Easter Festivities

I told a friend yesterday that I'm going to be a better blogger. It's pointless, in my opinion, to have this blog if I'm not going to use it. So what better way than to make an Easter post recapping our weekend?

Let's get started, shall we?

My first Easter activity included baking. A friend of mine asked me to make sugar cookies for her son's pre-school Easter party. I was very excited and oh so nervous, but was pleased with how they turned out. 

Saturday was a jam packed day, but we made time for the eggstravaganza at church. The girls had a great time. There was face painting, story time, crafts, bounce houses were set up, and of course the huge egg hunt. Oh, and popcorn. Caylee was THRILLED when she saw that popcorn. That girl is a popcorn freak.

And what would Easter be without dyeing our eggs? This is usually a long, drawn out process, but this year was different. I don't know if it's because they're getting older, or because I had bought them some fun animal egg wrappers, but this year was so easy. I barely had time for pictures and they were done!!

For the past three years Easter has been the only holiday where it's been just the four of us. We usually travel back to OK or have company at our house for other holidays, but Easter is different. We have made it our tradition to stay home, and it works for us. I know it makes some family members sad, but traveling on Sundays is hard enough on all of us. Let alone traveling after Easter family gatherings. 

We have had beautiful weather the past couple of years, but this year it rained. No, it poured. All. Day. Long. After church we had a nice lunch at home and tried to delay our egg hunt until the rain had passed. But by 4 o'clock the girls couldn't wait any longer. So what'd we do? We had an egg hunt in the rain! 

Hmmm...that was kind of a jumbled mess of a post, huh? Oh well, this Easter was definitely memorable. And it was a great day. 

Innocent Magic

I have never been one to dive into all the St. Patty's activities, but this year I decided to do something a bit different. Last year the girls were required to make leprechaun traps for school, so that sparked their interest into St. Patrick's Day. No traps needed this year, but as we recalled the memories from the previous year (the leprechaun wasn't caught, he messed up their classroom while they were gone to activity, he left four leaf clovers and glitter everywhere, etc...), I had the perfect idea to make this year memorable. 

Leprechaun Magic. Oh, yes. You read that correct. We had some leprechaun magic in our house this past Tuesday.

As the girls were getting dressed I was in the kitchen getting their breakfast ready. It wasn't anything elaborate, just cereal and milk. Bay kept creeping into the kitchen and was in danger of ruining everything. But I managed to distract her just enough. I worked my, er, I mean the leprechaun, worked his magic, and then the big reveal.

"GIRLS!!!! IT'S LEPRECHAUN MAGIC"!!!!!!!

Bay with her green milk and cereal with green milk. 

They were confused, but came running anyway. And they were blown away when they noticed their milk had been turned green. Success! They loved it and were so excited to tell everyone at school. Off they went.

When I picked them up from school they told me who got pinched and how they told Mrs. Thomas about their milk. The afternoon turned into evening and then it was time for dinner. 

I had made chicken and dressing and hadn't intended on making mashed potatoes, but after the morning success, I had to see if I could pull it off again. Plus, Bran would be home and he could participate. 

So I made the potatoes. It's a tradition in our house to have the girls lick the beaters. (Oh yeah, I mash with my electric mixer, not a real potato masher.) Well, I mashed up my potatoes and handed them their beater. I handed them the beater that had WHITE mashed potatoes. As Bran stirred the gravy I quickly dropped some green food coloring into the pan and stirred away with my spatula. He kept a look out for me and made sure no one was headed our way. When they were green enough I didn't bother with transferring them to a bowl. I just put the lid on the pan and sat it on the table. 

And then the magic happened.

We called the girls to dinner and Bay was the first one at the table. Knowing mashed potatoes were in the pan, she quietly lifted the lid. I'm pretty sure she was going to sneak a lick, but was too surprised once she opened it. GREEN MASHED POTATOES! Bran and I watched from the corner of our eyes, and I wish I had hidden our video camera. It. Was. Priceless. 

She opened it up and her mouth DROPPED. And she stared at the potatoes. I wish I knew what was running threw her head. Bran turned around and said, "Bay, what did you do to the potatoes?". And she instantly said, "Mom! It's leprechaun magic!". 

