Our Year in Review

Our Year in Review

As the year comes to a close it made me think of everything that has happened in 2013. When I sat down to write this blog I was shocked with how much we did in 2013. I knew we were busy but I didn't know we were this busy. 

January 

-We started the year off with a splash at a pool party.

-We are back to soccer conditioning and practice.

February

-Valentine's Day parties and all the fun that come along with the holiday that is all about love.

-Went ice skating as a family. It was the first time Fife3 was on the ice. The kids loved having Mr. Fife out on the ice with them. I stayed on the sidelines taking pictures. Once again I should mention I have no coordination at all. 

-Fife1 &2 played in an Indoor National Soccer Tournament. There was teams from all over the country and a few from other countries. It was really something special to be in a tournament like this one. 

-Went to see the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

March

-Every Palm Sunday we have a ladies luncheon for our family. I will go into this in another post. This year we had the best one ever. It will be hard to beat this years and the company that was there with us. My Mom plans this every year and she has done this for over 10 years. 

-Outdoor soccer season started for all 3 Fife kids. Fife2 played on 2 teams. 

-We had a great Easter and spent it with the people we love the most in this world. 

April 

-We began a house remodel. We remodeled 4 rooms in our house. It took longer than we thought and cost way more than we thought it would. 

-The kids were excited when they were on TV in a news report about their school. 

-Soccer is still in full swing. 

May

-Our kids friends made their First Communion. We were honored to share this day with them. 

-Fife1&2 play in another soccer tournament.

-Someone who is like another mother to me and a grandmother to my kids had her park dedication. It is an honor beyond words to have a park named after you. 

-First school dance for Fife1.

-Fife2 made her First Communion. It was a special day for her and meant so much to all of us. 

-Outdoor soccer season ends for all 3 Fife kids.

-Spring violin recital for Fife1&2. 

-Elementary school graduation party. We started planning this months in advance like 6 months in advance. There was some amazing moms who made this all possible N, R, K, J, you really did an amazing job. It was a lot of work for us parents but the kids loved it and will have those memories forever.

-Fife3 started his baseball season. This was the first year Fife3 played and did a great job.

June

-Elementary school graduation and awards ceremony. Fife1 made honor roll all year and won award after award. We couldn't be prouder of Fife1. Good job!!

-Mr. Fife's brother came for a visit. He lives in another state and the kids love seeing him. They love their uncle, his wife and 2 kids more than they know.

-Fife3 started playing the violin. 

-Fife3 started practicing for the fall football season. 

-Summer meant sleepovers and kids running all over our house. 

-Fife1&2 start soccer practice for the fall season.

July 

-Our Goddaughter made her First Communion. We are so proud of her.

-Fife1&2 still having soccer practice and conditioning. 

-I lost an amazing woman who helped shape me into the person I am today. She was strong, beautiful, compassionate, kind, caring and I had the privilege of being able to call her Grandma. She is missed everyday. I love you Grandma Helen. 

-We had a personal concert by a world class violinist on my moms front porch. It is nice to have friends who are super talented. She is like another mother to me also and is one of my moms best friends.

-Our kids were thrilled when their little cousin came for a visit. They love her so much and want us to have another baby because she is so sweet and precious. Her visit was a highlight of their summer. They love her so much.

August

-First soccer game of the fall outdoor season for Fife1&2.

-First football game for the year for Fife3.

-First day back to school.

-Fife3 made a touchdown and so it started his streak of touchdowns.

September

-The month is filled with soccer games and practices.

-This month is also filled with football games and practices.

-Fife3 made some more touchdowns. It was awesome to see the team play. They all have so much heart for the game.

October 

-Fife3's team finished the football season in first place.

-Fife3's team was in the playoffs and did an amazing job. Fife3 is really good at football. 

-Fife1&2 became altar servers at mass for the first time. We are so proud of them. 

-Fife1&2 started a great foot skills program I know it is going to improve their soccer game.

-Halloween parties and fun.

November

-All 3 Fife kids started taking ice skating lessons. Fife1&2 took ice skating lessons a few years ago but once they got so involved with soccer and cheerleading there wasn't time for skating.

-Fife1 auditioned and got a part in the school play.

