Saying Goodbye

These two. I caught them in my closet sneaking swigs of mouthwash not too long ago.

We've been in morning for a month since my SIL and her family have left to go back overseas. The 6 months they were "home" seemed to fly by, yet we had the BEST time. These two became especially close and C asks for her almost every day. Thank goodness for Skype!

Before they left, we sent Caroline back with my sister in law to Benton and we kept the boys for a couple of days. We had the BeST time! We have an awesome new aquatics center in Rogers. We were basically the only ones there one day.

We made a fro-yo stop after where they managed to make the most disgusting sundaes ever that included cereal and jello.

The car ride to Benton with Gus.

We planned a big bday party at Joodge and Baba's to celebrate everyone's bday. It was complete with a piñata and games and pies in the face.

We also walked in a race for our sweet friend Briley to raise money and awareness for Spinal Muscualar Atrophy. 

Were so sad the Turners are gone. The kids were so anxious to get "home" and I'm so thankful their hearts don't ache like ours. I am so encouraged and inspired by my SIL and BIL. They have been called to something that most of us would never consider, yet they've given everything to minister to others. We're hoping not as much time will pass between our next visit! 

Welcome Summer!

Its finally summer! After what seemed like an eternal winter, we are happy to be spending time outside. We love our backyard... It's one of the things that sold me on our house.

It's not huge, but big enough. I love the Rose bushes, stamped concrete patio, and the fireplace. It even has a pool complete with a cute baby!

On Saturday we did some car shopping (bleh.) while friends watched C. We then had 3 couples over for a cookout and water fun. I love that these kiddos will grow up together. They are not that close in age, but play really well together. 

The girls roasting mallows.

We met some other friends after church for lunch. Miss priss was wanting to have her picture made... Spaghetti face and all!

As much fun we had this weekend, we have a few friends that are really struggling right now. Whether it's tragedy in their family, struggling marriages, infertility, or illness... It makes getting through the day tough I'm sure. I read this verse

Over the weekend and I've been praying it over these sweet friends. He really is close to the brokenhearted. How comforting!

Mothers Day

What a great weekend!

Uncle Lee came up Friday to see us since he finished finals last week. We were so happy to see him!

 Saturday morning we went to a birthday party for Caroline's best friend, Carson. 

While we were at the party... My sweet husband was building THIS...

 We had a blast with my cousin Tiffany and her kids that stayed with us Saturday night. 

And we had a wonderful service at church Sunday. My girl was so worn out from the night before she actually slept on me the whole service! I never get to hold her like that and it was the best Mother's Day gift!

Caroline and her dad made me a super cute card and coffee mug and a delicious breakfast. 

Sunday afternoon... I was sitting at our patio table watching Adam and Lee do yard work (ha!) when the wind picked up our umbrella and it came down on the table and shattered it on top of me. I wasn't hurt since the glass was tempered, but totally bummed that our table is ruined. We've only had that set for a year or so and it wasn't cheap!! 

This was the perfect weekend and it was filled with things I love most... Hosting family, playing with friends, yard work and projects, and loving on my girl. I'm so thankful for the one that calls me mom (24,456 times a day) as well as the woman I call mom. She's the most selfless person I've ever met and is a wonderful example of a great mom. 

Easter 2014

As I lay here in bed getting ready for a new work week, I can only think about what a blessed weekend we had. We traveled "home" Thursday night since Adam had the day off Friday. I worked from home and he played golf with his dad. We took family pictures Friday afternoon. It will be an Easter miracle if we got a decent picture of the whole gang! With 4 kids, ( 2 under the age of 2) our photographer had her work cut out for her! 

Friday night we had dinner with 2 of my best friends at none other than Larry's pizza. It's the original and I can still taste the chocolate chip pizza. We ate until our bellies hurt and then headed to Brittany's and played cards. We were taking advantage of free unlimited babysitting! 

On Saturday, we slept in (it was glorious) and then met up with my dad to head to arkadelphia to watch my brother's baseball game. We took C and she had a blast running around. The weather was perfect! It's so neat watching my brother play college ball. I'm so proud of him!

We then headed back to mom and dad's for our first Easter celebration. We had a great fear, hunted eggs, dyed eggs, and had so much fun. 

C loves her uncle Lee!

Sunday morning we headed to church. Were so blessed to get to attend church with both of our families since they attend the same church! 

