S-L-E-E-P

Well, apparently I was one tired momma. I slept from 6:30 last night till 6:15 this morning. W-O-W! Not intentionally. I'm pretty sure that I have never done that before.

This has been happening over the past week. Hoshimotos acting up again? Probably. Stress? Definitely possible. Momma running after a busy pre-schooler and a VERY energetic toddler? Also definitely a possible reason.

When I first got diagnosed with Hoshimotos I decided that to help cope with the fatigue and anxiousness associated with it I just needed to say "no" to things I typically said "yes" to in order to save whatever energy I had for my kids and husband. Lately I had finally been feeling great so I started saying yes to more again. Probably a little too much. Anxiety, stress and exhaustion has crept back into my life and apparently took it's toll.

Last night I took a break. Ha, okay, a LONG break. A needed break. Although at first I felt guilty about it, I am very glad I got some rest.

This morning as I was reflecting on my marathon of sleep I was reminded of Matthew 11:28, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Why I didn't go to God with my feelings of anxiety and exhaustion, I don't have an answer, I should have. But God knew. He gave me the rest I needed without me asking.

God is good and has given me much needed REST and peace.

Just a pickin'......some strawberries that is!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It ended up being a crazy busy day, but a beautiful day none the less. Early in the morning my friend Becky and I took our boys to pick strawberries at a strawberry farm about 25 minutes away that Becky has been to before. It was SO much fun! I loved the fact that we were able to teach our boys about how strawberries grow and also that we got to take home a massive amount of fresh strawberries. Here are some pictures of the outing...

The boys had fun and all came home with red hands and faces :) and I am now dreaming of all the things I can do with these beautiful strawberries...YUM!This is definitely a tradition I want to continue with our family!

Check back tomorrow for an AWESOME crustless quiche recipe and Saturday and Sunday when I share some projects from around the house!

Happy Spring, everyone!

Easter Eggstravaganza!

We recently got home from a fabulous weekend spending Easter with my husband's family in Texas. Easter didn't just start there, it began last week with one of 3 Easter egg hunts at our church...

The boys and their sweet friend, Keely, listening to instructions

Dad surprised us with the camera (a little too close...)

Sweet brothers

And the kids playing in the egg tub after the hunt :)

On Thursday Caden had his Easter egg hunt and picnic at his Preschool...

Caden with some of his little friends

Pryce loved climbing the steps :)

After the hunt we were able to stay and have a picnic with the kids and their families. It was really sweet to see Caden with friends!

Later that afternoon we colored some eggs with the boys...Since my husband is an artist he took advantage of this moment to teach Caden about primary and secondary colors. He was in his element...

The boys had a lot of fun playing(crushing) with their newly dyed eggs...we found out that they can withstand a throw onto the carpet, but not the contracting hand of a toddler...

Friday we woke up early and got on the road for the 12 hour trip to Midland, TX to spend the weekend with the Hubbs family. I kept forgetting to take pictures, but we had a GREAT time! Saturday The Hubbs entire extended family came over to his parents house for the day. We had a surprise party for his uncle's 60th birthday which included an incredible chuck wagon (cowboy) dinner cooked over the fire, an "Amazing Race" competition between couples, a huge egg hunt for the kids, and a lot of visiting.

Saturday was capped off by some games of gin rummy and then off to bed...we were SO tired!

*Easter* Sunday morning we went to church with the fam...

Bow ties made for the boys by my friend Krista at Boykee Boutique!

*Trying* to get a picture with Pop and G before church

The boys with Chance's Grandmother

Quick family picture before we head out

My sweet boy after church!

I'm glad we got pictures before church because during church Pryce hurt his mouth pretty bad...long story short: wobbly toddler...falling...no hands...face...two bottom teeth...blood...white shirt...bow tie...Poor kiddo!  He was in a lot of pain, so (and because of a lot of screaming) we left church a little early.

Later that day (after meds and naps for the boys) we got to visit with some friends who are about to have a little baby boy and Chance's sister and her family.

Such a fun weekend! Thanks to Patty and John for being such great hosts!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and were able to take a moment and remember the real "reason for the season" (Easter season that is...).

"Jesus loves me this I know....."

Spring Break?

I have been MIA this week in the blogging world. My computer hasn't been on it's best behavior so I decided to take that as a sign to enjoy my wonderful hubbs who is home for the week and also get projects knocked off the list. A friend lent me her sewing machine for the week which meant I could get a lot of sewing done for the pillows and curtains in our *new* master bedroom. There has also been a lot of painting and spray painting done this week...yay!

Here's a sneak peek of some of the projects I've been doing all week....explanations will come later!

Surprised one morning that our zucchini and cucumber seeds sprouted!

Amazing monogram from my friend Carrie of Cuckoo Caboodle

Laundry Room Makeover!!!

Today was a special day. I received not only my Southern Living BUT ALSO my (free) subscription to Better Homes and Gardens. Can all the ladies in the house say WOOT WOOT?! These were much needed today...so, yes, I may have been spotted sitting outside in the beautiful sunshine reading these this afternoon instead of folding laundry....Magazines before laundry, that's how it is.

On a side note.....Today I did my 2 mile run that is part of my couch to 5k training! It went great! Woohoo!

