A stirring

I wrote this last night after a hard day and wasn't sure if I would post it or not-

Today did not rank as one of my best days. 
There were physical/hormonal issues that contributed to my state of being today. 
I was grumpy, impatient, and irritated at most things. 
I wish I were better at being a person who does not wear their emotions on their sleeve. 
I wish I had more patience. I wish I didn't snap or yell. 
I just read news of someone who passed away and was really pretty young-51. 
It snapped me back to reality. 
I just see how quick life passes, and how quick things can change. 
I pray for God to help me LIVE and be His servant and not someone focused on me or my own shortcomings. 
I pray for God to help me to LOVE and to give GRACE and MERCY to others. 
I know I need grace and mercy everyday, so I need to be doling it out too. 
I want to be a blessing and not a burden.

This morning I read this post of Kelly's.

After that, I saw this post from Jenn.

And then I saw this post from Ann Voskamp.

I've also read posts by two other bloggers in the past 2 weeks, one of which had a recent huge transformation by God, and the other is just so honest and real about who she is as a  person and as a Christian.

I've felt a stir in my soul for several years.  I know that things are supernaturally happening. What they are, I have no idea.  God is preparing people for whatever it may be though.  I feel that certainty in my bones.

I want to be prepared.  I always question whether I am prepared and what am I doing that is God's will.  

I need to stop questioning so much and just seek Him.  

I think we try to figure things out too much.  I just don't think most of it is ours to figure out.  Am I on my own with thinking that?

I also think that we get bogged down thinking about so many bad things happening and we don't always focus on the good and what God is doing.

Will this be a revival of Christianity, true Christianity?  Not the Christianity that the world sees or  how they view Christianity, but the real thing.

Don't you wish everyone could experience the true-ness of it and not what they see displayed in media?
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 
1 Peter 3:15

I feel like I am rambling, but I felt like I needed to share all of this.  

Let's pray together and for each other.  

I feel like something we need to be prepared and to support each other, especially as women.  

We are the ones raising this next generation and I think they will be doing great, big things.

Real life confessions

Do you know what makes me mad?

• Dishonest people.

• People who talk about others behind their backs.

• People who want everyone to think they are so great.  We are all great, but why say things all the time?

• And a big one.... People who judge/condemn you for something and then turn around and do the exact thing that they were on your case about.

I've got plenty of forgiveness in my heart, but let's be real, sometimes things just make you mad!

Shifting Focus

I've been faced with a tough decision lately. It is one of those decisions that is extremely hard to make because it involves relationships. 

This past year has been VERY hard on our family (our nuclear family).  Not hard in the ways that life can sometimes be hard, but hard nonetheless.

Tim has a lot of responsibility and stress at work and often he has duties on weeknights. I have become über involved in volunteering at school and I participate in some church activities. Throw all that in with taking care of a home, taking care of two kids, homework, reading, baths, packing, moving, unpacking, family get togethers and whatever else, life can get overwhelming. 

Before the kids were in school, we had very leisurely days. Leisurely as in we didn't have a lot of plans and we didn't go many places. We also lived in a small town during most of that time. And it was so nice not *having* to do anything. 

I spent time with the kids, did house projects, read, cooked, and just did home related things. 

I've learned lately that I miss that so bad. I love being a wife and mother and a homemaker. 

I want to be more relaxed and focus all of my attention on my family. Not that I am not currently focusing on them, but I could be focusing all my attention and be a lot more relaxed while doing it!

In saying all of that, those are the reasons that have led me to make the decision I'm making in our life. I believe this decision will give me back more time that I have invested in other things this past year. 

Don't get me wrong, I have been doing good with what I've been doing, but that doesn't always mean that it is right for my family at this time. 

My family deserves the best me and that's what I'm working on giving them.

f/9  1/500  Iso 400

Keepin' it real

I am finally feeling like I have clawed my way out of all the boxes.  There are a few here and there, and the garage, well that's another story.  But, for the most part, things are unpacked.

It's funny about moving into a new home- cabinets are different.  They are different sizes and things have to be changed up from how you were used to having it.  This really upsets me at first, but then I adapt.  

