New Blog at www.mommy-diary.com

www.mommy-diary.com

I've wrestled with the idea of sharing my stories for many years, perhaps since my daughters were born. A part of me wanted to share and connect, while another part of me wanted to keep my life private and free from public scrutiny. So I wrote. Erased. Wrote. Deleted. Yet this innate desire to write truthfully never goes away and I think it's time to follow my heart. 

I now share my honest story of motherhood with other moms- because stories without truth is not worth reading or telling. I've begun a new journey as a mommy writer. 

I hope you will join me! 

A Gift from the Universe

This past weekend, the Universe sent me an unexpected gift in the form of heart shaped rose petals. I was emotionally and physically drained and felt little motivation to get out of the house when we suddenly came across a vast green lawn filled rose petals in the shape of roses.

We wondered where it came from--- perhaps a wedding or a proposal? We looked around and found no one. Odd, but what a lovely surprise.

Immediately my children's faces lit up, my husband who discovered the rose path smiled and my heart filled with quiet joy and gratitude.

We don't know where it came from, or who it was intended for but in that moment, it seemed to be waiting for us.

Such a sweet moment.

It's tiny moments like this that makes life so worth living.

Zion National Park for Families

Zion National Park is located Southwestern Utah close to the Arizona and Nevada borders. It is about 2 1/2 hours from Las Vegas (where we began this trip) and one of the major attractions along the "Grand Tour Circle" which includes Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon (still on my list of places to visit).

This was our first real hiking trip as family and we didn't know what to expect. Even though we did enough research about kid-friendly trails beforehand, any wise parent knows that traveling with children includes unexpected turn of events such as carsick kids, uncooperative weather, toilet disasters, sudden tantrums, broken equipment and forgotten items among a list of others.

We believe traveling provides one of the best real-life education for kids and do our best to travel every chance we can get. It can get costly to travel as family but if planned carefully and properly, it doesn't have to break a bank. Plus, sharing memories and exploring new places together as family are priceless, as we get to learn more about the world and each other in ways otherwise not possible. Thus far, traveling has one of the best investments for our growing family.

We left Las Vegas at about 6 am and arrived at Zion National Park at about 11 am. The drive took little over 2 1/2 hours but we stopped at Black Bear Diner in St. George for breakfast (a good option for families, plus it's right off the freeway) and a few places for snacks and gas.

The obligatory family picture by the Zion Park sign

ENTRANCE

Once we arrived, we learned that we are unable to drive freely throughout the park. Unless you are an overnight camper with a special red permit, you must park your car in Springdale town or in the parking lot by the visitor center, which is located right by the entrance to the right. We were fortunate enough to find parking inside but parking can get tough around mid-afternoon so be prepared to walk and take the shuttle bus from town if needed.

Parking is $25 for one week.

The Zion Canyon Shuttle system alleviates parking problems for visitors as well as conserving the roads and natural environments of the park. I personally found it very convenient- as you can find a shuttle at any stop once every 7 minutes or so.

Zion Shuttle Stops

nps.gov

WHERE TO START

The Visitor Center is a good place to start. There are restrooms, shops and displays of pictures and information about the national park. We took the shuttle from here to the last stop: Temple of Sinawava for the kid-friendly Riverside trail. I noticed most people got off at later stops too, starting from Zion Lodge where restaurants, shops and rest areas are located.

I believe this is the easiest scenic trail in the park as it is straight and flat with roads large enough for wheelchair and stroller access. In fact, I was surprised to see so many people with young children and babies on this trail. So don't worry, this trail is so fun and easy---perfect for families with young children, even babies as long as you're equipped with a jogging stroller or one of those baby carrying backpacks.

TRAIL 1: RIVERSIDE WALK (GATEWAY TO THE "NARROWS") 

On the Riverside Trail

Sorry strangers, but you looked cool between the tree.

Hungry squirrel who wasn't fazed by my camera lens.

Look at this adorable squirrel...they were everywhere! The visitors must be very friendly to these animals because they don't seem fearful of humans at all. Or perhaps they were just hungry....

