WeekEND News

Oh, Monday. Sometimes I look forward to you. It offers a new start. Today, however, I am feeling tired...thanks to Daylight Savings Time. Also, because my hubby was out of town over the weekend and I never sleep good when he is away. However, I will embrace this Monday with joyfulness.

While Rob was gone the kids and I spent most of our time at my mom and step dad's. (I am a BIG baby!) The kids, of course, loved it and I slept a little better than normal. I was planning on doing something fun with the kids on Saturday but Broderick started running a fever Friday night. So Saturday we rented some movies and hunkered down. I watched The Help and Footloose. Both pretty good. Sunday was gorgeous! We spent some time playing outside. It was great to just sit out back and let the kids play. It made me anxious to get the trampoline up. Rob got home last night around dinner and we even grilled out!

Like I said, Monday offers a fresh start. And that means Spring cleaning begins today. I am usually pretty motivated to do, but not this year. I will get there...hopefully!

Weekend News

We had a great weekend!

(Do I say that every Monday?)

Friday the weather turned cold. COLD!

We had already bought tickets to go to the high school football game so we bundled up and headed up to the field.

Of course, we went out to eat before at one of my favorite local places.

We were very cold, but we had a great time with our friends.

I found it very humorous that the high school played against the high school that Ricki, Jeremy and I went to. Big rivals people! It was way better to be sitting on this side of the field!

Saturday, we did some work around the house and then went shopping. We bought this ginormous mirror for above our couch.

You may remember awhile ago I did a post about needing help with my wall color and mantel. Well, Maria from the B.M.C. Report, helped a sister out. She suggested we move the shelves and break up the wall space with a huge, bulky mirror. Rob and I both liked the idea so the work began.

We were up until midnight Saturday rearranging things. I think we have most of it figured out and I love it.

I really want my pictures back on the walls so we need to still work on that.


Here is the fireplace before...

I would say an improvement! A fresh coat of paint, removed the fireplace doors, and added a few things. The mantel is not done. We are going to get a deeper shelf, hang something up and put different things on the shelf. It is hard right now because the shelf is only about 4 inches deep.

Here is the before of the walls...


And the after...

What do you think?

WeekEND News

It was just another typical weekend at our house...

Ya know the ones, everyone dresses up and we have a Nerf battle. Oh, you don't do that at your house? I guess we are weird that way.

We also went to a park and took the kids quads. They had a great time riding around in big open fields. Our yard is only so big.

And of course we had pizza and movie. (Shocker, I know!)

This picture isn't from the weekend, but I love it! The kids have been loving having "sleepovers" in each others rooms. This is how Rob and I find them one night when we went to check on them before we went to bed. (I love checking on them before I go to bed. They are sleeping and peaceful. I just want to crawl in bed with them and snuggle all night.)

WeekEND News

Nothing super exciting happened this weekend, but it was a great summer weekend. Friday night we went swimming at my bff's parents house with her and her family and Family Fun Mom and her family. It was a great time.
(It always is when I get together with these fab ladies!)

Saturday Rob fixed our leaking pipes under the sink...exciting I know! Then we hung around home ALL day! It was blazing hot so the kids played on the slip n slide and with water guns.

Thankfully we got out a little that night. Being home all day can make yours truly a little nutso!
Sunday we went to church and then went to the pool for the afternoon. I love the pool. It is fun to watch Broderick go off the board and swim in the "deep" part. He is getting so big!
Sunday night we had pizza and movie night of course. This week we decided to grill pizza. It was amazing! I will for sure do this again!

I laid out different toppings for everyone and we all made our own.

My finished product...ham and sauerkraut! Sounds gross I know, but it was delicious!

Last night I also decided to start running. My friends had told me about the couch to 5k program, so I did day one last night in the rain. It was actually kind of fun! When I got home I read an encouraging post and article.
Both of them changed my perspective for the week.

This week I am saying yes to...
running.
playing with my kids.
serving my family.
eating good.
being joyful.
getting up early to read my Bible.
having fun.

WeekEND News

(I have no pictures for you from this weekend so you will have to use your imaginations!)