After church we had Easter party #2 with Adams family. We had a great day and I loved watching Caroline play with her cousins. 

I teared up this morning at church when we sang of what our Savior did on the cross. This day is what being a Christian is all about. I'm so thankful for his blood that covers my past, present, and future sin. I'm thankful that He defeated the grave! 

Happy Birthday Miller!

Last night we attended the Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation's 3rd annual fundraiser. This party, held on Miller's birthday is a fund raiser for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which took Miller's life when he was only 87 days old. 

We heard of this family and prayed for them 3 years ago, but it wasn't until a couple from our home church went through the same horrifying disease with their daughter Briley Faith.

 I was pregnant the same time as Crystal and Briley was born just five days before Caroline. Briley went to Heaven when she was just two months old. She never even left the hospital. We mourned for the Turners. We were so sad for them, and felt very connected to them even though we had never really hung out and had only met a few times. SMA is the number one genetic killer of infants. There is no cure. It could have easily been us. 

Crystal and Josh invited us to Miller's party with them and we were so honored to join. We have been so encouraged by the Turner's faith and hope they have in Jesus. 

We took the Turners to our favorite brunch spot this morning and showed them some of our favorite spots in Fayetteville. They loved on sweet Caroline and my heart hurt thinking of their angel in Heaven that wasn't beside Caroline at the table or running around the store with her. 

We love this couple and look forward to celebrating Miller, Briley, and the strides that are being made in SMA research. 

Happy Birthday Miller!

The perfect Saturday

Today was my idea of a perfect Saturday...

-mini slept until NINE am.

- Beautiful weather that requires time outside 

- delicious breakfast at local coffee shop {Arsagas on Dickson... Possibly the best breakfast I have ever had.}

- light shopping at local boutique {yes we have matching scarves!}

- letting C run around on Old Main lawn 

- yard work/cleaned garage while C napped

- grilled hamburgers with friends

I love this cute town we live in and I love doing life with my people! I'm looking forward to relaxing tomorrow and hoping for more perfect Saturdays like today. 

weekend at the chataeu

Saturday, husband and I left little Miss with my parents and headed to Branson to stay at Chateau on the Lake.  Its a beautiful resort hotel on Table Rock Lake.  Our stay was a gift from Adam's parents as a 5 year anniversary/housewarming gift.  We had never stayed there before, but definitely plan to visit again!

Caroline had the time of her life with Cece and Poppa!

The view from our room... it was so relaxing and beautiful.  The room had amazing blackout curtains and we slept until 10 am on Sunday morning!

We had the hotel brunch on Sunday. This was my desert plate. :/ 

Hey, I was on vacation!((And I pretty much only ate the strawberries.)

I never left the resort. Adam left only to go pick up Mexican food Sunday night and we ate it in the lounge next the fireplace and overlooking the lake.  By Sunday night the hotel was basically empty and we had the place to ourselves.  We had the best time just talking and laughing.

Monday morning we had breakfast again at the hotel restaurant (I had stuffed french toast and it was AWESOME.  ((Do you see a food theme, ha!) We then headed to the spa where we pretty much spent all day.  We had a couple's massage and I had a facial.  I guess I had never really been to a "full service" spa before, but we also got to enjoy the private hot tub, steam room, sauna, and lounges.  It was a Monday and we were the only ones there so had the place to our selves!  We ordered lunch and had it delivered to the hot tub.... we we're livin' it up!! 

I got these off the website but they were exactly as pictured.  We had such a great weekend away. We missed C terribly, but it was very refreshing to sleep in and just spend time together. We also have a couple of busy weeks coming up so we were totally fine with foregoing shopping to relax instead.  We leave for Oklahoma City Friday to attend a Thunder game and a work meeting on Saturday... then leave for Disney World the next week! I'm glad my sleep tank is full!

Let it Snow!

This is the first time I can remember getting snow BEFORE Christmas.  We've gotten it Christmas Day before, but never this soon.  I am scared to think of what Jan/Feb will look like... were predicted to have a tough winter!

 Our first snow at the new place. We had about 5 inches... it was beautiful!

C loved looking at the snow. We ventured out once, but she wasnt a fan. Its hard since she can't walk on her own yet. Plus it was actively snowing and very cold while we were out.

We mostly stayed inside, but we did venture out for a Hog basketball game with our friends! I love this picture of C and her daddy focused on the game! We won!