Guess which pizzas were for the kids and which ones were for the grownups?
Happy Weekend!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Pet peeve, day 68
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I really do not like it when someone says to me, "So, what do you do all day?" Because this video shows what I do. And how do you describe it?
I do MOM STUFF. That's what I do. And I love every minute of it.
I do MOM STUFF. That's what I do. And I love every minute of it.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
14 years, day 67
Today is my 14th wedding anniversary! Not necessarily a milestone number, but we have learned to take every year seriously. We kind of see our marriage in 3 parts: 1 - the stage when we had tons of time and availability for each other, but took each other for granted and wasted times arguing about petty, petty things. 2 - The stage where we fell in love with each other in our new roles as parents. It was fun to be on the same team, but it was definitely new to have issues like sleep deprivation and discipline work its way into our everyday tango. 3 - the stage where we have seen heartbreak in the form of death, divorce, and disease and it plays a role in our marriage every day. We try to really enjoy each other and our life together. It's not a perfect marriage, but we make sure that we are a priority to each other every day. And that is really difficult with 3 kids.
I'm sure there are many more stages to come (parenting teens is right around the corner - YIKES!), but we are so blessed to have each other. I am truly married to my best friend. We are currently attending a marriage class through our church and Tuesday night we had to each list what our biggest hope, dream, and fear was to each other. I was not surprised at all to see that our biggest hopes were exactly the same. To raise our children to have a relationship with Christ and to send them on their way so that we can enjoy our time with each other. As much as I love my children (which is a lot), I love their dad even more. We don't want to rush through these years with our kids, but we really are looking forward to one day enjoying the years of just him and me again.
We celebrated the night by going out to eat and buying a new shredder. Woo Hoo! We are ROMANTICS, I tell you.
I'm sure there are many more stages to come (parenting teens is right around the corner - YIKES!), but we are so blessed to have each other. I am truly married to my best friend. We are currently attending a marriage class through our church and Tuesday night we had to each list what our biggest hope, dream, and fear was to each other. I was not surprised at all to see that our biggest hopes were exactly the same. To raise our children to have a relationship with Christ and to send them on their way so that we can enjoy our time with each other. As much as I love my children (which is a lot), I love their dad even more. We don't want to rush through these years with our kids, but we really are looking forward to one day enjoying the years of just him and me again.
We celebrated the night by going out to eat and buying a new shredder. Woo Hoo! We are ROMANTICS, I tell you.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Moments, day 66
Joyful moments today:
* Sold 3 Matilda Jane clothing items online for $82.00 Cha-ching.
* My sister let me know she is getting closer to having her baby, which means another new nephew soon for me!
* Found new tennis shoes for my youngest daughter which we both agreed upon and they actually had the size she needed in stock. (If you know my Sparkles, this is nothing short of a miracle.)
* 2 dental checkups for my girls completed with NO cavities. Yea!
* A night away with my husband at our weekly marriage class. Which means no cooking for me and a dinner with no kids!
* A wonderful babysitter who is trustworthy, reliable, firm, patient, and loved by my kids. (While it sounds simple, it is actually a very rare fine. Can I get an AMEN, parents?)
Not bad for a busy Tuesday!
* Sold 3 Matilda Jane clothing items online for $82.00 Cha-ching.
* My sister let me know she is getting closer to having her baby, which means another new nephew soon for me!
* Found new tennis shoes for my youngest daughter which we both agreed upon and they actually had the size she needed in stock. (If you know my Sparkles, this is nothing short of a miracle.)
* 2 dental checkups for my girls completed with NO cavities. Yea!
* A night away with my husband at our weekly marriage class. Which means no cooking for me and a dinner with no kids!
* A wonderful babysitter who is trustworthy, reliable, firm, patient, and loved by my kids. (While it sounds simple, it is actually a very rare fine. Can I get an AMEN, parents?)
Not bad for a busy Tuesday!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Mighty Warrior, Day 65
Today was sad. I attended the services for sweet little Tucker last night and this morning. The services were beautiful and a complete celebration of his short life. His parents are such a testimony to the love of Christ. I am linking to his mother Amy's blog post where she shared in her own words what happened to Tucker and how God is working through their grief. Please keep Nathan and Amy and their families in your prayers.
http://amylhill.blogspot.com/
http://amylhill.blogspot.com/
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Crystal Bridges, day 64
My husband and I spent the day together going to a new local museum, Crystal Bridges.
This was built by the Walton family and it is entirely free. The building is beautiful and a work of art itself. The art is fun to look at and the restaurant, Eleven, is first class. I wish I would have thought to take a picture of our lunch, but this is a pic of the restaurant itself. It truly is beautiful!
This piece was one of my favorites. It depicts the famous Lord's Supper painting, but it constructed upside down using only spools of thread. Each row is suspended individually (you can barely see this in the picture) and you can't really see this painting until you step far back. Amazing!
This one was another favorite just because we thought this bust (made entirely of silicone!) looks just like my husband in about 30 years.