A squirrel and my cute daughter in one picture. Heaven.

Thank you stranger for our non-blurry family picture

The fearless explorer

This trail is flat and easy yet very scenic. It is surrounded by majestic rock formations, lush greenery and kid-friendly streams that run placidly along the side.

April seems to be a perfect time to visit this park because the weather was absolutely gorgeous in the 70's- warm yet breezy and never hot.

Young kids should not go past this point

This is the end of the Riverside walk and beginning of the Narrows. I really wanted to go all the way inside but it would've been impossible with the kids. Plus we weren't properly equipped with the right shoes and hiking sticks. If you're going to challenge yourself to this trail, be sure to pack an extra pair of water shoes and use good judgement as flash floods can occur during certain seasons.

Next time for sure!

TRAIL 2: EMERALD POOLS

Because the Riverside trail was fairly easy for us and the kids, we decided to challenge ourselves to a more difficult trail- Emerald Pools. After taking the shuttle back to Zion Lodge, we took a short break and ate lunch. Their lunch was actually very impressive, much better than the overpriced junk they sell at amusement parks (yes you, Disneyland) and other family destinations. We had a cheeseburger (yummy), a hotdog (so-so), cheese pizza (yummy) and french fries (my ultimate weakness). For dessert, the kids enjoyed their fruit parfait and vanilla soft serve while I treated myself to a nice cold beer...and it was one of the best cold beers I've had in a long time! ;)

View to the right

Look, a deer looking right at me!

On our way to the lower pool

View from the lower pool: so majestic and serene

This is the "I'm on top of the world" pose

Just a little more, soldiers.

Sweating, panting and one girl is still posing

Emerald Pools: Kid friendly?

This trail is supposedly "kid-friendly" but I'm not sure if its suitable for younger children and toddlers. Some of the roads leading to the middle and upper pools were very narrow and steep, a little scary for young kids as well as supervising parents. We had to make sure dad led the way and I stayed behind both my kids. There is red sand everywhere and wet areas along the pools so hiking shoes are a must.

If you have young toddlers and babies in strollers, I suggest you stop at the lower pool. Once you continue up to the middle and upper pools, it's difficult to get back down. I don't understand why this trail is considered to be "family friendly" because this can be misleading for new visitors. So parents if you have toddlers and babies, hike only to the lower pool which of course, is more than worthwhile. We even spotted a deer along the way!

Also, notice the chuck taylors on my daughters? This is how clueless we were about hiking... so LA and naive (sorry kids). In fact, we never imagined our kids would have so much fun hiking and didn't bother investing in hiking shoes for them or myself.  The chucks were fine for the flat Riverside trail but the girls definitely needed something more substantial and rugged for Emerald Pools.

Thankfully our girls were troopers and their shoes held up fine but I'm definitely purchasing real hiking shoes for our next hiking/camping trip.

Unfortunately, I don't have too many pictures of the more difficult parts of the trail-- I was too busy watching over the girls and panting (lol) to get out my huge camera for more pictures.

Middle Emerald Pools

So about 1.5 miles of hiking up to the Middle Emerald Pools, this is where we ended up. Ta dah~~~~ NOT! This trail was steep, at about 200 ft elevation. It was difficult to get up here, we were sweaty and dirty and I was scared for my kids' safety at some parts of the trail yet we kept going keeping our eyes on the prize.

Quite frankly, Middle Emerald Pools was disappointing and not worth the long, windy and steep hike. Once I reached the pool I was thinking.....What..this is it?? It's way nicer down there!

(I later learned that the middle pool is the least interesting, and we should've just hiked up to the upper pools. Oh well, another lesson learned. This is why thorough research is necessary. Oops!)

But of course I hid my disappointment for the kids because to them, this place too, was amazing and I didn't want to ruin their proud moment. After all, they fought their way all the way up with their tiny legs to reach this destination, and that's all that really mattered.

After a few pictures and about 5 minutes of rest, it was time to hike back down. By then I was tired and couldn't wait to get back down to the car but the girls must've been on an adrenaline rush because they wanted to keep going!

