Wordless Wednesday (Once again, almost wordless ;)

I don't know if it's because my children are getting older or because of the cold winter weather, but my kids have been going nuts! Oh wait, it's me going nuts! They are just the ones making me nuts. :)

I have been trying to come up with more "kid projects" and just things that the kids can do with me and on their own that will help banish boredom. When they get too bored, their moods take a nose dive, and that's good for no one. My first big idea was to buy a slide, which we did, and it was AWESOME.

*Side note, when I first came up with the idea I texted my hubby about it while he was at work and his first question was if the slide was for me or the kids :)

Anyway, so I bought a little slide from walmart for $25.00 and although the girls had a lot of fun with it, we had even more fun making a rocket ship! I actually got the idea from my friend Kensie and her blog (Which you can read HERE) She's an artist and ULTRA creative. She explained in a recent post her reasoning for taking a break from the internet and taking more time to work on her own art (instead of just looking at other's art!)

So, instead of looking up ideas of what to do with the kids that day (For my new kid project idea for that day) I decided to just make something up with what we had laying around. No Looking on the internet allowed!!!

So that's why we made a rocket ship! We made our rocket ship out of the box the slide came and old paint that we had. It took the better part of the day. After that, we played in it! It's been a few weeks now, and their rocket ship is not only still intact, but they prefer it over their slide! It was just a really great day.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Valentine's Day!

So, I have about a 12,000 word post to because I have not posted in so long and I could go on and on about Valentine's Day itself; but I'm going to try to keep it short and sweet!

Valentine's Day was just a really great day. We all had fun and got see family and friends! Normally we don't make a huge deal out of Valentine's day, but for whatever reason this year we made a bigger deal and things were more eventful.

Things started off bright and early with our 4:00am wakeup call! After a kiss hubby left and I read my bible and had some quality quite prayer. The girls sleeping in long enough for me to spend bible study time would have been more than enough of a blessing, but they slept until 6:30. 6:30!!!! I was so excited, I even got take take a nice long shower in peace and quite!

When the girls did get up we had breakfast on heart plates and I cut their sandwiches into heart shapes:)

We played and then did some cleaning, then came candy! They actually helped pick out their own boxes the other day, but still were surprised to get them anyway. They were even more thrilled that there was chocolate inside! Arn't they just the cutest little boxes?

After that I started dinner in the crockpot. It was an amazing crockpot beef roast. I found the recipe on Pinterest. You take 2 pounds of sirloin tips, 2 cans of golden mushroom soup, a package of cream cheese, an onion, 1/2 cup of water, a chopped clove of garlic and whatever spices you want. Set it for low for 7 hours and you're done! It was Soooooo yummy!

After I threw that together both girls got a bath and then there were gifts to open! My grandma sent them presents. They received clothes, headbands, hair bows, a movie (Shirley Temple :) and adorable little stuffed animals! It was all Valentine's Day themed and the girls and can always use more clothes!

We then went to my dear friend Becky's house! They were all decked out in pink and red and looking very festive. I brought along with my camera because I recently just got a new lens and have been looking for an opportunity to use it. All the children were adorable of course, so I new it would make for good pictures!

I just missed the perfect hug shot, but you get the idea. :)

Becky made everyone lunch and I think everyone sat down at the same time for at least 5 minutes. SCORE!

After lunch the older kids were running around amusing themselves so Becky and I had a mini photo shoot with baby Faith. Ohmygoodess she is just adorable! Becky helped get the cute expressions out and I snapped away! Faith's photos were my favorites of the day.

Faith at one point started getting a little fussy so one of the girls tried feeding her a doll bottle. The look is priceless.

Then we went to my parent's house and saw my mom! Although we didn't have as long of a visit as I would have wanted, the girls and I had a great time being able to talk and get to see her. While we were getting back in the Jeep Diana actually ran back to my mom and wanted to stay with her. It was cute and I think made her day.

When we got home I could smell dinner and Daniel was home!!!!! That right there made it a perfect day! (hubby being home, not dinner being done ) So then my sweet hubby surprised me with TWO boxes of chocolates and a 42' HDTV. Yup, we got a new TV!!! I somehow don't have picture of the tv, but it is AMAZING! I really felt like we were watching tv for the first time, it was amazingly crystal clear.

While eating dinner, we watched tv. I know that sounds completely un romantic and disconnected, but it was awesome! We talked the whole time, so I doubt it's considered "watching tv" We ate our dinner and had cupcakes! (The tv has internet on it, so the remote actually has a netflix button!)

We put the kids to bed early and the hubby and I snuggled together, drank sparkling cider and exchanged cards. It was just special, sweet and relaxing. In fact, I don't even remember going to bed! We must have been tired, because the last thing I remember was jumping into bed, I don't even remember laying down!

It was a great day and I just thank God for all the little extra special blessings. I can't wait for the rest of the week! (I have enough chocolate for the next month!) I hope you had a great day too!!!

Chicago! Part Three

Inside a cool cafe downtown

This trip was actually my first time riding in a taxi. I don't know how I have managed so long without ever riding in one! Instead of taking your car places and dealing with the crazy traffic only then to end up paying $20.00 for valet parking, it's much simpler to catch a cab for $7.00. Not to mention the crazy cab drivers you meet! That's worth the price itself! (Daniel and I may have differing opinions on this one ;)

Night time means dinner time!


Our hotel

This is the dress Daniel bought me for Christmas! (early :)

He knows me so well :) Aside from about $100,000 worth of things for his Jeep, he much prefers, always wants, practical gifts. I, on the other hand like pretty things! Now, don't get me wrong, I have been known to ask for measuring cups, a vacuum or even diapers as gifts (for the girls, not me!) but I really do love lovely things. I didn't need a new dress, but was very happy and every so thankful to have one! I really truly do have the kindest and most understanding husband in the world!

This was taken as we were getting ready for dinner. I had to leave the restaurant before my food came because I was feeling so horrible, but it was a beautiful evening! Especially now that I look back and feel fine :)

Honestly, it was almost better that I got sick while away, because I was able to spend more time sleeping than I have in a very long time, so that was a blessing. I was very thankful to come home to the girls though.

We were all sick for a good solid week together, and coming home was just the start of it. Being away for a few days gave me the physical and emotional break I needed to help the girls though their sickness 24/7 for a week. I was very thankful that God had His hand in the timing of it all and that my dad needed Daniel down there for that week. I'm so thankful for such a loving and kind God! He takes care of all our needs and all we need to do is acknowledge Him and Honor and Praise Him. I can truly say with experience, what a mighty God we Serve!

Really, who else cares so much about a normal little old housewife who has little children to take care of, a house to clean and family to serve? Sometimes I feel so lonely, overwhelmed and over tired. Even with such a wonderful husband and great kids, life can just seem so big and I feel so small. It's in those moments that God scoops me up in His loving arms and shows me He cares enough to give me what I need. Whether it's just a good day, a kind word from a friend or a little time away... He knows my needs! Even before I do!

Wow... I just still can't get over what a mighty God we serve!

This last photo was one Daniel took of the girls and I about 3 hours after we back home. It was mixture of sickness, tiredness and thankfulness to all be together again. There is nothing like being back in your home with your family :)