Phone dump to the rescue

When you haven't blogged in over a month (WHAAAT?!), there's nothing like a good ol' phone dump of pictures to get you back in the blogging mood. :-) 

I was going through my pictures last night and trying to delete the hundreds of selfies from Maggie and realized I needed to blog. Bad. So, here's my attempt at starting fresh. Again. ;-)

This throwback goes all the way back to Valentine's Day. Aww :-) We went out with two other couples - our friends and old neighbors. It was fun because the guys planned it and it was a surprise to us gals. Eric has pretty cool connections and got us a limo. I guess he can do that kind of stuff when he can drive it. Ha! It wasn't just any limo...it was a stretched Hummer. Hilar. For 6 of us. Well, 5, because Eric was driving. We went to dinner and then like the wild party animals we are, went to the Pie Kitchen for dessert. Then home to bed because it was past 9:00 and we were tired. 

The gals -

The guys -

Sorry for the horrid iPhone pics. Gah!

With the weeks of snow days and frigid temps we've had, we have still tried to do a fun few things with the kids. You know, like eating ice cream as big as our heads... 

And staying up WAY TOO LATE because Mom had lost control of bedtime somewhere after the 4th snowday!

This little cutie didn't get to stay up late (HELLO GROUCH MONSTER) and she doesn't like ice cream, so we found fun things to do like paint her nails and fix her hair in pigtails. Cuteness! :-)

One afternoon last week, my mom, Maggie and I drove to the outlet mall and met my aunt Gail to shop and eat lunch. Love these ladies and spending time with them!

We also had an evening to hang out with the Murphy's. You know what's good about old friends? They know all about you and still love hanging out with you anyways. We've been friends since college. You guys!! We've been friends for 18 years. EIGHTEEN! How is that possible considering I'm only 24? I love these peeps so much! We've been through so many things together. College years when you're young and care free. Marriage. Children (lots of children!). Buying our first, second homes. Vacations. I've loved every bit of it. 

Maggie had her first basketball awards program where she got her very first trophy ever! Such a big girl now.

We've had some library time. Levi is an old pro. Maggie is getting there. She does know to be quiet now, which is wonderful. Both my kids love going. :-)

And, this weekend, we had the boys while my sister kept the girls. Give a boy a milkshake and a little basketball on TV and they're useless for conversation.

All in all, we've had a few good weeks. However, this momma is SO happy that school is back in session!! BRING IT, SPRING!

While Daddy's away, we'll...have another ice/snow storm

When Daddy is out of town, there are a few things that go by the wayside.  One of these things is the sleeping arrangements.  Eric was heading to Nashville last week for a conference and before he was even out of the driveway, Levi asked, "Mom, can I sleep with you while Daddy is gone?"  Sure!  I love having a little sleeping buddy with me.  And you know what?  I think he got pretty comfortable there...

Another thing that goes by the wayside?  Food.  This is way more than okay by me!  We give up formal meals (by "formal", I don't mean china, silver and wine glasses - I mean chicken in the crockpot!) and plop our rears on the couch for some grilled cheese or peanut butter & jelly and chips.   

One night, we even did Chick Fil A.  I love not cooking for a few days.  Jami was so sweet and even had us over for dinner on Saturday night.  Thanks, friend! :-)

I did inform Eric that he was never allowed to go out of town again when we had an impending ice/snow storm on the horizon!  NOT COOL.  The ice and snow came Sunday and we were stuck home for a few days.  Seriously.  Can we say CABIN FEVER this winter?  Let's pray this is the last of our rough winter!

We made some snow ice cream on Monday.  My kids were not a fan.  Maggie just liked stirring it.  

Two things about this picture: YES, she is wearing the birthday outfit my mom bought her for her birthday -- in MAY.  YES, she is wearing her "1st Visit" button from Disney, because, why not??

Glad to say that Eric made it home safe last night and we were sooo happy to have him back!  I immediately went "off duty" and let him handle any and all complaints, requests and meltdowns.  ;-)  Thankful my family is back together again!

my kids enjoy getting sick on holidays

First of all, I want to say thank you for the outpouring of love shown for Griffin.  Jenny told me she shared the link to my blog post about his open heart surgery on Facebook and we had no idea how many people would step up and start praying for him.  It has been humbling -- so many texts, calls, comments, and private messages offering love, support, prayer, testimony... I'm overwhelmed.  Thank you.  If you are interested in keeping up with his story, I will add a "GRIFFIN" label to the sidebar.  

This week, Maggie and I were out finishing up some Valentine shopping for Levi's school party and we were able to do an impromptu lunch with this gorgeous gal and Cameron.  It was so nice to be able to catch up.  Crazy that we haven't seen each other in ages due to all this snow and ice.

Maggie and Cameron crack me up!  They are in a Bible study class together and their little conversations make me laugh.  Maggie is quite the little mother hen.  I love Chick Fil A because the food is good and you can let your kid run wild and it doesn't really matter.

Thursday evening, yes, the night before Valentine's Day, we were finishing up a family project: Levi's Valentine box.  We are such procrastinators!  When Eric helps with a project, the overachiever in him usually takes over and we sit back and watch.  Ha!

Levi and I were starting to get a little slap-happy.  He was getting wild and I was just ready for my kids to be in bed! ;-)

It was FINALLY finished and Levi was CRAZY about it!  I think it turned out really great.

FYI, I did email the idea to his teacher to get permission to make a tank.  When Levi was in preschool, we let him take a little Matchbox car that was a tank to school for Show and Share.  His teacher told us that wasn't a good idea because it was considered a "gun".  Oops!  Parent fail.  

