Daddy's Girls

Last month was a big month for Todd. Not only was it Daddy Dinner at Finley's Preschool, but it was also Father Daughter Dance at CAL. They all had a great time and I know the girls loved having their Daddy to themselves! Yes...I am behind in posting these pics, but I wanted to have this in my blog for my own future glances! They grow up too quickly!

Easter 2011

Easter is one of the best holidays in my opinion...except the whole rabbit part creeps me out. I love the happy ending of Jesus rising on the cross offering us grace and forgiveness. This applies to everyone. In God's eyes, not one sin is bigger than another. We are all sinners and Easter is a reminder that we all have a chance at Heaven thanks to Jesus Christ. Easter 2011 was particularly beautiful (except the weather...looking at all the rain one would think Jesus was still dead). Watching my kids this year was so special. I am realizing they are growing so fast and one day they aren't going to care about egg hunts or baskets! Todd and I just enjoyed watching them run around and hunt eggs with not a care in the world! I am not going to write much, but posts lots of pics so I never forget the beautiful day that symbolizes new life and new beginnings.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

After a busy and stressful month, Todd and I decided to grab some dinner and take a friend up on an offer of Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall tickets at YUM! It was hilarious! It was the most either of us have laughted in a while and we had sooo much fun! We thought we should dress kindof country, but we looked like the biggest rednecks in the stadium! :)

Thank You!! :)

This post is dedicated to our friends. You should know who you are! We thank our friends and family for everything they do for us and all their support. We hope you all have a great Easter weekend and enjoy your family time! Blow lots of bubbles, find lots of eggs and remember the reason for the season! Happy Easter!

Building Our New Life!

April 13th, 2011: Today we broke ground on our new house! This is something Todd and I have worked so hard for for a long time. This is the start of our future...on what we have decided to call Forever Farm. We are looking forward to more quiet, less stress, more deep breaths, less toxic people in our lives and more attention to what really matters... God. Our Marriage. Our kids. Our work. We see God working in our lives and are realizing that his blessings come through the back door sometimes, but that is often when we least expect them. As my brother told me the other day in regards to when things get tough..."Don't quit before the miracle happens". I feel renewed with hope and promise for our future and memories to be made on Forever Farm. Our Bucket List for the upcoming years?...Peace and serenity. Renew our vows. Trip to Italy. Health. Happiness. (and the kids want to throw in a Disney Cruise!) Can't wait!

Down on the Farm

Sunday (the last day of spring break) our family was invited out to our friend's farm for a cookout and s'mores. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a ball playing in the fresh air and jumping on the trampoline. Todd and I needed a day away from the usual, so it was a great time for us to reconnect. I thank God for days like this...

Spring Break

Spring Break went way too quickly at our house! We stayed around the Ville, and enjoyed visiting the zoo. Unfortunately we picked the BUSIEST day EVER! Still, fun times enjoyed with my girls...Hogan was home sick :( Here is a picture of Riley, Bailey and Finley at the new Sea Lion exhibit.

Birthday Biggie!

March 17th was Hogan's second birthday!!! The last two years have gone so fast!! He is such an amazing addition to our family and he brings us so much joy! Right now he is into Chuck trucks and Matchbox cars, Little People and Dora, Bubble Guppies and shoes. He loves the playground and any kind of ball! We love you Biggie!

Birthday Boy

March 17th Hogan turned two! The years have gone way too fast, but he is an amazing little boy and we cherish having him in our lives! He is into Chuck trucks and Matchbox cars, Dora and Bubble Guppies, and ANY kind of ball...soccer, basketball, baseball...you name it! We love you Biggie!

It's Friday...but Sunday's coming.

Yesterday's sermon at Church was amazing! Just when you need to be "filled up" God finds a way of doing it. Bob talked about Good Friday and how the disciples were devastated that Jesus had died and they felt like their lives would never be happy. Little did they know that Sunday Jesus would rise. He reminded us that we will have Fridays but to always remember that Sunday is coming. Things have been a bit overwhelming around our house the last couple weeks! Friends are going through struggles! But when it all seems a bit too much, I try to say to myself..."It's Friday, but Sunday's comin'!" My brother also told me a great saying that speaks the same way to me..."Don't quit before you see the miracle".

FAITH

Some weeks are better than others. Last week was a killer, but as it turns six o'clock at the end of the first day of a new week, I am hopeful. I believe that God throws difficulty and storms into our lives and it is our choice what to do with them. Society has such strong opinions these days about forgiveness and seems to advertise the attitude that if someone does something wrong to just say "screw them". God teaches us something different. What is a Christian that doesn't forgive? The chance to show true Unconditional Love only comes around once in a while. I think loving someone that much is just as rewarding as being loved that much. I won't get into the story at the root of this blog, but I will say this. If I have ANYTHING to offer from the week I have had, it would be this. Love with all your heart. Whether it be your kids, your parents, your friends, your spouse. They will hurt you at times, you will hurt them at times...but at the end of the day true love prevails. Love like you have never been hurt. Cherish your family. Forgive. Laugh. Pray. Praise. Thank and count your blessings. Put God first in your life and everything will always work out. :)

Todd's 40th Birthday

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have this 40 year-old to share a life with...

