It's feeling a lot like winter in NJ these days (even though we've only just gotten there…yikes).  In the past month, we've had 2 delayed openings and 1 snow day in the schools.  The girls, of course, are giddy and enjoying their time outside with friends, but it sure does make for an adjustment for Mohammed and me.  Thankfully, he has had the flexibility to work from home and make sure the kids have some adult supervision. Luckily, I was home for one of the delayed openings, so that made for a short school and work week for us all!

As for the happenings at the Khashab household these past months since my last post in February, well, we have had quite a bit of activity, as  you can imagine.  With 3 kids, 2 cats, and a trio of fish, life is never boring (or completely organized) for us.  Beginning with the most recent events and going back in time, Adam just celebrated his FIFTH (!!!!) birthday.  We celebrated at home on the day of his birthday with pizza and cake (his request) and gifts of course.  Then, over the weekend, he had one heck of a shindig with his Goddard pals and neighborhood friends.  It was shark themed, and after 3+ months of preparations, the stress of making sure I could entertain 20+ preschoolers is finally over (and it WAS a hit).  Even Adam's teacher told me on the Monday after the party, that several kids came in to school that morning raving about all the fun they had (thank goodness!).  And of course, Adam made out like a bandit with a ton of toys/games and gift cards to Toys R Us!

Next, Aileen and I attended a LIVE Dave Ramsey event.  I addressed my interest in simplifying our life in my last post and part of that is attaining financial peace (or freedom) for our family.  This includes developing a monthly budget, paying down any debt and saving for our future.  Dave Ramsey is an expert in this field and has a huge following of people who follow his "baby steps" to financial peace.  I turned Aileen onto it as well and we both were able to make it to a program he held in Newark in late November.  It was very inspiring and empowering to see so many different people gathered together for  the same purpose.  And as for Dave and his daughter, Rachel, they are amazing motivational speakers!

Then there was the end of the Marching Band 2013 season Yasmeen missing the challenging schedule almost immediately after their last competition and football game.  As grueling as the schedule is, I actually miss it as well since it gave our entire family a way to participate in something that Yasmeen absolutely loves.  Mohammed is part of the "pit crew" that accompanies the band just about everywhere they perform (with Adam in tow sometimes), and I help out with the serving of snacks at football games and as a cheerleader at competitions.  Leena is also a great snack helper, so we're all doing something!  Even though the marching band doesn't perform again until the Memorial Day parade int he spring, the BAND PARENTS association is still join strong playing fundraisers and being involved with something called "Winter Guard"-which is the color guard  program for the winter.  The fundraiser I'm spearheading is a scrapbooking event in April, so I'm still busy too.

Prior to that, there was a family trip down to Maryland to support Yasmeen and her band at the Bands of America regional competition in Towson.  We didn't see her at all that weekend (other than on the field), but we DID take advantage of being and Maryland and drove over to the National Aquarium to see the Black Tip Reef Shark display that we knew Adam would be crazy about.  Even though the band didn't make it to the semi-finals, our trip was worth the hassle after seeing Adam's awe when he spotted the sharks swimming so close to him at the aquarium.

In December, we spend time with family and visited NYC on Christmas Day.  Luckily it wasn't that crowded and we were able to see the sights without many crowds.  We headed back to NJ when it was time to eat, but we did have our fill of the Big Apple and Adam even got to ride the subway across midtown and back again.

And on our way home, this is what we saw...

And so this is how the story continues... We are just days away from 2014 and I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us.  I have even decided to take on the challenge of "One Little Word" by Ali Edwards for this year.  After much contemplation, and with the help of all 5 of us, I've decided on the word SIMPLIFY!  As in simplify our possessions, our things, our spending, our meals, our financial obligations, our daily routines, our wardrobes, our stress levels and our time killers.  Here's to a great year!!

So I've been trying to read everything I can on simplifying and trying to be satisfied with loving what I've got and trying not to want "more". It's a hard road, considering that I have a somewhat expensive hobby and I love to shop for supplies ;-).  However; aside from scrapbooking, I am consciously trying to cut down.  I've been donating clothes, getting rid of excess toys lying around the house (hopefully they'll go to someone that will actually appreciate them), and trying to be grateful for something every day.

Speaking of scrapbooking, we have entered the month of LOAD: 2/13.  It's day 5 and amazing I've kept up so far.  Even with working a full day today, even following all the prompts so far, and even though I am pretty, darn tired.  I didn't post until after 11:30pm tonight, so I made it just in time (well, actually, early, since the deadline is midnight PACIFIC time!).  So far, the prompts have been:
Day 1: No words ??!!!???  Yep, this one was hard, but now that I've already posted, I went back and cheated by adding journaling.  What would a scrapbook layout be without journaling, after all!
Day2: My Perfect Day.  Yes, I included scrapping, of course.  But I also included geocaching, spending time outdoors and with family.  Eating out made it on the list too.  Love a meal that I DON'T have to prepare myself!
Day3: Something taken for granted, but means a lot.  Ok, so I had this picture of Mohammed and me with the NYC skyline in the background and the Twin Towers were standing proud.  It was taken just 2 months before the events of 911, so I went with that as my topic.
Day4: A goal I want to accomplish.  So I had a lot of things running through my mind for this one, but then when I started working on the updated chore chart I made for the girls, a layout was born!
Day 5: TODAY--scrapbook your sweetie.  So I've wanted to make this one for a while.  Hubby deserves kudos for all he does for me and our family.  Here's to you, baby!
Day 6????  Wonder what tomorrow will bring.  Actually, it's close to the unveiling time here on the East Coast, so it won't be long before I'll be thinking of the next layout.

On another note, Yasmeen and I both got glasses this weekend.  Yasmeen was desperate for Ray Bans.  I guess she is trying to channel Harry from One Direction-her current obsession.  She looks cute, though.

Fishes are doing great.  Still only have 3 (my original Clownfish and a Cardinal fish).  We added some crabs to take care of a hair algae problem, but once it's under control I hope to add another 1-2 fish.  I just had to take a break from adding fish because the new ones kept dying.  It's sad to this happen, but even worse to see your money go down the toilet (literally).

Ok, some recent pics from around our way: including the recent visit from Danny and his family.  I had such a great time getting to know the boys again. They are the sweetest things ever.  Love them so much!