Pen Pal Cousins

I have always loved writing letters. I love the feel of paper, the way a pen glides across the page, the sound of a pencil as it scribbles words. Writing letters is slowly becoming a lost art.  Emails are being sent, updates are given on Facebook, pictures are being posted on Instagram, and lets not forget texts and tweets. Communication is convenient these days. 

My kids go to school with a lot of kids who at 8 & 9 years old have cell phones. Mark and I won't allow our younger children to have cell phones for our own personal beliefs. I'm an older parent in the kids' school and I am very much an old school, old soul parent too. I try to teach my kids to appreciate the simple things in life. We like growing our food, getting our hands dirty, we like taking walks, we like unplugging, we like having lemonade stands, we like board games and card games, we like playing with lego and barbies. We like spending our time swimming during the day 

and gathering around the fire pit at night. 

We love simple. Cell phones will always be there, 

but these moments are fleeting.

Distance can't keep these two apart. Mary Kate lives in Arkansas and Keely lives in California.

And that's what gravitates me to sharing with my kids the lost art of actually writing letters...do you remember what it was like receiving a special letter in the mail? 

The excitement of checking the mailbox, seeing an envelope addressed to you. 

For those few brief moments you feel special, you feel excited and most of all you feel loved. 

Because someone took the time out of their day to write a letter to you. 

Letters will always be far more personal than any Facebook update, any Instagram post, text, tweet or email. Letters contain words written by someone's hand. They had to think of what they wanted to say before they said it, they had to have the supplies to write the letter. So much more goes into letter writing than anything else. 

These two girls are animal lovers. Mary Kate wants to be a vet and Keely wants to be a farmer!
Maybe they can work with each other one day!

And that's why my Sister-In-Law, Katy, and I are teaching our daughters to write letters. We have started something fun for them to share with each other by becoming Pen Pal Cousins, writing letters back and forth to each other. You see, just like me, Katy is an old soul and we love things like this. Sure it adds more to our already busy lives, but this is something we know will be special for our girls as they grow up. Mary Kate and I are even going to put the letters from cousin Keely in their own special pretty box. So Mary Kate will always know where they are and one day she will be able to look back on them and reminiscence with her cousin. And overall, it will help build their relationship to be stronger. It's my prayer and hope that even though our sweet daughters are far away, that their relationship will be a close one.

Friends Forever

As I was talking to Mary Kate about starting her letter to Keely, I realized, I had to actually teach my daughter how to write a letter. Mary Kate was full of questions, "Why do we ask how are you?" "What am I supposed to say?" "Why would she want to know about my basketball team?" I had to explain to her that these are things about our lives that we might find boring or mundane but others might find fun and exciting. They learn things about us that we didn't realize they never knew. And we ask how are you because that shows we care and that we've been thinking about them. 

The plan is, sometimes we'll send just a letter, sometimes we'll send a little trinket with a short note, sometimes we'll send a care package of some of MK's favorite things from Arkansas, we'll send postcards from places we visit big or small....we'll have fun with this and that's what matters most. We want this to be a positive experience for our daughters. Something they always look forward to. We want this to be something (we hope) our daughters 

continue to do on their own as they grow older. Even after they get their own cell phones one day! I said I hope...LOL! 

I'll write back soon!

All of August

 Welcome September! Yes, I know it's odd to have a post titled "All of August" and immediately start talking about September. But, oh my goodness, am I ever glad September is here! August was a BUSY month for us and it's spilling over into September as we speak. Nobody ever told me as we got older, our days would get busier too. I feel like there is never enough hours in the day to accomplish what I want to. And there is so much to be done-and I'm a stay at home Mom! God bless the working Mom's out there who have to do it all and more! My to-do list is only getting longer because things just keep piling up on each other. So hopefully September will bring me a little relief after the 14th and let me catch up on that list.

So why was August so busy for us? Well, first it was back to school. That's a whole thing within itself. Meeting the teachers, school supply shopping, clothes shopping, getting back into routines and saying goodbye to our beloved summer that went by way too quickly. I also volunteered to be SAG chairperson this year for our PTA. SAG stands for Staff Appreciation Group. I make sure staff has food for busy times like Welcome Back to School, Parent Teacher Conferences, Teacher Appreciation, etc. So far I've pulled off one successful SAG event and the next will be for Parent Teacher Conferences. I was lucky enough to get donations from several local bakeries, I baked some goodies myself and everyone really loved it! I hope Parent Teacher Conferences go off just as smoothly.

A fun letter board to Welcome Staff Back to School.

A sweet spread of treats! Cookies donated by Rick's Bakery in Rogers.

Cream Horns made by me.

Cookie Dough donated by Bliss Cupcakes in Rogers.

