Standard Operating Procedures

My LIFE

I wish I could describe it to you......

but I don't even know if describing it would be 'enough'

Maybe I'm whining. Oh well. Believe me when I say I trust in the Lord. Oh I do.

I look back and see His sovereignty. I think 'He really knew what He was doing here'

I do have faith. I know my God will never leave me.....

See my life is just crazy. Seriously. And I'm not talking all the kids here. Everything else is nuts.

I always seem to encounter the craziest {rude} people, whether its at the kids' school or at Target.....even when I'm being super nice. I ALWAYS get the run around when making phone calls. I get told one thing on the phone, just to run across town and be told 'we don't do that.' I don't know why the many  other examples are fleeting my memory right now. But there are many. I usually try to find a silver lining! {And I have many successful trips out and about in our world----its not all horrible} I do wonder why, though. Let me tell ya, I've talked to God about this......

I tell ya one thing I DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT ask is 'What else could go wrong' I'm so terrified of that question, it kinda freaked me out typing it!!

Now your probably thinking.....'Um. Alisha, thats EVERYONE'S life.' Well, that may be.....BUT if I could list everything, you'd probably put me on your prayer list {which, I totally need, so go right ahead ;)}

And now I wonder why I even typed this. I've found in my life, because I'm so transparent, people judge me often.....SO DON'T!!! {He's still working on me, and none of us have arrived}

Today when I was leaving my parents house.....I was talking to my dad and I said "Dad, I'm tired of all this kind of crap that always happens" He assured me "its standard operating procedure"

Well, I don't know if that makes me feel any better......except to say that I do know, its life, my life. And He never gives me more than I can handle......

toooo bad He trusts me so much ;)

fourteen no more

This last year has been a pleasurable parenting year.....weird right? I mean I am speaking of a teenager and all......

But it has. Nani has matured so much this year, for the most part it has been pleasing.

Now of course there has been tears over the year. There has been arguments. A few disagreements. But it has also been a year of understanding, a year of acceptance, a year of growth, and great maturing. Honestly, I was scared. I thought for sure we couldn't live under the same roof during 6th and 7th grade. I was sure we'd end each other once and for all. Ari has had a very hard time with accepting how 'strict' we are. I've told her for years she'll thank us eventually for using the word NO more than she would like to hear it. And actually that thanks has come sooner than I thought it would. 

Nani is a joy. To be around her is to love her. She knows who she is and who she isn't.

She is brave. She doesn't quit. She has a tender heart and loves the Lord.

Nani loves life. She just does....always has. Shes adventurous, but a homebody. She likes to hang out w/ friends, but loves to be w/ family. We are blessed to call her daughter and to have her in our world. I love that she giggles at herself, and does the silliest things.....she's quick to say, that's just me!!! Shes braver than I, in most instances {shhh, don't tell her} and is not afraid to try things. {like cliff jumping when she was 8......EIGHT!!!}

Watching Nani grow up has been an adventure, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

This has been a year of change and growth and I am excited about the years to follow....

{8th grade graduation}

But it is so true, they do grow up so fast. I mean fast. And the baby you brought home from the hospital turns into a teenager, overnight.

I would say that transitioning from parenting a younger child to a teen isn't the easiest thing in the world. Its been a learning process, for sure. But that's all a part of the beauty of the journey.

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine

says she wants to look that way

But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake

And shes always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see

that beauty is within your heart

And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair

Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you

Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through

YOU were made to fill a purpose that only YOU can do

So there could never be a more beautiful you

{part of the lyrics to 'More Beautiful You' by Jonny Diaz}

{First day of 9th grade}



{being mamarazzi as she's walking up to high school.....what?}



{again w/ the adventure *sigh*}

fourteen no more......

You TWO are TWO

I think back on the pregnancy.

Trying to get pregnant (that was fun)

Telling people we were expecting another baby--not so fun

Finding out there were TWO--interesting

Being pregnant with TWO--hard & different

Getting ready to go into a must c-section--SO SCARY!!!

Having infant twins, especially newborn.....

talk about interesting.....

its like, you keep trying to tell yourself "I got this"

but really your fooling yourself

or is it trying to convince yourself, so that somehow you really will have it?

