Life with the Leibrocks: January 2019

So after the Christmas craziness we dove into a very, very busy New Year. January 2019 can be summed up in two words: travel and cold.

The travel part refers to me, which included 6 weeks of work travel in a row, culminating in a much needed vacation week. I was working hard to prove myself in a new job and I honestly pushed myself a bit too hard and got burnt out. I'm going to do my very best to make sure I maintain better balance, moving forward.

The cold refers to a super cold snap (media called it "arctic blast") that swept through at the end of the month. We had temps in the negative 30s-40s and schools were closed for four days. It was nuts! I luckily missed the worst of it as I was in San Antonio soaking in the sun for work (sorry not sorry).

Matt was incredible though at holding down the fort during all of these trips. He's really the best husband and father a girl could ever ask for!

Needless to say though, we were very ready for my travel craziness to be over and to escape on a warm Caribbean vacation in Feb!

We had to go to American Girl to check out the new girl of the year, Blaire. Becca wanted to hold her and wouldn't let her go! Looks like we have another AG lover in the mix :)

We had a membership to Sea Life Aquarium that was about to expire so we decided to go through one more time as a family. Brinley looked so funny under the glass in the tank, ha!

My cute matching girls!

Brinley got a private gymnastics lesson as a gift at Christmas. She loved it!

Mommy did a little AG organizing downstairs. Love it!

Enjoying her snack in the toddler room. It's so cute, they have a table with all of these little holes in it for the littlest toddlers.

Stinker!

Mommy started off 2019 on a new workout program. I did really well for three weeks but then life got in the way. Not going to give up though and still want to make exercise and healthy eating part of my life.

Sweet note from the nursery teachers to Becca. They loved her and we loved them!

We had a first, Brinley decided her hair was in her eyes after her bath and took it upon herself to cut it. She felt terrible and honestly, it was kind of funny! I just hope she never does it again.

We got into Marie Kondoing in the New Year and I tackled my closet. It's amazing getting rid of things that no longer bring you joy. And it's crazy how many things are in our house that we don't need or want! I can't wait to do the rest...

Daddy and Brinley went on a very special date to the Gopher Women's basketball game. They had a blast!

End result!

This girl read her first book this month and can read a lot of sight words. We are so proud of her! She's definitely going to be ready for kindergarten in the Fall.

Not sure what that face is for, ha!

In other REALLY big news, Matt left the fire department as of Jan. 1. It was a tough decision and one he really wrestled with, but ultimately it was best for our family. I am so proud of him and the 7 years that he served the department. And who knows, maybe he will be back someday!

Love my #276 and really loved being Mrs. 276

End result

Matt "komodo dragoned" his clothes too!

May I try on your wedding dress, mom? Normally, I say no. Or not today. But on this day, I said yes! She loved it and I loved watching the joy it brought her. I hope someday she considers wearing my veil...

She's got the sass!

Pure joy!

Such a creative girl!

Our new vision and mission for our church. I honestly love this as it completely aligns with what Matt and I want to do in our life as well.

Brinley decided, on her own, to KonMarie her crayons. She got rid of all of the colors that don't bring her joy. Ha!

On the super snowy day, our good friend Raquel took the girls so that Matt could go to work. We are very grateful that she did!

In the meantime, I was in San Antonio soaking in the sun and 70 degree weather and enjoying these amazing biscuits with strawberry jalepeno jelly. Makes my mouth water just remembering them.

Been a long time since I saw a swimming pool!

Or put my toes in the water!

So beautiful and peaceful. God knew I needed a few sun-filled moments to rest and rejuvenate.

Meanwhile, Josiah was enjoying reading books to Becca!

And Brinley had the "best day ever" playing with her BFF Greta

This was Raquel's attempt at capturing a "nice" photo

In San Antonio, we got to enjoy a fantastic Big and Rich concert on the second night. It was pretty cool, but what was even cooler was getting a message from Josh that night. Josh, I think of you often and wish you were still with us.

On Wednesday, the day before my birthday, the temp bottomed out in the -40s so the daycare did a cute craft to commemorate the coldest day in 25 years!