We had a great date-day and if you live in the area you should go check out the museum while it is still free!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Family fun, day 63
Today was a great day:
breakfast with the family at a local joint
made St. Patrick's day necklaces with the girls
caught up on my magazine reading and Top Chef
caught up on laundry
enjoyed a movie with the whole family (the Lorax - don't ask for a review, not my favorite)
had a big laugh watching the kids play Top Chef out in the yard - there were some very unique "meals" created
Yes, my girls are wearing matching shirts. It was a standoff to see who would change clothes, and I guess they are both pretty stubborn. The 11 year old was mortified. And yes, my boy is holding a tub of popcorn almost as big as himself.
It really was the perfect kind of weekend day with nothing but fun on the agenda!
breakfast with the family at a local joint
made St. Patrick's day necklaces with the girls
caught up on my magazine reading and Top Chef
caught up on laundry
enjoyed a movie with the whole family (the Lorax - don't ask for a review, not my favorite)
had a big laugh watching the kids play Top Chef out in the yard - there were some very unique "meals" created
It really was the perfect kind of weekend day with nothing but fun on the agenda!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Blush, day 62
Lately I have splurged on a little new makeup and I have 2 new absolute favorites. Pricey? Yes! Aren't the best things always more expensive? Sigh...
Nars blush and bronzer duo. I've heard great things about this product and they are all true! It is by far the softest, longest lasting, most natural blush I have ever used.
This one is Urban Decay's Naked eyeshadow palette. I saw this on another girl's blog and picked it up at our local Ulta store. Now I am slightly obsessed with watching YouTube tutorials on "how to do a smoky eye" or "how to apply an everyday look using NAKED" or "eyeliner: tight lining vs. water lining". Yes, it's kind of an obsession. Before I realize it, an hour has gone by and I've done nothing but watch the same girl apply her makeup 6 different ways. YouTube is great, right? Pinterest too. You can type in a hairstyle, (messy up-do anyone?) or (perfect ponytail with volume?) and you are instantly connected to hundreds of websites and videos showing you how to have the best natural curls and volume using only a toothbrush and a can of hairspray. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating about the toothbrush. But I'm just warning you, be careful because you can really lose a few good hours of your life. Not that I would know... As for me? I'm staying far away from Sephora and Ulta for a while! And YouTube....and Pinterest. Well, probably not Pinterest. :)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Skip to the Lou, day 61
Well, the month of February was all about skipping dates here on the "joyful" blog. We were either busy, or not busy and boring, or maybe just not all that joyful. The middle to end of February brought some devastating events to people we love.
One of our favorite teachers and people has been battling lymphoma for a couple of years and received the news on Valentine's Day that she is out of treatment options. They have given her 6 months to live. She has a daughter in high school and another daughter getting married in September. Her name is Jackie and she has shown nothing but amazing faith and courage. We pray for her every day.
A childhood friend of mine lost her grandfather in December. Then, very suddenly, she lost her father in January. And now in February, her grandmother has also passed away. The waves of grief her family is experiencing is relentless. We are especially praying for my friend's mother, Hope, who lost her mother, father and husband all within 3 months.
And then this weekend we celebrated a new marriage at a beautiful wedding for a family that is dear to us in so many ways. The star of the show by far was the sweet little 15 month old Tucker. So full of joy and life and dancing up a storm. Tuesday night, Tucker met Jesus face to face. We are so broken hearted for their family. Tucker's parents are Nathan and Amy and they need prayers for the days ahead for them. I simply cannot imagine what they are going through.
The good news is that we serve a risen Savior, not one who is still in the tomb. Which means we grieve and pray with a hope and a promise that God is in control of all situations. We know that this world is only our temporary home and we are promised one day to live in a place where there will be no more sadness, no more death and disease. A place where we will be reunited with grandparents, mothers, fathers, and yes, even our babies. A place where there is no sadness, only joy everlasting. Hallelujah, praise God from whom all blessings flow!
One of our favorite teachers and people has been battling lymphoma for a couple of years and received the news on Valentine's Day that she is out of treatment options. They have given her 6 months to live. She has a daughter in high school and another daughter getting married in September. Her name is Jackie and she has shown nothing but amazing faith and courage. We pray for her every day.
A childhood friend of mine lost her grandfather in December. Then, very suddenly, she lost her father in January. And now in February, her grandmother has also passed away. The waves of grief her family is experiencing is relentless. We are especially praying for my friend's mother, Hope, who lost her mother, father and husband all within 3 months.
And then this weekend we celebrated a new marriage at a beautiful wedding for a family that is dear to us in so many ways. The star of the show by far was the sweet little 15 month old Tucker. So full of joy and life and dancing up a storm. Tuesday night, Tucker met Jesus face to face. We are so broken hearted for their family. Tucker's parents are Nathan and Amy and they need prayers for the days ahead for them. I simply cannot imagine what they are going through.
The good news is that we serve a risen Savior, not one who is still in the tomb. Which means we grieve and pray with a hope and a promise that God is in control of all situations. We know that this world is only our temporary home and we are promised one day to live in a place where there will be no more sadness, no more death and disease. A place where we will be reunited with grandparents, mothers, fathers, and yes, even our babies. A place where there is no sadness, only joy everlasting. Hallelujah, praise God from whom all blessings flow!
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