Thankful Month–Day 29

After a fun 5 day birthday/Thanksgiving celebration, I am full (in more ways than one!) of thankfulness!  And links to share!  In list format!
--my favorite pie

Oatmeal Pie made by my SIL, Cissy.  This is all that was left of 2 pies and I got to bring it home.  I'll post the recipe later, maybe tomorrow.  It tastes like pecan pie, without the pecans.  Oh my word.  And oh my hips.

--my new boots

My kids got me these cute rain boots for my birthday.  I’ve been wanting some forever and they finally got the hint. ha!  And it’s supposed to rain tomorrow!

--my new purse

My friend Kristin blogged about her cute new purse the other week and I was introduced to this site.  I mean, who wouldn’t love a site called Handbag Heaven?  Love!  So I passed on a few links to my mom for ideas for birthday presents (she asked!) and she got this purse!  I didn’t realize it was quite as big as it is, but it’s growing on me. 

--winning a cute necklace!


This morning I found out I won this necklace from Fun Fabulous Finds!  It’s from a cute etsy shop called Bohemia Jewellery.  I’m in love with all of their stuff!

So today, I’m thankful for material things and pie.  All the important things.  The end.

Thankfulness Day 12

The kids and I had a spontaneous field trip to Discovery Place today.  I love my city and am thankful for all the fun things there are to do here! 

Here’s a little look at our day via iPhone pics.

Blog post ideas from an NBA game

                            

We took the kids to a Bobcats game tonight.  We actually won the tickets at another game a few weeks ago.  The seats were supposed to be in the upper level, but hey they were free.  When we got there, we found out they were lower level, 10th row from the floor, right behind the Bobcats bench.  Sweet!  With new owner Michael Jordan sitting on the end of the bench!

So I'm sitting there, taking it all in.  I admit I'm not a big NBA fan.  I'd much rather watch a pro baseball game or even football.  And would always rather watch a college game of any kind.  

Two and a half hours later there are all kinds of blog post topics running around in my head.  Here's some insight into my mind.

--The Lady Cats.  From the spandex to the knee-high boots.  To the not so great dancing.  And I know good dancing.  I've seen Making the Team.  These girls are not DCC material. 

--A grown man (a father, no less) who took a T-shirt out of my daughter's hands. (Oh yes he did.  Holdmeback. HOLD ME BACK.)

--People watching vs. Game watching (guess what I did)

--How excited my kids get over a basketball game.  Very into it!  Learning the players names and asking questions. So fun.

--So cotton candy.  How can they charge $4 for basically sugar and air?

--What is it about St. Patrick's Day that can make an otherwise sane and sober 20-something woman break out the green short shorts, skin-tight tank top, green and white striped knee socks, some green Mardi Gras beads, and a rub-on shamrock tattoo and go out IN PUBLIC? 

--Michael Jordan: How do you look the exact same as when you played at UNC? How?

--Beer in cups should have lids.  That way it wouldn't get spilled on my shoes.  Is it the 5 beers they had before they walked to their seat with the 6th one, overflowing and spilling on everyone they pass?  Or are all beer drinkers just clumsy and inconsiderate?  I don't walk around with my Coke sloshing out all over the floor and whoever happens to be in my path.  Just wondering.  Maybe a lid would help.  Or a sippy cup. 

Bobcats won by the way.  I do know that.  Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 100-92.  Who even knew OKC had a team?

The Many Faces of Hayes

Hayes likes to fool around with the camera, so to keep him occupied at Becca's basketball game last week I started snapping pictures while he was sitting on my lap.  

Here's my little goofball:

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

                   

                  

I'd show you the ones he took by himself, but they were either the back of people's heads or straight up my nose.  And no one wants to see that.

Happy Friday!

Snow!!

Friday evening through Saturday we got a little snow and sleet.  Not very exciting for those of you who live cool places like Colorado or New England, or even Western NC, but for us, well, we'll take what we can get!

We all went out yesterday morning, but since it was still sleeting I didn't take the camera.  We bought sleds a few weeks ago in faith.  All the ice made it perfect sledding on the roads around our house. 

Hayes made it about an hour and then we brought him in for a day of video games and play time with us.  (Ok, so it was games with Daddy and Mommy had a Glee marathon.)

Rebecca stayed out ALL DAY.  She was sledding and in and out of friends' houses until I had to call her home at 6pm.  And we had gone out at 9am!

I went out with the kids this morning and let me tell you, I was a little scared!  The ice was twice as fast as it was yesterday and the mailboxes and gutters made it a little hazardous! ha!  You couldn't exactly dig your feet into the ice to slow down. 

                

We could push the kids on our almost flat driveway and they'd go all the way to the street and down to the corner!

                

I'm sledding behind her snapping pics. Probably not very smart.

                

Another hill.

                

                

Down the hill....

                

                

And around the corner!

                

When Hayes figured out that he wasn't going to get to play video games all day, he decided to join us.

                

                

                     

Fun times!  But I was ready for their friends to come out to play so I could come inside! ha!     

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I've seen these daybook posts on Marybeth's blog for a while and decided to participate today.  Loosely translated:  I can't think of anything to blog about.

Outside my window...the sun going down after a beautiful day.

I am thinking...about making chocolate chip cookies.

I am thankful for...a husband who, although he had to work today, came home early (surprised us!) and took us all to the park.

I am wearing...brown sweats, purple hoodie, socks (aka, my uniform)

I am remembering...my kids throwing football at the park today and my 4 yr old's almost perfect spiral. 

I am going...crazy.  No, not really.  To make cookies after I finish this post.  (See, I'm still thinking about them!)

