Friday, March 7, 2014

Chicks and bunnies

The girls always love to go to IFA this time of year since the baby chicks and bunnies are there. We decided to go this week for FHE and no surprise they still love it. Maybe someday we will live in a place where we will have both...only time will tell.


Some Much Needed Mommy Time

Lately I have been feeling a little overwhelmed and not my happy self. It has been pretty busy around here. With Gracie being sick, Matt traveling for work, me working extra shifts, and just normal stuff it was getting to me. I had seen a picture on pinterest weeks ago of how to paint your toenails for spring that I loved and I decided that it was time to make some time for myself and do it. After I got the girls down for nap I pulled out all the polish and had some fun. I love how they turned out and they make me smile to think of the fun coming this spring and summer. At times I forget while taking care of everyone else that once in a while I need to take care of myself and that just a little bit of attention goes a long way.


Dance Date Night

Dance date night was another date night put on by WSU marriage and family programs. It was once again a fun and great time. Chris was great and offered to come watch the girls.  We went to grab some dinner then headed to the event. When we got there there was about 8 other couples there and then of coarse the teacher. They taught the fox trot and the cha cha cha. Matt and I took social dance in high school and went dancing a handful of times in our married life so at times it was a little boring and basic. But we mad ethe best of it and had a night full of laughs and just being together. One thing I definitely found I am improving at is letting the guy lead. In all my dance experience I have been a control freak and tried to lead at the same time as my partner...which doesn't work really well.  But I have learned to let go and just let Matt be in charge it made the experience so much more enjoyable to me. After the class we headed home, got the girls in bed, and visited with Chris for a bit before he had to catch the train back home. Then we made some treats and snuggled up on the couch to enjoy movie with just us.
Love my hubby more and more all the time. So glad I have forever for us to be in love...cheesy yes but also very true.


Thursday, February 27, 2014

A Day to be Grateful

 Today has been hard. Gracie started getting sick Tuesday night but seemed like it was just a cold so Wed I went to work and she stayed with Amy. When I got home I found a sad little girl that had spent most of her day being held and asking about her mommy...I felt horrible. She had run a fever on and off all day and had a horrible croupy cough that didn't really allow her to rest for very long. I ran Hallie to dance and came back home since Gracie had cried most of the way there. Wed night wasn't much better she was up every 10-30 minutes til 2 am then she finally settled in til about 8.30. Once she got up I could tell it was going to be a long day any time I put her down she cried and acted completely miserable. So we settled in for the day in the recliner and found some shows to catch up on. Matt was so amazing and offered to take Hallie to her field trip to the dentist so I could stay home with Grace. I was shocked since I knew he had a thousand and one things to do but he told me he would make time....which means he will probably sleep less. Hallie was so excited her dad was taking her. I was happy we had a pretty free day planned. Gracie napped on and off in my arms all day...look at her sweet face. When she is awake her little eyes just look so sad.
Hallie was so wonderful. After she got home from her field trip she did everything without being asked. First she colored then she asked for some lunch Gracie had just fallen asleep on my lap so I asked what she wanted and she said a pb&j. I asked her if she thought she could make it herself and she said sure. She did a great job and even cleaned up everything. After lunch she got out her dolls and set out to build a doll city that kept her occupied for the rest of the day. Any time I needed something she was great and got it for me. I asked her to get a bottle of water to refill Gracie's sippy she replied of coarse mom what else do you need.  When it was time for a rest she said can I nap on the couch in case you need something and so if Gracie wakes up and needs me I will be here? I agreed and she built her bed on the couch. Seriously what 4 year old is like that.....my Hallie that's who. Here she is asleep in her "couch bed"
I had signed up earlier in the week to work tomorrow. I spent some of my day worrying that they were planning on me working and had forgotten to call or that I would have to call and tell them that I couldn't work since Gracie was sick. I finally decided to call only to find out that they were perfectly staffed. This has been unheard of lately considering they have been 4-5 nurses short each shift. After I got off the phone I started to cry. Why you may be wondering? Well first off probably because Im sleep deprived. More importantly because this past Sunday Matt and I spoke in church we were asked to talk about tithing. In many of the talks I found talked about how much the lord blesses us for paying our tithing although it may not be how we might expect them to come. It also said that often times the blessings are so small that if we are not in tune with the spirit we will miss them. In the moment I got off the phone I realized the blessings I had received today. I had worried all day about work I didn't want to put them in a spot they were short staffed but I also felt that I needed to be with Grace. Them being staffed well without me was such a relief.
And I can't imagine Hallie being any better/helpful than she was. Im grateful for the times in my life when I see the blessings the lord sends me.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Breakfast???

The girls and I decided to swing by our local thrift grocery store on Monday night after a few other errands and we found quite the treasure. Beautifully red strawberries and for only 50 cents a lb. We bought 4 containers just to eat.
Once we got home the girls and I decided we would dip them in chocolate and take them to some friends as part of our family home evening on service. They turned out great and the girls had a great time taking them to the door as they rode in the bike trailer and I pulled them around the neighborhood.
The next morning we still had quite a few we had kept to eat ourselves and before I could even say no both the girl had chocolate strawberries in their hands asking to have one for breakfast. I decided once in a while a chocolate strawberry for breakfast might be an ok idea....the girls definitely agreed.

Today we went to the store again and bought 6 more containers we are going to be eating a lot of strawberries.And probably most of them covered in chocolate.

Cleaning Up

Monday after cleaning the house the girls were eating some popcorn chips and Gracie decided to dump them on the floor. I asked the girls to clean them up as best they could and I would get the vaccum to do the rest. When I got back with the vaccum this is what I found...I guess that is one way to clean it up
Then Hallie looked up as to say...is this not what you ment when you said clean it up. We all had a good laugh and then vaccumed up what was left of the mess.
Love these silly girls and the fun and innocence they add to my day to remind me not to take myself to seriously.

Happy Birthday Chris

Sunday Brit invited us all to her house to have dinner and celebrate Chris turning 23. Matt's parents were there along with Chris and a couple of his track friends.  Brit asked Matt and I to take a picture
Then Gracie wanted her picture taken with mommy. I love this picture..oh how my baby is growing up into a beautiful little girl
Of coarse the kids found plenty of time to play with uncle Chris and his friends
Our little piano player

After a game of cards we sang happy birthday
The the kids had cake and ice cream...they seemed to really enjoy it

Then it was time to head for home. Happy 23rd birthday Chris!