Archive for the ‘things that make me smile’ Category

Apparently, God likes the look of snow far more than dead grass. Just when I was able to see my entire lawn, He switched it up and dumped a good 5 or 6 inches of that icky, white stuff on us. {I prefer the look of dead grass myself}. That icky, white stuff gave my boys a much needed snow day, where they were able to play outside with friends and just be little boys.

Henry experienced his first snow day, too. I wasn’t sure of the reaction I’d get when he felt the snow, but he loved it. {bad mom alert – he’ll be 2 in April and this is his first snow experience. I hate snow and don’t like to be in it, so I’ve never taken him out in it. I suck.} He loved it so much that when it was time to come in, I had to physically pick him up and drag him in the house. {the temper tantrum thrown once we were in the house was like one I’ve never witnessed from a 22 month old before. Ever.} The snow day was nice for me, too – I didn’t need to set the alarm to get up at 0 dark thirty to get everyone ready for school.

I spend most of my awake hours keeping this little handful out of things. I’m certain I’ll look back on this stuff in a few years and laugh, but right now, it’s incredibly frustrating. I need to find a cabinet lock to put on my pantry – as you can see, he likes to get in it. In fact, he likes to try to SIT in it. Right now, as I try to type this out, I’m sharing couch space with a box of cake mix, some teddy grahams and some boxed dinners. Those Betty Crocker fruit Stickerz packages are thrown all over the living room floor. I have packages of food in my pantry that I can’t identify – he’s torn the boxes up and taken stuff out of boxes, so I have no idea what belongs where. I keep telling myself that I’m going to miss this stuff, so I’m doing my best to just take it all in stride.

I’m working on some cute scrapbook pages that I’ll share here soon. My husband also bought me a sewing machine – YAY!!!! I tried to go to Joann’s and look around yesterday, but someone wasn’t very cooperative and started screaming as soon as we walked in. I can’t wait to start sewing some things.

As you can see, it’s been a hodge podge of sorts around here. We’ve been doing little bits of this and that. Life is good.

I’m having a hard time today. I’m seeing a lot of the negative in life today, instead of focusing on the positive. The cold weather is getting to me. I’m tired. I’m not as young as I used to be and I’m paying for that today.

So, while I’m waiting for my husband to bring home some pizza, I’m going to make a list of things I love. Husband and children will NOT be on this list – they’re a given and truly at the top of my list anyway Jesus is at the top, too.

1. sleep – sleep that’s so deep, you wake up and don’t realize where you are and what time it is.

2. climbing into a bed with clean sheets, right after you’ve taken a shower. that’s a little piece of heaven to me

3. orange soda. (I’m from the east coast. I don’t do the “pop” thing.)

4. fountain coke from McDonald’s. the best. hands down.

5. Hobby Lobby

6. scrapbooking stores. I’m giddy when I go in them.

7. mindless television (bait car, cops, bad girls club.)

8. music that reminds me of people I love.

9. seasons when I don’t have to wear a coat when I go outside. :::sigh::: (here, that’s summer and that’s pretty much it.)

10. the beach and the ocean.

11. purple

12. when I ask my children to do something and they say, “OK, mom” immediately AND actually do it. (that should be #1)

13. Lemon Passion from Macaroni Grill (oh….my)

14. Watching my babies sleep

15. Dove Truffles (I like food way too much)

16. fondue (the one thing I miss about living in Switzerland)

17. scrapple (google it – it’s not pretty, but it’s SO good).

18. when my husband rubs my head as I fall asleep at night.

19. silence when you think you can’t handle any more noise.

20. a really good haircut.

So, in a few minutes, I’m going to toast my glass to pizza, mindless TV, a good night’s sleep and having a better mindset tomorrow.

I really need it.

Six years ago today, my heart was forever changed by the birth of this little gem of a boy. I’m a better person for knowing him. He makes me see the silly side of life. His laugh is infectious. He has the sweetest smile. He would eat pizza for every meal if I let him. He loves ICarly and Spongebob. And doughnuts.

He has a very tender heart. He loves his brothers. He’s a mama’s boy. He wants very much to please people.

He loves life with every ounce of his being. He gets his feelings hurt very easily. He loves food as much as his big brother loves sports. I think, if given the option, he’d still be in utero. If he couldn’t be in utero, he’d be permanently planted on my lap.

I pray thanks to God every day for letting me borrow this sweet boy for my time here on earth. I’m so thankful God chose me to be his mama.

Happy Birthday, Jake. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

Anyone know these guys? (If not, I’ll tell you at the end!)
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There’s almost nothing better to me than time spent with good friends, good food and fellowship. That’s how I spent my Friday and Saturday this week and it was wonderful.

Five of us moms headed out to Grand Rapids, MI, (in a mini-van! ha!) to attend Hearts at Home.

Hearts at Home is a ministry to moms. It’s a Friday evening/full Saturday filled with great speakers, comedians, great music and time spent together. We laugh, we cry, we lift each other up and grow as moms, as wives and most importantly, in Jesus.

I was able to see these great people:

Dr. Kevin Leman He’s a dynamic, fabulous speaker on all things parenting!

Sally Baucke SUPER funny comedian who is a mom to 3 boys.

Jill Savage She’s the founder of Hearts at Home. She’s a mom to 6!

Karen Ehman I was blessed to see Karen speak at a MOPS meeting, too. She spoke on Saturday about getting your life in order and how to get rid of clutter, etc. etc. I can’t wait to put some of her ideas into use.

Mary Beth and Curt Whelan They’re an awesome husband and wife team who talk about debt and how to get out of it.

Go Fish (That’s who “those guys” are in the picture above!) They sing AWESOME kid’s music that doesn’t drive parents insane. It’s true, too They’re super nice guys and all dads themselves.

In addition to all of the great speakers, there are also lots of vendors selling books, t-shirts, etc. I always spend way too much money when I go.

Compassion was there, too – I started sponsoring my sweet boy Aime a year ago, at Hearts at Home.

The whipped cream on top of this cake of a weekend – I slept in a big, comfy bed, in quiet, cold (I like it cold) hotel room ALL BY MYSELF. I read a book, in peace and quiet. I watched what I wanted to watch on TV. I took a shower in silence, without someone banging on the bathroom door. I ate entire meals while they were still warm. I was able to talk without being interrupted 100 times.

The cherry on top of this cake of a weekend – coming home. While eating whole meals in one sitting and taking quiet showers is nice, HOME is where I long to be.

LOOOOOOVE the Yankee Candle scent and thought the candle holder was super cute! It’s the newest addition to our Halloween decorations!

Makes me smile

Bread from my bread maker

A pot of incredibly yummy Maryland Crab Soup – reminds me of home

Makes the house smell so warm and cozy

My sweet baby boy

My sweet Jake