Also, things that looked good in your previous home, will undoubtedly not always look good in your new home.  Now a lot of things have made the transition, but definitely there will be some decor shopping.

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I don't want to paint pretty roses around here all the time and let you assume I have no struggles going on in my life.  Lately, we have had some pretty intense discipline issues.  I know it comes with the territory, but it is most assuredly one of the hardest parts of parenting.

Most of the problem stems from them wanting to have their way or not do something that they do not want to do.  Epic battles ensue and I am left at the end of the night needing a hot bath and a Xanax. 

However, I feel like I have to do hard work now and set the standard for how we want to raise them from here on out.  I am not naive enough to believe that harder struggles are not coming.  My husband is a principal and I know all too well what is lurking in the ages to come.

I don't ever want to be lax or naive about what is going on in their lives.  This may not make me popular with my kids or with their friends or even their friends' parents, but I will not stop working hard to keep them in the best situation possible.

When we discipline them, even now, they get angry at us.  We instill over and over how much we love them, but how they are acting is not acceptable.  I pray every night for help in being a better mother and pleaseohLordamIdoinganythingright?! 

I'm just ready to see fruits from all of this work.  Heh.  They may be 30 before I see it.  It's so hard to persevere, but I know it's what needs to be done. 

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This morning, I was going to head out to Walmart to get some groceries.

Things have not went according to my plans.

I'll spare most of the details, but cat vomit was involved.

So instead, I decided to blog and do my menu for next week and maybe clean the kitchen.

My other plans for the day include going an eating a Seussical lunch with both the kiddos and then finishing up with our PTO fundraiser by handing out prizes.  Hopefully these things go according to plan!

Hope your weekend is beautiful and not as cold as ours!

a little more realness for ya-
B's room before we moved looked like this:

Life is one big change and evolution

My days really seem to move at a faster pace than they used to. It feels like this past year has flown by. Inside these busy days, there have been SO many good things happening.

I do longingly remember the days of toddler hood. We had a nice, relaxing routine- get up, eat breakfast, play, possibly a morning nap, lunch, a little play, glorious afternoon nap and then playtime before daddy came home.

Sometimes, we also went to the library and occasionally the store, but that was it. Plus, being in a small town, there weren't many other options of things to do! But I reveled in the simplicity.
Of course now, we are in a more populated area and the kids are school-aged, and with school, activities and church, our busyness has sometimes felt never ending!
But things are starting to come to an end (for the summer anyway).

In a couple of weeks, I will officially be a mother of a kindergartner and a first grader (wha??)! 

I am so proud of everything the kids have learned and accomplished this year. 

I'm so proud of them sometimes that I could bust! 

It is so amazing to watch them grow and learn! They have both learned scripture verses, both are READING, C Girlie has been learning ballet and B Boy is learning to play baseball.
As happy as all of this makes me, I have to be honest and say that I am truly looking forward to a low key summer!
The kiddos will have swim lessons and VBS, but other than that, we are only doing fun summer things! I'm so excited to be volunteering to help with VBS this year. Our church has an amazing program. I took the kids to it last year, but we have met so many people in the church since then and I totally feel comfortable volunteering now. 

That is another thing that blows my mind- this time last year, we knew no one in our church. 

We started Sunday School last August and other activities at church and has made a world of difference. It has been so great meeting and getting to know so many wonderful people. 

I know this post is wordy, but it feels like a chapter is closing and a new one one is opening. 

Of COURSE, I must reflect on this, lol! 

I am beginning to feel that I am a part of my church, school, and community. 

This July, we will have lived here for two years. It does take time to find your place, at least it seems to for me. 

I feel like I have grown in my spirit so much.

 
Moving to a new community and losing my MIL and being away from my best friend almost broke me. 

I had a hard time for months, maybe longer.

I feel like I've overcome that. 

My heart has been healing. God has been healing it. 

My struggle now is watching my children become their own selves, big kids. But, I recognize my struggle and I try to give it to God. I'm sure there will always be a part of me that is sad to see them grow, but oh, how amazing it is as well. 