-Spent Thanksgiving with our family. I love Thanksgiving and always try to remember to count my blessings all year. Count your blessings and they will multiple. Count your problems and they will multiple. Which would you prefer?

December

-Our family grew by 10 fingers and toes. Our nephew was born in early December and he is a gift from God. He is just precious.  

-Christmas concerts

-Winter violin recital  for all 3 Fife kids.

-Spent the holidays with our family and friends. We had a great time and made some great memories.

-We got to attend a birthday party for a friend I wrote about it in a previous post. At the birthday party we discovered a new sport whirlyball. It is so much fun.

-We are looking forward to fun and adventure that is to come in 2014.

I know there is stuff that I missed that I will think of tomorrow morning. There are some personal achievements that I left off because I don't know how comfortable they would be with sharing their experiences. How was your year? Did it go by fast or way too slow for your liking? Are you relieved 2013 is almost over or was it the best year of your life?

I hope everyone has a healthy, amazing, positive 2014. Thanks for stopping by I really appreciate it. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments. 

 Bye 2013 & Happy New Year,

Mrs. Fife

New Years Resolutions

Every January 1st millions of people set New Years Resolutions. I am usually not one of those people. I don't say I am going to start some diet plan or improve my organizational skills because the new year started. I am not saying I don't need to lose the 100 pounds I gained since having kids. In fact I think about losing weight more than anyone should. 

The reason I haven't made new years resolutions in over a decade is because of the statistics the media seems to shove down our throats. You know the ones I am talking about, how most people fall off the resolution wagon by mid January and by the end of January almost every one has failed at their new years resolution. I guess I always thought what is the point of setting a goal when 99% of people fail at keeping these new year promises to themselves. 

With that said I have decided to set 2 new years resolutions this year. One is something on my bucket list and the second I know will benefit my health. 

I want to read the Bible from cover to cover in 1 year. I have seen a free printable chart that helps with this and gives a great plan. I have printed out the chart and will follow the steps to read the Bible in 1 year. It is a simple plan read 3 chapters every weekday and 4 chapters on the weekends. Yes this is one of the things on my bucket list. It is something I wanted to accomplish for years. My Dad read the Bible every day. He read through the entire Bible over and over again.  Here is a link to the website where you can print out the chart for free. 

http://blog.betterthansacrifice.org/2008/02/04/free-bible-reading-chart-keep-track-as-you-read-through-the-bible/

I printed the chart on cardstock and hung it where it can be seen so that will help to keep me accountable. 

The second resolution I am making is to give up pop (soda.) I drink way more pop than I should. I drink a lot of water but I also drink as much pop which isn't good. I know it isn't the healthiest choice to make but I still drink it. I gave up pop for months once. I know I will be healthier for sticking with this resolution. 

Are you making any resolutions this year? If so what are they? 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great new year whether you make resolutions or not.

Mrs. Fife

The Whirlyball Experience!

Yesterday we went to a birthday party for a great kid. Happy Birthday A!! No I won't says his name on this blog nor will I post a picture of him. I don't know if his parents would like that to much. 

Every year A's mom comes up with the best birthday ideas. She is a rock star. This year his mom did it again and came up with another great idea for a birthday party..... Whirlyball! Yes if you are like me you are thinking what is whirlyball? I had no idea before we got to the party. 

Here is a brief explanation of Whirlyball: It is a combination of lacrosse and bumper cars. You ride in what looks like bumper cars while trying to pick up a wiffle ball with a scoop that looks like a shorter version of a lacrosse stick. The objective of the game is to get the wiffle ball in the goal that is on either end of the court. There are 2 teams with 5 people on each team. 

The kids loved playing whirlyball and thought is was so cool to play something different they hadn't tried before. I didn't try it because I am as coordinated as a newborn calf. This isn't a game just for kids we saw a groups of grown men playing on the other courts. 

Here are some pictures from the party. The Fife kids are in these pictures.

I know we are going to rent out a court sometime with a group of friends because this is something both parents and kids can do together. It is fun and isn't something we have done a million times before. Things you do often aren't bad like playing board or card games. It is nice to try new things and this is something everyone will enjoy. Whirlyball anyone? 

On a scale of 1 to 10 for family activities this rates a 9. Everyone at the party was smiling, laughing and having a great time. Good job R you planned another amazing party. 

