Parent teacher conference and report cards

     Thankful K's Mammaw W went with her to gymnastics as her class was nearly the same time as our parent teacher conference.
    The conference was excellent. We both really like K's teacher this year and after chatting with her...we totally understand why K loves her so much! She's funny, outgoing, down to earth and into all animals and bugs. You know K loves that ;)
    K scored above standard on almost all her tests and the teacher said at one point she had to start K midway through the test vs the beginning as most kids because she was getting the answers too fast!! Very thankful for K's good marks, good conference and an involved teacher!
  We've been lucky that we have liked all of K's teachers (minus one teacher assistant) but this years teacher just seems to be on point. The class is well mixed instead of how her last two years (same kids) and I think honestly K likes the mix better! All the kids get along well, few behavior issues and the teacher keeps all the kids on the same page and involved.
  K's faves so far of second grade:
 Lunch: Chicken and noodle day
Breakfast at school: ooohh the breakfast pizza or fundle
Subject: hmmm all of them but I really like math and science
Area to improve: I've got to start being neater and take my time writing
Fave classroom thing: The Fox Theater (she LOVES puppets) and the two class pets....hissing
            cockroaches!!
Goals for Second grade: to do my very best, write neater, and really show my teacher what I can do!
   Hard to believe we are in full swing of a second grader!!!!!

October party

beside our porch

my desert table centerpiece 

chocolate rats 

One of the food tables. Deep fried turkey, Cajun loin, chicken tenders,
catfish, little smokies, fried corn, baked beans, cheesy potato casserole,
cheese ball, crackers, apple bake, pecan pie, black forest cake.  Nobody
went home hungry lol and we sent plates with everyone (we did the meal
pitch in style for sides) as well as some family that couldn't make it and
our neighbors :) 

menu board ;) 

Drinks (pop, water, cider, sweet tea and Octoberfest). The hot chocolate was the biggest hit complete with
cool whip for the top ;) 

Fun day at the Pumpkin Patch

The girls finding just the right pumpkin 

train ride through the corn fields

hay bale mazes

Emily spent the weekend so we decided on Sunday to take both girls to the local pumpkin patch. K thought she was super cool to have her big cousin hang out with her and E had a great time too! E won the pumpkin contest we have between ourselves every year and toted home an almost 33 lb pumpkin. She was just happy to beat S! lol K's favorite ride hands down was the King Swings. She loved flying through the air and going up and down. Said she felt "free" lol She did the trampoline jump, bouncy house, train ride, hayride, bungee jump thing, climbed everything imaginable, did the Orbitron (she didn't like it), met the Corn Cob guy and just had a great time. She was one tired girl on the ride home!! E spent the whole day with us till time for her to head home for Sunday dinner with her side of the family. Very thankful to have her and that K has her in her life. 

Finally October!!

     And what a fitting, beautiful picture for the first day of October. Woke up to a super foggy morning and snapped this picture while running errands in town!
    We are total fall nuts and Halloween is our favorite time of year. Ghosts and pumpkin cut out sandwiches begin to appear in lunch boxes ;) and we just have a good time with this time of year. It means growing our own pumpkins but still visiting the local pumpkin patch, hot chocolate and smores by the firepit, apple cider, comfort food, leaves changing, that magic feeling in the air and just...Fall in general!! Our pumpkins came out a beautiful almost dream cycle color this year! And our patch is booming with them!! K is a total pumpkin nut and we have them everywhere!!! You have to have pumpkins, spooky things, mums and lots of fun!!
   

Accomplishments!!!

   K's a natural on the trampoline, can do her balance beam, can do a backbend super easy but was having issues with a cartwheel. Well she's doing great now on her cartwheel and she has got to ring the bell twice the last few weeks (ringing the bell means you've made an improvement, you get to show the whole class and everyone claps). I'm VERY proud of her accomplishments but I'm most proud of her working so hard, staying positive and all the girls encouraging each other! 

One excited girl!

    K's teacher gives green tickets for each day a child does well and attends school, for good behavior, for a good deed or paper etc. The kids once a month can cash in what they have and purchase from the goody box using all or some of their tickets. They can roll over any tickets they have for the next month.
  As soon as K spotted "Julie" in the box she had to have her. My child LOVES puppets. The teacher makes them and K just thought she was gorgeous. Even better was the teacher told her to practice and then she can bring Julie back to school for a show!!!

Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial

   We were thankful to be able to catch the Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial on the last day of the festival. The small town over from us was picked to have the exhibit and with K being older, we wanted her to see it. S has never seen the real wall and was just as excited to see it. I've seen the real one in D.C and I can say.....both are humbling and thought provoking.
   K asked what all the names were for and we explained it. She knew immediately what the rifle in the boot was for from seeing pics from her Uncle. I can say I was very proud when she said "Everyone should see this and realize that these men died".
  We took a rubbing off the wall of our family friend. Very sad to see so many names on those walls and how today many people have no idea what and why they died for. It was nice too that many families who have a loved one on the wall, but can't afford to go to D.C. or just can't make the trip.
  I hope that all the people that came to the festival took some time out of riding rides, talking, eating and such and paid their respect. 

Two things that say fall around here...

   It's persimmons and pumpkins lol There is NOTHING, and I mean nothing like the smell of persimmons as you process them! It's a seasonal flavor and favorite. Persimmon pudding with a big dollop of Cool Whip is a family favorite. I'm thankful to have my "new to me" pulper even if it is a hand crank. Much better than how I've always done them (pushed through a colander) and how many still do it. Thankful for S's cousin letting me have all the persimmons I want off his property because I'm nice and send him over plates every couple weekends....and I supply him with a pudding ;) 

First full month of school

   We have our first full month of Second grade in. It's been a bit of a change as far as teacher expectations. More writing, complete answers with explanations but all around a great month! K is doing excellent and not only loves her classmates but thinks the world of her teacher.
  I like that this year they mixed up the class more with only maybe 2 from K's last years class. For 2 years it had been almost the same core group, which was good for friendships, but issues tended to run over from one year to the next.
  I like Mrs. F's style, her attitude and her expectations. So here's to a school year off and running!!!!

Family reunion

  We had a wonderful time at the family reunion. Loved seeing everyone, K had a blast and there was far too much wonderful food. I won a new crock pot for "Best Dessert" for my Heath cake :) and S made some awesome Cajun pork loin. Everyone made some great dishes.
   Was odd not having Grandma Lucille smiling from her chair but I think she'd say we are one crazy bunch lol 

Great ending to a great day

A visit with K's great Uncle

   My Uncle has had a very hard time since my Aunt passed unexpectedly this summer. They have been together for many, many years and since my Uncle had retired it was the two of them doing most things together. It's been hard on us all seeing him have his hard days and I'm very thankful for my cousin and how strong she has been for her Dad.
  I was lucky enough to grow up with this Aunt and Uncle. Alot lol Their daughter and I are exactly a month apart and we split every holiday (half at her house, half at mine) and we split the summer the same way. So technically both sets of parents had twins lol I've always loved my Uncle very much and I'm thankful that K gets to be in his life as well.
  So it was a fun day of laughing, walking the dogs, and having fun! 

End of summer party

    One thing I love about my family is that we not only enjoy eating lol but we enjoy getting together for big meals.
   In August we do a fish fry for the end of summer and summer birthdays. My uncle and aunt provide the catfish, chicken and shrimp and my Uncle does the frying. Then we all pitch in sides and desserts.
  The weather was very hot but I'm thankful that K gets family time and lots of cousin time. I'm also thankful that my husband loves the get-togethers just as much as I do!
   This year it was a bit different. A cousin and her family moved and didn't attend but we all still had a good time. The best thing was my Uncle getting his bday gift a few months early! When he was younger my grandpa on my Dad's side sold my grandpa on my Mom's side a horse and saddle. My Uncle loved that horse and he stayed on the farm until he passed. The saddle had been put up, along with all those memories for many years. My cousins got together and had the saddle restored to how it originally was. You rarely ever see my Uncle cry but the tears were flowing today! My aunts and my Mom cried too. 

Gymnastics is underway

    To say K loves gymnastics is an understatement! She's always been a little monkey and very brave doing anything, can work a trampoline like nobody's business and loves to be active. When a friend at work said her friend was opening up a place on the square, decent priced, good staffing and flexible class times (I wanted something after work but not so late she would be dragging to bed) we asked K if she'd like to do it. Of course it was YESSSSS!!! We told her she has to keep her school grades up, any homework has to be done before she goes to her class and she has to remember it's the first time she's ever been.
   The class has all ages and sizes and I am very impressed with the staffs hands on approach, fairness and ability to work with the girls.
  We go for two months then you can sign back up for another two months (same time slot or another if preferred) with preference given to the girls who are in the class first.
   My only thought was parking would be nutty at the time of our class on the square but so far so good. 