It's a good thing we suggested to hike back down because by the time we reached the bridge by the entrance, my poor T finally began to show signs of being tired.

......and we made it! We calculated the distance of the two trails both ways and we hiked a total of 5.2 miles this day. What a huge accomplishment for our first experience!

There were things I would've done differently, like buying hiking shoes for the entire family (only my husband had a pair), packing more healthy snacks beforehand (we only had some beef jerkey and popcorn from last minute pitstops- not enough), not letting my older daughter carry her Hello Kitty purse up to the canyon (thank goodness it wasn't heavy) and not letting my younger daughter carry her stuffed animals in her backpack. (Isn't it amazing what we parents sometimes allow our children to do, even though we know it's a bad idea?)

Overall, this was an awesome day trip and one of the best times we had as family. Being surrounded by nature is always therapeutic and calming, and accomplishing a common goal together as family proved to be an excellent way to bring us even closer.

Also, hiking is an amazing physical, mental and spiritual exercise for adults and children, and even my young daughters seemed to understand the beauty and charm behind this popular activity.

Here is a quick list of what to pack

1. Water (We only had one bottle each which was enough because weather was nice. However for summer, I'd bring two bottles per person)
2. Sunscreen
3. Hat
4. Hiking sticks (a must, especially for the more strenuous hikes)
5. Snacks (Next time I would pack healthier snacks like fruits, nuts & sandwiches).
6. Hiking shoes for the whole family
7. Hiking socks (for comfort & protection)
8. Extra clothes (In case you get too dirty, sweaty or wet)
9. Water shoes (If you plan to go in the water)
10. Towel 
11. First aid kit (Neosporin, bandaid, disinfectant spray etc-- we used ours)

All in TWO sturdy backpacks with lots of pockets- one for mom, one for dad simply because it makes life much easier with multiple children.

WHAT TO WEAR

I was glad I didn't put shorts on the girls because there were moments when they fell and their long pants prevented their knees from getting scraped. I too, was wearing capri yoga pants which turned out to be a good decision because I ended up with scratches here and there on my legs. I envision summer time would be too hot for longer pants, but for spring & fall, breathable longer pants proved to have its benefits over shorts.

Also be sure to dress in LAYERS- as temperature can slightly change depending on the trails, shade availability and time of day.

CONCLUSION

Two trails were enough for one day and I don't think we could've done anymore with or without kids. After about 4 hours of hiking, we drove 2.5 hours back to Las Vegas, ordered room service and fell asleep on our comfortable beds.

I never considered myself an outdoor type of person so I wasn't quite sure how this hiking day trip would turn out. I might hate it, the kids might hate it, and this could've been our first and last time at a famous national park.

Despite my reservations, this was an amazing and therapeutic experience and a memorable Spring break vacation. I'm not sure if I'd return during summer because hiking in the hot summer heat would be dreadful but I'd definitely return in Spring and fall to explore more trails.

Next destination on list: Sequoia National Park!

Spring Break Getaway: Las Vegas & Zion Canyon

Wynn pool

My daughters are on a year round track system where spring break is one month long so we decided to take the girls on a 5-day Spring break trip to Las Vegas, Nevada and Zion Canyon in Utah. Las Vegas is one of our most frequented destinations because it's fairly close (about 3 hour drive from our home) with luxurious five-star amenities and tons of good restaurants and fun activities for kids. We take full advantage of our generous casino host and card member room rates, which makes Las Vegas the most luxurious yet affordable Spring break destination. (One of many perks of living in Southern California!)

We lounged around the beautiful pool at the Wynn, spent a day at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum (which contrary to my reservation, turned out to be a fun & educational place for kids with plenty of activities and lessons) and explored the familiar city a little more by visiting new spots like the Stratosphere.

The highlight of our family trip however, was not Las Vegas but Zion Canyon in Utah. We were a little concerned about how we can pull this off with two young kids but our girls proved to be strong and determined little explorers by hiking a total distance of 5.2 miles!

