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...
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