Now that football has come to a not-so-exciting close it's time to focus on more important things... Thunder basketball!

Last night I realized exactly how consumed my family is with our team. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or if we look the goofy Raiders fans who paint up and wear spikes to every game.

To kick start the evening Izzy ran into the living room proclaiming how she was "tall like KD" because she could finally reach her light switch. I said "wow you really are big like KD" to which she replied "no mom, I'm bigger than KD!" I'd say that's accurate she's roughly 38" and he's roughly 81". So they're definitely REALLY close in height. ;) I love how much she loves Kevin Durant though. Anytime there's a game on she HAS to wear his jersey, anytime she sees 35 somewhere she reminds us that's his number, and every time we go shopping she requests a pair of KD shoes, which they don't currently make in her size so we've settled on some Kobe's. 

She love her Kobe's because they're pink and purple (way to be a man Kobe) but she always reminds us that Kobe, and Dirk, are old and yucky but it's okay to wear his shoes because KD doesn't have any for her yet. She told my grandma last night that if she asks KD to make her some shoes then he will. So Kevin, if you're out there this afternoon reading my blog, which I'm pretty sure you are, my 4 year old little girl would really appreciate some KD V's in her size. Thanks!

The next reminder of how the NBA has taken over our house came about 2.5 minutes into the Thunder game. We joined a fantasy basketball league this year that one of our friends started. It's super easy and we're playing with some pretty fun couples (what up Fergs, Lessers, & Elliotts!) So each week we have to have our team picked by 6pm on Monday. Well my Monday was a little out of the norm and I completely forgot to set my lineup! Now this has really ruined Bryan and I's game rep a few times, and I wasn't about to let it happen again. 

So I quickly checked to see how many games all of my players from the previous week have this week. Luckily everyone is at 3-4 games except Chris Paul who only has 2. So I still have a pretty good shot to keep my 4th place status, which has been hard to attain. So CP3, if you're out there reading my blog, which again I'm sure a young man like yourself is because LA doesn't have much else going on, please go off on your  opponents this week and score me a ton of points. If you don't I'll have to rely on Lebron and nobody wants to do that. Thanks in advance! 

The final event may be the most disturbing. While I was cleaning up the kitchen Bryan was feeding Elly her bottle, but she was being really fussy. Sometimes she just wants somebody else so I took a shot at feeding her. She still wasn't having it. When I put her over my shoulder to try and burp her she suddenly became quiet. I thought oh she just had some gas in her tummy. So I cradled her and tried to give her the bottle again... nope not what she wanted. So I put her over my shoulder again and suddenly... silence. What was so great that it could calm a 3 month old? You guessed it, the Thunder game! Now I'm sure you're thinking, no she just wanted to be held differently, WRONG! To test our theory I turned so that she wasn't looking at the TV anymore and again the crying ensued. 

Okay MAYBE she really did just want to be held differently, or wasn't hungry, or is brainwashed but the point is my baby loves the Thunder even if that's only true in the minds of Bryan and I. So Sam Presti, if you're reading because you don't have more important things going on thanks for bringing our city a team that has fully consumed my family. If you're ever looking to get rid of some courtside seats we'll gladly accept free tickets. :)

I know this post made us look exactly like the crazy Raiders fans, sans spikes because they're not child friendly, but I'm pretty sure all Thunder fans feel the same way. So thanks Seattle, rise together, and fly on air congo because those who think we're crazy just haven't been thunderstruck. Did I put enough Thunder sayings in there? How about one more....Thunder up!

Taylor

So how funny is that video? I'm sure most of you have seen it by now, but I just discovered it yesterday. I'm really surprised Bryan didn't think of this first. It looks just like something he would do! I've gotta say we are some lucky girls to have such a fun guy. 

Today's blog is all about my man! Prepare to feel nauseous. 

This morning Bryan let me sleep in while he and Izzy played and cleaned the house. I woke up to a nearly spotless house and breakfast being made. Now there was a little bit of an ulterior motive behind all of it, but I'll take it! Bryan had some goofy thing going on for his Call of Duty video game today, and he wanted to play for a lot longer than normal. I was completely aware of this but I was so happy to have a clean house I let him get away with it. It resulted in a fun day of taking pictures of the girls (which I'll post later in my upcoming photography section) while daddy got to play his game. 

Now this is not out of the norm for Bryan. He spoils us rotten on a regular basis. He cooks dinner most of the time. NOTE: I can and do in fact cook, Bryan just really enjoys it and likes to do it more often. On top of that he typically helps with laundry, dishes, and cleaning up. He knows my love language is acts of service, so when I've had a stressful day he helps make it better by doing something nice around the house for me or bringing home a movie and having a mini date night.  

I'm so happy to be married to a man that is the perfect teammate. We really do work well together and it's a team effort to keep our family going. I know some people think a wife should be doing most of the housework but neither Bryan nor I feel like keeping the house in order is a one man job. We have certain things that only one of us will do, for instance Bryan is responsible for taking the trash out and I'm responsible for the deep cleaning. That idea may not work well for everyone, but in our experience when both parties are responsible it's easier to get things accomplished and no one is mad at the other person for it not being done. 