I feel like turning 30 was a major milestone for me. In a few days, I'm going to be a "thirty-something" from now on. And I'm good with that. 

Last year, I was sad to see my 20's gone. 

This year, I'm excited to see what the 30's have in store.

 

I never knew that I would change so much as an adult. 

I hope to pass that on to my kids, that life is one big change and evolution. We are continuing to grow everyday. Maybe only in our spirit, but some form of change will constantly be taking place.

Kindergarten Mother's Day program 2012

Pictured (left to right): Soon-to-be 1st grader, Soon-to-be 31 year old, Soon-to-be Kindergartner

Braces & Breakdowns

I'm almost spent from this week. 

You saw how Monday went. 

Tuesday is my busy day of the week and this Tuesday had two more events added to it, so I was gone most of the day and nothing at home got accomplished. 

Well, I take that back. We were there to eat and sleep and make it messier, so stuff got accomplished, but not cleaning up! 

Wednesday was a big day. It was formal registration for kindergarten for B boy. 

I'm already more emotional about things than I was last year with C girl. 

With her, I knew that I was going to be doing this again. But now with him, I know this will be the last time.

 :::heart constrictions::: 

I also made a big decision yesterday. After 7 years of using a pre-paid cell phone, I got my very own phone again! 

People are always shocked when I say, I don't have a cell. Well, now I do, so I have joined the 21st century :-) haha. 

I'm not out of the loop. I'm always on Tim's iPhone or my iPad, so basically this only makes it easier for me to call people while I'm out and about. That was the reason for the decision. 

I used to ALWAYS be at home. But now, that I am always running here and there, it makes sense to need a mobile phone. 

The phone I ended up choosing was an Android phone. 

This is a big deal because I am an Apple product snob. I LOVE iPhones, iPods, and iPads. I haven't joined the Mac train yet though. 

I literally had a breakdown last night because this phone is SO different from what I know. I so wanted to go take it back today!!! BUT, I have learned a LOT about it today and I'm happy to say that I'm feeling much better today about my new phone :-)

I had to get up at the butt crack this morning and be out the door by 7 to head down south for my appointment with my orthodontist. 

I am NOT a morning person so it was crazy around here trying to get out the door on time. 

We had been on the track of getting my braces off soon. I was *supposed* to get my impressions done for my retainer today. 

However, things did not go as planned. One of my teeth had moved from position. 

SOOO, I am back in full wire and full chain on top. 

WAHHHHHHH!!!! So disappointing! 

It will be at least 3 months before they even think about doing impressions. 

I just passed the 4 year anny of wearing these things, so this was not welcome news.

And now that I have stuff back on my teeth, I am in agony! 

It is so painful, my mouth was really used to not having pressure on it!

I'm also way hormonal and emotional.

I'm hoping for a very happy Friday, Saturday & Sunday!

My Faith and My Struggles {I am a Work in Progress}

Right now, I'm going through a period of growth and learning in my faith. Every week, I have lessons from Sunday school, church and Bible study rolling around in my mind. I want to discuss all of them and naturally, they are not all about the same thing.

In Sunday school, we have just began a study on Hebrews.  It's been really great so far.  And I'm actually learning a lot.  It is a book that also has references to the book of Leviticus.  Leviticus is a book that I have read in the past, but really know little about.  It has piqued my interest to learn more about Moses and the laws in the book of Leviticus.  I've also had wow moments learning about how things in the Bible really are real and they really happened.  As well as realizing that not many things in our world have persevered through the ages and times.  Empires, governments, and countries have all fallen, but Israel was created on Mt. Sinai by Moses and still continues on in this present day.

In worship service, our pastor has been doing a series on heaven.  Well, obviously, that has created a lot of thought for me.  Of course, I wonder about death and what will happen after I die, but he has also challenged us with what we are doing for God while we are alive.  Yesterday, they showed a memorial video of Whitney Houston.  He used the video to illustrate the point that our life will have a beginning and an end.  It's the moments in between those two points that people will remember us by.  How will people remember my life? Your life?

