feeding the ducks.

I could tell that Savannah had felt a little left out that we went to the farm without her, but she played it off that it would have been boring for her. 

So, Devin and I planned a surprise for Savannah when we picked her up from school on Friday. We had stopped at the gas station for treats, packed clothes for Savannah to change in to, and headed to Wheeler Farm. I have to say that I love Wheeler Farm a little more than Farm Country, mostly because it is pretty much free. You can pay to go on a tractor ride, and duck food is pennies...other than that...free.

Spring time is the best to go and visit any farm, because of all the cute baby animals. Haven't we already discussed how anything looks cuter when it is a tiny baby!?

We had fun feeding the ducks, playing in all the little houses, and then we hit up the slides at the end. I can see this quickly becoming a staple in our routine this Summer. It was easy to spend a few hours, and next time instead of just treats I am packing lunch. 

Who wants to go with us?  Only a couple more weeks until the end of the school year, but we aren't counting...

my favorite gift

Kyle {my Brother} randomly sent me a message asking if our family would like to adopt his cat. After a few pictures, a few conversations with Paul, we told Kyle we would love to have his cat join our family.

Kyle had named him Tittles, but Devin quickly changed it to Toodle Dog. He warned us that his cat was shy, and since Kyle lives alone...we wondered how this cat would handle us.

Saturday morning he came over to our house with possibly the fattest cat I have ever seen. Clearly Toodle Dog doesn't move much, and eats his feelings. It would be safe to say that he weighs more than 25+ pounds.

The kids wanted to love on Toodle Dog, but all he wants to do is sit in a dark corner...and hope he blends in. We could see the excitement wearing down with the kids, and we feared he would be forgotten about in a few days.

{I should interject here that when I said yes to the cat, I was taking full responsibility for him. I wanted the cat, but thought the kids would have a love for cats, like I already do.}

As soon as Kyle left, Paul and I sat in the basement worrying about this cat. Paul instantly said he wanted to go and buy a kitty, but I didn't realize how serious he was.


Paul left for work with Savannah, and I checked on Toodle Dog a few times...and tried to coax him out. I called to tell Paul the status on our shy cat, and Paul told me he was kitty shopping. I hurried and called our favorite pet store to see if they had any, and was excited to hear that they had 2 babies.

Paul went over to see what the kittens look like, and called not soon after to tell me they didn't like the look of what they had. I wasn't super bummed, because remember I said I didn't think Paul was that serious!?

Paul walked in from the garage like no big deal, and started talking to me...and then guess who jumps around the corner? Savannah holding a box with a kitty making loads of noise. You could have picked my chin up off of the floor, I have never been that surprised. I really had zero idea that he was pulling a fast one on me that entire time.

Out jumped our new baby kitty, Zoe. It was the perfect Mother's Day gift. I fell in love hard, and that kitty fell in love with me too. It's okay to say I had an instant bond with a kitty, right? I realize I sound like a crazy cat lady, I am owning it.

So far Zoe doesn't care about Toodle Dog, and Toodle Dog hasn't come out of hiding...except in the middle of the night.

{This video makes me laugh, because Paul and I were hiding downstairs playing with the cat by ourselves.}

 

It took me a long time to convince Paul to have children, and then once we started...I now have 3. It has taken me even longer to convince Paul we needed to have a cat...and in one day I got 2.

I never knew a family pet could make us all so happy, and make me giggle so much.

the farm.

Savannah's teacher bought some fertilized eggs from Thanksgiving Point for a class project, and needed someone to go and pick them up during the day. I am short of my volunteer hours, and decided it would be fun to make it a date with the babies.

The farm is his favorite place at Thanksgiving Point. He loves chickens, like a lot. Such an odd animal to fall in love with, but Devin likes to be different.

{He said "Mom, make sure the horse is smiling too!"}

We explored the entire farm, made all the animal noises, and Devin had fun introducing Bina to this new experience.

At the end of our trip, we got to pick up the eggs. I was completely unprepared for how awesome this was going to be for us. They handed me a carton with eggs in it, and told me to keep them extra warm...and she casually mentioned that one was in the middle of hatching!! Uh, I was freaking out, and so was Devin. We checked on the eggs, wrapped them in blankets, and stuck them directly under the heater in the car. We had a 30+ minute drive to the school, and I could hear that little egg chirping all the way there.

Devin "helped" me carry the eggs in, and when we opened the carton we saw little shells in the bottom. We put the eggs in the incubator and that egg just started rolling around. It was so amazing to see. That little chick completely hatched within the hour after we got it to the school. I was so glad that I got to be apart of this. It was fun for all of us, and I think it just made Devin fall in love with chickens even more.

comfort zone.

Life is about growing, getting out of your comfort zone, and trying new things. We do these things in hopes to become something better, love yourself more, become a little more happy. I have always said that change isn't always fun, but necessary. I think it is good to take a good look at yourself, and realize the areas to which you need some improvement.

Every night when I put my Devin to bed, I always say to him...

"Can we try to make tomorrow better?"

 and every night before I fall asleep I tell myself...