I hope you had a great holiday week and got to spend time with family and friends. 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time,

Mrs. Fife

12 Days of Christmas Update. Day 8

12 Days of Christmas Update. Day 8

If you want to read all about my 12 days of Christmas with ideas and suggestions here is the link. 

http://livinglifeasafife.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas.html

The 12 Days of Christmas is coming to a close soon and I wanted to update about some of the gifts Mr. Fife has received so far.

On the 8th Day of Christmas Mr. Fife got the new Garth Brooks box set with 8 disks inside. Garth Brooks is Mr. Fifes favorite singer of all time. So last night we watched the DVD and I kept looking over at Mr. Fife and loved the smile on his face. He wouldn't let me take any pictures of that smile that melts my heart. It was nice to spend time together since he has been working so much lately and various shifts. We have a date night every week. However between work and going to school full time date night ends up being dinner and home so he can get school work done. 

It is nice to relax watching something we both like and interested in. When we sit down to watch TV that isn't always the case. It is most of the time because Mr. Fife and I like the same kind of shows 80% of the time. However an example of when this isn't the case would be watching 9 straight hours of football on Sunday isn't exactly what I call a good time. Watching The Real Housewives of anything isn't something Mr. Fife will ever agree to do. 

What I do consider a good time is getting ready for Christmas. I really love spending time with family and friends. Everyone is in good spirits unless they have to do last minute Christmas shopping and in that case all sense of the season is gone. Spending holidays with my funny. supportive, caring and wacky family means so much. I cherish these moments. 

I hope you are enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas as much as Mr. Fife. I love seeing him excited every day for the gift. 

Merry Christmas,

Mrs. Fife  

Idea for an Inexpensive Family Outing

Idea for an inexpensive family outing. 

The Fife family went on a Christmas themed event recently. I don't want to say the name to this event because everyone has a different experience and some may have a great experience. It isn't the same every time in fact there are several factors that go into how much you will enjoy it. You could go to this event 5 days a week and experience something different each time. It isn't like Disney on Ice which whether you see it in California or Massachusetts it is the same. This attraction is very popular Christmas attraction in our area. I have friends who love it and others warned me they had a terrible time. It is not in any way a cheaper event, we paid over $250 for the 3 hour event. 

With that in mind I thought of something that we have done as a family. This is economical and fun for every one and you aren't left thinking...  We paid for this?

Have the kids get into their pjs after it gets dark and warm the car up. Turn on the Christmas music and enjoy. You can bring blankets for effect if you want.  Everyone load into the car and drive around your area and look at the lights and decorations people have spent so much time to display. I know in our area there are some amazing light displays. One house has their display synced to a local radio station. 

Here is the part that you need to customize to your family and depending on the age of your children. Some will not have any drinks or snacks. I know hot chocolate in a thermos or disposable coffee cup is an idea I love. I know some people would say popcorn. Mr. Fife wouldn't let our kids eat popcorn in the car because he is worried about choking on popcorn anytime but especially in the car. 

Our kids love this and they loved going for the ride to get pictures for this blog. They enjoy this more than the expensive outing we were on a few weeks ago. I feel it is nice to sit in the car listening to Christmas music looking at the lights and hearing my kids comment and talk about what they like about each display. This is something special that is really cheap it costs you gas money which can be minimal depending on how far you want to drive. So if you are looking for a fun thing to with the kids that doesn't break the bank this would be a great idea for you. 

Thanks for reading this post,

Mrs. Fife

12 Days of Christmas Day 5

12 Days of Christmas Day 5

If you want to read all about my 12 days of Christmas with ideas and suggestions here is the link. 

http://livinglifeasafife.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas.html

Well I must admit there isn't anything overly exciting about the gift for Day 5. I got Mr. Fife a pack of socks that look warm and cozy. 

He loves socks. Especially warm and cozy socks. 

Who doesn't like warm and cozy socks? 

What did you give for Day 5?

Thanks for reading my blog and stop by tomorrow to find out what Mr. Fife gets for day 6.

