2014 Roundup ... A Little Late

Once again I am late on these type post but as I am enjoying the peace in my house if only for a moment I thought I would do my 2014 Roundup!

2014 has been full of ups, downs, twists, and turns. I am not sure where to start so the easiest way I thought about going at this was hitting 12 highlights/moments of the year. These are not going to be in any sort of order just things that I wold like to share.

Me: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So lets get started with my 2014 Roundup...

1. My husband has had an interesting year for sure. Back in 2004 he actually tumbled/fall down a mountain Afghanistan on a deployment and screwed up his knee. However, like most Marines he kept on pushing, fighting, band-aiding his knee, and the straw finally broke the camel's back. So it was decided that he would have cartilage replaced in his knee. He went through the surgery like a champ and the recovery was interesting. It was decided that we would take him down to my parents upon his command approval so my family could help me with the kids and of course him. However, that had a twist in it. While we were at my parents' house my dad's cat bit him on his hand and it did not look so good I took him to the ER because he was being stubborn. Well come to find out it became infected and he ended up in the hospital. So when he got home we had two grown men to take care of! I must give a huge shout to my sister-in-law Shelly who stepped upped and helped play nurse to those "big babies"!!!! They are both doing well and back up to no good.

Christopher: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

2. Caydance turned 1 in August! She puts us through our paces, fearless, tom-boy, princess, and so smart!! She loves her big brother so much and loves to annoy him as well. I could not be happier with the little girl she is becoming. Health wise she has been staying on the small size and has not been wanting to gain weight like she should. It is sometimes so odd to have such a tiny child when we are all taller but then I realize I am actually the odd one in the females in my family most of them are short! So maybe she is just taking after them but until then she is just monitored.

Caydance's 1st Birthday: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

3. I closed down my small craft business Gifts By Vaughn and it is okay it was one of the best things I could have done. I lost the will to create and be me when it came to my crafts and crafting. When I closed Gifts By Vaughn I became free again.

Image Found On Google Free Images 

Image Found On Google Free Images 

4. My husband I celebrated 10 years of marriage actually on the last day of the year! Had an amazing date at the Melting Pot.

Christopher and I on our Wedding Day: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

5. We have adopted a more frugal lifestyle. It has been a learning process and it has not been perfect! In 2014 we still have made mistakes but have paid down a lot debt minus my student loans. We also had a debt free Christmas. However, our savings sucked eggs but agreed to keep moving forward with trying to be frugal.

6. It was wedding season for 2014! Christopher was his brother's best man and I was my friend's Matron of Honor. I made the custom favors for Christopher's brother wedding! I cannot believe how beautiful the came out. However, my friend's wedding was in Florida so Christopher and I got a little vacation! So not only was I part of a beautiful wedding but Christopher and I could sleep in!!!!

The Brothers: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The favors I made: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Sierra and I: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Rocking the flowers: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

7. Caleb turned 3! He has become such an amazing little boy and each day he grows and grows. Last year was big changes for him. In the past year his speech delay needed be addressed. So he started speech therapy lessons and has improved so much over the months that he was in the program. It was decided he needed he needed to be transitioned into the preschool program after he turned 3 to keep his speech therapy going and improve his socializing skills. He is such a loving little boy and very energetic. Caleb is also very protective of his sister.

Caleb and Daddy: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and Daddy: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

8.  I launched my facebook page A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life to go along with this blog shortly after I closed my craft business and it has been one of the best things I could have ever done. I had no idea how fast it would take off in that short amount of time. It makes me excited to see what 2015 has to hold.

My Facebook Cover: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

9.  Sadly I was more isolated this past year. I am an introvert by nature who much rather read, listen to music, and enjoy my own company. However, this can be a bad at times for some reason I felt no desire to see anyone or do anything. Well I take that back I know of reasons that made me not want to see anyone but that is nothing to bring up here because it is past and it is move forward.

Was Me On an Off Day: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

10. We had amazing holidays! Easter- The weather was on the bad side but we had a lolly pop garden along with Easter Bunny visit. Halloween- we carved pumpkins, painted pumpkins, watched movies, and went trick-or-treating. I made Caydance's costume and let Caleb pick out his costume for the very first time! Christmas included not only a debt free Christmas but 24 books advent count down, Christmas eve box, feeding Chickens, and a Christmas scavenger hunt in the dark.

The Lolly Pop Garden: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Halloween 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Advent Christmas Countdown 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and Caydance: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

11. My friend Sierra and I came up with the plan to become "Pen Pal Crafters". We use to craft all the time together and because of normal life events are now separated by a couple of states. So we came up with the idea to do crafts about once a month and share, talk, and have a good time creating once again even though we are couple states apart.