In Bible study we are discussing The Resolution by Priscilla Shirer.  It has been such a good book for me in this time of my life.  I want to write more about it in depth.  The chapter we read for this week is called Loving my Children.  
She writes, "when our primary goal as mothers is teaching our children God's truth, the whole focus of our parenting changes."
   The resolution for this section is, I will demonstrate to my children how to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and will train them to respect authority and live responsibly.  
What a challenge.  And it puts great responsibility on me as a mother.  I have such an important task for shaping my children.  This is something I have been in prayer about, because I definitely do not always feel adequate for the job.  I just do not want to fail my two precious children.  

Something I struggle with on a regular basis is my health.  I don't discuss it much because I don't like to complain and it is a chronic issue that will go on and on.  
Sometimes, I will have a new issue thrown into the mix and I will start to Google things.  Have you ever done that?  I always end up convincing myself that I have cancer of some sort!  I've been trying so hard to just let it go and have faith that my health will continue the way it is or maybe even get better!

Another struggle I have been experiencing is being a "distracted mom" at times.  I have been a little too, shall we even say, "addicted" to social media at times.  I'm working on not allowing myself to check things at certain times of the day.  I'm working on becoming more focused on taking care of my home, exercising, praying, and spending time with my husband and kiddos.  It's not that I wasn't already doing these things, it's that I was sort of distracted at times while doing them.  I don't want to be distracted, I want to be present.

My Granny's house

I miss my Granny Cates so much.  I was blessed with an amazing woman as my grandmother.  I did not get to meet her until I was 8 and then she passed away when I was only 26.  She was 5 days shy of 97 years old.  


I loved going to her house.  I started going to her house for weeks in the summer after my mom took me to meet her when I was 8.
I'll provide a little back-story- Granny is my biological father's mother.  He and my mom divorced when I was an infant and he was never really part of my life.  I did meet him when I was 8 and then he passed away right before I turned 10.  My mom had remarried and we had lived in another state for a lot of my early years.  I guess my mom determined that I was old enough to meet my family and begin a relationship with them.


My Cates side of my family are the family that I am closest to now, besides Tim's family and my immediate family.  They welcomed me into the family as if I had never not been there.


I loved my Granny's house.  It was well over 100 years old.  It was built when nails were square.  She showed me one of the square nails before, so neat! Everything about it was old fashioned, and it was almost like stepping back in time when I went to visit her.


I remember the swing on the porch.  Her and I would sit there and swing in the evenings.  Sometimes we would see things like deer in the pasture or other little woodland creatures.


Her and I would also go on walks down her road on warm summer evenings.


There were many family photos to go through and look at.  Her and I sat down and made a family tree together one time.  I still have that information and I've made trees for other sides of my family as well.


My Granny never learned to drive a car, so my aunt would come pick her up to run errands and get groceries.
While she may not have known how to drive, she always tended her own garden and mowed her own grass, even into her 80's!


She loved cats and always had food bowls filled up on the front porch from them.  I carry the same love for cats that she did, maybe more so.


I remember that she loved Coca Cola and she always had Virginia Brand Ham in the fridge, homemade red plum jelly in the pantry and some sort of sweet on the kitchen table.  I remember waking up to eggs, bacon and biscuits almost every morning.


Granny's house was the place that family stopped by to visit.  It seemed that there was always someone stopping by.  I loved those visits. While I stayed there in the summer, I got to see so many other members of my family. Some of my cousins were practically raised there and I know that they have many more memories of her and her house.


She was the glue that held our family together.  Now, the majority of us don't get together very often.  I still keep in touch with a lot of family technology wise, but there is just something about all of us being together that I dearly miss.


I've never heard anyone say anything bad about my Granny.  She welcomed anyone in her house and was always offering something to drink or something to eat.  No one left her house feeling unwelcome.


I have so many memories attached to that house. So many good, good memories.  I miss so much, but I'm so thankful for those memories.

Happy Things...

A girl in a dress on a Sole Skate...

 A new scarf...

Roses from my husband...

***I never get flowers because I have a cat who tends to eat them, so this was a huge surprise!***

Mini Cupcakes...

What is making you happy today?

I'm having a bad day

Yep.


