Wedding Hosts

I have been a bridesmaid about six times. I've been the mother of a flower girl three times. I had never been a hostess - until June 2. Tabitha and Jesse asked Brandon and me to be their host couple for their wedding. We were honored and excited to be a part of their special day.

It was an evening wedding, and the weather was perfect. We got there early to welcome the guests; I stood inside with one daughter, while the other two would open the door with Brandon. I'm sure Brandon got a lot more comments on how cute the girls were than I did. There is something about seeing a dad with a daughter that make people comment.

Anyway, the girls did well during the ceremony. I read some scripture and didn't get too nervous. The funny part was when Tabitha and Jesse walked out, Maisie said in her "I think I am quiet but really not" voice, "Now Tabitha is going to  have a baby!"

After the ceremony, we stood at the bottom of the stairs to direct people to the reception hall. The girls had a blast standing there and simply pointing. Human signs. Funny.

We were the last ones to go through the receiving line, so we took a little longer with them. Here are the girls with the newlyweds!

Since the reception started about 9:00, and we had a 30 minute ride home, we didn't stick around. We got some cake and ice cream and ate it in the truck. We needed to get home because we were leaving town the next day. We may have gone home bit tired, but we were so thankful to be a part of it!

The Six Hour Project

I am so thankful I married a handy man. I just wish our house would cooperate a little better with his projects. Nothing is ever easy.

We finally decided it was time for a new fridge. Yeah for more space!

We knew we would have to do a little prep work to get it in, but we had no idea it would take as long as it did. Here's Brandon at 7:00 - cutting down some wall so it will fit.

I come along after to vacuum all the drywall dust.

Next - move the old fridge out. We don't have the energy to take it down to the basement, so we decided to move to the other side of the kitchen for a couple of days. However, it didn't fit through the counters, so he took off the doors.

Now came the tricky part. We went from 22 cubic feet to 28 cubic feet. Awesome. But more space equals bigger fridge. So it's in the garage, and Brandon takes of everything. Every door, drawer and handle. It's now almost 10:00. I'm trying to think of whom I can call and bribe to come help. Brandon insists we can do it. Plan 1. Go through the door in the garage, so Brandon takes off that door. He moves the oven to give more space. I vacuum and clean behind oven. Nope. Not going to work. Puts door back on hinges. Use dolly to move fridge out to the front door. Up two steps. Brandon removes the front door. I move furniture. Roll it into kitchen knowing it won't fit through the counters. That leaves us one option:

 Over the counter. Yes. OVER the counter. At 11:00 at night. He did the heavy lifting. I supported with a little lifting and encouraging my strong man.

Rotating the fridge on the counter. Brandon's view. I spy a goofball...



And finally it's on the correct side of the counter! We back it in to the tight space, and it fits! Good job Brandon! However, the cord is so big it makes it too tight to fit all the way in....so we pull it back out so Brandon can make the hole bigger for the cord to fit. Which lead to more vacuuming, and while I was in my cupboards, I might as well clean those, too.

Once the fridge is all the way in, we have to reassemble all the doors and drawers. Good thing  he can use a drill!

And here we are at 1:30.

We crash into bed at almost 2:00. Unreal. Despite the late night and hard work, we had lots of fun together, and we were able to laugh a lot.

Three weeks later, and I simply love, love, love it! So much more space, and I can easily reach what I need. And the middle drawer is so handy for the girls to get to their snacks.

Thank you sweetie for the new fridge!



Worn with Love

May I have your attention please? Read NOTHING into what this shirt says. This was my nightgown many, many years ago. In fact, it was a favorite and I wore it much longer than I should have. I am glad my mom saved this one because my four year old is now wearing it; even if she is the youngest. :)

Boating Begins

Goodness, our first time on the boat was probably four weeks ago already. We went out for a few hours, on a nice sunny day. Brandon and his dad fished, and the girls whined until they caught some. And then they played with the fishies in the livewell. I was able to do a little reading while the girls were content. Later Analise jumped in to swim, and the other two were content to just sit on the back of the boat and kick their feet.

And these two men loved fishing on the boat. That is a true, genuine smile.

Turkey Time

Brandon and his dad went for an evening turkey hunt awhile back, and they both came back with birds. And not just birds but also great memories.

And this bird dog loves to chew on those turkey feathers!

Beautiful Morning Walk

One morning on my early morning walk, I turned the corner and literally stopped dead in my tracks. There was the most amazing rainbow. I could hardly wait to get home and show Brandon. Thankfully it was still there for a picture, but it wasn't as bright as it had been 20 minutes before. Loved it!

 

Painting Flower Pots

One my dear nurses from my delivery with Sadie gave me a gift before I left the hospital - flower pots and all sorts of paints and brushes. Each year I like the girls to paint new pots for them to plant a flower in. Here they are painting -

And the finished products

While Mom is Away

While I was away (on girls' weekend), the children will play. Friday night was pizza and a movie. Saturday was:

Donuts for breakfast

Mini golfing

Children's Museum

And to the track to ride bikes. Do you see Maisie? No training wheels! We worked with her once, and then she will tell you her five y.o. friend, H, taught her how to ride. Brandon brought them to the track, and away she went!

I am so thankful for a hubby that kept them busy with fun activities. I think they were so busy they didn't even have time to miss me!