It's always a good day for a peach pie

    S loves peach anything with peach pie or cobbler being his favorite. So being the sweet wife I am ;) I tried out a new recipe. It was a hit!
    1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
4-1/2 cups sliced peeled peaches (you can use canned)
Pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches) 
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
Mix your sugars together in a bowl add sliced peaches (If you use can, drain any liquid into another bowl then add peaches to sugars). Let sit hour if you use fresh peaches, half hour if you use canned. Drain fluid off of peaches into bowl (in with the previous liquid if using canned). Sit peaches to the side. In a sauce pan put cornstarch, nutmeg and cinnamon, stir together. Add reserved juice, mix (I used a whisk). Bring to a boil then let boil for 2 minutes. It will get thick and almost like a thick sauce. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and butter, mix well. Pour over peaches in bowl, gently mix together. Pour peaches into pie shell, add top pie shell and bake at 400 degrees for 50-60 mins. Let cool. 

The Good Life

   Our garden and our chickens love us :) Fresh green beans, tomatoes, purple bell peppers, cucumbers, chocolate mint, and brown eggs. Add in we have a massive amount of Thai chilies coming on and lots of jalapenos in the fridge!! Our garden didn't do as well this year as last year but the heat/rain has been rough. Our sweet little hens slacked off a bit last month with the heat etc but seem to be bouncing back. Thankful our girl knows where her food comes from....and the elbow grease it takes to get it. I feel that makes her appreciate what is on her plate a bit more :) 

Love this picture

Nearly every Sunday on the way back from my Dad's we stop at the river or the slough in hopes of seeing creatures or just something neat. This time we managed to catch a crane and a turtle in the same picture! 

First day of school

  Open house last night went well. One nervous girl who wasn't so sure about her teacher instantly smiled and relaxed seeing the picture of a spider on the teacher's desk. Why? Because the teacher has the same interests as her and immediately sparked a conversation. Pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, kleenex and all the fun needed supplies dropped off...and one lil girl much more at ease!
    I did excellent on the first day....something just got in my eye on the way back down the staircase after leaving her ;) Of course my sweet husband had to tease me a bit. But..it's not easy. But to say I'm proud and excited for her is an understatement.
   She excitedly informed us of all her class fun, how things would work, that she likes the kids sitting by her and that she thinks her teacher is going to be awesome. Apparently the PE teacher grew a beard and that not only makes him approachable but also makes him more fun...yeah lol  She loves that art will be an hour this year. I am almost certain her mouth did not shut all evening!! :) :) 

Well...it's August...

     Seems the summer has flew by. Here we sit, last weekend before school officially starts late next week. It's been insanely hot, humidity has been out the top. When it's not so hot you feel you'll melt away then it's raining. Very interesting summer.
     In a mere 5 days you will be a ..second grader. Gulp. Yes. A second grader. You are the "senior class" of your elementary school and your classroom is upstairs. I'm trying hard to see the new year through your eyes. Excitement, fun, new things, new friends, old friends, class trips and the feeling of being big. I'm proud of your independence and our wings grow with yours. But..I can admit through a Mamma's and Daddy's eyes...it's a bit harder.
     I can say we've had a fun, wild summer! We've managed to do something every single weekend of the summer. You've watched two movies in the local theater that you loved. You've had a wonderful belated birthday pool party with all your cousins splashing along with you (really...that permanent smile you wore all day made our day!!). You've had ice cream on the front porch. Played in the creek, played in your pool. We've hit farmer's markets and quirky little places along the way. You've had cousins stay all nights many nights this summer. You've went to cousins houses and played. We've watched the stars. We've hiked trails, had long walks...and even better long talks.
  We've had smores and read stories. We've snuggled in bed and watched movies. We've talked to your Uncle and his gfriend (your buddy) who seems so far away when we look on a map...but oh so close in your heart and ours :) We've went to the fair and to festivals. We've played in the rain, splatted in the mud. We've danced to the radio and we've done yoga. We've done one of the most important things...we've been together <3
  We've enjoyed every single day of summer. And..we'll enjoy every single day of the school year. 