I should be having a good day.


Today is the kiddo's first fall class parties.


I did have fun at B boy's party, but today is overshadowing my joy.


I had a very bad morning.


I got frustrated.


I didn't treat Tim with kindness this morning and I frustrated him.


I yelled at C girl.  I can barely keep from crying even typing the words.


My heart hurts.  I am filled with guilt.


I got a Pepsi at Taco Bell to give myself a pick me up.


While we ate lunch at our table at home, somehow it fell and spilled all over the floor.


I really wanted that Pepsi.


I didn't cry over spilled Pepsi, but I came very, very close.


It's just one of those days where I'm in a funk and can't seem to get out of it.


I think I need a good cry.


--also, I got my flu shot today, and that wasn't very fun either. But, hopefully I won't get sick.

To: any person I may meet-

You are a unique person.


I may not agree with all of your decisions and lifestyle choices.


But,


I still love you.


I hope that one day you may wonder where my love and joy come from.


And I will tell you.


Only then, will love 


change 


and 


transform you.


Remember to not judge others, but show them love.


We have all done things that could be judged


But,


oh, how wonderful when someone shows mercy and love.

Trying to do my best

There are only 24 hours in a day.

There are so many things I want to do.

I want to play with my kiddos and feel good.

I want to spend time with Tim and feel good.

I want to have energy.  I want to feel like running around.

I struggle with wanting to be a perfect wife, a perfect mother, a perfect friend, and I want to feel accomplished as a person too.

I want to have time to pray and read my Bible.

I want to cooked home-cooked, healthy meals.

I want to exercise.

How many of those things do I actually get accomplished?

It depends on the day.

I struggle so much with wanting to do ALL of them everyday.

And then I feel overwhelmed and then there are many days when I just don't feel good and none of that seems to happen.

And then I feel more overwhelmed.

I am trying to learn to veer away from perfection and live with doing my best.  The best that I can do.  I am trying not to compare myself to others.


I'm just trying to do my best.

Life this Week

Wednesday, the kiddos had their yearly checkup.

  All is well with them.  C girl is still on the low percentile of things, but she always has been!  B boy, is quite the opposite.  He was in the 88th percentile for height and the 75th percentile for weight. I also went ahead and took care of the flu vaccine.  They received the flu mist which was easier for them, lasts an entire year, and also contains no preservatives. 

They did really great in AWANA this week.  B boy earned his vest!

How grown up does she look here?

While the kids were at church, Tim and I went shopping together.  I love when we get to spend time together alone- it so rarely happens!

We found some great fall decor for the house and I can't wait to decorate and then post some pictures!

{On a different note, I've been trying to feel better and get more energy lately.  I try not to complain and whine online, but I haven't felt great very much since I've had kids! (No offense, kiddos- I love ya and you are worth it!)

It just seems like it is always something though.  

I want to feel good and even more, I want my family to see me well and happy. Since I don't whine much online, I do a lot of whining at home.

The first thing I am starting is a multi vitamin.  Hopefully this will help with the energy part and maybe even with my mood!

The second thing I'm going to try to do, is to go a certain period of time at home without whining and complaining. 

This is the part I need help with!

Please pray that I can accomplish this!

I'll try to keep everyone updated with how I am doing with this project.}

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Here and Now... There and Then

That is the name of the Beth Moore study we are doing in my weekly ladies Bible Study.


I am literally blown away by how much I learned in the first session.  And it only covered the first 8 verses of Revelation!


This is the first time I have done one of her studies where I have watched video.  She is an amazing speaker.  The best thing I love about her, are that here studies are about scripture.  Not her opinion, but scripture.
I left the house this morning feeling very tired and blah.  I came home feeling very different.  I'm very excited to be going to Bible study for a number of reasons.  I'll stick with just a couple of reasons though. First and foremost, to learn. I have been needing a new refreshing, and this definitely doing the trick.  Secondly, to meet other ladies in my church.  The ones I have met are WONDERFUL.  I have been so welcomed.  It is so nice to get out of the house and meet new people.


Have you ever completed a Beth Moore study?  Which one and what did you love about it?

