It's Independence Day

Wow, what a weekend! We arrived in Madison on Friday afternoon (with our 8 month old niece traveling with us....that was FUN, seriously!!). Our first goal was to set up our sleeping quarters knowing that we wouldn't get back there till well after bedtime. Matt blew up 3 air mattresses and put sheets on all the beds while I gave Ainsley a bottle. Then we headed off to a cookout and to watch the parade. Matt's cousin Chelsea was in the parade, so the highlight of the evening was to yell at her until she looked like she'd like the pavement to open up and swallow her (secretly, I'm sure she was thrilled with the attention though). As planned, we arrived "home" dirty and tired. After a quick shower for the kids, they were in bed and Shannon and I were off to the store.

Saturday daytime was lovely.....super hot, sticky, and full of whiny kids. But, we did manage to find some fun even with the heat. I made pancakes for everyone for breakfast, then the 4 of us walked downtown to find some coffee. We found a yummy coffeehouse and then decided to walk to the fountain to enjoy it, little did we know that there was a wonderful farmer's market set up around the fountain. So, after purchasing some cinnamon rolls from the Amish for breakfast Sunday and a cute little water bottle holder for me and Delaney, we roamed downtown for a while dodging in and out of the heat in some cute little antique/crafty shops. After a sweaty walk to the river we decided to have a nice quiet lunch at the house and then lay down for a while and read while Matt ran to the store to buy some flipflops (he'd already broke 2 pairs in the 24 hours we'd been there!). After a short rest, Matt came home and we walked downtown again (luckily it's only a few blocks!!) to see Shrek Forever After and enjoy some ice cream. After a lovely dinner of anything we could make after raiding my father-in-law's garden (fried potatoes and onions, coleslaw, and hot dogs....those weren't growing, don't worry), we headed down to the river for the fireworks.

Carson went equipped with an "ipod" and huge earphones and he did a great job. He was being contrary about having his picture taken, he really wasn't trying to block out that much noise. The fireworks weren't as loud as I remembered them being, so he even ventured out from under the protection of the tent to watch some of them.

Sunday morning found us with one TIRED girl. She slept through all of us getting up, Matt tearing down everyone else's bed and packing most of it up, and me packing up bags. She finally moved around 10 o'clock. We loaded up the van and headed down to the river for the day, well, after enjoying some yummy cinnamon rolls!

It was a super steamy day, but we had a blast. We watched the airshow, notice the plane coming out from under the bridge that was right in front of us. Both of the kids (and the adults) enjoyed that trick. Then we went to find some "fair food" for lunch. Yum ~ fried veggies!!

Did I mention it was hot out???

The day ended perfect with boat racing and rock skipping/throwing. Matt throws a rock up on the same ledge every summer, so we watch while he takes his few warm up shots and then nails it. This year, Carson was trying to join in the fun....some day, it will happen.

Thanks to Grandpa opening up his home to us again, we had an awesome 4th of July weekend. Wonderful memories were made and the kids are already planning for next year.

I blinked....

.....and somewhere, in the middle of my eyes being closed, my baby boy turned into this handsome little prince charming. I feel so blessed that God gave me a boy. I had NO idea what I would do with a son, coming from a house of girls, but there is a very special bond between a momma and her son. Don't get me wrong, there are still some boyish things I don't understand, but I firmly believe I never will!! I do love that there are hot wheels in my house, that I can find nerf gun "bullets" everywhere I look, and that sweet sweaty boy smell (yes, I'm aware that it won't be sweet in a few years!!) that he has when he comes in from playing outside.

Delaney was named after a sweet song that states, "She's growing up too fast for me, asking lots of questions, some I know the answers too and some I'm looking for suggestions." I never thought I'd say that, but she is growing up too fast. She reads very well, she writes in her journal daily, and she is becoming very artistic. She still loves to be tucked in at night and have her back tickled. She is wonderful at entertaining herself (and actually prefers to be alone). She is absolutely gorgeous (okay, maybe I'm biased on that one). She is wise far beyond her years and I love her more each day. I am SO lucky to be the mother of this amazing little girl!

Why I Love the Beginning of Summer Break

The end of an exciting school year and really noticing the growth that has occured

Successful finishes of a very hard year (on both mom and child)

Cosmos and birdbaths that I can see from my kitchen windows

Free snapdragons from greenhouse workers that know a sparkle in a 4 year old boy's eyes is far more important than a profit

Window boxes filling up with color

Dirty, sweaty little boys at campfires

The excitement on this little girl's face when she's talking to and swimming with her grandpa

Lazy Sunday afternoons in a hammock

A gorgeous garden growing

Having time to create because there is no homework, no concrete bedtime, and no stressed out momma stifling it because of the mess it's making

A Week to Remember (Part 1)

I'll be honest, I dreaded this week for days before it happened. What were we going to do? All 4 of us at home, little resources to go do anything fun, and it would be this way for a whole week? I was sure someone wouldn't make it through the week alive....and, to be honest, I feared it might be me! So, I started off the week by getting a pedicure. I had been given a gift card to an nice salon nearby and decided that I would use it to get "pretty feet."

