Vacation With Our Big Boys

Brighton got to stay home with my parents. I'm thinking he loved all the one on one attention as he got them all to himself. The few times I called to check on him, he was planting spring bulbs with my dad, feeding the cat who my nephews named ping pong, watering the yard, or (speaking of) playing ping pong in the garage. I'm not even sure he noticed we were gone!

We headed to Dallas with our big boys. I booked a really nice hotel with an indoor swimming pool since it wasn't expensive at all, and I wanted the boys to be pampered a bit =]

 

love the message on the pillow 

 

even George made himself at home 

 

man, I love these guys! 

 

Tibby says, "hut, set, ready!" 

 

this is the real Jaiden ;) 

 

the little acorns were falling off the trees 

 

blurry, but the lobby was so nice and cozy 

 

some fun pool time! 

 

Annnnd, here is what we came for. The Sprint Cup. It was soooo much more fun than I ever imagined.

 

gotta get a better look 

 

it was LOUD, but I enjoyed getting to listen to Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief in those headphones. seriously, I loved that part...I must be nosy... 

 

poor Jeff Gordon was not a happy camper 

 

What a fun time! The boys loved it! 

 

driving home 

 

we stopped here in a small town I was born in, and visited with the sweet lady that owned this adorable shop and cafe. 

 

It was wonderful to get away. I just loved how nice and simple the whole weekend was. The boys are ready to do it again! It was also nice to get back home to our our littlest boy. He really was happy to see us. 

In This Moment

We are taking a short break from school this morning. Before we get back into it for the rest of the morning, I wanted to capture with words what is going on in this moment.

Outside the dogs are playing in the sunshine. They are so dirty from the mud.

The boys are all doing their own little thing, trying to cram as much "fun" in their short morning break as they can =]

Jaiden is playing Hillsong's Mighty to Save in the background.

We are all still in our pjs.

I'm thinking about..... so much! God's perspective. What's for dinner (tortilla soup). How to best meet our boys' needs today. Christmas shopping. Cleaning this house!

Tibby (6) made his bed and opened his curtains all week this week without being told! He also did the dishes for me yesterday. And, he is currently making Christmas cards for us...he is so excited and has been working on them all week!

Today, I'm going to finish my photobook for our family! It's beautiful!

I did not do well with our laundry last week after vacation, and decided to get it all done this past weekend. Well, wouldn't you know....our dryer wasn't working. I wash two loads a day, and my sweet mom drops by to pick it up and dry it for me. I'm actually getting caught up!

I will be posting pictures from our vacation.....very soon!

Well, I better get back to school, before they think we're done for the day!!

Have a beautiful day!

Late, but Pictures of Halloween

We don't really do much with Halloween around here. We let the boys dress up,  we order pizza, and walk to our neighbors' houses (they save extra special treats for the boys). Then we head home for some family time. Same every year. It's simple and sweet. Just the way we like it.

 

The cowboy, police officer, and the cow. 

 

this is a normal picture for that little cow 

 

"watch it" 

 

"moo" 

Everyday Blessings

 

256-267

vacation

simplicity

playing games all weekend long

little boys cracking up

that wonderful smile of such a remarkable little boy

thunder and lightning

new friends

crock pot dinners

wonderful parents

coziness of home and family

having nowhere to go while it snows

home 

Paint Projects

Have I ever mentioned how much I love paint? Well, I do. It changes a place so much, and doesn't cost a lot at all. Sooooo, I'm so excited to share our latest paint projects!

 

I got all of these a month or so ago at a garage sale for $3. I wanted to add some fun color to our home, so I opted to paint the lamp an aqua color (I'll update pictures when I get the lampshade) and painted the black iron things yellow: 

 

 

Next, I used the same aqua as I did on the lamp and painted an old flower pot I had sitting around. I think you can still find these art Hobby Lobby.

 

I absolutely love the way this turned out. I look at it all the time....it makes me feel happy, and I can't even decide where I like it best, or what I like best in it! I know, I know, you'd think I'd have more to do around here ;)

 

Here it is with fall flowers:

 

Then I tried it on our coffee table (which is a great place for it since I can't put too much pretty there since there are three little toots running around this place!) 

 

Now, for my last two favorite items in our home now! The view from sitting on the couch. Forget about me watching any tv at all, I just stare at these: 

 

This is a before picture:

 

We bought this when we first moved here 5 years ago. I decided I wanted something different, so we've had it in the garage for a year while I tried to find the perfect thing. A really sweet woman came to our garage sale and wanted to buy it, but she then convinced me to keep it and paint it....and man am I glad she did!! Turns out, she goes to our church, and we chat every Sunday. She is a doll!  

My husband got to get a paint sprayer for the project, so he was all for it! I picked out the color, he painted for me! 

 

 

And you may have noticed the three canvases of our little men. I got last week over at canvaspeople. They did an amazing job! 

 

That wraps it up for today! I've had so much fun with these projects, and love how much of an impact it's made in our home! 

Now to get ready for a cozy evening, since it looks like this today:

 

Checking In

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The past two weeks have been packed full of projects, friends, vacation, school, and little boys not feeling well. We see a light at the end of the tunnel, and you can bet I have many pictures to share, and am so excited to share them with you. It will probably be this weekend before I get around to loading pictures and such. Our computer has got to be the slowest one around this week!

I hope and pray everyone is having a wonderful week. And, I wanted to throw in how very thankful I am to all who have and still serve our country. What a selflessness you have shown. You and your families are in my prayers. Thank you!


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Glory to God

 

246. being reminded, it's all about Him

247. little boys excitement about their brothers in Africa

247. knowing we all see the same moon, stars, and sun

248. family time

249. simple living

250. loved ones and friends feeling better

251. my handsome husband

252. rest

253. getting to spend our days with our little guys

254. beautiful fall weather!

255. back rubs =]