Same Kind of Different as Me

My eyes are still moist after finishing this book.  I have not felt this way about a book since reading Crazy Love and The Shack. 

Same Kind of Different as Me is a story about the connection God made between a wealthy Fort Worth couple and a dangerous homeless man.  It is a true story of a wife convincing her husband to serve the Lord and blessing others by working in a mission.  They meet a homeless man there who changes their lives and through prayer and persistence, his life also becomes changed. 

It is a beautiful story of God's love, his calling, loss and what can come from loss.  There were points that I was literally sobbing. 

We need more stories like this that tell of the awesome power of God.  That show what great faith people have. Stories that show that even when faith is shaken and destroyed, God is still there. Stories to inspire us.  Inspired I am. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

One of my favorite quotes from the book-
But I found out everybody's different-the same kind of different as me. We're all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us. The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or somethin in between, this earth ain't no final restin place.  So in a way, we is all homeless-just workin our way toward home.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was running some errands today and thinking about how close we are to school starting.  I know this may not mean much to anyone else, but I realized that Friday will be the last "big" grocery run that I take both kiddos on.  I know that I'm excited to get to shop alone or with only one child, but it still made me a little sad.  Mainly in the fact that it's been the 3 of us for 5 years.  School starting in our family is a HUGE thing.  We have had the same kind of routine since they were babies, and honestly, I will miss it.

Oh Happy Day! Do you know what has opened up down the interstate a couple of exits??!!  Five Guys Burgers and Fries!!!!!  A couple of years ago, there was footage on TV of President Obama eating at a 5 Guys.  The burgers looked so good!  We didn't have one anywhere around us, so we thought it was just a dream to ever get a burger from there.  While we were on vacation this summer, we found one and stopped to eat one of those yummy, yummy burgers.  It was SO good!  I can't wait to try ours out!

I had some items to return to Target and TJ Maxx today and it was so hot, but I wanted to get it done, so we hit up Sonic Happy Hour and then ran our errands.  We were over in a shopping center that has a Petsmart, so we decided to go for a visit!  I was FUN mommy today!  We had a blast looking at all the animals, and now I really want a kitten!!!  The kiddos really want a hamster and that is just NOT happening!!!

I need to be labeling school supplies and planning menus.  I can't wait to share with you guys how our transition to school life goes!  It is still amazing to me that the time is here.  I am very excited for C to learn to read and make new friends.  I'm also excited about meeting people and making new friends myself!  I know it's going to be a great year and I'm ready for the journey!

I know it's Wednesday, but here is our dinner plan for the rest of the week--

tonight- Pinto beans cooked with ham pieces and cornbread
Thursday- Fish cooked some way, some kind of potato and a veggie
Friday- date night, so the kids will have a babysitter and something easy to eat!
Saturday- we have a birthday party so we won't be eating at home
Sunday- Mexican chicken and corn and maybe Spanish rice

Things I'm gonna miss....

• Princess nightgowns and spiderman undies. 
• Toothpaste all over the sink. 
• The way they say wrong funny things but I don't correct them because it is so cute!
• Spontaneously telling me they love me or kissing me. 
• Spending all day with them.  
• Naptime.
• Questions they ask.
• The way they are so full of wonder.
• Enjoying all of their "firsts."
• Being able to buy them a $1 toy that they love more than a $50 toy!
• Little hands and feet.
• Superheroes and princesses.
• Listening to them play with their vivid imaginations.
• Watching them learn to ride their bikes.
• Picking them up and carrying them!
• Surprising me with what they learn! 

A Day in the Life, Wednesday July 6th

I have seen this type of post many, many times but I have just never felt compelled to do one.  Recently, a blogger I follow did one and it really made want to document our days.  I wish I had blogged when the kids were babies.  I still remember how days went back then, but I don't always remember how I felt.

So, I may do these type of posts now and then to document the common, ordinary things we do!

So, here we go- Wednesday July 6, 2011

Today was Tim's first day back to work since last Thursday (it was like a second vacation!), so he was up at 6am and I think the kids were up shortly after that.
I couldn't tell you for sure though, because I did not get up until 8ish. If you know me, you know I'm not the most chipper person in the morning!