Donuts from Rick's Bakery in Rogers.

Cake balls donated by Bliss Cupcakes in Rogers.

Cupcakes donated by Bliss Cupcakes in Rogers.

Apple sugar cookies made by me.

However, before that, we sent Matthew back to school and now he's in his own dorm room, that looks more like a little apartment. It's super cute and he's loving it. I do wish he had a roommate, though. It's always good to surround yourself with people. But he's an introvert who likes his space and I get that. In the end I'm super excited and proud of him. Our oldest son, Ryan, also decided to go back to school. He's taking on-line classes and working third shift. Yikes! I worked third shift for years and it's exhausting. But he has it figured out. And like, Matthew, I am very proud of him and excited for this next chapter in his life. I can't believe I have two college men now! My goodness, they make me proud!

The view outside of Matt's dorm is of the Razorback Stadium! Awesome view!

Big man on campus! Matt is so excited for this year!

The first day back to school was also my daughter's 9th Birthday! So I had to make sure her first day back to school Birthday was memorable. I felt so bad for her, having her birthday on the first day back but she was so excited! She's never celebrated her Birthday with her friends at school {once in preschool-but elementary school is much different}and so she was thrilled! I went all out for my girl too! We had a party with family on one weekend, my Aunt provided a sign for our front yard on her actual birthday, and then we had a party with her friends on another weekend. Her birthday was celebrated almost the whole month of August and she loved it! It was exhausting for me but so worth it! I can't believe I have a 9 year old now. And let me tell you, as much as I miss her being little, I also love this season in her life. She's so chatty, sweet and smart.

First Day back to School! 2nd Grade here he comes!

Birthday Girl!

First Day back to School! 3rd Grade Girl!

Yard Sign provided by NWA Yard Greetings! Check them out on Facebook!

Happy Birthday! Balloons provided by The Party Place in Rogers.

A puppy Birthday! Cake provided from Harp's Bakery in Rogers.

Birthday celebration with family.

Making a big wish!

Invitations provided by JuneArborDesigns on Etsy

Second Husky Cake for party #2

Goodie Doggie Bowls: Cocoa puffs (puppy chow), stuffy, juice, bracelet (dog collar), scooby snacks
Dog Bowls from the Dollar Tree, Stuffy and collars from Amazon.

Painting party-can you guess what they are going to paint?

Sketching her art after canvas dried.

Will's puppy & Mary Kate's puppy. How cute are these?!

Friends artwork.

Thank you, Imagine Studios in Rogers for hosting our sweet girl and her friends!

A week after Mary Kate's Birthday was Ryan's 22nd Birthday. Yes, I said 22. How is that even possible?? Ryan actually surprised me on his Birthday and showed up at the house that morning to say HI and then later that afternoon we went out for a quick bite to eat and a drink. We talked goals, faith, family and future plans. Ryan is our Conan O'Brien doppelganger {twin}. He's funny, charming, sweet and just all round good guy. Don't let his tatoos fool you-he's a total teddy bear!

Our Birthday Man!

After all of the birthdays we then had our dear friends, Tom and Rachel, from Tulsa came to Arkansas for a visit and to kick off the first Razorback game with us and our neighbors! They bought a Mercedes Benz and they took us out for a night on the town in it and oh my goodness, it was AWESOME! Drives like a dream! I didn't drive it, I rode shotgun-but was the smoothest ride ever! Their sweet daughter, Elle, babysat for us while we went out and let me tell you, this girl is so precious to us. Her heart is so kind and loving and the kids just love her like a cousin! She always plays with them and makes it a fun night! Thank you, Elle, for always making them feel special!

Mercedes Benz Baby! So happy for Tom and Rachel and their new ride! 

Elle helping them figure out a video game. She is like a cousin to them. We just adore her!

And finally, but not least. August was also the 50th wedding anniversary of my in-laws and my Mom in laws birthday too. I can't tell you enough how much I love my in laws. They are an inspiration as a couple. Just like my parents are. They are funny, loving, light hearted, kind, and we wish we could have celebrated with them and put on a BIG party for them. My heart aches so much that we couldn't be there to do that for them. Because they deserve to be celebrated so much. And my Mom in Law is so incredible as a Mom, Wife and Nana to her grandkids. She is everything I want to be as Grandma when I grow older. She has so much energy for the kids and she makes things fun for them. She plays games with them, bakes for them, spends time with them and she is so funny and sweet. The kids and I love the time we get to spend with her. I am incredibly blessed to have her as my Mom in Law. Vickie, if you are reading this just know I love you to no end. You are one of the most talented, smartest and most beautiful women I know. You are a blessing to this family more than you know. I absolutely adore you and hope you had a beautiful birthday and even more beautiful anniversary. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Young and in love.

