February happenings

It's hard to believe that this is only the 2nd time I have blogged this month. I have just had zero motivation to do so. 

To be honest, I really didn't start feeling better until this past Friday. I'm still having issues here and there, but overall a lot better. I've also been nursing a horrendous cold sore. I only get them about twice a year, but when I do, they are AWFUL. It is finally starting to heal up.

On the 6th, the kids had their Valentine's parties at school. I had a lot of fun at both parties and the kids had a blast! 

That night, our church hosted a mom's conference called, Get Real. I cannot say enough how wonderful the conference was. I'm SO thankful for the women's ministry at my church. They are all just incredible. They had great vendors, wonderful snacks, fun freebies, awesome worship, and amazing speakers and sessions.

We came back on Saturday morning for more of all of that!

I was just so encouraged and so grateful to be able to live life with a LOT of incredible women!

these two images borrowed from my friend, Kelly :)

After the conference, I came home to eat lunch and wait for the nurse who was coming to show me how to do my Humira injections.

I had to give myself 4 shots the first time. They really were not bad or painful, except the 2nd one and I'm not sure what happened with it. It stung like the dickens and I almost passed out!

My next 2 shots are this coming Saturday and then I believe it will be one shot every 2 weeks from then on.

It was a beautiful afternoon, so we headed out to take the kids to a local park. It's located near our Krispy Kreme, so we usually treat the kids to donuts after a trip to that park- we love our KK's!

On Sunday, Tim stayed home from church with B Boy because he was still not 100%. I helped with 1st grade Sunday school with my friend, Amanda and it was really fun!

It was another gorgeous day, so we decided to take a walk on the Crystal Bridges trail.

We even ran into our friends, April and Ryan!

Monday began our February intercession. The kids were excited to be home from school all week.

First thing Monday morning, I had a BPTO meeting that the kids had to come sit with me at. They really did great! They went with Tim to his basketball duty in Siloam Springs and I got the whole evening to myself- it was heaven!

On Tuesday, we met friends at the park because it was a beautiful day! We finished off with a trip to the library. They adore going to the library and checking out books. I love watching them read the books that they check out! Usually, they check out books at school and we don't visit the public library much. However, I know that they really miss the public one, so I try to take them on days that they are out of school.

On Thursday, I had a dentist appointment and the kids had to tag along for that as well. I'm amazed how big and independent they are now. They sat out in the waiting room and kept occupied while I had my teeth cleaned.

Friday, I treated the kids to donuts for breakfast before we ran to get groceries. I wanted to get all of that out of the way before the busy-ness of payday/Valentine's/snow shopping started for the day.

 I'm so not a fan of putting groceries away!

 This girl is such a big helper! I always decorate for holidays and I have just not had energy to put any Valentine's decorations up, so she took it upon herself to do it for me! She did a great job!

Our church had a Parent's night out on Friday night. I was super excited about having a date with my love to celebrate Valentine's Day!

We had reservations at Table Mesa and when they seated us, it was a romantic table at the window. We loved the setting and enjoyed our meal immensely!

 We ran to Walmart to buy balloons for the kids for the next day and then we went home and watched a movie before picking the kiddos up!

He is my forever Valentine!

 We always give the kids a balloon on Vday and this year they requested a BIG balloon. 

We got the biggest 2 that we could find!

 I took B Boy to a birthday party on Saturday morning. He had lots of fun! Tim picked him up to take him to baseball tryouts. I can't believe soccer and baseball are about to start up already!

C Girl and I spent a big part of the afternoon organizing the playroom. I can't even describe how awful it was. We took a HUGE bag of trash out of there. Let's just say they like to do crafts and cut paper and all manner of things and NEVER CLEAN IT UP. We had it pretty clean and organized after a few hours though!

 It was a gorgeous afternoon, so Tim took down the Christmas lights (I know, we are that family) and we sat and watched the kiddos play and soaked in some vitamin D.

 Tim and the kids surprised me with roses and a massage. I'm a lucky, loved girl!

I'm glad that we had a beautiful day yesterday because we are currently under a 

WINTER STORM WARNING. The forecast varies to us getting anywhere from 2-8 inches.

Areas south of us are supposed to get a lot of ice and I'm really sad for that to be happening. I hope it does not cause major problems.

I'm not sure how it is where you live, but here in Arkansas when we have snow or ice, 

THIS is what happens----

I would love a snow day, but I don't want to be stuck inside for days on end!

so many things to say, so little time to do so

That's how it works though, isn't it?!  

We had a wonderful Valentine's day! The kids woke up to balloons and a couple of little treats. 