My school work

  My Intellectual History of the West and America was cancelled due to not enough people enrolling. This set me up to have a break until my other class (Local govt) started in September. I had two options: take another class to make up the points and stay on track for my degree date or take the approved break (since I didn't drop the class...it was cancelled by the school). 
   You know me...I took another class. It works in to my degree field and it's better to just take it and get it done. An extended break would have been nice but I'd rather get my classes done.
   So far my college work is going well. I've had all A's and only 1 B (in Criminal Law) but it was a B I'm proud of (that class was NOT the easiest!!). I multitask well and it's a good thing. Full time work, full time school, full time parent and spouse...plus garden, family obligations etc....yes multitasking is a good thing :)
  I can say I like my classes and so far most my teachers. I can say sometimes how I see the world is in contrast to some in the class but that makes for a better learning situation.
 I also like that K's proud of me as well as S. They are my biggest cheerleaders and K says little pep talks like "if your teacher doesn't say anything on your posts it's because you are so smart there's nothing for them to say!!" Not always true but I appreciate the vote of confidence. 

Summertime.....

   Ahhhh the summertime seems to be flying away!!!! Our gardens, due to the weather, went in later than normal this year (in June). We fought a late cold snap and rain..but...got them in...

We've taken off just to drive...wherever we wanted! Back roads, highways and tiny dots on the map. 

We've tried new recipes and canned up some goodies (this pic: my husband's  first time making Cherry Jam)

We've played in the creeks, dug worms, caught lightening bugs, found snakes and enjoyed the dirt/water/mud between our toes.

We've had gorgeous fireworks for the 4th, went to local festivals....

we've watched beautiful creatures..

we've tried new recipes, baked bread, gathered garden goodies

We've explored places we've been to a million times (and found something new) and new places along the way...

We've had big  family get togethers down home, family bday parties and a housewarming

Turning the magical number...

   Eight. Whatta a magical number. No true appearance of a beginning....or an end. A perfect number for one honey eyed girl to turn this sultry hot June!
   Eight years ago ..ahh I remember that week/day/night well. I worked all week, feeling as big as a house. Let me tell you. When you are 9 months pregnant in June you don't glow...you sweat, your ankles swell and by the end of a work day you want a cup of sweet tea and no sass from anyone ;) 
  I took off Monday of that week, wore out from back pains on Monday. My oh so sweet husband and his partner in crime, my baby brother, decided I should ride with them in the big truck to haul off metal. "Yard gold that needs dealt with"...yeah. No baby, no contractions. Tuesday at work went well. By Wednesday at break time I was starting to feel contractions. I still laugh about telling the fill in UPS guy that if he tossed one more case of books BESIDE the pallet I had on the dock he was going to deliver my baby right then by himself. The shocked look on his face made me laugh....my comment made him put the books on the pallet ;) By Wednesday evening the ole contractions were hitting hard. I gave in and went to the hospital. Of course the nurse on duty says "Well you can stay if you want and we can give you something to help or you can go home. But come back in the morning". Ok. I may be a bit stubborn but I came back...at almost 6pm the next evening. Lecture ensued from nurses and I told them the contractions were hard and not regular. Come to find out Miss Thang was beyond ready for the show to be over and the nurse said she'd never seen such hard contractions. Fast forward to 1:11, after 8 pushes and I got to lay my eyes on the one thing that has 100% of my love...my baby girl.
  Now...you are 8. Not my 9 lb 5 oz baby anymore. You are over 4 ft tall, sassy, gorgeous thick hair and honey colored eyes with those eyelashes that melt  hearts. You're smart, funny, independent, quirky, and you're own person through and through. You are a tomboy in a tiara...splashing your barefeet in a mud puddle with just the right nail polish color :) You love being outside, regardless of the weather. You love to cook and bake, to make crafts, and you sewed your first full project awhile back. You like to game with your Daddy and  you love card/board games. You often cannot sit still long enough to watch a movie but you're doing better. You have always been our Energizer Bunny. You've yet to meet an animal you don't love and you find the good in every person. You're brave, blunt and you stand up for what you believe in. You hope to one day be a herpetologist with the focus on snakes ( a love you share with your Daddy). You see the world as your oyster and you love to explore. You write letters to your penpals (cousins, Uncle, Uncle's gfriend), you have your own journal and you love to draw. You have corny jokes that make us laugh and I cannot think of one day in the last 8 years (minus being sick) that you are not singing or dancing. You're favorite food is a three way  tie between cheese pizza, tomatoes, and  broccoli and cheese. When it comes to desserts you are a cookie/cupcake kid and ice cream is always a go to. You are sharp as a tack and your school work has went well the last two years. You love documentaries and you love to hear foreign languages. You plan one day to visit France and see the view from the Eiffel Tower. You love all holidays, especially Halloween. You are a pumpkin lover to the point we often have pumpkins on the front steps till the snow falls :) You love monsters, scary stories and things that would make others jump....but you say it's all in how you see it. "All things can be wonderful. You just have to change your outlook and love a little more those things that don't seemed loved".
  You, my dear...make our wild go around. So thankful to be your Mamma for 8 years.
 Yes...8 is a fitting number. 

