Projects and Carrotts

What a weekend. A little bit of project finishes with a quick trip to the ER. Our life is never boring.

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Andy's office project has finally come to an end. I really hope it will be the last of projects for a while. I am very excited about his/our new space, but he is tired. It has been a big job done in a short time. That is just the way my husband works though. The ending result, for all of the soreness and frustration, is awesome! I am so proud of him.







These pictures have been blown up to 8x10 and framed to be put above the couch. These are all of the places that Andy has worked. From start to finish. So neat!







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Saturday evening, the four of us snug in our pajamas(ok, we were in them all day), awaiting a little Casper the Friendly Ghost action, my sweet Bear decided not to finish the last chunk of her carrott stick. Instead, she thought putting it in her nose would be a much better idea. I have heard story after story of this happening to people. Other people. Not me. Parenthood is full of surprises. After trying to pull it out with tweasers and no luck(in fact making it worse), we headed to the ER where the nice nurse took a small hook like object, slid it up my daughters nose while I lay over top of her holding her down. And bingo, out came the carrott.

She just smiled and asked if it was time to go home. Just like it was another normal part of our day. Unbelievable. I guess I was way more stressed about it than her. Not much different than most things we encounter. We didn't talk about it at all after that. It didn't come up again until dinner on Sunday evening when saying her blessing, she asked God to help her not put things in her nose. I guess they have it all worked out. And we'll leave it at that.

No, there are no pictures of the carrott incident. Stress and worry trumped catching the moment on camera folks. Maybe next time. As I am sure there will be a next time. As most of you are probably surprised anyway, it just wasn't the Bean's turn.



Happy Week!

Pre-School Outing

We have been so excited about our farm field trip. Closely watching the weather, just hoping and praying for sunshine. And boy oh boy did the good Lord deliver.




We arrived to a wonderful field of colors. I mean, beautiful. A hay ride and minutes later, we were part of a scene that is in one word, magical. I love tree houses. I love the woods. Combine them and you have this beauty. This place is amazing. We have been here once before, but my camera battery died. Not this time. I made sure of it. I didn't want to leave. I could have played for hours, imagination on high speed. Running from one side to the other. Watching for peeping heads from behind trees. For that time, we were all fairies or pirates or whatever we wanted to be. I love how having my own children gives me an excuse to be one myself. No schedules. No worries. Just fun. And lots of smiles!











my precious wood fairy


I loved my date with my Bear. We missed Daddy and the Bean, but one on one time is so precious and rare.





thank you ms. laura for taking this picture


Were are so thankful for our wonderful pre-school teachers and the parents of this  beautiful place. One ordinary Tuesday morning in our life, transformed to beauty, imagination and pure joy. It is times like this in our lives that we don't forget. Our children don't forget. This Thank You comes from the bottom of this mommy's heart!





More fun to come. I am in love with Pre-school. And so excited that I get to do it again next year!!
Happy Tuesday!

Encore, please

I wish every weekend could be just like this one was. Perfect and complete.

It started with a date night for Andy and I on Friday. We did something we have never done together. We went to a Haunted House. It was so much fun. We tripled dated with the Worley's and the Pickett's. I am going to to take a chance and speak for everyone in the group and say that Mandi and I were the targets. Oh my. My head and throat finally stopped hurting around 10:00 am on Saturday. Good times!! Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for the "free" night!

Saturday was stay at home and do nothing. Our kitchen got a real work out and I am pretty sure we ran the dishwasher three times. A record for us. And that doesn't even count the hand washed dishes we did. Baking, accompanied by grilling left us with some wonderful eats!

If you have never visited http://www.ourbestbites.com/, DO! You will be in love. I got these beauties from their site. So cute, fun and delicious!

Candy Corn Sugar Cookie Bites









I sometimes think we are feeding the Duggar family when my husband cooks. We like to have plenty for the week. As yummy as this chicken turned out, I don't know that it will make it two days. Sarah ate four legs herself. I am serious. Girl loves her chicken.