"Tomorrow I am going to try harder, have more patience,

 and be better than I was today."  

As weird as it sounds I get anxiety inviting people over to my house. I get worried over every little detail. This is something I have wanted to change, but it has been a lot of baby steps for me to do so. We invited a friend over for football, and it was so fun...we did it again. I love doing the MommyParties, because it does force me to meet new people and invite people over.

I usually just look at the skinny colored jeans, telling myself they won't look good on me. Last time I went clothes shopping, I tried them on...and bought them...and love them. Maybe they don't look as good on me as someone else, but I love the way they make me feel. So whatev.

I went to a Relief Society gathering, I got to know a few more ladies in our neighborhood. This is totally out of my comfort zone, I really patted myself on the back for this one.

When I turned into a stay at home Mom, I realized I didn't have as many friends outside of work. As a 30+ year old, it only gets harder to make new friends. I have tried to reach out, and have had some reach out to me. It feels good to have made some really good friends.

I am proud of what I have accomplished already in 2013. I hope that I can keep going strong for the rest of the year.

14 years.

{our one year anniversary!}

 

We have spent the past few days reminiscing about our 14 years together. Today we hit another anniversary. It is hard to put in to words just how far we have come, how much we have grown, and just how much we have learned.

 

I am trying to not get cliché, because Paul hates when I do that. Ya know what I mean...I married my best friend, business.

I have regrets about the first years of marriage, but not because of who was standing by my side. Mostly I realize that I wished away precious years of it being just us, and forgot to relish in all of the fun we could have had with him and I...alone. I don't think I truly learned to live in the moment until after Devin. That is a long time for Paul to put up with me wishing for the next step in life, constantly complaining about what I wanted, and never being happy with the here and now.

 

The other night Paul and I were talking about things the other person does that still irritate us. If we would have had this same conversation at the beginning of our marriage, I probably would have ended up in tears...and we would both have had a legal sized paper full of things. I love that we can laugh about it, and still love each other despite of our quirks.

I really did win the lottery when it comes to husbands. I almost married someone different, and am so lucky I didn't...I am reminded of this frequently. My life would not be as awesome without my Paul.

I am not nearly as skinny as I was at 18, or tan...but we are doing a good job at growing old together. He can make me laugh like no one else can, knows me better than anyone, and can see right through my fake smile.

{photo credit: Kim Orlandini Photography}

 

He takes such good care of me, and our kids. He even lets me bring up having baby #4, and doesn't throw it in my face that I said we were done.

{photo credit: Kim Orlandini Photography}

 

So, we made it...14 years. There is no doubt we will be make 14 more, and then some. Never been so thankful for a single person in my life. He loves me unconditionally, like no other has in my entire life...and for that I am sooo thankful.

 

Happy Anniversary Paul! If you ever start calling me Babe, I may take back all these kind words. ;)









surviving because of the sunshine.

Whoa, I made it to Friday friends. I did it. Hallelujah! It was a hard week from Monday on through to today for me. I can't be the only Mom that wakes up, and just feels like running away!? Maybe I am. I was just so off my game this week.

I think I just hit a wall. My wall consists of wondering when I will ever get a good night of sleep again, will I ever figure out why my kid has so many tantrums, wanting just a tiny bit of silence, and holy cow I can't keep up with the messes.  

So, yeah that was my wall.

I had little glimmers of light through that wall throughout the week. Bina learned how to use a straw and a sippy cup, I won't be nursing her until she is 5 after all. Devin randomly told me he was sorry for being naughty, and he loved me {dude, it was a moment that made my heart swell!}. Paul let me take a nap, and watched the babies while I went on a date with Cathy {which I think deserves a post all of its own}.
No matter how hard the days are, I still find myself thinking of another baby...so I guess it can't be all that bad, right? I mean, they are just so cute, and squishy...why wouldn't I want a million of them!?

Every afternoon and in to the evening we have been making our way outside to soak up the sunshine, and run off the last of our energy. That sunshine has a way of calming me, and makes me re-energized for the bedtime routine. I watch my kids play nicely, dream up new games, and laugh uncontrollably.

and then I wait for the next afternoon to do it all over again...

Crayola's Big colorful Birthday Adventure

To celebrate 110th birthday of Crayola, the 8 original crayons are throwing a birthday bash!! It will be at the Crayola Experience {in Pennsylvania!!}, the world's only interactive Crayola family attraction.

They are out on an adventure to spread the news, and EVERYONE is invited to join the fun! You can FOLLOW along on their adventure, and learn more about each color and enter to WIN a trip for 4 to celebrate their birthday and the Grand Opening of the all new Crayola Experience this coming May, 2013! The winner will be among the first to experience the fun, along with a three- night, all-expenses paid stay. Wouldn't that be a dream?

We are excited to follow along, and see if the crayons make it to our state. Of course we are huge fans of Crayola, and only wish that Pennsylvania wasn't so far away from us.

Disclosure: I was asked by Crayola to spread the word, and all the information was provided by them. I have not been given any compensation. Our love for them runs deep.