You look forward to when they turn ONE!!

Once they turn one, you wonder-did I really enjoy them being babies?

They're ONE

Everyone says it will get easier

It doesn't, just.....

different.

You go on your merry way

They go from babies to toddlers

You wish you can press a pause button.....

especially when they're running in opposite directions!!

Sometimes, you ask yourself----

how do I do this?

You don't really have an answer

except....'by the grace of God'

You get stopped by the twinarazzi everywhere you go

You continue to try and convince yourself you got this

They start walking, running, telling you NO

all the joys of toddlers

You sometimes surprise yourself at how much you do

'got this'

Then there are times your so grateful for a second set of hands and eyes

or cages :)

You wonder how you ever lived w/o them

You cry because your so overwhelmed

Then they bring a smile back to your face

a lot of smiles

did I mention they brought smiles to my face

and joy to my heart

seeing the world through the eyes of a child is exciting and fun

seeing it through the eyes of twin toddlers is incredible

the messes

the sharing

and more sharing :D

 watching their relationship develop over this year had been fascinating
its awesome to watch
they know each other, have their own language, look out for each other
they really are each others keeper

 and then the party.....fun fun fun!!
This has definitely been a trying, fun, exhausting, joyful, stressful, exciting year and I look forward to the 'TERRIFIC' TWOS!!!

You can do this too!!

So I was gonna do a note on facebook, but thought since I have been slacking on the blog lately, I'd do a blog......SO.....

I have heard many people say they wish they could coupon, or had the time, or wanted to learn how.....
Well, this week at RiteAid you could do something sooooo easy and get shampoo, conditioner or hairspray for FIFTY CENTS a bottle!!!!!! Unreal, right?! I know. But once you start to get things 'on the cheap' its kinda hard to ever pay full price!!

How?

Go to Rite Aid
Fill out the form for their wellness card (its free, its their 'rewards' card program)
Buy 2 bottles of finesse (you can get shampoo, conditioner, or hairspray)
Pay $6 plus tax.
At the bottom of your receipt a $5 up reward will print out.
Use that $5 up reward to buy 2 more bottles.
Pay $1 plus tax.
Another $5 up will print up on receipt.
Repeat one more time.
That will be 3 different transactions.

You will be out $8 plus tax. You will have 6 bottles of finesse. And you will leave the store w/ $5 up rewards to be used just like cash on anything in the store w/in 2wks. They actually will give you $5 back!! So for $3 you get SIX bottles of finesse. No coupons necessary. No clipping, no wasting (although, its not really wasting if you consider your savings an hourly wage) and its easy!!

If you don't use finesse products, consider doing this anyway and donating to a womens shelter, or a family in need.

Also, make sure you look on the expiration date on the $5 up reward and use it before it expires!!

One more thing......I <3 RiteAid!!

Wordless Wednesday

things you'd hear...........

if you were at our house as we scurry out the door

"Nobody trusts me!!" {insert crying}

"I don't have any clean socks."

"YOU DON'T HAVE ANY UNDERWEAR ON?"

"I only have 2 pair"

{so NOT true}

"I'm getting sick of {insert younger siblings name} using my stuff w/o asking!"

{that was in a whiny, cry}

"Turn off the lights upstairs."

"Turn off the lights downstairs."

"We have to go.....why don't you have your socks, shirt, shoes OR coat on?"

"Where are the babies hats?"

"Hurry, we gotta go!!"

"Come on, get in!!"

All of which were NOT said in an inside voice!!



couponing.......

Did you know that isn't a word yet? Well it should be. It probably will.....I mean if bootylicious is a word, couponing should definitely be a word, seriously.
Couponing is now what I do in my spare time. Its my work. Its how I save my family money, or buy the things I wouldn't normally be able to. I'm on the blogs, checking out the best deals and seeing what store is the best to go to!! I have a few favorite ones and this one is one I frequent. I love watching their youtube videos and love surfing their site!! Those gals are helpful in other areas. The have great ideas, links and recipes!!
I hope you go and check them out......you'll be glad you did {and you'll learn something, too ;)}