Sierra right before the wedding ceremony: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The Crocheting Gloves!!!! : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Pen Pal Crafts: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

12.  In 2014 I struggled with my faith and what I considered to what was becoming a toxic religion. However, later in the year I never have been stronger faith and beliefs. I could not be happier, positive, grateful, open-minded, faithful, giving, loving, and hopeful person.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So Yeah.... That is my 2014 Roundup

Trick or Treat A Little Late BUT tons of pics!

Image found on Google Free Images Please Contact for credit or removal

I am a little behind on my post but I am still getting use to trying to maintain a regular blog my Bipolar world and daily life. It is a lot harder than I thought. So huge props to the ones that have really successful blogs I know they put a lot of work in it!

My House On  Halloween! Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So Halloween has come and gone in this household but it was sure an event in this house! We usually go all out in this household but because Christopher was and is still recovering from knee surgery there was a limited stuff that we could do for Halloween like going to a corn maze, festivals, pumpkin picking and so on. So it required me to do a lot of thinking of what can we do here! 

As I stated in my last post we did tons of family movies nights and not mention pumpkin carving and painting. You can read about that here Weekend Wrap Up ....

Pumpkin Carving : Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Something that we allowed this year was let Caleb pick out his Halloween costume. So we all went to a Halloween store and he walked up and down the isles taking in everything it was a little bit overwhelming but he decided to be one of the cutest pirates ever. I also decided that whatever Caleb decided to be for Halloween I would make Caydance's costume to match it or pair it off it! So I decided she would be Tinkerbell and I would make it! So I set off making a Tutu Dress. I have only made a tutu skirt before but it was fun overall and I would do it again. I am not sure when we let Caydance pick out her first costume probably when she ask because I am having fun making them.

Caleb in his pirate costume 2014: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Start of Caydance's costume: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance's Tinkerbelle Costume: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The day of Halloween I was not feeling the best but I made sure to put on my best face because I would have to take the kids around the neighborhood. We got the kids ready and let them play outside as we finished up the outside and pull out the wagon for me. I do not think we could have asked for better weather!!! It was perfect not hot or cold the best Halloween weather ever:)

Well I loaded up the kids in the wagon and we headed off to explore the neighborhood! We live in military housing so we live in a huge housing community. Actually two housing communties are back to back. I have to admit I was a little nervous being by myself and how my little ones would react for a couple of reasons. 

Playing in the wagon Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

More wagon fun: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Taking turn with the wagon: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

1. This was the first time I was out on my own. Last year my Daddy help take the kids around while my Mom and Hubs manned the house because hubs was also recovering from a procedure. The previous year was Caleb's first Halloween so we only went to like three houses for pictures ops then manned the house the rest of night.

2. I am not sure what is about the Military but we really get into our holidays and Halloween is no exception! I think it is because a lot of military service members often miss out holidays, special events, birthdays, milestones, and annevessarys that we tend to go all out for them. We are no different and love to decorate and just love to have a great time and have fun!!! However, just like many parents I am not sure even though you try to teach them the people walking around the decorations around are not real even if they seem scary. 

One of the most decorated houses in the neighborhood: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

3. Finally this reason is not so much a reason of being as nervous but rather to see the progress my son has made. Caleb has a speech delay and when he is in a new situation he often will not speak until he is comfortable. Even though he gets really comfortable really fast and he will start talking in his language or say words I was unsure how trick or treating would go. We did practice tons at the house :)

Caleb: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

When we first started I think they were just enjoying the wagon ride more than anything. The first couple of houses. I had to walk Caleb to the first couple houses and take him to hold his pail out. No matter how much we practice he would not say "Trick or Treat". He did say Hi, Bye, and signed please. I had to explain to a couple of people when he did the sign for please and others stood it right off the bat. I assume they either know some who is deaf, baby signs, or speech therapy. It is always nice when you do not have explain what your child is not doing when he is communicating :) . Caleb was also very good listening to directions very well by not reaching into the candy buckets and waiting his turn. He also grabbed two pieces of candy one at a time for his sister and him when there was just a bucket left out. He also was not afraid. I am not sure if it was the conquest of candy or he realized it most of it seemed fake and fun there was "nothing" that could really get him. I mean  I was shocked of some of the stuff he walked up too. NOTE: Most people here take off their mask to let them know it is just a person underneath but this year no need too. The only thing that freaked him out was this large type talking doll but in all fairness that thing freaked me out too! He also did an awesome job not eating the candy! I was seeing kids left and right just stuffing candy in their mouths and not that I do not let my kids have a piece from their haul (just like I did when I was little) I want to check it properly (I am not saying that parents do not check it there I just prefer to wait to I get home) when I get it home he also held onto his sisters bucket and only handed it to her next house.
I am not sure Caydance really thought about it all except loving her costume. As soon as the costume came on she knew she was a little fair/princess and the twirls and dancing begun. She also was trying to find her feet under all that tulle. She is always an amusing site for sure. I do not think this year she was really into trick or treating. She is still a little on the young side to understand she is almost 15 months but most people thought she was just about to turn 1 and this is her second Halloween. I cannot believe she was just over 3 months last year <3 . Caydance basically wanted to keep getting in and out of wagon and just walk! She got very tired of the whole trick or treating real fast! However, I noticed that among that a lot of young ones passed out in strollers or being carried by their parents. I always enjoy the sites of Halloween. So I ended up taking Caydance back to hang out with Daddy which she had a lot more fun running around the yard and checking out the costumes.

