Kayleigh's Talent Show

Kayleigh's Talent Show

So tonight was Kay's first talent show and I thought it went pretty well....see for yourself!!

Kay's Birthday!!

I cant believe it!!! She's 12!!! Didnt I just have her??!! Anyway......
We had a great night! We went out to dinner and Kay had the steak that she wanted and I didnt have to cook it!! We came back here for Icecream and Brownies and Kay opened her presents. Marsh bought her some really cool catchers gear. She loves that it isnt just black. She also got hot rollers, some hair stuff and $$$$. She is now totally stoked about the softball season starting! They have "tryouts" this Saturday and then should find out soon who is on their teams. And so it begins.....

A funny comment from Zach last night.....
Aunt Joyce went with us to dinner and when we were almost finished, Zach wandered over to Memom's and Aunt Joyce's side of the table. Aunt Joyce thought Zach felt a little warm and just put her hand on his forehead....she didnt say anything to him about it, just put her hand on his head and he responds, quickly "I'm NOT sick!!" I just think this is so funny because for like 3 weeks, that is all I have done to my kids (felt their foreheads for fever) and now they are programmed to respond!! Makes me laugh!!!

Back to Kay.....
What an amazing young lady she is turning into. I am soooo proud that she is mine! She is thoughtful and kind and almost always has a smile on her face. I have never met a girl that is so positive about life and you cant help but be a part of her optimism! (Not to mention, I think she is beautiful!) I love you Kay!!

Fancy Nancy!!

Last night was Abby's party and we celebrated it in "Fancy Nancy" style!! We had yummy brownie sundaes and enjoyed spending time with family! We are finally on the mend here, with just some coughs left over. Thank goodness....I was beginning to think it would never end. Tomorrow is Kay's 12th birthday!!! Can you believe it? I will post again tomorrow with pictures of my preteen!! AGGGHHHH!!!!

Snow Day!!

We are still battling sickness over here, but that didnt stop us from enjoying some time in the snow today!! Kayleigh made her first snowman all by herself (with the exception of Mom having to lift the head on) and she rolled and huge chunk of snow around the yard. We drank hot chocolate and ate many marshmallows too. What a wonderful snow day we had!!

Just one more

I somehow forgot to post this picture the first time around. I love that it shows me comatose under Zach, all of the laundry piled in the background and the DVD player on the headboard (because Zach has to be near me at all times and this is how we accomplished that over the weekend!). Good times! PS....Jocee is home from school with the bug! Will it EVER end?? Kidding....we'll make it!!

A few more

Just a random picture of Kay and then one of the boys. Kay's lips are soooo chapped that it looks like she had Botox while she was at her friends house!! HAHA!! The boys' picture has a story to go behind it, of course! They played all morning, outside, because it was beautiful and 67! We dropped Kay off at a friends house and then went to 5 Below so Joce could spend a gift card. The boys begged and begged for me to buy them snow shovels!! Snow Shovels!?! I explained that we probably weren't going to get any snow anytime soon, to which Nate replied "Mom, I just want to use mine to shovel rocks near dad's plumbing pile!" "Ok Nate, but when we get home, it isnt going to be 67 and sunny out anymore...it's gonna be rainy and cold." "That's ok mom!"
So, here is the picture of my soaking wet boys, outside, shovels rocks in dad's "area"!!! It's a little dark, but I think you'll get the idea!!

From the Eyes of my 3 Year Old

So, what happens when the mommy is sick?!?! ANYTHING!!!!
That's right.....they can do whatever they want for days on end!! I finally succumbed to Marsh's germs over the weekend. The flu stinks! I was in bed for all of Saturday and Zach came to me at one point and said "MOM! Can I use your camera?" I think I managed a small grunt which he took as a "Yes!" and off he went to shoot random pictures. I will include a few from his portfolio of 76 pictures!! I think he may have a future ahead of him!

This week in pictures.....

We have had an interesting last 6 days. Marsh has been REALLY sick....like flu sick. Poor guy didnt move from the couch saturday or sunday. Fought a 102.5 fever for 3 days, ate nothing, sounded like he had pneumonia and lost 7 pounds! Heck of a way to start a diet. He was back to work yesterday and seems to be mended other than the cough that keeps us both up at night....ugghh.
I am posting a few pictures from the last week. They include the kids playing outside in February with no coats in 60 degree weather, Nate's 100th day of school with his M&M covered vest for the celebration, a picture of a lovely (typical) dinner for us(putting this out there so all of the other mom's that consider these foods a staple can relax that there is another mom out there that feels the same way!), Zach eating his favorite food, broccoli (notice the huge yellow bruise over his left eye from getting hit in the head by a tennis racket!) and the boys snuggled in on the couch watching tv on a very COLD, windy night.
Hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy!!!

Tea and Popcorn

The view from our hotel room!


The beautiful girls at our table!!

I had the wonderful opportunity this past weekend to "get away" for a few days on our church's ladies retreat. This was all possible because of my amazing husband that was totally fine with me going!! I love that man!!
We were at Sandy Cove for the retreat...what an amazing setting to focus on God's love for me. Last year, I remember feeling a little "beat up" after the retreat. There were so many things that I needed to address in my life and ugly stuff that I needed to look at and change. This year felt much more warm to me....and that was what I needed. We focused on not being afraid of certain fears that we have in our life....like losing our children or the future or finances. It was a great time of reflection and fellowship. It was made very clear to Mom, Jen and myself why we were there and how God paved the way for each of us to be able to go.
The kids and Marsh did great!! Saturday they ventured to the mall and Joce got her new glasses and Marsh bought webkins for all of them!! Lots of meals out and plenty of playing wii!!
I am so thankful that I was able to go away and that everyone was fine here while I was gone. I am already looking forward to next year, but cant wait to get started on focusing on God's love for me!!