Sweet Start to 2018....

 

This year is off to a sweet start... well a sweet non-sweets-eating start if we're being completely honest: Pete and I are turning over a new leaf- trying to eat more whole foods, exercise more, and just be over all healthier- emotionally and physically.  I laughed when I looked at our grocery cart and snapped a picture- I kinda felt like a rabbit in January, but we're getting in the groove a bit more;): enjoying some of the new dishes- especially when they get a thumbs-up from the kids- and finding ways to make salad-eating fun!

Pete began Orange Theory, and I think it's safe to say he's hooked!  He enjoys the gym and has totally made it a part of his routine- love his new groove!  I am still running, but trying to do more circuit training and honestly- I really like the challenge of it all.  Nothing says "that was a kick-butt workout" like not being able to sit on the toilet properly when you use the restroom- ha!  I am no incredible athlete.  My motivation is emotional happiness and actually feeling strong.  Mom-life is challenging, and a good sweat seems to be the perfect zen to my day;)... even when I may be a little stinky and my daughter brings a fan to the treadmill- HA!!

 

There have been some warmish days the past few weeks and we enjoyed putting up the Vitamin D supplements for a sec and enjoying the REAL THING!!  

...but when the kids are bouncing off the walls and the weather is less than stellar, we are coming up with new ways to keep from boredom- CHORES!!!  Harper spent FOREVER sweeping the garage (it's an outdoor vacuum, I promise;))... How many more days 'till Spring?!

 

...love little baby hands;)

"Mommy can I hold your hand while I play?"

out-loud: "Sure, babe"

in my head: "never stop asking me that; please God let me slow down to keep soaking in these moments;)"

Evelyn's new favorite spot to watch her shows.... corner of the couch covered in pillows;)

{Preschool Cuteness}

Olivia + Maggie Cuteness

These two are so close in age... I sometimes forget that, but when I saw Olivia and Maggie reading books together in Olivia's room, I pretty much melted- ADORABLE!

 

Maggie has been doing well at therapy: looking like a big girl in her stander, and holding on/sitting all by herself on the rope swing!!

...she did have one sick day- sweet baby would snooze wherever she was;(.

 

...but it didn't take long for her to bounce back- right into Children's Therapy Team's instagram posts- love!!!!

Bella Grace

Ms. Niki has the SWEETEST puppy.  Bella had JUST met Maggie and she curled up right next to her while she watched her iPad.  I mean what the what?!?!  I LOVED IT!!!!!

{Super Sweet Sisters}

Not so sweet...

a sick skunk found it's way into our fenced in backyard.  Ugh.  After watching this thing hobble around our yard for the better half of the day, just praying it would not die in front of my children, pest control came to get it.  Girls were glued to the window and I was thrilled we only had the visitor for a day... although his scent lingered a couple days... eeeewww!!

This girly celebrated her 100th day of school at Central Park!!

She enjoyed making her shirt and was all about a "100" braided into her hair.  I don't know what I was thinking having her look for ideas on pinterest- ha- but we had fun! 

Spring Picture Day

I got a little sad when she requested her hair to be straightened and no bow.... she is growing up TOO QUICKLY!!!!

Super Bowl 2018!

food pics- check

pictures of actual human family members enjoying the game- zero

This was a classic "too many cool finds on pinterest" situation.  It was only the 5 of us watching the game and I was just cooking away in the kitchen with Harper: homemade pretzels and cheese sauce, dessert nachos, cookie dough dip, sloppy joes... geez louise.  Nothing "whole food nutritious eating" about it...

But we had fun cooking together and watching the game;)... and the leftovers kept us in the spirit all week- HA!

Pete's grandparents, Bob + Mable, surprised us during their cross country road trip with an overnight visit in Arkansas!!  I honestly could not BELIEVE it!!  I was so touched by them taking the time and including us in such a special trip...

...I mean check out all the highlighted areas... THAT'S ONE HUGE ROAD TRIP!!!!

Harper LOVED having them here to play...

...and we all LOVED their stories- many of which we had never heard before.  It was so special to have so much uninterrupted time with the two of them, hearing their stories, sharing our kids, and soaking in the precious family time...

...totally priceless.  

Bob, thank you for sharing Mable with us, thank you for the time, energy, and effort it took to include us in your journey... we love you so much!

Brundige - Lee family dinner!!!  

With crazy schedules, it's always hard to find time to get together, but Shannon- we DID IT!  

It was so nice to enjoy an incredible meal and sneak a peak at your beautiful new home...

and I think it goes without saying, our kiddos LOVED the friend time;)!!

Speaking of friend time, a little extra friend time was due to help break in the pizza oven Pete got for Christmas (thank you, Mom + Dad;)).  The Pate family joined us for a pizza cook-off: they were great sports in contributing to our fun "create your own pizza" challenge... 

 

...we laughed and prepped together and truly had a great time!!

And Jen's famous turkey, bacon, pesto pizza stole the show- DELICIOUS!!

All in all it's been a sweet start to the year.  I've spent some of it in a bit of a weird place: trying to find my place in it all...somewhere between the crazy schedule of the kids, keeping the household chores in order, being a supportive wife, and keeping myself healthy.  LOTS of soul searching as I find my new balance in it all.  Motherhood is the most challenging job I've ever had- I would choose it again and again and again- 100 percent- but some days... well, they just require more chocolate.  