I hope you all have had a great week. Don't forget that tomorrow is National Toast Day! We will be celebrating with French Toast in the morning and then hiking afterwards just for kicks :)

Pinterest makes me a better Woman...

Seriously. How many women(okay, and some men...) are now inspired to go beyond our "norm" all because we now have a place to store great ideas AND steal (in a good way of course!) ideas from others? Millions!

Have you noticed how many people are now celebrating St. Patrick's Day (and not just wearing green)who never did before? All because of that darn cute fruit rainbow with the pot of gold that's rolling through Pin-land!

Or how many moms are doing WAY more creative activities with their kids because of all the colorful pictures the scroll by our eye?

Or how many more incredibly happy husbands there are because of the awesome dinners their wife is (finally) inspired to cook?! All because we get so darn hungry every time we scroll through our "Pin-Wall"!

Or how much "cuter" homes look with new decor outside and in?

Yep, thank you, Pinterest.

Thank you for the joy I now feel towards random, hardly celebrated holidays.

Hobby Lobby thanks you.

Lowes thanks you.

Our local supermarkets thank you for our spur of the moment cravings.

Our families thank you.

Some think we waste time on Pinterest, but I say NO, no, we don't. We are creating a better life for our family. That's my story...and I'm sticking to it ;)

xoxo


So what is your new "I MUST try that today!" Pin?!

Mine? The St. Patrick's Day banner I pinned today!

Hiatus...

Wow, so I took a break didn't I? This week has been filled with great weather(till yesterday's monsoon) and Spring cleaning.....oh and our clothes dryer broke---definitely wasn't expecting that *new* investment we were going to have to make.

Monday as I was putting the hubbs clothes away I realized our closet was WAY too packed, especially my poor husbands side...somehow I have begun taking over that side as well as my own. Hum, not sure how that happened! ;) I decided I needed to clean it out. Okay, and and my youngest's closet....oh, and rearrange our room a little. Slightly overboard, but I am so glad I had the energy to do it! My oldest currently has a love for vacuuming(woo-hoo!) so he helped clean too! I could get used to that.

Tuesday the dryer broke. Boo.....pretty sure the 20 loads I did last week was the culprit. We were able to find an awesome one on sale though and it comes in TODAY! How's that for speedy?!

The boys "helping" me with the laundry. Right before the dryer broke.

Also, let me give you an update on how my "healthy living" plan has been going. If you remember my post last week. It definitely didn't start very well! But, guess what?! It got easier! I basically cut back on sugar and flour and increased my fruits, veggies, and protein. That combined with my couch to 5k program helped me lose 2 pounds! Woot Woot! Plus, I just FEEL better overall. Take THAT Hoshimotos! :)

Fav new "meal." Green Monster Smoothie

Speaking of the couch to 5k program I have officially completed week 3 and am beginning week 4 today. So far everything is going well and I feel really good. A lot better than the first time I did the program.

It has been a good, productive week. I feel more energized and also less cluttered. Happy Friday everyone!

'One'derful day...

Well, our second born's 1st birthday was about 2 1/2 weeks ago and people have been asking to see pictures of the special day. Since I was sick right after that and have been playing catch up on everything that was forgotten about while I was down I have not posted anything yet. So for those who care....

On someone's birthday in our house we try to sing "Happy Birthday" and have a candle at just about every meal. This is breakfast.....

Very excitedly signing "more" over and over because he wants his pancake stack and bananas...

And apparently I was taking too long to sing Happy Birthday....

Lessons learned from birthday breakfast for child number 2....
1) Don't put a candle in warm pancakes....the pancakes will melt the candle and the pancakes will get wax all over them....needless to say I gave him other pancakes to eat :)
2) Sing Happy Birthday incredibly fast

Later in the day my wonderful hubbs took half of the day off work and met us for lunch at Chick-Fil-A (LOVE this place because it is incredibly kid friendly). The boys had a great time!

After the boys naps we let Pryce open his presents from us....

The bow was instant entertainment

getting the hang of unwrapping

Big brother couldn't stand not "helping" unwrap...

All Pryce wanted to do was climb on the box :)

Filling up the silo with all the animals

Later on in the evening we had a small party for Pryce. Since we've already done the big 1st  B-day before, I was kinda over it :) but still wanted to make his day special. We decided to make it a birthday/game night with friends. We did a Winter 'One'derland theme since he was born in a big snowstorm last year.

Having a snack before the party and loving his balloons

One of a kind just like a snowflake :) Amazing shirt made my talented friend Carrie of Cuckoo Caboodle

I used a crinkled paper bag for the back triangle

We did "sweets and treats"...oreo balls and white donut holes (snowballs), white cheese ball and crackers, cupcakes, and blue, white and brown candy

Epsom salt, burlap ribbon, jute twine, rusted metal snowflake



We served white grape shower punch and did a hot cocoa bar for drinks

felt snowman to play with

An army of penguins to greet our guests(and take home with them)...so cute!

Trying out the goods

chocolate beard :)

Happy after his cupcake and crackers!

loving the attention from everyone :)

playing with balloons the next morning :)

And there ya have it. We had a 'ONE'derful time celebrating and fellowshipping with great friends! Still can't believe he is already one. I am soaking up rocking him and getting baby kisses while I can, because I know it just keeps going faster and faster.....