I am currently reading...my Bible.  Need to get the 3rd Twilight book.  Yes, I realize the two don't exactly go hand in hand.  Don't judge. 

I am hoping...my house sells soon.

On my mind...finding land to build on and deciding on a house plan.

Pondering these words..."Live life without regrets." (Robert Rogers)

From the kitchen...the smell of chicken quesadillas from supper.

Around the house...QUIET!  Everyone is at basketball practice and I'm all alone.  Ahhh.......

One of my favorite things...having coffee and visiting with a friend. 

For more daybook links, go HERE.

If You Came to My House Today.....

I'm joining the party over at Kellie's blog.  (Thanks to Meredith!)

 

So, if you came to my house today, here's what you'd find:

Just inside the door you would see where my husband fixed the floor going into the office.  He had to glue a piece of wood down and then put two heavy bags of I-don't-know-what on top while it dried.  It's a great look.  Very classy.  Ahem.  Moving on.

You'd also see pictures, a towel bar, toilet paper holder, trash can, and a table in the dining room.  We painted the powder room yesterday and haven't put it back together yet.  Nice.

(See, we're putting our house on the market next week and we're doing little fix-ups around the house.) 

You might also see some happy kids playing outside.  Very happy because they've been stuck inside ALL WEEK LONG.  Sickness plus rain, oh the rain, adds up to bored kids (and mom!) with cabin fever!!  There are rumors that the sun has come out today, but I'm not sure I remember what it looks like. 

If you'd come a little earlier in the day, you would find me talking to a friend about home schooling.  She's getting ready to take the plunge and is looking for encouragement/ideas/support.  And since I love to talk about our preferred method of education, I was more than happy to have the chance. 

And before you leave, I'd love to serve you some sweet tea or even some coffee.  I bought Peppermint Mocha creamer today and I'm dying for an excuse to use it!! 

I might even encourage you to come back tomorrow.  And it would have nothing to do with it being Work On The House Day.  I promise! 

 

Want to join the carnival?  Check it out HERE.

Sleepless in You Know Where

So if you're my FB friend, this is probably a repeat for you.  And I'm pretty sure all 5 of you ARE my FB friends.  Sorry!

I got to tag along with Daniel last weekend for a business trip to Seattle.  I never realized Seattle was such a tourist destination!  It's a fun city!

AND.  All that traveling we lived through last year paid off in frequent flier miles because my ticket was FREE!  It doesn't get any better than THAT, amen?

Driving in from the airport. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original St*rbucks, with her little topless self.

 

 

 

 

Pike Public Market was a happening place!  We even saw a wedding party having pictures taken there. 

                      

We didn't get any pictures of fish flying through the air, but this is where it happens.

                      

My very favorite place.  It smelled heavenly!

                      

                      

View of the city from the Space Needle

                     

Getting read for the Ducks Tour

                     

One of our driver's silly hats

                     

Building used for exterior shots of the hospital in Grey's Anatomy. FYI, NOT a hospital.

                     

Safeco Field (didn't get to go to a game)

                      

Sleepless in Seattle house

(By the way, I could not find Jason's house to save my life!)

                    

Seaplane (Seaplane, Faith!) landing right beside us in the lake.

                    

Me and my sweetie on a ferry to Bainbridge Island

                    

And I think that's enough, right?  I mean, my word, that's a lot of pictures and they're not even that interesting! 

So, in conclusion, our Seattle trip was tons of fun, refreshing, and it didn't even rain!  (We're thinking they made up all that rain nonsense so they won't get too many visitors.  Secret's out!!)

A summer in pictures. And a video.

Oh the fun that we've had this summer. We had a family trip to Hilton Head, a family trip to Myrtle Beach, Carowinds, pool, cook-outs with friends, fireworks, and lots and lots of playing. Nothing overly exciting and I forgot my camera on more than one occasion. Nice. But here are a few highlights.

Our first beach trip over Mother's Day weekend.

(Nice present, no?)

My cute little beach bum

Ok, first, I was excited to turn around in my chair and see this going on behind me. Second, how old are these people? Don't they look like they should be going to prom??

And yes, the groom totally has on sneakers and the bride and all her attendants have on white flip flops.

A little family photo shoot at Harbor Town

Taken by Becca

Imagine my joy when I saw these chairs set up on the 18th green, across the marina.

Apparently we had just missed our second wedding of the day!

Well, I think this speaks for itself.

End of the year party for softball for our little athlete

Second beach trip to my parents' beach house. When we weren't on the beach or at the pool, this is what we were doing. My kids call it the Bob and Larry game. Not sure it's real name. Also there was way too much Uno.

On the other hand, there could NEVER be too much of this little guy, 6 month old cousin Ty.

It's a bird, it's a plane....

I could never get them to look at the same time.

4th of July festivities (photo courtesy of my friend Melissa since I didn't take my camera. Thanks!)

My husband spent 10 days in the Amazon area of Brazil. This is a baptism service that they attended.

Sunset on the river (forgive me, I forget the name but I know it's not the Amazon.)

Dad's fan club at the airport (And yes I do own more than just this green dress, ha!)

We went to Carowinds last week when the kids were at the grandparents. Daniel took this with his phone so it's hard to tell, but we are actually lying down! The whole roller coaster ride you are lying down! I totally freaked out the first time I rode. This is just after the second ride.

It's been a great summer so far. We are gearing up for another mission trip to Brazil in September. Daniel is leading this trip to the same area we have been to 3 times previously. You can read about those trips HERE. Fundraising is in full swing. Click on the links if you're interested in a soccer tournament or some good old barbeque.

Oh! I almost forgot I said something about a video!