Hello December! It’s the month of crazy holiday shopping, pictures with Santa, happiness and joy!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with #AskAwayFriday it’s an amazing way to meet new bloggers, make friends and ask some questions to get to know them better! 10 questions are exchanged and answered on your partners blog, you can get as creative as you want and even get into our purses!
As always, tried and true we have the partners in crime, the ladies who created #AskAwayFriday…the wonderful Penny from The Real Housewife of Caroline County and Amber from Bold Fab Mom!!
Our co-hosts for the month of December are here as well! All new ladies who have been wonderful additions to the #AskAwayFriday week after week! Show them some love by stopping by their blogs!
Once again we are so happy to have everyone here for Week 18 of #AskAwayFriday!
So let’s get to it! Here are the questions that Rabia asked away and here are my answers:1. I see that you have a boy and a girl. Which is easier so far?Arielle is so much easier in comparison to Zavier. Not sure if it is due to their individual temperament or if it’s because GIRLZ RULE at life in general. Zavier was fussy as an infant and is a total “Mommy’s boy.” He’s clingy and needy. However, he does have his sweet moments – and when he does, they are soooo sweet that it melts my heart.
2. You have been blogging for a little over a year. What made you start and what keeps you going?
I started blogging as a way of documenting our family memories. A&Z are growing so fast and this is my way of freezing their precious moments in time. Then, I realized how much I enjoyed writing and blogging evolved to be my personal creative outlet. There are so many reasons why I keep blogging – I love sharing my thoughts and ideas and having a voice. I’m constantly inspired by the blogging community and the friends I’ve made here. Lastly, blogging challenges me in so many good ways to be a better mother and to never stop learning or trying new things.
3. I love your blog name and it fits so perfectly with your kiddos’ names. Did you do that on purpose (the A and Z)?
It just worked out that way! We picked those names because we just happened to like “Arielle” and “Zavier.” I racked my brain for weeks trying to think of a name for my blog and just came up with Mommy A-Z because it seemed appropriate.
4. I can see from your pictures that you have a great sense of style. Did you ever put together an outfit that really didn’t work? Or do you have one that you’re especially proud of?
Today was actually one of those days that my outfit didn’t work. I’m really into patterned tights and layering pieces, but today I over did it. It was a hot mess – I wore a black sweater dress with black diamond patterned tights and black leg warmers with black Ugg boots. The sweater dress was short-sleeved and it was one of those c-c-c-cold midwest mornings, so I topped it off with a black chunky cardigan sweater. My husband told me I looked like a “gothic mummy” with all my black layers. It was too late to change, though, so I just went with it and threw on dark purple lipstick to complete the look. Not my best day for fashion.
I’m conscious about what I wear since I dont’ want to look like a frumpy mother, yet I don’t want to look like I shop in the Juniors department and I’m trying too hard. My favorite outfit is this one that I posted about here:
5. You also do a lot of DIY. What has been your favorite project so far?
My favorite one so far is my DIY Instagram Photo Magnets. I was so happy to finally get all those photos out of my phone and on to my fridge! Plus, it was super easy and cheaper than if you were to order them online. I was able to make about 32 magnets for under $3!
6. What is your favorite childhood memory?
…that one time when my sister and I were playing and a peach fell out of her mouth right onto my forehead. I was probably five years old when that happened and I still remember it so clearly and laugh just thinking about it!
7. Tis the season for giving and thinking of others. Do you have a favorite charity or non-profit organization that you support?
My husband’s family established a not-for-profit organization called 1 Perfect Day and their mission is to build a community center, school and church for children in their home town in the Philippines. I used to be the Account Manager for all the Personal Shoppers at Shop Your Way; where Personal Shoppers earn a commission by helping their friends and family shop at Sears or Kmart. I got the family set up with the Personal Shopper program, so that 50% of the commission earned from their purchases at Sears or Kmart were donated to the organization.
With the recent devastation from Typhoon Haiyan plus the holidays coming up, they could use a little help and it’s super easy to contribute. All you have to do is sign up for my uncle Arnel T to be your Personal Shopper (here) – he’ll even help you find the best deals at Sears and Kmart. Then, you just purchase items at Sears or Kmart as usual (in the store or online) and provide your Shop Your Way Rewards info and check-out. The system automatically tracks your purchase and applies commission to Arnel and he donates 50% of his earnings directly to 1 Perfect Day.
8. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Every year my husband gets me a ton of Christmas presents. It’s just so nice because he puts so much thought into the presents that he buys me – including stuff that I never asked for, but end up loving because he just knew I would. I cry every year, he makes me feel so special. I guess you can say I’m spoiled, but I say that my husband is very smart because he figured out that my “love language” is receiving gifts. 🙂
9. I can’t believe it’s December already!! Do you have anything left on your 2013 bucket list that you haven’t done yet?
I never had a bucket list for 2013! I guess I know what my first blog post will be for 2014! If I did have one, it would be to learn how to play a new song on the piano. My fingers are rusty and I’ve been playing the same 5 songs for the past 10 years.
10. Speaking of time…if you could go 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future and spend a week, which would you choose and why?
Ooooh, this is a good question! I would go 100 years in the future. Just think about all the technological advancements in the last 5 years – it’s growing exponentially, so I’d definitely want to see what’s in store 100 years from now. I would love to take my great-grandkids out for ice cream, too!
Thanks for playing along on this ask away Friday, Rabia! I hope you (and others reading this) got to know a little more about me 🙂 I’m co-hosting Ask Away Friday for the month of December so there will be LOTS more to come.
