It's about time...

When we moved in almost 5 years ago, I just threw everything in closets. I was 5 months pregnant with Mary. 2 years later Garrett was born. Ok Ok...enough of the excuses; if you know me, you know that organization is not my strong suit. Admittedly I've had 10 junk drawers, a dining room table piled with "to dos", etc. for as long as I can remember...no matter what my circumstances. Now normally I am pretty functional living like this actually, but if anyone were to have to come in and take over...well, it would be UGLY!

The weird thing is, I seem to attract or befriend VERY VERY organized people. I have a LIST of close friends and family that are so polar opposite of me. I see how they live, and I think...that would be so nice to "be" like that, but I'm just hopeless.

My latest encounter with a VERY VERY organized life would be Katie. I spent last weekend with her and as usual, I came home thinking...I disgust me. Am I destined to live with piles of clutter for the rest of my life??

I went out and found some nice looking vinyl buckets and decided to do the "trendy" thing that I've seen on a number of blogs....chalkboard paint. I painted several coats on these buckets. I must have bought 15 of them...don't worry they were only $2. I have gone bucket mad. They are EVERYWHERE!

Underneath the kitchen sink.

Now don't laugh at how I organized the buckets. At least I can write on them what is in them and erase them as I decide a better system. It's a START!
As anyone seen my desk??? OH THERE IT IS! I even painted chalkboard paint on one of the organizers. I can mark off my "to dos" as I complete them and they are a constant reminder of what's in the organizer!

So the hubs was impressed by all my hard work...probably a bit skeptical but encouraging none the same:) He took it upon himself to live "outside the box" for a day since I myself am trying to achieve something I've not done before. HE COOKED SUPPER! And not just any supper...

Seared scallops with white beans and bacon... YUMMMMMMMY! I love Scallops!
It doesn't look like the most kid friendly meal...spinach, beans, bacon, onions, and scallops. Allie LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Oh sweet orthodontist help our child...lovin' those new teeth that are coming in! YIKES.

So thanks to the hubs for a really good meal! Maybe if I could be organized every day, he could take over the kitchen???

Just chillin'

Mommy sabbatical

I left the kids home with the hubs this past weekend! I got this picture via text message at 8:54 on Saturday morning. Hubs took them to the park to play while Allie had a little project for school. They had a great time. I was gone 4 days! They had a blast with their dad...as they always do...popcorn, their favorite pizza joint for lunch, and movie night..What's not to love?

See mom...no problem!

I went to see Katie, Jason, and Zach! He truly loves his blow up HOG. We rolled him (yes the hog) up, dropped Zach off for babysitting, and went out to eat. Is he cute or what??? He called me Mena the whole weekend....cracked me up with his love for Beyonce.

Katie's parents (obviously my in laws) came up Saturday. Pappy ran a half marathon on Sunday and won his age division. He's challenged us ALL (yes that means you Mandy) to a half marathon next March....maybe that means only half of us have to show up...Hubs I nominate you!

Me, Katie, and Colson...you see him?! Katie looks so good! Good grief, my mamma always told me to hold my shoulders back....now I know why. Am I always a slumper??

Pretty girls

Now before I shift gears! I had a great weekend away. The kids did great at home with Hubs and I had some much needed down time. Isn't it fun to visit when you REALLY can visit?! Thanks Katie and Jason:) Love you guys!

This is my friend "Mish." That's not her real name, but that's what I've always called her. I will NEVER forget my first day of work in Rochester....a scared brand new graduate in a city a thousand miles away from "home." Mish started as a relatively new pharmacist as well at the same time as me. We quickly became friends and I leaned on her and several other AWESOME ladies heavily to learn the ropes. Who you work with can make or break a new job especially in a new city, and I was so blessed! She was down south and flagged me down a few months ago to make sure we could meet up for lunch. I haven't seen her since Mary was born. Her life has changed just a "LITTLE" bit. Yep, in October, she and her husband adopted 4 siblings (13, 11, 10, and 9) into their home. We obviously had ALOT to talk about. Wow...they are amazing...facing amazing challenges, but she's not the LEAST bit overwhelmed. They are all adjusting well. Zero to four kids overnight...can you imagine?! I'm so proud. Thanks Mish for the heads up!

Oh almost forgot! When Garrett was born she made this blanket for his room since we were doing a "sheep" theme. Isn't it PRECIOUS!!!! Garrett was pulling on it's tell saying...BAAAA BAAA! Mish you left the squeaker out! Ha!

Well if you are not bored to tears by now by the forever long post then check this out. Hubs took this video on his phone. Garrett started doing signs while sitting in his chair. We were introduced to some videos when Allie was a tot by a dear friend. The videos are called Signing Times, and G man is HOOKED!!! Here are a few signs:)

Gotcha!

Allie is having a blast paying softball. She got a couple of good hits tonight! Below is the video of one of her hits. Go Sassy Bats!

Meet G-man's best friends

If you have seen G in a while, then you have seen him with his two best buds. Meet...Blankie and passy. We've created a monster. Blankie/passie boot camp starts tomorrow. Hold me to it if you see me:) I won't be taking them away, but I'll at least be locking them in his room! It is the first of many "third child" mess ups.

Happy Easter

We had a great day of Worship and time with friends. Hope you did too!


We always take a "tree pic" at our church of Allie and Little Lion. The left is from 2008. They are getting "too cool" for pics.

Mary was the only one posing...as usual these days.
The Lion's Den : We asked them over to take pics of us....oh and to eat lunch and have a lazy afternoon:) Thanks for coming guys!

The G man was "TOAST" by this point!

Adam, Emmy, and Abbott stopped by later today. Abbott is pouting because her mamma has on a Texas shirt. Go HOGS.
There...now she's happy. Got her a flower:)

An Eggcellent Day

The girls and I went to celebrate Easter with our friends at church. Like last year, they had live chicks and ducks. I'm sorry Garrett wasn't there, but the chicks were likely thrilled. They were a big hit.


Careful Mary:)

They really wanted to bring one of them home. Um...I don't think so.


Allie was picked to participate with the Balloon man. He was silly, but the kids loved it! We brought this balloon concoction home, and it lasted about 30 sec at the hands of Garrett.

Allie and Madyn hunting some eggs.

We went to dye Easter eggs at Madyn's house after the hunt. They will have colored hands for church tomorrow.

She's just lookin' old to me.

Mary just couldn't keep her eyes open. Always fun when they fall asleep at 5pm.

Madyn gave Allie this stuffed German Shepherd dog to Allie to make her feel better about this week. Allie carried it around all afternoon. We sure have missed him this week. I've thought about him when the doorbell rings, when I'm vacuuming (he shed like crazy and I'll never get it all), when I go to bed and there are no paws clicking on the floor behind me. I didn't realize how engrained in our day he was, but now I do. I'm so thankful we had him for almost 10 years.

Hope you have a very BLESSED EASTER tomorrow!

"HE is not here. He is risen...just as he said." Matthew 28:6