My husband did NOT want a 40th birthday party. He got one anyway...and it was a blast! :)

Good food. Good drinks.

Great family and friends.

Birthday Fun!

February is our month of birthdays! Feb. 4th (Todd) Feb. 9th (my Dad) Feb. 13th (Bailey) Feb. 16th (Todd's dad) Feb. 20th (Todd's mom)...It is a CRAZY month! Top it off with Valentine's Day and Feb. 26th being our anniversary! Todd was skiing in Utah over his birthday. It was VERY strategic that it happened to be his big 40th birthday and he was conveniently out of town to avoid any possibility of a party. He made it VERY clear that he did not want a party! So, I did what ANY good wife would do and I threw a BIG surprise party anyway, but just planned it for 2 weeks later. More on that later... In my typical fashion, I decided to self-sabotage myself and throw Bailey's 9th party on the same day! So, Feb. 19th rolls around and I not only have a house full of visiting in-laws (love them...they are great...still lots to do to get ready for them!) but I have 2 parties to throw. For Bailey's we did a 14 girl scavenger hunt in the mall followed by cookie cake. The scavenger hunt was a blast, but mall security didn't agree that it was so fun. Todd's team was stopped twice...mine not once...hmmm...! The items incorporated lunch (had to be a select number of pizza slices cut into a select number of pieces by the pizza guy!) and items to find (find a shirt in size 8 for under $5) and even a search for a worker named Carl (Todd's team found one!! Can you believe it!?). I think the girls had a ball! Bailey is growing so fast and is such a blessing! 9 years old already...can I just FREEZE her!!?

Full Speed Ahead!

It is OFFICIAL! We closed on our loan and the house building has begun! Well, we haven't actually dug a the hole yet, but we are working on the site work and permitting! I am looking so forward to this process. Met with the Stacye Love (builder...I HIGHLY recommend her) regarding the kitchen and it's lay-out. I am enjoying even the boring things like cabinet height and drawer pull design. Here is the kitchen inspiration and basically very close to what it will look like...

Finley's Thoughts for the Day...

After picking Fella up from a much needed nail trim and Fur-minator treatment, Finley asked me in the car..."Mom, do you think we will get a new dog?" My response was as follows..."One day maybe, but for now we will just enjoy Fella". Finley proceeded to answer. "Yep. He's a good dog. Best dog in our world!"

Clean Plate Club

Currently at a whopping 31.4 pounds, Finley is determined to get out of her carseat and into a booster. (She must weigh 38 lbs!) So she has been trying to "get bigger". Friday night she joined the Clean Plate Club and was ecstatic!! Booster here we come! :)

Daddy Day Out

Yesterday, Todd took Riley and Bailey back to Paoli to ski. They came home tired by so excited about how they had improved since last weekend!!! They skiied EVERY slope! They also got to pick out new hats...and they brought home Finley one also! I am not a skii-er...have only been skiing once in Lake Tahoe, so it is fun to see the girls enjoy this with their dad. I hope the memories last forever!

Our Goodnight Prayer

A long time ago, I started to say this prayer I made up at night to the kids. I pray it whether they are listening or not. I want to blog it so I never forget it (Don't think I will) and just in case anything happens to me they will always have it. Many times we pray and don't pay attention to what we say...habitually. I think it through EVERY time because I mean it with all my heart.

"Dear Lord, Please watch over my babies. Please keep them safe and happy and healthy on this earth. Please let them all live very long, long, long, long (every long counts for 25 years...hope they live to 100!!) happy, healthy wonderful lives, and PLEASE let them always know how very much I love them. Amen."

More deep thoughts from Finley

Finley normally wakes up cranky and hides under the covers. Today she was smiling when I walked in her room, already awake!

Finley: "Best night ever!!"
Me: "Why Fin?"
Finley: "Lots of sleep!"

Now if I could just get Riley and Bailey to understand that when they complain at bedtime!

Sink...think.think.think.

Picking out all the fixtures for the new house is hard. I thoroughly enjoy it, but it is hard. Not hard like fighting forest fires or mining coal hard, but hard because I want the house to come out PERFECT. Right now I am in faucet and sink mode. The overall feel of the house is a mixture of farmhouse and beach. I am picturing barefeet and laughter...NOTHING stuffy! I have chosen this faucet and sign for the hall guest bath, but am stuck on the sink. I will have a furniture piece for the vanity but am deciding on which of three bowls for the vessel sink.

Here are the sinks in the running...

I am sure no one cares what sink I pick, but I want to remember how I got to some decisions about the house when we are 60 years old and still living there!! Any comments or suggestions would be great!