Doesn't that look slightly disturbing?!

Oh, I can't tell you the joy we had at dinner that night. With our green mashed potatoes we also had green beans, and I'm pretty sure my dressing had a hint of green from all of the sage. Such a fun evening, but it really got me thinking.

My girls are at a great age. They are old enough to comprehend a lot of things. They are learning things in school I still have trouble with (fractions and the skeletal system). But they still have that childlike innocence about them. It's precious and I know it won't be long before we have moved from leprechaun magic to makeup. 

But until that day comes we're going to embrace this season of life. It's beautiful.

Girlfriends

When we first moved to Arkansas I was in a bit of shock for awhile. I stayed holed up in my house for months, walked through Wal-Mart anonymously, and rarely spoke to anyone but Brandon and the girls. I was scared. I was nervous. And it was all a bit overwhelming. 

But day by day it got a little easier. I started attending Bible study at church and put more names and faces together each week. The faces slowly turned into acquaintances and the acquaintances turned into friends. With each little step we took towards cultivating those new friendships, we slowly began to appreciate what God had given us. 

This past weekend I was able to slip out for some much needed girl time. We went out to eat and a made quick run to Target. Over the course of our time together we all had had our share of tears and tons of laughter. As I laid in bed Saturday night I was so thankful for these two women. 

Me, Harriett, Anne

Harriett has endured more than most moms should ever have to endure. I won't share her story, (because it's hers, not mine) but I have much respect and admiration for this woman. She is strong and I look up to her for that. 

Anne lives six houses down from me and we talk multiple times a day. When we both emerged from our shyness, we realized how much we have in common and have been pretty much inseparable since. There's nothing like having a friend you can bare your soul to. She teaches me so much and for that I am grateful.

I am so thankful that God has answered one of my prayers since moving here. I wanted real friendships and he has been gracious to bless. 

It was quite a rendezvous at Rendezvous!

As you know, Brandon's birthday was last week. His parents weren't able to come see him until this weekend and Bran has had the agenda planned for weeks. His birthday was a great excuse to zip on over to Memphis for some world famous barbeque at Rendezvous BBQ. Well, we should have known we were in for an adventure when Gilbert (Bran's dad) said, "Boy, are you sure you want to go? It's sleeting out here". There was no stopping us. It was rain with just a touch of sleet. Nothing we couldn't handle. So off we went!

Here's the great thing about owning a van...

   

.....we all fit in one vehicle! So great, I tell ya. 

Anyway, I digress.

We rolled into Memphis around 2 o'clock and were all starving. After parking in the assigned parking garage and slipping out the side gate and into the alley, we found the treasure we had been looking for. And inside were these beauties that Brandon had been craving.

And I'm pretty sure he enjoyed them. 

Yeah, going by the sauce he had dripping off his face it's pretty safe to say he was pleased.

Oh, and in case you're wondering... Our waiter, Robert Jr. (not to be confused with Robert Sr., as the website says) is Justin Timberlake's main man when he comes to town. I was too embarrassed to ask for a picture. : (

We headed back upstairs to take a family photo documenting the days event, but didn't realize the real fun was just beginning!

Aww, how cute. We're all smiles and full of food and then we see it. 

SNOW!!!!!!!!!

You know what that means! Another family picture!!

The girls and I were so excited! It has been a very boring winter here in our part of Arkansas. There has been snow and ice to the north of us and that's just about it. So we were so excited to finally be in some snow. 

Now. The rational side of me thought, "Let's get out of here"! But the fun side said "No way! Let's go to Beale Street"! And so we did!!!

You see, Memphis has a Hard Rock Cafe. We took the girls there last summer and were able to share with them how special HRC is to our family. Brenna (my sister) worked for HRC and they were so good to her from the time she was diagnosed up until she had passed away. And even after she had died they honored her with a famous HRC pin. Anyway, all of this to say when we are close to a HRC we have to support them. Whether it's by eating or shopping in the store, I have to do something for the company that was so good to Brenna. And so off we went, in the snow, to Hard Rock.

See my hand? It's holding the HRC bag. Had to buy the girls a shirt! 

Look how empty the street was! It was hilarious!! When we were leaving we got pelted with a couple of snow balls. I wish we could have stayed and played all day.