If you participated in Ask Away Friday this week, don’t forget to link up here:
Thanks for linking up and see you next week!
I really love the title of your blog, and how you came up with it. So cute! Definitely don’t like to be seen in public as frumpy! I would have picked 100-years into the future as well. I’m a techie gal and I want to know what will be going no! Adorable family, nice to learn more about you.
Wendy May recently posted…#AskAwayFriday, #18!
I’m a techie gal, too! With all the advances in tech and medicine, we might just be able to live for the next 100 years! Thanks for stopping by, Wendy!
I absolutely love your answer for No. 8! I feel the same way and I know people from the outside would feel I was spoiled too but my Hubby always waits until Christmas to smother me and I honestly love it! I like how you phrased it “he figured out that my “love language” is receiving gifts. :)” Cute!
Great to get to know you a bit better!
Tiffany recently posted…#AskAwayFriday W/Sally From Silkki’s Reviews
What girl’s love language is NOT receiving gifts? It must be embedded in our DNA! LOL Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany!
My love language is gifts too! They don’t have to be big things, just something to let me know you’ve been thinking of me. I had such a fun time swapping questions with you! You’ve got great answers!!
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…Ask Away Friday with Mommy A to Z
Thanks again for swapping questions with me – you had some good ones! Sadly, I’m terrible when it comes to getting gifts for my husband! I need to work on that. LOL
I would have to agree that would be my love language, too! LOL! Though not necessarily big things. I love your answer to #10! That would be a hard one for me to decide! I wish that I could play the piano, though I used to be able to play “On Top of Spaghetti” on my grandmas old organ. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Stacey Gannett recently posted…#AskAwayFriday 18 with Anne from Anne’s Blog!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Stacey! I had so much fun answering Rabia’s questions this week. I see that you did #AAF, too so I’m heading on over to check it out!
Dude! I totally know what I’m getting half of my holiday list now! Those instamagnets will be a HIT with the grandparents, for sure! Every year, I DIY them something fun (last year I made wreaths). I love that you love fashion. I had a hot mess vampire look myself last week!
NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner recently posted…#AskAwayFriday With Mister G
They would make awesome gifts and they are super easy to do! Let me know how they turned out, NJ 🙂 thanks for stopping by!
How fun! I love Rabia’s blog. And your blog name is just perfect. I think receiving gifts might be one of my love languages too! My husband made me cry one year with his gifts.
And I think my daughter has been easier than my son too, although most people say sons are easier. In truth, he is painfully easy but she was even better at sleeping as a baby than he was! And he cried more as a newborn.
Tamara recently posted…Those Crazy, Stressful Holiday Times.
I had so much fun swapping questions with Rabia this week! She had some really good ones for me 🙂 I think receiving gifts is just about every woman’s love language – it’s built into our DNA! LOL
LOVE your outfit! And the name of your blog is simply perfect! What a fun interview to read! :)-Ashley
Thanks for stopping by, Ashley! Have a great weekend!!
I cannot wait to do that IG DIY project! I was looking for a way to permanently keep some of those pictures! Love your favorite outfit!!
Carissa recently posted…#Ask Away Friday: W/Christy from Uplifting Families
Thanks, Carissa! Let me know how they turn out 🙂 They make great Christmas gifts, too.
Cute outfit, I know what you mean I don’t want to look like I shop in the juniors department, but I don’t want to look frumpy either. Since I’m short and small I sometime do buy jeans from the juniors department or teen geared stores. However, I stick to basic skinny jeans, no crazy colors, designs, or other overly trendy touches.
Thanks, Sonya! I’ve been really obsessed with shopping at Francesca’s lately because their clothes are on trend, but not too junior-ish. I just stopped by there after work and ended up getting some cute stuff!
{Melinda} Love MamaRabia! 🙂 Fun interview and nice to get to know a little more about her heart and family. 🙂
Mothering From Scratch recently posted…3 steps to less stress this Christmas
I had so much fun getting to know more about Rabia and swapping questions with her! Glad to meet you and thanks for stopping by, Melinda!
Gracielle recently posted…Light ’em up
Great answers! Loved getting to know you a bit through this! And I love that outfit!! Leggings and boots are my go to right now!! 🙂
Beth at Structure in an Unstructured Life recently posted…Ask Away Friday with Lanaya!
Thanks for stopping by, Beth! I’m OBSESSED with fleece-lined leggings this winter. They are so warm and comfy…I could wear them every day if I could!
Gracielle recently posted…Light ’em up
Your kids are beautiful. I have three kids myself and I think my daughter was the easiest. She was very laid back as a baby and still is. She was born deaf so loud noises wouldn’t budge her from the bed and we didn’t have to tiptoe around the house. My oldest son was horrible as a toddler, he thought he was part monkey. He was a climber and loved pouring things out onto the carpet. My youngest son is fairly laid back too and I am thankful he isn’t a monkey. 🙂
Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families recently posted…7 Winter Essential Items to Keep Your Family Safe During Winter Holiday Trips
That’s too funny that you described your son as “part monkey”! LOL My son is not so much a monkey that climbs or gets into things, he’s just very needy. I don’t know how else to describe it! Thanks for stopping by, Christy!
Gracielle recently posted…Light ’em up
I loved reading this! your children are beautiful! And you have so much style! Nice to meet you via #AAF! I so wish I could play piano!
Jodi Flaherty recently posted…Holiday Happiness #Giveaways (Part 1) The Baby Collection Prize Package! ends 12/14
Thank you so much for stopping by, Jodi! So happy to meet you too 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your week!
Gracielle recently posted…Light ’em up