50 years of love and marriage.

An inspirational couple.

Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday! We love you!!!!

Birthday Wishes

This weekend we celebrated Mark’s 48th Birthday. One of Mark's Birthday wishes was to go see the country bad, Midland, in Tulsa Oklahoma. So we loaded up the family and went to Tulsa to celebrate with our best couple friend, Tom and Rachel. When we arrived to Tulsa, Tom and Rachel had a few fun surprises awaiting our arrival. As always they go above and beyond any expectations we might have. And they always make us feel at home by treating us like family.

Bedside laughs and treats for Mark and Me

Fun treats awaiting the kids when we arrived

After we got the kids all settled in, Mark's next Birthday wish was to eat at our favorite Irish Pub, Kilkenny's.  If you ever get a chance to go eat at Kilkenny's, you must go! It never disappoints. The atmosphere alone takes you to Ireland, and the food is just amazing! We love this place and always stop in for a pint of Guinness when we visit Tulsa.

This photo is a little dim, but it's a gorgeous restaurant!

Guiness is a must when you visit any Irish Pub

Cheers to the Birthday Boy!

Once we filled our bellies, it was time for us to grab an Uber and go see Midland at Cain's Ballroom. Cain's is like an old school honky-tonk, that's reminiscent of the Grand Ole Opry. It's old, beautiful and has a bbq joint inside. It smelled and looked country, we loved it! And so did everyone else!! It was crowded but we had so much fun!

Cain's Ballroom is where a lot of top artists perform at.

Walls lined with so many acts from past to present.

Midland 

They wasted no time and played hit after hit! GREAT concert!

After the concert it was time to head back to Tom and Rachel's where we sang a Happy Birthday song to Mark, just after midnight. We brought buntinis from Arkansas at Nothing Bunt Cakes and wished our Birthday boy a good night's rest, because tomorrow was going to be a busy day!

Buntinis from Nothing Bunt Cakes are amazing! The best bunt cakes ever!

An early morning Happy Birthday to my sweet husband.

The next morning we needed food...Mark's wish of not having a hang over did not go as planned, HA! Tom and Rachel took us to a diner called Metro and it was soooo delicious! Again, the atmosphere was amazing. It was very much modern meets the past. We drank bloody mary's, coffee and mimosas and ate some delicious food!

A spicy chicken biscuit with strawberries and a mimosa hit the spot!

The Birthday boy with his best friend, Tom.

This beautiful young lady was our sitter while we were out at the concert. She has the sweetest heart! We just love her! 

Mark's birthday wish for the rest of the day was to go on brewery tours. Or as he likes to call it 'market research.' We started out visiting a few breweries together before we decided to break off into groups, because Rachel and I were still recovering from the night before. So while the men went to tour more breweries for Mark's birthday, Rachel, me and kids went out for lunch and back to her house for a movie and a much needed nap. 

You know we love our brewery tours! The kids especially love collecting stickers from every brewery tour we take.

Mary Kate following along, listening to her Dad talk all things brewery at Pippins Taproom.

Nothings Left Brew Co was gorgeous inside! 

A delicious sample of beers for us to try!

Family friendly breweries are always the BEST!

Our little artist making pretty pictures while we drink to Daddy's birthday!

This girl never forgets a birthday and was the first one to wish her Daddy Happy Birthday

We have been long time supporters and friends of Marshall Brewing Company. It's so exciting to see them grow!

Our little brewery man

Playing games at Marshall Brewing Co Taproom

Mark's final Birthday wish of the night was to eat dinner at Siegi's Sausage Factory. Siegi's specializes in making housemade and homestyle German-Austrian sausages. With Mark opening a brewery that specializes in German style lagers, it's no surprise that he also loves German food. And Siegi's has an amazing German menu for the whole family to enjoy.

Sausages, sauerkraut and beer for dinner! Plus they serve pretzel bread as an appetizer before the meal. YUM!

Bread Pudding for Mark's Birthday dessert

After dinner we went back to Tom and Rachel's where Mark and Tom fell fast asleep from their day of brewery touring and eating a rich, full meal. I think most of Mark's Birthday wishes came true. Now if only our own brewery would just open, then I know his ultimate dream would be come true!

I probably don't say it enough to you, Mark, but I am so proud of you. You always have a smile on your face, a song in your heart and you work so hard for this family. You put everyone else's needs before your own and I'm so glad to see you finally doing something for yourself by opening Natural State Beer Co. You are my best friend, the love of my life and every single day you make me smile and laugh. You are everything I prayed for in a spouse and I am honored that God chose me to spend the rest of my life with you. You are a blessing beyond words and I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that all of your Birthday wishes came true. I love you more than life itself.