We went camping with my mom and step dad. They have a camper and it is really fun. I just love camping. Ya know how I said the drive in was becoming my favorite summer activity, well, I think camping is too! My dream is to one day have and RV. (My husband on the other hand feels differently.) I love the getting away and being outside.

We went out on the boat and swam in the lake.
(First time my kids have ever swam in a lake.)

We watched a firefly firework show.
(God's creation is so cool!)

We ate!
(of course!)

We sat by the fire.

We laid in the hammock.

We did puzzles.

We rode on the golf cart.

We swam in the pool.

It was a great weekend.

Oh and last night, we capped off the weekend with movie night. You are never going to guess what we watched.

Really! I want you to guess. Here's a hint...the never is a clue.

First person to get it right gets a prize!

WeekEND News

What a fun packed weekend we had! Friday night the kids each got a new toy...

How fun do they look!? Saturday was filled with the pool and sun. Sunday we went to the water park and drive-in movie. (The drive-in is becoming one of my favorite summer things to do!) Monday we met Ab Lincoln...

a Stormtrooper...

went mining...

rock climbing, saw fireworks and had a blast!

I am looking forward to this short week and have a lot of fun stuff to blog!

Hope you all enjoy your week!

WeekEND News {Unplugged}

Rob and I decided on Tuesday that we wanted to get away.

Disconnect.

Unplug.

Seclude ourselves.

It was perfect. Life has been a little crazy around these parts and we really wanted to spend time together as a family without all the background noise.
We rented a cabin, turned off our phones, left DS and computers at home, and took off.
It was perfect. (Did I say that already?)

We hiked. A LOT!

One hike we did was 2 1/2 miles long around the brim of 200 foot cliffs. It was beautiful. We walked up about 200 steps and then down about 200 steps. The kids were real troopers!

We relaxed in the hot tub.

We relaxed in the hammock.

We colored in bed.

Rob stole the show with teaching the kids how to make face paint from creek rocks. Who knew my husband was so outdoorsy?!

We hiked some more. More steps!

We enjoyed the beauty God created!

Sunday was my birthday (in case you didn't know) and my super awesome husband, surprised me, yet again with a massage at the cabin. It was fabulous! He took the kids outside and the massage therapist came right to the cabin.
I had a wonderful birthday! Could you tell by all the posts about celebrating me!

Unplugging this weekend was just what we needed. It was perfect. (Did I mention that yet?) Rob and I took time last night when we got home and talked about the weekend and how we can change our everyday lives. It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday and not really take time to slow down and breath. I have a feeling this will be a regular event for us.

WeekEND News {All about ME}

Friday night the "plan" was to take the kids to a children's museum. Rob texted me at 4:00 and said my meeting is over pick me up at the office at 4:30. So I told the kids to get ready we were leaving in 5 minutes. (I was finishing a blog post, that never got done or posted. Maybe later.) Next thing I know I hear the garage door open and a horn honking.
I am thinking, "what is that?"
Then Broderick says, "Mom, who is here? Happy 30th birthday Amy."

What!?

So I look out the window and see this car...

I open the door and find 3 ladies hiding. I seriously had no idea what was going on. See, my birthday is not until June 19th. I really thought we were going to the museum. I never expected a birthday surprise like this. They came rushing in my house, followed by Rob (who obviously knew all about this and helped plan it) and tell me I have 10 minutes to pack.
We are leaving!

What!?

So they help me throw some things in a bag and off we go. It was a whirlwind! I get in the van and Carrie tells me we will be staying Downtown and throughout the next 24 hours we will be doing 10 different things all involving the number 30. (You see...that is how old I will be!)
#1 Go to Goodwill and find an outfit from 30 years ago and try it on. (Also do some shopping since you love to shop there.) Here you have it!

After much laughing and strange ladies asking us if we were hairdressers ("she's 30 and...")
we headed to our hotel to check in and then to a very yummy BBQ place downtown. We of course ordered dessert. When the guy brought it I said, "are you going to sing to me, it is my birthday ya know?"
Of course he didn't know so he said, "hold on" and came back with this yummy goodness. Him and some of the surrounding tables sang to me. It was great!