Resting was top on our list this weekend too. At any given time, you could go into a room and find a little girl asleep. Just minutes before, belly laughing and playing. Fun is hard work.



Sunday afternoon landed us outside for play. Not long because as the sun went down, so did the temperatures. But we took what we could get. Even if it was just for a bit. We packed lots of fun in. That is for sure!
















I can honestly say I didn't over do it this weekend. If anything, I only did things I enjoy. Family time, Church, cooking and rest. I really wish it were Friday again. I just want to do it all over.



Happy Week!

Fall Photos

A good friend of mine gave me the best tip for a fall photo shoot of the girls and boy did it deliver.(thanks brandy)

While the wind was somewhat, well, windy, it made for some sweet skirt flying pictures.





Oh my, I can't believe how grown up this one looks these days.



And this one, sweet spitfire. Best way to describe her.









Thank you to a wonderful husband for you support and help. Without you, I couldn't capture near the memories.

Happy Week!

Two for one

If you haven't noticed, I have been in a picture funk. I don't know why. I love my camera. I guess that just like any other relationship, a break makes you appreciate your love more. It was a good break, but I am glad to be back.

It started with an evening with friends on one of the last camp weekends of the year. At 5:00pm we were in t-shirts and by 7:30pm, it was time to pull out the sweatshirts. The food was amazing and the company just as grand. Fun times!




















The beauty of our state park is something I take for granted. We spend a lot of time out there. We love it and it is so close to home, yet you feel like you are miles away. This time of year is just beautiful. A pallet of colors that warm the heart and soul.




To kick off our Halloween Palooza that commences next week, we decided to treat our day care to a little party. All children ranging from 18 months to 5 years and it was so much fun. There was plenty to do for all and smiles and laughter filled this house from top to bottom. My girls loved having them over at "their" house and we can't wait to have them over again.














This weekend has a few hours of work for me, and a fun day with my mom and girls. Sunday is a year. One year since he has been gone. It seems like it was yesterday. We will cry, we will laugh and we will remember.


Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

A Mother's Goal

My children have always been on the independent side. Not to the extreme that they don't care if I am around, but also not to the point that I can't leave the room. That is, until now. I know that kids go through phases. I also know that when you have two at different ages, yet very close together you sometimes forget that they aren't the same age. The past few weeks have been somewhat of a challenge. I use that word, yet I am not sure if it is the right one. The girls have been sick for starters. That alone breaks a mommy's heart. But, their need for me has been so much greater. So different than usual. The kind of need that puts being a mother into perspective for you. I have been lucky so far in the sense that most times their needs are separate and also at different times. Not lately. I try so hard to find the balance of fixing each problem, giving my all to one so when I move on, I give my all to the other. I seem to have lost that lately. It makes me sad, but it also gives me a taste of motherly reality. I can't fix every need. I can't make it all better all the time. No matter how bad I want to, I just can't. Who can?

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I have had many goals in life. Some I achieved and some I did not. I don't regret the ones I didn't and most always used them as a learning experience. This goal of being a good mother is a much harder one to brush off.  When I feel like I have failed that is. We want so badly to do the right thing all of the time. To make the best decisions to nurture and teach our children.  I knew going into this that it wouldn't be easy, but my heart had no idea how hard it would be. I just want them to know each and every day how very important they make my life. I want to make them both feel equally special and important. I want them to know that just because I am not with them everyday, I am still with them. To find the balance of giving and taking. Knowing that I am the primary giver and they are the primary taker. To fill their hearts with so much love and security that when the day ends, they look at me as a mother whom while achieving the ultimate goal of being the best mommy I can be, also makes mistakes and learns from them. Only to better myself in that role. It has been a week full of emotions, tears and goals. The most important though, is the one that I know I acheived the minute I brought them into the world. Love. I have that one down and with that, the rest will come.