Last day of school...and awards Day

Bittersweet walking our baby up the sidewalk on the last day of school. She started the day as a first grader and is now officially a second grader. According to her second grade is not just more work it's more responsibility and it's upstairs which is cool ;)
  She did excellent on her awards. Most improved in one area, citizenship, science fair and a couple others. Best of all was her smile of happiness for having such a great final report card with the comment "Very good student. Caring and enthusiastic. Was a pleasure to have in class and she'll do great. She is promoted to second grade" :)
   Of course after the awards she got to leave for the day which meant lunch out before dropping her and Daddy off so I could head to work and finish my day out.
  Second grader....man alive...where has the school year went!!!! 

The Great Hike

 The entire primary and intermediate school gathered for the Great Hike! We volunteered to help keep an eye on K's class and we had a great time. It was hot and we had some kids that thought for sure they'd croak lol but overall the kids had a blast, got to see a police drone fly by and see their pics on it, walked a mile of the trail and was greeted by Smokey the Bear at the halfway mark. Coming back to the school up the big hill we all slowed down but ...we made it!
  Glad we got to have the chance to be with the class and we also snapped off a great class picture. We sent one to each of the kids in the class...which was a hit :) 

Games Day

We volunteered for games day...and it was a blast! We got put together on the Hula Hoop contest and I think we laughed as much as the kids. All the classes had some excellent hula hoopers and some of the contests seem to go on forever because the whole class did great. I can say more girls than boys did well but they all gave it their best. We only had one class that would not follow directions, would not behave and stop talking....but their teacher did not set a great example by ignoring them while chatting with an aid.
  K's teacher Mrs. C got in on the action as well and the kids loved that.
  There was a total of 9 stations and it lasted right up until lunch time :) We then got to set in on lunch with our favorite girl. We got all caught up on first grade gossip  and lunch meals that are the best.
  We managed to get roped into recess duty as well and then headed out to run errands until the school day was done.
 Very thankful we got this time with K and her class!!

6 month MS checkup

   Anyone that knows me ...knows I try very hard to never be nervous before S's checkups. But..it's hard not to.
  Today was a basic check up. We were hoping to move to a yearly check up but..that wasn't in the game plan. S is stepping down funny on his one foot and they want to watch that to make sure it's not a muscle issue etc. The dr is also hoping if he's low in iron then maybe they can put him on a supplement to increase his iron and decrease his leg pains (his legs ache all night...almost like when you sit on your hand and it goes to sleep...that tingling goes on all night). He tries hard to stay away from serious drugs for side issues due to his age and he wants to keep the door open later for such things without a tolerance being the issue.
  All in all a nice visit and we go back in  6 mo.

UPDATE: welllll the iron tests came back fine. One test was to see if his liver was holding iron and not releasing it and if his iron level was low. All came back fine which is great...but knocks the idea of trying simple iron to ease his legs :( On to the next step....

Excellent, easy cake recipe

 Warm weather and cake often don't go together but with cold ingredients it's a hit!
  This cake recipe is super easy and tastes great
Recipe:
1 chocolate cake mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tub cool whip
1/2 pkg of Heath baking chips
chocolate syrup
caramel syrup
   Mix up cake by box directions, bake by box directions. Poke holes across the cake using the end of your mixing spoon. Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk across the top of the cake using a spoon to spread it out. Let cool. Top with container of cool whip. Swirl chocolate syrup and caramel syrup over top of cool whip. Top with desired amount of Heath pieces (you can use bits or milk chocolate pieces...I think the milk chocolate style works the best). Refrigerate.