Next brought a carriage ride through some scary alleys but it was still super fun! (Insert Carrie's deep crazy voice where italics are.)

When we got back to the hotel I had to write down 3 things I want to do in the next 30 years.

They were...
go to Hawaii...
go on a mission trip to Africa...
and pay our house off.

Then the girls gave me 30 gifts. The last one was a necklace from Tiffany & Co with my initial. So thoughtful and my first piece of jewelry form Tiffany.

The ladies had to make a list of 30 words to describe me: loyal, funny, compassionate, caring, stylish, mature, selfless, great listener, wise, good mom, submissive wife, kind, organized, servant, empathizer, good cook, good friend, nice butt, thrifty, appreciative, beautiful, daughter of Christ, leader, efficient, laid back, spontaneous (except clubs), & excellent scrapbooker. (I don't know who they know, but I thought they were very kind things to say about me and I never want to forget it!)

Next on the crazy list of 30 things was putting 30 hair accessories in my hair.

Then they asked me 30 questions and if I didn't answer them I had to do a dare. I think I only didn't answer 3. So I had to chew 5 pieces of gum and then call the front desk and ask for more towels, go on the elevator and sing the national anthem, & dance to a song all by myself. Not to bad. I was a little worried, especially with these crazy girls! Day 2 brought shopping and a lot of laughter. Of course the list of craziness continued with dancing in a store for 30 seconds, taking 30 glamor shots of me and more.

The conspirators!
Aren't they beautiful?
I am truly blessed to have some wonderful friends!
I could not have thought of a better way to spend my birthday. I know it took a lot of planning on every one's part.

I am forever grateful!

Long WeekEND News

I really think this weekend was perfect!
Friday night brought a drive-in movie. It was so much fun. This is bound to be a summer favorite. It is a late night but so worth it! The kids think it is so fun to sit in the back of the van in our jammies on bean bags and eat snacks! Loved it!

Saturday morning we hung around home and then in the evening we went to the amusement park with friends. We stayed for the fireworks. Again, such a great time!

This place never gets old.

Sunday we went to the pool. Let me just say, I was not looking forward to the first trip to the pool. I bought a really cool cover up in hopes that would help. I lathered up in sunscreen before we left home and then again when we got there. I was sitting on the edge of the pool in my cover up about 5 minutes after we got there and I started crying.

Yup...break down!
I am not sure why.
It wasn't because I will be white all summer.
It wasn't because I was sitting on the edge with my cover up on.
It wasn't because I will be 30 in less than a month!

I think reality just hit. I am going to have to be extra careful all summer. Really, whenever it is sunny. Sunscreen every hour, hat, sunglasses, in the shade. You name it...I have to be careful. Hopefully there will be no more break downs. Either way, we had a great time at the pool. Carys went down the slide for the first time. Broderick did the diving board. He was so bummed they took out the high dive because he really wanted to do it this year. Can I tell you, I could not be happier about that decision!

Monday morning we...

woke up late...

drank coffee on the patio...

the kids jumped on the trampoline...

watched squirrels mate in the tree.

Yeah...you read that right. I tried to get a picture but they realized we were watching them and moved to a more private location. I know, I am weird. It was very entertaining though! We went back to the amusement park, but to the water park. It was so HOT! Broderick rode some new water slides. We swam and again...just had a great time. No break downs this time! We topped off the day with pizza and movie night. We watched Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It was so good. I love all the Narnia movies, but this one I think was #2 for me. Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe of course is my #1.

WeekEND News

Whew...what a weekend! Friday night was dress rehearsal so Carys and I headed to that and the boys went out for "boys night!" Thankfully Carys and I were not there long so we met up with the boys to go see a movie. Saturday morning was Father's Saturday at Carys' school. Which can I just say...she was super excited about this. Of course it called for a special hair bow that said, "Wild for daddy". Yes, I know, adorable. Thanks to this fabulous website! Carys and Rob went to breakfast first and then to their special day. She loved it. Nothing like special time with dad. While they were gone Broderick and I had some special time too. So good to spend one on one time with my kiddos.

Saturday night was date night. It had been a long time and I was needing it! We went to a great restaurant that we had never been to and then did some shopping. It was so fun to be out together. And the kids had a great time with our wonderful babysitter. They made cupcakes!