After breakfast, we visited their old school and C Girlie read to a 1st grade class. She did a great job!!! 

We went home to have our little "party." We made cupcakes, did Valentine's day activities, and watched Be my Valentine Charlie Brown.

Tim and I went to a dinner theater at our church for dinner.  It was a murder mystery put on by the youth and we have so many talented kids at our church!!! They are raising money to go on a mission trip to Ecuador this summer.

Saturday, Tim & kids went to Fayetteville for game that he was on duty for and I went shopping for the day!!! They met me at Copelands for dinner and then we headed home to watch the Olympics.  

Sunday, was Compassion Sunday at church. We were blessed to hear from a formerly sponsored child and the family that had sponsored her! She is from Uganda but is now in the US attending Baylor University for her Master's degree in social work.  After church, we came home, picked up the house and spent some time outside. Our weather has been beautiful for the past few days!!! Before evening service, we went and visited the Compassion mobile experience. It was a very neat experience and one that I am glad that we were able to share with our children.  We decided as a family to sponsor two children. They are the same ages as our kids, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them!

So, it's a new week again.  B Boy had a part in Rise and Shine at school this morning.  They are celebrating Black History month and had a program highlighting famous African Americans.  B was Michael Jordan.  He had to be on stage and say his paragraph that he memorized about Michael Jordan. We are so proud of how well he did!!!

I spent today sort of "spring" cleaning.  I feel like the cold and snow have had me very unmotivated to clean or do any projects.  It's amazing how that turns around when the weather warms up!

a chocolate treat for Tim

B Boy in his Sunday school class. Love his teacher! She also teaches C for GA's!

B and one of his best friends :-)

A week of red, friends & love

My sweet, sweet, hilarious friend, Jenn invited me and some other friends to attend the NWA Go Red for Women luncheon on Tuesday.

We all had a lot of fun!  The food was great and I'm still dreaming about the maple cream sauce that my pecan crusted chicken was bathing in.  I'm seriously going to have to re-create that stuff!

Rachael Ray was a guest speaker and I was so excited to hear from her!

I adore her down to earth, laid back personality so much!

How beautiful are these ladies?!

If you think about it, would you pray for Jenn tomorrow? She is having surgery that relates to her breast cancer journey.  Please pray that the surgery goes smoothly (no complications!) and that her recovery is the best that it can be.  I know she has to be anxious about everything.  I know I certainly would be.  Please pray that her heart and mind are filled with peace as she takes on this final hurdle.

It's no secret that February and I don't always get along.  It is usually dreary, cold, and not much going on.  This week has been a little tough on me.  I'm not sure if it is the dreariness, the fact that I didn't feel well, or just normal hormonal issues, but I am so ready for some sunshine and warmth on my skin.

The days are starting to get longer too! Hooray!

I'm looking forward to yoga today and then tomorrow, I'm celebrating Valentine's day, first with the kids, and then tomorrow night with my love!  

The kids and I are going to have a "party."  That stands for: baking pink cupcakes with cherry icing, painting some Valentine's wooden crafts and watching Be my Valentine Charlie Brown!

Tim and I are going to a dinner theater at our church that is also a fundraiser for our youth group for a mission trip to Ecuador. 

I'm looking forward to it and I've heard the food is going to be great!

I'll sign up for good food, a show, and childcare!!! LOL.

I love Valentine's Day, but I know that not everyone shares that sentiment.

Whether you have someone to share the day with or not, God loves you more than any love that can be found here on earth.

Love is not reserved for one day.

Our love should not just be shown with words, but always by our actions and how we live our lives.

1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Psalm 63:3

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

Milestones

I am so tired, but there are so many things going on right now that I want to remember.

Yesterday was, of course, Valentine's day.  It was a wonderful, wonderful day.  We all got wonderful gifts and felt very, very loved.  The kiddos' both had great class parties.  

It's so neat how life evolves with kids.  I heard C Girl call from her room on Vday morning, "are the surprises on the table like they normally are?" They know how our traditions work now and that cracks me up!

This morning marked a MAJOR milestone in our lives!  We closed on a new home!  It is so amazing this time around because we have worked hard saving money and the house is brand new and fully "ours."  It is a beautiful home, and I just feel SO blessed to call it our home.  May the Lord bless it and all of our times in it!

Another major milestone happened tonight.  C Girlie is at her very first sleepover!  I just could not believe it when she brought the invitation home. I did not think either of us were ready for it yet, but as always, she surprises us.  She is having a wonderful time. Her friend's mom sent me this picture-

We have been moving things over to our new house and will be continuing to do that throughout the next week!  I'm so ready to have everything settled again!