Caydance's shoe would not stay on this is are flower bed: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance and the wagon: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and I parked the wagon and set out for a little more trick or treating! With having two kids it is often hard to spend quality time with just one of them. I enjoyed every minute of it walking with my little man holding my hand. He was even talking to me and holding a small conversation. It was sure a memory that I will always have with him. We actually called Grandma that night :-) he was actually telling her about that night of what we could get out of the conversation. He kept telling her Mommy and me! Then patting me... it was like he was proud of just me and him.

Well the night ended with a light meal, showers, and each picking a treat from the bucket.

Even though the next day was the first day of November it was still Halloween weekend. So we spent most of the day outside enjoying the weather. However, I decided to a Halloween fun meal for my little ones. Which included bloody spiders, purple green beans, banana ghost, and bread bones (sorry no pictures of the bread bones they came out a little...umm naughty like).

Halloween themed dinner : Bloody spiders, mac and cheese, purple spiders, and banana ghost: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Between baths and picking up the living room the kids decided they would find new uses for Halloween buckets besides putting candy in them....

I am proud to be their mom:Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Only my two! They were putting them on and then head butting each other :) :Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Proud to be their mother! : Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So that was our Halloween Weekend.... hope you guys had a great one!

Weekend Wrap Up To Include PUMPKIN POOP AND WITCHES NAILS

I hope your weekend has been a great one!

Our weekend was full of pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, and a fun movie themed snack! 

One of my personal favorite holidays is Halloween with the pumpkin patches, movies, decorating, and all sorts of fun activities However, this year with hubs recovering from knee surgery there is not a lot he can do in terms of walking and the more stressful events on the body. We stress family time as a whole so this would include him and with our kids being so young and him being here I would feel horrible going to a pumpkin patch or a fall festival without him. As a military family there are often times we have to do so many things without because he is gone to include huge milestones so when he is here even if he recovering from knee surgery it is family time and we will find a way to enjoy it! 

So I went to the grocery store and bought a very nice pumpkin and two little ones so we could still carve and paint the pumpkins. Christopher loves to carve pumpkins and for him to pick out a design for a jack-o-lantern is very much like a woman picking out a pair shoes for an outfit! However, once the design was decided upon it was time to get messy!!! 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Daddy Cutting The Top Off Of  The Pumpkin

Have you ever noticed with little ones? When you encourage your little ones to get messy they are slightly hesitant but if they find the mess themselves they are all for it? 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Caleb not sure about the seeds

They were not sure of the pumpkin guts but they most mess with it! Which made this mommy very happy!

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Caydance was the first to go all in! 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Well if Caydance can do it I can do it! 

When it came time for the cutting of the jack-o-lantern mommy brought out their little pumpkins to paint! Which I must admit was a hoot ! Caleb had a blast painting his pumpkin while Caydance enjoyed painting herself! 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Picture of  the Painting Pumpkins aka Messy Messy! 

After they had showers we snuggled down for a movie... for the life of me I cannot remember the title. I decided instead of popcorn which is the often go to snack in this household for movie night that I would do a Halloween themed treat! Now I know this is not super healthy and only a sometimes treat but we had PUMPKIN POOP and WITCHES NAILS!!! or in others word bugles and cheese balls! The pumpkin poop was the kids favorite! I tried to show Caleb how to wear the bugles on his fingers but he was not having it.  

~I found the Pumpkin Poop and Witches Nail Idea on Pinterest~

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Pumpkin Poop and Witches Nails can be found on Pinterest 

After it got dark out side! We turned on the Halloween lights and broke open a glow stick to see are Jack-O-Lantern glow!!!! Caleb had the honor of putting the glow stick in the pumpkin and he thought that was the neatest thing ever!

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life: Not our best work for Halloween decorating with one man down. I hate that half of my tree is out. Christopher promised to figure out what happen to it.

So that is what happen in the household of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life House Hold! 

Have a great Halloween! Stay Safe!!! See You next Week!!!