We decided after picking Delaney up from school on Friday that a trip to the Y for some open swim time was in order. We had a blast for over an hour in the pool. That was a fun way to kick off our week!

The kids have wanted to sleep in Carson's bunk beds since the day they went up, but we won't let them on school nights and the one time Delaney tried before she gave up b/c Matt told her she had to follow Carson's rules in Carson's room and he wouldn't let her stay up and read b/c he wanted the light turned off. But, this time, they stayed put and they both slept. Luckily Car sleeps up in the top bunk b/c Delaney usually is hanging out of her normal twin bed.

Saturday was a birthday bash for my nephews....great family time, good Mexican food, and the yummiest homemade cupcakes and ice cream!!! Go Cara!!

Sunday we went to church and then cleaned out Delaney's closet. That might not sound like fun to most people, but I had a blast. I love clothes and shoes and having a daughter that also loves clothes and shoes makes my heart smile! She tried on all the clothes I layed out without whining, she even made silly remarks about what didn't fit or what she didn't like. It was a wonderful mommy-daughter afternoon.

Monday was supposed to be my jammie day, but Matt had a great idea to go work out before lunch.....grrr him and his great ideas. We had a great workout though and I felt better all day b/c of it! Then, we watched Ainsley for the afternoon. Seeing Carson with her desperately made me want to have another baby...then I started to remember the sleepless nights and how far we've come....never mind, we'll just borrow our neice and nephews instead!

Tuesday's agenda included Incredible Pizza Company with Grandma Teri and a sleepover for the kids at Grandma's house (yeah Mommy and Daddy!!!). Matt and I had a great time spending a gift card I'd been given for Christmas on a yummy dinner. The kids also had a great time staying up late at Grandma's house and watching Uncle Darrell on TV.

Breakfast with Barbie

A friend of mine emailed a few weeks ago to give me some very important information.....there was a breakfast with Barbie scheduled at a local beauty college. For a very reasonable price Delaney could have waffles, get a manicure, a make up application, and an "up-do." What mother of a princess wouldn't jump at that opportunity?!? Matt went to buy her a ticket while we were all at school and then I waited to tell her till the night before so we didn't have to be questioned about it for an entire week. She had a GREAT time, even though she played the "shy" girl role all morning. Manicure ~ pink and purple

Barbie applying her make up
And the gorgeous up do!

"Practically" there

I have not abandoned this blog, though it does seem that way. Life takes such twists and turns that lately I've just been holding onto the edge of my seat and hoping I'm still in it when the ride slows down. Matt went "back to school" last fall. He started a 6 month EMT class that met every Monday and Thursday from 6pm to 10pm and required hours of clinical work in Emergency rooms and on ambulances. Right before his class began, basketball season started with cheer practice for me at least twice a week and games on the days where there wasn't practice. Needless to say, that made us a house where we passed each other coming and going and there were days that Matt didn't get to see the kids at all.

Basketball season ended in February and I regained some normalcy in my schedule. However, February took us on a new path through a thick forest with no path cut before us. We are still trying to find the clearing at the end of the woods and some days seem darker and the animals preying on us seem to be louder, but we are holding firm to what we know is true...God sees the clearing at the end of our path and He is waiting for us. We must only keep pressing on, knowing that all is perfect in His timing.

Do not be worried about us, nothing that major is going on around here....we are all healthy and our children are cluelessly happy. All they know is that daddy is home all of the time now and that sure is exciting! Carson has an afternoon playmate and Matt has a helper for the yardwork. However, no one pays you for playing with your children, that is where the unfortunate scary part comes to play. My Valentine's Day present was that Matt had lost his job. I still enjoyed my PF Changs, knowing it would be our last "nice" meal for a while. :-)

However, just this past Monday, Matt's 6 months of hard work paid off and we were able to attend his graduation ceremony. He graduated 3rd in his class and his teacher jokingly pointed out that he kept her spelling in check (for those of you who really know Matt, that won't shock you!). Only the state written test stands between him and a whole new crop of job opportunities. I am not worried about that test and am fairly confident he isn't either.

Here are some pictures from the graduation.....does he look shocked to be holding that certificate?? I had faith in him all along....I'm proud of you honey!!