Powwow

K really enjoys the local history festival and dances almost every year in the powwow. The head lady is a friend of ours and K really enjoys spending time at the event. Last year she asked to have a shawl like the other ladies have. At a gathering or powwow girls and women often carry either a folded shawl over one arm or they wear it around their shoulders. K picked the colors she wanted. I hand sewed the whole shawl including adding each tiny string fringe at the bottom! She loved it. Next year though I am thinking I will downsize the overall size so she doesn't have so much material to work with while dancing but this year it was sooo cold for May that it worked out well.
   

Brisket Grilled Cheese

S saw this recipe in a magazine and asked me to give it a try. It is definitely a keeper! Easy but more "manly" than a regular grilled cheese lol 
   Recipe:
Texas toast style bread
butter
Italian seasoning
brisket (fix your own or get it from your fave bbq joint)...1 lb makes 5 thick sandwiches with enough meat left over to use the next day 
bbq sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's original)
three types of cheese shredded (any type you like) *next time I will try sliced or chunked
    Get your skillet very hot. Butter one side of the Texas toast, sprinkle Italian seasoning on the side and put butter side down in skillet or on griddle. Add 2 types of cheese and desired amount of brisket. Add bbq sauce over top of meat. Add remaining type of cheese. Butter second piece of bread, sprinkle Italian seasoning on it and put butter side out on top. Cook apx 3 mins on one side then flip and cook on other side till done.
**You can add grilled onions, mushrooms etc to your sandwich on top of the meat
*** I do think next time I will mix the meat and bbq together and then put on the sandwich.

Mother's Day 2016

Mother's Day this year fell on the 8th but we decided to celebrate on the 7th. We drove a few towns over and had a delicious meal at an Amish restaurant overlooking the lake. We treated Mamaw W and she loved it. K LOVED the lake, walking out on the boat dock, watching the boats and the weather could not have been any better! Nice breeze, sunny and just beautiful. K made me an adorable stone coaster and decorated it with her first grade fall picture in the middle and decorated a design around it. I'm very thankful to be called Mama and I really don't know what I'd do without my wild child! Being a Mom is more than just if you stay home as a stay at home Mom (which is hard work) or if you work outside the home at a job you have to clock in at (which is hard work as well) it's the way you lead your life, the things you do and the time you take. I'm blessed with one of the finest Moms a person could ever ask for and I hope when K is my age...she will look at me as I look at my Mom. My Mom is beautiful, funny, strong, smart and has one of the biggest, kindest hearts you will ever find. She'll stand her ground when needed and gives unconditional love always! 

New car...well new to us...

 Well...finally after getting everything squared away with insurance we have a new to us car. Gotta love winds that knock tree branches out...down...and onto the back of your Jeep :( Thankfully the Jeep is built rather well and even though it crunched down the roof and broke out the back glass it didn't bother any working parts. Since we only had maybe 5 payments left we decided to keep the Jeep (Eth said he'd help work on it) and take the pay out money and get an extra vehicle. I can say we love it.
  Kaya's requirement for a vehicle was two things: moon roof and cup holders lol This has both ;) I can say it was like Ma and Pa Kettle goes to the City when I drove it to work the first time. I had the heat seaters on instead of the window defroster...you name it.
  But I do like it  :) 

You have to love sunsets...

   I love sunsets. Few things in life truly make you stop and pause like a beautiful sunset. Our crew has always had a special fondness for sunsets and sunrises ever since my brother enlisted. We always said as long as we could see the sun coming up...we were together and that every night if we could see the sunset we were all thinking of each other. It was something that helped K tremendously when she missed her uncle and it helped my little brother when he felt so far from home and alone.
   Sunsets also remind us that if the day has been terrible...it's almost over and at 12:01 you start anew. If the day has been wonderful then you have another day to do it again!
   

March...flew by....

  March flew by. I wish I could write some amazing things we did on Spring Break but...on Sunday night K started feeling less than great by Monday morning a fever came on as well as spots all over her. Diagnosis? Strep throat and scarlatina. Soo for the week she mainly napped, watched movies and read in bed and finally ate on Thursday evening (thankful she drank plenty of liquids!!). Made for a very long week for all of us.
  Just thankful that she didn't miss any school, that she ended up feeling better by the weekend and no one else in the house got her germs. 
  Easter fell this year in March and we did things a little differently. Normally we host Easter dinner on Easter Sunday but this year we hosted it on Saturday evening, did a lighter menu then spent Easter Sunday at my family's for a big meal and lots of cousin time. It was a great time, lots of laughs and far too much food. I can say that my family does know how to put on a good meal and I love, love, love hearing K run across the yard with her cousins laughing it up. I love having her hugged on by her Aunties and Uncles and I love catching up with my cousins and family. They think of S as one of their own and he fits right in ;) 