I made my morning cup of coffee and starting making some oatmeal.  I usually don't make breakfast right off the bat, because I like to drink my coffee first, but I was really hungry this morning!

The kids were watching their morning shows and came to eat their oatmeal too.  We had to start getting ready for swim lessons at 10:30 and a picnic/playdate afterwards.  I sat and read Twitter, Facebook and email while drinking my coffee.  After that, I swept the kitchen and picked up some things and made sandwiches for the picnic.  It's kind of stressful sometimes getting myself and the kids ready and getting everything ready to get out the door.  Today didn't seem too bad though.

We went to swim lessons and tomorrow and Friday are the last two days of our two week session.  I think the lessons have been great for the kids.  C is still having a really hard time with putting her head under water and jumping off the side to the instructor.  I know what it is like to have a fear of water so I do empathize with her.  I just want both kiddos to know how to swim and to have fun in the water.  I don't want them to grow up with a fear of it.  It was really hot at lessons and I tried to read a magazine.  I'm glad they are only 30 minutes!

After lessons were over, we drove around the park to the play area to meet our good friends April and Ryan.  We are so lucky to have such great friends up here! When we first moved up here, it was hard not knowing hardly anyone, so it was nice to have a familiar face! We had a nice little picnic and great conversation and the kiddos had a blast playing as always. 

On the way home, I returned a call from my very dear friend Kelly who lives in Texas.  We met in college and have been friends for over 10 years.  She has been such a blessing as a friend.  We caught up about our weekends, kids and stuff.  It is always so great to talk to her!

When we got home, the kiddos asked if they could get in the pool so I let them get in.  They were out there for a good hour or hour and a half!  While they played in the pool, I turned on the computer to catch up on Twitter, Facebook and working on posts for my blogs.  I got a few set up for my Techie Mommy blog and I started working on this post.  I also snacked on some crackers and was still sipping on my coffee and a glass of water.  I did a few chore now and then also.  I also swept the dining room floor for the second time of the day.  I organized the pantry, folded a basket of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and started getting things ready for dinner.

After the kids got out of the pool, I made them a snack of apple slices, vanilla yogurt and a leftover pancake.  After that, they both laid down for a nap.  Yay for lots of outdoor playtime to wear kids out!

They got up from their nap around 4ish. B had wet the bed, so I had to deal with that and then he threw a 10 minute fit because he did not want to wear the clothes he had been wearing earlier in the day. After all that, they both played in C's room while I cut up the veggies for dinner.

Tim got off work at 5 and was home by 5:15.  He changed clothes and helped me cooked the vegetable stir fry.  I have to say, I LOVE the smell of sesame oil! It smelled so good in here, I wish I could send the smell out to you guys!
Broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, bean sprouts and water chestnuts=yum!

After our scrumptious stir fry, the kids got back in the pool and Tim decided to go for an hour walk. I can't convey how much I love that pool.  They have spent HOURS in it this summer.  It's too hot to go outside and swing and play in the sandbox, but it's not to hot to get in the pool!  I sat down to write some more about our day and enjoy a strawberry shortcake :-)

I would normally be working on my menu plan, grocery list or checkbook, but all of that stuff is up-to-date! wow!

We grew these in our garden...

....so Thursday night, BLT's are on the menu!!!

I also tweeted some more.  I do that a lot. And sometimes I am just there lurking.  Gasp! You know you do it too!

Jessica called tonight too and I loved getting to talk to her! They are busy getting things ready for Parker's room!

After Tim got home from his walk, we drug the kids out of the pool and started getting things ready for bed.  I love listening to Tim read stories to the kids and it is the most PRECIOUS thing to hear them sing songs at bedtime!

Mom called tonight as well and I talked to her for a few minutes.  I am really tired tonight so I didn't talk long.  I'm about to brush my teeth and hit the bed.  We have the kids in bed and hopefully they will stay there!

What do you do after a week on vacation?

You get busy!

The kiddos got new booster seats that they are VERY excited about! :-)

We had swimming lessons this week everday and next week.  The kids are really learning a lot this year!