Eric and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day.  We never have.  We usually just like to do our anniversary and birthdays.  So this was our convo Thursday night after the kids went to bed:

Me: Did you get me a card?

Eric: Did YOU get ME a card?

Me: No.

Eric: Okay, good.  I didn't get you one either.

Me: I did get you something, though.

Eric: YOU DID?  I didn't get you anything.

Me: That's okay, I got me one, too!  

Then, I broke out two boxes of Mike & Ike candy for us.  :-)  We did get some little things for the kids.  Levi scored an iTunes card and some candy.

And, my non-candy eating child (WEIRD) got a new baby doll.

Friday morning, we got notice that the schools were having an early dismissal due to another incoming snow storm.  This meant that their afternoon Valentine parties were being moved to the morning.  As I was loading the cupcakes and craft stuff into the van, I got a call from the school nurse.  UGH.  Levi got to school and threw up.  She said he was white as a ghost.  So, I dropped off all of the loot and headed to the doctor with him.  What is it with my kids getting sick on holidays?  

It isn't very often that my big boy curls up in my lap. I self diagnosed him with strep, and sure enough, that's what it was.  We got some meds and he was pretty lethargic all day.  Today, though, he is a new person.  He is back to fighting with his sister and throwing a fit when we tell him to pick up his room.  O Happy Day.

Sidenote: What is up with the black circle under my eyes?  It looks like I haven't slept in a week!  I tried adding a filter to the picture just so I wouldn't look like a zombie.  But, it got worse.  I either looked like a Cullen vampire:

Or someone with a really bad spray tan...Sheesh!

So, we'll just stick with a zombie and I will remind myself to get some stronger concealer.  ;-)  Have a great weekend!

How do we NOT have a reality show about our G & T weekends?

Dramatic disclaimer: We've still been having issues with our internet and cable.  Some days, I think I might die.  Hopefully, I will be able to resume a normal blogging schedule soon.

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Last weekend was an infamous G & T weekend!  Woo hoo!  A couple months ago, I did what I always do: broach the subject with Eric.  It goes something like this:

Me: Hey, as soon as we get through the holidays, is it okay for me to plan a weekend in Bowling Green?

Eric: Why?

Me: Uh, to see G.

Eric: No.

Me: Errriiiiic....be serious.

Eric: You just saw her yesterday.

Me: I know, but we want to spend quality time together. (In my head: We have done this every three months for THREE YEARS...)

Eric: You talk to her twice every day.  Don't you get tired of her?

Me: No.  (Blah, blah, blah...just give me a weekend I can go...)

And, this draining conversation goes on for a few minutes until he finally gives me a date to go!  And with ALL of that, a plan was born.

As soon as I arrived, we headed out for dinner.  It was ridiculously early and I think we actually beat a few of the senior citizens!  That is typical G & T fashion: dinner at 5:30 followed by Starbucks and some Golden Girls by 8:30.  Please keep us in mind for any of your party planning needs.

After dinner, I was adorned with jewelry made by Hope.  Seriously, how cute is it that she made me bracelets and a choker necklace??  ;-)

Saturday, Indiana woke up to MORE snow!  (I am O.V.E.R. snow!)  Eric sent me some cute pics throughout the day of what they were doing.

He took the kids sledding, twice, and they ate dinner out with some friends.  He is honestly the best dad!  I really don't think I was missed much.  (knife through the heart...)

Bowling Green had a "dusting" of snow, but like the troopers we are, we trudged on to Nashville for some pretty intense shopping.  Um, literally 11 hours of shopping.  You guys - we love to shop!  We did have the occasional Starbucks/selfie break. Ha!

And, we also visited my heart.  You guys know about my passion for this store.

I love it!!  I will say that I haven't been impressed with some of the Coach styles over the last two years.  Yes, I'm a snob and like a certain look.  But, this....this is beautiful.

This is traditional Coach and I looooove it!  (That's my new bag in the middle! Cheesy grin!!)  Gretchen thought she'd be oh-so funny and park herself on a bench while I browsed the store.  Usually, it can take me about 5 or 50 minutes to decide on a bag.  Not this time!  We were in and out in 10 minutes!   

 We had a pretty successful shopping day.  More than shopping, we had a really successful bestie day.  Love this girl and every moment we get to spend together!

So, here's to the next 8,459 G & T weekends!!  Or better yet, here's till you move back home!!  Ha!  ...hey, one can be hopeful, right?! :-D

It snowed. We played. I'm done.

The anticipation began on Tuesday.  The news channels kept telling us to prepare for snow and on Thursday evening, Eric's phone was going bazonkers!  The call was made somewhere in the wee hours of the morning that school was cancelled for Friday.  Is it weird that when we woke up, school was called off and there wasn't even a flake on the ground?  Maybe a little.  But, it was in anticipation for what was coming.

And it came.  

It came in all its glory!

FIVE inches of beautiful, white snow.  

It was the good kind, too!  Great for sledding and building snowmen.  

The kids played their little hearts out for over an hour.  It was SO COLD!  

While the kids played, this ghost buster look-alike wondered around clearing off driveways. ;)  Eric was cracking me up with his snow gear!  Couldn't help but sing the theme song "Who you gonna call..."!

No-nap, worn-out-from-playing-in-the-snow Maggie went to bed early {praise Jesus!} and the three party animals settled in for our first viewing of ELF for the season!  We love that movie and Levi giggles the entire time.  So cute!

Fun snow day, but this momma is already done with the bitter cold!  I'm ready for the 60 degree temps again. ;)