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!!!!

Valentine’s Day 2019

Ah, love. I love LOVE. I love seeing people happy, watching relationships evolve, seeing families grow and knowing God loves me. But Valentine’s Day has always been my least favorite holiday because of how it can make others feel. And trust me when I say, my heart goes out to others who are felt unloved and alone during this holiday. I have been there! When I was single I always tried to make the best of it. I’d buy myself some chocolates, wine, rent a movie. Yes, yes, I tried to make the best of this miserable holiday. I knew I was worthy of being loved, so I just continued to pray for God to bring me someone and, in the meantime, I embraced being single as much as I could. And now that I am married with my forever Valentine and love of my life, Valentine’s doesn't even seem to be about us. It's of course, more about the kids. And we are okay with that, because Valentine's is over rated as it is...love should  be celebrated everyday! And so here it is, Valentine’s Day 2019, with the kiddos:)

My little cupids, ready for their school Valentine's Day party.

That morning, instead of giving the kids candy (like we need more of that in the house, because let's face it, I'll eat it before they do) Mark & I gifted them toys. Cause they just don’t have enough of those either...Mary Kate received some Hatchimals & a Fox Enchantimal. Will loves STEM toys, so he received a Discovery set. Ryan and Matthew both received gift cards to Dominos pizza.

My sweet girl is too sweet for candy!

Digging for treasures...

But he's my greatest treasure!

I don't usually decorate a whole lot for Valentine's Day. There are lots of pretty Valentine's decorations out there, but I keep it simple...because we're all still recovering from Christmas decorating! I found some super cute signs at Hobby Lobby for our entertainment center, that I just loved! And with Hobby Lobby and their amazing sales, I was able to get these for just a few bucks each.

The Grateful sign comes from Kirkland's and the two at the end are from Hobby Lobby.

I always decorate our mantle for every holiday and all I did was add this heart wreath on top of the boxwood wreath. I think I bought the heart wreath at Wal-Mart for under $5 (I've had it forever!) and the love banner comes from Hobby Lobby...again:)

My "lovely" mantle.

Every holiday, Mark's parents also send the kids a fun box full of goodies. The kids received a craft, candy and one of my Mother-In-Law's beautiful homemade cards. The kids are always so excited to receive special gifts but they especially love receiving gifts from their Nana and Papa in Wyoming.

This craft was a little hard and time consuming but my perfectionist daughter, kept going until it was built.

Cards made by Nana

Will's little robot man that he built!

When we went to Tulsa for Mark's birthday, we ate at a restaurant that gave Wikki Stix instead of crayons for kids to play with. The kids loved them so much, I knew I had to have some for Valentines! I found a Valentine themed Wikki Stix and paired them custom labels. They were a hit with their classmates and teachers. 

Click here to order Wikki Stix
:

To order custom labels, click here

Easy Peasy Valentine's Gifts for friends

The kids' class Valentine's Parties were filled with lots of treats, crafts and games. They had a great time, as always, celebrating with their classmates and friends. I used to be a room-Mom for my kids' preschool classes and Mary Kate's kindergarten class. It was exhausting...so when I see all the work these room Moms put into these parties, my heart fills with love and appreciation for all they do. I've been there Mamas and we are truly thankful for all that you do!

The classes don't do boxes, but bags instead.

And we are soooooo grateful for that! Boxes are a pain:)

One of the many crafting stations the room Moms and teachers do for the parties.

Sweet friends and silly grown-ups!

Best Principal and Vice Principal! They are all about making the kids feel special and we love them for that!

Oh and don't think that Mark and I forgot about each other during Valentine's Day. Oh no, we could never do that. He is the love of my life, remember?!! He's the reason we have this incredible marriage and why we have 4 beautiful children. He is my whole world and I couldn't imagine my life without him. I'm beyond blessed to be loved by my husband of 10 years. 

He spoils me way too much. My gorgeous watch from my Love.

My hard to buy for husband, who has everything, was given his favorite beer and pretzels. He also bought some records for
himself (plus he's getting his own brewery too;)

Well, that's it...our little Valentine's Day. I hope everyone had a good and even a great Valentine's Day. And please remember it's more important that you love yourself first. Trust God's timing, pray for the man that He has planned for you. Don't give God a list, He's not a wish maker....love will come in all sorts of forms but first and foremost, it's how we love ourselves and our Lord that matters most. You are worthy of love and I pray each of you find love.