It was the perfect opportunity to accomplish a common goal as family, share priceless memories and get fit; all while being immersed in the wonders of nature.

We were extremely proud and excited as the Zion Canyon day trip marks the beginning of a new chapter of traveling for the Kim family. We can now participate in more adventurous activities and explore nearby canyons and hiking trails. What a huge milestone for the girls!

An easy, flat riverside trail leading to "The Narrows"

Intermediate trail called "Emerald Pools" with lower, mid & high pools

Riverside trail

Another amazing part of the trails at Zion Canyon is its abundant wildlife in its natural setting. I saw so many squirrels and even a deer during the hike, it was such a unique experience. There are so many adorable squirrels that come right next to you and let you photograph it close up. One hungry squirrel came so close to my daughter, she couldn't resist sharing her snacks!

This was my family's first time hiking through a huge national park like Zion Canyon and the experience was no less than amazing and surreal. The magnificence and beauty of a well preserved national park cannot be contained in pictures, and I was in awe of its majestic presence.

Nature truly is, the best teacher for kids and despite the strenuous walking, this was a great opportunity for my children to experience the beauty of nature. Even better, I think they now understand the benefits of hiking not only as a physical but a mental exercise.

I will dedicate another post to Zion Canyon for families with better pictures and more details and tips. Until then, I plan on enjoying the last week of spring break with more relaxation and quality time my little ones.

Happy 9th Birthday Elly

My dearest Elly

Where do I begin. You are the foundation of my life and the tie that binds our family. Without you we might not even be here today (and no, it's not an exaggeration) and thanks to you, I always had a reason to hold on a little longer, try a little harder and love more selflessly.

Raising you wasn't easy. With your pretty smiles and sweet giggles came many trials and uncertainties that began when you were barely one years old. You have no idea how much it hurt to know that you may be different from other kids.  I felt a deep sense of guilt and failure as a mother; as your mother. Yet your differences came with such abundance of blessings and love that I think I finally understand why God's plan is more perfect than our own.

Despite your sensitivities, you are a happy and healthy child. Your sister Tessa doesn't like to do anything without you and despite your sisterly quarrels, you are her best friend and play buddy. You have wonderful friends who like to hold you by the hand and show you new things.  You have an amazing set of family and friends who genuinely love you for who you are. I hope you felt how much love was in the air during your birthday song because baby, you are truly loved and so blessed.

You continue to radiate your surrounding with your angelic presence and purity. Everyone who gets to know you tell me you are an angel. Your innocence and beauty are so rare and so untainted, it sometimes makes me feel bad for others who eventually has to become worldly in order to survive.

You taught me one of the greatest lessons in life- and that is the ability to let Go and let God. You also taught me the value of spiritual over material, and precedence of inner purity over outwardly achievements. You show me God's love in its purest form- one that is selfless, unconditional and always hopeful.

Elise, you are an angel from heaven; my eternal grace and lifelong teacher. Thank you for coming into this world as my daughter because without you, my life would've been nothing but a meaningless cycle of superficial desires and worldly achievements.

Through you, I now understand the deeper meaning of love and faith. You are perfect just the way God made you. You are more perfect than anyone else I know.

Happy birthday my sweet child, I will take care of you and protect you eternally.

Hello Spring: Simple Lessons From a 7-Year Old

My 7-year old daughter has a habit of marking off her calendar every morning. Her calendar is one of her most prized possessions in her room, and this year's calendar contains pictures of dogs & puppies in various shapes and sizes.

As I lazily drag my weak and tired body out of my bed into her room, this simple morning routine of my young daughter teaches me one of life's greatest lessons- that EVERYDAY IS A BLESSING and I should begin every morning with such zeal.

Today as always, she grabs a pen by her desk, runs to her calendar and marks off her day with a big X. Then she shrieks, "MOM, GUESS WHAT??? Today is the first day of SPRING!!!"

Nowadays my daughter is the one who reminds me when St. Patrick's Day is and when Spring begins.
She is the one to remind me what leprechauns are; that they are tiny, mischievous little beings who leave behind gold chocolate coins.

