope to do once I am fully up and running! 

That being said, here is to a fantastic 2012, filled with much love, laughter, happiness, family, friends, and tzedekah!!

xoxo

Is This What Our Saturday Nights Have Turned Into?!

Tonight Evan and I went out to dinner.  We were done with dinner and heading home at about 9pm and we both decided it was a little early to go home, but we didn't have any exciting plans, so we ran to Target. As we had imagined, Saturday night is actually the best time to go, besides a few rowdy teenagers, I swear the store was practically empty and they dont even close until 11!  I had asked Julie to please send me a list of things that I can get for her instead of her having to haul it along with two kids this week when they come to visit.  I have to say, not only were we happy to go ahead and get the things that Gracie will need (Maggie got a few things too, whether they were on list or not :) ! ) but we also learned alot! 

Evan seemed quite perplexed in the diaper aisle  :)

I have to admit, I have talked to friends before, and they have said things like, I never even knew how to change a diaper before I had my first child, etc., but I like to think of myself as a bit educated in the land of babies / children.  When I was in high school I used to babysit young kids / babies and I have many cousins as well as friends with young children.  I thought I was pretty educated until i got to the diaper aisle - HOLY COW, how many different kinds and shpaes and styles (all on top of sizes) of diapers could they possibly have?!  I clearly have more to learn! :)

Bella is getting pretty darn excited for Maggie to arrive - something tells me Maggie will be more than happy to get Bella a string cheese when she has one for herself!  I almost lost two fingers tonight giving bella a piece of cheese!

And well of course she had to lick her chops after!

Good news is, Bella seems fully back to her playful and loveable self!  I think she is ready for visitors to come this week as much as I am!! :)

Word on the street is, Maggie is "excited to go to atlanta to see Bella"  - no mention of me or Evan, but that's ok, we will take it, we are excited to see all three of them, and of course will miss Arnie, but we will get plenty of girl time during the days while Evan is at work! :)

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Another National Championship and a sick puppy, but Maggie will be here soon! :)

In case you haven't heard yet, Alabama won the National Championship AGAINNNNNNNN!!!!!  ROLL TIDE ROLLLLL!!!  We got back from Colorado on Sunday evening and picked up Miss Bella and she got sick Sunday night and was a bit lethargic Monday but we called the vet and they said it could be anxiety/stress from her change in environments, but regardless, called for a sleepless night on Sunday night for Evan, myself, and Bella!! While we ate dinner, Bella decided to cuddle with Big Al  and I think she also maybe gave him a pep talk before the big game - whatever she said worked, and worked well, because we shutout LSWHO!

Poor baby not feeling well, but still curled up with Big Al before the big game....

While sparing you the details, Bella got sick yet again, but in a different way at about the end of the 1st quarter -- Nathan said she probably ate an LSU fan and it made her sick, I'm thinking all the "honey badger" talk made her want to "gag" but regardless, the increased illness caused alarm with us, and we spent yesterday morning at Dr B's office. Dr B is AMAZINGGGGG!! She had liked a picture I had put up of Bella on Faccebook saying she was feeling better and rooting for Alabama, but that was before Bella got sick again.  After Bella got sick again, I commented on it saying that unfortunately she seems to be getting worse, and we will see either her or someone in her practice in the morning.  I knew Tuesday is "surgery day" for Dr B and she typically only take surgery patients on Tuesdays, so I expected to be asked to see someone else in the office, well to my surprise, I woke up to a message from Dr B saying that she has already notified the front desk and to bring Bella in as soon as possible/ when is convenient for us and they already know up front that Dr B will be working Bella in - now THAT is dedication!!

Dr B agreed with the symptoms she was having and the lack of fever, running further tests was not necessary at this time, that Bella most likely picked up a "bug" at camp and gave her a shot, some medicine to make her tummy better, and sent us home with some more medicine to give her for a few days! We truly are so lucky to always know we can count on Dr B to not only make Bella feel better, but give us the special treatment and TLC that always eases our minds and heals Bella!

Anyway, back to that GAME I had mentioned. it looked a lot like this in essence....

After the game was over, Evan excitedly went upstairs and told me to check the top left hand kitchen desk drawer - I had no clue what he was talking about so he started rummaging through the drawer, I then found out that when he was in Vegas for his Bachelor Party in April (before football season even started), he had bet on Nebraska winning the BCS Championship and had bet "for me" that Alabama won, well the good news is one was correct!!!! :)  His 20 dollars turned into 110 and should be arriving soon, as I followed the instructions and sent it back in for him this morning! With the Tuscaloosa spirits being a bit down over the past year with the Tornado that ripped through town destroying a great deal of it and killing several people, this win was exactly the boost they needed!  The Tuscaloosa newspaper looked like this yesterday morning....

The good news is, Bella Boo seems to be on the mend today, and seems to be feeling significantly better, I think the medicine is helping (thank goodness!)  I have told her she needs to hurry and get all better, because next week will be filled with HUGE amounts of excitement and energy as her Aunt Julie, Maggie and Gracie will be coming to spend several days with us!!  We are so excited we can hardly handle it, and Bella promises to be all better in the next day or so, so she can rest up for Maggie's arrival! :)

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