Our Valentine's Day

   We have never been huge on Valentine's Day. Even when dating it just wasn't a huge holiday for us. When K came along we changed it up a bit. Usually her and her Daddy fix me something homemade and I surprise them with a little something.
  This year I thought I'd get to surprise Steve with a new wedding band (he's lost weight and while working lost his ring....it really bothered him) and K with some new books she was wanting as well as a bag of her fave candy of all time....truffles.
   Lets just say K let the cat out of the bag BEFORE Valentine's Day and everyone ended up getting their gifts early lol
  Honestly though...I'm thankful to have a love that makes every day feel like Valentine's Day. We don't always see eye to eye, we have varied opinions and yep we have our days where it's best we NOT talk about it lol but...every single day we are in love. So many couples are afraid to let their guards down and just...love. They measure it in some big trip, some expensive gift, a fancy dinner or a piece of jewelry ...all of which is fine if that is what makes you happy..but..we tend to measure our life in different ways.
   We dream in "we". I've never once heard either of us mention a goal in life or a dream that doesn't have the word "we" in it. Let me tell you...there is no other way to dream.
   We spend time watching the stars on a warm summer night. Laughing around the fire pit on a cool fall evening. Splashing in a creek on a hot day. Tossing snowballs in the snow. We LIVE life and to me that is the best gift I could ask for.
   Our love isn't some flashy shout it from the mountain top situation. We don't feel the need to have others verify our status or approach life from some Hollywood movie script. We are realistic. I get crabby late at night, Steve gets loud during political campaign shows, he hates new recipes, I love to try out new recipes. We are messy, at times disorganized but..we are always a team.
  To me...Valentine's Day is simply a date on the calendar. When  you get to live love every day it changes your attitude and your life. You learn that sitting on the boat dock next to your husband while your girl splashes in the water is living. That recipe you have been wanting to try that comes out perfectly..that is gourmet. An impromptu trip to get ice cream and hearing your girl say "we always do awesome stuff"....that is happiness.
  

Valentine's Day Party

   K's school PTO called and asked if we'd be the parents that could do the Valentine's Day Party...of course we said yes! I'm thankful that my work schedule can be flexible enough that I have not missed any of K's school parties :) We decided to do an ice cream sundae party..and it was a HUGE hit. Mrs. C donated the ice cream and other parents donated the toppings. We added in the bowls,cups and whip cream along with juice and a craft. The kids had a ball making a cute idea K came up with. We cut hearts out of construction paper then glued small pompoms onto them. We let the kid's add one or two googly eyes. All the kids made a unique "heart monster" and had a ball.
     A great time was had looking at all the Valentine cards they got in their bags, eating ice cream and relaxing. Although I'm thinking Mrs. C wished the party was closer to go home time than noon lol
   We also always make sure K makes her teacher and her teacher's assistant a little something for the party. Teachers put in long hours to educate our children and often are overlooked at party time (except for Christmas). Everyone likes to feel appreciated!! This year we got some nice heavy mugs from the local Dollar Tree. We used tape to create a ripple effect on the border top and painted the mugs with chalkboard paint. We baked them for about 30 mins in the oven to set the paint. We filled the teacher's with King Size reese's and mini bars. The teacher's assistant mug had mini candy bars and some nice Russel Stover candies. They both loved them. We also dropped off heart cookies to the principle and the secretary. 

New Year has begun....

The New Year. 2016 has begun. Some start the day off with a hangover from the night before, some start the day off fearing another year and some start the day off making their list of resolutions. We had a nice time last night but it was family friendly with goodies and punch lol so no hangovers. I tend to not fear most things as it's a waste of time, energy and causes wrinkles ;) so no starting the day out fearing. I am not a resolution maker because I feel it's added stress on things you feel you need to check off if you make them huge things like lose x number of pounds, run x number of miles etc. I strongly feel each person should see the new year in how they see fit and do what makes them happy. I hope everyone reaches their potential but continues to grow, finds love and gives love unconditionally, discovers riches that will never fit in a bank and takes time to not only enjoy the small things in life but fully experience the blessings and miracles that many of us tend to overlook. May 2016 be a year of love, happiness, joy and grace!