I thank God every day for giving me the best friends... who can just pretty much sense those days;).  

Because in a world full of crazy, stress, and meltdowns- there is beauty, happy, and sunshine- kindness can change it all... 

First Valentine's Day on Grimsdell...

First V-Day in this house!  I do love a good excuse to decorate, so I stuck up some lovey-dovey decor to celebrate the month of looooooooove- ha!

  

....and Pete and I put together a little Valentine's Day countdown for the girls' doors with little messages to them each day;).  Yes, a bit cliche, but the girls did enjoy it, and at the end of the day.... when we're all fried... it was nice to "remember the love a bit" before bedtime as we read our messages to each of them;).

...and of course the littlest Lees got a little lovey-dovey cheer to celebrate;).

Evelyn's FIRST Valentine's Day Party!!!

This child is a personality all her own {and a bit like her mama, I will admit:)}.  One of the snow days, ahem...late January.... I decided to take the girls to Target to pick out their valentine's supplies as it was still all "fresh";).  Evelyn ran right up to the wall of valentine options, and picked her Peppa Pig valentine's and yogurt covered pretzels RIGHT away.  Hilarious.  She is efficient to say the least.  Her oldest sister is so calm, and steady, and takes her time... pondering over each option.  It was funny, but Evelyn was PSYCHED about her Peppa valentine's and even more excited to make her box for class... so fun to celebrate all these fun holiday firsts with her;)... half the time she is clueless of why it's so exciting, but she sees Harper amped up and you better believe she gets amped up right along with her- LOVE!

Maggie put together her own valentine's to take to her therapists.  She was so sweet using her "Maggie" stamp to sign her messages to her therapists!  She was having a blast...and I thought her bright and smiley face on her chocolatey treats were pretty cute;)!!

Harper's First Grade Valentine's Day Party!!!

Maggie and I had the opportunity to attend Harper's Valentine's Day party this year!!  I was so excited and it was pretty sweet to see how excited Harper was to see her little sister at HER party... sister love- it does have it's warm-hearted moments;).

Harper enjoyed the games and the craft, and especially loved re-introducing me to her friend, Maddy, in her class.  She was also pretty excited about her R2-D2 valentines box (I mean trash can;)) that she made;).

 

February 14, 2018

I got the girls each a little something and a fun shirt to wear that day... pretty sure I'll be coordinating their "special occasion outfits" until they say otherwise;)....

...and I couldn't pass up the Krispy Kreme cuteness for breakfast.

This year, with Valentine's Day being on a school day, I decided to celebrate them by cooking a little of everyone's favorite: filet mignon, ravioli, corn on the cob, potatoes, and strawberries dipped in chocolate.  

{side note: totally forgot it was Ash Wednesday... total Catholic fail- ugh}.  

Anyway, I attempted to surprise Pete with this yummy dinner even though I am NOT the steak connoisseur...

of COURSE, as walks in I had just put out a small fire on the stove from searing the steaks, and because I couldn't figure out the grill... was trying to cook the steaks in the oven.  Goodness... smoke billowing from oven (not the best ventilation).... and trying to get the rest of the dish prepared on the stove top... I was truly thinking the whole thing was going to be a bust...

...but husband to the rescue: cranked opened the windows, fired up the grill, and finished up the steaks, while I plated the girls' meals.  

Teamwork.

Steaks were NOT a bust, but rather INCREDIBLE.

And the girls grinned ear to ear as they dug into the RANDOM yet perfect-for-them, meal;).

YUM- O!

...and I was still able to surprise Pete with homemade tiramisu from my friend's bakery- HEAVENLY I tell ya!!!

My FAVORITE moments from that day though....

Harper surprised her sisters, and her Daddy and I, with handwritten valentines she wrote to each of them.  They were pretty adorable and made me think... amidst the chaos- I think Harper has figured out the meaning of this day;).  And then, they sat down to play Connect 4 together.  I am pretty sure Evelyn thought it was a speed game: who can get ALL their checkers into the slots the fastest- ha, but Harper was so patient with her.... very sweet!!  Lastly, Pete surprised the girls- and their mama- with flower seedlings, pots, and dirt to plant flowers together.  I was so touched, and the girls loved planting their flowers with Daddy....

 

My cuties on Valentine's Day!  Matching shirts- ALL DAY!  Tried MANY times to get a smiley picture of Mags, but she just wasn't having it... happiest I saw her that day was in the above picture- ha- kid eat 4 HELPINGS of ravioli.  I think I learned the way to her heart;)....

...a few days later, MY valentine and I celebrated together at a {new to us} steakhouse in town called Mister B's.  Run by a husband and wife team in a small house, it has been a staple of the community for 18 years!  We've always heard good things, but we now are for SURE believers- delicious.

Another Valentine's Day in the books!  I know it's a bit cliche of a holiday, but I do enjoy spoiling my loves for a day.  I DO hope that I am teaching them the importance of showing kindness and love EVERY day, but they truly were busting out the sweet moves on 2/14... 

Wishing you all the warm fuzzies and sweet moments this February;)....