Archive for the ‘fun stuff’ 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.

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.

Today, my husband and I are headed to “The Big House” – University of Michigan’s football stadium. Michigan is playing my alma mater, Delaware State University. The score is not going to be pretty, my friends. The real reason I want to go is to see the band, “The Approaching Storm”. The youtube video above shows the drumline in action, but this video doesn’t do them justice AT ALL. The band is phenomenal. I saw TAS throughout my high school years, in our local Halloween parade and everyone was always so excited to see them – they truly put on a great show.

Sadly, I never saw them play at a football game in college. In fact, I’ve never seen my alma mater play football. Ever. I’ll leave the reason for another time. My college experience wasn’t one that I fondly recall. I went there to get my degree and that was it. There was no trying to get the “real college experience” (i.e., parties, sororities, roommates, etc.)

Anyway, I’m very excited to spend the day with my love, sans kids (WOOT!). My babies will have fun here with my fabulous babysitter.

My mom bought me a Delaware State University sweatshirt to wear to the game (only one I’ve ever owned. I didn’t wear a single DSU clothing item the entire 4 years I went to school there.) I’m almost certain that, aside from the band, players AND coaching staff, I’ll be the only person there cheering for Delaware State.

I’m sure it will be on TV tomorrow – you should be able to find me easily.

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.

I’m heading out in a few hours. Some friends and I are road tripping it to the opposite side of the state to attend a conference called Hearts at Home.

You can click on Hearts at Home to read more about the conference. It’s a great time of fellowship, laughs, tears and learning for moms of any age. This is my 2nd year going and I always feel good when I come home. I feel like I’m ready to tackle more of my job as a mom AND as a wife.

Unfortunately, this is the last year of the conference here in Michigan. Next year, it will be in Illinois. I’m always up for a road trip though – we’ll just make an entire weekend out of it!

Have a good weekend, y’all! I’ll be back late tomorrow evening, but I’ll post a recap on Sunday.

My big boy doesn’t have school Friday and my husband is also off, so we’re heading here! I simply cannot wait!

We’ve gone every year we’ve lived here – it’s a magical place. I like to take our Christmas card photo there, too and now that Henry is here, I’m super excited to do that!

I always spend far too much money, too, but I can’t help it. It’s a great place. If you’re ever up here in MI, you should make it a point to stop by this place. Give yourself a few hours, too