She believes in unicorns, magic and pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

She reminds me what jinx is and that I need someone to say my name not one but three times to speak again. When I tell her "Adults don't play jinx," she looks at me with confused puppy eyes and genuinely asks why. Her curiosity and wonder makes me ashamed of my loss of innocence.

She reminds me daily that perhaps God's greatest gifts to mankind is children's innocence and the joy it brings to their parents.

She makes me rollerblade at a park, fall on my ass, and laugh out loud at myself. While watching TV she tells me there is this great product for my pimples at only $19.99. She tells me she wishes she never gets spots on her face when she grows up.

I love the simplicity of her thought process, her unfiltered honesty and how she still believes in promises, even the false claims made by advertisements.

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

Today will never come back. Today will one day be a distant memory. Today is the youngest I will ever be. The clock is ticking and I will one day be an old lady.

Today I realize why we have children. We all age, lose volume and gain wrinkles. And during this natural course of life called aging, our children are here to teach and re-teach us lessons in life that we must encounter to fully grow as adults.

A real woman must continue to grow until her death, and without children, that learning process can come to a halt like a broken machine.

Thank God for children and their fervor for life. Thank God for their innocence and honesty. Thank God for their beauty both inside and out. Thank God for their sweet smiles and belly laughters.

If I had a chance to go back in time and do it all over again- the weight gain, postpartum depression, crazy woman hormones and all----- I would. And coming from me who never regarded herself as a natural born mother, that means a lot.

Fishing at Big Bear Lake, Last weekend of Winter

Books For Kids: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

I had many plans and things on my to-do-list this week, until my second daughter came down with a fever that lasted nearly four days.

I'm now fairly accustomed to this sudden disruption in my schedule and can glide through maternal responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed or completely helpless.  Nine years with two children can do that for you-- and I finally feel like an expert mother who left behind her amateur badge somewhere along the way (until of course, my girls become teenagers).

This past week was filled with countless filling of things: filling tiny cups with grape-flavored Tylenol, filling humidifiers with giant distilled water and filling steel water bottles with ice cold water to bring down my child's fever.

The most enjoyable part however, was filling my child's imagination with stories; stories of a toad and a frog, and this story of a china rabbit who is lost and on a journey back home to find his true love.

"You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope.  You must wonder who will love you, whom you will love next."

After going through hundreds of children's books, this is by far, one of my favorite bedtime stories for children. The book is divided into short, readable chapters perfect for young children 7 and up. It is easy-to-read but not without profound meaning & smart use of vocabulary. Also, while the characters and plot seem simple enough for young children, it contains deeper meanings and life lessons that remain in readers' hearts after end of each chapter.

This is surely a story that can be read over and over again, and I hope my daughters will re-read this when they are older and appreciate the hidden treasures throughout.

NEXT READ:

Puffin Classics Books 

I came across this most adorable classics book set perfect for young readers. The Deluxe set contains ten books including A Little Princess by Frances Hogdson Burnett, The Secret Garden, The Wizard of Oz, Black Beauty, Adventures of Robin Hood, Anne of Green Gables and Peter Pan.

Adorable, but pricey- yet I plan to collect them one by one. Kids outgrow pretty dresses and shoes, but children's classic literature lasts forever!

Happy 7th Birthday Tess

My Dearest Tessa,

This morning you returned to school after a long winter break excitedly saying, "Mommy, this is my first day of school as a seven year old!" Seven years after your entrance into the world, you remain bright and vibrant as the sun and your exuberant spirit can lift anyone from the darkest days.

I still can't believe how fast the past seven years flew by and as I write this, all our memories flash before my eyes like an old filmstrip that I wish to recover but can't. I know I should find solace in our thousands of pictures and memories etched deep inside my head yet I can't help but to feel a tinge of sadness that you are no longer a baby. It makes me wonder if this is how your grandmother felt when I turned seven years old. You see my child, you always inspire me to reflect on valuable life lessons, including those I somehow missed while raising your sister.