It was such a fun day! The girls were thrilled to play in snow. And I had a pretty good time myself.

Thanks, B, for taking us to Memphis for your birthday! : ) 

Happy Birthday, Brandon!

My sweet husband is turning 27 today. He is feeling all sorts of old and is really cracking me up. I have felt at least 10 years older than I am ever since I had the girls, so I'm kind of excited to be getting older. Brandon, on the other hand, doesn't enjoy it. It's hilarious to watch him wince when I mention his age. I should try and capture it on film.

So here's to you, my sweet man. I thank God for you and all you do for your girls. We love you!

  

  

       

  

  

I know these were a hodge podge of pictures, but every one of them has their own special story and means so much to me. He means so much to me. 

Happy Birthday, Bran!

House Guest

Here's the deal. Brandon made, in his words, and "executive decision" last week and we are switching over from DirecTV to Dish Network. We were able to get a bundle deal though our phone company and will be saving $80 a month! $80!!! That's insane. Anyway, in order to do so we had to have Dish come in and install their stuff and then have DirecTV come take their stuff away.

Well.

My phone rang at 7:15 this morning. It's the Dish man and he says he'll be here in half an hour to start the installation. I told him I'd be taking my girls to school at that time, but would be home by 8. He said he'd just wait in the drive. And he did. I was excited. When things like this happen I'm usually stuck at home waiting on the people to show up. They're usually not waiting on me. I just knew his service would be just as prompt as his arrival.

Wrong. 

Friends, as I type it's after noon. He has been here four hours and counting. And... He's. Still. Working. I'm about to go insane. I can't get a single thing done because he's moving from room to room and I don't want to keep bumping into him. I've been chilling out in my room. Oh, except for when the Pest Control man came and did our quarterly spray. So I had TWO strange men in my house AT THE EXACT TIME!! I could have been killed by two different men today. So scary, really. 

Since I was stuck in here I figured I would do a little updating on the blog. I wish I had wonderful and profound things to say, but I don't. Brandon and I had a nice, quiet Valentine's Day. The girls had a long weekend and spent a fabulous time with Grammy and Grampy. Dad got a puppy this weekend and the girls fell in love. He's a Great Pyrenees and his name is Boy. Such a little love. I'll get pictures on here soon. 

In other, completely random, news....The hair is ok. I realize the previous post was a little dramatic. I'm learning how to fix it and am learning to enjoy it. It was supposed to be an easy style, but it is definitely high maintenance. 

Alright, I have to go spy on this man in my house. I think he went back outside for ANOTHER smoke break. Gotta find the Lysol!

Changes in vision

Two years ago Caylee didn’t pass her vision test at school. I was a bit freaked out since we had only lived here six months and I had no clue what optometrist to take her to. The only option I had was to look in the yellow pages for an optometrist that took our insurance. And how, might you ask, did I decide on who to use? Simple. Whoever had the biggest and prettiest advertisement space was who I called! I figure if they are proud enough of their work to take out a full page ad, then they should be good. Well, the lady was fine, but a little too “out there” for my liking. She prescribed Caylee some reading glasses but said she would probably outgrow the problem and be just fine. She was right. Caylee has passed the last two years and no longer needs her glasses. But look how cute she was…

I have been expecting to get another letter from the school regarding Caylee, but it was a surprise when the letter came and it was for Baylee! Then it all began to click...

- the closeness she needs when reading 
- her favorite spot in the house is the closest spot to the tv
- when she's allowed to watch something in her room, she pulls her chair right up to the tv.

Bless her little heart, she was BLIND!

I had gone to a local optometrist last year and really enjoyed him. So when they called to confirm my yearly appointment I asked that Baylee be seen with me.

I can't tell you how awful I felt when she was in the pre-screening area. Guys, she couldn't read the top line! They didn't have the huge E, it was just a poster with different sized letters. I wanted to hug her sweet neck right then and there and tell her how sorry I was for not catching this sooner! Oh, and as we filled out the paperwork, she also informed me (for the first time) she had been having double vision! Sheesh! 

So today Baylee went to school with her brand new glasses. She had the weekend to adjust and was so excited to be able to see things far off. And another thing, people can now tell the girls apart!