Sunday was the BIG day! Carys has been working so hard for the last 9 months at ballet. She finally got to do her dance on stage. She loved every minute of it. The costume, the make up, the flowers, the attention. She really did do a great job! This year was serious ballet. Her teacher, Mr. Jayson, was amazing. At the beginning of the year I wasn't crazy about her having a male instructor, but he was great! (He was Brittany Spears teacher before she went to Mickey Mouse club.) Carys and another little girl really soaked up the instruction and had a duet at the beginning of the dance that was just precious! I really hope to get the same teacher next year.

My star with her flowers, from daddy and Broderick, and her trophy.
So sweet!

WeekEND News

The weekend is over again and it is back to the normal week routine. I don't know if all of you know that I have been subbing at Carys' preschool all year. It has been so fun. Just in the last month I have been working every Monday so the week starts off with a bang for me. I have to be up and ready to go...not used to that. I have really loved it! Back to the weekend...
Friday we got to celebrate my BFF's son's birthday! Carrie's middle son, Nate, turned 5! It was so great to be there to celebrate with Carrie, Nate and the rest of their family. We have been best friends since Broderick and Emma, Carrie's oldest, were just babies. We really feel apart of their family and love hanging out with them. Carrie and I were pregnant with Carys and Nate at the same time. I always know when Nate's birthday comes...Carys' is right around the corner. So I know I need to start planning.

Saturday didn't bring much fun around our house...

until the evening!

We went to church and then myself and these lovely ladies above went out for the first official GFN! (Girls Fun Night) We plan on doing something fun every month. (Maria has high hopes of a trip to NYC.) This month we went to dinner and a movie. We had a great time and I truly look forward to hanging out with them next month. After the movie I got pulled over which was AWESOME! Just kidding! I was driving without my lights on...sweet! Thankfully I don't drink or we would have had problems. The kind officer just gave me a warning.

Sunday we took the kids out for a fun day with some friends. Carys and I made chocolate chip cookies in honor of Chocolate chip Day. And of course we topped the weekend off with pizza and movie night...my favorite!

That was how I spent my weekend...what about you?

WeekEND News - Mother Day's Weekend

I had such a wonderful weekend. Did you? The fun really started on Thursday. Broderick's school had the sweetest Mother's Day Tea. The kids met us in the lobby of the school and then walked us back to the "community space" (an area outside of about 6 of the classrooms.) There were chairs set up where each child picked a special seat for their mothers. Then the kids recited a couple poems to us...which were just adorable. After that we went into their class where they had decorated the tables and made us cookies. It looked great! They served us lemonade or water. It was so sweet and fun! Thursday night Carys, my mom, sister and I went to get pedicures and dinner. Another fun time! (That picture is obviously above!)

Friday I had a mother's day tea at Carys' school. They sang great songs that made me cry and laugh. Carys had to go potty during the middle and then got embarrassed and wouldn't go back up and sing. Thankfully she cheered up for snack and craft time. Her teacher had asked her some questions about me and then wrote in her answers. It went a little something like this:
What does your mom like to do in her spare time? Lay on the couch and watch a mommy show. (She is right, but reading that made me feel kind of lazy.)
What would you change about your mom? That she would stop yelling at Broderick. (She is right again, but it made me feel pretty crappy.)
Needless to say, I left thinking, I should change a few things...

Saturday started out sunny so we headed to the amusement park. Can I just say, I love doing this with the family. We walk in and immediately can smell the water from the fountains, the food, hear the laughter and screams. It is great! We stayed for a couple hours then went to a fabulous place for lunch. We played outside for awhile when we got home. Broderick was doing a great job riding his 2 wheeler and wouldn't ya know...I didn't get a picture. Saturday night we hung out at home and some friends stopped by for a little bit.

Sunday we of course did church (Broderick lost another tooth at church) and then went to one of my favorite places for lunch. After that we went and bought the kids a trampoline. It doesn't seem like a great way to spend mothers day...going to buy and put together a trampoline, but...think of the hours of relaxation I will get while they jump! Make sense?

All in all
it was a fabulous weekend!