Spring is Here!

Achoo!

Spring is here.

With a vengeance.

This spring has released a whole bunch of allergies at our house.

We did make it outside to enjoy the beautiful weather for a little while, before the itchy eyes and running noses took over and forced us into the house.

It was fun while it lasted!

We are expecting some rain, so I am hoping that will calm down some of this pollen.

We are all ready to get back to the great outdoors and enjoy this beautiful spring!

Have a great weekend.

Frivolous Friday

  Babe in a box. Frivolity for your Friday

10 Frivolous Facts for your Friday

1. The best way to wake Colin up is to pour a cup of freshly grounded, freshly brewed coffee. The second that last drop fills the cup, Colin is up and yelling for me. It's his gift.

2.  I wear bright red lipstick during the day. It goes nicely with my messy bun and sweatpants. However, I do feel more prepared in case someone shows up unexpected with it on. No make-up? Baggy sweatpants? Messy house and hair? No problem. I have red lipstick on.

3. We are recovering and repainting and varnishing our dining room chairs. This has been going on for the last 3 weeks. Let's pray it is finished this weekend!

4. I am re-reading the Anne of Green Gables series. Still love it.

5. We are still waiting to hear some news. At this point, it is fairly certain that we are just staying put here...but it is super annoying to still have to wait for the 100% assurance.

6. I like that it is cool and raining. I am not ready for a blazing hot summer just yet.

7. I have a gym buddy now. I have now doubled my gym attendance. So that means I have gone twice in one week, two weeks in a row! Now, let's hope my weight/inches loss is going to double!

8. I would prefer to kiss and cuddle my boys on the couch all day today. They prefer to wrestle.

9. I washed not one, but two pull-ups today. Have you ever seen an exploded diaper? Yep. That was a fun treat.

10. I am just so glad it is Friday. I am ready for the weekend. I am ready to have my Husband home.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

Real Life: The Orginal Awkward and Awesome.

Guys.

Life has been awkward lately. Real awkward. We are in a weird space right now. Change is possibly on the horizon. Big changes.

Or things can remain the exact same.

Big changes. Exactly the same. Those are two options that we have.

Change is good. The same is good.

Right now, we are in the awkward middle place called the unknown.

Unknown is driving me a bit batty.

So my mind is consumed with swirling "What ifs" at the moment.

I have no more brain power to blog anything remotely witty or interesting. Ten lines of "What If" interests no one, including myself.

But before I turn into that crazy lady with the one eye twitch, I am trying to remember that no matter what happens, life is still pretty awesome.

Someone got his first pair of light up shoes!

We took a wonderful family shopping trip to Richmond!

And regardless, these guys are mine whether things change or remain the exact same.

 

And that is awesome.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

It's been awhile since we have done a good A and A session here. So, I thought it was about time. No need for loads of words today. Let's just get right to it.


~Awkward~
- Wearing mustard tights and having everyone stare at your legs. Seriously, people. They are colored tights. I could have added a second head and I doubt I would have gotten any more looks. Apparently Va. Beach is not prepared for mustard colored tights. (I, however, liked the look;)

-My 3 year getting so upset that my legs had turned yellow that he started crying. Point taken. No more mustard tights.

- While trying on a work-appropriate pencil skirt at a more adolescent clothing store, I overheard some girls moaning in disgust, "This dress is like something a 30 year old would wear. Yuck." I kinda wanted to go out and see if I would, in fact, wear that dress.  But it was weird to hear someone so grossed out by something a 30 year old would wear...

- Being told that I look just like Samantha from Bewitched, and than told to wiggle my nose...multiple times.

-Colin's knowledge of the red alarm button on my keys. Our poor neighbors probably wonder why our car alarm goes off randomly throughout the day.


~Awesome~
- Daffodils. In February.

-It's 74 degrees today. The boys played outside in a t-shirts and it was glorious.

- After all the crazies took all the Jason Wu for Target stuff, I didn't think I would ever see this guy. But I found him tucked into a corner of a shelf. Thank you Christmas gift cards!

- We have a little road trip planned for Saturday and I am very, very excited about it. Some shopping, some family time and just getting away for the day.  Definitely looking forward to our weekend.

-I am going to be an Auntie! My sister is expecting her first baby and I am very much looking forward to snuggling a new little one.

- Shamrock shakes are back. Early. PTL.


The best, most awesome part of today?

This guy. 

 

It's been a long two months. 

Welcome home, Mr. Dishwasher. I will try to protect you from my 18 month old better that the last guy in your place.

What is awesome or awkward that is going on in your life?

Toddler Tuesday

It started with the little one draping his chubby little hand over his brother's shoulders. Than he started patting his brother's neck.

"That feels nice, Colin. Here. Let me rub your back, too."

It lasted roughly ten seconds.

Ten sweet quiet seconds while they rubbed each other's back and watched their favorite tank engine.

Than, one of them moved, and the little moment was gone.

But what beautiful 10 seconds it was to watch.

My boys.

They will always have each other.

Friday Favorites: Snapshots of Love

Just a few snapshots from our day of Love...or Valentine's Day.

Happy Friday!

Colin bringing in flowers for Mommy.

Some lovely goodies.

Flowers from the boys and a hand-made card from Ryan. It was my favorite part!



It's a good thing Jack can't read. ;)

Valentine's dessert. No bake Nutella cheesecake with from scratch whipped cream.

Enjoy your weekend!

We are going shopping for a dishwasher and recovering our dining room chairs.

That is some domestic bliss right there.

Parents Night Out

Every few months, a lady who runs the MOPS at our church hosts a Parents Night Out event. Parents can drop their kids off at church from 5pm-9pm and get the night to themselves. The kids get to play with all their buddies and the parents have safe and super affordable childcare for the evening.

This past Friday, Ryan and I took advantage and went out to an early Valentine's Day dinner.

Sparkles were in order.

Now, we ate at P.F. Chang's for dinner. Ryan knows that one of my absolute favorite dishes ever is the Dan Dan noodles dish. I love it so much. In fact, I loved it so much I ate all of it before I remembered to take a picture of it. Just imagine the best mix of salty, sweet and spicy sauce with noodles, peanuts and cool cucumbers add crunch factors. Mmmmm.

I could eat Dan Dan every day of the week...

After a nice dinner, we went on a little walk and headed to a gelato/crepe cafe.

Salted Caramel and Chocolate-Covered Raspberries for him. Banana Walnut and Peanut Butter Cup for me.

It was so good.

And we topped off the evening with a little Starbucks.

We decided to just go to our car and drink our coffee, as the place was packed with people.

I think this means we are getting old.

The dark, warm car sounded so much better than the bright, loud restaurant.

Either way, we enjoyed our date. We picked the kiddos up at 9pm and were more than happy to head home, full and content with our little break.

I hope you are all having a fantastic Valentine's Day...no matter what you are doing.