Mrs. Fife

12 Days of Christmas Day 4

12 Days of Christmas Day 4

If you want to read all about my 12 days of Christmas with ideas and suggestions here is the link. 

http://livinglifeasafife.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas.html

I am pleased to report that the gift package Mr. Fife opened today had the correct amount of items. 

Our son loves Axe body spray it makes him feel grown up. He also likes to wear cologne so Axe body spray is our compromise. 

While shopping I am looking for numbers and I am sure you are thinking how many more cologne/personal care items is he going to get? Well, I realize there has been a trend the past few days but tomorrow will be different. I promise. 

On the 4th Day of Christmas I gave Mr. Fife an Axe gift set. Men aren't picky when it comes to body wash. My son will love to take the spray. 

Let me know what you are giving for the 4th day. 

Thanks for stopping by and reading my post today.

Mrs. Fife

12 Days of Christmas Day 3 or should I say 4 for 3.

12 Days of Christmas Day 3

If you want to read all about my 12 days of Christmas with ideas and suggestions here is the link. 

http://livinglifeasafife.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas.html

We are a fourth of the way into the 12 Days of Christmas. Mr. Fife opened Day 3's gift already. It was a Gillette razor gift set. I seen 3 items in the box and thought great this is a gift I know he will use and like. I buy all of these items in 1 shopping trip if possible. So really I am looking for numbers. I seen the 2 items in the Old Spice gift from yesterday. I seen 3 items in this box so great Day 3 check. I am sure you will see a pattern between not noticing the ironic message on the back of the Old Spice box yesterday and what happened today. 

Well I seen the back of the box when Mr. Fife opened the package and seen 4 items shown. So I thought ok maybe there is only 3 in the package and they are just  making a suggestion or advertising. 

You guessed it there is 3 items in the box and 1 hidden under one of the items for a grand total of 4. Yes 4 on the 3rd day of Christmas. So what does Mr. Fife say to me??????  You need to get me a 3 gift just to be fair with a teasing tone in his voice.

I said fine so you know what I am going to pick up today? An instant lottery ticket connected to the number 3. One with 3 in the name or 3 of a $1 dollar ticket. I know it isn't the most imaginative idea in the world but it is a fix to my Day 3 mistake.  

Hope you are having a great weekend and a nice relaxing Sunday. Please check back for Day 4. 

~~~ Mrs. Fife

12 Days of Christmas Day 2

12 Days of Christmas Day 2

If you want to read all about my 12 days of Christmas with ideas and suggestions here is the link. 

http://livinglifeasafife.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas.html

This morning was hectic to say the least. All 3 of the Fife kids had their winter violin recital. They did a great job I am really proud of them.  When the recital was done we had to go directly to their school auditorium for their class Christmas concert/performances. Fife 1 had a band concert and Fife 2's class sang beautifully. Fife 3's class wasn't preforming and I think he was relived. Here are some pictures of them from the recital. 

Mr. Fife had a busy day also and unfortunately wasn't able to make the violin recital or the Christmas concerts. He hates missing any of their recitals, performances, games, school parties and events etc. I realize that I am blessed to be able to attend each and every event with our kids. I know he sacrifices so much so they have me at every thing. Thank you Mr. Fife I appreciate you and all you do for us. 

Ok I wanted to post about Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas. Mr. Fife isn't a morning person but he becomes a true morning person for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. He couldn't wait to find out what he was getting for day 2. 

I must put a disclaimer here....  My husband told me years ago that he loves Old Spice. I started laughing because I haven't heard of anyone wearing Old Spice since my grandpa. Especially men in their 20s don't wear it. I didn't know they still made Old Spice until he mentioned it. He told me that there would be a lot less people on Earth if Old Spice wasn't around. He said all ladies love Old Spice and can't resist it. I know you are laughing as much as me right now.

When I seen the 2 piece Old Spice gift set I knew he would love it. He did and he told me again about his theory of Old Spice causing the birth of millions. 

I wrapped this gift last week and didn't notice what was on the back of the box until today. I guess my husband isn't the only one that believes in the power of Old Spice. 

Look closely at the box. "If your grandfather hadn't worn it, you wouldn't exist." 

Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas was a great success. I know this maybe Day 1 for some of you. So what did you do for Day 1 and Day 2? 

Happy Day 2 of Christmas. Check back tomorrow for Day 3.