Today, I feel this sudden urge to go back to 7 years ago to the day you were born. I even chuckle at the thought of wanting to start all over again as I know time cannot be retrieved. I know I begged you to fall asleep more quickly last night as you were going to bed, but I must continue to remind myself to enjoy every bedtime kiss because you are growing every minute, the way you did since the moment I held you in my arms for the first time.

I still remember the day you were born like yesterday. I started having contractions on the morning of my due date in the form of a dull ache in the bottom of my belly. It came and went, and came and went in tiny waves. I was beyond excited as it was finally time to see you for the first time, although I already knew you by your tiny kicks and movements in my body for months now. We left your sister with grandparents and daddy took mommy to the hospital. We stopped by at Starbucks for a cup of iced coffee and Del Taco for some french fries because mommy was craving it for some weird reason (Sorry baby for the bad cravings).

I was admitted to the hospital in the morning and you entered the world that evening at 5:02 pm. When it was time to push, you came out so easily I remember saying "That's it?" to the nurses after what felt like a few minutes. Unlike the first time, your birth was fairly smooth and I was lucky to be able to breathe in every detail of your first minutes with a clear head and grateful heart.

You were smaller than your sister at 6 pounds and 6 ounces with a head full of dark hair. I still remember you squinting your eyes at me with the cutest wrinkles around your forehead and nose. My heart leaped with joy at your cuteness. I thought you were the most beautiful little person in the world.

A few days later daddy brought home a doll that looks just like you. You eventually named her "Mimi" and still sleep with her every night. And until this day, you make the same wrinkly nosed face when you smile at me as if you already know that it's my favorite face in the whole world.

When you were born, your older sister was about 20 months old. By this time we knew your sister needed early intervention, so you have no idea how grateful I was when you began to walk and talk on time. God first gave me your sister to teach me patience, perseverance and strength, then he brought you into my life to consecrate his plans. Through both of you, He gave me the courage & faith to let go of my selfish desires and plans, for his plans are more perfect than our own. I let go and he gave me you. You brought so much love and joy to this family and completed us by being the perfect youngest child and little sister to Elise.

To be honest, there were many nights when I cried myself to sleep because being a mother was so hard sometimes especially when no tests and therapies seemed to work for your sister. I often felt like I failed as a mother and a deep sense of guilt and regret crept in whenever I was mentally and physically exhausted.  It's as if God already knew this, because through you He taught me that I had not failed as a mother. I was truly special in his eyes, because he trusted me with two beautiful girls like you & your sister. How loved and blessed I am. You see my child, you helped me to love myself even more deeply during a difficult time and helped me to grow as a mother.


I still remember your adorable bob hairstyle that brought out your spunky personality. I remember the years of princess phase during which you would go through countless plastic princess shoes and glittery dresses. I remember your funny little dances in diapers. The mess you make with your food. The way you climb on your daddy's back like a monkey. The way you hold me at night and kiss me over and over again. The way you call me Mommy Queen. The way you throw tantrums, get in trouble, then quickly turn around to tell me you are sorry. Your countless drawings that began as soon as your tiny fingers can grasp a crayon.

The way you love me despite my mistakes as a mother. How quickly you forgive. How easily you love. How thoughtful you are. How your eyes light up when you come across something you like. How you make that wrinkle nosed smile over and over again. How you still like to be held like a baby with your head gently rested against my chest. How you and I discovered our sweet spot when holding each other so we can feel each other's heart beating. I remember all these and much more---and cherish every moment we shared since the day you were born.

My sweet Tessa, there is no way I can capture my love for you in words. I love, love and love you so much from the deepest part of my heart. And I thank you for entering this world as my daughter because you are so right for me. You are so similar to me, yet so different. I still can't get over how similar you are with your dad sometimes. You help me to see a piece of his childhood that I find it easier to embrace his flaws and mistakes. You help me to love more deeply and unconditionally. You fit into my life like a puzzle and I can't imagine a child more perfect for me than you. And I was given one wish, I'd wish to go back and do it all over again.