30 Day Shred

After being out of shape for way too long, I decided to change that. We don't have a membership to a gym, though I wish we could afford the YMCA. I've been walking the dog every morning for the last five months. However, I wanted more. Something quick. Something effective. I remembered friends talking about "The 30 Day Shred" a long time ago, and I thought it sounded appealing. What woman doesn't want to shred some weight? I figured my 9 month pregnant SIL wouldn't be using it, and she was kind enough to let me borrow it.

I started on May 1, and I was determined to stick with it. 30 days. I could do it. And I can say I think I made 25 of 30 days. (My trip to MI caused me to miss a few.) And what did I learn?

That I was completely out of shape. The first few days were torture. My leg muscles were oh.so.sore. My friends would ask why I was walking like an old lady. My answer: "Two words. Jillian Michaels." 'Nuff said.

But then I noticed a difference. I moved to level two and eventually level three. I sweat like a pig, and I remembered how I loved that feeling. Brandon was a huge encouragement and support. And when he said, "I can tell a difference in your (blank)." I was even more hooked.

So here I am a month later feeling a little lighter and more toned. I'm trying to eat better along with working out. More veggies, less chips. Stopping when I first feel full and not stuffing myself. For me it's about self control and discipline.

The girls loved to exercise with me if I started before they were in bed. Here they are with their "weights." Sadie is holding little giraffes, Analise balls, and Maisie two small cars. It's a riot to watch them.

Look at those push ups!

Analise has done the most with me. However, one night she was laying on the floor watching me grunt through some plank pose when she had the nerve to say, "I'm really feeling it."

I am now on month two - this time with my hubby! He's doing it with me each night, and I have to admit it's a lot easier the second time around. Just last night I begged him to do level 2, even though he hadn't done level 1 very long. He agreed, and I sweat a bit more. Yeah! :)

I hope to stick with it now that I've seen a difference and remembered how it felt to be a bit more in shape. And I am loving this time with Brandon. Sometimes Analise joins us, and other times I send her to bed to read. 

At the end of these 30 days I hope to start something different. And hopefully Brandon will join me again. The "30 Day Shred" will hopefully be the beginning to a healthier lifestyle.

Mother's Day Part Two

When Brandon asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I told him an hour by myself and a girl's getaway with some friends. After writing that, it sure looks like I don't love my girls. Completely untrue - love 'em to pieces. However, sometimes I need a break, a breather, a getaway to remind myself how much I do love them.

That being said, I got my girl's weekend. My two friends, G and L, and I went to the city about three hours away. This is our third year of this great tradition. And what did we do? We shopped where we wanted  - with no one whining to leave or climbing through the clothes' racks. We ate at adult friendly restaurants and enjoyed a hot meal. We stayed out late and stopped for some Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. We stayed at a fun hotel and watched a movie late into the night. And the next day we got pedicures. And did some more shopping and eating. And we talked and laughed. We encouraged each other, talked about how to be a better mom, how to raise responsible and Christ loving children.

And we came home to hugs from our kids. So happy to see them. Refreshed. Encouraged. And just maybe a couple pounds heavier. :)

Season Finale

As a mom, I know there are many different seasons in life. And this season it seemed that we  had several "lasts." And quite honestly, I struggled with some of them; I wanted time to stand still. Here are a few:

We've been able to have Analise at Awana game time the last three years, and we loved it. We will definitely miss having her next year, but we look forward to having Maisie.

We started going to Kindermusik when Analise was 6 months old. Each daughter went for a few semesters, and it was a special time for both them and me. We've always ended when they start preschool, so we are officially finished with it. So sad. Many great memories - thanks dad!

Whenever Sadie had free time with the instruments, she always chose these.

Sweet, sweet Ms. T

Maisie had some special lunch dates with Aunt Sarah during her preschool years. She loved it so much she would frequently tell or ask Aunt Sarah when she could come over...and she would tell her to check her calendar. :) Aunt Sarah would pick up Maisie, maybe run an errand, and then go to her house for popcorn chicken and Cheetos. They would play with Ginger some and then come back home. Thanks Aunt Sarah for these sweet times. She will miss them!

Another last - preschool is over for  Miss Maisie. Oh how she will miss it!

We've had the privilege of having some special college kids in our lives the last 2-3 years, with these twins being the most special. It started with Twin 1 coming over once a week to watch Maisie so I could go help in Kdg. It blossomed from there. Twin 2 would come over to hang out. Either one would babysit. They came over for meals, attended the girls' events, and we did several Bible studies together. Now one is married and both are moving away. I still feel a void in my life without them.

A big, and rather sudden last - we are switching schools for the girls next year. I didn't go looking for it, but I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me and then making it very clear in just a matter of days that this was best for the girls and our family. Analise handled the news well, but I was still sad the last day I dropped her off at school and saw our favorite para give Analise a hug when she walked in the building. We were happy at that school, but we also look forward to the new one. 

And the toughest of all - saying a final goodbye to my grandmother. This picture was the last time we were with her. Love that smile. And as hard as that was, when I was at the funeral with ALL the other family members - some I haven't seen for years, I realized this, too, may be a last. I was somber as we drove away from GR, knowing it's not likely that my entire family will be together like that again.(This side of Heaven) I had fond memories of playing with cousins, spending holidays together, attending graduations, and they will always have a special place in my heart.

As hard as it is to see these times end, I will forever be grateful to my Lord for the times we had.