We had a visit from Uncle Kevin, Aunt Veronica and cousin baby Noah! He is 6 weeks old now!

We also got to have Uncle Keith and Aunt Jessica come up on Thursday! They came to swimming lessons and then that evening, we all went and watched Cars 2!!!

We also had a visit on Thursday from my high school friend, Amber and her kids!

Yesterday, we went downtown to Bentonville's First Friday celebration.  We had BBQ and listened to some really good music!  The rest of the afternoon we spent doing some shopping.

Last night, we took the kiddos to Lawrence Plaza for a free outdoor showing of Shrek! I love how many free things there are to do in our community!

Today, we are heading downtown for a fourth of July parade where kids get to decorate their bikes and ride around the square! We are trying to get our bikes decorated right now!

We are also going to head down to Elkins tonight to see our dear friends Rick and Brittnie who we haven't seen in forever! They just got married at the end of May and they got married where we did- Saint Lucia!!!

Thoughts

Yesterday was a trip down to Grandma's house. 
I have dentist appointments every 3-4 weeks and the kiddos are always excited about going to see Grandma and Pop Pop. 
This time was even more exciting because they got to visit with Uncle Keithy too! 
While we were in town, I decided to do some blueberry picking at the place where we picked them the previous 2 years. 
I love having fresh picked blueberries in the freezer year round! 
I use the blueberries for blueberry pancakes, smoothies, cakes and blueberry muffins!
Keithy brought along a friend who was a good sport about it all and really nice to the kiddos.
Look at those beautiful berries!

On the drive down, we passed through the area that was damaged by a tornado in May.  It still looks like a war zone there.  It really made me think about all of the people affected and how long it takes to get back to a normal life.  It seems that we forget about tragedies very quickly.  It also made me think about what we would do if something like that were to happen to us.  I know it's not something fun to think about, but I think it always helps to have some kind of plan.

My ortho appointment went pretty well.  My teeth are almost all lined up, but there are still two teeth in the back (molars) that have to be pushed forward.  I'm totally in this for the long haul. My orthodontist told me that I was going to be close to being one of his longest patients. That's always great to hear. Lol.

Another thing that has been on my mind a lot lately is how much you forget from when your kiddos are tiny.  That time from birth to one year.  Everything is such a blur and there was so much sleep deprivation and there was not a blog to write stuff down at.  I wish I could remember everything! Every second of holding them and listening to them "goo" and try to talk. Sigh. It's so sad that some of the sweetest moments go by incredibly too fast.

Counting down...

So, I'm wondering about something.

My 4yo son has reverted to acting like a semi 2 year old. 

Is this normal? Does anyone have any experience with this? Things scare him now that have never scared him.  And the whining and crying. Omygoodness, the whining and crying!

I need help! Or a happy pill!

We went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday and I found some pretty red begonias that were on sale for 2 for $3.  We bought a few and planted them in our front landscaping.  It gives it a little "pop" now!

Yesterday, C girl and I drove down to Fayetteville to meet Jessica at David's Bridal.  This was her last dress appointment before the wedding!  The corset they put in the dress worked perfectly! A little advice to anyone having a corset put in-- Don't pay $80 for the store to give you the lace up. Go to Hobby Lobby and buy satin ribbon and do it yourself!!!! We spent $3.50 and it looked beautiful!

I'm in furious house cleaning mode today.  I have an incredibly busy week and I need to get it all done today.  So blogging right now totally fits in my schedule ;-)

Tomorrow we go and get to find out what Jessica's baby is going to be!!! The kiddos get to be there too!  I can't explain how excited I am about tomorrow.  Also, we are going to stop by and visit baby Noah before we go home!

The bridal shower that I'm throwing for Jessica is on Saturday evening.  I've got just about everything ready for it.  The only thing left is getting and preparing the food and punch.

I can't believe that we will be leaving in less than 2 weeks for Tybee Island.  It is going to be such a great trip.  I get to be a part of two of my favorite people's wedding and I get to take my kiddos to the beach! What could be better than that?!


13 days and counting!!!