I miss the infant you, the one year old you, the two year old you, the preschool you and the kindergarten you. I wish I held you a little tighter and loved you even more. But knowing that time cannot be retrieved, all I can do now is love you more deeply and cherish every minute of your seventh year.

Happy 7th birthday my child, this is going to be another amazing year for you and me.

(I still can't believe it's already been 2 years since the last birthday post. Where does the time go?)

Making Wishes for 2014

I'm starting the new year with one of the worst sicknesses of my lifetime. I'm sure life can be a lot worse but I never knew having strep throat can be so painful and cumbersome. Taking antibiotics three times a day leaves me with the worst nausea that reminds me of pregnancy morning sickness and my throat hurts so bad that simple acts like swallowing and eating are painful.

To top it off, my younger daughter is also sick and we are on matching antibiotics. Yay- twinning.

On the bright side, 2014 has already taught me some valuable lessons.

1. Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection; bronchitis is caused by a viral infection.
2. Advil helps with various types of inflammations, including that of the throat.
3. I'm getting old.

Despite the fact that I'm feeling pretty shi**y right now, I'm still glad that I got to host another NYE get-together with my close girlfriends and their families. This may be the last year in this home and I'm thankful I got to make lasting memories with people who make me laugh and hopeful.

We also began a cool New Year's tradition this year- the lighting of the wishing lantern. I was initially concerned about safety but the lanterns proved to be safe in an open outdoor space without too much wind. As expected the kids loved making their New Year's wishes and letting the lanterns float up to the sky. I wish I captured the moment better on my camera, but I was preoccupied with making wishes for my family and breathing in the beauty and excitement of the night.

All in all, this NYE was one of the best I've had since getting married and having kids. I'm already looking forward to celebrating next year's NYE in our new home (praying that everything will work out!).

2013 was a year of hard work with little result, during which I learned the virtue of patience through quiet storm.
I worked hard on several projects only to face a series of disappointments, many of which were beyond my control. I'm still learning and being an adult in its truest sense, learning to smile through the rain and dance through the storm.

Sometimes though, I think I simply didn't work hard enough.

Whatever the case, I'm excited for 2014 and all the changes & challenges it will bring. I must work harder and continue to push forward while remembering to count the numerous blessings that surround me.

My most precious gift from God of course, are my two girls- and here is a picture of them right before releasing their wishing lantern. Elise was a little scared by the fire but Tessa, as always, proved to be a trooper with big dreams.

First trip of 2013: Wynn, Las Vegas

Tower Suites, Wynn

The destination of our first family trip of 2013 was none other than Las Vegas. Las Vegas is one of our favorite getaways because it's only a few hours away from home and offers an array of activities, fine dining, nightlife and fun for the whole family.

We usually spend the day with the kids visiting places like Circus Circus, Caesar's palace & Mandalay Bay for family friendly activities. We play games, visit the aquarium, visit white tigers at the Secret Garden and just enjoy all the spectacles that Las Vegas has to offer.

This time we watched the Mac King Comedy Magic show which turned out to be a lot of fun. The kids had a blast and I greatly enjoyed my first magic show. I'd highly recommend this show to anyone, even families with older kids (kids ages 4-5+) as it is very kid appropriate (with occasional crude humor that young kids can easily bypass) and Mac King turns out to be a very pleasant and likable guy with smart humor.

As always the trip was a blast and I was sad to leave our beautiful room behind, back to reality with chores and daily routine. My body was fighting off a cold all weekend and despite not feeling my best, I got to enjoy Vegas to the fullest with good food, good company, good music and quality time spent with loved ones.

The beginning of 2013 is very positive and hopeful thus far and I have big plans for this year. Starting something entirely new and taking chances are never easy but I believe it's time. Must find a way to get back into work mode and get the ball rolling again.

Making positive changes, taking chances & keeping my eyes high on the prize....

This is how I'm beginning my 2013.

A room with a view

Reina Cosmopolitan, Tower Suites Bar

Nervo @ XS

Date night w hubby