I also have to brag on Bryan's dad skills. I tell him all the time that he is the perfect dad for girls. He is willing to play dress up, barbies, whatever is asked of him. He is way too cute with Elly; she had him wrapped around her finger shortly after she arrived. 

So here's to you "B Ket," thanks for being such a wonderful dad, husband, and leader for our family. I hope the girls can find a man just like you someday.... when they're 30! 

What about you? Do you have an awesome man in your life? If you do, leave me a comment and brag on them!

Taylor

Alright ladies let's be honest for a minute. How many of us have a family that looks like this on a regular basis? 
Anyone?
Bueller...
Bueller....
That's what I thought, no mom is this put together on a regular basis. No disrespect to my favorite Kardashian, but it's a mold that's impossible to live up to. I mean props to her and every other celeb mom for having an overabundance of legit mom swag (or "MomJo" as Giuliana Rancic calls it.) Let's take a look at what MOST moms look/feel like on an average day. 

Does this look more familiar? Now maybe we're not really about to burn the house down daily but it sure does feel like it sometimes. I mean this lady is even more put together than me, look at that dress and fixed hair! I'm currently sitting in Bryan's shirt, some sweats, slippers, wet hair, no make up.... a textbook example of a hot mess! Prior to being pregnant again it was much easier to look cute on the average day. Izzy has been old enough for awhile now to help get herself ready and occupy herself for a few minutes so mom can straighten her hair, what a treat! 

Now I'm lucky to have a shower, eat, and brush my teeth by noon. I wouldn't expect makeup on this face unless I'm leaving the house for more than 10 minutes. I know as Elly gets older this will not be the case but I'm sure some moms out there feel the need to always look great, have a clean house, and dinner on the table every day. Rest assured friends that is not a requirement for being a great mom. I know we feel 10 times better about ourselves when we take the time to get dolled up or have a cute new shirt on, but take a minute and embrace the real mom swag. Spit up on your favorite shirt, having to wear your hair in a ponytail because your kids won't quit pulling on it, things sagging that didn't used to, sweats being an acceptable fashion choice, stretch marks all over, etc. 

These things may not be what you dreamt motherhood would be like, but the reality is a true mom is not measured by the number of successful pinterest projects you've done, having a spotless house with coordinating decorations for each holiday season, the number of baked goodies you make each day, or always looking your best at the drop of a hat.

I treasure these moments of spit up on my clothes because it means my little one is still small enough to be held and need her mommy, I try not to worry about stretch marks because they are reminder of the two healthy girls I was blessed with, I know my house will never be clean because my big girl loves to play with every toy she has and doesn't always put them back. I try to remember to soak up the sweet moments of a 4 year old praying before bed or a gummy baby smile. 

This is not to say that I am a great mom because I spend SO much time relishing in every little thing my children do. The truth is I do get frustrated, I would rather dad give baths some nights, and I would really enjoy some peace and quiet at times. But that's okay! Ladies don't fall into the trap of feeling like a less than great mom because you don't meet the standards of Hollywood. All you need to do is love, protect, and invest in your children. We will mess up, we will forget something, and we might even feel like this: 

So go enjoy your kids and sport that mom swag!

Taylor

Now that the Thanksgiving tryptophan has worn off, we've cleaned up Christmas' attack on our house, and slept away half of the first day of 2013 it's time to get back to the real world. January 2nd was always my least favorite day while working because it meant that the holidays were officially over and busy season was headed our way. Now it's not fun because Bryan has to go back to work and I've really enjoyed spending the last week and a half with him! I'm not experienced in hangovers but recovering from the holidays can be pretty difficult. Who would have thought spending time with family, surprising kids with presents, eating yummy food, and not working could be so tiring? 

This time of year most people start to think about New Year's resolutions. I haven't always been a big participant in them but in recent years I have started to think more about things I want to do in the upcoming year to hopefully form better habits for myself. So I thought I'd share this year's goals with you guys!

1. To take more pictures with my camera instead of my phone. I'm always wanting to improve my photography but when it comes to snapping pics of the girls I find my iPhone is much easier to whip out than my bulky DSLR. 

2. To be more intentional about disconnecting from technology and connecting with my family. This is an all around struggle in our house, but I'm confident we can find a healthy balance of family time and tech time.

3. To drink less soda... this one might kill me. I am addicted to vanilla coke. It used to only be available at Sonic but now you can buy the cans, which really gets me in trouble. Plain coca-cola will never satisfy again! Bryan works for our church and every year they fast for the beginning of the year. I tried to think of something other than soda to give up and there wasn't much else that would be really difficult for me. So you'll probably hear lots of complaints about it for the next 21 days but I'm hoping I can stick to it. As for the rest of the year, I'm going to start cutting down my coke consumption but ordering water when we go out to eat... also not fun. Ugh caffeine why do I love thee?!

4. I'm determined to win one of the free Disney trips that they are giving away every day this month! I would tell you all to enter it as well but that'd make my chances of winning decrease. However, if you REALLY want the inside scoop *this* website may or may not have all the info for you. ;)

*BONUS*
5. Watch the Thunder win the NBA World Championship. Thought you'd get through a post without me mentioning them didn't you? Not this time!

So what's your opinion on resolutions/goals for each year? Do you think they're stupid, do you always make one, are they even possible to accomplish? Answer the poll below and let me know what you think in the comments section!

Until next time...

Taylor